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  • Countdown Starts for CES 2015 – Here’s What You Can Expect

    Countdown Starts for CES 2015 – Here’s What You Can Expect

    Consumer Electronic Show (CES) can simply be explained as a 3-day long extravagant exhibition of geeky stuff in Las Vegas. The event has been a launching pad for many concept devices and this year as well, we’ll be seeing some exceptional innovations for the first time. With new segments in the tech industry mushrooming and touching every corner of our lives. This year’s show is expected to be heavily focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and latest automobile tech. Along with this, many global smartphone makers are expected to show off their devices including Huawei, Alcatel, Lenovo among others.

    Here’s what you can expect from the Consumer Electronic Show 2015:

    1. TVs

    LG ELECTRONICS

    Since the commencement of this annual show, televisions have been the primary focus. CES has been the wonderland of colour televisions, HD TVs and almost every new technology that has shaped the television industry. This year at CES, we can expect to see more 4K TVs from LG and Samsung. LG has already confirmed that it will be showing off the new quantum dot-enabled 4K LCD TV. The new display technology uses nanocrystals placed in front of the LCD backlight to increase the range of colours, saturation and brightness over traditional LD displays. Samsung is also expected to launch TVs with similar technology, considering the traditional rivalry between of both South Korean electronic giants.

    4K content streaming is also expected to go big at this year’s show. With Sony expected to launch a new range of 4K TVs, Sony Pictures will surely be coming up with more of 4K content to use those extra pixels. Along with this, 4K disc format is also said to make its debut at the CES 2015. However, we are not sure if it’s the right time.

    2. Smartphones

    LG_G_Flex

    Probably, the biggest announcement in the smartphone segment will be the Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 810 processor. LG looks geared to continue its smartphone bending tradition by revealing the LG G Flex 2 at CES 2015. The original G Flex featured LG’s flexible OLED display, but the structure of the phone itself was rigid.

    Huawei, the Chinese firm, is trying mightily to break into the US market along with Alcatel and Lenovo. So, we can expect some big announcements from these companies. Also trying to get hold of the market is Microsoft. The company has avoided CES for the last couple of years, but Microsoft may make push its smartphones this time. And of course, there will be a vast amount of stages devoted to smartphone cases, headphones and other accessories.

    3. Wearables

    apple_watch_heart_rate_sensor-620x368

    Last year’s CES saw the introduction of wearables. Subsequent launch of Android Wear fuelled the wearable segment and exploded the market with strings of new wearables. This segment has now started to congeal into a more manageable market. This CES should bring heart rate sensors to the must-do list of every fitness bands, which earlier were restricted to counting stairs, steps and sleep.

    Well, not much can be said about the launch of new devices. It is expected that Apple Watch may finally start to sell. Other than that, not too many wearables are expected to launch this year.

    4. Virtual Reality

    The Oculus Rift headset is tested by attendees at the Eurogamer Expo at Earls Court in London.

    Google’s much controversial Glass eyewear has proved to be a breakthrough in the VR segment, which encouraged more companies to join the race. A bunch of big names are expected to announce their VR devices at CES 2015 including Oculus Rift, Sony’s Project Morpheus and Samsung’s VR headset.

    CES has a long history in the entertainment industry. There is no way big game makers will be losing the chance to show off their new VR headsets. We can expect new games, movies and apps to be announced at CES 2015.

    5. Auto Tech

    694439

    In 2010, Ford CEO Alan Mulally took the stage of CES. Since then, autombiles have become a significant part of the show. This year, many big brands like Ford, Audi, Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota and more will be present at the CES. Toyota stole the show last year with its hydrogen-powered car  and we can expect to see more next-gen fuel cars this year; at least we hope to. Along with this, we can expect to see some driver-less cars too but not from Google, as it doesn’t usually drop by CES .

    Also, with Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay on full consumer mode, we can expect car-makers to show off some new models equipped with these automobile communication systems. Navigation systems and head-up display on windscreens are also expected to go big at the CES 2015. We can also expect a peek into the future of car infotainment system, which is somehow still in a nascent stage.

    This CES is warming up to be quite an exciting event, from which we can expect many new launches and perhaps a few surprises.

  • Acer Liquid E700 Unboxing and Hands On

    Acer Liquid E700 Unboxing and Hands On

    This week we got our hands on the Acer Liquid E700. It runs on the Android operating system and comes with a huge 3500 mAh battery. It is a one of a kind triple sim phone at a mere price of Rs. 11,900. It comes inbuilt with a 8MP led flash camera and a 1.2 Gz Quad Core Mediatek processor. It also comes with a 2 GB ram and 16 GB Internal memory.

