Anytime Knowledge!

Monday, December 16, 2013

2014 Honda City Diesel - First Drive of the Most Awaiting Car!

For the first time, the world premiere of the Honda City took place in India last month, this shows how important the C sedan is for the Indian market. After all, the City has been Honda India’s bestselling nameplate. In the last few years, the car lost out to a few rivals since it lacked a diesel motor and missed out on some vital features. Honda, however, hopes to regain top position with the new car. But does the new City then have the right ingredient to make it yet another best-seller?

Honda City (52) (2)

Exteriors

The previous three Honda Citys looked completely different from each other, like they didn’t belong to the same family. The first gen model was a simple yet good-looking three box car, the second version looked odd because it was more of a hatchback with an added boot than a sedan but the third new model was smart and attractive. This design worked for Honda and is the reason why it has evolved from there to the new City. It’s actually an all new car and shares nothing with the outgoing model but there is a feeling of familiarity. Honda designers have used the new exciting H design language that debuts in India and will soon be seen in the new Jazz. The new design philosophy’s wing face is clearly seen in the City. It’s dominated by a large chrome strip grille that contrasts well with darker shades while the lower half is the only opening. The grille neatly merges with the sharp headlamps that look very heavily inspired by the new Civic sold internationally. The headlamp itself is split in three sections that accommodate the blinkers, low beam and high beam lamps. The bumper too is angular and features two pointed sections while the fog lamp inserts are large and mimic a sporty air dam. It isn’t an attractive face but quite smart.

The new ‘Exciting-H’ design language debuts in India with the Honda City.

Despite the car being exactly the same length as the older City, the car does look slightly longer. This is because the wheelbase has grown by 50mm. The height has gone up slightly as well. However, the gap between the wheel and the arch is slightly on the higher side. While the older City featured a rather flat side, the new car has more character. Just like in the concept, the front fender features a prominent curvy line that runs from the bumper to the front door. It ends there because a deep shoulder line starts at the door and goes all the way to the taillamp. A similar curved line is present on the rear fender too, it flows below the shoulder line to the rear bumper and then drops down to give a it a flat sided look. The roofline slopes down more and the silhouette is more coupe like. The only downside to the side is the wheel design, Citys have had striking wheels in every generation but the new wheels are bland and don’t go well with the car’s styling.

The top end vairant gets a standard sunroof

The rear end in our opinion is the most striking side of the car, it is unique and unlike any Honda we’ve seen before. The wraparound tail lights features sharp as well as curved sides that look very European. The unit is much shorter and wider than before and is split in two parts, with one half mounted to the trunk lid. A thin chrome strip neatly sits between the lights while the lower section of the bumper has a lot of lines running across and runs through sleek reflectors. The car’s overall width hasn’t increased and with wider lights and increased height, the car looks narrower than before.

Interiors

Step inside the car and one will notice one of the best cabins in a C-segment car today. The design is modern yet not overdone. The all black dashboard uses a flat front that’s detailed by a piano black panel all the way from the driver side air vent up to the centre console. The centre panel houses the touch screen stereo while a segment first touch screen climate control panel sits below. It is covered by a matte layer to prevent fingerprints but the piano black housing is a finger print magnet. The air vents are unique since they are slim and still function well. A contrasting and sporty metallic element runs along the top and around the centre console.

The cabin is modern and well-designed while quality of material used is impressive.

The 5 inch touchscreen music system is standard in the top end variant and offers CD/AUX/USB support. The screen is also the reverse camera display.

The steering wheel is the new design three-spoke wheel that takes inspiration from the CR-V, while it gets the same steering controls for audio, telephone and cruise control (first in segment) among other features. The quality of materials used and overall fit and finish is impressive too. The door pads and pillars are finished in the same beige seen in the older City. Top end variants even get a leather interior. In terms of space, the increased wheelbase has liberated a lot of room up front and at the back. The rear passengers get segment best knee room. And despite no increase in width, shoulder room is now up by 40mm. The front seats are wide and offer sufficient support while headroom has gone up too making it ideal for taller passengers. Boot space has increased to 510-litres while the opening has been widened as well. In fact the space is comparable to a few larger sedans.

Engines

DIESEL

The i-DTEC 1.5-litre diesel motor is similar to the one seen in the Amaze with the same power output but improved fuel effeiency

The most important addition to the City however is the diesel motor, it’s the same all aluminium 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine seen in the Amaze and the power figures haven’t changed, max power is 100PS@3600rpm while max torque is 200Nm@1750rpm. However the engine is mated to a new 6-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios. Honda engineers felt that the torque was sufficient for the car and have focused more on the driveability and efficiency of the engine. Whether it’s driving in town or on the highway, the engine feels effortless. Turbo lag is minimal and the car accelerates easily in any gear. The gear shifts are notchy but are precise. In terms of performance, the car hits 100kmph in 12.8 seconds. Unlike the Amaze that’s limited to 140kmph, the City diesel maxes out at 163kmph, however compared to competition, the top speed is still much lower. What the car excels in is fuel efficiency, the ARAI claimed figure is a shocking 26kmpl making it more efficient than the Amaze even and as a result, the most fuel efficient car in India.

