Give Your Nexus 5 the Sweetness of Lollipop

In the previous post we talked about the release of Android 5.0 a.ka. Lollipop for the Nexus 5. Unable to contain our anticipation we finally manually updated our Nexus 5 with the Android 5.0 image from the official Android website. Flashing it on our own was fun. We did meet a few hiccups while installing the new update but in the end everything went well. The efforts paid-off and we now have a brand new like Nexus 5, delightfully sporting the Lollipop.

We followed the updating process to the T and it surely helped a lot. Firstly, we uninstalled the old USB driver of Google from our computer and installed the latest USB driver from the here.

How to upgrade the Nexus 5 with the latest Lollipop 5.0 ?

We also made sure we had latest ADB and Fastboot installed on our computer.If you do not have it installed you can head over to this link and install the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool.

Backing-up data is also one of the prerequisites of installing the update via adb sideload. We used SMS Backup and Restore to backup our SMSes.

You can turn on sync and upload your Photos to your Google+ album or any other such cloud space that you use. Take a backup of your Whats app media as well.

Don’t forget to sync your other personal date like contacts, calendar, reminders etc.

After making sure that all data is backed up you can proceed with the installing process.

Download the Lollipop OTA Update zip file from here. Copy it in your PC and rename it to something you could remember, like updatelollipop.zip

You might also need to install the Universal Windows ADB Driver to automatically add the driver when you go into the recovery mode.

Also, make sure you have turned on the USB debugging option in the Developers Options in Settings. Those who have not turned on Developer Options on your Nexus 5, go to About Phone – click 7 times on the build number and the Developer Option will be unlocked in the About Phone.

Now switch off your Nexus 5 and enter the Fastboot mode by pressing the Volume Down Key + Power Button simultaneously. Once you are in the Fastboot mode you need to navigate to the Recovery Mode by using the Volume keys. Press the Power Button to select and enter the Recovery Mode.

After that you need to press the Power Button and then press and hold the Volume Up button.

Once you enter the Recovery Mode, use the Volume Buttons to highlight the Apply Update From ADB. Press Power Button to select.

Now connect your Nexus 5 to the PC. Open the folder which contains the updatelollipop.zip file. While pressing the shift button, right click the mouse and click on ‘Open CMD window here’.

To make sure, your PC is recognising your Nexus 5 in the recovery mode, go to Device Manager and look for ADB Android Device or Nexus 5.

In the CMD window type ‘adb sideload updatelollipop.zip’ without the inverted commas. Hit enter to start the process.

If you have installed the right USB drivers and ADB properly installed, you will see the zip file being send to the Nexus 5.

Hurray!

Allow it to do the rest and within 10 minutes or so, you too will be rocking the latest Android Lollipop on your Nexus 5. And you are done!

Visit again to know more about thr Lollipop and its features

Disclaimer: The above process worked for our Nexus 5 device having the build no. KTU84Q. Please make sure you update the Nexus 5 having the same build no. Users are requested to do the above stated manual installation at their own risks. Technigully and its contributors are not responsible for any damage occurred to your device while installing the update. 

What’s hot and happened this Month!

In the world of technology, this month has been quite exciting. Right from the much awaited iPhone 6 launch to the new level of gaming introduced by Xbox One, to the unconventionally shaped Blackberry Passport, this month never ceased to surprise us. In order to round all its highlights, here’s Technigully’s top five stunners. Plus with the festive season coming up, you can refer this section for gifting suggestions.

1. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Apple has launched iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus simultaneously bringing the iOS 8. Though the phones are still not available in the Indian market, the news of its availability has created is enough excitement about it. Having looked at the prices, we do not know, in whose pocket it will fit in.

2. Blackberry Passport

We belied that in the crowd of touch screen and smart phones, the significance of Blackberry has vanished. However, the RIM has come back with a bang. The square shaped Blackberry Passport is expected to attract businessmen and entrepreneurs. We will have to wait and watch what response it receives.

