Technology Reviews

StickyBits : Convert Barcodes into Personal Message Boards

Vikram — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:39:10 +0000

If someone told you that you could get details of every object- details like who touched it, where it was kept, what else happened with it, it would seem to be directly out of some fiction movie. StickyBits is an application which helps realize this fiction.

Using this application any user can add a message to the barcodes sticking on the object. These messages could be in the form of text messages, pictures, video or a voice note. Anyone who scans the barcode with the application would eb able to read all the messages associated with the barcode. The application lets one add a message to the physical object as well.

A few examples to further display the usages of the concept. One can see QR codes on webpages, in store windows, on business cards, and on number of objects.

A QR (“quick response”) code is a square barcode that makes getting URLs, location coordinates, any text or contact information onto a phone fast. IF one has abrcode app installed in the phone, one just needs to point the device camera towards the code and all the information associated with it can be read using the phone.

One just has google to find number of QR scanner reader for the specific model of the phone. There are numerous available in the market.

One can also generate QR codes with any information one may want to append to the code. The QR code generator can embedd a URL, text, phone number, address or a any other kind of info into a QR code.

So go on, try it and explore the all new world of QR codes.

[via: smarterware.org]

P88 : Chinese beat Apple at its own game

Vikram — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:30:59 +0000

Apple has come out with its so called ‘revolutionary’ product called “I-Pad”. The product has been a source of constant scrutiny from various corners. The criticisms of the device have outnumbered the reviews in the favour of product. Many believe that Steve Jobs has got it wrong this time and there doesn’t seem much scope for the device. Now to add to the growing sentiment, it has been revealed that the latest Apple offering could have violated a patent.

It seems that they were not careful enough to check for existing patented designs. In what may be the first case of a manufacturer cloning a device which was not even released, Shenzhen Dragon Brother Industrial cloned the Apple iPad three months before its launch. Moreover, the Chinese product seems to be a better product than the iPad.

The Chinese product has been named P88 , a name as inanimate and unrelated as iPad. The differences are further to be explored.

The P88 has three USB ports in their tablet which means you don’t have to worry about docks and other hardware items.
The Apple iPad has been severely criticized for inability to achieve multi-tasking which is seen as the primary disadvantage associated with iPad. The Chinese manufacturer comes with a technologically advanced product than iPad and offers multitasking.
It even has a faster processor and runs on the Intel Atom N270 1.6 Ghz CPU. The RAM of iPad is a secret and P88 reveals its specifics and has its RAM which amounts to 1GB (which, incredibly, is expandable to 2GB).
The P88 also has a bigger LED-backlit touch screen measuring 10.2 inches sporting a 1024x600 resolution.
It also supports Wi-Fi, and much like the iPad comes with optional 3G.
Boosting its connectivity, it has a 3-in-1 SD, MS and MMC card reader. It also has ports for mic jack, headphone jack, network cable and external display interface.
It also has a much larger disk drive with a capacity of 160GB.

The only negative associated with it is pathetically short battery life of just about 90 minutes.

This is a case where the device which is better still would be marred with low sales as compared to a a inferior product backed by a strong Brand. People would still go for the inferior product just because it is from the house of Apple. The brand value of Apple would work for iPad and might cover for the deficiencies in the device.

The company argues that they were the first to release the device and Apple has ‘largely’ borrowed their design for the P88. The company has come out with intention to file a lawsuit against Apple. It will be interesting to see further developments in this case.

Apparently, Apple didn’t do their homework properly and Japanese Electronic Giant Fujitsu has come forward with the claim that it owns the rights to the name iPad. This may raise another possible legal battle for Apple which is already fighting its case of Patent infringements of Nokia.

Still with all the issues involved Apple might survive this scathing attack on its product and may even prove this launch of new product to be a successful innovation.

Top 7 Anti-Spywares

Vikram — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:16:12 +0000

Many times you might have experienced loss of data , Windows hanging, slow processing or other problems and your antivirus shows that your computer is clean. It’s difficult to pick up a virus unless you make a conscious decision to open a file that is infected with a virus. On the other hand, spyware is a very real problem that infects your computer each and every day. Spyware can be picked up by simply logging onto your favorite Internet site. What someone can be looking at is a spyware blocker or an anti-spyware. Unlike Anti Viruses, Top Anti Spywares include virus & trojan stopping capabilities which makes them a better option including wider range of operations. Some of the tools are free spyware removal softwares and some on the other hand provide limited capability in free versions. Here are some of the top anti-spywares currently available in the market :

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

It is one of the lightest anit-malwares available in the market. It is amazingly light and fast. It detects almost all the malwares and spywares which might have been missed by anti-virus softwares. This tool is very effective in basic task of removing spywares along with that it is also capable of determining the difference between false positives and dangerous apps. It supports multiple drive scanning including networked drives, context menu options including a scan-on-demand for individual files, and the FileAssassin option under the More Tools section for removing locked files.

