Google has entered the Indian airline booking industry with its Google Flight Search which it launched yesterday. Internet giant’s new flight search tool allows users to search for flights, their prices, timings, etc directly within the search engine.
The new feature from the search giant, reduces the need for users to check out different online travel aggregators. These aggregators provide flight information and take a cut on the tickets they sell. Google’s presence in this space could reduce traffic to their portals.
Head over to www.google.co.in/flights to check it out now
Along with this, the company has partnered with Goibibo to display results from its own portal along with options thrown in by Google search from airline websites, when a user keys in requirements such as destination and travel date.
The service has been available to other markets since its launch in the US in 2011. In India, Google has been testing the waters for some time now. Previously online travel agents had threatened to lodge a complaint with the Competition Commission of India against the tool.
Despite Google’s strength in web searches, the success of flights and hotel search products is dependent not only integration with key airlines and intermediaries in the country but, most importantly, displaying competitive fares and supporting multiple customization.
Google Launches a Super Easy Tool to Help Search for Flights in India
Fast approaching Google’s second Ara Developers’ Conference seems to have kicked off with great excitement. The Phonebloks community has announced the release of the second Module Developers Kit. This kit takes the modular smartphone closer to reality.
The second instalment of Project Ara developer kit is not just exciting for developers but even has something for users to anticipate. The biggest addition with the MDK 0.2 is a section on the Module Marketplace, which is said to be a lot like a Google Play Store for Ara hardware modules. Unlike the Play Store, however, it seems that this marketplace is going to be strictly curated.
Developers will be able to submit details about their hardware through the Ara Developer Console, while users of Ara phones will be able to use an Ara Configurator app to choose the hardware they’d like. At the most basic level, this can let you customize your phone by choosing modules you’ll need most.
There is also something in store for end-users, of course. Phonebloks has mentioned that an Ara Manager app will be made available in the near future. This app will let users control the functions of different modules and monitor their state and information.
The MDK 0.2 is based on the Spiral 2 prototype that will be revealed at the upcoming developers’ conference. The second Project Ara modular smartphone MDK has been created in collaboration with numerous companies such as NK Labs, LeafLabs, New Deal Design, Metamorph Software, X5 Systems, Toshiba, Mixel, Quanta, Opersys, Linux Solutions, Linaro, BayLibre, NewOldBits, Oxford Systems, Foxconn and IDT Systems.
The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) saw some really interesting innovations this year. One such innovation was the LG G Flex 2, which is an enhanced version of the original LG G Flex released last year. The device made a cameo at the event; only its specifications were released, while the price was kept under wraps. Now, the South Korean smartphone manufacturer has come up with a price tag, which is a bit lower than the launch price of its predecessor.
The device is listed on Amazon, where it is priced for €599. This translates to somewhere around Rs. 44,000. The original LG G Flex was a little pricey and came at an introductory cost of €850. For now, the phone is available for purchase in Germany only and the shipping date of the same is not yet specified.
The major tweak in the device is its fast restoring capacity. The phone retrieves its original position in just 10 seconds whereas the G Flex took around three minutes to heal. Briefing its specs, then LG G Flex 2 boasts a 5.5-inch full HD Curved POLED display, with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It is powered by a Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor with 64-bit capability, becoming the first device to pack the latest and powerful processing system. The G Flex 2 sports 2 GB of RAM and runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Coming onto the camera front, the G Flex 2 has a 13MP rear shooter along with OIS+ and laser auto focus capacity and a 2.1MP front snapper for your selfie needs. Furthermore, the phone features both 16 GB and 32 GB of internal storage and has a microSD card support.
As of now, there is no official announcement about its launch in India, but it is speculated to release soon.
Turn 10 Studios and Microsoft today officially announced the Forza Motorsport 6 at the ongoing North American International Auto Show in Detroit. As expected, the game has been announced exclusively for Xbox One featuring the new Ford GT as the cover car, courtesy a partnership between Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios with the car manufacturer.
The announcement apparently was followed by Ford’s announcement today of its GT supercar, sporting a carbon fibre chassis powered by Ford’s twin-turbocharged Ecoboost engine producing 600 hp. In addition, other performance cars by Ford including the GT, Shelby GT350 Mustang and F-150 Raptor will also feature in the game. Meanwhile, Turn 10 Studios have confirmed that gameplay footage will be revealed at E3 this June.
