- Network supported: 4G LTE and 3G
- Display size: HD IPS 5-inch display
- Operating system: Android 5.0 Lollipop
- CPU: Quad-Core 1.3GHz processor (64-bit)
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6735
- RAM: 2GB
- Memory:16GB (memory can be extended up to 32GB via micro SD card )
- Camera: Rear camera 8MP and secondary camera 5MP
- Dimensions:3×7.95mm
- Battery: 2,400 mAh
Gionee F103 smartphone comes to India at Rs 9,999
Gionee has just expanded its smartphone portfolio with the launch of the new F103 smartphone. The Gionee F103 smartphone features glass back panel while sporting a metal frame. The smartphone will come in three colour variations. These consist of pearl white, dawn white and black.
Timir Baran Acharyya, GM, Gionee India said, “With our F series we have achieved to get both design and performance in one device and consumers gets the best from both the worlds. F103 is a power packed device a great design which not only gives great performance but also adds the style quotient to the consumer who carries it out.”
The Gionee F103 smartphone features a 5-inch HD (720×1280 pixels) IPS display, which comes with Dragontrail glass for protection. The smartphone is powered by a 64-bit 1.3GHz Quad-Core processor that runs on MediaTek MT6735 chipset coupled with 2GB of RAM. It comes with 16GB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB). The Gionee F103 is a dual-SIM smartphone with dual standby support. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system with the Amigo 3.0 skin on top.
On the cameras front, the Gionee F103 is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and autofocus. There is also a 5-megapixel front camera. This smartphone offers 4G LTE, 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB and Bluetooth as connectivity options. The device packs a 2,400 mAh battery, which should keep it running for 24 hours.
The company has priced the Gionee F103 at Rs 9,999.
Techs Specs of Gionee F103
Saavn app now available on Windows store for Windows 10 users
Saavn has just launched its music streaming service on the Windows universal platform. Now, one can easily download this new universal app directly from the Windows store. Saavn’s Windows app is layout adaptable for both desktops and tablets. The company also plans to launch the mobile app when Windows 10 for mobile is launched later this year.
Mahesh Narayanan, Global Chief Operating Officer for Saavn, said, “With more than a billion Windows PCs running today, Windows leads the market for desktop operating systems. Their products are widely used and loved in India. Music fans have been very eager to stream Saavn on Windows, so we are absolutely thrilled to welcome the fast-growing Windows user base to the Saavn family today.”
For Windows, Saavn app brings the same aesthetics of its iOS and Android counterpart. It also adds support for live tiles. App users can resize the Saavn app tile and even snap it while working on other apps.
This universal app is developed with Microsoft tools and this app will be available only on Windows 10 and not Windows 8.1. Saavn for Windows doesn’t support social features and it doesn’t come with Pro account. The company is looking at bring these features in the near future.
The company will bring the app to Xbox and other Windows Universal platform like Hololens soon too. Music lovers would definitely be very happy that Saavn is ultimately on Windows.
BlackBerry Venice will flaunt Android OS and QWERTY slider keypad
BlackBerry is considered one of the major smartphone vendors in the world, specializing in secure communications and mobile productivity. And they will soon launch BlackBerry Venice slider smartphone that will flaunt an Android operating system. According to Vietnamese site, ‘Tinhte’, the smartphone shows the traditional physical keyboard.
On the specification front, the Blackberry Venice slider smartphone has a 5.4-inch touchscreen display that can slide down. The display itself is tipped to be QHD resolution. Powering the smartphone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset. The device will have 3GB of RAM.
The BlackBerry Venice sports an 18-megapixel rear camera, which comes with dual-LED flash and optical image stabilization. There is also a 5-megapixel front camera.
The BlackBerry Venice is expected to come in November this year. This would be an exciting launch from BlackBerry and might just bring them back into the mobile phone arena.
Image: Crackberry
Airtel and Idea hike data charges by 20 percent for post-paid customers
The telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have hiked data charges for post-paid users by 20% in various states. The post-paid customers of both operators in the designated circles, will now have to pay Rs 300 for 1GB 3G data usage, as against Rs 250 earlier.
Airtel has raised data tariffs in Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP East and UP West circles. Even Idea Cellular has raised data tariffs in Delhi, Punjab and UP West.
However, Vodafone has not raised data charges in the post-paid category. It continues to offer 1GB 3G data for Rs 250.
Airtel, Idea and Vodafone had raised pre-paid data tariffs for 2G and 3G services in Delhi by up to 47% in June.
