Line’s Popcorn Buzz: Now have voice chat with 200 people simultaneously for free
After WhatsApp changed the way people communicate and leverage group chats feature to stay in touch with family and friends, we thought not much innovations are left in the space. However, LINE, a leading life platform, has proved us wrong by announcing Popcorn Buzz, a free group call app that allows up to 200 participants to simultaneously talk to each other.
It is an Android app, which aims to replace the expensive costly conference call services. According to LINE, “Popcorn Buzz can be used to talk with friends and family, catch up with classmates, make plans with club members, and more. On top of that, Popcorn Buzz is a perfect replacement for existing paid business-grade conference call services. For users that need to talk to multiple people at once, Popcorn Buzz accommodates both personal and business usage, all for free.”
But before you start jumping with joy and start using it right away (of course, only after downloading it), let’s tell you that calls might be free from tariff, but you will have to still pay for mobile data that you’d use during the call.
To get started with Popcorn Buzz, all you need to do is choose a username and upload a profile picture. Once you create a unique URL for a group call, you can share the URL via email, SMS, or another communication method to start a group call.
LINE adds, “existing LINE users can log in to Popcorn Buzz with their LINE account to immediately synchronise their friends list data and get started making group calls with their LINE friends right away.”
This app is currently available on Android alone, but an upcoming iPhone release is on the cards with the implementation of additional features such as group video chat, inter-connectivity with LINE groups, and more in the future.
Intex launches 4G smartphone Aqau 4G+ with Android 5.0 Lollipop at Rs 9,499
The Indian smartphone manufacturer Intex has launched its 4G smartphone in the Indian market dubbed as Aqua 4G+. The company has priced the smartphone for Rs 9,499 and it will be Black and White colour options. The smartphone comes with support for 4G and 21 regional languages.
Talking about the device, Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, Mobile Business Head, Intex Technologies said, “At Intex, we are happy to now beckon a huge leap in its product portfolio by offering enhanced specifications and features in the newly launched Aqua 4G+ that simply caters to the fast emerging technological necessities in the market at a remarkable price. This innovative product comes across as a package of smart designing, tactical pricing and youthful colors all packaged for our target consumer.”
The Intex Aqua 4G+, features a 5-inch HD display (1280×720 pixels) protected by a coating of Dragontrail glass. The smartphone comes with dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. The device is powered by a 1.3GHz 64-bit quad-core MediaTek MT6735 64-bit processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. On the storage front the smartphone comes with 16GB internal storage which can be expanded further via microSD card.
The Aqua 4G+ flaunts a 13.0-megapixel rear snapper with LED flash and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. The camera of the device is also equipped with live camera filter and slow motion video recording. The connectivity attributes of the smartphone include 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and packs in a 2,300 mAh battery.
Now here is a two in one notebook that is worth its price [Micromax LapTab Review]
![Now here is a two in one notebook that is worth its price [Micromax LapTab Review]](https://www.gadgetbridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Micromax-laptab.jpg "Now here is a two in one notebook that is worth its price [Micromax LapTab Review]")
We have come across several two in one notebooks (basically a tablet with keyboard attachment) from various multi-nationals such as Dell that were pretty darn good, however could not do justice in the price segment. Now another maker has launched a two in one notebook, which definitely justifies the price. Yes, we are talking about the Micromax Laptab.
Design
We have to hand it to Micromax. They did a bit of their homework and have tried to make a great tablet cum notebook in the form of LapTab. The users get a 10.1-inch Windows 8.1 driven tablet with a nice keyboard attachment. The tablet part seems to be well built and can withstand some serious bumps. The power and volume buttons are located on the right of the screen and right above it (on top) users will get the USB charging, audio ports, microSD card and SIM card slots. Users also get twin 2 MP front and rear cameras on the Micromax LapTab.
The keyboard attachment overall size is decent. One can easily clip the tablet to the keyboard. However, the users get just one viewing angle. This means you cannot adjust the screen according to your viewing position. A USB port is also available on the keyboard that can attach any pen drive or mouse to it with plug and play functionality.
Performance
Micromax made the Laptab in association with Microsoft and Intel. This nifty device runs the Intel fourth gen Quad-Core Atom processor with 1.83 GHz clock speed. 2GB RAM and 32 GB memory comes on board too. The storage can be upgraded with the help of a microSD card by up to 64 GB. Microsoft Windows 8.1 comes installed on the Micromax LapTab with the option to upgrade to Windows 10 when it gets released.
We put it to the test and found out that the Micromax LapTab works great when simple applications like MS office and web browsers ran. However, this device is not built for heavy usage or severe multi-tasking. High-end games run shoddily. But, that is not the USP of this two in one. Micromax is giving portability to the users who want a mix of light business and entertainment features.
The 10-inch touchscreen is excellent to work with and it recognises every tap, touch and swipe quickly. HD videos play well on the Micromax Laptab, but the sound lags behind. The loudspeaker is not loud enough and one cannot enjoy a movie or a game without the use of external speakers or headphones. The 2 MP cameras are just about okay for everyday images. Don’t expect picture brilliance here.
