Android Apps that change our life: Bharatgas

Most of us use our smartphones for calling, texting, taking photos and videos, listening to music, watching movies, browsing and above all playing games. But when buying a mobile we are thinking of a smartphone something that is smart and will help us simplify our lives and reduce our burden.

In this series of review  I will give you some Android apps that have definitely changed my life. Though in a small way but a change indeed! Next in the series is an app called Bharatgas. (Only for Bharatgas users in India). In the past booking for gas cylinder was a big hassle. Either one had to visit their office or keep calling their office (would be busy for hours together). What a big waste of time that was !!!!!!

When you install and open the app for the first time (and each subsequent time when you uninstall and reinstall the app) you see two options request for activation and  activate application.

On clicking request for activation you are moved to the next page which asks for Distributor code, consumer number (can be obtained through the )and mobile number for sending the activation code (only registered mobile number can be used).

 You will recieve a security code via SMS, enter it after clicking activate application and you are ready to go. You are asked to create a 4 numerical security for subsequent use. Next time you open the app enter the password created by you and are given the following options:
a. Book Cylinder
b. Know your Distributor
c. Talk To Us
d. Feedback Status
e. Rate your Distributor
f. Bharatgas Services

 Click book cylinder and confirm and voila you have booked your cylinder. (Can be done from anywhere and anytime)

A lot of hassle and time saved each time. Nothing short of a miracle!!!!!!!!

Android Apps that change our life: HealthKart Plus

Every now and then android comes with an app that is truly a game changer, something that really makes a difference to our lives. I have started this series of app review of apps that I have been using and which makes my smartphone use smart.

Healthkart Plus startup page

Next in the series is an app which I have been using on a daily basis and its HealthKart Plus. This is an app with which we can find cheaper options for medicines both among generics and branded medicines in India. Just enter either a brand name or the generic name of the drug and the app does the rest.

HealthKart Plus search page

It gives you a basic information about the drug namely 

- Detailed Drug Information
- Maximum Retail Price
- Drug Manufacturer
- Drug Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Mechanism
- Drug Contraindications
- Drug Alternatives & Prices
- Typical Usage Guidelines

HealthKart Plus search for generics

HealthKart Plus Generics

and I must say that the costs mentioned are pretty real and is definitely helped by finding medicines of right cost for themselves.

I am myself a doctor and I keep using this app in guiding my patients about generics and the low cost alternatives that are available.

Cons: Occasionally the app does give wrong search references and the times the cost given is not so correct. One has to really confirm at the local chemist, doctor and other resources to confirm things and then go ahead. It also claims for online purchase and delivery but my pin code is not served.

Despite the cons this is a really handy app and can be great tool for information for patients, doctors especially in the era of high cost for medical care.

Android Apps that change our life: ixigo PNR Status

Every now and then android comes with an app that is truly a game changer, something that really makes a difference to our lives. Till now if our rail tickets were not confirmed we had to keep checking manually for the PNR status by sending SMS or going online. It was cumbersome, time and money consuming to keep checking the PNR status.

Ixigo a travel search engine has come up with a genuinely simple and great app which does this for you automatically. I have been using this app on a regular basis and have found it extremely helpful.


ixigo PNR Status picks up the PNR from SMS either through IRCTC or through any contact as well and you can manually enter PNR as well. It can track PNR for trains as well as for flights. It supports PNRs from IRCTC as well as all major airline booking sites. 
It provides IRCTC ticket confirmation and keeps looking for PNR status in the background and informs you of any changes that occur.

This is one app I would recommend to anyone any day!!!!

ixigo PNR Status app home page

ixigo PNR status

  

Finally Samsung Galaxy Note 2 update is here. Android 4.3 jelly bean N7100XXUEMK4 in India for N7100!!

The wait is finally over!!!! The 4.3 update for Samsung galaxy Note 2 has started rolling out. As of now I am downloading the update and it is 700.62 MB in size, so on my slow network it will take some time to download. Will keep updating on the development and what the update means for us.

Sammobile reports that the changelog of this update is as follows:

• CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ANDROID 4.3 UPDATE
  - GALAXY GEAR Support
  - TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)
  - Samsung KNOX
  - Samsung Wallet (Pre-loaded)
  - Better RAM management
  - Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4′s theme all over)
  - New Samsung Keyboard
  - GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)
  - New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message
  - New screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo
  - Daydream
  - Driving mode
  - Actionable notifications
  - Move-to-SD-card feature
  - New Camera mode : Sound and Shot
  - New Additions in Notification Centre
  - Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface – Exactly like the Galaxy S4)
  - Implementation of Voice controls (Let’s you control various parts of the phone using voice commands – Galaxy S4 feature)
  - New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music
  - Full screen Samsung apps
  - New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)

To update your Galaxy Note II to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, connect your device to your computer and use Samsung KIES or simply use Samsung’s OTA service. To download and install the firmware via OTA, go to Settings > More > About Device > Software update > Update.

