Nexus Media Importer

Android App Recommendation

Nexus Media Importer is an app for your Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013) and other Nexus devices to use external media storage like pen drives or SD cards via card readers. This is the first paid app that I am recommending because this is the only you option by which you can connect pen drives to your Nexus devices WITHOUT rooting them.
Of course, the other way, which is free, is by rooting your phone and then using one of the many third party apps available.

Nexus Media Importer

However, if you just want to access photos from your pen drive, then a free version of this app is available, called Nexus Photo Viewer. It lets you view the images saved in external storage.

Please note, you will need an OTG cable to connect pen drives to your Nexus, which is easily available these days, even at small mobile shops, for around Rs. 100. Or else, you can order one of the 'hybrid pen drives' coming in the market.

Check on Google Play: Nexus Media Importer
Check on Google Play: Nexus Photo Viewer

Make your Android look like Windows Phone 8

App Recommendation

Launcher 8 for Android: If you are bored of your default Android look and want to have the Windows 8 theme for it, 'Launcher 8' is the app for you.
It is a free app and you can get on Google Play. In case you are new to launchers, these are kind-of themes that will provide your phone a whole new look and feel, including icons. There are many other launchers as well, my preferred is 'Smart Launcher', though for Lumia theme, Launcher 8 is the one.

Check it on Google Play

Launcher 8 for Android

Windows 8 Theme for Android

NES Games 64 in 1 - Mario and Contra for Android

App Recommendation

Get nostalgic! Return to the games you grew up with - Super Mario, Contra, Islander, Galaxy, Spartan and all of those - right on your Android smartphone. Now, this has only increased my love for Android.
It has the same old 8 bit visuals and exactly same tunes with a joystick like floating controls.

NES 64 in 1 Games for Android

It is available on Google Play for free. Go to Play store and search for '64in1'. Thanks to the developer Jessica Dwyer. It works on tabs and phones smoothly and has a very small size. Enjoy!

Mario, Contra and other old games for Android device: Click here to go to the app page on Play

Nexus 5 vs iPhone 5s

Phone Comparison

A not-so-tech-savvy cousin of mine recently asked me which phone to go for - Nexus 5 or iPhone 5s. I asked him what does he look for in a phone and few other general things, I prepared a 'quick' comparison chart. It may help anyone else who is stuck on same question.

I have kept it to minimum and excluded any general features like messaging, bluetooth or multimedia, as we expect these to be in a smartphone by default. I have added HDMI out and WiFi Direct specifically as these features are something that is used more often these days.

Nexus 5 vs iPhone 5s

Based on this comparison, Nexus 5 beats iPhone 5s hands down.

And the price is the knock-out punch!
Nexus 5 starts at $349 for 16GB (Rs. 28,999 in India) and iPhone 5s starts at $649 for 16GB. In India, prices are a little higher, Rs. 28,999 for Nexus 5 and around Rs. 53,499 for iPhone 5s.
Release date - Both phones are now officially available in India.

Apps Organizer - A better and simple way to organize your Android apps

App Recommendation

Got too many apps installed on your Droid and finding it difficult to locate the app you need? Scrolling screens over and over is not the best way.

Creating folders and dragging icons is another painful way.

Another option is by using App Organizer, which is a free app in Google Play. It provides you with a list of all your apps and 'labels' or categories under which you wish to see the app. Tap the app, then tap the label ~ multimedia, games, etc. You can cover all your apps in five mins flat. And each label acts like a folder that you can setup as a widget on homescreen.
And you can create your own labels he you want.
There is an option to auto-label all your apps at one go, however, I won't recommend that as it is not so accurate.

Nexus 4? Nexus 5? Go buy!

Breaking the MYTH

Recently, a colleague of mine decided to order a Nexus 4. Then he noticed the 'LG' tag on the rear of the phone and changed his mind to order a Samsung Galaxy S3 instead. Do you have similar apprehensions for Nexus phones, mainly LG phones?
LG may not be as big a name as Samsung, but it's Nexus phones are of supreme quality and can even beat Galaxy phones in terms of performance. I am not getting paid to write this, but just want to to break the myth that LG produces inferior phones.

You may be aware, Google prefers to select a different hardware manufacturer each time for its new phone or tablet. However, it consecutively signed LG for Nexus 5 after Nexus 4. It's just because Nexus 4 was really impressive. So don't think a lot, go and pick up your Nexus phone.
My personal experience, I bought LG Optimus One at the time of launch (2011 end) and its still working great, touchwood.

Start Menu for Windows 8

Random Fix

Are you irritated by Windows 8? And mainly by its Start Screen?
If you want to switch back to good old Start Menu, all you have to do download and install this nifty app from the website www.StartIsBack.com.
Just like you, I was terribly annoyed by the Start Screen and was unable to locate anything on my new PC. This start menu, which is from a third party, is exactly identical to the original Windows Start Menu. Try it! By the way, this is my first tweak with Windows 8 and I am loving it. I will surely need many more to get convenient with Windows 8, will keep sharing.

