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ASUS Outs 4 Variants of ZenFone 2 in India; Pricing Revealed

The much-awaited flagship by Taiwanese consumer electronics firm has finally arrived in India. Today, ASUS introduced the latest ZenFone 2 with 4GB RAM in the Indian market. The smartphone was first showcased at CES this year. The ZenFone 2 enfolds some top-notch specifications that give it an edge over other smartphones in the budget segment. The device will be available in India exclusively on Flipkart.

ASUS has launched the ZenFone 2 in four variants – ZE551ML (4GB RAM) with 64GB and 32GB inbuilt storage, ZE551ML (2GB RAM), and ZE550ML. The former one is a top-tier device, while the other three have comparatively lower specifications. The ZE551ML with 4GB RAM comes in two storage versions. The one with 64GB storage space will cost customers Rs. 22,999, while the 32GB model will cost Rs. 19,999. The ZE551ML (2GB RAM) variant is launched at Rs. 14,999 and the ZE550ML will be available for Rs. 12,999.

ASUS ZenFone 2 ZE550ML (both 4GB and 2GB of RAM) sports a 5.5-inch full-HD (1920x1080p) IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection. On the other hand, ZenFone 2 ZE550ML features a 5.5-inch HD screen. A 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom processor Z3580 is equipped to the ZE550ML with 4GB RAM. It’s 2GB RAM version, along with ZE550ML has a 64-bit 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560. All the handsets run on Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with custom ZenUI on top. All the variants can expand up to 64GB via MicroSD card.

The ZenFone 2 packs a 13MP PixelMaster rear camera with dual-LED Flash along with a 5MP selfie snapper. The rear shooter also offers 52MP Super Resolution mode. A 3000mAh non-removable battery is fitted with all the ZenFone 2 models. The handsets are dual-SIM and offer dual active support. The devices have ZenMotion touch and gesture control support features common in them.

Here’s the specs sheet of the four handsets:

Specs	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (2GB RAM)	ZenFone 2 ZE550ML
Display	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch full-HD 1080p	5.5-inch HD 720p
Processor	2.3GHz quad-core Intel Z3580	2.3GHz quad-core Intel Z3580	1.8GHz quad-core Intel Z3560	1.8GHz quad-core Intel Z3560
RAM	4GB	4GB	2GB	2GB
Storage	64GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	32GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	32GB (Expandable up to 64GB)	16GB (Expandable up to 64GB)
Rear Camer	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash	13MP with dual-LED Flash
Front Camera	5MP	5MP	5MP	5MP
Battery	3000mAh	3000mAh	3000mAh	3000mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI	Android 5.0 Lollipop with ZenUI
Price	Rs. 22,999	Rs. 19,999	Rs. 14,999	Rs. 12,999

In case you missed our review of ASUS ZenFone 2, watch the video below:

April 23, 2015

Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Google’s New Mobile Network ‘Project Fi’

A couple of days back, there had been reports that Google was planning to launch its own US mobile wireless service. Now, the company has made its plan to bring wireless services public. Google’s new venture gives users an alternate way to curb data usage and keep their phone bills low.

Dubbed as ‘Project Fi’, the new Google-run network service is a customizable package that switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It eradicates boundaries and gives customers freedom to use the network in their hometown and during international travels at the same rate. The service is only available for Nexus 6 smartphones as of now, and will work with newer models soon.

The blog post of Google reads –

Similar to our Nexus hardware program, Project Fi enables us to work in close partnership with leading carriers, hardware makers, and all of you to push the boundaries of what’s possible. By designing across hardware, software and connectivity, we can more fully explore new ways for people to connect and communicate.

Project Fi makes use of Wi-Fi hotspot or specific 4G LTE networks, together with the US mobile networks of Sprint and T-Mobile, the venture partners. Here’s how it works: if you are connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot and leave the Wi-Fi coverage area, your call will seamlessly transmit to cell networks. The service requires a special SIM and is supported in over 120 countries without roaming charges.