Only negative which may be associated with it is that real time protection is restricted to paid version

Key Features :

Support for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 (32-bit and 64-bit).
Light speed quick scanning.
Ability to perform full scans for all drives.
Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Protection Module. (requires registration)
Database updates released daily.
Quarantine to hold threats and restore them at your convenience.
Ignore list for both the scanner and Protection Module.
Settings to enhance your Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware performance.
A small list of extra utilities to help remove malware manually.
Multi-lingual support.
Works together with other anti-malware utilities.
Command line support for quick scanning.
Context menu integration to scan files on demand.

Download here

Spybot Search and Destroy

Spybot has been a popular choice for a long time and provides almost all the features expected in a good anti-spyware software. It is a renowned spyware sweeper. The program checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders. There have been multiple improvements in the software over period of time which are basically in the appearance and front end interface of the software rather than back end working. It also features several interface improvements, including multiple skins for dressing up its appearance. Scan results now appear arranged by groups in a tree, and a sliding panel lets you instantly view information about a selected item to help you decide whether to kill it or not. This spyware bot also has the Immunize feature which blocks numerous malicious apps targeting your system from the web before it reaches your computer. There are also other tools with the software which help to complement the task of the tool and prevent your system in a better way. Other useful tools, including Secure Shredder, complement the program’s basic functionality for completely destroying files. Hosts File blocks adware servers from your computer, and System Startup lets you review which apps load when you start your computer.

The minus point of the software is that it locks up sometimes. Apart from that it is a decent spyware and is fast and is ideal for a quick scan.

Download here

Ad-Aware Free Anti-Malware

It is one of the first softwares to be designed to search and destroy malware and spyware and is one of the most popular security tools over the web for spyware free protection. The new version is vastly improved over previous versions. Due to these new improvements it is proving to be a tough competition for other free anit-spywares. Ad-Aware Pro AE integrates Ad-Watch Live so it does not have to be manually started separately. It also explicitly calls out in the scan windows what the scan looks for.

Key features :

Cleans and removes all traces of infections
Right-click access to initiate pin-point scanning of specific files or folders
Behavior-based Heuristic Detection
Database of over 2 million known threats
Continuous pulse updates keep software current
Create and save customized scan profiles
Major improvements in use of system resources
integrated Ad-Watch Live protection provides real-time protection

Ad-Aware Free performs faster than integrated antivirus and antimalware programs in part because only the paid version of Ad-Aware comes with an antivirus engine. Other important features are disabled in the free version. While rootkit detection is present, behavior-based heuristics and real-time registry protection are not. Ad-Aware Free cannot scan networked drives, and even a basic feature like the scheduler remains off-limits to nonpaying customers.

Download here

Spyware Blaster

Spybot started as a malicious software blocker but has grown over time into a full spyware removal utility which can block all kinds of spyware that gets delivered through your Web browser, although its defenses are most useful for Internet Explorer users.

You can block all Flash content, create encrypted backups of the Hosts file, manage browser page settings, block cookies, and create customized ActiveX blocks. Also you can create a customized blacklist which will work across different browsers. You can also create a system snapshot for PC recovery in case there is a fatal attack on your computer. The interface is simple to use and clutter free.

The negative it has that it does not support Opera and probably it is a bit lax in spyware removal capabilities as compared to other removal softwares.

Download here

Counter Spy

Counter Spy offers powerful protection for Windows to guard against all of the various forms of spyware and rootkits. Counter Spy is an effective safeguard against spyware threats. The program makes it simple to schedule and customize spyware scans or run scans on demand, while also offering an adjustable level of real-time protection.

In addition to the standard Quick Scan and the full computer Deep Scan, CounterSpy has a fully customizable option that lets you specify which areas of your machine are scanned and what the scan is looking for. There are also some extra tools such as a file eraser, a history cleaner, and a useful process exploring tool that provides quick access to system information like running processes, hosts file, LSPs, Downloaded ActiveX controls, start-up programs, and browser helper objects.

The scan time is a bit more than comparable programs.

Download here

Webroot Spy Sweeper

Webroot Spy Sweeper’s advanced detection and removal capabilities are effective at fully removing even the most malicious spyware programs in a single sweep. It is an upcoming spyware detector and has gained significant popularity. You won’t have to scan and restart your PC a number of times with Spy Sweeper - one sweep and your PC is clean. The Quarantine section will let you restore any components accidentally altered after a system scan. The Sweep option includes a flexible scheduler, the ability to change the default scanning method level, and other options to customize the program

Key Features :

Most comprehensive antispyware solution available - 360 degrees of protection
Continuous monitoring stops spyware before it can attack
Advanced detection and removal capabilities for stubborn spyware
Automatic defense updates keep you protected from the latest threats
FREE customer support

Spy Sweeper maintains its detection-only trial limitation, making it impossible to test how well it actually removes malware.

