Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2015
WhatsApp getting ready for Windows 10
WhatsApp today released an update for the Beta version. Primarily the update looks like a Bug Fix update. But while Tech enthusiasts dig into the deep, the update suggests that WhatsApp is getting ready for Windows 10.
 |
| Notification panel for WhatsApp v 2.11.688 on Windows 10 |
 |
| Notification panel for WhatsApp v 2.12.20 on Windows 10 |
There are four visible changes. Firstly one of the major feature WhatsApp for Windows Phone was missing for a long time. Now we can attach Audio mp3 files and send it via WhatsApp.
Secondly, while sending text there is a cool animation for the chat bubbles. There is another cool new feature to select multiple chats and delete or archive the. And lastly there is a toggle button to enable or disable read receipt in the Privacy Settings.
There is a significant change in the version number. While writing this the Public version is 2.11.688, while the Beta version is 2.12.20. I though this version must have the most awaited calling feature. But there is no trace of calling feature in this version.
The feature with maximum requests is finally here. Hope to see many new cool features soon. Specially the Voice Calling feature.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Anonymous brings down TRAI website, after 1 millon email IDs made Public
TRAI has offered over 10,50,000 email IDs of users all across India to Spammers and advertisers on a platter. The very successful Save the Internet campaign which was created to gather support Net Neutrality campaign may have attracted tremendous response from Indian users, however, people who sent emails based on this campaign will now have to suffer at the hands of spammers, marketers and advertisers for a very long time to come.
 |
For spammers, advertiser or marketers – these email addresses (along with names) are a huge goldmine. These are active email addresses and demographic of these users is well known. People who know Net Neutrality and were part of Save The Internet campaign were mostly professionals and even entrepreneurs and CXO’s. Getting their email IDs and that too in range of over one million is huge. The spammers have to just skim through the html files and pdf files that have been uploaded to TRAI website and create a list and start bombarding these emails with spam messages.
Of all the organizations, a body like TRAI should do it is unbelievable. They are telecom regulatory body, they need to understand the consequences of such a step. Unfortunately, the folks over at TRAI seem to be out of their mind to make these email IDs public.
While now, after reading the backlash, they may remove it from the site, but the damage is now already done. This list of over 1 million email IDs will now get circulated all across the internet and will be available to anyone and everyone to be taken advantage of.
And, it may not be just spammers, these email IDs could also be used by anti-social elements for things we cannot comprehend right now!
If at all TRAI wanted to make the statements public, they just needed to obfuscate the email addresses (which most forums do), and problem would have been solved. But TRAI, did not give a moments thought before uploading that list!
And now hacker group Anonymous India has brought down Indian telecom regulator Trai's official website following the public release of email IDs .
In a series of tweets, Anonymous India claimed responsibility for bringing down trai.gov.in and also warned that the site will soon be hacked. It looks like the group has launched a DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attack on the website to make it inaccessible.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Net neutrality: Airtel CEO sends letter to Employee and Customers
In the eye of the storm over net neutrality, Bharti Airtel said it will always provide same treatment to every website and application irrespective of whether they are on its toll free platform or not.
Launched last week, Airtel Zero is an open-marketing platform that allows customers to access certain mobile apps for free with charges being borne by the app makers.
The company has drawn flak on social media for violating the concept of net neutrality.
"Over the last few days you may have seen a lot of conversation on Airtel Zero. It has been painted as a move that violates net neutrality and we have been very concerned at the incorrect information that has been carried by some quarters in the media as well as in social media," Bharti Airtel MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Gopal Vittal said in a letter to its employees.
"I wanted to take this opportunity to clear the air and reiterate that we are completely committed to net neutrality," he added.
Vittal said the platform is open to all app developers, content providers and internet sites on an equal basis and same rate card is offered to all.
"There is no difference between this and toll free voice such as 1-800," he said.
Vittal said every website, content or application will always be given the same treatment on its network whether they are on the toll free platform or not.
"As a company we do not ever block or provide any differential speeds to any website. We have never done it and will never do it. We believe customers are the reason we are in business," he said.
The head of country's largest telecom operator said there has been a deliberate effort by some quarters to confuse people that it will offer differential speeds or differential access for different sites.
"This is untrue. After all we earn revenue from data. If there are more customers who are on the internet the better it is for our business. Our revenues are not dependent on which sites they visit because we charge on the basis of consumption of mega bytes not which site they visited," he added.
