What’s in your wallet? That famous credit-card company tagline takes a more serious meaning these days. Credit and debit cards with an embedded Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag are now the norm. This is one place you use RFID. But there are plenty more places you use RFID technology, probably without even realizing. The RFID market was worth over $10 billion in 2015, forcast to rise to over $13 billion in 2020. So, what is RFID? What Is RFID? Radio-Frequency Identification is the use of radio waves to read, capture, and interact with information stored on a tag. Tags are usually...
Google is abandoning the Nik Collection, its free suite of photo editing tools. The company isn’t killing the Nik Collection, so it will still be available to download and use. However, Google has decided not to develop it any further, putting the future of the Nik Collection in doubt. The Nik Collection is a set of photo editing plugins for popular photo editing software such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture. The Nik Collection comprises seven different plugins which offer filters, darkroom-inspired controls, sharpening, and noise reduction, amongst others. When Free Means No Longer Useful Google first acquired the Nik Collection...
We have become so addicted to the mouse, that we do not realize how much it disrupts our workflow. Every time you reach out for it, you’re losing a tiny bit of focus and time. And have you ever accidentally knocked something over while trying to get hold of your mouse? The keyboard on the other hand is far more powerful than we know. And don’t we have our hands all over it anyways? There are a few cool keyboard tricks that can help you save time and make you more productive. Here is a list of the most handy...
Tracing your family tree can be an amazing experience. You’ll uncover grand old stories, funny family rumors, and revelations of connections to wealth or tragedy. But to get there, you need to know how to collect the information, how to store it, and how to present it. One way is with a family tree application. These tools (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus the cross-platform Gramps) typically offer a database that is organized in the family tree style, making it simple for you to organize your ancestors. But these tools are rarely cheap, and when they’re free, they don’t...
Wherever the cutting edge of technology is, Google is not lagging far behind. Alternatively, they’ve extracted the enormous Google wallet from the unfathomably deep Google pockets, and are cutting a check to stay ahead of their competitors. Artificial intelligence is no different. Google has several AI experiments that you can go and play with right now. And because several of these experiments depend on machine learning, your direct interaction will actually help development. Here are some of the best Google AI Experiments that you can play with right now. Please note that some of the experiments require access to a...
Reddit now lets users tag their posts with a location. This means that whether you’re posting a photo of a meal at a local restaurant or a funny-looking cat that’s moved into your neighborhood, you can now tell people exactly where you were at the time. But only if you want to do so. Reddit is slowly but surely cleaning up its act, and evolving into a mature social network. The latest stop on this journey, which is as a result of a partnership with location experts, Foursquare, is the option for users to geotag their posts on the self-styled...
You think the default Windows icons are underwhelming and you long for something more unique? Rainmeter, arguably the best customization tool for Windows, is great for creating custom icons. Rainmeter icons range from immersive to regular. What you can do with these icons is really only limited by your imagination and experience with the software. The best part about Rainmeter icons? Whether you’d like to use the fantastic fan-made icons already at your disposal or want to create custom icons yourself, everyone can experience the satisfaction of custom desktop icons with Rainmeter. Here’s how! Creating Rainmeter Icons Rainmeter icons are...
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Windows 10 runs pretty fast — but you can make it even faster with a handful of tips and tricks! There are three basic categories of speed and performance hacks: operating system (OS) tweaks, software enhancements, and app replacement or removal. You can also make all kinds of hardware upgrades, like buying more RAM or investing in an SSD, but those cost money, so I’m going to skip them. Let’s start with the most effective ways to speed up Windows 10 and then move onto the slower options out there. Windows 10 Operating System Speed Tweaks 1. Turn On Game...
Back in mid-2016, we introduced you to five cool things you can do with the Windows 10 lock screen. We covered everything from voting on spotlight images to using your favorite subreddit as a wallpaper feed. However, as Microsoft has continued to update the operating system, the number of ways you can tweak the screen have grown. There are now enough new features that it’s time to revisit the topic. So what are the best ways to customize the Windows 10 lock screen in 2017? Keep reading to find out. 1. Bypass the Lock Screen In our previous edition of...
