5 free apps to make your old Android smartphone feel faster

You don't need to buy a new Android phone every six months. Instead just use these apps to ensure that your Android phone feels brand new for a long, long time.

One of the biggest complaint I hear from most Android smartphone users is that their phone feels “slow” especially when compared to the new Android smartphone their friend just bought. If you own a budget Android smartphone (think- a phone priced between Rs. 8K and Rs. 15K), chances are that about six months down the line, you will start wishing for a new phone. This is not only because you start feeling that your phone is getting slower, and its battery is running out quicker, but also because of the staggering rate at which new Android phones are being launched with incremental specs updates.

 

So, if you’re one such individual, let these five (free!) apps help you rise from the pits of despair by making your “old” Android phone feel new again.

 

1. Android Assistant

 

Price: Free

Download Link 

 

Android Assistant is perhaps the only system optimizer tool that you need for your Android phone, but if I stopped right here, then this wouldn’t be much of a story, would it? The app includes a bunch of features that you’d find in individual apps out there such as a system monitor, a task manager, a file manager and a power saver among many others. The app’s interface is a little stark but good enough to tell you what you need to.

 

This is a great one-stop app that you can use to optimize your Android phone’s performance and improve its battery life.

 

 

2. Smart RAM Booster

 

Price: Free

Download Link

 

Smart RAM Booster is an app you should use if you notice regular slowdowns when you’re running an app. This app lets you ‘kill’ low priority apps that may be hogging system memory and reassigning RAM to an app that you’re running at the moment. Keep in mind that Android does intelligently assign system RAM according to use, therefore do not make a habit of killing apps manually. Instead, only rely on this app if you’re having occasional trouble with a single app.

 

 

3. Greenify

 

Price: Free

Download Link

 

As I mentioned above, it’s not always a good idea to manually ‘kill’ apps that may be running in the background. Doing this regularly could actually ‘break’ the functionality of an app. That’s why Greenify is such a great app to have. It improves the performance and battery life of your Android phone not by killing apps but rather by putting them into ‘hibernation’. This means that apps that have been selected for hibernation will still run in the background but will do so while taking up very little RAM and consequently, will improve battery life.

 

 

4. Clean Master

 

Price: Free

Download Link

 

Like Android Assistant, Clean Master also offers a bunch of features including a built-in antivirus and a RAM booster. However, the focus of the app is its ability to clean the cache and junk files that may have accumulated in your system and SD card memory. If you have a lot of apps installed and have been using your Android phone for a while, chances are that a lot of these unnecessary files may have piled up, which could result in a performance hit. Clean Master takes care of that and, as a bonus, it also gives you the option to clean up your Google search and Web history on the phone.

 

 

5. Watchdog Task Manager

 

Price: Free

Download Link 

 

Look, I hate to act like your mother, but I do have to keep reminding you that killing apps in Android is not something you should do regularly. If at any point in time you feel like you have to kill an app, make sure you do it for a good reason. And hey, Watchdog Task Manager is an app that will help you keep track of such reasons. Even the app says “Stop killing your apps randomly” on its Play Store page, so you know it has its heart in the right place. What the app does is monitor how much system resource every app is utilizing and then gives you a notification when it sees an app hogging up resources and slowing down your phone. At this point, you can use Watchdog to kill that app and prevent it from restarting immediately (a behaviour common to a lot of Android apps).

 

Source: ThinkDigit

Top tips to take care of your feet

Did you know that your feet are the most abused and often used parts of the body? You walk, run, step into all kinds of places and your feet never complain. And do they get the kind of attention they actually deserve? Most likely, the answer is no.

Top tips to take care of your feetYour feet face numerous problems ever day – from foot odour to cracked skin, corns, fungal infections to ingrown toenails. Today we’ll give you a few tips on how to keep your feet healthy and happy:

Wash every day

Washing your feet daily is a must. Your feet are exposed to a lot of dirt and dust throughout the day. The moisture and sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. So make sure you wash your feet once you get home. Use a mild soap and pay more attention to the gaps in between the toes and pat dry them with a towel. You could use a foot powder as this will keep your feet dry for longer. By following this routine, you are also making sure that your bed, where you rest and relax is clean. In addition, exfoliate your feet once a week to remove the dead skin on the heel and toes.

