Sony Xperia C4 first look and hands on Video

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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.

HP launches two new laptops in India

Finally, we see HP back at the front of the table. They launched two new laptops in India. The first one is called HP Omen, which is built specifically for gamers. The main USP of this laptop, besides being built for extreme performance, is that it has Bang and Olufsen speaker system within. Made for the ultimate gaming experience HP Omen comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M 4GB gaming graphics and an Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor, along with a 1920 x 1080 full high definition display.  The HP Omen features a customizable back-lit keyboard with six programmable function keys and weighs just 2.12kgs. The HP Omen is also 19.9mm thick. “By introducing new range of notebooks with Bang and Olufsen, HP is looking to blend high end technology seamlessly into the lifestyle of the new age consumer enabling the consumers enjoy rich and immersive audio experience,” said Ketan Patel, director  personal systems, Printing and Personal Systems, HP India. “We are thrilled to work with Bang & Olufsen to create exceptional sound experiences for customers through HP Notebooks.” The next notebook is for the music lovers. Called the HP Pavillion 15 with B&O play, this notebook comes with a Full HD display, fifth generation Intel Core CPU’s and gradient dual tone finish. “Bang & Olufsen and B&O PLAY have had an unprecedented legacy of delivering great music and audio experiences to its patrons via various forms of media. We are extremely thrilled to partner with a global IT brand like HP to deliver seamless audio experience through their latest Pavilion notebooks. Having integrating Bang & Olufsen systems with luxury automotive brands such as Aston Martin, BMW, Audi & Mercedes AMG; this new collaboration is the hallmark and extension of Bang & Olufsen’s philosophy of engaging with consumer’s lifestyle at a new levels.” said Gaganmeet Singh, MD, Bang & Olufsen India. The HP Omen does demand the users to shell out a lot. One can get it for Rs 1,59,990. However, the HP Pavillion 15 with B&O play is available for a modest Rs 44,490.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua First Look Video

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Sony launched the Xperia M4 Aqua. Here is the first look of the phone. Stay tuned as we brings you the review of the device very soon.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4 get launched in India

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After long we saw Sony holding a press conference to launch a phone. Today they launched not one but two phones in the Indian market. The first one to come from their factory is the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. This phone is the mid-segment smartphone, which is water and dust proof. One can dunk the phone in water and nothing will happen to it. Sony Xperia M4 Aqua was showcased first at MWC 2015 and got some rave comments from reviewers all over the world. This phone has a 5-inch IPS display, which supports HD graphics. Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is powered by a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core 1.5 GHz CPU that comes with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB Memory. Memory can be upgraded with the help of a microSD card. The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua also has 13 MP rear camera as well as 5 MP front shooter. Sony claims that this phone is exceptional when it comes to low light and dark room photography. The next phone in line is the Sony Xperia C4. This is the upgrade the C3 and Sony emphasised on the fact that the C4 is built for selfie lovers. The Xperia C4 has a 5.5-inch touchscreen that has 5 MP front clicker with LED flash on top. Now this is the first of its kind that we have seen on a mainstream phone. 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 Sony Xperia M4 is available for Rs 23,990 as MOP and the price of Xperia C4 is still being set.

Celkon Campus Q405 available exclusively on Snapdeal for Rs 3,199

Not many of you might have heard of a Celkon smartphone, but it does exist. Based in Hyderabad, this company has launched couple of devices in the Indian market so far, and Campus Q405 is the most recent one. Celkon Campus Q405 is a 3G-enabled, dual SIM smartphone currently retailing on Snapdeal and is priced at a modest Rs 3,199. The phone would be available exclusively on the e-commerce website. It is an Android device running on the Android 4.4.2 version. It is not a powerful machine as far as its specs are concerned, but for the price it is offering an okay-ish configuration. You get 4-inch HVGA display, 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, dual cameras, expandable memory up to 32 GB, and 1500mAh batter. For connectivity it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For the basic user who wants jump onto the smartphone bandwagon, this phone could be the right stepping stone

Soon Kejriwal will give free Internet to Delhi!

Free Wi-Fi was one of the promises that the Aam Aadmi Party made when it contested the Delhi Lok Sabha elections for the second time. But, no concrete steps were being taken to give Delhiites what they were promised; and no, we are not talking about other amenities but just the Internet. Now, it seems Mr Arvind Kejriwal has decided to gift Delhiites free Wi-Fi access by February next year. Really? Next year? That’s a long wait right, but better late than never. So, hopefully we will all be accessing free Wi-Fi at prominent public places in and Delhi. But, before you start jumping with joy, we would like to tell that this facility would be given to residents on the basis of limited data usage. The government might float an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the project by the end of this month, and ask companies to submit their Request for Proposal (RfP) in June. So, while the infrastructure gets up and running, what Delhi government would let you access for free using Wi-Fi includes: browsing, social media websites (Facebook/Twitter), email, WhatsApp and other basic services. However, you might have to pay for watching videos, video chat and downloading content. “We will work on ensuring a minimum speed of 512Kbps to each user to make it a better experience. We will be very strict on user experience and uninterrupted service,” Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of IT, Adarsh Shastri told PTI. The government is considering fixing the data usage to 50MB per day but a call is yet to be taken in that regard.

