"Behind every successful entrepreneur today is the right smartphone"
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Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Aakash tablets: 14 lakh booked in 14 days
The new year may be a year of low-cost computing in India. Sales bookings for the world's cheapest tablet, Aakash, have soared to 14 lakh units just two weeks after it was put up for sale online for Rs 2,500 a piece.
To cater to the 'unexpected' demand, UK-based vendor Datawind, the maker of the $35 tablet, has decided to establish three new factories - in Cochin, Noida and Hyderabad - in the first half of 2012 to assemble the tablet. Datawind currently has only one factory in Hyderabad, with its vendor Quad, which makes the LCD panel for the tablet.
"We never expected such a high response from both corporate and individual buyers. We plan to supply 70,000-75,000 units per day once the factories are in place by April," Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO, Datawind told ET from Panama, where he was invited to advise its government on its low-cost computing project.
"Around two weeks ago, we received a call from India's computer emergency response team that our website was probably suffering from a large cyber attack. We had to inform them we had just opened sale through our website," Tuli said. Datawind, which put out a limited 30,000 tablets for sale online with e-commerce provider Ncarry.com, has already exhausted the first lot.
A spokesman for Ncarry.com, said that the website is catering to orders across India, with delivery in 5-7 working days. Ncarry is a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Nimbuzz, which makes instant messaging applications. The Nimbuzz IM comes pre-installed on Aakash.
Pre-sales bookings for the Aakash tablet (about 400,000 in October) had surpassed the Indian tablet market which grossed about 250,000-300,000 tablets till last year.
Even with a resistive touch and slow processor, Aakash has received about 1 lakh orders a day since online launch last month. In comparison, Apple sold about 10 lakh iPads in 28 days and 30 lakh in 80 days of its launch in April 2010. Currently, the cheapest model of iPad at Rs 29,500, is about 12 times costlier than Aakash.
Aakash's maker Datawind is, however, strangulated with supply constraints, compared to Apple which managed smooth deliveries of the iPad. "We are not accepting cash for bookings currently, as we want to sort out supply issues," Tuli added.
Datawind plans to put on sale online the next version of Aakash - Ubislate 7, priced at Rs 2999, by mid-January. The newer version will come with a slot for insertion of a SIM card, for access of internet by GPRS or 2G connection. The current version of the tablet can access internet via Wi-Fi access.
Besides, the newer version will be twice as fast with a 700 Mhz processor compared to a 366 Mhz processor in the current tablet. In another development, the government has extended the letter of credit to Datawind to supply the next lot of 90,000 tablets, even though IIT Rajasthan is yet to provide the test specifications for the next version, which it wants to procure for supply to students. The delay from the government's end is likely to land Aakash in the hands of commercial buyers before students for whom the low-cost tablet was meant for in the first place.
Monday, September 12, 2011
6 Google tricks you didn’t know about
We all know how to search on Google. But not many of us know the tips and tricks that can make Google searches better and in easier on Google.
Having an alternative to something as useful and vast as Google can help us anytime, anywhere. We bring you eight alternative ways to search the most searched engine:
Google's 'What Do You Love' service is a one-stop-shop destination for all its other services. It collates data from all its services such as YouTube, Translate, Images and News and to you at a single place and in a single click.
Go mobile
Having a hard time reading searching on your mobile? Screen is not large enough to accommodate Google's advertisements, sidebars, images, et al.? Type Google.com/m in your browser to access a cleaner version of the site, minus all its 'unnecessary' frills.
Wish you could look at the two most prominent search engines side-by-side saving you considerable amount of time and energy? Yes you can do it.You can check your search results on both Bing and Google at the same time on www.bing-vs-google.com. On the same page you will get the information displayed on both the sites.
Google Squared
If you are tired of seeing search results in the same old 'listed' way and also to get a detailed perspective, try Google Squared. This feature of Google Labs creates tables of data taken from various websites. Once results are displayed individual entries can be clicked to check their source.
Users can even save their own customized tables for future reference. Users can modify their square by removing rows and columns they don't like or by adding new rows and columns and having Google Squared attempt to fetch the relevant facts.
Verify and correct the facts in your square by exploring the original sources and investigating other possible values. Google Squared does the grunt work for you, making research fast and easy.
Voice search
Google chrome has the option of a voice search. When you will open the Google search page you will see a microphone in the search bar. Click this microphone and just say what you are looking for.
Having an alternative to something as useful and vast as Google can help us anytime, anywhere. We bring you eight alternative ways to search the most searched engine:
Google WDYL
Go mobile
Having a hard time reading searching on your mobile? Screen is not large enough to accommodate Google's advertisements, sidebars, images, et al.? Type Google.com/m in your browser to access a cleaner version of the site, minus all its 'unnecessary' frills.