Download it here

Sony MDR E8LP vs Sony MDR E818LP

Random Comparison

I have been a fan of Sony earphones. However, Sony MDR E8LP just ruined it. Bought it two days back from Sony store and probably I was the first one as these were launched the same day in Mumbai  (were launched on Flipkart few days back, however only deliverable in Bangalore). I was so disappointed with the output, that I went back to the same store in evening and purchased Sony MDR E818LP (my fav for 3 years). MDR E8LP provide an output similar to basic earphones that you get in the box with most of the phones e.g. Nokia. There is no bass and the sound has no depth. Sony calls it 'light weight'. I call it cheap. The plastic used is lighter and cheaper than E818LP. I won't recommend this. Infact, you can buy a pair of E818LP any day, as its many times better and a few bucks cheaper. E8LP costs Rs. 490 (around $10) and E818LP costs Rs. 390 (around $8).

Sony MDR E818LP

Sony MDR E8LP

Upgrade your Samsung Android phone through Samsung Smartphone Cafe

Random Tip


No Kies needed. No Odin needed. If you want to upgrade your Samsung smartphone to the latest version and your phone doesn't notify about it through built-in OTA (Over The Air) functionality, just step into a Samsung Smartphone Cafe near you, use the upgrade kiosk and follow instructions and your phone is upgraded in five minutes flat. It is as simple as drawing cash from an ATM, really.
Best thing, it's free. A good initiative by Samsung I must say.
Even better, sometimes your phone's OTA does not show the latest updates, nor does Kies. But the Cafes are a step ahead and high chances you'll get your update, if Samsung has ever released it.
However, if you are comfortable doing it through your computer, then Kies and Odin will do the job.
There are loads of step by step instructions available on Google  for above two. Let me warn you though, Kies is painfully slow and does not show the updates half of the time. You don't have to root your phone any of the options.

My Data Manager - Manage your 2G/3G data plan

App Recommendation (Android)

If you have a 2G, 3G or 4G data plans that you want to keep a check on so that you don't exceed the monthly limit or don't end up using the whole too soon, then this is one of the best Android apps to do the job. 
Best thing about it is a simple widget that you can place on your homescreen that will show you your usage details.
Just mark your phone billing date in the app once and it will do the job for you.
Another good thing is its easy interface. You can usage breakdown for the apps that have used your data plan. Other features, as mentioned on Play:

• Simple to setup and simple to use.
• Know what apps are using data with automatic monitoring of your app data usage. 
• Set usage alarms to avoid overage charges and “bill shock”. 
• Track historical app time and app usage using easy to understand visualizations.
• Ensure you are using your ideal data plan and maximize how you use your data. 


Jump to the app on Play - My Data Manager

IREFF - An app for mobile recharge plans and offers in India

App Recommendation

 If you are a prepaid mobile user staying in India, this app is for you.

Doesn't matter if you are followed by a pug or by a kamina friend. That is, no matter which network you are on, this is helpful. 

It lays out all, and I mean ALLL prepaid plans for any network, including talk plans, 2G/3G data plans, SMS plans and other offers. And most importantly, it keeps itself updated.

Screenshot while watching video (Android)

Android Tip

While watching a movie, have you ever felt like taking a snapshot of a beautiful still in the movie? Happens to me quite a lot. At that time, holding down Home button and volume down is a stupid idea. I am not even sure if that works for a video.


I researched a lot of apps on Play store and tried quite a few things with MX Player, but didn't succeed.
In the end I found the feature laying there in my phone itself, in the default 'Video Player' app, if you have Samsung phone with Jelly Bean. The screenshot button is right there at the top, both in vertical and horizontal modes.

Plugged in, not charging

Random Fix

Are you a victim of this frustrating message that says 'Plugged in, not charging'?

And you tried countless solutions spilled over the internet but nothing worked?

I have been there too. And done that.

Finally, in one of those hopeless moments I tried this random thing. I clicked on the battery indicator and changed the 'power plan'. Yes, that silly and simple! And it worked for me :)
A few days later I had the same issue, and I again changed the power plan and it worked. FYI, my Dell has two options - Balanced and Power Saver.

If above does not work for you, jump back to Google by clicking "Plugged in, not charging"

Please leave a comment if this works for you. It will help others looking for a solution, thanks.

Postman - SMS Spam Blocker

App Recommendation

This is one of the most underrated apps for Android. Not exactly a 'blocker', however, it diverts the spam messages to a separate box, call it a dustbin.

How and what does it exactly do? Any SMS, which is NOT from one of the persons in your contacts list, goes to this dustbin, thus keeping your inbox clean. You can add a sender to 'white list' so his future messages go to the inbox. You might have to check the Postman frequently to check for any useful messages or you can clean them all at once.

Jump to the app