While both the petrol and diesel variants get added sound and vibration absorption material, the latter gets a lot more. The damper, dashboard, trunk, doors, roof, engine bay and hood get extra insulation. Even the side glass is thicker and different from the petrol variant. All this has definitely helped in keeping the NVH levels low but at idle and higher engine speeds, cabin noise is slightly higher than a few rival diesel cars. The cabin does get quiter as the engine settles down.

PETROL

Honda City (9) (2)

The petrol City uses the same L15A i-VTEC engine seen in the earlier model but receives a few updates. Power has improved slightly while efficiency has gone up too. This has been possible by optimizing the valve timing and the use of a double needle plug. The piston gets a special coating to help reduce friction. Max power is now 119PS@6600rpm while maximum torque of 145Nm is available at 4600rpm. The engine is a rev happy unit and redlines at 6800rpm. Power delivery is impressive and performance is still best in segment. The 5-speed manual transmission is the same slick unit seen before but with changes made to the gear ratios. The sprint to 100kmph now comes up in just 10.67 seconds making it quicker than the previous City by a second almost.

An automatic variant is also on offer but unlike the previous generation car that used a 5-speed automatic transmission with a torque convertor, the new City automatic features a CVT. The new transmission has been developed using Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. The unit is light and compact and is claimed to improve fuel efficiency and acceleration. Paddle shifters are standard and can be used in either D or S mode, the shifts are quick and there is hardly any delay in upshifts as well as downshifts. In S mode, one can even shift gears at the redline. Acceleration is impressive too, the car crosses 100kmph in 12.3 seconds making it one of the quickest automatic cars in the segment. The automatic variant gets an ECON button similar to the CR-V that helps improve fuel economy. Surprisingly the ARAI claimed fuel efficiency of 17.9kmpl is 0.1kmpl more than the MT variant.

he new Honda city automatic features a CVT with a S mode and paddle shifters

The new Honda city automatic features a CVT with an S mode and paddle shifters

Ride and handling

While the overall length hasnt increased, the wheelbase has grown by 50mm

In terms of dynamics, the car is definitely an improvement over the outgoing car, this is a good thing since almost every new generation car loses out on the driving experience with increase in technology. The suspension is slightly stiffer while the body itself is claimed to be more rigid. The new chassis uses a new geometry MacPherson strut up front while the rear suspension continuous to use a H-shaped torsion beam setup but with improved rigidity. While the wheelbase has increased, the car still feels as agile as before. The electrically assisted steering despite being light at parking speeds gains some weight as speeds increase, however feedback could have been better. The diesel City is 100kilos heavier and does feel slightly front heavy when compared to the petrol model but handling is still neutral. Body roll is controlled but when pushed hard around corners, the skinny low rolling resistance tyres tend to lose grip. Straight-line stability is good and the chassis is well balanced even over undulations. Ride quality has improved too, the car absorbs potholes and rumblers quite well.

Features

While every generation of the City received additional standard features only during a mid-life update, the fourth generation City is feature loaded. There are various variants on offer but the top end VX model offers a long list of standard features. The car gets leather upholstery, steering mounted controls for audio/telephone/cruise control, 5-inch touch screen stereo with CD/USB/Bluetooth/Aux support and eight speakers, reverse camera with three modes – normal, wide and top down, touch panel for climate control, push start/stop engine button, keyless entry, four 12v power sockets, sunroof and rear air con vents. There’s even a multi information display in the instrument console that displays instantaneous and average fuel efficiency, temperature and cruising range.The instrument meters are surrounded by blue lighting while two ambient lights change colour from blue to green if driven efficiently. The Honda is available in 6 colours including a new Gold Brown metallic shade.

Every time a new Honda City rolls out, it is expected to better the previous model, the new City may look more like an evolved version of the outgoing model but this isnt a bad thing since the third generation model was one of the best C-Segment cars of its time. The new model is an improvement in every aspect. The much needed diesel variant is finally here while the petrol model is now more powerful and efficient. The car even offers segment leading space and a long list of features. All of this makes the Honda a very capable C sedan. While the diesel model is expected to be priced competitively, the price of the petrol model will be similar to the previous car. This only means one thing, the City has everything to make it yet another bestseller.

Ref: http://overdrive.in/news/2014-honda-city-diesel-india-first-drive/
Tags: Honda, City, Diesel, Petrol, 2014, Launch, Date, Price, Model, Review, Drive, First, Available, Specification, Sedan, Car, Pickup, Mileage, Interior, Exterior, Pics, Photos, Engine, i-DTEC, Ride

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Guide to protecting your Internet accounts