Comfortable shoes

Make sure you always buy a pair of shoes that fit right. If your shoes are too tight it may cause pain, hammer toe, ingrown toenails or corns. On the other hand, extra-large shoes may make you uncomfortable while you walk, cause blisters and sore heels. Did you know that your feet actually stretch out by the end of the day? So, if you want to shop for a pair of shoes, do it in the evening after you finish work! Here’s an interesting fact – your feet actually becomes slightly bigger/larger (a half size perhaps) as you age. So, if you were a size 6.5 when you were 20 years old, your feet may not fit into the same sized shoes 10 years later. Also, do not wear high-healed shoes regularly as they can damage the bones of your feet. It is OK to wear them occasionally, but for daily wear pick a pair of comfortable flat soled shoes/slipper/sandal.

Moisturise

This might sound like we are contradicting what we said earlier about keeping your feet dry. However, moisturising your feet is important. Your feet endure a lot of wear and tear throughout the day which may cause dryness and cracks. And if you wear sandals more frequently, this problem may worsen. However, the cure is quite simple. Rub in a moisturiser which contains cocoa butter every morning before stepping out. You can also do make it a nightly routine.

Always wear socks

Now that you know how important it is to wear comfortable shoes, we’ll tell you about the significance of socks. Your socks, apart from protecting your feet from the daily grime and dirt also absorb the moisture, as your feet tend to sweat through the day. And if your work requires you to stand all day or most of the day, a soft pair of socks is ideal as they add some shock absorption. Also, socks help reduce blisters and calluses.

Drink water

Did you know that dehydration may cause cracks in your feet? So, drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day is a must. When your body is hydrated, your skin automatically becomes soft and supple. In addition to drinking water, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with high water content like water melon, oranges, pineapple, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots.

Tips for soft, supple feet

Salt soak – Dissolve half cup of baking soda and half a cup of sea salt in hot water. Soak your feet in the water till the water turns warm. Salt is anti-bacterial, baking soda softens your skin and, aids exfoliation.

Pumice stone – Use a pumice stone to scrub your heels every day. This method not just removes all the dead skin but also makes your feet soft.

Pedicure – Go for a pedicure at least once every month. You can do this at home as well. Add a mild shampoo to warm water, soak your feet for about 10 minutes and then scrub your feet with a scrubber. This will help in exfoliating and keep your heels crack free.

Photograph via sxc.hu

Source: Yahoo!

Banana Yogurt Moisturising Face Mask–Natural beauty

Beauty doesn’t have to involve expensive creams and make up tricks. In this series, Bhavna shows  simple home remedies to really help your body, skin and hair shine. 

Banana Yoghurt Moisturizing Face Mask

Did you know that skin is the largest organ in your body? Well, with winter season in gear, our skin generally tends to dry out, so today I’m going to show you a quick and easy face mask that will add moisture and glow back into your skin!

Moisturising Banana Yogurt Face Mask

You only need three ingredients for this – a half of a ripe banana, half cup of plain yoghurt, and a teaspoon of honey.

• First, crush the banana in a small bowl getting rid of all lumps. Bananas are amazing because they have vitamin c and antioxidants which help cleanse the skin of free radicals.
• Once you’ve made a paste of the banana, add the spoon of honey and yoghurt and stir and mix till its smooth. Yoghurt cools the skin, reducing any redness and tightens pores. Honey is a natural antibiotic so it can kill any bacteria in your skin as well as adding moisture.
• As with any face mask, it’s important to make sure you have a clean face, devoid of make up first.
• Generously apply the mask to your face and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Use warm water to wash it off. Finally, splash some cold water on your face to close up your pores.

Source: Yahoo!

Nokia announces 3 Android smartphones

Nokia has introduced three Android smartphones under the Nokia X series at the ongoing Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain. The smartphones Nokia X, X+ and XL run on the Nokia X software platform that is based on Android. The Nokia X, X+, and XL are priced at € 89 (Rs 7,500 approx), € 99 (Rs 8,500), and € 109 (Rs 9,300), respectively.

