Category: Brands and Companies

All Brands and Company Names

Is OnePlus 2 Arriving Next Month?

Rumours of the OnePlus One successor have been in the news for quite some time. One retailer even had such a phone listed on a website, even though the design and the look of the phone were not unveiled. The same Chinese retailer, Geek Buying, has recently claimed the handset could be launched on 17th of April this year. Though, much like before, there are no such confirmations from the company as of yet.

As specified by geekbuying.com, the phone will sport a 5.5-inch 1080p display with Snapdragon 805 soC, much like the previous model. There is also a mention of a 16MP primary camera and a 5MP front camera, and is based on Android 4.4 with a 3GB RAM support.

In January this year, Carl Pei announced that it may take OnePlus close to six months to launch the OnePlus Two.

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

The OnePlus One has been selling pretty well across the world. In addition to the launch countries, it was launched in India late last year, and despite of initial hiccups involving Cyanogen and Micromax, OnePlus One has managed to do pretty well. Just a couple of days back, it was launched in 16 more countries in Europe.

[/quote]

Since OnePlus One was launched in April last year, this story may have some truth in it. However, we’d rather wait for an official confirmation from the company before jumping to conclusions. Another reason we would doubt the leak are the images accompanying the story show the Cyanogen logo at the back of the device. The company has made it clear that they are now developing their own OS aka OxygenOS. Although we have to admit, it would be exciting to see what OnePlus might have in store for us with the Two.

Till we see the next iteration, go ahead and watch our review of the OnePlus One.

March 14, 2015

Karbonn Announces the Titanium Mach Two, Priced at Rs. 10,490

Aiming to expand the Titanium series, Karbonn has launched its latest handset, the Titanium Mach Two. The phone weighs a mere 112 gms and is sleek at 6.3 mm.

The device is encased with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which makes it resistant to scratches. The device holds a 5-inch HD IPS display and is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core processor with 1GB of RAM. It consists of 8 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card. An 8MP camera with BSI sensor is equipped at its front and back.

Running on Android OS 4.4 KitKat, the Mach Two offers some interesting features like the Smart Eye function, Swipe and Shake for music player, Face Beauty Mode, and few more.

The device is currently available only in deep blue colour and can be purchased at a price of Rs. 10,490. It comes with a free protective silicon case.

With so many reliable, affordable smartphones in the market, Karbonn’s present offering doesn’t seem to stand out. We have a strong feeling it will get lost in the crowd. Xiaomi recently came out with its new Redmi 2, and Motorola too has released its next-gen Moto E. Both these devices hold a similar set of specs and are priced significantly lesser. Other gadgets that can be pitted against the Mach Two are Lava X5 and Yu Yureka.

Check out the specifications of the Titanium Mach Two below:

Specs	Titanium Mach Two
Display	5-inch HD IPS display
Processor	1.4GHz Octa-Core processor
RAM	1GB
Inbuilt Memory	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	8MP
Operating Stystem	Android 4.4 KitKat
Price	Rs 10,490

March 13, 2015

Hands on | This is the Xiaomi Redmi 2

Xiaomi is back with another device, the Redmi 2, and it can be a blockbuster amongst the budget smartphones already in the market. The new device is more mature than its predecessor, Redmi 1s, and comes with much-required advancements such as better battery, a front camera and processor, and also an upgraded OS.

From the overall look of the phone, the Redmi 2 may remind you of the earlier version. It has the same 4.7-inch screen, but with a (1280x720p resolution) display with 312 ppi pixel density. A coating of AGC Dragontrail glass is at the top of the screen to give it protection from scratches.

The phone is considerably lighter than the Redmi 1S and feels good in hand. The rounded edges along with a soft touch back gives a subtle feel to the device and offers a comfortable grip.

The processor has been tweaked to 1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410 with an enhanced Adreno 306 GPU. It comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB in-built memory capacity. The company provides an expandable card slot that makes the device capable of storing up to 32GB of data.

