Sundar Pichai to head Android at Google after Andy Rubin steps down

Sundar Pichai, the Google executive responsible for projects such as Chrome, Chrome OS and Google Drive, will be heading Android after Andy Rubin’s departure. Pichai, whose last position within Google was Senior Vice President of Chrome and Apps, will now be responsible for the Android mobile OS and also the Chrome web browser and laptop OS, perhaps pointing to a Google strategy that merges both operating systems to form a single platform.


Pichai has been with Google since 2004 and one of his first projects was the Google Toolbar browser add-on that let users install a Google search bar on their browsers, that also provided access to other Google services like YouTube. Pichai is an IIT-Kharagpur alumni where he did his B.Tech in Metallurgy, after which he did courses in Stanford and Wharton Business School. In 2011, Pichai was closely linked to a move to Twitter to head the social networking company’s product division but he stayed with Google.

Pichai succeeds Rubin who founded Android in 2003, and later headed the mobile OS team when it was acquired by Google in 2005, till the present day. Rubin is widely recognized for being one of the main Google execs responsible for Android’s rise as the biggest mobile platform in the world. Rubin is now rumoured to start working on projects involving robotics and home automation.

As mentioned above, one of Pichai’s key responsibilities in his new role will be to oversee the gradual merger of Chrome OS with ANdroid in order for Google to present a single operating system running on mobiles, tablets and PCs. This isn’t a new Google strategy but something that has been discussed earlier in the corridors of Mountain View as revealed by Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder, who revealed to CNET that Android and Chrome OS “will likely converge over time.”

7 tips to give your smartphone a fresh start

From unused apps to files you downloaded once from the internet, extra mobile clutter can make your phone sluggish or simply make it difficult for you to find what you are looking for. Follow these easy tips to give your phone a fresh start.

1. Get into the habit of backing up your data

Running out of space in your phone to save your pictures, music and more? Upload them to the cloud or simply copy everything to an external hard drive. That way, your data will also be safely stored elsewhere in case something happens to your phone. TrySugarSync, a file syncing service that will sync your new photos and other files to the cloud automatically.

2. Drop unused apps like bad habit

If you have not used an app in the last few months, it’s not likely you will use it again. Instead, the icon sits there taking up space and making it harder to find the apps you do use. Go through all your apps and see which ones you use on a daily basis — delete the rest.

3. Move to a smarter browser

Something like the Opera Mini, if you haven’t checked it out. The Opera Mini app shrinks data to as little as 10% of its original size before it lands on your phone. This speeds up the web on your phone, saving you a great deal of time — since you’ll be able to open websites in the blink of an eye — as well as money and battery.

4. Periodically clear cached files

Your apps and browser create temporary files that can take up space and memory. You can download an app to help you do the job, such as Easy Cache Cleaner (for Android), which scans your phone and allows you to clear out the cache files. Once you’re done, you might as well delete the app.

5. Spruce up your message, email inbox

You’ll gain space, and you are never going to read them again anyway. It only takes a few seconds to delete them all — you can even use an app like Delete Old Messages (for Android) to help you — and you’ll feel refreshed after you do it. Do the same for your email inbox, and your phone’s memory will love you for it.

6. Investigate your contacts list

If you cannot figure out who that person in your contacts is or where you know them from, ditch them. Also, check for duplicates on your address book, as syncing from different sources can cause double-ups. It’s all about the space.

7. Conserve power

If your phone drains battery, there are a few steps you can take. Close the apps you’re not using, turn the mobile data, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off when you don’t need them, lower the brightness on your screen and turn the keyboard clicks off.

With these tips you will get your phone spruced up prim and proper. Even if it’s working fine, following these steps will keep things from piling up on your phone, giving you more free space to use when you need it and making it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Sony Xperia J Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update starts rolling out

Sony Mobile has started rolling out Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update  (v 11.2.A.0.21) for the Xperia J, as they promised. Sony Xperia T and Xperia V got the Jelly Bean update last month. Sony confirmed Jelly Bean update for range of 2012 Xperia devices back in October. Sony Xperia P and Xperia go would be the next devices that would get the Android 4.1 update according to their schedule.

