Tech2 Touch

Author: Aniruddh

  • How to Update Sony Xperia M to Android 4.3 JellyBean

    Sony started rolling Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware update to its midrange Xperia M smartphones. The latest Android update has the build version as 15.4.A.0.23.  The update brings lot of improvements on currently available features and adds few more new features. We will have a detailed improvement of Android 4.3 JellyBean update.

    Sony Xperia M Andriod Update
    Xperia M Firmware Update

    Sony Xperia M Android 4.3 JellyBean Update Features

    • Google Android 4.3 (Jellybean), bringing smooth UI and graphics enhancements
    • New version of Battery STAMINA Mode for longer battery life
    • Updated camera interface bringing Burst Mode, Superior Auto & More
    • Updated applications from Sony featuring Walkman, Album, Movies & More
    • Latest security enhancements from Android 4.3

    How to Update Sony Xperia M to Latest Android 4.3 JellyBean

    The Sony Xperia M can be updated through two ways. One is Wirelessly from the device and the other one is through USB cable and Sony Xperia PC suite.

    1. Updating Sony Xperia M Wirelessly from the device

    To check and install latest Firmware update on Xperia M, Goto Settings-> About Phone->Software Updates->System updates.

    If Update is available, you will get a notification of the new updates and option to download and install the update.

    2. Updating Sony Xperia M through PC Suite

    Installing new firmware update if it is a major one like this, it is highly recommended to use this method.  First you need download official Sony Xperia PC suite PC companion to your PC and install it. Connect your device to PC through USB. You will find notification if update is available. For download instruction on PC Companion you refer my previous post on Sony Xperia PC suite free download.

    Have you already updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean on Xperia M? Share your experience with new OS in the comment section below.

  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Nokia X

    Nokia X is the first and cheapest Android based smartphone from Nokia. It is a combination of Windows Tiles User Interface and Android in the background. It has decent specification and a new refreshing design to delight the customer. Latest Nokia X price in India is Rs.7745.

    Nokia X is powered by 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core processor with Adreno 203 GPU and 512MB of RAM. It is a dual sim phone and supports two GSM sims.  The device runs on customised Android OS which names as Nokia X Software Platform v1.

    Dual sim Nokia X
    Nokia X Smartphone

    Nokia X sports 4inch LCD display screen with WVGA 480*800 pixel resolution and pixel density of 233 ppi. The internal storage capacity is 4GB and supports microSD card upto 32GB. The connectivity features of Nokia X includes, 2G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, WiFi Hotspot, USB tethering.

    Nokia X dual sim Android smartphone comes with fixed focus 3MP rear primary camera. The device houses Li-ion 1500 mAh battery which is rated to provide a talk time of 13 hours and a standby time of 672 hours. The Nokia X comes preloaded with many popular apps such as  Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Viber, Skype, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, Instant Messaging, Skype Voice Call, Voice Mail.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Nokia X Dual sim Android smartphone

    In this we will have a look into some of the pros and cons of Nokia X.

    Pros of Nokia X

    • Refreshing and stylish Tiles like User Interface in Android phone
    • Decent performance with almost no lag
    • Good build quality
    • Dual sim and Android OS

    Cons of Nokia X

    • 3MP fixed focus camera and no LED flash
    • No front facing camera
    • No Google Play support

    Nokia X Tips and Tricks

    Using Nokia X as modem: You can use Nokia X as modem to connect PC through WiFi tethering or USB tethering features which comes with Android phones.

    Taking screenshot on Nokia X: You can take screenshot on Nokia X by pressing and holding Volume down key and Power button simultaneously. The screenshot will be saved in Gallery folder

    PC Suite for Nokia X:  As of writing this review, there is no official free download of PC suite for Nokia X is available. Once available, I will share the link.

    Nokia X Accessories: Nokia does provides few accessories for Nokia X.  Currently available official accessories are COLOUD POP FOR NOKIA HEADPHONES, COLOUD KNOCK FOR NOKIA HEADPHONES. There are many other vendors through which you can buy screen guards and case for Nokia X.

