How to reduce your native android app APK size

This may not be as big of a concern for developers but users have limited space available on their phones and they will always prefer apps that take less space. It's very important that the apps we develop are  space efficient. Lesser the space better are the chances of users engaging with your app. Else, regardless of  how much value your app provides, a normal user will always uninstall it after his use. As a developer, you should keep your app's optimized for both space and performance.

The motivation for writing this article was my own personal experience.  My app which I first developed on a hybrid platform(intel xdk) took 23mb space with some very basic features. For the obvious reason, I didn't published that version and wrote it completely on native java code. This turned out to be great as result was worth doing it. I was able to have the same app with apk size of 5mb.

Few months earlier, while I was  thinking to add some few more features in my app, the concern about apk size was still in my mind and I didn't wanted it to exceed despite adding 3-4 new features. This was quite a challenge I had. I went through the few online guides and google's own tips for reducing apk size and result after applying some techniques was great.  APK size after addition of 3-4 major features was : 2.48 mb. In this article, I will be sharing tips on how you can reduce your apk size and also some side tips that can ease things out for you in developing apps.

What is rooting,How to Root and install Custom Recovery on any Android phone

As is the case with any smartphone, the initial ownership period is always the most exciting one. Your phone is new and you can’t wait to try out all the features it has to offer. After a while, though, you tend to get bored with it and that’s when you start thinking about buying a new one. Unfortunately, what many don’t realise is that at times, manufacturers aren’t able to exploit the phone's true capabilities due to various reasons and one of the best ways to achieve that is by rooting it (if it’s Android) or jailbreaking it (if it’s an iPhone). You may have heard these terms thrown around the Internet or amongst your friends and may have wondered what’s the big deal behind this. Well, today we’ll talk about what is rooting? How to root virtually any Android phone? And finally, installing a custom recovery and why you may need it.  As a special treat, we’ll also show you how to install Ice Cream Sandwich on your Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000. This still remains one of the most popular phones, especially with the modding community and thanks to them, they’ve achieved what Samsung refused to do. More on that later, though, first let’s get you rooted!

Turn your Android phone into an iPhone with this fake OS launcher

Turn your smartphone into an iPhone 5 with this full-featured launcher.

There has always been an urge to sample various mobile phones, especially the two largest competitors Android and Apple. You can always go for what most users choose to do a primary phone and a secondary phone. Or you can take a look at this fake iPhone 5 launcher. Dont misjudge the app by the word ‘fake, as this is a full featured launcher.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Nokia

‎
1) The ringtone "Nokia tune" is actually based on a 19th century guitar work named "Gran Vals" by Spanish musician Francisco Tárrega. The Nokia Tune was originally named "Grande Valse" on Nokia phones but was changed to "Nokia Tune" around 1998 when it became so well known that people referred to it as the "Nokia Tune."

2) The world's first commercial GSM call was made in 1991 in Helsinki over a Nokia-supplied network, by Prime Minister of Finland Harri Holkeri, using a Nokia phone.

3) Nokia is currently the world's largest digital camera manufacturer, as the sales of its camera-equipped mobile phones have exceeded those of any conventional camera manufacturer.

Liquipel™ technology(water resistant)

Liquipel™ is a revolutionary process that applies a watersafe™ coating to your electronic devices to protect them in the event of accidental exposure to liquids. It is not visible to the human eye, virtually undetectable and Liquipel™ will not compromise the look, feel, and performance of your electronics.

Liquipel™ is a Nano-Coating that is applied though a propriety process. This process starts by placing devices into the chamber of the Liquipel™ Machine. The Machine then removes all the air to create a vacuum, a special formula is then introduced as a vapor. The vapor then permeates the entire device inside and out, Liquipel™ then bonds to the device on a molecular level, leaving your device watersafe™ for years to come.

Laser Projected Keyboard

Without your computer keyboard, whether it's part of a desktop or a laptop, it might've been fairly difficult to get to this article. Sure, maybe you've bookmarked the Web site and you used your mouse to click around between several links, but most of the time, you probably type the Web site address into your browser to get here. Most of us with personal computers use a keyboard almost every day to compose e-mails, type out word processing documents, visit Web sites and perform searches. And as easy as it may seem, typing is a skill we have to learn and practice in order to perform properly. Most students take typing classes as early as elementary school, and word processing is one of the most common skills listed on a job-seeker's resume.

2013AUTO CAR AUDI A3 review

The A3 is an example of the exquisite sensibilities in design and use of materials that distinguishes the contemporary Audi. It is a combination of open-road dynamism, long-haul friendliness, around-town usefulness and fuel economy.