Another revolutionary development that comes with Project Fi is that phone numbers adopt “a multi-screen world”. This means your number works with all your devices like a phone, tablet or laptop. You can connect any device that supports Google Hangouts, whether it works on Android, iOS, Windows, and start a chat. It cuts down the dependency on your smartphone and makes every device a ready-to-use handset.

Google’s new project is unconventional in the sense that it charges customers only for the data consumed. It breaks the standard procedure of dispatching a bill for the unused data as well, which is practiced till date. Google says, “Project Fi takes a fresh approach to how you pay for wireless, manage your service, and get in touch when you need help.” There is one plan for all, and in case a user doesn’t utilize the pack called, Google will simply refund the variance.

Here’s how Project Fi works:

For $20 a month you get all the basics (talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering, and international coverage in 120+ countries), and then it’s a flat $10 per GB for cellular data while in the U.S. and abroad. 1GB is $10/month, 2GB is $20/month, 3GB is $30/month, and so on. Since it’s hard to predict your data usage, you’ll get credit for the full value of your unused data. Let’s say you go with 3GB for $30 and only use 1.4GB one month. You’ll get $16 back, so you only pay for what you use.

For now, Project Fi is invite-based, and customers need to request an invite on their site to get the service. Meanwhile it’s available only in the US, but India can expect to receive it sometime later. Check the video below to understand it better:

April 23, 2015
OnePlus Announces Flat 50% Off on All One Accessories, Only for Today

OnePlus, the Chineses company famous for its flagship-killer OnePlus One, turns a year older today. To celebrate this occasion, a few days back OnePlus announced it had waived off the invite system globally. Today, OnePlus is offering a 50% discount on all OnePlus One accessories, throughout the day on Amazon.in. The accessories include, back covers, flip covers, screen protectors, and earphones.

You will also be surprised to learn that the company has slashed a mere some of Re. 1 from its flagship devices: the 64GB OnePlus One Sandstone Black Model (Rs. 21,998) and the 16GB Silk White Model (Rs. 18,998). OnePlus explained the Re 1 difference in its official blog:

[quote text_size=”small” author=”OnePlus Official Blog”]

It’s a symbolic gesture; a reminder that the One is still a fantastic value without any promotions or discounts. We strongly believe that the One is one of the most amazing, user-focused devices on the market. We know that this move may seem odd to some, but our message is clear: we refuse to overcharge for our devices, just to slash prices later in a marketing blitz. Our flagship killers have an amazing price tag, starting from day 1.

[/quote]

OnePlus created a sensation in the mobile world after the company released the OnePlus One last year. We’re now looking forward to the company unveiling its next offering, the OnePlus Two.

Click here to purchase the discounted accessories:

 

April 23, 2015
Google Gives a Boost to Mobile-Friendly Websites With its New Update

Google is making a pre-determined move that will affect website search on mobile devices. The search giant has revised its search algorithm to rank sites at the top that are tailored for mobile screens. Termed as Mobile-Friendly update, the new changes have been implemented from yesterday.

The new upgrade will push up the content fitting the small screen of your smartphones and force the desktop-optimised searches down to the bottom of the list. It will give a boost to mobile-adaptive websites, given that over 60 percent of the search is done through smartphones. The update is limited to just handsets only and doesn’t extend to bigger devices like tablets. This suggests that from now on, search results on mobile will be different from the results googled on the desktop.

Google stated in its blog post –

We’re boosting the ranking of mobile-friendly pages on mobile search results. Now searchers can more easily find high-quality and relevant results where text is readable without tapping or zooming, tap targets are spaced appropriately, and the page avoids unplayable content or horizontal scrolling.

However Google is not favouring anyone in the internet business, it will give advantage to the sites designed for mobile. The search would work on Mobile-Friendly Test and would scan different factors of each page to give it a thumps up. It’s important to note that the update applies to individual pages, not entire websites. It will affect search results in all languages globally.

The California-based giant recently did another major alteration for smartphones; it slipped a list of relevant apps within search results for you to download. Both these moves are useful for users and developers alike.

