Category: Brands and Companies

All Brands and Company Names

Apple’s 4-inch iPhone to be Called iPhone 5se

If rumors about Apple’s flagship device weren’t enough, you have a whole bunch of them for its lesser sibling. We’ve heard a great deal about Apple’s upcoming 4-inch iPhone. But the one things the rumors and speculations just couldn’t settle on was the name. Today, it’s possible that the iPhone 5se is what the 4-inch device is going to be called.

The 5se as the name suggests will be an “enhanced” version of the iPhone 5s. From what we’ve come to know so far in terms of specs, the iPhone 5se will be powered by the A8 chipset with the M8 motion co-processor as was seen in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Furthermore, the miniature iPhone will sport an 8MP rear camera and a 1.2MP front, again similar to the iPhone 6. What the iPhone 5se borrows from the current iPhone 6s is the Live Photos feature that records a video of 1.5 seconds before the shutter is snapped and 1.5 seconds after, the result being a GIF-like video that makes it look like the photograph has come alive.

Live Photos is likely to be the only feature the 4-inch device will borrow from the iPhone 6s. It is unlikely to come with 3D Touch capabilities seeing how the mini version is supposed to be friendly on the pocket.

Apple is rumored to hold an event in March for the unveiling of the iPhone 6se. No word yet on the price but will likely be priced around the same as the iPhone 5s. We’ll know more as we approach the launch.

January 23, 2016

Asus Launches Zenfone Zoom in India

After recently launching the Zenfone Max, Asus has now released the Zenfone Zoom in India at a price of Rs 37,999. As the name suggests, the Zenfone Zoom is a smartphone whose main USP is its primary camera. But more on that in a bit.

The Zenfone Zoom has a 5.5 inch full HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass on top, and is powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Atom processor. The smartphone features 4GB RAM and comes with 128 GB internal storage options. A 3,000 mAh battery pack provides for the juice and the device runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The body metal body is crafted with aerospace grade aluminum and liquid metal molding.

Moving over to the main attraction of the device. The company claims to “reinvent smartphone photography” with Zoom which sports a 13 MP camera that has 10-element lens, 3X optical zoom – world’s thinnest, and optical image stabilization. It also comes with Laser Auto Focus that can capture images in .03 seconds. The back of the smartphone is reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia 1020. Yes, this is a phone for the serious photographer.

Specs	Asus Zenfone Zoom
Display	5.5-inch Full HD
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (403 ppi)
Processor	2.5GHz quad-core Intel Atom
GPU	PowerVR G6430
RAM	4GB
Storage	128 GB
Rear Camera	13 MP 10-element lens, 3X optical zoom, and optical image stabilization
Front Camera	5 MP, f/2.0
Expandability	Up to 64 GB via MicroSD
Battery	3000mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, microUSB v2.0
OS	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs 37,990

January 22, 2016

Apple Hires Virtual and Augmented Reality Expert

it looks like Apple is joining the bandwagon of companies that are focusing on virtual reality technology. This is suggested by the fact that the Cupertino giant recently hired a man by the name Doug Bowman, the Director of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech.

Bowman joins the list of recently hired virtual and augmented reality experts, following Apple’s acquisition of Faceshift, Metaio, and Emotient. Apple is trying to learn as much as it can about the world of virtual reality, seeing that its major competitors like Samsung and Microsoft have already made their mark in that realm.

It not clear in any way as to Apple’s plans regarding VR. Bowman’s experience with creating 3D interfaces could be deployed in AR car control systems, which could be incorporated in Apple’s autonomous car (which in itself is a mystery right now). The other speculation is towards a Samsung’s Gear VR-like headset only using iPhones instead. We’ll just have to wait and see what Apple has in mind on that front. One thing is clear, virtual reality is here to stay.

January 22, 2016
Lenovo Vibe X3 to Launch in India on 27 Jan

The successor to last year’s Vibe X2 will make its way to Indian markets very soon. The company has revealed its plans to launch the X3 smartphone in India on January 27th. With this launch the company will have launched two products this year. First being the Lenovo K4 Note.