Security experts have uncovered a trove of some 2 million stolen passwords to websites including Facebook, Google, Twitter and Yahoo from internet users across the globe, media reports say. The reason? They were weak. The most common password in the set is “123456”. Others included “password,” “admin,” “123″ and even “1″. With most of your personal and financial data stored online, getting hold of your passwords almost means getting the key to the safe in your cupboard. Here are a few steps to ensure a rock solid password. Tip 1: Diversify The word 'password' is pictured on a computer screen in this picture illustration taken in Berlin. Reuters Reuters Use the personal finance principle of diversification to reduce your risk. So if you have five different online accounts, right from social media to financial service accounts, set different passwords for each. Otherwise, you would be making it easy for the fraudster as he or she will be able to access all your accounts once one is cracked. Yes, remembering will be easier if it is one for all. But that is a small issue considering the danger it has. So, diversify your risk. This may seem to be an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised to know how many use the same password across sites. Tip 2: Avoid predictable We know it’s easy to remember your city name, kids’ name, spouse’s name, pets’ name, etc as passwords but they are just too predictable. Also, with Facebook and Twitter, we reveal so much of personal information about ourselves that it is not very difficult to predict the above mentioned password. So, if you have a dog named Rocky, and if you have posted updates about his hunger pangs, you definitely should not have “rocky” as your password. Tip 3: Mix it well Just like a good financial portfolio will have a health mix of debt and equity, FD, bonds, gold and the like, ensure your passwords have a healthy mixture of number, alphabets, special characters and capital letters. So instead of having a password as “money” have it as 11m@Nee*y or so. Tip 4: Idioms, poems and songs work well You could also use first letters of an idioms, a poem or a song you like to make a password combo. For instance, for a “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch” could be converted into a password as “J&jwU2^2F” Tip 5: Use vernacular language There are a number of software out there that can make a dictionary type hacking attack, which means every word present in the English dictionary along with different permutation and combinations of numbers can be hacked. So, we suggest you could ditch the Queen’s language and do it the vernacular way. So instead of a password “thirst” you could simply make it as “T@hAan*73” in Marathi, or “pYa@sS19 in Hindi or “tEsht@%22” in Bengali. Tip 6: Increase the length If you have the patience (you better do), make sure that you have a long password. At least a password, which is longer than eight characters. Tip 7: Use virtual key pads Where ever possible use virtual keyboards provided on your many financial websites to type in the password. Ghost-keyloggers can read the strokes on physical keyboards, and hence virtual keyboards work well. In short, be creative, don’t save passwords on your computer and don’t do financial transactions at cyber café and the like. So these are our tips. Let us know your in the comments section. We know you have a few.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/tech/gmail-twitter-password-hack-heres-how-to-secure-your-account-1268459.html?utm_source=ref_article

Security experts say passwords for more than 2 million Facebook, Google and other accounts have been compromised and circulated online, just the latest example of breaches involving leading Internet companies.

Some services including Twitter have responded by disabling the affected passwords. But there are several things you can do to minimize further threats –even if your account isn't among the 2 million that were compromised.

Here are some tips to help you secure your online accounts:

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER:

When a malicious hacker gets a password to one account, it's often a stepping stone to a more serious breach, especially because many people use the same passwords on multiple accounts. So if someone breaks into your Facebook account, that person might try the same password on your banking or Amazon account. Suddenly, it's not just about fake messages being posted to your social media accounts. It's about your hard-earned money.

It's particularly bad if the compromised password is for an email account. That's because when you click on a link on a site saying you've forgotten your password, the service will typically send a reset message by email. People who are able to break into your email account, therefore, can use it to create their own passwords for all sorts of accounts. You'll be locked out as they shop and spend, courtesy of you.

If the compromised password is one you use for work, someone can use it to break in to your employer's network, where there are files with trade secrets or customers' credit card numbers.

BETTER PASSWORDS:

Many breaches occur because passwords are too easy to guess. There's no evidence that guessing was how these 2 million accounts got compromised, but it's still a good reminder to strengthen your passwords. Researchers at security company Trustwave analyzed the passwords compromised and found that only 5 percent were excellent and 17 percent were good. The rest were moderate or worse.

What makes a password strong?

– Make them long. The minimum should be eight characters, but even longer is better.

– Use combinations of letters and numbers, upper and lower case and symbols such as the exclamation mark. Try to vary it as much as you can. “My!PaSsWoRd-32”³ is far better than “mypassword32.”

– Avoid words that are in dictionaries, as there are programs that can crack passwords by going through databases of known words. These programs know about such tricks as adding numbers and symbols, so you'll want to make sure the words you use aren't in the databases. One trick is to think of a sentence and use just the first letter of each word — as in “tqbfjotld” for “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

– Avoid easy-to-guess words, even if they aren't in the dictionary. Avoid your name, company name or hometown, for instance. Avoid pets and relatives' names, too. Likewise, avoid things that can be looked up, such as your birthday or ZIP code.

One other thing to consider: Many sites let you reset your password by answering a security question, but these answers –such as your pet or mother's maiden name– are possible to look up. So try to make these answers complex just like passwords, by adding numbers and special characters and making up responses.

A SECOND LAYER:

Many services offer a second level of authentication when you're accessing them from a computer or device for the first time. These services will send you a text message to a phone number on file, for instance. The text message contains a code that you need in addition to your password. The idea is that a hacker may have your password, but won't have ready access to your phone.
Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter are among the services offering this dual authentication. It's typically an option, something you have to turn on. Do that. It may be a pain, but it will save you grief later. In most cases, you won't be asked for this second code when you return to a computer you've used before, but be sure to decline that option if you're in a public place such as a library or Internet cafe.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT:

Change your passwords regularly. It's possible your account information is already circulating. If you have a regular schedule for changing passwords for major accounts, you reduce the amount of time that someone can do harm with that information.

