Author: Bharat Nagpal

Leaked :HTC’s upcoming Flagship Android handset and Buttonless Slate

Engadget has been digging around lately and has uncovered quite some information on HTC upcoming lineup for Mobile World Congress. The touchscreen slate prototype has an arcing earpiece and isolated front-facing camera with chrome ring. It also resembles a device earlier spotted which seems identical including the serial number at the bottom of the handset. The 4 buttons at the bottom identify that this device runs Android- 2.3 most probably.

The other device to have been spotted is a buttonless slate, pictured below, The device shows a crocked back along with a nicely large size camera and dual-led flash. This device also has verizon branding, indicating, it probably wont make it to India.

Source Engadget 1, 2

January 27, 2011
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (Playstation Phone), Caught in the Wild
Folks over at engadget got their hands on a prototype of the “Playstation Phone” . Which is actually officially called the XPERIA PLAY. Specs include (most of them are just guesses)
- 1 GHZ Processor
- Adreno 205 GPU
- Android 2.3
- 512MB of RAM
- roadcom BCM4329 wireless chip
Hit the Source Link Below for a full preview of the device along with more than 50 images of the product.

Source Engadget
January 27, 2011
American President Obama promises, High speed internet to 98% Americans

American President Barack Obama, during State of Union speech, Promised High speed internet access to 98% of his fellow countrymen/women in his 5 year plan.

“Within the next five years, we will make it possible for business to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98% of all Americans. This isn’t just about a faster internet and fewer dropped calls. It’s about connecting every part of America to the digital age. It’s about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world. It’s about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device; a student who can take classes with a digital textbook; or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor.” Said President OBAMA

Currently in the US High speed internet’s penetration is only 44% where as internet penetration is around 79%.

In India the Internet penetration is at 7% (jan-dec 2010), there is no data for High speed internet penetration, In a country of 1 Billion + people.

Via : Gizmodo

January 26, 2011
Razer launches Ferox portable gaming speakers

Razer has just annouced its new Ferox portable gaming speakers. Described as a “sophisticated, modern day boombox for gamers,” With 360 degree omni-directional sound, 12 hours of battery life from the built-in rechargeable batteries and a Aux in from any device with a 3.5mm jack. Priced only at 60$ or 3000 INR, Pretty impressive pair of speakers.

Product Features:

* 360 degree omni-directional sound for all round clarity
* Expanded bass resonance chamber for powerful bass
* Digital amplification for enhanced power efficiency
* Compatible with any media player with a 3.5mm jack
* 30mm drivers for exceptional audio quality
* Rechargeable non-replaceable in-built batteries
* Up to 12 hours of playback
* Play and charge simultaneously
* LED battery status indicator for easy monitoring
* Seamless switch between On/Off-mode
* Carrying pouch for maximum portability

Expect them to hit India in MARCH

PRESS RELEASE

Razer™ Packs Powerful Audio Punch With Portable Gaming Speakers

Razer Ferox Twin Speaker Set Delivers Omni-directional Sound to Everybody, Everywhere January 2011

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Razer, the world’s leading precision gaming brand today announces the Razer Ferox – a cool, new ultraportable stereo speaker set that proves it’s not how big it is, it’s how awesome it sounds. Built to deliver 360 degrees of omni-directional sound, you’ll be amazed that something so tiny can rock so hard.

“The Razer Ferox is our sophisticated, modern day boombox for gamers,” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, president, Razer USA. “Its sleek and compact structure takes up minimal space but delivers the crystal clear sound quality perfect for gaming on-the-go or for music playback wherever you’re at.”

The Razer Ferox delivers room-filling audio clarity with its 360 degree omni-directional acoustics, giving a much wider listening sweet spot than any ordinary front-facing speakers. No matter where you stand, sit, or backflip during a riotous shootout, audio from the Razer Ferox sounds just as immersive.

