Demonoid is Gone Forever?
Without any hesitation I’d say, Demonoid is one of the most popular and useful torrent tracker on web. Unlike PirateBay, Demonoid is a private tracker. So not all users will gain access to Demonoid torrents. Only selected users will get access and new users will be allowed only when they are invited by existing users.
As we can see last couple of weeks Demonoid is down for god sake. Some bunch of bad ass hackers launched a Massive DDos attack on Demonoid servers and brought the site down. Now the future of the site looks very grim to most of the users.
Though things looks ugly the Demonoid admin is so determined to bring the site back online once again.
I don’t plan on shutting down, but if Im going to fix it I have to do it properly
So far the good news is though the future of the site looks very gray, the admin is very much promising to bring up the site live again. All we can do right now is wait for him to fix and bring the site back online once again.
Meanwhile you can check out Top 5 Demonoid Alternatives.
Late Night Broadband Package from Dialog
We always run out of monthly quota for Broadband. Especially when it comes to mobile broadband it has strict FUP policies.
One of the main reasons for running out of quota is because of movies, TV series downloads. Those who download and stream movies online will always suffer this syndrome.
Tarriff details (Click the image to zoom)
Now most of the major telecom providers has come up with a solution for movie download freaks. Especially if you are someone who put a movie to download over the night and sleep then, this offer from Dialog is for you.
There are 3 packages available right now.
- 100 LKR and unlimited download
- 50 LKR and 3GB download
- 20 LKR and 1GB download
But remember time duration for download would be 00:00 to 06:00 AM.
When you pass morning 6, it’ll start to rip off from your normal package quota. It’s a really awesome offer by Dialog and I love it.
Hutch and Mobitel also haveoffered similar service for night time BB users.
Get a Life Apple Fanboys
Most of the apple fan boys strongly believe in what apple does is always right. When others hit on Apple’s profit margin, more than Steve Jobs’s ghost they’ll be worried.
Galaxy SIII and iPhone 4S (2 awesome devices)
When Samsung and Google started to smash into the smart phone market, the only remark they made was “Whats wrong with Google, now they complicate the market by providing new Mobile OS”. For god sake if Google was not venturing into Phone OS warfare, iPhone users won’t be getting half of what they are getting right now.
Apple is famous for leaving behind the core features and add some features such as Siri to make it look nice. You guys remember how long it took Apple to develop a basic 3G video calling feature which was available even on all time crappy Nokia phones.
I’m sure many Apple fan boys were annoyed by the products released at Google I/O 2012. Starting from Jelly bean OS, Nexus 7 Tablet and Nexus Q. Obviously Jelly bean is cooler than current iOS and it has many awesome features such as offline voice typing. Soon Apple will also implement it. Mark my word and Apple will promote it as if they’ve done something remarkable. I was told iOS 5.0 already have it. My bad.
Nexus Q
Nexus 7 is not an iPad killer. For god sake, it will be a competitor for Amazon Kindle Fire. Nexus Q might hurt the Apple TV’s market. But if you compare the price tag Apple has the advantage. Nexus Q priced at $299 and Apple TV priced at $100. But again Nexus Q has cool features such as allowing multiple parties to interact with the device. For example you can control the Nexus Q using your Android Mobile later you can switch off it using Android Tablet. Another cool example for allowing multiple party is, say for example you and your friend watching a movie together but you couldn’t complete it. Your friend can go home and continue the movie from where you guys stopped in his Nexus Q machine. How cool is it? 
There is nothing wrong with Apple. They did change the face of smart phones that we are using today and they shaped up the technology in our day to day life, but everyone else had their share in the process too, including Microsoft, Google etc. I do have respect for Apple and their innovative cool designs and products. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll worship only Apple and think other products are inferior.
Stop Bitching about it
If Apple does it, it’s innovative. Others innovate something cool, then unnecessary feature. Ohh my dear Apple fan boys go get a life!!!!
Make Skype Calls from GSM Networks
Skype is one of the most commonly used communication software. Skype is used more by business users than non business users where as Yahoo and Gtalk users mostly use it for non business purpose. If you are to talk with someone on Skype then you gotta create a Skype account.
For example, let’s say you want to call someone on Skype but you don’t have a Skype account and you are not interested in creating one too. If above mentioned scenario applicable to you then you can probably use Mobile to Skype calling service from both Dialog Telecom and Etisalat Sri Lanka.
It was first introduced by Etisalat but later Dialog also joined the party. Now you can simply make voice calls to Skype users.
