Looking to install KitKat back on your Lollipop handset? Here's how...

Android Lollipop is sure one heck of an operating system. It's pretty, it's immensely functional and it's sweet to the core. Google seems to have put its heart and soul into it, and the results do seem noteworthy. The much-talked about material design and all that glitter is perhaps one of the best that we have seen in recent times, something that puts even Apple's iOS to shame in many aspects.
All in all, Lollipop is visually stunning and very functional. But then again, Lollipop is yet to see its advent on most devices. While Nexus and Motorola devices, as expected have been the lucky ones with regards to the same, other OEMs are still burning the midnight oil to bring it to their respective devices.
But, let's just take a moment to remember everything that led to Lollipop. Before Lollipop, there was KitKat, and it was good. There's little surprise that more smartphones/tablets today ship with Android KitKat out-of-the-box, with some of them promised an update to Lollipop. No wonder, KitKat is such an important part of Google's ecosystem, and a significant revenue generator for the same.
If you're one of the many who have tasted Lollipop (Nexus, Moto owners), but still want to get back to KitKat for fun or for whatever reason, we are here with some tech tips to get you through the whole process in under 5 minutes.

Here's how you can revert back to KitKat from Lollipop:

Take note though, before you begin make sure you have a backup of all your data on your computer, drive (not the phone) because what you're going to do next will delete all the data on your Lollipop-based phone.
Also, we are using a Nexus device here for reference.
---Before you begin, you'll need the factory image of Android 4.4.4 for your respective device. You can download these from here. Note that, factory images for your respective Lollipop-based phone shall vary depending on model, so make sure you have the right one for you respective device.
---Once you have the required factory image, you're good to go. But wait, you need one more thing: ADB Tools for your computer. ADB Tools can be downloaded from XDA Developers Forum.
---Once you have the factory image and the ADB Tools (on your computer), the real stuff begins. Move and unzip the factory image to the ADB Tools folder on your computer.
---Make sure you have USB debugging enabled on your phone. Also, make sure you have the bootloader unlocked on your phone. This is one area where we would like to inform the obvious: TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK. Unlocking the bootloader may void your device's warranty.
---Once you're through these steps, turn off your Lollipop-based smartphone.
---Next you need to open your device to its Fastboot mode. Normally this is done by pressing the power button and volume down buttons together, when the device is switched off. Once you're in the Fastboot mode, navigate to the device's Recovery mode using the volume keys.  
---Next select wipe cache partition. Factory reset your device.
---Connect your device to your computer via USB cable.
---Navigate to the ADB Tools folder on your computer, till you find the file 'all.bat'. Double click it and KitKat will start installing on your factory reset smartphone. Once it's installed, your device will automatically restart.
---There you have it; you have KitKat running on your smartphone.
Of course, try this at your own risk though. Rooting your device is not always recommended, but hey, those you like to play around with gadgets don't mind their hands getting messy, do they?      

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/looking-to-install-kitkat-back-on-your-lollipop-handset-heres-how/1/424250.html

How to enable WhatsApp calling on Android, coming soon to iPhone

WhatsApp's new calling feature is like a unicorn.  Everyone seems to want it though its sporadic invite/call based roll-out ensures that everyone is not appeased.  However, that is set to change as the Facebook owned instant messaging service is now rolling out a new build of the app — 2.11.561 — on the Google Play store for Android devices, which is enabling the feature for all.
There are a few caveats to the activation of the calling feature. You still need an invite to enable it. The invite is quite plain and simple — A call is needed from a person, who has the feature enabled.
Once you receive a call from a person with the feature you also get the feature

In addition to this, there is some good news for them iPhone users as well. BGR India, which is technology website, is reporting that the company is reading an update for the iPhone that will enable calling. The report has a screenshot of the feature, which has been allegedly grabbed from a beta tester version 2.11.17.444.

