Author: Shivaank Rana

Bose Solo TV Sound System Launched At INR 25,673

Bose has introduced the Solo TV Sound System, an unobtrusive, single speaker for TV. Bose claims the system “dramatically improves the dialogue, music, action and sound effects from everyday programming.” The device uses a single cable connection to the TV and fits under many TVs.

[quote]”The Bose Solo TV sound system was developed for the love of TV — for people who don’t want a home theatre system. It delivers detailed sound at any volume, without the complications or intrusions of multiple components. One listen, and you’ll realise how much you’ve been missing in your favorite shows,” said Ratish Pandey, Director Bose India.[/quote]

This is Bose’s second launch this week after it unveiled the AirPlay-enabled SoundLink Air Digital Music System on Tuesday.

Measuring 7cms high x 52.5cms wide x 30.4cms deep, the Bose Solo TV sound is designed to fit under flat-panel televisions that have a base up to 101cms wide and 26.6 cms deep – requirements met by TVs with screens up to 32-inch and many 40-inch to 42-inch televisions.

The Bose Solo TV system connects to a television with just one cable and one plug to the wall. No additional equipment, wiring or adjustment is required. A remote control is included, and the system can also be operated by most universal remotes. The system uses proprietary Bose digital signal processing and Bose speaker array technology to deliver the typical Bose experience.

The Bose Solo TV system will be available for Rs 25,673.

November 24, 2012
HTC Deluxe Coming Soon, Press Shots Appear

We’re eagerly anticipating the launch of the HTC Deluxe, the international version of the recently-launched Droid DNA.

The device, presuming its hardware is identical to its U.S. counterpart, the HTC Deluxe have a 5-inch 1080p Super LCD3 screen, 2GB of RAM, 16-32GB of internal storage, an 8MP camera with ImageSense, LTE connectivity, a 2020mAh battery and, of course, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+.

While these new press shots expose the multi-colour scheme of the upcoming device, it does little to further our knowledge of when, and for how much, the HTC Deluxe will be available.

That being said, we know of at least one other 5-inch 1080p device coming in the coming months, specifically Sony’s Yuga.

November 24, 2012
Samsung Premium Suite Coming To Galaxy Note 10.1 in JB Update

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1’s software is about to get a lot more useful, thanks to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the company’s “Premium Suite” of apps.

The original Galaxy Note got the same boost when it was updated to Ice Cream Sandwich from Gingerbread earlier this year, and the upcoming Galaxy Note 10.1 update promises truly useful inclusions.

Perhaps most importantly, the two-window multitasking, which wasn’t multitasking at all but merely two apps loaded side-by-side, will be changed to Samsung’s Multi Window feature. This allows up to 16 separate apps to be open at the same time (remember, the Note 10.1 has 2GB of RAM), each of which can be resized and pinned to a side of the tablet. This allows for real multitasking, something we’ve yet to see on a tablet.

Samsung is also bringing its S Pen preview feature, Air View, to the Galaxy Note 10.1 with Jelly Bean. This allows users to hover above a photo album and preview its contents or, better yet, check ahead in a video clip without interrupting it.

Premium Suite will also include Adobe’s Photoshop Touch, as well as existing S Pen-based tools such as Knowledge Search, Easy Clip, Colour Picker as well as Shape and Formula Match.

November 24, 2012
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City To Hit iOS And Android On December 6

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is approaching its tenth anniversary, and to honour that landmark Rockstar Games is unleashing the title on Android and iOS devices early next month.

The 80?s-themed death-fest has been carefully re-worked to support touchscreen-based devices, and will be available on many newer Android devices including the Galaxy Nexus, HTC One X,Galaxy S III and Nexus 4. The list of Android devices covered is quite extensive, and includes even aging phones like the Nexus S and Xperia Play.

Vice City has higher-resolution character models and improved lighting compared to the original, and there will be some mobile-only features available at launch. We’re really excited to see how the game looks and runs on the Nexus 10 tablet, too.

GTA: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition will run $4.99 for both platforms and will be out on December 6th. See the list of compatible devices after the break.

November 22, 2012
Apple, Samsung Patent Clash Expands To iPad mini, iPad 4, New iPod touch

Samsung Electronics has alleged that three recent products from Apple, including the iPad mini, infringe on its patents.