The debate over net neutrality has gained momentum after Airtel announced the marketing platform. Due to the outrage over social media, e-commerce major Flipkart has withdrawn from Airtel Zero.
Meanwhile, Cleartrip, NDTV and Times Group have logged out from internet.org platform of Facebook, where Reliance Communication is a partner.
Today Mr. Vittal has sent a personal mail to the company's customers explaining that its controversial zero-rating plan called Airtel Zero does not violate the principle of net neutrality.
The following is the full text of his mail to Airtel customers:
Dear Customer
Over the last few days you may have seen a lot of conversation on our toll free platform Airtel Zero. It has been painted as a move that violates net neutrality and we have been very concerned at the incorrect information that has been carried by some quarters in the media as well as in social media. I wanted to take this opportunity to clear the air and reiterate that we are completely committed to net neutrality. Let me clarify.
Our vision is to have every Indian on the internet. There are millions of Indians who think that the internet is expensive and do not know what it can do for them. We believe that every Indian has the right to be on the internet. We know that if we allow them to experience the joys of the internet they will join the digital revolution.
Airtel Zero is a technology platform that connects application providers to their customers for free. The platform allows any content or application provider to enroll on it so that their customers can visit these sites for free. Instead of charging customers we charge the providers who choose to get on to the platform.
Our platform is open to all application developers, content providers and internet sites on an equal basis. The same rate card is offered to all these providers on a totally non discriminatory basis.
There is no difference between this and toll free voice such as 1-800. When a company selling an insurance product enrols into the toll free voice platform, customers who call the number are not charged but when they call a normal number they are charged. Calls are not blocked or given preferential treatment else our whole business would be jeopardized. Toll free voice helps the business owner engage with their customer. At the same time it provides the customer the benefit of reaching the business for free. Toll free voice is not a product or a tariff plan, it is merely a technology platform. We are simply taking the same concept of toll free voice to the world of data. As a result it is for the application developer and their customer to decide how data charges will be paid for. If the application developer is on the platform they pay for the data and their customer does not. If the developer is not on the platform the customer pays for data as they do now. Companies are free to choose whether they want to be on the platform or not. This does not change access to the content in any way whatsoever. Customers are free to choose which web site they want to visit, whether it is toll free or not. If they visit a toll free site they are not charged for data. If they visit any other site normal data charges apply.
Finally every web site, content or application will always be given the same treatment on our network whether they are on the toll free platform or not. As a company we do not ever block, throttle or provide any differential speeds to any web site. We have never done it and will never do it. We believe customers are the reason we are in business. As a result we will always do what is right for our customers.
There has been a deliberate effort by some quarters to confuse people that we will offer differential speeds or differential access for different sites. This is untrue. After all we earn revenues from data. If there are more customers who are on the Internet the better it is for our business. Our revenues are not dependent on which sites they visit because we charge on the basis of consumption of mega bytes not which site they visited.
In sum our platform is a technology platform and is open to all application developers and their customers. Our platform only provides a choice of how the data that is consumed is paid for by any of the two - the application provider or their customer. Whether any application provider enrolls on the platform or not is entirely their choice. All we have is a technology. We do not have a product or tariff plan that we have launched. We simply have a platform. And every application developer and their customer is free to choose in an entirely neutral way what they want to do.
In conclusion, we stand fully committed to net neutrality to ensure the goals of the Prime Minister`s vision of digital India are met.
Regards,
Gopal Vittal
MD & CEO
Bharti Airtel Ltd.
India & South Asia
This comes almost a week after Flipkart pulled out of its talks with Airtel on joining its zero-rating plan, following a social media backlash against the e-commerce firm. Airtel itself has been under sustained attack from net neutrality advocates.
Some net neutrality advocates say Airtel Zero discriminates against smaller firms who might not be able to pay to get on to the platform. Customers would likely move to services that they can access for free. Flipkart CEO Sachin Bansal said there were risks of Airtel Zero going against net neutrality principles in the long run.
But some experts also say it is possible to regulate zero-rating plans in a way that it does not discriminate against small players.
Source: TOI
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Net Neutrality
What is net neutrality?
If net neutrality was to be defined in a single line it would go like this:
“The premise of net neutrality is that all data on the Internet should be treated equally.”