This update brings few minor tweaks to the user interface of the iPhone app. Importantly, when a user makes a call from the standard call button inside a contact, the user is diverted to a WhatsApp call. The call screen clearly spells this out. Earlier, users were diverted to standard cellular calls. There's also a recent button, which catalogs all your WhatsApp calls.
Meanwhile; if you're on Android then just follow the aforementioned steps to enable the function.  That being true, it is not exactly a life changer. Viber, and Skype are better at the moment in our opinion.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/how-to-enable-whatsapp-calling-on-android-coming-soon-to-iphone/1/424046.html

 

What is cost of 15-min WhatsApp call? We do the math

WhatsApp calling feature is gradually reaching out to more and more Android users. It is not yet officially available but almost daily there is a window open when someone with the feature can call other WhatsApp users and pass it on to them.
There are other apps like Viber, Skype, Line etc that offer similar functionality. But the calling feature in WhatsApp has potential to be a game-changer. It is also likely to bring down your phone bill significantly, whether telecom operators like it or not. But the question is, how cheap these WhatsApp calls are going to be? Of course, a lot will depend on the network you are using. For example a Wi-Fi that has unlimited internet bandwidth or for which you are not paying the calls are going to be virtually free. But if you are using cellular data connection, it is going to cost you some money, which again depends on the data charges that your operator is asking for.
But just to give you an idea of what is going to be the cost of WhatsApp calls, we used the feature with Airtel 3G in Delhi. Here is what we found.
We made three calls -- one ISD, one STD, and one local. Of course, with internet calls it doesn't matter where you are connecting to. All calls -- local, STD, ISD -- are same. We spoke for 15 minutes and for those 15 minutes the WhatsApp on our phone consumed around 12MB data.
This means:
-- If you are paying regular charges for data on a prepaid Airtel connection, 15 minutes of WhatsApp calls will cost you: Around Rs.50.
This is based on the standard data charges -- 4 paisa per 10KB -- from Airtel that are exorbitantly high. This means with these charges you pay over Rs.4 for 1MB and that translates to nearly Rs.50 for 12MB data.
However, these are the data charges that most people don't pay. Instead, they subscribe to a data plan.
-- So if you are using a data plan, to do a rough calculation we assume you are using Airtel's 1GB per month plan that costs Rs.250, for 15 minutes of WhatsApp calls you will pay: Less than Rs.3.
With the 1GB plan you are paying less than 25 paisa for 1MB of data that you consume. This means for 4MB you pay little less than Rs.1 and for 12MB, the cost is going to be less than Rs.3.
This means even for local calls, if you use WhatsApp calling feature it will save you money. As far as ISD and STD are concerned, well unless the calling feature is implemented by WhatsApp team really badly, there will not be any financial incentive for you to use the cellular service to calls

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/whatsapp-calling-feature-cost/1/424310.html

Superfish scare: If you use Lenovo laptop, keep calm and follow these steps to stop hackers

All laptop makers install unwanted programs on their laptops. But Lenovo has apparently crossed the limit. It started pre-installing Superfish -- the company claims in good faith -- to its laptops in late 2014. However, there were reports that Superfish was not exactly what it seemed. Lenovo claimed that it helped users by giving them relevant product search results, read advertisement. But in reality the program was doing something more.

Now the reports have come in that Superfish was doing something really really nasty. And in doing so, and this is important, it was exposing Lenovo laptop users to private data theft and hacking.
So as a Lenovo laptop user what should you do? This Superfish incident is serious and you should be worried about it. But thankfully, given the nature of Windows, it can be dealt with successfully.
But before we talk about how to get rid of Superfish, keep in mind:

1.  Lenovo says that only IdeaPad laptops are affected. ThinkPad laptops are fine.
2.  Lenovo says that only the laptops sold in the last few months of 2014 are affected. It stopped pre-installing Superfish in January this year.
3.  This also means if you have an old Lenovo laptop -- older than one year -- it is not affected by the Superfish.

Now, let's talk about what we can do to deal with Superfish. Follow these steps:

•  Check if your machine is affected or not by clicking on https://filippo.io/Badfish/

•  If the machine is affected in Windows 8, click on search button and type "remove programs"

•  From the search results, select "Add or remove programs"

•  In the list of installed programs, look for Superfish Inc, VisualDiscovery

•  Uninstall the program

•  Go to C Drive > Programs > Delete the folders files associated with Superfish

•  Remove Superfish security certificates (very important)

•  To remove certificates, in Windows search "certificates"

•  Click "Manage Computer certificates"

•  From the list, select Superfish. Right click on it and then delete the certificate

•  Go to https://filippo.io/Badfish/ and check again whether your machine is free of the Superfish or not.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/superfish-scare-if-you-use-lenovo-laptop-keep-calm-and-follow-these-steps-to-stop-hackers/1/420067.html

5 Google apps that will give Lollipop look to your phone

Google launched Android 5 aka Lollipop back in October, but so far only a handful of smartphones have been updated to it. Apart from the Google Nexus 6, only a handful of phones have appeared in the last few months running Lollipop right out-of-the-box and fewer have actually received an update to the OS.
However, the good news is that you don't actually need Lollipop on your phone to get the best features of Google's brand new operating system.
We show you how.

