The need of a Desktop Operating System from Google.

The first thing when you hear Operating System from Google, It either gives a version of android expanded abruptly to fit a desktop monitor or the chromebook. Either of them isn't what i'm going to talk about. Chromebooks are perfectly designed, well thought of products, But when it comes to performance, they often stand behind some of the Android Tablets.

Google has already evolved into an ecosystem. They are everywhere from search, mail, online storage to thermostats, car, watches. Android is perfect when it comes to provide us a window to interact with few of the services mentioned above, but they can never replace the traditional PC. Chromebooks attempt to do the same, but doesn't excel in the performance department. Hence there is a need of a full fledged desktop operating system from Google.

Building a Desktop Operation System from 0's and 1's will obviously take 3-5 years, that may give us some half baked result. Which will need further more time to perfect. Obviously not a good option!
My recommendation/opinion/idea my sound vague, but I feel it is one of the better alternatives, to build an operating system from scrap. Instead of starting from scrap, Why not start from an existing resource? And yes i'm pointing towards, Linux( Ubuntu in specific ). To it's core like Android, its an open source operating system.

Here are some of the core features I would like to discuss about the Google version of Ubuntu :

1. Compatible (or at least interactive towards) Android Devices : An average Android smartphone user is not using 600 USD phone. An average user is obviously using some Android version which is not KitKat (I use a phone which runs on Android v4.2.2 & a Nexus 7 grouper which didn't get android L developer preview). However average android user is mostly covered with a PC for all his/her computing needs, why not enter that space? A PC that doesn't interact the way Android (L) interacts with chromebooks. At the same time, the user never will prefer chromebook over a traditional PC.

2. Blessed with applications : Initially you can allow some means to port Android apk's to linux , until the application space grows to something of a success . And later (Like tablets) you could have a separate section on Play Store for Desktop. Hope this version could come out in such a way that it could have the best of both, Android apps and Linux apps.

3. Media Powerhouse : Desktop be the place where one could consume and create media. A powerful tool that could handle Images(Snapseed on Desktop?)/ Videos/Music(Play music enhancements)

4. Developer Friendly( I think that will come by default ) and easy availability ,anywhere on this planet.

Wildcard points, Big fan of Material design and Android version nomenclature.

I would in short call this a skinned version of Ubuntu, That can run android apps. And fills the void of Google absence in the Desktop OS.

Sahil Satishkumar for SahRckrTech Weekly.

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How to manually install Android 4.4.3 to your Nexus device using Ubuntu

(Sahil Satishkumar,@SahRckr)

So you've probably heard that Google has released the android 4.4.3 factory images for the nexus devices, Sadly OTA upgrades for most of the nexus lineup is not yet out.

If you want to upgrade your Nexus device to 4.4.3 without waiting for the OTA, (or you have a bricked device and have the necessary image files) Continue reading, as these are the instructions to upgrade your nexus device to android KitKat 4.4.3

This upgrade was done on a Nexus 7, 2012 wifi. Other nexus device users have to download different files, mentioned specifically.

[DISCLAIMER: The Author or The company is not responsible for any harm caused to your device after following this tutorial.]

List of required Software/Hardware:

• A PC running on Ubuntu/Linux distro with a USB port.
• A Nexus 4/5/7(2012 or 2013)/10.
• a Micro-USB to USB cable.
• For Nexus 7 2012 wifi: Android 4.4.3 image file, Fastboot
• For other nexus devices : Find your device in this list of image file. Download the correct version. Also just keep a fastboot for your device ready.
• lots of patience.

Assuming that you have all the things mentioned above, it may now take around 15 minutes to complete this process.

Before doing anything to your device, ensure atleast 50% of juice in your battery. Connect your device to your Ubuntu/Linux PC using the micro-USB to USB cable. If possible keep a backup of all the user data files for you to restore later.

(Short tip : Terminal shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T)

1. Download the required development tools.

You'll need fastboot and adb development tools ready in your Ubuntu/Linux PC.

