After uncountable delays and god knows how many fake apps in the Play Store. BBM for Android is about to really arrive in Google Play and the Apple App Store. This will mark the first time Blackberry's premier messaging service has been available on a non-Blackberry device. You'll be able to download the app today, but you might not be able to actually use it.
BBM for Android was leaked a few weeks back and the flood of users caused server shutdown for the company. This time the number of users will be controlled by a waiting list that you'll signup for in the app. Just enter an email address and Blackberry will let you know when the time has come for you to start using the app.
The company promises to move people through the queue as quickly as possible, but you'll probably want to get on it early if you just can't wait. All those leaked installs at least show there is still some demand for BBM even if the company's phones aren't of much interest anymore.
We will let you know when the app is live.
UPDATE: Blackberry Messenger has gone live in certain countries on the Play Store and worldwide on the Apple App Store. To download click here.
BBC has finally started advertising the 50th anniversary
special of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who!
The promotion includes the poster showing all 11 ''Doctors'
till date. For full size image click here.
Also released is a teaser trailer for the upcoming special —
titled “Day of the Doctor.” The special airs Nov. 23 and is going to be
broadcast live simultaneously in several countries. The teaser shows all the
previous doctors, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith (and a few foes). Although it is
still missing any actual new footage from the upcoming special.
Recently, I met a guy who put some really interesting, yet
basic questions in front of me regarding stuff on Windows, Android, etc. This
gave me the idea of starting a new series ‘TechGooner Explains’. Here we go with the first one..
The moment your PC starts showing problems the first thing that comes in your
head is “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” This is the standard
response any computer geek will give you (even if they have not watched The IT
Crowd). So the question that pops up is, why don’t geeks try to identify and
fix problems rather than use the blunt hammer of “reboot”?
Firstly, remember this reset philosophy/process is not
restricted to Windows, it is applicable on routers, phones, iPads, sound
systems and even software’s! Ever had extensions crash in Chrome?
To illustrate the requirement of a reboot, I’m going to use the most famous
example – the blue screen of death! The problem is usually caused because of
problems in hardware drivers or hardware malfunction. Windows has reached a
state where it does not understand the error. So it stops all functions, shows the
blue-screen of death and gathers the require information about the problem in
the background. After this Windows automatically restarts the computer for you.
This restart fixes the blue screen of death.
Another usual occurrence is the loss of Graphic Drivers.
Earlier (Windows XP and the ones before it), a crash in the Graphic Drivers
would ‘hang’ the system, and one had to force reboot it. Windows has improved,
the desktop will lose its fancy graphical effects for a few moments before
regaining them. Behind the scenes, Windows is restarting the malfunctioning
graphics driver.
But why doesn't Windows simply fix the problem rather than
restarting the computer itself? Well, because
it can’t — the code has encountered a problem and stopped working completely,
so there’s no way for it to continue. By restarting, the code can start from
square one and hopefully it won’t encounter the same problem again.
Examples of Restarting Fixing Problems
Windows is Slow: Windows running slowly, usually means that
a program is misbehaving and using up a major chunk of the CPU. A geek could
head to the task manager and look around, hoping to locate the misbehaving
process an end it. If an average user encountered this same problem, they could
simply reboot their computer to fix it.
Browser is Using Too Much Memory: Internet browsers
including Firefox and Chrome are well known for memory leaks. Over time, the
browser would often consume more and more memory, getting larger and larger and
slowing down. Closing the application will cause it to relinquish all of its
memory. When it starts again, it will start from a clean state without any
leaked memory. This doesn’t just apply to Firefox and Chrome, but applies to
any software with memory leaks.
Internet or Wi-Fi Network Problems: If you have a problem
with your Wi-Fi or Internet connection, the software on your router or modem
may have encountered a problem. Resetting the router — just by unplugging it
from its power socket and then plugging it back in — is a common solution for
connection problems. On the computer front, resetting the adapter works, but
rebooting does the same trick.
In all cases, a restart wipes away the current state of the
software. Any code that’s stuck in a misbehaving state will be swept away, too.
