HTC ONE KITKAT 4.4.2 in UAE March 20, 2014
Posted by akbani in Android, Tech Stuff.Tags: abu dhabi, Dubai, htc, htc one, kitkat, kitkat 4.4.2, middle east, UAE
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Yesterday night (March 19, 2014) I finally got the notification for the KITKAT update!! 308.24 MB in size, the update version is 4.19.401.11 and should definitely be only downloaded over Wi-Fi.
This update showed its face a few weeks ago and then was pulled due to issues. Hopefully this one sticks around.
Listed Features:
- Android 4.4.2 update
- Security Enhancements
- Cloud Printing
- New bluetooth profiles
- Removal of Flash support ๐ฆ
If you got the update, tell us how the experience is in the comments section
Rooting QMobile A4 Bolt October 14, 2013
Posted by akbani in Android, Tech Stuff.Tags: A4, A4 bolt, Android, Moborobo, qmobile, root, rooting, SRSRoot
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I am greatly disappointed at the out-of-the-box performance of the QMobile A4. Having used a Samsung mobile with similar specs I knew it would not acing any benchmarks , but this was horrible; It had too much bloatware and unnecessary “system apps” . I finally reached a point where I would rather brick/destroy it, rather than use it in its condition. So I set off trying to root it. Got dissapointed again as the methods listed just led to failure after failure. After a lot of luck and finally rooting it, I thought I should share the method online.
NOTE: I do not claim that the process will work for you. It may actually brick your phone. Based on previous experience, I just thought the steps I was taking made sense. So if you decide to proceed with following the steps you alone are responsible:
Steps:
- On mobile go to Settings –> Applications and activate “Unknown Sources”. Then go to Settings–> Applications –> Activate “USB Debugging”
- Download and install Moborobo (http://www.moborobo.com/)
- Connect you phone using USB and make sure that you are connecting using data option in USB settings
- wait for Moborobo to completely connect to it. It may take a few minutes so be patient.
- When connected, it should recognize your phone as “Qmobile A4”
- Use Moborobo to take a backup of your contacts, messages etc. You may use any other software you prefer to take backups also
- Download and install SRSRoot (http://www.srsroot.com/)
- Most tutorials stated that Moborobo should be exited (not just minimized) before any rooting process but when I tried rooting using SRS it just gave me a “ADB error” and could not find the device
- So I turned on Moborobo, connected it completely and then tried using “Smart Root” option on the SRSRoot app and it gave me a “Rooting Successful” message
- Close both applications, eject from PC and restart the phone.
- If all went well, you should have a “superuser” application on your phone and you can use Moborobo to uninstall the bloatware.
Personally I have uninstalled all
- QApps (including skype and facebook)
- the Live Wallpapers (Dessert, Music Visualization etc.)
- Color memo, digital clock, file explorer
- Maps and GTalk
Uninstalling the maximum pre-loaded apps allows you to later install better apps with similar features. I’ve not yet touched the LauncherS3 as I’m not sure what havoc it may play on the mobile. So far I’ve got a lot more free RAM (40 – 55 MB) and more internal memory (50MB).
If anyone does try this method, or any other rooting method, do share your experience in the comments. Also if you’ve removed LauncherS3 I would like to know how the phone behaves afterwards.
Update: Removing S3 without another launcher will make the phone unusable. I would suggest trying โSmart Launcher 2″ since its fast, light and can be moved to system partition. I would also suggest moving the new launcher to system partition before removing S3 so that you do not brick your phone after factory reset
Once again: FOLLOW THE METHOD ABOVE AT YOUR OWN RISK. ROOTING VOID WARRANTY AND YOU MAY PERMANENTLY DESTROY YOUR PHONE.
Good luck
Abu Dhabi Driving License Process for Expats March 11, 2013
Posted by akbani in Cars, Self Help, Travel.Tags: abu dhabi, cars, Driving License, transportation, UAE
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Pre-Requisites
- Residency Visa
- NOC Letter from visa sponsor
- Legal translation in Arabic of valid driving license from another country (if any)
Step 1 : Gather the required documents and visit Musaffa Police Station to get Traffic File opened (List of requirements at end of post). They will give a certificate with a traffic file number (AED 125/-).
Step 2: Visit the Emirates Driving Company (EDC) with your traffic file number certificate to register for the theoretical classes. Try to get the Fast Track class which will be 2.5 hours for one day (AED 830/-).
Step 3: After finishing theoretical classes, register for theoretical exam. This will be computerized MCQ test.
Step 4 : Once you pass the theoretical exam, There are two possibilities:
- If you had submitted a driving license from another country, you will get a theory passing certificate and a road test date. In this case, get your trainee card and prepare for the test. This is called “chance try” and is you one and only chance to avoid going through the complete process. If you pass, your process ends; If you fail, continue to step 5
- If you don’t have a previous license, then you will be given a theory passing certificate and can register for evaluation test.
Step 5 : Register for the Practical Evaluation Test (AED 50/-). The results of this evaluation will decide how many classes you need to take and ultimately how much it will cost
Step 6 : After getting results of your evaluation, register for practical classes. Ask for “Fast Track” again, it will cost AED 200 extra but you will get 4 classes in a day and will finish training sooner.
