Author: Meenakshi Rawat

Google Nexus 6 Out in India Today at Midnight via Flipkart

Earlier we announced that Google Chromecast is landing in India today and now it seems that Google’s flagship device Nexus 6 will be joining in. The device will be exclusively launched at Google’s Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF) starting midnight. The 32 GB variant comes for Rs. 44,000, while the 64 GB model will cost you Rs. 49,000.

The Nexus 6 boasts a 5.96-inch QHD (2560×1440p) AMOLED display. It is powered by 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor coupled with 3 GB of RAM. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. The screen of the device is protected by Corning Glass 3, which means users need not have to worry about scratches.

On the camera front, it sports a 13MP rear and 2MP front snapper. The device gets its juice from a 3,220mAh battery, which the company claims to last for six hours on a 15-minute charge as it comes along with Motorola’s Turbo Charger. Nexus 6 offers wireless charging. It comes in two colour options in the country – midnight blue and cloud white.

The smartphone went up for pre-orders on 18th November and we saw an exciting offer by Flipkart where the e-commerce giant was tempting buyers to ditch their iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. However, the smartphone comes with a ‘Coming Soon’ tag as of now, we suppose the e-commerce website is planning to change the sign at midnight. Meanwhile, Flipkart kept its promise and started shipping the device last night for those who ordered the smartphone in the second week of December itself.

December 9, 2014
Micromax Takes On HTC with Canvas Selfie, a Smartphone Featuring 13 MP Front and Rear Cameras

Homegrown smartphone maker Micromax yesterday announced a new device that will be quite a deal for selfie lovers. The company has unveiled Canvas Selfie with a 13 MP camera on the front as well as back. The phone is a pleasant surprise for those who love to click pictures at every occasion. The phone launch saw many famed personalities like CEO Vineet Taneja and IPTL stars Sania Mirza, Ana Ivanovic, Kristina Mladenovic and Daniela Hantuchova.

With the launch of Canvas Selfie, Micromax has taken on HTC Desire Eye, the first camera to offer 13 MP camera on both sides. The amazing camera is clearly its USP, but along with that Micromax Canvas Selfie houses in-built beauty tools like eye enhancement, skin smoothening, teeth whitening, remove oil, make-up, fade dark circles etc.

The phone sports a 4.7-inch HD IPS display and boasts 1.7 GHz Tru-octacore processor. It runs on Android KitKat 4.4. The device comes with a 2,300 mAh battery which can last for a day on a single charge. Canvas Selfie is a dual-SIM mobile with common slots for nano SIM and memory card, which is usually not found in many phones. It has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB ROM (both internal). The memory is expandable up to 32 GB. The smartphone comes with Corning Glass 3, which means that the scratch-resistant quality of the phone is unmatched.

The phone will be available for purchase online in the second week of January 2015. The company has been quite tight-lipped about the pricing of the same.

December 9, 2014
Exclusive: Google Chromecast Arrives in India Tomorrow Exclusively via Snapdeal

A source close to iGyaan has revealed that Google Chromecast is now going to be available for purchase in India. The unique device that helps mirror everything from your tablet and smartphone to your TV is arriving on 9th December i.e. tomorrow. Google Chromecast is the perfect device for those who enjoy the luxuries of big screen viewing.

Sources also revealed that the news will be announced at the Google Online Shopping Festival and the device will be available exclusively on Snapdeal. The company is also building a development platform for Chromecast users for easy viewing on smartphones. Google has partnered with telecommunication giant Airtel to provide customers cost-effective data packs for the same.

A Little About Chromecast

Chromecast is a thumb-sized medium through which you can easily transfer viewing from your laptop, Android phone and tablet to TV. For this, your mobile becomes your personalised remote control. You can browse your favourite movies, videos and more and cast it on your TV. You can pause, play, rewind, make playlists and can even control the volume. Just plug in, connect and enjoy. In short, it’s a whole new way to enjoy video viewing.

December 8, 2014
Apple’s Mobile Security Measures Minimise iPhone Theft by 40%

Mobiles have become an easy target for thieves these days. Their compact size and the fact that their after-sales value is quite good doesn’t hurt the cause. However, it seems like iPhone users need not worry as Apple’s security measures are said to be super helpful in recovering smartphones.

According to a report by American Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Apple has reduced the problem of phone theft by as much as 40 percent. The report stated that the company’s security apps Find My iPhone and Activation Lock have gone a long way to curb iPhone robbery. The commission also appealed all to come together to fight back this situation and become more aware of their surroundings.

The commission commented to treat phone theft as a credit card theft. Your phone is very important as significant information like card details are stored on the device. It is also recommended that iPhone owners note down the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of their device. The commission advised the users to lock their screen through lock screen function and secure the device using passwords and pins, and report lost of your smartphone as soon as possible.

