Get Facebook Home Running On Nearly Any Android Device

At the start of the month, everyone was excited about the Facebook Event, which finally revealed Facebook’s new launcher for Android – Facebook Home. A few days later an apk was leaked which worked on nearly any mobile. But, Facebook was quick to pull the plug on the app. Yesterday, finally Facebook Home was launched on the Play Store.

Sadly Facebook Home currently supports only Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, HTC One, One X, or One X+ (and HTC First). At first I side-loaded the apk (as I had done with the leak), surprisingly Facebook was checking the phone build, and all you get is this screen.

Luckily, Android is open-source and highly modifiable. You can change nearly anything, even your device. Hence running Facebook Home on your device is pretty easy.

Method 1: Rooted Devices Only

1. Install any build.prop editor app from the Play Store, such as this or this.

2. Open the app and MAKE A BACKUP.

3. Change build.prop to the following:

ro.product.model=GT-N7100

ro.product.brand=samsung

ro.product.name=t03gxx

ro.product.device=t03g

ro.product.manufacturer=samsung

ro.com.google.clientidbase=android-samsung

4. Save and reboot.

5. Install the Facebook Home apk – Link Here.

6. You are good to go!

Method 2: Non-Rooted Devices

1. Uninstall your current Facebook and Facebook Messenger apps.

2. Install the following apps. Facebook Home apk link and Facebook apk link.

3. You are good to go!

4. Do note that by this method your apps will no longer get updates on the Play Store.

My personal experience with Facebook Home, has not been the best. I simply do not like it. It looks useful for those who use their smartphones only for Facebook. Although I love the “chat-heads” feature (more on that in the next article).

Please let us know your views on Facebook Home in the comments below.

P.S: I’m not gonna do a complete review of the app – as I find that my views are much similar to those by Android Police.

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Source: Android Police

[UPDATE] Google Play Store 4.0 - Rolling out to Phones & Tablets Today - Download Now

A redesigned Google Play Store has been making a buzz for some time now, with Android Police getting their hands on a leaked apk. A YouTube employee also posted a screenshot. The whole world was geared up for its launch at the Google I/O next month, but it seems that the Mountain View company did not have it in its mega event plans, as a blog post on the Android Blog has confirmed that the new Play Store will roll out to phones and tablets today itself!

The new cards based look definitely looks cleaner and aesthetically more beautiful. According to the blog, the new UI focuses on bigger images, grouping similar content and offering recommendations as you scroll down. All devices running Android 2.2 or higher will get the update.

Although the rollout starts worldwide today, with millions of devices the load on Google’s servers, it may be a few weeks till the update comes to your phone. Side loading the apk is an option, although no apk file is available yet (Update: Scroll to bottom for the link).

It is quite interesting to watch the UI changes Matias Duarte has brought into Android after joining the team (earlier he worked for – WebOS). He made the stock Google experience lovable with ICS (Android 4.0), brought out the aesthetic Google Cards with JB (Android 4.1/4.2) and now the clean Play Store UI. One can only wait with eager anticipation for Key Lime Pie (Android 5.0).

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Update: Android Police have once again provided us all with the apk. The app is signed by Google and upgrades your existing Play Store. The new version of the Play Store is 4.0.25. DOWNLOAD HERE.

Source: Android Blog, Android Police

Rumor: Google Negotiating 1 Billion Buyout of WhatsApp

According to a post by Digital Trends, Google is planning to acquire the most famous cross-platform messaging app – WhatsApp in a reportedly billion dollar deal. The site reports, that the discussion has been ongoing for quite a while with the final price being the thorn in the agreement, with WhatsApp playing “hardball” to drive up the price.

WhatsApp has already shown the world that its monetization scheme is extremely effective. Its yearly but nominal $0.99 subscription fee keeps the service ad-free. Behind the scenes however, WhatsApp also generates revenue through profitable partnerships with international telecommunications companies. Whatever Whatsapp is doing is working, it is doing it right, with declining SMS usage around the world being directly linked to the success of the app.

With Facebook taking a huge step forward in the messaging ecosystem, via Facebook Home and the continuously improving Messenger (with free voice calls), Google’s attempt to acquire WhatsApp feel like steps in the proper direction.

It is also important to remember that, according to many reports Google is set to discard its numerous messaging services for an all in one – Google Babble (or Babel). Google Babble is expected to be revealed in May at thee Google I/O event. If Google wants WhatsApp to be a part of Babble, it may well have to hurry and get the deal done and dusted.

Will Google continue support for iOS (remember, Sparrow the mail client?)? Will Google integrate it into the Android OS? All these question remain unanswered and only time will tell. Nevertheless, if Google does manage this acquisition, it will be a great step forward for Google in the world of communication.

So far Google and WhatsApp have not released any statements regarding the rumor.

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Source: Digital Trends

2013 Google's April Fool's Roundup

The Mountain View based search giant just loves to have fun with it's users time and time again. This time around Google tried a lot of things to fool it's customers.

Well finally April 1 2013 is coming to an end (atleast on this side of the globe), so I decided to create a complete list of "pranks" played by Google on people around the globe. I will update the list if something new pops up.

1. YouTube is Shutting Down!

Yesterday the search giant announced that YouTube was actually a competition to find the best video on the internet and today was the last day to submit entries. Google will now judge the video's and announce a winner after a decade in 2023.

2. Treasure Maps

It seems that the Google Street View team have got their hands on the treasure maps of a certain "Captain Kidd" and decide to integrate them into the Google Maps today. Go people, it's a treasure hunt!

3. Awesome Applications - Google Play Developer Console 

To see this one, you need a Google Play Developer account. Rather than the usual "Add New Application", there is a new option of "Add New AWESOME Application". By choosing the latter Google helps you build the application based on advanced machine learning algorithms.