When you restart, the computer or device will bring the system up from scratch,
restarting all the software from square one so it will work just as well as it
was working before.
Ultimately, the answer is that “resetting a computer wipes away the current state of the software, including any problems that have developed, and allows it to start over from square one.” It’s easier and faster to start from a clean state than identify and fix any problems that may be occurring — in fact, in some cases, it may be impossible to fix problems without beginning from that clean state.
If you want a certain topic in the next
edition of TechGooner Explains, leave it in the comment section below.
If the numerous leaks/rumors surrounding the Nexus 5 were
not sufficient to convince you of the latest device from the Mountain View
company, this 'leak' should do it. The device appeared in the device listings in the
US Play Store out of nowhere (Yes, it was taken down quickly).
Feast your eyes, on the NEXUS 5.
The price for the 16 GB model is listed as $349. While
that's a higher barrier to entry than we saw with the Nexus 4, which also cost
$349 at 16GB but had a $299 8GB model, it's still an attractively low price for
what appears to be a more than capable device. Google's tagline for the LG-made
phone is "Capture the everyday and the epic in fresh new ways."
Nexus 5 is expected to have a 5-inch Full HD display (441
PPI), a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear camera,
NFC and wireless charging. Let’s stop a second to let that marinate. Even fans
of Samsung devices, which consistently have the latest, most bleeding-edge
specs, will be fawning over the Nexus 5’s potential. It sounds nothing short of
amazing. Not only will it be fast, and compatible with plenty of networks here
in the U.S, it should feature the latest version of Android, KitKat 4.4. Other
possible specs include a 2,300mAh battery for the 16GB model, 3,000mAh model
for the 32GB model, a cavalcade of sensors, notification light, Bluetooth 4.0
and Slimport compatibility.
Google is yet to announce anything official about the Nexus
5, but it can't be far off now.
In the last few weeks, most of the TV channels announced
their respective show lineups for this fall. While many favorites are on their
way back — who doesn’t want another year of The Big Bang Theory? And one of the
best show’s final season is set to kick of (a.k.a. – Breaking Bad). There are
also brand new shows to entertain come September. I’ve picked out the 10 series
to keep your eyes on.
1. Sleepy Hollow
The series is considered a "modern-day retelling" of the 1820 short
story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. With a
time-travel conspiracy element that brings Crane and the Horseman to the modern
day and then sends them on a trip across the country to uncover hidden clues
left in patriotic locations in order to defeat each other, this show could end
up becoming a crowd favorite.
Premiere: September 16, 2013 on FOX
2. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D almost feels like the fantasy of a
network looking for a sure-fire hit. The director of one of the most successful
superhero movie ever (The Avengers), writing and directing the pilot for an
all-new original spin-off from that movie? It’s hard to imagine that anyone
truly believed that ABC wouldn’t pick up Joss Whedon’s Avengers offshoot from
the moment it was announced. Add in the return of Clark Gregg as the
apparently-not-deceased Agent Phil Coulson, and the question isn’t whether the
show will be a hit, but just how big a hit the show will be.
Premiere: September 24, 2013 on ABC
3. Almost Human
With Alcatraz and Undercovers being cancelled early on. Its high
time JJ Abrams delivers his magic on the small screen. Will Almost Human, the
new science fiction series about a cop working with a robotic partner who might
be more alive than he is be that series, only time will tell. Abrams also
brings along some of his Star Trek partners: Karl Urban (Dr. McCoy) playing the
lead character, while Star Trek writers (and Fringe co-creators) Roberto Orci
and Alex Kurtzman serve as fellow executive producers alongside Abrams. Could
this be the weekly sci-fi summer blockbuster that we’ve been waiting for?
Premiere: November 4, 2013 on FOX
4. The 100
Nearly a century after a nuclear war has destroyed
civilization, a spaceship sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to
investigate the possibility of re-colonizing. Based on the forthcoming Kass
Morgan book of the same name.