The South Korean company said in a filing Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose division, that the products were released by Apple after Samsung submitted its original infringement contentions on June 15, and a motion to supplement on Oct. 1 that added the iPhone 5 to products that allegedly infringe its patents.

The products included in the latest motion to amend and supplement the infringement contentions are the iPad mini and the latest versions of the iPad and iPod touch.

Samsung has also asked for clarification from the court if its original contentions properly allege infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,672,470 by three prior generations of the iPod touch, and alternatively asks leave to add these products to its infringement contentions.

[quote]On Wednesday, Samsung’s chief executive Shin Jong-kyun told The Korean Times: “Without Samsung-owned wireless patents, it’s impossible for… Apple to produce its handsets.”[/quote]

Samsung and Apple are no strangers to court battles, having been engaged in vicious patent battle that extends across four continents since April 2011. Back in August, a court awarded Apple over $1 billion in damages after upholding claims that Samsung had infringing several iPhone and iPad patents with its Galaxy S-series smartphones. Samsung has since appealed against the ruling.

But it hasn’t all been going Apple’s way, with courts in the Netherlands, the U.K. and Japan dismissing Apple’s claims of infringement by Samsung.

November 22, 2012
Zen Launches Android 2.3 Ultraphone U1 At INR 4,999

Zen Mobile has launched its first Android smartphone Zen Ultraphone U1 on an e-commerce portal in India.

This is a dual SIM phone and is based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread version Operating system. It is powered by a 1 GHz processor. It comes with features like a 3.5 inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, GPRS/EDGE, WiFi and Bluetooth.

The phone has 512MB phone memory; it supports microSD card up to 16GB. Importantly the phone misses out on 3G connectivity. It comes with a 1200 mAh battery and is priced at Rs 4,999.

[quote]Deepesh Gupta, managing director, Zen Mobile, said, “Zen Ultraphone U1 is one of the top of the ladder innovations from Zen Mobiles and reaffirms our business tenet of getting the best technology to end consumers at affordable rates. We take pride in bringing pioneering technologies to the mobile users of today, which is in line with transforming their constantly evolving Android mobile experience.[/quote]

The handset comes pre-installed with Skype, Facebook, G-talk, Whatsapp, GaneshSpeaks (an astrology app), nexGTV, and MapMyIndia (mapping software).

November 21, 2012
Jabra Launches SOLEMATE Portable Speaker
Jabra expands its stereo music line with the launch of the Company’s first wireless portable speaker, Jabra SOLEMATE. With the rising usage of smart phones for music, music lovers can now enjoy the freedom of big sound and be the centre of the party with the Jabra SOLEMATE, a fun and multifunctional portable Bluetooth speaker that enables sharing and streaming of entertainment with anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Jabra SOLEMATE connects to any multimedia device using Bluetooth technology, a 3.5mm audio cable or USB cable and caters to different consumer preference, making it the ultimate portable speaker for indoors or outdoors.

Key Specifications of Jabra SOLEMATE™:
- Powerful sound with 3 front facing speakers (2 acoustic tweeters and 1 subwoofer) and a proprietary passive bass radiator
- Sweat, dust and splash resistant
- Speakerphone capability
- Voice Guidance
- StatusDisplay™
- Wireless connectivity – play multimedia on Bluetooth^® enabled device within 10m
- Connection via Bluetooth^®, 3.5mm audio cable and USB cable
- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC wall charger included
- Durable sound bag
- Up to 8 hours wireless music time*
- Up to 40 days standby time
- Weight: 610 grams
- Dimensions: 172 mm (L) x 64 mm (W) x 70 mm (H)
It is priced at Rs 10,990 and is available with a one year warranty.

Check out the press release below :

[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”Width of toggle box”]

jabra solemate™ turns up the wireless heat in mobile music

Jabra brings on Jabra SOLEMATE™, the smart multi-functional portable speaker, with massive sound for sharing, streaming and listening to music wherever, whenever

New Delhi, November 19, 2012: Jabra expands its stereo music line with the launch of the Company’s first wireless portable speaker, Jabra SOLEMATE™. With the rising usage of smart phones for music, music lovers can now enjoy the freedom of big sound and be the centre of the party with the Jabra SOLEMATE™, a fun and multifunctional portable Bluetooth^® speaker that enables sharing and streaming of entertainment with anyone, anytime and anywhere.

