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Checkout Google Chromecast

August 17, 2014 Leave a comment

What’s so great about Google Chromecast

Google Chromecast is a very cool small device based on a simplified version of Chrome OS , which connects to the Wi-Fi local area network and is able to play audio and video streaming. With compatible apps installed on a smartphone or tablet, or on a PC with Google Chrome you can use it as a digital media player for your audio/video content on a high-definition display by directly streaming it via Wi-Fi from the Internet or your local network. It also allows you to stream your local videos from your Android device, computer, NAS, and other network locations to your big screen.

The big draw here is that it supports virtually any video or audio file type you have. Users select the media to play using Chromecast-enabled mobile apps and web apps.  Alternatively, content can be mirrored from the Google Chrome web browser running on a personal computer, as well as directly from the screen of some Android devices.

chromecast device

The device, a 2.83-inch (72 mm) HDMI dongle

How it works

chromecast tv

Stream a video to your TV

Streaming is actually carried out by the device and not the smartphone that simply sends the address of the stream and the metadata for the screen interface and playback control. Unlike Apple’s AirPlay, whose support is “cooked” in iOS , OS X and iTunes (on a PC), Chromecast is multi- platform and compatibility is at the application level. For example, the YouTube app Chromecast support on Android that iOS. The experience of use in this case is very similar to that of AirPlay, since the applications are able to automatically detect the presence of Chromecast on the net and all you need is to select the appropriate icon to start playing on TV.

Google-Chromecast-Anschluss

Google Chromecast dongle connected with TV

How to make the most of Google Chromecast

Apps for Chrome

  • Google Cast:  The Google Cast extension enables you to find and play content on your Chromecast device from your Chrome browser.
Google Cast

Google Cast extension for Chrome

  •  Videostream lets you stream local videos (downloads, etc.) from your computer to your Chromecast in full 1080p!

Apps for mobile devices

  • LocalCast lets you stream videos from your phone’s Gallery (or from Dropbox or Google Drive) to a Chromecast.
LocalCast Android App

LocalCast Android App

  • PlayTo Chromecast lets you stream Photos, Music & Videos from 150+ websites, your phone or other media servers to your Chromecast. PlayTo supports website based media streaming, media from media servers and media on your phone or tablets.

Where Chromecast Wins Out

  • It’s a very smal device: Unlike other set top boxes, the Chromecast takes up virtually no space. If you have an open HDMI port and a place to plug in the power, you’ll never even see the little device.
  • Your phone is your remote: While remote controls have been one of the most beloved technological advances of the 20th century, they’re also very rudimentary and easy to lose. We tend to be much better at keeping up with our phones. While Apple TV users can download a remote app for the iPhone, the Chromecast remotes tend to be cross platform.
  • More importantly, your app is your remote: With the Chromecast, your “remote control” is the native app of whatever you’re watching rather than some direction pad and set of buttons. It’s an app designed for mobile, and instead of clicking around a menu, you’re picking your media from the app’s normal menus. It’s a much nicer experience. While not every company does this perfectly, the big names like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube have done a good job. Note also that some devices like the Roku have smartphone-based remote control apps, but few are terribly well designed.
  • (Some) apps are group activities: It’s inevitable: when you have company over, one person wants to play a YouTube video, then everyone wants to join in. One of the neat things about how the YouTube app handles the Chromecast is that anyone can do so, and they can even add a video to a shared playlist to make things easy.
  • Tab casting is always a fallback: While the feature can be a bit wonky, the Chromecast is able to stream video from any Chrome tab on your PC to your TV. It’s not an ideal solution, but if you want to play videos from a less popular streaming site (say, a television network’s own video player), tab casting is always an option. On an Apple TV or Roku, if a service isn’t supported you’re just out of luck.
  • It’s insanely cheap: It should go without saying that the biggest advantage the Chromecast has is its price. Not only is it normally $35, which is about the cheapest you can get for a device like this, but you can often find deals where you get a discount or even a free Chromecast with the purchase of something else.

