Beware Skype, WhatsApp is getting video calling feature

You already send text messages and make voice calls with WhatsApp, now you can also make video calls through the app — provided you’ve an Android phone, for now.

 Though the company hasn’t begun advertising this yet, but new beta versions of its Android app come with the ability to make video calls. If you and your friend are both on the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android, you will now see "Video Call" and "Voice Call" options when you hit the dialer button on top. Do note that the feature is still in early stage, so the video feed could stutter at times.

To get this feature, you will need to grab the latest beta version of WhatsApp. The company maintains an official beta testing program on Google Play, and one can sign up for it by tapping the "Become a Tester" button. Alternatively, you can also download the latest beta build of WhatsApp from third-party site APKMirror. The website offers Google-signed apps. Ensure that you snag version 2.16.318 or higher of WhatsApp.

Earlier this month, some Windows Phone users reported that they had received the video calling feature on WhatsApp. Now that WhatsApp has started to exude video calling ability on Android’s beta apps, it seems likely that its iOS and stable Android versions will follow the suit soon.

Video calling is one of the most sought after features on WhatsApp. The Facebook-owned company has in many ways revolutionized how people text, and in recent times, how they make voice calls. Though there are a plethora of apps and services that offer video calling ability — many of them for free — WhatsApp getting this feature would be noteworthy because of its one-billion plus users.

Apple partners with Flipkart to sell iPhone 7 online in India

Apple partners with Flipkart to sell iPhone 7 online in India

In an attempt to better control the pricing of its products, Apple has partnered with Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce website. Though Flipkart has always sold Apple’s products, this is the first time it will directly source inventory from Apple's distribution channel in the country.

Apple does not sell products directly in India and has a network of distributors and authorized resellers. Unlike the US and other markets, where one can buy Apple products directly from the company's website, buyers in India are directed to third-party retail stores as Apple does not have the license to sell products directly.

Prior to the partnership, Flipkart relied on third-party retailers for selling Apple products via its marketplace. This enabled (and sometimes forced) Flipkart to give heavy discounts on iPhones and other Apple products to match the offering by rivals Amazon India and Paytm among others in gaining GMV, or gross merchandise value.

"Partnering with Flipkart means Apple will have a better control on pricing unlike what happened last year when pricing for Apple products across leading ecommerce players was largely unstable. This might also be a good move for Flipkart from value perspective when whole focus has been shifted from GMV lately," Tarun Pathak, Senior Telecom analyst with marketing research firm Counterpoint Research told Mashable India. 

Though Flipkart might lose on those customers who are looking to purchase an iPhone at discounted prices, the company will get two things that its rivals won’t — better supply chain and marketing support from Apple. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will launch in India on Oct. 7, and they are likely to be in short supply during the first few weeks. 

Apple also has a partnership with Infibeam, another ecommerce company in India to directly sell iPhones. Its new tie-up with Flipkart however includes plans to sell products such as iPads and Mac lineup as well. Flipkart is the biggest player in online smartphone sales. It sold roughly half of all the smartphones sold online in India last year, according to Counterpoint Research. 

For a Company that is known for its high priced products, Apple was on the receiving end of the ecommerce price war in India. Last year, Amazon India, Paytm, Flipkart and Snapdeal offered the iPhones with enticing discounts. As a result, the iPhone 6s base model, which was officially priced at Rs 63,000 ($945), was selling on e-commerce sites for as low as Rs 45,000 ($675) days after its availability.

Ecommerce sites are steadily becoming a major platform for smartphone sales. For instance, sales through online shopping portals amounted for 32 percent of the overall smartphone sales by volume in Q2 2016, according to Counterpoint Research.

Apple’s partnership with Flipkart comes weeks ahead of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launch in India, which is scheduled for Oct. 7. The iPhone 7 starts at Rs 60,000 ($900), whereas the base iPhone 7 Plus model is priced at Rs 72,000 ($1,080). The company has also revised prices of its last year’s iPhones, with the iPhone 6s now starting at Rs 50,000 ($750).

This blog was first published on: http://mashable.com/2016/09/23/apple-flipkart-partnership-india-iphone-7-launch/

7 Siri Hacks That Make Life Better

If you have an iPhone, you've no doubt met Siri. Although you're probably aware of some of her basic capabilities, you may not be taking advantage of all her potential.

Knowing these seven Siri hacks can make your life better and help make some of your chores and errands easier and more convenient.

1. Measurement Conversions

Siri is a master at just about any measurement conversion. If you are in Europe and want to convert Euros to Dollars, she can handle that without a problem. If you're in a country where you don't even know the currency, she can tell you, and then convert it for you.

You can also ask Siri to convert the temperature from Celsius to Farenheit or vice versa. She can also convert cups to gallons or ounces to cups.

As long as you ask her about measurements that are in similar units, then Siri will have no problem converting them for you.

2. Make Reservations

If you're a business person taking clients out, or just planning a date night, leave it to Siri to make a reservation for you. All you need to do is tell her the time and place, and she will use Yelp to show you restaurants with their ratings and locations, then you can click on the "make reservation" button to go to OpenTable to finish the process.

3. Reminders

You're probably aware that Siri can remind you of something at a certain time, but you may not realize she can also alert you based on your location as well. If you need to pick up wine for dinner, Siri can alert you when you are near a store that's in your contacts list. If you need to pick up something from the office, she can remind you while you're there. (Also read: 3 Superb IPhone Apps To Turn Your Photos Into Art Work)

Just make sure the spot is in your contacts, and Siri will remind you when you get close. With the help of the GPS in your iPhone 6 Plus, Siri won't let you drive by somewhere and completely forget you were supposed to stop as long as you always have your smartphone in hand.

4. Return a Phone

If you're a good Samaritan, and come across someone's iPhone that is password protected, Siri can help you find the owner.

All you need to do is press the home button and ask Siri who owns the phone. Siri will give you the contact information of the phone, which may include the email address. That way you can get the phone to its owner, and get some good karma in return.

5. Read Your Messages Aloud

If you're in a situation where you shouldn't be reading your phone, you can always have Siri read your messages to you. The best example is probably when you are driving, although you should limit all distractions in that situation.

Otherwise, whether your eyes are tired, you have your hands full, or you're just feeling lazy, ask Siri to read messages to you and she will be happy to oblige. (Also read: ​ This Is How You Can Quickly Grow Traffic On Pinterest)

6. Name That Tune

If you hear a song, and you want to know the title and artist, Siri can help. Just push down the home button and let Siri listen to the music. She can name the song, and then give you the option to buy it through iTunes.

You'll never again have to wonder what that song was that you heard on the radio, in a bar, or in a store.

7. Delete All Your Alarms

There are two types of people in the world: those who have one or two alarms on their list, and those who have alarms for every single event of the day. If you're the second type, and the thought of deleting every alarm is exhausting, Siri can help. All you need to do is tell her to delete all of your alarms, and you can start with a clean slate.

Siri's capabilities are almost like having your own personal assistant. Although she can't do everything for you, she will probably often surprise you with everything she is capable of doing, and all you have to do is ask.
This blog was forst published on: http://www.lifehacker.co.in/jugaad/7-Siri-Hacks-That-Make-Life-Better/articleshow/54309615.cms