Google vs Bing
Google shell
This alternative way to search Google will, for once, remind you of your HTML lessons. Goosh.org is a Google-interface that behaves similarly to a unix shell. Written by Stefan Grothkopp, Goosh calls itself 'the unofficial Google shell.' Users can type commands such as 'video' or 'news' to obtain results from a particular Google service. Results can be accessed by clicking on their respective links or their numbers can be typed in Goosh. To see more results type 'more'.Google Squared
Users can even save their own customized tables for future reference. Users can modify their square by removing rows and columns they don't like or by adding new rows and columns and having Google Squared attempt to fetch the relevant facts.
Verify and correct the facts in your square by exploring the original sources and investigating other possible values. Google Squared does the grunt work for you, making research fast and easy.
Voice search
Thursday, July 21, 2011
10 must-have programmes (all free) for your PC
When you buy a computer, it only comes preinstalled with operating software. Before you can use or make the most of it, you will have to install several programmes or utilities. There are tons of programmes - paid as well as free - available for computers running Windows operating software.
Here are 10 that we think you should install right away, if you haven’t done so far
1. Chrome
Internet Explorer (IE), which is bundled with Windows 7, is a huge improvement over the IE of past. But it still falls short of high standard set by competition.
Chrome, a Web browser developed by Google, is arguably the fastest, cleanest and usable Web browser available right now.
With support for plug-ins, Chrome offers immense functionality. Web browsing is an important part of computer experience and our suggestion is that you install Chrome as soon as possible.
2. CCleaner
This one is not really needed for a new computer. But once your shiny machine is one-month old, you will likely require something like CCleaner (short for crap cleaner). The reason is that over the time a computer accumulates junk.
There are temporary files, missing registry links and useless system resources. If not removed, they tend to slow down a computer.
Running CCleaner every month or two keeps your computer in pink of health.
3. Avira
All new computers, if not assembled, are likely to come with a paid anti-virus programme preinstalled. But in most cases this anti-virus programme is just the trial version. Once it expires after a month or so, people rarely upgrade it.
And an anti-virus programme that doesn’t get updated is good for nothing. The solution in these cases is to get a free anti-virus programme.
Like Avira that is better than many commercial anti-virus programmes and yet doesn’t cost a dime for personal use. It lacks some advance features but for home or personal use you don’t need them anyways.
4. Zone Alarm
People don’t realize but a firewall is quite important. Something like Zone Alarm Free Version won’t stop skilled hackers - it they are after you - but it will definitely give you a great control on how your internet connection is used.
A firewall can allow you to control how which programmes in your computer connect to the Web and how. Very handy tool to have at your disposal.
5. KM Player
Microsoft has hugely improved the native video player in Windows 7. Yet, as it is in the case of browsers, third-party programmes are even better. KM Player is one of the most versatile video players available for computers.
The interface is good, there are myriad of options for power users and - you will love it - the support for various media formats is outstanding.
You can pick any popular video format, and KM Player will handle it all fine.
6. CPU-Z
It’s a programme that doesn’t do anything. Instead it just displays some vital information. Geeks are using CPU-Z for years now. But we believe that mainstream users too can benefit from it.
This programme finds out the hardware details of your computer and gives you exact make of your processor, its speed, amount of RAM and details of graphics card.
The information can greatly help in diagnosing or pinpointing a problem or save the day for you when you decide to upgrade the RAM. In our view, every computer user should run CPU-Z at least once immediately after buying a computer so that he can see if he is getting what he paid for or not.
7. Open Office
Microsoft Office is considered an essential programme. But it’s expensive and it’s bloated. If you are not sold out on Microsoft brand, you should definitely give OpenOffice.Org- also called OOO - a try. It has Write, Cal, Impress, Draw and Base.
Effectively, these programmes offer everything that a basic version of MS Office does. The best part of the deal - it’s all free and all files created with OOO are compatible with MS Office.
8. Foxit reader
This is a programme that can be used in place of Adobe Reader - a proprietary and bloated piece of software - to read PDF files.
Unlike Reader, Foxit is lighter on resources, is fast and offers nifty features like tabbed PDF reading. It’s free and totally worth. Just take care to deselect several add-ons and other junk while installation.
9. Picasa
In the age of Facebook and phones that can shoot photos - in some cases exceedingly well - a new computer ought to have some sort of image editing and managing utility. Yes, you can have Photoshop or Lightroom.
But that costs hell lot of money. And in any case, you don’t need something like Photoshop unless you are a pro or photography enthusiasts. For everyday needs, Picasa works fine.