April 22, 2015
Xiaomi Mi Power Banks are Back in Stock on Flipkart

One of the reliable and affordable power banks in India, Mi Power Bank, was unavailable on Flipkart since long. The e-commerce website has now restocked its cart with both the variants of Mi Power Bank – 5200mAh and 10400mAh. The 5200mAh version will come at a price of Rs. 599, while the latter one will cost Rs. 999.

Xiaomi has also launched a 16000mAh power bank, but it’s not out for sale yet. The highest capacity portable charger will go on flash sale on April 24 at 12 noon.

Coming back to the available Mi Power Bank variants, the Mi 5200mAh external charger boasts an elegant design and is extremely portable. It can charge a regular-sized battery (2100mAh) twice, e.g. iPhone 5s can be charged two times on a full charge. On the other hand, the 10400mAh power bank on a complete charge can refill a regular battery four times.

Meanwhile, Mi Power banks are available on Flipkart only, and its latest online partners Snapdeal and Amazon India are yet to stuff their carts.

Check our review of the Mi Power Bank below:

Click here to buy now:

April 22, 2015
OnePlus Pauses Cyanogen OS 12 Update Roll Out to Include ‘OK OnePlus’ Feature

After weeks of delay, OnePlus finally rolled out the much-awaited CyanogenMod OS 12 (CM OS 12) based on Lollipop. It was only for a few days that the release sustained and after that, the company decided to halt its roll out. The Chinese smartphone brand did have a sold reason for this. They announced that the OTA update of CM OS 12 had been paused temporarily to add a new feature called “OK OnePlus”.

The Co-Founder of OnePlus commented on the issue on Twitter. His quote is captured in the screenshot below:

As per his comments, the roll out will resume mid-week with the new ‘OK OnePlus’ feature. He also added, “Those who don’t want to wait, feel free to flash manually.” The new tool on OnePlus One functions similar to ‘OK Google’ on Android phones. It will also work when the device is in sleep mode; a feature that was introduced with the Moto X.

For folks who have updated their One devices with CM 12 will also be able to access the feature. Users with the pre-installed operating system will receive an OTA update to incorporate ‘OK OnePlus’ tool on their handsets. It is not certain if the Indian version of OnePlus’ custom ROM OxygenOS will get the voice command feature.

The latest CyanogenMod OS 12 update brings some unique features like new Cyanogen email app, Exchange Support, Multiple Account integration and canned responses for quicker replies.

April 22, 2015

Micromax Launches Canvas Spark With Android Lollipop and 8MP Rear Camera, Priced at Rs. 4,999

In a series of tweets, few days back, Micromax disclosed that it was all set to release its newest affordable smartphone, the Canvas Spark in India. Today, the company has finally launched the handset at a price of Rs. 4,999. The low-end 3G smartphone will be available exclusively on Snapdeal via flash sale.

Measuring a thickness of 8.5mm and weighing 134g, Micromax Canvas Spark features a 4.7-inch qHD IPS display. The screen has a protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top. Inside, the handset is equipped with a 1.3 GHz Quad-Core MediaTek MT6582M processor, coupled along a 1GB DDR3 RAM. Memory stats consists of 8GB of internal memory, with 32GB of expandable memory via microSD card.

Fitted on its back is an 8MP primary camera with LED flash, while the front-facing camera is a 2MP snapper. It runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop and comes with support for 21 languages. A 2000mAh battery provides power to the handset.

As stated by the company, the Canvas Spark is the fourth among the new 3G smartphone launched after the S300, D320 and Q324. For booking the device, customers can register on the official Micromax website starting from 12:00 pm on 22nd April.

Check out the spec sheet below for overall details:

Specification	Micromax Canvas Spark
Display	4.7-inch qHD IPS with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	1.3GHz Quad-Core MediaTek MT6582M
RAM	1GB
Primary Camera	8MP
Front Camera	2MP
Internal Memory	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Battery	2000mAh
Operating System	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs 4,999

April 21, 2015

Microsoft Expected to Roll Out Windows 10 by July End

Back in March, Microsoft announced the release of the highly-anticipated Windows 10. The company said that the latest OS would come this summer in over 190 countries and 111 languages. Microsoft hasn’t yet disclosed when the latest Windows is going to debut, but we have some details about its arrival.