    Here is our opinion of this device:

     

  • Editor’s Pick : The Week in a Video

    Editor’s Pick : The Week in a Video

    Quite a few exciting things went down this week. So we decided to chart it out for you, here’s the weekly round up:

     

    1. OnePlus Launches in India – Read more about it here.

    2. We’re giving away 50 OnePlus invites. – Read more about it here.

    3. Micromax Brings Out ‘Yu’ – its own developers forum. – Read more about it here.

    4. Meet the YotaPhone 2-  Read more about it here.

    5. Apple Expected to Open Up 500 Retail Outlets in India – Read more about it here.

    6. Indian Government Plans Rs.10,000 Start Up fund – Read more about it here.

    7. Xiaomi banned in India- Read more about it here. 

    8. Google halts production of Nexus 5  – Read more about it here. 

    9. Nexus 6 Goes on Sale, Unavailable till Christmas – – Read more about it here.

  • #GOSF2014 : The Best Tablet Deals in One Place

    #GOSF2014 : The Best Tablet Deals in One Place

    The Great Online Shopping Festival started today! The season for mega sales is always the best time to invest in new gadgets. With over 400 participating brands, we help you scour through the deals and highlight the top ones.

    Lenovo A7-50 Tablet

    lenovo tablet

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    • 5MP primary camera and 2MP front facing camera
    • 7-inch IPS capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution
    • Android v4.2 Jelly Bean operating system with MTK 8382 Quad core processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM and 16GB internal memory
    • 3450mAh battery providing standby time of two weeks and usage time of 8 hours
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S Image 3

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    • 3MP primary camera with 720 x 1280 HD video recording, auto focus, geo-tagging and 1.3MP front facing camera
    • 7-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution and 16M color support
    • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system with 1.2GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory expandable up to 64GB
    • Weighs 304gm with only 9.9mm thick, 4000mAH battery with upto 20 hours of talk time
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Lenovo Yoga 8 Tablet

    hp_slate_7_voicetab_official

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    • 5MP primary camera with HD video recording and 2MP front facing camera
    • 7-inch IPS LCD multi-touch capacitive touchscreen 1280 x 800 pixels resolution
    • Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system with 1.2GHz quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (GSM+HSPA+)
    • 4100mAh battery providing talk-time of 14 hours and video playback time of 8 hours
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Lenovo S5000 Tablet

    Lenovo-IdeaTab-S5000

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    • 5MP primary camera with auto focus rear camera and 1.6MP HD front facing camera
    • 7-inch HD capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution
    • Android v4.2 operating system upgradable to Android v4.4 with 1.2GHz MediaTek 8389 quad core processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM and 16GB internal memory
    • 3450 mAh Li-Ion Polymer with upto 8+ hours of non-stop WiFi web browsing and upto 6+ hours of HD video
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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  • Tips and Tricks to Make Your Smartphone Theft-Proof

    Tips and Tricks to Make Your Smartphone Theft-Proof

    Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. They save us the hassle of carrying around cards and other vital data as it has become an all-in-one device that contains and protects all our important information.

    Smartphone theft has become a usual affair and we hear of it every now and then. But have you ever considered the thought that you might become a victim or misplace your precious device one day? Luckily for us, several smart apps have released and by installing them, you can easily locate and retrieve your device if misplaced or lost. We strongly recommend you to download one before you find yourself in a similar situation.

    Given listed are some anti-theft apps and steps to install them:

    Save your IMEI Number

    Before anything else, save your IMEI number. The IMEI is the first thing you need once you lose your phone. Note it down anywhere else other than your device.

    Download Find My iPhone

    Find_My_iPhone_APP

    It’s a free application that supports all iOS devices. It helps you locate your lost phone, and remotely lock and swipe your iOS device, if needed. Find My iPhone requires an iCloud account. It’s easy to install and use. Just follow these simple steps:

    • Go to Settings on the home screen
    • Tap iCloud option
    • Click Accounts and then sign in
    • Scroll down and turn on the Find My iPhone slider; it will turn green

    Once you turn it on, you will receive a message notifying that this will turn on GPS on your device.

    • Tap Allow to turn Find My iPhone on

    Get Prey Anti-Theft

    prey

    This is another free app for iOS to track down your device. Along with showing the current location of the lost iPhone, this app also keeps a track of the locations where your device was used. Besides informing you about the location of the thief, the app clicks a picture of the thief, making it easy to recognise. Steps involved in installing this app:

    • Download the Prey Anti-Theft application
    • Create an account within the app; you will get a verification e-mail
    • Open the email and Verify your account
    • Login to your account on Prey’s web interface
    • Download the iPhone app and install it
    • Click Already a Prey User and fill in the required details
    • Configure your device by using setting on the web browser
    • Turn it to MISSING when your device gets lost

    Prey allows you to register three devices on a single account.

