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Review : Micromax Canvas Nitro A310
Micromax has been reworking strategies for quite some time, and after their launch of the Canvas Gold, the company has kept it low key. Meanwhile, Motorola with their Moto G and Moto E along with Xiaomi with their Mi3 and Redmi 1s have really made a dent in the market.

The Micromax Canvas Nitro A310 is the company’s answer to all that, but does it really fulfil that goal? Lets find out!

Overview

The Canvas Nitro A310 is well built phone with good specs, in the right price bracket. However with the competition looming it may not match up in terms of hardware capabilities. The strategy to launch it with online partner Snapdeal is also similar to what we have seen in the past, Motos and the MIs and their launch with Flipkart.

Hardware

The Micromax Canvas Nitro A310 comes with a Mediatek Mt6592 Octa Core Chipset clocked at 1.7 GHz on all eight cores. The phone also has 2 GB of RAM and a Mali 450 MP2 GPU. The Nitro runs on a 2500mAh battery and has 8 GB of inbuilt storage, out of which roughly 5.2 GB is available to the user.

The front is laden with a vivid 5 inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 px, for optics on the rear the phone gets a 13 MP camera with auto focus and 1080p video capture, the front remains a fixed focus with a 5 MP resolution. Cameras are capable of HDR and low light photography, video has electronic stabilisation, and you can initiate the camera with a gesture “V” sign to click pictures from a far.

Unboxing Video

Build Quality and Design

Unlike its predecessors, the Canvas Nitro A310 is built on a plastic chassis, giving it a much lighter and less sturdy feel compared to the likes of the Canvas Gold. However the phone is still well built and feels like it can take a fall or two (not that we’d recommend it). The front has a tiny lip that nicely protects the front LCD of the phone, but on from a flat table placement or a flat drop. There is no mention of Gorilla Glass, although some generic “strengthened” glass has been used.

The back panel has a leather look (read: exactly like the Note 3) however it has a much better defined design, overall appeal and touch. The back panel is also very sturdy and not flimsy at all, which one would expect. We are not too sure about this blue colour, as it may not appeal to every one, it’s how one would say “different”.

Camera

Micromax focused a lot with the camera on the new Micromax Canvas Nitro A310, they have added several new camera features as standard. Things mostly which can be had with an app, but its is always much better to have features integrated with the OS and UI. An inbuilt camera specific widget lets you take shots by focusing on what you want to do, selecting from 5 different modes.

Front Back ; lets you take one picture from the front facing camera and one from the rear facing camera and combine it as a single image.

Stable ; just like the name says, waits till your hands are stable before taking a picture.

Selfie ; A selfie mode lets you click better selfies, however this works best with “V shot gesture” mode.

Refocus; lets you add blur to all areas except the area you select, more like a software version of HTC’s dual camera setup.

Coming to the hardware, the camera is based on a BSI Sony sensor with an f2.2 aperture and has excellent focus capabilities. Images captured indoors, as well as outdoors are accurate in colour reproduction and contrast. HDR was particularly good, and can really reproduce required details in the images.

With HDR

Without HDR

You get a good deal of details with the camera, especially up close to your subject.

Performance and Gaming

The Micromax Canvas Nitro handles day to day usage without any problem, and for once this phone does not heat up at all, mostly pertaining to the fact that the device is made entirely out of plastic. At any pint of time the total amount of free RAM is approximately 600+ MB, leaving you to wonder where the phone is utilising in excess of 1.3 GB of RAM. The included clean up app does open up about 120-140 MB of RAM, but that is still less considering that the device is running on KitKat.

Benchmarks and Gaming Video

We did see some hiccups in Gaming while gunning for high end games, and we also noticed quite a lot of frame loss, we plan to revisit gaming separately post the launch of the handset. Audio quality is excellent, however you might end up with your hand on the speaker ever so often, muffling up the sound.

Phone, Networks and Battery

Signal quality is excellent indoors as well as outdoors, audio is good on a call whether incoming or out going. As far as networks are concerned the plastic body definitely improves any WiFi connectivity issues faced by the previous generation of Canvas phones.

Battery life if good for one day’s use with the included 2500 mAh battery, which is removable and replaceable by the user. You will get an average talk time of 5-6 hours with both SIM cards placed in the phone.

If you are a light user you can easily run into the second day, however a charge a day would be recommended to keep you in a healthy battery position.

Multimedia And Android

The display is really good on the Micromax Canvas Nitro A310, it has excellent levels of black which are deep and blend in with the accurate blacks of the bezel. Video playback was good after the initial hiccups we faced (old version of Youtube App) and viewing angles are fantastic. The phone’s display works well indoors and outdoors and you will totally appreciate media consumption on the display, despite the fact that it is a 720p screen.

The OS is mostly stock Android 4.4.2, with minor customisations and mostly preloaded applications by the company, the UI also looks clean and is responsive. The set of apps including Quick Look (aka Blinkfeed for non HTC devices) and the new lock screen are excellent and work really well in providing notifications and quick update of news. Both of these can easily be turned off or replaced using custom launchers and lock screen replacements from the Play Store.

Screenshots

Conclusion

While most will argue the hardware powers of the Xiaomi Mi3, the Micromax Canvas Nitro is aimed to be more for those who want a less hectic approach to buying a phone. With an octa-core chipset and 2 GB of RAM, bundled with a 13 MP camera and expandable storage, the Micromax Canvas Nitro does have it positives. The biggest being the fact that the phone will be available to those who want to buy it, easily and how.

The Micromax Canvas Nitro is a step in the right direction for Indian manufacturers, especially considering they are taking huge flack from companies like Xiaomi and Motorola who are basically now playing in their space.

