Bad News Old Cellphones Users.....

In February this year, WhatsApp had announced it will stop supporting older smartphones, which included the earliest versions of Android, iPhone, Nokia, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7 by end of 2016. Later it was announced that WhatsApp will extend support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017. Now as the end of the year approaches, WhatsApp’s support for some of the older devices will be coming to an end.

            For users who are worried, it doesn’t look like too many phones will affected in the Android and iOS universe. WhatsApp support will stop by the end of 2016 for those running on Android 2.1 and Android 2.2, Windows Phone 7, the iPhone 3GS and or any other iPhone still on iOS 6. Technically for Android this means around 0.1 per cent devices running on Android Froyo, if you go by the numbers according to Google’s own dashboard from November 2016. So anyone who still has a phone on Ice-cream sandwich or Jelly Bean need not panic.

      According to Apple’s October 2016 data, there are around 8 per cent devices still on earlier versions of iOS (which includes everything under iOS 9 and below). So if you’re still on iOS 6 for some reason, then you should know that support ends for you this year.

For Windows 7 mobile owners, 2016 will definitely be the end of WhatsApp support. The instant messaging app has given BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40, Symbian S60 and BBOS users a lifeline still June 2017. According to WhatsApp’s older blog, the reason for ending support was that these phones don’t “offer the kind of capabilities” they need to expand the app’s features.

WhatsApp, which has over 1 billion monthly active users, has emerged as the world’s most popular instant messaging app. The app recently got the video calling feature on iOS, Android and Windows Mobile, and will now compete with other apps like Skype, FaceTime, Google Duo, which are centred around video calling.WhatsApp says video calling is end-to-end encrypted on the app, just like the messages, text and regular audio calls. WhatsApp is also slated to be getting some Snapchat like features, which includes a version of Stories.

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Acer Unveils thinnest ever Notebook. Less than 1cm.

Ahead of this year's IFA expo in Berlin, which opens officially September 2 and runs through September 7, computer manufacturer Acer has unveiled a raft of attention-grabbing laptops, from a curved-screen gaming machine to two laptops with 360° hinges.

Among them, the Predator 21 X puts a curved screen and two GTX 1080 graphics cards into a beefy 8kg laptop, as well as an i7 K-series processor, a mechanical keyboard, Tobii eye-tracking, 4 spare RAM slots, and other accoutrements.

At the other end of the scale is the 1.1kg Swift 7, a $999 Windows 10 portable which lays claim to being the first laptop less than 1cm thin -- 9.98cm, to be precise.

The versatile Spin 7's display hinges allow it to rotate through 360°. It has a touch screen and a keyboard that can effectively double as a screen stand or go further and tuck out of the way. It's $1,199 but does run on an i7 in comparison to the Swift 7's i5.

More modestly priced (and specc'd) is the Chromebook R 13, which also totes a touch screen and a 360° hinge, but starts from $399 instead.

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Nubia Z11 with Bezel-Less 5.5″ Display, 6GB RAM & Snapdragon 820 launched.

The device comes with an Aluminum build body with a 2.5D glass on the front. On the rear, there is also a fingerprint sensor that can unlock in just 0.1 seconds. It sports a 5.5-inch bezel-less display with Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, even the last years Nubia Z9 series also came with the same bezel-less displays. It also includes FiT 2.0 (Frame interactive Technology) with which we can just swipe on the edge for using the device.
    Under the hood is the Snapdragon 820 quad-core processor coupled with Adreno 530 GPU and 6GB of RAM. It has 128GB of internal storage that can be additionally expanded upto 200GB via MicroSD card slot. After Vivo XPlay 5 launched as the first smartphone with 6GB of RAM;ZUK Z2 Pro, LeEco Le Max 2, and OnePlus 3 also joined the league of smartphones with 6 GB of RAM.

There is also another variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It has a 16MP IMX298 rear camera sensor with f/2.0 aperture, OIS, and PDAF for faster focusing. On the front is an 8MP selfie camera with f/2.4 aperture. The device is backed by a 3,000mAh battery and supports NeoPower fast charging technology. It comes with Dolby Atmos support and offers Hi-Fi sound with the AK4376 audio chip.

It runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow based Nubia 4.0 UI laid on top. The Nubia Z11 with 6GB RAM is priced at €600 (approx $670 / Rs. 44,800) while the 4GB variant costs €500 (approx $558 / Rs. 37,350). The metal build Nubia Z11 with 4GB RAM will be available in Silver and Grey color, and the 6GB variant comes in Black color.

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First phone to get digital TV by Samsung.

Year after year, we see a bunch of Samsung smartphones. Most of them offer very similar specs more or less, with some exceptions. These exceptions do come with some of the most interesting features. One such offering is the new Galaxy J2 DTV. This device is essentially a variant of the Galaxy J2 (2016)launched previously. And as mentioned, this device comes with a Digital TV Tuner.

But the sadly this device is limited to the Philippines only. We don’t expect this device to make it out to other regions. Anyway, talking about the specs of the device, it features the same specs as that of the Galaxy J2 (2016). It is powered  by a 1.3 GHz quad-core Exynos 3457. The device packs 1GB of RAM and comes with 8GB of internal storage. In terms of the camera, we are looking at a 5-megapixel rear facing camera. On the front, we have a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 540 x 960.

The device is kept powered by a 2,000 mAh battery and hence you might be charging it quite often if you are going to use it to watch the TV. Most people might think this is kind of a pointless attempt from Samsung to launch this device. But however, it is reported that places like the Philippines have poor internet connectivity and hence streaming services like NetFlix, Hulu, etc won’t work as intended to. So having a Digital TV Tuner onboard makes a lot of sense if users want to watch TV.

The Galaxy J2 DTV is now on sale in the Philippines at a cost of 6,990 Philippine Pesos ($150). And if you are planning to import this device to use it outside, then do make a note that the Philippines uses a different broadcasting standard and hence it may or may not work for you outside. However, stay tuned for more info.

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Amazing phone launched in 6999/- only.

Lenovo has finally launched the A6600 Smartphone that has been revolving around the Internet as a budget-centric Smartphone. The Phone has been silently launched in the offline markets & this information has been shared by our trusted source who has revealed all the specifications along with the pricing of this phone.

The device comes powered with 1GB of RAM along with a 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded to upto 32GB with an external SD Card. Referring to the display this phone comes with 5″ of IPS HD Display along with a 2300mAh of battery capacity. Overall the specifications clearly hint that this is a basic smartphone considering the other line up from Lenovo ie the A7000, K3 Note or even the K4 Note that were launched in India earlier.

In fact, Lenovo is prepping the launch of the Zuk Z2 Pro Smartphone in India that would be launching in the coming weeks and the A6600 would probably be announced later at that event. Talking about the other hardware components, the phone is powered with a 1Ghz MT6735p Quad-core 64bit Processor & also comes with a 8 MP Rear Camera with led flash. For the selfie lovers, this phone isn’t something that would be impressing them since it comes with just 2MP Front Camera. The Phone is Dual Sim Dual VoLTE compatible connecting on 2G/3G/4G/ & VoLTE which means that if you are already having a JIO SIM Card then you are good to go.

The phone also comes with a bunch of pre-installed Lenovo developed applications like the Sync it, Share it, SEEit Gallery, SNAPit Camera along with the Stock Google UI for a Smooth android experience. Moving to the pricing part the Phone has been launched at a price of Rs 6999, while it is going to be sold at Rs 6600 itself from the day one with the offline retailers.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 : Launched in India

Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled its ‘most intelligent and most powerful smartphone’ yet, Samsung Galaxy Note7, along with a host of devices as a part of its ecosystem.
The launch entails the introduction of the Gear Fit2 — wearable fitness tracker priced at Rs 13,990 and Gear IconX — cordless earphones with in-ear heart rate monitor priced at Rs 13,490. The Samsung Gear VR — Samsung’s virtual reality device, also forms part of the Note7’s Phone+ Ecosystem.

