Thursday 31 October 2013

Google Wallet Guide

Google Wallet is a mobile payment system developed by Google that allows its users to store debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, and gift cards among other things, as well as redeem sales promotions on their mobile phone using an application. In short, Google Wallet ditches the plastic cards in your wallet.



What can Google Wallet do?

The services offered by Google Wallet are:
  • Payments in stores
  • Storage of credit and debit cards, loyalty programs, offers, etc.
  • Money Transfers to persons with E-Mail addresses
  • Carrying out loyalty programs without any plastic cards
  • 24/7 fraud monitoring, and Google Wallet Purchase Protection
Why Google Wallet ?

Google Wallet is the best way to make payments and transfer money because it's fast, safe and secure. Google Wallet supports all major credit and debit cards and also it's available for both Android and iPhone.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can also log onto your Google Wallet account online and disable the app so that no one can use your phone to make purchases.

How to get Google Wallet?

Just Download this Application for Android or iOS and Create an account.

How do Google Wallet Works?

The Payments can be made using Tap and Pay functionality. This requires an additional feature in your phone called Near Field Communication (NFC) and the store must have a  PayPass enabled terminal at checkout.



NFC is a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 10 cm or less. NFC always involves an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates a Radio Frequency field that can power a passive target. This enables NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not require batteries.

MasterCard PayPass is an Europay, MasterCard and Visa compatible, "contactless" payment feature that provides cardholders with a simpler way to pay by tapping a payment card or other payment device, such as a phone or key fob, on a point-of-sale terminal reader rather than swiping or inserting a card.


The Application in the mobile phone acts as an initiator for NFC and PayPass terminal acts as a target. When you want to make a payment using Google wallet you just have to tap the phone on the PayPass terminal. The Payment will be made using the funds in the Google Wallet account.

The Money can be sent to any person with an email address just like sending an email. This service doesn't require NFC.

Who can use Google Wallet?

Currently, Google Wallet is available only in US.  US resident who is 18 years old, has an email address and owns a phone bought in the US can use the Google Wallet Service to send money or make transactions.

Which devices support Google Wallet?

The Google Wallet app is available to US users on devices that meet the following system requirements:
  • Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) or higher.
  • iOS 6 or higher.
 These devices can only send money but cannot make payments using Tap and pay functionality.

Tap and pay functionality is available in the US, and requires one of the following NFC-enabled Android devices running 2.3 (Gingerbread) or higher, with a Secure Element chip, on select carrier networks:

Phones
  • HTC One on Sprint
  • HTC One SV on Boost Mobile
  • HTC EVO 4G LTE on Sprint
  • LG Viper 4G LTE on Sprint
  • LG Viper 4G LTE on Zact Mobile
  • LG Optimus Elite on Sprint
  • LG Optimus Elite on Virgin Mobile
  • LG Optimus Elite on Zact Mobile
  • LG Nexus 4
  • Motorola Moto X on Sprint
  • Motorola Moto X on US Cellular
  • Samsung Galaxy Note II on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy Note II on US Cellular
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII on MetroPCS
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII on US Cellular
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII on Virgin Mobile
  • Samsung Galaxy SIII on Boost Mobile
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 on US Cellular
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition
  • Samsung Nexus S 4G on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus
  • Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE on Sprint
  • Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE on Virgin Mobile
  • Samsung Galaxy Axiom on US Cellular
Tablets
  • ASUS Nexus 7 (2012)
  • ASUS Nexus 7 3G (2012)
  • Samsung Nexus 10
At this time, tap and pay functionality is not supported for devices purchased internationally. The eligible device list above only applies to devices purchased from the listed carriers next to them. For example, an unlocked Samsung Galaxy SIII purchased internationally will not work with Google Wallet tap and pay.

How to get Google Wallet on Unsupported devices and countries ?


There are tutorials available on the internet using which you can use Google wallet on Unsupported devices but none of the tutorials are 100% guaranteed. If you really want this on your unsupported devices you can try THIS or THIS tutorial on your risk.

Who are the Google Wallet competitors ?


  • MasterCard PayPass Wallet
  • Square Wallet
  • V.me by Visa
  • LevelUp
  • ISIS
  • Lemon Wallet
This was the quick Guide for Google Wallet. Like RK World on Facebook to get more tech updates.

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Motorola Project Ara (Phonebloks) - WIN or FAIL ?


Phonebloks is a modular smartphone concept by Dutch designer Dave Hakkens. The modular design is intended to minimize electronic waste by allowing broken or outdated modules to be replaced. Phonebloks modules would each contain one of the major components of a smartphone such as the camera, battery, screen, and processor. Conceptually, blocks would connect to a main board and be secured in place with two screws.