According to a report, 59 percent of robberies involved smartphones in San Francisco, while in New York, the figure of smartphone robbery was 46 percent. In London, it reached to 50 percent. However, after the Apple Activation Lock, the burglary saw a turn down by 38 percent in San Francisco, 24 percent in London and 19 percent in New York.

December 8, 2014
Clearance Sale! Xiaomi Redmi 1S Available Registration-Free on Flipkart Today

It’s a great day for the fans of Xiaomi Redmi 1S, as the smartphone is now available on sale on Flipkart without all the flash sale drama. The purchase of the device doesn’t require registration, however this offer is valid only for today.

The smartphone was launched back in July. It has a 4.7-inch 720x1280p display and is powered by 1.6 GHz processor along with 1 GB of RAM. On the camera front, the phone sports 8 MP rear shooter.

Xiaomi has created a storm in the smartphone market by giving high specs in low price. Millions of Redmi 1S handsets have been sold in a matter of months. Lately, the company released its yet another power-packed device, Xiaomi Note phablet. It is a mid-range Android device. The electronics giant has permanently discontinued the Mi3 and this sale might be the last sale of Redmi 1S. So, all those who missed the chance of grabbing this awesome device can now avail the offer.

Watch our full review of the Redmi 1S here:

December 8, 2014
World’s Thinnest Smartphone Vivo to Debut in India on 15th December

Chinese electronic giant BBK Electronics made its debut in the Indian market with its Oppo brand and now the company has all intentions to extend its roots here. After securing the position of the world’s thinnest smartphone by Oppo R5, BBK Electronics is all set to give competition to its own subsidiary through Vivo X5Max.

Media invites for the debut of Vivo has already been sent by the company and the function to unveil X5Max will be held on 15^th December, 2015 i.e. next Monday in New Delhi.

The company has chosen Viacom 18 to target the Indian audience. It has partnered with the media group to promote its smartphone on channels like MTV, VH1, Colors and Comedy Central.

The X5Max is the newest entrant to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records measuring 4.75 mm. It has beaten the world’s thinnest smartphone tag holders Oppo R5 and Elife S5.5.

Coming to the specs, the X5Max has a 5.5-inch Full HD display with screen resolution of 1080x1920p. It runs on 1.7 GHz MediaTek octa-core processor and comes packed with 2 GB of RAM and Android 4.4 KitKat. On the camera front, it has a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front snapper to take selfies. The device offers dual-SIM card slots with support for 4G LTE and TD-SCDMA.

BBK has been doing tremendously well and has even beaten Apple, which is leading the race of World’s Most Valuable Brands. BBK’s market share has crossed Apple’s in China. It is reported to set up a distributor network across 20 states and may launch more phones in the market, which are expected to cost between Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 40,000.

December 8, 2014
5 Features That Make the Newest Communication App ‘Wire’ Cooler Than WhatsApp

Cross-platform mobile messaging apps are doing tremendously well these days. The industry has quietly grown into a billion-dollar empire; many applications have released while some are still developing. Newest entrant in this arena is Wire. Skype co-founders and few other tech veterans have joined hands and recently launched this new mobile messaging app. The developers are late to the messaging game but seem pretty confident about matching up with the other communication giants.

The app is a modern messaging system that merges various functions for which we seem to need a whole lot of different tools. It is said to have elements of Skype, WhatsApp and Slack (the newest workplace communication service.) The founders claim it is more than just a normal messaging app and will solve all the nagging problems persistent in other communication tools. This is what the Co-Founder and CEO of Wire, Janus Friis, has to say. Frris draws light on the latest release saying that what attracted them to Wire was that it was something truly new and not just marginal improvement. He added that it is now the time to create the best possible communication tool.

[quote text_size=”small”]

This is not just an app. Skype was launched more than a decade ago. A lot has changed since then – we are all used to free calls and texting, and we have taken to carrying our computers in our pockets.

[/quote]

Listed below are 5 features you can expect from the latest release:

1. All-in-One App

As mentioned earlier, Wire is a blend of features for which users need to install separate tools. Once you install Wire on your device, it lets you know people in your contact list to whom you can start chatting with. This service allows users to call another person, engage in group messaging, share videos, music, pictures and more.

2. Seamless Continuity Between Smartphone and Desktop

The coolest bit we found about Wire (desperately needed in WhatsApp) is that it’s synced with your desktop. Yes, you can continue to engage in conversation with your selected groups and people on your tablet, PC, as well as mobile, right where you left it. The app is thoughtfully designed and looks utterly beautiful.