You'll need to decide what counts as a major account. Banking and shopping sites are obvious, as are email and social-networking services. It probably doesn't matter much if someone breaks into the account you use to read newspaper articles (unless it's a subscription).

And strong passwords alone won't completely keep you safe. Make sure your computer is running the latest software, as older versions can have flaws that hackers have been known to exploit. Be careful when clicking on email attachments, as they may contain malicious software for stealing passwords. Use firewalls and other security programs, many of which are available for free.

Ref: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/ci_24659799/tech-tips-guide-protecting-your-internet-accounts
Tags: Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Yahoo, Password, Secure, Hack, Internet, Accounts, Protect, Fishing, Hacking, Strong, Break, Breach, Banking, Shopping, Credit, Card, Cards, Firewall,

Bharti Airtel to Launch 4G LTE Service in Bengaluru!

India's leading GSM service provider Bharti Airtel is set to launch voice call facility on its 4G LTE network in Bengaluru. The company has been offering 4G data services in Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula and Bengaluru.

Bharti Airtel through its Twitter account announced that Bengaluru customer will be able to use Airtel 4G services on LTE enabled smartphones in 3 weeks.

"ET Telecom did not get any response over the development from the company".

The telco has adopted Circuit Switched Fall Back (CSFB) technology for providing voice calling facility over its 4G LTE networks in the country. With CSFB technology deployed within the newtork, the telco would be able to offer voice to its LTE subscribers through its 3G and even 2G network.

Bharti Airtel, in February this year, announced the successful completed the trials of CSFB technology in the cities of Pune, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

The telco has a tie-up with Huawei for 4G devices in the country. Last year, it announced Huawei's 4G enabled Ascend P1 LTE exclusively for its 4G LTE network.

Airtel has been testing 4G LTE smartphones from Samsung, ZTE and other Indian smartphone vendors such as Micromax on its 4G LTE network.

A few months back, Bharti Airtel acquired 100 percent stake in Wireless Business Services (WBSPL), a company founded by US chipmaker Qualcomm. The acquisition allows the company to offer high-speed 4G services in New Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala.

Samsung Galaxy Note-3 Review

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Type: Android phablet
Price as reviewed: £450
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 combines the Note moniker's raison d'etre for combining both the power and performance of a tablet PC, but all chucked into the slim body of a phablet. Thanks to that glorious 5.7inch screen it has been built to add delight to daily tasks such as browsing the internet, playing games and watching videos. It also sports an overall improved design and spec line-up when compared to its predecessor.

Design
Ok, so it is big, but then again nowhere near the size of the Galaxy Mega. It measures in at 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm - meaning that you could well need a suitcase to carry it in. Maybe that is a bit of an over exaggeration, because it will fit reasonably in most men's jeans pockets - but it is huge and there's no lying about it. However, in saying that, it is a lot lighter than its competitors, weighing only 158g.
Looking at the front of the Note III, you can clearly see that it is a Samsung product due to the fact that it sports pretty much the same layout that has been used right across the Galaxy range for the last two years. The rest of the Note III's facial is dominated by the 5.7- inch display that I have already said is large.
On the left side, you'll find the volume rocker which I personally found very responsive, with the power on/off button located to the right that also felt extremely good to use. The top houses a 3.5mm headphone jack, with the Micro-USB placed at the bottom, alongside the loudspeaker.
The back is where you'll find the camera sensor, but interestingly, it now offers up a faux leather look, which I found much more appealing and nicer to touch and feel when compared to other Galaxy Models that I've seen in the past. Some people do dislike that it's not real leather, but it works for me.

Display
Samsung has an excellent track record for producing gorgeous displays, and they have done it yet again with the Note III. Thanks to its 1080x1920 resolution, colours look amazing, perfect for watching a movie or two. And when I took it outside (on a nice day), I found out that it's viable when in the sunlight - which impressed me, because when testing the Note II back in 2012, I found that it needed to improve in this area. Plus, the 5.7- inch touchscreen is nice and responsive to use.

Interface
Samsung's TouchWiz user interface, chucked on top of Android Jelly Bean, is in my opinion, much better than the stock version and competing UIs such as HTC's Sense. I love the whole simplicity of the UI and how sleek it is, yet sporting apps that you could arguably say are suited for people who you may call 'tech experts'. And if you want to download more, then you can easily head over to the Google Play Store where there are thousands of options to choose from.
One of the main plus points of the Android operating system has to be the ability to personalise the whole layout. During the testing process, I haven't once stopped fiddling with the Note III's homescreen, constantly adding new widgets and taking old ones away. Don't ask, but I've always found that a lot of fun! Perhaps it's because I've been using iOS for far too long.
One of the main software features of the Note III is the ability to use the S Pen - which has been redesigned, now looking a lot better than ever before - to take down notes and draw pictures. I found the S Pen very useful when I needed to write something down and couldn't find a pen or any paper. Some people won't like it, but others will think it's awesome.

Media
I have to be honest, the Note III is probably one of the best options to go for should you want a device for entertainment purposes. Watching videos and playing games a dream and it has a good speaker too.

