Fone Arena - The Mobile Blog

LG Optimus L7 gets the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update in India

Srivatsan — Sun, 26 May 2013 01:55:56 +0000

LG has started rolling out the Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) update for the Optimus L7 in India. The Optimus L7 was announced back in February 2012 and released in India last June. The software version is JZO54K similar to the other countries and the software version is V20b. LG announced the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update schedule for high-end devices in Korea last year. The Optimus G and Optimus LTE 2 got the Jelly Bean update in January, and the Optimus Vu 2 got the Android 4.1 update back in February in Korea. The Optimus 4X HD got the update in Europe last month and the Optimus L9 got the Android 4.1 update in India recently. The Jelly Bean update would bring better browser, better notifications, Google Now and several UI enhancements. The Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update for the Optimus L7 is available through the LG PC Suite. Thanks @pateldipesh!

Nexus 4 spotted running Android 4.3 Jellybean

Bharadwaj — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:04:17 +0000

XDA forum user Chaleen has posted the above image found on a Nexus 4 in a mobile Expo in Thailand. The Android version number being 4.3 suggests that the newest iteration of Android, which was expected to be launched at the Google I/O a week back might actually be launched on the rumoured date of June 10th. More screenshots from the user below. As expected, the name stays and so does the easter egg under the settings->about page. While not many screens are available, we think the notion is that 4.3 is going to be an incremental update like the 4.2 update. Obviously Nexus devices will be getting them first, including Nexus 4 and the Galaxy nexus of course. The camera UI seems to have some changes in the quick shortcuts. Much better than before we'd say, the "press and reveal the dial" based UI was slightly a bit unintuitive. We could expect the new build to roll out on the 10th of June, or at least we hope so. When it arrives, we will be sure to let you know the new features as well, so hang tight! Source XDA via DroidLife

Samsung Galaxy Music Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update starts rolling out

Srivatsan — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:55:53 +0000

Samsung has started rolling out Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) update for the Galaxy Music (GT-S6010) starting from UK. The phone was announced in October running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The dual-SIM variant, Galaxy Music Duos (GT-S6012) went on sale in India last December. The Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy Music brings the new TouchWiz Nature UX, faster performance with the project butter, Google Now and lots more new features. The Samsung Galaxy Chat got the Jelly Bean update in India recently. Samsung is doing an awesome job in providing Android 4.1 update even for devices with 512MB RAM. Samsung confirmed Android 4.1 update for range of Galaxy devices last year. Samsung is yet to roll out the Android 4.1 update for the Galaxy Beam, Samsung Galaxy S Duos and the Galaxy Ace Plus. Since the Galaxy Music started getting the Jelly Bean update, the dual SIM variant should also get the update eventually. Hope the update rolls out in India soon. Source: Sammobile

Xolo Q700 Benchmarks

Srivatsan — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:54:09 +0000

Xolo launched the Q700, the company’s latest Android smartphone in the QCORE series last week. We brought you the unboxing earlier this week, here we have the benchmarks of the device. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core MediaTek 6589M processor with PowerVR SGX544 GPU. Let's see how it performs in various benchmark tests when compared to other Android smartphones. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSfIu29Xbos Quadrant Benchmark The Q700 scores 3947 points in the Quadrant Benchmark. AnTuTu Benchmark 3.3 In the AnTuTu Benchmark 3.3, the phone scores 13050 points and grabs the second spot just behind the Panasonic P51. Vellamo 2.0 HTML5 It scores just 1243 points in the Vellamo 2.0 HTML5 browser benchmark. Vellamo 2.0 Metal In the Vellamo 2.0 Metal CPU sub system performance the phone scores 432 points and grabs the 3rd spot. Linpack Single Thread Linpack Multi-Thread Even though the performance of the device is not impressive in the Linpack single thread test, it hold the 2nd spot in the multi-thread benchmark. NenaMark 2 In the NenaMark 2 GPU benchmark it clocks 39.7 FPS. GLBenchmark 2.7 T-Rex (On screen) It clocks 6.1 FPS in the GLBenchmark T-REX benchmark. GLBenchmark 2.5 Egypt HD (On screen) In the GLBenchmark 2.5 Egypt the device clocks 14 FPS and grabs the 3rd spot. Basemark X HD (Onscreen) Basemark X HD (Offscreen) Even though the phone managed ...

