Oyster and Scribd Unlimited Ebook Services Review

Two startups are trying to do for ebooks what Netflix does for movies.

Oyster and Scribd let you read as many books as you want for a monthly price - $10 for Oyster and $9 for Scribd.

I was skeptical at first. I can never find enough time to read, and I'm picky about what I do read. I was worried about their limited book selections.

But I found plenty to read in no time, and I found myself reading more than I normally would. These services are great if you have a long weekend or a vacation coming up, or in my case three weeks of travels from California to New York.

Just don't think it'll be the same as walking into a library and finding just about any book you want.

The selection
I checked several titles from my wish list and asked colleagues for other suggestions, including a few for kids or in foreign languages. Of the 75 I checked, Oyster had 17 and Scribd had 16. For some popular novels, such as "The Hunger Games" series and "A Fault in Our Stars," I got readers' guides and other companions, but not the actual books.

Both services have selected titles from Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins and lots of smaller publishers, but other major U.S. publishers - Hachette, Macmillan and Penguin Random House - remain holdouts. And even when there's a deal with a publisher, newer books tend to be excluded.

Avid readers won't be bored, though. When I signed up, Scribd asked about the types of books I like. Oyster didn't but still made good recommendations based on what other subscribers are reading.

I quickly found about two dozen books between the two services. Each time I added a title, I got recommendations for more. I just finished books on lobster populations and the Ben & Jerry's ice cream company. I'm now reading about Lance Armstrong and the doping scandal - another book I wouldn't have known about if it hadn't popped up on Scribd.

In that sense, both services are much like Netflix. Netflix's streaming selection looks poor when you are searching for a specific title, but Netflix is smart enough to recommend enough movies to keep you paying $8 or $9 a month.

There are enough books to keep you busy for months or years. Oyster has more than 500,000 titles, while Scribd has more than 400,000.

The apps
Neither Oyster nor Scribd works on dedicated e-readers such as Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite. Rather, you need a device that lets you install apps.

Both work on iPhones, iPads and Android devices, including Kindle Fire tablets. Oyster also works on Nook tablets, while Scribd has apps for Windows devices. Only Scribd lets you read on Web browsers on personal computers, though Oyster plans to add that soon.

Apps for both services offer features typical for ebooks. You can start a book on one device and pick up where you left off on another, though I've often run into syncing problems with both. You can see where you are in a book, change text size and add notes. The options aren't as extensive as what I'm used to with Kindle devices and apps, though.

Oyster lets you store up to 10 books per device to take with you on the road, while Scribd lets you save up to 20 books. Both services permit reading on up to six devices.

Of the two, I like Oyster's apps and ebook selection better, and it's been adding features and device support quickly to catch up with Scribd. But it's also $1 a month more.

I tend to prefer distraction-free reading on a dedicated e-reader, but phones and tablets work when I'm able to exercise some discipline from checking email and Facebook. Plus, I'm more likely to be carrying a phone, so I'm able to get reading done while waiting for a bus or tardy friends.

The bargain
There are plenty of other ways to get ebooks for free or for a set price. Check your local library for starters. If you have Amazon's $99-a-year Prime membership, you can read an ebook for free each month if you also have a Kindle device or the upcoming Fire phone, though you're not offered everything that Amazon makes available for purchase.

If you read just one book a month, you're probably better off buying it - typically for less than the monthly subscription price. You own the book outright that way, and the selection is better. With Oyster and Scribd, access to the books ends once you cancel your subscription, which you can do anytime.

If you read two or three books a month, consider a discount ebook service. With Entitle, for instance, you get two ebooks a month for $10, and you own them forever.

Oyster and Scribd are good if you read three or more books, or if you like to sample - start several books before deciding which ones interest you enough to finish.

In a sense, these services aren't like Netflix because it takes longer to finish a book. You can get your money's worth watching 10 hours of Netflix on a single weekend. Those 10 hours might be enough time for just one or two books.

Cool Creative Idea

Sony Xperia Z3 Design Tipped in Leaked Images Alongside Specifications

Sony is expected to be hard at work on its next flagship smartphone that's rumoured to be called Xperia Z3 and come with a major upgrade in specifications. Several leaks over the past few months have tipped numerous details about the anticipated handset.

The latest in the series of leaks, courtesy @evleaks, lists some specifications of the unannounced handset, and also claims to show the rear and side profile of the alleged Xperia Z3.

Popular phone tipster has claimed that the next Sony flagship will come with a model number D6653. Notably, the Xperia Z2 comes with model numbers D6502, D6503, and D6543 for the 3G and 4G models.

The latest leaked specifications point to a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.4GHz; a 5.5-inch full-HD display; 3GB of RAM; 16GB of inbuilt storage, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Much like the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z2, the alleged successor Xperia Z3 is also tipped to sport a 20.7-megapixel rear camera. It is also said to include a 2.1-megapixel front camera.

The two leaked images claimed to show the rear panel and side profile of the anticipated handset indicate that the alleged Xperia Z3, much like its predecessors, features chamfered edges with tempered glass on the rear panel. A Sony logo can be seen in the middle of the leaked back panel image, while Xperia branding is seen at the bottom. The rear camera and LED flash are seen in the top right corner of the back panel.

