How to Spoof MAC Address of Network Interfaces in Ubuntu

Q) How to manipulate/ spoof MAC address of network interfaces in Ubuntu Linux Distro?

A. If you are a network administrator or an enthusiast working on Ubuntu and would like to manipulate the network MAC address you can use GUI utility available called MACchanger. Using this tool you can easily spoof MAC address with another device address or can set a random one.

Install MACchanger via command line

sudo apt-get install macchanger macchanger-gtk

Open MACchanger GUI via command line

macchanger-gtk

via @UbuntuGeek

How to Unlock Huawei 2G/ 3G USB Data Modem [Free]

We recently covered the review of BSNL 3G servicesand in that we had mentioned about ‘unlocked’ Huawei E122 3G USB data modem. Almost all Huawei modems be it 2G or 3G can be unlocked with the help of third-party applications. These hardware are usually supplied with hardware locked to a particular carrier making it impossible for a novice user hack it to use it with any other service provider.

Here we are presenting few unlocking tools collected from across the web that can do the unlocking job for you. Before you try to flash your Huawei 2G/ 3G USB modem make sure that you remove the micro SD and SIM card from the respective holders.

Steps to Unlock Huawei 2G/ 3G USB Data Modem

Unlocking Huawei 2G/ 3G USB modem basically includes 2 process

1) Generating the unlock code ( using IMEI )

2) Flashing the device with that unlock code

1) How to calculate/ generate Huawei 2G/ 3G USB data modem unlock code

There are several tools available freely that can be downloaded and used. All these tools generate unlock codes based on the IMEI number. Make sure the tools you use are free from trojans and other malware. Here are some of the tools you can use. Feed in your device IMEI number to any of the below mentioned tools to generate the unlock code. The IMEI number can be found on the rear side of hardware usually.

• Universal MasterCode

This Huawei unlock tool supports the following devices:

E156 E155, E1550 E1552, E156G E160, E160G E161 E166, E169 E169G, E170, E172, E176 E1762 E180 E182E E196 E226 E270, E800,E870 E880 EG162 E880 EG162 EG162G EG602 EG602G, E271, E272, E510 E612 E618 E630 ,E620 E630+ E660 E660a

Download Huawei USB modem Universal MasterCode

• Huawei Unlocker ( A )

Download Huawei Unlocker for data modems

• Huawei Unlocker ( B )

Similar tool like the above mentioned unlocker.

Download Huawei Unlocker

• Online Huawei modem Unlock code tool

The Huawei online unlocker tool supports:

E1550, E155, E156, E156G, E160, E160G, E161, E166, E169, E169G, E170, E172, E176, E180, E182E, E196, E226, E270, E271, E272, E510, E612, E618, E620, E630, E630+, E660, E660A, E800, E870, E880, EG162, EG162G, EG602, EG602G

Check here.

• Another online Huawei modem unlocker

Go to this url- http://www.bb5.at/huawei.php?imei=**************** and replace ************* with your modems IMEI number and that site will instantly show you the unlock code of your modem.

2) How to Flash your Huawei 2G/ 3G modem with the generated code

Once after generating your Huawei modems unlock code by feeding in IMEI you have to flash the device with that code. This can be done by

• Huawei Modem Code Writer

After your Huawei modem is successfully detected then feed in your unlock code got from the aforementioned tool and you are good to go. Your Huawei modem is now unlocked to work with any service provider.

Download Huawei Modem Code Writer.

• Another way to unlock your Huawei 3G modem is by manually entering the unlock code. For this insert any other service providers SIM and when you get the pop up asking for unlock code, enter the code you got from the unlocking tool.

NOTE: Some Huawei modem cannot be unlocked because it’s having a Customized Firmware. You need to flash/update the firmware first before performing this unlocking procedure.

PS: All these are third-party apps which din’t give any threat warning while scanned using Eset nod 32. Try at your own risk. We can’t be held responsible if trouble occur.

How to Send Unlimited Free International SMS from iPad to Mobile Phones

If you have used the JaxtrSMS app available for all major mobile platforms including iOS you probably would have saved on monthly bills. Probably not that much as we now have apps like Whatsapp and iMessage but JaxtrSMS lets you send unlimited free SMS worldwide from smart phones not only to other JaxtrSMS users but also to phones without apps installed on them. But on iOS only iPhone users were lucky, whereas all iPod Touch and iPad users were left alone without an option. The fact that iPod Touch and iPad devices don’t support cellular connection was preventing users from sending and receiving SMS on these devices. Not anymore. Check out this trick to use JaxtrSMS app on iPod Touch and iPad to send and receive unlimited international SMS.