Featuring expandable resonance chambers that provide stronger bass and optimized digital amplifiers for a fuller sound experience, each chamber rises upon a single press to power up. You’ll have a hard time just keeping your hands off the nifty mechanism every time you switch the Razer Ferox on.

With 12 hours of rechargeable battery life and a convenient carrying case, the Razer Ferox is extremely versatile. These mobile speakers can be used for space-constrained gaming desktop setups, brought along to LAN parties for a convenient audio solution, or broadcasting your headbanging playlist whilst at the beach. Just plug it into any media player with a 3.5mm jack and you’ll realize that you’ll never want to leave home without your Razer Ferox, especially when phenomenal audio is just a plug and press away.

About the Razer Ferox

Get powerful sound in a portable form factor with the Razer Ferox, a tiny but mighty stereo speaker set. With 360-degree omni-directional acoustics that fill your surroundings evenly with sweet sound, expandable resonance chambers for thumping bass, and optimized digital amplifiers to enhance performance and power efficiency, you’ll never be left wanting more. Your multidimensional listening experience is right in the palm of your hand.

With its simple plug-and-play operation, 12-hour rechargeable battery life, and handy carrying case, the Razer Ferox is the ultimate choice for all your mobile audio needs.

Razer Ferox

Price: US $59.99; EU euro 59.99

Availability:

Razerzone.com – January 2011

Worldwide – January 2011

Product Features:

* 360 degree omni-directional sound for all round clarity
* Expanded bass resonance chamber for powerful bass
* Digital amplification for enhanced power efficiency
* Compatible with any media player with a 3.5mm jack
* 30mm drivers for exceptional audio quality
* Rechargeable non-replaceable in-built batteries
* Up to 12 hours of playback
* Play and charge simultaneously
* LED battery status indicator for easy monitoring
* Seamless switch between On/Off-mode
* Carrying pouch for maximum portability

For more information on the Razer Ferox, please visit www.razerzone.com/ferox.

Razer Ferox High Resolution Image Links

Black Background

White Background

About the Razer Group:

Razer is more than just the world’s leading brand in high-end precision gaming products, perpetually defining the gaming and technology space. Founded in 1998 in Carlsbad, California, Razer is driven by the ceaseless pursuit for absolute precision and high usability in a distinctive, aesthetic design that will give gamers the edge they demand. With labs and offices in seven cities around the world, Razer dedicates user interface research and development to bring cutting-edge technology to each and every product. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.

For more information, please visit www.razerzone.com.

Razer – For Gamers. By Gamers.™

SOURCE Razer Group

January 26, 2011
Volkswagen’s XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 133 KMPL range

Volkswagen’s XL1 plug in hybrid diesel (futuristic) concept car, is perfect for the Indian Consumer. If we all remember Maruti’s new advertising campaign “Deti kitna hai?”. This car delivers a whopping 133 KPML range – and that too on Diesel. Brilliant, isn’t it? It also, produces only 24g of CO2 per kilometer traveled.

Volkswagen has achieved a 795kg curb weight by using carbon fiber, magnesium, ceramics, and aluminum to shave down any excess weight from the XL1, Testing shows only 0.186 drag coefficient.

Read the PRESS STATEMENT below to get a better feel.

Volkswagen unveils the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle in Qatar

The new Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) has been unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2 to set a new benchmark for vehicle efficiency.

Powering the XL1 is a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 48 PS. It’s linked to an electric motor producing 27 PS, resulting in a total of 75 PS – a modest output yet more than enough when the low kerb weight (795 kg) of the vehicle is taken into account.

The TDI engine is linked to an electric motor and a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit. The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating. In pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in. Accelerating from rest to 62 mph can be achieved in 11.9 seconds; the electronically limited top speed is 99 mph.

In both its styling and packaging the XL1 draws on lessons learned from the 1-Litre car (2002) and the L1 concept (2009). The XL1 has evolved to feature staggered seating with the driver and passenger placed next to each other in a body structure made from advanced new materials providing immense strength yet weighing just 230 kg.