    Get Lookout

    Lookout

    Lookout is an all-around anti-theft app for Android devices, which locks your phone and displays a custom message once your phone gets lost. Also it lets you swipe the data if your device falls into the wrong hands. Just like the anti-theft apps for iPhone, this Lookout too clicks a picture of the culprit. Install the app with below mentioned steps:

    • Go to http://lookout.com/ and download Lookout
    • Sign up with all the necessary information and get started
    • Tab Missing Device option
    • Tap Locate to locate your device
    • Tap Scream to sound the alarm on your phone
    • Click Wipe to delete all the data

    Download Cerberus

    cerberus

    Just like Lookout, Cerberus takes the photo of the suspect when someone makes an attempt to unlock your phone.

    • Download Cerberus
    • Sign in and fill all the details like Username, email address and password
    • Configure Cerberus by ticking Wrong unlock code, Alarm stopped, Message dismissed and other options

    With this, you are set. Now, whenever you lose your cellphone, it will make a loud sound even if on silent and will track down the location along with taking a picture of the culprit.

  • #GOSF2014 : The Best Smartphone Deals in One Place

    #GOSF2014 : The Best Smartphone Deals in One Place

    The Great Online Shopping Festival started today! The season for mega sales is always the best time to invest in new gadgets. This particular festival lacks good offers on smartphones, however we rounded up a few that you should definitely have a look at:

    Apple iPhone 5c

    iPhone 5C 31

     

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    • 8MP primary camera with LED flash, auto focus, geo tagging, face detection, 1.2MP front facing camera with HD video recording and backside illumination sensor
    • 4-inch multi-touch retina display with 1136 x 640 pixels resolution
    • iOS 7 operating system with 8GB internal memory
    • Rechargable battery providing talk-time up to 10 hours on 3G network and standby time up to 250 hours
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Micromax Canvas Knight A350 (Black-Gold)

    Micromax Canvas Knight A350 13

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    • 16MP primary camera with full HD video recording, flash, auto focus and 8MP front facing camera
    • 5-inch IPS Capacitive Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and 16.7M color support
    • Android v4.4.2 KitKat operating system with 1.7GHz octa core processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal memory and dual SIM (GSM+GSM)
    • 2350mAH battery providing talk-time of 7 hours and standby time of 175 hours on 2G networks
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Nokia Lumia 625

    Nokia-Lumia-625

     

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    • 5MP primary camera with LED flash, full HD video recording, 4x digital zoom and 0.3MP front facing camera
    • 4.7-inch WVGA Capacitive touchscreen with 480 x 800 pixels resolution and 16M color support
    • Windows 8 (Windows 8.1) with 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core processor, 512MB RAM and 8GB internal memory expandable up to 64GB
    • 2000mAH battery providing talk-time of 23 hours on 2G and 15 hours on 3G networks and standby time of 552 hours on 2G network
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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    Lenovo A526

    Lenovo

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    • 5MP primary camera with fixed focus and 0.3MP front facing camera
    • 4.5-inch FWVGA multi-touch capacitive touchscreen with 854 x 480 pixels resolution
    • Android v4.2 Jelly Bean operating system with 1.3GHz quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (3G+3G) (GSM+GSM)
    • 2000mAH battery providing talk-time of 5 hours on 2G, 3 hours on 3G networks, standby time of 396 hours on 2G and 300 hours on 3G networks
    • 1 year manufacturer warranty for device and 6 months manufacturer warranty for in-box accessories including batteries from the date of purchase

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  • #GOSF2014 : The Best Laptop Deals in One Place

    #GOSF2014 : The Best Laptop Deals in One Place

    The Great Online Shopping Festival started today! The season for mega sales is always the best time to invest in new gadgets. With over 400 participating brands, we help you scour through the deals and highlight the top ones.

    Dell Inspiron 3541

    dell

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    • AMD E1-6010 APU with Radeon(TM) R2 Graphics
    • 4GB RAM DDR3L 1600MHz
    • 500GB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive
    • AMD Integrated Graphics
    • 15.6 inch LED Backlit Display
    • Truelife and HD resolution (1366 x 768)

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    Apple MacBook Air 13-inch 

    macbook air

     

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    • Processor: 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
    • RAM: 4GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
    • HDD: 128GB PCIe-based Solid State Flash Storage
    • Display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display (1440×900 native resolution) with Intel HD Graphics 5000
    • Operating System: Mac OS x Mavericks

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    Asus X550CA-XX545D 15.6-inch Laptop 

    asus laptop

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    • 1.8-GHz Intel Core_i3_3217U Processor
    • 2GB DDR3 RAM
    • 500GB Hard Disk Size
    • 15.6-inch Screen, Intel HD 4000
    • DOS operating system
    • HD Camera

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    Dell Vostro 3546 Laptop with Laptop Bag

    dell

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    • 1.7 GHz Intel Core i3-4005U 4th Gen Processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 500GB Hard Disk
    • 15.6 inch Screen
    • Linux, Ubuntu Operating System
    • Intel HD Graphics 4400

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    Dell Inspiron 3542 Laptop (Silver)

    dell

     

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    • 1.7 GHz Intel Core i3-4005U 4th Gen Processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 500 GB Hard Drive
    • 15.6 inch Screen
    • Windows 8 Operating System
    • Integrated Graphics