The other leaked image is claimed to shows the side panel or profile of the alleged Xperia Z3, sporting rounded edges. The leaked side panel image appears to be of the right panel, and shows physical buttons for camera, power, and volume rocker, apart from housing a flap. The flap can be expected to be a common flap for covering microSD and SIM card slots. The handset in the leaked image also appears to marginally taller than the Xperia Z2 (Review | Pictures).

It's worth noting that Sony had confirmed that it would launch a refreshed flagship smartphone every six months, which is the company's mantra to keep its smartphone up-to-date in terms of innards and software, unlike HTC and Samsung.

The Sony Xperia Z2 launched this year, and came seven months after the Xperia Z1's launch and was an incremental upgrade to last year's flagship.

Earlier this month, the alleged Xperia Z3 surfaced online in leaked images that were claimed to show its front panel and rear camera.

How to Install Multiple Apps on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu

You've got a new iPhone, iPad or any other gadgets and you're very excited about it, but before you can begin using it properly you'll have to spend hours installing all your favorite software. If you could automate the installation process, you'd save a lot of time and get straight to doing what you bought the machine for. Here are two great services that let you quickly install a lot of apps on Windows and Mac and two tricks to do the same on Android and iOS devices.

Windows and Ubuntu
If you use a Windows computer, you must try Ninite. We tried a few other alternatives and found that these apps try to serve too many ads, sponsored apps, or run in the background in your system. Ninite is free, has no ads and gives you a single exe file that you can delete after installing all your apps. That is why it is better than the alternatives. Windows machines that have never been formatted or restored to factory settings are rare. Windows also happens to be the operating system on a large number of new computers around the world. In a nutshell, a lot of people are spending a lot of time installing the apps that let them make the most of the operating system. If you want to make it a single-click, hassle-free process, follow these steps.

1. Go to Ninite and scroll down. You'll see several apps in categories such as Utilities, Browsers, etc. Ninite lists several great, free apps for Windows such as Glary Utilities, VLC Media Player, Avast anti-virus, Dropbox and LibreOffice. The Ninite home page has the full list of apps sorted into categories such as browsers, messaging, media, imaging, security and more. Most people won't need any app other than the ones listed on Ninite.

2. Select all the software you need by checking the boxes next to them > click the big green Get Installer button.

3. Ninite's installer (usually less than 1MB in size) will begin downloading now. Once that's done, run it. It will automatically start downloading all the apps and install them. Ninite also removes all the adware (toolbars, search engine defaults, etc.) that some apps try to make you install. This only works for desktop apps, not Windows 8 style apps.

Ninite is also available for Ubuntu Linux, but the selection of apps is a lot smaller than Windows.

Mac
Unlike Windows users, those on Apple's Mac operating system get a good collection of pre-loaded apps. Yet, if you want to quickly install some of the most popular third-party apps on Mac, these steps will help.

1. Open Get Mac Apps > select the apps you need > click "Install These!"

2. This will generate a command. Copy it.

3. Open Terminal. If you don't know how to do this, hit Cmd+space > type Terminal > press Enter.

4. Paste the code in Terminal > hit Enter.

5. That's it. In case you're wondering whether Get Mac Apps has good apps, the collection is quite good - featuring free apps such as Flux, Skype, VLC, Handbrake, Dropbox, Evernote and Notational Velocity, among others.

Note that both Ninite and Get Mac Apps use the official sources of the apps, so they are safe to use.

Smartphones
You can also install multiple apps easily on smartphones, but these methods will not work if you want to install new apps. They work only with apps you've previously installed or purchased from the sameApple ID or Google account. This method is useful if you have a set of essential apps that you always install every time you get a new device, but not if you are using a new Apple ID or Google account.

Android
If you have an Android device, just go through the following steps to install several previously installed apps quickly.

1. Open Google Play Store > tap the three horizontal lines on the top-left > My Apps > All.

2. Tap and hold any app that doesn't have "Installed" written next to it. This will select the app. Now scroll down and select all the previously purchased apps you want to install > tap the Install button at the top.

3. All these apps will now be installed, though you will have to negotiate through the permission screens for each app and approve it individually.

iOS
Unlike Android, iOS doesn't have an option where you can select all previously purchased apps and do a one-tap install. But Apple's method is much faster. Check these steps and see it yourself.

1. Open App Store > tap Updates > Purchased.

2. The apps you have installed will have an "Open" button next to them. The ones you haven't installed will have a cloud icon with an arrow pointing downwards. Tap that icon for all the apps you want to install and your iOS device will start downloading them - no password required.

These methods are great for quickly setting up your new device, but if you prefer any other ways or services, let us know with a comment

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'Smart' luggage will text you when it gets lost

When an airline loses your luggage, it can take hours or even days to get someone to tell you where it ended up -- if it ever turns up at all. Wouldn't it be easier to hear from the luggage itself?