The best and top Cloud Storage Services one can buy instantly

Cloud storage along with its wide range of software applications has paved its way to new digital era. Both businesses and personal users are enraptured with the idea of having access to their digital baggage at any point of time from any location. Indian Cloud Computing market is at the threshold of escalation and is anticipated to increase its market share manifold, leading to Cloud Wars. The many players in the market can make decision making to the right cloud a tedious task. The factors that need to be evaluated depend upon the need of the user, integration with various operating systems and mobile apps, security, speed, storage space, pricing of additional cloud, apps available etc. Below are alphabetical listed, ten popular cloud vendors with their strengths and weaknesses. Apple iCloud Drive
  • Free Storage – 5GB
  • Price – 20GB for 99 cents per month, 200GB for $3.99 per month and $19.99 per month for 1TB
  • File Size Limit – 15GB
  • Operating Systems – Mac, Windows, Web, iOS
  • Strengths – Well integrated with Apple office apps, easy to install on Windows computers, has a good Web interface, account included with an iOS or OS X devise.
  • Weaknesses – Expensive especially for increased storage, lacks ease of use, centralizing files gets difficult even with Apple apps.
 Box
  • Free Storage – 10GB
  • Price – $5 per month per user for 100GB of storage space, $60 per annum.
  • File Size Limit – 250MB with free account, 2GB with starter account.
  • Operating Systems– Windows, Mac, Linux (partial), Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Web, Windows phone.
  • Strengths– Compatible with other services, quick responsive apps, efficient file syncing easy to use, well designed for collaboration, online tools for creating or commenting on documents, allows integration with a wide range of apps and services
  • Weakness – not a complete solution for an online office suite.
 Certain Safe
  • Free Storage – None
  • Price – $8.77 per month per user for 5GB, $105.24 per annum.
  • File Size Limit – 2GB
  • Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Android, iOS.
  • Strengths – Security (safe messaging and secure file sharing), certified for HIPAA and other standards, easy to use, microEncryption technology, highly scalable, from individual to any size of business., Administrator console for user management.
  • Weaknesses – Entire folder needs to be shared and not just the file, File transfer protected only by SSL, possible to accidentally remove administrative power from all users.
 Code42 CrashPlan
  • Free Storage – If storage is supplied by the user it is free (whether attached to your computer or on the internet).
  • Price – Unlimited storage for $59.99 per year, $149.99 per year family plan has unlimited storage.
  • File Size limit – None
  • Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Android, iOS, Windows phone.
  • Strengths – Backup to your remote computers, fast, easy to use, and very flexible, well designed interface, unlimited storage plan, fast file processing and uploading, strong security options
  • Weakness – Limited Web and mobile interface, no file sharing, no file explorer integration.
 Dropbox
  • Free Storage– 2GB
  • Price – Dropbox Pro: $9.99 per month or $ 99 perb annum for 1TB of space. Business: $ 15 per month per user, with a minimum of 5 users.
  • File Size Limit – 10GB, unlimited with Desktop clients.
  • Operating systems– Windows,- Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, Symbian, BlackBerry, OS, MeeGo Harmattan, Windows iPhone and web browsers.
  • Strengths – Compatibility with other services, dependable serve r(no downtime), Seamless file synchronization, wide array of apps for various operating systems, easy to install, file sharing, allows access to deleted files, tight OS integration.
  • Weaknesses – Collaboration of files and their location.
Google Drive Cloud Storage
  • Free Storage – 15GB
  • Price – $1.99 per month for 100GB, 1TB for $9.99 per month and $119.88 per annum.
  • File Size Limit – 5TB
  • Operating systems – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web, Chrome.
  • Strengths – Extremely efficient collaborative office suite, includes file syncing and offline access to documents, built in OCR technology searches PDF’s, images,etc.
  • Weaknesses – No de-duping tools for photos, privacy can be a concern, since it’s a Google product.
Hightail Cloud Storage
  • Free Storage -2GB
  • Price – $15.99 per user per month gives unlimited storage (professional account), unlimited for $191.88 per annum.
  • File Size Limit – 250MB with free account, 10GB with professional account.
  • Operating Systems
  • Strengths – E- signature and provides confirmation of file delivery, includes simple file syncing, wide range of security features for file sharing.
  • Weaknesses – Integration with other services and storage repositories, need at least two apps and the web or a mobile app to use completely.
iDrive
  • Free Storage – 5GB
  • Price – 1TB storage for $59.50 per year
  • File Size Limit – None
  • Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, web, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Linux/Unix
  • Strengths – Continuous backup, disc image backup, easy to set up, can use unlimited devices in one account, folder syncing, file archiving, file explorer integration, hard drive for mailing in data.
  • Weaknesses – Slightly slow in performance.
Microsoft’s Onedrive Cloud Storage
  • Free Storage – 15GB
  • Price – 1TB for $83.88 per year.
  • File Size Limit – 10GB
  • Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web, Windows Phone, Windows Tablet, Xbox..
  • Strengths – Collaboration, Microsoft office 365 included with 1TB purchase., clear interface, web interface to all files and media, can get any file from a PC, excellent photo presentation and slideshows and tagging, low cost. Flexible, clients for Mac, iOS, Android and Windows.
  • Weaknesses – Search in iOS and Android apps is not possible, No audio streaming or playing.
 Sugar Sync
  • Free Storage – None
  • Price – 100GB for $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year, 500GB for $39.99 per month or $249.99 for the first year and discounted to $124.99 in the next year.
  • File Size Limit – None
  • Operating Systems – Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Simbian.
  • Strengths – Simplicity, ease of use, more intuitive than other file syncing services, able to access 5 previous versions of a file, good apps.
  • Weaknesses – No free account and pricing not very competitive to other players.