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  • How to Pick the Best Flagship Smartphone of 2014

    How to Pick the Best Flagship Smartphone of 2014

    This year, every major smartphone company managed to raise the stake by bringing out stunning devices. Watch iGyaan’s take on which device is worth your money:

     

    SPECS

    SAMSUNG NOTE 4

    Google Nexus 6

    IPHONE 6 PLUS

    LG G3

    OnePlus One

    HTC ONE M8

    Display 5.7 inch QHD 5.96 inch QHD 5.5 inch Full HD 5.5 inch QHD 5.5 inch HD  5.0 inch HD
    Processor  2.7GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 805 Quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 1.4 GHz Dual-core A8 chipset 2.26 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 801 2.5 Quad-core Snapdragon 801  2.3 GHz Quad-core
    RAM 3 GB 3 GB RAM 1 GB 3 GB 3 GB  2 GB
    Storage 32 GB 32/64 GB 16/64/128 GB 16/32GB 16/64 GB  16/32 GB
    Expandable Upto 64 GB 128 GB  128 GB
    Main Camera 16 MP 13 MP 8 MP 13 MP sensor 13 MP  Dual 4 MP
    Front Camera 3.7 MP 2 MP 1.2 MP 2.2MP sensor  2 MP  5 MP
    Battery Removable 3220 mAh Non-removable 3220 mAh Non-removable 2600mAh 3,000mAh Non-removable 3050 mAh  Non-removable 2600mAh
    Operating System Android 4.4.4 Android 5.0 Lollipop iOS 8 Android 4.4.2 Android 4.3 upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat)  Android 4.4.2
    Price Rs.61,500 Rs. 43,999 for 32 GB Rs. 62,500 for 16 GB variant Rs.44,100 Expected Rs. 25,000 for 64 GB Variant  Rs. 38,000
  • Spigen Cases for Nexus 5 Review : Seamless Blend of Protection and Style

    Spigen Cases for Nexus 5 Review : Seamless Blend of Protection and Style

    One cannot deny that Google’s Nexus 5 is one heck of a device and even after all this time, one of the hot favourites in the market. Owing largely to the fact that it comes at a relatively economical price and packs amazing specs. As you all might be aware, the Nexus 5 fares quite poorly in drop tests, hence, protecting your investment should be a no-brainer. So if you’re a Nexus owner, you should consider buying a case. Hence, we’ve reviewed some of the best Spigen cases for the smartphone, to make sure your investment keeps those high-end specs intact.

    Moreover, they offer better value for money compared to what Google and LG have on offer. So without further adieu, here’s a list of some of the best Spigen Nexus 5 cases available in the market.

    ULTRA FIT

    spigen ultra fiit If you’re looking for a form fitting case without adding that extra bulk, and at the same time don’t want to spend a substantial amount of money, then Spigen’s Ultra Fit case might be the perfect solution. It’s the slimmest Spigen case for the Nexus 5 and lightest of them all at only 2 mm thick. Made out of premium polycarbonate plastic, this snap-on case covers the entire back of the Nexus 5, leaving only the display area exposed. It is suitable for scratch protection and lighter impacts. Cutouts are made with absolute precision around the sides of the case to allow easy access to ports and buttons.

    Overall, the Spigen Ultra Fit is as generic as it gets and is available in black, gold and white colour options. Like we already mentioned, it comes at a relatively economical price of Rs. 899 and is easily available on various e-commerce websites. It’s highly recommended for users who like to retain that original naked look, without adding bulk.

    ultrahybridnewULTRA HYBRID

    Spigen HybridSpigen’s Ultra Hybrid case is all about adding that extra persona, style and personality to your Nexus 5. The Ultra Hybrid case also comes with a fairly decent quality screen protector and two back graphic designs that are visible through the Ultra Hybrid’s clear hard polycarbonate rear shell.

    For the most part, the case is made out of soft yet durable TPU material that cushions the handset in the event of a drop or fall. In addition, the rubberised sides significantly bolster the grip on your Nexus 5. The case has also been slightly raised around the edges that protects your Nexus 5’s display from directly touching the surface.

    Meanwhile, even though there are no cutouts made on the sides, accessing the power button and volume rockers isn’t a hassle by any means. Eventually, the case offers style while keeping your device protected and also comes with a screen protector.

    Priced at Rs. 999 and available in four different colour variants, the Spigen Hybrid Ultra is one case that should be on every Nexus 5 owner’s radar.

    slimarmourSLIM ARMOUR

    Spigen Cases for Nexus 5 reviewedThe name says it all; the Spigen Slim Armor case for Google Nexus 5 is a deceivingly slim robust case that sports a double layered design. And it provides this protection without making the device significantly bulky. It’s form fitting though some might argue that it adds some bulk to the overall handset size, largely due to case’s shock absorption and full enclosure.