    Nokia X Specifications

    • 4-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with WVGA resolution and 233ppi
    • Access to Favourite Apps with Fastlane
    • 3 MP Primary fixed focus Camera
    • Nokia MixRadio – Personal Radio Station
    • 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Dual Core Processor with Adreno 203 GPU and 512MB RAM
    • Dual Standby SIM (GSM + GSM)
    • Android Widgets
    • Li-ion 1500 mAh battery
    • 4GB internal storage and support for microSD card upto 32GB
    • Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Orientation Sensor

  • Moto G Tips to Extend Battery Life

    Motorola Moto G is undoubtedly one of the best value for money smartphone. It has powerful processor, decent 4.5 inch 720p HD IPS display screen and more important it runs on latest Android 4.4.2 Kitkat OS. One of the major complaints which is visible on most of the user reviews on Moto G is its battery life.  The device house 2070 mAh battery which is decent for the price. However it lasts merely one day. So here is quick tips to increase the battery life of Moto.  You can read full review on my previous post Moto G Review.

    Moto G
    Extend Moto G Battery Life

    Moto G Tips to Extend Battery Life

    Below mentioned tips will help you to increase the battery life of the Moto G smartphone.

    1. Stop apps permanently  using the inbuilt Battery Monitoring Tool

    Starting from Android 4.3, Google started providing inbuilt Battery Monitoring tool.  This tool is very useful for knowing the informations such as Remaining battery usage percentage, phone running time, process/apps and amount of battery consumed by them.

    It is also useful for stopping apps which are running in the background.  To stop a app which running in the background just follow the below mentioned steps.

    • Launch Battery Monitoring tool by Navigating to Notification section > Tap on Quick Settings > Tap on Battery Logo or Go to settings>-Tap on battery.
    • Now tap on to the app and choose force stop option2.

    2. Use battery saving mode for GPS

    GPS is very useful feature. But it consumes lot of battery when it is enabled.  In previous Android versions, only option was to disable the GPS.  But in the Android Kitkat, you will get different modes through which you can save your battery.  To access the new GPS features, goto Settings > Tap on Location > Tap on Mode > Go with your option

    3. Stop Auto Syncing Option

    If you added any email account, Moto G supports auto syncing of App Data, Calender, Contacts, Google Currents, Photos, Google+ Auto Backup, etc. Though it is very useful, enabling all of them on multiple account will drain the battery faster. It is always recommended to sync only with one account with minimum data such as contacts and emails. To change  auto sync options follow below steps.

    Settings->Accounts and sync->account name

    4.  Disable Google Now’s Auto Voice Detection

    Google Now is a great feature. With Android 4.4 , you can activate it by just saying “Ok Google”. If you are using this feature regularly, then it is fine.  If not, then disable this to improve the battery life.  To disable this, follow step mentioned below.

    Open Google Now-> Go to settings->Tap on Voice->Disable Hotword detection.

    7. Using Battery Saver Apps

    There are many battery saver apps available for Moto G. Some are paid and some are free. You can utilize them for more extended battery life.

    8.  Miscellaneous tips to extend battery life of Moto G

    These are the basic battery saving tips which you might know already. Just to recap, I mentioning once again.

    • Turn off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connection, when not in used.
    • Go for a normal Wallpapers, rather than putting Live Wallpapers.
    • Disable haptic feedback.
    • Put only needed widgets on homepage which don’t require mobile data connection, especially stay away from weather widgets.

  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Moto G

    Motorola Moto G  is considered to be the best mid range Android smartphone available in the market today. 720p HD display screen, quad core processor and latest Android updates are the key attractions of the Moto G. The Price of Moto G in India starts from RS.12,499 for the 8GB variant and Rs.13,999 for the 16GB variant.

    Motorola Moto G is comes in single sim and dual sim variant. In India, only dual sim variant. There is no difference between these two variants except the additional sim in the dual sim Moto G.  The device sports 4.5 inch LCD capacitive touch screen with 1280×720 pixels and pixel density of 326ppi.  The screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection which reduces the impact on the screens.

