Play Games in EA Access Free for a Week

Play Games in EA Access Free for a Week

Electronic Arts is handing out a week's worth of free EA Access experience to Xbox Live Gold members starting Tuesday, the company announced Thursday.

The EA Access subscription-based gaming service costs Rs. 315 per month or Rs. 1,990 for the year usually, but EA will allow Xbox One owners with a Gold membership to play the games in the Access Vault for no charge from January 19 to 24.

The 14 games available during the period include Battlefield Hardline, Battlefield 4, EA Sports UFC, FIFA 15, NHL 15, Madden NFL 25, Dragon Age: Inquisition (not available in India), and Need for Speed Rivals among others.

And if you like what you see, you can subscribe to the service after the free week and pick up right where you left off on your progress in the game.

In addition, to free access to some of the big older titles, EA Access also provides subscribers with early access - five days before release date - to upcoming games. For example, you can play games such as Unravel and Plants and Zombies Garden Warfare 2 for 10 hours in February before launch. And should you choose to buy them at a later date, you will receive a 10 percent discount and your saved progress.

EA brought a similar version of the service to Windows PCs in the form of Origin Access on January 12. It's currently only available in USA, Canada, the UK and Germany but should make its way to India soon.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch

Chinese company as of now has not revealed any launch date for the new Redmi Note 3. Additionally, Xiaomi is looking for 100 "explorers" for the Redmi Note 3 in India - users who get to preview the smartphone before it launches. Interested consumers can register at the company's official India website by January 31.

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 3 back in November in China. The smartphone came in two variants: one with 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage variant which was priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,500) and another with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage at CNY 1,099 (approximately Rs. 11,500.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Sunlight Display and is touted be a "fully-laminated display". It runs MIUI 7 based on Android OS. The company at the event highlighted that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features an all-metal industrial design and stressed that it is now the "first Mi phone" to sport a full metal body and fingerprint sensor. The handset also sports a fingerprint sensor at the back which the company touted can unlock the device in just 0.3 seconds. Another notable feature is the 4000mAh battery with fast charging support that can charge up to 50 percent in 1 hour.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 Launch in 2 Variants

Xiaomi Mi 5 Launch in 2 Variants

According to the latest details, one of the Mi 5 variants will come with 2.5D curved glass on both the sides  while will also sporting a metal frame. The report adds that the 2.5D curved glass featuring Xiaomi Mi 5 model will feature a full-HD display.

The second purported Mi 5 variant, on the other hand, will feature full metal body and will sport a display with QHD resolution. The report claims that the both the variants will sport same screen size. There is no word whether the two models will have different RAM and storage options.

An earlier report had claimed that the Mi 5 will come in two versions based on RAM and storage. For pricing, the 32GB inbuilt storage and 3GB RAM version was said to be priced at CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 20,300), the 64GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB RAM priced at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 23,400).

Based on preliminary leaks, the Mi 5 is said to feature a 5.2-inch display with either full-HD or QHD resolution. The handset is said to come in two memory and storage versions - 3GB of RAM with 32GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage. On the camera front, the Mi 5 is rumoured to pack a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. It is also supposed to be backed by a 3600mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 tech. The handset is said to run MIUI 7 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

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iPhone 5e

iPhone 5e

 we have come across several rumours and leaks regarding the long-anticipated 4-inch iPhone model, which is tipped to be called the iPhone 6c and even the iPhone 7c in somereports. However, according to a Chinese analyst, the smartphone will sport a different name altogether.

As per the analyst, the rumoured 4-inch iPhone model will come with the 'iPhone 5e' moniker, where 'e' means 'enhanced'. In a post on Weibo, the analyst said the smartphone will be an enhanced version of the iPhone 5s, which was launched in 2013.

The posts suggests the rumoured 4-inch iPhone 5e will add features such as Apple Pay support, NFC, and VoLTE connectivity over the existing iPhone 5s connectivity options. The handset is also said to sport an 8-megapixel rear camera and will pack the old A8 processor (introduced on the iPhone 6), clubbed with 1GB RAM.

The analyst also talks about the price of the iPhone 5e. The smartphone is tipped to come with a price tag of CNY 3,288 in China (roughly Rs. 33,400).