The Audi A3 is powered by either a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged (2.0T) four-cylinder gas engine; or a 140-hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel (TDI) engine. The 2.0T comes standard with a six-speed manual or optional automatic S-tronic transmission that allows manual selection of gears. The only choice with the TDI is the S-tronic. Quattro all-wheel drive is also available with the 2.0T engine, but then your only transmission choice is the S-tronic. Some high-tech A3 features include Bluetooth phone connectivity, light and rain sensors, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic climate control. Passenger safety is provided by front, side and curtain airbags, active front head restraints, electronic stability control and optional rear side-impact airbags.

For 2013, the Audi A3 carries over unchanged.

Drones Can Be Hacked

A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin received $1,000 from the Department of Homeland Security after hacking into an airborne drone and wresting control from the pilot.

The researchers, headed by Dr. Todd E. Humphreys, got control of the drone by overloading it with false signals that were precisely matched up with authentic satellite signals — a technique known as “spoofing.” Once that happened, the drone ignored the original pilot, instead obeying the hackers’ every command.

Angry Birds transformed into Star Wars

Angry bird is one of the most famous games running nowadays.this game is very eye catching and has  chnged the  common theme of games ..Mobile games developer Rovio Entertainment has decided to combine two of the most loved franchises in history - by turning the highly-successful Angry Birds into a Star Wars-themed title. While the game will only be available on 8 November for iOS, Android and PC, players will be able to once again take on the evil Darth Vader.

Rovio Entertainment has decided to combine two of the most loved franchises in history (image: Rovio)

The usual birds will all resemble a character from the Star Wars films, but Paul Southern, vice president of licensing and consumer products marketing for Lucasfilm said they will also have their own personality. 'They are not Angry Birds dressed up as Star Wars characters. They are characters in their own right. They've got personalities which are kind of similar,' he said.

Nokia Asha 311 Review

Recentle Nokia has launched its new  series of mobile range named as " ASHA".These phones are running successfully. With the success of this series nokia has now launched new member of ASHA family( nokia asha 311).I remember when mobile phones used to be simple little devices that we would just use to make phone calls and send the occasional text message. Now our phones talk to us, give us directions, keep track of our appointments, and feed us a constant stream of information. After all, who wants a phone that does anything less? Well, Nokia seems to think that there’s a market for people who want simpler, affordable phones that do a bit more than just phone calls. While the company has been going on about its new Lumia range, it’s found time to also launch the Asha range of smartphones, with the Asha 311 being the latest.

Bank Alfalah to launch first student ISIC co-branded debit card

Karachi—Bank Alfalah recently signed an agreement with Alive Asia for jointly launching the first co-branded International (ISIC) in Pakistan. The ISIC allows students    access to over 41,000 local and international benefits and services from125,000 locations across 124 countries globally. It is the only internationally recognized student identity card acknowledged and supported by UNESCO, universities, academic institutions and governments worldwide.It provides students many discounts to the isic student card holder . In  Pakistan it is proving discounts on FREDDY,S , WATEEN,etc.

Alive Asia is the official licensed authority, appointed by ISIC Association, to issue, distribute, promote and develop the ISIC Card in Pakistan. It has partnered with Bank Alfalah to bring this unique one of its kind debit card to the youth of Pakistan, offering them access to funds with countless benefits and discounts for their specialized educational and lifestyle needs both locally and internationally.

Atif Bajwa, CEO Bank Alfalah said on the occasion, “The youth of Pakistan represents 40% of our population, and it has emerged as a potential untapped customer segment that has unique needs and preferences; be it for education, travelling, dining or interest based activities. We are confident that this partnership will give us the advantage to be the first financial institution in Pakistan to not only recognize the emerging needs of the youth but also be fully equipped to offer them countless customized student benefits and service options along with readily accessible funds, locally and internationally through the recognized ISIC global outreach program menu that has been built over 50 years of insights into this particular segment.”

Qaiser Raza Sheikh, CEO Alive Asia said, “ISIC is very excited to have Bank Alfalah in Pakistan as their banking partner of choice. We are most excited about providing the youth of Pakistan access to over 41,000 discounts at over 126,000 locations worldwide and foresee our partnership with Bank Alfalah strengthening with time as we create and provide immense value for money to the students and youth of Pakistan”.

6 Tools to Build a Mobile App on the Cheap

The massive growth of the app market has coincided with the creation of a parallel niche industry — the proliferation of accessible, low-cost development alternatives to traditional shops and agencies.

But not all brands — or industries altogether — require diverse, expansive functionality in their apps. In the same regard, a lean approach to launch can move a unique product to market in a mere matter of minutes. For these brands, the process going forward is much as the same is it is for high profile, heavily touted launches: engage with customers, build off their response and expand and iterate in due time.

As the mobile applications market moves toward $25 billion per year, according to a MarketsandMarkets report, non-traditional development opportunities are emerging in a number of forms. Programs now allow everyday consumers to build apps through HTML, drag-and-drop platforms, customize templates and simply drop an SDK. These services are on the rise, and they’re worthy tools to keep in your arsenal.

Below are six platforms carving out their space in the market.