Premiere: TBA (midseason) on CW
5. The Goldbergs
I’ll admit, I did not know of this show before I started
writing the article. But, Goldbergs has two things going for it. Firstly, the
show has amazing buzz from those who’ve actually seen the pilot. Secondly, it’s
a quasi-autobiographical show created by Adam Goldberg, the man behind Fanboys,
Breaking In and How to Train A Dragon, which means it’s unlikely to be dull.
Premiere: September 24, 2013 on ABC
6. The Blacklist
The world's most wanted criminal (James Spader) mysteriously
turns himself in and offers to give up everyone he has ever worked with. His
only condition: He will only work with a newly minted FBI agent (Megan Boone)
with whom he appears to have no connection.
Premiere: September 23, 2013 on NBC
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
With FOX’s recent success in the comedy genre, the show
looks to do it once again. If the idea of Samberg as a laid back detective who
has to deal with a hard-ass new boss doesn’t immediately appeal, perhaps the
strength of the cast (the show also includes The Expendables‘ Terry Crews and
Chelsea Peretti and Homicide: Life on the Street’s Andre Braugher) will.
Premiere: September 17, 2013 on FOX
8. The Tomorrow People
A remake of a relatively-obscure British children’s show
from the 1970s, The Tomorrow People gives the CW a science-fiction teen drama.
As the next generation of humanity — spoilers, they have telepathic powers! And
finds themselves under investigation and persecution from “The Man”
Premiere: October 9, 2013 on CW
9. Dracula
The name itself tells what the show is all about. Only the
fact that it has “The producers of Downton Abbey take on the Dracula story”,
and the addition of The Tudors‘ Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Vlad himself (alongside
Merlin‘s Katie McGrath as his true love, Mina) makes me put this show on the
list.
Premiere: October 25, 2013 on NBC
10. Low Winter Sun
With Low Winter Sun, AMC is bringing a UK based drama into
Detroit. It involves two cops who commit a crime, only then be tasked with
investigating that crime, in the process attempting to make sure no one finds
out they are in fact the criminals being hunted.
Premiere: August 11, 2013 on AMC
So which show are you most interested in? Let me know in the
comments below.
The sequel to one of the most famous multiplayer online
battle arena (MOBA) is finally out of beta and available as a free download for
everyone. The frequently updated beta for Valve's Dota 2 is over, and the
free-to-play MOBA has officially launched on Steam.
The developer warns "there may be a short wait for you
to download the game.” due to the heavy load on the server. You'll still have
to queue to play, so the sooner you install, the better chances you'll have of
playing. "You'll see your place in line," the developer writes,
"and when it is your turn we'll send you an email letting you know you're
in. We'll begin sending those emails this week."
Dota 2 is a notoriously difficult game with a hardcore community,
so be sure to check out the various noob's guide to the game before you jump
in, if you're new to the game.
The high price of the Next Launcher 3D deters most people
from trying out this “different” launcher. But, today you can pick up your copy
of Next Launcher 3D for free. This alternative launcher is the work of the same
team that made the famous Go Launcher, and the paid version has over 100,000
downloads, even at a price of INR 540 ($16).
To get your free copy follow the following steps:
1. Download the trial version of Next Launcher 3D to get
started from HERE.
2. Choose Get Free when the splash screen comes up.
3. To unlock it, open the menu and go into preferences.
Since this interface is going to take some getting used to, I'll just let you
know the menu button is in the far right dock position.
4. In preferences, scroll all the way down and tap on About
Full Version.
5. Choose the Activate option, and put in
"nextlauncher3d" as the account, and "appoftheday" as the
code (both without the quotes). The app should be unlocked and you can play
around without worrying about the trial period expiring.
Sadly this does not tie your app to your google account,
hence you do not get any updates. So think about backing up the app using
Helium or Titanium Backup if you want to be safe. Next Launcher also overrides
the background image in all launchers when it's installed. You can change it
back, but still a small annoyance.
Even if the flashy UI isn't your piece of cake, it's worth
grabbing just to play around with.
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