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Oppo will not officially launch the Find 5 in India!

We recently published a story stating that the Oppo Find 5 will be launched in India soon through a Distributor. The distributor earlier thought to be an official partner of Oppo, is actually planning to illicitly sell Oppo Find 5 smartphone in India.

Oppo reached out to us via email and stated clearly that the Find 5 is not officially being launched and the stated company that claims to be selling the Find 5 in India, is not an official Oppo partner.

Unfortunately, Android Guruz is not an authorized vendor of Oppo phones. While we look forward to an eventual launch of Oppo phones in India, we have no official plans to do so just yet nor do we have any authorized Oppo vendors based there.

Buying through an unauthorized source may or may not cause complications, in some cases these independent sources are not bad. However, if the distributor is not geared up to provide service or support, consumers may face harsher realities when Oppo refuses any warranty claims.

the final word being, the Oppo Find 5 may be available in the Indian market soon, but it will not come from Oppo or their Official parters.

Read the full email below.

May 17, 2013

Micromax Canvas Music A88 Unboxing and Hands on (Video)

Micromax and several other companies are announcing phones left, right and center. But, in the mix has come something that has the mega potential for our marketplace. Micromax has collaborated with JBL and launched the new Canvas Music A88 smartphone. The device runs on a Mediatek Chipset and comes bundled with JBL headphones, the kind that retail upwards of Rs. 2500 separately. If you consider the price of the headphones into account the cost of the phone itself would be around Rs. 6000, where as with the bundle its available for Rs. 8500, which according to us is an attractive package.

The handset is laden with the usual flavors of Android; a touch display, a camera on the back and one in the front, few buttons. Wait !, it also makes phone calls, and sends messages, plays music and download apps, a whole load of them by the looks of it.

The Micromax Canvas Music A88 is powered by a Mediatek Dual Core MT65771 Ghz chipset, a PowerVR SGX 531 GPU does the work for the graphics and the Music has 512 MB RAM. For storage the Canvas Music A88 has 4 GB of total ROM out of which 1.93 GB is available to the end user.

Canvas Music A88 Initial Impressions

The Canvas Music seems snappy as far as the OS and UI are concerned, usual changes between panels and applications are swift as well. The browser seems quite capable of its potential and so does video playback, along with good sound from the speaker.

The Headphones are the real winner here, with excellent audio, great low levels and crystal clear MIDs. Micromax is counting on their new Music streaming service to do wonders for the handset, which allows users to download and listen to the latest music, practically free of cost. Rivaling many a music streaming services from other companies, the Micromax version remains free.

Check out the hands on images and the full unboxing video.

Canvas Music A88 Unboxing Video

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Canvas Music A88 Images

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May 17, 2013

2014 Mercedes Benz S-Class Revealed

If you’re a CEO or a high-ranking government official, your new ride is here. The 2014 Mercedes Benz S-Class has finally been unveiled, with Merc boss Dr Dieter Zetsche, describing it as “the best automobile in the world”. Packed with stunning technology and a completely revamped design, the best of the Benz sedans has managed to improve upon its predecessor massively, and that’s much easier said than done.

The new S-Class reinforces Benz’s new direction in design, taking cues from the new E-Class and CLA-Class. The front has a new, larger radiator grille, flanked by well-shaped feline-like LED headlights. Reception to the new front-end and the LED headlights has been mixed, but we’re leaning towards the positive side with this one. The front fender reminds us of the A-Class with an aggressive bottom end. Distinct character lines run down the sides and the sloping roofline makes another appearance here, along with sharp taillights. All in all, Mercedes Benz has maintained the elegance of the S-Class with wholesale changes resulting in a pleasing, simplistic design.

As always the new S-Class features the best and newest technology Merc’s engineers have developed over the last few years. With luxury nearing that found in a private jet, and technology like that of a fighter jet, the new S-Class comes with a very fair share of goodies, not limited to the following:

The cabin gets two 12.3-inch TFT screens for the instrument cluster and the navitainment, a touch-sensitive telephone keypad, rear climate control with two more zones, access to infotainment media from any seat in the car – rear seat passengers can even see the Google Maps display to make sure the driver is going the right way
Roughly 300 LEDs in the cabin offer seven hues, five dimming levels and four dimming zones will be standard and the LED brake lights dim at night or while waiting at lights so as to be kinder on the eyes of drivers behind
Five different options in rear seating, the uppermost of which offers a backrest that reclines nearly 45 degrees, does so independently of the bolster, and has calf support and a heel rest. Get the First Class Rear package and avail yourself of a console that allows control of the center console from the rear, and thermally-controlled cupholders
Magic Body Control that uses stereo cameras to scan the road surface and adjust the suspension in advance of road imperfections
Massaging seats based on the “hot stone principle” for front and rear using 14 cushions in the backrest and six massage programs
An Air Balance Package that ionizes and filters the air and emits five choices in fragrance
Grouped under “Intelligent Drive,” the next generation of features like Active Parking Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Night View Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian recognition
A Warmth and Comfort package with heated steering wheel and armrests, seats with active ventilation, and power heated rear seats with memory

