Tag: Android

Olaround Pakistan First QR Based Motivational System – Review

These days, Technology is changing at a great pace that major change in technology seems to be a minor change to us because we are somewhat addicted to this fast moving technology. Back in 90’s when anything new was introduced and one couldn’t understand on how to use that thing, it was called Technology. This might sound strange now because later in twenty-first century, every one tried to coupe up with this fast moving technology and made their self compatible with all the latest trends along with tidbits. Therefore, these days we don’t feel a major change as a major; the major change seems to be minor for those who are in contact with the latest trends and gadgets that are being used in this twenty first century.

However, we can still find some people who are not compatible with latest trends and gadgets, they prefer the old living style of 90’s in which they spent their whole life. In order to survive in this twenty first century, every one needs to stay up to date with all the latest trends of the technology because every organization around the world is trying to implement latest technological gadgets to save time and cost. The foremost example of staying up to date with technological gadgets and how to make the most out of them is of Korea’s Tesco Super Market. Korea’s Tesco Super Market was the first store in the world to use QR Codes on a subway to reduce the time of customers and it made an ease for the customers to shop at a Subway station while waiting for the Train to arrive. All the customer’s need to do was to take out their smart phone and scan the QR Code of the product that they wanted to buy. After the QR Code of that particular product was scanned, the customer was redirected to the cart to finalize the order and fill in the information of shipping address to ship the items at their destination.

Until now, Korea was the first one to implement this QR Code technology in the country. As for now, Pakistan the under developing country has joined the race by implementing QR Code based system in an Application for iOS and Android called olaround.

Olaround is a product of Bramerz which is launched in association with Google & Ufone and is supported by P@SHA. This is not an incentive or a discount system only; indeed, it is more than these things in just one single App for all the smart phone users.

What is Olaround?

The Olaround is somewhat self-explanatory. If we read the name as “All Around” by eliminating the “O” from it, we can have a clear idea about the App that what is this App about and what will it have inside of it.

Olaround in simple words is one place price listing/menu made for smart phones in which a user can see tons of restaurants listings with updated menu cards.

How does it work?

Olaround is a simple App made for iOS and Android users having the functionality to scan QR Codes located at different restaurants that are listed in the Application across different cities of Pakistan.

All you need to have is this Application installed on your smart phone and must find a place where you want to hang out on olaround. Once you are done with finding the place, simply check for the menu, prepare your order, visit the place, ask the waiter or respected person to give you the QR Code card, so you can punch it virtually to avail discounts/freebies

The other way around is to open the App, visit a restaurant that is listed in the App, go to olaround scan option, and it will ask you to scan the QR Code present on a card. Once you scan the QR Code on the card, you will check in that place. When you are done scanning with the QR Code, a message will popup that you have checked in using the Application, therefore show this message to the staff to avail a freebie or a discount offer.

Official “Olaround” Video:

What Incentives are given out by Olaround?

Olaround is having about 170 listings of different restaurants across different cities of Pakistan with more companies joining them on daily basis. Every company has different incentive scheme under the name of “kicks.” Every restaurant listing is offering something good and unique incentive.

We have taken Purple Haze as an Example. As you can see below, Purple Haze is offering some nice discount on first, second third, fourth, and fifth punch. (They are offering amazing discounts. Other than this, some fast food chains offer a free drink at first punch like McDonalds (we availed one today) and on the tenth checking punch, you get a free McChicken Burger for free.)

How does the QR Code Looks like?

Before using this amazing service, we were wild guessing about the QR Code thing that it will be presented to us in printed form or on the final bill or some other form. However, when the manager of McDonald showed us the QR Code, we were blown away. It was very well organized and in proper manner along with complete instructions.

Below is how a QR Code Looks like:

Thanks to the manager for giving us the chance of taking the picture of the QR Code and increasing our experience.

Note: The QR Code has been edited and it is not in its original shape.

First Impression with Olaround Application for iOS and Android

After hearing about this awesome app from somewhere, today we went out to test this Application at McDonalds Phase V branch also called Sea View Branch. At first we thought to go in the dine-in area that was under construction, so we went to drive thru and asked the staff member if he was aware of this Application promotion thing. The staff member couldn’t understand at first and called out the manager. Then we asked the manager if he knew something about QR Code, he was blank. Then we told him in simpler words that we got an App over here by which you scan the barcode sort of code and get some incentives. As soon as we told him the details, he continued with the details and asked us to punch in virtually with our smart phone to avail the discount offer.

The moment we punched in with our smart phone, a messaged pop-upped stating,

“Thank you for punching at McDonalds, Kindly show this to the staff and avail a free drink.”

We showed the message to the manager and he told the staff to grant us with the free drink.