Power

If you pay more for a phone, then the chances are that it's going to be impressive in terms of power and performance. The Note III is exactly that, producing amazing speeds as the result of a quad-core 2.3GHz processor, backed up with 3GB of RAM and choices of 16/32/64GB of memory. The battery life was also great, lasting a whole day and a bit on a full charge - much better than my iPhone 5.

Camera
With the Note III, you get a 13- megapixel camera and 4K video recording - a feature for Samsung to brag about, as it's something most current smartphones/phablets don't offer. In terms of the overall quality, I was very happy with photos taken with the Note III, although I didn't really find the flash strong enough when using the camera in the night. However, in saying that, I had no obvious problems when it came to taking videos - the quality is quite superb - I really do mean that.

Verdict
The Note III may be huge, but it's certainly not as big as some of the phablets that you can find on the market today - using the HTC One Max as a great example - meaning that if you want a something bigger than the average smartphone, yet don't want it to be humongous, then the Note III could be the best option to go for. This is a sound re-invention of what is fast becoming a classic device.

Ref: http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2013/12/samsung_galaxy_27.html
Tags: Samsung, Galaxy, Note3, Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy, Mobile, Smartphone, Android, Device, Performance, Price, Camera, Display, Buy, Shop, Online, Review, Feedback, User, Reviews,

Apple iPhone 5S vs iPhone 5C

We use the term loosely, but the iPhone is no longer a "one size fits all" smartphone. Today's Apple event marked the introduction of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, and beyond price, the two devices are separated by several unique features. Considering your own desires for gaming, photography, security, style -- and yes, your budget -- it's likely that one phone is a better fit for your needs. So join us after the break as we explore the finer points of Apple's latest smartphones.

The iPhone 5s: Performance and photography lead the way

Apple's 64-bit A7 mobile processor takes center stage in the iPhone 5s, which promises twice the computing and graphics performance as compared to the iPhone 5c. Naturally, the new chip positions the iPhone 5s as a better fit for gamers (which supports OpenGL ES 3.0), but it also offers unique advantages photographers. Thanks to the A7 chip, you can shoot slow-motion 720p video at 120 fps, and as for stills, you'll find a burst-shooting mode that captures up to 10 images per second. Digital image stabilization is also in the mix this time around, which is important for low-light photography.
Speaking of low-light situations, the iPhone 5s captures more light in two ways. First, it features a new lens setup with a wider f/2.2 aperture (as compared to f/2.4 in the iPhone 5c), along with an imaging sensor that's 15 percent larger. And for times when ambient light alone won't cut it, the iPhone 5s includes a new dual-LED flash dubbed True Tone that promises better color balance and more natural skin tones.
Regardless of your age or occupation, you probably have private data that you'd prefer keep to yourself. Yes, a security code on the lock screen is a relatively effective method, but the iPhone 5s offers a more convenient -- and potentially more secure -- alternative that relies on fingerprint-scanning. The setup is known as Touch ID, which integrates a fingerprint reader into the phone's home button. In addition to serving as a lock screen unlock method, the new Touch ID system can eliminate the hassle of typing in your password every time you purchase apps, music and books.

Apple iPhone 5s vs iPhone 5c which is for you

Apple's new M7 motion-sensing coprocessor probably wasn't on your list of must-haves within a new smartphone, but it opens an intriguing new way of measuring your physical activity. If you've ever wanted to keep tabs on your exercise but considered fitness bracelets too much of a hassle, the iPhone 5s might eliminate the need for wearable accessories. We still need to see how many app developers actually leverage the chip, but as an encouraging sign, Nike is already in the ring with its new Nike+ Move app. Beyond that, the M7 coprocessor also introduces new conveniences in everyday use. For example, during navigation, the iPhone 5s will automatically adjust directions when you stop driving and proceed on foot to your destination.
Needless to say, the iPhone 5s is the more refined and professional-looking of the two smartphones, which features an aluminum enclosure that's available in three finishes: gold, silver and space gray. When compared to the iPhone 5c -- which offers 16GB or 32GB of internal storage -- the iPhone 5s is the only one of the pair to feature a 64GB option. Beyond storage, the iPhone 5s is well-suited for globe trotters, thanks to its support for a dizzying array of up to 13 different LTE bands, along with quadband GSM / EDGE and pentaband UMTS / HSPA+ support.
Pricing: $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), $399 (64GB) on-contract; $649 (16GB) $749 (32GB), $849 (64GB) unlocked
The bottom line: The iPhone 5s packs many niceties, but few necessities. Still, if it's within your budget, it's easily the more capable of the two smartphones.