With strong, deep bass from an integrated subwoofer and rich, vibrant acoustics from dual tweeters, the SOLEMATE amps up the brilliance and clarity in music across a wide audio spectrum. The Jabra SOLEMATE™ connects to any multimedia device using Bluetooth^® technology, a 3.5mm audio cable or USB cable and caters to different consumer preference, making it the ultimate portable speaker for indoors or outdoors. Whether connected to a mobile phone, tablet, iPad^®, iPod^® or laptop, the SOLEMATE is the perfect audio companion to play music clearly and loudly.
- PLAY ON! – Play music while lying at the beach, having a picnic in a park, hosting a soirée, or chilling out at home. Amplify the volume up to an impressive 120 dB SPL* while streaming YouTube videos or watching movies
- CARRY ON! – About the size and weight of a 500ml soda bottle, the SOLEMATE is small and light. The highly portable speaker integrates innovative cable management solution in its non-slip rubber sole base to securely store a 3.5mm audio cable. Just grab the SOLEMATE by its handy carry strap and you’re ready to go.
- PARTY ON! – Sweat, dust, splash and shock resistant, Jabra SOLEMATE™ can handle any bumps and knocks of your active life. The SOLEMATE is meant to travel – it even comes with a durable, sand and rain resistant sound bag – throw it in the bag in extreme situations and the SOLEMATE will keep rocking your tunes loud and clear, completely muffle-free.
- DANCE ON! – Dance to unbelievable sound quality at the next social event, birthday party, corporate function or holiday extravaganza.
- GAME ON! – Turn-up the volume of mobile video games and beat the top score.
- TALK ON! – Catch up with friends, family and colleagues via phone or Skype™ with SOLEMATE speakerphone feature . Connect to a mobile phone, PC, or tablet and enjoy loud and clear conversations without missing a word.
*at 0.5m

Price: Rs 10,990
Colours – Black, White

Warranty: One year local warranty

Availability: Redington (National Distributor)
Contact Details: New Delhi – Mr. Kulwinder Pal | +91 9310154412, Mumbai – Mr. Ankit Sarraf | +91 9820447222 | [email protected]

Key Specifications of Jabra SOLEMATE™:
- Powerful sound with 3 front facing speakers (2 acoustic tweeters and 1 subwoofer) and a proprietary passive bass radiator
- Sweat, dust and splash resistant
- Speakerphone capability
- Voice Guidance
- StatusDisplay™
- Wireless connectivity – play multimedia on Bluetooth^® enabled device within 10m
- Connection via Bluetooth^®, 3.5mm audio cable and USB cable
- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC wall charger included
- Durable sound bag
- Up to 8 hours wireless music time*
- Up to 40 days standby time
- Weight: 610 grams
Dimensions: 172 mm (L) x 64 mm (W) x 70 mm (H)

[/toggle_box]
November 21, 2012
New Windows 8 Accessories Launched By Logitech

Logitech India today introduced a new line of products specifically designed to facilitate intuitive navigation of Windows 8.

The new products are: Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650, Touch Mouse T620, Zone Touch Mouse T400 and Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 and Wireless Touch Keyboard K400R.

[quote]”We have a tradition of launching innovative products and believe in their superiority. Windows 8 allows users to move from one form factor to another, and hence we are offering mouse with horizontal navigation,” Logitech Country Manager India and South-West Asia Subrotah Biswas told reporters here.[/quote]

The Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650, lets you use all Windows 8 gestures to navigate on a old laptop running the new OS. The T620 mouse too lets users do the same – even the top corner swipes to cycle through apps and open settings. You can swipe though pages by running you fingers on the mouse and open Start with a double tap.

The new family of products includes the K810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard that can connect with up to three different devices at the same time (Rs 8,295), the K400 Wireless Touch Keybaord with a Windows 8 compatible 3.5-inch touchpad (Rs 2,995) and the T650 rechargeable touchpad with a glass surface and full gesture compatibility (Rs 4,995). The Logitech Touch Mouse T620 will be priced at Rs 4,295, while the T400 Zone Touch mouse will cost Rs 2,895.