[tw-column width=”one-half”]
GOOD THINGS
- Good Build
- Good Specs
- Great Pricing
- Excellent 720p Display
- Good Battery Life
[/tw-column]
[tw-column width=”one-half” position=”last”]
BAD THINGS
- Plastic Body
- Gaming Shabby
  [/tw-column]
September 8, 2014

Micromax Launches Canvas Nitro A310, We Unbox it!

Recently, the Indian smartphone market has taken a toll with the arrival of the Chinese brand Xiaomi and well, the resurgence of Motorola. These companies have taken over the Indian budget-smartphone segment by giving us amazing specifications at aggressive prices.

Micromax, the homegrown smartphone maker, is trying to get back on the horse and get a hold of the lost ground it once ruled. Today, Micromax launched a new Canvas flagship model called the Nitro A310 which will be exclusively available on Snapdeal.

The device runs on 1.7 Ghz octa core MediaTek chipset with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory which is expandable upto 64GB. The Canvas Nitro A310 is powered by 2500mAh battery.

They’ve provided a 13MP Sony camera with f/2.2 aperture. The selfie camera has a 22mm wide angle lens with a f/2.4 aperture and ov5648 bsi sensor. On the home screen Micromax has provided 5 quick widgets – Photo, Video, Front, Back, and Stable shot. Another interesting feature they’ve provided are the in-built gestures which can be used to customise the screen and to activate apps (as demonstrated in the video). The device comes with Oleophobic coating, an anti-fingerprint layer and will come in two colour variants – white and blue. The back has a leather finish, inspired by Napa Leather.

The Micromax Canvas Nitro A310 is available on Snapdeal for Rs. 12,990. After losing a large number of prospective buyers to the Mi3 and Moto G, now Micromax attempts to fight back.

Specs	Micromax Canvas Nitro A310
Battery capacity (mAh)	2500, Removable
Display	5 inch HD IPS Screen 1280X720px
Processor	MediaTek 1.7GHz octacore
RAM	2GB
Internal storage	8GB
Rear camera	13 megapixel
Flash	Yes
Front camera	5 MP
Operating System	Android 4.4

September 8, 2014

Xiaomi Redmi 1S Review : Can’t Beat This
The Xiaomi Redmi 1S went on Sale for a price of Rs 5999, with a limited 40,000 phones for sale and the phone got the usual response. But is the phone worth the mega hype that it has created? Lets find out!

Overview

The Redmi 1S just like the Xiaomi phones in the past has built a burning desire in everyones hearts to own the phone, it comes with an impressive price tag and a good spec sheet. The performance on the phone is excellent and everything just seems to be too good to be true. The Redmi 1S will truly change the market perception for starting – lower end smartphones.

Hardware

[pullquote_left]Loaded with Hardware![/pullquote_left]

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset the Redmi 1S has a Quad Core 1.6 GHz CPU the Adreno 305 GPU, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of inbuilt storage. The front of the Redmi 1S has a 4.7 inch 1280 x 720 p display a total of 312 ppi it’s protected by Asahi Dragontrail glass and is an IPS panel. Cameras comprise of an 8 MP snapper with a wide f2.2 aperture and a 1.6 MP front camera. The Main camera is capable of a 1920 x 1080p Full HD video capture.

The phone runs on a 2050 mAh battery pack, which is replaceable, has dual SIM card slots, one of which is a 3G (GSM-WCDMA) and one is 2G (GSM). The Redmi 1S also has a memory card slot to add a memory card upto 64GB.

Build quality and Design

The Redmi 1S is a pretty good looking phone, it’s not Moto G, but then it’s almost half the price. The replaceable back panels give you the ability to give the phone a personal look and feel. The phone is essentially made out of plastic, but in no way does it feel cheap or poorly built. The front has a Asahi Dragontrail glass, which many argue that it is equally good when compared to Gorilla Glass variants.

[pullquote_right]Buttons are not Backlit![/pullquote_right]

The buttons are nice and tactile, for volume and power. The touch buttons are responsive and easily reached, they however are not backlit, which is rather disappointing, and difficult in low light situations and at night. The phone has a good fit and feel in the hand, the edges are soft and the outsides curve to match the shape of your hand really well.

Performance and Gaming

We were surprised to see the performance from this sub Rs. 6000 handset. The UI is fast and responsive and you really cannot complain about the performance of this handset. Usually budget phones end up being turnoffs, however the Moto E changed that in the past and the Xiaomi Redmi 1S tops that by almost double.

With an average of 330 MB of Free RAM available at all times, the Redmi 1S also has a built in app kill switch that frees up the RAM for usage. Overall the phone is capable of delivering more than you can expect from a phone in this budget. Our Benchmark and Gaming video shows you exactly that below.

The Gaming is pretty good too, even though really graphic intensive games will not work on full graphics, the phone is able to handle gaming pretty decently and without duress. You will get good viewing angles, good touch response, and great gaming feedback. Audio from the speakers is a bit low but acceptable.

Camera

As far as the Camera is concerned, you will be surprised to see what this phone can achieve. You get the exact same UI from the Mi3 for the Camera app and an excellent 8 MP sensor that does Full HD video, where most struggle to even do video in the first place at this price. Composition of the shot is quick and autofocus is snappy, colours are a bit dull – and contrast is pretty acceptable. We like additional options like filters, HDR and delayed shots all of which works well and intuitively. You also get quick face detection and a zero lag shutter; mighty impressive.

Great Macro

Good Focus

Low Light Sample

Twilight Sample

Dark Sample

Android and MIUI

[pullquote_left]MIUI is fantastic![/pullquote_left]

Even though you get an older version of Android, I don’t see people complaining anytime soon. The phone is really fast and responsive and thanks to the awesome MIUI overlay, there are additional functions and shortcuts that one can really learn to appreciate.