Global Product Development, Vice President for Ford Group Raj Nair, said that Forza Motorsport will give fans an opportunity to “virtually experience” Ford’s lineup of performance cars.
However, no official launch date for Forza Motorsport 6 has been announced. The last title from the franchise Forza Motorsport 5 was launched back in 2013 for the Xbox One. Meanwhile, this year also mark’s the tenth anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series, which first debuted in 2005 for Xbox. Do check out the announcement video below:
There is finally some good news on the horizon for Motorola users. After a considerably long delay, Motorola has announced that it will be bringing out Android Lollipop updates for all its handsets released in 2013 and 2014.
In a post on Google Plus, Motorola Engineer Luciano Carvalho has said that the company is currently working hard to bring the update to its consumers. He has not specified the exact date and has just said that the updates will arrive “real soon”.
It is also mentioned in the post that the company has released an Android 5.0.3 update as a limited soak test. The reason cited for the delay is the bug ridden launch of the Android Lollipop. The post says that the team at Motorola are constantly finding bugs and fixing them, and they will reveal the update once it’s completely bug free.
Motorola is one of the best companies out there in terms of timely updates. The devices launched by the company are really popular and get proactive support from the company. So if you are a Motorola user, the wait for your Lollipop will soon come to an end.
India-based company Micromax is the top choice of many smartphone users. The latest offering by its subsidiary, Yu, recently released a device that houses an exceptional set of specs at a super low price. Now, Micromax has added one more handset to its portfolio, the Canvas Hue. The company claims that the device can last up to 30 days on a single charge, which seems a bit far-fetched if you ask us.
As far as the specifications are concerned, Micromax Canvas Hue has a 5-inch HD AMOLED display of 1280×720 pixels resolution. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection prevents the display from breakage and makes it scratch-resistant. The device is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM. The handset runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat as of now, but it is expected to get the Android 5.0 Lollipop update soon.
Talking about the camera specification, the device has an 8MP primary camera along with a 2MP shooter at front. Canvas Hue houses a powerful 3,000mAh battery and has a support for super power saving mode, which extends the battery life of the phone. The handset features a storage capacity of 8 GB, which can be further expanded via MicroSD card.
The Chief Executive Officer of Micromax Vineet Taneja said in a statement:
With an AMOLED HD screen, users are guaranteed of a life-like viewing experience through more vivid colours and a crystal clear display. The Canvas Hue is a perfect blend of premium design, seamless efficiency and superior technology that supports the needs of the ever evolving consumers.
Priced at Rs. 10,999, Canvas Hue will go on sale on 16th January. The device is relatively cheap and can compete with big contenders in the market like Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G, Gionee Marathon M3 and Yu Yureka, which pack somewhat similar set of specs.
Coming from nowhere to take over the world’s tech market, Chinese handset maker, Xiaomi is all set to reveal it’s new flagship device on 15th January. Creating a hype, in which the company can now be considered an expert, Xiaomi took to its Facebook page to tease a new flagship device that is set to unveil this week.
A short video teaser plays a little “fill-in-the-blank” game with the viewer hinting at the device’s design. It consists of sentences with missing adjectives which should be filled by the viewers.
The company has sent out invites for the launch event set for 15th of January. According to the official MIUI thread, the launch will take place at 2.00 PM Beijing time. The page doesn’t specifically state what new device they’re launching, but the general agreement is that this hype is for the Mi5.
This upcoming premium launch by Xiaomi is expected to sport a 5.7-inch QHD display. It will get its processing might from the 64-bit Snapdragon 810 SoC which will be supported by an Adreno 430 graphics engine and 3 GB of RAM. It will offer 16 GB internal memory and feature a fingerprint sensor. It is also expected to flaunt a 20.7 MP camera with Sony Exmor RS sensor.
There are also speculations that Xiaomi might unveil the new Redmi Note 2 along with the new flagship. An online listing of Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 on an online portal Oppomart is the cause of these rumours. The online listing has revealed the complete specifications and pricing of the Redmi Note 2. This may imply that either the Redmi Note 2 will be launched along with the Mi5 or the company will launch the Redmi Note 2 instead of the Mi5.
