Author: Meenakshi Rawat

40,000 Xiaomi Mi 4i Units Get Sold Out in 15 Seconds

Xiaomi’s brand new affordable offering has received an overwhelming response. As scheduled, the Chinese electronics maker today conducted its first flash sale of Mi 4i in India with 40,000 units up for sale. The registered users picked up the device in a matter of seconds. The phone, priced at Rs. 12,999, comes in white, blue, orange, yellow and pink colour options.

Xiaomi India Head Manu Jain confirmed about the same through Twitter –

#Mi4i: 1st sale of Mi 4i – we had offered 40K devices. Went out of stock in 15 secs. Thank u Mi fans for ur love n support. @MiIndiaOfficial

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) April 30, 2015

Throwing some light on its specifications, Xiaomi Mi 4i has a 5-inch Full HD OGS IPS display with 441ppi pixel density. The processor powering the phone is a 64-bit octa-core Cortex-A53; the four cores clocked at 1.7 GHz and the other four at 1.1 GHz. It features 2GB of RAM and 16GB of non-expandable storage space. The Mi 4i runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with the company’s MIUI 6 on top.

Optics includes a 13MP rear and a 5MP shooter. The dual-SIM device is powered by a 3120mAh battery. Connectivity options include Micro-USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi.

April 30, 2015

Microsoft Outs the Budget-Friendly Lumia 430 in India

Keeping its promise, Microsoft today launched its cheapest Lumia handset, Lumia 430 in India. The phone was unveiled back in March at a price tag of $70. The Dual-SIM device is up for grabs in the country starting today at a considerably low price of Rs. 5,299.

The Redmond-based has secured a space for itself in the budget segment with the release of Lumia 430. It has an edge over entry-level Android devices with an option to Windows 10 upgrade; when it releases later this year. The device comes pre-installed with apps like Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote), Outlook, Skype and OneDrive.

Coming on the specifications, then the Lumia 430 sports a 4-inch WVGA (800×480 pixels) LCD display with 235ppi pixel density. A 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor provides power to the device together with 1GB RAM. The internal storage space is 8GB, but users can expand it up to 128GB via MicroSD card. For now, the Lumia 430 runs on Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim update, but soon users can access the benefits of Windows 10 on the device.

On the photography front, a 2MP camera is fitted at its back, while the front is a VGA snapper. A 1500mAh battery fuels the phone, which the company claims can stand 8.4 hours of talktime. Connectivity options include dual-SIM card slots, 3G support, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

The company has announced some exciting offers to entice customers like Rs. 3,000 cashback on transaction via MobiKwik app. Other deals include Rs. 1,500 discount on ticket booking via Redbus app, and 500MB free data per month for two months.

Have a look at its spec sheet below:

Specifications	Microsoft Lumia 430
Display	4-inch (800×480 pixels) LCD
Processor	1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200
RAM	1GB
Storage	8GB, expandable up to 128GB
Operating System	Windows Phone 8.1, upgradable to Windows 10
Camera	2MP rear, front VGA
Battery	1500mAh
Price	Rs. 5,299

April 30, 2015

Continuum Will Turn a Windows 10 Handset into a Full-Fledged PC

Microsoft’s annual Build Conference brought a slew of significant features. Significant announcements included the disclosure of the new Windows 10 browser ‘Microsoft Edge‘, and the other is the official confirmation of Windows 10 being open for Android and iOS apps.

Among many noteworthy revelations, one that caught hold of our attention is Continuum for phones. The tech firm demonstrated onstage one of the spectacular possibilities for its new Windows 10 and revealed how a small 5-inch handset can turn into a full-blown PC.

So, how does Continuum work and what does it means to Windows Phone users?

Continuum sorts the problem of shifting among various devices. As Continuum transforms a phone into a computer, its user interface (UI) moulds itself to work better with a mouse and keyboard. It’s just like Universal apps from Microsoft that scales up to fit the screen they are opened in.