LockScreen

Dialer

Messaging

Browser

Notification Panel

Toggles

FM RADIO

Software Info

Lite Mode

Lite Mode Quick Dialer

Lite Mode Apps List

The version of MIUI is also fairly old, however, there is an imminent update promised for the Redmi 1S to MIUI v6 by the end of the year. You get Google Now style weather updates and notifications, iOS style app layout and folders, and lots of skinning options. All of this with very little load on the RAM and the CPU department, ensuring smooth sailing throughout.

Even though competition is currently offering Android KitKat and more soon, Redmi 1S has the capabilities of holding its own, mostly thanks to the enabled hardware. The future update is expected to free up some RAM on the phone making performance much better, giving you an average of 420 plus MB of free RAM vs the current average of 320-340.

The Phone also has a lite-mode which was initially intended for senior citizens, but however in the indian edition is been designed to give an easier usage experience to the first time user.

Phone and Battery

Phone networks ar good, but not great. We feel that there is a low network reception indoors with the Redmi 1S when compared to other devices. Outdoors however is great and we have no complaints with audio quality on the incoming or outgoing while on a call.

Battery life is not the best, on an average the phone will run out before end of day, and if you are a heavy user, expect to carry a charger/ powerbank at all times. Xiaomi is also planning to sell additional spare batteries and external battery chargers.

With the existing battery expect 5-6 hours of real talk time, or a mix of internet usage and apps with 3-4 hours of talk time.

Conclusion

While the Redmi 1S is going to have the same issues like the Mi3, i.e. the lack of available units to sell, service centre issues, Flipkart selling woes, and what not. The Redmi 1S still makes for one hell of a device for one hell of a price, that you can’t beat right now. The hardware is equivalent to devices almost twice the price and performance even better.

[pullquote_right]You simply can’t beat this Phone![/pullquote_right]

The phone is good looking, well built and supported with respect to the OS and UI, with the added advantage of cheap accessories and quick updates one really can’t complain. For the price you will not find a better device, even if you add another 50$.

REVIEW VIDEO

[tw-column width=”one-half”]

GOOD THINGS
- Super Cheap
- Excellent Hardware
- Flexible Software
- Great Optics/Camera
- Fast and Intuitive
- High Resolution Display
- Large Display
[/tw-column]

[tw-column width=”one-half” position=”last”]

BAD THINGS
- Lack of Units to Sell
- Still on Android 4.3
- Horrible Sale Method
[/tw-column]
September 4, 2014
Buy a Redmi 1S Today Using These Tips to Better Your Chances

After the overwhelming success of the Mi3, Xiaomi is now ready to unleash the Xiaomi Redmi 1S in the Indian market. Today, the smartphone, priced at Rs. 5,999, will go on sale at 2pm. Lack of stock, unreliability of Flipkart and the overall disappointing sales of the Xiaomi Mi3 have taught us that we need to be armed and prepared to handle these strategic flash sales better.

Here are our tips and tricks to make sure you get your hands on a Xiaomi Redmi 1S today:

1. Pre Register

Possibly the most obvious tip, you need to have already pre registered to buy the phone. Pre registrations are now closed, so hopefully, you’ve checked this box. Otherwise, remember to set a reminder to be better prepared for next Tuesday.

2. Know the Time

The Xiaomi Redmi 1S will go on sale at precisely 2:00 pm IST on 2nd September, so try and reach the buying page at least an hour earlier, even though it seems like an overkill.

3. Multiple Device logins

Try being online from multiple devices, preferably on different internet connections; in order to have different I.P. addresses accessing the site, this will improve your chances and bring you one step closer to buying a Xiaomi Redmi 1S.

4. Flipkart App

The Flipkart app uses a separate server and has a higher chance of “not failing” at the time of sale. If you want to buy a Xiaomi Redmi, the app might prove to be easier, “might” being the key word.

5. Super Refresh Times 40,000

When the sale starts, most people are struggling to open the webpage, ctrl+R / f5 (refresh)/ Cmd+R (mac), is your best friend. Hit it till you get a page to buy a Xiaomi Redmi 1S. Other people have reported opening several tabs being helpful.

6. Cart it!

If you do get a page loaded, add that phone to the cart like there is no tomorrow, once you have the handset in your cart, your chances have just gone up from 1 in a million to 50:50 in order to buy a Xiaomi Redmi 1S.

7. Patience

Once you have it in your cart, attempt payment by refreshing several times, in most cases you won’t be able to make payments due to overloads on the server so keep trying. Here the app helps too.

Also, if the website fails completely, there is a very high chance that the phone is in your cart when Flipkart comes back online, that’s the perfect moment for you to buy a Xiaomi Redmi 1S.

Once you do get through to the payment section and make your payments in whatever the mode you select, pat yourself on the back sir, you my friend are a lucky owner of the coveted Xiaomi Redmi 1S!

Now, check out our unboxing of the Xiaomi Redmi 1S below.

September 2, 2014
These Are The Best Upcoming Smartphones of Q4 2014

The year 2014 has been action packed for the tech world, especially the smartphones market. We saw big-ticket brands like Samsung, LG and HTC bringing out their flagships. Then there were the showstoppers like the Xiaomi Mi3, OnePlus One who took on those flagships head-on and created a lot of waves amongst budget shoppers by giving them flagship smartphone performance in an affordable price.

Now there are only four months left in this year, and it still has a lot of action left in it, especially in the month of September. So we decided to give you a handy checklist that you can use to keep track of the arrival of most awaited phones. Bookmark this page and we’ll keep updating it as we get to know the dates of some of the devices.

