Author: Shivaank Rana

RIM Anounces Blackberry 10 Dev Alpha C With A Physical Keyboard

At BlackBerry Jam Asia this morning RIM announced a number of changes and additions that we can expect in the coming months. First, the BlackBerry App World, RIM’s app store, will be renamed when BB10 officially launches to simply “BlackBerry World.” This will feature more than apps as you’ll be able to purchase music, movies, TV shows and games.

Alec Saunders, RIM’s VP of Developer Relations, also revealed the new Dev Alpha C device – a BB 10 smartphone with a physical QWERTY keyboard. This BB10 is only for developers who are looking to test their BB10 apps. Similar to the all-touch Dev Alpha A and Dev Alpha B, there’s a limited amount to go around. In total, RIM has only produced 1,500 Dev Alpha C devices and interested developers need to qualify to score one. On their blog they noted scoring is based on a point system, specifically that “The top 1,500 people to submit two or more applications will be given priority seeding for the BB 10 Dev Alpha C.” Here’s the breakdown of the point system:

– 50 points for ported Android applications
– 250 points for all other applications (Native, BlackBerry WebWorks, Adobe AIR)
– 1,500 points for Built For BlackBerry certified application
– 200 points to start for BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha A/B recipients
– 200 points to start if you are a BlackBerry Elite Member

Developers who received a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha device and who have submitted a “qualifying” BlackBerry 10 application are eligible to receive a free, limited edition final-release BlackBerry 10 smartphone shortly after the January 30 BlackBerry 10 launch event. More details on terms and conditions can be found on RIM’s developer blog.

November 29, 2012
Microsoft Windows Phone 8 Reboot Bug Fix Coming In December

Microsoft has found the issue that’s causing some Windows Phone 8 users devices to randomly reboot. It’s certainly frustrating and it’s happen to other platforms in the past.

Hundreds of users of the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC 8X smartphones have reported on Internet forums that their phones were repeatedly and spontaneously rebooting. The reports identified several different mobile operators in the U.S. and Europe. The forums didn’t identify a consistent culprit for the problem.

Initially, it was speculated that the patch to fix the rebooting issue will be part of a larger software update for the platform, known as Apollo Plus, that would bring added features. However, it looks like as the problem has been identified, Microsoft may not want to wait and is rolling out the patch ahead of Apollo Plus.

Unfortunately Microsoft isn’t specifically saying what’s causing this, only stating that it’s not them but “with our partners.” No indication if it’s a manufacturer, carrier or app developer. However, according to AllThingsD a fix is en route OTA in December.

November 28, 2012
Latest Leaked Images Of Blackberry 10 L-Series, Next To An iPhone, Note 2 And Lumia 920

Yet another photo of Research in Motion’s upcoming BlackBerry 10 L-Series leaked online Thursday, though the latest image adds a new dimension to the speculation.

That is, the photo shows the BB10 phone snuggled up next to Apple’s iPhone 5.

The only brand really missing is HTC, but there’s the Samsung Galaxy Note, Nokia Lumia 920, Apple iPhone 5, and apparently the upcoming all-touch BB10 L-Series from RIM (the device has the old style icons).

This picture gives a good idea of it’s size compared to the other devices. We already know the screen resolution will be 1280 x 768, but it’s now looking like this BlackBerry 10 device will have a screen size of 4.2-inches.

The rest of the images show some familiar BlackBerry features (like the clock) and more angles of the device itself.

Of course, everything is unconfirmed until RIM officially unveils their goods on January 30th, 2013.

November 28, 2012
Reliance Globalcom Partners with Ciena for 100G Submarine Cable Network Upgrade

Ciena Corporation, today announced that Reliance Globalcom, has selected Ciena’s market-leading WaveLogic coherent optical 100G networking solutions to upgrade its FLAG Europe-Asia (FEA) submarine network. Based on Ciena’s OP architecture, the 100G network will bring massive capacity increases to a route that connects Egypt and Jordan to satisfy customer demand for high-bandwidth services, while using its existing fiber infrastructure to support growing bandwidth requirements.

[quote]“Ciena’s submarine network solutions are designed to fit into existing wet plants to significantly increase submarine network capacity without disrupting existing customer traffic or adding cost and complexity to the network. Our solutions are ideally suited for large submarine networks like Reliance Globalcom that play an important role in ensuring continuous global broadband connectivity, and thus cannot afford downtime for network build-out and service turn-up,” said Anthony McLachlan, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, Ciena. [/quote]

As part of the network upgrade, Reliance Globalcom will deploy a 100G DWDM system with Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with WaveLogic coherent optical line interfaces. Using principles of Ciena’s OP network architecture, the upgrade will allow Reliance Globalcom to support the surge of high-bandwidth applications such as cloud computing, video conferencing, business continuity/disaster recovery, data center connectivity, and storage area networking, in addition to ever increasing Internet traffic.