After using the App on Android Smart Phone, we were fascinated with the best use of the technology brought to Pakistan.

Drawbacks of Olaround

There are no such major disadvantages of Olaround, the only drawback that we encountered today was related to lack of awareness, and it seemed like the staff wasn’t well trained about the Olaround Application at the place where we visited. It took us about 3-5 minutes just to explain the staff about this QR Code stuff and the application that is currently rolling in the Market.

However, at first the staff denied the fact if any thing as Olaround exists with them. After explaining them in simple words, they understood and showed us the card on which we had to punch virtually.

The second draw back that we found was the App requires Internet to punch the card. If you are willing to punch through a driveway, then you will need to enable your Mobile Phone Internet to punch and avail the offer of incentives.

Limitations of Olaround

The limitation of Olaround is that you can punch once a day at any place you want to go and we believe that this is a good thing. If you are planning to go for breakfast at ABC Restaurant and then in night you plan to go to the same place for dinner, you wont be able to check in with Olaround because you have already punched for the day in morning.

However, you can go to different places compatible with Olaround for punch incentive system.

Conclusion

To sum up all the things a long with features that we explained above, we would like to say a big thanks to the team of Google, Ufone, P@SHA, and Bramerz who brought in this idea to Pakistan. Other than this, Olaround was the first application released that supported multi platform of Android and iOS, as well as supported the iPhone 5 display.

In the end, we would recommend this Application to every one who is living in Pakistan. This is necessary have App for smart phone users.

In order to avail this awesome service at your smart phone, kindly download the application from the link below

Download Olaround for iOS from here

Download Olaround for Android here.

Alternatively, you can scan the QR Code and get redirected to the App on your Smart Phone.

For iOS

For Android

30 November 2012
How to Root Samsung Galaxy Camera Running Android 4.1.1 [Noobs Guide]
When we take the name of Camera, we can tell name varieties of the companies that are offering different kinds of cameras starting from different ranges and of different kinds. These days, the most popular name in the camera industry is of Cannon along with Nikon. These two famous camera manufacturers are leading the market of professional photography by providing the best DSLR Cameras to professional photographers. A part from Nikon and Cannon, the other companies that are striving to compete the low-end market is Sony, Olympus, Samsung, and few other companies are competing with each other to live in the market.

These days, the necessity to have a good camera has increased, if we compare to the past trend of having a camera. In past, if some one used to have a camera of good quality, it was assumed that the person is rich. As of today to have camera is nothing new. Special thanks goes to all these Mobile Industries like Apple, Google, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, and others who have worked hard to implement big sized Camera Technology into a hand sized smart phone. These days, we can get a good MP Camera in almost every Phone made by a good manufacturer.

In order to compete in the smartphone camera industry, Samsung took the Camera industry to a completely new level. Samsung introduced the Camera lineups in a new way on its Media Event. Although Samsung got the best camera’s quality wise, but still Samsung moved the Camera niche to a complete new level. Recently Samsung Announced, Galaxy Camera with a 4.8-inch screen size, the same screen size of Galaxy S3.

The Galaxy Camera introduced by Samsung is not an ordinary camera because it delivers more functions than a normal camera. Samsung Galaxy Camera is packed with Android 4.x.x Jelly Bean Operating Software and features the capability of Shoot, Enjoy, Edit, and Share via 3G/4G Network. This is the first time ever in the history of camera industry that got a cellular 3G/4G network to share images with others, as well as Android Jelly Bean Software that usually works on Phones.

However, when it comes to OS, whether it is iOS or Android, the first question that roams in a persons mind before purchasing the product is, “Can it be Jailbreaked/Rooted?”

The users of iOS are sure than Android users that their iDevice would be Jailbroken in certain time of span and they are heavily reluctant on the Jailbreak Dev Team for the Jailbreak. On the other side, the Android users are not sure about the Rooting to be arrived or not for any OS that comes in future. However, in this era of advance moving technology, they now don’t need to worry because folks over XDA Developers have taken care of all the Rooting stuff when it comes to Android.

Therefore, those of you have bought a Samsung Galaxy Camera; you can root it now in few easy steps.

How To Root Samsung Galaxy Camera on Android JB 4.1.1

Before we proceed on, look at the things you need to Root your Samsung Galaxy Camera on Android JB 4.1.1 below:

Thing Required for a Successful Root on Samsung Galaxy Camera Running JB 4.1.1
- A windows computer (or heimdall built from source and the files included in the package)
- The Recovery+Cache which will flash upon installation. Get it here.
- The Odin version used is Version 1.85. Get it here.
- Use JellyBean 4.1.1 build:GC100XXALK1 in case of problems. Get it here.
Steps need to be followed in order to Root Samsung Galaxy Camera on Android 4.1.1

Step 1:

Download all of the above liked files to stay on a safe side.