4. Google Nose (Beta)

As the name implies it lets you search for smells, with a database of more than 15 million "scentbyte". By mixing photons with infrasound waves, Google nose emulates various scents. Want to smell a rose, let Google Nose do it for you.

5. Gmail Blue

The most absurd in the list, it's Gmail but in Blue. Everything in Gmail is now Blue. According to Google this idea was present right from the start, only the technology to support it was absent.

6. Google+ Emoticon

Google+ photos will now have emoticons in your photos. Google is going to analyze all photos and add them. Luckily, hitting the smiley face on the top left, reverts your photo back to the original.

7. Easter Egg

As Easter was just yesterday, Google gave us a 3D rendered Easter Egg. You can check it out  by clicking this link in your browser and you will have a 3D rotating Easter Egg on your screen.

8. Fiber to the Pole

This one is mainly for the people belonging to Kansas City. As if the people of the city weren't already lucky to have gigabit connectivity in their homes, now they can access it even on the move. Just tap the QR code from our mobile 3 times, plug in the ethernet and you are set to enjoy gigabit speeds on the poles. Beware, it can get really crowded.

9. SCHMICK

According to the blog post by Google Australia, Google is launching SCHMICK, an abbreviation for Simple Complete House Makeover Internet Conversion Kit. This addition to the Google Street View lets you decorate your house using pre-defined tools. 

10. Google Wallet ATM

What an invention it would be, if only it were real. Google has introduced the Google Wallet ATM. This attachment converts your smartphone into a ATM! just type the amount, and Google Wallet ATM prints it for you on the spot (Federal Bank has no problem with you printing your own cash).

If I missed something, please drop a comment below.

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Facebook Working on Introducing the Hashtag

  Facebook is taking its business rivalry with Twitter into the realm of symbols: #Feud

Although the hashtag labelling system orignated in early social media such as the IRC, it was Twitter that led to a prominent rise in the use of it for labelling, as well as classification. Over the past few years, its use and spread have spread so far that it was awarded "Word of the Year 2012" by the American Dialect Society on Jan 4, 2013. Now, according to a a report on Wall Street Journal, Facebook is experimenting on incorporating this feature.

For those unaware (seriously people, have you been living on the planet for the past 5 years?), hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the "#" symbol. It is a method to collate numerous tweets about a single news/event.

According to the report on WSJ, Facebook is testing thee feature, which will allow users to click on a hashtag to pull up all stories about the news/event. It will also allow quick indexing of conversations around "Trending Topics" and build those conversations up. It is important to note that Instagram, the image sharing site that Facebook acquired last year, already uses hashtags. With Facebook allowing this feature, it may lead to a much closer integration between the two.

Facebook must also be interested in the new opportunities this provides for advertisers. Advertisers could promote particular hashtags as the current promotion of likes on fan pages. Through this they, may manage to get longer presence on Facebook's news feed.

Facebook maybe working on it, but I dont expect it to hit the common user any time soon. As far as the view on it's usefulness, I will reserve it for the launch.

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Source: WSJ

Age of Empires II HD Launching on April 9

One of the favorite strategy game for millions of people around the globe (including myself) is all set for a comeback in HD, as Age of Empires II HD Edition! Microsoft recently announced that it would be launching Age of Empires II HD Edition, a reimagining of the 1999 real-time strategy game. With Ensemble Studios being closed down, all the work on the remastered version is being done by Hidden Path, the studio that brought us Counter Strike: Global Offensive.

Age of Empires II HD Edition is all set to launch on April 9 exclusively through Steam across the world at a price of $19.99. Gamers won't need to wait that long to play, however, as those who pre-purchase will be able to get it on April 5 along with a 10% discount.

Age of Empires II HD Edition includes every single-player campaign from the Age of Kings original and the Conquerors expansion, making it a grand total of 18. In addition, in the new online multiplayer mode, gamers can challenge other Steam players through the game's online mode.

According to Microsoft, Age of Empires II HD Edition has been remastered for high-resolution displays at 1080p. It also includes an "enhanced visual engine" sporting improved textures for terrain, water and fire, and ambient lighting effects. It also has support for multiple monitor.

Steamworks features for Age of Empires II HD Edition include achievements, leaderboards, matchmaking, and cloud support. In addition, gamers can share user created content through the Steam Workshop.

Minimum System Requirements:

1. Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 Pro

2. Steam Software Platform

3. 900x600 minimum display resolution

4. Direct X 9 Capable GPU

5. 1.2GHz CPU

6. 1GB RAM

7. 2GB HDD

  

Although private developer’s (like the ones behind Age of Empires II: Forgotten Empires), have already brought out many of the features of Age of Empires II HD Edition, its great to see Microsoft Studios spend its resources in re-building a classic game. A demand/wish/hope a lot of gamers had with this game. Looking forward to hours of gaming in HD!  

Amazing Game of Thrones Dragon Ad in The New York Times

Work of a Genius! Simply Mesmerizing... I just do not have the words to describe this awesome ad by HBO, for the upcoming return of Game of Thrones.

The full-page ad, was located in the Monday, February 25th edition of the New York Times. It is definitely custom-designed to light up fantasy fans’ pleasure centers. The clever Game of Thrones ad features what looks unmistakably like the shadow of one of Khaleesi’s dragons, cast across a series of dummy articles, with headlines like “Lost Film Returns.”

The show will return on 31 March, 2013.

Much more than the brilliant concept here, to me this is an AD FOR PRINT! There is no way to create this experience digitally that would have the same effect.

Watch the Game of Thrones Season 3 Trailer (below)

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