The iPhone 5c: A colorful reincarnation of iPhone 5

Think of the iPhone 5c as a fresh, less expensive take on the original iPhone 5. It features many of the same internals as before, and as the biggest differentiator, it's available in five colors -- green, blue, white, red and yellow -- that complement the vibrant user interface in iOS 7. Naturally, the new enclosures might be more expressive of your personal style, and given the phone's steel-reinforced, polycarbonate construction, it could be a more suitable choice if you're prone to accidents.
Simply put, the iPhone 5 was a world-class smartphone, and the iPhone 5c carries on the tradition with the same excellent processor, camera and display. It also offers subtle improvements, such as a new FaceTime camera that's said to perform better in low-light situations, and in some cases -- such as with the Sprint model -- support for a wide array of LTE bands. That said, if you commonly play music through your phone's built-in speaker, be sure to compare the iPhone 5c to the iPhone 5s in the store before you make a purchasing decision. Needless to say, the smaller speaker grille on the iPhone 5c suggests that you might find a noticeable difference in audio quality between the two phones.

Whether you feel the more expensive iPhone 5s is worth the additional cost is a very personal decision that's dictated by your needs and budget. Yes, Apple's new premiere smartphone promises faster performance and better imaging quality, but if you're just a casual gamer or photographer, the iPhone 5c is certainly a suitable choice.
Pricing: $99 (16GB), $199 (32GB) on-contract; $549 (16GB), $649 (32GB) unlocked
The bottom line: The iPhone 5c brings the excellent features of the iPhone 5 to a lower price point, along with a number of vibrant enclosures.

Ref:http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/10/apple-iphone-5s-vs-iphone-5c/

Tags: Apple, iPhone5c, iPhone5s, Smartphone, Mobile, iPhone, vs, Latest, Updated, Performance, Price, Worth

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

BSNL Prepaid Call Details!

Hey guys, Here is a great for those who needs BSNL prepaid card calling data!

After TRAI's order to provide last call details to prepaid customer, I was looking for the solution into BSNL but couldn't find any. So I tried many online blogs, customer care and friends but failed to know about it.

Finally one of BSNL executive told me that you should ask senior officer at BSNL exchange and he can give you last 10 call details including:

- Dialed number
- Call duration
- Call time stamp with date and time

So, I had visited him and told him to give me last 10 call details for particular number and he immediately showed it!

I was very happy to know about this and can be useful in many situations like if your phone is stolen or number is misused.

All you need to do is, Visit nearest BSNL exchange and ask a senior officer to provide you last 10 call details of BSNL Prepaid simcard.

Monday, December 2, 2013

iPhone 5S review

For the first time in the company's history, Apple announced two iPhone models at the same time.

While the competition has moved on to full HD displays, Apple has stuck to its 4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels on both the new iPhones. This results in a pixel density of 326ppi (Apple calls it retina display) and in most cases, you will not be able to notice a difference. As usual with iPhones, the displays are vibrant and have excellent response.

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Dogged by controversy over the shortcomings of iOS 6 - and, in particular, the woeful state of the maps app at launch - the iPhone 5 didn't get much of a break during its initial weeks on the market. A solid device with excellent games performance and a logical refactoring of the screen, the phone was clearly another quality product from Apple, but game frame-rates and OS fluidity aside, it was difficult to see much of a reason to upgrade as enhancements to basic functionality weren't quite compelling enough. The iPhone 5S puts things to rights.
This review has been a long time coming - the insane schedule of next-gen console and GPU press events in addition to our usual workload combined to shunt back our appraisal of this new Apple offering, but on the flipside, the opportunity to take it on as our daily runner across the duration gives us a broader, wider view of the 5S from the perspective of a new owner with several weeks experience of the device under our belts - a valuable experience in addition to 'just' reviewing it.
On first glance, it's safe to say that there isn't much to differentiate it from the outgoing iPhone 5 - an observation you can level at any of the "S" devices Apple has produced. The chassis is virtually identical, the screen is the same, and the weight is like-for-like - there's still that almost unnatural lightness to the device that almost makes it feel insubstantial compared to the reassuring presence of the 4S. The only major difference on the front side comes from the home button, housing the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor. While the four-digit PIN remains as a security feature if you want to use it, the way to access a locked phone is now to press the finger of your choice against the sensor and wait for around a second for it to unlock.

iPhone 5S specs

64-bit processing comes to the mobile arena with the arrival of Apple'a A7 processor, featuring the requisite 2x CPU and GPU boost over the iPhone 5. In addition to the raw power on offer, the 5S also introduces a Touch ID finger-print scanning home button and a vastly improved camera.

Dimensions: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm
Weight: 112g
Chipset: Apple A7
Processor: Dual-core 1.2GHz Cyclone (ARM v8)
Graphics Core: Quad-core PowerVR G6430
RAM: 1GB DDR3
Screen: 4-inch, LED-backlit IPS capacitive touchscreen 1136x640 pixels, 326ppi
Storage: 16GB/32GB/64GB internal
Camera: Rear-facing 8 megapixels/1.5µ pixels with 1080p30/720p120 video recording. front-facing 1.2 megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth v4, 3G, 4G
Other Features: iOS 7.0.4, 8827 mAh battery, three-axis gyro, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, Touch ID sensor

The calibration sequence is pretty neat, with the technology taking several samples of each finger, along with a separate set of metrics from the same finger held at an angle. The result is that Touch ID works fairly well - it's faster and easier to use than the PIN entry system, but it's not foolproof. Over the course of the weeks, we'd estimate success rate at about 85 to 90 per cent. Positioning of the finger is crucial (we'd suspect that this is the case especially for those with large digits) and on the odd occasion we find that the sensor is completely unresponsive, requiring entry of the PIN.
Some may also have security concerns about the iPhone 5S too. The device remains a fingerprint magnet - especially so on the Touch ID sensor itself. So there is the irony of the key to the phone's security being immediately and obviously visible on the input itself. The system has already been cracked, it's just a case of whether the methodology involved can easily be copied by common thieves. We'd hazard a guess that the system is probably secure enough for now, but remain a bit worried about its long-term prospects.