    There’s also a TPU inner case that absorbs shocks in the event of a fall and along with that, it has a polycarbonate midsection that further bolsters the entire frame. Spigen offers the case in four different paint jobs which include smooth black, infinity white, champagne gold and bright red. The case can also be easily wrapped around the device and allows easy access to ports, including the 3.5 mm jack as the opening is quite wide even for those fatter jacks. Meanwhile, holding it feels quite good in the hands. The Spigen Slim Armour case is slightly more expensive than its peers and is available for Rs. 1,299 via online retailers.

    All in all, it’s a well-built case brimming with style while the quality, sturdiness and feel of the case is just amazing. And at the same time, it’s quite affordable, notably cheaper than official Bumper case offered by Google.

    Certainly, a very good option if you’re planning to invest in a protective case.

    neohybiedSPIGEN NEO HYBRID

    Spigen Neo HybridLast but not the least, we have the Spigen Neo Hybrid. In terms of aesthetics and design, it’s probably the best-looking case out of the lot and turns the Nexus 5 into one badass phone. At the same time, it warps perfectly around your Nexus 5, with precise cutouts for the headphone jack, speaker grills and camera at the back.

    It features a dual-layered protective system, manufactured from a combination of soft matte TPU sleeve and polycarbonate outer bezel. The sleeve does its job of absorbing shocks or drops while providing a superior grip at the same time, while the polycarbonate outer bezel takes most of the impact in the event of a fall. It comes in champagne gold, satin silver, and metal slate colour options; needless to say our review case made the Nexus 5 look like a Batman accessory.

    The Spigen Neo Hybrid looks fantastic, offers adequate protection and allows you to set the phone face down, courtesy of a slightly raised bezel. The case does add some bulk to your device, as a lot of us would want to preserve that naked feel of the phone, but it’s a sacrifice one can easily make. The finish does not even leave any fingerprints, while sweat and moisture from the hand jumps right off.

    Meanwhile, fitting of the case is tailor-made for the Nexus 5 as your device is housed firmly leaving no gaps around the TPU sleeve. While port and button layout are not messy, making volume rockers and power button all the more responsive.

    Perhaps the only turn off with the case would be its width. Though it adds just a millimeter or so, it made a significant impact to the overall feel of the device. Apart from that, it’s a great case which provides adequate protection and significantly enhances the overall look of the phone.

    VERDICT

    Well, it’s hard to pick one out of the lot. All of them have their set of attributes that give them a slight edge over the others. Though it’s our job to pick the best which offers significant protection for your Nexus 5, and our pick would be Spigen’s ‘Neo Hybrid’. It’s a damn good case and not only protects the device, but also retains the original feel of the Nexus 5.  Combined with a tempered glass screen protector, we are pretty confident your Nexus 5 can withstand just about any fall.

  • Xolo Launches the Omega 5.0, We Unbox it!

    Xolo Launches the Omega 5.0, We Unbox it!

    Xolo has launched two new handsets, Omega 5.0 and Omega 5.5. The Omega 5.0 will be available in all leading online and offline stores starting from 10th December followed by Omega 5.5 on 20th December at the price of Rs. 8,999 and Rs. 9,999, respectively.

    P1070418

    Apart from the launch, the company also announced that all HIVE users including Omega will get the Lollipop update. The details of which will be shared in the coming weeks. Xolo also announced a bunch of launch day offers with the smartphones. Omega 5.0 buyers will get 500MB of free data and unlimited music content on Vodafone Music for a period of two months. Omega 5.5 buyers, on the other hand, will get 1GB of free data and unlimited music content on Vodafone Music for a period of two months.

    The Omega 5.0 is a dual-SIM smartphone that runs on Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. Other specifications include a 5-inch HD (720×1280 pixels) IPS display; a 1.4GHz octa-core processor (MediaTek 6592m); 1GB of RAM with 8 GB internal memory expandable up to 32 GB via SDcard.

    P1070428

    On the imaging side, it sports an 8-megapixel Auto-Focus camera with Exmor R sensor and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. And the handset juices up with a 2100mAh battery.

    P1070412

    The Omega 5.5, on the other hand, flaunts a 5.5-inch HD (1280×720 pixels) IPS display, and it too is powered by an Octa-Core processor paired with 1GB of RAM. It includes a 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 8GB internal storage, and a 2,600mAh battery.

    The smartphones are wrapped with the company’s own Hive UI which the company launched in August this year. Hive UI is similar to what Chinese companies Oppo and Xiaomi have done with ColorOS and MIUI respectively The connectivity option includes 3G; GPRS/ EDGE; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; GPS/ A-GPS; Micro-USB; Bluetooth 4.0.