In both networks all you have to do is few steps as given below.
- Type the username and send to the given number (Dialog 678 and Etisalt 4545)
- You’ll receive a number to call the contact
- Make your call from mobile
You can read about configurations at Etisalat’s page and Dialog’s page.
Etisalat Promo
Dialog Promo
How to Remove G+ Contacts from Gtalk
Being able to chat with G+ friends on GTalk is great fun but after a while you’ll find that your privacy is lost. And top of all, your personal contacts and G+ contacts are messed up. I was very annoyed by this feature and thought of disabling it. After searching online for a while I found the way to stop this nonsense.
Follow the steps below to hide G+ contacts in Gtalk.
Select Privacy Settings
- Login to G+
- Click the small arrow next to Chat Pane as given in the image
- Select “Privacy Settings”
- Select Custom
- Deselect all your undesired circles
Now you can live in peace when u login to Gtalk via Gmail. Have fun guys.
Watch Television on Your Mobile
Filed under: Android, Entertainment, Mobile, Movies, Sri Lanka, Video Post
Watching TV on mobile is fun indeed but it won’t bring the pleasure of watching it on real TV. There are so many apps that can let you stream videos on your mobile. It can be either live or VOD (Video on Demand). YouTube is one good example. We can watch live streams or VOD in YouTube.
Recently Dialog Telecom ventured into TV on Mobile and they named it MYTV. Dialog has access to good number of Television sources compare to other mobile operators in Sri Lanka because of their subsidiary Dialog TV. They’ve got both National and International TVs line up.
If you have the mobile that supports Video Streaming then you can check out this feature. First you need to enable the service by sending an SMS “MYTV” to 678. Then you’ll receive a link to download the app to your mobile or to stream online. It is upto you to download the standalone app. You can check out the available Channels and packages at the page. As you guess, App is rich in feature compare to web interface, though I could spot a couple of bugs in the App (Remember I used to work as Software Tester lol).
Downloading the APP
I tried both web interface and native app on my Samsung Ace (Running Android 2.3). Both worked perfectly fine. Before watching any channels you have to subscribe to a package or channel. Alternatively you can check out the hands on experience with MYTV in the video given below.
I didn’t go for monthly package instead I choose daily package as I’m not gonna continue to watch Television on my Mobile every day. When there is a need arises, (especially when there is a match or flash news) I can enable day package and pay for the day instead of paying the whole month in vain.
Android APP for MYTV from Dialog
The quality of the video when you stream is poor. It is not very great. I guess it’s due to the fact that Dialog compresses the video as it should be transmitted via the data network (either 3G or 2D). Even with 3G the quality of the video is very poor.
Al-Jazeera on MYTV (check the quality on 3G)
Another thing you have to remember when you activate this service is, you’ll be charged for the data you consume while streaming the videos. Oops yeah? well, you can get rid of the data charges by paying 300 LKR per month, but I’m not stupid to do that. I already have a data package enabled with my connection so I can stream as long as I don’t breach the free bundle data.
Make Your Television into an Internet Powered Television
Filed under: Android, India, Internet, Mobile, Sri Lanka, Video Post
If you are a Geek or a Computer addict then this post is not for you. You can close the browser and get back to your work.
If you are someone, a light internet user who likes to have the comfort of browsing internet on your Television then this post is for you.
Vodafone recently launched a gadget which looks like a Keyboard which you can directly plug into your Television. (No HDMI cables, just like old days Audio/Video). Basically Inside the keyboard there is a processor and an Operating system is running. If you want to know the operating system then its none other than Android 2.1.
Webbox from Vodafone
You can place your SIM card into the keyboard and connect to internet via the mobile network. You can connect even in 3G. It uses an optimised version of Opera and it renders and shows web pages very fast compare to ordinary Android browsers. Also you can send SMS, Email, listen to music, watch video and read and edit documents such as Word and PDF. It supports SD card too.
You can see the Home Screen below. It has easy navigation to SMS, Email, Audio Video, Chat etc.
Webbox Home Screen
Now lets come to the availability in Sri Lanaka. Dialog introduces the device here for 12490 LKR. You can also pay in installments (1190 for 12 months OR 650 for 24 months).
Webbox Promo from Dialog
IMHO, I won’t go for this device. Its a low-end Android device with a Physical Keyboard and output to Television. Nothing Much! Even Vodafone itself made it clear that this device is for emerging markets only so its targeted for countries like Sri Lanka, India, Russia, Pakistan etc.
