<p> <i> 10.04 am </i> Apple CEO Tim Cook says Apple

Watch will replace car keys, battery will

last all day

Apple Watch will replace your car keys and its battery will last the whole day, Apple Inc's Chief Executive Tim Cook said.

The watch is designed to replace car keys and the clumsy, large fobs that are now used in many vehicles, Cook told the UK's Telegraph newspaper.

The company has scheduled a special event on March 9, where it will showcase the Apple Watch and that will be launched in April.

Its battery will last the whole day, and will not take as long to charge as an iPhone, the report quoted Cook as saying.

Apple Watch will also work as a credit card through Apple Pay, Cook told the publication, but did not mention how user verification will work with the watch.

The rollout of the watch might pose a challenge for Apple's stores, which may involve "tweaking the experience in the store," the Telegraph said, citing Cook's conversation with the staff at Apple's Covent Garden store in London.

Last March, Apple unveiled CarPlay, which lets drivers access contacts on their iPhones, make calls or listen to voicemails without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the iPhone maker is looking at making a self-driving electric car, and is talking to experts at carmakers and automotive suppliers.

In the interview, Cook said that the Apple Watch will operate a special rewards system, track the user's activity and "be correct to 50 milliseconds".</p>

<p> <i> 10.02 am </i> Truecaller iPhone App Update Adds New Widget to Help Identify Numbers

Truecaller earlier this week updated its iPhone app to version 5.0, and added a new Today Widget apart from redesigning the UI to optimise it for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and improving other features.

The new Today Widget, called Truecaller Widget Search, is meant to help quickly identify a missed call, and lets users copy a phone number from call history, and then drag down Apple's Today View to see the Truecaller widget and identify the caller. The updated app is available on the App Store.

The feature is available for iOS 8 users, and can also be used to search for people within and outside the user's phonebook. The firm says the app will first help search for the number or name inside the user's phonebook, and if it is not available, will search from within the Truecaller database that is claimed to have 1.6 billion names.

Users can now also information and photos from social media profiles to the Truecaller phonebook, a feature that Android users got back in December. Users will be able to choose the way they look in their friends' Truecaller phonebooks by updating their profile.

Apart from this, the new user interface allows for quick ways to send text messages or place calls to user profiles just discovered. Once a user profile is pulled, users will need to swipe left to place a call or text. The updated Truecaller app for iPhone also brings updated Spam filters for better protection against unwanted calls, and the app is claimed to be faster than before.

Alan Mamedi, co-founder and CEO of Truecaller, spoke of the changes in the new app in a statement, "We want to streamline and personalize the experience for our users as much as possible and a smarter design was essential to improving the experience. This is the next big step we're taking to increase the utility of our app, while helping the iOS community save time with tools they need to identify unknown numbers. We think the new Truecaller will improve the way millions of people use the service every day, and based on some of the great feedback we've had so far, we're confident that we're moving in the right direction toward our next 100 million users."</p>

<p> <i> 10.00 am </i> Karbonn Titanium Dazzle can be grabbed for Rs 5490

The Karbonn Titanium Dazzle has just been launched in India at very affordable price of Rs 5490, and this new smartphone kicks in a 5-inch display as well as a quad core processor. The dual SIM 3G-capable device can be bought dressed in white-gold or black colors.

The Karbonn Titanium Dazzle runs the Android 4.4 KitKat OS, and grabs a few unique software traits as well. One among them is Swipe which enables you to shuffle to the next song just by swiping your hand across the screen. Furthermore, there’s the Smart Eye feature which keeps track of your eye movements to automatically pause videos when you look away.Karbonn has disclosed that the new phone will offer support for 21 Indian languages as well. Its 5-inch IPS panel has been revealed to kick in a resolution of 854 x 480 pixels, while its quad core CPU runs at a clock speed of 1.2GHz. 1GB worth of RAM has made its way into the smartphone, apart from 8GB of storage and a microSD card slot supporting further expansions of up to 32GB.

The Titanium Dazzle is granted imaging and video shooting abilities by a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front snapper. There’s a 1850mAh battery onboard as well, providing it with the necessary juice needed to keep going in between charges.