Microsoft’s new Windows 10 internet browser, codenamed Spartan, has started to garner attention. Various leaks and rumors suggest that Spartan will be one of the major elements of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 10 operating system and will come with some ground-breaking features which are currently missing in competing browsers such as Chrome and Firefox.
We’ve listed the top 5 expected features of the Windows 10 internet browser, Spartan.
1. Digital Inking Support
Word has it that Spartan will include digital inking support which allows Windows 10 users to annotate a web page with a stylus and send the notes and annotations to a friend or colleague. According to The Verge, the annotated Web pages will be capable to be stored on OneDrive, “which can be accessed by any browser across multiple platforms”.
2. Cortana Integration
The recent rumors claim that the Spartan web browser will be heavily linked to Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant. Moreover, current features that work with Bing on Internet Explorer will be used on the Cortana interface in Spartan. Given that the company has already revealed that Cortana will form an integral part of the Windows 10 operating system, this speculation makes sense.
3. Group Tabs
Leaked images of Spartan by Cnbeta
A third major feature of Spartan will be a new way to group tabs together which will help declutter the occasionally messy interface of multiple browser tabs. Spartan may allow users to open multiple sites in grouped tabs together, so they can do things like compare prices of a new phone without having to switch between tabs or split up personal tabs from work ones.
4. Fast Updates
According to leaks, Microsoft is planning to feature Spartan as an app in order to facilitate smooth and faster updates. Right now, Internet Explorer isn’t an app that Windows 8 or Windows Phone users get via the Windows Store or Windows Phone Store; it’s part of the OS platform. By making Spartan an app, Microsoft should be able to update it more quickly.
5. Minimalistic Design
Spartan will use the Trident rendering engine and the Chakra JavaScript engine that are a part of the Internet Explorer. It is expected to look and work more like lightweight browsers such as Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox. It will allegedly support extensions. Also, the company originally was expected to add custom themes to the new browser. It appears that will not be the case at launch. However, it is possible custom themes may come in future updates.
Microsoft has said that the browser is not just a newer version of the Internet Explorer but a different browser altogether. Microsoft is expected to show off and discuss Spartan during the 21st January Windows 10 preview event it is hosting in Redmond, Wash.
Gamers, graphic artists, CAD designers and even humble home entertainment enthusiasts who regularly spread their onscreen activities across multiple displays were super impressed by LG’s flagship IPS 21:9 Curved UltraWide Monitor when it launched back in IFA 2014.
Now, the company has announced that it will introduce this impressive Curved UltraWide Monitor along with other compelling monitors in the Indian market. In essence, LG’s curved QHD monitor, the UC97 bridges the two worlds of widescreen monitors and curved TVs together. This monitor is targeted at power users who need, not just a great viewing experience but also the extra room to place their windows, particularly those in the creative business.
LG Digital Cinema 4K
With Quad HD resolution display at 3440 x 1440 pixels, this 34-inch monitor packs quite a punch and is considered the world’s first curved monitor with an extra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio. For connectivity, it utilizes Thunderbolt 2 connectors not just for fast data transfers but also for the ability to daisy chain other devices. It also comes with its own 7W stereo speakers boasting the Maxx Audio tech.
LG will also introduce the Digital Cinema 4K Monitor—also known as the 31MU97—which has a 31-inch screen and 4096 x 2160p resolution. It can reproduce 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and includes calibration software. LG claims that MU97 Digital Cinema 4K monitor owners can look forward to ultra-sharp images with wide viewing angles, and those using it for work will appreciate its ability to reproduce 99 percent of Adobe’s RGB color space.
LG GM77 Gaming Monitor
Gamers are the important prospective customers of the high-end monitors and LG has made sure they are not left in the dark. LG is also announced the GM77 24-inch monitor with 144 Hz refresh rate for smooth, flicker-free onscreen action. The gaming monitor also benefits from a feature to render consistent blacks across different scenes, and a mode to cut down motion blur. Game Mode also offers players the chance to switch between three optimized settings with the push of a hotkey on the monitor.
The Curved UltraWide Monitor is expected to be priced around Rs. 85,000 and the Digital Cinema 4K Monitor around Rs. 90,000, meanwhile there is no word on the price of GM77 Gaming Monitor. According the company, you will be able to buy their extreme monitors by the end of this month.
