Author: Abhinav Mishra

OnePlus Now Temporarily Banned from Selling Phones in India

It seems that trending smartphones aren’t easy to get their grasp on for Indian consumers. After Xiaomi, now its the Chinese device manufacturer OnePlus who has been banned by the Delhi High Court from selling, promoting or for that matter, even importing its devices on Indian soil. Thanks to Micromax, the order has come a day after the Indian manufacturer appealed to the Delhi High Court that OnePlus infringed on their India exclusive agreement with Cyanogen.

Micromax said-

We incurred major expenses for creation of a brand exclusivity for providing to Indian customers mobile phones with Cyanogen operating systems it would suffer irreparable harm and loss if the defendants (OnePlus) are permitted to continue with their illegal acts in violation of the agreement between Micromax and Cyanogen

Cyanogen had apparently signed a deal with Micromax for exclusively offering CyanogenMod OS devices in India. Owing to this exclusive agreement with Micromax, Cyanogen stated that OnePlus devices in India would not be receiving CyanogenMod updates from the company either. In addition, OnePlus One units sold in India would also be deprived of Cyanogen branding as well.

Micromax also has an exclusive license for the whole of South Asia, while OnePlus has a non-exclusive license for the entire world except China. Meanwhile, OnePlus argues that CyanogenMod informed them of the termination of their collaboration, just a fortnight before their launch in India. Cyanogen, on the other hand states that their agreement with Micromax technically cancels all prior agreements.

It will be interesting to observe whether OnePlus follows the same path of their Chinese compatriot Xiaomi, who face a similar ban.

December 18, 2014
Khan Market in New Delhi is a Free Wi-Fi Zone for Vodafone Customers

Vodafone customers can now avail Wi-Fi connectivity when they are in Khan Market, New Delhi. The company announced that its customers can simply SMS ACT TRYWIFI to 111 to access the Wi-Fi. The company has apparently joined hands with NDMC to provide the free Wi-Fi facility.

Meanwhile, non Vodafone users don’t have to disappointed, as they can also avail this free Wi-Fi facility by collecting vouchers from the following outlets – Route 04, SOY, Choko La, Big Chill, Pure Punjab, Town Hall, Chonas, Khan Chacha.

It is expected that the service will be available soon in C.P, which apparently got delayed due to technical and logistical issues. In addition, some security agencies in Connaught Place have also expressed concerns.

December 18, 2014
Back to the Basics : BlackBerry Goes Retro with the Launch of ‘The Classic’

Struggling phone manufacturer Blackberry today officially announced ‘The Classic’, probably a last throw of the dice to save the company going into complete oblivion. The company has high hopes from the newly launched Blackberry classic, which sports a full QWERTY keypad mirroring the design which made Blackberry a market leader during its heyday. Notably, the Classic is significantly smaller than the BlackBerry Passport, which the company launched earlier this year . The Classic is aimed at customers looking for that original BlackBerry experience.

The phone sports a 3.5 inch square touchscreen with a resolution of 720×720 pixels, unlike the 4.5 inch screen of the Passport. Thus, it makes for easy one handed usage with the physical QWERTY on-board. On the inside, the phone will be powered by a dual-core Qualcomm processor bundled with 2GB of RAM. Hence, the phone is not meant for running those high-end gaming titles, but more for browsing and surfing.

In addition, the phone also sports an 8MP primary camera along with a 2 MP front cam. The Classic runs on the BlackBerry 10 OS, though it can also run Android apps which are accessible via Amazon’s Appstore which come pre-loaded on the device. Along with that, the Canadian manufacturer has added the BrickBreaker game on the Classic, which should encourage the BlackBerry fans.

Though, the Classic may not appeal to today’s digital savvy generation; as it’s made for people who long for the retro BlackBerry experience. The company says ‘The Classic’ is available starting today “through local carriers around the world,” and AT&T and Verizon have confirmed they will sell the device in 2015, though carrier pricing has yet to be announced. The Classic is also available unlocked through BlackBerry and Amazon’s online stores for $449.

As of now, there’s no information regarding The Classic’s price and availability in India, stay tuned with iGyaan to know when and at what price this device will enter Indian soil.