November 21, 2012
Skype 3.0 for Android Launched, New Tablet Interface, Better Voice Quality

Microsoft’s newest big-time brand, Skype, has just been updated to version 3.0 for Android. With it comes a brand new interface for tablets, though Microsoft didn’t seem to think that anyone uses a Nexus 7 since the frame is forced into landscape mode. Hopefully this will be fixed in the next update.

Much like the desktop client or iPad application, the new Android version offers a two-column approach aimed at simplifying multitasking. For example, users can now easily access IM messages without leaving a video call.

The claim to improved sound is credible. The variability of Skype’s audio makes it hard to pin down, but apparently there’s a better audio codec called SILK which copes with varying speeds and improves the capture of deep, bassy, tones, like those of Morgan Freeman.

November 21, 2012
Windows Phone 8 Hit With Random Reboot Issues

HTC Windows Phone 8 and Nokia Lumia 920 owners have taken to forums looking for answers to a vexing reboot problem. Pages worth of complaints have sprung up on Microsoft and Nokia’s forums web sites, as well as that of WPCentral.

The problem, which has the device reboot at random several times per day, seems to affect the HTC 8X more than the Lumia 920. Some users report as many as four to five reboots every 24 hours.

It is unclear exactly what is triggering the problems — and whether they are related or down to specific issues with different handsets, although since multiple handsets from different makers are involved a problem relating to the OS seems most likely.

Microsoft is reportedly investigating the issue, and if it can’t be resolved server-side, which seems the most likely cause, it will likely be overcome with an OTA patch in the coming days.

Nokia acknowledged there have been “reports of a small number of people experiencing this unusual performance on their Nokia Lumia 920? and pointed to problematic apps as a potential cause — noting in a statement: “We are investigating but suspect some apps may be at the root of the issue when left running in the background. While we learn more, we advise people when finished with an application to navigate away using the back button to ensure it is no longer active.”

Have you had any issues with your new Windows Phone 8 devices? Let us know.

November 20, 2012
5 Million Google Nexus 7 Units Expected To Be Shipped In 2012

David Chang, ASUS’ CFO, stated last month that shipments of the Nexus 7 were initially slow, popping in around “500K units a month, then maybe 600, 700K.” He then declared October was a breakout month with shipments getting “close to one million.”

With the recent release of the 32GB Nexus 7 and 32GB 3G version you can expect interest to peak, especially at their low-cost price points. News today from an overseas report in DigiTimes claims that their supply chain sources believe that Nexus 7 shipments – all models – will reach 5 million units by year end. That’s not to hard to imagine as the above numbers total 2.8 million, so another 2.2 million in the next couple months is certainly possible.

It’s no secret that a lot of the tablet’s success is down to it’s brilliant pricing. For what you get with the Nexus 7, it’s incredible value for money and a price that no other Android tablet has yet matched. At it’s current pricing, you can get the Nexus 7 with 16GB of storage for $199 and the 32GB model for $249. As of last week there’s the addition of the 32GB Nexus 7 with 3G connectivity for $299, which is pretty cheap for a tablet of its specs with 3G, often the premium for 3G is a lot higher on tablets.

The tablet comes with 7-inch IPS display screen with a 1280×800 resolution and is powered by 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. Other features of the tablet include 1GB RAM, 1.2-megapixel front camera and 4325mAh battery.

November 20, 2012
Nokia HERE Maps For iPhone And iPad Released

HERE Maps by Nokia, the mapping alternative to Google Maps and Apple’s own Maps service, is now available for iOS. It’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running iOS 4.3 or above and is optimised for the iPhone 5.

The app is based off HTML 5 and offers an array of mapping views – map view, live traffic view, public transport line view or satellite view – and has maps/directions from over 200 countries.

The UI follows Nokia’s own interface pattern, rather than the usual iOS conventions, which could lead to some confusion, but otherwise it’s pretty much what we’ve grown to expect from the Nokia Maps browser-based option.

HERE has a public transport view that handily shows nearby routes and stops overlaid on the map. It also provides driving and walking directions, and even lets you cycle through the days of the week when planning routes to see how traffic and other factors on different days might affect trip times and planning. Searching for locales brings up nearby interest points, too, in addition to routing options, as well as website and phone number info if they’re available.