The Google Now Launcher
The Google Now launcher is central to the Lollipop like experience. Google has updated its launcher, which debuted back in 2013 when the company launched Android KitKat. The new launcher now adds the material design look and feel that can be found on Google's Nexus devices running Lollipop. The Google Now launcher also ensures that the Google Now contextual assistant is just a swipe away on the home screen. The launcher also adds an element of touch-less control, as users can operate many functions of the device using the 'Okay Google' hot command using speech. To use the launcher, you should at a minimum have a device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Download Google Now Launcher
Google Keyboard
Google has even updated its stock Android keyboard on the Play Store. The Google Keyboard now adds two themes called 'Material Dark' and 'Material Light'. When you start the keyboard, by default the keyboard will use the old 'Holo' theme, but you can change the theme of the keyboard to either of the new material design themes. Swift Key users can also use new material design themes, but they will need to buy the themes.

Download Google Keyboard
Google Camera
Google's Camera app is available on the Play Store and it provides a basic and simple camera interface for shooting photos. While it is not very comprehensive, you may prefer it over a feature-heavy camera app that most manufacturers use in the phones. Basically, it is the design thing. Otherwise, the third-party camera apps are better.

Download Google Camera
Gmail
Gmail was one of the first applications Google updated with material design. The Gmail app is pre-installed on most Android phones, though to get the new material design look, you may need to update the app from the Play Store. The new Gmail app also adds support for Exchange mail, which is very popular amongst corporate users.

Download Gmail

Messenger
The Messenger app is one of Google's newest apps. On Android Lollipop, the Messenger app replaces the stock Android SMS app. Chances are that your phone already comes with a SMS application, which is better than the old SMS app that Google provided, but still the Messenger app is a handy addition, which is aesthetically beautiful as it uses Material Design and is incredibly functional. Just make sure you don't mix up Google's Messenger app with the one Facebook makes as both have identical names. 
Download Messenger
Google Calender
Google Calender is a staple of Google's suite of apps. It is one of the best calendar apps available on Android. With Lollipop, it too has been updated with the Material Design language, which makes it an aesthetically pleasing calendar option for most users.
Download Calendar
Some core applications found on Android Lollipop running on Nexus smartphone are not available on the Google Play Store. These include the calculator, the clock and the Lock screen. While Google does not offer these apps, there some good options that even incorporate the Material Design language heralded in the new version of the OS.

The L-Locker
The L-Locker app mimics the look and feel of the new lock-screen that Google has added in Android 5.0. It even adds supports for Lollipop style notifications. Other than this, the app adds many new features, which are even missing in Android Lollipop.
Download L Locker
Calculator L
Calculator L adds a Lollipop style calculator, which uses Material Design like principles in its user interface design. The app is pretty straightforward and simple to use.

Download Calculator L
Clock L
Like Calculator L, Clock L strives to provide a third party clock that looks like the one Google has added in Android Lollipop on its Nexus smartphones. It is compatible with Android Ice Cream Sandwich plus smartphones and tablets and is also highly customisable.
Download Clock L
Other than this, like in the case of the Gmail app, you should update all your preloaded Google Apps, which include Google Search, Google Maps, Google+, Photos,  YouTube, Hangouts, and Google Play Music and Google Drive. Some of these apps will need an update to Google Play Services. Once updated all the apps will add the new look and feel that one gets on a Nexus smartphone running Android Lollipop.
Users can also download Google Doc apps — Docs, Sheets and Slides for productivity. These apps are normally preloaded on Google's Nexus hardware, but for other devices they have to be manually downloaded.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/google-apps-lollipop-look-android-material-design/1/420724.html