An inexpensive camera system with a retro flair has been making waves and it’s more than just a fad: the Fujifilm Instax Mini camera. What’s an Instant Print Camera? Anyone old enough to remember probably has fond memories of the Polaroid Instant camera. If you’ve never seen one in action, the camera was pretty much magical in a time before the internet, smartphones, and other modern technology. Just like with the Polaroid Instant Camera, capturing and printing a physical photo takes minutes using an Instant Print camera. After lining up the shot in the viewfinder and hitting the capture button,...
Having a PC in your pocket is a massive advantage. But how can it be done easily? The answer, of course, is via a USB stick (although there are three smartphone options offering their own take on the PC in a pocket dynamic). With a version of Ubuntu (or most other Linux distros) installed on your USB stick, you’ll have access to the web, to your favorite files and folders… all without the pain of lagging a laptop around. Better still, there are several reasons why doing this will improve life so much you’ll never forget to take it with...
DNA testing has become a big business. Companies like 23andMe, Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA, and many others are now offering their services at large. All you need to do is send in a sample and they’ll tell you about potential health issues, information about your ancestry, and all sorts of other “facts”. (How accurate they are is, of course, up for debate.) But is it a good idea to send your DNA off to a corporation? What do they do with it? Is this a potential privacy concern? Let’s take a look. What These Services Offer 23andMe, one of...
Ubuntu ranks as arguably the most popular Linux operating system. It’s certainly one of the best known. It’s one of those distributions that keeps users coming back. However, Ubuntu varies quite a bit. Within Ubuntu, there are two distinct flavors: a stable release and long term service (LTS) iteration. Further, Ubuntu splits into Ubuntu Cloud, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Desktop, and Ubuntu Server. In this article, you’ll learn all about the differences between Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Desktop. Servers vs. Desktops Image Credit: NeuPaddy via Pixabay Let’s consider a desktop versus a server before diving into differences in Ubuntu...
Photoshop plugins and extensions are an easy way to add functionality to the leading image processing app and to improve your workflow. You can find plugins for almost anything. Some will simplify the professional skin retouching you’d expect to see on the cover of a glossy magazine, and cost hundreds of dollars. Others take care of boring, repetitive tasks. All will make your life a whole lot easier. In this guide, we’ll take a look at 10 essential free Photoshop plugins that you should start using right away. 1. Nik Collection The best free Photoshop plugin is actually a set of seven...
With the arrival of the Windows Store in Windows 8 and its refreshing in Windows 10, users of Microsoft’s OS have had two sources for downloading programs. You can either download standard desktop software from various websites, or grab Store apps for a streamlined experience. While most people are used to normal programs, tablet and touch users might prefer Store apps thanks to their simpler interfaces. Even if you you don’t consider the File Explorer as an app that needs a replacement, you might want to check out the hidden Universal Windows Platform (UWP) version of the File Explorer. While...
Having Alexa handy around the house is great for asking about the weather, adding items to your to-do and shopping lists, controlling your TV, and even for following recipes in the kitchen. But you don’t even have to be within range of Alexa (or even own an Echo) to ask her questions. Do it from your browser! The official Alexa Skill Testing Tool, intended for people who are building skills that you can use with the Echo, can be used by anyone. You don’t have to be a developer working on an app. All you need is an Amazon account. After logging...
While text search on a web page is easy on desktop, it’s a bit more “invisible” on mobile. On desktop, you just need to hit Ctrl + F or go to the menu and click on Find, then type in your keyword in the box. But mobile operating systems differ in two key ways from their desktop counterparts: lack of interface space and lack of a keyboard. This forces them to burrow a few features out of sight. The Find feature (or in this case, Search on this page feature) is one of those that are tucked away. Chrome (Android and iOS) The method...
Xiaomi has announced the latest budget smartphone, the Redmi 4 after the huge success of Redmi Note 4 and Redmi 4A in India. The Redmi 4 is the successor of the Redmi 3S which was launched last year. While the Redmi 3S came in two variants, the Redmi 4 comes in 3 variants and Xiaomi has made the fingerprint scanner available even in the base variant which was not the case in Redmi 3S. So how good is the new Redmi 4 in terms of performance, camera and battery life? Let’s find out in this detailed review of Xiaomi Redmi 4.