Verdict
Micromax is giving the LapTab to users for an impressive price of Rs 14,999 on Amazon India. This includes the keyboard attachment. Moving past that, there is the case of less RAM and storage. Thankfully a microSD card slot is available so it’s not much of an issue.
Overall, we quite liked the device. The keyboard attachment is good. One can easily slide the tablet back out from the clip area and into the keyboard attachment, so that one can carry it like a laptop. We would have appreciated slightly bigger keys, but then again for the screen size this one is fine. The battery life did make an outstanding impact on us. We were able to Squeeze out 10.5 hours of continuous work with the Wi-Fi feature enabled. All in all, the Micromax LapTab is a great option for users who want decent performance and bang for their buck in a portable machine.
Pro:
Excellent battery life
Good Value for money
Nice Touchscreen
Cons
2GB RAM is less
Cannot play high-end games
Keyboard buttons could have been bigger
Chrome for Android gets ‘Touch to Search’ feature
Google has introduced a new feature for Chrome on Android called ‘Touch to Search’. The feature will enable the users to quickly search the contextual information within the browser.
The users just have to touch and select a particular word on the page they are viewing, which will then reveal a small pop up on the bottom of the screen. As soon as the user pulls it up, they will get the relevant search results. This makes it simpler for the users as they no longer have to copy, paste and manually search for the information.
The user can also turn off or on the feature based on their needs and requirements from the settings menu in Chrome. The feature is yet to roll out for the devices
Micromax launches Canvas Knight 2 with 4G support for Rs 16,299
The Indian smartphone manufacturer Micromax has expanded its Canvas series of smartphone with the launch of Canvas Knight 2. The device is said to be the successor of the last year launched Canvas Knight and comes with a price tag of Rs 16,299. The smartphone will be available for grab from 10 June and will come with free Airtel 4G SIM and Airtel 4G Double Data offer.
The Canvas Knight 2 smartphone features a 5-inch HD AMOLED display (1280×720 pixels) protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The back panel of the device is made of glass and is also protected with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The device comes with hybrid dual SIM support and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. Powering the device is a 64-bit Octa-Core Snapdragon 615 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. The internal storage of the smartphone stands at 16GB which can be expanded further using microSD card.
The Micromax Canvas Knight 2comes equipped with a 13.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera to facilitate video calling. The connectivity options of the smartphone include 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 2,260 mAh battery.
Talking about the device, Vineet Taneja, CEO, Micromax Informatics said, “With the launch of our new device Canvas Knight 2, the first in the 4G range, we are looking at driving the next wave of internet evolution in the country. Over the next few months, we are all set to launch a series of 4G LTE enabled devices across a range of price points each addressing unique needs of the Indian consumer. Our popular series of Canvas Fire, Unite, Nitro will gradually move to 4G offerings. With a comprehensive portfolio of quality 4G LTE enabled devices, we are confident of propelling the next wave of mobile internet ecosystem in the country.”
Mango Man launches New Teewe App for Windows Phone Users
Mango Man is the provider of the Teewe app, which was only available on Android and iOS devices. Now they have launched the app for Windows Mobile OS as well. This gives users a unique experience and with the help of Teewe 2 dongle they can watch You Tube shows, browse mobile content and stream music from their mobiles on to the television. Users also have the capability to play and pause programs. The company claims that the application has already surpassed 10,000 downloads on the Windows App store.
Sai Srinivas, CEO, Mango Man Consumer Electronics said, “We were able to very quickly ramp up this development thanks to the guidance and close support of the Microsoft Team. Despite the speed of development, no compromises were made on the user experience across screen sizes etc. The result is one of the most beautiful ways to stream YouTube and other content on your big screen for Windows Users in India till date. We really hope this fulfils the gap felt by the Windows ecosystem when it comes to options for streaming their content on the big screen.”
The Teewe app will work only with the Teewe 2 dongle. The company has priced the Dongle at Rs 2,399. It comes with several hardware improvements for the additional 400 Rupees they are charging now (the original Teewe costs Rs 1,999). Teewe uses a smartphone as a remote control and a content display medium. This content can also be mirrored from a personal computer.
Users who buy the Teewe 2 dongle will also get 2 months free subscription from Eros and 60 GB of free data from Airtel Broadband.
Gigabyte showcases Series 100 Motherboard, with world fastest USB Port
Gigabyte is a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards. They have recently announced that their series 100 motherboards is the first one in the world to feature the new Intel USB 3.1 premium I/O controller onboard. Yes, the new Intel sixth gen Core processor ready motherboards from GIGABYTE sports Intel USB 3.1 premium I/O controller. This offers more protocol compatibility than any other I/O controller. It also provides Display Port 1.2 connectivity and will support Thunderbolt 3 in the coming months.
