APPS

Best Free Remote Desktop Apps for Android

 

There are a lot of remote desktop apps on the internet but which one you should trust or rely on? If you find that question pops up on your mind when the remote desktop subject comes on then no more. Here we have a list of apps that comes from reliable brands like Microsoft and Google, the best part is that it’s all free to use.

Microsoft Remote Desktop

Wen talking about the remote desktop let’s not forget the official one from Microsoft. This app was not available for other smartphones than Windows phones. But later Windows make this app for Android and the best part is that this app is completely free to use and works like a charm.

You can control your computers running the Windows professional or the Enterprise version. It comes with a rich multitouch experienced which is supported by Windows as well. It comes with high-quality video and audio streaming as well so you don’t get to see latency.

Download

Chrome Remote Desktop

Well, this is going to be one of the easiest remote desktop tools ever created, and guess what, it’s from Google. Google Remote Desktop is also free to use remote desktop tools just like Microsoft’s Remote Desktop.

You get a secure connection to your machine on your Android smartphone using the Chrome remote desktop. You only need to install the Google Chrome on your PC which is already installed anyway so you don’t need to install extra server app or anything on your PC.

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TeamViewer

TeamViewer is the first name that pops up when you talk about remote desktop apps so we cannot miss it. This is one full-fledged app which works across all operating system whether its Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS. You can also remote control other mobile devices, not just the PC.

YOu get features like the screen sharing and complete remote control to other devices. You get to touch and gesture control as well. You can transfer files in both directions which is pretty cool. You can use chat functionality while using the remote desktop feature.

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Wrapping up

These were the remote desktop apps that you can use on your Android smartphone and work from anywhere. You may need a better connection to get low latency on these platforms.

 

 

How to save mobile data using Google Datally app for Android

Google has launched an app on Wednesday to manage data usage dubbed as Datally. The app is designed to help Android smartphone users save their mobile data by stop all background data usage. The Datally is now available to download via Google Play.
Google has been testing Datally in the Philippines since this summer. The search giant claims the app tested with over 5lakh users can save up to 30% of mobile data. As of today, the Datally is being rolled out to the rest of the world and is available to any phone running Android 5.0 or above.

How to save mobile data with Google Datally

Saving mobile data is very easy with Datally app by Google. The app is basically a mobile data manager that helps in monitoring, and saving your mobile data through tracking and controlling app data usage.

Data Saver

There is a Data Saver button at the top of the app that lets you stop all background data usage. It also gives users controls that allow seeing real-time app data usage, and block the app’s data usage if it is in the background and not being used.

Data Usage metrics

You can also easily track your mobile data usage and understand which apps are using the most and how much you have used with time. You can also learn about your data usage per app, including usage history, trends over time as well.

Wi-Fi Finder

You can also find nearby Wi-Fi to use if your data is consumed and you are running out if data. The Wi-Fi finder discovers Wi-Fi networks nearby with details like distance and if they are open or password protected. You can also see how other Datally users have rated the Wi-Fi network, and rate Wi-Fi networks that you’ve connected to.
Apart from above-mentioned features, Google says it will launch some new features as well and that are currently available for limited testing in select markets. The features could be data balance checking and expiration reminders along with proactive data usage warnings and controls.
Download the Datally app from Play Store for free.

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 Microsoft Edge browser now available for iOS and Android

Microsoft has officially released its Edge browser for Android and iOS devices, a month after releasing a beta version. After collecting feedback from testers, Microsoft today has made the browser public. The Edge browser for Android and iOS is now available to download from Google Play Store and the App Store.
Earlier in October, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Edge for iOS and Android in a beta preview. “We are pleased to announce that we’re removing the “preview” label from our Android and iOS app. Starting today, Microsoft Edge is available for iOS (Apple Store) and Android (Google Play Store) as a free download,” reads the latest Windows blog post.

Microsoft Edge Browser Features

Microsoft Edge browser features are the same on both the Android and iOS and it includes features like Favorites, Reading List, New Tab Page, Reading View, InPrivate tab across your PC and phone. It also brings the ability to continue where you have left on your PC and you can save your work later on your phone.

Moreover, you can also scan a bar or QR code within the search bar itself. With the new public release, Microsoft has also a few new features including roaming passwords and dark theme which were not present in the preview. With roaming password features you can save a new password on your phone, and it follows you to your PC.

Availability

Talking about the availability, the new Microsoft Edge for iOS is available in the US (English), China (Simplified-Chinese), France (French) and the UK (English). For Android, the Edge is available in the US (English), Australia (English), Canada (English and French), China (Simplified-Chinese), France (French), India (English) and the UK (English). The company adds that it will launch the app in other countries with more languages over time.
You can download the Microsoft Edge browser for Android from Google Play Store and from App stores for iOS devices.

Google brings new personalized feed to its Search app in India

Google has updated its search app for Android and iOS with a new personalized feed. This update will allow users to filter search results and they can customize the feed according to their favorite topics. The new feed is available on the latest update of the app and users can get it by updating their app from Play Store and the App Store.

The new feed appears on the homepage of the app and there are separate pages for upcoming events for the user based on the calendar, email, or reminders and for recent searches and history. Google released it first in the US and it is now available on both Android and iOS versions of the app in other countries, including India.

Google Search Feed Features

The new feed is similar to the previously available Google Now cards, however, it is more dynamic and personalized now. It involves content from other Google apps too. It uses machine learning algorithm to show feeds based on user’s interests and search history in the Google app and other Google services, such as Chrome, YouTube, Maps etc.

Unlike Google Now cards, you cannot simply remove the feed by swiping it to right. Rather you now get more options such as “Hide the story”, “Not interested in the topic”, “Customise the feed” and “Send feedback”. You can access these options by tapping on the three dots icon at the top of the feed.