The network upgrade with 100G technology allows Reliance Globalcom to increase submarine bandwidth on this segment by 10 times, and enables the launch of 10GE and OTU-2 services. The upgrade also enables Reliance Globalcom to provide 100GbE for their end customers as required.

Ciena is also providing Reliance Globalcom with its advanced network management solution for streamlined service activation, robust fault management and comprehensive performance monitoring. Additionally, the deployment includes a wide range of professional services for this deployment via Ciena’s Specialist Services portfolio, including engineering, furnishing and installation (EF&I).

[quote]“Ciena’s proven coherent optical technology gives us the ability to upgrade our existing submarine networks from 10G to 40G and 100G rates, and beyond, so that we can keep pace with our customers’ changing bandwidth requirements while leveraging our investments in fibre assets. We are already using Ciena coherent solutions to deliver 40G services on multiple, critical submarine routes, so when we decided to upgrade our FEA route to 100G, we knew Ciena was the right choice to help strengthen our leadership position and differentiate our network capabilities,” said Punit Garg, President and CEO, Reliance Globalcom.[/quote]

November 27, 2012
Now Enjoy Free Incoming Calls On Airtel Mobile While Travelling To United States

Bharti Airtel today announced the launch of three new International Roaming Packs for post-paid mobile customers travelling to United States of America. Customers can get upto 5 hours of free incoming calls while travelling in USA, and also make outgoing calls to local USA numbers as well as outgoing calls back to India at just Rs.20/min with Airtel.

Available in three different tariff packs of INR 1000/-, INR 3500/-, and INR 8500/- with a validity of 30 days each, the tariff plan allows customers to easily stay in touch with family and friends back home at affordable rates on their Airtel India postpaid number. Also their family and friends in India can call them at local India rates. Customers can activate the pack by messaging the respective activation keyword to 121 for the selected pack and enjoy the discounted rates. Standard roaming rates would apply for all other outgoing international calls, messaging and data usage.

November 27, 2012
Rumour : LG Optimus G2 To Sport 5-inch display, Quad-Core Processor, Android Key Lime Pie And More

The Optimus G is LG’s most powerful and best looking smartphone to-date. The specs are impressive as it comes packed with a 1.5Ghz quad-core processor, 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 1280×768, 2GB RAM, 8MP camera, 2100mA and currently runs Android OS 4.0 ICS.

According to a recent article on MK, LG plans on releasing its successor, supposedly dubbed LG Optimus G2, packing the smartphone with a quad-core processor with each core clocked in at 2GHz.

In fact, the company is said to have partnered with Qualcomm for the inclusion of its Snapdragon S4 MSM8974 chipset inside the upcoming device.

At the same time, the Optimus G2 is expected to arrive on shelves with a full HD touchscreen display, something that has been rumored before. Apparently, this would be a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel panel capable of delivering a pixel density of 440ppi. Reportedly, LG has already started to produce the screen.

The handset might also hit the market with the next flavor of Google’s Android operating system, Key Lime Pie, loaded on it and will rival Samsung’s successor to the Galaxy S3.

November 27, 2012
Report : Microsoft Working on Apollo Plus Update for Windows Phone 8, Coming Early 2013

There’s no mistaking the fact that, despite Windows Phone 8’s extensive feature set and countless improvements over its predecessor, there were a few notable omissions in the final Windows product.

Microsoft admitted that it ran out of time to bring a new notification centre to the OS, and basic enterprise features like VPN support were also omitted at launch.

To that end, the company plans to introduce a software update for Windows Phone 8, currently dubbed “Apollo+”, early next year, likely during Mobile World Congress in February.

Also expected to make an appearance in the update, which may be the first to use Microsoft’s new over-the-air infrastructure, will be fixes for WiFi disconnecting when the screen is turned off, corrections for audio glitches, and the possibility of notification improvements.

Last but not least, it’s said that Microsoft plans to test the ability to receive Windows Phone 8 updates via OTA (over the air), but it’s not yet decided whether this change will be introduced with Apollo Plus update.

November 27, 2012
Nokia Asha 205, Nokia 206 Dual-SIM Launched, Priced At $62

Nokia unveiled on Monday two new cellphone models, the Nokia Asha 205 and the Nokia Asha 206, pricing both models at around $62, excluding subsidies and taxes.

The dual-SIM Nokia Asha devices have been unveiled in four countries (Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya and India) today as the Asha series completes one year of launch.