How to Get Whatapp calling feature now (with little bit of luck)

WhatsApp is expected to introduce the calling feature in its app soon. This feature will allow people to talk to their WhatsApp contacts using the cellular data connection or Wi-Fi. This means they won't have to pay for the call charges. Only the data charges will apply, irrespective of where you are calling.
This is similar to Skype or Viber. But considering the user base of WhatsApp it is a big deal.
The feature is not yet officially available. But there are people using the calling feature in WhatsApp and you too get it now, with a little bit of luck.
But before we talk about the luck part, this is what you have to do to get the calling feature in WhatsApp:

1.  You must have an Android phone that is running Android Lollipop. In fact at this moment, we are not even sure if the feature works on the non-Nexus phones or not. So it is even better if you have Android Lollipop on a Nexus device.
2.  Uninstall WhatsApp.
3.  Go to WhatsApp.com and download the app from there. This means you will get the latest app. This is an APK file.
4.  If you know how to install the APK file install it. If not, follow these steps: Got to Android Play Store > Install ES File Explorer > Open ES File Explorer > Go to the downloaded APK > Install WhatsApp APK
5.  Once you have the latest version of WhatsApp and if your phone has Android Lollipop, you need to find someone who has already got the WhatsApp calling feature. Ask around, ask your friends on Twitter and Facebook if any of them have the calling feature.
6.  Ask the person who already has the WhatsApp feature activated to give you a WhatsApp call. 

Once you get the call, the same feature will also get activated on your phone. It will show different tabs for chats and calls. And you will get a phone call button in a chat window.Now here is the luck part. The feature doesn't get activated for everyone. It looks like WhatsApp is still testing it and even the users who get call from someone who already has WhatsApp calling feature are getting it randomly. Chances are that once you get a WhatsApp call, you too will probably get the feature. But if you don't, then you will have to wait for a few more weeks. It is expected that the calling feature in WhatsApp will be available soon.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/whatsapp-web-whatsapp-calling-feature-how-to/1/419713.html

Apple Working On Self-Driving Car

Rumors of Apple’s automotive project are spiralling out of control, ever since a photo of a minivan registered to Apple’s HQ in Cupertino was spotted on the streets.

 In a new report, Apple might be implementing an autonomous component to its car, offering a hands-free feature alongside regular driving. This would be similar to Google or Tesla’s self-driving car project.

It is not clear how far the self-driving functionality goes, whether Apple will implement full route self-driving or offer a ‘pilot-mode’ for driving on freeways. Audi and Tesla have both shown off a pilot-mode capable of turning lanes, adjusting speeds and self braking.

The autonomous vehicle would put Apple in direct competition with Google, who should be supplying General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford and other car companies with its self-driving platform in 2020.

Apple might roll out a pilot-mode for the first implementation of its car, but look forward to full self-driving after 2020, when most automotive regulation offices believe self-driving cars will be allowed on the road.

Apple has been scooping up talent from Ford, Tesla and General Motors over the past five years, to work in various areas of the company. These could all be part of the secret car project, expected to launch in 2017.

Recently Jony Ive spoke on the issues several car manufacturers come to when designing a car, singling out the Toyota Echo as an oddly designed vehicle. Ive did claim some British car makers were spot on however, his own Bentley for example was worth the excessive amounts of money.

Other Apple executives are keeping quiet on the subject of anything car related, CEO Tim Cook has not given any hints towards making a car in recent interviews and profile pieces.

The Cradle That Lets You Use Your Phone To Rock Your Baby

As a young parent of two kids, I am acutely aware of how hard it can be to get them to go to sleep sometimes. We try everything – music, rocking them in a rocking chair or in their car seat, walking up and down the hall with them, giving them a bottle, changing them, giving them a bath – and sometimes it seems like next to nothing works. We’ve found that a swing helps, but sometimes getting up to keep changing the settings can be a bit of a pain, especially if it’s in the wee hours of the morning and you’re half asleep. (I don’t know about you, but I’m not at my best at 2:00 in the morning). If you’re anything like me, though, and the cradle swing is sometimes your last resort, Fisher-Price is doing their best to help us out; they’ve created the new 4-in-1 Smart Connect Cradle ‘n Swing, and it’ll allow you to use your smartphone via a special app to rock/swing your baby from anywhere in the house. You don’t even have to be in the same room, which I admit is kind of neat and just a little scary at the same time.