Not only it allows basic editing but also enables you to store your photographs in Google cloud for easy access and sharing.
10. Free download manager
In India, where quality of internet connection is often poor, a dedicated download manager is a necessity. Your download might be 99% complete, but a little disruption, can ruin it all.
In case of large files it is particularly frustrating. To avoid these heartburns, our advice is that you install Free Download Manager (FDM).
It supports group downloads, can efficiently use available bandwidth and sustain peak download rate, can resume or pause downloads at websites that support the feature, integrates with Web browsers and comes with an option to shut down the PC once a download is complete.
Here are 10 that we think you should install right away, if you haven’t done so far
1. Chrome
Internet Explorer (IE), which is bundled with Windows 7, is a huge improvement over the IE of past. But it still falls short of high standard set by competition.
Chrome, a Web browser developed by Google, is arguably the fastest, cleanest and usable Web browser available right now.
With support for plug-ins, Chrome offers immense functionality. Web browsing is an important part of computer experience and our suggestion is that you install Chrome as soon as possible.
2. CCleaner
This one is not really needed for a new computer. But once your shiny machine is one-month old, you will likely require something like CCleaner (short for crap cleaner). The reason is that over the time a computer accumulates junk.
There are temporary files, missing registry links and useless system resources. If not removed, they tend to slow down a computer.
Running CCleaner every month or two keeps your computer in pink of health.
3. Avira
All new computers, if not assembled, are likely to come with a paid anti-virus programme preinstalled. But in most cases this anti-virus programme is just the trial version. Once it expires after a month or so, people rarely upgrade it.
And an anti-virus programme that doesn’t get updated is good for nothing. The solution in these cases is to get a free anti-virus programme.
Like Avira that is better than many commercial anti-virus programmes and yet doesn’t cost a dime for personal use. It lacks some advance features but for home or personal use you don’t need them anyways.
4. Zone Alarm
People don’t realize but a firewall is quite important. Something like Zone Alarm Free Version won’t stop skilled hackers - it they are after you - but it will definitely give you a great control on how your internet connection is used.
A firewall can allow you to control how which programmes in your computer connect to the Web and how. Very handy tool to have at your disposal.
5. KM Player
Microsoft has hugely improved the native video player in Windows 7. Yet, as it is in the case of browsers, third-party programmes are even better. KM Player is one of the most versatile video players available for computers.
The interface is good, there are myriad of options for power users and - you will love it - the support for various media formats is outstanding.
You can pick any popular video format, and KM Player will handle it all fine.
6. CPU-Z
It’s a programme that doesn’t do anything. Instead it just displays some vital information. Geeks are using CPU-Z for years now. But we believe that mainstream users too can benefit from it.
This programme finds out the hardware details of your computer and gives you exact make of your processor, its speed, amount of RAM and details of graphics card.
The information can greatly help in diagnosing or pinpointing a problem or save the day for you when you decide to upgrade the RAM. In our view, every computer user should run CPU-Z at least once immediately after buying a computer so that he can see if he is getting what he paid for or not.
7. Open Office
Microsoft Office is considered an essential programme. But it’s expensive and it’s bloated. If you are not sold out on Microsoft brand, you should definitely give OpenOffice.Org- also called OOO - a try. It has Write, Cal, Impress, Draw and Base.
Effectively, these programmes offer everything that a basic version of MS Office does. The best part of the deal - it’s all free and all files created with OOO are compatible with MS Office.
8. Foxit reader
This is a programme that can be used in place of Adobe Reader - a proprietary and bloated piece of software - to read PDF files.
Unlike Reader, Foxit is lighter on resources, is fast and offers nifty features like tabbed PDF reading. It’s free and totally worth. Just take care to deselect several add-ons and other junk while installation.
9. Picasa
In the age of Facebook and phones that can shoot photos - in some cases exceedingly well - a new computer ought to have some sort of image editing and managing utility. Yes, you can have Photoshop or Lightroom.
But that costs hell lot of money. And in any case, you don’t need something like Photoshop unless you are a pro or photography enthusiasts. For everyday needs, Picasa works fine.
Not only it allows basic editing but also enables you to store your photographs in Google cloud for easy access and sharing.
10. Free download manager
In India, where quality of internet connection is often poor, a dedicated download manager is a necessity. Your download might be 99% complete, but a little disruption, can ruin it all.
In case of large files it is particularly frustrating. To avoid these heartburns, our advice is that you install Free Download Manager (FDM).
It supports group downloads, can efficiently use available bandwidth and sustain peak download rate, can resume or pause downloads at websites that support the feature, integrates with Web browsers and comes with an option to shut down the PC once a download is complete.
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