Like what you know Apple lets you install iPhone only apps on iPad and use it in 2x mode. Also all iPhone apps can be installed on iPod Touch. But that doesn’t actually help us here as these iDevices lack a phone number associated with it. But the good news is that the validation link sent while registering can be received on any mobile phone and once validated you can use JaxtrSMS from iPad or iPod Touch just like you would use on an iPhone.

How to send and receive unlimited SMS for free from iPad, iPod Touch:

1. Download JaxtrSMS iPhone app and install it on your iPad.

2. Once after installation, open JaxtrSMS app on iPad and run it in 2x mode (optional).

3. Enter your name, country and mobile number to register with JaxtrSMS. Accept the ToS and hit ‘Register/ Login’.

4. Now a verification link will be sent to the registered number as text message (SMS) from where you need to click the link to verify your account. If you have not subscribed to a data plan you can open JaxtrSMS app on iPad and try sending SMS to any other number. And while asking for verification select ‘Verify by Call’. Soon you will receive a call on your mobile. Just attend the call and your mobile phone will be verified.

5. Once registered you can send unlimited SMS for free to any local and international number. Make sure you enter the country code along with the recipients mobile number. Also all the messages sent and received will be shown in JaxtrSMS app on iPad.

How to Run Android Ice Cream Sandwich on Windows PC Using Virtual Box

As reported here Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is now available for x86 platform. The very same mobile version has been ported to x86 machines powered by Intel and AMD processors. With .iso available for download you can either clean install Android 4.0 on your netbooks (prefered) or install it on Windows or Mac PC using virtualization software. And when talking about virtualization Virtual Box is the best freeware out there than can load almost any OS virtually.

Installing Android 4.0 ICS on Windows or Mac using VirtualBox is the best way if you don’t want to dual-boot and mess up with your already existing boot files. Using VirtualBox create a Virtual Disk Image and then boot the Android 4.0 .iso file to run without installation or install it to virtual hard disk. Follow the steps mentioned below to boot ICS on your laptop or netbook now.

Steps to install and run Android 4.0 ICS on Windows/ Mac using Virtual Box:

1. Download and install Virtual Box [link].

2. Now download Android 4.0 x86 version for the project download page [link].

3. Launch Virtual Box and hit ‘New’ button to start creating a new Virtual Machine. Enter a name for Virtual Machine and select OS as Linux with version 2.6. Click Next.

4. Select ‘Create a new disk’ and hit ‘Next’.

5. Select the amount of base memory (RAM) in MB (500 MB preferred) using the slider and hit ‘Next’.

6. Now using the virtual disk creation wizard select the file type as VDI (VirtualBox Disk image). Hit ‘Next’.

7. Choose whether the new virtual disk you created should be allocated storage space dynamically or fixed. Hit ‘Next’.

8. Now choose the location to store newly created .vdi file. Also set a maximum size for virtual disk in the case of a dynamically allocated disk storage. Hit ‘Next’ and wait for it to create the file.

9. Now from the VirtualBox Manager select your virtual disk. Here in our case it’s ‘Android ICS’ and click start.

10. Now the virtual instance will start running in a new window. Head over to ‘Devices’ menu and select ‘CD/DVD Devices’. Choose a virtual CD/DVD disk file and point it to the Android 4.0 x86 file downloaded in step 2. Go to ‘Machine’ menu and select ‘Reset’.

11. Android 4.0 .ISO image will now load and will be greeted with a screen where you can choose to either run without installation or install it to hard disk (virtual disk in our case).

If you choose ‘Run Android-x86 without installation’ VirtualBox will load Android ICS from .ISO image stored on physical hard disk and you will soon be able to start using it. Enable or disable mouse integration accordingly to capture mouse and start navigating.

T-Mobile Testing VoIP Calls to Landlines & Mobile Phones in 40+ Countries; Free Calls Using iOS, Android, Web Apps

Summary: T-Mobile is expanding their VoIP service outside the US and is now testing calls to 40+ countries. Using the free T-Mobile Bobsled app for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac you can call your friends in these countries for free.

The free mobile VoIP apps like Nettalk, Bobsled, Google Voice, Magic Jack etc available for iOS and Android lets users make free phone calls to the US and Canada. But what gives if you don’t have any friends or relatives living there. Bobsled, a T-Mobile cross-platform app that earlier allowed free phone calls only to US/ Canada and your Facebook friends has been updated. The goods news is that Bobsled app now supports login without a Facebook account and also free phone calls to landlines and mobile phones in almost 40+ countries. The complete list includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Bobsled app (links below) works over WiFi, 3G/ 4G is available for iOS devices (including iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) and Android phones/ tablets. Also the desktop apps available for Windows and Mac allows users to initiate free calls from within web browsers too. With Bobsled app you can punch in your friends mobile or landline numbers to start calling for free. VoIP-gasm! While nothing much is known about this offer a tweet sent out from the official Twitter handle suggests that T-Mobile is testing free phone calls to these countries listed above. So probably this offer wont last long, but too good while it lasts. I was able to successfully call landlines and mobile phones in India, US and UK many times. I suggest you to try calling your friends in other countries and let me know if it works via comments.