Xiaomi Mi Edge smartphone to come with curved dual edge display soon to India
Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is reportedly working on a mobile phone with a curved edge-to-edge display. According to a Chinese website, ‘Mobile Dad’, the smartphone is named as Mi Edge.
The website claimed that the smartphone will feature a 5.2-inch dual-edge display of Sharp with QHD (2560×1440 pixel) resolution. It would be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 64-bit Hexa-Core processor. The device will have 3 or 4GB of RAM. The handset might sport a 16-megapixel rear camera and even a fingerprint scanner.
Xiaomi could launch Mi Edge curved display smartphone at Rs 25,950 (approx.) in October this year. Stay tuned as we bring you more developments from the camp of Xiaomi.
ixigo acquires Rutogo, an inter-city cabs aggregator
ixigo is one of India’s leading mobile travel search marketplace. They have recently announced that they have accomplished the acquisition of Square Hoot Hikes, the parent company of Rutogo, an inter-city cabs aggregator, for an unrevealed amount. As part of the deal, the Rutogo team will be joining ixigo to scale its fast-growing cabs app by building a marketplace for inter-city taxi owners and vendors.
Aloke Bajpai, Co-Founder & CEO, ixigo said, “Rutogo’s team is passionate about the tourist taxis segment and they had made considerable progress in building a marketplace with nearly 100 taxi vendors across India within a few months of operation. This acquisition fits well with our overall strategy of providing comprehensive choice across intra-city and inter-city taxi booking options. We will be launching outstation taxis in the coming weeks, and will also be opening up the cabs marketplace and partner with other booking apps in the inter-city taxis space shortly. With flights, trains, buses & cabs, we are now the most comprehensive transportation search in India.”
Earlier, ixigo had launched the first Indian meta-search app for cabs on the Google Play Store. The ixigo cabs app allows users to search across app-based taxi providers such as Ola, Uber and Easycabs within seconds and book them in one click.
ixigo cabs is now the fastest growing app in the companies portfolio. It is set to debut on iOS in a few days time. The app was earlier limited to intra-city taxis and autos transport. And with Rutogo, ixigo will expand into the inter-city tourist segment as well.
Micromax has also recently invested in ixigo to bundle travel services natively into their new range of Android phones. A good move that will surely help ixigo go from its 6.5 million monthly active users to over 30 million monthly active users by the end of 2016. ixigo’s mission is to simplify the lives of travellers by building apps that make their travel search and planning hassle-free.
Intel’s Maker Lab in India with focus on mobile devices and Internet of Things
Intel just unveiled Intel India Maker Lab and Intel India Maker showcase to power product innovation in India in Internet of Things (IoT), mobile devices and other computer focused domains.
The Intel India Maker Lab has two goals. First, to accelerate hardware design innovation by increasing product revolution. Second, to improve maker capability for innovators and start-ups in India.
Kumud Srinivasan, President, Intel India, said, “Intel India is committed to accelerating Digital India and Design in India by invigorating innovation across the ecosystem. Design capability is a critical aspect for the success of these initiatives, and the Intel India Maker Lab will provide a facility to offer that support. Intel India Maker Lab will zero in on hardware design by bolstering product innovation to increase the capability of start-ups in India while Intel India Maker Showcase will exhibit products and solutions from Intel India Maker Lab and Intel. Budding entrepreneurs will be helped with development kits, reference boards, hardware and software tools, mentorship and business support to develop products.”
Initially, 10 start-ups will be supported with the selection process completing in October. The Maker Lab initiatives are aimed at helping the Indian government realise its vision of Digital India and Make in India.
Videocon Z55 Dash smartphone unveiled at Rs 6,490 in India
The budget segment of smartphones is getting thicker by the day. Videocon, the Indian smartphone manufacturer has contributed to the budget Android smartphone sphere with its new mobile called Z55 Dash. This smartphone is available in two colour options, which consists of Black with Gold and White with Silver.
Jerold Pereira, CEO, Videocon Mobile Phones, said “By manufacturing the handsets locally, Videocon Mobile Phones endeavours to offer affordability and stylishness to Indian consumers and bring in a unique and never before seen mobile experience in Indian mobile market. The new Z55 Dash is created to meet the needs of these dynamic consumers and their changing needs. It is the testament of Videocon’s domestic manufacturing excellence and consumer insight. A combination of great functionality and design, Z55 DASH offers affordability and stylishness along with a smooth, faster and an elevated user experience. We are excited to partner with Flipkart to launch our latest innovation in the market.”