Apple:

1. iPhone 6

Expected Date: September 9

The Big daddy of smartphones will see its 6th edition releasing this year, and Apple is going for something big. The iPhone 6 will come with a bigger 4.7 inch display which was the need of the hour as a 4 inch screen was just not cutting it anymore. The phone has a redesigned charger which will help to charge the device faster, and it also has a bigger battery, thanks to the size increase. It is also expected to get a faster processor from Apple and a faster 4g radio.

2. iPhone 6L

Expected Date: December

This is the first of its kind from Apple. The iPhone 6L will come with a huge 5.5 inch screen. This will be loved by multimedia enthusiasts and Apple fans who wanted pocket size device that gives an exception entertainment experience. Its release date is not known yet as Apple has been facing some production issues with the phone.

The iPhones are supposedly going to get a tough Sapphire glass; we just need to wait till September 9 to know which phones will feature the unbreakable screen. The entry level devices will have internal storage of 32 GB, which is welcome.

Samsung:

1. Galaxy Note 4

Expected Date: September 3rd

The Note 4 has been the Samsung phone that people have been waiting for this year. This phone will take a departure from plastic materials and will showcase new design features. This will be the first globally released phone with QHD display. Samsung had brought the QHD screen on the S5 LTE but with this, Samsung is ready to take on its compatriot LG. The phone will release in a pre-IFA event in Germany. Lots to look forward in this one.

Motorola:

1. Moto X+1

Expected date: September 4th

Motorola’s comeback has been exceptional. Not only did it reinvent itself it did it in style, and the Moto X was one of the most innovative devices from the brand. However, its now time for the next generation of the device to come into the world. According to the leaks, this new phone is expected to get a 5.2 inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolutions. It will run on Android 4.4.3 and powered by a Snapdragon 800 CPU with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. The camera is expected to be 12MP shooter, and there might be a built-in pedometer.

2. Moto G2

Expected Date: September 4th

The Moto G was one remarkable phone when it released last year. The Moto G2 is expected to take that legacy forward. The G2 is expected to get a 5 inch IPS LCD display with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It will still come with 1 GB RAM and 8 and 16 GB variants. This time though, some leaks speculate the inclusion of an expandable memory slot, which will only help increase its fan base.

3. Nexus 6

Expected Date: October

Features: Google has chosen Motorola for this year’s Nexus Smartphone, and it seems like Motorola is in no mood to disappoint us. The Nexus 6 aka Nexus X is expected to get a stunning 5.2 inch QHD(2560x1440p) display. It will run on the Snapdragon 805 and will have 3 GB of RAM. The phone is expected to come in 32 and 64 GB variants.

Xiaomi:

1. Mi 4

Expected Date: Post October

Xiaomi’s Flagship Killer, the Mi 3 has seen an unconventional success in an overcrowded market. The feature-laden phones flew off the shelves as soon as they were launched. Now the next generation of the phone is out, and it will try to outdo the last one. The Mi 4 comes with a 2.5 GHz, Snapdragon 801 processor with 3GB RAM. This is one selfie friendly phone as it comes with an 8 MP front shooter.

LG:

1. LG G3 Stylus

Expected Date: October

LG tries to take on Samsung with this one. The LG G3 caused a lot of furor because of its superior build and a brilliant 2K display. Now its sibling, the G3 Stylus will try to keep the limelight brought on by the G3. The device, unfortunately, loses the USP of the product, the 2K display. The G3 stylus comes with a 5.5 inch display. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz processor and comes with 1GB RAM. This phone will of course have a cheaper price tag than the G3, but it will be interesting to see how folks react to it.

September 1, 2014

iGyaan Deals of the Day

We’re never the ones to turn down a good deal. Why consider buying a gadget at full price when we can find the same at a great bargain online.

Well, iGyaan is here to keep you updated, so be sure to bookmark this page. We’ll be posting the frequent updates about the best deals from our favourite online websites.

Deal no. 1: Nexus 5 (16 GB)

You can’t miss this one, the Google Nexus 5 ( 16 GB ) is available at a discount of upto 12%.

Quick Specs

Display

1920 x 1080 pixels, 4.95 inches

Processor

Quad-core 2.3 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800

Camera

8 MP, 1.3 MP secondary camera

Operating system

Android OS, v4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to v4.4.4 (KitKat), planned upgrade to v5.0 (Lollipop)

Deal no.2: Xbox One

Amazing combination deals now available on the Xbox One console, accessories and games. A flat discount of Rs.5,000 on the console along with a flat discount of Rs. 1,750 on the widely popular racing simulator Forza Horizon 2. Additionally, you can avail a few combo deals for the ongoing festive season.

Deal no. 3 : Moto E

There is a flat 10% off on Motorola Moto E. If you were looking for a budget smartphone with stock Android experience, Moto E is best you can buy. Considering Motorola has promised Android 5.0 Lollipop update soon for the same handset, this is good deal.

Quick Specs
Display	540 x 960 pixels, 4.3 inches
Processor	Dual-core 1.2 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 200
Camera	5 MP, no secondary camera
Operating system	Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat) upgradable to v4.4.4 (KitKat)

Deal no. 4 : Asus Zenfone 4

Asus Zenfone 4 is a value-for money gadget which has been one of the best selling phones by Asus. The original retail price of the handset is around Rs. 6000, however, Flipkart is offering the device for Rs. 5,499.