Users can also highlight their interests by following their favorite topics in the app by going to Menu>Customise>Follow Topics. You can follow a topic from the feed itself by tapping on the three dots icon>Follow. You will start getting more updates and stories about that topic.

Further, it shows feeds based on what is trending in your area and around the world. Apart from that, these feeds will also show other news stories from a variety of sources related to your favorite topics. These stories will appear beneath the most trending story in a separate horizontal scroll.

Google has also added a video preview option which was announced last month. Now, whenever you find a video on Google search feed, you will be able to see a 6-second preview of it. You can disable the preview option from settings.

Google has been working on making its search app more useful and quick. Earlier, it had added new shortcuts in its Google Search app for Android which makes it easier to get relevant information quickly and easily.

Apple’s decision to reject TRAI’s DND app angers regulator

Cupertino-based Apple and Indian telecom regulator TRAI are in a standoff after the former has not granted the regulator’s app access to their devices. TRAI has developed a Do Not Disturb application for detection and reporting of unsolicited commercial messages and Apple is not letting it on the App Store, stating it violates their policy.

On one hand, where Apple is asking for tax exemptions for expansion in India, a trifle with TRAI could cost Apple a big chunk of the Indian market. While TRAI says their app is for quick detection of spam, Apple justifies its decision using their privacy policy of ‘Not handing user data to third parties’.

What is TRAI’s DND Application?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently released a service application named Do Not Disturb (DND). With this app, you have to register your phone number with the regulator and the app will help you avoid any unsolicited commercial messages.

Not only filtering, the app also helps TRAI to pinpoint spam messages to various telcos for quick action. While the app has been there on the Play Store for a while now, TRAI was seeking to get it listed on the App Store for iOS users.

TRAI vs Apple: The Standoff

When the Telecom Regulator tried to list their DND app on the App Store, Apple did not let this happen, stating that the app violates Apple’s privacy policy. According to their policy, Apple does not allow sharing of user data with any other entity. Now the TRAI app accesses and shares spam call and message records with the regulator.

It is due to this sharing of data that Apple is not allowing TRAI to enlist the DND application on their App Store. Mr. Ram Sewak Sharma, Chairman, TRAI commented on the situation, “Nobody’s asking Apple to violate its privacy policy. It is a ridiculous situation, no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user’s data.”

While Apple has not commented on the standoff so far, TRAI is reportedly seeking public and stakeholder’s consultation for standardizing rules of data flow and information control in the hands of users. With new regulations to surface, Apple is probably in for a setback from the telecom regulator.

Truecaller update brings number scanner, fast track numbers and more

Popular caller ID app Truecaller has introduced new features to its app with the latest update. The new features are designed to make the app more convenient for its users. Interestingly, the latest features will be available in India only for now.

Truecaller has introduced a simpler way to dial a number from your phone. Now, you do not need to dial a number when someone gives a business card. With this new feature, you can scan the phone numbers using your phone’s camera. Apart from this, the company has also integrated various helpful toll-free numbers in the app.

Number Scanner

The first feature called Number Scanner will allow you to scan phone numbers from business cards, boards and pretty much from anything else by using your phone’s camera from the truecaller app.

You can access this option by tapping the new camera icon in the Search bar within the Truecaller app and pointing the camera in the direction of the object. Alternatively, you can tap the hamburger icon within the app to trigger a small camera mode within the menu – in both cases, the app automatically detects phone numbers within the frame without you needing to ‘click’ a picture.

The app can also detect multiple numbers in the frame, and lets you choose the one you want to proceed with. However, it can not scan the number from an image that is already in your phone gallery. You have to capture the image in real time using Truecaller.

Further, the number scanner does not require an internet connection to work. However, if you have an active internet connection, it can look up the number in the Truecaller database and show you the name of the respective person.

Fast Track Numbers

The second new feature is called Fast Track Numbers. Truecaller has integrated certain toll-free numbers including emergency services and various other categories like Airlines, Banks, Hotels, and more into the Truecaller app. The feature makes these number accessible via the search bar in the app. These Fast Track Numbers are available even when you are not connected to the internet.

Moreover, with this update, users will also see a new option for their contacts. They will be able to send money, request for money, recharge, and send a Truecaller Flash message within the contacts app on the phone. To recall, Truecaller has already integrated UPI payments within its app. It is to be noted that a similar feature was introduced by Paytm where users can directly send money through their phone book.

The new features will be available via the Truecaller Android app version 8.45, which will roll out to all users in a few days. Notably, these features will only be available in India for now.

Opera Mini for iOS gets revamped ahead of iPhone 8 launch

Opera Software has rolled out a new version of its mobile browser Opera Mini for iOS with new features and redesigned UI. The new version features a news feed on its start page which is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The AI powered news feed is based on the GBDT (gradient boosting decision trees), a machine learning algorithm and deep neural network (DNN) learning. Opera claims this will help users to get the news four times faster than the previous version. Also, no setup or customization is required to set up this more personalized start page.

The news engine analyses user’s interest through the deep learning model that understands what users are engaged with. The more the users engage on the newsfeed, the more sorted the content will become for the users within the ‘For You’ section.

The app will allow users to customise the news feed with news sources by setting location and categories as per their choice. In order to set up this, users need to swipe to the left on the top of the start page and click the plus button in the top-right corner.

Additionally, the Opera Mini for iOS comes with a completely redesigned UI. The address and search bar color has been changed to Opera red. The search bar has also gotten smarter with the option to customize the search engine. Moreover, it will now also allow you to scan QR codes as well.

The news feed feature is rolling out to select countries as of now, including India. In India, it is available for English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Tamil users. Apart from India, the feature is also available in countries such as Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania, and the United States.

Download the latest version of Opera Mini for iOS from App Store.