Download here

Trend Micro HijackThis

HijackThis lists the contents of key areas of the Registry and hard drive — areas that are used by both legitimate programmers and hijackers. The program is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs and URLs, only the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites.

The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate.

Download here

Top 15 Windows 7 Themes

Vikram — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:41:14 +0000

Windows 7 has successfully replaced Vista and is selling like hot cakes. This is a major relief for Microsoft after the Vista disaster. In one of our earlier posts we had presented wallpapers for Windows 7. Seeing the popularity here we present 15 creative and beautiful themes for Windows 7.

Here are some of the themes for Windows 7 , have a look :

1. Windows 7 V2 :

download here

2. Leopard OS X theme

download here

3. Windows 7 Red

download here

4. Black Transparent

download here

5. Only Black Windows 7 theme

download here

6. Desk 09 with new windows

download here

7. Alternative theme for Windows 7

download here

8. Arturik 1988

download here

9. Soliq 7.1

download here

10. Aero Hilled

download here

11. Waterbomb

download here

12. Verdesh Steel Flash

download here

13. Windows 7 Ultimate 2

download here

14. Energy Flow

download here

15. Aero Theme :

download here

Note: None of the above displayed theme is my personal creation. All are from public websites.

How to Prevent Network Adapter From Getting Disabled on Resuming from Sleep Mode

Vikram — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:11:10 +0000

One of my classmates was facing a problem recently that his network adapter gets disabled automatically after resuming from sleep mode. I guess, some of you might have faced this problem too. Here is a small solution to the problem.

Windows 7, by default, disables a network device to save power but the device is not automatically enabled when the system resumes from sleep. Many times people using wifi networks have this problem that after resuming from sleep the system is not connected to the network and has to be reconnected again.The problem here is not with the device , it is just a service of Windows which can be modified.

Usually once your network adapter is disabled you will need to head over to the troubleshooting option, to restore it and renew the IP which is too time consuming But the solution given below saves a lot of time and you do not have to perform it again and again, you need to do it just once. The solution is essentially to inform Windows that you do not need this service of Windows.

Procedure :

1. Go to Device Manager, right-click the network adapter(that keeps getting turned off), and select Properties.

2. Click on Power Management tab. Uncheck the option saying “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”. Click ok.

That should make it work. Now the adapter won’t get disabled whenever you put your system in sleep mode.

AutoMute: Volume Control During Startup

Vikram — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:03:36 +0000

I was starting up my laptop during my class today and the loud startup noise of the Windows startled everyone in the room and I wished I could have somehow turned the volume down. Even the mute button on my laptop works only after Windows are loaded. Even if it works , you have to remember every time to mute or lower the volume before switching on the computer. Did you ever experience a situation where you turned on your laptop and the welcome greeting sound irritated you and people around you. Auto Mute is a volume control software which helps you in such situations.

Auto Mute is a portable volume control software that allows you to mute the welcome sound when you switch on your computer. It comes with numerous interesting features. It can be used to automatically mute sound on logoff , suspend or shutdown so that whenever the system starts next time ,it is mute. The next system start is absolutely silent even if you forgot to turn the sound off in previous session. After that you can enable sound effects manually, using a shortcut combination. You an also use the keyboard shortcut to enable or disable mute operation while working normally.

The default shortcut provided is ctrl+f10 but the key can be configured. The only other options provided by the volume control software are to run the program during startup and to play a computer beep sound whenever the state of the sound changes from mute to on and vice verse.

The software is portable for Windows and is supported in Win7 as well as Win Vista.

Download here : download

Lenovo Skylight : First ARM Based Netbook

Vikram — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:28:51 +0000

Lenovo has come up with first ARM based first ever smartbook device. Smartbooks are smaller than Netbooks, running custom OSes and miniature smartphone processors. With Lenovo coming up with an ARM based smartbook , the market is opening up for the devices.

Skylight is technically an oversized smartphone. The Skylight is powered by 1.8 GHz Snapdragon processor, with built in WiFi and 3G mobile broadband. the advantage of using a low-powered ARM-based chip is long battery life: 10 hours, so Lenovo claims.

Its 10.1-inch HD screen offers 1280 by 720 resolution. Despite of being as light weight as 1.95 pounds, the device is sturdy and firm. The device offers 2 USB (1 in a strange flip-jack form), SD and micro-SDHC card slots, a SIM card slot, and even mini-HDMI. 20 GB of flash memory are included, plus 2GB of Lenovo cloud storage. The keyboard is comfortable with roomy keys, so those fearing the smaller size of the book would not face any difficulty with typing.