When a Windows phone is connected to a PC, it acts as the main gadget with power to access everything that you do on a full-sized computer. With Continuum on a smartphone, all the keyboard shortcuts of a PC work will work exactly the same way on your Windows smartphone. This way, users can get their work done using their phone like a PC.

It also comes with dual-screen capabilities, which means users can continue using their phone while it is plugged into external peripherals like a TV or a desktop. This allows the handset to be used independently, and both the screens can perform different functions at the same time. Joe Belfiore from the Microsoft Team announced that new processors from Qualcomm are being used which can help drive two displays separately.

Continuum has given a boost to Windows Phones and has made it somewhat like an Apple iPhone, which works better in conjunction with other gadgets in its ecosystem. For now, Continuum is built to provide limited access, but the hardware will be modified to deliver full-on desktop features in the future. With this, Microsoft has secured its current customers and may even lure more with its new tool.

Watch the below clip for more information about Continuum for Phones:

https://youtu.be/-oi1B9fjVs4

April 30, 2015
It’s Official! Microsoft Extends Android and iOS App Support for Windows 10

The day before, the news of Microsoft planning to roll out a fresh feature came to light, which could bring the plethora of Android apps for Windows users. Now at the Annual Build Conference, Microsoft confirmed the authenticity of the reports. Last night, Microsoft revealed its plan to bolster the piddling share of its Windows Phone market and announced that the new Windows 10 can run the reworked Android and iOS apps. The company unveiled Software Development Kits (SDKs) that allows developers of Android and iOS to port their apps on the Windows platform.

Microsoft wants to offer the 1 billion associated loyal Windows customers the vast apps ecosystem that the company had not been able to develop since long. Two new SDKs will do the porting of apps. For the Android developers, American tech behemoth is allowing to leverage Java and C++ code to make Windows apps, and iOS developers will use the Objective-C code developed by Microsoft.

Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Terry Myerson commented at the event –

Windows 10 is going to enable you to reuse your Web code, your .NET and Win32 code, your Android, Java and C++ code, to build amazing new applications, bringing the code over, extending it, putting it in the Windows Store, and reaching 1 billion Windows 10 customers.

Today, we’re announcing that you will be able to compile the same Objective-C code that’s being used in iOS applications within Visual Studio on Windows. Enabling you to leverage that code and extend it with the capabilities only found on the Windows platform.

Developers don’t have to put much effort in making apps from scratch. Just a few tweaks in codes and the apps will be ready to run on all Windows devices, automatically fitting the different screen sizes. Microsoft is also looking towards shifting the existing apps on Windows 7 and Windows 8 to the latest Windows 10. The firm mentioned that 16 million .NET and Win32 apps were still being used every month on Windows 7 and Windows 8, so their importance cannot be overlooked.

On the first day of the conference, Microsoft previewed the .NET Core for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. ‘Visual Studio 2015 Release Candidate’ was also released that makes it easier for developers to build universal applications and deploy them to Windows, Linux, iOS and Android platforms.

The company hasn’t come up with the release date of Windows 10 yet, but it is speculated to release in or before fall.

April 30, 2015
Report: Android Apps Might Soon Be Available for Windows Users

Windows Phones have been in the smartphone race since long, but their App Store is still remains constrained. Microsoft is committed to eliminating the glitch and is ready to offer its users the luxury of the Android app ecosystem. The company is reportedly working on a feature that will open the doors of the Android app store for Windows users.

A trusted blogger Paul Thurrot has commented on Microsoft’s plans that they might come out with at the BUILD conference scheduled for tonight. He revealed that Microsoft is likely to introduce a feature that will let users run Android apps on Windows 10 devices like smartphones, tablets and PCs.

This means the confined app network will now grow to the maximum by encompassing all the apps that are developed for Android till date. It will give a major push to the Windows Phone market, which was till date lagging because of its limited App Store.

It is still unclear how Microsoft will integrate the change. It remains to be seen if it will create a new app store for Android apps or allow support for Android stores by third-party developers. The move will help the company in the long run, but it is dubious how it will go with Microsoft’s Universal App strategy.