Top 5 Point and Shoot Cameras with Wi-Fi to accompany you on the holiday

There are tons of cameras out there in the market for beginners. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Some can zoom as high as 30 times (30X), while some have a larger than life LCD screen to preview pictures on. The choice in cameras is pretty hard and one really does get confused on which one to pick. Now Wi-Fi has also been added to the cameras that enables the users to Geo tag the images, upload images et al. Here is our pick of top point and shoot cameras for beginners that also have the Wi-Fi functionality and will be a great vacation companion. Canon Canon Powershot S200 (Rs 19,995) We just love this camera. It has everything that one wants to start with. The design is pretty cool as you get new dial control system around the lens on the Canon Powershot 200. This camera has a 10.1 MP sensor that can capture images at 3,648 x 2,736 pixels resolution. The lens can optically zoom 5 times (5X) and this camera also features a 3-inch LCD. The batteries within this camera can take up to 200 shots or can record 50 minutes of HD video. 61YYQLbXdyL._SL1200_ Sony DSC-WX300 (Rs 17,990) We still remember the first thin digital camera that we ever held. It was from the Sony T series called the T1. This was in the late 1990’s. Times have changed and new things have been thrown in the digital camera arena. However, what Sony has maintained to retain is the thin form factor. The Sony DSC-WX300 is an exceptional camera well-suited for beginners and amateurs. This digi-cam has an 18.2 MP CMOS image sensor and can zoom by up to 20X optically. This is good for outdoor shoots and wildlife photography as you can capture far away objects with ease. Of course we recommend the use of a tripod if you are clicking a picture above 8-10X zoom. It has lot shooting modes that will suit your daily and holiday requirements. 3_COOLPIXS9700BK Nikon Coolpix S9700 (Rs 16,950) This camera underwent a price drop recently and is now available for few thousand Rupees less. Nikon has managed to keep this camera very slim. Within the 1.4-inches thickness this camera is able to hide a 16 MP sensor powered lens, which can zoom 30 times optically. This is massive for a camera this small. With Wi-Fi users can control the camera with smart devices wirelessly. Battery life is quite good, as after a full charge S9700 is able to click 300 images or shoot over 1 hour of HD videos. Panorama mode is available too, if users want to capture the whole picture. nikon-coolpix Nikon Coolpix AW130 (Rs 17,950) We all know when we go outdoors, the chances of damaging the camera gets doubled. Here is a point and shoot camera that is dust proof, drop proof and water proof. You can take excellent images under water with this sleek camera from Nikon. Available in a wide variety of colours, including our favourite orange, the Nikon Coolpix AW130 has a 16 MP sensor with a lens that can zoom 5X optically. Users get a 3-inch screen at the back to preview images on. For storage the camera does come with an 8 GB SD card in the box. On board NFC and Wi-Fi is also available to make sharing and capturing an easy process. This one is a great camera for outdoors. in_EC-WB50FZBDBIN_001_Front_white Samsung WB50F (Rs 15,900) Samsung has been in the cameras market from quite some time now. A brilliant camera from their stables is the WB50F. This camera looks brilliant in white colour and has the latest machinery inside. WB50F has a 16 MP sensor inside supported by a decent 12X optical zoom lens. A 3-inch LCD comes at the back accompanied with quick access buttons. This camera is not super compact, however Samsung has managed to cramp all the good stuff in a small size. Wi-Fi and NFC are part of the package, to quickly take care of the sharing and uploading needs.

