Turning an Android smartphone into something like an iPhone or a Windows Phone (or vice versa) is a very common type of customization that people like to do. It lets them enjoy the functionality of one mobile platform while having the looks of another. Although I am not at all a fan of such customization, if you’re the type who wishes to make their Android look like an iPhone, this post is for you.
Before we get down to the three most common methods to get the iPhone look on Android, consider this: if you want the true iPhone look, you’ll have to get yourself an iPhone. No launcher/ROM/customization will ever nail the iOS look, and the better ones that are available are, well, well-intentioned but still far away from looking like iOS.

Method #1: Get ADW/GO Launcher

The most common and safest way to get an iPhone-like look on Android is to download, install a launchers like ADW or GO. Both pack their own set of unique features, but have one common aspect: theming. You can download a wide variety of themes (originals, clones, mash-ups, whatever floats your boat) that give your device a distinct look.

Despite being the easiest and most configurable method, we aren’t big fans of it. Firstly, because the free themes aren’t of good quality and the paid ones cost more than full-fledged apps. Secondly, because these are, well, themes that are added on top of a launcher; they aren’t made from the ground-up and that is exactly why you’ll find lots of rough edges.

Download ADW.Launcher for Android [Market Link]
Download GO Launcher for Android [Market Link]
There are dozens upon dozens of iPhone themes. Search for “iPhone ADW/Go launcher themes” on Android Market.

Method #2: Get Espier Launcher

The last method is similar to Method #1 in that it involves a launcher. The difference here is that Espier Launcher was developed from the ground up to look and work like Springboard on iOS. Unlike the themes on ADW/GO, Espier comes with Spotlight-like search, Folders, “jiggly mode”, uninstall-in-one-click and more!

Download Espier Launcher for Android [Market Link]

Security is high on everyone’s list of priorities these days, especially with Sony still battling to bring its PlayStation network and Qriocity services back online after a security breach potentially leaked millions of users’ personal information. Now Facebook is offering a new tool to try and prevent unauthorized access to your account.
The new system uses two-factor authentication and offers an extra level of security over the basic settings. What the new option does is send an SMS message to a chosen mobile phone number each time a new and unauthorized computer tries to sign into your account. If the attempt is legitimate you can choose to allow access, but if not then you’ve just been alerted to a potential security breach.

As more individuals and businesses turn to Facebook to share and connect with others, people are looking to take more control over protecting their account from unauthorized access. Login approvals is a Two Factor Authentication system that requires you to enter a code we send to your mobile phone via text message whenever you log into Facebook from a new or unrecognized computer. Once you have entered this security code, you’ll have the option to save the device to your account so that you don’t see this challenge on future logins.

If you are unfortunate enough to lose your registered mobile phone then fear not, for you will still be able to change your settings so long as you use a previously authenticated system.

You can turn on Facebook ‘Login Approvals’ feature under: Account Settings –> Account Security. Make sure you have your mobile phone on hand so that you can receive a code via SMS which is required to authenticate your computer.

Google recently introduced video and voice chat on their Google Talk app for Android. While, officially, this is specific to Android 2.3.4 only, we’ve gained information regarding how you can video/voice chat using Google Talk on phones which aren’t on Android 2.3.4. Follow the guide after the break.

The hack comes from the usual suspects: the highly capable folks over at XDA-Developers. A member who goes by the name of britoso has managed to make video/voice chat work over Google Talk on most phones running Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”. He extracted the .apk file from Android 2.3.4, edited it and, well, just made it work!

How To Install Google Talk With Video/Voice Chat On Your Android Smartphone

DISCLAIMER: Vsocio.com is not to be held responsible for any loss of data as a result of the malfunctioning of your Android device.

You will need a Android smartphone running Gingerbread. To confirm if you’re on Gingerbread, go to Settings > About, scroll down and you’ll see Android version under which you will see the version number. If it is 2.3 or 2.3.x, then it means you can install Gtalk 1.3.

Rooting is a necessary pre-requisite as well. If you’ve got a Galaxy S II, you can follow our guide here.

Before you start, I personally implore you to make a backup using ROM Manager and/or Titanium Backup. Although the guide is safe, anything can go wrong so be sure you have a backup!

Step 1: You must download a .zip file of Google Talk from here and copy it to the root of your phone’s SD card (i.e. the parent directory)

Step 2: Download and install ROM Manager [Market Link].