3. Crisp Sound

The company claims that the sound quality of the new app is amazing. They’ve developed a technology that lets users feel like they are communicating face-to-face. Wire swiftly moves from pictures and videos to HD voice to give you an experience that you wouldn’t have practiced in other apps.

4. Efficient Group Management

Through this new tool, users can easily make groups around their common interests and get notifications whenever a new photo, video or a message is added to the group. Unlike other social networking sites, it allows you to dismiss unwanted members out of the group by which you will be saved from getting unwanted notifications.

5. Embedded Players for SoundCloud and YouTube File Sharing

With Wire, users can transfer files without any hassle. The tool comes with in-built players that allows you to post YouTube and SoundCloud files. The shared videos and sound files get beautifully inline within the text and do not look out of sync.

Security has become a major concern for users nowadays and that is the reason many social networking sites have been told to clear their policies. Wire uses end-to-end encryption for all its calls, messages and media. The ‘more-than-messaging’ app is available on iOS, Android and OS X devices for now but it will soon arrive for browsers. The app has been designed keeping in mind the idea of using it on the go, so it is more battery friendly. These days, users are more dependent on social apps like WhatsApp, Hike, Skype and more. We’ll have to wait and see if this all-in-one app settles in well with the Indian market.

December 4, 2014
Xiaomi’s Mi Fitness Band Sweeps Wearable Market, Sales Reach 1 Million in 100 Days

Xiaomi has been the talk of the town, be it cheap smartphones, power banks or fitness trackers. The Chinese electronics giant has once again made it to the headline by selling 1 million Mi fitness trackers in just 100 days. The band was launched in July this year and went on sale on 18th August.

The company disclosed that it has shipped a maximum of 103,000 in a single day. The wearable is, as of now, available in China only, but the same will go on sale in Hong Kong and Taiwan from tomorrow onwards. The device has been priced at 79 Yuan (that translates to around Rs. 800), which is ridiculously cheap. This is one of the reasons people all over the world are desperately waiting for the Mi fitness band to launch in their countries.

Xiaomi Mi band is a water-resistant gadget with a battery life of up to 30 days. Although, it does not have a display of its own, the same can be paired with your smartphones and tablets to show fitness statistics. The band sports indicator lights. Apart from tracking health stats, it can become an alarm clock for you. Additionally, the band is a smart tool as it unlocks your Xiaomi smartphone, in case you don’t wish to type the password several times a day.

NDP group released a report on the sales figures of various brands, which speaks that between April 2013 and March 2014, around 3.3 million fitness bands and activity trackers were sold in the US. Out of this, 67 percent sales was made by Fitbit and 18 percent by Jawbone.

With numerous technology options available in the market, the Mi fitness band seems the most popular among fitness freaks.

December 1, 2014
Nikon Unleashes Waterproof Digital Cameras With Interchangable Lenses

The leader in imaging technology Nikon has finally released three cameras with interchangeable lenses in its Nikon 1 advanced series – Nikon 1 AW1, V3 and J4. The cameras are said to offer excellent image quality.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Mr. Hiroshi Takashina” author_title=”Managing Director, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd.”]

We are extremely thrilled to announce the latest additions to the highly acclaimed Nikon 1 interchangeable lens camera series. The Nikon 1 AW1, V3 and J4, flaunt a plethora of advanced features that allow users to easily capture images as intended. These cameras offer excellent image quality with superior sharpness and definition, and an immaculate operational feel delivering every bit of exceptional performance and experience that Nikon intends at extending to the consumers.

[/quote]

Of the three cameras, Nikon 1 AW1 has been awarded iF Product Design Award 2014 and is said to be the world’s first shockproof, freeze proof and waterproof camera. It features a 14.2MP CX-format CMOS sensor along with Nikon’s own EXPEED 3A image processing engine. The Nikon 1 AW1 lets you capture motion pictures with Advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system. The 73-point Auto Focus sensor lets you click pictures in just 80-milliseconds. The camera is actually capable of taking motion shots in focus, 15fps with AF and 60fps when the focus is locked. This amazing piece has been priced at Rs. 39,950.

Nikon 1 V3 is more portable because of its compact design. The sensor that boasts in this model is 18.4 MP CX-format CMOS together with EXPEED 3A image processing engine. The device is equipped with vari-angle LCD monitor which allows users to take pictures from any angle. The spontaneous touch-screen control comes with this camera along with built-in Wi-Fi, as cameras are now not just about clicking pictures only. The V3 will cost you Rs. 43,950.