The 2014 S-Class will be offered with a choice of four engines, including two hybrids – the S 400 petrol and S 300 BlueTEC diesel. The conventional petrol and diesel models badged S 500 and S350 BlueTEC respectively complete the lineup. Powered by a 449bhp 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8, the S 500 is by far the fastest, covering 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid combines a 201bhp 2.1-litre diesel engine with a 27bhp electric motor for a combined fuel economy of 64mpg and CO2 emissions of 115g/km. AMG models are expected to be announced in the coming year as well.

Ever since Daimler-Chrysler announced the discontinuation of the Maybach brand, the S-Class has assumed the mantle of being its most luxurious offering. The 2014 S-Class is really tough to fault, with a majestic presence, efficient German engineering under the hood and the interior worthy of a Rolls-Royce. Everyone may not love the look of the new S-Class, but there’s no doubting that it still is one of the best cars available in the market today.

May 16, 2013

HTC One Goes on Sale : Rs. 42900 Silver Color only

One of the most desired smart phones, the HTC ONE has officially gone on sale in India. The HTC One is available for a Price of Rs. 42900 with no schemes or discounts offered as of now.

iGyaan reviewed the HTC One a couple of days back, and you can see the Review Here. The HTC One is powered by a 2300 mAh non – replaceable battery, the HTC One carries a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Chipset with a wonderfully snappy QuadCore 1.7 GHz CPU. The Graphics are provided by a Adreno 320 GP which remains superior in terms of Mobile Graphics rendering. This intense capability is supported by 2GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage.

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May 16, 2013

LG Officially Launches the Nexus 4 in India – Rs. 25,999 /- (PR) (Hands On)

The Google Branded Nexus 4 was launched in the US, last year and was expected to reach India early December 2012. LG gave word today that it has officially launched the Google Nexus 4 Smartphone in India for a Price of Rs. 25,999 /-., talk about delayed Indian Standard Time. The Nexus 4 has been launched and is available through online as well as offline vendors.

Most of us are already familiar with the Specs and Features of the Nexus 4, and the fact that the latest version of Android is instantly seeded to owners. The roundup for the Nexus 4 includes, a Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro CPU 1.5 GHz Krait, with Android 4.2 .2. The Display is a 4.7 inch 1280 x 768 px IPS LCD display with Gorilla® Glass 2. Read full Specs and PR below.

In either case the Nexus 4 seems like a better proposition than another Android 4.2 Smartphone launched today.

Nexus 4 Specification:

CPU Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro CPU 1.5 GHz Krait
Network Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42
Dimension 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm
Operating System Android 4.2 .2
Weight 139g

Display

Type LCD/True HD IPS+
Size 4.7” diagonal
Resolution WXGA (1280 x 768) pixel resolution (320ppi)
Etc Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2

Touch

Type/Handwriting Zerogap/Yes

Camera

Main Camera 8MP
Flash LED 1EA
Front Camera 1.3MP HD

Battery

Capacity/Type 2,100mAh/Lipolymer
(Embedded)
Talk Time 11.9 hours (Tx power 10dm)
Standby Time 564.5 hours (DRX 8)

Audio/Video

Audio Codec MP3/AAC/AA+/eAAC+/AMR NB/ WAV/WMA/MIDI
Video Codec MPEG4/H.263/H.264
Audio Jack 3.5mm
2nd Microphone Yes

Data Connectivity

Bluetooth/USB/WiFI
3.0/2.0HS/802.11 a/b/g/n (Dual Band)
GPS/HDMI/NFC Yes with GLONASS Support / Yes (Slimport)/ Yes (Android Beam)

Memory

Internal RAM/ROM 2GB/16GB

Processor

Quad Core 1.5GHz

Advance Features

Wireless Charging Yes
Wireless Display Yes

[toggle title=”Press Release”]New Delhi, 16th May, 2013:– Designed collaboratively by LG and Google, Nexus 4, the newest smartphone in the Nexus line-up from Google, was announced today for availability in India. With a sophisticated hardware design from LG, your favourite Google Apps, and the latest version of Android™, Nexus 4 puts the best of Google in the palm of your hand.