If you are looking to build your own system according to your preference, using one these monitors, check out our DIY Hackintosh Build video below for inspiration:
Samsung has been ruling the smartphone market with its high-end Android devices, but it has recently been learnt that the company is keen on including Windows-based phones in its smartphone line-up. According to a report by Korean Times, the South Korean multinational giant is interested in making an affordable Windows Phone.
According to their source, the company is testing a “pilot programs on the stability of Windows 8.1 software on devices.” However, it cannot embed Windows onto the devices until the company settle down on the previous dispute with Microsoft. For those who don’t remember the story; Microsoft sued Samsung in August saying that the company had failed to make payments as per the signed contract.
Samsung ATIV SE, The Last Windows Phone by Samsung
It seems like the firm is reducing its dependability on Google’s Android and is prepping to get a stronghold on the Windows platform.
If the report turns out to be true, then customers can expect a Windows-based device as early as this fall. It might run on Windows 8.1 or the upcoming Windows 10. We’ll still emphasise the fact that it’s just a report and neither Samsung nor Microsoft have confirmed the story. The last Windows Phone by Samsung was Samsung ATIV SE, a Verizon Wireless exclusive based on Windows 8. The firm hasn’t released any Windows devices since.
Xiaomi has already started rolling out the invitations for its January 15th event in Beijing. So far the rumours adamantly insist that we will see the Mi5 or the Mi4s for the first time. However, an online listing of a new Xiaomi handset has added new speculations.
A listing on Oppomart, an online reseller of smartphones, has revealed the complete specifications and pricing of the Remi Note 2. This implies that either the Redmi Note 2 will be launched along with the Mi5 or the company will launch Redmi Note 2 instead of Mi5.
It is said that the Redmi Note 2 will look nothing like its predecessor. In fact, it might take its design inspiration from the current Mi flagship i.e. Xiaomi Mi4. The front will be protected by Gorilla Glass; the rear Gorilla Glass body might be curved, according to rumours.
According to the listing, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 will come with a 64-bit Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB/ 32GB storage options. The screen size will be 5.7-inches and will be made of 2D glass, (an upgrade from the 5.5-inch screen on the current Redmi Note) and will feature a resolution of 192ox1080 pixels. There will be a 13MP rear camera (Sony IMX214 with zero shutter lag) and a 5MP front shooter on the device.
The invite only says that Xiaomi will unveil a new device on Jan 15.
Along with this, more details about another mysterious handset from Xiaomi have emerged. A $65 (approx Rs 4,000) Xiaomi smartphone has passed TENAA, which is the Chinese equivalent of the FCC. Going through the listing, this $65 handset may be the same handset which is expected to launch with the low cost Leadcore LC1860 CPU (clocked at 1.6GHz).
Other specs include the 4.7-inch, 720 x 1280 resolution display, 1GB of RAM and 8GB storage. An 8MP camera is said to be found on back of the handset, while a 2MP shooter adorns the front of the phone.
The most anticipated device of the year, Yu Yureka, will go up for sale tomorrow. In spite of the huge registrations, the company said that, for now, they will be putting only 10,000 units of its 4G device on Amazon. The smartphone, unveiled last month, boasts a set of specs seen on many high-end devices while it comes at a price of Rs. 8,999.
[quote text_size=”medium” author=”Rahul Sharma” author_title=”Co-Founder of Micromax”]
We saw unprecedented response with over three lakh registrations. Registrations were to be open till 25th December. However, owing to the mega response they had to be closed a day earlier.
[/quote]
If we talk about its specifications, the Yu Yureka has a 5.5-inch display with 1280 x 720p resolution. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It is powered by Snapdragon 615 CPU along with Adreno 405 GPU. The device features 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage capacity, out of which 12 GB is free. The phone gets its juice from the 2500mAh battery.
On the camera front, the handset has a 13MP rear snapper along with a 5MP shooter on the front. The most significant feature of the device is the attractive Cyanogen OS 11.
Rahul further talked about the phone units, “We are working on ramping our capacities. Given the kind of enthusiasm that we have seen, we will increase the number of units put out for sale gradually.” It was also learnt that Cash-on-Delivery System will be available to Yureka buyers. Do read the full review of the Yu Yureka here.