From the comfort of your bed, you can choose the swing speed as well as the direction. You can also choose to play some soothing tunes and/or turn on a mobile. And, if the music doesn’t do the trick, you’re also able to set it to play some nature sounds.
Set to release later this fall, the 4-in-1 Smart Connect Cradle ‘n Swing will cost approximately $200. Is a good night’s sleep worth that much to you, or do you think the idea of a smart cradle is just a tad neglectful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

This Unseen Jacket Changes Colors With Your Mood

When I was in junior high, there was a time when mood rings were about the most popular thing out there. You remember them, don’t you? The rings you wore that changed colors based on what kind of mood you were in? I have to be honest – I tried a couple of them out, and they never really changed colors for me. Maybe that meant my mood was stable, or maybe it meant they didn’t work at all. I don’t know. I do know, however, that a jacket has been created that is supposedly able to change colors with our ever-changing moods. It’s part of the Unseen Collection created by an alchemist by the name of Lauren Bowker. This particular jacket is known as Eighth Sense.

The jacket seems to work a little more precisely than the mood rings of old – it’s actually pretty scientific when you get right down to it. So, how exactly does the jacket read your mood and adapt its color? Here’s a little snippet from the website explaining it:

“An unseen force or “Aura” is outwardly emitted from every human as electromagnetic energy, these wavelengths through certain lenses can be seen as colour. The Unseen aim to discover and investigate this invisible energy field by using a physical garment that reads human magnetism coupled with the capture of EEG data. These biosignals are translated visually through our sculpture with the use of colour and pattern. For instance red portrays anger, nerves and anxiety, whereas green reflects teaching, sociality and people, Blue reveals calming, truthfulness and peace while white mirror’s an inner state of sensitivity, intuitiveness and psychic ability.”

In short, the wearer of the jacket also wears a EEG headpiece which connects to an app which then connects to the jacket, effectively telling it to change colors based upon mood. Who knows – maybe one day we’ll literally wear all of our emotions on our sleeves!

International Space Station Salutes Leonard Nimoy

If you were online at all this weekend or had the television on for more than a few moments, you more than likely heard that Leonard Nimoy, better known as “Mr. Spock” from the original Star Trek series, passed away after a battle with COPD. He was 83 years old. After his death, online tributes started popping up everywhere you looked, including ones from former cast mates such as William Shatner, but the one that really seems to stand out is one from onboard the International Space Station. If any show ever inspired space travel and exploration, it has to be Star Trek – I don’t think anyone out there would really argue with that.
Terry Virts is a NASA astronaut onboard the International Space Station, and he sent the following tweet from space after hearing about Nimoy’s death; sometimes, words aren’t necessary at all. The photo is so simple it’s incredibly moving and emotional.

While I’m ashamed to say I never really watched Nimoy in the original series, I did enjoy seeing him in the newest Star Trek films.
I doubt there’s few out there who don’t recognize that iconic Vulcan salute, but I’ll leave you with the catchphrase Nimoy (and Spock) were most known for: “Live long and prosper.”

Rock Out With This Millennium Falcon Guitar

As an amateur guitar player, I love discovering new guitars and sounds, though I’ll admit my scope is a bit limited. I’ve mainly stuck to the acoustic side of things, but I have messed with a few electric guitars in my day. I’ve played some good guitars and some not-so-good guitars – but one guitar I’ve never played? One made out of the Millennium Falcon. With a new Star Wars movie set to come out this coming December, it seems everyone is doing everything they can to cash in on it, including custom guitar builders – and that’s not all necessarily a bad thing

Doni Latchford, from Doni Custom Guitars in the UK, has created what has been dubbed the Han Solo Guitar. It’s called that because he takes a Millennium Falcon toy, adds strings, a neck, and all necessary hardware to make it function as an actual guitar, and then he sells them. (He even adds blue LED lights to the Falcon to complete the effect). If Han Solo played guitar in a band, he’d no doubt use this one. You can buy one of them on Etsy for $710.79 as of this writing, and it can even be shipped worldwide, though it doesn’t mention inter-galaxy shipping.

What do you think? Too much? Let us know in the comments section below!