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Reliance Netconnect+ Prepaid Review – Is it worth buying it?

Mrinmay Bhattacharjee — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:00:48 +0000

Due to some unavoidable reasons, I have to buy another USB Internet Device i.e. Reliance Netconnect+ after Tata Photon+

Let’s check out in this post a short review about Reliance Netconnect+ Broadband USB Internet Device, along with its comparison with Tata Photon Plus.

Note: The device we are reviewing here in this post works with High Speed CDMA Network, not with 3G Network

Short Review about Reliance Netconnect+ Prepaid USB Internet Device

* Since, we are reviewing the device, this review can also be useful if you opted/are going for Postpaid Connection

What’s included in the Package?

The whole package of Reliance Netconnect+ High Speed USB Internet Device includes the following components:

1 High Speed USB Data MODEM
1 Dialer CD: Includes MODEM Installation Software and Soft copy of User/Quick Start Guide
1 Quick Start Guide (Hard/Print Copy)
1 USB Extension Cable
Warranty Card

The build quality of products is robust and the USB Stick carries 1 Year National Warranty. Also the device is capable of supporting Micro SD Card

Setting Up TATA Photon Plus Prepaid for your Laptop/Desktop

As soon as you plug in the USB Device in your Laptop/Desktop, Autorun will be executed and you can install the MODEM Drivers within minutes. The interface window of Reliance Netconnect+ is very User Friendly, showing Network Strength and Buttons viz. Activation, Connect, Connection Logs, Settings and Help (Click to Enlarge):

In order to Setup your Reliance Netconnect Plus device with the Network, click on Settings Button and following interface will be displayed:

Here:

1. Phone will be #777

2. Username and Password will be the 10 Digit MDN Number (excluding Zero ’0′) printed at the back of Reliance Netconnect+ Package

3. Mode will be either Netconnect+ OR High Speed 1X OR Hybrid depending on your choice and the location where you are using the device. The description of all the MODES in Reliance Netconnect+ are as follows:

Hybrid Mode: This is default mode of operation for Reliance Netconnect+ MODEM. In this mode, Modem will latch to Netconnect+ network, if you move to any location where Netconnect+ network is not present, modem will switch over automatically to High speed 1x network and will get back to Netconnect+ mode once you come back to Netconnect+ coverage area.

Netconnect+: In this mode, modem will latch to Netconnect+ (High Speed Data) network. You will experience download speeds up to 3.1 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1.8 Mbps in this mode.

High Speed 1x: In this mode, Modem will latch to High speed 1X network. In this mode, you will get download speed up to 153.6 kbps

4. You can set your own DNS like Google Public DNS OR OpenDNS. Although, this is completely optional and the device will continue to work flawlessly (depending on CDMA Network Performance at your Location) even if you don’t set this

In the settings page, you can also set your Static IP Address and also choose whether to connect the Device at Startup of your Operating System and Auto-Reconnection

System Requirements

Reliance Netconnect+ (plus) High Speed USB CDMA Network device:

Is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux and MAC 10.5.X Operating Systems – Details for installing the MODEM in MAC and Linux is present in the Quick Start Guide
Is fully Compatible with USB 2.0
Requires minimum of 100 MB or above of Free Hard Disk Space
Requires minimum of 128 MB or above of RAM

Price

The price of this device is bit high, though it’s a best bet for you, if you are a frequent traveler OR your office/home is located in an area where there’s NO Wire line Internet Providers. I got the whole package for Rs. 1300/- which doesn’t includes any type of FREE Data Transfer for NEW Buyers. I have to additionally recharge the Device with Rs. 330/- for getting 5 GB Data Transfer with validity of 1 Month.

You also need to submit your Photo, Address Proof and Photo ID Card like Driving License, PAN Card etc. at the time of buying and activating the device.

* Price/Free Data Transfer Offers may vary from one city to another

Connectivity and Speed

As soon as you click Connect, the device gets connected to the network almost instantly. Occasionally, it takes more than 15 Seconds to get connected to the Network. On an average, the device gets connected to the network in 5 Seconds.