    Here’s a spec comparison between the Xolo Omega 5.0 and Xiaomi Redmi Note:

    Specs

    Xolo Omega 5.0

    Xiaomi Redmi Note

    Display  720 x 1280 pixels, 5 inches  720 x 1280 pixels, 5.5 inches
     Processor  MediaTek 6592m, octa-core  1.4GHz  Mediatek MT6592, Octa-core 1.4/1.7 GHz Cortex-A7
     RAM  1 GB  1/2 GB RAM
     Storage   8 GB, expandable up to 32 GB  8 GB, expandable up to 32 GB
     Camera  8 MP rear, 2 MP Front  13 MP rear, 5 MP Front
     Battery  2100mAh  3200mAh
    Operating System  Android 4.4 (KitKat)  Android 4.2 (JellyBean)

  • Giveaway : 50 India-Specific OnePlus One Invites

    Giveaway : 50 India-Specific OnePlus One Invites

    The ‘Flagship Killer’ finally arrived in India on 2nd December. Now everyone seems to be asking for invites to this mammoth spec’d phone. Luckily for them, we are giving away 50 India invites to purchase the OnePlus One Smartphone.

    Simply enter the sweepstakes below and you stand a chance to win. Follow the Instructions carefully and read the terms and conditions on the form as well as here. This Giveaway is open only for the residents of India.

    Update: The winners have been announced!  Fifteen winners are listed below the rest 35 can be found in the contest box further below . Congratulations! We’ll be getting in touch with you shortly.

    Anirban Bluish Dey
    Daisy Gupta
    Tushar Kanojia
    Omkar Aradwad
    Akshay Prabhu
    Aryan Pathak
    Amey Kulkarni
    Sahil Shukla
    Prateek Singhal
    muthu krishna
    Siddhartha Nagpal
    Paawan Chawla
    Rupesh Tayde
    Abhas Darnale
    Divyakant Thaledi


    Also, don’t forget to check out our exclusive interview with OnePlus India. We try and get all the important questions answered.

    Watch it here:

  • Top 4 Ways to Make Sure You Score a OnePlus One Invite in India

    Top 4 Ways to Make Sure You Score a OnePlus One Invite in India

    Well, the ‘Flagship Killer’ has landed in India. The 2nd December event created much excitement among the smartphone lovers. However, the fact that you need to get your hands on an invite to get the OnePlus One has left many confused about how to get the same.

    Although, Amazon and OnePlus have integrated their account services to make it simple for those with invites to purchase their smartphones. There is still some confusion about the invite system. Well, the company has been known for its mismanaged marketing strategy, however, this time around it seems everything is going smooth.

    If you are still wondering how to get hold of an invite, there are quite a few ways to get it. Read on for more:

    1. Amazon Contests

    amazon

    Amazon and OnePlus are currently running a couple of contests to help you grab the One. Amazon users can earn invites by spotting and clicking on the ‘One in a 1000’ contest across the internet, including select social media websites. A total of 1,000 users that spot and click these contest ads will win an invite. Another method to win one of the 4,000 invites runs involves simply connecting your Facebook account to Amazon India.

    2. OnePlus Accounts

    facebook

    The company will be running marketing or engagement events on its social media, same as it did in other countries, through which it will give out invites. So make sure you like or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

    3. Get a Friend To Buy One

    Same as in other countries, anyone who has managed to get a OnePlus One smartphone will also receive an invite that can be shared with friends, family or anyone. These invites are valid typically up to 3 and 6 weeks of purchase.

    4. OnePlus Forum

    forum

    The website forum is the most famous and efficient way to get an invite. Users who join the OnePlus One forum can either win an invite via an engagement event or contest, or through other forum members distributing the invites. However, there is no way to check the authenticity of the forum members giving out the invites.

    Need to know more about the OnePlus One before you start hunting for invites? Watch our full review here:

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note: Unboxing and Hands On

    Xiaomi Redmi Note: Unboxing and Hands On

    In the house, we have the new Redmi Note from Xiaomi. The device was launched just a few days back and will be available in two variants, one is a 3G variant, while the other one is the 4G LTE compatible variant. The one with us is a 3G variant. The phone comes in the recycled MI style brown box. The first thing that you see once you unbox is the Redmi Note, which has a nice and glossy back. Delving deeper in the box, we see the microUSB to USB charging cable along with a fairly nice quality wall charger. Also included in the box is a 3.8 volt, 3100mAH battery along with a manual, service booklet and a bunch of other documentation.

    Getting back to the phone, on the front we have a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720p. A 5MP wide angle camera capable of 1080p video recording sits on the top of the device. Right below the display, we have three red coloured touch capacitive buttons. The right side houses the power button along with the volume rockers. On the top lies the 3.5 mm headphone jack along with a secondary microphone for voice cancellation. There’s nothing on the left, while at the bottom lies the USB port along with the main microphone.

    P1070103

    Coming on to the back, we have a 13MP camera bundled with a LED flash. The back has a nice glossy finish with a MI logo at the bottom along with the speaker grill right below the logo. Removing the back panel reveals the two SIM slots and an SD card slot.