Panasonic launches two Toughpads and one Toughbook in India

Panasonic has been in the tough mobility space since a long time now. To further cement its market lead in India the company has added 3 new devices that are definitely priced very steep, but do give you the edge when it comes to safety. The first two devices showcased are the Toughpads E1 and X1. Both have very similar designs and would not break a sweat if they are dropped from as high as 10 feet. These are made to withstand almost any type of pressure and one can submerge them in 5 feet of water. However, do not keep them there for more than 30 minutes; otherwise the water will start seeping in. The major difference between the two 5-inch touch screen driven Toughpads or rather rugged phablets is that the Toughpad E1 is powered by a 2.3 GHz quad-core CPU and runs Windows 8.1 mobile operating system. While the Toughpad X1 runs Android 4.2 OS and has a 1.7 GHz CPU. Rest of the specs are same, both have an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, 32 GB on board memory with the option to load 64 gigs with a micro-SD card and 2 GB RAM. Both also have a whooping 6,200 mAH battery, which is hot swappable. Next in line is the semi rugged Panansonic Toughbook CF-54. Yes, it does weigh 2 Kg’s, but the safety and support this laptop gives is like no other. The Toughbook runs Windows 8.1 OS with the option to downgrade to Microsoft Windows 7 Professional. This is a good thing for an organisation who is still running Windows 7 OS on most of its machines. If the organisation that buys this notebook still has most systems running on Windows 7 then they can downgrade the Toughbook to the same level. Tough-pad The CF-54 can be dropped from as high as 76 CM and nothing will happen to it. The hard drive is specially packed so that jerks and vibration do not affect the working of this machine. This Toughbook has a 2.3 GHz Intel i5 CPU that can be turbo boosted to 2.9 GHz, 4 GB RAM and 500 GB hard drive. The notebook is dust and water resistant as most ports are well tucked behind lids and clips. Wi-Fi, BT and couple of USB 3.0 ports are also available. Panasonic claims the battery of this bad boy lasts for around 11 hours on a single charge. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Toru Hasegawa, Divisional Managing Director, Solutions Division, Panasonic India, said, “With the industry moving towards unification of enterprise and carrier networks, we are offering all-inclusive solutions to different market segments. The new products build on the legacy of nearly two decades of rugged devices from Panasonic to accomplish the mission of professionals in the most demanding work environments. With this launch, we are looking at increasing our presence in the Rugged IT devices segment from an existing 60% to almost 65%.” The Toughpad X1 can be picked up for Rs 1,19,000 and the Toughpad E1 can be bought for Rs 1,09,000. The Toughbook CF-54 is available for Rs 1,39,000.

Forget about Net Neutrality – What India really needs is deeper data penetration

In the past few weeks a lot has been spoken and written about Net Neutrality and everyone is defending “Internet Freedom” in India. The critical question yet unanswered is, are we approaching the subject with a clear understanding? Net Neutrality as explained widely is the Internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. This is the definition of an Open Internet. Net Neutrality is the principle that data on the internet is moved blindly and impartially without regard to content, destination or source. It is difficult to argue against the definition above as it would mean that subscribers can be charged separately for using various applications even if they have paid for the Internet Data pack and also enable ISP to regulate the speed of the sites and create fast pay lanes. It surely does not sound wise and therefore it is safe to accept that Net Neutrality should be adopted. Now let us extend the logic of the activists’ argument and assess the issue. Isn’t preferential treatment given to customers a part of well-accepted business practices, which have been used by businesses big and small from time immemorial? Then why are we propagating net neutrality to be unethical. My whole argument against net neutrality and the debate around the subject is based on the premise that we first need to make internet available to the huge block of population in India and then address the issue of price discrimination. While I fully subscribe to the fact the that this so called info “highway” is crucial for not only small time business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs who rely upon it to launch and monetize their offerings, create a market and distribute their wares, soft or hard. The highway is also equally important for the large businesses that could have a separate business need (read speed, type of connectivity, quality of service etc.) for the customers and services that demand a separate handling because of nuances of the business. While the concept of free and open internet may sound right- In practice, it is important to understand that the impact of some sites/apps that demand great bandwidth can have an adverse effect on the overall user experience. For example, it makes sense to allow ISP/ telecom companies to charge extra for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, which clog up a lot of bandwidth. These services end up slowing down access to the basic services that less economically-privileged citizens need more. This isn’t simply a matter of profitability; the question is how to maximize the efficiency of limited bandwidth. Therefore ISP should take a more active role in managing bandwidth for the sake of optimal experiences for users’ and services. This is also where a democratic regulation comes in with all interests being protected. Hence the real need is of a Service level agreement (SLA) based regulation that governs and dictates various levels of quality of internet connectivity and mostly importantly service providers adhere to it. With regulations in place, I think it is fair to have a legitimate differential pricing regime for either the quality or the consumption of service.

Rajesh-Razdan,-Founder-&-CEO,-mCarbon

Author: Rajesh Razdan, Founder & CEO, mCarbon

Panasonic brings two new 4K video cameras (WX970 and VX870) to India

The video camera market has been in a bit of a slump since a little while, as most users end up using the handy smartphone to capture any and every type of videos. However, a smartphone can never give you the same kind of experience and picture quality a standalone video camera can. Panasonic has recently launched two new 4K ready video cameras that can knock your socks off (and maybe in the process burn a hole in your pocket). Called the WX970 and VX870, the new camcorders are capable of capturing videos in Ultra-HD. So the major difference between the two is that the WX970 has an additional 180 degree rotating camera on the side of the screen that can capture picture in picture and also take selfies. This feature is missing in the the VX870. The rest of the features are pretty much even. Both can zoom 20 times optically and have a camera action ring on the side. 18.9 MP sensor is available on both of them to capture videos and pictures in ultra high-def. Features like wind zoom shield MIC, Wi-Fi and NFC are also available on these video cameras. The rechargeable battery gives backup of 60 minutes approximately. The price of the flagship model Panasonic WX970 is 84,990. The VX870 can be picked up for Rs 74,990.