The new Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update for the Xperia J brings

• Extended Standby to improve battery time by preventing data traffic when the screen is off
• Easier access to commonly used settings with Quick settings with notification bar
• Sony Select is a new service (replacing “Recommender”) that recommends apps, games and music.

The Xperia J users would get a notification regarding the update. It would be available Over the Air (OTA) (depending on the regions and carriers) and via PC Companion on Windows/ Bridge for Mac. This update would be rolled out over the next few weeks and the availability might vary across different carriers and countries.

Nokia partners with New India Assurance to provide handset insurance

Nokia India has partnered with New India Assurance (NIA), a leading global insurance group, wholly owned by the Govt. of India to launch handset insurance plan. This would let you safeguard your device against thefts, burglary, malicious acts, riots among others, as well as damage. It starts at minimum insurance premium of just Rs. 50, and the plan will cost 1.25% of the purchased handset’s value. Consumers purchasing their handsets from a Nokia Branded Retail Store can provide their personal details and receive their insurance certificate, handout and payment receipt to avail this plan.

The plan covers Nokia devices against

• Third party threatening to use violence resulting in damage or theft of device
• Accidental damage to the exterior/interior components.
• Damage caused by external impact on the device due to dropping and/or other deliberate action by third party.
• Damage caused by accidental entry of fluid in the device’s internal circuitry

Theft & Burglary

• Loss of device through housebreaking.
• Loss of device riots, strikes and other malicious acts
• Theft of device from locked or unattended building, room or vehicle

New India Assurance and Nokia have mutually agreed and tied up with an IRDA Licensed Insurance Broker, which would offer several Value Added Services exclusively to Nokia consumers at a additional fee of Rs. 50 per device irrespective of the device cost.Customers can contact the call centre managed by the Insurance Broker to report claims.

This Value Added service is available in 6 cities including Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad Chennai and Kolkata that includes pickup (within 24 hours of a call being registered) and drop facilities. In case of thefts, consumers will need to file a written report with police authorities and report the loss of SIM to the concerned network service provider and acknowledgement to be furnished.

Cashless service will allow claimants to submit their devices at the nearest authorized service center and have their claims processed. If the damage is within purview of Insurance, the device will be repaired and be delivered back to the consumer at his door step. In the interim period, consumers will also be provided with standby handsets and chargers.

The plan will be available from March 14, 2013 on all Nokia devices purchased through Nokia Branded Retail stores. It would be initially available in Delhi and the National Capital Region, Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Cochin.

Cisco’s ‘Dwara’ to connect educators

Cisco Technologies announced the launch of the Cisco Education Enabled Development (CEED), a collaborative, cloud-based video interaction solution that will enable efficient delivery of education and skills development courses.

Named Dwara, after the Sanskrit word for portal to signify a doorway to a new future, this is Cisco’s first foray into the ‘Internet of everything’ solutions.

Dwara will allow educators in rural areas to connect with experts and trainers from urban centres.

According to a release from Cisco, CEED hardware is designed for harsh environments where temperature and dust can be high. It is energy efficient and uses 40 per cent less power, and thus ideal for rural environments.

“With a built-in router that also acts as a Wi-Fi access point, a computer and a projection device, this solution allows multiple students using devices like the Akash tablet that the [Union government] is trying to develop, to share a single Internet connection. It can also facilitate connections to well-known education portals such as the one produced by the National Information Centre,” the release said.

Aravind Sitaraman, president, Inclusive Growth, Cisco, said: “CEED is Cisco’s first step towards bringing inclusive growth to rural areas using the latest technology at extremely affordable prices. It has the potential to revolutionise learning and skills development in this country. We are very proud to have developed this product from our site in India and simultaneously realise our vision to bring cost of technology in education down to a very affordable $1 per child per month.”