Deal Alert : Samsung Galaxy S3 for Rs.22945 and Galaxy Grand Duos for Rs.16495

Varun Krish — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:22:10 +0000

Homeshop 18 is back with an exciting deal. If you are looking to buy a Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Grand for a nice discount and don't mind a slightly older phone in the quest for saving some bucks, here is your turn.The Samsung Galaxy S3 will cost you Rs.22495 only after a nice fat discount of Rs.4554. The Galalxy Grand Duos will cost you Rs.16495. Head over to Homeshop18 and apply a discount coupon. One of the colours of the Galaxy Grand Duos is already out of stock. The S3 might got out of stock soon. I have personally purchased a lot of stuff from Homeshop18 including a 64GB iPad 4 on the site and was satisfied with the purchase. There are some excellent deals on the Sony XPERIA Z (Rs.32495 ) and Samsung Galaxy Fame too (Rs.9495 ) and the Nokia Lumia 820 at Rs.19495 Here are coupons for grabbing the deal before it expires : Galaxy S3 - GCP2E5CAY9GZ , Grand Duos - GCDM29NPF3H8, Nokia Lumia 820 - GC1NFAUP5DF2, Sony XPERIA Z - GC3NMCH2HV4M Head over to the link below for checking out the deals and the the relevant gift coupons Read

Camera Video Quality Comparison – Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs Nokia Lumia 920 vs Apple iPhone 5

Varun Krish — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:10:03 +0000

A lot of you readers have been asking us which phone has the best camera for video capture. I was recently in London for the Nokia Lumia 925 launch event and carried along some flagships like the Galaxy S4 , HTC One , Nokia Lumia 920 and the Apple iPhone 5. So here is is , a quick real life comparison of how these phones capture video. This comparison only includes the day light performance. Will try to include a low-light performance later on. So here we have 2 supreme Android phones , the best Windows phone and latest iPhone fighting against each other in this camera comparison! Dive in and take a look. Samsung Galaxy S4 The Samsung Galaxy S4 captures full HD videos like all the other high end smartphones, and quality does seem pretty good in day light. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBNzDU0CLLg With software stabilisation on, the image was a bit cropped, and hence a narrower field of view for the final output. While the white balance was fine, it did struggle with exposure compensation by under exposing the scene in bright backgrounds, this is prevalent in most smartphone cameras with small-ish sensors. The audio is recorded in stereo and we were surprised ...

Huawei Ascend G510 Review

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:16:26 +0000

Huawei launched the Ascend G510, the company’s latest mid-range Android smartphone in India earlier this month. We brought you the unboxing and the benchmarks of the device recently, here we have the complete review of the device. t has a 4.5-inch (854 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8225 processor. Huawei uses the same Snapdragon S4 chip in several devices including the Ascend G330D, G600 and the Ascend Y300. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with Emotion UI on top. Unboxing httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFeDEJ78GM0 Box Contents Huawei Ascend G510 handset Earphones USB cable 2-pin Charger Quick start guide 1750 mAh Battery Hardware The 4.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 854 by 480 pixels and a pixel density of 217 ppi is decent. Since the display is glossy, it is a fingerprint magnet. The screen is bright and has good viewing angles. Even though the design of the phone is similar to the Ascend Y300 that we reviewed recently, there are slight changes in the placement of the front-facing camera and the ear piece. Otherwise this looks similar even in the design. There is a VGA front-facing camera above the display on the left. The ear piece is on the top ...