The rear shooter stands at 8MP while the front comes with a 2MP camera. The Redmi 2 gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

Redmi 2 is a dual-SIM phone that runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with the company’s MIUI 6.0 on top. The MIUI features various features like over 5,000 themes, smart filters for cameras, Flashlight, and much more.

Like the other devices, Xiaomi is opting for a flash sale model for this device as well. Registration for the same have already started. Priced at Rs. 6,999, the device will be available on March 24. There are only two colour options accessible in India for now – white and black grey. The company promises, more colours will come later.

The detailed specs sheet of Redmi 2:

Specs	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inch, 1280×720 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
RAM	1GB
Storage	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB
Battery	2200mAh
Operating System	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Price	Rs. 6,999

Have a look at the hands-on video below:

March 13, 2015

Report : LG is Working on a G4 Phablet, Expected to Arrive Later This Year

Samsung may soon have a competitor in the already competitive market of phablets. LG is expected to launch its first flagship phablet in the coming few months. According to sources, LG plans to roll out the smartphone, named as the ‘G4 Note’, undoubtedly made to measure up against the likes of the Samsung Note line and the iPhone 6 Plus. LG has also filed for the trademark at the Korean patent office in February. The development sounds exciting, though we certainly hope that instead of blatantly copying their competitor, they come up with a more creative name.

Nothing has been disclosed about the device apart from its name. In a recent interview, Juno Cho, CEO of LG Mobile, stated that they want LG to push ahead to become the third largest smartphone manufacturer in the world.

In its history of smartphones, LG had launched the Optimus Vu back in 2011. It featured a 5-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio and an inadequate stylus integration. This device did not manage to make a mark in the smartphone market, and neither did its next two iterations.

According to the Korea Herald, LG has major plans to fuel up its smartphone line-up, with the G4 Note phablet and an unknown device that is stated to be more powerful than the G-series. Cho also mentioned that several high-end devices are planned to be released in 2015, and the customers will have more than just the G4 to look forward to.

March 13, 2015
Apple Makes the iOS 8.3 Beta Software Open for Everyone

After unveiling the new MacBook and Apple Watch last week, Apple is paying attention to its software. It has released the beta version of iOS 8.3 for regular users. The Cupertino-based giant, for the first time, is inviting general public to test out the third beta of iOS 8.3 before officially releasing it officially.

The tech biggie has launched a webpage called Apple Beta Software Program. Users can sign in to test-drive the beta software and experience what Apple has more to offer. One can enrol their iPhones on the webpage and download the file software.

The software program page advises to back up the device, as the software is still in development mode. The new iOS 8.3 is expected to feature new emojis, easier logins for Google users, wireless CarPlay, and is likely to come with major bug fixes. It is highly possible that some applications may not run as directed as it’s not the final product.

Meanwhile, it is noticed that in spite of public release, only a few users have been able to try out the upcoming iOS. Apple hasn’t laid out the plan how it’s conducting the testing, but it is estimated that the users who took part in the ‘OS X Yosemite Beta Program’ will be able to give feedback to the iOS 8.3 program.

The official release of the new beta software for public use signifies that the iOS 8.3 has taken a step closer to the final public release, however we shouldn’t expect to arrive anytime soon since Apple released iOS 8.2 only a few days ago.

March 13, 2015
Android 5.1 Update Arrives for Micromax Canvas A1 Users in India

It’s not been long since Google updated its proprietary operating system and brought before the world 5.1 version of Android Lollipop. The upgrade is hitting many devices and the latest device to receive Android 5.1 Lollipop is the Micromax Canvas A1. The Indian electronics firm is skipping the 5.0 version and is straight providing the improved version of Android Lollipop with bug fixes and new features.

The new version is coming with a build number LMY471 and it will occupy 409.8MB space on your device. The update comes with stock Android features like device protection, HD Voice calling, redesigned Quick settings menu and more. Canvas A1 users can check the update by following these steps: Settings > About Phone > System Updates > Check now.

The upgrade was first released by the company for its own Android One devices in Indonesia and other countries are gradually receiving the advanced version. Meanwhile, Nexus 6 has also started receiving the update along with Nexus 4, 5,7 and 10.