 

Categories: Android, Apps, Misc, Windows

How to use WhatsApp On Windows 8

April 13, 2013 3 comments

Read before

After installing and testing WhatsApp on my PC, I switched to the app on my device and got this message “WhatsApp can only be verified with one number, on one device.”

WhatsApp uses your phone number for verification and it seems that it is impossible to use two instances of WhatsApp (one on PC and one on your Smartphone) at the same time.

Installation

To use WhatsApp on your Windows 8 PC you will have to download an application such as Bluestacks, capable of running an emulator.

  • Download and Install BlueStacks.
  • Open BlueStacks and click on the Search icon on top right corner.

BlueStacks App Player for Windows (beta-1)

  • Enter WhatsApp and install the app from there (BlueStacks has its own “Android Play Store”).

BlueStacks_WhatsApp-Search

  • Start WhatsApp Messenger on BlueStack.

  • You will now have to enter your phone number.
  • WhatsApp will then send you a SMS verification message with a 6 digit verification code.

whatsapp6

  • Enter the verification code there.

whatsapp7

  • Done 🙂
Categories: Android, Apps, Windows

Samsung Galaxy S2 – Secret codes

May 13, 2012 5 comments

Codes might not work with third party dialers. Use the official Dialer and type in the code.

*#06# = IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity).

*#1234# = Firmware Version.

*#2222# = H/W Version.

*#0*# = Takes you to  LCD TEST MODE

*#9900# = Takes you to System Dump, where Disabling Fast Dormancy gives a boost to your network speed on some networks (both wifi and Gprs), same code to re-enable it.

*#2263# = Network modes select

*#8999*8378# = Test Menu.

*#4777*8665# = GPSR Tool.

*#8999*523# = LCD Brightness.

*#8999*377# = Error Menu.

*#8999*327# = EEP Menu.

*#8999*667# = Debug Mode.

*#92782# = PhoneModel. (Wap)

#*5737425# = JAVA Mode.

*#2255# = Call List.

*#232337# = Bluetooth MAC Adress.

*#5282837# = Java Version.

#*4773# = Incremental Redundancy.

#*7752# = 8 PSK uplink capability bit.

#*7785# = Reset wakeup & RTK timer cariables/variables.

#*7200# = Tone Generator Mute.

#*3888# = BLUETOOTH Test mode.

#*7828# = Task screen.

#*#8377466# = S/W Version & H/W Version.

#*2562# = Restarts Phone.

#*2565# = No Blocking? General Defense.

#*3353# = General Defense, Code Erased.

#*3837# = Phone Hangs on White screen.

#*3849# = Restarts Phone.

#*3851# = Restarts Phone.

#*3876# = Restarts Phone.

#*7222# = Operation Typ: (Class C GSM)

#*7224# = !!! ERROR !!!

#*7252# = Operation Typ: (Class B GPRS)

#*7271# = CMD: (Not Available)

#*7274# = CMD: (Not Available)

#*7337# = Restarts Phone. (Resets Wap Settings)

#*2787# = CRTP ON/OFF.

#*2886# = AutoAnswer ON/OFF.

#*3737# = L1 AFC.

#*5133# = L1 HO Data.

#*7288# = GPRS Detached/Attached.

#*7287# = GPRS Attached.

#*7666# = White Screen.

#*7693# = Sleep Deactivate/Activate.

#*7284# = L1 HO Data.

#*2256# = Calibration info? (For CMD set DEBUGAUTONOMY in cihard.opt)

#*2286# = Databattery.

#*2527# = GPRS switching set to (Class 4, 8, 9, 10)

#*2679# = Copycat feature Activa/Deactivate.

#*3940# = External looptest 9600 bps.

#*4263# = Handsfree mode Activate/Deactivate.

#*4700# = Please use function 2637.

#*7352# = BVMC Reg value (LOW_SWTOFF, NOMINAL_SWTOFF)

#*2558# = Time ON.

#*3370# = Same as 4700.

#*3941# = External looptest 115200 bps

#*5176# = L1 Sleep.

#*7462# = SIM Phase.

#*7983# = Voltage/Freq.

#*7986# = Voltage.

#*8466# = Old Time.

#*2255# = Call Failed.

#*5187# = L1C2G trace Activate/Deactivate.