After months of speculations and rumours, Samsung has finally unveiled the much-awaited Galaxy A7 in Philippines. The metal-clad smartphone with optional dual-SIM functionality will be available at the end of Q1 this year in two different chipset configurations.
The slimmest Samsung smartphone yet, Galaxy A7 measures 6.3 mm in thickness and sports the same metallic uni-body design we see in the flagship Alpha series. The smartphone flaunts a 5.5 inch AMOLED display and runs on Android 4.4 KitKat OS skinned under Samsung’s own Touchwiz UI.
The Galaxy A7 comes with 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC or a 32-bit Exynos 5430 with both chipsets featuring octa-core CPU. Both versions of the smartphone will offer 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in memory. A microSD card slot for further expansion will also be available.
On the imaging side, the slim smartphone sports a 13MP main camera and 5MP front-facing unit with several Samsung customizations. It includes several selfie features, including Wide Selfie and Rear-cam Selfie. A 2,600mAh battery powers the device.
Considering it is the slimmest phone by Samsung sporting a metallic design, it is quite likely the handset will do good in the market. While some folks would prefer a higher-resolution display, the rest of the A7’s spec list looks good for an upper mid-range/lower high-end Android smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy A7 will be available in dark blue, white, and gold color schemes. The Korean giant promises a “competitive price point” for the device. While we have no official date or price, the Samsung Galaxy A7 should be available at the end of Q1 2015 for an expected price of Rs. 35,000.
After a very successful year, where Xiaomi managed to became the most valued startup, the company is now about to bring out its next flagship product. The company has sent out invites for the launch event set for 15th of January. According to the office MIUI thread, the launch will take place at 2.00 PM Beijing time. The page doesn’t specifically state what new device they’re launching, but the general agreement is that this launch is for the Mi5.
The post asks the users on the thread to vote on what phone they expect Xiaomi is launching with the option given as Mi4s, Mi5 and others. With 70% in favour, Mi5 leads the polls.
The invite only says that Xiaomi will unveil a new device on Jan 15.
This upcoming premium launch by Xiaomi is expected to sport a 5.7 inches QHD display. It will get is processing might from the 64-bit Snapdragon 810 SoC which will be supported by Adreno 430 graphics engine and 3 GB RAM. It will offer 16 GB internal memory and feature a fingerprint sensor. It is also expected to flaunt a 20.7 MP camera with Sony Exmor RS sensor.
There are also speculations that Xiaomi might unveil the new Mi Pad 2. It is expected to feature a 7.9-inch display with 2048X1536 resolution. It will come with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage. This does look like a quality update to the Mi Pad line and the resolution of the display might attract a good number of consumers.
If Xiaomi prices it as competitively as it usually does, then it sure would have a winner on its hands. With the specs being offered in this edition of Mi smartphone, Xiaomi is directly challenging the authority of the flagship devices. Having knocked off Samsung from the top spot in China, Xiaomi has seriously taken a bullish approach to the market. Let’s hope it lasts long and encourages other manufacturers to duplicate Xiaomi’s business model and give consumers more functionality at affordable costs.
Seems like the recent allegations regarding Cyanogen haven’t deterred the Chinese manufacturing firm, OnePlus. Few days back, the Director of OnePlus Global, Carl Pei, revealed that they will soon be launching OnePlus Two and India will be one of the first countries to see the phone. Now, Carl has come up with yet another statement that confirms that the company will be releasing another phone, other than the Two, this year.
While in conversation with PC World, Pei revealed that another phone by the company will cater to the audience for whom design is more prior than the specifications.
I think it’s going to be a phone catering to a different type of audience. Perhaps for those who appreciate design over specs.
The news has come as a surprise and the device is still under wraps (and probably still under works). No statement has come about the specifications, price and availability of the yet untitled gadget, but through the statement, it can be estimated that the handset is in early stages. We will soon update you as soon as we dig out information about the same.
Meanwhile, rumours are still hot about the upcoming flagship OnePlus Two. It is said that the device will sport a 5.5-inch display powered by Snapdragon 805 processor. The internal storage capacity of the handset will be 32 GB and it will house a battery of 3,300mAh. On the camera front, it may have a 16MP shooter along with 5 MP snapper on the front.
Seems like OnePlus has done its research well. In a country like India, a stylish smartphone (even with low specs) will definitely work well. Let’s see where this move takes the company.