Step 7 : After you finish you training, register for the Parking Test and “Refresher class”. Try to have them close to each other so you’re in practice when the test arrives. You get three tries to pass parking test (AED 50/- each time)
Step 8 : After passing the parking test you will get a completion certificate from EDC. You need this and a contract from road training instructor to get a road test date. The instructors are outside the school with their cars. They charge from AED60 to AED 80 per hour.
Step 9 : Once you have registered for the road test and have your trainee driver card, continue your training with the instructor and upon completion receive a certificate from him. This will be required on the day of the test. You get three tries for passing the road test but will need a new certificate each time.
Required Documents for Traffic File Opening
| Passport or Emirates ID | 1. Should be valid 2. 2 Color Copy |
| Residency visa | 1. Should be valid 2. 2 Color Copy |
| Personal photo | 3 photo (Passport Size) |
| NOC from the employer | Original |
Watch “Nokia Lumia Screen 900 Hammer Test” on YouTube May 26, 2012
Posted by akbani in Tech Stuff.Tags: hammer, lumia, Nokia, screen
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SAS Anti-Money Laundering (AML) 5.1 is released March 14, 2012
Posted by akbani in SAS, Tech Stuff, Uncategorized.Tags: aml, analytics, compliance, sas
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The latest version of SAS AML has been released with major changes to its working. Keeping its tradition of randomly jumping numbers, the latest release is 5.1; the last one was 4.2 and before that 2.2.1. According to the SAS Support AML page the new stuff is:
- New analytics process to assist in the reduction of investigative workloads and improve alert quality (Compliance Analytics).
- Dow Jones Watch List has been added.
- Clustering of web application has been added so that hardware failure does not prevent end users from continuing to do their work until the problem is resolved.
- Support for Microsoft SQL Server has been added.
- Regulatory Console is a new feature to produce regulatory reporting.
- Network visualization is now available for Funds Tracker.
- New data management utilities to load data for the solution data model through a graphical user interface
This is a very exciting release and I’m itching to see a demo of it in action. David Stewart explains ‘Compliance Analytics‘ on his blog entry and now you can see the benefit of having an AML solution living on an analytics platform.
Implantable Bio-Sensors: Start of the matrix? February 27, 2012
Posted by akbani in SAS, Tech Stuff, Wierd Science.Tags: analytics, biosensors, Darpa, health monitoring, sas
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How would you feel if a sensor planted in your brain was monitoring your vital signs and sending information in real time to your doctor or health insurance company? What if that data is also streamed to your phone? Able to tell when your BP is elevated, or your heart rhythm is erratic; it could send out an SOS.
What if that same sensor was now monitoring your mood and cravings? Sending tweets whenever you think of one ?
โDarpa,โ the US Department of Defenseโs (DoD) research agency, is requesting proposals for implantable bio-sensors. They are interested in monioring the biomarkers for the soldiers.
An article on SAS Cusomer Analytics blog, Neuromarketing – creepy relationship management…or just what the doctor ordered?, considers the possibility if this technology gets into commercial side. Its not a far fetched idea since previous brainchilds of “Darpa”, internet and mobile telephone, have gotten into commercial and civilian lives.
Share your thoughts…
How long does a Queen last? February 1, 2012
Posted by akbani in Comedy.Tags: duracell, queen
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Bat Signal found on Google Maps February 1, 2012
Posted by akbani in Uncategorized.Tags: bat signal, batman, google maps, japan
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Personal Junkyard 
Mansoor Ijaz’s Stupidisco Music Video January 19, 2012
Posted by akbani in politics, Social Commentary.Tags: hussain haqqani, mansoor ijaz, memogate, stupidisco
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News spread like wildfire yesterday when a video containing women wrestling showed Mansoor Ijaz at ringside providing colorful commentary. To make things more controversial there is an x-rated version of the same video with nudity (thankfully its not him doing a veena malik). The video was tweeted and finally posted on Cafe Pyala. Mansoor Ijaz has confirmed that the video is of him also adding “I was never present for any part of the video where those naked girls were shown. My wife was present at all times”. The argument seems to be along the same lines as Veena Malik’s “I was not topless, I covered with my hands”
According to the report in Atlanta Journal:
Ijaz appears in two versions of the same video for “Stupidisco,” a house music track by Italian producer Junior Jack that was a club hit in 2004.
One clip features bikini-clad women wrestlers ‘Double D’ and ‘Nasty Nancy,’ who end up grappling on a mat in a sexually provocative fashion. The other is the same until the final 30 seconds, when the women remove each other’s clothes.
Ijaz’s scenes and dialogue feature in both versions.
“She’s giving it to her good now! You’ve got some real tumbling going on here. Nancy’s got that mean look,” he says, as the two women wrestle in front of him. At one point, Ijaz’s eyes widen and his mouth gapes as the video cuts to the women ripping each other’s bikinis off.
Ijaz said he had not known he would appear in the version containing full nudity.
“I did this as a favor for my wife’s best friend, whose planned actor for the part did not show up for the shoot that day,” he said in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location, citing alleged threats to his life as a result of his role in the memo scandal. He said the shoot took place in Brussels, and that there was no other person available with an American accent.”
Ijaz provided the AP with 2004 email correspondence between him and the producer of the video in which he threatens legal action unless the producer removes him from the clip that contains nudity.
“Given my political and public profile in the United States and around the world, it is impossible for me to appear in any part of any video clip with nudity of any type,” he wrote. He included a reply from the producer, who assured Ijaz he would cut his role from the X-rated version and remove it from the Internet.
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