The Skylight comes with 18 web gadgets, covering what most of the internet has to offer and that is popular over the net including Amazon’s MP3 store, GMail and Google Maps, Facebook, Firefox and more.

The price at which Lenovo has placed this smartbook is a bit daunting may compel customers into second thought about buying the device. The Skylight will retail for $500. Challenge is to find the right market for the product. Let us see if the smartbook trend will be short lived or can they revolutionize the way you perceive your netbook.

7 Hand Picked Wonderful Android Themes

Vikram — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:05:46 +0000

With coming of android phones by HTC , Motorola and now Google, the trend of mobile phone OS suggests android to be the future of mobile OS. Here is a list of selectively chosen seven wonderful android themes which are must in your collection. Have a look and try picking your favourite one.

Name : Android Little Big Planet Theme
Author : AGx-07_162
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=580217

It is a cute theme for android. The icons are lovely, colours are bright and the overall theme gives a sense of light, chirpy theme. It is nice to have such a theme in your collection. Also the latest version of the theme is made to work for CyanogenMod v4.2.8.1.

Download : get it here

Name : Android Mélange Dark Theme
Author : ZilverZurfarn
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=552679

This theme is categorized as a dark theme which is very different as compared to the category of the earlier mentioned theme. The colour combination and the whole look and feel of the theme give a totally different experience altogether. It is made available for CyanogenMod 4.2.x. The latest version is 1.0.

Download : get it here

Name : Android AlienAqua Blue Theme
Author : prash
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=563525

Now comes another different kind of a theme. As the name suggests it holds an aqua look and feel to it. The theme suggests calm and cool mood of the user. It is developed by a professional graphic designer as mention in the author. The latest version is 0.5 for CyanogenMod 4.2.3.1

Download : get it here

Name : Android Ubuntu Brown Theme
Author : AGx-07_162
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=582358

Here is one for Ubuntu lovers. It tries and modulates the look and feel of Ubuntu and thus obviously is brown. The theme is available for CyanogenMod v4.2.3.1.

Download : get it here

Name : Android Star Dust Dark Theme
Author : AGx-07_162
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=557797

Star Dust is also dark android theme. And the latest version 1.1 is for CyanogenMod 4.1.7.

Download : get it here

Name : Android Windows 7 Theme For CyanogenMod
Author : Six6Sicks
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=552530

With the ubuntu theme coming earlier, I couldn’t leave out the Windows theme for Android. As the name suggests , the theme is based on Windows 7. The theme is interesting and provides a different working experience than usual. It is available for CyanogenMod 4.0.4.

Download : get it here

Name : Android HTC Heroine Pink Theme
Author : Armyranger251 And Beagz
Website : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=544683

Here is one specially for ladies. The pink colour dominates all the way. It is available for Cyanogen 3.9.7.

Download : get it here

Create Windows 7 Universal DVD by Removing Versions

Vikram — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:56:57 +0000

While installing Win XP, many people were bugged by different versions of installation disc. Having the license did not lessen the problems due to wrong disc. This issue was brought to the notice of Microsoft and was taken care of in Win Vista by providing a universal installation DVD ( separate for both 32 bit and 64 bit versions). You could easily select the version and key in the license key while installing.

But with Win7 Microsoft has reverted back to providing different versions. This would mean if you do not have the correct version of installation disc , then you cannot install Windows. But there is a means to achieve this ( i.e. installing the Windows inspite of above problem). THe procedure requires a modification, rather removal of ei.cfg file.

Microsoft resorts to cheap marketing tactics which in the eyes of some might amount to cheating practices. Actually in each Win7 installation disc all the versions are present including Home, Premium, Professional, Business, Ultimate. The ei.cfg tells the disc to install a certain version.

ei.cfg removal utility enables you to remove ei.cfg from the Windows 7 installation ISO. This utility removes ei.cfg file and repacks the ISO, thus creating a universal Windows 7 disc in the process. You may then burn this ISO on to DVD and start the installation , and you will be then asked to select the version of Windows. Select the correct version and enter the correct license to install the Windows.

[via: addictivetips and technibble

download : download here

DeskMenu: Acessing Desktop Items made easy

Vikram — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:30:18 +0000

DeskMenu is a lightweight and easy to use tool which makes the task of accessing the desktop items again and again a lot easier. It provides a faster access to all desktop items including shortcuts and other items.

Many a times one wishes to access the desktop items again and again and has to minimize or close all the windows to get to the desktop to access the items or one has to use the keyboard shortcut. Now with DeskMenu, there is no need to do the above said tasks.

The DeskMenu icon sits in the system tray.

By clicking on the icon, you will see all the desktop items. Click the icon you wish to open from the opened list.

Download : download here