Samsung Galaxy Star officially launched in India for Rs. 5240

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:47:40 +0000

Samsung has officially launched the Samsung Galaxy Star (GT-S5282). IIt was announced last month along with the Galaxy Pocket Neo and went on sale online earlier this week. It packs a 3-inch (320 x 240 pixels) capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1 GHz processor and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It comes with a 2-megapixel rear camera, 2G (EDGE) support and has Dual SIM support with Smart Dual SIM feature that enables the user to receive calls on one SIM number while taking a call from the other. It has Intelligent Motion UI that maximizes smart features for the most responsive, intuitive user experience. It comes pre-loaded with ChatOn, Samsung’s cross-platform messaging service and has Google Now. It has pre-loaded apps from various categories including e-books, games, news, navigation, productivity, social networking and more. Samsung Galaxy Star (GT-S5282) specifications 3.0-inch ( 320 × 240 pixels) capacitive touch screen display 1 GHz processor Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) OS Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) 2MP camera 11.90 mm thick and wighs 100.5 grams 2G (EDGE), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with RDS and Recording 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32 GB with micro SD 1200 mAh battery The Samsung Galaxy Star is priced at Rs. 5,240 (MRP), but it available at a market price ...

Samsung GT-I8800 Redwood running Tizen 2.1 surfaces

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:13:05 +0000

Samsung already confirmed that the company would launch Tizen-based device in 2013. Samsung GT-I9500 codenamed Fraser surfaced last year but it did not release. Now the Samsung GT-I8800 codenamed Redwood has surfaced on Tizen Greek Community website. The name of the device appeared online earlier this month along with the Samsung GT-i8805. The phone runs on Tizen 2.1 OS, comes with S-Voice, WiFi Direct and has S-Beam too. Instead of 'Hi Galaxy' you need to say 'Hi Tizen' to wake up in the S Voice. The device has a home button below the display similar to the Galaxy devices. Tizen is fully based on HTML5 similar to the Firefox OS. No word on specifications of the device yet, but it is likely to come with a 720p display. It is not clear whether this device is a prototype or a developer device. The Tizen Greek Community website also says that the the device would be given to 500 developers tomorrow here at Tizen Developer Conference in Greece. There are rumors that the first Tizen device is expected in Q3 2013. Source: tizen.gr | Via: Engadget

Xolo Q700 Unboxing

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:31:24 +0000

Xolo launched the Q700, the company's latest Android smartphone in the QCORE series last week. Here we have the unboxing video of the device. The Xolo Q800 was the first phone in the QCORE series that was launched back in March. The Q1000, the company's flagship smartphone went on sale recently. The specifications of the Q700 are mostly similar to the A700 that was launched last year. The A700 had a dual-core processor, but the Q700 is powered by a quad-core processor. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTwLm9og1VI Box Contents The box contents include Xolo Q700 handset 2400 mAh battery 2-pin charger micro USB cable in-ear earphone Screen guard Quick start guide Safety, Warranty and Legal guide The specifications are mentioned on the back of the box. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core MediaTek 6589M processor with PowerVR SGX544 GPU. It runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) The phone has a 4.5-inch capacitive touch screen IPS display at a resolution of 960 by 540 pixels and a pixel density of 245 ppi. The display is bright and has good viewing angles. It has a 0.3 (MP) VGA front-facing camera. The back has a nice matte finish similar to the A700. It has a 5MP rear camera with LED Flash, BSI sensor and supports 720p HD video recording. There ...

Nokia Lumia 720 – low light photo samples

Bharadwaj — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:26:06 +0000

We had reviewed the Nokia Lumia 720 earlier and had lauded the camera capabilities. We were so impressed by the low light performance that we decided to give it a go again and see how it fares in very challenging conditions. Below is a summary of the photos taken and some additional information on how it fared. Read on. The Nokia Lumia 720 has a 1/3.6" 6.7 Megapixel sensor with a f1.9 aperture. The aperture on this camera is second largest in a smartphone, only next to the f1.8 of the Lenovo K900. The custom sensor is a 16:9 crop by default and provides a nice field of view. Without further ado, lets take a look at the photos then. All the photos are in full resolution, so feel free to click into a new tab for the full picture. This was probably one of the luckiest shot from the 720, it handled the scene really well, apart from the blurry moving objects pointing to the apparent increase in shutter speed. The details were captured well except for some shake in the edges of the photo. A commendable job, and a true to life image. Another highly detailed shot pulled off in little to ...