April 29, 2015
Asus Hints ZenFone 3 Will Come Equipped with a Qualcomm Chipset

ASUS has long been using Intel chipsets on its smartphones. It has a tie-up with the software firm that makes available latest chips for personal computers, as well as handsets. The Taiwanese equipment manufacturer is reportedly in talks with Qualcomm to embed its chips in future Asus phones.

The CEO of Asus, Jerry Shen shared some information with online tech portal Yugatech about the company’s partnership with Qualcomm and hinted that it could use Snapdragon 615 for future handsets. He also disclosed that they will discontinue using confusing naming convention opted for the recent releases, and go Apple’s simplistic way. Users might see a new nomenclature for the forthcoming ZenFone 3.

Shen mentioned that the company will release a major product every year and will roll up incremental upgrades every six months. With this he confirmed we can expect the successor of the ZenFone 2 in 2016.

April 29, 2015
Xiaomi’s 1,000 Mi Band Units Priced at Re. 1 Might Cause Trouble for Other Buyers

Along the new Mi 4i, Xiaomi introduced another much-desired product to the Indian market – the Mi Band. Xioami’s fitness band is one of the cheapest available in the market and helps keep a track of users’ sleep, workout and overall fitness. The company announced at the Global Mi 4i Premier that it will give away the Rs. 999 Mi Band for just Re. 1. The first 1,000 units of the tracking device are going up for sale, but massive number of people are registering to secure it.

Xiaomi claims that the Mi Band is a reliable activity tracker which offers a battery life of 30 days. Users can set alarms, get missed call notification right on their wrists. The water-proof band is IP-67 certified and works under water. It connects with both iOS and Android smartphones through Bluetooth 4.0 and a companion app.

As Xiaomi has kept the price negligible at Re. 1 for the Mi Band Preview, a massive crowd is sure to login the official Mi website. To be the lucky one, willing buyers will continually attempt to make a purchase, which will cause an unwanted onslaught of traffic. This will cause a problem for the rest of the buyers who wish to buy smartphones, power banks or other accessories. There might be chances of the website facing a temporary outage. The registrations started from April 28, and the sale will commence at 2pm on May 5.

April 29, 2015
Microsoft Might Set Up a Smartphone Manufacturing Unit in India

The smartphone landscape in India is rapidly flourishing. Previously Xiaomi expressed its view to build a manufacturing unit in the country and now, Microsoft is mulling over the same thought. The US-based firm Microsoft is pondering over establishing a local manufacturing unit in India after the government’s decree on import. The company says that post the Indian government’s rigorous take on international organizations, it would be expensive to bring phones to the country.

Corporate Vice-President at Microsoft Mobile Device Sales, Chris Weber reiterated the same, “We’re evaluating local manufacturing in terms of what our local footprint is. There are some new regulations and tax duties, etc., about local manufacturing and certainly we’re looking at them to make sure that we remain competitive.” He further mentioned that the evaluation is underway for all nations including India.

Microsoft got a boost in the smartphone business with the buyout of Nokia’s device business for $7.5 billion last year. The firm has a foothold in the market, but to stay ahead of its competitors like Samsung, Xioami, Micromax and more, Microsoft needs to offer phones at an unbeatable price point.

As an Indian origin firm, Micromax has added benefits. It can retail its handsets at comparatively lower prices as the Indian government has relieved the home-grown companies from many taxes to give them a push. On the other hand, the current budget puts excessive load on foreign tech companies since it has made import even more pricey. It has led global companies to consider establishing a manufacturing unit in India.

Weber said that Microsoft will update its 4G devices portfolio in India and make a comeback in the premium smartphone market this year. The hardware and software beast now has several budget and mid-range smartphones in its portfolio. Seeing people’s inclination to high-end devices like Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Microsoft is planning to throw its top-notch devices in the marketplace and enter the premium smartphone battle.

The American multinational technology firm is presently rebranding the brick-and-motor stores of Nokia all over the world. The rebranding will be held in two categories – Microsoft Priority Resellers and Microsoft Mobile Sellers. The former one will keep all the company products, and the latter will be an experience store.