December 18, 2014
Skype Now Allows Indian Users to Make Free Calls to US and Canada

Skype has announced a limited time offer for its users in India to call phone numbers in the US and Canada free of cost. The announcement has come shortly after the company introduced its real time Translator Preview programme and is valid for new and existing Skype users until the 1st of March 2015. Skype India page states that, “Yes, that’s right — for a limited time only all calls from India to mobiles and landlines in the United States and Canada are completely free. And you don’t even need to do anything other than start calling”.

Users can now sign up via the Skype India home page as the offer is already live. All you have to do is log in to your Skype account and just dial the number from your phone dialer to call anyone in the US and Canada. The offer could be a ploy to garner more popularity with Indian users which could turn out to be significant hub for its Skype Translator programme.

Notably, the offer also comes a day after Microsoft’s collaboration with Amazon India for its own exclusive store which sells a wider array of its products on the e-commerce website.

December 16, 2014
Microsoft Launches the 4G-Capable Nokia Lumia 638 at an Affordable Price

Redmond giant Microsoft has launched its budget 4G compatible smartphone, called the Nokia Lumia 638. The phone will be available exclusively at the company’s new Microsoft Brand store on Amazon India and is priced at Rs. 8,299. Pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 638 will kick-ff from tomorrow.

Specs on the smartphone include a 4.5 inch FWVGA (480×854 pixels) ClearBlack LCD display with Gorilla Glass 3, a 1.2 Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 400 SOC chipset along with 1 GB of RAM. Optics will just include a 5 MP rear auto focus camera. On the memory front, there’s an 8GB of internal storage with microSD card compatibility (up to 128GB). Powering the smartphone would be a 1830 mAh battery while the OS on board would be Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim update.

Commenting on the launch, Raghuvesh Sarup, Director – Marketing, Nokia India Sales Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobile Oy), said, “With the Lumia range we have always focused on delivering new experiences and features to our consumers at affordable price points. Now, we are introducing Lumia 638 which is the most affordable 4G smartphone on Windows Phone 8.1. It builds on the success of the Lumia range in the fast growing affordable smartphone segment and aims to address the consumers’ demand for a device that lets them enjoy uninterrupted video content. We are confident of the success of the Lumia 638 as a comprehensive package and are certain that the device will help us consolidate our position in the affordable smartphones segment further.”

In addition, consumers on Airtel postpaid in Bengaluru can avail upto 5GB of free data on 4G for 2 months. The offer will be valid until 31st March 2015. The Nokia Lumia 638 is being touted as the most affordable 4G compatible smartphone yet.

December 16, 2014
Skype Translator Preview Kicks-Off Today

Users will finally be getting first-hand experience with the highly anticipated Skype translator starting today. As the preview program now kicks off and will be available to Skype customers who sign-up via the Skype translator preview page. The program offers instant translation of both spoken and written languages for people participating in a Skype conversation, making it possible for people to communicate in entirely different languages.

At launch, the program is only limited to users of Windows and Windows Phone OS, so Microsoft has a slight leverage here. The Skype translator for now is available in two languages, Spanish and English, along with more than 40 instant messaging languages. The Redmond giant says they dedicated intense resources for this project, in this case a decade of research in the understanding and advancement of speech recognition, automatic translation and machine learning technologies.

Apparently Skype Translator relies on machine learning, hence the more technology is used, the more it improves, somewhat like a very advanced form of AI. Thus, it is expected continually to increase the standards of English and Spanish translation over the course of time, as more and more people start using the Skype translator preview.

Skype translator does look quite promising, but it’ll be very interesting to see how it performs in real-world and evolves over time. Certainly one of the more innovative technologies we’ve come across, lets hope it can live up to the hype. Do check out the demo video below to get a better idea of what the program is all about.

December 15, 2014
Xiaomi Plans to Lead the Home Automation Race; Invests Over $200 Million in ‘Midea’

After recently announcing the Mi Air Purifier, the company is showing further interest in the Smart Home business. Reports have surfaced that Xiaomi has invested around $205 million in Chinese home appliance maker Midea, acquiring about 1.29 percent share in the Chinese home appliance maker.