“LG Electronics is pleased to partner Google on the release of the Nexus 4 in India,” shared Mr. Soon Kwon, Managing Director, LG Electronics India. “We added the best of our talent to our strength, and the result is a feature- packed smartphone that packs superb hardware under a slim hood. With LG Nexus 4, consumers would be delighted by the perfectly balanced combination of style, function and power. The smartphone encourages consumers to explore a world of possibilities and also helps them balance between business and entertainment”

Built for speed
Nexus 4 comes with a cutting edge Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 Pro processor, so you’ve got speed and power to spare. Zip around the web, experience rich 3D graphics and gameplay, and effortlessly switch between multiple apps without ever missing a beat. With 2GB of RAM and the fastest version of Android ever, Nexus 4 is the snappiest Nexus smartphone yet.

Capture and share your world
Nexus 4 comes with a high performance 8MP camera and takes stunning Photo Sphere images, letting you capture every detail of the world around you. Up, down and all around you, it’s like no camera you’ve ever seen; with Nexus 4, you can snap pictures in every direction that come together into incredible, immersive Photo Spheres that put you right inside the scene. Plus, photos upload themselves with Instant Upload so you’ll never lose a shot.
All of this comes to life with stunning clarity and crisp, natural color on the vibrant 1280by768 4.7inch True HD IPS Plus display supported by Zerogap Touch technology. Gently curved glass edges allow your finger to slide smoothly on and off the 320ppi screen, while cutting edge display technology means you feel like you’re touching every pixel, protected by scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2.

Information at your fingertips
Nexus 4 comes with the latest Google apps, putting the best of Google in the palm of your hand. The latest version of Google Now is built in, which keeps you even more organized – get reminders about upcoming flights, restaurant reservations, hotel confirmations and even nearby photo opportunities – when and where you need them. Get to the places you care about quickly and easily with Google Maps™ for Android. With turn by turn GPS navigation, live traffic info, and integrated driving, walking and public transit directions, getting from A to B has never been easier. 3D Maps and rich satellite imagery give you a more realistic sense of what’s around you while features like Street View and Indoor Maps make sure you always know what’s in front of you.

With this and a host of other new features, LG Nexus 4 is bound to transform and elevate a consumer’s smartphone experience. LG’s Nexus 4 is priced at Rs 25, 999 and will be available at selected LG exclusive brand shops, Multi brand outlets and speciality stores ( modern trade ) across India.

Specification:
CPU Qualcomm SnapdragonTM S4 Pro CPU 1.5 GHz Krait
Network Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
HSPA+ 42
Dimension 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm
Operating System Android 4.2 .2
Weight 139g

Display
Type LCD/True HD IPS+
Size 4.7” diagonal
Resolution WXGA (1280 x 768) pixel resolution (320ppi)
Etc Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2

Touch
Type/Handwriting Zerogap/Yes

Camera
Main Camera 8MP
Flash LED 1EA
Front Camera 1.3MP HD

Battery
Capacity/Type 2,100mAh/Lipolymer
(Embedded)
Talk Time 11.9 hours (Tx power 10dm)
Standby Time 564.5 hours (DRX 8)

Audio/Video
Audio Codec MP3/AAC/AA+/eAAC+/AMR NB/ WAV/WMA/MIDI
Video Codec MPEG4/H.263/H.264
Audio Jack 3.5mm
2nd Microphone Yes

Data Connectivity
Bluetooth/USB/WiFI
3.0/2.0HS/802.11 a/b/g/n (Dual Band)
GPS/HDMI/NFC Yes with GLONASS Support / Yes (Slimport)/ Yes (Android Beam)

Memory
Internal RAM/ROM 2GB/16GB

Processor
Quad Core 1.5GHz

Advance Features
Wireless Charging Yes
Wireless Display Yes

About LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd.
LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics, home appliances, IT hardware and mobile communications space. In India for a decade, LG has earned a premium brand positioning and is the acknowledged trendsetter for the industry.
LGEIL’s manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune has the capacity to manufacture GSM Phones, Colour Televisions, Air Conditioners, LCD TVs, Washing Machines, Refrigerators, Monitors and Optical Disc Drives.

About Google Inc.
Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world.[/toggle]

May 16, 2013

Panasonic P51 Launched in India with 5 inch HD screen, Quad Core CPU, Magnetic Cover and Stylus

Panasonic at a press conference here in New Delhi, India, Has launched a new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean based smartphone. Dubbed the Panasonic P51, the device is powered by a Quad Core 1.2 Ghz CPU of an unspecified make. The Panasonic P51 also has 4 GB of internal storage and 1 GB of RAM.