Nokia X is the entry-level model that comes with 4-inch IPS LCD display, 512 MB RAM and 4GB memory expandable up to 32 GB. It has a 3MP fixed focus camera. Nokia X gives 13.3 hours of talk time on 2G and 10.5 hours talk time on 3G network. Standby time is up to 28.5 days.

Nokia X+ also has 4-inch IPS LCD display but it packs 768 MB RAM and has 4GB memory expandable up to 32 GB. There is 3MP fixed focus camera. It gives 13.3 hours of talk time on 2G and 10.5 hours talk time on 3G network. Standby time is up to 28.5 days.

Nokia XL sports 5-inch IPS LCD display, 768 MB RAM, 4GB memory expandable up to 32 GB. It features a 5MP autofocus camera with flash and 2MP front camera. It gives 16 hours of talk time on 2G and 13 hours talk time on 3G network. Standby time is up to 41 days.

The Nokia X software is a forked variant of Android and it has added elements from Nokia's Asha and Windows phone software to offer a different user experience. The drawback here is that you can install Android apps through Nokia store but not through Google Play store.

These phones are dual-SIM devices and are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor. They come with pre-installed apps such as BBM, Plants vs Zombies 2, Viber, Vine and Twitter. Nokia’s Here Maps and offline maps come pre-installed. There is also a 7GB of free cloud storage from Microsoft OneDrive.

Nokia X+ and Nokia XL would be available in early Q2 2014. However, Nokia did not give the time frame for India launch.

Source: Yahoo!

Celebrating Maha Shivratri

Celebrating Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri Special Songs JukeBox

The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great religious fervor all over India as well as its neighboring country Nepal. This festival holds a great importance in the lives of Hindus, especially Shiva followers who await the coming of this special night every year on the 14th New Moon of Maagha (Hindu month of Jan and Feb) and Phalgun (Hindu month of Feb and March), as per the Hindu calendar on the Chaturdashi of Krishna paksha.

Many mythical stories associated with this "big night of Lord Shiva":

Different reference books and Puranas associate the origin of this day with different events; some attribute Maha Shivratri as the night when Lord Shiva did Tandava, others associate it as the day when he drank the poisonous drink "halahal" and came to be known as Neelkantha. There are others who believe it as the night when he got married to Goddess Paravati while some communities celebrate it as the birthday of Lord Shiva when he came in the form of lingam. Despite the multiple reasons for celebration, the enthusiasm among the Shiva bhaktas is infectious. This year, Maha Shivratri falls on the 27th of February, 2014 and preparations have already started in all the Shiva temples.

The main rituals involving purification, virtue and enlightenment:

It starts with bathing the lingam with milk, curd, honey, ghee and water. Later, the leaves of Bel fruit along with betel leaves, flowers and fruits like dhatura and baer are placed around the lingam.

Sandalwood paste is applied on the lingam.

Incense sticks are burned along with the ghee lamp.

Hymns and mantras are recited which are concluded with Shiva aarti in the end.

Food and Fasting:

The significance of this festival is grand both for married as well as unmarried women and all those who want to fulfill their desires. Many devotees keep fast on this day till midnight and start their day with the worship of Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple is flooded with devotees who perform all the rituals of Shiva lingam pooja and all the rituals continue throughout the night.

Post rituals the other crucial thing is the procedure of fasting where you can have saatvik food like sabudana khichdi, bhang, thandai for dinner. Wearing a rudraksha mala is considered to be very auspicious as rudraksha beads are supposed to have been originated from the tears of Lord Shiva. There is constant recitation of "Om Namah Shivaya" and Mahamritiyunjay Jap.

Relevance of Maha Shivratri:

Apart from keeping fast, simply worshipping the lingam after taking bath grants the blessings of Lord Shiva and the person is said to achieve moksha. This day is celebrated more like a festival with feasting and fairs hosted in different cities. The worshipping of Lord Shiva helps in attaining liberation from all past sins and awakens spirituality.

