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.
HTC unveils One ME Dual SIM smartphone with octa-core processor and 20-megapixel camera
The smartphone manufacturer HTC has launched yet another high-end smartphone, the HTC One ME Dual SIM in China. The company has not yet divulged any details about the availability and pricing of the device. However, the smartphone will be available in the colour options of Meteor Grey, Gold Sepia, and Rose Gold. As the name suggests the smartphone comes with Dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system with HTC Sense UI on top.
The device flaunts a 5.2-inch WQHD (1440×2560 pixels) display and is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek Helio X10 processor. MediaTek launched this processor at MWC this year and it is the first smartphone to have the Helio X10 processor. The smartphone offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by using a microSD card.
The HTC One ME Dual SIM smartphone sports a 20.0-megapixel rear camera and a 4.0-Ultrapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. The device comes equipped with a fingerprint sensor, gyroscope, digital compass, proximity sensor and accelerometer. Along with this, it also consists of HTC Boomsound dual front speakers powered by Dolby Audio. The connectivity attributes of the smartphone include 4G, LTE, 3G, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS and houses a 2,840 mAh battery.
ASUS launches amazing new products at Computex exhibition, Taiwan including a top of the line graphic card
ASUS is a well-known brand for computer products such as motherboards and graphic cards. A leading enterprise in the new digital era, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home and office.
ASUS recently announced new products at Computex 2015. These include new gaming gear from ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), ROG-series gaming monitors and peripherals, some new graphic cards et al. They have also released the new ASUS Z170 motherboard that is based on the upcoming 6th-generation Intel Core CPU.
Asus also showcased some more exciting products at the Nangang Exhibition Hall at Computex 2015, which include the complete ASUS USB 3.1 product family. Over that, they also launched the Strix GTX 980Ti graphics card and 4K/UHD (ultra-high-definition) displays.
Key Features of the ASUS Strix GTX 980Ti
Asus has been launching some great graphic cards every now and then. Another one in their prestigious kitty is the Strix GTX 980Ti. This one released at Computex 2015 is the latest enthusiast-gaming graphics card, with ASUS-exclusive DirectCU III technology and a triple-wing-blade 0dB fan design.
This graphic card also has ASUS Auto-Extreme technology with Super Alloy Power II components for aerospace-grade quality and reliability. This graphic card is expected to come to India in the coming few months. Stay tuned as we bring you more news from Computex 2015.
Soon you would find Android technology on Mahindra & Mahindra XUV 500 and Scorpio
Google’s Android Auto technology would soon make its way in Mahindra & Mahindra SUVs. As per a top company executive, M&M plans to offer Google Inc’s Android Auto technology in its XUV 500 and Scorpio.
While the company hasn’t specified any timeline by when this technology would be available on its SUVs, they have divulged what it would let its owners do. For instance, the technology will help
owners link their smart phones and tablets with the in-vehicle infotainment system.
Over that the driver can also access applications like maps through voice command or by using controls on the steering wheel.
The company, part of the $17 billion Mahindra Group, also said it has become a member of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), a global group of automakers and technology companies working to bringing the Android platform to cars.
Micromax launches Canvas Tab P690 3G calling tablet for Rs 8,999
The domestic smartphone manufacturer Micromax has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Canvas Tab P690. The voice calling tablet features an 8-inch HD display with 1280×800 pixels resolution. The tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat operating system which is further upgradable to and is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor.
The Canvas Tab P690 offers 1GB of RAM and 8GB on internal storage which can be further expanded to 32GB using a microSD card. The device sports a 5.0-megapixel rear camera and a 2.0-megapixel front facing camera to facilitate video calling. The connectivity options of the tablet include 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS.
Talking about the device, Vineet Taneja, CEO, Micromax Informatics, said, “Today, we are launching our new Canvas Tab P690-a perfect family tab. Our research has made it clear that there is a large segment of consumers who would value a technology device that can be shared between the family members, and so we’ve created a powerful yet affordable Tablet powered by Intel, aimed at helping family members enjoy the big screen of the Tablet for the things they love, including Movies, Games, Music, Reading and so on. More such products with sharply defined positioning will follow in the next few weeks and months.”