    Talking about the specs of the Redmi Note, the chipset on the device is a MediaTek octa-core MTK 6592 processor clocked at 1.7GHz bundled with 2 GB RAM. It offers 8 GB in-built storage expandable up to 32 GB.  The device is powered by a pretty solid 3200 mAh battery. On the camera front, you get a 13MP primary camera along with a wide angle 5 MP front-facing selfie shooter.

    Key Specs

    Specifications

    Xiaomi Redmi Note (3G)

    Display 720×1280 pixels, 5.5 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
    Processor 1.7 GHz Octa-core
    Storage 8 GB + microSD upto 32 GB
    RAM 2 GB
    Camera 13 MP, 4128×3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
    5 MP front camera
    Battery Li-Po 3100mAh
    Operating System Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean)

    Powering on the device, the first thing you see for setting up the device is a keyboard input method. Once through with the setup process, you get to see the same MIUI we saw in the MI3. The exact version is the MIUI 29.0, while the Android version is 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It will be updated soon to the KitKat. Coming back to the UI, the interface seems quite snappy and swift. Scrolling is really fast and responsive, there are a lot of quick toggle notifications. Multitasking should be fairly good as we always have a little over 1 GB RAM free.

    P1070089

    The screen has a nice feel to it, so you would want to avoid putting a screen protector to retain that feel.  We also tried playing a few videos and it runs videos pretty well, though the audio output is not as good we’ve seen with devices in the same price range.

    Talking about aesthetics, the device feels really good in the hand, though slightly on the heavier side. The device has a nice glossy finish all round, so it does attract a lot of fingerprints.

    Overall, the device seems fairly decent and comes at a very economical price point and will definitely make the holiday list of the phones. The build quality, look and feel seem quite good given the price of the device. You will able to get your hands on the device very soon as the first flash sale is scheduled for 2nd of December. So that’s about it for now, keep checking back for an in-depth review of the new Xiaomi Redmi Note.

  • Gionee Elife S5.1 Unboxing and Hands On

    Gionee Elife S5.1 Unboxing and Hands On

    Gionee’s latest addition to the smartphone lineup Elife S5.1 has arrived in our hands. The second slimmest smartphone just came out of test lab and from the initial impressions, it does look more refined and well built than its previous iteration.

    Gionee has filled the box to the brim with free goodies.
    Gionee has filled the box to the brim with free goodies.

    Out of the box, the first thing you see is the flip case, within which rests the white and gold coloured Elife S5.1. The edges are rounded that make it looks much better and feel excellent in the hand. Along with the standard accessories which include the charger, USB cable and earphones, you get two sets of front and rear protectors. You also get a plastic cover in case you don’t want the flip cover. In addition, there’s an OTG cable, a detailed service list, a warranty card and a SIM removal tool.

    At 5.15 mm this device brings a whole new meaning to slim and sexy.
    At 5.15 mm, this device brings a whole new meaning to slim and sexy.

    Despite being so slim, it houses a 2050mAh battery which is quite impressive. It has a nice metallic strip running along the sides, which does not come across as sharp as the one we saw with its predecessors and provides an efficient grip. Measuring at just a mere 5.15-inch, it’s slimmer than the latest iPhone and guess what – it doesn’t bend! Not yet anyway.

    The Gionee Elife S5.1 features a 4.8-inch Super Amoled HD display with a 1280x720p resolution and has a pixel density of 306ppi. Under the hood, it has a 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek chipset bundled with 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of non-expandable built-in storage capacity.

    The phone runs on Gionee's own Amigo UI.
    The S5.1 runs on Gionee’s own Amigo 2.0 UI.

    The camera unit on the phone features an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera with 88 degrees wide angle lens (for those wide selfies). Connectivity features include Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB 2.0, Wi-Fi, GPS and OTG connectivity. In addition, it has support for LTE connectivity. We get Android 4.4.2 KitKat out of the box with Amigo 2.0 UI onboard, and a hopeful update to Lollipop Android 5.0.

    The moment you turn on the device, you see the latest version of the Amigo UI. Multitasking with Amigo 2.0 is now different as compared to the previous version of the UI. Now instead of the home button, you have to hold down the Menu button, which brings up the same card style interface.

    Gionee S5.1 48

    The device seems really nice; it’s exceptionally slim, making one wonder whether it bends or not. It comes loaded with a bunch of handy accessories and will be announced soon and hopefully, at the right price. We are expecting the Gionee Elife S5.1 to be priced under Rs. 18,000, which seems promising for the handset. It is expected to be available in a variety of colours including white/gold, black, blue and pink.

    Tune in for the unboxing and hands-on video that will be up shortly.