“The deal between Xiaomi Technology and Midea will see strategic cooperation between the two companies in smart home initiatives and electronic products,” said Xiaomi.

Midea was established in 1968 and shares the vision of a true smarthome with Xiaomi. The home appliance maker revealed that it is planning to invest CNY 15 billon over the course of the next three years on smartphone home research and development. Midea is focussing on a range of smart home management systems for air, water, nutrition and health.

Smartphones aren’t its only forte, Xiaomi has a bunch of smartdevices like a set-top box, smart TV, the Mi Band fitness tracker and the already mentioned Mi Purifier. The company also added that nearly 25 countries have shown initiative in its growing smart home ecosystem.

The past week, Xiaomi has had a tough time in India. The company has been banned from importing and selling handsets in India. Well, since the ban is only on smartphones, hopefully we will see some of its future home automation offerings arrive in our country.

December 15, 2014

Review : XOLO Omega 5.0

XOLO off late has added some rather interesting products to its catalogue in the overflowing lower mid-range category of smartphones. The company recently launched the Play series, along with adding a Windows Phone to its product catalog.

The Indian manufacturer has now added a pair of sub Rs. 10,000 devices under the new XOLO Omega range, the XOLO Omega 5.0 and the Omega 5.5. Given the price, they offer a fairly solid set of specifications. We assess if the Omega range take on the likes of Xiaomi, who have notably made a dent in the market with their aggressive pricing. It’s all about flagship killers these days, though can XOLO have a Xiaomi-killer in the making?

OVERVIEW

The one with us is the Omega 5.0 which is the smaller of the two, with main differences primarily being screen size, camera resolution and battery capacity. The XOLO Omega 5.0 packs in a decent set of specs, but with the competition in budget category booming, can the smartphone leave its mark in the market, let’s find out!

HARDWARE

As already mentioned, the XOLO Omega 5.0 does come with a fairly decent set of specs. Notably, it comes quite close to the Xiaomi Redmi Note. Check out the key specs below:

Key Specs	XOLO Omega 5.0
Display	IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours 720×1280 pixels, 5.0 inches (~294 ppi pixel density)
Processor	Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7
Storage	8 GB internal memory, microSD upto 32 GB
RAM	1 GB
Camera	8 MP, AF, LED flash, Exmor RS Sensor, 2 MP Selfie cam
Battery	2,100 mAh
Operating System	Android v4.4 KitKat OS with Hive UI

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN

At first glance, the XOLO Omega 5.0 looks like a well-made smartphone, though nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to design. It has a pretty bland look, with a black plastic finishing coupled with a metallic silver trim running along the edges. We have the power and the volume rocker keys housed within these metallic strips, with the power button on the right and the volume rockers on the left. The bottom of the device is empty as both the micro-USB port and 3.5 mm headset jacks are housed on top. Meanwhile, the three capacitive physical buttons are located below the display, which are not backlit but would suffice in low light conditions as the icons are shiny enough.

The back of the phone is made out of a smooth glossy plastic, apparently making it a fingerprint magnet. The primary camera unit is housed at the back with the XOLO logo housed right below the camera unit. The rear speaker cutout is made almost at the bottom.

Removing the back panel is relatively easy, which reveals the two SIM card slots along with the microSD slots, though you cannot mess around with the battery unit.

All in all, the Omega 5.0 is quite convenient for one-handed usage. The curved back does enhance the overall grip on the phone, though lacks the looks which forms one of the perennial elements of a smartphone.

SOFTWARE AND UI

The XOLO Omega 5.0 runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat OS with XOLO’s proprietary UI Hive on top. The HIVE UI has more of a streamlined and minimalistic approach to the stock Android, making it perfectly in tune with Google’s new material design.

The first thing we noticed was the lock screen, which has quite an interesting take on jumping onto specific apps directly from the lock screen. It allows users to jump directly into the most used apps directly, which is quite a nifty feature. The second major difference being how all apps are housed; they are arranged chronologically in three different ways – alphabetical, recently used and categorically.

Along with that there are a few interesting improvements. For instance, the contacts application now features block colours and rounded icons; an aesthetically pleasing choice. In addition, the toggle menu has been given a new look as brightness and volume options now get a jog-dial system of adjusting them. Unlike the line bar style found in almost all other UI’s. In addition, there are some nifty power saving modes and CPU information which seems rather useful.