Step 3: Launch ROM Manager and tap on Flash ClockworkMod Recovery and choose your device. This will install a custom recovery on your phone which you will be needing after a moment. Your phone will now reboot.

Step 4: After the automatic rebooting, launch ROM Manager once again and tap on Reboot Into Recovery.

Step 5: Your phone will now reboot into ClockworkMod recovery mode*. Using your phone’s volume up/down keys and the home button, scroll down to wipe cache partition > yes – wipe cache.

Similarly, navigate to advanced > wipe dalvik cache > yes – wipe dalvik cache. Go back to main menu using power/lock button.

Step 6: This is the most important step: scroll down to install zip from sd card > choose zip from sd card > Gtalk_video_voice_XsMagical.zip. The hacked Gtalk app will now be flashed to your phone. After flashing, reboot system now.

Step 7: If you followed the guide correctly, you can now launch the Google Talk app from your phone, tap on your picture and enable video and voice chats to start video chatting with friends and family!

*If you can’t boot into CWM from ROM Manager, you can do it automatically by shutting down your phone and then restarting it by holding Volume Up+Home+Power.

Via

On Wednesday Facebook Officially announced its awesome feature of Video Chat. Here is a quick guide how to make video calls. The first time you try to video chat someone or answer a call, you will indeed be asked to download a program. The chat window will then ask you to select some Flash settings. It also has a neat option to record a video message if the person you’re calling doesn’t answer.

Step1:  Go to https://www.facebook.com/videocalling it will looks like the image below.

Step2:  Now Click on the button Get started

Step3: Select a Friend to whom you want to make Video Call

Step4: Click on the button Start a Video Call

Step5: Now it Will start Connecting both of you.

After the grand success of SMS Khazana Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV & Part V , Mobilink brings another exciting offer for its valued customers “Jazz SMS Khazana 6” which, once again, promises lots of attractive prizes for Mobilink customers! The contest is based on answering trivia questions to raise the prize value of daily and Sunday prizes and then win them through a lucky draw. The higher the customer raises the prize amount, the closer he/she gets to win that prize. The customers can also win 1st Month, 2nd Month and Grand Prize of GOLD by accumulating points from answering the questions.

How To Participate:

Step 1:
The participant will send “JK” to 5555 to enter the contest. The users can send in any other key words or blank message to 5555. It will be accepted as well.
Step 2:
The participant will receive a Ringtone along with a welcome SMS (ringtone will be sent within 24 hours)
Step 3:
The quiz mechanism consists of multiple choice questions where participants should answer in order to raise the value of the prize money of the specific day, increase their possibilities to become a winner and as well as accumulate points to win the 1st Month,2nd Month and Grand Prize at the end of the campaign.
Step 4:
The participant will send the answer he/she believes is the correct one by sending 1 or 2 to 5555 in order to raise the prize value for daily and Sunday prizes and as well as earn points for 1st Month, 2nd Month and Grand prize. Once answered, user is notified if the answer was correct or incorrect. In case the user does not respond with option 1 or 2 or sends any other text/number, he /she will get an invalid reply message.

Prize Details:

• Daily prize: Up to PKR 200,000
• Sunday prize: Up to 10 TOLAS of GOLD (or equivalent cash amount against the rate of the GOLD of that specific date)
• 1st Month Prize: 20 TOLAS of GOLD
• 2nd Month Prize: 30 TOLAS of GOLD
• Final prize: 50 TOLAS of Gold

Charges:
Rs. 10+Tax/SMS.

Note:
This service is available for both Prepaid & Postpaid customers.

Ufone offers you a collect call service. It provides you the convenience of calling even when your account balance does not allow you to make a call on the Ufone network. This service is ideal for Users who run out of balance, that wish the other party to pay the charges in a business-related call or children who wish to call their parents and not want to pay for the call charges. In order to initiate a Ufone Collect Call request, simply dial 11 followed by the desired Ufone number. e.g. 1103335199942 . If the other party accepts your collect call your call will be connected right away. However If the dialed number does not have sufficient balance or cancels your request you will receive a SMS notification.

Collect Call Subscription

• Ufone users can subscribe to collect call through three options. New Subscribers will get a 7-day free trial
• When a user will dial 11 followed by a Ufone number, the user will be requested to press 1 to subscribe to Collect Call service
• Ufone customers can dial 901 and subscribe to Collect Call by pressing 1
• Users can SMS “SUB” to 3213 (free of cost) and subscribe to Collect Call service
• Standard Collect Call is also available to all users.