March 13, 2015
Micromax Brings Two New 4K TV’s Starting at Rs. 39,000

4K TV or UHD TVs have been around for a while, but their heavy price tag made sure potential customers steered clear from them. But in the recent past, some minor brands such as Vu have brought low-cost UHD TVs in India but their price tag was double than that of an HD TV. Micromax is breaking that price gap with the introduction of two UHD TVs which will challenge the conventional HD TV market.

Micromax is offering a 42-inch variant that will cost Rs 39,990 and a 49-inch version priced at Rs. 49,990. These are some of the lowest figures ever quoted for 4K TVs in India.

These TVs run Android OS that earns them the tag of Smart TVs. The 42-inch variant will run on Android 4.2 whereas the 49-inch variant runs Android 4.4. The TVs come preloaded with apps like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and other prominent apps and buyers will also have access to Google Play store so they can download their preferred apps.

Both these TVs have a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The TV’s are powered by a dual-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. They come with 2.2GB of internal storage, which is expandable to 32GB. The 42-inch variant features 3x HDMI and 3x USB ports. On the other hand, the 49-inch variant with its higher price tag offers a gold-colored metal frame and glass finish back and has 2x HDMI and 3x USB ports.
A Smart Somato-Sensory remote control will let you navigate through the interface of the TV. The remote works like an air mouse that makes it fast and easy to access the features you are want.

Micromax will be selling these TVs exclusively on Flipkart from March 13th. With these prices, the company won’t have to convince a lot of folks to part away with their money.

March 13, 2015
Google Launches a One Stop Online Store For All Its Products

Google, which began as a search engine has over the years, transformed itself into a technology powerhouse with a wide variety of products in its portfolio. On the consumer side, the company offers smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, thermostats and a lot more. To make it easier for the customers to buy their products, the company has launched a new online store called the Google Store.

Google Store will replace Play Store as the address for buying Google products. This new store is dedicated to all hardware offering from Google including accessories for the device. The site is live and active in India, and the products are priced in Indian Rupees.. Just type in store.google.com and keep your cash ready to buy your favourite Google devices.

On the Indian website, you get to buy the Nexus 6 32 GB for Rs.44,000 whereas the 64 GB variant can be bought for Rs. 49,000. The Nexus 9 tablet is available for Rs. 28,900. In the smartphone section, you have the option of buying the LG G Watch for Rs. 14,999 or the Samsung Gear Live for Rs.15,900. Google’s media streaming device, Chromecast is available on the website for Rs. 2,999.

Google might also bring the recently launched Chromebook Pixel to the store in the near future. The present website simply redirects the user to the other online retailers. There are no accessories available on the website right now but Google might add them later.

From the price point of view, there isn’t a lot of difference between the Google Store and the other online stores but you do get the convenience of browsing through all the offerings from Google at once.

March 12, 2015
HTC Desire 820s with the 8MP Front Camera Arrives in India

Months after the announcement of the Desire 820s, HTC has now launched the device in India. It has been priced at Rs. 24,890.

The Desire 820s boasts a 5.5-inch wide 720p display and is powered by the 64-bit Octa-Core MediaTek MT6572 processor clocked at 1.7GHz. The phone has 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage space onboard, which is expandable. Running on Google’s operating system Android 4.4 KitKat, the device has the company’s Sense 6 UI on top.

Coming to the camera fitted onto the Desire 820s, a 13MP camera paired with BSI sensor and LED flash is installed at its back. The front has a huge 8MP shooter, apt to capture selfies. HTC has given particular attention to the audio quality. HTC BoomSound speakers are equipped at the front along with built-in amplifiers.

The handset offers dual-SIM support and provides 4G connectivity option. The battery stands fair at 2600 mAH. The connectivity options comprise of Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX and GPS.

HTC has given two colour options with this device; one is the Milky-way Grey, while the other is Santorini White.