Here’s a neat look at the specs of the Karbonn Titanium Dazzle:

– Display: 5-inch, 854 x 480 pixels
– OS: Android 4.4 KitKat
– Processor: 1.2GHz quad core
– Memory: 512MB RAM, 8GB storage (expandable up to 32GB)
– Camera: 5MP rear with LED flash, 2MP front
– Battery: 1500mAhThe Karbonn Titanium Dazzle is ready to enter the Indian market now, and its Rs 5490 price tag is going to help it a great deal in competing with its contemporaries.</p>

<p> <i> 09.57 am </i> Google Unveils Android for Work Mobile Device Management Program

Google this week unveiled its Android for Work effort, which gives organizations some mobile device management (MDM) options.

Android for Work is an MDM platform that supports Android applications. It's also a partner program for Google's hardware and software vendor partners. IT departments will get the benefit of having a "consistent management" approach for Android devices via the program's "standardized management APIs." Developers will be able to "create a single version of any Google Play app that can be securely deployed to any Android device without alterations or wrapping," Google promised, in its announcement.

The platform has four technology components: a Work Profiles security capability, an Android for Work suite of apps, a Google Play for Work deployment and management solution, and built-in Microsoft Exchange and IBM Notes support.

The "Work Profiles" component is designed to help IT pros isolate the work apps and data on an Android device from personal items. Google is promising that "people can use their personal apps knowing their employer only manages work data and won't erase or view their personal content." Work Profiles uses encryption and security capabilities in Android 5.0 "Lollipop," according to the announcement.

The Android for Work app provides "secure mail, calendar, contacts, documents, browsing and access to approved work apps," which can be managed by an IT organization. It's for devices running Android versions ranging from "Ice Cream Sandwich" (4.0) to "KitKat" (4.4). Apparently, the Android for Work app is an alternative option, since Google states that its Android for Work platform requires using mobile devices with "Android 5.0 and higher."

Google Play for Work is a system for managing and deploying Android for Work apps. A Google support article explains that the icons of the business apps managed with this system will appear with "badges" that distinguish them from personal apps. IT pros can white list permitted business apps for deployment to end users. They can control application access based on policies. They can also remotely wipe applications and data from a device "without touching the device owner's personal data."

Google's announcement states that its business apps include built-in support for Exchange and Notes, providing "document editing capabilities for documents, spreadsheets and presentations."

Organizations can use the Google Play store to approve and purchase Android for Work apps. That capability can be set up via the Google Admin console, as Google describes here.

There are even "free" Google Play for Work apps. IT pros can assign them to individuals or groups. The free apps also have "enterprise mobility management" capabilities, according to this Google support article.

The mobile management capabilities that are part of the Android for Work program depend on Google's enterprise mobility management (EMM) partners leveraging Google's platform. Organizations will have to use the services of these partners, it seems. For instance, a Google support page states that "companies must choose a third-party EMM provider to provide the tools to administer their Android for Work deployment."

Apparently, Google is only announcing the program this week. Sign-ups for using Android for Work via Google Apps for Work accounts aren't yet available at this time. "This functionality will be available soon," the support page promised.

Google already has management, device, application and networking partners that have signed up to support the Android for Work program. Google's management partners include companies such as AirWatch, BlackBerry, Citrix, MobileIron and SAP, among others.

Notably missing from Google's partner list is any sign of Microsoft, which makes its Intune mobile device management service and System Center Configuration Manager products. The company has been plugging its own mobile device management story with Windows 8 and the forthcoming Windows 10 operating system for some time, and it's also included iOS and Android as part of its MDM vision.

Google's program seems quite similar to the MDM vision laid out by various Microsoft luminaries. In a recent talk, Brad Anderson, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Enterprise Mobility, explained that Microsoft has built containers specifically for iOS and Android. It's also positioning Windows 10 as an OS with an MDM layer that will permit organizations to manage business apps and data separately from personal apps and data on devices.</p>

<p> <i> 09.56 pm </i> Micromax Canvas Selfie released with two 13MP cameras

If you remember, the Micromax Canvas Selfie had been launched by the company back in December last year but for some reason it still hasn’t reached the market. The company has now released this Rs 15999 selfie-focused handset finally, while highlighting the fact that it offers a 13MP front camera sitting beside a soft LED flash.

