Technology on Tonmoy Goswami

3 Nova Launcher tricks for power users

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 14:00:20 +0000

If you’re on Android and love customizations, you probably are already using a 3rd-party launcher. But there’s a reason why Nova Launcher is often considered as #1; it’s because of its extreme customization possibilities. The tricks mentioned in this tutorial are meant for power users who use Nova to make themselves more productive.

Without further ado, let’s jump straight in.

1. Gestures + Activity = #1 reason why I love Nova

Nova has eleven gesture types, from simpler ones like ‘swipe up’ to complex gestures like ‘Double tab + swipe down’.

How do billboard ads track you & what to do about it

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 15:17:30 +0000

You must have experienced a variation of the following situation:

While travelling home, you notice a billboard of a brand (say, Toyota’s latest car); you make a passing remark about it to your partner.

“Toyota Glanza looks eerily similar to Baleno, isn’t it?” “They are basically the same car.”, replies your partner.

The next day at office, Toyota Glanza ads are all over your Facebook, Twitter, Google, Gmail etc.

You don’t believe it!

Can a smartphone save your life?

Sun, 08 Sep 2013 03:34:00 +0000

In an earlier post, I wondered about a wearable security/safety device that can be triggered at times of personal danger esp. in cases of molestation, rape, risk to life, burglary, robbery etc. Now that Samsung has launched Galaxy Gear smart-watch, which basically is the first crude version of a wearable device that lets you interact with your phone without pulling it out of your purse or pocket, my thoughts are on a roll again. Coz that’s exactly what is needed in times of sudden danger: something that can quickly help us raise an SOS.

The idiot-box is getting smarter

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 00:49:00 +0000

Lately, I’ve been following the advent of the Smart TV phenomenon. At first glance, connected TVs (with or without a net-top box) do seem like the future of home entertainment where you can stream your own content, subscribe to original series instead of the whole channel, watch movies on demand and enjoy YouTube from your couch. But there are challenges.

Challenges to mass adoption

1. Market is fragmented

Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, Boxee (now part of Samsung) and dozen others (find full list here) are currently trying to break into the market. While smaller startups will eventually be merged with bigger players, the market is currently too fragmented and nascent. Consumers are particularly worried about the fact that their choice of vendor might suddenly be acquired and shut down. (see Boxee). Although, there is enough room for smart new entrants and nimble incumbents, the space will finally be ruled by bigger companies who has clout and influence. Why? This brings us to challenge two: content.

Technology against crime

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:48:00 +0000

How about a wearable computer (maybe a wrist band) that tracks your location and not only send out SOS notifications to pre-defined end points (relatives, patrolling police, nearest police stations etc) but also sends out alerts to nearby sister/affiliated devices?

In layman terms: a smart wrist band that tracks your location & on one panic button press, it notifies the whole neighborhood of wrist band warriors + your relatives + police.