On the specification front, the Videocon Z55 Dash flaunts a 5-inch HD display. The device runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system. Powering the smartphone is a 1.4 GHz Octa-Core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. The on-board storage of the smartphone accounts to 8GB that can be expanded further via microSD card up to 32GB.
The device features an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash. Videocon Z55 Dash has a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for video-calling and seleifies. The smartphone also features protective Camera Lens made of Corning Glass with Dual Anti Reflective Coating to enhance picture quality. The device offers 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, microUSB, GPS and Bluetooth as connectivity options and it packs a 2,200 mAh battery to keep it alive for long.
The company has priced the new Videocon Z55 Dash at Rs 6,490 and it will soon be available for purchase exclusively on Flipkart.
Techs Specs of Videocon Z55 Dash
- Network supported: 2G and 3G
- Display size: HD 5-inch display
- Operating system: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- CPU: Octa-Core 1.4GHz processor
- RAM: 1GB
- Memory: 8GB internal memory & add up to 32GB via microSD card
- Camera: Rear camera 8MP and 5MP secondary camera
- Battery: 2,200 mAh
Motorola will Give Shape to Lenovo Smartphones
The Chinese Manufacturer Lenovo is all set to merge its Mobile Business Group (MBG) with Motorola. Now, Motorola will be holding the responsibility of designing, developing and manufacturing of all Lenovo smartphones.
Lenovo said in a press statement, “To create a faster, leaner business model, we will align our smartphone development production and manufacturing and better leverage the complementary strengths of Lenovo and Motorola to quickly drive growth. Lenovo’s Mobile Business Group (MBG) will continue to drive the overall mobile business, but will now on Motorola to design, develop and manufacture smartphone products.”
Moto and Lenovo will still remain separate companies in the market for their smartphones, but Lenovo may join its smartphones business into a single brand under Motorola at some point of time.
Lenovo has a long way to go, and joining with Motorola it seems to be a smart move from Lenovo. The Chinese major is all set to launch the camera-centric Vibe Shot in India, on the other hand Motorola will bring its third generation Moto X soon.
LG introduces LG G4 Metallic in India at Rs 40,000
The South Korean manufacturers LG have introduced its latest LG G4 Mettallic smartphone in India. The smartphone is available in Titanium Black and Gold variants.
Deepak Jasrotia, Business Head, LG Mobiles India, said, “We have always believed in offering only those products to our consumers that complement their style in making a statement. The G4’s leather back was a step in that direction and we’ve taken it to the next step with this metallic variant of G4. The G4 is our most ambitious product of 2015 and we hope the consumers will continue to show their love for this smartphone, now in an all-new metallic avatar.”
On the specification front, the LG G4 Mettalic has a 5.5-inch display. Powering the smartphone is a Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 and dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57. All this on Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. The onboard storage of the mobile phone accounts to 32GB, which can be expanded by up to 128GB using a microSD card. This smartphone runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system.
The LG G4 will feature a 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. This mobile phone would house a 3,000 mAh battery and will also offer 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS as connectivity options.
The LG G4 Metallic will be available for purchase with an invite in India starting for Rs. 40,000/-.
Techs Specs of LG G4
- Network supported: 3G
- Display size: Display 5-inch
- Operating system: Android 5.1 Lollipop OS
- CPU: Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
- RAM: 3GB
- Memory:32GB (memory can be extended up to 128GB via microSD card)
- Camera: Rear camera 16MP and secondary camera 8MP
- Battery: 3,000 mAh
- Dimensions:9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8 mm
- Weight: 155g
Facebook hits new milestone with one billion users logged on to the site on a single day
Facebook is the biggest social networking platform in the world. And now, it has crossed another rmilestoen. The company CEO-Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had one billion people logged on to the site in a single day, marking the first time in company’s history to reach this milestone.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO for Facebook posted on Facebook that “On Monday, 1 in 7 people on Earth used Facebook to connect with their friends and family. He stated that the company uses average numbers but this instance was different! This was the first time we reached this milestone, and it’s just the beginning of connecting the whole world. He also stated that a more open and connected world is a better world. It brings stronger relationships with those you love, a stronger economy with more opportunities, and a stronger society that reflects all of our values.”
Some reports say that Facebook aims to bring 4.5 billion users online with Internet.org. Facebook also said it will open a portal that will allow any mobile operator to offer the service under its Internet.org platform. Facebook has also tied up with specific operators to launch the service in different countries all over the world.