The rear surface of the Micromax Canvas Selfie is also well equipped, for a 13MP snapper has been placed there, aside from a dual LED flash. This device features a faux leather finish on its back panel, while its front is adorned by a 4.7-inch 720p HD display.Fueling its operations from within is a MediaTek-made 1.7GHz octa core processor that’s coupled with 2GB worth of RAM. There’s 16GB of storage present on the Canvas Selfie as well, aside from a microSD card slot which supports further expansions of up to 32GB.

The Android 4.4 KitKat OS has been chosen by Micromax to be the base software here. The company moreover, has even equipped the device with its own software tools that complement its dual 13MP cameras. Lastly, there’s a 2300mAh battery pack onboard this phone as well.

A quick glance at the key specs of the Micromax Canvas Selfie:

– Display: 4.7-inch LCD, 720p HD
– OS Android 4.4 KitKat
– Processor: 1.7GHz octa core
– Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB storage (expandable up to 32GB)
– Cameras: 13MP rear, 13MP front
– Battery: 2300mAhThere’s no word on the exact date on which the Micromax Canvas Selfie will be going on sale in India, but you can expect that to happen sometime next week. It will of course be priced at Rs 15999.</p>

<p> <i> 09.53 am </i> Seven Innovations From University of Alabama For Secure Digital Life
Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are working on developing smartphones that maximize the use of embedded sensors. The main objective of making use of sensors is to keep the user safe. The researchers are tapping into the sensors like accelerometer, proximity sensors, light sensors and other environment-aware chips that come in-built with the smartphones. These ideas can revolutionize the way we use our smartphones and other gadgets. These sensor-packed smartphones have several abilities like sensing user’s mood, protect user’s private data and ATM PINs, bypassing cyber-attacks to lead a secure digital life.

Ragib Hasan, Ph.D. an assistant professor at UAB has developed a software for sensing user’s mood. It extracts the information from smartphone camera, accelerometer and microphone to detect user’s attentiveness and respond appropriately. For an instance, if it detects that the user is driving, it would silence all alerts and notifications except the most important ones.

Innovation from Nitesh Saxena working at SPIES Lab trains the phone to learn user’s style of operating. He has developed a mechanism which takes data from accelerometers, gyroscopes and proximity sensors to chart the user gestures while using the smartphone. This helps to detect if the device is in wrong hands.

BlueProximity++ is an Android app developed collaboratively by researchers at University of Helsinki and Aalto University that combines the reading of several sensors including GPS, audio, temperature etc. that can be used to unlock laptops once user’s smartphone is within the range. This is done to overcome replay attack in similar existing system. Here's a video depicting the working of system.
Witness Oriented Asserted Location Provenance (WORAL) uses Wi-Fi routers and strong encryption methods so that user can check in at a location and securely store information about it on his/her smartphone. The location can be validated by other WORAL user present at same location. Such location history is of great importance in some profession like salespeople and insurance adjustors etc.

Mobile payments system rely on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which is vulnerable to ghost and reader attack. Yet another system developed by Saxena and team, uses a combination of sensors and information like list of nearby Wi-Fi signals and their strengths to authorize payments.

One of the ways criminals can steal ATM PIN is by using heat-sensing camera just after the user enters his/her PIN. Hasan’s SECRET Lab is devising a way to add a random number while user is operating ATM machine. User would need to scan a QR code which gives a unique code that has to be entered to finish the successful process at ATM this would probably the best countermeasure for all types of ATM attacks.

All smartphone sensors can be hacked by running malicious code on them. Researchers were successful in taking control of devices from as long as 55 feet away. Several attacks are possible that, in case can have severe implications and such attacks are difficult to detect and stop. Hence researchers are now working to devise techniques to prevent and block such attacks. </p>

<p> <i> 09.50 am </i> Google tests business Hangouts in search results

Using Hangouts, Google is testing a search feature that enables users to conduct live chat with businesses directly from their search results.