The company has priced the Canvas Tab P690 for Rs 8,999 and it will be available in brushed metallic grey color along with a free flip cover worth Rs 1,500. The company is also offering various freebies with its such as 1GB of free data for 2 months for Vodafone customers, 6 free Kindle E-books, 6 months of free premium Truecaller subscription, 3 months of free Saavn premium subscription, free 1 month Hello TV subscription and many others.
BSNL users rejoice: No roaming charges would be applicable June 15 onwards!
Guess what the state-run operator is planning to do to fetch more customers? It is planning to offer roaming services to its customers for free. Yes, we ain’t kidding!
While presenting the one-year report card of the Narendra Modi government in the telecom sector, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad announced that BSNL will offer free national roaming from June 15. This offer would be applicable to all BSNL users and would be effective for at least one year. BSNL will reassess the scheme after a year to decide if they should continue or discontinue the scheme.
This is the second attempt from the state-run operator’s end to get more users onboard. Earlier, it had reduced its roaming tariff by 40% for incoming calls.
Intex launches Aqua 3G Pro and Aqua 3G Strong budget Android smartphones
The Indian smartphone manufacturer Intex has expanded its Aqua series of smartphones with the launch of two new budget smartphones the Aqua 3G Pro and the Aqua 3G Strong. The smartphones are similar in terms of specifications except for the storage. The Intex Aqua 3G Pro offers 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 32GB. On the other hand, the Intex Aqua 3G Strong comes with 256Mb of RAM and 512MB internal storage which can also be expanded using microSD card.
Talking about the other specifications, both the smartphones flaunts a 4.5-inch display (800x480pixels) protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top. The dual SIM devices runs in Android 4.4 KitKat operating system and are powered by a 1GHz Spreadtrum SC7715 processor. The smartphones sports a 2.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 0.3-megapixel front facing camera. On the connectivity front the smartphones offers, 3G,WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 1,400 mAh battery.
Speaking about the two new smartphones, Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, Mobile Business Head, Intex Technologies said, “The dual announcement cements our purpose of creating the economically attractive and technically luring smartphones. These two new offerings are almost identical in nature and come with the Corning Gorilla glass and the stunning brush metal finish. These two new offerings are designed for the mass market and are a great package of features, design and the right pricing.”
The company has priced the Intex Aqua 3G Pro for Rs 3,666 and the Intex Aqua 3G Strong for Rs 3,333. Both the smartphones will be available in Black, Silver and Champagne colour options.
Intex Aqua 3G Pro specifications
- 4-inch (800 x 480 pixels) display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- 1GHz Spreadtrum SC7715 processor with Mali 400 GPU
- 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD
- Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS
- Dual SIM
- 2MP rear camera with LED Flash
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- Dimensions: 125.2×63.3×10 mm
- 3G,WiFi 802.11 b/g/n,Bluetooth, GPS
- 1400mAh battery
- 4-inch (800 x 480 pixels) display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- 1GHz Spreadtrum SC7715 processor with Mali 400 GPU
- 256MB RAM, 512MB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD
- Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS
- Dual SIM
- 2MP rear camera with LED Flash
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- Dimensions: 122.2×63.3×10.1 mm
- 3G,WiFi 802.11 b/g/n,Bluetooth, GPS
- 1400mAh battery
PHICOMM Passion 660 smartphone with 13MP camera, 5-inch display launched for Rs 10,999 via Amazon
It seems that the Chinese smartphone manufacturers are seeing huge potential in the Indian smartphone market. Last month companies like Nubia and Meizu entered the Indian smartphone market. Now, another Chinese firm Phicomm has entred the Indian market with the launch of their flagship device the Passion 660.
The company will be selling the smartphone exclusively through Amazon.in at a price of Rs 10,999. The smartphone will be up for grab starting 9th June and will be available in Black and White colour options.
Speaking at the launch, Zheng Min – CEO of PHICOMM, said, “PHICOMM Passion 660 is an innovative smartphone which reflects the distinctive needs of the Indian consumers. Indian smartphone market is constantly evolving and consumers here are looking for unique smartphones with advanced features and high standards to gain the maximum experience. Our strong in-house research and development team have helped in customizing the smart phone especially for the Indian consumers.”