The significance of this festival is associated with the revival of creative spirit and the whole notion behind creation, destruction and maintenance that are an intricate part of our lives. It helps in strengthening the body, mind and soul guiding us towards enlightenment and happiness. This day marks the union of Shiva and Shakti, the Goddess of energy.

Source: Yahoo!

5 tools to make your own music

If you are musically inclined, check out this software to help you make your own music

Music has an obvious effect on our subconscious. It permeates deep, and persists longer than anything else. Even those of us who are not particularly gifted in the creation aspect can appreciate greatness when we listen to some good music. And sometimes that passive approach may evoke a flash-in-the-pan moment of greatness and desire to create.

Maybe it’s an awesome tune that comes to you in the middle of the night or a string of lyrics that you’d love to hear set to a good riff. Fear not for there are some tools out there that can help make good music, even at the hands of an amateur.
Just a few tips to keep in mind before you go ahead and try our recommended software below:

An elementary know-how of music is called for. You may not need to know what an octave or the significance of notes and pitches, but if you’re almost tone-deaf, try something else. Maybe Dubstep.

It would come in handy to at least know the difference between a bass guitar and bass drum. You know – basics. A sense of music would also be helpful.

Basically – you can try your hand at stock loops and putting them together to make music. But remember, as is true with anything else, practice makes perfect.
Keep in mind, the words of inspiration delivered by Sir Michael Caine...

...and Paul Rudd.

	Acoustica Mixcraft 6: Hands down: The smoothest Audio Editing software out there for Windows. Though it got some flac(k) back in the day for being designed after Apple’s ‘Garage Band’, over time, it’s certainly proved its worth, expanding to sync-sound and limited video editing as well. Mixcraft 6 is available for anything between $49 and $169. http://dgit.in/amixc6
Apple’s Garage Band: It’s only fair to give due credit to the software that brought pro-level audio editing onto the home PC. Apple’s Garage Band changed the world of home audio recording and processing since its inception back in 2004. Though the exclusive nature of the software to Mac and iOS may reduce its customer base, it still stands tall. And now comes built into OSX. http://dgit.in/apgarba
	Fruity Loops Studio 11: Fruity Loops Studio is one of the pioneers in synthesized sounds. Fruity Loops 11 is an all-out audio synthesizer for your PC. Multi-track recording is limited to your audio inputs and includes over 30 audio synthesizers. Available for $99-$299 on the FL Store. http://dgit.in/FLSv11
Adobe Audition: And when it all comes down to it, Adobe is always around for media editing. Adobe’s Audition is the go-to software for professional audio editing. Audition’s a powerful tool, so use it wisely. It’s not meant for people looking to just fool around. It’s precise with its purpose – Audio editing and multi-track recording. Available at Adobe online for $349 http://dgit.in/buyacs6
	Native Instruments - Komplete Native Instruments is a professional-level audio editing and software merging elements of Nuendo and Garage Band, with the added bonus of having plugins that act as pedals and processors for your instruments right there on your PC, making audio recording that much simpler – and to top it off, it’s free! http://dgit.in/FLNoMo Source: ThinkDigit

Outernet: Providing information to the world from outer space

MDIF is incubating its first project: Outernet, the world’s first truly global media delivery service.

Founded by MDIF’s Director of Innovation Syed Karim, Outernet will use a network of small satellites to transmit selected internet data – audio, video, text and applications – to any Wi-Fi-enabled device, including mobile phones, anywhere in the world at no cost. No other information channel allows for such a wide variety of content, or broadcasts on a genuinely world-wide scale.

“We are excited to incubate such a revolutionary project,” said MDIF CEO Harlan Mandel. “Outernet will bypass censorship, ensure privacy and offer worldwide access to information to everyone, including those who today are beyond the geographic reach of the internet or can’t afford it.”

“Outernet is the modern version of shortwave radio,” said founder Mr. Karim. “It uses leading-edge technology to address a deep social problem. As the world moves towards a global knowledge-driven economy, more than 3 billion people are excluded by cost, geography or jurisdiction. Outernet will increase opportunities for everyone to access digital news and information, allowing greater access to opportunity and education than anything that currently exists.”