Google confirmed to Computerworld that it is running a test on the technology, but declined to offer any specific details about the size of the test or which businesses are participating.Matt Gibstein seems to be the first one who spotted the test, tweeting, "Super interesting: @Google search now offering the ability to chat with local businesses (a la @Path Talk).

"The feature has a live chat, or Hangout, feature pop up in the search results if a business has someone available to communicate with the user. 

The Hangout can be launched on a desktop system or mobile device.For instance, if someone does a search for a particular restaurant or smartphone maker, the opportunity to launch a Hangout might pop up in the search results.Being able to easily launch a Hangout with a company could help users get the information they need, according to Ezra Gottheil, an analyst with Technology Business Research."

That could be a powerful tool," he added. "Delivering good service is difficult and expensive for businesses. Online chat is effective and less expensive than telephone support."If Google does adopt this search feature, it could be good for users and businesses -- and it could boost Hangouts, increasing its usage and popularity.

"I don't think you'd pick your default search engine based on your eventual need to chat with a business representative," said Gottheil. "I think it's more like providing services businesses can use, and maybe encouraging the adoption of Hangouts over Skype."</p>

<p> <i> 09.48 am <i> Full Mobile Number Portability from May 3
Goodbyes are painful. Whether you are bidding adieu to your loved ones, your city, the house you had spent your childhood in, or even your mobile number.

Today, smartphones are not just a device to answer calls, but are also the gateway to a host of services, such as banking, bill payments and much more. Therefore, changing your mobile number can drive you nuts.

It is a tedious process to share and update your new number with each and every service provider you are registered with - banks, your favourite restaurants, shopping websites, electricity bill, the list is endless. Continuing with the same number in a different city would result in inflated bills due to roaming charges. Come May 3, 2015, all this set to change for the better.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has made it possible for you to retain your existing number, irrespective of the city you move to across the country.

Mobile Number Portability was first introduced in 2010, allowing users to switch operators while retaining the same number within the same city. 

Now, the introduction of full MNP would allow you to retain the same number even when you move to a different city or state. It is an added advantage for those who have to relocate following a change in jobs.

But hopefully, the experience of using full MNP won't be as bitter as it was with MNP when it was introduced a couple of years ago. Even after four years, switching a postpaid number with a new carrier remains a pain.

While one has to send a text message to obtain a porting number for a fee of Rs 19, it is the carriers, or service providers, who create problems.

The porting process takes close to five working days and, during this period, the unbilled charges have be to cleared before the porting process is complete. This is a menace that often makes life difficult for customers.

Fortunately, Trai has issued recommendations for the operators to ease the process for full MNP. The regulator hopes that this time it would work out smoothly, and customers will be the king.</p>

<p> <i> 09.46 am </i> Runcible circular smartphone recalls the pocket watch

We've become accustomed to cell phones as noisy, rectangular devices filled with applications that are designed to assist us – but often distract us – in our daily lives. California-based startup Mohohm is looking to buck the trend with Runcible, a round device that doesn't use apps and doesn't beep or vibrate to alert users.

Mohohm is positioning the palm-sized device as the "world's first anti-smartphone." The most obvious step away from the norm is its shape, which is modeled on something people have carried with them for years – the pocket watch.

Detailed specifications are scarce ahead of the the first working prototypes of the Runcible being shown at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week, with the company saying only that it will feature a high-resolution screen and high-performance camera and phone capabilities.

The device will run on Mozilla's Open Source Firefox OS and aims to use mobile websites rather than apps to try to accomplish many of the same tasks as Android and iOS apps.

Runcible will also feature "a curated maps program that differs from others in finding the most interesting route to a destination, versus the fastest." This sounds OK in theory, as long as the most interesting doesn't lead directly into a traffic jam.

A key point the team at Mohohm is pushing is that it plans to make sure this device doesn't become obsolete after a year or two. The parts in the phone, including the decorative back, are designed to be removed, repaired, and/or upgraded, allowing users to stick with the same device for an extended period of time.