Here is the video review of Redmi 4.
Design and Build:
In terms of design, the Redmi 4 does not have much resemblance with the predecessor, instead it is more of the design language of Redmi Note 4. In fact, the Redmi 4 feels like a smaller variant of Redmi Note 4. The phone is made of unibody metal construction with excellent build quality for a budget phone. The black variant of the device looks great and gives a premium feel altogether with matte finished back panel and 2.5D glass on the front.
The power and volume keys are on the right side, the SIM tray on the left side and the top panel houses the 3.5mm audio jack and IR blaster. The bottom panel has micro USB charging slot along with speaker unit. The rear panel has 13MP camera, LED flash, fingerprint scanner and Mi logo at the bottom. The curved edges and sides give a good overall finish when using the device. The front panel is dominated by the 5 inch display which has a 2.5D glass similar to Redmi Note 4. There are 3 capacitive button which are not backlit and below the home button you have the notification light. The 5MP front camera sits on the top portion of the display. Overall, the Redmi 4 feels great for a phone in sub 7k price segment.
Display:
Xiaomi Redmi 4 packs a 5 inch HD display with 1290 X 720p resolution. While there is no change in the display resolution of Redmi 4 compared to Redmi 3S, the company has added the 2.5D curved glass for Redmi 4 similar to what we saw on Redmi Note 4. The display looks quite good in terms of colors although at times you might see a slight yellowish tint in the display. The touch response is good and the viewing angles are also acceptable. The outdoor visibility is also quite good. There is no gorilla glass protection offered but similar to Redmi Note 4, there is a toughened glass on the Redmi 4 as well. So it is highly recommended to use a screen protector or tempered glass. There is also reading mode support for the display. Overall, the display quality is quite good on the phone.
Software
Xiaomi Redmi 4 comes with MIUI8 on top of Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. If you have used a Xiaomi device previously you might be knowing that MIUI is a heavily skinned UI provide tons of customization and it does not have any resemblance with stock UI. It comes with multiple home screens and a custom notification center along with settings panel. Xiaomi is also offering a beta version of Android 7.0 for people interested in testing the version on Redmi 4.
The phone comes with a plethora of options to customize, be it in the form of themes, icon packs, lock screen, boot animations, sounds and more. All of these can be downloaded from the Themes app.
The phone also comes with Child mode which was announced with MIUI (more details on Child mode available here) and also the regular Lite mode. The phone also features the security app which comes with cleaner, virus scan, block list, data usage and more.
There are a couple of useful changes to the UI in terms of features and it comes with dual apps and Second space which are new in MIUI 8. The Second space allows you to create a different space on your phone which does not share anything with the first space. You can use the second space as a completely different phone with apps, security and all features included. This means if you want two profiles on your phone like home and work, second space helps in that. Dual apps, as the name indicates, allows users to concurrently run two instances of the app. You can run two WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger etc on the device. MIUI provides option to lock apps using the fingerprint scanner and this provides additional security to your personal apps.
Xiaomi has also added lots of useful apps like FM radio, recorder, Compass, torch and much more. Xiaomi’s attention to smaller details is simply amazing and the UI looks very much polished with no lags or crashes. The phone also comes with IR blaster which means you can use the phone as a remote for your TV, A/C, set top box and other devices. There is a Mi Remote app which you can configure with Indian brands and this comes handy.
Performance:
Xiaomi Redmi 4 comes with Snapdragon 435 Octa Core processor clocked at 1.4GHz and coupled with Adreno 505 GPU. The phone comes in variants, 2GB RAM with 16GB storage, 3GB of RAM along with 32GB of storage and 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage (will be available only in June end). We tested the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage variant.