Quick Specs
Display	480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches
Processor	Dual-core 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z2520
Camera	5 MP
Operating system	Android OS, v4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to v4.4.2 (KitKat)

Deal no. 5: Honor Holly

A budget-friendly smartphone offering from Huawei, the Huawei Holly features a 1.3 GHz quad core processor, an 8 MP camera, and a 5 inch HD display. Flipkart is offering the budget handset for Rs. 6,999.

Quick Specs
Display	720 x 1280 pixels, 5.0 inches
Processor	Quad-core 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6582
Camera	8 MP rear and 2MP secondary
Operating system	Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat)

Deal no. 6: Nokia Lumia 1020

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is one of the best camera phones. Fitted with a massive 41 Megapixel camera with Xenon flash, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is an ideal smartphone for those who love to take professional quality pictures. Flipkart is offering Nokia Lumia 1020 for surprising Rs. 23,999.

Quick Specs
Display	768 x 1280 pixels, 4.5 inches
Processor	Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait, Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon
Camera	41 MP rear, 1.2 MP front
Operating system	Microsoft Windows Phone 8, upgradeable to WP8, upgradeable to v8.1

August 30, 2014

Xiaomi Redmi 1S Vs Moto E Vs Moto G Specs Comparison

After the achievement of its Mi 3, Xiaomi is rolling out yet another affordable smartphone in India, exclusively through Flipkart. The company is all set to formally uncover the Redmi 1S valued at Rs 5,999. All things considered, as budget-friendly devices to come in this comparative price bracket and expect to contend with the ruling budget Android, the Moto E and Moto G which are sold at the price of 6,999 and Rs. 10,499.

In terms of display, the Redmi 1S comes with a 4.7 inch display which has a 720 x 1280 resolution, giving it a total pixel density of 312 PPI. The Motorola Moto E come with a 4.3 inch which is not a IPS display and has a 960 x 540 resolution giving it 256 ppi, which is much lower than the Redmi 1S. On the other hand Moto has a 4.5 IPS display which has a 720 x 1280 resolution, same as the Redmi. However, the Moto G is at power here with 326 PPI.

Moto G also has a Corning Gorilla glass, so does the Moto E, but Xiaomi Redmi 1S lacks it and has Dragontrail instead. All three devices i.e. Moto E, Moto G and Xiaomi Redmi 1S are Dual Sim GSM devices. So, they will work on 3G and 2G GSM networks.

On the hardware side, Redmi 1S comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 on quad-cores at 1.6 GHz. Which is mighty impressive for the price bracket and compared to Moto E’s Snapdragon 200 at dual-core 1.2GHZ processor. Where as, Moto G packs a snapdragon 400 which is quad-code at 1.2 GHz. Having said that, Redmi 1S is undoubtedly leads the two Motorola handsets as far as the processor is concerned.

All three have 1GB of RAM, and while the Redmi 1S along with Moto G has 8GB of Internal storage, Moto E lacks behind with 4Gb of internal storage. Also, the Redmi 1S does accept a micro-SD cards up to 64GB, while the Moto E accepts upto 32 GB micro-SD cards. The Moto G, despite being the most expensive handset in the lot, does not.

As far as the battery is concerned, Redmi 1S sports 2050 mAh battery, the Moto E comes with comes with 1980 mAh battery and Moto G comes with 2070 mAh battery. So, there not a considerable difference between the batteries of the three handsets.

The cameras of the devices are varied, the Xiaomi Redmi 1S fashions an 8MP primary camera that supports 1080p video shooting and the secondary camera of 1.6MP which supports 720p video shooting. Moto E disappoints us with no secondary camera and the main camera of 5MP with only 480p video capability. On the other hand Moto G has a similar 5 Mp camera but only does 720p videos along with a 1.3Mp secondary shooter. Moto E also lacks a flash light unlike other two devices. In terms of the camera and video quality Redmi 1S beats both the Motorola devices.

Motorola’s devices take lead in one of the most important specs of any smartphone- OS and updates. Motorola devices comes with Android 4.4 out of the box where as redimi 1s comes with Android 4.3 out of the box with a promised upgrade soon. Moto E as well as Moto G are going to be one of the first devices to get Android LMP update after the Nexus devices.

With respect to the specifications, pricing and overall usability of the device, we feel the Xiaomi Redmi 1S seems to be a value for money package. But with the limited 40,000 units going on sale on 2nd Sept, a lot of buyers and re-sellers are going to be in line to get their hands on the device, so be sure register first and wait for the device.

One major advantage that Motorola devices bring, is that they are now readily available and also the company has an impressive service network along with good customer service support. This can’t be said for the Xiaomi at the moment because they are struggling with their service support which is kept down to low number of service centre and replacements offered by Flipkart.

Key Specs-

Specs/Devices	Motorola Moto G	Motorola Moto E	Xiaomi Redmi 1S
Dimensions (mm)	129.90 x 65.90 x 11.60	124.80 x 64.80 x 12.30	137.00 x 69.00 x 9.90
Weight (g)	143.00	142.00	158.00
Battery capacity (mAh)	2070, Non-removable	1980, Non-removable	2050, removable
Display	4.5 Inch 720x1280px 329PPI	4.3 inch 540x960px 256PPI	4.7 inch 720x1280px 312PPI
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz quad-core	Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 1.2GHz dual-core	Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.6GHz quad-core
RAM	1GB	1GB	1GB
Internal storage	8GB	4GB expandable upto 32GB	8GB expandable upto 64 GB
Rear camera	5-megapixel	5-megapixel	8-megapixel
Flash	Yes	No	Yes
Front camera	1.3-megapixel	No	1.6-megapixel
Operating System	Android 4.3	Android 4.4	Android 4.3 MIUI version 5

August 30, 2014

REVIEW: Sandisk Ultra Dual On-The-Go Pendrive
Ever since the inception of multimedia enabled phones, one question that has bothered the users is the storage space of these devices. Listening to the complaints, many companies have added the expandable storage feature, which is without a doubt, one of the most important feature of the phones. With the companies providing easy accessibility in terms of storing data as well as installing app data on the SD card, some of those issues are addressed. But what about devices which only have limited storage options like the blockbuster MOTO G which only comes in an 8 or 16 GB option. And what if you are a multimedia hoarder and even with expandable memory, you are not satisfied with the storage space. Here the SanDisk Ultra 16GB Micro USB 2.0 OTG Pen Drive
will come for your rescue.