The Exterior of the Panasonic P51 is designed mainly of plastic and the front consists of a 5 inch 1280 x720p HD IPS LCD display. For imaging the Panasonic P51 also has an 5 MP main camera and a 1.3 MP front facing camera capable of HD video.

This 3G enabled phone from Panasonic also has Dual Sim Capabilities and included in the box is a magnetic flip cover, that just like Apple’s iPad smart cover will turn on or off the display when flipped open or close respectively. The Panasonic P51 also has a massive 2500 mAh battery, and despite that remains 8.5 mm slim and 135 gms in weight.

This is Panasonic’s first foray into the “Budget Quad Core, Dual Sim” handsets and by the looks of the Phone is powered by the Mediatek 6589 Chipset as all the specifications align with the device.

UPDATE : The phone has been launched at a price of Rs. 26,900. A total of 10,000 more than expected. It has also been confirmed that the chipset on the inside is a Mediatek 6589 same as the one seen on the Canvas HD.

Panasonic P51 Hands On

The Panasonic P51 is only 8.5 mm thick, its got nice curves and a raised bezel sort of design which makes it appear, as if, the display is floating above the body. The ID is unique but it is certainly not premium looking, as Panasonic claims it to be.

The over all design of the phone seems ordinary, the front has a ASAHI made Dragon Trail glass, which Panasonic claims is better than Gorilla Glass. Panasonic also claims they have put in some camera features like smile shot and auto enhance, that seem to be just software implementations. Honestly the quality and the outlook does not seem justified for the price.

The fact that Panasonic claims that performance is top notch when compared to competition, is worry-some especially because one manages to buy two of the other units be it Micromax, Karbonn or any other for the price of this one unit.

At first is it factually clear that someone somewhere screwed up. The Price seems to have been royally messed up even if Panasonic has really managed to offer up the experience they say they have, on the flip-side LG has launched the Nexus 4 in India, which comes at a price cheaper than the Panasonic P51.

May 16, 2013

Google Maps get redesigned; Improve the Search and Tablet Interface

Although the information was already leaked ahead of the time, the final announcement has been made. Talking at the Google I/O conference the company has taken wraps off the next major release of Google Maps for Android and iOS. The new design targeted at a personalized approach to the maps use, sports a rating system and offers experience from various retail merchants.

Like a friend drawing you a map to her favorite restaurant, with only the roads and landmarks you need to get there, the new Google Maps instantly changes to highlight information that matters most.

And the more you interact with the map, the better it gets. When you set your Home and Work locations, star favorite places, write reviews and share with friends, Google Maps will build even more useful maps with recommendations for places you might enjoy.

Calling the desktop version a treasure chest of “immersive imagery”, Google says the redesigned map itself is now the user interface.

Easier to find the best local places
In addition to a customized map, we’ve also made it easier to uncover the best local gems. Search results are labeled directly on the map with brief place descriptions and icons that highlight business categories and other useful information – like restaurants that are recommended by your Google+ friends. Info cards provide helpful information such as business hours, and ratings and reviews so you can quickly decide where to eat, drink and play.

Of course, no map would be complete without amazing images for exploring the world. The new carousel gathers all Google Maps imagery in one spot enabling you to fly through cities, walk canyon trails, climb mountains, and even swim the oceans. And on a WebGL-enabled browser, like Google Chrome, the carousel is also where you’ll find the Earth view which directly integrates the beautiful 3D experience from Google Earth into the new maps.

Check out the Google Maps Blog below for more details, and if you are already on board, click the maps preview link to signup for an invite.

[Google Maps Blog]

[Signup page]

May 16, 2013

Google Launches standalone Apps for Hangouts on iOS, Gmail, Chrome and Android

Google has unified the messaging service and termed it Hangouts. With standalone apps for iOS, Gmail, Chrome and Android. The conversation is kept in focus and not the platform you use, focusing the interface on conversations that carry from device to device, notifications and shared photo pools that weren’t in Google Talk.

The new service of Hangouts replaces Google Talk, Google+ Messenger, and the original Google+ Hangout video chat service and as per Google Hangouts will eventually replace all of Google’s communication properties. The new Hangouts is basically a messaging app, like Whatsapp or Facebook Chat.

Hangouts will store all conversations in the cloud, and allow users to message friends at any time, even if they’re not connected. Users can visit past conversations and access shared photos and video call history; thanks to Google’s cloud, Hangouts will sync everywhere, giving people access to conversations on any device.

