5 useful apps for power users of Android

f you are an avid Android user and love to tweak your device to get the best and optimum performance, then you must checkout these apps.

Android is the only mobile platform that enables users to fiddle around with its settings and get the best and optimum performance. With a number of apps available, one can easily make their Android smartphone or tablet much more productive as well as take advantage of some great features.

We have listed out some apps for the Android enthusiast that makes your experience on Android worthwhile. Remember, some of these apps require root access, so make sure you have your Android device rooted.

1. Greenify

 

If you want to save up on battery, then you should try Greenify. This app basically kills background processes and apps that hog battery from your device. You can select the apps which you think are not so relevant and Greenify will put them to sleep so that they don’t keep running. This not only saves battery but also saves up on mobile data if the apps (like emails, Facebook, Twitter) sync on regular intervals. The latest version of the app works without root access, which means you can install and run this app on almost any Android device. But in order to unleash its true potential, it works best on a rooted device.

2. Titanium Backup pro

 

One of the best backup tools available for Android is Titanium Backup Pro. The app requires root access and lets you back-up all of your apps along with your data. It even lets you backup your system apps in case you plan to change your smartphone or just plan to change your ROM. One of the best features of Titanium is that you can uninstall any app from your device meaning that all the unnecessary bloat-ware apps that you don’t use can be removed from your device. Just a word of caution, do not remove any Android system related apps as you could end up damaging the operating system files. Titanium backup pro is available on the Google Play store for Rs. 413.

3. Root Browser

 

This is your traditional file manager application which allows you to access all of your files and folders. You can move, copy or delete files, open or create zip files, sort your files in any order, share files with anyone, etc. Once you have rooted your device this app will let you access your system files and set read and write permissions of files and folders. Root browser is a very useful app as it makes the task for searching files and folders very easy.

4. AirDroid

 

If you want to control and manage your Android device without the hassles of plugging in cables or installing various drivers, then AirDroid is the solution.  It's one of the easiest ways to wirelessly transfer files between your phone or tablet and your PC. Just install the PC software and the AirDroid app onto your Android device, connect via an IP address and that is all. AirDroid also serves as a dashboard for your device when you're on your PC which means you can send a text message or manage your apps directly from your PC's browser.

5.    Clean Master

A very useful tool to have is Clean Master which helps you to keep your Android device free of temporary and unused files which are not required by the system. You can (and should) periodically clean your device’s memory to free space. Files left behind by various apps, cache, temporary files, image files etc. can all be removed safely with the Clean Master app. The app also clears up your RAM, and also can be used to remove unwanted applications from your device.

Source: Thinkdigit

7 Best Home Remedies to Soothe Sunburn

Overexposure of the skin to the sun leads to sunburn. While it is difficult to resist basking in the first few rays of the sun after the cold winters, sometimes lounging in the sunshine for too long can cost you dearly- leading to darkening, chapping, blistering or discolouration of the skin. Here are some tried and tested home remedies to cool off your stinging skin and to treat sunburn naturally.

Recommended Read:
6 Common Foods to Help You Get Rid of Stretch Marks
5 Ways to Handle Your Short-tempered Spouse
How to Flaunt a Bikini Body

Apply cucumber juice

It helps to reduce the redness and inflammation of the skin. Take few tablespoons of cucumber juice, and add some milk to it. Dab the solution on the sunburnt areas on your face with a cotton ball. Leave it to dry for at least 30 minutes before wiping it off with a wet cotton ball. You can also apply slices of cucumber on the affected area to soothe your skin.

Opt for aloe vera

The cooling and healing properties of the herb make it an excellent treatment for sunburn. Make a paste, or squeeze the juice, of aloe vera leaves, and apply it on your skin to get relief from the pain and discomfort. To further speed up the healing process, apply a cold compress on the affected area.