3. Sony Z3 & Z3 Compact

Sony has also launched a series of Z3 phones with two versions Z3 and Z3 Compact. These phones are equipped with 20 MP camera and amazing sound & video quality. The Z3 Compact carries the price tag of Rs. 44,990, while the Z3 is available at Rs. 51,990.

4. Windows 10

If not launched practically, Microsoft has shown has shown glimpses of the upcoming Windows’ version. It’s bundled with few new old while few new features. For example return of Start Button is a welcoming feature. Sad side of the story is that this version will be available by late 2015.

5. Xbox One

Microsoft has launched Xbox One in India. The Kinect version is available at Rs 45,990 and comes with lot of new features such as gesture controls, biometric sign-in, controller paring, Skype video calls, instant personalization, instant scanning of QR codes, etc.

Not sweet, not sugary, it’s simply iOS 8

Apple’s latest gift to mankind-iOS 8 is here, up and running. Here’s our first impression on its top features.

 The newest operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is finally here. You too can get the update directly onto your iOS device using Wi-Fi or via iTunes. Just remember to backup all your data on iCloud or iTunes before updating.

Check out its features:

Camera

The Camera app gets a new ‘Time Lapse’ video mode that can create time-lapse videos by connecting photos taken at time intervals. A self-timer feature has also been introduced to the Camera.

Continuity

iOS and Mac OS X working as one. Improved integration between Apple devices is a major focus point of iOS 8. Features in continuity include Airdrop, Handoff, Text message integration, Call integration. Regrettably, you will have to wait until Yosemite is released in October, unless you have signed up for the public beta program.

Health app

It's an umbrella app that will aggregate data from third-party health and fitness apps. It will also sync with the Apple iWatch. As Apple iWatch will have sensors to monitor your activity and vital signs. This is surely an interesting biggie!

Family Sharing

A feature for sharing location data, photos, movies, music and apps in a family group (up to 6 people) using the same credit card looks good on the first impression.

Widgets Finally!

Those who envy Android users know what widgets really are.

By Neha Kulkarni

nehacoolkarni@gmail.com

And that’s not all. There are some other great features too, which we’ll be covering pretty soon. This is just a peek into the surprises stored in iOS 8.

7 Ways to Extend Battery Life of your Smartphone

Draining battery is one of the worst nightmares in today’s world of smartphones. Your phone be of any brand, operating system or configuration, your relieving moment is when you see plug point to connect its charger. Here are some simple tips we've gathered over our personal experiences you may consider to extend the battery life.

1 Uninstall apps you do not use

Take a quick look at the number of apps installed on your phone. You may find few apps that you have not used in ages. Uninstall them. They may be consuming power. If there are few such pre-loaded apps that you cannot uninstall, at least disable them. That will help. Same goes with unnecessary widgets and live wallpapers.

2 Delete junk

Once in a while take some time out to maintain your phone. Delete all the unnecessary files such as forwarded photos, videos, or blurred photos. They consume space and make the phone run slow, which further results in consuming more battery.

3 Update apps

Many times apps are updated to consume lesser power. Keep the apps updated so that they co-operate with you to extend the battery life of your smartphone.

4 Keep a tab on apps running in the background.

Many times, even after closing, particular apps silently run in the background. Go to Settings and check for the apps that are running in the background and force stop them.

5 Turn the data connection off

At some places where you know that the signal strength is very low, switch off the data connection. Your smartphone continuously searches for the network draining the battery.

6 Reduce refresh frequency

Apps such as facebook, gmail, twitter, etc notify you on every e-mail or message received. While it is a good idea to be in touch with your friends, it may cost the battery life. It is best to check for such notifications manually. If not you can at least reduce the frequency of getting alerts. E.g if your facebook app refreshes every 30 mins, you can set it to refresh after couple of hours or more. 

7 Power saving mode

If your phone’s battery is still running low, you can extend its battery life by using power saving mode. This limits the phone’s operation to bear minimum and allows battery to run longer.