Just like the old Hangouts the new Hangout will allow video call with up to 10 friends, and new features include “just hanging out” with an amazing “watermark” allowing users to show when someone else is typing just like in WhatsApp messenger or iMessage, but whats new is the ability so see how far the recipients have read into the conversation.

Every photo that you or a friend posts in Hangouts will be automatically saved in a private shared album on Google+, and users can view the photos they’ve shared over time. Hence the new integration of Google+ with this new Hangout service is essential.

Google also plans to integrate other communication features like Google Voice and their international VOIP services within Hangouts, but no real timeline has been clarified for the same.

The apps for iOS, Android and other services are live and can be downloaded.

[iOS APP]

May 16, 2013

Google+ gets new Multi-Column card design and Auto-Hashtags

Google at the I/O conference has launched a new design of their social networking site, Google+. Users on Google+will be seeing their social content in a new way thanks to a multi-column format fit for any size screen.

The design consists of a maximum of 3 columns populated with individual cards for posts and pictures, almost to replicate Pinterest type UI. Columns appear or disappear depending upon the size of your screen, and cards can be flipped to reveal editing options, the cards can also be moved around.

Identical to Facebook’s left side menu, Google+ has also added a similar menu to help in the navigational traits. The Videos and Pictures will span to the width of the screen across multiple columns for a nicer looking experience. Google clarified that the new design is responsive and will adjust to screen sizes. In addition, this 3-column layout will make its way across devices.

Incase you like the original format, you can continue on the old design and say boo to the new Google + format.

Among the new features of Google+ is the ability to flip an image and look at related pictures under similar Hashtags. A feature called Auto Enhance will analyze and apply tweaks to your uploaded photos. The auto enhance feature will include fairly simple adjustments like brightness, contrast, color correction, noise reduction, tonal distribution, and saturation, but it will also make some more intensive changes.

“Auto Awesome” detects the kinds of photos you take, Google is going to try to make other improvements. Uploading a series of similar photos taken in a short period of time, will automatically make an animated GIF out of it on Google+.

The new Social Network design will also automatically pick out best pictures and ignore the blurry ones. This feature will choose the “best” photos to show off. To cite an example, Multiple images from an event will be scanned and only the good ones will be automatically shared, the remaining will remain pending for approval.

Google also focuses on unified messaging service with the new Hangouts which is now integrated into the Google+ redesign. Google is releasing Hangout apps for Android, iOS, and Chrome (as well as integration with Gmail). In this move Google will get rid of Google Talk, Google Messenger, and Video Hangouts and everything will be replaced with the new Hangouts.

Google still promises the features launched earlier for Google+ like unlimited uploads for photos under 2048-pixels wide, a fullscreen picture viewer, and 15GB of free space for for photos that cross the size limit.

May 16, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition, with Stock Android Confirmed

The Google I/O conference is ongoing, and Google has just taken wraps off, of a Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition, that runs stock Android. The report had come many hours before the events initial address.

The device is fully unlocked and comes with LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile, along with 16GB of storage. The Galaxy S4 Google Edition is aimed at the US market and it is assumed that it will come with the Qualcomm chipset that supports US LTE bands, and not the Exynos 5 chipset we are used to.

The Galaxy S4 Google Edition will receive OTA updates for the latest version of Android almost hours after announcements (in the future). The price of the Phone is set at US $ 649 and it will be available via Google’s online Play store, again only in the US.

May 15, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition might come at Google I/O

Literally hours away from Google I/O, rumors of an upcoming Galaxy S4 Google Edition have surfaced. The Phone could very well be the next Nexus aka Nexus 5 with a 5 inch display (The Nexus 5 moniker would fit). The Galaxy S4 Google Edition will address concerns from the ever growing vocal minority of Android users demanding a pure Android experience from their Android devices, without having to go through the pains of rooting.

The Galaxy S4 Google Edition will also have a Google brand on the back cover along with possibly a new texture on the back as seen on the white tablets given last year. The Galaxy S4 Google Edition is said be designed on the Qualcomm Quad Core chipsets as opposed to the Exynos 5 on the Indian S4 variant. It is also expected that the Galaxy S4 Google Edition will be launched for the US market at first where it might be exclusively available with T-Mobile as the handset will have T-mobile band support from the get go.

More news will come at launch and we will keep you posted.

May 15, 2013

Micromax A88 Canvas Music bundled with JBL Headphones (Hands On)

Micromax has just launched its brand new offering called the Micromax A88 Canvas Music, the phone apart from being a Android powered phone will come bundled with JBL headsets.