The Sandisk Ultra is a boon for OTG devices with limited storage

The Sandisk On-The-Go Pendrive is a tiny dual sided flash drive that comes with a USB 2.0 jack on one end and a micro USB slot on the other end. It is available in 16,32 and 64 GB variants starting at Rs. 629. The drive attaches to your OTG enabled phones and is recognized easily on the phones we tested the drive on.

On the design front, this drive has a protective casing for both USB ends. The casing clicks when it completely covers the USB to secure the ends. But while dropping it head on to the ground for testing we found that the micro USB side would slide back on impact, exposing the head, which is a bit of a worry. The micro USB end is also a bit tiny so you may have to take off the protective casing on your phone to connect the device. The middle portion with is sturdy and easy to hold.

The drive’s read and write performance though are not satisfactory. In our test we found the reading speed was 16.86 MB/s whereas the writing speed was 10.75 MB/s, which is almost a third of the USB 2.0 speeds. But with the convenience it offers, some may overlook the low transfer speeds.

SanDisk provides a downloadable app, Memory Zone. This sleek looking app has a user friendly interface and allows you to password-protect your content. It also lets you sync your data with cloud storage options like Dropbox, Google Drive or Box.

Overall the tiny, one of a kind device is functional with some flaws. Considering its price and what it offers it can also be considered a value for money. Sandisk needs to work on the speeds of the device, immediately and make the casings better so they don’t expose the Micro-USB end.

 

[tw-column width=”one-half”]

GOOD THINGS
- Convenience
- Portability
- One of a kind
[/tw-column]

[tw-column width=”one-half” position=”last”]

BAD THINGS
- Poor speeds
- Build quality of micro USB casing
[/tw-column]
August 29, 2014
Unboxing : Redmi 1S And First Impressions

Xiaomi has really taken the Indian market seriously and has made products available quite promptly. With the new Xiaomi Redmi 1S, the company has broken the price barrier at Rs. 5999 and basically beat the Moto E and Asus Zenphone A450 by exactly Rs. 1000. The Phone will follow the same sale pattern as before , often referred to as #FailSale but, the company claims that the strategy is really working for them.

The Xiaomi Redmi 1s will come with 2 Micro Sim to Regular Sim adapters in the box for the dual sim device. The phone will run one card on 3G GSM while one on 2G GSM. The Redmi 1S is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Chipset running at 1.6 GHz on Quad Cores and the Adreno 305 GPU. It accepts micro SD cards unto 32 GB and comes with an inbuilt storage of 8 GB and has 1 GB RAM.

For the Price it is an amazing value, and definitely beats down the competition. The juicy bits include a 1280 x 720 px 4.7 inch IPS LCD Display along with an 8MP camera which can shoot 1080p footage and a front facing 1.6MP camera capable of 720p video.

Xiaomi has started accepting registrations for the sale set to being on 2nd Sept on Flipkart here. The company claims that it has had no issues regarding service, and urges people to use the included sim adapters to tackle the sim card related problems. For the first flash sale of the Redmi 1S, Xiaomi will bring 40,000 units, which from the point of demand is still a meager stock.

The Phone will be made available along side a bunch of accessories including a screen protector, a gel case and a PU leather cover as well. Stay tuned for our review.

Buying Options

August 27, 2014
Giveaway : 5 OnePlus One Invites
We recently unboxed the OnePlus One Smartphone, and everyone has been asking us for invites to this mammoth spec’d phone. It’s that time of the month, and we are giving away 5 invites to purchase the OnePlus One Smartphone in the first of our two part giveaway. 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 globally, so no matter where you are you can take part by entering below.

To be clear we are giving away 5 invites in this lot and we will giveaway 5 invites in the next one.

To Order this phone you will need to be in or be able to order to one of the following countries :
- United States
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Finland
- Belgium
- Austria
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Portugal
The Contest is Over : Winner Make Sure you register on Oneplus.net with the Same Email.

Second Giveaway will Start Shortly
August 24, 2014

Panasonic Eluga U Unboxing

Launched at the end of last month, Panasonic Eluga U is a slim and stylish smartphone. Its clear that the company has paid a lot of attention to detail to make the Eluga U feel like a premium product. They’ve also managed to make the device look exactly like the Nexus 4.

The back and the front of the device is covered with glass while the sides are made with plastic. The front has a high-quality 5-inch IPS display with three-button capacitive panel at the bottom. The metal-finish logo, also on the front of the device, gives the smartphone a stylish finish. The top has a 3.5mm headphone port, and the bottom has the port for charging and data syncing.

At the side, there is a single flap that opens a dual Sim tray which can hold two 3G micro-SIM cards. On the other side, there are the power and volume controls. The main speaker grille is on the back, which is non-removable.

The Eluga U has the standard Panasonic fit user interface, with bare minimum changes. It uses the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system. Previous Panasonic users would find this extremely easy to get used to.

The User Interface of the device is decently fast and responsive. Panasonic has added funky animations and movements which are quite playful. There are a lot of stock elements, such as the dialer, messaging and the notification panel and it also comes with the stock browser.