The company definitely had a reason to celebrate. Facebook has also released a video to memorialise the milestone. In the end, the CEO also thanked its users for being a part of his community and for everything they have done to help Facebook reach this milestone.
Vodafone to launch its 4G LTE services in India by the end of the year
Vodafone India is a leading global telecommunications company. Vodafone India will also be joining the 4G race with its competitor Bharti Airtel in offering faster data services. They informed that, they would launch the 4G LTE mobile phone services in the country by the end of the year.
The company said, “Vodafone India acquired additional 4G LTE spectrum in five circles in the country, in the February 2014 auctions. These circles together contribute close to 50 percent of the total data revenues for Vodafone India.”
It seems that an explosion of cheap smartphones has encouraged more Indians to use their handsets to access the Internet and demand faster downloads. In India, an Internet-based start-up boom has also seen increased adaptability on smartphones. This is actually boosting the demand for high-speed data.
We were hoping that Reliance would have laid down it 4G network in this quarter and should have been running too. But, seems like other ISP’s would gain ground with their own services before Reliance.
Xiaomi is expected to launch its own processors in 2016
The Chinese manufacturer, Xiaomi is reportedly planning to make its own processor for their devices in 2016. This could be a big shock for the Qualcomm and MediaTek, whose processors are been used in Xiaomi devices.
Xiaomi will use these mobile processors only for their entry level or for budget handsets, while top of the line devices might still use a chipset made by Qualcomm. Xiaomi has already starting working on two SoCs that could power its Redmi line up of smartphones next year.
Making its own chipsets, especially for affordable smartphones, could help Xiaomi in reducing the costs of its material and also help it to compete with other smartphones. Xiaomi is not the only smartphone maker pursuing its own processor. Samsung started its own Exynos line of chipsets for smartphones some time back as well. Huawei too has its own Kirin line of chipsets that power many of its own smartphones.
The Chinese company has been very quiet about this information, so we have to wait for their final word about the new mobile CPU’s.
Apple to unveil its newest iPhone 6S on 9th September, some specs revealed
Apple will soon launch anothert stylish iPhone called the iPhone 6S on. Reports are rife that the new iPhone should come out on 9th September, 2015. Reports suggest that this smartphone will have larger screen and will be slightly thicker & heavier when compared to the other iPhones.
9to5Mac reported that this hendset will come with improved Face Time camera. The iPhone 6S might borrow features from Snapchat or PhotoBooth as well. One of the feature would enable the phone to display a quick white screen, which would act as a flash, whenever users will press the front camera button.
This smartphone is expected to come in rose gold colour, in addition to the silver, gold and space grey. Some leaked image of iPhone 6S shows that the phone will have the same design as the previous one, which would can be both a good and bad thing. Over that, the Touch ID is unlikely to be moved from the home button to the rear or even the display.
The iPhone 6S will feature a 4.7-inch touchscreen display and will come with A9 LTE chipset, powered by Qualcomm’s Cat 6. The smartphone is also expected to get an upgrade in the RAM department to 2GB.
As far as the rear camera is concerned, the iPhone 6S will flaunt a 12-megapixel rear camera with 4K video capture. iOS 9 will be featured on the smartphone with all the new apps and features. For storage a 16GB Toshiba flash chip would be available in the base version. Users should get the choice of 64GB and 128GB alongside this, again.
The price for iPhone 6S will be known in the coming days. Stay tuned as we bring you more developments from Apple.
Micromax unveils its newest Canvas Nitro 4G smartphone in India at Rs 10,999
Micromax has just launched yet another 4G smartphone called the Canvas Nitro 4G. This smartphone is available in black colour only. On the specification front, the Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G has a 5-inch HD display. Powering the smartphone is a 1.4GHz Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 415 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. The on board storage of the mobile phone accounts to 16GB, which can be expanded up to 32GB by using a microSD card. The device comes with dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop operating system. For graphics an Adreno 405 is also on board.
Vineet Taneja, CEO of Micromax Informatics said, “With the launch of Canvas Nitro 4G, we aim to bring a perfect combination of technology, rich features and a faster 4G experience at a great value to more and more consumers. The launch is just the starting point and will be followed by a full range of best value 4G devices from Micromax.”
The Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G sports a 13-megapixel rear camera, which comes with flash and ISOCELL image sensor with backside illumination. There is also a 5-megapixel front camera. This mobile phone houses a 2,500 mAh battery and offers 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS as connectivity options.