April 29, 2015
OnePlus and Cyanogen Officially Break Up

The two budding players in their respective fields, Cyanogen and OnePlus, are finally breaking their last thread. Both the companies went through ups and downs in the past few months and now, the two have decided to part ways. A confirmation came from Cyanogen at the Global Mobile Internet Conference in Beijing when Cyanogen’s co-founders announced about ending their relationship with OnePlus.

The Co-Founder of Cyanogen, Steve Kondik spoke on the issue –

That’s probably the last you will see from that partnership.… Two new companies are trying to do crazy stuff, a lot of people collide.

Kirt McMaster and Steve Kondik, Co-Founders of Cyanogen stated that both the companies have different goals, and their visions are not coinciding at a point. The fledgling firms will now be heading with their own goals.

The conflict between Cyanogen and OnePlus started when Cyanogen decided to jump into bed with Micromax. For a period, the One devices were banned by the Supreme Court of India. The two companies went back and forth for a while, but have now officially decided to part ways.

Happier Days : OnePlus running Cyanogen

Meanwhile, it is learnt that OnePlus has moved on quickly, and is already working with new brand partners. This might help them scale up the production of the next software to reach the markets quickly. No names linked with OnePlus have come up till now, but it is likely to be an inexpensive Chinese manufacturer. The Chinese equipment maker confirmed on the separation and its association with other partners –

OnePlus shipped reasonable volume, but nothing compared to what some of these other partners can ship… we are working with partners that can scale much quicker.

For now, OnePlus has launched its first own OxygenOS that would fill in for CyanogenOS. After that, the new (unknown) software is expected to replace OxygenOS or provide an alternative for it.

April 29, 2015
Samsung Reports Major Drop in First-Quarter Profits

The latest flagships by Samsung Electronics, Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, were supposed to bring the company back on track. The company has been rapidly losing ground to other smartphone manufacturers like Apple, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. The escalating demand for its flagships speaks of Samsung’s decent performance this time around, but the latest announcement says otherwise.

Samsung, who has been relying on the buoyant sales of the high-end devices, recorded significant slide in profit for the sixth consecutive time. It is the sixth consecutive quarter-on-quarter (QOQ) drop reported by Samsung. The company today declared that Q1 2015 net profit was 4.63 trillion won ($4.35 billion). This was lower than the 7.49 trillion won gained the previous year. The company also mentioned that the quarterly revenue tripped by 11 percent to 47.12 trillion won, while the operating profit increased to 5.98 trillion won.

The latest statistics is higher than the previous quarter and less than half of what was reported in Q1 2014.

Samsung is banking on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to help boost its numbers.

Samsung’s latest S series was outdone by Apple’s iPhone 6 and its bigger sibling. According to numbers, people preferred the bigger iPhones over the curvy Galaxy S6 Edge. Alongside, Samsung has been unable to cope up with the supply demands of Samsung S6 Edge, which is likely to have an adverse effect on its business.

Apple has again become the world’s most valuable company and disclosed the iPhones sales of the first quarter. According to Apple, a total of 61 million iPhones were retailed in Q1 this year and the maximum numbers were sold in China.

Samsung expects a better sales figure in the second quarter, and said that the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will boost the numbers up in the next couple of months. OLED and LCD panel sales are further anticipated to lift the overall sales. The Consumer Electronics (CE) Division also sees an improved sale of air conditioners and the flagship SUHD TV.

With many premium products in its kitty, Samsung expects to recover its revenue figures in the next quarter. However, it wouldn’t be that easy as many tech start-ups, as well as established companies, have secured a niche in almost every segment. Xiaomi has become a customer favourite and Apple fans are rapidly multiplying all over the world. It would be interesting to see what tactics Samsung adopts to catch up with these present titans.

April 29, 2015

LG Outs the G4, Featuring a Super-Bright Camera and a Leather-Clad Body

After weeks of leaks and speculations, LG has finally disclosed its next flagship. The Korean electronics maker today launched the G4 in New York and the smartphone holds the same specifications as disclosed in the last leak. The company is betting big on the new device and claims that it offers an exceptional visual experience.