The Snapdragon 435 is an upgrade from the Snapdragon 430 series which powered the Redmi 3S Prime. The phone performs very well in day to day activities and there are no slow down or lags in the device. The processor can handle all tasks including gaming. We played high graphic rich games and there were no issues in the gaming baring a few frame skips. There was no heating on the device even when running intensive games. Probably the only issue in gaming is that the smaller display does not provide a great gaming experience when compared to Redmi Note 4.
The phone also packs an IR blaster similar to Note 4 and you can configure it to use with brands in India which come really handy. The fingerprint scanner is located on the rear panel and it does a really good job in unlocking the phone. You can also use the fingerprint scanner to lock apps or take selfies The call quality and the speaker performance of the device is also really good. The phone support 4G LTE and VoLTE out of the box.
The phone has dual SIM and micro SD hybrid slot. The phone comes with 32GB of storage and out of which close to 25.75GB is available to user in first boot.
Camera:
Xiaomi Redmi 4 packs a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front camera for selfies. The camera interface of Redmi 4 is typical MIUI and packs a lot of additional features including manual mode and filters. Similar to Redmi 3S, the video recording is 1080p.
The 13MP rear camera of the Redmi 4 can snap decent captures in daylight condition with good color quality and sharpness levels. The macro or close up images are also quite good, although at times it is slightly saturated. The PDAF also works very well. the overall clarity of the photos is quite good for a budget smartphone. The low light photography of the device is also decent, but there is noise in low light images. The 5MP front camera can also produce decent selfies. While Xiaomi has definitely improved the camera performance of the Redmi 4 when compared to the Redmi 3S. For the price segments of < Rs 7k and < 9K, this is one of the best cameras. Here are some photos taken with the device.
Battery Life:
Xiaomi Redmi 4 has a massive 4100mAh battery, similar to the Redmi Note 4 and Redmi 3S Prime. The battery performance of the device is very good and you can easily get through one and a half days of battery life with the Redmi 4. If you are a moderate user, you can get even better battery life. While the processor supports QC 3.0, there is no fast charging support on the device.
Verdict:
Priced at Rs 6999 for the base variant, the Redmi 4 ticks all the right boxes and there is hardly anything to complain in this price segment. It has great design and build, above average display, customizable software, good performance, decent camera and great battery life. Probably the only shortcoming for the device is the lack of Android 7.0 at launch.
So which variant should I buy? Out choice would be the Rs 8999 variant with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. We would advice to go for 64GB variant only if you need that much storage, otherwise the middle variant is the one which provides the right balance of performance and price.
If you are planning to buy a budget smartphone, without doubt the Redmi 4 is our choice!
Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel as though I only just put together the most popular deals from April. Yet here we are at the end of May rounding up your favourite deals from the last month. This month we had a returning item in the RFID blocking sleeves, as well as new entries including gaming headsets, electric toothbrushes, and electronics accessories. Sades A60 Over Ear Stereo Headphones With Microphone [67% Off] SADES WCG 3.5mm Stereo Gaming Headset Headphone with Mic for PC(Blue) SADES WCG 3.5mm Stereo Gaming Headset Headphone with Mic for PC(Blue) Buy Now At...
Twitter now lets you filter direct messages from strangers into a separate inbox. Which means you can open up your DMs to everyone without running the risk of getting overwhelmed with abuse. Not that Twitter users would do such a thing, of course. They’re all lovely really. /sarcasm A surprising number of people still don’t know how Twitter works. So much so that I still get messages from people who read “7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Twitter” and then ask me what they’re actually meant to do now that they’re on Twitter. And yet Twitter keeps adding new...
You’ve finished work for the day. The only thing left to do is stick the files onto a USB flash drive. Then you get this message: “The disk is write protected. Remove the write protection or use another disk.” You immediately pull your hair out. This is your USB stick; you should be able to read, write, and do whatever you want with it! Okay, you didn’t pull your hair out. You stayed nice and calm. But you definitely need to get your USB drive fixed. Luckily, we’ve got a few simple steps to fix write protection on a USB...