Where the Runcible's pitch gets a little weird is in the proposed lack of interruptions. The team says it's trying to shift focus back to the real world, but for users who rely on their phone for work or other time-sensitive things, not receiving an audible alert for a call or email could be a deal-breaker (and potentially a job-loser).

Runcible, incidentally, is a nonsense word coined by 19th Century poet Edward Lear in The Owl and the Pussycat wherein a duck catches spotted frogs for her dinner with a "Runcible Spoon." We're not going to try to read anything into that one.

Mohohm says the phone will be available in late 2015 at a price that similar to that of premium smartphone. For reference, a 16 GB iPhone 6 sells for $649 without a contract, and $200 with a contract.</p>

<p> <i> 09.44 am </i> Sniper Elite Zombie Army

Trilogy Gameplay Trailer, Get 

Goosebumps at the End of this Video

Zombie Army Trilogy includes a remastered version of the original Nazi Zombie Army and its sequel along with an unreleased installment. This Trilogy will feature a whooping eight playable characters out of these, four will be new characters and the rest have appeared in various Sniper Elite games before.

Zombie Army Trilogy is an upcoming tactical shooter video game developed and published by Rebellion Developments. The game is scheduled to be released on 6 March 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The Trilogy will feature 15 missions, spanning three campaigns and upgraded content. Zombie Army Trilogy is a third-person shooter blending chaotic co-op gameplay with brutal horror and blood-pumping intensity.

The cult shooter series comes to an apocalyptic conclusion; recut, remastered and unleashed with an entirely new third campaign!.</p>

<p> <i> 14.02 pm </i> High speed 5G internet may be available by 2020

London :-

Scientists are testing the speed for 5G service for the first time, and it may available sooner than you thought.

By 2020, it may just be possible have recording-breaking speeds to mobiles, where you can download 100 movies in just 3 seconds, the Daily Star reported.

Researchers at the University of Surrey managed to record an incredible one terabit per second speed during a recent test, and this service is around 65,000 times faster than current 4G speeds.

5GIC director Professor Rahim Tafazolli, said that they had developed 10 more breakthrough technologies and one of them means we can exceed 1Tbps wirelessly.

Previous 5G tests, performed by Samsung, had achieved download speeds of around 7.5 gigabits per second which is considerably slower than this latest test.

UK phone regulator Ofcom said it expected 5G mobile to be capable of delivering between 10 and 50Gbps, compared with the 4G average download speed of 15 Megabits per second (Mbps).</p>

<p> <i> 13.59 pm </i> Apple raked in 89% share of all smartphone profits, earned $18.8 billion against Android’s $2.4b in 4Q

NEW YORK: While Google’s Android holds the lion’s share of the global market, being used in over 80% of all smartphones shipped worldwide, latest earnings show that Apple is the one making all the profits.

Today Strategy Analytics said that Apple raked in nearly $18.8 billion in profits, accounting for 89% of all smartphone profits in quarter four. In contrast, Android took only 11%, or $2.4 billion.

But it was bad news for other platforms such as Microsoft, Blackberry and Firefox who seemingly made no profit at all.

Overall, smartphone profits were up 31.4% compared to the same quarter a year ago.

As far as device manufacturers go among Android, Samsung, once the market leader, has started facing increasing competition.

Neil Mawson, research director for Strategy Analytics, says the “three big profit drivers” for Android are Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi.

“Samsung is the Android giant that delivers most of Android’s smartphone profits worldwide,” adding that the company accounts for over half of all Android smartphone profits globally in Q4 2014.

This could mean that there was a possibility that Samsung’s share may have shrunk from 2013 when it accounted for 95% of Android profits.

Apple may have lagged behind in critical mass in market share in developing markets, but it has strong showing in places such as China. The Cupertino giant reported sales of $16 billion in the country in Q4.</p>

<p> <i> 13.58 pm </i> Facebook adds tools offering assistance to users with suicidal tendencies

Facebook has reportedly added new tools to provide help to users who may be feeling suicidal. According to the Verge, in a blog post, Facebook announced it has worked with mental health organizations including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Now Matters Now to find the proper way to offer assistance through the social network.