The last addition is the Nikon 1 J4 model. The camera packs an 18.4MP CX format sensor with EXPEED 4A image processing engine. The J4 makes full-scale photography feasible. Advanced shooting options, the image quality of the camera is premium. It sports a TFT LCD touch screen along with built-in Wi-Fi for easy file transfer. The company is offering accessories with the model: a WP-N3 Waterproof Case and a full-scale Underwater SB-N10 Speedlight. The latter one allows users enjoy the underwater photography. The j4 is priced at Rs. 24,950.

November 28, 2014
OnePlus One Goes Invite-Free This Black Friday

Much has been said and heard about the ‘flagship killer’. Earlier it was said that OnePlus One will be accessible to only a selected few through invite system and later, the news of its availability on Amazon through the same system surfaced. Now, forget about all what you have heard as the OnPlus One is open for all on Black Friday in selected countries (United States, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Portugal).

The official site of OnePlus One showcases a banner which says that the handset will be available on order to all the willing customers till stocks last. The official forum alarms you that the offer is valid till Black Friday only and the ordered phones will reach the buyers by 25th December.

The 16 GB variant of Silver White colour is available at $299 and will reach your doorstep in 10 business days, while the 64 GB Sandstone Black model costing $349 will be delivered as soon as in 5 business days.

Not only One, the company is also offering smartphone accessories like JBL E1+ Earphones, OnePlus Silver Bullet Earphones, OnePlus Tempered Glass Screen Protector, OnePlus HD Screen Protector, OnePlus Screen Protector, OnePlus One Flip Cover, OnePlus One Clear Case, and OnePlus One Data Cable at discounted rates.

Other Offerings by OnePlus

However, India will not be able to avail this offer now, but they will surely receive this device post its launch in India on 2^nd December, exclusively on Amazon. The smartphone (64 GB) is expected to cost Rs. 25,000. For more updates, keep checking iGyaan.in.

November 28, 2014
Facebook Makes Groups More Fun With the New App

Facebook has been a medium to bring together people within India and overseas and now, the online social networking service has taken a step further to team up different groups on a project.

The California-based giant has come up with a new app called ‘Facebook Groups’. This application allows people share information easily and quickly. Although, it is aimed at enterprise collaboration, it can prove useful for student and friends who want to coordinate on assignments. The company stated that the stand alone app will provide a much easier way for Facebook members to access and manage groups from their phones.

The company is not forcing users to migrate to this new app as it did for Messenger. Users can use this new service through the main Facebook site itself. The company has said that it would not sell advertising on the app, at least for now.

The app allows users to create a new group and also discover the already existing groups. The ‘Discover’ tab comes with an added advantage. It gives recommendation based on the user’s page likes history, the groups that their friends follow, and also the city the user belongs to. These groups can also be brought to the home screen for easy access.

The app is available on all iOS and Android devices.

November 22, 2014
Here’s How Facebook Wants to Make Sure You Read Their Privacy Policy

The online social networking giant Facebook has rolled out a privacy policy which is said to be more user-friendly. This rewritten policy being more user-friendly can be judged by the fact that it is summed up in just 2,700 words, rather than 9,000 words used earlier.

With this, a new feature has also been launched and that is Privacy Basics. It is simply an easy-to-use guide through which you can control your visibility to the world. According to a report by Wall Street Journal, Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan was quoted saying, “Our goal is to make the information about Facebook as clear as possible. Our hope is that it will not take long for people to read through this and really get it.”

The policy will surely be welcomed by the users as it now informs about what kind of information do the website collects and how you can manage and delete information about yourself. Also, the company shared the fact about how the payment data, credit card data, account authentication information, billing, shipping, and contact information is used.

Meanwhile, users who have gone through this policy can comment on the website. Facebook will finally launch a new policy version next month on the basis of the comments.

November 14, 2014
WhatsApp Now Tells You When Your Message is Read

The cross-platform mobile messaging service WhatsApp has been tweaked with a much-needed update; the messenger now shows when your message has been read. Yes, you read it right! WhatsApp will now inform you if the recipient has read the sent text or not.

This new feature works like: when you send a message and if it’s delivered, then it will show double check marks beside the text, and when your message will be read by the concerned contact, the marks will turn blue. This ‘Read Message’ feature was first spotted at the WhatsApp’s FAQ page.

This update is not just limited to one-on-one conversations, but also it extends to the group chat and broadcast messages. Once your broadcast message or the group chat has been read by all the individuals, the double ticks will turn blue.

According to a report by 9to5Mac, this feature isn’t part of an update to the app through the App Store, but an ‘over-the-air’ update sent both to iOS and Android versions of the app. The report also pointed out that a website, has released some images of the upcoming Voice-Calling feature of WhatsApp. It will roll out sometime next year, confirmed Jan Koum, WhatsApp CEO.

November 6, 2014