    Moto G
    Motorola Moto G

    Motorola Moto G is powered by 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad core processor with 1GB of RAM and Adreno 305 single core GPU running at 450MHz. The device runs on Android 4.3 Jelly bean out of the box. However, device can be upgrade to the Kitkat.  You can read more on How to update Moto G to Android Kitkat 4.4.2.For internal storage, device comes in two variants. One is 8GB and another one is 16GB. There is no provision for the expandable storage.

    Moto G comes with 5MP primary camera with LED flash and a VGA  front facing camera. The device houses 2070 mAh battery which in normal use lasts for a day. Conenctivity features of the device includes 2G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB. Moto G can be used as modem to connect PC or even you can use it as WiFi hotspot. You can read more on this in my previous post how to use Moto G as modem.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Moto G

    Pros of Moto G

    • Very affordable price
    • Dual sim
    • Latest Android OS
    • Good real time performance
    • Water repellant coating and good build quality

    Cons of Moto G

    • No expandable memory
    • Average camera quality
    • Average battery life
    • No NFC

    Motorola Moto G Specification

    • Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS upgradable to 4.4 Kitkat
    • 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad Core Processor and 1 GB RAM
    • Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
    • 5 MP Primary Camera and 1.3 MP Secondary Camera
    • 4.5-inch HD Display with 720p HD resolution
    • 2G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB
    • 8GB/16 GB Internal Memory
    • 2070 mAh battery

  • Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Review Price Tips

    It is a common practice from the major smartphone manufacturer to release mini versions of the flagship smartphone.  Here Sony has changed a little bit. It released compact version of the Xperia Z1 and not mini. That is it is just compact in size and equally powerful as bigger brother. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact price in India is Rs.35990.

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is powered by Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU with Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 and Adreno 330 GPU. The RAM of the device is 2GB and has 16GB of internal storage. Xperia Z1 also supports microSD card upto 64GB and runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Sony has announced that, it will get Android 4.4 Kitkat update soon.

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Smartphone

     

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact sports 4.3 inch TFT capacitive touch screen with 720×1280 pixel resolution and 342 ppi pixel density. The display is made up of Shatter proof and scratch-resistant glass and has Triluminos display, X-Reality Engine technologies.  It supports upto 10 finger multi touch.

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact comes with 20.7MP primary rear camera with LED flash and auto focus. The camera feature includes 1/2.3” sensor size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization, HDR, panorama. There is also a 2MP camera which is also can record 1080p video. The connectivity features of the device includes GPRS, EDGE, 3G, LTE, USB, Bluetooth and NFC. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact houses Non removable Li-ion 2300 mAh battery.  It is rated to provide upto 670 hours of standby time and 10 hours of talk time.  The device also a water and dust resistant.

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Disadvantages

    • Non User removable battery
    • Average loud speaker performance
    • No out of the box Android 4.4 Kitkat

    Sony Xperia Z1 Tips and Tricks

    Using Xperia Z1 as modem

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact can be used as modem through WiFi Hotspot and USB tethering features. Just enable the WiFi hotspot in the device and complete simple configuration to access internet on other WiFi enabled device. To use Xperia Z1 Compact as modem through USB by connect the device to PC through USB. Now enable the USB tethering.

    Taking screenshot on Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

    To take screenshot on Xperia Z1 Compact just press and hold Volume down key and Power button simultaneously.  You will hear a shutter sound which confirms Screen shot has been taken.  You can access the screen by going to gallery.

    Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Specification

    • Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS
    • 4.3-inch TFT Capacitive Touchscreen with 720p screen
    • 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 Quad Core Processor
    • Adreno 330 GPU and 2GB RAM
    • 20.7 MP Primary Camera
    • 2 MP Secondary Camera
    • Full HD Recording
    • Waterproof and Dust Resistant
    • 16GB internal storage
    • Expandable Storage Capacity of 64 GB