Amazon Prime or Netflix?

Amazon prime and Netflix are two newbies for online streaming videos in India. These let you watch your favorite shows TV shows, movies and much more anywhere and any day.

While Amazon is a very latest entry in India, Netflix has nearly completed its first year in the country.

Let’s take a tour of both of them one by one!

             Netflix India

·        Netflix India is increasing its user base pretty fast in India, though around 50% of its users are based in US.

·        Netflix in India is pretty costlier than its competitors charging as low as Rs 500 to watch shows and movies on a single screen at one time. For Rs 650, they will get access to two simultaneous screens and four for Rs 800 — this also has UHD content.

·        Netflix has only credit card option to pay for the subscription apart from PayPal. Debit card option is not available as of now.

·        You wouldn’t find the whole catalog of shows that you would normally find on the standard Netflix in US for example. House of cards and Game of thrones are not available for India. You could still use VPN (like VPN hola or tunnelbear) and watch any show you want to.

·        Talking about content, Netflix leaves its competitors far behind in the race. This is especially because of the Netflix original series like the game of thrones, orange is the new black etc.

·        A great deal of regional contents is not available on Netflix in India. You would, though, find it pretty good.

·        Internet speeds do play an important role in your online video streaming experience.

Netflix works pretty well on even a slow speed like 512 kbps internet speed.

·        AMAZON PRIME VIDEOS

·        Amazon prime videos have a clear edge in the pricing of the contents. Amazon charges 499/- INR for a complete year with is way less than Netflix at around 40 per month. In addition to this you get the free delivery options and many other perks on the website itself.

·        The content on Prime is less as compared to Netflix owing to the date of launch in India. They are adding shows to the catalog on a weekly basis right now.

·        Amazon stores a number of Hindi movies and shows that Netflix does not. Amazon prime has its focus on local content too while Netflix continues to keep its focus on International content.

·        The subscription can even be bought on cash on delivery which certainly is an edge over Netflix.

·        Amazon originals like Mozart in the Jungle, Man in the High Castle, Transparent, etc do prove to be a great deal in the subscription. Although, the focus is usually on sitcoms like two broke girls, Amazon original transparent, two and a half men etc. great deal of Hindi shows are available on the platter.

·        Online streaming issues are usually not present and depend a lot on the service provider and are usually the same for Amazon and Netflix.

Whatsapp Features you didn’t know were There!

Used whatsapp for long hours?

Do you keep checking your Whatsapp  all the time and are scared that you have become addicted to it? We are here to help with!

Here are some interesting features of whatsapp that you didn’t know were there!

·        Schedule Messages for Whatsapp

Did you ever feel like pre-scheduling a message to be sent ?

Does it often happen that you want to drop a birthday message at midnight and are already feeling too sleepy?

You’ll need to download a third-party app for this – if you’re on Android you should check out Seebye Scheduler ROOT (free), iOS users should look to Message Scheduler for WhatsApp ($0.99 on Cydia). You’ll need either a rooted or jailbroken device.

·        Broadcast  Messages

Want to wish everyone at the same time without pinging everyone personally?

Possible!

The feature is called Broadcast. To use it, click on Options > New Broadcast and enter the names of the people who you want to send your message to. You’ll be able to see who opened it and receive any responses privately and individually.

·        Create Conversation Shortcuts

Are you constantly using WhatsApp to message the same two or three people? Wife? Boyfriend? Dog?
If so, did you know you can streamline your experience by adding a conversation shortcut to your device’s home screen? Just open the app, click on the Chats tab, long press on the conversation you want to create a shortcut for, and select Add Chat Shortcut from the popup menu.

·        Hide Whatsapp Media from Gallery

 If you don’t want incoming media on WhatsApp to show up in the Gallery, hide them using this simple trick.

Open File Manager and browse to Internal storage WhatsApp > Media and Rename “WhatsApp Images” and “WhatsApp Video” folders to “.WhatsApp Images” and “.WhatsApp Video” respectively (notice the dot in start).This trick is applicable only for Android, not for iOS platforms. 


Use More than one Whatsapp Account on the Same Phone

Most of the Android users use a dual-sim device, which in turn increases the urge to use two WhatsApp accounts using their two numbers – say one for official use and other for personal purpose.

