Technology – Page 18

Sync And Control Android Phones From Your Computer [Android]

March 2, 2011 by Raj Agrawal 1 Comment

— AndroidPC project has been withdrawn by its author. Hence, this article is no longer valid —

AndroidPC v.2.0 is one of the best mobile managing suits available for Android phones, enabling the users to quickly connect their Android phones with the computer, regardless of the operating system, whether it be linux, mac or windows. The user can easily send and receive SMS, calls, get desktop notifications for incoming calls and messages, sync contacts and messages with the computer.

I’ve been hunting for a mobile managing suite since the day I bought an Android powered HTC Wildfire. Mobile managing suits really help to make things more convenient to control your cell phones without having the need to physically touch them. I recently discovered this tiny app called ‘AndroidPC’ that performs much more than it’s size. It allows the users to connect and take control of Android phones with a computer bearing a Mac, Linux or Windows operating system. It is compatible literally with any operating system.

In order to use AndroidPC, you need to install AndroidPC app on the phone and a provided Java App on your computer.

Make sure you have a Java Runtime Environment install on your computer, or else get it from Java’s website:
With that, get AndroidPC for your phone from the Android market or with the QR code:

At last, you need a working Wi Fi connection (I know that sucks, but for now this the only connectivity path the app supports) and follow the steps from this link: Installation – How To

To summarize, here are some key facts about AndroidPC,

The Goodness –

Runs on all operating system platforms
Low on system resources
Small size
Receive and make a phone call from PC
Send and receive files on Android phones
Manage contact information and messages
Reply to messages from PC without the need of touching the phone
View your phone’s information
Missed call list

What sucks –

With the version 2.0, you can only use the suite with a working Wi Fi connection, the author is working on adding the USB support in the upcoming versions.
No support for Bluetooth

Self Healing Materials (Polymer) – They Heal, They Grow

February 20, 2011 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

UPCOMING TECHNOLOGY – The concept of self healing materials is not a fresh idea to science and technology. The ‘Self healing capability’ is one great upcoming technology where objects are made capable enough to fully restructure themselves to their original shape and structure with self efforts, when damaged or even broken apart.

It’s amazing to visualize and even witness (in some cases) to what it means and how it can change the way we deal with damaged objects. Some time ago, a video was released on youtube which displays the marvel.us capability of a self-healing vehicle tyre. On a regular set of rubber tyres, a single encounter with a sharp-pointed object can bring your vehicle to a stand still. Very recently, new form of self healing tyres have been successfully built to heal back from almost any puncturing attempt. The following speaks for itself.

The demonstration of an innovative self healing tyre as shared by Creax.com. A sample tyre is tested with multiple puncturing attempts and how it aptly repairs itself within a fraction of seconds to it’s original position.

On a different note, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski and his co-workers at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, USA) and Kyushu University (Japan) have developed a new polymeric material that can heal and repair itself on multiple attempts when exposed to UV light, as reported by MaterialsViews.

The new polymeric material produced by the American and Japanese team is stable and repairs itself again and again. The secret to their success is that the polymer is cross-linked through trithiocarbonate units. These are carbon atoms bonded to three sulfur atoms, two of which use their second bonding position to attach to another carbon atom. These groups have a special property: they can restructure under UV light. The light breaks one carbon–sulfur bond in the trithiocarbonate groups. This produces two radicals—molecules with a free, unpaired electron. The radicals are very reactive and attack other trithiocarbonate groups to form new carbon–sulfur bonds while breaking others to form more free radicals. The chain reaction stops when two radicals react with each other.

In simpler words, this newly developed polymer can be easily repaired from damages like cuts and shreds by firmly pressing the affected areas together followed by the irradiation process. I say, this is great beginning for an awesome and technologically enriched future. Imagine the level of convenience, cost and price reductions the self healing products may offer the consumers as well as the manufacturers!

Acer’s Special Promo Offers For This Valentine’s Day

February 11, 2011 by Raj Agrawal Leave a Comment

Offers ranging from vouchers for movie tickets, lunch buffets and gifts from Reebok.

Acer, the world’s third largest technology giant has introduced an attractive end customer scheme to celebrate Valentine’s Day this season. With its special promo -“Acer Love Machine Offer”, the consumer can now charm their valentine with free couple tickets to their favourite movies or a gift voucher to an extravagant lunch buffet at a fine dining restaurant or a Reebok gift voucher. The offer will be valid from 11th February – 28th February 2011 targeting its end consumers. Customers can avail this offer on purchase of an Acer Aspire notebook only available at selected stores across India.

Acer has launched several end consumer schemes and this Acer Love Machine offer too will benefit its users. Customers can choose from the multiple options available to keep impressing their valentine.

Option #1: In Keep the Love alive: Customers can opt for a movie card of 12 Months validity, which entitles them to get 2 free movie tickets every month for 12 Months! worth Rs. 2400/- valid between Monday – Friday covering 70 cities across India.

Option#2: Romance in Style: Customer can avail 2 x (movie + lunch buffet) voucher and treat their loved ones to movie as well as lunch buffet in a fine dine restaurant worth Rs. 2400/-.

Option#3: Gift wrap your love: Customers can opt for a Reebok gift voucher worth Rs. 1500/-and redeem it for a merchandise of their choice at Rebook retail outlets.

Customers can now surprise their valentine with any of the above options. To avail this offer, a customer needs to follow three simple steps – purchase an Acer Aspire notebook, register on the Acer website and the gift vouchers will be delivered as per the consumer’s preference in minimum two weeks time.

We at Acer have a clear understanding of the mindset of our consumers, especially the youth and we are extremely confident that this offer will be immensely popular among them during this season. We have always taken an extra step to tailor our end customer offerings to suit the preferences and needs of the key consumer segments. said Mr. S Rajendran, Chief Marketing Officer, Acer India.

This season too, Acer has introduced an enticing offer for its end consumers. Apart from offering the consumer the satisfaction of owning a world-class product from a global brand, Acer has lent its consumers the reason to celebrate the special moments in their life. Keep impressing your valentine as you purchase an Acer Aspire Notebook and let the celebration continue.

* Terms and conditions apply.