Overall, the UI appears rather pleasing and is minimalistic; HIVE certainly has the potential around which future smartphones’ user interface will be based on. One of the snappier and user-friendly interfaces’ we’ve come across in a long time.

DISPLAY AND MULTIMEDIA

The smartphone features a 5-inch screen with a pixel resolution of 1280x720p, which has a pixel density of 294ppi. Hence, it makes for great readability with larger and broader texts. Even viewing angles are fairly good, presence of an IPS on-board panel is clearly evident.

Meanwhile, the multimedia capabilities of the phone are quite satisfactory. It supports all video formats, though HD videos were experiencing a few hiccups. That being said; the audio quality of the phone does pack some punch, with almost minimal distortion. Overall, the phone’s multimedia capabilities are fairly satisfactory given the price of the device.

CAMERA

The XOLO Omega 5.0 sports an 8MP AF primary camera with Exmor R sensor along with a 2MP front-facing camera. The primary camera unit can take fairly good quality pictures with good detailing and colour reproduction. Daylight images are rather more than satisfactory though one might have trouble at night. Meanwhile, the camera app comes preloaded with an array of shooting modes including HDR, Panorama, Gesture Shot to name a few. Also included in the camera widget are some preloaded effects like Mono, Sepia, Aqua, Blackboard etc.

Overall, the camera performance is rather pleasing, especially when taking macro shots. The rear camera is also able to take Full HD videos at 30 fps, and the video recording quality is fairly decent given the price range. While the front snapper isn’t all that amazing, but it should suffice your selfie needs.

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

With an octa-core chipset bundled with 1 GB of RAM, the XOLO Omega 5.0 fared some impressive benchmark scores in our benchmark suite of tests. Interestingly, the Omega 5.0 has a slight edge over the newly launched Xiaomi Redmi Note when it comes to benchmark scores. The Omega 5.0 scooped up 27,290 in Antutu, 11,727 in Quadrant Standard, and a score of 59.1 FPS in Nena Mark. We were pretty much taken aback seeing the Omega 5.0 having the lead over the Redmi Note in our benchmark scores.

Model.	Antutu Benchmark Nena Mark II Quadrant Standard
Xiaomi Redmi Note	24,415 61.5 7990
XOLO Omega 5.0	27,290 59.1 11,727

The scores indeed translate into its real-time performance as it can handle multitasking and normal daily usage without any hassles. Popular gaming titles like Subway Surfer and Temple Run run flawlessly though one might experience a few lags on cranked up settings playing high-end titles like Asphalt. However, it’s still a delightful experience and those slight hiccups do not alter the overall experience of the game.

PHONE, NETWORKS AND BATTERY

The phone’s signal quality is rather good indoors as well as outdoors, while audio on call is pretty crisp and clear on incoming as well as outgoing calls. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi connectivity is quite strong, it detects and latches onto networks within range at ease, thanks to the plastic body which significantly improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Meanwhile, battery life should suffice for one whole day of usage with the included 2100mAh battery, which is quite standard in this price bracket. Even for a heavy user, the battery should make it through the day without the need for constant charging.

CONCLUSION

Given the price, the XOLO Omega 5.0 is a rather solid entry level performer and at the same time is easily available. While it might not appear at par with the competition in terms of its outer demeanor, it overthrows that by what it has on its inside. With an octa-core chipset and 1 GB of RAM, along with a fairly impressive 8 MP camera, it does what you would demand from a smartphone, that too at relatively attractive price point. In addition, the company has also promised the Lollipop update.

XOLO Omega 5.0 is a step in the right direction for domestic manufacturers, especially when companies like Xiaomi and Motorola are constantly giving them a hard time. Put simply, the XOLO Omega 5.0 is a great buy, though you have other options like the Redmi Note and the Omega 5.5, if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit on portability.