Toreto introduces Sound Around, a Bluetooth speaker system with FM

After Sony and House of Marley, it is the turn of Tereto to bring its set of Bluetooth speakers to India. The look of the Toreto Sound Around Bluetooth speaker is pretty much similar to an old FM radio. It brings out that nostalgic feeling in us. These clever little speakers can store up to 20 FM channels and can pair up with any smartphone that has Bluetooth in it. Sound Around can play music from any cell phone from as far as 30 feet. A LED display is also available on this BT stereo system for ease of use. An 1,800 mAh battery come within the box that keeps Toreto Sound Around alive for 4 hours. Then one has to simply plug and recharge its juices, while the music still plays on. Commenting on the new launch of Bluetooth speaker, Director, Toreto, Mr. Vikas Swarnakar says, “We are proud to add Sound Around to our range of Bluetooth speakers. The combination in design and premium sound quality makes it look quite distinguished”. The Toreto Sound around is available for Rs 6,499 and come with a 1 year warranty. Features at a glance:
  • Compact and Lightweight: Sound Around is a portable Bluetooth speaker with LED display. It pairs to your Smartphone or tablets with ease, enabling you to listen to all your audio with unmatched sound and quality.
  • Wireless Connectivity: can play music 30 feet away from your smartphone, or other Bluetooth devices. One can also use the 3.5mm stereo cable to listen to devices that aren’t Bluetooth enabled.
  • FM Radio: it also features FM with telescopic antenna. It can scan and store 20 FM channels.
  • Superior Sound Quality: thanks to superior engineering, including an active Sub-woofer and enhanced bass-reflex system, Sound Around delivers exceptional sound and optimal clarity.
  • Battery: can play up to 4 hours, there’s an 1800-mAh Li-ion battery within the system.

Reliance inks deal with Huawei to bundle services with 4G smartphones

It is quite interesting to see the whole Reliance JIO and its 4G services scenario unfurl slowly. They do seem like the preferred choice (at least on papers) when it comes to 4G services. Reports have surfaced that Reliance JIO has signed a deal with the Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Huawei to bundle their services with Huawei’s 4G phones. Reliance already has plans to launch its 4G services in over 5,000 Indian cities and towns along with over 200,000 villages, making them the largest supplier of 4G services and network in the country. They will cover more than 90% of the country with their new network. The exact amount of the deal is still unknown as industry insiders are still silent on it. However, sources do say the deal is one of the biggest as far as 4G is concerned. Reliance JIO seems to be pretty much set in the way they want to bring the services to India. We do reckon they will get some more phone vendors on board before they officially launch their 4G network in the coming months.  
Image: Freeimages.com

Windows 10 for phones will come after Windows 10 for PC is rolled out. Out for preview right now.

Good news Windows lovers, Microsoft has finally announced a new build for Windows 10 for phones. So, what this means is that you would get to play around with a lot of new features of Windows 10 provided you are a part of the company’s preview programme. The update is available on Lumia 930/Lumia Icon, Lumia 640 and 640XL. And if you don’t own a Lumia, then don’t get disheartened if you are a proud owner of HTC One M8 as the Windows update will be available for this device as well. All said and done, what else a little birdie told us is that Microsoft would roll out Windows 10 for PCs first and then for phones. Among all the feature that you can expect in the updated Windows, here is a glimpse at the primary ones: 1.       Windows Store Beta, which will be similar to Store Beta on the Windows 10 for PCs and has a new visual design. 2.       Universal Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote Preview and Xbox app, the Music Preview app and the Video Preview app. 3.       A new camera app having the following features: HDR, video stabilization for video and face-based autofocus. For more information on Windows 10, stay tuned with us!

Reliance to role out 4G services soon?

We Indians haven’t started exploiting 3G yet, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping Indian telecom operators from bringing 4G to India soon. Few months ago, the 4G bandwidth auction had happened and now telecom operators are getting back to the basics—that is getting the infrastructure up and running for the technology. According to news sources, Reliance Industries Ltd’s telecom arm Reliance Jio Infocomm is already talking to some of the Chinese mobile device makers for bundling their products with its 4G services. A top official of a Chinese mobile devices firm told PTI that they have signed a non-disclosure agreement with RJio, but didn’t divulge any further details. When PTI contacted, an RJio spokesperson, they were being told: “Reliance Jio is actively working with all major handset device manufacturers to ensure and certify their phones for use on Jio network and shall ensure adequate availability of phones in entire price range.” Reliance Jio also has a programme in place to work with all major manufactures to ensure that future releases of phones are pre-certified and are fully compatible with Reliance Jio 4G, the spokesperson added. RJio has announced its plan to launch 4G service across all states, around 5,000 towns and cities, accounting for over 90% of urban India and over 215,000 villages this year. The PTI report further adds, “As per the rules, August 31 is deadline for all companies which won BWA spectrum in 2010, including RJio, to roll out the services in at least 90% of the service areas, failing which the Department of Telecom will have the right to withdraw the radio waves.” Inputs source: http://www.ptinews.com/