Open the terminal and type each of the commands to install these tools.

$sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb

$sudo apt-get install android-tools-fastboot

2. Enable USB debugging option in your nexus device.

Go to Settings > About tablet > Build number.

Select Build number 7 times. This will make you a developer

After becoming a developer,

Go to settings>developer options, Tick the USB debugging option.

You will be asked to authenticate your current PC, And press OK.

After this step you only have to work with your computer keyboard mostly, so you can keep your nexus device connected to the PC away from your hands.

3. Flash the image file.

You must have downloaded the image file. Extract the .tgz file using Archive Manager and move the bootloader-grouper-4.23.img, flash-all.sh and image-nakasi-ktu84l.zip to another folder, say, for my device nakasi-ktu84l in the desktop(or anywhere comfortable).

To this same folder (nakasi-ktu84l) you should move the adb-linux and fastboot-linux, which you'll find inside your fastboot.zip download.

folder (nakasi-ktu84l)In the terminal locate this folder.

( Simple command for the same is given below, remove '*'

$ cd *drag and drop your folder to terminal*

Location or Path of folder mean the same)

Run the command, mentioned below

$ adb reboot bootloader

This command will take you to the bootloader's and keep you in the fastboot mode.

(You'll see a Android droid with *a portion of stomach open* lying horizontally as if it were to be operated upon, That's really funny! )

After Entering the fastboot mode, run the command

$./flash-all.sh

you will be told that this step will unlock you bootloader and warranty will be void(This will be taken care of later). Also you'll loose user data. To which you should select yes.

( to those who are interested, what this shell script does is,

{

fastboot oem unlock

fastboot erase boot

fastboot erase cache

fastboot erase recovery

fastboot erase system

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot flash bootloader respective-bootloader-img-file.img

fastboot reboot-bootloader

sleep 10

fastboot -w update respective-OS-image-file.zip

}

Basically the shell script command Unlocks your device, erases your memory,cache,recovery, and flashes new OS, bootloader file, and it boots back to your OS )

4. Enable USB debugging option in your nexus device. (Same as step 2)

And enter to fastboot mode again using the command.

$ adb reboot bootloader

5. Download and install custom recovery, and finally root your device (optional)

If you want to install custom recovery for your device and root your device, execute this step, else head to step 6

Download TWRP recovery kit, image file for nexus 7 wifi, 2012

For other devices : Find your device in this list of image files. Download the correct version.

Keep this file in a known, easily accessible location in your PC.

Run the command given below , remove '*'.

$ sudo fastboot flash recovery*location-of-TWRP.img*

(you can use the drag and drop technique for location of the image file)

Navigate using the volume keys, enter recovery mode. This will take you to TWRP recovery mode.

Select cancel if you are asked for a password.

On the next screen choose reboot. Then choose recovery.

Lastly boot to your Android OS , Download and install super user (It'll be waiting in the notification), This will take back to recovery mode. after few operations it'll boot back to your Android OS.

Before heading to the next step in your terminal run the command

$ adb reboot bootloader

6. Lock you bootloader

After performing all the steps above you have to keep in mind that you have lost you warranty by unlocking the bootloader,

To keep you warranty intact Locked bootloader is mandatory which can be done by this simple command in the terminal

$ sudo fastboot oem lock

These were the quick 6 steps to upgrade your nexus device to android 4.4.3!

Sorry for not uploading any screenshots, by the time I started typing this article, my device was already restoring apps on android 4.4.3

Please let me know in the comments sections for any help!

Sahil Satishkumar for SahRckrTech Weekly.

Check out the same uploads on SahRckrTech.Blogspot.in

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Editor's recommendation: Titanium Backup

Wishlist for tech-2014!

(-Sahil Satishkumar, @SahRckr)

There are many wishlist option available in the accounts section for all the online electronics store. But then there is a wishlist of my own in my head about the current technology that rings everyday in my head, so here they are listed. (They're not in any order!)