Zen Ultrafone 501 and Ultrafone 303 with 4-inch display coming soon

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:23:36 +0000

Zen Mobiles has announced that the Ultrafone 501 and the Ultrafone 303 new Android smartphones would later this month. The company launched the Ultrafone 701 HD with 5-inch HD display, 1.2 GHz quad-core processor last month. The Ultrafone 501 is a mid-range phone with a 4-inch (960 x 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display, powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The Ultrafone 303 has a 4-inch (800 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display, powered by a 1 GHz single-core processor and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Both these phones come with dual SIM support with dual standby. Zen Ultrafone 501 specifications 4-inch (960 x 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) 1 GHz dual-core processor Dual SIM (WCDMA + GSM) 5MP rear camera with LED Flash 1.3MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD 3G , WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v2.1, aGPS 1800 mAh battery Zen Ultrafone 303 specifications 4-inch (800 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) 1 GHz processor Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) 3.2MP rear camera with LED Flash 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 256MB RAM, 512MB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD 2G (EDGE) ...

JoikuShare Pro for Android now available from Google Play, brings support for 20 languages

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:21:59 +0000

Joiku, a Finland-based company has launched the JoikuShare Pro for Android. The JoikuShare app for Android was released last month and the Pro account was available through in-app purchase. Now the standalone JoikuShare Pro app is available for download from the Google Play Store. The JoikuShare Pro app lets you easily share and transfer your phone music, videos and files with other WiFi devices, in addition to photos in the free JoikuShare app. Features of JoikuShare pro for Android Wireless Share: Share all Android device files (photos, music, videos, files) Wireless Play: Play Android music and videos with other devices over the air Wireless Download: Download Android files with your favorite web browser Wireless Upload: Manage your Android with a laptop browser Secure Friend Share: Share selected Android device files with Friend devices No software installations needed in connected devices Supports 20 languages Download JoikuShare Pro for Android from the Google Play Store at $0.99 / Rs.55 . The free version of JoikuShare is also available that lets you share photos over WiFi.

Spice Smart Flo Pace Mi-422 with 4-inch display, Android 4.0 coming soon

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:28:05 +0000

Spice Smart Flo Pace Mi-422, a new phone in the Smart Flo series has been listed on online retail site Saholic. It has a 4-inch (480 x 800 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen isplay, powered by a 1 GHz MediaTek MT6515 processor and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It has a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It would come with dual SIM support with dual standby similar to other Spice phones. It comes with 2G (EDGE) connectivity and packs a 1300 mAh battery. S Mobility launched the Spice Smart Flo Pace 2 Mi-502 with a 5-inch display and the Spice Smart Flo Ivory Mi-450 with a 4.5-inch display recently. Spice Smart Flo Pace Mi-422 specifications 4-inch (480 x 800 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display 1 GHz processor Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) 3.2MP camera with LED Flash 1.3MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 2G (EDGE), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 512MB RAM, 512 internal memory, 32GB expandable memory with microSD 1300 mAh battery The Spice Smart Flo Pace Mi-422 is listed on Saholic as coming soon without any price tag. Looking at the specs the phone is likely to be priced around Rs. 5000.

LG Optimus GJ Waterproof phone with 4.7-inch HD display, quad-core processor announced in Taiwan

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:54:14 +0000

LG has announced the Optimus GJ (E975W), the company's first waterproof smartphone in Taiwan. It has similar specs as the Optimus G including a 4.7-inch (1280 x 768 pixels) True HD IPS + Display and is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) processor. It has IPX7 ratings for water resistance. It runs on Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) and packs a 13-megapixel rear camera with an LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It is slightly thicker than the Optimus G at 9.39 grams but it lighter than it at 141 grams. Even though this is a waterproof phone, this has a removable cover and replaceable battery. LG Optimus GJ Specifications 4.7-inch (1280 x 768 pixels) True HD IPS + Display Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) OS 1.5 GHz quad-core processor Qualcomm APQ 8064 processor with Adreno 320 GPU Dimensions - 136.9 x 68.9 x 9.39, Weight - 141.2 grams 13MP camera with an LED flash, 1.3MP front-facing camera 2GB DDR2 RAM, 16GB internel memory expandable memory up to 64GB with microSD 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, MHL, GPS / aGPS 2280 mAh battery The LG Optimus GJ comes in Glittering Red and Black colors. It is priced at 17900 New Taiwan Dollar (~US$ 598) and is expected to go on sale in Taiwan in June 2013. Source: LG ...