[quote]”Asha is a huge category for us and in Q3, about 6.5 million Asha touch devices were sold, which speaks volumes about the popularity of the device. The new phones are also aimed at giving users a smarter Internet experience at affordable costs,” Nokia India Director (Mobile Phones) Sari Harju told reporters during the launch.[/quote]

The Nokia Asha 205 is a QWERTY device with a 2.4-inch display and a dedicated Facebook button. It comes with 2G connectivity, Bluetooth, VGA camera and a battery that offers 11 hours talk-time. The phone comes with pre-installed apps like eBuddy Chat, Twitter and support for popular email accounts such as Gmail as well as 40 free games from EA. The Nokia Asha 205 will be available in Cyan, Magenta and Orange colour options.

Nokia 206 is a regular ‘bar’ style feature phone with a 2.4-inch display, 1.3-megapixels camera and 2G + Bluetooth connectivity. It comes with pre-installed apps like eBuddy Chat, WhatsApp and a gift pack of 10 free, premium content items. The Nokia 206 will be available in Cyan, Magenta and Yellow colours.

The Nokia Asha 205 and Nokia 206 are expected to start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2012 for an estimated retail price (excluding taxes) of $62 (Rs. 3,450)

November 26, 2012
Motorola Mobility Indian Website Shut Down

Motorola Mobility has shut down its India-specific product website as part of its global streamlining process.

[quote]“We are streamlining our business and support systems, and unfortunately, we’ll no longer have a dedicated website for India,” a message on Motorola Mobility India’s website said.[/quote]

“Your local support site will remain open well into the future, and we’ll continue to provide support for our existing products,” it added.

This move seems to be a part of the company’s global downsizing process. In August, it had confirmed its decision to cut off 20 percent of work force and shut down operations in many countries.

Motorola Mobility, which is totally independent from Motorola Solutions, had incurred heavy loss last year. Google took over the company for $12.5 billion in May this year. Google had earlier said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company is likely to continue its sales in India till the stocks lessen. It is rumored that India may not see any new products from Motorola. It was reported that the existing customers would continue to get the service centre support.

This move seems to be a part of Motorola’s global downsizing process. In August, Motorola had confirmed its decision to cut off 20 percent of work force and shut down operations in many countries.

Motorola Mobility, which is totally independent from Motorola Solutions, had incurred heavy loss last year. Google took over the company for $12.5 billion in May this year. Google had earlier said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, “These changes are designed to return Motorola’s mobile devices unit to profitability, after it lost money in fourteen of the last sixteen quarters,” as reported by IBN Live.
The company is likely to continue its sales in India till the stocks lessen. It is rumored that India may not see any new products from Motorola. It was reported that the existing customers would continue to get the service centre support.

November 26, 2012
BlackBerry 10-N Series Physical QWERTY Keypad Gets Photographed

The BlackBerry 10 N-Series hasn’t since seen the light of day, until today. Aside from the early marketing video never really meant for public eyes, the N-Series has escaped blurry cams everywhere but purported images of the BlackBerry 10 N-Series Physical QWERTY Keypad have made their way out now.

Taking a look at it shows the similar iconic design that we’re used to seeing in other flagship devices, namely the Bold 9900, but with the upcoming BB 10 it looks like the familiar chrome ‘frets’ will be straight, rather than curved.

The BlackBerry 10 platform and the first two smartphones powered by it will be launched on January 30, and more on the matter will become official at that time.

For BlackBerry users out there, are you likely to go with touchscreen or QWERTY keyboard?

November 26, 2012
Video Of Nokia Lumia 510 Running Windows Phone 7.8 Surfaces Online

After the Windows Phone 7.8-powerd Nokia Lumia 900 spotted in China earlier this month, a new device has been caught on camera running the unannounced operating system, the Lumia 510.

A new video, presumably from Winp.cn, shows the current build of Windows Phone 7.8 (8858) in action on the Nokia Lumia 510. Actually, it’s less action and more of a nice, soothing stroll on some of the more superficial changes coming in the OS update. The new tiles are shown off and we even see the Bing lockscreen wallpaper working.

A new rumour states that Windows Phone 7.8 will launch as early as Wednesday of this week, though in what capacity we don’t know. We may get a roll-out schedule in the very least, though even that is up in the air.

There have been several leaks that indicate Nokia is actively working on a new major Windows Phone update for its first generation Lumia handsets, though there has been no word on availability.

One nice feature exclusive, it seems, to Nokia phones is the ability to keep WiFi on in the background when the screen is off. This may seem trivial to most smartphone users but amazingly the functionality is not currently present in Windows Phone as we know it.

We still expect WP 7.8 to come out sometime early 2013.

