Mobile devices
Nokia India has expanded its Asha portfolio of handsets with the launch of the Asha 303 device. The touch-and-type smartphone is equipped with a QWERTY keypad and a 1 GHz processor, and comes preloaded with various entertainment applications such as Angry Birds Lite, Mobile TV (with the Zenga TV platform), Whatsapp and the Nokia Music Unlimited service. Its other features include Bluetooth connectivity, 170 MB of internal memory, expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a music player, an FM radio and internet radio. The Nokia Asha 303 is priced at Rs 8,899.
iBall has introduced the Fab 9 handset, priced at Rs 2,799. The dual-SIM device has a 2.4 inch display, a music and video player, an FM radio, English and Hindi interfaces, and a 1,000-contact phonebook. Its other features include a 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom and multi-shot mode, Bluetooth connectivity, support for WAP and GPRS, and an e-book reader.
Zync has launched the Z 990 Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system-based tablet. The device is equipped with a 7 inch capacitive screen and is powered by a 1.2 GHz processor coupled with 1 GB RAM. The Zync Z 990 also has 4 GB of inbuilt memory expandable to 32 GB via microSD card. Its other features include support for Wi-Fi, a 0.3 megapixel front camera, external keyboards, 3G USB dongles, and an HDMI and a micro USB port. Priced at Rs 8,990, the Zync Z 990 is available on various e-commerce websites.
HTC has introduced the One series of smartphones in the country with the launch of the One X and One V devices. The One X device runs on a 1.5 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor and the Android 4.0 operating system. It has a 1 GB RAM, a 4.7 inch Super LCD display and an 8 megapixel camera with a recording facility. The One V device runs on a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and has a 3.7 inch AMOLED display, 512 MB RAM and a 5 megapixel camera. The One X and One V devices are priced at Rs 42,999 and Rs 19,999 respectively.
SICT Mobiles has introduced the iV 168 dual-SIM handset. The device is priced at Rs 1,999 and has a dual-language keypad, 16 GB of external memory and a dual charging support. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera, an inbuilt webcam facility, and an audio and video recorder that supports MP3, WAV, MIDI and AMR audio file formats as well as AVI, MP4 and 3GP video formats.
Sony Mobile Communications has launched the Xperia NXT series that includes the Xperia S, Xperia P, Xperia U and the Xperia Sola handsets. The Android 2.3-based Xperia S runs on Qualcomm?s 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. It features a 4.3 inch TFT touchscreen and a 12.1 megapixel camera with autofocus, and is priced at Rs 32,549. The Xperia P offers a 16 million colour screen, an 8 megapixel camera with autofocus, a VGA front camera with support for video recording and 16 GB of internal memory. The Xperia U has a 3.5 inch display, a 5 megapixel camera and a front-facing VGA camera, a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 8 GB of internal memory. The Xperia Sola has a 5 megapixel camera and 8 GB of internal memory, and supports Bluetooth and near field communication technologies.
Intex has introduced the Yuva handset for Indian users, priced at Rs 2,890. The dual-SIM device gives up to eight hours of talktime and up to 500 hours of standby time. It features a 2.6 inch screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera, an inbuilt video player and FM radio with recording facility, a microSD card slot that supports up to 16 GB of external memory and a USB port for data transfer. The device supports the remote wipe security facility; the blacklist and whitelist feature; and Bluetooth, GPRS, WAP and MMS. Its other features include built-in games, an LED torch, an SMS backup facility, smart dial, an auto call record, a battery manager and dual-language support.
Reliance Communications (RCOM) has introduced a CDMA tablet device. The CDMA Tab runs on the Android 2.3 platform and has a 7 inch multi-touch screen, expandable memory of up to 32 GB and a dual camera. Its other features include support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, RCOM?s Live TV facility and a host of preloaded applications like YouTube, Google Maps, Google Search, R World online, Gmail, Facebook and Twitter.
Huawei has launched the Honor and the Ideos X5 smartphones in the Indian market. The Huawei Honor features a 1900 mAh battery, which gives up to nine hours of talktime, 10 hours of video, six hours of gaming and three days of battery backup. It operates on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform, which is upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It packs in a 4 inch scratch-resistant Gorilla glass display, with a resolution of 245 pixels per inch, a 1.4 GHz processor and a gyroscope, an 8 megapixel autofocus rear camera with high definition (HD) video recording. The phone also has a front-facing camera for video chatting. The device is priced at Rs 19,990. The Ideos X5 handset comes equipped with 16 GB of cloud-based storage for images, music files, etc., a 1 GHz processor and an FM radio. The device features a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and supports 720 pixel HD videos. The Ideos X5 offers a download speed of 14.4 Mbps and is priced at Rs 13,800.