Expanding on the above, a more comprehensive definition would be:
“Net neutrality means that Internet service providers (like Airtel, Reliance etc. who are responsible for our broadband and mobile Internet connections) shouldn’t be allowed to give preferential treatment to select websites, online services or apps. These ISPs should also not be allowed to discriminate against any websites, online services or apps.”
Net neutrality means Internet that allows everyone to communicate freely. It means a service provider should allow access to all content and applications regardless of the source and no websites or pages should be blocked, as long as they aren’t illegal. All websites can co-exist without hampering others. All websites are accessible at the same speed and no particular website of application is favored. For instance – like electricity, common for all. Net neutrality also means all web sites and content creators are treated equal, and you no one have to pay extra for faster Internet speed to a particular site/service.
This means that ISPs can’t ask some websites, online services or apps to pay extra in order to make it easier for consumers to access them. For instance, Airtel shouldn’t be allowed to take money from Flipkart and then let Airtel broadband and mobile Internet customers load the Flipkart website faster, or scrap all data charges when the Flipkart app is being used.
Conversely, an ISP shouldn’t be allowed to penalize websites, online services or apps because they haven’t paid extra charges. Continuing the same example from above, Airtel shouldn’t be allowed to put competing e-commerce websites like Snapdeal or Amazon at a disadvantage by giving Flipkart a boost just because Flipkart paid up. Also, while currently this discrimination may only come to life in the form of advantages given to companies that pay the ISP, it’s not very difficult to imagine a time when certain websites and apps are made unusable or entirely blocked on certain networks just because they didn’t pay up.
Why should you bother or what will happen if there is no net neutrality?
To put it out straight, if there is no net neutrality, the Internet won’t function as we’ve known it too. It will mean Internet Service Providers (ISP) will be able to charge companies like YouTube or Netflix as they consume more bandwidth, and eventually the load of the extra sum will be pushed to the consumers. Similarly, ISPs can then create slow as well as fast Internet lanes, which will mean all websites cannot be accessed at the same speed and one can do so only on paying an additional sum. For instance, currently, I have a standard data package and access all the content at the same speed, irrespective of whether its an international website or Indian. Similarly, ISPs can also charge extra for the free calls you make using services like WhatsApp, Skype and others, and eventually the load of additional payable sum by the OTT players will be pushed onto consumers.
Net Neutrality is extremely important for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs, who can simply launch their businesses online, advertise the products and sell them openly, without any discrimination. It is essential for innovation and creating job opportunities. Big companies like Google, Twitter and several others are born out of net neutrality. With increasing Internet penetration in India and given that we are becoming a breeding ground for startups and entrepreneurs, the lack of net neutrality should worry us greatly. Besides, it is very important for freedom of speech, so that one can voice their opinion without the fear of being blocked or banned.
Even though everybody and their grandmother supports net neutrality, is there a contrarian viewpoint?
As it always happens in a debate, net neutrality is being both derided and defended by different parties. And even though it may appear like net neutrality has received universal support, it is important to understand the other side of the debate as well.
But first, let’s take a quick look at why net neutrality is being defended:
1. Without net neutrality, it would be very easy for ISPs to mould the browsing habits of its users with the help of pricing slabs, different speeds for different sites and other methods. So, if Airtel wanted its users to visit Flipkart, it would make it exceedingly easy and advantageous to do so and put competing sites on the back foot which would clearly be an anti-competition move.
2. Net neutrality also ensures that small, new companies can compete against established big names on the Internet fairly. If net neutrality did not exist then big companies would shackle their competition with the implicit ability to be able pay more to the ISPs to ensure better service, something that most start-ups wouldn’t be able to do.
3. Now, this scenario may lie at the furthest end of the slippery slope, but here it is: since the absence of net neutrality could mean that an ISP will get money from companies, that relationship may be enough to compel the ISP to mute online criticism against one of its paying partners.
4. Another scenario that exists without net neutrality is that the Internet becomes a stratified mess and you’ll be forced to choose packages of websites and services like you do with your DTH subscription. If you want unrestricted access to the Internet, the ISPs could force you to pay through the nose.
5. The anti-net neutrality arguments become even more vociferous when it comes to VoIP and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber. Since these services directly affect the telcos’ bottomline, there is the significant possibility that the companies behind these apps will have to register for licenses in order to conduct operations in India. This means that unless the companies behind messaging and VoIP apps decide to pay the government for licenses, you won’t be able to use them.