Step 2:

After you have downloaded all of the above files, now unzip CF-Auto-Root-gd1-ekgc100.tar.md5 from the package and place it in a folder on your desktop for your ease.

Name the folder “Galaxy Camera Root.”

Step 3:

Now launch the Odin Application.

Step 4:

After you have launched the Odin Application, place “CF-Auto-Root-gd1-ekgc100.tar.md5: in the “PDA” section present in Odin Application.

Step 5:

Now comes the tricky part. In this part, you need to put the Camera into Download Mode.

How to put Samsung Camera into Download Mode?

Remove and reinsert the battery in Samsung Galaxy Camera.

Before you Boot it up, Press “Volume down + Camera + Power” buttons to boot it up into Download Mode.

Step 6:

Once you are in download mode, connect the camera to Computer and get ready to Rock & Roll.

Make sure the drivers are installed for the Camera. If the drivers are installed, the ID:COM option will turn yellow.

Step 7:

This is the final step in which you press the “Start” button to get freedom. Once you have pressed the start button. Just wait until the device is rooted.

(*Make sure that you don’t make any changes to the options present in Odin other than you have been asked to do.)

Once the process is complete, you will be successfully rooted on your Samsung Galaxy Camera running Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1.
26 November 2012
Google Media Event Cancelled Due to Hurricane Sandy on October 29

TechGlued reported earlier about the Google Media Event to hold on October 29 that was right after the iPad Mini Media Event. The iPad Mini Media Event kicked off on October 23, where as the Google Media Event was scheduled right after six days ahead of the iPad Mini Media Event, in order to give Apple a tough time. Unfortunately, on October 29, Microsoft planned to announce its Windows 8 Phone. In addition, with Microsoft and Google, we would be having two separate Media Events on the same date. Each of the Tech Giants would be announcing something new in different cities.

However, it is the time for Microsoft to rise and shine on October 29 because Google has cancelled its Media Event due to Hurricane Sandy coming on the playground where Google had planned the Media Event would take place. According to the Verge, Google has released an official statement saying that the event has been postponed due to Hurricane Sandy coming on October 29 and the place where they had to debut the Media Event is in Evacuation state.

We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more.

As you can see in the image above the location of Google Media Event is around the corner of the river.

Google was looking for a big playground sort of place where they could invite many media personals and unveil many new products, one after another. This is the reason Google sent out Media Invites with the name of “The Play Ground is Open.”

The plan of Google Media Event on October 29 was leaked prior to the Media Event. The leaked plan suggested a new Android Update, Nexus 10 Update, and LG Smart Phone Lineup were to be released. Full plan can be viewed here.

28 October 2012
Google’s October 29 Event Plan Leaked Stating OS 4.2, Nexus 10 & More

The month of October 2012 is going to make history. This month is going to be a very special month because competitors will be going head to head on innovative product releases following each other after one another. The tech giant companies are going to announce the new product lineups after one another. The companies have sent out Media Invites after one another. The events are placed one after another. This one after another are the well-known companies and every one knows them. The first Tech Giant is the Fruit Company, Apple and the second company is Google. These two companies will go head to head this month by releasing new and innovative products.

The preceding week, Apple issues October 23 Media Invites saying, “We ‘ve Got A little More To Show” and six days Later Google jumped in saying, “The Play Ground is Open” on October 29. The Media Event planned by Apple is just around the corner, where as the Google’s Media Event is still a week away. The Media Event by Google will take place in New York after exactly six days after the Apple Media Event. This is the point where the real competition starts. Apple will release iPad Mini along with many new refreshments and some updates. Later Google got the Play Ground open in which they would be announcing real time product lineups and updates.

However, Google has been educating its Employees regarding the upcoming Media Event and the products that are planned for the release on October 29. This information was told to The Next Web by an anonymous source. Not only the information regarding the event was told to The Next Web, but every single thing that can come on the October 29 Media event was also unveiled.

Lets start with the first thing that we also reported in the preceding rumors that we could expect on this Media Event by Google.

Android Jelly bean OS 4.2.1

When we gave you the news about the upcoming Media Event by Google on October 29, we told you about the rumors that Google might announce a software update of its existing Jelly Bean 4.1.

This rumor is now confirmed that Google will be unveiling a software update of OS 4.2.1 in which they will introduce new design of Play Market, Multiple user accounts on the same device, and improved Panorama photo experience.

On the other hand we also told you to expect some hardware entry because Google has got the Play Ground open that means Google will be on the roll for the new product announcements.