Charges:

• Charges for 901 Rs.0.50+Tax per minute
• No additional charges to add/remove the numbers in Collect Call FnF List
• Subscription will be charged at Rs. 3.00 + tax / week
• All SMS sent to 3213 are free of cost

Collect Call SMS Commands

SMS following keywords to 900 if you do not wish to receive collect call requests

• BR ALL   Block all collect call requests.
• UN ALL Unblock all collect call requests
• BR To block a specific number
• UN To unblock a specific number
• BR LIST To get the list of Barred numbers

Terms & Conditions:

• This Service is available to calls from Ufone to Ufone only. A & B party must both be Ufone subscribers.•
• Call will be charged to B party as per regular package plan.(If connected)•
• All Post-Pay & Prepaid users can initiate collect call request.(as A party)•
• All Post-Pay & Prepaid users can receive collect call request.(as B party)•
• A subscriber on international roaming will not be able to initiate collect call request.•
• If B party is on international roaming then collect call request will not be sent to him.•
• If B party’s outgoing calls are barred (Post-Pay) then A party will be informed accordingly & collect call request will not be initiated.•
• Postpaid users will not be able to initiate Ufone Collect Call if their outgoing calls are barred.•
• Prepaid subs will be able to initiate a Collect Call request even if they have zero credit in their account.

Google announced Google+ project which aims to fix relationship with friends and relatives online through real-life sharing. With Google+ you can group your friends, relatives into different categories and selectively connect and share info with each group.
Google says people use real-life circles to express themselves and share precisely with the right folks. Using Google+ is easy : create a circle, add your friends/relatives and share the information.

At present Google+ is available on Android market and the mobile web and soon will be available on App Store. Google+ is still on Field trial and you can join it by invitation only.
To get Google+ invitation officially from Google visit this page,fill & submit your first name and email and Google will invite you to join their Google+ project.

Telenor Offer a Chance to Win Gold Daily. From 19-06-2011 to 16-09-2011 all Telenor subscribers,who participate in the “Talkshawk Sonay Ki Jeet” SMS campaign,have the opportunity to win. Simply play and win Gold Daily.

Gold Prize Details:

• 2 x 10g Daily Prize
• 2 x 25g Weekly Prize
• 1Kg Grand Prize

How to participate:

Entering the campaign is very easy just send at least one SMS to 7775* from your Telenor number and you start your participation.

Step 1 Send an SMS with the keyword “TS” to 7775*,or Dial *888# to activate… As a reply you will receive a welcome messageand a question with 2 answering options!

Step 2 Send an SMS with text 1 or 2 indicating the answer, which you think is the correct one. You will receive a reply SMS notifying you whether your answer is correct or wrong and a new question will follow.

Step 3 Keep answering correctly to the questions and you will get more points to win the prizes.

Chrages:
Price per SMS to number 7775 is 8 rupees + tax. For more information call 345 from any Telenor number.

Winners Announcement:

Every day:

a lucky drawn participant wins 10g of Gold. The winner must have sent at least one SMS during that specific date. Every day, the participant having the most points also wins 10g of Gold, guaranteed. The winner must have sent at leastone SMS during that specific date.

Every Sunday:

a lucky drawn participant wins 25g of Gold.The winner must have sentat least one SMS during that specific date.Every Sunday,the participant having the most points also wins 25g of Gold, guaranteed. The winner must have sent at least one SMS during that specific Sunday.

At the end of the promotion:

the best player with the most points become the grand winner, who wins 1kg of Gold, guaranteed.All winners of the daily, Sunday and final prizes will be informedwith a phone call and their names will be announcedon this website, in the “Winners” section.

Check the Winners Here
Useful Tips

1.Transferring your points:

By sending at least 1 SMS (regardless of the content of the sms) to 8888 every day from 19-06-2011 to 16-09-2011, you transfer all your collected points to go for all the prizes!

2.Collecting more points:

During the contest you will have many opportunities to collect bonus points that boost your result. Take advantage of them, exploit the challenges and give the right answers to as many questions as you can and increase your points to be the top player of the day and the promotion!

3.If you have more questions about the game:

For any additional information please call the Telenor number 345 (for Telenor customers only) to talk with an operator. The line is open for Telenor subscribers 24 hours every day.

