8 Android Browser Alternatives!

If you are bored of Android stock browser and wish to try some browser alternatives in your Android phone, you have a host of them to lay your hands on. Here is a list of eight Android browser alternatives that have been updated within the last six months. These browsers are primarily meant to view English language websites. All these browsers support Flash Video immediately after they are installed.

Boat Browser
Similar to the desktop Web browser, Boat Browser brings tabs set along the top. Users just have to tap the '+' button on the right end of the tab toolbar to open the new tab. Then enter a site's address in the URL box below the tabs. The browser scrolls the tab toolbar and URL box up, off-screen automatically once the page is fully loaded to show you more of the Web page, says a PCWorld report. If you wish to switch to another tab, you can tap an icon on the toolbar that runs along the bottom of the browser. The browser comes with a GUI where users can swipe side-to-side through thumbnails of the pages. One simply needs to tap a thumbnail to see that page.

Dolphin Browser HD
In Dolphin Browser HD, the tabs work exactly in the same fashion they do in Boat Browser -- and when a Web page is completely loaded, the browser will scroll it slightly down the tab toolbar and URL box off-screen. It features gesture user interfaces, like- if you scribble a "<" on the touchscreen, the Web browser will return to the previous page viewed by you. Its mini version is also there, which offers more features than the HD one. It comes with extra tools like screenshot capturing, data backup and private browsing. However, HD can use add-ons. Mini works on older versions of Android, starting from 1.6, while HD requires at least 2.0.1.

Firefox (Android version)
If you swipe the browsing window toward the left, it shows a sidebar with thumbnails of your active pages. These are not tabs but the way of interaction with these thumbnails is the same. You will find a '+' mark at the bottom of the sidebar which can be tapped to open a new page. Similar to its desktop counterpart, the Android version of Firefox comes with its own add-ons functionality. Mozilla has provided a separate beta version with bugfixes and experimental new features. This version is frequently updated.

Maxthon Browser
In this browser, users can find the tabs set along the top. Users can simply tap the "+" button on the right side of the tab toolbar to open a new window and enter a URL to proceed. Maxthon browser also features gesture interactivity like Dolphin browser. Similar to Firefox, it uses add-ons.

Miren Browser
Miren Browser lists the pages as tabs along the top. Tapping the "+" button on the right side of this tab toolbar opens a page with a URL box. The pages are shown in full-screen mode in this browser because of its default setting. Users can tap the button on the lower-right of the screen to get the Android OS status indicator bar that runs along the top.

NetFront Life Browser
NetFront Life is not like the traditional browsers. If you like unconventional things, you must try this one. NetFront Life browser shows bookmarks and browsing history through a 3D graphics user interface. You simply need to flip like folders in a filing cabinet, or record LPs in a rack.

Ninesky Browser
In this browser, tabs are placed at the top. The browser hides them by scrolling down whenever loading a Web page is completed. Users can move to another tab by tapping an icon on a toolbar along the bottom. A window pops up to show thumbnails of your active pages that you can tap to access them. The browser features extensions (i.e. add-ons) capability.

Opera Mobile
Opera Mobile browser brings along a prominently displayed navigation bar. But it can disappear when you view a Web page. Users can tap an icon on this bar to see thumbnails of all open pages. From here, one can simply tap and jump to the other page. This browser takes a few seconds longer to start up, unlike Android stock.


[Images Credit: PC World]
source : efytimes

8 Tips To Save Your Android Phone Battery

With its big screen and faster processor, your Android smartphone's battery is ought to drain out faster than you wish.           

A major issue faced by Android phone users is its battery drainage problem. With its big screen and fast processor, the battery is ought to drain out. In fact, you are lucky if you get 24 hours out of it. Hence, to avoid such battery woes, we bring to you a list of 9 tips for saving your phone battery.

1. Find out apps and components that consume more power
The first step to increase battery life is to find out the apps and components that consume most of the power. A CNET report says that users can press the Menu key, tap Settings, scroll to the bottom of the Settings menu and tap About Phone. One can know about the battery consumption just by tapping Tap Battery Use in this menu.