With Android Lollipop allowing multiple users on the same device, one can now operate multiple WhatsApp accounts without any third-party app. Do note that he/she won’t receive notifications from both of the accounts at a single time.

To do this, go to Android’s Settings > Users > Add user. After you have created a new user, log in using the new account, install WhatsApp on this account and use it with the second number.



 Change the Background

Bored of the Whatsapp default background?

Follow Options > Settings > Chats > Wallpaper and you’ll be able to add your own picture from your library, remove the wallpaper altogether for a grey background, or reload the original WhatsApp offering.

Guest Mode in Android

Ever had a problem lending your phone to a friend for a phone call?

Ever had a problem giving your phone to Aunt because it had content you didn’t want her to see?

Switch to guest mode!

Android has a native guest feature that solves this problem. When you enable it, all of your data is inaccessible to the guest user: t will be as if they’re looking through a brand new phone.

Steps to unlock guest mode!

·        Swipe down from the top with two fingers and touch the user icon on the upper right.

·        Next, touch the Add guest icon and then your phone will switch over. All the apps on the device won’t be connected to your account, so Google Photos, Gmail, and Chrome are all safe.

·        To end guest mode, tap the user icon and choose Remove guest.

You’ll then be able to get back into your main account, though a fingerprint, passcode, or other type of unlock is required.

From second space you can’t access files, apps, settings of first space (admin); instead you can import them from the first space, but only with the permissions of the admin.

The best thing about this feature is that you can set separate passwords for both the spaces (first and second). And when you enter password of the first space from the lock screen, first space opens up. And when pass-code of second space is entered, second opens up directly from the lock screen.

The best part is that you can delete the second space from the first space (admin) without letting the guest user knowing it.

If you have not installed Android Lollipop 5.0 on your smartphone then check for pre-loaded guest mode. Brands like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG install an application that lets you enable guest mode on the android smartphone. For some android phones the guest mode is available at the system level. For example, if you are a user of LG smartphone, then you need to go to Settings > General > Privacy > Guest mode to access this feature.

3D PRINTING

Ever heard this term?

Did you search Wikipedia and found it too incomprehensible?

Wikipedia says: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object in which successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object.

Okay! Let’s get into this!

Invented by a man named Chuck Hull back in 1986, 3D printing is a process of taking a digital 3D model and turning that digital file into a physical object. While Hull went on to launch one of the world’s largest 3D printer manufacturers, 3D Systems, his invention concentrated solely on a fabrication process called Stereo lithography (SLA). Since that time, numerous other 3D printing technologies have been developed; such as Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)/Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), PolyJetting and others. All of these rely on layer-by-layer fabrication and are based on a computer code fed to the printer.

Imagine yourself designing a shoe on your computer and immediately able to print it out right in front of your eyes. Now think about all the objects that you could make. Phone cases, clothes etc; all of which could be designed for you and by you! The more technical term for this is Mass Customization.

How do 3D printers work then?

These steps tell you how the 3D printers work!

1. The 3D printer spreads out a layer of fine powder.

2. A laser hardens the powder in that layer that comprises the bottom slice of your part

3. A new layer of fine powder is spread out. The next slice of your part is hardened and joined to the first.

4. The rest of the powder remains loose. This supports the part as it is built up.

5. This is repeated many times until your part is built.

6. Then your part is lifted from the loose powder.

7. It is then sandblasted and finished by hand.

What then are the benefits of using this technology?

3D printing lowers the bar to make something and try it out. It expands the long tail of niche products that are possible that wouldn't have been made otherwise with traditional manufacturing technique. The availability to customize your objects according to your liking, making them unique is something we could achieve with this technology in place. We all have personal preferences in matter of clothing and food. This fulfils them!

Yes. It’s very interesting. Pal!

Simple useful Tools and Hacks for Navigating Windows

Navigating Windows is easy with clicks using the mouse or the touchpad. You can, however, use keyboard shortcuts to easily navigate through the Windows programs instead of clicking on a series of dialog boxes and menus. These keyboard shortcuts take you to the programs directly and open them up for you.

You can modify the Windows 8 and the next versions of the Operating System by using these simple navigation hacks.