The Download speed for the device is quite good and sometimes great. Check out following Speed Test Screenshots while Testing Download and Upload Speeds:

* The above Screenshots are taken when the device is using either Netconnect+ OR Hybrid Mode

Update

Tried using Reliance Netconnect+ during Late Night Hours and following is the result I got:

* The above Screenshot is taken when the device is using either Netconnect+ OR Hybrid Mode. Increase in speed can be attributed to less network congestion/traffic as compared to day/evening time

The Download and Upload Speed of Reliance Netconnect+ USB MODEM is quite decent for casual browsing/surfing the web. The connection is constant and doesn’t break at all. Though if you are travelling in a fast car/train, the connection may drop/break eventually and you have to reconnect the device. Tested this Device at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (Although as per Reliance Netconnect+ IP Address, my location is Bangalore, Karnataka and Chennai is the nearest Speedtest Point! But this can be ignored as I am testing from Bhopal using server hosted at Chennai – No doubt the device/network offers good speed)

Roaming

Roaming on Reliance Netconnect+ High Speed USB CDMA Device is absolutely FREE throughout India, provided that the city/location where you are going have either Netconnect+ OR High Speed 1X Network.

In case, you are not sure what type of Reliance CDMA Network is present in the city/location where you are going, switch to Hybrid Mode, so that the device automatically switches to the best available network for surfing/browsing OR refer THIS PAGE for Coverage Details

Reliance Netconnect+ (Plus) vs. TATA Photon+ (Plus)

As I have used both the devices (Read TATA Photon Plus Review), I will say TATA Photon+ is better than Reliance Netconnect+ when it comes to Speed and Connectivity. Following is the screenshot of both download and upload speeds offered by both Reliance Netconnect+ and Tata Photon+:

If Network of both TATA Photon+ (not Whiz) and Reliance Netconnect+ is available in your City/Location (See TATA Photon Coverage), I will highly recommend you to go with TATA Photon+. Although, it’s also recommend that you test both the device before buying any one of them, as speed and connectivity experiences varies from one location to another within same city!

In case, no TATA Photon+ Network is present in your City, Reliance Netconnect+ High Speed USB Internet Device is HIGHLY recommended over other providers like Vodafone, AirTel, Idea, MTS etc., when it comes to Speed, Connectivity, Reliabilty and Customer Support.

* Still experience may vary from person to person and from one location to another within same city

Conclusion

Overall, I will give Reliance Netconnect+ a score of 7.5/10, when it comes to Connectivity, Speed and Customer Support. The score will drop to 6/10, if Reliance Netconnect+ is compared with TATA Photon+ Network and Device (Not Whiz).

Note:

In some cities you may be getting this device on a small monthly rent, it’s recommended not to rent such products, as it may results in unnecessary consequences. It’s better to buy the device and enjoy it whenever you want
As soon as the device gets connected to the Internet, Reliance Netconnect Page will open in your default browser, which contains details like View and Pay Bill (for Postpaid Users of Reliance Netconnect+), Usage Details, Prepaid Balance, Trouble Shooting Information and Service Center Details

Also See: Install TATA Photon Plus on Windows XP, Vista and 7

This Post: Reliance Netconnect+ Prepaid Review – Is it worth buying it? was originally made on MrinTech

Boost Wi-Fi Router’s Signal Strength using Beer/Beverage Can

Mrinmay Bhattacharjee — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:50:06 +0000

Wi-Fi/WiFi/Wi Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity and allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly with certain devices and wireless enabled Laptop/Netbook/PC.

You can easily boost your Wireless Router’s Wi-Fi signal strength using a Beer/Cold Drink/Beverage Can? Here the Beverage Can will act as a Wireless Extender/Booster! Let’s check out in this post, How to do so? with proper images.