“ZONG Mega Challenge”, a points based game where Players will earn points by participating in different Quizes/polls. At the end of competition, player with highest points will Win the competition. The duration of the competition is 50 days during which various small competitions will also be offered,

Competition Details: Customer will get registered in the Game by sending a message to our SMS Code 6600W066. Once the customer is registered as a player he/she will start receiving the Game challenges through SMS.Player will earn points by participating in the offered Game Challenges (Quizzes/Polls). There will be two simultaneous competitions in the Game;Daily: Highest Points earned in a Calendar dayOverall: Highest Points earned at the earned of competitionThere will be over 5,000 Challenges that will be activated over the 50 days of competition. These questions will be of varied difficulty level with different points value i.e. correct answers will increase the level of the player. The more difficult the question, the higher the points

WINNERS & PRIZES: The Game is designed in a way that we can run various small competitions within the overall competition. These small competitions will be offered in order to engage the players on daily basis.

• Overall Competition Winner: Rs. 5 Million
• Daily Competition Winner(s): Rs 100,000/-

Price:

• Registration and help on 6600066 for free
• Answering Game Challenge Questions on 6363@Rs. 10+tax per SMS

Terms and conditions:

• Employees & their family members are not eligible for prizes.
• In order to claim the prizes the number should be registered in the name of the winner.

Ufone is rewarding all of U who have not been active on the Ufone network since May 1st 2011, with thousands of free minutes and free SMS for 3 whole months.

How to avail offer:

• Put your Ufone SIM back that U have not used since May 1st 2011
• SMS ‘free’ to 234
• Recharge at least Rs. 50 worth of balance

Upon First Recharge U will get 1,000 free minutes from Ufone to Ufone and 1,000 Free SMS to any network for one whole month. For the next 2 months, upon usage of Rs. 100 balance U will further get up to 2,000 minutes from Ufone to Ufone and up to 2,000 SMS to any network. So U will get free mins and free sms in 3 months.

Terms & Conditions:

• Duration of offer is from 1 June, 2011 to 30 June, 2011.
• On recharge of Rs 50 till 30 June,2011 receive 1,000 free minutes and 1,000 free SMS
• After sending an SMS to 234, free minutes and SMS will be transferred to customer’s account within next 48 hours
• 1,000 free minutes and 1,000 free SMS for the second month will be given after the first recharge, on usage of a minimum balance of Rs. 100 within 30 days
• 1,000 free minutes and 1,000 free SMS for the third month will be given on further usage of Rs.100 balance in the second month.
• Free minutes and free SMS are limited to 30 days
• Free minutes and free SMS are limited to 3,000 each
• Free minutes are valid only for Ufone to Ufone and free SMS are valid for all networks
• Terms and Conditions apply.
• Using SIMS without proper documentation is a crime – PTA
• 19.5% FED on usage and 11.5% withholding tax at recharge or bill applies.

Take a song, get lyrics sent to you from Ufone and record it in your own voice with USinger! That’s right, with Ufone’s brand new mobile karaoke service, USinger, you can record and listen to your favorite songs in your own voice mixed with its background music to make a perfect musical track. And it doesn’t end there – add to the entertainment by dedicating it to your friends, download it as your Truetone OR gift Truetone to your friend.

How it works:

First you will dial 929 and from Ufone’s vast library of music you will be able to choose a song. Our helpful automated USinger Assistant will be there to help you pick a song from the available, frequently-updated lists. If required you can opt for USinger’s internal intelligence system to send you lyrics of your chosen song through SMS to guide you through the song.

You can then record your chosen song in your own voice with your Ufone through USinger. USinger will mix the original track’s instrumental music with your voice. After recording your song you can:

• Set the song as your UTune

• Dedicate it to another users using Song Dedication service

• Record a greeting message with Song Dedication

• Download it to your Ufone as an MP3 true tone

• Dedicate true tone of any song to a friend

The USinger system will score each song you record. If your score is high enough, you can have your version uploaded on to the IVR Voting Portal, where other users can vote on your sample.

Other Options of USinger:

• Dial 929 and:

• Listen and vote on other subscribers’ karaoke attempts

• Listen to songs recorded in your own voice

• To access USinger: DIAL 929

• IVR Charges: Rs. 2+ tax/minute

• No subscription charges are applicable for this service.