Nokia plans to launch its Nokia 103 low-cost handset in India in May 2012. The Nokia 103 packs in an FM radio and is based on the Series 30 operating system. Other features include 11 hours of talk- time and up to 27 days of standby time. The device houses a basic white backlit 96 x 68 pixel CSTN (colour super-twist nematic) display.
Intel has introduced the Intel Studybook education-centric tablet. Built for e-learning, the Intel Studybook provides education solutions and packs in a 7 inch 1024×600 pixel display with a capacitive touch input system. Powered by the Intel Atom Z650 processor, the tablet can be configured to run on either Android or Windows 7. The device has 1 GB RAM, front and rear cameras, a microphone and a light sensor for video chatting. The company has not yet revealed the tablet?s price.
Services
Bharti Airtel has introduced the international one-day Bridge Data Roam Unlimited plan for post-paid customers. The offer enables users to avail of unlimited data usage at Rs 500 per day while on roaming within the Asia-Pacific region, across the networks of 11 Bridge Alliance members, namely Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Vodafone India has launched the WorldSpace Radio service across 18 circles. This enables customers to access a wide range of music tracks through their handsets. The radio service is available in the Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Mumbai, Bihar, Kerala, Rest of Bengal, Assam, the Northeast, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Chennai circles. Customers can avail of this service for Rs 30 per month, along with 300 minutes of free usage. To activate this service, users can call 58000 (toll free) or SMS ACT Wradio to 111 (toll free) or USSD to *514*580#.
TATA DOCOMO has launched the Photon Max device. The device, priced at Rs 1,999, offers users high speed mobile internet access at upto 6.2 Mbps. It comes bundled with the Double Benefit Unlimited plan that allows users 6 GB of data usage at a flat rate of Rs 1,000 per month with up to 6.2 Mbps (downlink) speed for the first three months and 3 GB of data usage from the fourth month onwards. Thereafter, speeds will be capped at 153.6 kbps with no extra usage charges.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched video telephone services in Bhopal. The operator will use its 256 kbps broadband connections as the platform to provide the service. BSNL subscribers with a 256 kbps broadband connection can now make video calls on a 2 Mbps private virtual circuit. To avail of the service, the customer has to pay Rs 3,000 as security deposit and Rs 250 as registration and activation charges. The monthly rental is Rs 150 and video calls are priced at Rs 2.50 per minute.
Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced the BlackBerry Mini keyboard, a new accessory for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. In addition to a full QWERTY keyboard, it offers an integrated touchpad that allows users to navigate and control the BlackBerry PlayBook easily. When the keyboard is active, the PlayBook tablet?s virtual keyboard remains hidden, freeing up the display screen for the task at hand. The Mini keyboard is equipped with a touchpad that supports BlackBerry PlayBook gestures. The touchpad also offers additional gestures similar to a mouse and touchpad controls on a laptop, including a single tap to simulate a mouse click, a two-finger tap to right-click, and a two-finger up or down swipe to scroll vertically. The device with a width of less than 6 mm connects to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet via Bluetooth and features 128 bit encryption for securing the data transmitted between the keyboard and tablet. Pre-orders for the BlackBerry Mini Keyboard can be placed online for $119.99.
Uninor has introduced a cricket portal, which will enable users to keep track of all matches in the fifth season of the Indian Premier League. To avail of the service, users need to dial 522555 to subscribe to a monthly pack at a rental of Rs 30 or the pack priced at Rs 3 per match. The service enables users to browse through various topics, such as cricket rankings, match schedules, cricket songs, opinion polls, and cricket quizzes and trivia.
Vodafone India has increased the talktime on certain vouchers from 9 per cent to 22 per cent for customers in Tamil Nadu. This offer is valid on vouchers priced at Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 30, Rs 50 and Rs 100 with effect from April 1, 2012.
TATA DOCOMO has launched the Smart Life 3G plans for its prepaid customers in Kerala. The plans are priced at Rs 146, Rs 199 and Rs 246 and offer free talktime worth Rs 50, Rs 100 and Rs 150 respectively. Moreover, the Rs 146 plan offers free 3G data usage of up to 300 MB, while the Rs 199 and Rs 246 plans offer up to 400 MB and 600 MB respectively. In addition, customers can avail of 20 per cent extra data usage on these plans through online recharges.
RIM and Mediaworks have jointly launched the India One music application on BlackBerry devices. As per the agreement, users can access music tracks across various genres on the BlackBerry device. This application is free of charge and can be downloaded from the BlackBerry store or the company?s web-based store.
Mobile value-added service provider handygo Technologies has joined hands with Centre for Agriculture Bioscience International (CABI) to provide mobile-based agriculture solutions to subscribers in rural areas. The region-specific data including agricultural content and advisory services will be provided by CABI, while handygo will provide the technology platform. The solution is available on both the interactive voice response and SMS platforms. The pan-Indian service is available in 18 regional languages.