Facebook says that if it comes across profiles of users indicating suicidal tendencies in them, then it would encourage them to speak with a mental health expert at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will ensure support to help them deal with whatever issues they may be going through. The social network site says that it came up with the methods in "conjunction with our clinical and academic partners."</p>

<p> <i> 13.56 pm </i> First Vaio Smartphone Spotted With Snapdragon 410, Android 5.0 Lollipop

 Vaio, the former Sony laptop unit, was expected to enter smartphone segment this year and it seems the brand is all set to launch its first device on March 12.

A Japanese publication has tipped specifications of the upcoming Vaio smartphone, which is yet to be named and has also claimed that the company, owned by a Japanese investment fund (JIP), will launch it on March 12.

According to Blog of Mobile (first picked up by GSM Dome), the unnamed Vaio smartphone will feature a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) display and will run Android 5.0 Lollipop out-of-the-box.

The handset is said to be powered by a 64-bit quad-core Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) processor clocked at 1.2GHz. It is likely to include 2GB of RAM and will pack 16GB of inbuilt storage. The smartphone sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and also packs a 5-megapixel front camera. The first Vaio smartphone is said to be single-SIM and come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. As of now, there is no word about 4G LTE support on the smartphone. There is also no word about expandable storage, battery capacity, price, and release date of the first Vaio smartphone.

We can expect the company to reveal more details about the smartphone at the March 12 event.

A report from January claimed that Vaio would collaborate with Japan Communications, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), to make the device. The report however suggested that the production of the handset would be outsourced.

The first Vaio smartphone is said to be priced between major brands and low-priced handsets already available in the market. For retail, Vaio will reportedly sell the smartphone via Japan Communication's sales channels.</p>

<p> <i> 13.55 pm </i> Viber launches new gaming service for users worldwide

As a part of a major expansion, popular chat app Viber has now launched ‘Viber Games’ worldwide in partnership with leading game developers.

The company currently has three games which are standalone apps that users can download from the Play Store or iTunes. They include Viber Pop, Viber Candy Mania andWildluck Casino. The users will also be able to send game invites via Viber and see which games their friends are currently playing. With this move, the company hopes to increase some user engagement along with cashing in via in-app purchases for power-ups, additional lives and more.

In conversation with TechCrunch, Viber CEO Talmon Marcos said that he is excited to bring the titles to more of Viber’s international user base, which currently stands at 236 million active monthly users. The CEO declined to provide any specific details about the pilot, but said that the initial engagement data was encouraging.

As of now, Viber makes money from games, sticker sales and its Skype-like international calling plans. Other messaging apps like Line generate half of their revenue through in-app purchases while Tencent’s mobile revenue has surged thanks to WeChat’s games catalog.

Viber, which was bought by Rakuten for $900 million early last year, has also launched ‘Public Chats’ which allows users  to read celebrity conversations. The initial users of the new service include blogger Perez Hilton, the DJ Paul van Dyk, European football channel COPA90 and the Next Model Management modeling agency. It will be available to other users over time.</p>

<p> <i> 13.53 pm </i> Indian-origin scientist working on tech to change your smartphone forever

An Indian-origin scientist and his team are
adapting accelerometers, Global Positioning
 System (GPS) chips, gyroscopes and other sensors
 to make smartphones that can read a user's mood,
 eliminate passwords, protect financial transactions
and more.

NEW YORK: An Indian-origin scientist and his team are adapting accelerometers, Global Positioning System (GPS) chips, gyroscopes and other sensors to make smartphones that can read a user's mood, eliminate passwords, protect financial transactions and more.

The team led by Nitesh Saxena at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are working on innovations that could be coming soon on your favourite device.

Saxena, director of the "Spies lab" at the university, is pulling together data from accelerometers, gyroscopes and proximity sensors to chart the characteristic gestures a user makes when answering a call or snapping a selfie.

Once his software learns your moves, it could unlock your phone automatically -- or freeze when it detects that it is in the wrong hands.

"A system that taps into user interactions with multiple connected devices such as Google Glass or the new Apple Watch, would be even more secure," said Saxena.

Newer phones can measure temperature, humidity -- even barometric pressure. "A combination of these readings could offer a secure way to log in to your computer and make passwords obsolete," Saxena added.