#*5376# = DELETE ALL SMS!!!!.

#*6837# = Official Software Version: (0003000016000702)

#*7524# = KCGPRS: (FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF 07)

#*7562# = LOCI GPRS: (FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FE FF 01)

#*2337# = Permanent Registration Beep.

#*2474# = Charging Duration.

#*2834# = Audio Path. (Handsfree)

#*3270# = DCS Support Activate/Deactivate.

#*3282# = Data Activate/Deactivate.

#*3476# = EGSM Activate/Deactivate.

#*3676# = FORMAT FLASH VOLUME!!!

#*4760# = GSM Activate/Deactivate.

#*4864# = White Screen.

#*5171# = L1P1.

#*5172# = L1P2.

#*5173# = L1P3.

#*7326# = Accessory.

#*7683# = Sleep variable.

#*8465# = Time in L1.

#*2252# = Current CAL.

#*2836# = AVDDSS Management Activate/Deactivate.

#*3877# = Dump of SPY trace.

#*7728# = RSAV.

#*2677# = Same as 4700.

#*3728# = Time 2 Decod.

#*3725# = B4 last off.

#*7372# = Resetting the time to DPB variables.

#*7732# = Packet flow context bit Activate/Deactivate.

#*6833# = New uplink establishment Activate/Deactivate.

#*3273# = EGPRS multislot. (Class 4, 8, 9, 10)

#*7722# = RLC bitmap compression Activate/Deactivate.

#*2351# = Blinks 1347E201 in RED.

#*4472# = Hysteresis of serving cell: 3 dB

#*2775# = Switch to 2 inner speaker.

#*9270# = Force WBS.

#*7878# = FirstStartup. (0=NO, 1=YES)

#*3757# = DSL UART speed set to. (LOW, HIGH)

#*8726# = Switches USBACM to Normal.

#*8724# = Switches USBACM to Generator mode.

#*8727# = Switches USBACM to Slink mode.

#*8725# = Switches USBACM to Loop-back mode.

#*3838# = Blinks 3D030300 in RED.

#*2077# = GPRS Switch.

#*2027# = GPRS Switch.

#*0227# = GPRS Switch.

#*0277# = GPRS Switch.

#*8370# = Tfs4.0 Test 0.

#*8371# = Tfs4.0 Test 1.

#*8372# = Tfs4.0 Test 2.

#*8373# = Tfs4.0 Test 3.

#*8374# = Tfs4.0 Test 4.

#*8375# = Tfs4.0 Test 5.

#*8376# = Tfs4.0 Test 6.

#*8377# = Tfs4.0 Test 7.

#*8378# = Tfs4.0 Test 8.

#*8379# = Tfs4.0 Test 9.

#*7878# = FirstStartup. (0=NO, 1=YES)

#*3838# = Blinks 3D030300 in RED.

#*2077# = GPRS Switch.

#*2027# = GPRS Switch.

#*0227# = GPRS Switch.

#*0277# = GPRS Switch.

#*22671# = AMR REC START.

#*22672# = Stop AMR REC. (File name: /a/multimedia/sounds/voice list/ENGMODE.amr)

#*22673# = Pause REC.

#*22674# = Resume REC.

#*22675# = AMR Playback.

#*22676# = AMR Stop Play.

#*22677# = Pause Play.

#*22678# = Resume Play.

#*77261# = PCM Rec Req.

#*77262# = Stop PCM Rec.

#*77263# = PCM Playback.

#*77264# = PCM Stop Play.

#*22679# = AMR Get Time.

*#8999*364# = Watchdog ON/OFF.

*#8999*427# = WATCHDOG signal route setup.

*2767*226372# = Camera Reset. (deletes photos)

*2767*3855# = E2P Full Reset.

*2767*2878# = E2P Custom Reset.

*2767*927# = E2P Wap Reset.

*2767*226372# = E2P Camera Reset.

*2767*688# = Reset Mobile TV.