IDEA ID 920 Hands-on

Gaurav — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:13:25 +0000

IDEA ID 920 launched recently by the IDEA Cellular Limited is a successor to the ID 918 launched back in year 2012. Similar to the ID918 which was the entry level 3G android smartphone, ID920 is also a entry level dual SIM 3G device but with much faster CPU, yet at very aggressive price point. Similar to Aurus III, the ID 920 is also manufactured by Alcatel - TCT, a subsidiary of TCL, China. The IDEA ID 920 is powered by MediaTek 6575 1GHz single core SOC and has 3.5" capacitive HVGA (320x480) resolution display, 2M Fixed Focus camera, 512MB ROM (100MB Application storage), 256MB RAM, 3G HSPA 7.2Mbps, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, 3.5mm headphones jack (also for audio out) and 1400 mAh battery. IDEA also bundled 2GB MicroSD card for free. There is no LED flash for the primary 2MP camera but we don't even expect it in a phone priced below Rs. 5000 . The ID 920 is solidly build device and is available in only in dark blue colour. Thanks to the 1GHz Cortex A9 CPU (MediaTek 6575 SOC) used in Gingerbread 2.3.6 running ID920, this device feels extremely speedy while navigating phone's user interface. Android devices below Rs.5000 generally don't come ...

HTC One with stock Android to be announced in June?

Srivatsan — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:39:25 +0000

HTC One Google Edition with stock Android is expected to be announced soon, according to a report. This comes from the Geek.com who leaked the Samsung S4 with stock Android before a day Google unveiled it at the Google I/O last week. After the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4 with the stock Android at the Google I/O rumors started circulating that the HTC One would also release with stock Android soon, but HTC denied it. HTC already sells the HTC One Developer Edition with unlocked Bootloader in the US. According to the website, HTC is considering a stock Android variant of the One for release in the US as per their leading sources. It is not clear whether the phone would be sold on the Google Play Store similar to the Galaxy S4 Google Edition. The HTC One went on sale online in India recently and would be available from retail stores soon. HTC has also announced that they have sold over 5 million devices since its launch. Production of the HTC One is also reportedly doubling and the Android 4.2.2 update for the device is expected soon. The HTC One with stock Android would obviously improve the sales of the device. The website also claims that the phone would ...

Gionee GPad G2 Photo Gallery

Dhruv Bhutani — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:21 +0000

Cashing in on the popularity of giant sized Android phablets, Gionee has introduced a new entrant in the field called the GPad G2. We've got our hands on the behemoth with a 5.3 inch screen and decided to bring you a photo gallery while we put it through its paces. The GPad G2 is powered by a 1.2 Ghz quad core processor that is paired with 1 GB of RAM. The screen has a resolution of 960x540 and is called a True Color display.We'll have more on this in our review. At the back of the phone there is an 8MP camera that can capture 720p video. The complete specifications include : 5.3-inch (960 × 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen display 1.2 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6589 processor with PowerVR SGX544 GPU Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean) Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby 8 MP auto focus camera with LED Flash, 720p HD video recording 2 MP front-facing camera 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and aGPS 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB 3000 mAh battery The Gionee GPad G2 is priced at Rs. 13,990 and is now shipping. Check out our photo gallery below. Do let us know if you'd like to know anything specific about the ...

IDEA Aurus III Hands-on

Gaurav — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:46:23 +0000

Idea Cellular recently launched two more affordable but quality android smartphones to their portfolio to accelerate the 3G adoption by their customers in India. The higher end model is IDEA Aurus III. It is powered by MediaTek 6575 1GHz single core SOC and runs Jelly Bean 4.1.1 out of the box. Aurus III has 4" 16M colours WVGA display, 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, 5MP Fixed Focus camera, VGA Video Call Camera, 3G (HSDPA 7.2 Mbps), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 & A-GPS . The smartphone is made by ALCATEL-TCT which is a subsidiary of TCL, China. The built quality is very impressive and device feels very sturdy. Aurus III is available in two colour variants namely, white and black. Idea has included features like Video Calling, LED Notifications, unified 2.32GB storage for apps & media along with microSD card slot which can easily handle cards up to 32GB. The Aurus III has a 5MP fixed Focus camera (yes no Auto Focus here) at back with burst shoot, HDR photo capture & Panorama photo capability which is very rare at this price point. The LED Flash is missing for the primary camera but it's acceptable for a device which is priced sub 7k range. I am quite impressed with vivid & ...