The Vibe X3 was first unveiled in China last year. At the time Lenovo had introduced three variants of the Vibe X3 including two Qualcomm-based models and one MediaTek powered versions called the Vibe X3 Lite.

The smartphone that makes its way to India will come with a 5.5-inch full HD display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It will be run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB of RAM. It is also believed that the company will only bring 32GB storage to the Indian variant. The smartphone will also support expandable storage via microSD.

On the photography front, the Vibe X3 will come equipped a 23-megapixel rear camera featuring Sony IMX230 sensor, phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording. On the front would be an 8-megapixel camera. The Vibe X3 will also feature dual-sim technology and have LTE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi among others connectivity options. It will get a massive 3,600mAh battery with Quick Charge 2.0 to keep it going through the day.

The smartphone will also come with Dolby ATMOS integration for sound and fingerprint scanner at the back. So far there’s no word on the India pricing of the smartphone. The Vibe X3 could launch in India around the Rs 20,000 mark.

January 22, 2016
Microsoft’s New Alarm App Will Have You Clicking Selfies at Dawn

The desire to innovate and come up with new things is pretty much making everyone lose their marbles in the tech world, and we are definitely not complaining. Some of these innovations are useful, some redundant and some plain bizarre. We’ll let you decide which category this new Microsoft app should fall under.

The company has developed an alarm app called Mimicker Alarm which includes games and tongue twisters for the user to complete before the alarm can be turned off. The activities are divided into three categories -Express Yourself, Color Capture, and Tongue Twister.

https://youtu.be/VWJyCYkMc3Y

Once the alarm goes off, the user has thirty seconds to click a selfie or complete a tongue twister or find the right coloured object before the alarm goes off again. While answer to existence for some, the app has the potential of being super-annoying for others. Microsoft, however, has left no loose ends. The app is user-friendly enough to allow you to customize these games. You can still look for a red coloured object within the confines of your warm room without having to brave the cold.

“We’re a lot nicer than other alarms. You start with dismiss or snooze. If you snooze, the default is five minutes to delay the game. If you dismiss, we mute the alarm – but then you have 30 seconds to complete this challenge. And if you don’t complete that game in time, we assume you’ve fallen back asleep and then the alarm will start ringing again. You only need to complete one game to shut off the alarm. You can choose the sounds and which games you want to play,” says Allison Light, a program manager on the team.

Once you’re done looking pretty for your morning alarm, the app also allows you to share the “mimics” on various social media platforms. Share it around and get phones buzzing all over. Why should others sleep when you’re up, right?

Mimicker Alarm is up for free download on Google Play.

Source

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January 22, 2016
Google Paid Apple $1Billion in 2014 to Keep Search Engine on iOS

Its no secret that Google and Apple, two massive rivals, have an agreement in place which enables the search engine to be the default search provider on the iOS platform, but what is emerging right now are details of this deal born out of convenience, and the numbers involved here are staggering!

Google which makes 4 times more money from iOS users than it does from users of its own Android platform, holds the business from the Apple based devices very important to its core business, and as such it has gone to great extents to keep its search engine running on iOS devices worldwide.

According to details that have emerged in the midst of a high-profile Oracle vs Google battle in a San Fransico court, Google has paid Apple $1 billion in 2014 as part of its ongoing deal to be the default search provider on iOS devices. The deal allows Apple’s to get a percentage of the revenue that the Google search engine generates through Apple devices. The numbers quoted for the revenue shares stands at 34%.

This is not the first time rumors about how much Google pays Apple to be on the iPhone have surfaced on the Internet. For their part, the two companies have also never commented on it, and not to anyone’s surprise, Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple, and Google spokesman Aaron Stein both declined to comment on the information disclosed in the court of law.