1. Invisible Earphones:      

     

     There cannot be any demonstration for this variant but the name has all the specifications. And you read it right "Invisible" earphones. But this doesn't involve any surgery. Current generation PMP, Smartphones, gives us the freedom to keep them somewhere not visible to others, and again, we never have to reveal which song is on at the moment.  But the earphones always gives out a hint that we are listening to something. Which maybe irritating at some social gatherings that you have to attend (forcefully?).

2. Lower end smartphones: 

     

     This is not something I came up with. I've heard this from one of the Pocketnow Daily, videos by Jaime Rivera (Follow them. They're awesome). Where he suggests, Instead of selling us cheap and stupid smartphones, Why not sell us the previous generation smartphones at a lot cheaper rates!?

My opinion, Sounds illogical? Well it is not! Its lot cheaper for the OEMs to manufacture previous generation phones, with older components, than the newer one's with newer components.

3. iPhones: 

     Okay! Apple fanboys. I agree Apple has one of the best designed phones in the market. Also the camera optics are simply fantastic, And i personally like the stock keyboard on those tiny device. But they don't come cheap, and they don't come flavoured with Android.

Taking all the possible combinations with Apple phones my bag of wishlist has:

•     high resolution 1080p 5 inch Apple iPhone, 
•     4.3 inch 720p Apple iPhone running on Android 4.4, And 
•      4 inch 32GB Apple iPhone 4/4S sold for 100-200 USD (in India).

4. More Qwerty phones: 

     If you've read my article Eclipse of Qwerty, you'll probably know how obsessed I'm with the qwerty form factor. Many of us are. But then the touchscreen smartphones have made a big dent on the Qwerty marketshare. The only cuurent generation Qwerty smartphones which are available(in India) are from the BlackBerry. And not everyone likes BB OS. So in my wishlist bag there are Qwerty phones, Android Qwerty phones, Apple Qwerty phones, Windows Qwerty phones, Qwerty Tablets, bluetooth Qwerty keyboard, and then the bag bursts.

5. Unbreakable displays: 

          

     Your 700-800 USD Smartphone/Tab says "Corning Gorilla Glass 3", it doesn't mean that your device will survive through anything challenged to it. Gorilla Glass does a decent job of protecting your device from scratches and some level of shock resistance, But OnePlus One says "NEVER SETTLE". Wish displays on our handheld devices were actually shatter resistant, After all they are the second most expensive components if you were to sort them in cost/density. 

P.S.:I don't intend to evolve the current generation phones to weapons.

6. The need of a new universal port for the handheld devices: 

     Assuming that the 3.5 mm jack is reserved for audio output, the micro usb port reserved for charging and data sync. Where do I connect my other peripherals? Probably the one's that do not eat up the battery. Let that port interact with external keyboards, card readers, extra charging port, other phones running on same OS?

Well this idea is more of an experimental than it being practical. But then it's compelling factor.

7. Let android devices talk to each other: 

     Everything mentioned above was more of the hardware side, this one tends more on the software side. To those of you who don't know. I've a Nexus 7, 2012 tab and a Lenovo A516 phone signed in from the same Google account. When i'm outdoors, my nexus is deprived of the Internet connection, same doesn't apply for my phone. Also even for minor file transfers I've to rely on 3rd party applications. Which is actually not so comfortable provided the face that both of the devices are belonging to the same account. Not every city in any country of this world has access to open WiFi network. So there should be a level of offline hand shake alliance between Android devices.

Well these are few of the things on wishlist I wanted to share with you guys! Let me know if something that you know has some weight to it!

Sahil Satishkumar for SahRckrTech Weekly

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Editor's note: Since all of our writer's are currently unavailable, the number of posts/week is going to reduce for a month. Blame the examination season.

Review - Karbonn A12+, A glimpse on the inferior market

( -Murali Aggithaya )

Well Well Well. A review on the Karbonn branded phone! *Hmm* That sounds "Cheap". So, is this phone that obviously so marked down??

After having the phone for about 4 months , I am proud to say that its a "Bang for the Buck" considering the price is well around ₹4800 (Less than 100 USD).