Talking about the specification, Passion 660 flaunts a 5-inch full HD display with 1080×1920 pixels resolution. The display of the device is protected by a coating of Corning Gorilla glass 3. The smartphone comes with dual SIM functionality and runs on Android KitKat 4.4 operating system topped with company’s Expect UI.
Powering the device is a 1.5 GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. The inbuilt storage of the device stands at 16GB which can be expanded up to 64GB via microSD card. The smartphone offers hybrid SIM support which enables the user to use the second SIM slot for expanding the storage.
The Passion 660 comes equipped with a 13.0-megapixel rear camera and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. On the connectivity front, the smartphone offers 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The company also states that the device is capable of supporting global 4G roaming. The smartphone also comes with an inbuilt pedometer that tracks how much you walk in a day and the calories burnt. It also has gesture recognition and built-in barometer.
Samsung launches two new curved SUHD LED TV’s in India
TV’s these days are becoming bigger and better. Samsung just launched two new curved SUHD (basically ultra high definition TV’s, we are still unclear what the S stands for) TV’s in the Indian market with 65-inch and 55-inch screen size.
Besides being able to run UHD content these LED TV’s have smart features. Both the TV’s run Tizen Operating System on which viewers can watch YouTube videos and browse applications.
Mr. Alok Pathak, Head-Retail Sales, Samsung India Electronics, said, “Samsung has set a new industry standard for the best picture quality available today. As the first ‘S’ branded TV, Samsung’s SUHD TV is designed to offer an outstanding viewing experience with sensational picture quality, seamless interaction and ultra-stylish design. We will continue our innovative heritage and push the boundaries of the home entertainment experience to new possibilities.”
Some key features of the Samsung curved SUHD LED TV’s:
- The new user interface for Samsung’s Smart Hub is more responsive and playful, allowing user’s easier access to the content they want. It is simplified to just one screen, displaying your most recent content and tailored content recommendations for even more entertainment options.
- Consumers can share video content from their Samsung smart phone to their Smart TV with the press of a button and users can watch TV through their mobile devices without any apps or complicated pre-settings.
- Samsung Smart TV owners can wake-up a bit easier with Briefing on TV. Samsung Smart TVs now act as an alarm, and sync up with Samsung mobile devices, to turn on and display important items such as the time, weather and your schedule for the day.
Meizu launches m2 note smartphone with octa-core SoC, 4G support
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Meizu has announced the successor of last year launched m1 note smartphone. The new m2 note smartphone bring a major change in both the designed and specifications department.
The Meizu m2 note features a 5.5-inch display with 1920×1080 pixels resolution protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The dual SIM smartphone offers 4G support and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with Flyme OS on top. Powering the device is a 1.3GHz 64-bit Octa-Core MediaTek MT6753 processor with eight Cortex-A53 64-bit CPUs paired with 2GB of RAM.
The company has introduced two variants of the m2 note in terms of the storage capacity. There is a 16GB and a 32GB variant which can expanded up to 128GB using microSD card. The smartphone comes equipped with a 13.0-megapixel camera with LED flash at the rear end and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera to facilitate video calling.
On the connectivity front, the Meizu m2 note offers 4G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. The device houses a 3,100 mAh battery and is available in Grey, Blue, Pink and White colour options. The company has priced the 16GB version for $ 129 (Approx. Rs 8,220) and the 32GB version $ 161 (Approx. Rs 10,284). However, the company has not yet revealed any details about the global roll out of the device.
BlackBerry rolls out update for its BBM app for Android
BlackBerry has rolled out a Material Design update for BMM for Android platform. The update will introduce a more colourful and attractive UI and some new features in order to improve the chatting experience of the users.
BlackBerry has also added the feature of Private Chats, which will enable the users to chat privately. Moreover, the private chat will automatically get deleted after sometime. The app has also received a new replace button, which will let you to edit the sent message.
After the update, the users will be able to share the status updates directly from the news feed. BlackBerry said that the BBM for Android is still in the beta version and can be downloaded for the Google Play store.