Model: GT-N7100
Country: India
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2099172
Build date: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:55:01 +0000
Product Code: INU
PDA: N7100XXUEMK4
CSC: N7100ODDEMK1
MODEM: N7100DDEMJ9

4.3 Download started Size 700.62mb

  

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 : Android 4.3 firmware update for India expected soon (Sammobile leaks N7100XXUEMK4)

All users of Samsung Galaxy Note 2 have been waiting endlessly for an update. We waited for a long time for a 4.2 update after the 4.1.2 stability update and realized later it was not going to happen and we are to move to 4.3 directly.

Both S3 and Note 2 users got hopeful last month after clear news of the update being near. After release of S3 update in several countries news started pouring in of S3 users from Europe complaining of unresponsive handsets, poor Wi-Fi connectivity, poor battery life, and a system hanging that required battery to be pulled out to start updated Note 2.

This report led to the speculation that Samsung might stop the Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S III which would eventually lead to delay in Android 4.3 update for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 .

Earlier this month, one user reported that he got his Note 2 updated to Android 4.3 from a service centre in India.

Yesterday Sammobile has leaked an Android 4.3 test firmware with build number N7100XXUEMK4 for Samsung Galaxy Note 2. 

Note 2 Samsung Walet Added

Knox added to Note 2

Model: GT-N7100

Country:  India

Version: Android 4.3

Changelist: 2099172

Build date: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:55:01 +0000

Product Code: INU

PDA: N7100XXUEMK4

CSC: N7100ODDEMK1

MODEM: N7100DDEMJ9

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 4.3

The site speculates that the Samsung will roll out android 4.3 update this week.

As per the site, In the Android 4.3 update, Samsung has updated the core UI elements to more like Galaxy S4/Note 3′s interface, including the tabbed settings. Samsung has included many new features in the Android 4.3 update, many taken from the Galaxy S4/Note 3. Features like Samsung Knox and Samsung Wallet are also present in this build.

Some other features expected in the update for the Galaxy Note II include OpenGL 3.0 support; improved RAM management; improved display colour reproduction; improved TouchWiz launcher; new Samsung keyboard, and new camera firmware, apart from minor UI tweaks for contacts app, flashlight widget, dialog boxes among others.

All this time the internet was afloat with rumours of all sorts but with the release of android 4.3 test firmware N7100XXUEMK4 specifically for Note 2 (GT-N7100) users in India it seems that the wait for 4.3 update is near its end!!!

Disclaimer: All images have been taken from http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5645227727152457645#editor/target=post;postID=3535877825543034648

Glossy or matt finished screen guard for Samsung galaxy note 2? Tips for smoother touch screen experience!

We all have always wanted better touch experience on our smartphones and have tried various mods and apps to change the sensitivity of the screen. But once we have applied a screen guard over the phone none of these help a lot and we have to face the problems of screen guards. Whether its the glossy one or the matte finished screen guards both come with their own sets of problems.

For some time many people have started using matte finished screen guards as they are very smooth to glide fingers over and does not end up with finger prints. They are also anti glare so reduce the amount of glare on the screen caused by reflection of external light.

But these matte finished screen guards make the screen look pixelated, unclear, less sharp and also less colourful. While using the S pen most of these matte finished screen guards don't allow for a smooth flow of the S pen. Hence the charm of having a touch screen mobile phone like Note 2 is lost.

The glossy screen guard on the other hand is a finger print magnet and doesn't remain much smooth after some time.  The screen though looks great with glossy screen guards. The colours are vibrant, clarity is superb and sharpness is maintained.

So how to get best of both worlds. A simple home grown solution will make our touchscreen experience as good as the newly purchased phone without any damage to the original screen.

Get a glossy screen guard installed on your note 2 or if you already have a glossy screen guard installed clean it with a moistened soft cloth. Clean it to dry using a soft dry cloth. Now sprinkle a very small amount of talcum powder or boric powder on the screen with glossy screen guard. Spread it on the screen using your finger. Wipe gently with a dry soft cloth and voila the screen is smooth as butter and looks as good as new.

DISCLAIMER: Whatever you do with your phone is your own responsibility.  The author and blog are not to be held responsible for any damages. 

Rumours confirmed: No 4.2.2 for Samsung Galaxy Note 2!!

Rumours that started floating a few days about Samsung skipping android 4.2.2 update for Note 2 ago have been confirmed by Telstra. As per latest info by Australian carrier Telstra, "Samsung have elected globally to skip the 4.2.2 update for this device and will instead go to a newer version of Android. No schedule has been provided for this update." 

This news talks of a newer update but doesn't mention whether it is talking about 4.3 or 5 and the biggest deal-breaker is that there seems to be no schedule for update promised for this device.

Customers have been waiting for a long time for this 4.2.2. Delays kept creeping up and now this particular update has been skipped. This shows how serious Samsung is about older flagship devices. Note 3 has brought incredible sales figures for Samsung and is an example of this giant MNC trying to save its latest flagship (S4) by making its previous flagships less desirable.

The thing to note is that this piece of news does not come directly from Samsung (not ready to face the flak of customers). So this is not to be considered as official statement but carriers always seem to have first hand information.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Skips Android 4.2.2: Telstra

Source:
1. http://www.androidcentral.com/galaxy-note-2-skip-android-42-go-straight-newer-version-says-aussie-carrier
2.  http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/07/18/samsung-galaxy-note-2-android-4-2-update-cancelled/
3. http://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Device-Updates/Handset-updates-18-July/td-p/172420