These are only a few of the many arguments that net neutrality proponents put forward in defence of keeping the Internet neutral. However, when we get to the debate against net neutrality, the focus of the arguments is markedly different. While the pro net neutrality talking points almost always have the consumer as their focal point, the other side of the debate seems to be focused on the telecom operators and how a ‘neutral’ Internet ensures financial doom. In fact, TRAI recently published a consultation paper that almost exclusively focuses on how many VoIP services, apps and websites are taking undue advantage of the infrastructure set up by telcos who spent bucketloads of money setting it all up. It’s a long paper but even if you just skim through it, this theme jumps out at you.
 |
| A graph from the TRAI policy paper that shows drop in SMS use. |
The fact is that in order to support dismantling net neutrality, you have to believe in the telcos’ claim that without earning revenue from VoIP services and websites like YouTube, they will be forced to either pass on huge costs to the consumer or to accept massive losses.
 |
| A graph from the TRAI policy paper showing dropping growth of voice calls over mobile & increasing growth of VoIP. |
Apart from the arguments that are in line with the above, let’s take a look at some of the other talking points put forward against net neutrality:
1. ISPs argue that they can increase the overall efficiency of their networks if they’re allowed to ‘actively’ manage them. This means that ISPs can decide how to shape Internet traffic so that heavy Internet users don’t affect the experience of light users. ISPs also claim that this will allow them to give preference to certain types of online services that are necessary and should be prioritized, such as communication channels used by hospitals or emergency response services during a disaster.
2. ISPs also argue that adopting a blanket net neutrality policy will give rise to security risks and increase piracy and cyber crime. ISPs claim that the only way they can help the government to police the Internet better is if they can manage it.
3. One of the more ideological arguments against net neutrality is that it will give too much power to the government organisation that will be responsible for enforcing net neutrality. Some net neutrality detractors have argued that it’s better for user privacy and competition if the ISPs themselves manage the Internet rather than letting a governmental body have control.
It may be simplistic to say so but it does appear that the anti-net neutrality stance basically boils down to one point: You should implicitly trust the ISPs because they will always have your best interests at heart. Now, whether you agree with that statement should tell you where you stand on the net neutrality debate.
There is, however, one aspect of the telcos services, which goes against net neutrality, that appears worth considering, especially in a country like India. I am specifically talking about a service like Internet.org which could work as a great tool to increase Internet penetration in rural areas and places where Internet use is often looked at as a luxury. Under the Internet.org service, Reliance mobile users will be able to access 38 websites for free, including popular ones like Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Wikipedia, NDTV, Aaj Tak, BBC, Cricinfo, Bing and OLX. Yes, it does seem like that list was drawn arbitrarily but it can’t be denied that these are very popular websites. I cannot in good conscience say that someone who couldn’t afford to use the Internet shouldn’t get to do so in whatever capacity. Do I wish services like Internet.org offered more choice or even let users pick the websites that they’d want to access for free? Yes, that would be ideal but I’m also aware of the economic realities. If the scope of services like Internet.org is focused towards increasing rural Internet penetration and awareness, then I can’t really argue against it, not when I have easy access to the Internet at relatively decent speeds while many others don’t.
The debate over whether services like Internet.org flagrantly violate net neutrality and their efficacy in helping bridge the digital divide in Internet starved areas of the country has been wonderfully talked about over at Medianama.
How activists have been fighting for it in the west?
Net neutrality isn’t something new and many activists have been battling to achieve it in the west.
In 2010, FCC had passed an order to prevent broadband Internet service providers from blocking or meddling with the traffic on the Web. Known as the ‘Open Internet Order’, it ensured the Internet remained a level playing field for all.
However, in 2014, the court said the FCC lacked the authority to do so and enforce rules. This means, telecom companies who were earlier forced to follow the rules pf net neutrality started adopting unruly ways. This also paved way for ISPs to monitor data on their networks and also allowing governments to ban or block data. Besides banning or blocking data, we also jad the high profile Netflix-Comcast tussle.
Recently, FCC has approved “net neutrality” rules that prevent Internet providers such as Comcast and Verizon from slowing or blocking Web traffic or from creating Internet fast lanes that content providers such as Netflix must pay for. European Union member states have also been striving for net neutrality.
No more a thing of the west – Net neutrality in India
Taking the recent events into account, its time net neutrality is imposed in India too.