Gionee Elife E3 Photo Gallery

Dhruv Bhutani — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:44 +0000

Indian Android smartphone manufacturer, Gionee recently unveiled its new device called the Elife E3. The USP of the phone is its slim shell while still packing in a significant amount of features. The phone is powered by a 1.2Ghz quad-core Cortex A7 processor and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Gionee claims that its new phone has a 'retina' display which translates to a resolution of 1280 x 720 (720p) stretched on a panel measuring 4.7 inches. The screen is pretty sharp and vibrant though you'll have to wait for the full review before we give out our verdict. The complete specifications of the phone are as follows: Gionee Elife E3 specifications 4.7-inch HD (1280 x 720 pixels) IPS display 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with dual standby 8MP auto focus camera with BSI Sensor, LED flash and 720p HD video recording 2MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio DTS 3D Surround Sound Proximity sensor, Ambient Light sensor, G-Sensors and Digital compass 1 GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS 1800 mAh battery The Gionee Elife E3 will be available in a range of colors including Red, Blue, and Graphite Black and White colors. The ...

Sony Xperia Tablet Z now available for pre-order in India for Rs. 44990

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:26:21 +0000

Sony Xperia Tablet Z is on pre-order from online retailers Flipkart and Infibeam in India. The Xperia Tablet Z was originally announced in Japan earlier this year, at the MWC 2013 the company announced that it would roll out globally from Q2 2013. At the Xperia Z launch event the company announced that the tablet would be launched in India in May. The Xperia Tablet Z has a 10.1-inch HD (1920 x 1200 pixels) WUXGA Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, Shatter proof sheet on scratch-resistant glass, powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Sony Xperia Tablet Z specifications 10.1-inch HD (1920 x 1200 pixels) WUXGA Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to Android 4.2 6.9 mm thick and weighs 495g Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor 8 MP rear camera with Exmor R for mobile sensor 2MP 1080p Superior Auto plus front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with RDS 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, MHL, GPS / GLONASS and NFC 2GB RAM, 16GB / 32GB internal memory, up to 32GB expandable memory with microSD 6000 mAh Battery with STAMINA mode further improves the standby time The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is priced at ...

Alcatel partners with Salora for smartphone distribution in India

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:11 +0000

Alcatel has announced a partnership with Salora International Limited, manufacturer and distributor in India. This tie up would give Salora distribution and sales rights for its lineup of smart phones in India. Salora would sell the One touch smartphones through traditional trade in North and East India and through modern and online trade in the rest of the country according to the agreement. This move would help the smartphones available at major retail outlets as well as all distributors and sub distributors through Salora’s supply chain network. Salora sells their own smartphones and tablets across the country. They entered into the mobile phone business back in 2011 and launched their first smartphone earlier this year. Alcatel has launched 4 smartphones, One Touch Idol, One Touch Idol Ultra, One Touch Glory, and One Touch Scribe Easy in India. Rearding the distribution alliance Gopal Jiwarajka, Chairman & Managing Director, Salora International Limited said Salora International has always allied with brands and companies who have firmly established leadership status in the world for its quality and technology, and today with this tie-up with Alcatel, the company has further strengthened its core competency in distribution. With our strong network of branches, distribution channels and extensive product knowledge we are confident of contributing Alcatel ...