“The Webbox is a simple yet very innovative product. It has the potential to make a powerful difference in the lives of people in emerging markets who have limited access to the internet, but where TV penetration is typically very high. The simplicity of the product is striking – it brings the internet to the TV, be that at home for the family, in schools for education or in small businesses to assist local economic growth.”
But it’d be suitable for Kids and Senior Citizens who have trouble learning computer and geek stuff on Android mobiles.
And a bonus video of Webbox demonstration.
How to Force Skype to Move from Task Bar to System Tray
If you are using latest version of the Skype you might have noticed the intrusive behavior of the Skype by placing its presence always on task bar. You can simply get rid of the Skype bar in the Task-bar and keep it running in the system tray just like old days.
To do that do the following.
- Open Skype (lol )
- Select Tools
- Select Options
- Now click Advance Option on the left pane
- Uncheck “Keep Skype in the taskbar while I’m signed in ”
You may refer the image below.
Get Rid of Intrusive Skype on Task Bar
Happy Skyping guys.
New Packages from SLT Broadband
I’ve learned that Sri Lanka Telecom has enhanced their broadband speed this new year. Even entre package can go upto 2Mbps speed, which is awesome. The highest speed you can reach via SLT broadband is enhanced to 16Mbps.
In one hand fixed broadband connections are more stable and reliable than mobile broadband. But mobile broadband have the advantage of mobility, affordability and cost effective. So I’m gonna stick with my mobile broadband.
16 Mbps Speed
There was a time broadband means unlimited. But this luxury is no longer available from SLT Net. Early days we used to download even 100Giga bytes per month by running the computer 24*7, but this is no longer possible. New Broadband packages from SLT Net is not only limits the speed but also the usage amount in GB. When you reach the download limit your download speed will go down to 64Kbps and you can restore the speed by paying 250 per GB which is tooo much.
Unlike mobile broadband, SLT’s broadband usage limit is bit fuzzy. Just like you see on voice call tariff sheet, you see Peak and Off-Peak in Mobile broadband price list. Usage is limited based on time also. Those who download torrents while you sleep, I’m sorry to say but these SLT packages are gonna hit you hard on your movie & TV series downloads
SLT net’s Packages starts from as low as 499 and goes upto 20,000. you can check the list of packages here.
All in all, I love the wide pool of choices available in the new packages but the download limit hits back hard. Sri Lanka’s broadband should mature more to match the developed countries.
Tablet Prices in Sri Lanka
As we know electronic gadget prices are crazy in Sri Lanka. Most of the time prices are very much higher than any other countries in the world. These days Tablets are catching up as they are more convenient than Note Book. Tablets are no exception. Prices are too crazy in Sri Lanka. I started to look out for tablets and collected price details. Thought of sharing with rest of the people in Sri Lanka as there are already several people doing the same and it would ease their work.
When it comes to tablets we have 2 main camps
- iPad
- Android Tablets
iPad
iPad devices are state of art expensive over priced items. At least that’s how most of the Apple products are being sold. There 2 version of iPad available in the market (beside iPad1 and iPad2).
1. With wifi
2. With wifi and 3G
iPad devices are usually priced above 110,000. You can check cellular lanka, for more information
Android Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
There are mostly two sizes of Androd Tablets are available. 7 inches and 10.1 Inches. To get the real feel of Tablet I’d suggest anyone to go for 10.1 Inches. 7 inches tablet is more like a large screen phone. At least that’s what I feel.
Just like Android phones, there are variety of Android Tablets available in the market. If you are looking for a high end sleek Tablet as better as iPad then I’d suggest you go to for Motorola Xoom or Samsung Tab 10.1. Since Google bought Motorola I hope there will be constant firmware updates available to Xoom.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 inches price is around 60,000 LKR and 10.1 inches is around 95,000 LKR
Recently Etisalat featured a Huawei Android Tablet. The cost of the tablet is around 25,000 and with all the commitments you have to make it’ll costs you around 30,000 LKR. But it’ll not be as good as Samsung Galaxy Tab. Obviously you can see the price difference.
Alternatively you can go for a cheap Android Tablet available in Ebay. It’d cost around 15,000 LKR with custom taxes. But the quality would be very cheap. You won’t be able to run high end applications such as Games. Even Angry Birds won’t work properly in these devices. But for reading documents etc you can use this tables.
This article is only a heads up to you. You need to explore more into the type of Tablet you are anticipating to own. Use google and search specific to the tablet you are expecting to buy and decide your buy. Good luck.
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