January 22, 2016
Asus Zenfone 3 Spotted on Benchmarks

In what could be the successor to the Zenfone 2, two potential Zenfone 3 models have been listed on GFXBench benchmarks. We say Zenfone 3 because the model numbers are close to the Zenfone 2. Mid-range devices are turning out to be the new premium. Cheaper phones are being brought out with good specs and great design language.

The listing shows two possible Zenfone 3 variants – one sporting a 5.5-inch display and the other a 5.9-inch display. The former looks to be the bigger of the two, in terms of specs. The 5.5-inch device is shown featuring a 1920x1080p pixel resolution with a hexa core 1.7GHz Snapdragon 615 SoC under the hood and Adreno 510.

Meanwhile, the 5.9-inch version comes with a lower resolution at 1080x720p pixels. This version also sports a Snapdragon 615 chipset but with Adreno 405 GPU. Both the versions feature 3GB of RAM, 12MP primary shooter and 5MP selfie snapper.

Looks like Asus has ditched Intel for Qualcomm to provide for the chipsets. Going by the specs of the devices, one would expect the pricing to be around Rs 13, 000 – Rs 15,000. No word yet on when the phones will be launched.

January 22, 2016
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Screen Size Confirmed in Zauba Listing

Post some hardware news about the new Samsung devices, Galaxy S7 ad Galaxy S7 Edge, now we have some more confirmed information to get to you. Latest Zauba listings, a website which records the imports and exports to and from India, have confirmed the screen-size of two Samsung smartphones that have been imported to the country.

These Samsung smartphones have model numbers indicating they are Galaxy S7 (SM-G930R4) and S7 Edge (SM-G935R4). While the S7 has a screen size of 5.1 inches, the S7 Edge is marked at 5.5 inches. Both screens will be QHD with 1440 x 2560 resolution.

The curved screen Edge is expected to sport a Snapdragon processor along with 4 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F), apart from sporting the new Exynos 8890, will come with 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of internal storage.

The devices are expected to be unveiled next month at the Samsung Unpacked event on the 21st, a day before the Mobile World Congress kicks off. Watch this space for latest developments.

January 22, 2016
Apple iOS 9.2.1- What’s New!

Apple has released the first public build of iOS for 2016 in the form of 9.2.1, and it was made available to all iPhone, iPad and iTouch users.

Before you get your hopes high, Apple in no way intends for this to be a blockbuster release. That title firmly will be bestowed upon iOS 9.3 when it finally hits devices across the globe. 9.3 a couple of days back was released to developers, and beta testers for feedback, and for those who missed the news of it, the particular releases promises to bring with itself a whole host of changes, and fancy tricks to makes users fall in love with their iOS devices all over again.

Coming back to the build that has been made available to the public, 9.2.1 does not bring with it any new features, but rather comes packed with promise of security updates, and bug fixes. The only specific thing mentioned in Apple’s release note for the iOS update is “a fix for an issue that could prevent the completion of app installation when using an MDM server.”

iOS 9.2.1 comes weighing in at a slender 40MB, and is up on Apple servers for download. Keeping in mind its low size, and promise of bug fixes, this update comes highly recommended.

January 21, 2016
New Moto X Force Teasers Take On Samsung Note 5 and HTC One M9

Motorola clearly cannot stop teasing us about the ‘shatterproof’ tech of its new Moto X Force. In yet another series of teasers, the company now mocks Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and HTC One M9; both fairly decent devices if you ask us. But Motorola is quite bent on making you think otherwise.

So this is what happens when HTC One M9 is dropped from a height.

It was a little painful to have One M9’s little particles flying around in all directions. But Motorola is truly having fun mocking the device in this video. And it obviously is not done yet. Because a jab a day is not enough, Motorola came out with yet another teaser. This time the device in question was Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

https://youtu.be/Mcj-ITG44d0

Motorola is asserting the uniqueness of its device at the expense of other flagship devices. A lot of feathers have been ruffled all over in the promotion of Moto X Force. Let’s see if it eventually turns out to be worth all the hype when the phone finally arrives in India in the first week of February. Would you be willing to place your stakes on Motorola or do you think the device is going to be bit of a downer? Let us know in the comments below.