Priced at Rs 59,900, the Note7 features an upgraded S Pen and irisSZ scanning technology for security and is ready to enter the Indian market on September 2. To improve precision, the tip of the S Pen has been reduced by about 50%, making it only 0.7mm. 

On the iris scanning technology, Samsung India Electronics Vice President - Mobile Business Manu Sharma said: “The Indian financial sector is abuzz with mobile transactions. However, around 70% of mobile users are scared of leakage of information. The iris scanner ensures that security of the phone is personalised, which makes the Note7, the most secure phone in the current generation.” 

The first device in the Note series to be water resistant up to the depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes, the Note7 features a 5.7 inch Gorilla Glass 5, which makes it 30% stronger and 20% more scratch resistant. However, it features the same camera as the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. 

The Note7 has been given a 3,500 mAH battery, which is the biggest in the Samsung smartphone portfolio. “Users can choose from HD, FHD and QHD display to optimise battery usage,” said Sharma.

Sharma added, “The success of the Note series in India has been unprecedented. Since the launch of the first Note in 2011, the segment has evolved and gathered loyal support from who we lovingly call ‘Note heads’.” The segment commands 70% to 80% return rates in its customer base in the country. 

Samsung claims a 47.3% share in the smartphone market in India, which it further seeks to consolidate with every launch.

The phone will be launched in three colour options — Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium and Black onyx, and pre-booking is slated from August 22 to August 30.

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New Role For Brain-Computer Interfaces

Eight paraplegics who used their thoughts to operate a robotic exoskeleton regained partial feeling and control over their legs, according to a study that points to a possible new type of rehabilitation therapy.

The study, published today in Scientific Reports, is a follow-up to ahighly publicized spectacle during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in which a paralyzed patient was shown on television using a brain-controlled robotic exoskeleton to kick a soccer ball.

The Walk Again Project, as it is known, is led by Miguel Nicolelis, a Brazilian-born neuroscientist and longtime professor at Duke University, whose provocative work with brain-computer interfaces has kindled fanfare and skepticism.

A patient moves with the assistance of the brain-controlled robotic exoskeleton.

The eight patients, who all had complete spinal cord injury, meaning they were paralyzed and had no sensation below the lesion, trained twice a week for a year using a brain-computer interface to control either an avatar seen through virtual-reality goggles or a robotic harness.

There’s a growing body of evidence that such biofeedback—like observing an avatar you control—may help people recover from injuries, including strokes. “The approach they are aiming for is enhancing the neurological signals to induce plasticity, the healing of the brain,” says Bolu Ajiboye, a brain-computer interface researcher from Case Western University.

During the study, patients wore caps that recorded their brain waves, or EEG signals, which they used to direct movements of a human figure displayed on an Oculus Rift headset. Patients then graduated to operating a robotic exoskeleton that moved their legs, helping them stand up or walk on a treadmill.

Nicolelis says following the training, patients were able to voluntarily move their legs, however slightly, for the first time in years. They also regained some sensation of feeling in their lower limbs. By the end of the study, half the patients were upgraded from a clinical diagnosis of complete spinal cord injury to “incomplete” paraplegics. In a telephone briefing with journalists, Nicolelis called the results “the first study using long-term brain-machine interface that reports on some kind of partial recovery.”

A patient learns to control an avatar in virtual reality via brain waves.

Exactly why such techniques may help isn’t known. One theory is that when people make repeated efforts to willfully alter their EEG signal, it may help re-establish connections to remaining nerve fibers below the injury area. “We may have rekindled the remaining nerves to be able to send messages from the brain of the patients to the periphery,” says Nicolelis.

Jose Contreras-Vidal, an engineer at the University of Houston who is also researching the use of brain-machine interfaces to power exoskeletons, said it is unclear from Nicolelis’s study which of six different training techniques used might have caused the improvement. That means the technique can’t be applied immediately by rehab centers until it is better understood.

“It is really hard to relate the specific components to the benefits,” said Contreras-Vidal. “Now we need to sit down and tease these effects apart.”

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