Phonebloks was proclaimed as the "Most Innovative Smartphone concept which would definitely fail" by many of the techies around the globe. But now the scenario has changed, the probability of getting modular phones has increased since Motorola announced that they are working on a modular phone similar to Phonebloks.



Motorola was the first company to manufacture Mobile phones and it has got proficiency in mobile tech. Since Motorola is a Google owned company, Google will put its engineering expertise and funds into this Project. Thus, Project Ara can be a reality.



Let's assume that Motorola has finally manufactured a modular phone and its available in the market. Based on these assumptions, I'll discuss whether an ordinary customer will buy the Motorola Ara or not.

A customer will buy the Motorola Ara because:
  • It will be a unique phone in the market and first phone of its kind, so there will be an urge to buy this phone.
  • Its HARDWARE can be upgradable or customizable.
  • It lasts Longer.
  • Probably it will be running on Android since its made by Google, quick software up-gradation can be expected.
  • The phone intended to minimize electronic waste, so it's likely to influence people who have concerns about the environment.  

A customer will NOT  buy the Motorola Ara because:
  • The first electronic gadget of its kind when it comes to market, it will be costly. For example iPhone.
  • According to many Engineers the thickness of the modular phones will be much more when compared to the phones available now. So, nobody wants to buy a bulky phone.
  • The availability of the Modules will be less.
  • Competition from other mobile manufacturers
On the basis of the points mentioned above, we can clearly say that the probability of a customer buying a modular phone will be high. Thus on the basis of the assumptions which we made earlier we can say that Project Ara is a Winner.



But still we cannot say whether The Project Ara is a BIG Success or BIG failure of this Era.

These were my thoughts about Project Ara. If you want to add more pints or if you want share your thoughts, please comment below.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Top 5 Reasons Why A New Android Phone Should NOT Be Rooted

The Android can be better experienced when it's rooted. I agree with that but I still suggest you to not to ROOT your Android phone. In this article, I'm not talking about phones like Samsung Galaxy Fit or HTC explorer but about the Premium Smartphones like Samsung Galaxy Note 3, S4 or HTC One.

If you are one of the Pride owners of these Premium Smartphones you must read my 5 Reasons Why Premium Android Phone Should NOT Be Rooted.




1. Rooting is Just Messing Up

Everybody knows that Rooting will void the phone's warranty. But no one cared about it until Samsung came up with KNOX security. The Premium Samsung Smartphone NOTE 3 is secured by KNOX. Basically when you try to gain the root access the phone apparently triggers a response from the KNOX security software that will effectively mess up your phone, setting its status to unofficial and voiding your warranty. This software or a similar software will be implemented on all upcoming smartphones or in next updates on the currently available phones by all the manufacturers.

It can also be noted that it's a bit hard to Root HTC Phones and the latest update of the Sony Xperia Z was rooted by flashing an older version of its firmware.

Rooting a Premium Android Smartphones is a hectic job for some. If are not an Android Geek, just don't try to Root your phone and get messed up.

2. Your Phone is running on latest Android

Previously people used to Root their phone to change ROMs, they might be ported ROMs, Cyanogenmod, etc. There were doing it because companies were not given further upgrades. But in the case of a New Android Smartphone, it will be running on the latest Android version and it's likely to be upgraded as soon as a new android version is available. In case of Nexus device, they will be the first device to taste the latest versions of Android.

So If you are running on a latest official ROM which is stable, it's better to not to go for a custom ROM and fight with all its bugs.

    
3. Your phone has all Top Notch Features

People usually Root their phones just to have some extra feature like taking screenshots, disabling bloatwares, restrict cellular data,etc but its default in all new phones.

When HTC came up with Beats Audio software everybody wanted it on their phones so many Rooted and got the modded beats. Now the premium Smartphones has premium softwares just like Beats Audio, for example Clear Audio+ on Sony Xperia Z or Z1.

The manufacture will put as many numbers of the best features on their premium Smartphones. Except some Samsung's Gimmick features which many don't use, all companies will provide all most the same best features but the Labels of the softwares vary. So, if you have all best features, just don't Root your phone.


4. Your Phone Will Not Lag

I rooted my first Android phone LG Optimus One to overclock it and apply some tweaks, because it lagged in most of the HD Games. The Lag was because of its specs, it had 600Mhz processor, 512MB RAM and Adreno 200 GPU.

But Your premium phone has a quad core processor may be clocked about 2.3GHz and your random access memory will be at least as 2GB. So there is no question of Lag. Just enjoy the buttery smooth gaming experience without Rooting.