Google Fit the Android OS app undergoes surgery comes out very beautiful

Many smartphone users have fitness apps downloaded on their phones and pretty much use them religiously. Google did realise this fact a little while back and released its own fitness app called Google Fit. The application was specifically made for Android driven phones and seemed very interesting. However, couple of things were missing from the application like the calorie meter. Google has updated the app now and new additions make Google Fit app even better. Besides calorie counter Google has added estimated distance travelled by the user in this version of the app too. Google’s official blog did say ‘’To help you keep track of how far you’ve come, Google Fit now estimates distance and calories burned. Simply update your profile to include gender, height and weight and we’ll let you know how far you’ve gone and estimated calories you’ve burned off throughout the day and during your workouts.’’ The new app seems quite user friendly and people who use Android wear smartwatch can also use the new version on it. A new widget also comes with the new app that can be pinned up on the smartphone home screen for ease of use. Overall, the update does bring some much needed stats to the table making the Google Fit app, making it one of our top 5 must haves for fitness freaks.

Microsoft Lumia 540 First Look

Here is the first look of the new Microsoft Lumia 540 smartphone that is available in a wide variety of colours. Lumia 540 can be picked up for Rs 10,199. Not bad for a phone this size, however the Snapdragon 200 chipset is a bit of a setback. Check out the rest of the features in the video. Also, stay tuned as we bring you the review very soon.

Asus launches the hot new Zenbook UX305 for Rs 49,999

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Asus is going a bit aggressive with the PC and laptop platforms. A good sign as the market is again looking a bit open for these devices. Asus has launched a hot new laptop called the Zenbook UX305 in India. This notebook has a 13.3-inch QHD+ display and is just 12.3 mm thick, making it one of the thinnest laptops available today in the market. Zenbook UX305 has stunning exteriors and is available in white and black colours. When it comes to the firepower within the laptop, this stunner has the works. To start with, Asus has given the Zenbook UX305 512 GB SSD hard drive. This will surely keep the boot up time and app load times low. Next is the CPU, which is powered by Intel. This laptop has Intel Core M-5Y10 processor that comes along with 8 GB RAM. Despite the slim bezel Asus has managed to give this notebook three USB 3.0 ports and a mini display port. Zenbook UX305 runs Microsoft Windows 8.1 and manages to capture the finger gestures like pinch zoom etc using the large track pad on the system. “Today’s introduction of our latest ASUS ZENBOOK is our step ahead to make the incredible available for the Indian masses. Being the pioneers of bringing ultrabooks in the country, we comprehend the market for Ultrabooks here and have timely introduced various variants to cater to the demand.  Zenbook UX305 is one of our elite ranges of products and will further enhance our Ultrabook Series and quality offerings for our existing and prospective customers,” Mr. Peter Chang, Region Head – South Asia & Country Manager – System Business Group – ASUS India This lappy also supports 3,200 x 1,800 pixels resolution that has 700:1 contrast ratio. As far as battery life is concerned this Zenbook can stay alive for 10 hours. Pretty decent for a laptop this size, if you ask us. Zenbook US305 weighs 1.2 Kg’s and can be picked up from Flipkart or exclusive Asus stores for Rs 49,999.  

House of Marley launches second generation Get Up Stand Up Bluetooth speakers

Seems like, it is suddenly raining Bluetooth speaker systems in India. Another company to launch a set of Bluetooth speakers is House Of Marley. They have partnered with Amazon India to sell these fabulous looking wooden speakers for a price of Rs 39,990. These are the second generation of Get Up Stand Up Bluetooth speakers, which feature 60W RMS audio output (30W x 2). The machinery consists of two 4.5-inch speakers and two 1-inch tweeters along with a powerful amplifier. Apart from Bluetooth, users can connect auxiliary devices to the system with the help of the 3.5 mm auxiliary port on it. Aman Gupta, Director, Imagine Marketing said on the recent launch of  Get Up Stand Up Premium Bluetooth Audio System at Amazon in India, “The House Of Marley Get Up Stand Up Bluetooth speaker has a modern, slick and stylish design and fits with almost any home’s interior design.  The system’s custom design birch wood bent and the Marley Signature audio output are its differentiators. The room-filling sound submerges those listening to an all-encompassing range of treble, bass and mid-tones.” As always House of Marley has brought a fresh and unique design to the table. Price might be on the higher side, but we are sure the audiophiles would not mind spending the extra buck for this beauty.

