Diagnose the HTC hardware function with HTC Function Test (*#*#3424#*#*)

The HTC Android smartphones including the new HTC Butterfly and the HTC One series come with a hidden diagnostic software that enables you to test on its parts and hardware.

Just go to the phone dialer and dial this sequent: *#*#3424#*#*

The HTC Function Test diagnostic software will be brought up.

The tests available are:

• Audio test
• Backlight test
• Bluetooth test
• Button test
• Charger test
• Flashlight test
• G-Sensor test
• Headset test
• LED test
• Light-sensor test
• Line drawing test
• P-sensor test
• SD card + camera test
• Vibrator test
• Wi-Fi test

You can tap on the "Select All" button and then the "Run" button to run all the tests above. If you are unable to see the "Run" button on your screen, just scroll down the screen. It is located at the bottom.

There are some more tests available after you tap on the "More" button:

• Battery test
• Device information
• Factory data reset
• AGPS test
• Hardware information
• Live call test
• Safe mode
• Software version
• Line drawing test (no time-limit)

This HTC Function Test is particularly useful when you want to buy a new or used HTC Android smartphone. You might want to make sure the phone is working perfectly before making your payment to the seller.

Are we heading towards a new secular bull market?

The investment sentiment has been gaining momentum recently, especially after the general election.

Some of my chartist friends who use technical analysis in their investment mentioned that the next secular bull market is now right in our doorstep.

If you search the Internet now for the keyword "secular bull market", you will find a handful of articles supporting this bullish view in the worldwide market. You can also easily find the long term DJIA chart similar to the one below in those articles.

Meanwhile, layman investors and other who don't rely much on technical analysis in their investment are also remembering the previous super bull run which started in 1983, 1993, and 2003. So, will the history repeat again in 2013?

To me, I am more than happy to see the next secular bull market formation right now and ride on the bull for the next couple of years (if our chartist friends are correct in their analysis and prediction now).

On the other hand, if the secular bull market delays and not happening in this year or next year, I will also not be disappointed, because you and me have already survive through the past 14 years of secular bear market, aren't we?

If the secular bull market come, it will be a great bonus to all of us in the stock market. If it hasn't come yet, then it is just life as normal.

What do you think?

Check how strong is your password and how long to hack it

Is your password easy or difficult to be hacked?

Intel has created a webpage to check how strong is your password and theoretically how long to hack it.

Check it out! Click here to go to the password checking webpage to grade your password.

If you are staying in USA, you can also enter the Password Win sweepstake there between 6 May 2013 to 26 May 2013. Prizes consist of 3 grand prizes (Intel Ultrabook worth US$999.99) and 30 first prizes  (McAfee All Access software worth US$99.99).

The password analysing algorithm is written in JavaScript and run on your own computer. You can inspect it with the "view source" function of your web browser. The password you type there would not be sent out to the Internet.