Compass apps on android

This article is about the marvelous device that is literally with everyone on the planet: smartphones.

Chosen as #1 on multiple lists of 'greatest inventions of the 21st century', smartphones are a computer, watch, alarm clock, sticky note, calculator, telephone, messager, gaming console and newspaper all in one. In fact, in can be a whole lot more than that with the right apps. An android device, having access to the largest app store of all the popular operating systems, have a massive potential to go from a fancy phone to a device you just cannot live without.

I hope to introduce many of these insanely practical apps over the weeks, but let's start with something simple: A compass.

If you didn't know it already, the sensors in your device most probably includes a magnetic sensor, which can be used to make efficient and accurate compass apps. Smart app developers out there required no invitation when this sensor become commonplace, resulting the availability of multiple compass apps on the Google Play Store.

Some of the best include:

Compass, by gabenative
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gn.android.compass

Smart Compass, by Smart Tools co.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.sira.compass

Both are up-to date, have a small download size (Less than 5 mb), totally free and absolutely reliable.
If you don't have one installed by now, go ahead and pick one. Right now. You never know when you're gonna get marooned.

Best of Tumblr

Tumblr, the micro blogging site owned by Yahoo, is known for it's constant flow of thought-provoking articles and hilarious jokes contributed by a massive international user base. But finding the absolutely best over-the-top blogs that will have you rolling on the floor laughing (Literally ROFL) will take some work. Thankfully, some guys have made it their mission to compile the best of Tumblr into one roller coaster ride of a website: http://best-of-tumblr.tumblr.com/

Cheers!

Fancy the world ending?

No? Too bad. There are people all over the world believing in and preparing for everything from zombie apocalypses to alien invasions. While hardly any of these may make sense from a logical viewpoint, all such events have garnered cult followers around the world who firmly believe in doomsday.

Regardless of whether you want the world to end or want to save the world when it ends (Or simply read stuff, whatever.), these guys have some interesting info:

http://www.disastercountdown.com/

What is a Supernova?

These massive explosions in the sky that radiates more energy than entire galaxies and lead to the formation of black holes are a fascinating astronomical phenomenon.
Interested? Read about it here : http://www.space.com/6638-supernova.html

Just FIFA stuff

No, I'm not talking about the organisation. Certain websites around the internet are heaven for EA's FIFA franchise fanatics. Like me :)

Might wanna visit these, if you like playing the smash hit video game series:

http://www.fifplay.com/

http://www.fifatutorial.com/

HTML entity codes

What are HTML entity codes?

Well, they are 'encrypted' forms of every character that can be displayed on the web, recognizable only by HTML. They are commonly used to bypass the browser botching up special characters when reading the HTML code, as HTML entity codes are converted to special characters and are not recognized as part of the webpage code.

They come in extremely handy not only for developers, but also common users when trying to print certain characters in blogs, forums etc that allow the WYSWYG(What You See Is What You Get) editor to be turned off.

Every character also has an ASCII code, which has it's own uses in programming and markup languages.

Here's a complete list of HTML entity codes and ASCII decimal and hex numbers of all characters:

http://www.ascii.cl/htmlcodes.htm

Make programming your hobby this summer

Learning a programming language is one of the things that is must-do these days. Even if you are not into computers and techy stuff, basic understanding of programming languages and the way they work is a must.

While standard school courses may fulfill this requirement, what is taught in such courses is not nearly enough to bring out the full potential in the aspiring programmers among us.

Programming is a great hobby to take up during this summer that allows you to unleash your creativity and sharpen your mental capability to a razor sharp point. For all you know, you could end up publishing a game that goes viral on the internet, earning you money and fame.

But the problem most young coders face is the lack of a starting point for their dreams. Many believe it is necessary to take a coaching course to get a real grasp of programming. While such a course will definitely help, it is perfectly possible to learn programming online, thanks to the sheer number of free tutorials floating around, at your own pace and time while not wasting any resources on a summer course. 

If learning programming appeals to you, few websites offer a good starting point as www.javatpoint.com , which has tutorials on nearly every major programming language in an easy and simple to understand format filled with ready-to-run examples and online shells for executing your code.

www.w3schools.com is the ultimate website to learn everything (and by that, I mean EVERYTHING.) regarding all aspects of web development.

Many such websites can be easily found online, and is just a google search away. 

In the coming weeks, I hope to introduce more such websites and a give a few simple tutorials myself! 

The science of standing in queues..

Interesting infographic indeed...thanks to ScienceDump for creating such informative as well as inquisitive articles on science in our everyday lives.

http://www.sciencedump.com/content/science-standing-around-lines-infographic

Want a typing race? Look no further than TypeRacer!

A few weeks back, an I introduced you to NitroType, a high quality website that literally allows you to race online by speed typing. Now I shall introduce you to another popular website that allows you to do the exact same thing, but with a touch of more casualness: TypeRacer.

http://play.typeracer.com/

I would like to describe TypeRacer as a more low-key NitroType. It lacks the polish, sound effects and the huge options that make it NitroType more of an online game than a typing trainer. But it gives you want you essentially want from typing races : Race with random users from all over the world and out-type them to cross the finish line first. This website also allows you to make an account to save your high scores and unlock more options like competing for a spot in the leaderboard and customizing your car.

A practice mode that takes off the pressure of competition and the option to race with your own speed comes in really handy.

All in all, this website is a must for those who like speed typing!

Take look at these (fictional) rides!

The Saints Row series is an often under appreciated game series labelled as a 'GTA clone' by many. But the release Saints Row 4 gave GTA a run for it's money, and caused the series to explode in popularity all over the world.

This is because most games give you the coolest powers after you've finished all the missions you could probably use it for, while Saints Row 4 gives you everything you could ever ask for (except Dragons and FusRoDah of course, but that won't be necessary...) and puts you in the shoes of a gangster-turned US President-turned badass alien zapper.

What's the excuse for all these powers?
You're trapped in a computer simulation. And your friend and fellow gangster is hacking the simulation, constantly upgrading your powers. The result?
Jump higher than buildings, run faster than cars, just save any car you like and teleport it near you whenever you feel like it, instead of taking the long ride to the garage, pilot Alien UFO's packing insane firepower, and much, much more.

Seriously, just take a look them vehicles :

http://saintsrow.wikia.com/Vehicles_in_Saints_Row_IV