Google to Introduce New Photo-Sharing Platform to Kill Instagram

Google is reportedly going to launch a new online photo-sharing service and storage option at its developer conference later this month, which Bloomberg says, will not be a part of its Google+ social network.

At the moment, Google offers a photo sharing service known as "Google+ Photos," which comes pre-installed with every Android device. Google+ Photos automatically backs up photos in the device to Google cloud storage.

However, the new photo service will not be a part of Google+ network. It seems like the company’s attempts to bolster its product lineup and compete with the increasingly popular rivals like Facebook or Twitter to grow its user base.

Just the way like Facebook, who acquired the popular mobile photo-sharing service Instagram in 2012 and increased its user base to more than 300 Million users in one shot.

• There aren’t many details about How the new Google photo service will work?
• Whether the online photo storage part of the service will be free? Or...
• Whether the search engine will charge you to store large chunks of photos on the new tool?

However, the source says that the new photo sharing tool, earlier rumored as Google Photos spinoff, will allow users to share their images with other social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

We’ll soon have more details on Google’s new photos service as the search engine giant is most likely to unveil its independent photo sharing service at Google I/O annual software developers’ conference in San Francisco at the end of the month.

Apart from the new photo service, Google is also expected to unveil some new features. Android for Work, a new Android OS called Android M for now, and new voice commands to access Android devices are among them.

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Windows 10 is the Last Version of Windows, Microsoft Confirmed

Microsoft just announced in its Ignite 2015 conference in Chicago that Windows 10 is set to be "the last version of Windows."

"Right now [we are] releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, [we are] all still working on Windows 10," said Microsoft's developer evangelist Jerry Nixon whilespeaking at the conference this week.

What exactly does it mean? Will Microsoft not launch Windows 11 next? Is Windows 10 actually the end of Microsoft’s Windows operating system?

These are some questions that were ongoing in the mind of the audience when Nixon gave this statement during his speech.

The reaction from Microsoft was really alarming though you do not have to panic, as Windows OS is not dying.

Windows 10 — Brand Name of Microsoft's OS

For the moment, Microsoft will stick with Windows 10 and focus on smaller and faster updates to its Windows 10 platform, instead of launching new stand-alone versions of the operating system every few years.

This Microsoft's new approach is something similar to Apple's OS X, the Mac operating system that gets smaller updates on a yearly basis and has been known as OS X for over 15 years. Every new release of OS X gets a unique name with some major updates, but Apple didn't change the name of its OS.

Oh! Give me a break. If I take you back when it was decided by Microsoft that its next Windows version will be Windows 10 and not Windows 9. This could be a reason that Microsoft wants to stick with Windows 10 brand name for the near future.

'Windows as a Service'

Speaking to The Verge, the company confirmed plans to improve Windows 10 through regular updates though Microsoft has no plan to roll out a new version of Windows at some point in the future.

The future, the report notes, is "Windows as a service," although the company has yet not clearly explain it.

"Recent comments at Ignite about Windows 10 are reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers," Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement.
"We aren't speaking to future branding at this time," the spokesperson added, however "customers can be confident Windows 10 will remain up-to-date and power a variety of devices from PCs to phones to Surface Hub to HoloLens and Xbox. We look forward to a long future of Windows innovations."

Windows 10 to be the Microsoft's major version of OS

There is no doubt that Microsoft have spend and have to spend an enormous amount of money in marketing to convince users that this new version is what they need and that Windows 10 is better than anything that had come to them before.

So far, it is unclear whether the tech giant will keep the Windows 10 moniker forever, but if it happens…

...Windows 10 could mark an entire new chapter for Microsoft where Windows is more of a service, however, the company still needs to really launch the Windows 10 operating system first.

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How to Identify a Fake Xiaomi (Mi) Power Bank

Owing to its quality built, better specifications and cheaper prices, Xiaomi has gained a lot of attention. But unfortunately, more popularity brings more fakes and the present scenario is that there are more fake Xiaomi Power Banks in the market than there are legit ones.  Listed below are the various tests which would help you in identifying a fake.

Differentiating between Genuine and Fake

Depending on the company manufacturing the fakes, there can be some cases where it works similarly to the genuine one, but it will surely fail most of the following tests.

Sticker with 20-digit Code on Packaging

This is the first and easiest step to check if the power bank is genuine. There would only be a very rare case where a fake Power Bank passes this test.