That's the promise of "smart luggage," in which GPS tracking chips are embedded in bags capable of transmitting their locations to travelers and even contacting airlines directly when they get lost.

The jumbo jet maker Airbus introduced a concept design for smart luggage at the Paris Air Show last year. The product, known as Bag2Go, can be tracked via a smartphone app. It also allows for self-service check-ins and can weigh itself to ensure that it meets airline requirements.

AT&T (T, Tech30) unveiled a similar concept at a demonstration of its "next-generation technologies" in May. The company envisions integrating the product with standard suitcases and bags -- perhaps through an attachable tag -- though it could also be built into suitcases directly.

The ultimate plan is to for the luggage to work with airlines' IT systems, contacting the carriers directly and arranging for delivery to your home or hotel.

These products are still in the developmental stage and will need approval from federal regulators, but they're sure to find some grateful customers: U.S. airlines mishandled over 141,000 bags in April, according to government statistics, or about three bags for every 1,000 passengers

iPhone 6 to Launch on September 25, 5.5-Inch Model Named iPhone Air

Another day and another iPhone 6 rumour. This time a report out of China details an astonishing new launch date for the next iPhone from Apple, ahead of most dates in previous leaks. The report is accompanied with purported pricing details, as well as the name of the anticipated larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 variant - iPhone Air.

The report citing industry sources claims Apple will unveil the iPhone 6 on September 15, which falls on a Monday, while retail availability will begin on September 25, which falls on a Thursday.

Apple traditionally starts sales of new iPhone models on a Friday to capture the weekend crowd, so the dates seem a little fishy. Previous leaks (including a purported internal communication from a German telecom carrier) had indicated a more credible launch date of September 19, which happens to be Friday.

According to the China.com report (via GforGames), China will also be amongst the first countries to receive the iPhone. The report also details the pricing, which matches previous leaks, claiming the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 (32GB) will cost CNY 5,288 (roughly Rs. 50,800), while the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 (16GB) will be priced at CNY 5,998 (roughly Rs. 57,600). This would also imply the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 (32GB) is cheaper than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s (16GB), which costs CNY 5,300.

The same report claims the much-rumoured 5.5-inch iPhone 6 variant will be called the iPhone Air, following the naming scheme of the latest, largest iPad. The report adds that China Mobile and China Unicom, Apple's carriers in the country, have begun field testing the iPhone 6 on their networks.

Recently, Japanese daily Nikkei had posted two alleged images of the rumoured 4.7-inch iPhone 6 dummy model, side by side with an iPhone 5s. The leaked images corroborate what's has been widely expected based on earlier leaks, that the next iPhone will house the power button on the right panel of the device, instead on the top panel seen on current iPhone models. It also seen to feature the Touch ID sensor.

Previously, another Chinese report indicated the alleged 5.5-inch iPhone 6 variant will feature a 128GB storage variant. The report further claims that the 128GB storage variant will be limited to the bigger variant of the rumoured iPhone 6, and the alleged 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will offer the conventional 64GB as its maximum storage variant, while the 16GB variant will be dumped for both models.

An earlier report citing a research note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also suggested that the alleged 5.5-inch iPhone 6 would sport OIS (optical image stabilisation) for the rear camera. The report further claimed that the alleged 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will not come with OIS.

The Cupertino-based company has also been rumoured to be testing a higher screen resolution of 960x1704 pixels on at least one of the two iPhone models likely to debut this year

Apple CarPlay Review

Apple is getting ready to hitch the iPhone to cars in a mobile marriage of convenience.

The ambitious project, called CarPlay, implants some of the iPhone's main applications in automobiles so drivers can control them with voice commands, a touch on the steering wheel or a swipe on a display screen in the dashboard.

It's expected to be available this summer when Pioneer Electronics plans to release a software update for five car radios designed to work with the iPhone. Alpine Electronics also is working on CarPlay-compatible radios for cars already on the road. Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Ferrari are among those expected to start selling car models with built-in CarPlay services this year.

Google Inc. is working with car makers to do something similar with smartphones running its Androidoperating system, but Apple Inc. appears to be further along in efforts to make it easier and safer to text, email, get directions, select music and, yes, even make calls while driving.

I recently checked out a test version of CarPlay in a van equipped with a Pioneer radio designed to work with the iPhone.

The demonstration through the streets of San Francisco convinced me that Apple is on the right track. The CarPlay system is bound to appeal to iPhone fans who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. It makes less sense for iPhone owners who, like me, spend more of their time walking and riding public transportation instead of driving.

If you want CarPlay, you will need an iPhone 5, iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c. An iPad won't work. The phones also must be running Apple's latest software, iOS 7.1. Free upgrades are available for older phones.

If you already have one of Pioneer's five compatible radios, a free firmware update is all you'll need.

Otherwise, CarPlay's biggest drawback is the cost. If you want it in a car you already own, compatible radios from Pioneer sell for $700 to $1,400. After factoring in other required parts and labor, figure on spending $900 to $1,000 just to get Pioneer's least-expensive CarPlay system in your vehicle. That's more than the price of a new iPhone, but cheaper than buying a new car with CarPlay built in.