Since the past couple of years, the instances of Internet censorship in India have increased manifold. In 2011, India adopted the new ‘IT Rules 2011’ that supplemented the IT Act 2000. These rules made it mandatory for Internet intermediaries to remove objectionable content within 36 hours of receiving complaint. But the terms included were vague and open to interpretations. These rules received sharp criticism, but they have prevailed. In 2011, government also drew flak as it asked major sites like Google, Facebook and Yahoo to ‘pre-screen’ content and remove any objectionable, defamatory content from going live.Government requests for banning content has also been on rise over the past couple of years.
On the other hand, with the increasing popularity of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber and others, telcos had started making noise against the accelerated adoption of these services. Throughout last year, they’ve have been quite vocal about their dislike for over-the-top (OTT) services, who have been cannibalizing their main revenue streams – calls and SMSes.
There was buzz around a fee being imposed on popular OTT services, but the matter fizzled out soon after TRAI rejected telcos’ proposal to do so. In a bid to make up for the losing revenue, Airtel decided to play evil Santa on Christmas 2014 and announced an extra charge on making VoIP calls. The Twitterati had gone all out condeming Airtel for the act, and the service provider had to soon retract its decision. Net neutrality got yet another blow in India with the recent announcements from Reliance and Airtel.
In India, Facebook has teamed up with Reliance Communications in an effort to bring Internet.org to smartphone as well as feature phone users. But at the Mobile World Congress, telecom service providers such as Vodafone, Airtel and Telenor have made their discomfort clear when it comes to offering free Internet services over expensive telecom networks.
In order to compete with Reliance, Airtel announced Zero marketing platform allowing customers to access apps of participating app developers at zero data charges. Now, you may be wondering what is wrong if someone wants to offer free Internet? Free internet sounds tempting, but you need to be aware that you are only getting free access to services/apps which have struck a deal with the telcos. App developers and services who are flush with funds, will not find it an issue to pay telcos for data charges incurred by users. But this can leave app developers, specially start ups, who cannot afford Airtel or Reliance’s data rates at a definite disadvantage.
In India, the concept of net neutrality doesn’t exist legally. However, ISPs try to moderately not violate any laws. They’ve approached Trai for the losing revenues and are awaiting Trai’s decision on regulation IM app by OTT players. Most decisions here are made by DoT and Trai. However, it would be a good move to get things legally on paper, while Internet access in India is still at its infancy.
You can read the entire TRAI consultation paper here.
Source: Digit, FirstPost, netneutrality.in
Friday, April 3, 2015
Connect Internet on a PC using Cellphone as Modem
Connect your tablet (or laptop) to your smartphone and get internet access on the move. You can make your own Hotspot on your Android Device. Tethering your Android smartphone with your computer enables the device to share its cellular data connection, so your computer can access the Internet even when a wireless connection is unavailable. Android 4.x offers three ways to create this connection. Connecting your computer to your Android phone using a USB cable directly shares the Internet. Bluetooth-enabled computers can also pair with the phone to share data. The Android device also offers a portable hotspot feature that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to which up to eight computers can connect.
USB Connection
Step 1
Connect the USB cable's smaller end to your Android phone and the other end to your computer.
Step 2
Press the "Home" button and then the "Menu" button.
Step 3
Tap "Settings," "More" from the Wireless & Networks section and then "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."
Step 4
Check "USB Tethering" to establish a USB data connection on your computer. Uncheck the option to sever the connection.
Bluetooth Hotspot
Step 1
Press "Home" and then "Menu."
Step 2
Tap "Settings" and then "Bluetooth" from the Wireless & Networks section.
Step 3
Tap "Off" to turn Bluetooth on and then tap "Not Visible to Other Bluetooth Devices" to make the Android phone discoverable for two minutes.
Step 4
Click the Start button on your computer, "Devices and Printers" and then "Add a Device."
Step 5
Select your Android phone from the list and click "Next" to run the wizard and pair your phone.
Step 6
Press the "Back" button, tap "More..." from the Wireless & Networks section and select "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."
Step 7
Check "Bluetooth Tethering" to share your phone's Internet.
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Step 1
Press "Home" and then "Menu."
Step 2
Touch "More..." from the Wireless & Networks section and tap "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."
Step 3
Check "Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot." On some Android phones, this option is called "Portable WLAN Hotspot."
Step 4
Tap "Configure Wi-Fi Hotspot" or "Configure WLAN Hotspot."