Last month, BlackBerry updated the BBM app for Windows Phone and added BBM Channels which enables the users to connect in real-time and discover the content with each other.
Panasonic launches Eluga S mini selfie smartphone for Rs 8,990
Panasonic has launched a mini version of its popular Selfie smartphone the Eluga S. Named as the Eluga S mini the smartphone features a 4.7-inch HD display with 720×1280 pixels resolution. The dual SIM device runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system topped with company’s FIT HOME UI.
The smartphone is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM. The internal storage of the device accounts to 8GB which can be expanded up to 32GB using a microSD card. The Eluga S mini flaunts an 8.0-megapixel snapper with LED flash at the end and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. The front camera also offers the eye-definition BLINK PLAY, which allows the users to click flawless selfies or groupies.
The connectivity options of the device include 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and its houses a 1,980 mAh battery.
Talking about the Panasonic Eluga S mini, Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Panasonic India said, “With the launch of the new smartphone, we are here to offer a new dimension to the Eluga S category; wherein the model has been targeted at the younger generation – the always-on-the-go college youth. Keeping in mind the affordability aspect, this device is perfect for consumers looking for innovation, design, superior build quality and advanced features.”
The company has priced the Panasonic Eluga S mini for Rs 8,990. The company launched the the Eluga S last year in November at a price of Rs 11,190.
Micromax launches Canvas Doodle 4 with 6-inch qHD display at Rs 9,499 in India
We knew it was coming but we weren’t expecting it here to be in the Indian market so early. We are talking about Micromax’s Canvas Doodle 4, the fourth variant to the Canvas Doodle line-up. The company has launched the smartphone soon after it sent out a teaser message to media.
So, what new does the Micromax previous Canvas Doodle 4 bring to the table? Not much, which would help it overcome the competition that already exists in the under 10k price range.
Canvas Doodle 4 is a dual-SIM phone running on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS. With its 6-inch qHD display, it falls into the phablet category and has enough power under its hood. You’d get a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek (MTK6582M) processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage and an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. For connectivity, it has Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi.
But would these specs alone help the Canvas Doodle 4 take on the likes of Xiaomi, Asus and Lenovo phones available in the same price range? Please stay tuned for an in-depth review of the device very soon!
Asus Zenfone 2 has serious potential to be the market leader (Review)
After a long while we have held a phone that has so much potential to be a market leader in its segment. Asus Zenfone 2 is a phone that has the qualities to give any smartphone, around the 20K mid segment category, a run for its money.
Design
The Asus Zenfone 2 is a bulky yet well-built phone. Looks-wise the phone is not bad at all. Available in an array of colours we got to play around with the grey one. The plastic body has a brushed metallic finish, which just feels nice to hold. You get a large 5.5-inch touchscreen display that will display full HD 1080 graphics.
At the rear users get a nice volume rocker under the camera. This is somewhat similar to the one we got on the LG phones. The body is slightly curved from the back so that one can grip the phone in a better manner. The rear 13 MP camera comes with Dual LED flash. Users will also get the feather touch buttons under the screen for going to the homescreen and back to the previous place or menu.
Performance
The Asus Zenfone 2 excels when it comes to under the hood performance. Asus gave this baby everything except the bathroom tub. To start with, this phone runs an Intel Atom 2.3 GHz Quad-Core processor with 4 GB RAM. Yes, you read that correctly the Asus Zenphone 2 has 4 gigs off RAM. This not only makes the phone boot up quickly, but also makes all the apps and games run smoothly.
The phone also has 64 GB on board memory that can be expanded by a MicroSD card. The phones battery cannot be removed, but Asus does give you a large 3,000 mAh battery. This lasted for about 20 hours of use with 3G on and scattered Wi-Fi use.
The cameras on this phone are not bad. The 13 MP rear camera did give us good pictures in well lit areas. However, we had to make use of the flash once the lights died down. The camera performance goes down considerably when clicking in low light. The same goes for the front shooter. You get brilliant selfie shots in daylight, but not so much at night.
The display of the phone is outstanding. We enjoyed every bit of the gaming and movie experience. The sound of the loudspeaker is right up the alley. We would have appreciated a tad more bass.