LG Nexus 4 & Nexus 7

On the hardware side, we can expect many new products that are lined up for October 29 Media Event. The first product that we can expect to arrive is LG Nexus 4 which has made an appearance on the internet so many times that Google thought to announce it in real time on the Media Event. Following the LG Nexus 4 launch, Google Nexus 7 with increased storage capacity from 16GB to 32GB will also be unveiled.

Both the devices are said to be running Android OS 4.2 built in. Moreover, the LG Nexus 4 will feature a quad-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor, 4.7-inch 1280 x 768 display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel rear-camera, 1.3-megapixel front-camera, and a 2100mAh battery. Above is the image of alleged LG Nexus 4 design.

Google Nexus 10

Finally, yet importantly, it is widely expected that Google will be bashing up the iPad Mini unveiling by announcing an upgraded Nexus version from 7-inch to 10-inch. This new updated stream of Nexus 10 will feature an Android 4.2, 2560X1600 resolution and have a PPI (pixels per inch) of around 300. The codename of Nexus 10 is “Manta”. Google has been using this codename internally.

However, we are skeptical about the above-mentioned releases and cannot confirm anything coming on the Media Event rather than the update of OS 4.2.1 named “Key Lime Pie”. Everything will become known on October 29.

22 October 2012
“The Play Ground is Open” on October 29, After iPad Mini Media Event

Well-known Tech Companies are joining in the competition by inviting the Media in the last week of October. The well-known Tech companies are Apple, Microsoft, and Google. One competitor after another is placing a Media Event following the preceding Media Event. Following the previous Media Invite that was sent by Apple with the Teaser of, “We’ve got a little more to show you” on October 23. It is highly expected that Apple would be announcing the iPad Mini and few MAC Series refreshments. After Apple Media Event, Microsoft has planned to announce its Surface Tablet in the market on October 29.

The date is exactly six days after the iPad Mini Media Event will take place. Soon the iPad Mini Media event is over, we would be seeing Microsoft taking the stage to announce the Surface Tablet that would be interrupted by the father of all, Google. We can say this a co-incidence or a perfect rivalry plan made by Google to beat out Microsoft the same day by announcing its own Media Event with the teaser of, “The PlayGround is Open”. Today some Blogs started to cite about the Media Invitation received by Google regarding its Media Event taking place on October 29 in New York.

The beauty about the Media Invite is that Google has used a SIRI sort of Mic in its invite with the teaser, “The Play Ground is Open”. This means that Google is going to announce more than one product on its Media event to outshine the upcoming iPad Mini. The expectations are that Google will announce more than one Nexus Device to public. Even we can expect another tablet on the upcoming Media Event by Google because Apple is going to play its move on October 23 and Google will play its move exactly six days after Apple has announced the iPad Mini.

Expect the unexpected to come at October 29 because Google is going to roll out some vast updates. The play ground is open also hints towards a new Jelly bean Update, Nexus Update, invitation to developers to make new Apps, or possibly Google is going to open source some hardware stuff as an invitation for hardware experts to make the devices better and better from time to time.

It is very early to say anything regarding the teaser released by Google. However, the Media Event will take place at 10:00 AM ET on October 29.

Therefore, mark you calendars for the last week of October because heavy releasing is going to be done. On October 23, the iPad Mini gets announced, three days later the iPad Mini announcement, on October 26, the iPhone 5 Launches in India by Apple, and on October 29, Microsoft and Google go head to head on dual Media Events.

Let the show begin.

19 October 2012
Android Ahead of Apple Inaugurates Android Powered 26” Ice Screen

Moving with the speed of light, Android on Thursday made a huge challenger comeback to beat Apple by making Ice Screen. Where Apple is planning to release a HDTV this year or they might have planned for future, Android has just unveiled their Ice Screen TV. Android after powering Smart Phones, Tablets, Media Players, and Cameras has now entered in the market of T.V (Television) to grab some market share. Today Android took a step further to change the way we see T.V in our living rooms. Android with the help of Tencent and TCL Multimedia have made this Ice Screen.

Ice Screen is a new Android powered television featuring a 26-inch screen with a 1336X768 display that allows user to browse on the Internet, access videos, listen to music, and play games through QQ Services. Behind the covering, the machine features a 4GB of RAM, dual-core cortex A9 1GHz Processor, a Mali 400GPU, and support of MC up to 32GB. On the front end of Ice Screen, Wi-Fi, pair of USB Ports, HDMI Port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack are provided. In addition to all of the goodies packed, the Ice Screen T.V is fully portable and can be used in any orientation. Moreover, any Android powered device with minimum OS 2.2 can be used to control the Ice Screen T.V without any hiccups.

If you are planning to get your hands on to this new Ice Screen T.V by Google, then you need to wait until September 3 because Ice Screen T.V would be released on September 3. The expected price quoted by TechnoBufallo is $315. That is not that much expensive. One can easily afford it.

24 August 2012