Don't Miss: 7 Aloe Vera Face Packs for Fair and Radiant Skin

Try sandalwood

Make a paste of sandalwood powder and apply it evenly all over your face and neck. Let it remain for at least 20 minutes. Wash off with cold water. When done regularly for a few days, it helps to completely eliminate sunburn, as it has anti-inflammatory properties that also help to reduce puffiness and redness of the skin. You can also mix sandalwood with some turmeric for faster results. Or, add sandalwood oil to your bathing water.

Potatoes to cool off

Potato juice is also extremely effective in helping soothe sunburns. Take some potato juice on a cotton ball, and dab it on the affected parts. Leave it on the skin for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

Also Read: Tips for Rejuvenating Foot Spa at Home

Gently rub coconut oil

Here is a classic remedy that also acts as a sunblock. Apply coconut oil on your skin every day, for some days, to treat the inflammation and discolouration caused due to sunburn. Being enriched with vitamin E, makes it a good remedy to tackle sunburn, which keeps your skin hydrated, smooth and supple. But, be careful, do not go out in sun soon after applying coconut oil, as that can make your skin prone to tanning.

Don't Miss: Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin

Spray some vinegar

It is a highly effective and cooling remedy to treat sunburn. Mix one part vinegar with one part water, and gently dab the solution on the affected parts. Alternatively, you can fill a spray bottle with the solution, and spray it directly on the skin. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this. Before applying vinegar solutions on your face, we would advise you to do for a patch test first, to check for any allergic reactions on your skin.

Apply or drink chamomile tea

The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea make it good to treat sunburn. It can be used both externally and internally to cure skin issues. Externally, it can be applied as a soothing solution. Brew the tea, and let it cool down. Then soak a washcloth in it and apply on the affected area. Chamomile might cause allergic reactions in some people. It is therefore important to first do a patch test on your hand to see how your skin reacts to it.

Source: Yahoo!

Supreme Court recognises transgenders as third gender in landmark ruling

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Supreme Court on Tuesday recognised India's long marginalised transgender community as a third gender and, in a landmark judgment lauded by human rights groups, called on the government to ensure their equal treatment.

There are hundreds of thousands of transgenders in India, say activists, but because they are not legally recognised, they are ostracised, discriminated against, abused and often forced into prostitution.

"Recognition of transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue," the Supreme Court's two-judge bench said in its ruling.

"Transgenders are also citizens of India. The spirit of the constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender."

A person who is transgender does not identify with the gender stated on their birth certificate.

The court ruling - which came after hearing a petition filed by a group of transgenders demanding equal rights - recognised the community as a marginalised group and directed authorities to implement policies to improve their socio-economic status.

The petitioners' lawyers said that this would mean that all identity documents, including a birth certificate, passport and driving licence would recognise the third gender, along with male and female.

The government will also have to allocate a certain percentage of public sector jobs, seats in schools and colleges to third gender applicants, said lawyer Sanjeev Bhatnagar.

Due to their lack of access to jobs and education, many male-to-female transgenders - also known as "hijras" - are forced to work as sex workers or move around in organised groups begging or demanding money.

Hate crimes in the conservative country are common, say activists, yet few are reported partly due to a lack of sensitivity by authorities such as the police.

Transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi said the verdict was a great step towards ending such discrimination."Today Justice Radhakrishnan and Justice A.K. Sikri said that any nation can progress only after it grants all the rights and human rights to its citizens. The transgenders have been given the biggest right," said Tripathi. "Today I feel a proud citizen of India."

The Supreme Court was slammed by human rights activists in December when it reinstated a ban on gay sex, following a four-year period of decriminalisation that helped bring homosexuality into the open. The court said only parliament could change the law.

Human rights groups said they hoped the ruling on transgenders would encourage the new parliament to repeal the anti-homosexuality law as one of its first actions.

India is currently holding general elections with the results due on May 16.

(Writing by Nita Bhalla; Additional reporting by Suchitra Mohanty and Sunil Kataria; Editing by Douglas Busvine)

Source: Reuters