The G4 features a 5.5-inch Quad HD display that uses quantum dot technology. The company says that it is a first on the phone and results in higher brightness and contrast. The processor fitted on the device is a six-core Snapdragon 808 processor. LG says that the Snapdragon 808 churns out power similar to Samsung’s octa-core Exynos chip. With 3GB RAM, the internal storage space of the G4 is 32GB, which can be expanded via a MicroSD card. As teased, the smartphone runs on Android Lollipop.

Talking about the camera performance, then LG G4 boasts a 16MP camera with f/1.8 aperture. LG earlier released a teaser video revealing its ability to capture photos in low-light conditions. An 8MP camera sits on the front for selfie requirements. The improved gesture control on the device lets users take multiple selfies in one the go. Other features include manual mode, RAW shooting and a color spectrum sensor. The handset holds a removable 3,000mAh battery, which the company states can last for one day.

LG has introduced some noteworthy features in the new device. The phone comes with built-in tools like smart widget, SmartBulletin, and a refurbished gallery app. Buyers of the handset will get 100GB of free space on Google Drive for two years.

The phone will be available in four colour options – Black, Blue, Yellow, Beige. The back plates of the phone are carved out of leather and will come in multiple shades.

For now, LG hasn’t disclosed the price and availability details of LG G4. But we can expect to hear about it soon.

Let’s have a look at the spec sheet below:

SPECIFICATION	LG G4
Display	5.5-inch Quad HD LCD display 2560 x 1440 resolution
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 with X10 LTE
RAM	3GB
Primary Camera	16MP
Front Camera	8MP
Storage	32GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Battery	3,000mAh
Operating System	Android 5.1 Lollipop with LG UX 4.0
Price	Not Yet Revealed

April 28, 2015

Google’s New Marketplace Invites Sellers to Trade Their Patents

Google aims to get a hold of your exclusive set of rights. The search internet giant announced the same on Monday by stating its plan to establish an online marketplace. The common place will offer talented minds sell their patents to them.

The online meeting spot for Google and patent holders is known as Patent Purchase Promotion and it is an “experimental marketplace for patents that’s simple, easy to use, and fast.”

Allen Lo, the Patent Deputy Counsel of Google mentioned in a blog post –

We invite you to sell us your patents. Today we’re announcing the Patent Purchase Promotion as an experiment to remove friction from the patent market.

The blog post adds that a streamlined portal will be open for patent holders from May 8, 2015 through May 22, 2015, where willing sellers can set a price of their product. On the last date, the submission will close and submitters with valuable patents will be contacted by June 26, 2015. The deal is anticipated to close by late August.

The move will help improve their patent landscape. Also, it will provide better benefits to the original patent owner.

Get more information on Patent Purchase Promotion here.

April 28, 2015
Thinking of Donating to Help Nepal? Check Out Facebook’s Impressive New Initiative

Facebook’s initiatives to help the earthquake-hit people in Nepal are appreciable. Earlier it launched a ‘Safety Check’ feature to help people know who all are safe in the affected region. The social networking service has now come up with a new tool that will lend a hand in making contributions for the victims of the Nepal earthquake.

The company has rolled out a ‘Donate button’ within the website which lets millions of connected users make a donation through Facebook. The fund raised for the Nepal earthquake-affected victims will go to International Medical Corps, which are on the ground serving the needful. The most brilliant part about this initiative is that the amount you donate, Facebook will match your donation till $2 million.

The CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg stated in his blog post –

People are coming together to support those affected by the earthquake that struck Nepal and impacted the populations of Nepal, India and Bangladesh

Mark also announced through his Facebook account that it will match every dollar donated up to $2 million, and matching funds i.e. $2 million will be donated by the company. Facebook will distribute the amount to the local relief and rescue organizations providing immediate and continuous relief. The official page of Mark Zuckerberg reads –

Today we’re launching a special campaign to help raise funds for those affected by the Nepal earthquake.At the top of…

Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Monday, April 27, 2015

Facebook says that till date, millions of people have been marked as safe and tens of millions of others have learnt about their safety across different sections of the world.