Key Features of GIGABYTE Intel USB 3.1 Port
Gigabyte has been launching some astonishing motherboards every other week. This Intel USB 3.1 controller is capable of delivering a total speed of 40 GB. It is made to manage the dual USB 3.1 connectivity either through the Type-C or Type-A connector. This means the USB 3.1 controller can deliver true simultaneous and uninterrupted 10 GB speed over both ports. The Gigabyte Series 100 motherboard was released at Taiwan, which has astounding fast transfer support and therefore makes connectivity widely compatible.
This motherboard also has new Type-C connector which is more powerful and versatile. And it is giving people a very popular solution for external storage mounting or monitor connectivity. Over that, the controller supports USB Power Delivery 2.0, so that the USB Type-C can be used to charge your next generation devices such as Tablets.
By the looks of its configuration this motherboard does look like a sure winner and is expected to come to India in the next few months.
HTC One E9+ smartphone available in India for Rs 36,790
HTC launched the E9+ smartphone back in April in India. The company has now revealed the price and availability details of the smartphone. The company has priced the One E9+ for Rs 36, 790 which will be available in Meteor Grey, Gold Sopia and Rose Gold colour options.
Speaking about the device, Faisal Siddiqui, President, HTC South Asia, said, “Our newest HTC One E series builds on the momentum of the flagship phones with sophistication and style. The HTC One E9+ dual sim, continues to build on HTC’s innovation and design, with a 2K 13.97 cm (5.5-inch) large display, 20 mega-pixel camera, and a MediaTek Helio X10 processor and 8*2GHz octa-core chipset. Our popular UltraPixel is now on the front facing camera with tons of features, HTC BoomSound with Dolby Audio Surround and more, all this in a slim form factor. We are certain that this offering will delight many of our consumers.”
Those unaware, the HTC One E9+ flaunts a 5.5-inch Quad HD display with 2560×1440 pixels resolution. The device runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system topped with HTC Sense UI and is powered by a 2GHz 64-bit Octa-Core MediaTek Helio X10 processor. The smartphone comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage which can be expanded via microSD card. The device comes with dual front facing BoomSound speakers with Dolby Audio.
The smartphone packs in a 20.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and an UltraPixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. The connectivity options of the device include 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 2,800 mAh battery.
The HTC One E9+ will be available for purchase starting today on all major retail and online stores across the country.
Snapdeal to offer ‘90 minutes reverse pick-ups’ service
Snapdeal the leading Indian e-retailer has partnered with gojavas has introduced industry first service for customers – ‘90 minutes reverse pick-ups’. The company has presently introduced the service in 15 cities, which will enable the customers to return or replace their order within 90 minutes.
Talking about the new service, Ashish Chitravanshi, Vice President Operations, Snapdeal, said, “Snapdeal and gojavas have been working together to augment the logistics ecosystem in the country by bringing innovative customer-focused solutions. The 90-minute reverse pick-up facility is a continuing collaborative effort to design insightful logistics solutions that strengthen our supply chain infrastructure. Our association helps us create unique offerings basis Snapdeal’s insights into customers’ everyday shopping needs and gojavas’ understanding of logistics and delivery challenges, with the ultimate focus on delivering customer delight.”
On the other hand, elaborating on the new service go-90, Mohib Rub, Head, Last Mile Operations, gojavas, said, “This strategic partnership with Snapdeal has acted as a huge catalyst in fast-tracking go-to market for innovations gojavas was pursuing on its own earlier. Both the teams are looking to expand this service to all the 300 cities within our network in the next 3-5 months”
The company has also stated that it will be expanding the service to other 300 cities within next 3 to 5 months. Moreover, Snapdeal will also be starting 4-hour deliveries in the next few months across 10 cities in the country.
HTC launches Desire 326G dual SIM smartphone in India for Rs 9,059
The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer HTC has expanded its Desire series with the launch Desire 326G dual SIM smartphone. The company has launched the smartphone in India with a price tag of Rs 9,590 and it will be available in the colour options of White Birch and Black Onyx.
Speaking about the device, Faisal Siddiqui, President, HTC South Asia, said, “The Desire 326G dual sim is a great phone for every day, we have created a classy and stylishly design smartphone with great features. HTC Desire 326G dual sim is made of strong polycarbonate material, and is designed to fit just nice in your hands. It is also comfortable to hold and featured packed at an incredible value, a phone for everyone.”
Talking about the specifications, the HTC Desire 326G dual SIM features a 4.5-inch display with 854×480 pixels resolution. The dual SIM smartphone runs on Android 4.4 KitKat operating system topped with HTC Sense UI. Powering the device is a 1.2 GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SC7731G processor paired with 1GB of RAM. The inbuilt storage of the device accounts to 8GB which is further expandable using microSD card.
The smartphone sports an 8.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2.0-megapixel secondary camera for clicking selfies. The device houses a 2,000 mAh battery and offers 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS as connectivity options.
The company will also be offering 3 months of unlimited music and video downloads from Hungama and also the discount of Rs 5,000 from Myntra for all the customers.