The company has priced the Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G at Rs 10,999 and it is available for both online and offline consumers.
Techs Specs of Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G
- Network supported: 4G LTE and 3G
- Display size: HD 5-inch display
- Operating system: Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
- CPU: Octa-Core 1.4GHz processor
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 415
- RAM: 2GB
- Memory: 16GB (memory can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card)
- Camera:Rear camera 13MP and secondary camera 5MP
- Battery: 2,500 mAh
Targus brings its 8,400mAh dual USB power bank for Rs 2,699 to India
Targus is a leading global supplier of laptop cases and accessories for mobile phones. They have recently announced its dual USB power bank called the Targus APB031AP. This power bank is not too heavy and is easy to carry.
Mr. Manish Aher, Director of Product Marketing and Country Manager, India at Targus Asia-Pacific said, “Today everybody is constantly on the grid, particularly the Millennials. There is no way they can deal with a dead cell phone battery without a mild panic attack. Targus Dual USB Power Bank eases any worries of losing the power of Smartphone, iPad/Tablet or iPod. We, at Targus, focus on addressing everyday needs of our customers. The Targus power bank is really an essential travel accessory, an incredibly convenient way for users to power their devices anywhere, anytime.”
The 8,400mAh power bank comes with an ultra-sleek and sophisticated compact body. The power bank is quite durable and features fast charging capabilities. This portable power bank does look very nice and can easily fit in any bag or pocket.Targus’s 8,400mAh power bank comes with dual 2.1A output USB ports that helps to charge two devices at the same time. There are Samsung cells in the power bank that offer reliable battery performance. It also features a three level LED battery indicator that indicates the users to charge the power bank in time for their next use.
Targus durable power bank can power up smart phones, iPad, MP3, MP4, tablets and other such devices with its battery even when the these gadgets are in use. With this power bank, users can charge their devices anytime without worrying about a plugin outlet nearby.The company has priced the Targus APB031AP power bank at Rs 2,699. It comes with a warranty of 1 year and is exclusively available at Amazon.
Amkette EVO Gamepad PRO for mobiles gets launched at Rs 2,799
Casual gaming is big in India, especially amongst the youth. We don’t mind picking up the trusted controller every now and then to blow some steam off playing video games on the console or PC. Many do the same playing games on their mobiles, since it is the handiest of any gaming device ever built. Amkette EVO Gamepad PRO takes mobile phone gaming to the next level and we for one are pretty much impressed after checking out its video.
The Amkette EVO Gamepad PRO is exclusively available with Flipkart for a price of Rs 2,799. This gamepad is pretty similar in looks and key placement to the one that come with Microsoft Xbox. Users get the D-pad along with the dual joysticks and trigger buttons on the top left and right sides of the pad. One can easily pair up any Bluetooth enabled Android smartphone with the pad, download a game they want to play and game on. The Android app for Amkette EVO Gamepad PRO has a list of over 350 games and also tells the users how one can connect the device to the TV screen and enjoy Android games on the big screen. Overall an interesting device by Amkette to bring out the gamer in you.
XOLO Black Review: A modern affordable smartphone with dual primary cameras
XOLO is trying to bring decent mobile phones at affordable price for youngsters in India. Now, they have recently launched XOLO Black. This is the first handset in the Black series and is a good smartphone to work with. Read on to know more about this smartphone.
Design
As the name suggests, the XOLO Black is available in black colour only. This smartphone’s design is really modern and stylish. Its body is supported by a grey coloured (metal finish) frame on the sides. The sides are nicely curved giving it a very up-to-date look.
The device front and back is completely flat, even the dual camera module is in line with the back panel. The two lenses are placed symmetrically on either side of the rear flash. The back panel is also black in colour and has got a glass layer on it. Both the front as well as the back panels glass comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection. The mobile phone is scratch resistant too. Users will also fine the XOLO and HIVE branding on the back panel.
The XOLO Black features a 5.5-inch full HD display. There are off-screen soft keys below the display, which we feel are too small and too widely placed. These stay dark or unseen by default until pressed. The mobile phone is slightly heavy but it is very comfortable to use, even with just one hand.
The battery is non-removable, so the users cannot replace it by themselves. The smartphone can accommodate two SIM cards, one is micro and second one is nano. The SIM slot is on the left side of the mobile phone. The second SIM slot is for the nano SIM, but can also be used for a microSD card. Yes, it is a hybrid card slot. The power button is located on the right side of the phone along with the volume keys. The breathing effect driven LED notification is around the power button, which we found to be quite amusing. The USB port is located at the bottom of the phone and the 3.5mm headset jack is located at the top of the mobile phone.