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Apple Making 'Move to Android' App for iPhone Users

Apple Making 'Move to Android' App for iPhone Users

Apple is said to be working on a tool that will allow iPhone users to more easily switch to Android. As per a media report, the change of heart comes as European carriers continue to put pressure on the Cupertino-based company.

Apple has agreed to develop a tool that will allow users from the iOS camp to migrate to Google's Android haven, reports Telegraph citing an industry source. The iOS app will allow users to transfer data such as contacts, music, and photos from their iOS device to Android.

The change of heart isn't apparently a result of goodwill on Apple's end, the report adds. Instead, it is because major European telecom operators believe that the technical difficulties in transferring data from an iPhone makes it hard for users to switch to Android, and as a result, only a tiny fraction of customers ever make the switch.

The iPhone maker is under pressure from mobile operators to make the migration process easier. The carriers, the report adds, feel that Apple's refusal to provide its users with an easier way to switch to Android has put them on the disadvantageous side, reducing their negotiation power with Apple.

To recall, Apple released an app called Move to iOS last year which allowed Android users to easily transfer their data to an iPhone. The company's first Android app didn't receive the most welcoming reception with thousands of users plastering a one-star rating against the app.

While it isn't known how many iPhone users switch to Android, as per Apple, around 30 percent of the record number of iPhone sold in the fourth quarter last year were users who previously owned an Android handset.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 Design New Leaked Images

Xiaomi Mi 5 Design New Leaked Images

The Mi 5 is tipped to sport a 2.5D curved glass display and 3D glass covering the back panel. The slim oval-shaped home button is said to double up as the fingerprint sensor, which is claimed to be the smallest and faster sensor in the market.

Based on previous leaks, the Mi 5 is said to feature a 5.2-inch display with either full-HD or QHD resolution. The handset is said to come in two memory and storage versions - 3GB of RAM with 32GB inbuilt storage, and 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage. On the camera front, the Mi 5 is rumoured to pack a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. It is also supposed to be backed by a 3600mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 tech. The handset is said to run MIUI 7 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

For pricing, the 32GB inbuilt storage and 3GB RAM version has been said to be priced at CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 20,300), the 64GB inbuilt storage and 4GB RAM priced at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 23,400).

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How to Download and Manually Install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Nexus Devices

How to Download and Manually Install Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow on Nexus Devices

The first major update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has begun rolling out to Nexus and Android One devices. If you are the impatient kind who wants to download the update immediately, then you can do it manually. Google has released Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow factory images for various devices in its Nexus range.

We've listed the new features in Android 6.0.1 and if you have one of the eligible devices, you will get an OTA update soon. The following devices will get Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

There are several risks involved with manually downloading and installing Android factory images. You could lose all of your data and the process is pretty complex that's best avoided if you are new to this kind of a thing.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is currently available for the following devices - Google Nexus 5, Google Nexus 6, Google Nexus 7 2013, Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus Player, Google Nexus 6P, and Google Nexus 5X. Here's how to manually install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on these devices.

1) Download and install the latest Android Studio Preview on your Windows computer. This installs the ADB and Fastboot programmes, which can be accessed through the command terminal on your PC.

2) Add the SDK folder to the PATH by following these steps:

3) Right click My Computer and click on Properties.

4) Click on Advanced System Settings.

5) Click on System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables.

6) In the Window, select Path, then click on Edit, and then type in the name of the directory where you installed the SDK, and remember that each entry is separated by a semi-colon.

7) Enable USB debugging on your device. First, go to Settings > About Phone > Software information.

8) Tap Build number seven times.

9) Go to Settings > Developer options. Tick USB debugging.

10) Download the correct factory image for your device.

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 5

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 6

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 7 2013 Wi-Fi

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 7 2013 Mobile

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 9 Wi-Fi

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 9 LTE

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus Player

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 6P

Android 6.0.1 for Nexus 5X

11) Extract the image on your computer. This should give you a tar file. Extract it again.

12) Connect your device to your computer over USB.

13) Start the device in fastboot mode.

The easiest way to do this is to hold a key combination while powering up the device. For Nexus 5, hold the volume up, volume down and power buttons while powering on the device. The full list of key combinations for different devices is here.

You can also boot into fastboot mode using the ADB tool: With the device powered on, go to the command terminal and execute the following: adb reboot bootloader

If needed, unlock the device's bootloader through your computer using the command terminal and executing: fastboot oem unlock

1) Open a command terminal and navigate to the unzipped system image directory.