[tw-column width=”one-half”]

GOOD THINGS

Economically priced
Good overall performance
Decent battery back up
Snappy Hive UI

[/tw-column]

[tw-column width=”one-half” position=”last”]

BAD THINGS

Bland design
Average build quality

[/tw-column]

December 14, 2014

Alien: Isolation Sequel May Be in the Works

Alien: Isolation sequel is apparently in the making, according to Creative Assembly lead game designer Gary Napper. In an interview with AvpGalaxy, Napper shared his thoughts about Isolation’s story and how the team could handle the possibility of a next sequel. The conversation eventually went deeper, delving into details about the ending of Alien Isolation.

“The plot for a sequel is a daily topic in the studio sometimes. People have their own ideas for where it should go, our writers have some solid concepts and yes, we do have a great opportunity to continue her story. I personally think that Amanda did not get infected in the hive, as when she wakes, the closest egg remains closed…”

Napper also added that he would like to improve on the game mechanics, when quizzed if the hypothetical sequel would mimic Alien Isolation’s style of play.

“I think the action oriented ‘Aliens’ style game is very different from what Isolation is. If we made a sequel I would like to stick to the same terrifying single Alien approach but do more with the environment and interactivity within it.”

Napper also went on to say they won’t alter the game’s DNA, the tense and horror experience which forms the core of the series.

In the meantime, if you still haven’t had enough of the grueling survival horror title, you can put your skills to test yet again as Alien: Isolation now has a new Nightmare mode.

December 12, 2014
Street Fighter V Unveiled, Expected to Arrive Exclusively on PC and PS4

Street Fighter V teaser trailer was spotted on YouTube. A NeoGAF user reported the YouTube clip, which led to the whole revelation. Since then, it has been set to private. Though, there are still doubts whether the trailer appeared on Capcom’s site or was leaked.

The supposed teaser points out that Street Fighter V is apparently a PC and PS4 exclusive, though we can expect it go cross-platform since all modern arcade games run on computer hardware. Moreover, the fact that the word ‘exclusive is sometimes referred to as ‘time exclusive’, the game could eventually come on the Xbox as well. Just like the case with Street Fighter IV, which initially came out in 2008 as an arcade game before going cross-platform.

So far, there are no details available on the game, but we’ll update you as soon as we get more information about the game. There’s also a slight possibility that Capcom might officially announce the game at the two-day PlayStation Experience event to be held in Las Vegas. In the meantime, you can have a look at a few GIFs for Street Fighter V below.

December 6, 2014
Spigen Cases for Nexus 5 Review : Seamless Blend of Protection and Style

One cannot deny that Google’s Nexus 5 is one heck of a device and even after all this time, one of the hot favourites in the market. Owing largely to the fact that it comes at a relatively economical price and packs amazing specs. As you all might be aware, the Nexus 5 fares quite poorly in drop tests, hence, protecting your investment should be a no-brainer. So if you’re a Nexus owner, you should consider buying a case. Hence, we’ve reviewed some of the best Spigen cases for the smartphone, to make sure your investment keeps those high-end specs intact.

Moreover, they offer better value for money compared to what Google and LG have on offer. So without further adieu, here’s a list of some of the best Spigen Nexus 5 cases available in the market.

ULTRA FIT

If you’re looking for a form fitting case without adding that extra bulk, and at the same time don’t want to spend a substantial amount of money, then Spigen’s Ultra Fit case might be the perfect solution. It’s the slimmest Spigen case for the Nexus 5 and lightest of them all at only 2 mm thick. Made out of premium polycarbonate plastic, this snap-on case covers the entire back of the Nexus 5, leaving only the display area exposed. It is suitable for scratch protection and lighter impacts. Cutouts are made with absolute precision around the sides of the case to allow easy access to ports and buttons.

Overall, the Spigen Ultra Fit is as generic as it gets and is available in black, gold and white colour options. Like we already mentioned, it comes at a relatively economical price of Rs. 899 and is easily available on various e-commerce websites. It’s highly recommended for users who like to retain that original naked look, without adding bulk.

ULTRA HYBRID

Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid case is all about adding that extra persona, style and personality to your Nexus 5. The Ultra Hybrid case also comes with a fairly decent quality screen protector and two back graphic designs that are visible through the Ultra Hybrid’s clear hard polycarbonate rear shell.

