Mobile devices
Nokia has introduced the Nokia 105 entry-level handset in the Indian market. The device, priced at Rs 1,249, packs in a 1.45 inch 65,000 colour TFT display and 8 MB of internal memory, and has a built-in flashlight.
Nokia has expanded its Lumia range of handsets with the launch of the Lumia 720 and the Lumia 520. Both smartphones function on the Windows Phone 8 operating system and are powered by a 1 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. The devices also feature 512 MB RAM, 8 GB of internal storage and 7 GB of free SkyDrive storage. The Lumia 720 houses dual cameras (a 6.7 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front camera) while the Lumia 520 features a 5 megapixel camera.
S Mobility Limited has unveiled the Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535 smartphone. Priced at Rs 14,990, the device supports dual SIM cards and functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean platform. Other features include dual cameras (an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 5 megapixel front camera), support for video recording, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM and support for Wi-Fi tethering facility.
TCL Communications has introduced the One Touch Idol Ultra smartphone, priced at Rs 21,000. The device functions on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. The smartphone has a 4.7 inch screen, 1 GB RAM and an 8 megapixel camera.
Gionee has launched the L800 device, which supports dual SIM cards and features a 2.8 inch screen. The device functions on a Java-based operating system, and houses a 1.3 megapixel camera and 4 GB of internal memory. The device is priced at Rs 2,599.
Zen Mobile has introduced the Ultrafone 701HD smartphone, priced at Rs 11,999. The device functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor. Other features include a 5 inch screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, 1 GB RAM and 4 GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 32 GB. The smartphone also supports dual SIM cards as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies.
Karbonn has unveiled the Titanium S5 smartphone, priced at Rs 11,990. The device functions on the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system and is powered by a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. The smartphone has a 5 inch screen and houses 1 GB RAM, 4 GB ROM and an 8 megapixel camera.
Lava Mobiles has introduced the Xolo B700 smartphone, priced at Rs 8,999. The device functions on the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is powered by a 1 GHz dual-core processor. The smartphone has a 4.3 inch screen, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of internal storage, which is expandable to 32 GB using a microSD card. It also features dual cameras (a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera) and supports dual SIM cards, and 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 technologies.
Idea Cellular has launched the Aurus 2 Android-based 3G smartphone, priced at Rs 6,490. The device is powered by a 1 GHz processor, and supports dual SIM cards and video calling facility. The smartphone packs in a 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen, 4 GB of internal memory, 512 MB of RAM and dual cameras (a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and a front-facing VGA camera).
Salora International has launched the Fontab tablet PC, priced at Rs 6,899. The device is powered by the Cortex A9 1.5 GHz processor and functions on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. Other features include 1 GB RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, dual cameras (a 2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera) and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Gionee has launched the Gionee P1 smartphone, priced at Rs 4,999. It is powered by the 1 GHz Cortex A9 processor and packs in 512 MB of internal memory, which is expandable to 32 GB. The device supports dual cameras (a 2 megapixel rear camera and a front-facing VGA camera).
Asus India has launched the Nexus 7 tablet, which is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and functions on the Jelly Bean operating system. It supports over nine hours of high definition video playback and 10 hours of web browsing or e-reading. The Nexus 7 3G version is priced at Rs 22,000 and the Wi-Fi variant at Rs 19,000.
Services
Reliance Communications has collaborated with Twitter to launch the Reliance Twitter Access Pack for prepaid GSM subscribers. The facility provides users with unlimited access to Twitter, without additional data usage charges. This is a promotional offer and is valid for 90 days. To subscribe to the service, existing GSM prepaid subscribers are required to either send ?ACT Twitter? as a text message to 53739 or dial *777*30#.
Vodafone India has tied up with ICICI Bank to launch the M-Pesa mobile money transfer and payment service. The service is initially being launched in Kolkata, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. Customers can use this facility to pay bills, deposit and withdraw cash from designated outlets, transfer money to any mobile number and remit money to any bank account across India.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has launched a Wi-Fi-based module for cars. The module will enable customers to access the internet while on the move. The module is priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 and includes an antenna placed on the vehicle, which receives Wi-Fi signals at a speed of 3.5 Mbps.
TATA DOCOMO has introduced several data plans for its Photon Plus subscribers in Kerala. With the data plan priced at Rs 650, prepaid Photon Plus users can avail of 3 GB of data usage for 30 days. The second data plan for Rs 750 offers users 4 GB of data usage for 30 days. Further, prepaid customers with a first recharge of Rs 350 can avail of 10 GB of data usage for a month. Also, subscribers can avail of 1 GB of additional data usage for the next four recharges on all recharge coupons priced at Rs 350 and above.
Bharti Airtel has introduced special roaming pacts for users travelling to the US, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, Germany and the UAE. With a recharge coupon of Rs 8,500, post-paid customers travelling to the US can avail of 300 free minutes on incoming calls. The coupon is valid for 30 days. Once the free minutes have lapsed, customers will be charged at Rs 20 per minute for all calls. With recharge coupons priced at Rs 3,500 and Rs 1,000, subscribers travelling to the US can avail of 60 and 30 free minutes respectively. Meanwhile, customers travelling to other countries can opt for the Rs 3,600 coupon, which offers 120 minutes of free incoming calls. Subsequently, subscribers will be charged at Rs 40 per minute for all calls. The recharge coupon priced at Rs 1,500 offers 30 minutes of free incoming calls, following which the user will be charged Rs 60 per minute for each call. Both the packs are valid for 15 days.
Aircel has introduced a new data plan as part of its Pocket Internet offering in Chennai. Priced at Rs 24, the data plan is targeted at first-time internet users and offers 100 MB of data usage for 30 days.
TATA DOCOMO has introduced three 3G data speed booster packs for post-paid subscribers in Karnataka. The pack priced at Rs 125 offers 500 MB of data usage. The packs priced at Rs 200 and Rs 350 offer 1 GB and 2 GB of data usage respectively.
Bharti Airtel has introduced two data packs in Hyderabad, which offer users broadband speeds of up to 40 Mbps. The operator is providing this service through Beetel?s Wi-Fi modem, which is priced at Rs 3,099. The Ultrasonic 3999 data pack offers users 200 GB of data usage along with 2,000 free voice minutes. The Ultrasonic 3299 pack offers 100 GB of data usage along with 1,000 free voice minutes. Subscribers opting for these data packs can also avail of free value-added services like parallel ringing, PC Secure (antivirus software) and unlimited gaming through games-on-demand.
TATA DOCOMO has partnered with U2opia Mobile to introduce the Facebook check-in service. The service allows users to stay connected to Facebook through unstructured supplementary services data without using internet connectivity, global positioning system or mobile data services. The facility permits users to display their current location on their Facebook profile. Users will be charged Re 1 per check-in.
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited has introduced special tariffs with the launch of MBlaze dongles in the music, lifestyle and gamer categories. As part of the offer, customers will be charged Rs 1,299 for the dongle and Rs 888 for the first recharge. The offer entails 8 GB of data usage for 30 days. With this recharge voucher, users can avail of additional data usage benefits worth Rs 2,600 and value-added services worth over Rs 700. The customised MBlaze dongles are available in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