Managing network infra, remotely

HP Education Services and the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore, (IIITB) announced new IT infrastructure certificate programs for undergraduate students across the country.

According to a release, students can explore careers in the growing remote infrastructure management industry. Remote infrastructure management technology includes management of workstations, communications and networking hardware and software, and applications.

Certificate programmes in integrated networks, network security and cloud networking would be offered, the release added.

S. Sadagopan, director, IIITB, said: “The Indian remote infrastructure management industry currently employs more than 1 lakh people and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOMM) expects demand for resources to more than triple by 2015. Indian undergraduates in the networking certificate programs can build their IT skill set, therefore ensuring a steady stream of skilled workers for the industry.”

For details, log on to www.hp.com/in/education

Emergency alert system for women

On Women’s Day, telecom service provider Bharti Airtel launched a solution that aims at making women feel safe. The emergency alerts solution allows customers to send an alert with their geographical location to 10 close contacts, with just one call, facilitating access to easy and quick help. Subscribers can even send a ‘safe’ SMS indication to a pre-defined group of 10 to keep them informed of their well-being with just one click, a release from Airtel said.

This facility can be accessed using feature phones or dialling 55100 (toll free).

In the week following Women’s Day, this service will be available for free.

New tablet on the block

Indian tablet maker Pantel Technologies has launched another tablet PC, the Penta T-pad WS708c, an Android-powered tablet with a 7-inch capacitive touch screen.

Priced at around Rs. 7,000, it comes with free 3D goggles allowing the user to enjoy uninterrupted 3D viewing, a release from the company stated.

In the release, Vijender Singh, managing director, Pantel Technologies, said: “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the latest gadget, laden with an assortment of exciting features that are fine tuned to our consumers’ demands.”

Lava Xolo Q800 quad-core Jelly Bean smartphone

Lava Mobiles has launched its first quad-core phone in India, the Lava Xolo Q800, priced at Rs. 12,499. Bearing a 4.5-inch qHD IPS display, the phone differentiates itself from the new segment of 5-inch budget quad-core phablets, currently populated by theMicromax A116 Canvas HD, and the WickedLeak Wammy Passion. The Jiayu G4 and Karbonn Smart Titanium 1 are two other soon to be launched such devices.

According to Lava, the company will launch more handsets in its quad-core range (called QCore) in the coming quarter. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-based Xolo Q800 is powered by a MediaTek MT6589 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor, a 286MHz PowerVR SGX544 GPU, and 1GB of RAM. This gives it the same chipset as the Micromax A116 Canvas HD, WickedLeak Wammy Passion, and Jiayu G4.

Other specifications of the Lava Xolo Q800 include 4 GB of built-in storage expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB); an 8MP rear BSI camera with 720p HD video recording, burst mode, and a dedicated camera key; a 1.2MP front-facing camera; a YAMAHA 168 PA music system; dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) capabilities; and a 2100 mAh battery that’s rated to deliver up to 360 hours of standby time, 16 hours of talk time (2G), 22 hours of continuous music playback, and 4.5 hours of continuous video playback.

In terms of connectivity, the Xolo Q800 offers 3G (HSPA+), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack, A-GPS, and Bluetooth 4.0. It has dimensions of 135.5 x 67 x 9.6 mm, and weighs in at 143.5 grams.

With the launch of the Lava Xolo Q800, those looking for performance smartphones on a budget will have a lot of choices, with the consumer the ultimate winner. We can’t wait to test the Xolo Q800, and give you our recommendations. Stay tuned.

Temple Run Oz now available for Android and iOS

Disney is launching Temple Run Oz. The game looks like Temple Run 2 with the characters and environments inspired from the movie, 'Oz the Great and Powerful'.