Pioneer's top-of-the-line CarPlay radio features a 7-inch screen that shows the iPhone apps for calls, contacts, music, maps and messaging when the device is plugged in with a cable.

Other mobile music apps, including Spotify, Beats Music and iHeartRadio, are supposed to be eventually available on CarPlay, too. Facebook, YouTube and other apps that show a lot of photos and video won't be available for safety and legal reasons.

The key to CarPlay's success may hinge on Siri, the iPhone's digital personal assistant. Apple has been striving to make Siri smarter and more versatile, an endeavor that CarPlay figures to put to the test.

Siri serves as CarPlay's central nervous system, doing everything from taking email dictation, reading incoming text messages out load, and scrolling through the system for song requests or different genres of music. Summoning Siri can be done by touching a button on the steering wheel or CarPlay's display screen.

While CarPlay also responds to touch, the system is at its best when Siri is doing most of the work. I got only a half-hour demo of CarPlay, too little time to determine whether Siri will be up to the job.

Within minutes of getting in the car, Siri couldn't retrieve the correct address for a requested restaurant in San Francisco. Instead, CarPlay listed several other places with the same name, so Siri apparently at least heard the request correctly. The omission of the requested restaurant may have reflected shortcomings in Apple's database of local businesses.

Beyond that, Siri performed flawlessly reading back incoming texts, composing and sending emails and playing the role of disc jockey when asked to play the music of specific artists such as AC/DC. It took only a few seconds before "Back in Black" blasted through the stereo. Even a question about Arnold Schwarzenegger, a name that can be difficult to decipher, didn't stump Siri.

If Siri is able to consistently handle those kinds of challenges, then CarPlay could make the iPhone an even more indispensable mobile device.

Microsoft Testing Patch to Fix Windows 8.1 Update Bug

Microsoft has released a test patch to fix failed automatic and user updates from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, and from Windows RT to Windows RT 8.1, for select markets. The failed update to Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 issue was widely reported by users for a long time. Microsoft is now testing these patches in select areas initially and might roll out to other regions soon.

Windows 8 users can directly visit the Windows Update (not the Windows Store), and if they are eligible they will get the test patch and be able to automatically or manually update to Windows 8.1. Notably, it is not necessary that it will certainly fix the issue for all, as there is a possibility that it does not work since the Microsoft is still testing the patch according to a report from Supersite For Windows.

Also, to enable an automatic update from Windows RT to Windows RT 8.1, users can download the test patch from the Microsoft's support page.

"This (Windows RT) pilot program is an example of ways we're experimenting to help ensure more of our customers benefit from a continuously improving Windows experience," said a Microsoft spokesperson while speaking to Supersite For Windows.

On the other hand, Microsoft is reportedly planning an upcoming updated codenamed 'Threshold' aka Windows 9 that will unify the operating system for all hardware ecosystems - smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Windows Threshold is expected to get a public preview by the fag end of this year. However, before this expect Microsoft to roll out another update called 'Update 2', as stated by multiple reports.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes review

The Metal Gear series has been an institution on the Playstation for years. Those of us who joined late with the third game, were dropped into a prequel with no context to understand what was going on and watched what was one of the most convoluted storylines play out in front of us.

The fourth game, which came out near the start of the PS3's lifecycle, only complicated things further, and at this point, trying to get Metal Gear to make sense is a lost cause.

With that being said, the game is available for just Rs. 1,999 on the Xbox 360, PS3 and the PS4, which makes it a steal even if it's only a half decent game, particularly if you're one of the early adopters who bagged a PS4.

So how does it feel to play anyway?

Less of a movie
One famous problem with the Metal Gear games so far has been that they're packed to the gills with exposition, which draws heavily on cinematic tropes for narrative instead of interweaving the storytelling into the gameplay.

This is true. It is not just a tired complaint that has become a truism with no truth behind it. When playing Metal Gear Solid 4, there was a very real chance that you might fall asleep during a cutscene and then get killed once the action started.

Ground Zeroes is not like that. As a setup for the upcoming Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes is a single mission that is meant to be replayed again and again. It's a big, open ended mission that can be approached in a number of different ways, and you're encouraged to do so, because it shows you more hidden secrets. You can also read, to catch up on the history of the game, though honestly, it's not necessary to enjoy the game. The amount of storytelling and cutscenes is very limited, and if wasn't for the tight stealth gameplay, you'd not believe that this was a Metal Gear game!

You've got Kiefer Sutherland - 24's Jack Bauer - voicing Big Boss, instead of series veteran David Hayter. That's a shame, not because Sutherland isn't good enough (far from it), but simply because of Hayter's long history with the series. In a series where theatrical presentation - helped along in no small way by voice acting - created so many iconic characters, so see a man who has performed so well get replaced is a shock.

The game itself remains fairly true to form. The gimmicks of the series keep changing; you've got a map overview and a bullet time like mode where you can take out a guard before he alerts his comrades, but the core gameplay remains largely unaffected.