We’ve had a quick look around the app and it features an extensive database of locations and points of interests. The navigation feature seems to work nicely as well.

You can download Nokia HERE from the iOS App Store. Check it out and let us know what you think about this Apple Maps alternative in the comments.

[toggle_box title=”Features” width=”Width of toggle box”]

Features:
• Map views: Pick the map you need from map view, live traffic, public transport line or satellite
• Save map areas & wander without data coverage
• In selected countries, access community maps created and updated by users
• Maps, search and place coverage for nearly 200 countries
• Search with history and suggestions
• Share places with just a tap, including location & how to get there, over SMS, email, social networks
• Organize places you love into Collections
• Sign in to HERE Maps with your Nokia Account or Facebook login
• Sync with Here.net – Access your Collections anywhere
• Step-by-Step voice-guided walk navigation
• Walk navigation through pedestrian routes, parks, alleyways, and more
• Public transportation and driving directions

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November 20, 2012
Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie Seen In Sony ‘LT30i’ Benchamarks

Now that Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is safely released to the public, it’s time to focus our attention on the next big version, expected to be called Key Lime Pie and likely to be unveiled in February or March of next year. Key Lime Pie, has appeared online in benchmarking results on a yet-to-be-released Sony LT30i.

The hardware it is being tested, Sony LT30i, is a variation of the Sony Xperia T clocked at 1.6Ghz. Because Sony is a close partner of Google, and may be readying its own Nexus phone, it’s entirely possible that the hardware manufacturer has been granted early access to Android 5.0 as part of the Android PDK.

The LT30i features a 1.6GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 chip with modest Adreno 220 graphics. It also has a display of unknown size, but with a 720p resolution.

All this has to be taken with the usual large pinch of salt as the benchmark figures could easily be faked, as you would have thought we are many months away from seeing Android 5.0 revealed. It is doubtful the company will announce the software before Google I/O next summer, but with Google anything may be possible.

November 20, 2012
Indiatimes Email Service To Shut Down By February 2013

Indiatimes.com, the flagship horizontal portal from Times Internet, which recently went through a series of revamp stages has finally been confirmed to discontinue its email service and reportedly the company has announced that they will permanently shut down the email sevice with effect from February 18, 2013 at 12 pm IST.

What this means is basically as of now, you cannot sign up for an Indiatimes account and the service can only be accessed by existing users.

[quote]The message on the site reads: ‘You will no longer be able to send or receive mails or access your account for the purpose of reading mail and/or transfer any data (i.e. emails, tasks, documents, folders, appointments, and/or contacts) currently saved in your account post 18th February, 2013 – 12 P.M (Indian Standard Time).”[/quote]

Existing users are being warned to backup any data before 18th February 2013 at 12PM, the proposed shutdown time of the service.

However, in the absence of POP3/ IMAP support, it is not clear how the users are expected to back up their emails. It would have been nice of Indiatimes to either offer one-click backup of emails to all users or enable POP3/ IMAP for all accounts until shutdown, and provide detailed instructions to users on how to backup their emails.

This will bring the curtains down on one of the two prominent local email services (the other being rediffmail) which tried to stay relevant even as Gmail shook the global e-mail business.

November 19, 2012
Thorsten Heins, RIM CEO, Spotted With His Blackberry 10 Device During an NBA Game

Thorsten Heins, RIM CEO, and Andrew Bocking, RIM SVP of Software Product Management, were recently hanging court side at the LA Lakers/Phoenix Suns game and both were armed with the all-touch BlackBerry 10 device. Heins noted about a month ago that he was using his BB10 on a daily basis, so this could very well be the final hardware. They both look pleasantly happy snapping a few pics and we’re really curious if they’re using the Time Shift feature.

Typically RIM employees can’t bust out pre-production units in public, but I think the CEO might be an exception.

On Bocking’s device, which he’s putting away in a snazzy leather pouch, the bottom row on his homescreen shows the promised Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Foursquare apps. The official unveiling of the RIM BlackBerry 10 OS will be happening on January 30th, 2013.

November 19, 2012