On the hardware front, powering the phone is a 1.2Ghz quad core Snapdragon 400 processor. This is paired with 2GB of RAM. The 2,500 mAh battery seems adequate for this device.

On the imaging side, the device sports a 13MP camera module, placed at the rear-top with a single LED flash next to it and 2MP front facing camera. Priced at Rs. 17,990 we would say it is one of the better products available in this price bracket. It only seems costly if compared to the Xiaomi Mi 3.

All in all, this device is stylish, slim, has a good battery and performs decently. However, we would still like to test the device in detail. The full review will be coming up soon.

Key Specs:

Processor	1.2GHz quad-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
Display	5-inch, 720×1280 pixels
RAM	2GB
Battery capacity (mAh)	2500, non-removable
Storage	16GB, expandable upto 32 GB
Camera	13 MP rear with single LED flash2 MP front
Operating System	Android 4.4

August 21, 2014

Smart Cap : A DIY Google Glass Replica Made For Only Rs.4500

We love to get ‘inspired.’ Our Bollywood movies are predominantly ‘inspired’ by previous works by other filmmakers who in-turn get their inspiration from others. But sometimes these inspirations lead to some cool new inventions like a Google Glass replica that costs a meager Rs. 4500 in comparison to the hefty price tag of Google’s Augmented glasses.

Though the Smart Cap looks rudimentary, it is quite functional

Now Cochin-based Arvind Sanjeev has invented the “Smart Cap” which is basically a nerdier version of the sleek Google Glass. Now we, of course, need to cut him some slack as he didn’t have huge monetary resources backing those researchers at Google X.

Arvind’s design though rudimentary is pretty functional. The raw materials that went into making the smart cap are easily available. The Smart cap uses a USB Webcam, an LCD panel, aspheric lens, headphones, a Raspberry Pi Board, a sun board sheet and glue which is a DIY guy’s favorite tool.

Now since creating an operating system would have been a long task, Arvind went with open Android as the OS for Smart cap. The front of the cap has the camera, the Raspberry Pi board, and 2.5 inch LCD display mounted on it. To make the LCD display legible at such close distance, he used an aspheric lens.

The Smart cap works by taking commands using the microphone on the headset. The device can help you with navigation, Google search, YouTube, webcam recording and first person viewing of other cameras, etc.

Smart Cap can be used to access maps, send emails, take photos and more.

What is really appreciable is that he put the entire project in DIY and posted it for anyone to create their own smart cap. He has been doing this for a while and has uploaded several DIY tutorials. He also owns a start-up called A.R.S devices which make devices for automation, connected devices and safety purposes. He has in line for a hardware patent which will let you control your car using a smartphone app. Now that’s an app we’d all love to have.

Even though the Smart Cap is inspired by Google Glass, Arvind’s audacity and patience in creating this device is commendable. The value of DIY has always been to bring replicated expensive technology and attaining similar levels of functionality using cheaper alternatives. The Smart cap stands up to the value, and though it looks rudimentary, it is pretty dope, almost like a prop from a sci-fi movie about robots. So if you have the talent of DIY, then go ahead, get in the game and teach the world how to make some awesome stuff inexpensively.

August 20, 2014
Samsung NX mini Unboxing

There is always some skepticism when a name of a camera is prefixed with ‘mini’. We have seen in the past that many manufacturers failed to deliver a great camera in a small package. The Samsung NX mini is targeted towards young amateur photographers who focus on style and selfies above all.

Well, this camera is not yet launched in India, but it is going to be coming soon with an exclusive partnership with Amazon.in priced at less than Rs. 30,000. NX mini is undoubtedly the slimmest interchangeable-lens camera available in the market. It does have a flip-up touchscreen and a cool selfie mode that lets you click a selfie by just blinking. You also get Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for free inside the box; which is a great software for aspiring photographers.

The biggest selling point here is its super-slim, lightweight body that you can slip into a handbag, or even a pocket. Without the lens attached, the NX mini is no larger than many compact point-and-shoots, but when you stick on the 9-27mm (24.3mm, 35mm equivalent) f/3.5 kit lens, it becomes little thick to carry around. There’s a 1-inch, 20.5-megapixel CMOS sensor that is identical in size to what you’ll get with very high-end compacts. However, quite smaller than the APS-C sensor manufacturers included with mirrorless cameras like the Alpha 6000 or the NX30.

The camera comes with a 16 GB micro-SD card and 2330mAh battery, which means that the camera will last for good 300 shots approximately. The camera is NFC-enabled and can be easily connected with NFC-enabled smartphones. The 20.5 MP BSI sensor, the company claims, is made by them. We’re uncertain about the authenticity of that statement, since these kind of sensors are made by Sony only. The lens included in the box is a 9mm (24.3mm, 35mm equivalent) f/3.5 kit lens and is fairly good for this price range.

On the top of the camera, you have a microphone pinhole, and hot-shoe sort of mount for Samsung external flash that comes with the package, Wi-Fi button, power on/off button and the shutter button. All of these buttons are seem to be made of metal and brushed aluminium, which makes it a high-quality premium looking device.

The camera supports a set of lenses that are called NX-mini lens and are completely different from regular NX lenses. You can use other lenses from Samsung if you have $150 adapter, which is a third party adapter. However, we heard that Samsung is also working on an in-house adapter.

Once you turn on the camera, you have to further twist the lens to unlock it. The shutter release is nearly full-size, and once you launch the menu, you can adjust many settings simply by tapping the 3-inch, 480 x 320 touchscreen, which also flips up 180 degrees for self-portraits, or at any angle in between for shots below eye-level, or overhead if you flip the camera upside-down.