• If you want to remove the tiles from the start menu, you can unpin from start and you won't see any tiles. You can repeat this process till you remove all the tiles.
• The 'power' option in the start menu have all the options for rebooting, shutting down, and restarting.
• You can see all the installed apps all at once when you click the start menu and click 'all apps.'
• If you want to pin any program or file to the start menu, just right-click on the file or the program and select 'pin to start.'
• On Windows 8 operating system, you can click on search menu and search for any program, instead of navigating them through the list. This is also one of the easiest ways to open a program.
• You can personalize and customize the start menu by selecting the apps that you want to hide and those which you want to appear in the 'Personalization' option of the 'setting' menu.
• You can have multiple desktops by clicking the task view button in the task bar + 'New Desktop' to create a new desktop.
• To see recently opened tabs, right-click on any tabs- duplicate, refresh, or move the tabs to a new window. This is how you can easily manage tabs in Windows.
• Onedrive is the cloud storage provided by Microsoft for all the Windows operating system. You can sync all the files with this storage so that all the files created are automatically stored in the cloud, and you don't have to worry about backing up the system.
• The ‘system image’ utility provided by the Windows system is also a back up facility that you can use to back up all the files and programs before you format or reinstall any operating system.

10 Productivity Apps for Everyone

Business environment is dynamic. These apps help entrepreneurs and business professionals speed up their work. Time management is an important skill for anyone in a work environment. These apps help manage time and resources and get the work done on time.

1. Evernote is simple and a free version app that lets you scribble notes and thoughts and save them. You can capture photos, sync files, web pages with this app. Wunderlist is yet another app that helps you capture ideas and tasks on the fly.

2. Dropbox helps you share photos, documents, and videos with any type of laptop or mobile device.

3. Audible lets you listen to audio books, without you having to read them. You can use this as you are travelling or running errands, or doing any chores.

4. TripIT helps frequent fliers keep travelling schedules. This app organizes all of your travelling schedules and booking.

5. Lastpass is a password manager that lets you fill up forms and any accounts online where passwords are needed. You can also buy the premium version for $12.

6. CamCard helps you take contact information and pictures of business card. All the information of the business card is accurately stored using this app. This way you will never lose a business prospect or their contact information.

7. TMetric is a time tracking software. It is a free app where you can add tasks and break tasks.

8. Taskworld lets you visualize tasks with graphs and highlight critical areas in the task.

9. EasilyDo is a virtual assistant that lets you organize emails and contacts.

10. Pocket is an app that saves interesting articles and videos on the web for a later viewing.The list of content that is saved is accessible on tablet, PC, mobile phone, or any device. You can also view the content in the offline mode. You can view and read the content during flight travel, commute, or just about anywhere once you open the app.

10 Settings in Browsers to Speed Them Up

Sometimes, the users can face browser speed problems, regardless of having a good bandwidth. These tweaks in the browser's can help speed up the browsing and page loads when using the internet. You can use these settings in Chrome browser and Firefox browser as mentioned here and speed up the page load times and enhance the browsing experience.

1. View attachments in Google

If you have an attached PDF file, word document, spreadsheet, or any other file that can be opened as an HTML file, open them with Google files so they load fast. If you have to send them for printing, you can still use this method to save time. You can make edits in the same documents as well.

2. Tracemonkey plugin for social media

This is the speed daemon for the Firefox search engine and loads Javascript of all the applications and pages related to Google.

3. Speed tweaks in Chrome browser

Search for num-raster-threads after pressing CTRL+F and change its default value to 4. You can 'enable-smooth-scrolling' for faster scrolling when using the browser.

4. Block ads and javascript

You can use plugins like Adblock Plus and Flashblock to block ads that open in dialog boxes when you open the browser.

5. Disable extensions in Chrome

You can type 'chrome://extensions' and uncheck the 'enabled' option. Doing so can speed up the browsing experience as these plugins and extensions will not eat up the speed.

6. Disable plugins in Chrome

You can disable plugins in Chrome by typing 'chrome://plugins' in the local bar and clicking on the disable option.

7. Remove web apps

Type 'chrome://apps' and click on the app that you want to remove to remove them from the browser.

8. Enable prefetch for faster page loads

In the Chrome browser go to the Options > Settings > Show advanced settings and click on 'Prefetch resources to load pages more quickly.'

9. Enable cache in Chrome

Type 'chrome://flags/#enable-simple-cache-backend' and select enable. This will speed up the browser speed.

10. Close windows and tabs faster in Chrome

Search for 'enable-fast-unload' and enable it.