    Key Specs:

    Processor Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A7
    Display 720×1280 pixels, 4.8-inch (~306ppi pixel density) AMOLED Capacitive Screen
    RAM 1 GB
    Battery capacity (mAh) 2050, non-removable
    Storage 16 GB in-built non expandable
    Camera 8 MP, 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
    Operating System Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat)

  • The Chronicles of The One : OnePlus One’s Journey To India

    The Chronicles of The One : OnePlus One’s Journey To India

    OnePlus One, or as it is called the ‘Flagship Killer’, has made numerous followers with its impressive design and built quality at a low-end price. Now that the legendary handset is on its way to India, we are rewinding a year to look at how the company was formed and how they are able to reach where they are now.

    December 2013

    OnePlus_One_Never_Settle_01

    OnePlus was founded on 17th December 2013, in China by Pete Lau, previous Vice President at OPPO, with its headquarter in Shenzhen. The company’s motto is to ‘bringing the best possible technology to users around the world.’ Created around the mantra Never Settle, OnePlus aims to create beautifully designed devices with premium build quality.

    January 2014

    1398337195_605186_1398337307_noticia_normal

    On 13th January, 2014, Pete introduced OnePlus in a launch event in Beijing as well as its partnership with CyanogenMod. The company said that it would be responsible for the development and design of the hardware, while CyanogenMod would be responsible for the operating system.

    April 2014

    On 23th April, 2014, Pete announced that the first OnePlus smartphone, the OnePlus One, which will have Qualcomm SnapdragonTM 801 MSM8974AC processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 3100mAh battery, 5.5-inch, 1080p (401ppi) display, and a 13MP Sony Exmor IMX 214 sensor camera. The phone retails for $299 for 16 GB version and $349 for 64 GB version in the US.

    OnePlus One iGyaan 11

    On 25th April 2014, OnePlus began its ‘Smash the Past’ campaign. The promotion asked selected participants to make a video while destroying their phones if they wish to purchase the OnePlus One for $1 (US). However, the promotion was misinterpreted and many unselected users destroyed their phones before the promotion start date.

    The campaign was highly criticised for environmental waste and safety concerns as the batteries and phone components could have posed a potential threat to those destroying their phones. The company asked the winners to donate their old phones. There were 140,000 entrants in the contest, while just 100 got the most desired phone.

    July 2014

    On 22nd July, OnePlus announced the release of Bamboo Back Cover edition of the OnePlus One and attracted the attention of Chinese and global users alike.

    1p1bamboo

    August 2014

    In a contest at the end of August 2014, 10,000 invites were given out, and furthermore it was announced that the invitation system itself would end in October. The company took up #hashtags to choose the lucky winners by launching the contest called #summershot. The interested people had to post a picture that they took in summer and share it on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtags #summershots and #oneplus.

    On 13th August, 2014, OnePlus asked its female fans to post a photo of themselves along with OnePlus logo to the company’s forums and the fan with the most votes would receive an invite to purchase a OnePlus One. Hours after the announcement, the campaign was stopped stating that a few ‘rogue’ employees created it.

    open_graph

    September 2014

    On 18th September, the company announced that it is going to kill off the invite system and stop limiting who gets its unique smartphone. The pre-order page should have been up in September, but unforeseen problems delayed its launch. OnePlus officially announced that starting in late October for a limited time, anyone who wants a OnePlus One can order the phone online. If OnePlus has your phone in stock, it will ship immediately, but if the company’s sold out, you’ll be added to the pre-order list. However, that means if a lot of people order the phone, pre-orders may get pushed back for a long time.

    October 2014

    The company announced that OnePlus One will soon be launched in India. There was no solid date announced, however, reports hinted the September release. After sometimes, the company confirmed that it will release India-specific invites to prospective ‘One’ consumers online.

    November 2014

    On 4th November, Co-Founder Carl Pei told Forbes that OnePlus has now sold 500,000 smartphones and is aiming for one million by 2015. In an interaction with The Indian Express, the company claimed that the invite system will prevent shortage of devices for potential customers in India. The invite process is also fair and transparent then the flash sale model. The 64 GB variant is expected to come for less than Rs. 25,000 ($407 approx), which was a bit above the expected price range. However, it still is a great offering if its specs are taken into account.

    OnePlus_India

    The company’s newly appointed General Manager for OnePlus India, Vikas Agarwal, posted in a forum on 22nd November, “Firstly, we are thrilled to confirm that the One will be available for our Indian users in December. We can’t wait to bring your favourite phone to your hands. As all the details have now been perfected and last-mile hurdles have been cleared, the exact launch date will soon be announced in the coming days on our forums.”

    On 26th November, i.e. today, the company rolled out the invites for the event where it is expected to launch OnePlus One in India. In a teaser image posted on amazon.in, the e-commerce giant said that the smartphone, popularly known as a ‘Flagship Killer’, is expected to be available in the coming days. Amazon India, who has got the exclusive rights to sell the OnePlus One, said on an official teaser, “The Smartphone you have been waiting for, is coming soon,” accompanied by an image of the One and hashtag ‘#TheOneThing’.

    Well, we don’t have to wait for long to find out how we can get our hands on the ‘Flagship Killer’.

    Our Review of the OnePlus One!

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