Tete-a-tete with Tom Lu, CEO of OPPO Mobiles India [Gadget Bridge Exclusive]

OPPO mobiles has tried to capture a chunk of mobile phone market in India and have somewhat succeeded in doing so. After a year of launch in India, We caught up with Tom Lu, CEO of OPPO mobiles India and threw some doozies at him. This is what he had to tell us about the company’s performance and future of the mobile brand in India.  How has the journey of OPPO Mobiles been so far in India? How are the people of India warming up to the brand? We have received an overwhelming response in India. There has been positive feedback from customers about the product quality in terms of the design & innovation and on the after sales service. OPPO entered India in January 2014 and this year we are celebrating the first year anniversary of our successful journey in India. Till date, we have launched 14 smartphones in the Indian market, out of which the total number of 4G phones is four (Find 7, Find 7a, R5, and N3). Our flagship models such as the N3, R5, Find 7 & N1 along with innovative technologies like VOOCave received rave reviews from the experts as well as the consumers across India. Customers are the very source for OPPO’s passion in the industry and we have got an amazing response from our customers. OPPO has co-developed products with customers based on their feedback in both hardware and software user experience. In this price sensitive market there is a certain section of consumers who are extremely technology savvy and are looking for innovative and power-packed devices. The way consumers choose and buy smartphones is continuously evolving and that means you need to have a diverse portfolio of products and price points to appeal to a wide range of consumers here. eing a Chinese manufacturer, how are you taking up the ‘’Make in India’’ Policy by the Indian government? We are really excited for “Make In India” initiative by the Indian Government. This initiative will boost demand; encourage development, which will be benefiting the investors as well.  We would wait to see the clear map of the Government policy and how the market is developing. We would be happy to be part of the ‘‘Make In India’’ project. What new innovations can we see from OPPO mobiles in India? As we always says that OPPO is very much concerned about Innovation and Technology. Our R&D team is diligently working to come up with the best and the latest and products that delight our customers.  India is a very interesting market with significant growth still to be found in the sector.  It is no doubt a price sensitive market but there is a certain section of consumers who are extremely technology savvy and looking for innovative and power-packed devices. The way consumers choose and buy smartphones is continuously evolving and you need to have a diverse portfolio of products and price points to appeal to a wide range of consumers there. The current trend indicates that increasingly Smartphones are doubling up as cameras. OPPO N3 is the first Smartphone with a motorized camera which can get 64 MP Ultra-HD photography with 16 megapixel camera OPPO PI 2.0+, which was launched in Singapore in last October, is developed by OPPO to provide innovative philosophy experience and is available on both N3 and R5. PI is short for Pure Image and it includes more than 15 features, such as 8 Beauty Modes, GIF and Double Exposure. Mirror 3, the latest phone which has been launched in March is also equipped with Pure Image with the price of Rs.16990. The other major feature that influences a buying decision is battery life and strength. With users spending hours and hours on their smartphones, battery life is one area that is seeing and is likely to see more innovation. OPPO is at the forefront of rapid smart phone charging with its VOOC Flash Charge technology. Designed specifically for the needs of the customer of today who is increasingly using the Smartphone for a number of functions like work, emails, entertainment, social media etc. The OPPO VOOC Flash Charge is capable of charging the phone’s battery from zero to 75% in only 30 minutes. Coupled with useful accessories such as VOOC car charger and VOOC power bank, makes the Smartphone ready and charged at all times of the day. Anything else OPPO might be foraying into besides mobiles? Right now our focus is on Smartphones. We plan to introduce new smartphones in different categories. We are focusing on getting innovative products in the Indian market. We will surely be introducing new products in the coming years. Last Words and the road ahead for OPPO mobiles in India? We see India as one of the most important markets for us as we go global.  We are committed to India for the long run, and are keen to ensure that we are seen and acting as an integral part of the community here. India is a strategic market for us primarily because there is clearly a huge potential to grow in the Indian Smartphone market.  We are speeding up our sales and service network and expect a fair growth and a bigger share of the market in the times to come.  On the brand aspect, we expect our brand will become a well-known name for its innovation, quality and service over the next five years. The company also has plans to expand more service centres in the next one year. Right now we are retailing in over 20 major cities and regions, mainly through multi-brand stores, and we have started to partner with nation-wide retail chains like Flipkart and Amazon.in for online sales. We are also planning to build our showrooms and exclusive stores in a short time. Last but not the least, our company philosophy and culture are two essential facilitators for our market success.  

After Xiaomi, now Yu has launched a fitness band for just Rs 999

Companies are getting really aggressive when it comes to fitness bands and wearables. And India is luckily amongst those countries, which are getting affordable fitness bands for just Rs 999. The first one came from Xiaomi few days back, and now Yu Televentures, a subsidiary of Micromax, has launched a similar device name YuFit at the same price. The only difference is: YuFit has got a display. The company announced this fitness band soon after launching their Yuphoria smartphone. Along with YuFit, the company has also unveiled another health-centric accessory called HealthYu for just Rs 4,999. It seems that the brand has taken health and fitness category a tad bit seriously. Jokes apart, here is what else you should know about these devices. One, both of these devices would go on sale in June—so hang on for a while if you really want to try them out. Two, while YuFit is just a fitness tracking band that watches your steps, sleep and calories burnt; HealthYu is a cassette-shaped accessory that will help you track more than that. You can connect it with your smartphones via Bluetooth, and measure your body vitals such as heart rate, ECG, respiration rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and skin temperature. For more details on these two products, please stay tuned with us!