Specifications include a ~~single~~ dual core 1 GHz processor, 4.5 inch display, 1800 mAh battery and a 5 MP camera with LED flash, the Micromax A88 Canvas music will also have a 0.3 MP front facing camera.

We went hands on with the Micromax A88 Canvas Music, and the device seems well made, and the interface seems fairly smooth. Considering all the specs are average, the biggest value proposition are the JBL headphones. With comfy foam ear cups the headphones give good amounts of bass and sound wonderfully accurate.

The previous editions of Micromax Phones have included generic Headphones, but this time around with the inclusion of the JBL headphones and Android Ecosystem, Micromax might have hit the nail on the right board.

Micromax A88 Canvas Music Hands On

The Micromax A88 Canvas Music goes on sale today with an MRP of Rs. 8499/-. Stay tuned for more details and read the Press release below.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]New Delhi, May 15th, 2013: Strengthening its Canvas series, Micromax, India’s leading handset manufacturer, today launched Canvas Music A88. The new device marks Micromax’s association with the leading headphones brand JBL offering users a free JBL Tempo headset with the Canvas Music A88. The phone was showcased at the Micromax MTV Video Music Awards in Mumbai last month.

Micromax A88 Canvas Music coupled with JBL Tempo headset promises superior sound entertainment on the go. Packed with an 1800 mAh battery, the phone ensures a strong battery life supporting a talk time of 5 hours. With a 4.5” full touch screen display; the phone sports a 5.0 MP rear camera with Flash and a 0.3MP front camera with an expandable storage capacity of up to 32GB.

Speaking about the new launch, Mr. Ajay Sharma Country Head Smartphone Division, Micromax said “At Micromax, we are continuously channelizing our energies to innovate finest devices that are relevant to our customers. Micromax A88 Canvas Music coupled with JBL headset and unlimited songs download via MLive! Application serves as a perfect offering to the youth echoing our vision of providing a fulfilling entertainment experience to all the music and multimedia lovers. Through our latest device, we aim to further build the Canvas success story to unprecedented heights.”

The latest offering by Micromax is a perfect amalgamation of functionality, style & entertainment. The device is not only well designed but is ideal for anyone who appreciates the high-quality & clear sound.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Shubhodip Pal, CMO, Micromax said, “One of the key focus areas for Micromax is to build a strong connect with the consumers by bringing alive brand experiences through our innovative product line up. The launch of Micromax A88 Canvas Music reflects the same. We have created an entire music ecosystem by powering the Smartphone with a JBL headset and also giving the end consumers an access to download unlimited music via MLive! Thus, resonating the Indian youth pulse and passion, mirroring their preference for music.”

With a MOP of Rs.8499/-, the Micromax A88 Canvas Music will be available across all leading retail outlets in India from 16th May, 2013. You could purchase the device from www.micromaxinfo.com[/toggle]

May 15, 2013

HP Shows off new Split x2 Windows Hybrid and Android based SlateBook x2

HP is in the big for Android this time around, as they show off two new clamshell units, one of which is a Tegra 4 based Android Tablet. HP has had a lot of success with its Envy X2 detachable hybrid and plans to expand the x2 series to make room for two follow-on products: the Split x2 (a Windows 8 hybrid) and the SlateBook x2 (an Android tablet).

The specs on the Split x2 include:

13-inch 1,366 x 768 display
Core i3 or i5 processor Ivy Bridge
Keyboard dock includes a second battery or optional 500GB hard drive
SSD 128/256 GB
2 x USB ports (one 2.0, one 3.0)
HDMI
Beats Audio
WiDi
microSD and full SD card slots
Windows 8 loaded
Priced at US $ 800

The SlateBook x2 Specs include

10-inch 1,920 x 1,200, 400-nit IPS display
Tegra 4 SoC
Jelly Bean (4.2.2)
Keyboard has a battery built in
trackpad supporting multitouch gestures
Weighs 2.8 pounds in total
dual USB sockets
Stereo speakers
SD / microSD readers
Priced at US $ 480.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]HP Expands x2 Detachable PC Portfolio to Enable Ultimate Flexibility
New two-in-one detachable PCs with Android or Windows 8 offer mobility, productivity

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 15, 2013 – HP today announced the HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2, two detachable PCs that offer the full functionality of a notebook with a removable screen that also is a sleek tablet. Powered by the Android and Microsoft® Windows® 8 operating systems (OS), respectively, these versatile two-in-one devices combine power and portability, giving customers the flexibility to create, consume and share content in more places.