Outernet will also offer a humanitarian communications system, relaying public service transmissions during emergencies in places where there is no access to conventional communications networks due to natural disasters or man-made restrictions on the free-flow of information.

It embraces the burgeoning new-space startup industry, leveraging multicasting technology to take the Wi-Fi network to an extreme. Anyone with a device will be able to receive the signals, regardless of connectivity to the regular internet. Costly data plans from local telecom operators will no longer be a barrier to accessing information.

All of the components necessary for the Outernet have been validated by various governmental, university and amateur satellite projects. Outernet will bring these technologies together, provide standardization where none exists, and build a genuinely innovative global media delivery platform.

For more information, visit: Outernet 

Source: MDIF

The Nokia X Android phones are here- the X, the X+ and the XL

Introducing the new Nokia X family of devices - the Nokia X, X+ and XL. The Nokia X smartphone family combine Nokia design, build quality and gives you access to the world of Android apps, benefits from signature Nokia experiences including MixRadio and HERE maps, and offers an introduction to Microsoft's most popular services such as Skype, OneDrive and Outlook.com.

Nokia 220 and Asha 230 low-cost phones announced

First hands-on with the Nokia 220

Nokia Asha 230 - Fast, Easy, Smooth

Car prices slashed by up to Rs 135,000

After a year of roller-coaster ride that had auto companies in the red, the industry could see a pick-up in sales with major manufacturers reducing prices up to a maximum of six per cent on Wednesday.

Following the reduction of excise duty on passenger cars in the Interim Budget, the country’s biggest carmakers Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Motor India (HMI) reduced prices across product portfolios.

Honda Cars India, Volkswagen, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Fiat also announced price cuts.

While Maruti’s price reduction ranges between Rs  8,502 and Rs 30,984 across models, Hyundai slashed prices by between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1,35,300. The petrol variant of Maruti Swift will be cheaper by Rs  15,000-Rs  17,000 and the diesel one about Rs  20,000-Rs 24,000.

“The entire benefit of the excise duty cut is being passed on to customers for the full range of models,” Maruti said in a statement.

Alto hatchback will be cheaper by Rs  8,502, SX4 by a maximum Rs  30,984, Celerio Rs  13,615, Alto K10 Rs  11,304, Omni Rs  8,698, Eeco Rs  10,881, WagonR Rs  12,578, A-Star by Rs 13,482, Estillo Rs  12,148, Ritz Rs  15,130 and Ertiga Rs  18,747.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe will be cheaper by Rs 135,000. Volkswagen reduced the price of Polo by a minimum Rs 18,000 and that of Jetta by a maximum Rs 51,000.

Rakesh Srivastava, HMI senior vice-president (sales and marketing) said that the company will extend the benefit of the excise duty cuts to customers with immediate effect and will also support its dealerships suitably.

M&M reduced prices of its passenger vehicles between Rs  13,000 and Rs  49,000. The company also lowered prices of its premium sport utility vehicle Rexton by up to Rs  92,000.

Remaining carmakers are expected to reduce prices in the next couple of days.

“We are confident that the reduction in prices by Mahindra as well as other auto companies would provide the much- needed fillip to the auto industry,” said Pravin Shah, M&M chief executive (automotive division).

Source: Yahoo!

India gets 29th state: Rajya Sabha passes Telangana Bill

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) Parliament Thursday gave its approval to carve out Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh as India's 29th state, with the Rajya Sabha passing the bill for creation of the new state by a voice vote amid bedlam.

Intervening in the debate on the bill which was marked by several adjournments and slogan shouting by members opposed to the creation of the new state, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sought to reach out to Seemandhra, announcing a special package for the region.

Members of Communist Party of India-Marxist and DMK staged a walk out before the bill was passed, while the Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party were among the parties that opposed the bill.

Seemandhra members belonging to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) raised slogans of 'Save Andhra Pradesh, Save Democracy' near the chairman's podium during the debate on the bill.

Manmohan Singh, who had a protective ring of Congress members around him as he spoke, assured that special status will be given for five years to Seemandhra region - the residual state of Andhra Pradesh following creation of a separate Telangana.