Many countries have joined hands to help Nepal get over this tragic situation. India has already sent and is sending assistance to its neighboring nation. United States has also stood up to do its bit and has announced to send $10 million in relief to stand by Nepal in its hard time.

The natural disaster that struck Nepal a few days back shook the very existence of the country. The death toll has passed 4,000 and is still increasing. According to UN, as much as eight million people are affected by this devastating incident.

Willing people can make their contribution here and save lives.

April 28, 2015
Xiaomi Flaunts 3 Lakh Mi 4i Registrations; No Word on the Number of Units Up for Sale

When Xiaomi took the veil off its latest, affordable smartphone Mi 4i in India, it was speculated to have record sales. Going by the presumption, the device has garnered huge registrations for the flash sale to be held on April 30. The handset reported over 3 lakh applications in a mere four days period.

Xiaomi India Head Manu Jain confirmed the same via Twitter –

#Mi4i: we got 3+ lakhs of registrations for Mi 4i during 1st 4 days. Thank you everyone for your love and support :) @MiIndiaOfficial

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) April 28, 2015

At the launch event held on April 23, the Chinese electronics firm mentioned that users need to register on the e-commerce website Flipkart to participate in the sale. The registration process is done simply via a three step process.

Xiaomi hasn’t mentioned the number of devices going up for sale and users need to be online before the sale time (April 30, 2 pm) to grab the product. In the past, we have seen Xiaomi pushing 40,000-50,000 units of devices. Therefore, this time it is expected to release units close to the earlier figures. Those who haven’t registered yet can do it here.

Recalling the specifications, Xiaomi Mi 4i has a 5-inch Full HD OGS IPS display with 441ppi pixel density. The processor powering the phone is a 64-bit octa-core Cortex-A53; the four cores clocked at 1.7 GHz and the other four at 1.1 GHz. It features 2GB of RAM and 16GB of non-expandable storage space. The Mi 4i runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop with the company’s MIUI 6 on top.

Optics includes a 13MP rear and a 5MP shooter. The dual-SIM device is powered by a 3120mAh battery. Connectivity options include microUSB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi. Priced at Rs. 12,999, the handset will be available in white, blue, orange, yellow and pink colour options.

April 28, 2015
Apple CEO Speaks Up About iPad’s Disappointing Sales Figures

The recently released statistics by Apple establishes the fact that the iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the international markets. The world’s most valuable company made public the three months earnings of this year’s second quarter, which speaks of 61 million iPhones being sold. This leap is incredible as this is the second biggest quarter for the iPhone. Apple managed to sell as much as 43 million iPhones last year in Q2 2014.

The CEO of the company Tim Cook spoke about the achievement –

We are thrilled by the continued strength of iPhone, Mac and the App Store, which drove our best March quarter results ever. We’re seeing a higher rate of people switching to iPhone than we’ve experienced in previous cycles, and we’re off to an exciting start to the June quarter with the launch of Apple Watch.

Apple set a record in China by surpassing the overall sales of US. For the first time in the history of iPhone, China contributed $160 million with the iPhone sale, whereas it remained $120 million in its home market Europe. The increase of 71% put Apple’s revenue in the Asian country to $16.8 billion, a major chunk mostly attributed to festivities around the Chinese New Year.

However as iPhones, Macs, and the App Store has gained numbers, iPad are continuously fading in the background every passing year. Once again, the iPad sale shrunk this year and closed at 12.6 million. The newest iPads to hit the market this year were the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.

For the lackluster sales of iPad, Tim Cook says –

We have never worried about that, it is what it is, and at some point it will straighten out.

Meanwhile, there are many estimates by analysts about the Apple Watch sales, but the company hasn’t come out with an official announcement. Seeing the present report, Apple is likely to take a leap from $46 billion to $48 billion in revenue in Q3 this year.

April 28, 2015

Author: Meenakshi Rawat

Specifications

Microsoft Lumia 430

So, how does Continuum work and what does it means to Windows Phone users?