November 26, 2012
Galaxy Note 2 Sales Hit 5 Million

It was just three week ago that Samsung declared Galaxy Note 2 sales reached the 3 million milestone in 37 days. Now, according to a post on SammyHub, the 5.5-inch phone/tablet has reportedly crossed over the 5 million mark in global sales in just 2-months – something that the original Note took 5 months to accomplish.

It features a 5.55? HD Super AMOLED display along with 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and 3100mAh battery.

The Note 2 is 9.4mm thick, has a quad-core Exynos processor clocked at 1.6GHz. In terms of design it follows along the Galaxy S3 while retaining the feel of the original Note. Samsung has been smart enough to launch the phone with Jelly Bean and their new Touchwiz UI. The Note 2 also features a new S-Pen that adds a lot of functionality to the device.

November 25, 2012
Crystal Dynamics Reveal Tomb Raider Gameplay Length

Crystal Dynamics, the development team behind the new Tomb Raider reboot, took to answering some late night questions about the game in a short Q&A with fans. Although the one-hour segment didn’t go into great details about the game, a few small facts did arise.

The answers came from Karl Stewart, the Global Brand Director, who took to Twitter for one-hour in a lightning round of Tomb Raider trivia. We will skip some of the lame questions and head right to the good ones in order to save you some time.

One of the best questions asked was how long will the gameplay be, to that question Karl stated, “12 to 15 + depending on your play style”. When asked if Lara could swim, the answer was a touch odd; “Lara can swim, but just not in this game” Karl said. This hopefully will quell any ideas of underwater levels… we hope.

It seems Lara will be using the regenerative life-meter in this game and will be forgoing the traditional ‘life-bar’. Karl stated on Twitter that Lara will have “regenerative” health and will have “no need for items” in that respect in this iteration of Tomb Raider.

It seems that Square Enix may be planning a few midnight releases for the game as well, Karl confirmed that “it will” when asked, but would only say “more on that soon” at this time. For fans hoping that this will begin a new franchise, Karl had this to say about a possible sequel if the game is successful, “why of course” he simply stated. We couldn’t have stated it better ourselves.

One question we really enjoyed was asked by @ZenonSamuels who stated, “Will the combat system be better than TR:Underworld?”. Karl’s response was simply, “haha…….OHHHH YEEEESS it will!!”.

Karl promised much more information about the title would be released in December.

[Gaming Examiner]

November 25, 2012
Volvo V40 Launching March 2013; Priced at Rs 25 lakhs

Luxury car major Volvo would launch its new car in Indian market by the end of March 2013, a top company official has said.

The car ‘V40-Cross Country,’ is already on road in Frankfurt and would hit the Indian market, which is a potential market for the company, Tomas Ernburg, Managing Director, Volvo India, told PTI on Friday.

n India, Volvo V40 will compete with the Mercedes Benz A Class and B Class, and BMW 1 Series hatchback. Tomas Ernburg told PTI earlier this Friday that India is a very big market. “Volvo India wants to be No.1 in India in the luxury segment and aims to capture 15% market share by 2020 and would sell 20,000 cars then. It would gradually increase to 30,000 in 2025,” he said.

Tomas revealed these details in Coimbatore, where he was present to open one of the Volvo showrooms in the country. Other cities that have Volvo showrooms include, Chnadigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai and Pune.

Volvo will increase their production sites to 43 by 2020, from current 12 by 2020 in order to capture the luxury car market by 2020. Volvo would commence operations at their plant in China next year and plans of building a plant in India are gaining momentum.

November 25, 2012
Pantel WS802C-2G Penta T-Pad Tablet Launched For Rs 8299

Pantel Technologies has launched its 8 inch WS802C 2G Penta T-Pad for Rs. 8,299.

The Penta T-Pad comes with an inbuilt SIM slot, enabling users to access 2G data as well as make calls. It also features Wi-Fi connectivity and 3G USB dongle support. Under the hood, a 1.2GHz processor and 1GB DDR3 RAM power the device. It has 8GB of built-inl storage, expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card. It also boasts of a 5,000 mAh battery and 3D graphics accelerator.

[quote]At the launch of the tablet, Vijender Singh, MD, Pantel Technologies, said, “This latest product, introduced in India for the first time, the Penta T-Pad WS802C Voice calling tablet PC, with a unique accessory and multiple connectivity options at an affordable price of Rs 8,299, is an initiative to bring more excitement and enhanced capability for our customers in this ever evolving market-place.”[/quote]

There’s also a keyboard with an inbuilt stereo-phonic speaker system available for the device. The price for that is Rs 1,499. The Penta T-Pad WS802C-2G comes pre-loaded with Facebook, Skype, and Angry Birds.

November 25, 2012