This is still one of the few titles that emphasises stealth without rendering your character powerless or taking away choices. Metal Gear Solid 4 had made some changes to the controls and tools available to you to make combat a more viable option when absolutely necessary, and Ground Zeroes takes that a little bit further. This is a good thing, and doesn't really take away from the stealth gameplay, which still requires you to be patient and plan ahead.

This review was carried out with a Playstation 3 version of the game. Having seen the screenshots and videos of the next-gen version, it's still looking good on older devices. The PS4 version looks richer and has a lot more on-screen, but that doesn't mean that the PS3 version is a bad buy exactly. The catch is that the price gap between a full sized PS3 game and Ground Zeros isn't that big.

The gameplay itself has been getting some modern tweaks as described above, with the addition of more vehicles and tools, but at the end of the day, the game feels very slow paced, and almost anachronistic.

That's not necessarily a bad thing - some people (including us) will absolutely love it - but particularly if you're not already a fan of the series, then it can be a little difficult to get into. Once you've finished the mission to your heart's content, there's also a few bonus missions to play which can be fun.

They don't really add much to the game as a whole, but if you like leaderboards and achievements then the game can keep you busy for hours.

VerdictThe game itself feels great to play, but looks pretty average on the older generation of consoles. Given that the price difference between this and a "full" game isn't even that big on the older hardware, it feels like the game could easily be given a miss by people who aren't already fans of the series or at least the genre.

This is particularly true because the bonus missions don't even change up the areas you'll be playing in significantly, so the entire experience quickly gains an air of sameness. And if you're looking for one of Kojima's trademark long winded movies which explore themes of genetics and meme transmission, then you're going to be pretty let down.

If you're an early adopter of the PS4 though, then bagging the game is an obvious choice, particularly given how few titles are currently available to choose from.

How to Get Start Button in Windows 8

The start menu as we knew it since Windows 95, is dead. The start button was removed with the launch of Windows 8 and then brought back with the Windows 8.1 update. But this button was but a shell of the start menu of the past. Clicking the start button in Windows 8.1 merely takes you to the Windows 8 start screen - the one with all those tiles. Microsoft might decide to bring the start menu back in a future update, but why wait when you can restore it right now? Here are our three favourite ways to get the start menu back in Windows 8.

Classic Shell
The simplest method available is to download Classic Shell and install the app. By default, this app will hide the Windows 8.1 start button and boot to desktop without opening the Windows 8 Start screen. So all you have to do is install it and enjoy your classic Windows start menu, with no further steps involved.

However, if you wish to customise the look-and-feel your start menu, Classic Shell has enough options for power users. You can replace the start button icon with any image of your choice, choose how the start menu looks (Windows classic or Windows 7 style), choose which shortcuts open the Modern UI screen, choose icon sizes and even disable or enable active corners (which let you switch to Modern UI). You can see more options for yourself. Just right-click the start button > settings.

If that isn't enough, you can even change how Windows Explorer menus look. If you would rather have Windows show you classic Windows 7 toolbar at the top of every Explorer window you open, head to Start > All Programs > Classic Shell > Classic Explorer Settings. Here check Show all settings and click the Toolbar buttons tab. Now you can add all the buttons you were missing. There are several other appearance tweaks here that let you tweak Windows 8's explorer. If you are hell-bent on getting that Windows classic look, you can take a look at all the options and see what suits your needs.

Pokki
If you don't want Classic Shell's advanced tweaking options and want a different-looking start menu, try Pokki. This app doesn't replace the Windows 8.1 start button, but adds a Pokki icon next to it. To remove the start button, right-click the Pokki icon > deselect the "Show Windows logo" option.

The Pokki menu is also not the classic start menu you would be used to but rather, a modified version that's bigger and better than what you remember. There's a large panel of grey boxes to the right of your usual start menu, and each box can house an app while the left hand side has quick navigation links to favourites, all apps, Control Panel, along with a customisable list of locations such as Libraries, Documents, etc.

To tweak this menu, right-click the Pokki icon > Settings. Make sure you uncheck "Show popular PC apps" to remove the ads at the bottom.

That aside, you can choose the theme, show or hide the left sidebar, choose which quick-links show up in the sidebar, change the Pokki icon to a walnut, home or the Windows logo, etc. There are more than enough customisation options and the layout isn't as intimidating as Classic Shell if you are not used to tweaking.

Start Menu Reviver 2
In case you want the start menu, but liked the modern Windows 8 style and would prefer a mix of the two styles, then this is the best choice. To use Start Menu Reviver 2, just go to the website, and download and install this free software. Unlike Classic Shell, Start Menu Reviver doesn't completely hide the Windows 8.1 start button. If you take your mouse pointer to the bottom-left corner of the screen, you will be able to access that button. Start Menu Reviver 2 has a two column layout, with the left column having commonly accessed programmes and addresses such as Computer, Libraries, Control Panel, Run, Task Manager, Settings (for Start Menu Reviver) etc. All of these options are marked by icons. In case you forget which is which, just hover your mouse pointer over any of the icons and the name will pop up.