First of all you need following materials in order to make a cheap Wi-Fi Signal Booster/Extender all by yourself:

Any Beer/Cold Drink/Beverage Can
Scissors – Be very cautious while using it
Safety Knife - Be very cautious while using it
Blu Tack – A Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (Can be available in different countries with different brand name/manufacturer)

Now, Follow these steps in order to make a cheap Wi-Fi Signal Booster/Extender for your Wireless Router (Wi-Fi):

1. Clean the Beer/Cold Drink/Beverage Can very well from inside using Tap Water, so that NO Residue is left inside:

You may have to rinse the Can again and again for 2-3 times!

2. Take out the Ring-Pull from the Beverage Can carefully, as there’s no use of it and it’s an unnecessary element:

3. Cut the end of Beverage Can (the non-opening end) using a safety knife very carefully:

4. [Important Step] Now, Cut around the end with the opening almost all the way using a Safety Knife. Leave a little bit of metal near the hole (white line) attached – This part will be the base of your Homemade Wi-Fi Signal Booster/Extender:

5. Now, Cut along the middle of the can in a straight line, opposite to the piece of metal attaching the base, with the help of Scissors very carefully:

6. Be very careful and open up the middle piece of metal by bending it until it starts resembling the shape of a Parabolic Radar Dish Antenna:

7. It’s time to place the completed Wi-Fi booster/extender on your Wi-Fi router. Place it so that the antenna pokes through the opening, and stick the base of the beverage can to the router with a small piece of Blu Tack or other similar adhesive:

After all the above steps are completed, you will notice significant increase in your Wi-Fi Signal Strength, by suitably testing it with your Wi Fi Enabled Smart Phone/Laptop/Netbook/PC!

Note:

Beer Can has been used in above images for illustration purpose only. You can also use any normal and non-alcoholic Cold Drinks/Beverage Can
The Radar Dish Shaped Beverage Can will concentrate Wi-Fi Signals to a particular area where you need Wi-Fi Signals the most, instead of scattering the signal everywhere, where there’s NO use!
The main reason behind a Beverage Can to act like a Wi-Fi Signal Booster/Extender is its Aluminium Body.

Using Kitchen Aluminium Foil for making Wi-Fi Booster/Extender – More cheaper way!

More cheaper way of creating a homemade Wi-Fi Booster/Extender is by using Aluminium Foil. The steps for Creating a Wi-Fi Booster/Extender using Kitchen Aluminium Foil are described in following videos:

Boost Wi-Fi Range using Homemade Parabolic Reflector:

In case, your Wi-Fi Router is mounted on Wall, than you should check out THIS VIDEO:

Pretty Useful and Cheap Ways to Boost your Wi-Fi Signal Strength using homemade Wi-Fi Signal Booster/Extender!

Also See: Locate Best Wi-Fi Hot Spots for your Mobile and Laptop

[via]

This Post: Boost Wi-Fi Router’s Signal Strength using Beer/Beverage Can was originally made on MrinTech

Find MAC Address of Android Mobile/Tablet for Wi-Fi Access

20 Beautiful Dual Screen 3D & HD Wallpapers for Windows 7

Rahul Arora — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:48:18 +0000

Dual Screen or Dual Displays are very handy for people who work on multiple projects at the same time. Dual monitor setup separates and organize things to work efficiently without messing up things.

This post features 20 Beautiful 3D (3 Dimensional) and HD (High Definition) Dual Screen Desktop Backgrounds from our eclectic collection to spice up your Windows 7 Desktop (Although! These will also spice up your Desktop, if you are using Windows XP or Windows Vista Operating Systems!). All these backgrounds are available in 72 dpi with the dimension of 3200 x 1200. You can download the whole Wallpaper Pack using the link at the bottom of this post:

You can Download the above 3D and HD Wallpaper Pack for Windows 7 using THIS LINK (Feel Free to Contact Us in case the Download Link is not Working)

Hope you enjoy these Wallpapers for your Dual Screen Setup!

Also See: Aero Wallpaper Pack for your Desktop and Windows 7 Wallpaper Pack

Above Post is a Guest Post by Rahul Arora, who is a Web Developer and Author of TechAbly. If you are also interested in writing a Guest Article feel free to Contact Us

This Post: 20 Beautiful Dual Screen 3D & HD Wallpapers for Windows 7 was originally made on MrinTech

What is Fourth Generation (4G) Technology & Its Importance?