To make such weight savings possible, and yet viable for series production, Volkswagen developed and patented a new system for the manufacture of the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) parts on the car called the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.

In total the XL1 weighs 795 kg. In addition to the body structure, the weight is accounted for by the drivetrain (227 kg), the running gear (153 kg), the interior including a pair of bucket seats (80 kg) and the electrical system (105 kg). In total just 23.2 per cent of the car (184 kg) is made out of either steel or iron.

Further savings are made through the extensive use of lightweight materials including magnesium (wheels), ceramics (brake discs) and aluminium (dampers, steering system, brake calipers).

The styling of the XL1 is borne out of functional requirements – easy access to the interior is granted via a pair of elegant scissor doors that hinge on the A-pillar while the profile of the car has been honed in the wind tunnel, the result being a remarkable coefficient of drag figure of 0.186. The XL1’s overall length (3,970 mm) and width (1,682 mm) are similar to those of a Volkswagen Polo yet its height (1,184 mm) is more akin to that of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

Although the XL1 is still very much a concept, its unveiling marks the next step towards the birth of a new class of Super Efficient Vehicles, while the advent of a process such as RTM is a significant milestone.

Source : Volkswagen

January 26, 2011
Sony Vaio SA SB , show up in online catalogues- 13 inch screen + optional ssd
Sony is all set to drop a new range of Laptops this year, The SA and SB , earlier concepts from the Japanese powerhouse. Specs include for the SA.
- i7-2620M Intel Processor
- 4GB of DDR3 RAM
- 128GB of SSD storage
- AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics
- 1600 x 900 resolution on a 13.3-inch screen
- $2500 or 1,25,000 in INR
The Sb laptops on the other hand are built around i% chipsets. so may be potentially much cheaper, in comparison the the above SA model.

Source Notebook Review forums
January 26, 2011
Update :iG Exclusive – Motorola Defy, Finally launched and available, we go Hands on! Added Unboxing Video

So we just finally got word from Motorola. As we reported, The defy was officially announced yesterday in New Delhi and was made available simultaneously across vendors and distributors.

We will be uploading the unboxing video tonight followed by the review video sometime later this week.

Market price of the Defy : 18,500 INR

Meanwhile check out the hands on pics!

Unboxing Video is now live !

iG tech Labs.

January 25, 2011
HTC HD2 can now dual-boot Windows Phone 7 and Android

If you have the HD2 you might be quite aware that both Windows phone 7 and Android can be easily ported to the device. But, developers have successfully managed to dual boot the two OSs from the same SD card.

Check out the Video below detailing all the Info.

Source xda-developers

January 25, 2011
Hitachi – HLI Launches 14 new ACs, Self Cleaning – iClean and the first 5 star window AC in India

Hitachi Hli, Today in New Delhi, launched a whole new range of Air Conditioners to target the coming season. The company plans to shift from the high and premium range of Air conditioners and bring its Brand to the mass premium consumer, With new and affordable units like the KAZE, Hitachi today launched 14 new Air conditioners , which include both windows and splits.

The company has set a target to capture 10% of the market, Hitachi holds a market share of around 7 per cent in the overall Indian AC market.

“Our 10 per cent market share target, in terms of sales volume, will translate into 12 per cent in value terms in the next financial year,” said Motoo Morimoto, managing director (MD), Hitachi Home and Life Solutions (India) Explaining the timing of their product launch, Morimoto said, “India is a growing market. To get a large share, we have to lay down our road map till 2015.”

The highlight of their launch is Hitachi’s own innovation the Hitachi iClean Split Ac. This unit has a built in robotic arm which every 10 hours will clean the filter of the unit and collect the dust in a box located in the unit itself. Apart from the arm, the major construction of the unit is done with Stainless Steel components, making the product highly durable. The unit also gets a BEE rating of 5 star.