For the most part, the case is made out of soft yet durable TPU material that cushions the handset in the event of a drop or fall. In addition, the rubberised sides significantly bolster the grip on your Nexus 5. The case has also been slightly raised around the edges that protects your Nexus 5’s display from directly touching the surface.

Meanwhile, even though there are no cutouts made on the sides, accessing the power button and volume rockers isn’t a hassle by any means. Eventually, the case offers style while keeping your device protected and also comes with a screen protector.

Priced at Rs. 999 and available in four different colour variants, the Spigen Hybrid Ultra is one case that should be on every Nexus 5 owner’s radar.

SLIM ARMOUR

The name says it all; the Spigen Slim Armor case for Google Nexus 5 is a deceivingly slim robust case that sports a double layered design. And it provides this protection without making the device significantly bulky. It’s form fitting though some might argue that it adds some bulk to the overall handset size, largely due to case’s shock absorption and full enclosure.

There’s also a TPU inner case that absorbs shocks in the event of a fall and along with that, it has a polycarbonate midsection that further bolsters the entire frame. Spigen offers the case in four different paint jobs which include smooth black, infinity white, champagne gold and bright red. The case can also be easily wrapped around the device and allows easy access to ports, including the 3.5 mm jack as the opening is quite wide even for those fatter jacks. Meanwhile, holding it feels quite good in the hands. The Spigen Slim Armour case is slightly more expensive than its peers and is available for Rs. 1,299 via online retailers.

All in all, it’s a well-built case brimming with style while the quality, sturdiness and feel of the case is just amazing. And at the same time, it’s quite affordable, notably cheaper than official Bumper case offered by Google.

Certainly, a very good option if you’re planning to invest in a protective case.

SPIGEN NEO HYBRID

Last but not the least, we have the Spigen Neo Hybrid. In terms of aesthetics and design, it’s probably the best-looking case out of the lot and turns the Nexus 5 into one badass phone. At the same time, it warps perfectly around your Nexus 5, with precise cutouts for the headphone jack, speaker grills and camera at the back.

It features a dual-layered protective system, manufactured from a combination of soft matte TPU sleeve and polycarbonate outer bezel. The sleeve does its job of absorbing shocks or drops while providing a superior grip at the same time, while the polycarbonate outer bezel takes most of the impact in the event of a fall. It comes in champagne gold, satin silver, and metal slate colour options; needless to say our review case made the Nexus 5 look like a Batman accessory.

The Spigen Neo Hybrid looks fantastic, offers adequate protection and allows you to set the phone face down, courtesy of a slightly raised bezel. The case does add some bulk to your device, as a lot of us would want to preserve that naked feel of the phone, but it’s a sacrifice one can easily make. The finish does not even leave any fingerprints, while sweat and moisture from the hand jumps right off.

Meanwhile, fitting of the case is tailor-made for the Nexus 5 as your device is housed firmly leaving no gaps around the TPU sleeve. While port and button layout are not messy, making volume rockers and power button all the more responsive.

Perhaps the only turn off with the case would be its width. Though it adds just a millimeter or so, it made a significant impact to the overall feel of the device. Apart from that, it’s a great case which provides adequate protection and significantly enhances the overall look of the phone.

VERDICT

Well, it’s hard to pick one out of the lot. All of them have their set of attributes that give them a slight edge over the others. Though it’s our job to pick the best which offers significant protection for your Nexus 5, and our pick would be Spigen’s ‘Neo Hybrid’. It’s a damn good case and not only protects the device, but also retains the original feel of the Nexus 5. Combined with a tempered glass screen protector, we are pretty confident your Nexus 5 can withstand just about any fall.

<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

December 6, 2014
Google Play Store Update Adds Attractive Visuals and Full-Height Navigation

Time to bid farewell to the Hamburger menu, as Google Play Store has been updated with its latest version 5.1.11. This version brings along a few changes, the most important of which is the useful full-height navigation.

The new version is being rolled out in phases and does not sport a lot of changes, though is filled with slight tweaks and minor improvements that should make the overall experience of the Play Store much better. In addition, there are a plethora of Android 5.0 tweaks which include various new animations.

Other changes include real time card shadows for Android 5.0 and onwards, visuals and scrolling optimisations in the My Apps menu along with a brand new look on the My Account screen.

