FireChat Messaging App: Look Ma, No Internet!

FireChat, an iPhone app designed for anonymous hyperlocal communication, could change the way we connect with one other: It does not require an Internet connection or even a cell signal to work.FireChat, an iPhone app designed for anonymous hyperlocal communication, could change the way we connect with one other: It does not require an Internet connection or even a cell signal to work.

FireChat takes advantage of the Multipeer Connectivity Framework in iOS 7. This feature allows developers to connect devices to each other using Bluetooth, WiFi, and peer-to-peer connections.

Users must be within a maximum of 100 feet of another to use the Nearby feature (though they can connect with other users around their countries through the Internet in the "Everyone" chat room); it works best when users are within 30 feet of each other. However, if there are many people using the app within a close range of each other, the network becomes larger and more robust.

Vine update introduces private video, text messaging

Twitter has introduced a new feature for Vine that allows users to send video clips and messages privately to other users. It arrives roughly six months after competitor Instagram added similar functionality and further reflects the popularity of private messaging apps and services.

In a blog post on the matter, the company said they recognized since the early days that there was a growing desire and need for private messaging. It’s a bit surprising that it took Vine this long to come up with an answer to Instagram’s service, but I guess better late than never, eh?

Nokia X Android phones: Life in the Fastlane

By design, Nokia's new Android smartphones will underwhelm users of high-end phones. The Nokia X line was created with emerging markets in mind, so the company emphasised keeping prices low, meaning the user interface is relatively simple.


















The home screen resembles the one on Nokia's Windows-based Lumia phones, even though it's Android underneath. But Nokia Corp. added a Fastlane feature, a screen with quick access to your most-used apps. You get to it by swiping from the left or right edge of the home screen or tapping the back button at the bottom.

Lenovo A526 with 4.5-inch display, 5-megapixel camera launched

Lenovo has launched its latest smartphone, the A526, at Rs. 9,499 for the Indian market. The Chinese handset maker has announced that the Lenovo A526 will be available starting Saturday (5 April 2014) at the company's online and physical stores in the country.

The Lenovo A526 smartphone offers dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) functionality with dual standby, and supports the regular SIM size. It runs the now-dated Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system out-of-the-box, with no word on a future software update. The budget Android smartphone features a 4.5-inch display with a (FWVGA) 480x854 pixel resolution. A quad-core MediaTek MT6582M processor powers the device, clocked at 1.3GHz, with 1GB of RAM.

Moto G Forte with rough Grip Shell listed on company's site

Motorola finally took the wraps of its new Moto G variant, the Moto G Forte, in Mexico. The former Google-owned company has quietly listed the new variant of the Moto G on its Mexico site. As of now, there is no word on the pricing and availability details of the Moto G Forte.
Notably, the Moto G Forte comes with identical specifications to the Moto G, except that the former packs a Motorola rugged Grip Shell out-of-the-box. It's worth pointing out that the Grip Shell for Moto G is available as an accessory in the US at $19.99.

The Motorola Moto G Forte runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 4.5-inch HD 'edge-to-edge' (for a supposed better touch experience) display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels (translating to a pixel density of 329ppi) and boasts a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.