The other new innovation from Hitach is the 5 star rated window AC called Summer. This unit is specifically designed keeping the Indian climate conditions in mind. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has awarded the highest five star rating to a window AC for the first time in India. This makes this the first Window Ac to be 5 star rated in terms of energy efficiency.

The company launched several new models in their existing lineup, Ace follow-me, Atom square, Logicool, etc. Bringing, electronic controls and Stainless steel coating to components.

January 25, 2011
Huawei Ideos Finally launched in India with Aircel

Look whats finally here, the Huawei Ideos, One of the most anticipated devices of 2010 has shown up in 2011. Huawei has tied up with Aircel to sell the device in India.

Aircel is selling Ideos for an introductory price of Rs 8499 with free data download up to 2 GB per month if purchased with a postpaid connection. Smartphone is available instantly at Aircel and Mobile Store outlets. The device packs 2.2 FroYo, 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, 528MHz processor, 3.2MP camera, proximity and accelerometer sensors built in, MicroSD storage, Android UI, HSDPA, Bluetooth and Wi-FI connectivity.

Thanks Sid

Via Androidos.in

Source Fonearena

January 25, 2011
Airtel Debuts 3G in Karnataka, remaining 13 circles by March

Airtel, Today announced that it will be launching 3G services in Karnataka, while the remaining 13 circles will get the 3G service in March. Vodafone was supposed to launch its service in January, but, currently there is no information available from them. Looks like Airtel will be the first private operator to have properly launch its services in its respective circles.

Announcing this, Sanjay Kapoor, CEO – Bharti airtel Ltd (India & South Asia) said,

“It is indeed the start of a new era when 3G services in India roll out on Airtel’s network. World over ‘Data traffic’ on the back of high speed internet and use of social networking has already exceeded the ‘Voice traffic’. India is ushering in the domain — though later than most of the world — but no doubt we will catch up at a much faster speed.”

Source TOI

January 24, 2011
PSP2 will have 3G cellular data, OLED touchscreen says Nikkei

Only 3 days to go for the PSP2 to be announced, Jan 27th unveiling. Japan’s Nikkie newspaper reports that the handheld gaming revolution will have an OLED multitouch display along with a 3G data slot. Allowing users to play multiplayer games on the go, in trains , schools, colleges, etc

The only drawback, this device wont make phone calls. Now, unless it sports a data only chip like the iPad 3g, hackers will surely crack this baby to get more juice out of it, Geohot perhaps!

The device is roumored to be likely as expensive as its $250 PSP predecessor

Source : Nikkei

January 24, 2011
LG Optimus 2X goes on sale in Korea, White version coming soon

Looks like Lg is officially the first to drop its Tegra 2 powered, Full HD video recording capable, dual core Mobile Phone. Yep its official LG is shipping the LG Optimus 2X in Korea, The first phone in the world to have a dual core processor which is available now. They will also have the white version in February, hopefully!

Via : Engadget

Source IT Today (KR)

January 24, 2011
BMW 5 Series Electric – But, only for China?

As part of the company’s partnership with Brilliance China Automotive, BMW Brilliance Automotive is planning to create a pure EV 5-series, and will launch it this year. BMW saw a massive growth in China – 87% – and since the green market is heating up, they probably thought best to release an electric version of their hottest selling sedan.

In 2010, the BMW Group sold 169,000 BMW and Mini vehicles in Chinan, In 2011, the group will introduce at least three new models into China through imports – the new BMW X3, the new BMW 6-series and the Mini Countryman.

Via Engadget

Source Automotive News Europe

January 23, 2011
Apple iTunes App-Store hits 10 billion downloads – Cupertino Rejoices

Whoop, Whoop, Whoop – the Apple App Store has Just Hit 10 Billion downloads, thats a whopping number. As Apple celebrates one lucky person was the 10 billionth downloader. Wonder what he got?.

What the next number then apple – 100 Billion eh?

Source iTunes

January 22, 2011