As stated by TechCrunch, Windows 10 will release at the end of July. The online tech publisher contacted some officials who disclosed the release date of the next Windows OS.

In October 2014, Microsoft released the Technical Preview of Windows 10 that allowed users to view and test the new OS first hand. The Redmond-based firm has high expectations from its latest operating system and is offering it free for its Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users for one year. The new Windows marks the comeback of the Start Menu, which was absent in the previous Windows 8 version. It has some exceptional features like Project Spartan and Cortana. With Project Spartan, users can have an all-new experience while browsing the web. Further developments include tweaks and enhancements to its menu, screen, and other features like Cortana.

For more information on the unique features of Windows 10, click here.

April 21, 2015
Here’s How You Can Watch Xiaomi’s “Global Mi Phone Premier” Live

The forthcoming Xiaomi event is going to be grand in many ways. It’s the first time that the Chinese electronics firm has chosen India for Global Mi Phone Premier and today, Xiaomi announced another first. The firm came up with a statement saying that the global Mi event will be live streamed on April 23 at 3.30pm IST. Users can visit the official Mi page to watch the event live.

For now, the Mi page features a countdown to the event. On April 23, the timer will be replaced by a live streaming video for the Xiaomi fans. Also, the live stream of the event will be in English for the majority of the world to understand. The audience sitting in their homes can also participate in the live event by sending tweets with hashtag #MiLaunch2015.

As we all know, the launch event is open for all, and anyone from fans and media can walk in to witness the launch of the new phone.

Xiaomi teased the new smartphone with a tagline “i IS COMING”. Since then, much has been speculated about the forthcoming device. There have been reports that the next device is the low-end version of the Mi 4. A device with title Mi 4i was also spotted on the GeekBench3, which brought to light scare details of the phone.

Fortunately, there are just two more days for the new device to launch, and it will put an end to all the anticipations. Keep checking back for more updates on the next Mi Phone.

April 21, 2015
Nokia May Make a Comeback in the Smartphone Market Next Year

Microsoft acquired Nokia’s devices and services business for a heavy sum of $7.2 billion last year. The Finnish company can no longer use the Nokia brand name on smartphones till Q4 2016, and on feature phones for ten years. Once the biggest smartphone maker in the world failed to catch up with the fast-growing market trends set by Apple and Google. But, as most of us considered, it was not the demise of the titan.

Nokia is planning to bounce back to the smartphone business sometime next year. Reports by online publishing daily Recode suggest that Nokia is gearing to make a comeback in the mobile business, and is working on several new ambitious projects including virtual reality. The company has so far released only two products – an Android app called Z Launcher and the Nokia N1, also dubbed as the first Nokia-branded Android tablet.

The 6600 was one of the most popular devices by Nokia and was almost the star of the movie, Cellular.

It is expected that Nokia will employ the same strategy for the new device as it used for the N1 tablet. The device was launched last year along with a brand licensing agreement with Foxconn. The Finnish company hopes to find a similar brand licensing agreement partner for its next release.

There has been reports that Nokia has “a lot of great stuff in development’, but there is no certainty about the upcoming Nokia product or if the company is making a comeback by 2016. Therefore, the news should be taken with a pinch of salt.

With its latest acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent for $16.5 billion, together as Nokia Corporation, the company has set its sights on Virtual Reality, Internet of Things and Cloud Computing, and is ready to greet the world with brand new treats.

April 21, 2015
Google Gives Android Wear a New Look With the Latest Update

The search engine major is geared to update its smartwatch operating system that would bring Android-run watches a step closer to Apple Watch. Lately, Google announced to update Android Wear to bring a slew of new features that are simple, fast and would make Android watches convenient to use.