Step 5
Enter your preferred SSID network name, security mode and password in the configuration screen. Tap "Save."
Step 6
Click the "Network" icon in the Windows 7 Notification area, select the SSID name you chose on your phone, click "Connect" and enter the password to connect to your phone's data plan.
Warning
Using your phone's data plan could incur significant data fees if you go over your allotted bandwidth.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
WhatsApp Calling feature now Available on Android, coming soon for iOS and WP users
If you've been sitting, wishing and waiting for your Android handset to let you make free data-based calls, then today's your lucky day. Android users can finally make voice calls on WhatsApp. The feature was there from the version 2.11.528 but thanks to a quiet but major internal update which made it possible for all users to get the most awaited feature. The feature has been teased for months, with the update hitting select users a month ago. Now, however, it seems it's available to all, with the latest version of WhatsApp offering a new, cleaner layout, with three tabs for Calls, Chats, and Contacts. As you'd expect, you simply click the Calls tab and select a contact to start talking.
The company has not yet confirmed about the Update officially. I think WhatsApp will let everyone know about the feature through their official blog.
Voice calling for the app should also be coming to iOS and Windows Phone in the near future. It should also be noted that these are app-to-app voice calls, unlike previous version of WhatsApp which have allowed users to call contacts by simply switching to their smartphone's regular mobile services.
So how does it work?
I gave it a whirl over here in Kolkata(India), calling my friends Shreya Roy (Kolkata) and Sayan Chakrabarti in Manipal, Karnataka. Though the quality was clear, there were a couple of technical glitches. On one call, there was a delay of a couple of seconds, and on another, Arijit complained about an annoying echo, while RJ Varun Da (Power FM) said the WhatsApp voice calling feature is working better that any other VoIP services he use on 2G network. Received a call from Prodosh Dutta and the sound clarity was good. However, there are some problems, those small problems could be early teething problems, and similar issues are typical with other VOIP services.
While calling my friends I found that those using Windows Phone, Symbian S40/S60 or iOS could not be reached.
While writing this the current version of WhatsApp is 2.12.19
Sunday, March 8, 2015
WhatsApp gets a new Update with Calling Feature for Android [v4.0.0]
WhatsApp rolls out WhatsApp calling feature for all Android 4.0.0 and above devices, iOS and Blackberry have to wait a fortnight.
Its still not available on Google Play store but WhatsApp calling feature has now been introduced for all Android smartphones running on Android 4.0.0 KitKat and above.
To avail this feature, you have to get the latest version from the Whatsapp site. The best way to go about it is to access the site from your mobile (www.whatsapp.com). When you click the download option the Whatsapp site will recognise that you are accessing it from an Android phone and will take you to the download page. When you click on ‘download’, an .apk file will be downloaded (the version you need is 2.11.557 or above). Otherwise you can download it here.
Now go to your SETTINGS > MORE > SECURITY > ENABLE UNKNOWN SOURCES
There is no need to uninstall or delete your old WhatsApp.
Go to the FILE MANAGER > DOWNLOAD > WhatsApp.Apk (the place where your downloads are saved), tap the APK and it will be installed.
Now for the hard part, what is more difficult is that you need a WhatsApp user who already has the calling feature activated. You have to request such person (You may post request on WhatsApp group/Facebook Friends/Twitter DMs to tell them to call you on WhatsApp. You can also ping me at +919038901219
Once you catch hold of such a users, ask him/her to call you, when you receive a WhatsApp call, dont receive it, instead RESTART YOUR WHATSAPP. Once you have restarted the App you will see three tabs on the top of the WhatsApp dashboard, namely Calls, Chats and Contacts. Now you make a call to that same user who called you to confirm your WhatsApp Calling is working.
Done! Congratulations, you can start making Whatsapp calls to those who have this feature enabled.
PS: You can also help others who dont have this feature enabled by making a call to them
Saturday, February 21, 2015
WhatApp Official site removes the app with calling feature
WhatsApp leaked the version WhatsApp 2.11.531 on its website. But now they have removed it. This is the version that will have the most awaited calling feature. But according to tech specialists currently WhatsApp might be working on this new feature for all other platforms. Many websites have leaked screenshots from iPhone and Android phones. They might be working for Windows Phone devices and once they are ready they might release the app on all the three major Mobile Platforms.