2) Execute flash-all.bat, which was a part of the unzipped image file. This script installs the necessary bootloader, baseband firmware(s), and operating system. For this to work, you need to have added the folder where ADB and Fastboot are installed to the system's path as described in step 2.

3) When this is done, Google recommends that you lock the bootloader for security. You can do that by booting the device in fastboot mode while still connected via USB, and using the command terminal to execute: fastboot oem lock.

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Google Launches New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio

Google Launches New Chromecast and Chromecast Audio

Two years after Google launched the Chromecast, a flash drive-shaped device that allows users to beam media content and on-screen activities from smartphones, computers, and tablets to TV and other big screens, the company believes it's time it further expanded in your living room. Enter Chromecast Audio, a device that turns any speaker with an auxiliary input into an Internet-capable device.

Priced at $35 (roughly Rs. 2,300), the Chromecast Audio allows one to stream music to their regular speakers directly from a smartphone or laptop. It is similar to the Motorola Moto Stream portable wireless adapter. It supports high-quality audio, 2 watt RMS and an optional optical digital out that sits in the hybrid port. The company said that the Chromecast Audio doesn't compress audio, assuring the audiophile inside you that the device wouldn't compromise on audio quality. It works with Android and iOS devices, apart from PCs.

The original Chromecast is getting a refresh too. The company has launched the second-generation Chromecast that sees a complete departure from the original's construction. The all new design sees an HDMI cable looped inside a circular Chromecast logo-shaped unit.

The company says that it has upgraded the internal components to make the new Chromecast more capable. There are now three antennas inside the device, and the device supports 5GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi for stutter-free high quality streaming.

It comes with a new feature called "Fast Play," allowing the Chromecast to start a video or audio streaming much quicker to start, once users press the Cast button. The company also announced that developers will now be able to render a game on both your smartphone's screen and the large screen (TV). Also new if the Feeds feature, which can be controlled via the new Chromecast app, letting users choose what content the Chromecast will display on screen when on standby. This ranges from social media feeds, to image feeds.

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Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rollout Begins Next Week

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Rollout Begins Next Week 

Google at its Nexus event on Tuesday announced the rollout of Android 6.0 Marshmallow update will begin from next week over-the-air (OTA). The OS update would be hitting the Nexus smartphones, tablets, and other Nexus devices first. This time, the Android One devices are also on the list of first devices to receive the update. The company also gave some statistics on the global Android usage.

Google introduced its Android 6.0 Marshmallow back in May during the Google I/O conference. Some of the new features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which has been available as the Android M developer preview since Google I/O 2015, include revamped app permissions; Google Now on Tap feature; new Chrome feature that will change the Web experience for Android users; new ways to handle Web links; integrated Android Pay mobile payment system; new fingerprint APIs for developers to add into their apps and native fingerprint support, apart from battery saver features called Doze that will make Android devices smart about managing power. Some of the other additions include a new memory manager, adoptable storage devices, new app drawer, auto backup and restore for apps, and support for USB Type-C ports.

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Samsung's First Foldable Smartphone in January 2016

Samsung's First Foldable Smartphone in January 2016

The South Korean company in the meantime has launched Galaxy smartphones with curved edge displays. If a new leak is to be believed, we might finally see a foldable Samsung smartphone in January - with the company reportedly already testing the smartphone. Additionally, Samsung's mysterious Galaxy View device has been certified by the Bluetooth SIG claiming it's a tablet.

According to a tipster from China, Samsung's foldable smartphone has been codenamed Project Valley and is being tested with two different chipsets - Qualcomm Snapdragon 620 and Snapdragon 820. Other details tipped by the tipster claim that the handset will feature 3GB of RAM; come with expandable storage, and will come with an embedded battery.

Samsung's mysterious Galaxy View device which was teased during its IFA event and expected to the oft-leaked 18.4-inch tablet from the company has purportedly been certified byBluetooth SIG with model name SM-T670. The Bluetooth SIG listing of the tablet doesn't reveal many details; except that the Bluetooth version will be 4.1.

To recall, Samsung just as it did at the Galaxy Unpacked event last month, teased a new upcoming product at the end of the IFA show - what appeared to be a large tablet. Dubbed Galaxy View, the teaser was mysterious enough to hide most details but a kick stand was visible on the back panel. We will have to wait for Samsung to make the announcement.

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