Bobsled for iOS including iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

Bobsled for Android phone and Tablets

Bobsled Desktop browser apps for Windows and Mac

Free Apps For Video Calling Between iPhone and Android Phones

Apple’s Facetime feature in the latest iOS4 version failed to impress many. Lack of video call support over 3G being the main reason. Another obvious reason is being Apple patented technology it wont be available elsewhere. With Google’s Android OS gaining market share there are many using smartphones running Android OS. Though voice calling was available between iPhone iOS and Android devices it’s with the advent of Facetime service providers started adding video calling feature to their apps. It’s like a Facetime alternative that is platform independent.

Free apps for video calling between iPhone/ iPod Touch and Android phones:

Here is a list of apps available for both iPhone iOS platform and Android OS that supports video calling and various other functionalities. In all these apps video calls can either be mobile-to-mobile or laptop-to-mobile or laptop-to-laptop. Ain’t that awesome?

1) Yahoo Messenger :

With Yahoo Messenger 2.0 you can now make video calls between desktop and mobile phones running latest version of Yahoo messenger. With the  latest edition supporting 3G and Wi-Fi video calling is no big deal. The Apple devices running iOS and Android devices can now communicate each other via the richest experience one can have on a handheld. The new feature supports both the front and rear camera on the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G.

2) Fring :

With the new version of Fring all iPhone and Android users can make video calls to friends on desktops or mobile phones. Fring supports video calls over 3G as well as Wi-Fi making it a universally acceptable application unlike Apple’s Facetime feature.

Watch video calling in action between iPhone and Android phone:

3) Tango :

Tango is a peer-to-peer (P2P)  application that is available for  Apple iOS and the Android devices. Tango utilizes your phone’s front-facing and back-facing cameras so that it can leverage the power of smartphones available out there.Any Tango user can make video calls from aniPhone to an Android phone using 4G, Wi-Fi and 3G.  During a call, it is possible to turn on or turn off video, which means toggle between audio call and video call.

4) Movicha :

Movicha is a free app available for jailbroken iOS devices and Android. Movicha allows video chat over both WiFi and 3G. You can have a video chat between iPhone and Android phones with Movicha that can utilize the cameras available. Movicha includes other features like Voice Calling, IM, Presence Group Management, Contact Management, Preference Management.

Though only 4 apps are available now that allows video calling between iPhone and Android other major players like Skype, Nimbuzz and Qik will soon join the party. Stay tuned to hear more.

How to Enable Google Cloud Print on your Computer

As promised the Google Cloud Print is now available for public access. With Google Cloud Print service you can connect your printer to the cloud enabling print on the go. With suitable print ready web and mobile apps you can print documents via cloud from phones by accessing the web connected online printers. The cloud print service works with Google Chrome browser support. Google Cloud printing depends on whether the printer is a cloud-aware printer or not. Also by default Google Chrome OS will use Google Cloud Print for all printing. Just activate the Google Cloud Print connector in Google Chrome and your printer will automatically be available to you from Google Cloud Print enabled web and mobile apps.

The Google Cloud Print Connector is now available for Windows XP, 7 and Vista and support for Mac and Linux is in pipeline.

How to Enable Google Cloud Print connector in Google Chrome:

1) Download and install latest Google Chrome version. Launch it.

2) Click the wrench icon in the upper right hand corner of Google Chrome. Go to ‘Options’ and select ‘Under the Hood’ tab.

3) Hit ‘Sign in to Google Cloud Print’ and sign in using your Google credentials.

4) After signing in you will see a confirmation page.

Now when you are logged in to Google Cloud Print account and hit, print the Cloud Print manager will display printer connected to computer. It can be accessed via cloud from a remote place too.

Make Unlimited Free Phone Calls to US and Canada From Around the World

The Google owned VoIP service called Google Voice has been available to residents of US from last year and lately to UK residents too. The calls to mobile phones and landlines from Google Voice are now free within US and Canada. They even integrated the Google Voice service to Gmail letting users call landlines and mobile phones directly from Gmail. Even though accessible to UK users they can only call to an US phone number for free but cannot receive calls. If you are not in US or UK and try to access Google Voice you will be greeted with a message saying that the service is not available for your country. This suggests that unless Google Voice is accessed from an IP based in US or UK you wont be able to use it.

There are many free VPN services available out there that can fetch you an US or UK based IP address. But most of then being Ad based free services are being heavily used and don’t guarantee access round the clock. But the free VPN service Expat Shield from AnchorFree does an exceptional job by providing free VPN that is reliable and easy to use. Once after installing Expat Shield free VPN on your computer you can access Google Voice without any issues. Thus you can call unlimited to your friends mobile phones in US and Canada for free.