#7263867# = RAM Dump. (On or Off)

 

Categories: Android, Apps

Google Docs App morphed into Google Drive

April 27, 2012 Leave a comment

My last update of Google Docs App morphed it into Google Drive. After the first start i got a message that my Google Drive account is not yet ready. In the meanwhile i can use the app with all of the old functionality, plus some new goodies.

With Google Drive you can access and store any kind of file in your cloud-enabled Google 5 GB Drive account.

 

 

Categories: Android, Apps

New Android Market App 3.026

July 23, 2011 1 comment

Download: Android Market 3.026

Categories: Android, Apps

Google+ app install

July 1, 2011 Leave a comment

If you can’t find the Google+ app in the market you can follow these steps to install it.

  • open this URL in your phone’s browser:

    m.google.com/plus

or click on the ‘Send to Phone’ button here

  • then follow the link to the market there and install the app
Categories: Android, Apps

Neue Swype beta vom 20.03.2011 auf HTC Legend installieren

March 24, 2011 Leave a comment

Ich öffnete den Link in der Mail von Swype per Klick und kam auf der Downloadseite heraus. Dort wurde mir jedoch angezeigt, dass ich nicht mit einem Android Gerät darauf zugreifen würde. Lösen konnte ich das Problem indem ich die URL kopierte und diese im Dolphin Browser noch mal öffnete. Daraufhin wurde mein Legend erkannt und ich konnte das Installer Paket herunterladen und installieren. Den Installer konnte ich dann wie bereits bei der letzten beta starten, mich mit den Zugangsdaten anmelden und die eigentliche Swype-Installation anstoßen.

Categories: Android, Apps

Synchronization with HTC Legend

January 6, 2011 Leave a comment

HTC provids the HTC Sync tool to synchronize data between the phone and your computer.

I installed the tool on my computer but it didn’t detected the phone. After i deactivated AntiVir and the firewall HTC Sync detects my Legend. But after clicking at the sychronize button nothing happens. In a forum i read about problems with the Sync tool by using poor quality USB cables. So I connected the phone directly to the computer via the orignal cable and the synchronization worked then. But I could still not enable the synchronization of the contacts.

At the end i decided to use MyPhoneExplorer with the Android Client. It’s a really great tool to manage your contacts and data on your phone.

Categories: Android, Apps

Google Talk App does not start anymore

December 22, 2010 Leave a comment

First of all check if you have enough internal memory free if your Google Talk App does not start. No space warning icon should be in the status bar! Clear the caches of browser, maps and other apps or uninstall some apps  if there is less than 20 MB memory free.

After that you can try the following:

  • goto Settings — Applications — Manage Applications
  • select the All tab
  • search for the Talk App and select it
  • clear data and cache
  • now try to start the app
  • perhaps you need to restart your device
Categories: Android, Apps

My favorite Android apps

October 4, 2010 Leave a comment

My favorite apps are marked with an ‘*’.

News

Social network…

Messenger

Music

  • grooveshark: Internet radio app
  • TuneIn Radio: Listen to over 50.000 radio channels all over the world.
  • SoundHound*: music discovery engine
  • Shazam: music discovery engine
  • Electrum Drum Machine/Sampler: Programmable drum machine
  • SoundCloud*: The official SoundCloud Android app lets you easily access, browse and listen to the sounds shared to you while you’re on the road and away from your computer.
  • Air Playit: Audio Video Streaming Server/Client and Offline Video Converter

Documents and office

Camera and Images

Fun

Games

  • Classic Simon*
  • Totemo Lite
  • Bubble Blast 2
  • SliceIt
  • Teeter
  • Penguin
  • Pinball
  • SuperYatzy
  • Minesweeper for Andriod
  • Hangman Classic
  • Connect4
  • Mahjong
  • Mahjong 3D

System

Launcher (Homescreen-Replacements)

Finance

Explorer/Filemanager

Map Services

  • MapDroyd*: can download maps for offline viewing
  • GPS Status

Local Services

Other useful apps

App- und Paketverwaltung

Widgets

  • APNdroid: enable/disable transfer over 3G, EDGE and GPRS with one touch
  • SilentMode OnOff
  • Android Agenda Widget
  • Kontakt Widget
Programm-Übersicht zum TV-Programm der
Categories: Android, Apps