January 21, 2016

Google Nexus 5X Undergoes Huge Price Cut on Amazon

For those of you who loved the Google Nexus 5X but held back because of its price; we have good news for you.The phone that was originally priced at Rs. 31,990 for its 16GB version is now priced at Rs. 20,990. However, we need to first take note, that this price change is available not on the official store but on Amazon.in and only until the 24th of January.

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This is the second major price-cut Nexus 5X has undergone. Just a couple of weeks ago, close after its launch, the price had fallen down to about Rs. 25,000, and now it has dipped again. This definitely doesn’t sound like good news for the Google device which failed to fare well with customers.

Check out our hands-on video of the device below.

Here are the specs :

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F/2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990

January 21, 2016

After TRAI, Google Too Makes Life Difficult for Facebook

Looks like it’s not the best of times for Facebook. There is another potential blow headed towards the company now, thanks to Google.

Google is allowing some Android users to download apps directly from search results without the need to visit the App Store. Though these downloads are available only through organic searches and not ads yet, but we can hope to see this extension soon as well.

Now these downloads mean some not-so-good-news for Facebook which had begun advertising apps on its website a few years ago. Since then users have been able to download apps from these ads. However, since Google is allowing for direct downloads of its apps from search results, app developers are likely to pay less and less to Facebook to promote themselves.

This, in turn, means a cut in revenue for Facebook. Also, it should be noted that one of Facebook’s main arguments in support of its app ads is that it can direct app-developers to their target audience -with the help of the information Facebook has of its users. Not creepy at all, Facebook.The new development in Google’s add-download might be quite a setback for the networking website since mobile app ads has been a significant source of its revenue.

Google, on the other hand, is making app-downloads more and more inviting for users by introducing features like “trial run ads” which lets users use an app for 60 seconds before deciding whether or not they want to download it. Additionally, the users can now also stream app content from search without actually downloading the app.

January 21, 2016

Samsung Gear VR Headset Launches in India

The Samsung Gear VR Headset, alongside the Gear S2, and Gear S2 Classic Smartwatch launches for a price of Rs 8,200 today to eager Indian customers. The product will be available through the company’s retail stores, as well as through Flipkart.

The focus on virtual reality is growing with every passing day. As more and more important names from the tech industry are coming forward with their products, Samsung too has decided to jump into the fray with its new VR offering for its millions of fans around the globe.

The Gear VR Headset features a wide interface, ergonomic design and a large touchpad. Gear VR promises convenient and accurate control to enjoy games and videos. At the launch the company stressed that Gear VR Headset works seamlessly with Galaxy smartphones. As of now, the Gear VR supports the latest high-end Galaxy smartphones including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 Edge. Samsung also added the recently unveiled Galaxy Note 5 Dual SIM to the compatible devices list.

Samsung stresses that the new Samsung Gear VR Headset is 19 percent lighter compared to the previous model. The new VR Headset features a large touchpad for control. It will weigh 318 grams and measures 201.9×116.4×92.6mm. The Gear VR comes with an impressive field of view of 96 degrees. It also houses back, volume, and focus adjustment wheel button for controls.

Samsung’s new offering packs sensors such as gyro, accelerometer, and proximity, and the device will support Micro-USB charging. The Gear VR comes with soft, flexible cushioning material, and also features adjustable straps for ease use of use.The Gear VR Headset will also support 360-degree videos.

Announcing the product Manu Sharma, Director, Marketing said, “Gear VR presents the unique opportunity for consumers to get an immersive virtual reality experience. Samsung will be at the forefront of this exciting revolution to create further ‘wow’ moments in our consumer lives.”