1/4 Aside from the new, shinier home button - which doubles up as the touch ID fingerprint scanning sensor - you'd be hard-pressed to tell the 5S from last year's iPhone 5.

However, the arrival of Touch ID in itself clearly suggests that Apple has realised that an improved screen and boosted specs are not enough in their own right to sell a new piece of hardware. The A5 processor in the iPhone 4S may no longer be the state of the art, but the point is that it handles all the major functions you'd want from a smartphone and still does so very well indeed. The 5S features a number of remarkable technological improvements, but they are just a small part of the overall package. Where it matters is in improved functionality - and that's what makes the 5S a winner.
Touch ID is matched by the best overall smartphone camera we've used. While there remains plenty of controversy about the merits of Apple's offering up against the 41-megapixel Nokia Lumia 1020, the fact is that the 5S camera is a masterpiece of form factor and functionality, delivering great results without compromising the size and shape of the device. Low-light performance is good - thanks in no small part to a CMOS sensor with larger pixels - but the new dual-colour flash also lives up to Apple's claims of delivering more vibrant flash photography in difficult conditions.
In operation, what we really liked about the phone's camera mode is the sheer speed and response. Point, click to shoot, and you have instant results with zero lag - fast enough for Apple to have introduced a 10fps burst photography mode, good for up to 999 shots. This remains extremely fast too - suggesting that photos are recorded to RAM before being spooled out onto the device's solid state storage. Video is also improved significantly via the inclusion of 120fps slow-motion 720p imagery. We enjoyed the 90fps slow-mo found in the Xiaomi MI2 but found that it would drop frames in low-light conditions. In our recent trip to Nvidia's G-Sync event in Montreal, we found that the 120fps mode worked extremely well, even in low-light conditions.

"Touch ID isn't perfect, but its failure rate is fairly small and it's more convenient than entering a four-digit pin every time you want to gain access to your phone."

Touch ID requires your fingerprint - something you are likely to leave all over your phone. There's a certain unease about its security credentials, but the system itself works well.

Another interesting area of development is the inclusion of the new M7 co-processor - essentially a new piece of silicon that provides hardware acceleration for the handling of sensor inputs from the accelerometer, compass and gyroscope. This has power-saving implications - the CPU can now remain in a low-power state when you're on a run, for example - but it's always active, so apps using the new CoreMotion API can track your activities even if they are not active.
In the short term, expect to see plenty of fitness-related applications that make use of the M7, but over the longer term we expect to see far more subtle, clever uses of the technology. Are you walking? Are you driving? Are you on public transport? The OS and apps will be able to contextualise functionality based on what you're doing, where you're going and how quickly you'll get there, and it'll be able to do so without invoking any appreciable CPU power, thus preserving battery life.
Of course, while Apple has prioritised functionality, the iPhone 5S does include the now mandatory 2x boost to performance - no mean feat considering that the dual-core A6 with its custom "Swift" cores delivered excellent CPU performance for their time. The new A7 sees Swift replaced by Cyclone, a revised 64-bit architecture. What's impressive here is that we're still looking at a dual-core set-up, and while various benchmarks will produce varying results, A7 does provide an appreciable boost to performance. The move to 64-bit can only explain some of this improvement - in truth, we believe that Apple is playing the long game here, building up 64-bit support in the short term so there is no jarring transition from one CPU generation to the next. Certainly, the extra memory-addressing advantages 64-bit offers aren't massive relevant in the here and now - the iPhone 5S still ships with just 1GB of onboard RAM.

"How far we've come. While the iPhone 4/4S chassis still holds up as a quality design, the older 2G/3G/3GS design now feels like a relic from another age."

1/6 Over the years, Apple has released seven different iPhones, but only using a trio of different chassis designs, compared here as we look at the 3GS, 4S and 5S. The firm has never wavered from its conviction that a small, light phone is the ideal device, even while competitors have gone larger with five and even six-inch displays.