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Redmi 2 Vs Moto E (Gen 2) : Newly Arrived Budget Smartphones Battle it Out

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 2 (4G) in India, and it is a mere upgrade over its predecessor, the Redmi 1S. But even with the slight bump in the specs, the device is still unconquerable in its segment. The device that comes closest in competing with the Redmi 2 is the Moto E (Gen 2). So let’s take a look at how the two budget badasses fare against each other.

Specs	Xiaomi Redmi 2 4G	Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)
Display	4.7 inch 720 x 1280 pixels	4.5 inch 540 x 960 pixels
CPU	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 410	1.2 GHz, Quad-core, Snapdragon 200
RAM	1 GB	1 GB
Main Camera	8 MP	5 MP
Front Camera	2 MP	0.3 MP
Internal Storage	8 GB	8 GB
External Storage	32 GB	32 GB
Battery	2200 mAh	2390 mAh
Operating System	MIUI 6.0, based on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat	Android 5.0 Lollipop
Price	Rs. 6999	Rs. 6999

The Redmi 2 definitely holds a lead in the specs sheet with its HD display and superior camera offering. The 4G ready Redmi 2 is priced the same as the 3G variant of the Moto E which would help it to attract the potential customers towards itself. The Moto E, on the other hand, can use its updated operating system and the bigger display in comparison to its predessesor to attract the buyers to itself.

The Redmi 2 also requires the troublesome effort of waiting for the flash sale whereas, the Moto E (Gen 2) is available right now for purchase which might work in Motorola’s favour.

March 12, 2015

Google Helps You Visit The Mount Everest Region Without Moving a Muscle

Users can now glide along the trees, mountains and even visit remote villages, thanks to Google’s Street View. Teaming up with Apa Sherpa, who holds the record for reaching the peak of Mount Everest 21 times, and Nepalese non-profit organization, Story Cycle, Google has managed to scale and photograph the Khumbu region of Nepal for ten days. This created the new Street View images and has helped in improving the maps of the area the Sherpa people have called home for centuries.

Gorak Shep is the closest one can get in this virtual trek. Also, indoor imagery of the Everest Summiteer Lodge, which was built by Apa Sherpa in 1996, can be accessed to. Apart from these, other interesting sights includes lodges, schools, monasteries, clinics, etc.

“My hope is that when people see this imagery online, they’ll have a deeper understanding of the region and the Sherpa people that live there,” Apa Sherpa said in a blog post. “The region has much more to offer than just the mountains.”

The Mount Everest is not the only wonder to come to Google Street View. Users can take a virtual trip to the South American Amazon rainforests, visit the pyramids in Egypt, France’s Bordeaux region, etc.

March 12, 2015

Redmi 2 Vs Redmi 1s : What is the Real Difference?

Today, Xiaomi expanded its smartphone lineup in India with the launch of the new Redmi 2, the successor of Redmi 1s. Along with that, the firm brought to India its first tablet, the Mi Pad.

Now, shifting the attention back to the new smartphone, the Redmi 2 is another pocket-friendly device by the Chinese electronics brand. From the overall look, the Redmi 2 may look familiar with its predecessor, but its specifications are what makes it stand apart. With a revamped processor, front camera, GPU, battery, RAM, and many more things, the phone stands above the other devices in the same price bracket.

Have a look at the major tweaks done on the new phone:

Specs	Redmi 1S	Redmi 2
Display	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi	4.7 inches 720×1280 pixels 312 ppi
Processor	1.6 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 400	1.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 410
GPU	Adreno 305	Adreno 306
RAM	1GB	1GB
In-Build Meory	8GB	8GB
Expandable Up to	32GB	32GB
Rear Camera	8MP	8MP
Front Camera	1.6MP	2MP
Operating System	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with MIUI 5.0	Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI 6.0
Battery	2000mAh	2200mAh
Price	Rs. 5,999	Rs. 6,999

Registration for the handsets will start today at 6pm and the phone will be available on March 24 through flash sale model.

March 12, 2015

Xiaomi Launches the Mi Pad, its First Tablet in India For Rs. 12,999

Xiaomi’s launch event today wasn’t just about its new budget device, the Redmi 2. The Chinese electronics giant left the audience awestruck with the introduction of its first tablet in India, the Mi Pad. Priced at Rs. 12,999, the tablet is a direct opponent of Google’s Nexus 9.