You can download the updated version of the Play Store here or here. Though users need to be reminded that some features might only work on devices with Android 5.0 and onwards.

December 5, 2014
iBerry Unveils Auxus One Smartphone and Voice Calling-Enabled RIST Smartwatch

iBerry India, in association with eBay has launched the newest iBerry Auxus One smartphone along with the latest Auxus RIST smartwatch.

The Auxus One smartphone feaures a rotating camera unit as we have seen on Gionee’s Elfie E7 Mini. The camera unit on the phone features a 15.5 MP camera equipped with Sony’s BSI sensor with a 207 degree revolving camera. Other specs on the phone include a 5.7 inch screen with Gorilla Glass protection. It is powered by a 1.7GHz Hybrid Octa- Core MT6592 processor coupled with 2GB RAM. It runs on the latest Android 4.4 OS with support for GPS and NFC.

The smartphone has dual-SIM capabilities and a 3200mAh battery. On the memory front it offers 32GB of internal storage expandable upto 128 GB via a Class 10 microSD card.

Meanwhile, Auxus RIST, the company’s first smartwatch is waterproof and sports a dual core processor. It also has a micro SIM card slot for voice calling and 3G connectivity. In addition, the smartwatch also features a 3 MP camera. Other features of the smartwatch include 32GB expandable memory, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. The smartwatch is powered by a Li-ion rechargeable removable battery which the company claims can last for one full day. It also includes other nifty features like a Heart Rate Monitor and Calories Check.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Vidmay Naini, Business Head – Technology Category, PaisaPay & PowerShip, eBay India, said, “It is our continuous endeavor to the inventory and offer unique deals to our customers. Auxus products have been well received by gadget enthusiasts logging into ebay.in from over 5000 cities, towns and villages across the country. We are confident that the smartphone and smartwatch will also be a grand success on ebay.in.”

The Auxus ONE smartphone is priced at Rs. 15,990 while the RIST smartwatch is priced at Rs. 9,999 and will be available starting December 8 exclusively on ebay.in.

December 5, 2014
Disney Unveils its First Learning Project for Kids Called Imagicademy

Disney gave a preview of its digital learning project called ‘Imagicademy’, which will launch on 11th December. At a press event in New York, the company outlined its mobile learning app for kids, along with an app where parents can keep a follow-up log, and also see recommended physical activities that go along with the in-app lessons. In addition, Disney is also planning to launch printed materials along with smart-toys.

“As you can see, it’s so much more than a set of digital apps — it’s about a brand. It’s a comprehensive suite of connected experiences, all of which have been created with quality, attention to detail, and, yes, magic”, said Andrew Sugarman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide.

The company also has plans for a suite of 30 similarly branded apps covering creative arts, maths, science, language arts and social skills. The first app to launch will be Mickey’s Magical Math World on iPad, along with complementing app for parents.

These apps have been built in consultation with a number of education experts. Professor at University of Denver, Doug Clements was on stage and shared his insights on the importance of early math learning, and how much kids grasp if they’re offered a playful approach.

For now, the target age group for these initial apps is three to five. In time, there will be apps for 6-8 year age group, and might feature other Disney characters and brands like Star Wars and Marvel.

Have a look at the demo video of Mickey’s Magical Math World in the video below:

December 5, 2014
PlayStation Marks its 20th Anniversary By Bringing Out a Retro-Themed Limited Edition PS4 Console

This day marks the twentieth anniversary of the PlayStation, and Sony is celebrating this feat with the launch of a retro themed limited edition PS4 console. These limited edition PS4s are decked up in the same greyish attire similar to the original PlayStation. The grey coating PS4 will come bundled with matching controllers and even the same old school power cords.

For those of you who already own a PS4, or don’t fancy yourself to scoop one off the limited run, Sony has released a PSone theme for its current console. It comes with the original retro start up sound, all you need to do is just download the latest firmware update.

Sources indicate that only 12,300 units of these aanniversary edition consoles will go on sale, sometime during Christmas. As the company will be soon sharing information on how you get a dose of nostalgia in the form of these grey little beasts.

December 3, 2014