The environments in Temple Run Oz are inspired by the movie. The game brings with it new gameplay elements like flying in a hot air balloon and exploring different locations in Oz by following sign posts. The environment in the game also changes keeping gamers on their toes as they run in the game. The game also brings with it a slew of power ups that help you tackle obstacles and rank up a high score.

iOS users can download the game here and Android users can download it here. If you are an iOS user, the game is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation), iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, iPad (4th generation), iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (4th generation), iPad mini and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular. The game requires iOS 5.0 or later and is optimized for iPhone 5. Android users require Android 2.2 or higher to run the game.

Temple Run Oz is the second Temple Run game to be based on a movie. We have seen Temple Run Brave launch before this. Brave was an animated movie by Disney/Pixar and the game was launched for both, iOS and Android with the launch of the film. Temple Run Brave brought with it features from the movie such as archery – tap targets to shoot a bulls eye and earn extra coins, more vibrant visuals, new environments inspired by Disney/Pixar Brave and the wilds of Scotland and Outrun Mordu, the demon bear, to earn running glory. You can take a look at the details of Temple Run Brave here.

Micromax A110 Canvas 2 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update coming next week

Micromax A110 Canvas 2 would get the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update next week, according to reports from Tech2. Micromax launched the A110 Canvas 2 last year, and we reviewed it earlier this year. The company’s latest Smartphone  the A116 Canvas HD comes with Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and they already said that it would get the Android 4.2 update eventually.

The Micromax A110 Canvas 2 is the successor of the A100 Canvas. It has a 5-inch (480 x 854 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen IPS display, powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and packs a 2000 mAh battery.

The Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update for the A110 would not be available as a over-the-air (OTA) update or through a software suite, but users have to go to the Micromax Service Centers to get their devices flashed to Android 4.1. No news about the Jelly Bean update for the Micromax 90S that launched along with the A110.

Source: tech2.in.com

CCleaner for Android coming soon

Piriform, the creators of the popular system cleaning utility CCleaner for Windows and Mac hasannounced that they are working on an Android app. CCleaner for Android would be a one-click cleaning utility that would let you clear your browser history, Cache, Messages and more as you can see from their teaser image above. It’ll be quick and easy to set up and use just like the CCleaner desktop apps, says the company.

Still the app is in testing stage, and there are no details about the release date or the pricing yet. There are several free Cleaner apps for Android such as Clean Master, 1Tap Cleaner and more that offers similar features including Option to clear Cache, History, Call/Text logs etc. CCleaner for PC is available in three version, Free, Professional and Business Edition.

It would be interesting to see whether the company plans to release the Android app for free, only paid or go for a separate pro version along with a free version. We will let you know once the app hits the Google Play Store.

Google shuts down Chennai Motorola plant; lays off 76 employees

Google has indefinitely suspended the operations of the Motorola phone manufacturing plant in Chennai and laid off 76 workers. Motorola has also sent an e-mail to its employees stating that the company will begin laying off 1,200 employees from its offices in India, China and the U.S. Motorola has said that these layoffs are part of the overall cost-cutting measures that the company had announced last year. Motorola had planned to lay-off a total of 4,000 employees, which would be about 20% of its total workforce.

The email, a copy of which has been analysed by The Wall Street Journal, states that although Motorola is “optimistic” about its new products, it is still suffering from high costs mainly because of its presence in markets (like India, China and the U.S.) where it’s “not competitive” and “losing money.”

In spite of being acquired by Google in 2011, Motorola hasn’t been able to crawl back to profitability. The company declared a loss of more than $350 million in the last quarter of 2012, following the operating loss of $500 million it posted in the third quarter. Motorola products also haven’t really managed to make a splash in global markets and we haven’t seen a big product launch from Motorola in a while.

Motorola will hope to arrest its free-fall with the upcoming flagship smartphone, currently titled the ‘X Phone.’ The X Phone is expected to be revealed at the Google I/O conference in May and made available for purchase in July. It will probably be the platform lead device for Android 5.0 (Key Lime Pie).