Genuine – Majority of the genuine Mi power banks sold in China come with a sticker on the packaging which can be scratched off to reveal a 20-digit code. Entering the code on the Xiaomi website would confirm the genuine product. However, the power banks sold outside of China via official channels will not carry this sticker.

Purchased from WS Retail seller on Flipkart? Your product packaging will not contain the 20-digit code. It is still genuine though as it passes remainder of the tests.

Fake – Fake Power Bank will usually not include any such sticker on the packaging, confirming that it is fake. Even if it carries one, it would fail the genuinity test on the Xiaomi website.

Website to check the code – http://chaxun.mi.com (in Chinese)

Branding and Color on USB Cable

Genuine – The MicroUSB cable included with genuine Mi Power Banks does NOT carry any Mi branding. If you see one with Mi printed on it, it is a fake. The genuine cable also has a black interior in the standard USB port.

Fake – Fake Power Banks usually ship with a MicroUSB Cable which has Mi printed on it. Many of us would take this as a sign of genuine product and apparently that’s what these fake sellers want to achieve by printing Mi on the USB cable. Fake ones also have a white interior of the standard USB port.

Pass-Through Charging

Genuine: The original Mi Power bank supports pass-through charging. What it means that the power bank will also charge a mobile phone connected to it while it itself is being charged. Only necessity is that the input charger must supply enough power and as such, charging via  a PC’s USB Port will not help.

Fake: The fake power bank does not have this capability and it will just charge itself and won’t pass on any current to the mobile phone connected to it. It will only charge the mobile when you disconnect the charger from the power bank.

Color of USB Ports on the Power Bank

Genuine – The front visible part of both the Micro USB and standard USB port have a rice white color.

Fake – Most of the fake power banks have a milk white color on the Standard USB port and a Black color on the Micro USB port.

Printing at the Bottom

Genuine – Has a printing in greyish ink which is lighter and clear. It is also well textured which can be felt by moving the fingers over it.

Fake – Usually darker and blurry in black ink and sometimes unclear printing.

LED Lights Function when Using

Genuine – While charging, holding the power button will turn off all the LED lights and they light up when the button is released.

Fake – No effect on pressing the power button while charging.

Branding on the Standard USB Port

Update: The branding seems to be missing from the newer 16000mAh power banks, even though they are genuine.

Genuine – Genuine power bank carries a small MI branding on the chassis of the standard USB port on the power bank. It is pretty small, but is easily visible while looking under natural lighting.

Fake – Fakes do not carry any such branding.

Thanks JR for this tip

Inbuilt Batteries

If you are still not able to determine the genunity, open up the power bank and check the inbuilt batteries:

Genuine – Branded batteries from international brands such as Samsung and LG.

Fake – Locally produced or counterfeit batteries which are generally of pink color.

NO 20800 mAh Power Bank

There are some sellers selling a Mi branded Power Bank with the capacity of 20800mAh. 16000mAh is the biggest that Xiaomi offers till date. So if you see a retailer from China or on eBay selling a Mi power bank of such capacity, you know it is a fake one.

Does your Mi power bank pass the tests above or it fails most of them? Let us know below.

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Android M — Latest Google Android OS WHAT does "M" stand for any guess?

While majority of smartphone users are waiting for Android 5.0 Lollipop update for their devices, Google is soon going to launch the next version of Android at its official Google I/O 2015 developer event May 28 in San Francisco.

Android M — The name of the latest version of Android mobile operating system was spotted at the Google I/O 2015 schedule under the "Android for Work Update" Session, which says…

"Android M is bringing the power of Android to all kinds of workplaces."

According to the company, this will open up "huge new markets for hundreds of Millions of devices to workers at small businesses, logistics, deskless workers, and warehousing jobs."However, Google appears to have since removed any mention of Android M from Google's I/O website, most probably the company wants to keep it as a surprise for Android users.

Considering the full Android releases with starting letters in alphabetical order, — Android M — strongly believes to be the next version of the Android operating system.

When the Google launched Android 5.0 at its developer conference last year, it was known by the name "Android L" before the company revealed its final name "Lollipop" months later.

Some More highlights:

The schedule also includes another session "Voice Access" known as "Your app, now available hands-free," which suggests that Google wants its users to control every feature of Android apps by their own Voice Command.

As the Voice Access session says, "In this talk, we introduce Voice Access, a service that gives anyone access to their Android device through voice alone."

The main highlights of the Google I/O schedule are yet Android M, which will eventually get some sweet sugary name too like all the previous versions of Android OS.

Till then, What do you think the "M" will stand for? Will it be Mousse, Muffin, or something else?

Hit the comments below.

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