Also Read: Top 5 Reasons why Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is King of Smartphones


5. If you can buy a 700$ phone, You are probably Rich!

Android Gamers root their phone to hack the games to increase the power ups, coins or money which is required to play the games more easily. It applies to games like Asphalt 8, Subways Surfers, Temple Run, etc. Which has in-app purchasing of coins or boosts. But these things can be easily hacked using softwares like GameCIH, Gamekiller, GameGuardian, etc. To use all these apps and to perform any of the game hacks Root privilege is required.

If you can buy a 700$ phone you can also spend 1 or 2 bucks and get some coins. So just don't root it.

Alternatively hackers are coming up with modified APKs of games which will enable you to have unlimited boosts. Just go for it, they won't require Root privilege.

If you have anything to say, throw your comments below. Follow RK World on Facebook or Google+ for more cool tech stuff.

Saturday 5 October 2013

Sony Xperia Z / Z1 Gallery (Album) - APK - Free Download

Sony Xperia Z one of the best looking Android phones. The Gallery of the Sony Xperia Z is known as Album has the best UI among all android phone's gallery. The thumbnail resize feature of this App is unique.

This ALBUM has now been ported and it can be installed on any device and rooting is not required.



Features:
  • Resizable thumbnails
  • Geotagging with Globe and Map view
  • Face Tagging
  • Facebook and Picasa Sync

Download link
Sony Xperia Z Gallery (Album) - APK

Thursday 3 October 2013

Top 5 reasons why Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is The King of Smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy line Android Smartphones are the best selling gadgets from past few years. The Sale of the new Samsung flagship phone Galaxy Note 3 has begun and the phone is selling like hot cakes. The incredible specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will revolutionize the performance of upcoming Smartphones from other manufacturers.


The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is The King of Android Smartphones (2013) because its Smart, Powerful and sturdy. It has been ranked No.1 among all the Android Smartphones because of its Specs and features. This Article points out those Top 5 aspects which really matters to call the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as the King of Android Smartphones (2013).

5. Revamped S Pen



S Pen the sword of the king Note 3 was initially one of the marketing strategy which Samsung used when they came up with a massive phone Samsung Galaxy Note. This strategy worked pretty well and now the flagship phone Galaxy Note 3 has a 3rd iteration of the S-Pen whose features are excluded.

The revamped S-Pen simplifies the daily tasks like Image editing, taking down the Notes, multitasking, etc. The S-Pen is Innovative, Smart and Stylish which is always the Top notch feature of the Note series.

4. Gorgeous and Massive Display



One will never go back to a phone with small-size display after using a phone like Note 3. The 1080p 5.7" Super AMOLED display is dumbfounding. The ultra-crisp display of Note 3 is much better than its very own siblings Samsung Galaxy S4 and its very own rival Apple iPhone 5S. The color reproduction is up to the mark and viewing angles far better than any other phone.

The Gorgeous and Massive Display is one of the finest features of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and it is the best for watching movies or playing games than any other Smartphone out there.

3. Multitask in multitasking while multitasking



Samsung's innovation saga continues in the this device also. The Samsnung Galaxy S4's softwares S Health pedometer, Action Memo, S Voice, Group Play, etc are also present in the Note 3. But the Multi window feature for multitasking which we had seen in Sasmnug galaxy Note 2 has got a robust improvement. The pretty amazing thing is one can Multitask in multitasking while multitasking. :D

This is one of the unique features of Samsung Galaxy Note 3. If you want to chat on Facebook, Whatsapp and on Skype and also watch videos while chatting and also take down notes and while doing all these stuffs if you feel doing some more things, then Note 3 is the only option for you.

2. Camera with 4k video recording capabilities 



The 13MP camera which incorporates BSI sensor, digital image stabilization, backed by a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) LED flash. The Note 3 can record 4K30 video or Ultra High-dentition video. 4k30 video gets recorded at 48 Mbps H.264 high profile with 1 reference frame.



Note 3’s videos come to life with its smooth recording, sharp details, accurate color reproduction, and clear audio recording. If you own a 4K TV and if you want a phone to record 4K video for your TV then Samsung Galaxy is the only choice for time being (with respect to Oct 2013).

1. Hardware Specifications and Performance 



Galaxy Note 3 has a cutting-edge 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor. That’s backed up by not 2GB but 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM, along with 32GB of internal storage.

One of the Best Galaxy line Smartphone Samsung galaxy S2 feature a dual-core processor and 1GB RAM and it still can play all HD games available in the market. But the new Note 3 has 2.3GHz quadcore processor and 3GB RAM whose performance is just unimaginable. Note 3 has now broken all the benchmarks scores. The 3GB RAM has made Multitask in multitasking while multitasking possible.

These were my TOP 5 reasons which made me to call The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as the King of Smartphones. If you any suggestions or queries, please leave your comments below.