2. Use the screen wisely
The bigger display of the Android phone puts the maximum load on its battery. Set a short timeout to make sure that the screen goes dark when you are not actively using the device. You can do that by tapping Display from the Settings menu. Then tap Screen timeout and set a new time for timout. In addition, you can also control the brightness. The Display menu has the option to select brightness levels. You can either select constant screen brightness or enable automatic adjustment to suit the ambient light. Choose the 'Power saving mode', which enables the variations in brightness levels depending upon the picture. Users are advised to immediately tap power button whenever they are finished with the phone, which instantly turns off the screen.

3. Turn off the features that you're not using
Radio interfaces definitely solve the purpose of a smartphone but eat-up a lot of battery as well. You can drag the Notification bar down to toggle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Keep these services off unless you are actively using them. Turn on the GPS a few minutes before you need it.

4. Quit apps properly if not in use
It's a common practice to use the home button for getting out of any apps, but this leaves the apps open in the background. Quit an application properly by pressing Back if you wish to move out of it to save battery.

5. Resist using a lot of widgets
Widgets are useful, but many of them like news tickers or weather forecasters need a lot of processing time and data downloads for regular updates. Keep away from having too many widgets on your home screen. You can instead create application shortcuts and run them when you need them.

Similar is the case with Android's live wallpapers. They might look good but they drain the battery constantly.

6. Get rid of checking e-mails often
Checking e-mails very often eats up a lot of power. So avoid doing that. Get started with Android's E-mail app and tap an account, then press the Menu key, tap More and choose Account settings. Tap E-mail Check Frequency and choose Every Hour, then repeat for any other mail accounts. You can enable the settings for social media applications like TweetDeck too.

7. Avoid too many videos and games
Android phones make great radios, music or movie players, but video playback is one of the major reasons of battery drainage. Be restrictive when you use your iPlayer or play Angry Birds, Stair Dismount or any other game. Overuse can leave you powerless.

8. In an emergency
Android devices warn about low battery when it is left with only 15 per cent charge. As soon as you see this alert, head to the notifications bar immediately and turn off as many options as possible. Also, hold in the power button and turn off Data network mode. Make sure that you exit all non-essential apps, return to the Home screen and turn the screen off. From this point it is advisable to your smart phone as just a phone.

source : efytimes

All about Mobile Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability is finally here!

The Prime Minister flags off the nation-wide rollout of Mobile Number Portability on Thursday. But are you still wondering how to access it? Here's all you need to know.

Q. What is MNP?
MNP allows users to retain their mobile telephone numbers even if they switch operators. Once the switching begins, it will also force telecom providers to improve the quality of their services

Q. How can I avail MNP?
Follow 6 simple steps.

Step 1: Send an SMS to 1900 in this format: PORT<space><your mobile number>
eg. PORT 9000000000

Step 2: You receive an SMS that contains a unique porting code

Step 3: SMS this unique code to your preferred operator.
(Note: This code is valid only for a few days. You will have to re-apply if it expires)

 Step 4: Your current operator will contact your new operator. If there are no dues, you will be granted approval

Step 5: You will get an SMS stating the time and date that porting will take place
(Remember, the rulebook says the process should be completed within 7 working days of applying except in J&K, Assam and North-east areas, where it will take 15 working days)

Step 6: After porting is done, await a confirmation SMS from your new operator
(Your phone could be unavailable for about 2 hours when porting occurs)

Q. How much would it cost me?
The cost of porting a number to a new operator is only Rs 19.

Some Recent Figures in MNP world :

Vodafone managed to lure 30,015 subscribers from other networks and lost just 9,267 of its subscribers. Bharti Airtel also ended in the positive with 18,271 new subscribers and only 10,837 leaving. Idea Cellular saw 15,604 subscribers leaving its network and 13,741 coming in. Emerging as the biggest losers, BSNL and Reliance Communications (RCom) witnessed a net loss of 20,000 and 13,500 subscribers, respectively, as on 16 January 2011.


MNP Faces Technical Problems :
After receiving a number of complaints from subscribers, the Department of Telecom has warned operators to implement mobile number portability (MNP) properly or face penalty. Under the MNP system, a subscriber should get a unique porting code (UPC) when requested. This code is required by the subscriber to complete the porting to the operator of his choice. But a top DoT official said, “Some operators have been found to deny the UPC to subscribers and are sending messages like ‘sorry customers, please try after some time' or ‘dear customers, please wait for some time'. Thereafter, operators try to contact the customer for retention. This is not allowed. We have told the operators that UPC generation is not to be hampered under any circumstances.” [Source: Business Line as of Jan 27 2011 ]