If you are using v2.11.527 you can receive the call but you can't call any number. At least till WhatsApp updates the system internally.
I do have the latest APK installed on my tablet device but I think WhatsApp wants not to share the APK before they are ready with all devices. I respect their thought and so do not request me to share the APK.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Pen Drive Full of Shortcut [Virus] ? - Clean Them
Shortcut Virus!!! Is Your USB Pendrive, Computer or Hard disk creating unwanted shortcut files which appears again and again even after removing them?
The Shortcut Virus or bug may look to many as a small problem and usually they do not take any action to remove it, while others take it seriously and look on the internet to find a shortcut virus removal tool or a way to Remove the shortcut virus from there device.
Before i begin the tutorial on how to remove the shortcut virus, let me first explain what the shortcut virus is capable of doing.
What is Shortcut Virus and How it infects your device?
Shortcut Virus also known as Houdini is a worm which have infected several computers/devices around the world.
The Shortcut Virus usually spread through USB peripheral devices including pendrives, Memory cards, Mobile phones, Digital Cameras or Hard disks. once you have completed copying a file to your device you may see files on your device with a shortcut arrow in the preview. this is where the infection begins once clicked the file runs a ".vbs" file/script which runs a series of task including making two copies of its code or registery key one for temporary use and other for start/restart.
You may think by removing the Shortcut created the problem is solved, but infact it will appear again every time the computer or device is started/restarted.
After infecting your computer/device the Shortcut virus looks for peripheral devices connected to the system and infects them too.
What is the Shortcut virus capable of doing?
Once your device is infected by the shortcut virus it then connects to its C&C server, to obtain the commands and send the stolen information.
Once infected by the Shortcut Virus, the Attacker can take advantage of the situation and is capable of stealing victim's data install other malwares or update the codes of the present shortcut virus.
How to Remove shortcut Virus?
I will explain four methods step by step which can help you remove shortcut virus from your computer.
Shortcut Virus Removal Method 1:
Step1: Connect the device which is infected by the shortcut virus, check for every folder/file on the drive/device is visible and not hidden. for this open folder and search options--> view-->select show hidden files and folders--> apply changes.
Step2: Download Autorun Exterminator from the link provided here extract the folder and run the file which is named as "Autorun Exterminator" this will automatically remove the shortcut virus from your device.
Shortcut Virus Removal Method 2:
Download Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware from the link provided here, Install and update it and then run a full scan of your computer/device it will automatically remove any shortcut virus present in your computer.
Shortcut Virus Removal Method 3, Using Command prompt:
Open the Command prompt, click on start--> Search-->cmd-->Enter it will open the Command prompt, type in the following command
attrib -h -r -s /s /d e:\*.* or
attrib E:\*.* /d /s -h -r -s
- See more at: http://www.bloggingworm.com/2014/10/remove-shortcut-virus.html#sthash.IN5lNWEz.dpuf
Replace the drive "E" with the desired drive you want to scan, for eg; if you want to scan and remove the shortcut virus from drive G, Replace "E" with "G"
Copy one of the command from above and paste it into command prompt window and press Enter.
Shortcut Virus Removal Method 4:
Download usbfix from the link provided here and run it.
Now before running usbfix insert the peripheral device which you want to scan or remove shortcut virus from.
After running the usbfix click on Clean option.
A popup message will appear asking to Connect all your external data sources to your PC (Usb keys, external drives, etc…), connect the device which you want to scan or remove the shortcut virus from and then click ok.
The Software will scan for all infected elements and will remove the shortcut virus from your device.
Hopefully Your device is now free from Shortcut Virus, do let me know if you have any problem following the above mentioned method :)
Source: BloggingWorm
Monday, February 16, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
WhatsApp rolls out a new update with voice call functionality
There had been rumors about WhatsApp having a calling feature, well it looks like they've finally implimented it but it might be still in it's beta version, so it's not out for the public yet.
After announcing its acquisition of US-based voice-calling firm Zip Phone in early January, India’s very own instant messenger, Hike, had a unique gift for all its Android users on the occasion of 66th Republic Day, 2015. Hike Messenger has now enabled free voice calling in the latest update! iOS and Windows Phone users will get the 'Hike Calls' feature by the end of Q1 2015.
Now it's turn for WhatsApp. Instant messaging service WhatsApp has seemingly begun a slow rollout of its anticipated voice-calling feature to its users in India, as reported by GSM Arena. The current rollout, which has not yet been officially announced by WhatsApp, appears to be operating via an invite-only scenario. The feature gets switched on when a user who already has it enabled calls another user.