"Zero-interaction" authentication systems operate much like the keyless entry and starting systems on some cars -- they rely on Bluetooth or other signals from a smartphone to grant a user access.

Saxena's team has also found that combining readings from multiple sensors, including GPS, audio, temperature and altitude, can thwart relay attacks.

They have developed an Android-based app called BlueProximity++ that uses these readings to instantly - and securely - unlock laptops and other devices as soon as the user's phone gets within range.

To protect your payments, Saxena's team has developed a countermeasure to verify that the payment request is actually coming from a user in the same location as the reader.

Their system uses signals from a combination of sensors, including lists of nearby WiFi hotspots and their signal strengths, and short audio snippets captured by the phone's microphone.

In the near-field communications (NFC) technology, reader compares notes with the phone -- if the signals match, the payment is authorized, the university said in a press release.</p>

<p> <i> 13.50 pm </i> 4G devices now more affordable for Indians

Bangkok:A new breed of smartphones equipped with the latest 4G technology promises to push internet accessibility to an unprecedented level, and that too at an affordable four-figure price, especially for India.

In its bid to accelerate India’s smartphone revolution, global giant Samsung Electronics has launched four smartphones – Galaxy A7, one of the slimmest phones at 6.3 mm width, Galaxy Grand Prime 4G, Galaxy Core Prime 4G and Samsung J1 4G.

The company says the new phones are the best in their class, and will make the 4G experience “more affordable and accessible” for Indian consumers.

“The new best in class smartphones are designed to help Indian consumers unlock the true potential of 4G and make the experience more affordable and accessible,” a Samsung official told IANS here.

With this latest launch, Samsung now has nine 4G devices in the market that offer faster download speed of up to 150 MBPS.

“India is at the cusp of its digital revolution journey and we expect 4G technology to rise and push internet usage to an unprecedented level,” said Asim Warsi, vice president for marketing, mobile and IT at Samsung India.

He said consumer demand was “constantly shifting towards devices offering multi-tasking capabilities, 24×7 data connectivity with increased video consumption and real-time mobility solutions which enable global interactions”.

The Galaxy A7, one of the slimmest smart phones at 6.3 mm, has 5.5-inch full HD display, and a dual SIM capability. Boasting new add-ons like rear-cam selfie and “Beauty Face Features”, it is priced at Rs.30,499.

The phone – which has advanced selfie features like ultra wide shot and animated modes – is available in three colours – white, black and gold.

It has a 13-megapixel rear camera and an advanced 5-megapixel front camera.

The Galaxy A7 also offers a “Private Mode”, for more security for important files and documents.

The Galaxy Grand Prime 4G has an 8.4 mm body and a 5-inch display, weighs 156 g, and company officials said it provides stunning visuals for watching movies and playing games.

It is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-mega-pixel front camera, with an ultra-wide view angle best-suited to capture ‘Groupfies’.

The Galaxy Core Prime 4G has an 8.8 mm body and weighs a mere 132 g. It has a 5-mega-pixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash and a 2-mega-pixel front camera. It offers “faster browsing and improved video streaming capabilities”, say Samsung officials.

The Galaxy J1 4G weighs 122 g and is 8.9 mm slim. It has a 4.3-inch display, along with 5-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front camera, which has “innovative selfie features” which give more options and flexibility to capture favourite moments.

These models will be available in India from the second week of March at a starting price of Rs.9,900.

Galaxy Grand Prime is available in white and grey, Galaxy Core Prime comes in white, silver and grey, while Galaxy J1 is available in blue, black and white.

Samsung Electronics employs 307,000 people across 84 countries. Its annual sales are to the tune of $196 billion.

Hyun Chil Hong, president and CEO of Samsung India Electronics, said India was one of the “fastest growing energies markets. I am impressed with the rich culture, diversity and hospitality of India that I have never seen before”.

“In 2015, we plan to introduce path-breaking technology across various categories of products, which will enhance consumer experience and strengthen our position in the market,” he said at the Samsung South West Asia Forum 2015, attended by people from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

“Samsung will continue to manufacture its products in India, reinforcing its commitment to Make for India. In 2015, Samsung will continue to push technology boundaries and help consumers to create a better tomorrow,” he said.