BlackBerry launches 0% EMI scheme for BlackBerry Z10 and Curve 9220, partners with Idea for BIS offer

Bharadwaj — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:20:41 +0000

It's been quite a while since the BlackBerry Z10 launched in India, and that too, with a hefty price tag. To spur the sales of the device, the Waterloo company has now joined the "0% EMI" bandwagon by offering an EMI scheme for the only BlackBerry 10 device in the market as well as the cheap Curve device - the 9220. Like most other EMI schemes offered by companies like Samsung and Nokia, this will also feature Rs.0 down payment, 0% processing fee and 0% interest and the plan will be rolled out in 3000 BlackBerry outlets across India this weekend. One can choose to pay Rs. 4,799/- per month for 9 months, for the BlackBerry Z10 and Rs. 799/- per month for 12 months, for the Curve 9220. These are the banks that are supported for the EMI offer which one can avail using credit cards - Axis Bank, Citibank, HDFC bank, HSBC, ICICI Bank, Kotak, SBI Card and Standard Chartered. In addition to the EMI scheme, BlackBerry have also partnered with Idea cellular to launch a 1GB/month mobile data plan with BIS, priced at Rs. 999/- per year. While it is not clear whether this is 2G or 3G, ...

Celkon A107 Signature One and A9+ Android smartphones launched for Rs. 6999 and Rs. 3299

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:40:39 +0000

Celkon has launched the company's latest Android smartphones A107 Signature One in the Signature series and an entry-level Android smartphone A9+. The A107 Signature One has a 5-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1 GHz dual-core Processor and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)It packs a 5-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. This would compete with the recently launched Spice Mi-502 Smart Flo Pace 2 that has similar specifications. The A9+ has a 3.5-inch (480×320 pixels) capacitive touch screen display and powered by a 1 GHz processor. Both these phones have dual SIM support with dual standby and supports 2G (EDGE) connectivity. Celkon A107 Signature One specifications 5-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS 1 GHz dual-core Processor 8MP Auto Focus Camera with LED flash 0.3MP (VGA)front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 2G (EDGE), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 512MB RAM, 512 MB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD 2100 mAh battery Celkon A9+ One specifications 3.5-inch (480×320 pixels) capacitive touch screen display Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS 1 GHz processor 2MP rear Camera VGA front-facing camera 2G (EDGE), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 256MB RAM, 512MB Internal memory, ...

Panasonic P51 Review

Bharadwaj — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:19:47 +0000

Panasonic announced and launched its first and only smartphone for the Indian market - the Panasonic P51 last week. It is supposed to be its splashing entry into the crowded Indian smartphone market and everybody expected it to make an entry in the low-mid end segment where the volume is, so did we. But instead of following the "new manufacturer - low price" route, Panasonic did the opposite in bringing a flagship-like device with a price tag that you would attach to a mid-high end smartphone. Does Panasonic deliver in providing a premium experience for the price? Or is it just another me-too entry that is exorbitantly priced? Read on to find out. Video Review httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9jnR5zDNuU Hardware Walkthrough The design on the phone is very similar to many other Android devices out there. It has rounded corners and a big screen, with an equally big bezel. From the front you might even mistake it as the LG Nexus 4 as it looks remarkably similar. A chin, that is a part of the back protrudes to the front, giving the device a unique look. The device is basically made of two parts, the glass front surrounded by the chrome strip and the back, made of soft ...

Maxx AX8 Race and AX9Z Race Dual SIM Android smartphones launched

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:03:38 +0000

Maxx Mobile has launched two new Android smartphones, AX8 Race and AX9Z. The AX8 has a 5-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1 GHz processor and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The Maxx AX9Z has a 4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Mediatek MT6577 processor and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Both these phones have a 8-megapxiel Auto Focus Camera with LED flas, 2-megapixel front-facing camera and comes with dual SIM support with dual standby. Maxx AX8 Race specifications 5-inch (480×800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS 10.2mm thick and weighs 198 grams 1 GHz single-core MediaTek Processor 8MP Auto Focus Camera with LED flash 2MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and GPS 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD 2300 mAh battery Maxx AX9Z Race specifications 4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen display 1.2 GHz dual-core Mediatek MT6577 processor Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) 8MP Auto Focus Camera with LED flash 2MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and GPS 512MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, expandable memory up to ...