GPU-wise, we see the arrival of some genuinely impressive tech with the debut of PowerVR's sixth-generation GPU, codenamed Rogue. Here we have the G6430 variant, possessing four cores. The architecture is scalable, ramping up to around one teraflop in power, but in the here and now we have a piece of silicon that's best-in-class, over twice as powerful as the A6 and marginally faster than the Adreno 330 in the new Nexus 5. What's impressive is that Apple has delivered this level of performance in the comparatively miniscule iPhone 5 chassis, whereas top-end performance in this form factor simply isn't available in the Android space - we need to look at larger devices like the Nexus 4 or the Galaxy S4 for big performance.
The net result of the CPU and GPU upgrades is a highly worthwhile boost in gaming power. iPhone 5S not only features top-of-the-line processing capabilities but it is married to a small screen with a relatively low resolution. While higher-resolution screens are undoubtedly an option going forward, Apple's definition of what constitutes a "Retina" display still hands in pleasing results in the here and now, and fewer pixels to generate means higher frame-rates.
To quantify that, our "go to" game for resource-hogging over the generations has been Gameloft's Halo/Crysis hybrid, NOVA 3. When we tested it on a Tegra 3 tablet, we got single-digit frame-rates. The experience was bearable on iPad 2/iPad mini, but definitely sub-optimal on the 4S, which features a downclocked version of the same A5 processor. We saw a much higher level of NOVA 3 performance on the iPhone 5, but the 5S hands in a fluid, almost faultless 60fps experience. Graphically adventurous titles like The Cave, Horn and XCOM: Enemy Unknown also gave extremely smooth frame-rates - not 60fps, but very, very close to it.

"Games generally run smoother, but a lot of titles feature frame-rate locks, essentially limiting the performance of the most powerful iPhone yet produced."

Infinity Blade 3 looks pretty damn special on the 5S - but in truth, when we ran the game on our 4S, it still looked remarkably good. Despite the generational leap in GPU power, most of the upgrades seemed to be limited to specific effects - such as depth of field.

However, you can't bank on 60Hz nirvana with every title. Infinity Blade 2 seems to be locked to a frame-rate in the mid-30s no matter what hardware you throw at it, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (Episode 2) struggled to consistently update at anything like the console versions, while our new resource-hogging stress-test - Gameloft's Asphalt 8 - ran well under but still stuttered and juddered at seemingly random points. We were a little disappointed by Real Racing 3 performance too - again, a frame-rate lock appears to be in place where 60fps gameplay would have made a real difference.
Of course, the key game for assessing the iPhone 5S is clearly Epic's Infinity Blade 3, where the developers are gradually deploying more Unreal Engine 3 features as mobile hardware becomes more powerful. Particularly in its outdoor scenes, the quality of the artwork and the effects are simply gorgeous, though the impact is diminished somewhat on the indoor scenes. Here we don't see a frame-rate boost, but we do get to see the GPU used for additional bling, and the results are often quite beautiful. As with the iPhone 5 though, we do wonder just how many titles will actually make use of this additional processing power.
Apple clearly has faith in the new A7 architecture. The new iPad Air doesn't have an A7X variant this time around - it's exactly the same chip with some modifications made to clock-speed and power management. Bearing in mind the huge gulf in resolution between the 5S and the 9.7-inch Apple tablets, we're extremely curious to see if gaming frame-rates are a leap beyond what we're seeing here.

"The 5S uses the same processor as the iPad Air running at a slightly slower clock - but with far fewer pixels to service on-screen, its frame-rates are noticeably better."

	iPhone 5S	iPad Air	iPhone 5/5C	iPhone 4S
Geekbench 3 (single/multi-core)	1417/2559	1482/2698	721/1297	217/412
Sunspider 0.9.1 (Java)	416.3ms	405.2ms	993.5ms	1800.3ms
GFX Bench 2.7 T-Rex HD (on/offscreen)	36fps/25fps	20fps/25fps	13fps/7fps	3fps/6fps
GFX Bench 2.7 Egypt HD (on/offscreen)	53fps/57fps	48fps/63fps	37fps/30fps	12fps/21fps
3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited	13871	14842	5655	2181

Apple iPhone 5S: the Digital Foundry verdict

The jump from Apple's A4 to A5 architecture was vast - a move from single to dual-core processing, and a monumental leap in GPU performance that opened the door to - what was at the time - best-in-class 3D gaming. At a stroke, the most obvious performance limitations of the original iPad and the iPhone 4 were wiped out, and what we had was a piece of technology more than good enough to handle almost any everyday task while handing in a great gameplay experience. After that, the revised screen and 2x performance boost that we had with the A6 and the iPhone 5 was never going to have quite the same impact, and we couldn't help but wonder whether the 5S would be nothing more than another iterative improvement.
With the arrival of the 64-bit A7 in the iPhone 5S, the doubling of performance over its predecessor is now far more meaningful, and we finally have an iOS device that offers a comprehensive, almost night-and-day difference over the trusty 4S, with an improved level of fluidity in browsing and apps. It's an iterative improvement, iOS 7 has its critics, but we've found it to be robust, solid and attractive.
However, what makes the 5S worth its ticket price is the approach to real-life usage, in particular the focus on delivering excellent camera performance with a wealth of features. For us, after calls, and browsing, it's the camera that is the most important element of a smartphone and the results here are excellent. There also seems to be much of a push from Apple in getting more productivity out of the device too - hence the recent move in making its Office-style apps free to download.
Overall, the 5S is the most powerful compact smartphone we've tested and, as such, highly recommended. However, up against the Nexus 5, HTC One and the Galaxy S4, it's clear that the larger five-inch phones do provide something Apple doesn't - expansive real estate and true 1080p resolution, making them especially ideal for media consumption on the go. So as good as it is, the iPhone 5S isn't the default solution for everyone - the market has diversified too much for that - but it's still a hell of a good product.

Ref: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-iphone-5s-review

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