HP’s unmatched portfolio of next-generation PCs is designed to enable users to connect
with their information on devices that easily adapt to their needs. By releasing the
magnetic hinge, users can move elegantly between the two form factors-tablet and
notebook PC-all in one device.

– The HP SlateBook x2 is the first Android detachable device with the NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, providing users more realistic gaming, fast web browsing and smooth high-definition (HD) video playback.
– The HP Split x2, powered by the Windows 8 OS, features a 13.3-inch diagonal display and powerful processor and is ideal for work or play.

“Customers want to access and share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device-and they expect those connections to be seamless,” said Ron Coughlin, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer PCs, HP. “The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go.”

The HP SlateBook x2 and Split x2 join the award-winning HP ENVY x2 as part of HP’s detachable PC portfolio. The HP SlateBook x2 also joins the HP Slate7 as part of HP’s push to offer access to the Google experience, and to provide access through multiple operating systems.

HP SlateBook x2
The HP SlateBook x2 enables users to shift effortlessly from entertainment to work by combining tablet portability with notebook productivity in a sleek, lightweight device that uses the popular Android operating system. With an advanced magnetic hinge design and dual battery system-one battery in the base and one in the tablet-users can easily switch from notebook to tablet and back, even while on the go.

Ensuring users don’t trade functionality for portability, the HP SlateBook x2 features Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 and delivers the Google experience with services like Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.

The SlateBook x2 features an NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, enabling users to access the TegraZone app and experience Tegra 4-optimized games. The 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display delivers crisp lines, sharp images and precision color while reducing glare. The SlateBook x2 also includes 64 MB of storage and DTS Sound+ Solution for accessing and enjoying photos, music and videos.

HP’s exclusive native printing capability allows users to print directly from most applications.

HP Split x2
The HP Split x2 is a versatile, two-in-one detachable PC that combines power and portability with the Windows 8 operating system and powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor family. Consumers can now enjoy a high-performance ultraportable notebook suited for virtually any intensive task, and that doubles as a 13-inch tablet to give unparalleled entertainment capability for playing games, videos and more.

Whether being used as a high-performance notebook or a tablet, the vibrant 13.3-inch
diagonal HD touchscreen display makes it easier to view and share content, play games
with friends and family, or enjoy high-quality music with HP Connected Music and Beats Audio, which provides the best-sounding, richest audio experience on a PC.

An optional hard disk in the base expands storage capacity while dual batteries allow
users to stay ultramobile.

The HP Split x2 offers an eye-catching design with a soft-touch coating that provides a
comfortable hold and shows fewer fingerprints. The HP Split x2 also offers exclusive HP
innovations such as a 2-megapixel HP TrueVision Full HD webcam and the HP ClickPad
for precise multifinger and gesture navigation.

HP complements its new PCs with a suite of exclusive solutions and services that provide
an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all the features that HP has to offer. Customers can add to the standard product limited warranty with HP Care Pack services to protect new HP products, and enhance the overall experience with accidental damage protection that helps consumers breathe easier when accidental drops, spills, and surges occur.

For the HP SlateBook x2, customers can purchase the HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection, which helps them avoid out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs and provides door-to-door service to the consumers’ homes so they are back up and running in no time. For the HP Split x2, customers can buy the HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection bundled with Lojack, which allows customers to take immediate action to prevent data access if the PC is stolen.

Pricing and availability
The HP SlateBook x2 and HP Split x2 are expected to be available in the United States in August with starting prices of $479.99 and $799.99, respectively.

Additional information about the HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 is available at www.hp.com/x2 and The Next Bench.[/toggle]

May 15, 2013

Revamped Google Maps Show up on Signup Page, Ahead of Google I/O

Just before the Google I/O event the sign-up page for “the new Google Maps” briefly went live showing off atleast one of the things Google has planned for the mega yearly event. Droid-Life managed to grab some screenshots, indicating that the company is working on a smarter Google Maps, which will show the cartography based on the information you are looking for. Users will use a “smarter search box” to highlight just the “things that matter most”.

Ground Transportation, Flights and even Google Earth has been integrated directly into the main Google Maps, making for a more seamless approach towards the mapping use.

May 15, 2013

Blackberry Q5 Launched, Budget BB10 device for Emerging Markets

At the BlackBerry Live event in Orlando, Thorsten Heins kicked off the company’s major annual event with a brief mention of the latest BB10 device, the Q5.

The phone will launch in the summer around the world, Heins said during its BlackBerry Live conference here today.