Verdict
The Asus Zenfone 2 is built for performance and does not clinch a muscle even when the most demanding games and applications are thrown at it. The mobile comes with the latest Android Lolipop OS and some neat apps right out of the box. Asus Zenfone 2 smartphone supports dual SIM cards, which is another plus in its report card. Overall, for a price of 22,990 we quite liked the phone as it showed great results and potential.
Pros
Excellent performance
Brilliant screen
Cons
Battery not removable
Cameras could have been better
Lava’s Flair P1 is the new affordable 3G in the town; priced at Rs 3,399
The home-grown smartphone companies seem to be doing decent business in the Indian market. Why else would they be launching one phone after another and that too at a price which leading smartphone brands can never match. Lava is one such brand and they have now come up with an affordable 3G smartphone, which is named Lava Flair P1.
Priced at Rs 3,399, the Flair P1 is an Android phone running on 4.4 KitKat. Its other specs are just basic; you get a 4-inch WVGA screen, 1 GHz processor, 2 GB internal memory expandable up to 32 GB, a 2MP rear camera along with a VGA front-shooter. What we really find strange is the inclusion of just 256MB RAM; how on earth would the phone perform on 3G with this low-powered innards, we wonder. No, we are not writing it off yet as we haven’t checked its performance but…
In terms of connectivity, Flair P1 offers 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB 2.0, and draws power from a 1,400mAh battery. On the connectivity front, Flair P1 comes with (apart from 3G connectivity) 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v2.1, and USB 2.0.
FiiO launches X3 second gen music player in India for Rs 14,599
We still remember the time when the world saw Steve Jobs showcasing the first iPod. The music player industry has come a long way since then. The latest to enter the Indian music market is FiiO X3 second generation music player.
This player has got a new design and upgraded circuit system that will give better resonance to its listeners. FiiO X3 music player supports popular playback formats such as WAV, FLAC, APE, WMA, ALAC, and AIFF. It weighs 135 grams and has 2,600 mAh battery, which can be charged using the micro USB port. For storage users can insert up to 128 GB MicroSD card in this music player. FiiO X3 second gen also has a 2-inch colour screen on it.
The FiiO X3 has two crystal oscillators, one each for the 44.1kHz and 48kHz frequency multiples. The no-compromise design on this music player ensures least crackling and uppermost accuracy for playback of melody at all sample rates. The FiiO X3 second gen is available on most offline and online stores for Rs 14,599.
The FiiO X3 has two crystal oscillators, one each for the 44.1kHz and 48kHz frequency multiples. The no-compromise design on this music player ensures least crackling and uppermost accuracy for playback of melody at all sample rates. The FiiO X3 second gen is available on most offline and online stores for Rs 14,599. SnapDeal sent an interesting infographic that shows Micromax and InFocus are ruling the mobile market
SnapDeal celebrated the Indian Mobile Day on 25 May, where they sold hundreds of mobiles to Indian customers through their app and website. They sent out an infographic that shows Micromax and InFocus mobiles were the most popular brands in North and South India respectively (during the sale). 70% of the mobiles purchased ran Android OS and selfie phones were exceptionally popular.
Other Key Findings:
- 75% of sales were for budget phones priced below INR 10,000
- 34% of sales accounted by tier III cities
- 40% of sales occurred on APP platform
- Sold 10X more than the average day’s sales
- 80% customers bought selfie phones
- 40% share of sales in Punjab were accounted for by iPhones
- 55% sales in Bihar were driven through APP
- 45% of sales in Delhi were for premium phones
- 40% of Tier III sales were driven through APP same as Tier I
- Most popular brand in the North MICROMAX
- Most popular brand in the South INFOCUS
Sony Xperia C4 first look and hands on Video
Here is the first look video of Sony Xperia C4.
Inside, the Sony Xperia C4 has a MediaTek 1.7 GHz Octa-core CPU combined with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB on-board memory. Like the M4 this phone also has an additional slot to upgrade storage. However, the Sony Xperia C4 is not water proof. The phone is powered by a 2,600 mAh battery, which is supposed to give the users over 12 hours of talk time. A 13 MP auto focus camera comes as part of the package. The price is still not out.