Performance
XOLO Black has a 1.5GHz Octa-Core processor along with 2GB of RAM to run applications and services at their best. The users also get 16GB of internal memory to store files. Over that, there is an option to add up to a 32GB microSD card where users can store additional files. All this runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (2nd Gen) chipset. For graphics an Adreno 405 is also on board.
The main USP of this mobile is its dual camera setup at the rear. The smartphone has a 13-megapixel primary camera along with a 2-megapixel secondary sensor. For selfies, there is a 5-megapixel secondary camera. Both the front and back cameras have their own LED flashes.
There are two camera apps, first the general one and second the dual camera app. One needs to use the dual camera app if they want to utilise the dual cameras. The dual camera app supports UBIFocus wherein users can shoot first and focus later. The camera also features OptiZoom for better zoom and ChromaFlash for better output using flash. The camera captures really detailed pictures. Even in low light and dark areas, the picture quality was quite decent.
Music apps and video galleries ran beautifully. Talking about which, the audio quality is very fine. Screen, image and video quality is above average. The place where the phone stresses a bit is gaming. You can’t play games for too long on this mobile because the phone gets slightly warm after prolonged use. Also, the mobile phone hangs a lot while playing high end games and one can’t enjoy them at all. On the brighter side, the in game sound was quite loud and clear.
Moving on to its battery life, the XOLO Black has 3,200 mAh battery inside. It worked for over 23 hours after a full charge (under nominal use). We tested the phone out with AnTuTu Benchmark and it managed a score of 31,593 points, which is a pretty good score for this mobile phone.
Verdict
XOLO Black is definitely built for the youngsters as well as people who love photography. The voice quality is very good and a user can easily hear stuff without any problem. We did like the looks and the beautiful design of the phone. It has some great features too, which are appreciable. It also supports 4G. XOLO Black runs customized HIVE UI based on 64 bit Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. The experience was quite smooth throughout and the number of apps supplied on it are decent. The XOLO Black can be picked up for Rs 12,999, a price well suited for this marvel.
Pros
- Stunning looks
- Decent performance
- Good dual primary and front cameras
- Non-removable battery
- Heated up while playing games
- Network supported: 4G and 3G
- Display size: Full HD5-inch display
- Operating system: HIVE UI based on 64 bit Android 5.0.2 Lollipop
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (2nd Gen)
- CPU: Octa-Core 1.5GHz processor
- GPU: Adreno 405
- RAM: 2GB
- Memory: 16GB (memory can be expanded up to 32GB via micro SD card)
- Camera: Rear camera 13MP + 2MP and 5MP secondary camera
- Battery: 3,200 mAh (non-removable)
- Weight: 165g
Meizu launches MX5 smartphone with 20.7MP camera and 3GB RAM via Snapdeal for Rs 19,999
The Chinese smartphone maker Meizu has launched its new flagship device MX5 in India. The company has priced the smartphone for Rs 19,999 and it will be exclusively available on Snapdeal from today.
The Meizu MX5 flaunts a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 1920×1080 pixels resolution protected by Corning Gorilla glass 3 on top. The smartphone comes with dual SIM capability and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system topped by the Flyme OS. Powering the device is a 2.2 GHz MediaTek Helio X10 (MT6795T) Octa-Core 64-bit processor coupled wuth 3GB of RAM. The internal storage of the smartphone accounts to 16GB.
The Meizu device comes equipped with a 20.7-megapixel rear camera with laser Auto focus and LED flash and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies. The connectivity attributes of the device include 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and packs in a 3,150 mAh battery.
Zopo Speed 7 smartphone comes to town with 3GB RAM and Octa-core CPU at Rs 12,999
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Zopo has entered the Indian market with its new flagship smartphone dubbed as ‘Speed 7’. The smartphone will be available exclusively on Snapdeal with a price tag of Rs 12,999 starting from first week of September. The device can be purchased in White and Black colour options.
On the specifications front, the Zopo Speed 7 features a 5-inch full HD display with 1920×1080 pixels resolution. The device comes with dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system. Powering the device is a 1.5GHz Octa-Core 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. The onboard storage of the smartphone accounts to 16GB which can be expanded up to 64GB using a microSD card.
The Zopo Speed 7 flaunts a 13.2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5.0-megapixel front facing camera to facilitate video calling. The device houses a 2,500 mAh battery and offers 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS as connectivity options.