The company recently announced expansion of its mobile phone plant in Noida, abutting Delhi. A new phone Samsung Z1 will be manufactured there with most of its software being developed at the Noida Research Centre.</p>

<p> <i> 13.48 pm </i> Velocity 2X coming to Xbox One

 and PC this summer

The publisher is teaming up with indie developer FuturLab to launch the game on PC and Xbox One.
 
Currently available on PS4, PS Vita, PS3 and even the old PSP, soon you’ll be able to play the shoot ‘em up on your Xbox One, Mac, Linux and PC soon.

FuturLab confirmed it is handling the development of the ports, but Sierra will be publishing the titles.
 
“Self publishing is HARD. I spent more time doing PR and marketing on Velocity 2X than I spent designing levels. I became a bottleneck for the whole project. That was far from ideal,” said FuturLab’s James Marsden in a blog post.
 
“Thanks to blogging it’s now common knowledge that marketing is just as important as making a great-innovative-artistically-stunning-multiple-award-winning-GOTY (some people might say more important).”
 
FuturLab still has all the rights to the Velocity IP and will be working with Sony in the future along with Sierra.
 
“FuturLab still loves PlayStation and its loyal players, and we’ll continue to work closely with Sony to make sure the fan base we’ve worked hard to build is well served.”
 
The Xbox One, PC, Mac and Linux editions of Velocity 2X will exclusively offer daily challenge stages as well as all the bonus stages from the Critical Urgency and Dual Core DLC packs from the original PlayStation releases.</p>

<p> <i> 13.45 pm </i> Former Sony Online Vets Announce New MOBA You Can Play In 5 Minutes

Texas-based independent developer Spacetime Studios, founded by former Sony Online Entertainment veterans, is hoping to shake up the MOBA genre.

The developer on Wednesday announced Call of Champions, a 3v3 MOBA for mobile devices that aims to separate itself from the pack by distilling the formula to its basics for quick, exciting matches.

"While the concept of the mobile MOBA is not new, we feel there's significant room to improve the competitive experience, catering to the short sessions in which gamers use their mobile devices," Spacetime CEO Gary Gattis said. "We've distilled the MOBA to its core components by removing things like item shops, minions, and jungles and adding powerups, a five-minute clock, and a full suite of crazy abilities at your fingertips."

"Add on deep social layers like friends, teams, and broadcast/spectator modes, and there is nothing like it on mobile," he claimed.

Overall, Spacetime describes Call of Champions as a "next-generation MOBA" specifically designed for competitive gamers. Matches have a five-minute limit, meaning you'll be able to fit in a session on the train to work, at school, or between meetings if you're feeling adventurous.

In terms of gameplay, you play as one 20 different "Champion" characters across five unique classes. As you'd expect, each has their own tailor-made playstyle and abilities.

Spacetime also says that Call of Champions has been designed with competition chiefly in mind. To that end, the game features an "expansive social toolset" to help players recruit team team members, schedule matches, and even view or broadcast games.

Call of Champions is scheduled to launch later this year as a free download for iOS and Android devices. SXSW attendees, however, can play the game at the show March 13-15 as part of the event's first-ever mobile exhibition tournament. More information is available here.

For more on Call of Champions, check out the video above and the image gallery below.

Spacetime was founded by former Sony Online developers Gattis, Cinco Barnes, Jake Rodgers, and Anthony Sommers in 2005. The studio's other games include mobile titles such as Arcane Legends, Pocket Legends, and more.</p>

<p> <i> 13.42 pm </i> SK picks Ericsson Radio Dot system to up indoor data speeds
Ericsson, in partnership with South Korean telecoms operator SK Telecom, has verified new in-building service Radio Dot System on SK Telecom LTE commercial networks. The deployment was used to study Ericsson Radio Dot System performance benefits on the SK Telecom commercial network from diverse perspectives, including indoor service quality improvement and ease of installation. Ericsson said the deployment showed the Radio Dot System improved the battery life time of the user's smartphones between 6 and 12 percent.</p>