Next to this column is the list of programmes. To change the look and feel of the start menu, go to Start Menu Reviver settings > Start Menu. You can choose between a classic layout that lists all apps in alphabetical order or go for a better-looking tile-based layout. The tiles look and function just like a Windows Phone start screen. Just drag-and-drop tiles to rearrange the layout and to make a tile smaller, simply drag another tile and drop it on top of the larger tile. For further changes, right-click on any tile > Edit Tile.

We noticed that Start Menu Reviver 2 lagged a bit on our laptops, so we wouldn't recommend this programme if you're using an older computer.

We hope you found these three apps useful.  Feel free to leave a comment.

Windows Phone 8.1: Top eight new features

Microsoft launched its highly-anticipated Windows Phone 8.1 update at its keynote address at the Build 2014 conference on Wednesday. The event also saw the unveiling of the Windows 8.1 Update operating system version, alongside three new devices, Nokia Lumia 930, Lumia 630 and Lumia 635, which will be the platform lead devices for Windows Phone 8.1 OS version.

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore, VP Windows Phone program management and design, introduced a bevy of enhanced features in the Windows Phone 8.1 that the Redmond giant hopes will bring more personal and smarter experience for consumers.

Microsoft has announced that Windows Phone 8.1 will start rolling out to Windows Phone 8 users in coming months. The Redmond giant also confirmed that the entire Nokia Lumia range will get OTA (over-the-air) update called Lumia Cyan, which will include Windows Phone 8.1 features and the new Lumia features into one update.

We've broken down the eight biggest new features in the Windows Phone 8.1 including the ones that made it into the highlights - Cortana, Action Centre, Word Flow and more personalised Start Screen.

1. Greater Start Screen personalisation
Microsoft in an attempt to offer more customisable options to Windows Phone users, has added 'Start background' feature that allows users to add an image to the tiles on the Start screen of the device.

The feature will add an image of the user's choice to multiple tiles on the Start screen. Earlier, the Live Tiles on the Start screen on Windows Phone 8 were limited to solid colours.

In 2013, Microsoft added the third Live Tile column on the Start screen of the Nokia Lumia 1520, and then left it to manufacturer adoption. However, with the Windows Phone 8.1, the company has now added an extra column of Live Tiles on all screen sizes, with users able to choose whether to turn this feature on.

2. Cortana: Finally arrives to take on Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now
One of the highlight features of Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana, which is Microsoft's voice-based virtual assistant. The Redmond giant's Cortana is based on a popular AI character in Microsoft's blockbuster video game franchise, Halo.

Cortana is powered by Bing and is similar to Apple's Siri or Google Now, completely replacing the search feature in WP8.1. Microsoft's Joe Belfiore claimed that the new digital assistant from Microsoft will get better with time as a user spends more time with it by asking questions to Cortana, filling up details in its Notebook section.

Cortana can be launched by pressing the Live Tile placed on the Start screen or by pressing the Search button on the Windows Phone device. Belfiore said that Cortana can interact verbally or by typing, and stressed its ability to understand natural language voice commands. It can also interact with third party apps, though developers will have to build Cortana-compatibility into their apps.

Microsoft has announced that Cortana will be available first in the US as a 'beta' and later will released in the UK and China in the second half of 2014, while in other countries Cortana might reach by 2015.

3. Action Centre for notifications
Microsoft has finally launched one of the most awaited features on Windows Phone platform, the Action Centre. The Windows Phone 8.1 update brings the Action Centre to all Windows Phone-based devices which will show notifications for calls, messages, emails, apps and others. It will also offer quick settings access to Flight Mode, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Rotation Lock options. Notably, the quick access options are customisable.

The Action Centre for Windows Phone 8.1 can be accessed by a simple drop down swipe gesture like seen in Android and iOS.

4. Word Flow Keyboard
Another big addition in the Windows Phone 8.1 has been the introduction of the Word Flow Keyboard, which is a Swype keyboard-like feature for Windows Phone users. The Word Flow Keyboard allows users to glide over the display and type words.

Microsoft claims that the Word Flow Keyboard is one of the 'most intuitive smartphone keyboards' and learns from users writing style. Belfiore noted that the Word Flow Keyboard supports 16 languages, though has not named the languages supported.

Belfiore even claimed that, thanks to Word Flow Keyboard, a kid was able break the Guinness World Record for fastest writing on a smartphone earlier held by Swype keyboard on a Samsung Galaxy S4.

5. Skype Integration
Microsoft has also upgraded the Skype integration in Windows Phone devices with its latest Windows Phone 8.1. Now, the new Skype app for Windows Phone 8.1 comes with dialler integration that allows a user to switch a regular call to a Skype video call with a click of a button. Further, Skype has also been designed to work with Cortana, as users can setup Skype calls via the new voice-based virtual assistant.

6. Upgraded imaging experience
Microsoft takes the Windows Phone photography experience to the next level with the revamped Camera Roll, which gives quick access to clicked images, image tweaking tools and sharing capabilities.

The Smart Shots, Cinemagraphs, and Refocus photos options are directly accessible now from Camera Roll. Microsoft has also added the burst mode features to its Windows Phone 8.1 for clicking continuous images.