[DISCLAIMER: The review device - Karbonn A12+ was used for more than 3 months. ]

There has been a lot of instances where one of my classmates or a strange co-passenger sees the phone and asks, "Is that a new Sony Phone?" and I pathetically node my head and say "No, its Karbonn A12+". As soon as they hear the name Karbonn, they just take their eyes off the phone and pretend the conversation was never made. But let me assure my readers here, the phone doesn't empty your pockets if you are buying and does an excellent job as a daily driver.
Let me say this, this is not a review of detailed explanation of each and every aspect of the phone. Rather a writeup of my thoughts regarding the phone.
Okay, here goes the Textbook Specifications.

• • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
  • Connectivity Options: Dual SIM: 3G/2G, WiFi, GPS with A-GPS, Bluetooth with A2DP
  • 1.3 GHz Dual Core Processor (ARMv7)
  • Mediatek MT6572 Chipset , Mali 400MP GPU
  • 512 MB RAM (470 MB User Available)
  • 4 GB Internal Storage (671 MB for System partition, 1.36 GB for applications, 1.33 GB for internal sd card)
  • 4 inch IPS Display with 480x800 (WVGA) resolution
  • 5 MP Rear camera with flash, snaps photos in 2560x1920 and videos in 720p resolution
  • 2 MP front camera, snaps photos in 1200x1600 and videos in 480p resolution
  • 1400 mAh Battery
  • G-Sensor, Proximity Sensor

So some of you may surely be underwhelmed by the technical specifications here when you might have got your hands on to those "Flagship" devices. But let me question you this, Is it necessary to have a phone of such great specifications in your pocket and, and don't use it efficiently. So, just use a phone that is cheap(in terms of price) does a reasonably good job of manipulating whatever task that you throw at it.

HARDWARE:

So let me come to the hardware part of the phone. The phone has a power button in the top right section and the button is pretty much clicky. There is a volume control button in the top left side of the phone and right section of the phone is absolutely empty. The phone looks much better some other brands at the price. One of the small drawbacks which i have found out is that in-order to insert or remove memory card, the battery must be removed

The 4 inch screen may not seem big considering the flagship standards where any phone under 5 inch is a small phone. But i can just say this, I have watched more than 50 hours of Movies and Series and yet my eyes work pretty much the same. I have never experienced any pain or glitch in my eyes. The screen is really bright considering the IPS display panel and the viewing angle is one of the best for any under 100 USD smartphone. You can very well read texts through the display at full brightness under direct sunlight.

I seldom talk through phone, but when I get calls from home, the quality is moderately high. You can pretty much hear everything the other user has to say and as per their feedback, the mic also receives the voice pretty clear.

MEDIA:

I can pretty much assure you readers that the phone can play any graphically intense games such as Asphalt 8, Real racing 3, Modern Combat 4 etc without a lag and that is truly amazing for a phone at this price point.

The Internet Experience has been really up to the mark considering you have a 3G connectivity and your work can be done without any hassle. You can look into Gaming reviews in youtube and make yourself believe what this little piece can handle.

EVERYTHING ELSE:

The battery life as I consider is well above average and it you just need to give a quick full charge once a day and the phone will just handle itself well. One thing I have noticed is, the phone charges faster than my previous Samsung device. It charges around 1% in less than a minute.

The only downside I have notices are the cameras. Well, it rather disappointed me in that section and I use it rarely to snap photos. The 5 MP camera is good for nothing. Even under daylight, the Photos look over saturated and you might get hesitant to look the pictures you have captured for the second time. But, it didn't affect me much since I use my BlackBerry Bold for that purpose.

So, concluding my write up here, the phone really excels in the performance section. Really this is a Beast when you consider the price but lacks a good camera. This phone will pretty much serve you a good companion for your Chatting, Browsing and Gaming and as I said it is a great "Value for Money" smart-phone.

What is your opinion on the current generation low range devices that available, Do you think after the launch of Motorola Moto E will this segment exist?