"For purposes of central assistance, Special Category Status will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including the four districts of Rayalaseema and the three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state's finances on a firmer footing," he said.

Before the passage of the bill, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said that there was need to amend the constitution on proposal of powers given to the governor concerning law and order. However, the government did not agree to his suggestion.

Jaitley said that the process of creating Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh should be "legally correct".

"Law and order belongs to state. Governor is a representative of the central government. Can you do so (give him the powers of law and order) without amending constitution?" he asked.

After the bill was passed, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath expressed his happiness, saying that there was demand for Telangana state for almost 60 years.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that the bill had been passed with support of several parties.

Source: Yahoo!

Say Goodbye to Maruti 800

A little car, but a soaring presence nationwide... Indian automobile history witnessed a dramatic change on a chilly December morning in 1983 when the first Maruti 800 was rolled out of a factory in Gurgaon. Indian roads have never been the same ever since. Now, Maruti has brought the curtains down on the iconic 800, which has always remained a mainstay of personal mobility for the masses. This decision is sure to leave a lot of Maruti 800 fans emotional, and some even watery-eyed.

Harpal Singh, the owner of the first Maruti 800 in 1983, poses with the car in New Delhi in 2010 (Getty Images …

Remarkably, the Maruti 800 is the second longest Indian production car, next only to the Ambassador. The 800 alone has contributed over 29 lakh units since its launch. Constant technological upgradation of components not only helped masses of car buyers freak out with fuel-efficient, zippy and very reliable Suzukis, the Indian component industry got a massive shot in the arms as the marque's localisation juggernaut rolled on.

The Maruti 800 was a joint effort between Maruti and Suzuki Motor Co of Japan. The first Maruti 800s were sold for a then princely sum of Rs 48,000. Now, after 26 years the same 800 will cost you no less than Rs 185,321.

Since its first launch in 1983, Maruti 800 has undergone minor facelifts. The first facelift was done in 1986, when a new Maruti 800 was introduced to the customer market. It was only an addition of few exciting features like the air condition and music system. The second facelift was done after a decade in 1997. However, the original 796 cubic centimeter capacity of the engine remained the same over the years. Infact, the second facelift of a jellybean like structure was retrospective and was not welcomed by consumers.

In 2002 a special edition of the 800, India’s first colour-coordinated car, was launched. Following the changing trend, Maruti introduced Maruti 800 Duo on the World Environment Day in 2008. The powerful Duo is absolutely third generation Maruti 800 with better performance, standards safety standards, and high power. This generation of 800 is capable of switching over between petrol and LPG engine technology as per the driver’s requirement.

Reliability and durability has always been Maruti 800s strong suit. Now, there are many cars in competition with the 800. Infact, Maruti’s own Alto has become a tough competitor of 800. Gradually, as the numbers of small and affordable cars are increasing in the Indian car market, the future of Maruti 800 has become misty, too.

However, let’s hope that the marque resurrects the Maruti 800 in future as a new classic, like the Volkswagen Beetle and the Mini Cooper. Until then, guys, it’s time to bid adieu to the legend and treasure the nice memories. After all, the Maruti 800 will always live in our hearts and in the annals of Indian auto history, as a car that transfigured the way India moved.

Source: Yahoo!

This 7-min love story will move you to tears

As my sister and I were growing up, our mother encouraged us to make Happy Valentine's Day cards for our dad, grandparents and friends, all of whom we "love". "Love is not just between boy and girl," she would say, "God loved us and asks us to share His love with everyone."

This Valentine's Day, as I watch this inspiring love story called My Beautiful Woman: The Secret of Jane, I understand what my mother meant when she said that.

My Beautiful Woman is a three-part series of Thai videos, produced by lingerie giant, Wocoal. What you are going to watch is the third and final part of this series. You can watch the other two here.

This love story is beautiful, that's a given. But what makes it rise above the ordinary is the fact that it is based on a true story.

Watch for yourself - and talk to us. Tell us what you think of the film. We would love to hear your inspiring stories too.

  

Source: Yahoo!