The BlackBerry Q5 looks similar to the Q10, and features a physical full keyboard and a 3.1-inch touchscreen display. It will come with the features found in BlackBerry 10.1, which comes with the Q10 now and will be available to the Z10 starting today.

The below highlights come from Blackberry’s Blog Post

Highlights and features of the BlackBerry Q5

The evolution of the classic BlackBerry Keyboard:
The BlackBerry Q5 features a classic BlackBerry Keyboard with discrete keys that has been re-engineered and elegantly designed to help you type fast, accurately and with the least amount of effort. Plus with Instant Action shortcuts you can type to perform tasks faster. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone gives you the best of both worlds – a classic QWERTY keyboard for optimized communications and a 3.1” touchscreen for all the rest.
Create the perfect shot with BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker
Create the picture perfect shot with BlackBerry Time Shift mode, then create and share your story, weaving together your photos, videos and music into a movie with BlackBerry Story Maker.
Share and be seen with BBM Video with Screen Share
Instantly switch your BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) chat to a BBM Video conversation and catch up face-to-face. You can even share your screen, whether it’s a photo, a page in the browser, an idea, or a view from your camera.
Stay close to what’s important to you with BlackBerry Hub
With BlackBerry Hub, all of your messages and social conversations are only one swipe away. There’s no need to stop what you’re doing. Simply peek into the BlackBerry Hub from anywhere with a swipe to effortlessly flow in and out of your messages and conversations.
BlackBerry World delivers a rich, thriving app and content ecosystem
Discovering and sharing great apps and content is easier than ever with recommendations based on similar purchases, and access to more than 100,000 apps on the BlackBerry World storefront.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]BlackBerry Introduces a Youthful and Fun BlackBerry 10 QWERTY smartphone, the BlackBerry Q5, for Selected Markets

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – May 14, 2013) – BlackBerry(R) (NASDAQ:BBRY)(TSX:BB) today introduced the BlackBerry(R) Q5, a new youthful and fun BlackBerry(R) 10 smartphone for selected markets. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard with discrete keys in a stunning youthful design that is confident, fun, and bold. Every feature, every part of the BlackBerry Q5 has been built to provide a fast, effortless experience that flows and moves with you to help you explore, create, and share while on the go.

“BlackBerry is excited to bring a new BlackBerry QWERTY smartphone, the BlackBerry Q5, to our customers in selected markets around world,” said Thorsten Heins, President and CEO of BlackBerry. “The BlackBerry Q5 gives you the best of everything with its cutting-edge BlackBerry 10 functionality and a physical QWERTY keyboard. It is for youthful fans that are passionate, confident and bold, and it makes it easy for them to have fun, create, share and stay connected.”

As part of the BlackBerry 10 experience, the BlackBerry Q5 smartphone offers a powerful and unique mobile computing experience that continuously adapts to your needs. Features and apps work seamlessly together, allowing your every move to flow into the next. Highlights of the BlackBerry Q5 smartphone include:

The evolution of the classic BlackBerry Keyboard

The BlackBerry Q5 features a classic BlackBerry Keyboard with discrete keys that has been re-engineered and elegantly designed to help you type fast, accurately and with the least amount of effort. Plus with Instant Action shortcuts you can type to perform tasks faster. The BlackBerry Q5 smartphone gives you the best of both worlds – a classic QWERTY keyboard for optimized communications and a 3.1″ touchscreen for all the rest.

Create the perfect shot with BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker

Create the picture perfect shot with BlackBerry(R) Time Shift mode, then create and share your story, weaving together your photos, videos and music into a movie with BlackBerry(R) Story Maker.

Share and be seen with BBM Video with Screen Share

Instantly switch your BBM(TM) (BlackBerry(R) Messenger) chat to a BBM Video conversation and catch up face-to-face. You can even share your screen, whether it’s a photo, a page in the browser, an idea, or a view from your camera.(i)

Stay close to what’s important to you with BlackBerry Hub

With BlackBerry(R) Hub, all of your messages and social conversations are only one swipe away. There’s no need to stop what you’re doing. Simply peek into the BlackBerry Hub from anywhere with a swipe to effortlessly flow in and out of your messages and conversations.

BlackBerry World delivers a rich, thriving app and content ecosystem

Discovering and sharing great apps and content is easier than ever with recommendations based on similar purchases, and access to more than 100,000 apps on the BlackBerry(R) World(TM) storefront.

Pricing and Availability

The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone will be available in selected markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia (including the Asia Pacific region), and Latin America, with expected availability beginning in July.[/toggle]

May 15, 2013

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Highlights and features of the BlackBerry Q5