As for the UI, there’s nothing out of the ordinary here. You can control just about everything using the touchscreen, though you can also use the four-way controller on the side to navigate. The menu interface includes all the general options and isnothing new. You get Auto share, ISO setting, image quality, etc. You also get a picture wizard which changes the setting according to the scene.

Its Wi-Fi mode lets you access a variety of wireless sharing options. MobileLink can be used to send photos from the camera to a smartphone or tablet, or Remote Viewfinder, which miraculously lets you access all of the NX mini’s shooting modes, including manual, from another device.

The Samsung NX mini gives access to Samsung Home Monitor, which requires its smartphone app and lets you use the camera to keep an eye on a child, for example, assuming your camera and phone are connected to the same WiFi network.

The camera fairly fast to focus and click the picture. The capacitative touchscreen allows you zoom in and out extremely easily. Apart from the fact that you don’t have a full manual control during video shooting mode, and its inability to use different lenses, the camera itself is very powerful. The look and the feel is also quite amazing.

The price is expected to be around Rs. 27,000 for 9-27mm lens package and Rs. 24,000 for 9mm lens package when launched exclusively on Amazon.in. This is not an official price but if the pricing remains the same, this device will a perfect starter camera for amateurs or a secondary camera for people who use DSLRs on the daily basis.

 

August 20, 2014
OnePlus One Unboxing : Redefining The Market
China is stirring up a storm, but it’s right here in India. Company after company is parading the smartphone market scene and everybody wants a piece of the pie. Earlier this year, Gionee set a precedent in bringing great build quality and a higher spec set into India by launching phones like the Gionee Elife E7. Later Xiaomi broke the market pricing scheme by launching the Xiaomi Mi3 in India. But is everyone really happy?

The lack of availability in both cases made it really difficult to own these products, while the E7 was fantastic for its time, it arrived almost 3 months too late and with the Xiaomi and its #FailSale strategy, people are essentially looking for a better outcome.

That answer may as well be here, sooner than you imagined. OnePlus is looking to launch their marvelous One in India as early as next month, and the company may bring a simple strategy to the market. The OnePlus One has been sold on an invite system from the get go. In doing so, the company continued to receive the orders, yet restricted orders enough to ramp up production.

The same system applies for India, however, the company has already reached up to required production standards with its current orders and invites are being fulfilled as and when you get them, so when it finally arrives in India, all you’ll need is a friend with an invite to share with you.

Inside the packaging, which is exceptionally high quality, all you get are three things; the OnePlus One unit, the charger and cable and a sim removal tool.

The inbox accessories tell you a great deal of what the end product quality is going to be, and you will be might impressed. not only is it high quality, a great amount of detail has gone into designing each item inside the box and customising the feel of the product.

The phone itself is pretty impressive, for a price of US$ 299 (16Gb) or US $ 349 for the 64 GB seen here (roughly INR 21500) which basically compares with the current flagships of the world.

Specs wise you will get :
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 801
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 16/64 GB storage
- 5.5 Inch 1920 x 1080p Display
- 13 Mp primary camera with 4K video
- 5 MP front camera 1080p video
- 3100 mAh – Non Removable battery
- Gorilla Glass 3
The software and user interface is familiar and responsive, you will get Android 4.4.2 out of the box with a promised update to 4.4.4 and Cyanogen Mod 11s to get you happy. CyanogenMod will also ensure that you are getting the maximum output from your hardware and customization options are almost endless. Thanks to CyanogenMod you can also expect quick roll-outs of the latest relevant updates on Android, especially the upcoming Android L.

Watch our unboxing Video Below and stay tuned for a flurry of comparisons after the break. Also leave your review requests in the comments for us.
August 20, 2014
Top 5 Websites to Sell Your Old Gadgets Online

Re-commerce i.e. trading old gadgets for a price is not a common practice in India. But with more and more people wanting to buy the latest in technology, dispensing old gadgets safely has become important. And its all the more better if you can make some money while doing it. Even though prices offered depend on the time, market demand and the condition of the gadget, putting your old gizmos on sale is a good idea. There are numerous websites which offer the service of trading old gadgets.

We are listing 5 of these website where you can sell you old gadgets in return of cash.

1.YouRenew

The company offers consumers a profitable and environment-friendly way to dispose of their used smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras, tablets and other electronic goods. The site is user friendly and three easy steps let you recycle your old gizmo. You need to type in the name of the device and if it is listed on YouRenew.com, then answer a few questions about the device and you’ll know how much the site would pay you.

2. Karma Recycling

Karma Recycling is one of the leading e-waste management services in India. The website is also quite user-friendly; you have go through 4 steps to sell your mobile. Choose your mobile, its condition and they will offer you a price. You can choose your payment through check , yatra.com or yebi.com gift card.

3. Atteroboy

Atteroboy works similar to Karma Recycling. Website works in a same way, choose you mobile, its condition and they will offer you a price. Though we noticed that they might pay you less than Karma recycling.

4. Cellforcash

The first thing to remember when you decide to sell old mobile phones online is if you send handsets in beat up condition – that do not work or without accessories – then don’t expect a high payoff. Cellforcash.com clearly highlights in its ‘Terms and Condition’ section that it is looking for quality used-items and the better conditioned the phone, the better chances of getting a nice payout.

5. Buymytronics

Buymytronics.com, earlier known as www.BuyMyBrokeniPod.com, lets customers sell used iPods, iPhones and consumer electronics like laptops, game consoles and digital cameras. The process of selling the item is the same as other websites — select the category of the gadget, select it from the list and specify its working condition. The site would then quote a price, and if you think it’s a good bargain, then you need to ship it to the address provided to you by email.

August 20, 2014