Mrinmay Bhattacharjee — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:44:31 +0000

As we all know and appreciate, the Internet has changed our lives over the last decade in ways that we never could have imagined. Communication is faster with the additions of Emails and Instant Messaging (IMs) to our lives; Research is simpler and more extensive, as boundless sources of information inhabit thousands and thousands of online Encyclopedias and Articles; and keeping up with Friends and Colleagues is very easy with the invention and seemingly endless expansion of Social Networking sites like Facebook, Orkut, MySpace, Twitter etc.

What is 4G Technology, Its Importance & Choosing a Suitable Provider?

When talking about 4G Technology, the first question that comes in our mind is What is 4G? 4G stands for Fourth Generation Technology and is successor of 3G Technology. In 2009, the ITU-R organization specified the IMT-Advanced (International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) requirements for 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s (Mega bit per Second) for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 Gbit/s (Gega bit per Second) for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users)!

A 4G system is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure all-IP (Internet Protocol) based mobile broadband solution to Laptop Computers, Wireless MODEMs, Smartphones, and other Mobile Devices. Facilities such as Ultra-Broadband Internet access, IP telephony, Gaming Services, and Streamed Multimedia may be provided to users.

The word MAGIC also refers to 4G technology which stands for Mobile multimedia, Any-where, Global mobility solutions over, Integrated wireless and Customized services!

The Internet is enjoying even greater heights of speed and convenience because of wireless companies like Clear 4G etc. With the spread of wireless Internet usage, many people are now connected to the Web just about twenty four hours a day, meaning that they can send and receive Emails more efficiently, are practically never out of touch, and can access any information on the Internet with the click of a single button, no matter where they are. In fact, Wireless Internet is becoming such a widespread reality that it is now very important to look into signing up with a suitable provider so as not to be left behind.

The first thing to consider when choosing a Wireless provider is that if you want to, you can look beyond the big, standard cellular companies. Because these companies constantly advertise their smart phones’ access to 3G and 4G Wireless Services, many people assume that they are the only companies that actually offer these services. However, in reality, there are also companies that do not necessarily sell Cellular devices or Laptops, but they specializes in providing you with cheap and clear Wireless Service!

With such services, all you need is to plug-in a MODEM to your Laptop or Wireless Device, and you will immediately gain access to the Internet, no matter what your current location is, as long as you are within the range of a 4G Network (a range that is getting wider and wider). This means that whether you are sitting in the stands watching a football game, lounging in a bookstore or cafe, or simply staying at home, you can access the Internet on your own, without needing to know the name and password of any specific wireless network, as your own device will have its own connection.

No doubt, Wireless Internet is an amazing tool for Businesses, Schools, Entertainment, and many other aspects of life, and is something that you can easily gain access to.

This Post: What is Fourth Generation (4G) Technology & Its Importance? was originally made on MrinTech

Living a Particular Day of Life with 3G Technology in India!

Help Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Victims: Donate Online or via Text

Mrinmay Bhattacharjee — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:19:57 +0000

As taken from Wikipedia:

The 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami was an 8.9 to 9.1-M_W megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 05:46 UTC (14:46 local time) on 11 March 2011.

News reports indicate that more than 1000 people have died. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Japan, including heavy damage to roads and railways as well as fires in many areas, and a dam collapse. Around 1.4 million households in northeastern Japan were left without electricity and 3.8 million without water. Many electrical generators were taken down, and at least two nuclear reactors were damaged, which prompted evacuations of the affected areas, and a state of emergency was established. The Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant experienced an explosion almost 24 hours after the initial earthquake; however, the blast was in an area not containing radioactive materials. Residents within a 20-kilometer (12 mi) radius of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant and a 10-kilometer (6.2 mi) radius of the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant were evacuated.

The estimates of the Sendai earthquake’s magnitude would make it the largest earthquake to hit Japan and one of the five largest earthquakes in the world since modern record-keeping began. It is thought to have been the largest earthquake within the boundaries of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates in 1,200 years.