Murali Aggithaya for  SahRckrTech Weekly.

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Editor Recommendations:

Motorola Moto E

Nokia X (If services mean a lot to you!)

Time Travel with Nexus 7, 2012

 

(Sahil Satishkumar, @SahRckr)

 

Nexus 7, codenamed grouper, was the first device to feature the Android 4.1 JellyBean OS. Being blessed with Project butter this 7" Android tablet was the best under 200 USD tablet available in the market. This Nexus tablet was bought during the late Nov 2013. I traded my HTC One S C2 for Nexus 7. This may sound bit crazy, also consider it fits my usage. I use it as my primary device. I spend most of the time with my tab than my other slower option Lenovo A516. That was how Nexus 7 entered in my arsenal. So after 6 months of usage and 2 years from launch how does the device excel.

 

Hardware:

Nexus 7 came with a Tegra 3 processor clocked at 1.3 GHz and a gig of RAM. My usage I would say is higher than average. I conquer the web, Social Networking, lots of messaging, downloads, media consumption, and what not!? Battery life is quite okay on the device and I use the age old, Developer abandoned Juice Defender to extend my battery life to approximately 16 hrs a day. Wish there was at least a 3 MP camera on the rear of the device, but still its acceptable to date. Imagine a guy taking photographs on a 7'' device , W.E.I.R.D. ! As of the display its a 7'' , 1280x800 px decent IPS display which has Gorilla Glass 2. I will conclude that the display is Scratch-Resistant and not scratch proof as the company claims. You're better off with a scratch guard in exchange of some juice. My device has minute scratches. The buttons and the side details are fine to this date. Also the dimpled back design of my tab was protected by an Amzer Pouch.

 

[DISCLAIMER: The review device - Nexus 7, 2012 was used for more than 3 months for this post. ]

Software:

 This the part where the device excels , the device has received all major android version upgrades from Android 4.1->Android 4.2.2->Android 4.3->Android 4.4(KitKat). The device currently boasts Android 4.4.2 which is the latest Android version available, even after 2 years from launch. More over the hardware in the device allows us to mostly every application in the play store. Including graphic intense games. There are no compatibility issues because of the hardware. There is a bit of Android lag on the device after using it for a long time, which can be seized by few restarts after few days or so. I always found the Font boring, so i've installed Ubuntu Font on my device( with root permission you can use iFont for non-Samsung devices )

And everything else:

The unnecessary Google applications which cannot be used because of country issues (Google Earth, Google Wallet which don't work in India) cannot be uninstalled. It's just that allowing some stupid applications that don't do anything for me cannot take space from my device. Limited storage always is a negative point. I also have root access. Hence trying out new applications is a breeze. There is crazy issue I face sometimes, The device gets too heated up when kept inside my backpack at times. Which becomes bothering, But then it chills off when kept outside.

Conclusion:

With time devices do age well, but Google along with Asus has proved that a device need not be 500 USD for the specifications to be high end without missing out features. Devices don't need that extra metal wrapping around them to live around consumers for a long time. Nexus 7 is a No Nonsense device that does what it's meant to even after a time hop of 2 years. Every part of this device is worth the 200 USD tag.

The new iteration of the Nexus ditches the Tegra for Snapdragon, more RAM, Display Resolution, a back camera. But the price difference between the two devices is ~168 USD (in the Indian Market), But the later version has the longer Google supported services!

 

Review score:9.2/10 So tell us what do you feel about the first Nexus Tab. Also let me know the common problems faced by the Nexus 7, or the newer version.

Sahil Satishkumar for SahRckrTech Weekly Check out the same uploads on SahRckrTech.Blogspot.in

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Personal Recommendation:

Bluetooth Keyboard that comforts your typing style- Increases productivity of your tablet ( evolves to semi PC )

Nexus 7/Nexus 7(2013)   Update (5th June, 2014) : Guide to upgrade nexus 7(or any other nexus device) to Android 4.4.3 using Linux can be found here.