The foremost significant feature of the new update is the always-on mode that is now extended to the apps. With the update, Android Wear will support a low-power, always-on mode that would allow apps to stay in the background in black and white. The screen will remain on, showing just a minimal amount of data and will save the battery life as well. The feature is helpful especially with shopping lists, map directions, music controls and fitness apps. The screen turns back to full colour when the user is actively looking at it.

Google has reduced the dependability on your smartphone with the latest Android Wear update. The Android smartwatches can now operate independently “as long as your watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network, and your phone has a data connection.” Yes, the Android Wear now supports Wi-Fi. Users can move the smartwatch beyond the Bluetooth range of their handset, which was the only connecting medium until now. The Android Wear device will now receive notifications, send messages, and use all your favorite apps.

The fresh update will sort of change the way users interact with their smartwatch. Google has added a few gestures to improve usability. Now, one can scroll the screen up just by a flick of the wrist and don’t need to empty your hands to operate the watch.

The basic functionality of the watch has been simplified by bringing ahead the apps and contacts. Just touch the watch face and users can start send messages immediately and start apps.

Also, Google has added hand-drawn emoji support as a mode to communicate with your friends. Android Wear will understand the hundreds of different emojis drawn by you and send it via message or text.

The update will be coming over the next few weeks, starting with the new LG Watch Urbane. All the other Android watches will soon follow.

April 21, 2015

OPPO Launches the Affordable Joy Plus in India, Priced at Rs. 6,990

After a year of launching the OPPO Joy smartphone in April 2014, the Chinese electronics manufacturer has brought out its successor, the Joy Plus for the Indian market. The affordable handset holds almost identical specifications as the previous iteration, but comes with increased RAM.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Mr. Tom Lu” author_title=”CEO, OPPO Mobile India”]

Our aim at OPPO India is to provide our customers with ground-breaking technology at affordable prices. The Smartphone market in India is constantly evolving and we intend to reach across sections through our budget Smartphone, Joy Plus. We are looking at aggressive market penetration this year and we are confident that Joy Plus, packed with latest features will provide our customers more personal and reliable mobile experience.

[/quote]

The dual-SIM smartphone runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat integrated with the company’s ColorOS 2.0 UI. Display details include a 4-inch WVGA IPS screen with 480x800p resolution and 234ppi pixel density. It equips a 1.3GHz dual-core MediaTek (MT6572) bundled with 1GB RAM. The memory capacity of the device comprises of 4GB of internal memory, which can be extended up to 32GB via microSD card.

It has a 3MP primary camera with LED flash and a 0.3MP front shooter, and picks up power from a 1700mAh removable Li-ion battery. On the connectivity front, the Joy Plus offers 3G, GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Micro-USB and Bluetooth options. Overall, the phone measures 124x63x9.9mm and weighs about 125grams. The phone is finished with a Frost Matte Gold Frame.

The phone will soon be available in various stores across India at a price of Rs. 6,990.

Check out the spec-sheet below to get a clear idea:

Specification	OPPO Joy Plus
Display	4-inch WVGA IPS, 234ppi pixel density
Processor	1.3GHz dual-core MediaTek (MT6572)
RAM	1GB
Primary Camera	3MP
Front Camera	0.3MP
Internal Memory	4GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Battery	1700mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4.2 KitKat with ColorOS 2.0 UI
Price	Rs 6,990

April 20, 2015

Moto E (Gen 2) 4G Goes Up For Sale Tonight Priced at Rs. 7,999

After the huge success of Moto E (ten 2), Motorola has finally introduced the LTE version of the second-generation Moto E in India. Today, the company has announced the roll out of the same starting tonight at 12am. The bigger Moto E successor comes at a price of Rs. 7,999.

While the base version of the new Moto E costs Rs. 6,999, the LTE variant of next-gen smartphone is priced Rs. 1,000 higher than the standard variant.

Recalling the specifications of Moto E (Gen 2) LTE, the device touts a bigger 4.5-inch qHD (540×960p) screen and a 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor as compared to the Snapdragon 200 processor of the 3G model. The handset features 1GB of RAM and 8GB of inbuilt storage capacity, expandable up to 32GB.

