Mobile devices

Samsung Electronics has expanded its Note series with the launch of the Galaxy Note3 Neo. The device functions on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system (OS). It features a 5.5-inch screen and a hexa-core chipset that houses a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. The Galaxy Note3 Neo has 2 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB. It has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera. The device supports technologies such as the global positioning system (GPS), Glonass, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, near field communications (NFC) and USB 2.0. The Note3 Neo is priced at Rs 40,900.

Micromax has introduced the Funbook P280 tablet, which functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. Powered by a 1 GHz Cortex-A8 processor, the device has a 7-inch screen, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB. Other features include a 0.3 megapixel VGA front camera, and support for 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. The tablet is priced at Rs 4,650.

LG has introduced the G Flex smartphone in the Indian market. It functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. The smartphone has a 6-inch screen and is powered by the 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor. The G Flex features 2 GB RAM, 32 GB of internal storage and a 13 megapixel camera. The smartphone is priced at Rs 69,999.

Motorola has introduced the Moto G smartphone. The device functions on the Android 4.4 KitKat OS. The smartphone has a 4.5-inch screen and is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. Other features include 1 GB RAM, 8 GB of internal storage, a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front camera.

Xolo has introduced the Q1100 phablet, which functions on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS. Powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, the device features a 5-inch screen, 1 GB RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB. The Q1100 has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera.

Panasonic has re-entered the Indian feature phone market with the launch of the EZ240 and EZ180 devices. Priced at Rs 1,790, the EZ240 features a 2.4-inch screen, expandable memory of up to 16 GB and a 1.3 megapixel camera, and supports dual SIM cards. The EZ180 has a 1.8-inch screen, a 0.3 megapixel camera, and expandable memory of up to 16 GB, and is priced at Rs 1,350.

Micromax has introduced the Canvas Elanza A93 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. The smartphone features a 5-inch screen and is powered by a 1.3 GHz dual-core processor. The Canvas Elanza A93 has 1 GB RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. The smartphone has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera, and is priced at Rs 9,400.

Micromax has introduced the Canvas Power A96, priced at Rs 9,990. The device has a 5-inch TFT display and functions on the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582M processor and a 4,000 mAh battery. The smartphone features 512 MB RAM, 4 GB of internal storage which can be expanded to 32 GB, a 5 megapixel rear camera with LED (light emitting diode) flash and a VGA front camera. The device supports dual SIM cards, and 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Other features include preloaded applications such as Kingsoft Office, Hike, Opera Mini, M! Live and the BlackBerry Messenger.

Karbonn Mobiles has introduced the A91 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. Priced at Rs 4,490, the smartphone has a 3.9-inch screen and is powered by a 1.3 GHz dual-core processor. The A 91 packs in 256 MB RAM and 512 MB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB. It also has a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera, and supports technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPRS and EDGE.

HP has launched the Slate 6 Voice tablet. Priced at Rs 22,990, the device features a 7-inch screen and is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core Marvell PXA1088 processor. It offers 1 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 32 GB. It supports dual SIM cards, and has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera.

Gionee has introduced the Gpad G4 smartphone, priced at Rs 18,999. The device functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS and is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor. Other features include the Smart Gesture control, 1 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 5 megapixel front camera.

Sony launched the Xperia Z2 tablet at the Mobile World Congress. The tablet is powered by a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor and operates on the Android 4.4 KitKat OS. It features a 10.1-inch screen, an 8 megapixel rear camera, 3 GB RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 64 GB.

Gionee has introduced the M2 smartphone, which functions on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. Priced at Rs 10,999, the smartphone has a 5-inch screen and is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor. The M2 packs in 1 GB RAM and 4 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB. It has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera.

Intex has launched the Cloud Y12 smartphone. The device functions on the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core MediaTek processor. The Cloud Y12 has a 4-inch screen, 512 MB RAM, 4 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB, and a 2 megapixel rear camera as well as a VGA front camera. The phone supports dual SIM cards and connectivity options like 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Sony has introduced the Xperia Z1 Compact smartphone, which functions on the Google Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS. Priced at Rs 36,990, the smartphone has a 4.3-inch screen and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. The Xperia Z1 Compact packs in 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 64 GB. It also has a 20.7 megapixel rear and a 2 megapixel front camera.

Services

Bharti Airtel has introduced 4G services for smartphones in Bengaluru in association with Apple. Subscribers can access 4G on their Apple iPhone 5s/5c by changing their existing SIM card to a 4G SIM card. The company has introduced various 4G data plans for customers. Airtel subscribers can access 4G services at the same price points as those of their existing 3G plan. Meanwhile, 2G users can opt for 3G data plans to avail of the high speeds offered by 4G. Airtel has also introduced a 4G tariff plan priced at Rs 1,000, under which subscribers can access 10 GB of data. The operator will route voice calls on its 2G/3G network using circuit switched fallback technology, while data browsing will be supported by its 4G network.

Vodafone India has launched the Red Box service, which facilitates secure data transfer, including pictures, videos and documents, from one handset to another. The service facilitates secure transfer of content on the phone?s internal storage and SIM card contacts. At present, the free service is available in Mumbai.

Vodafone and MoneyGram have entered into an agreement to expand the operator?s M-Pesa mobile money service. Under the agreement, consumers will be able to use MoneyGram?s network of 334,000 agents to send funds directly to M-Pesa accounts. Customers can transfer money to an M-Pesa user through MoneyGram or a mobile application on their smartphones. The M-Pesa service is available in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Fiji, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has introduced free roaming services for prepaid subscribers in Rajasthan. The operator has introduced a special tariff voucher priced at Rs 92, which offers unlimited free incoming calls for 90 days while roaming. Further, users will be charged Rs 1.50 per second for every outgoing local and STD call.

Sistema Shyam Teleservices Limited (SSTL) and D-Link, a networking products and solution provider, are developing a video surveillance application which can be used to monitor home security by mobile users. SSTL plans to launch the IP-based remote surveillance application ? MSecure ? in nine circles. The service is aimed at increasing the operator?s revenue from data services. To avail of the security solution, subscribers will be required to install an intelligent IP-based camera and an MBlaze Wi-Fi dongle in their homes. The camera will capture live video footage and customers will be able to access the video footage on their mobile device by installing the mydlink application. They will have to pay Rs 6,000-Rs 9,000 as upfront charges for the service, including the Wi-Fi dongle. Further, consumers will be charged Rs 400-Rs 500 per month for monitoring their homes through the MSecure solution.

Aircel has partnered with mydala.com to launch the Aircel Joys offer. Under the scheme, the operator will offer various deals and discounts of up to 90 per cent on products and services in categories such as entertainment, lifestyle, shopping, hospitality and personal care. Aircel Joys will be available to Aircel subscribers across 152 cities and will enable them to shop through their mobile phones. Both prepaid and post-paid  subscribers can opt for three payment options ? pay per coupon (Rs 1 to Rs 49), multiple deals (Rs 5 per two deals over two days) and unlimited deals (Rs 30 for one month).

Vodafone India has entered into an agreement with Opera Software to offer the Web Pass service to its subscribers. The facility is expected to increase the adoption of data services. Opera Web Pass will allow the operator to replace complex, kb/MB-based data plans with time-based or content-based web pass packages. Customers availing of the service will be able to pay on a per day or per hour basis for browsing social networking sites. Using the Opera Web Pass configuration tool, Vodafone India will be able to monitor and optimise web passes in real time, leading to faster testing and shorter go-to-market timelines.