Mobile devices
Sony Ericsson has launched the FingerTALK campaign with the expansion of its Xperia range of handsets. The new range includes the Xperia neo V and Xperia pro hand-helds that have social media integration applications, access to over 250,000 applications on the Android platform, the Mobile Bravia Engine, the xLOUD application, the Noise Shield application, and the 3D Panorama Sweep platform. The Xperia neo V device also offers users 320 MB internal storage capacity; 512 MB RAM; support for GPRS, Bluetooth and EDGE; a 5 megapixel camera; support for video calling; and a 1 GHz Scorpion processor. The Xperia pro has a QWERTY keyboard, 1 GB of internal memory, an 8 megapixel camera, support for video recording and playback, a Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon 1 GHz processor and a built-in music player with support for MP3, WMA, WAV and eAAC+ file formats.
S Mobility has introduced the Samba and Carnival music handsets, both of which cost Rs 3,599. The Samba has a 2.2 inch QVGA screen while the Carnival has a QWERTY keypad. The handsets have a 1.3 megapixel camera with video recording and playback support. Other features include T-flash support (up to 8 GB) with a free 2 GB memory card; a built-in FM radio with recording facility; a 950 mAh battery with a life of four hours; and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Josh Mobiles? recently launched JB 325 touch-and-type handset offers users a built-in FM radio receiver, video recorder, support for dual languages, a one-touch MP3 player and a video recorder. The device costs Rs 4,899.
Milagrow Business and Knowledge Solutions has entered the Indian tablet market with the launch of the TabTop PC. The tablet runs on the Android 2.3.1 Gingerbread operating system and costs Rs 25,000 and Rs 29,500 for the 16 GB and the 32 GB models respectively. The tablet has an 8-inch multitouch capacitive screen with an LED-backlit (1024×768 pixel resolution) widescreen high-definition display. The tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz A2918 cortex processor coupled with 1 GB DDR 3. Other functions of the TabTop PC are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and a built-in 3G module. It also has two USB slots, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port and an SD card port. The device has a 5000 mAh battery, which, the company claims, will provide up to 10 hours of battery life. In addition, it comes with dual cameras (front and rear facing) and has support for the Live TV application.
Acer has launched the Acer Iconia Smart S300, an Android 2.3-based smartphone featuring a large 4.8-inch capacitive multitouch screen, an 8 megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flashlight, and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera. Other features include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies; support for the global positioning system; a built-in FM radio, an HDMI port; motion-sensing facility; and 8 GB of internal memory. The phone has a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It also has Acer?s Clear.fi media sharing system, which allows users to access, play and share multimedia files across the home network and to instantly publish updates on social media networks. The phone is available for Rs 28,990.
HCL has introduced the X1 tablet, based on the Android operating system. The tablet, which costs Rs 10,490, has an Android 2.3 operating system and a Cortex A8 1 GHz processor. The X1 offers a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen with 800×480 pixel resolution, and has a 2 megapixel rear camera and 512 MB storage capacity with 4 GB of internal memory, expandable to 32 GB. The ME X1 tablet has a 3500 mAh battery, Flash support through Adobe 10.3 and the option of data connectivity through USB dongles. The HCL ME X1 comes with content relevant to Indian users and is integrated with HCL Touch, a 24×7 one-touch service facility.
Fly Mobiles has launched its first Android tablet, Fly Vision, which costs Rs 7,299. It has a TFT LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels. It runs on the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and features a 600 MHz Rockchip 2818 chipset processor and 256 MB RAM. It uses a 4000 mAh battery that provides six hours of continuous operation. The tablet also has an external memory slot that can accommodate a 16 GB micro-SD card and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The Fly Vision application allows users to access the Android Market and is pre-loaded with Google applications like Google Talk, Gmail, Google Maps and YouTube. Fly Vision is enabled with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. In addition, the tablet has a SIM card slot that supports browsing and can be used to make voice calls.
Lava Mobiles has launched the S12 Android smartphone. The device has a 3.2 inch display with a 480×320 pixel resolution and runs on the Android Froyo (2.2) operating system. Its user interface transforms the home screen into a 3D one and offers 16 customisable home screens, which can be modified by the user. The phone is powered by a 600 MHz Qualcomm processor, and has a 1300 mAh battery and a capacitive touchscreen. It also features a 5 megapixel fixed- focus rear camera. The S12 is priced at Rs 9,999 and comes with a 2 GB microSD card.