Panasonic launches Eluga Switch reversible 4G smartphone at Rs 19,990
The smartphone manufacturer Panasonic has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Eluga Switch. The company has priced the smartphone for Rs 19,900 and it will be available in Gun Metal Grey colour option. Along with this the company is also providing a premium JBL headset with the sales pack. The USP of the smartphone is its switch mechanism which enables the users to speck even when the device is held upside down.
Speaking about the smartphone, Manish Sharma, Managing Director, Panasonic India said, “We have been successful in building an exhaustive and robust range of smartphones in India, starting April 2013. As our presence in the market has expanded significantly and to get the best of this growing segment, the Eluga Switch is our answer to the consumer’s demand for a Panasonic engineered premium smartphone. As we see immense growth opportunities in the Smartphone segment, we have introduced the Switch which synthesizes Panasonic’s flagship Japanese technology with preferences of the Indian consumer into one, easy-to-use, seamless smartphone.”
The Panasonic Eluga Switch features a 5.5-inch Full HD display with 1920×1080 pixels resolution protected by Asahi Dragon Trail Glass protection. The smartphone is powered by a 1.5 GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 615 processor pared with 2GB of RAM. The internal storage of the smartphone accounts to 32GB which cannot be expanded any further. The runs on Android 5.0 with the reversible UI and sports a 13.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and an 8.0-megapixel front facing camera for clicking selfies.
The connectivity options of the smartphone include 4G, LTE, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS NFC, USB OTG and packs in a 2,910 mAh battery.
SanDisk enters into the portable SSD market with a family of high-performance drives
SanDisk is a global leader in flash storage solutions. They have now entered into the portable SSD market with a family of high-performance drives, which include the SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD and the Extreme 500 portable SSD.
These powerful solutions are best for photographers, videographers, creative professionals and tech enthusiasts. These drives aim to move huge files at a remarkable speed, which saves time of the users. The new family of SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs also feature SanDisk SecureAccess software with 128-bit encryption to secure files.
Rajesh Gupta, Country Manager – India & SAARC, SanDisk said, “As a recognized leader in developing solutions for professional photographers and videographers, we designed this game-changing family of offerings to provide our customers with even greater speeds and capacities to keep up with rapidly increasing demands for high-quality content. Whether a professional or amateur, this level of portability, speed and capacity is exceptional, and we believe it will transform the way people create and produce high quality video content—ultimately saving them time and money.”
SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD
SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD is the world’s fastest line of Type C-based portable SSD. It is available in up to 1.92TB space. This new drive features transfer speeds nine times faster than a portable hard drive.
The SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD has a compact, durable aluminium case. With superfast speeds of up to 850MB/s, this drive dramatically reduces wait times, instantly accelerating user work flow regardless of file size. These new drives come with both USB Type-C and Type-A cables to provide the ultimate flexibility when working between systems.
The SanDisk Extreme 900 portable SSD’s will be available in Q3 with capacities of 480GB at Rs 35,990, 960GB at Rs 53,990 and 1.92TB at Rs 89,990. It features a three-year warranty.
SanDisk Extreme 500 portable SSD
The SanDisk Extreme 500 portable SSD is small in size, but delivers more than four times the speed of a regular portable hard drive. The new pocket-sized drive allows users to transfer big videos and photo libraries at up to 415MB/s. It is available in up to 480GB capacity. The SanDisk Extreme 500 portable SSD features a sleek black finish with unique rubber bumpers and a metal ring that easily clips into a bag. This new portable SSD features both temperature and impact-resistant materials.
The SanDisk Extreme 500 portable SSD’s will be available worldwide in capacities of 120GB at Rs 8,490, 240GB at Rs 12,990 and 480GB at Rs 22,990. These also come with a 3-year warranty.
Microsoft is expected to launch its Office 2016 on September 22
One of the most popular tech giant Microsoft is now speculated to release the final version of its Office 2016 on September 22. Microsoft is progressively releasing updates and improved programs to match up its new Windows 10 operating system. Their platform is the most widely used operating system in the world. The new Office 2016 will be offering many astounding features that will enhance the user experience for Windows 10 consumers.
Microsoft had earlier informed that the new suite will be launched in September. But details from the in-house documents attained by a German website has now specified the date of the launch of the latest Office 2016 for its users.
A report on Windows Central says that Microsoft already released the Mac version of Office 2016 in July and later that month it also launched the Office Mobile apps made for Windows 10 tablets. There have been some preview versions of Office 2016 suite.