Creative Studio has been also added to the Camera Roll, which can use five new filters. The Nokia Storyteller has also received a slight addition with new video slideshow option that allows sharing via Facebook and Twitter.

7. New Sense feature for Windows Phone users
Microsoft has introduced the new Sense apps that include Data Sense, Wi-Fi Sense and Storage Sense.

Data Sense gives a detailed track of data usage on a Windows Phone, which could be braked down according to time- a month, a week etc. Data Sense includes a 'high savings' mode that the company claims will compress the images browsed on the Web, so a user can search more without with less data usage.

Another Sense app is Wi-Fi Sense, which automatically connects to a nearby Wi-Fi hotspot (when detected) to conserve cellular data.

Notably, when Wi-Fi is turned off in Wi-Fi Sense; Cortana can automatically turn it on, when a favourite location with hotspot is available.

Storage Sense can help users manage content stored on the microSD card and inbuilt storage by moving apps, music, images and videos between inbuilt storage and microSD card.

In addition, Microsoft has also improved its Battery Sense feature, giving a breakdown of apps' battery consumption, and also includes an 'automatic mode' in the Battery Saver option that can help extend battery life.

8. Slew of new delights
Apart from the major highlights of the Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft has also added a number of minor tweaks to its OS.

After multiple leaks, the onscreen keys are official with Windows Phone 8.1. The onscreen keys for Search, Start and Back will now appear at the bottom of the display and this will mean that future Windows Phone 8.1-based devices will not feature the three capacitive buttons at the bottom of the front panel.

Microsoft has also introduced the new Lock Screen, which now comes with multiple Lock Screen themes featuring different visuals and animations - APIs are also available for developers to create their own themes and widgets.

The Calendar app has received a redesign and now shows a week view, along with a weather widget which has been integrated into the Calendar app. It will show at the top.

Various apps such as Music, Video and Podcasts have received improvements and are now split apps, all capable of update vie the Store.

The Internet Explorer 11 for Windows Phone 8.1 was also introduced. The new IE11 comes with new features such as InPrivate browsing, password caching, and a super-handy reading mode.

iPhone 6 Reportedly Faces Component Yield Issues; Alleged Dummy Images Leak

With each passing day, new details of the unannounced iPhone 6 surface online as it seems Apple has been unable to plug all of the holes in the increasingly leaky supply chain of the company.

The latest series of image leaks show the alleged iPhone 6 sized up against the iPhone 5s in all possible angles.

The leaked image corroborate what's has been widely expected based on earlier leaks, that the next iPhone will house the power button on the right panel of the device, instead on the top panel seen on current iPhone models.

Further, Nikkei has posted an image that shows the front panel of both the iPhone 5s and the yet-to-be-announced iPhone 6. The leaked image again tip that the iPhone 6 (4.7-inch variant) will feature the much-touted Apple Touch ID, which is a fingerprint sensor that debuted on the iPhone 5s and was integrated on the handset's Home button.

Another set of leaked images show the alleged 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screen glass compared to that of previous iPhone versions (iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5) all sporting 4-inch display. The new leaked screen glass image of the bigger rumoured iPhone 6 model tips that the handset might be available in Black and White colours. 9to5mac claims that the availability of these parts tip that the new iPhone model is near mass-production.

"The images do not indicate any breakthrough new features for the next-generation iPhone, but the availability of these parts indicates that the new iPhone is nearing mass-production ahead of a launch this fall," said the report.

In addition, a Chinese report claims that Apple might face yield issues in an attempt to meet the thin quotient. GforGames first picked the Chinese report and notes, "Apple might've decided to use only one brightness enhancement film (BEC) in its backlit LCD display in order to save up space."

The report suggests that the Cupertino-based giant will likely face production issues as the remaining layer has to fit well.

Further, the report speculates that the components, like backlight, orders will be taken over by Omron and Radiant from Minebea, which is currently the supplier of these backlight components for the upcoming iPhone model.

The report adds that the alleged iPhone 6 mass production is expected to begin in July, while the smartphone can be released in September, in-line with earlier reports.

New App to Help Treat Smartphone Addiction

Can't put your iPhone away for long? Here comes an app that can help you de-addict from your smartphone, freeing up more time for you to spend with your family and friends.

Called Moment, the app can track how much you use your phone, and where you use it - and suggest when it might be time to put it away.

"I built Moment to help nudge me in the right direction by automatically tracking my daily iPhone use and giving me a warning when I'm on it for too long," wrote app creator Kevin Holesh on his blog post.

The iOS app automatically tracks how much you use your phone each day and if you are using your phone too much, you can set daily limits on yourself and be notified when you go over.

You can also set up reminders when you reach 50 percent of your alloted time, Daily Mail reported, citing Holesh's blog post.

"My goal was to find a balance of connected and disconnected that was right for me. Moment has helped me gain another 35 minutes every day to take my dogs for a hike or do a quick workout instead of mindlessly scrolling through Twitter," Holesh said.

"Moment is helping me find that balance," he added.