Samsung Electronics Company Limited has launched the GALAXY Note handset in the Indian market. The device operates on a 1.4 GHz dual core processor and packs in a 5.3 inch WXGA super AMOLED screen, an 8 megapixel camera rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera. Its other features include support for high definition video recording and playback; support for MP3, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV, FLAC and OGG audio file formats; support for the Social Hub application; and 16 GB of internal memory. The GALAXY Note is priced at Rs 34,990.
Services
As part of its FingerTALK campaign, Sony Ericsson has collaborated with Bharti Airtel to offer customers 500 MB per month of free 3G or 2G data usage for the first three months from the time of purchase. In addition, Airtel mobile customers purchasing these Xperia devices can avail of free mobile TV for 200 minutes or two months, whichever is earlier.
Uninor has launched the Super Combo STV-47 that offers 3 GB of free GPRS downloads, and 3,000 free local and national text messages. Customers can download or browse up to 3 GB of free content for Rs 47 per month. The new plan is available to customers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Samsung Electronics has launched the bada 2.0 Power App Race, a global application contest hosted by the Samsung bada developer site, which offers developers a chance to win up to $100,000 each. The bada Power App Race competition invites developers to create innovative mobile applications using the bada 2.0 SDK platform. A total of 10 applications, ? five game applications and five non-game applications ? will be selected for a total prize money of $1,000,000.
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has launched international roaming services for its prepaid subscribers, across 433 GSM networks in 231 countries. The company has also launched a dual-mode SIM card, which would work both on GSM handsets while abroad and on open market CDMA handsets while in India. SSTL customers on international roaming would have access to GPRS services in 206 countries across 322 telecom networks. In addition, SSTL customers will be able to avail of HSDPA services in 114 countries on 145 roaming networks.
Bharti Airtel has launched a broadband scheme, called Smartbyte. The scheme permits customers who exceed the data usage threshold under existing plans to purchase an additional quota for a fixed price. Customers can choose from packs starting at Rs 99 for 1 GB to Rs 1,499 for 50 GB. The additional data will be offered at the same internet speed that the customer has subscribed to.
Nokia India has joined hands with eBay India to launch the eBay India Nokia Application. This platform permits users to access the eBay India website on the go. Shoppers can browse, compare prices and shop directly through their mobile phones. This application also showcases products like cameras, mobile phones, computers, electronics, apparels and watches. It can be downloaded free from the Nokia Store on the Nokia N8, E6, E7, 701, X7, C2-03 and C2-05 handsets, and is preloaded on the Nokia C2-03 and C2-05 handsets.
Uninor has launched the Uninor Double 7 pack for users in Tamil Nadu that offers 150 free minutes of local talktime, and 600 free local and national SMSs. The pack is valid for 30 days and entails Rs 15 worth of talktime. Moreover, customers can carry forward the free talktime minutes if they renew the pack within the 30-day validity period.
Vodafone Essar has launched the Vodafone Mobile Application Store. Powered by Appia, the store provides Vodafone subscribers with over 10,000 free and paid applications for any handset across major mobile operating systems including Android, Java, Symbian and BlackBerry. The applications on offer include games, entertainment, social networking and local culture. To avail of this service, users have to send VStore as a text message to 111 and access the URL provided in the response message.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has introduced the Choose Your Mobile Number scheme in the Andhra Pradesh circle. The scheme allows customers to choose a number from a list displayed on the company?s website without paying a premium charge.
TATA DOCOMO has tied up with EdServ to offer IIT-JEE and AIEEE test preparation courses on mobile phones. The Tutor on Mobile (ToM) service is available to TATA DOCOMO subscribers across the country. Aspirants have to pay between Rs 5 and Rs 10 for each video. Content would also be available in the form of text, images, live interactions and podcasts on smartphones through this offering. As an introductory offer, the subscription charges for the first month have been waived, following which a charge of Rs 30 per month would be applicable.
BSNL has also launched the Rakshak post-paid plan for central paramilitary groups. Under this plan, two SIM cards (the main SIM and the home SIM) will be issued and activated. The customer will pay Rs 299 as monthly charges for the two post-paid connections. All tariffs applicable for the main number, except incoming calls while roaming, will be the same for the home number. Thirty minutes of free calls between the two numbers would be provided every day and beyond this limit, calls would be charged at Re 0.20 per minute. Calls and text messages to other networks would be charged Re 0.49 per minute and per message.