Here comes Micromax Yu Yuphoria for Rs 6,999 with Cyanogen OS and Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 CPU

Micromax is going places. They certainly know how to woo the crowd and tap its pulse. Its subsidiary Yu has launched yet another phone for the masses called the Yu Yuphoria. The company came into existence last year in December. Today they have launched its second phone that certainly has some nice features. To start with, Yu Yuphoria has a killer price, Rs 6,999 to be exact. The phone can be picked up from Amazon India from 28, May. However, consumers can register today onwards on amazon.in and be one of the first to get their hands on the smartphone. Yu Yuphoria has a 5-inch HD IPS display that is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Micromax claims that the design of phone has been crowd sourced and they have picked up user suggestions to build this phone. Yu Yuphoria has semi metal body and it is the first to be seen in a not-so-expensive phone. The phone is powered by a 2,330 mAh battery. This is able to run the 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU combined with 2GB RAM and 16 GB on board memory. For graphics Micromax is giving Adreno 306 GPU on this phone. Yu Yuphoria supports 2 SIM slots and has an 8 MP rear camera along with a 5 MP front shooter. All in all, the package does look promising with Cyanogen OS 12 and Android Lolipop available right out of the box on this phone. Pricing is very-very competitive, but will the masses warm up to this nifty little device? We shall know in a few weeks time when it goes on sale officially.

One Plus launches 10,000 mAh power bank for Rs 1,399

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Most Chinese phone making companies have a wide range of accessories that can be bought along with their phones. A power bank is one of those accessories. Another mobile company to bring a power bank to India is One Plus. They have launched a 10,000 mAh power bank that has the battery juice to charge up the biggest of phones in no time. It takes 5.5 hours to fully charge this baby up and once charged, it has the capacity to charge two phones simultaneously with the dual USB ports. Weighing at 220 grams this power pack seems portable and one can easily keep it handy in the backpack. It comes with a warranty of 1 year and battery level meter as well. Safety has been kept in mind too. One Plus’s Indian blog says ‘’A multitude of safety features embedded within the OnePlus Power Bank prevents overcharging and overheating while removing the anxiety of travelling with your favourite gadgets.’’ One Plus Power Bank is available in two colours and can be picked up for Rs 1,399.

BlackBerry is taking a leap in India with its new smartphone

When smartphones had just entered the Indian market and Indian yout was waking up to the mobile culture, two names that Indians used to swear by were: Nokia and BlackBerry. Unfortunately, today both these companies seem to have lost their ground. But, they are still hoping to bounce back, with their new device launches. For instance, BlackBerry, which off lately has lost a major chunk of its market share, is planning to take a leap with its mid-range BlackBerry Leap smartphone. Yes, BlackBerry Leap is the same device which the company had announced at the Mobile World Congress in the beginning of this year, and the same would now be available for under Rs 20k. But don’t blame us if the company prices it a bit on the higher side, which is quiet possible going by their history. Now coming to the specifications. This BlackBerry Leap mobile phones would have a 5-inch HD screen and will be powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor. It would come running on the latest BlackBerry 10 OS and will have a 2GB RAM and 16GB flash storage in it. The memory can be expanded further by up to 128GB. Camera have had always been BlackBerry’s weak spot, but we hope the Leap’s 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and flash, and the 2MP fixed-focus front-facing camera would do a decent job. In terms of connectivity, you would get 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy and EDR, GPS, FM radio and 4G (FD-LTE 1800MHz only). We hope BlackBerry does make a decent comeback with this phone, as we were one of the proud BlackBerry boys once.   Update: The price of the BlackBerry Leap will be Rs 21,490

Second-gen Moto X receives another price cut, now available for just Rs 24,999 on Flipkart

Motorola has reduced the price of its second gen Moto X device further and is now selling it on Flipkart for just Rs 24,999 (16GB). Interestingly, the company had revised the Moto X gen 2 prices just a week ago, and brought down the retailing price of the 32GB variant to Rs 29,999 from Rs 32,999. And now, they have slashed the device’s price by another 2k. You will get the 32 GB version for just Rs 27,999 now. We don’t really know the company’s strategy behind these successive price cuts. Maybe they are trying to increase their sales or they want to be known as the affordable, quality smartphone brand in India. Or they just want to get rid of the stock in India as a new version might be coming in. But, whatever their reason might, they surely have given consumers a reason to rejoice as now they can get their hands on Moto X 2nd generation. So, if this price cut has made you reconsider your smartphone purchase and all that you want to know now is the features that Moto X 2nd gen boasts of, here is a quick snapshot. The 5.2-inch AMOLED driven Moto X comes with Android 4.4 KitKat, but will soon get an Android 5.1 Lollipop update. In terms of hardware, you get 2GB RAM, 2.5GHz quad core Snapdragon 801 processor and 2,300 mAh battery to keep this mobile on for long. For imaging enthusiasts, the Moto X sports a 13MP rear and 2MP front camera.