A rear camera of 5MP is fitted onto Moto E (Gen 2) LTE, while the front has a 0.3MP shooter. Running on Android 5.0 Lollipop, the device comes with a 2390mAh battery.

Unlike the Moto E, users can now personalize their devices. The new interchangeable, colourful bands and grip shells have been introduced that give the phone an appealing look. The bands come in six different shades (Golden Yellow, Turquoise, Blue, Raspberry, Purple, and Red) and for back plates any colour can be chosen from Golden Yellow, Charcoal, Turquoise, Blue, and Raspberry.

It would be interesting to see if the new model can secure the amount of traction acquired by the first device in the E series.

Use this link to purchase the device:

April 20, 2015
OnePlus Finally Ends the Invite System for the One

Last week, OnePlus revealed that they were planning to make a big announcement on 20th April. All signs pointed towards the OnePlus Two, new gaming hardware or a power bank. Nobody had anticipated that the Chinese company would announce that they’ve finally decided to do away with the infuriating invite system. So, starting today the 64GB Sandstone Black and the 16GB Silk White variants will be available without an invite forever, on Amazon.in

With this announcement OnePlus also confirmed that OnePlus Two is in fact, on its way. Though they said that the second flagship will only be available through the invite system.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Carl Pei ” author_title=”Co-founder and Head of Global, OnePlus”]

By rigorously testing and improving our logistical structure over the last one year, we are far more confident that our processes have matured enough for us to handle the increased production and after-sales support that comes along with opening up sales. It’s what we’ve been working towards, and now we’re ready. This current shift from an invite system to a non-invite system is a big step, one from which we will learn a great deal before the OnePlus 2 launch, with invites, in the third quarter of this year.

[/quote]

It’s great to hear that the company has managed to catch up the production to the smartphone’s demand. This also sends a strong message to OnePlus’ arch rival, Xiaomi. Xiaomi continues its tedious flash sale system, which has made it quite a task for interested buyers to purchase the smartphone. Although Xiaomi had also recently opened up the sales of the Xiaomi Mi 4, which is currently available to buy on Flipkart.

For interested OnePlus customers, no more scouring for invites – the flagship killer is finally available to buy whenever, you want it!

Check out our hands on review of the device here:

 

April 20, 2015
Hackers Bring Microsoft Cortana’s Android Cousin; Meet Portaña

Microsoft’s personal voice assistant Cortana to land on Windows Phone platform is far from debuting on Android devices, but a group of hackers based in Italy has made it possible. The group, who call themselves OrangeSec, claims to have ported Microsoft’s Cortana to Android. The new personal assistant is named as Portaña.

The hackers made some alterations in Cortana’s program and brought out a version compatible with Google’s operating system. The tweaked version is very much similar to Cortana, but has some limitations. The hackers admit that the project isn’t that impressive and requires users to stay online for work. The reason being, even though it is running on Android hardware, it is still communicating with Microsoft’s back-end servers with the ported interface. To cut it short, you cannot use it to integrate with Android devices like Cortana does with Windows. OrangeSec used combinations of hardware proxies, custom SSL certificates and DNS spoofing for making this project work out. For now, Portaña can communicate in Italian only.

OrangeSec unveiled their mod at the Droidcon 2015 and admitted it to be a concept only. Hence, there are lesser chances of OrangeSec coming up with an official release. It is rumoured that Microsoft is planning to bring the voice assistant for both iOS and Android, but it doesn’t seem to happen anytime soon.

Cortana is named after an artificial intelligent (AI) character from the famed video game Halo. The personality of the voice assistant is also derived from the AI companion of the game. Cortana also offers usual voice-assistance features like setting reminders and calendar, weather and traffic information, writing notes and messages.

The generation of voice assistants kicked off with Apple’s Siri, back with the release of iPhone 4S in 2011. Microsoft soon followed by launching its very own Cortana on Windows 10 PC and smartphones. Meanwhile, Cortana is officially limited to Windows Phone.

April 20, 2015

Category: Brands and Companies

Specs

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (4GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (2GB RAM)

ZenFone 2 ZE550ML