Android L: 8 New Features in the Next Major Android Release

Android has grown from a tiny upstart to the world's dominant mobile computing platform with over a billion active users. Google isn't sitting still, though, and has just unveiled what it calls the most ambitious Android release yet. Currently known only as Android L, there's no dessert-themed codename or even formal version number yet. Android L will release later this year, though an exact date isn't known.

We hope to see new smartphones launch around the same time which take advantage of all the new features, and also updates to existing smartphones. HTC is amongst the companies committed to bringing it to its existing HTC One family, while others should announce support soon.

Here are some of the most exciting new features of Android L

Material design
Android will receive a complete visual overhaul aimed at promoting a consistent experience across Android device sizes and types. The new "Material Design" identity is bolder, more colourful, and more animated. Every transition between screens and every user interaction has been refined, down to the system-wide Roboto typeface and the Android navigation buttons.

The change could also be aimed at discouraging third-party vendors from developing custom Android overlays which greatly deviate from Google's vision. A strong enough core UI experience could lead users to reject anything seen as inferior to it.Screen elements will be able to simulate depth, with automatic shadows and scaling, but will also inherit elements of classic magazine typography and layout. There's more emphasis on simple shapes and consistent actions that lead you from one app into another. Google's new design page offers hints of what is to come.

The Material Design identity integrates elements of responsive Web design and will extend to other Google properties including Gmail, which will be redesigned for the Web as well as mobile apps. Material Design takes into account the fact that touch, voice, mouse and keyboard are all equally important input methods, clearly illustrating goals above and beyond smartphone usage scenarios.

Improved notifications
You will be able to interact with notifications more easily in Android L. For starters, you can choose which ones show up on the lock screen and what amount of detail they'll show. You can decide whether snippets of actual messages are displayed when your phone is potentially visible to others, or whether more details will only be revealed when you unlock it. They also aren't necessarily displayed in chronological order anymore - the OS can learn which ones you're more likely to respond to urgently and prioritise those.

There's also a new type of notification altogether - Google calls these heads ups. These appear on top of whatever you're doing and allow you to take action or dismiss them immediately. These are meant to be less intrusive, and can be used for things that can't wait, such as incoming calls.

Trusted environments
Speaking of the lock screen, you'll soon be able to have your phone detect when it's in a trusted environment, which will dispense with the lock code. This could be triggered by the presence of a Bluetooth device such a smartwatch that you wear all the time, a specific Wi-Fi access point, or other factors. When the environment is deemed safe, you won't have to bother with unlocking your phone.

Project Volta, battery improvements
Android L will be able to manage battery life much better, but Google's moves go beyond that to the app development stage, for which new tools have been developed that let developers track battery drain and optimise apps before they ever reach end users. The battery saver mode is similar to those implemented by third parties so far - non-essential services can be turned off or made to run only at intervals in order to save power. Android L will also be able to lower the screen refresh rate, reduce the frequency of data exchanges, or force apps to change their behaviour to match the prevailing battery state.

Google Fit
Everyone's getting into health and activity tracking, and Google is no exception. The new Google Fit framework will take Apple's Healthkit head on, tying into sensors on phones themselves as well as connected accessories to collect data which will be ready for apps to use. Major partners including Nike, Adidas, Runkeeper, HTC, Asus, LG and Motorola are already on board. Google Fit could monitor physical activity and food intake as well as health indicators such as heart rate and breathing.

Greater Web integration
There's also a change to the way individual tabs and documents in apps are handled by Android L. They'll now show up as individual entries in the Recents menu, allowing users to jump directly between them. This pulls the focus away from apps and puts it onto all the things you do with them. For example, Web apps open in Chrome tabs would appear much like native apps running on your device, and you'd be able to jump in and out of them more quickly.

Links on the Web can now also be used to launch apps instead of websites (presumably falling back to the website in case the app is not installed). For example, Google demonstrated looking up a restaurant in Chrome and then tapping a link to not only launch the OpenTable app, but also have it know that it should bring up that restaurant's booking page. Google search results can also now be links that trigger an app, rather than links to websites.

ART Runtime and Android Extension Pack
Google is ditching the Dalvik runtime which has served well for years, in favour of a new one called ART. It can make apps load and run quite a bit faster while using less RAM. ART is 64-bit compatible, and is also engineered to allow apps to work across hardware architectures such as ARM and X86. This also means that Android devices will be able to address more RAM than the 32-bit limit allowed.

With greater diversity in Android hardware obviously envisioned for the near future, the move is a welcome change. Google has worked with major hardware vendors to enable more fluid graphics, potentially paving the way for new Android-based game consoles and set-top boxes. Desktop-class graphics including tessellation, geometry shaders and texture compression will potentially be possible on Android devices.

Knox
Google also made a few announcements that indicate interesting things on the horizon for enterprise users. The company announced that Samsung's Knox feature for work and personal separation will become a part of Android itself. Knox allows corporate IT administrators to control work-related data and policies on employees' smartphones while letting the employees themselves continue to store personal data and use unrelated apps. This alleviates many of the problems with accessing secure information from mobile devices and could make Android far more attractive to businesses.