Steps to call landline and mobile phones in US for FREE using Google Voice:

1) Download and install Expat Shield VPN. Expat Shield is offered as a free download at the official website.

2) Go to system tray and right-click on the icon placed by Expat Shield software. Click Connect/ON.

3) Your browser will open a new webpage that displays the Expat Shield VPN connection status. At first the state will be shown as ‘Assigning IP Address’ and then after assigning an IP address to your computer the state will change to ‘Connected’. The page will be redirected to another page displaying ‘Congratulations! Your session is now safe and secure with Expat Shield, world’s only FREE VPN Software’.

4) Now open Gmail and login to your account. Create a Gmail account if you don’t have one.

5) Check if you have installed Google Voice – Video Plugin for your browser to access input and output devices. Check link here to install the plugin.

6) Now make sure you have set the Gmail display language to ‘English (US)’. Check under Settings> General and hit Save Changes. This is necessary for the Google Voice call feature to appear in Gmail.

7) Now the ‘Call phone’ option will appear in the chat window in your Gmail interface. Hit ‘Call phone’ to open a new window where you can punch in US or Canada landline and mobile phone numbers to call for free.

8 ) Enter the required US phone number and click ‘Call’. You will get connected to the user soon.

Voila! You can now call all your friends and clients in US and Canada for FREE. Do share this with your friends.

PS: Since you are not configuring your Google Voice account you cannot receive calls and voice mails. All outgoing calls to US and Canada numbers are free.

Install Gtalk Video Chat App on Rooted Android 2.3 Phones

As reported the Android 2.3.4 update pushed to Nexus S users introduced the all new Gtalk Video chat app that lets users video call with online contacts. As of now the Google video chat app has been made available only to Nexus owners running Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) and others with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) will have to wait. But is you own a rooted Android phone running Android 2.3 and want to test Gtalk video chat app now means go ahead and follow the steps suggested by a XDA Developer forum member below.

The Gtalk v1.3 app supporting video and audio has been extracted from Nexus S and ported to Android 2.3 version. In order to install Gtalk v1.3 on phones other than Nexus you have to root your Android phone, delete the existing stock Gtalk app and edit a core file to delete a code line. Now download and install Gtalk v1.3 .apk file on Android 2.3. The file to be edited is as mentioned below,

File edited: \com\google\android\talk\SigninActivity.smali
Deleted line (#1141): invoke-interface {v4}, Lcom/google/android/gtalkservice/IImSession;->logout()V

Head over to the XDA Developers forum thread for more details on how to do this without bricking your device.

Steps to install Gtalk v1.3 on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread):

adb remount
adb shell mv /system/app/Talk.apk /system/app/Talk.apk1
adb uninstall com.google.android.talk
adb push libtalk_jni.so /system/lib/
adb push Talk2.apk /system/app

Download Gtalk v1.3 .apk with Audio & Video

Source: XDA Developers

How To Get Google Currents iOS & Android Apps Outside US [Tip]

Google’s thirst to take on popular apps and services out there in market is ever lasting. The latest being a Flipboard rival news reader app called Google Currents. Though not the same considering the social aspect of Flipboard, Google Currents mimics the formers clean UI and in app animations to a certain extend. But Currents app serves publishers and content creators very well. With Google Currents ‘producer’ account anyone can create a magazine edition with already existing or a fresh content. Currents available for Android phones, tablets and iOS devices including iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad lets you curate the best content from topics you’re interested in. And the best part of Google Currents is that it lets you read articles even without an active internet connection by downloading blogs and news content on to your mobile device for offline reading.

• Compixels.com is now available on Google Currents too. Subscribe now!!

Like many other Google services Currents too is officially available only in the US. That means all other users living outside the US will have to wait till Google make it available worldwide. If you can’t wait till then the most simple way out to override this restriction is to opt for alternative methods available for app  installation.

How to install Google Currents on iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad):

To install Google Currents on iOS outside US you will have to own a jailbroken iDevice or hold a US app store account. While the former voids warranty and not worth just for installing Currents, creating a US Apple ID is the way to go. Follow this post on Digital Inspiration to create a US app store account even without a valid US credit card. Once after you create a US account, login and download Google Currents. Done.

How to install Google Currents on Android phones/ tablets:

1. Head over to Android settings by hitting Menu button on your phone.

2. Under Settings select ‘Applications’ settings.

3. If unchecked, click “Unknown Sources”. If “Unknown sources” is already checked, skip to step 4.

4. Now download Google Currents .APK file.

5. Open your notifications or the location where the downloaded .APK file is stored and click to install.

6. Click “Install” and then click “Open”.

7. Done!