Specs	Samsung Gear VR Headset
Dimension/ Weight	201.9×116.4×92.6mm/ 318 grams
Sensor	Accelerometor, Gyrometer, Proximity ( Mount/Unmount detection)
Field of View	96 degrees
IPD Coverage	54-70mm (Fixed Lenses)
Color	Frost White
Compatibility	Micro-USB Connection to Galaxy Note 5, Note 5 Dual Sim, S6,S6 edge+, S6 edge

January 21, 2016

Samsung Launches Gear S2 in India

Samsung unveiled the Gear S2 at IFA Berlin last year. The smartwatch has been launched slowly in select countries for the past few months and has now launched the smartwatch in India along with the Gear VR headset.

The new smartwatch comes with a 1.2-inch screen with a 360x360resolution (302ppi). To power the device, Samsung has used 1GHz dual-core processor and provided the option of 3G Connectivity. The Gear S2 runs on the company’s very own Tizen OS and uses a rotating bezel, along with the Home and Back buttons, for navigation. Samsung has also added NFC for mobile payments.

Perhaps, the highlight of the device would be the fact that the company claims it lasts upto 2-3 days on a single charge. Since a wearable is an extra ‘smart’ device that you need to carry around, a long-lasting battery is a necessity. You can rotate the bezel to navigate through the device.

One of the exciting announcements is that the smartwatch has been announced in two variants – Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic. Other than the design, the only major difference between the two is their size. The Classic has been built smaller and lighter than the Gear S2.Titanium and Rose Gold version for S2 Classic will be available later on. For its timeless design, we’re leaning towards the Classic which comes with a black dial and a leather band.

Furthermore, The Gear S2 will be iOS compatible later this year. As of now, the wearables can only work with an Android device.

Specs	Samsung Gear S2
Display	1.2-inch, Circular Super AMOLED, 360×360, 302ppi
Processor	Dual-core 1.0 GHz
OS	Tizen-based wearable platform
Storage Memory	4GB Internal Memory
RAM	512MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth® 4.1, NFC
Battery	250mAh Li-ion
Misc	IP68 Certified Dust and Water Resistant, Wireless Charging
Price	Rs. 24,300 for Gear S2 and Rs 25,800 for Gear S2 Classic

The pricing is Rs.24,300 for Gear S2 and Rs 25,800 for Gear S2 Classic, and they are available on Flipkart as well as in offline retail stores like those of Chroma and Reliance.

January 21, 2016

Apple Files Application to Set Up Retail Stores in India

Amid growing concerns over the stagnating economies in the western markets, and slowing pace of its own sales in China, Cupertino-based tech giant, Apple Inc, is looking for new markets to expand its business to. On that list of unconquered lands for Apple, India finds itself at the top.

Apple which has seen a jump of 90% in sales in the country during the last fiscal year is zooming in increasingly on India as the new frontier for its products. To Apple’s credit the company has been quietly building infrastructure for such a move by boosting advertising, logistics network, and most importantly lowering prices for old phones to start making deeper inroads into the homes of millions of customers.

The next step in this process it seems will be Apple setting up shop in the country. The company plans to bring to Indian customers its very own Apple Stores in the coming months. These stores which are renowned world over for encapsulating Apple’s DNA in their ambience and design will soon start selling you the whole Apple experience.

According to reports, Apple Inc. has filed an application with the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) to open its own branded stores in India. “We have just received Apple’s proposal. We are examining it,” said DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant.

Apple already has over 460 branded stores worldwide, but there is no information as of now regarding how many such stores Apple wants to set up in India. The move comes on the heels of the government easing foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for single-brand retail in the country. According to new rules, the government has relaxed the mandatory local procurement stipulation for technology manufacturing companies and allowed single-brand retail permission holders to sell their products directly online.

Apple along with its own branded stores also plans to set up mini stores within stores in a bid to promote its brand. The first set of these could be seen opening at Chroma in the near future.

January 21, 2016

Category: Brands and Companies

Specs

Asus Zenfone Zoom

Specification

LG Nexus 5X

Specs

Samsung Gear VR Headset

Specs

Samsung Gear S2