5 million HTC One phones sold since launch

Varun Krish — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:34:27 +0000

There is a lot of negativity surrounding the Taiwanese phone maker HTC recently due to some high profile departures from the company including Chief Product Officer Kouji Kodera and Asia CEO Lennard Hoornik. But the company has managed to sell 5 million units of the its flagship HTC One smartphone since launch according to a report by the WSJ. HTC's main Android rival Samsung just announced today that it had sold over 10 million units of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in record time. The HTC One hit many markets before the Galaxy S4 but HTC is still struggling with the global roll out. India was supposed to get the phone in end of April but it is finally going on sale only this month end. HTC was also involved in some legal trouble with respect to the HDR microphone on the device. Executives quitting a company in bad times is not something new. But I feel that the reports about the death of HTC are slightly exaggerated. The company is on a downward spiral but did manage to fight back with the One. Just that HTC can't afford to make mistakes and launch delays and component shortages can only prove fatal ...

Micromax MMX377G 3G data card launched for Rs. 1699

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:19:27 +0000

Micromax has launched the MMX377G a new 3G data card with a YouTube tab that enables access to the weekly top music videos and micromaxonline.com exclusively. It offers download speeds up to 14.4 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5.76Mbps and also includes, Phonebook, SMS and Voice call support. It has Plug n play functionality that connects to the network instantly without and tedious process such as driver installation or manual configuration. It has T-Flash memory reader which support microSD cards up to 32GB. The data card is powered by MediaTek’s MT6280 3G/HSPA+ thin-modem platform that supports HSPA+ data rates and comes as a highly-integrated, single-chip baseband and RF SoC (System on Chip) that offers small size, low power and leading data modem performance ideal for 3G data dongles. Features of Micromax MMX377G 3G data card Configuration free, Plug n Play 3G HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps 9.5mm thick thick and weighs 30 grams Micro SD Card Slot ( supports up to 32GB) YouTube tab to access top weekly music videos Phonebook, SMS and Voice Call The Micromax MMX377G 3G data card is priced at Rs. 1,699 and is available through all the leading outlets across India. It is also available from micromaxinfo.com.

HTC Desire 600 dual sim with quad-core processor, BoomSound announced

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:46:28 +0000

HTC has announced Desire 600 dual sim, the company's latest mid-range smartphone with dual SIM support. Press image of a mid-range devices surfaced recently, but this looks different from the phone. It has a 4.5-inch qHD (960 x 540 pixels) pixels super LCD2 display, powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and runs on Android Jelly Bean (Version is not available yet). It has a 8-megapixel camera on the back with LED flash, BSI sensor and a 1.6-megapixel front-facing camera with BSI sensor. It has HTC BlinkFeed home screen and HTC BoomSound with Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers similar to the HTC One. HTC Desire 600 dual sim specifications 4.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels) pixels super LCD2 display 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor Android Jellybean Dual SIM 8MP rear camera with LED Flash, BSI Sensor 1.6 MP front-facing camera with BSI Sensor 3.5 mm headset jack, Beats audio support HTC BlinkFeed HTC BoomSound, Dual frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers 3.5mm audio jack, Beats Audio 1GB DDR2 RAM, 8GB internal memory 3G (HSDPA up to 7.2 Mbps), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, GPS with a-GPS 1860 mAh battery The HTC Desire 600 dual sim would be available globally from early June 2013. No word on pricing yet.

Jet Airways releases Windows Phone app in partnership with Nokia

Srivatsan — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:17:26 +0000

Jet Airways has partnered with Nokia to launched the official app for Windows Phone. This app would let you book tickets, check flight status, manage their JetPrivilege account, avail special offers and more directly from your device. It also offers flight updates and notifications with the ability to pin the booked ticket to the home screen for easy access. Even though they have partnered with Nokia, the app is not exclusive to Lumia devices and is available for all the Windows Phone devices. Features of Jet Airways app for Windows Phone Seamless booking process and secure payment via credit card. Easy access to the booked itinerary, pinned as a tile on the home screen Convenient access and management of JetPrivilege Account, on the go Real time flight status with option to search using flight number, airport or route Registration for receiving real time flight status notification. Latest updates on News and Special offers Users can share their experiences via the app Download Jet Airways app for Windows Phone (7.5 and later) from the Windows Phone Store for free.