As mentioned in the XDA, one can activate it manually on a rooted device.
Requirements:
1)Root access
2) WhatsApp (version 2.11.508 or Above)
3) Terminal Emulator
Instructions:
1) Make sure you have the right version of WhatsApp
2) Open Terminal Emulator in your Android phone
3) Type in the following:
su
am start -n com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.HomeActivity
4) WhatsApp should now open with the calling feature enabled.
Voice-calling will put WhatsApp in direct competition with the likes of VoIP services Skype and Viber.
Download
Thursday, January 22, 2015
WhatsApp for Web
Now WhatsApp users have the ability to use the app mirrored on a web browser. The web client is simply an extension of a phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from a mobile device - this means all the messages are still live on the phone.
 |
| Supported only on Chrome Browser |
To connect web browser to the WhatsApp client, simply open https://web.whatsapp.com in your Google Chrome browser (Chrome only supports this) . One will see a QR code. Simply scan the code inside of WhatsApp, and the user is ready to go. Your phone needs to stay connected to the internet for the web client to work. For thisthe latest version of WhatsApp must be installed on your phone. Unfortunately for now, the feature is not available for iOS users due to Apple platform limitations.
With more than 600 million users, WhatsApp is one of the largest chat clients in the world, and the app's growth has fueled rumors concerning the company's next move.
 |
| The Messaging Center |
 |
| Notifications from WhatsApp |
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Nokia's first device to the post Microsoft era
Nokia isn't exactly known for its tablets, but having sold its phone-making division to Microsoft it's hoping to catch your eye with its latest compellingly priced Android offering. The Nokia N1 starts at $250 and is set to go on sale in China before the Chinese New Year -- that's February 19, 2015. Information on other international pricing and release dates have yet to be announced, but the US dollar price converts to around £160 or AU$290.
The N1 looks trendy and slim. It's 6.9mm thick and an aluminum frame that comes in dark gray or silver. Its 7.9-inch IPS LCD screen boasts a 4:3 aspect ratio with a 2,048x1,536-pixel resolution. Inside you'll find a 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 CPU and PowerVR G6430 GPU with 2GB RAM.
In a somewhat unusual move, the Nokia N1 houses a whopping 32GB of internal storage. Initially this sounds impressive, until you realise it can't be expanded. Nonetheless, some manufactures have the gall to leave you with a lot less and no microSD card slot, so it's a satisfactory trade-off. That amount of space can accommodate a large number of apps, movies and games.
The Nokia N1 is one of the first tablets to sport a USB Type-C socket, which is a reversible USB port that's set to replace all types of USB connections. It's not the sexiest cutting-edge feature, but it's useful future-proofing.
The N1 is also the first to sport Nokia's Android launcher, Z Launcher. Running on top of the latest version of Google's operating system, Lollipop 5.0, the Z Launcher simplifies the home screen with a gridlike display of apps. It customizes the look of the home screen according to where you are, what time it is and what you're doing, as well as making adjustments geared toward your typical activities.
If you want to try out this user interface before you buy the N1, Nokia invites you to download it from Google Play and install it on your current Android tablet or phone.
Source: CNET
WhatsApp add new features to Group Chat : Multiple Admins
The new Group Chat feature in WhatsApp lets you chat with up to 100 people at once. Previously it was only 50. It is a great way stay in touch with your family, friends and colleagues. Specially for people with larger number of peers, like students in a class or in a big office, it is now easy to add all the people as members of the group. In addition to the change in number of people you can add to a group, there are a few more changes :
- Every group has one or more admins. Only admins can add or remove participants. Previously you had only one admin for a group.
- Now you can see the Received and Read receipt for all the members of the group, even if they have set privacy option.
Other things you must know about Group Chats are:
- There is no limit to the number of groups you can create.
- Only admins can make other participants admins.
- If the last admin leaves the group, a new admin will be randomly assigned.
- You can always control your own participation in a Group Chat, by staying in or leaving the group when you wish. Remember that only group admins have the ability to add participants. If you have any questions about being added to a group, or prefer not to be added, please speak to a group admin.
- If you have blocked a contact, you will still receive messages this contact sends into any group you have in common. Likewise, they will still receive messages you send to those groups.