Office 2016 will come with collaborative features for business users. The leaked report notes that the new suite will come with updates for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Skype for Business, Project, Visio, Access and Publisher.
Microsoft is also expected to release its Office Mobile apps for Windows 10 mobile smartphones users later this year.
NGO’s can use Facebook’s Donate Now button to raise funds
Who said Facebook is all bad? Facebook has added a way for NGO’s to raise funds through its website using the donate now button. This button will enable non profit organisations to raise funds from the followers on its Facebook page. It comes in the form of call-to-action button and donators can click and follow the on screen instructions.
Facebook for Business post says, “We are excited to introduce a new “Donate Now” call-to-action option on both link ads and Pages. Now, it’s easier than ever for nonprofits to connect with people who care about their causes and encourage them to contribute through the website of their choice,”
Facebook has only kept this button alive for NGO’s. No one besides them would be able to use this service. Once the user clicks on the donate now button, the user is taken to an external site and Facebook does not ask you for any sort of details.
It is a great move by the social networking giant, if you ask us. Recently a pet rescue NGO in New Delhi is facing cash crunch and they had to shut down their emergency services. Services like these from Facebook would have definitely helped them to raise some funds. Great move Facebook!
Vivo X5Pro Review: A stylish sleek flagship smartphone
Vivo, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is also trying to carve a niche for themselves in the ever growing Indian smartphone market. They recently launched the X5Pro and we got to spend some time with it. We quite liked the device as it does remarkably in most sectors starting from the design. Here is our two cents on the device.
Design
The Vivo X5Pro is available in black and white colours. We received the white unit for review. The Vivo X5Pro body is supported by a U-shaped frame made from aviation-grade aluminum magnesium alloy. This frame curves gently at the four corners. The mobile phone is sleek, it is just 6.4mm thick and has 151g weight. The Vivo X5Pro has a 5.2-inch FHD SUPER AMOLED display and is very comfortable to use with just one hand. The screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 over it.
The battery is non removable, so the users cannot replace it by themselves. The smartphone can accommodate two SIM cards, one is micro and second one is nano. The SIM slot is on the right side of the mobile phone. The power button is located on the right side of the phone along with the volume key as well. The USB port is located at the bottom of the phone, while the 3.5mm audio port is located at the top of the device. The primary camera is on the top left (rear) of the mobile phone, which comes with the LED flash. A neat pair of headphones also comes in the box for music lovers.
Performance
Vivo X5Pro has a 1.5 GHz Octa-Core processor that is partnered with 2GB of RAM for applications and services. The users also get 16GB of internal memory to store files. Over that, there is an option to add up to a 128GB microSD card where users can also store files. All this runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. For graphics an Adreno 405 is also on board.
The primary camera of Vivo X5Pro can capture 13-megapixel still images and 1080p videos. For selfies, there is an 8-megapixel secondary camera. The camera app has a lot of good features, which comes with many options. These consist of, autofocus, Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama and HDR. The camera captures really detailed pictures and is also a fast shooter, but in low light and dark areas, it does become a bit sloppy. So we recommend using the flash in low light and dim areas. The 8-megapixel front camera also needs sufficient amount of light for a good click.
Music apps and video galleries ran beautifully. Talking about which, the audio quality is very fine. The supplied headphones get the job done and one can hear the beats clearly. Screen, image and video quality is above average. The place where the phone stresses a bit is gaming. You can’t play games for too long on the mobile phone because the phone gets warm while playing.
Moving on to its battery life, Vivo X5Pro does not manage to stay awake for a long duration. With 2,450 mAh battery inside it, we did give us between 20 to 22 hours after a full charge (under nominal use).
We tested the phone out with AnTuTu Benchmark and it managed a score of 32,858 points, which is a pretty good score for this mobile phone.
Verdict
Vivo X5Pro left us with a mixed bag of emotions. While the phone is great to look at the front camera and the heating issue was a bit of a deal breaker. On the plus side, the voice quality is very good and the user can easily hear stuff without any problem. As said before, we did like the looks and the slim design of the phone on which the phone heavily banks on. It has its Funtouch OS 2.1 layered over Android Lollipop 5.0 that gives a distinct feel to the user interface. The Vivo X5Pro can be picked up for Rs 27,980.
Pros
- Good performance
- Great AMOLED screen
- Neat design
- Battery not removable
- Gets heated up while playing games
- Average battery life