When the time comes to move to a new phone, you’ll probably feel an inevitable sense of trepidation. Sure, you’ll be excited to get your hands on a shiny new device, but how on earth are you going to move all your data over? There’s so much to consider. You’ll have apps, customized settings, photos, contacts, backgrounds, downloads — it’s daunting. Even if you’re efficient, it can take a whole weekend to get yourself set up on a new handset. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated. With a bit of planning, you can make the transfer a seamless...
Have you ever seen a beautiful form in your life? I don’t think I have. The bland paper form just wants your damned information and then head towards a dusty file somewhere. That’s where an electronic fillable form can shine. First, you can create and broadcast one at the speed of a few clicks. Second, you can make them pop out from the screen with imaginative design. Third, you don’t need a dusty file. Fillable forms aren’t Adobe Acrobat’s turf anymore. Several tools can help you make intelligent forms on the fly. Google Forms is the first popular tool that...
Android and iOS have become similar in the past ten years, but there are still some fundamental differences that set them apart. A big advantage of Android is the ability to set default apps — and this feature has been available for a long time now. This allows you to seamlessly use third-party apps for email, SMS, web browsing, etc. The same thing isn’t possible on an iPhone. However, this can also make the Android system a little more confusing for those not familiar with settings default apps. So let’s run through some of the common issues people encounter. Default Apps on...
Andy Rubin, the man who oversaw the development of Android, has a new product to show off. It’s a smartphone, it runs on Android (naturally), and it’s set to cost $699. Beyond that, details are sketchy, because right now the Essential Phone is nothing but a collection of specs and renders. Rubin has been teasing a new product for some time now. Today, after much speculation from the tech press, Essential revealed the Essential Phone. The Verge got the exclusive, which essentially reads like a press release. And everyone else was then directed to the Essential website. The Probably-Not-All-That-Essential Phone...
Do you have what it takes to develop the next big iOS or Android app? These heavily discounted course bundles will teach you how it’s done! The 2017 iOS 10 Complete App Builder Bundle If you’ve always thought about creating an iOS application, this bundle of courses is perfect for you. It features eight classes, templates, and apps that’ll see you actually building applications that people will want to use. iOS 10 & Swift 3: From Beginner to Paid Professional This behemoth of a course features 250 hours of content that’ll take you from iOS development newbie to experienced professional....
If you’re thinking of getting into audiobooks, you already know that they’re not cheap. An Audible subscription costs $14.95 per month, and you only get one free book every 30 days. Thankfully, if you’re still not sure if audiobooks are right for you, you can sign up for a 30-day Audible trial — and get two free audiobooks to try before you buy. You can pick your two free audiobooks from Audible’s list of bestsellers or the New York Times bestsellers list. Or you can heed our recommendations of 10 popular books on Audible, all of which are available to listen to for free during your Audible...
In the early 2000s, many people despaired at the use of text speak — replacing “you’re” with “ur”, changing “to” into “2”, and dropping punctuation entirely to speed up typing and save precious space. Thankfully capacitive touchscreens, cheap data and autocorrect helped us break this bad habit. And soon another form of self-expression unveiled itself: emoticons, which have now evolved into emoji. Today, most of us use them haphazardly without knowing what some of them mean. It turns out that picking the wrong emoji might land you a date in court, at least if we take a recent case in Israel as an example. What Happened? An...
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YouTube isn’t the kind of website that needs many features. If you have adequate control over basics like playback, resolution, speed, subtitles, and playlists, you’re pretty much good to go. But YouTube is so much better once you discover some of its hidden tricks and features. I’m positive that you’ll find at least one of the following features useful, whether you’re a video creator or just a viewer. And these are mostly features that were added in the past year or two, so you may not even be aware that YouTube can do these things. If so, you’re in for a...
The simplicity of a Fitbit is one of its biggest selling points. Put it on your wrist, load up the app, and you’re good to go. But there’s a lot more you can do with a Fitbit than you might have realized. You aren’t restricted to using just the official app either. The Google Play Store is full of Android apps that will work with your fitness tracker. From gaming to Weight Watchers, there are some great options to choose from. And they’ll all help you be more active. 1. Wokamon – Monster Walk Quest Any task that requires motivation can...