At 9.4mm, the Mi Pad is thin and weighs just 360g. It sports a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 and a pixel density of 326 PPI. Corning Glass 3 protects the screen from accidental drops. The tablet is powered by 2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15 processor paired with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The MI Pad offers 16GB of in-built storage space which can be expanded up to 128GB via MicroSD card. The Xiaomi tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat with MIUI skin on top.

The optics of the device are great for its price. It sports an 8MP rear camera with Sony BSI sensor for full-HD resolution videos, along with a 5MP front snapper at the top of the display for selfies and video chats. The table is juiced up by a 6700mAh battery that keeps the device running all day long. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The Xiaomi Mi Pad will be available for purchase on March 24 and there will be no flash sale for this device. Potential customers can buy the gadget through e-commerce website Flipkart. The Mi Pad comes in six colour options – Black, White, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. So if you want a tablet with unique theaming options coupled with colorful exteriors, the Mi Pad can be a great option for you.

Specs	Mi Pad
Display	7.9-inch IPS326 PPI
Processor	2.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra K1 SoC ARM Cortex-A15
RAM	2GB
Inbuilt Memory	16GB
Expandable Up to	128GB
Rear Camera	8MP
Front Camera	5MP
Operating Stystem	Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery	6700mAh
Price	Rs. 12,999

March 12, 2015

Google Nexus 5 is No Longer Available for Purchase

Google’s 2013 flagship smartphone, the Nexus 5, which debuted alongside the second generation Chromebook Pixel, will no longer be available for purchase. As promised by the search giant, the flagship remained up for sale during the first quarter of 2015, but now, its MIA in Google’s Play Store and the newly formed non-Play store.

The phone’s page reads ‘The Nexus 5 is no longer available for sale.’ It implies that users who are interested in a pure Google smartphone will have to opt for the expensive Motorola Nexus 6.

Specs of this smartphone included 5-inch display in Full HD (1920 x 1080), the modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of non-expandable internal memory. With this processor and 2GB of RAM running pure vanilla Android, the device was smooth as butter.

The Nexus 5 is not the only product that Google has stopped. The very first Chromebook Pixel, a high-end laptop that is powered by Chrome OS, is unavailable for purchase too. It seems like Google is on a clean-up spree, which could have something to do with the introduction of the new Chromebook Pixel with two USB Type-C connector.

Nexus 6 is Google’s flagship phone and can be purchased from the Play Store.

March 12, 2015
Xiaomi Redmi 2 Launched in India, Priced to Compete With Moto E (Gen 2)

Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi, has today launched the new Redmi 2, a successor to the popular Redmi 1S. The smartphone packs some amazing specifications and is a budget superhero with a price tag of Rs. 6,999.

The Redmi 2 sports a 4.7 inch (720×1280 ppi) resolution display just like its predecessor. The device runs on MIUI 6 based on Android 4.4 KitKat. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 410 processor, the handset comes with 1 GB RAM. the phone has 8GB of internal memory storage, which is expandable up to 32GB.

On the camera front, the device sports an 8 MP rear snapper on the back and a 2 MP selfie shooter on the front. The phone gets its juice from the 2200mAh battery.

The company is holding the first flash sale on 24^th of this month and registrations for the sale begins today from 6pm onwards. Xiaomi hasn’t introduced the coloured variants and the device will be available only in white and grey colour options in India.

Just like last year, the Redmi 2 is directed towards capturing the Motorola’s budget market. Xiaomi has priced the new device at par with the new Moto E(Gen 2). The arrival of the Redmi 2 has raised the stakes in the brutal affordable smartphone landscape and poses a serious challenge to its competition.

March 12, 2015

Category: Brands and Companies

Specs

Redmi 2

Specs

Xiaomi Redmi 2 4G

Motorola Moto E (Gen 2)

Specs

Redmi 1S

Redmi 2