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Samsung releases Galaxy Tab 2 (7 inch) with ICS out the box
Samsung has just announced its new 7 inch Galaxy Tab, aptly dubber “Tab 2.0”. The new galaxy Tab 2.0 will come with Google’s ICS “Ice Cream Sandwich” upgrade to android pre installed. Two versions – 3G and Wifi with specs that include :
- 1GHz dual-core processor
- 1GB of RAM
- 1024 x 600 LCD
- Android 4.0
- 3 megapixel rear-facing camera, VGA front
- HSPA+ connectivity
The device is set to launch in the UK by March and to hit India soon after.

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Samsung’s new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers optimal multimedia experiences in life

February 13, 2012

Samsung expands the GALAXY Tab range with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) powered by the AndroidTM 4.0 and a 1GHz dual core processor

Prague, February 13, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced its first line-up of tablets for 2012 with the launch of the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0), expanding the choice of tablets to customers. Light and portable, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) is the ideal personal on-the-go device, available in 3G and WiFi versions. Starting from UK, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will be launched in global market from March.

“Two years ago, Samsung GALAXY Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “The new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication.”

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 Tablet

Samsung’s first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS’s vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA? 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity.

Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software.

A complete experience with enriched multimedia content

The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers users easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung Hub services. Samsung’s Music Hub provides a full music store solution with access to over 17 million tracks. Additionally, the Readers Hub provides the user with access to over 2.3 million e-books, 3,500 magazines and over 2,000 newspapers in 51 languages, while the Game Hub instantly connects users to the latest game titles. Samsung is also introducing the Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent, and provides reviews, trailers and recommendations for easier content selection using the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0).

Complementing the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s multimedia offering is Samsung’s upgraded Touchwiz user interface that features Hub widgets for one-step access to users’ content in Hubs; the device also presents S Suggest, a new service offering recommendations of apps suited to users’ tastes directly on a home screen.

The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s superb multimedia experience is further boosted by Samsung’s AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages. Users can also easily transfer content to other devices or directly to web services.

Better Communication Capabilities

Connecting socially has never been easier with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)’s built-in powerful communication capabilities.With the voice call capability, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google? hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content. In addition, ChatON, Samsung’s cross-platform communication service, connects all phone users of any platform into a single community. ChatON uses phone numbers instead of ID and passwords, and provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in various formats-images, video, voice, contacts-to make messaging simple and intuitive.

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February 13, 2012
China government Ban on iPad causes removal of stocks from stores.

Government authorities and retailers in China have started removing stocks of iPad from the shelves in the market, in response to a ruling issued in December. According to Hebei Youth Daily, local representatives of the country’s Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC) have started confiscating Apple’s tablet from retail outlets, with some merchants are voluntarily removing the device from their storefronts as a pre-emptive measure.

As a part of a local campaign this incident only took place in the city of Shijiazhuang, but vendors weary of the outcome have started to take precautions. Remember this is the same country where people literally give body parts to own iPads.

February 13, 2012
Microsoft India Store hacked, Passwords were stored in plain text

The Microsoft India Store was hacked in India earlier today and users who visited the site were met with a “Anonymous” like image and the name of the hacker group called Evil Shadow Team, who, in addition to putting a new face on Windows products, revealed that user passwords were saved in plain text.

The intentions of the group are unknown , but since the attack the site has gone down and is now under tinkering from Microsoft for improved security measures.

February 13, 2012
Google finally getting into free cloud store options : Google Drive

Google is preparing to launch a new cloud storage service that will compete directly with the likes of Dropbox, pogo plug, Rapidshare et all. The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday evening reported that Google is almost ready to announce the new service, which will be called Google Drive. Similar to Dropbox, which creates a virtual drive containing files that are mirrored on a user’s local hard drive and on cloud servers, Google Drive will allow users to store photos, videos, documents and other files in the cloud, and it will be accessible from computers as well as Android tablets and smartphones.

Expect at least 8 Gig of Free storage from the company and this number can be as high as 15 if you consider how generous Google is usually.

[WSJ]

February 10, 2012
HTC announces ICS updates rolling in March for Sensation and Sensation XE

HTC has just updated their Facebook to announce its ICS rollout plan. ICS or Ice Cream Sandwich is the most anticipated Android update since android Froyo. it brings a whole host of changes to the table, and it will be interesting to see how HTC updates their Sense UI to add to ICS. According to HTC’s announcement the HTC Sensation and Sensation XE will be the first to get the updates followed by HTC EVO 3D, HTC Incredible S, HTC Desire S and HTC Desire HD

HTC has been working hard to get its Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades ready, and we’re excited to announce that our first round of ICS upgrades will roll out by the end of March for the HTC Sensation and HTC Sensation XE, followed soon thereafter by the HTC Sensation XL.

In addition, we can confirm Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades will be coming later this year to the HTC EVO 3D, HTC Incredible S, HTC Desire S and HTC Desire HD. Stay tuned for more updates on Ice Cream Sandwich releases in the coming weeks

FOr those in the US HTC has announced ICS updates for the Rezound, Vivid, Amaze 4G and EVO Design 4G. The US devices will get updates by the end of 2012.

[HTC (UK), (US)]

February 10, 2012
Kodak to discontinue manufacture of digital cameras this year

Kodak is going through a hard time, after filing for bankruptcy and suing Samsung, the company has ushered in plans for 2012. Kodak will discontinue manufacture of all its point-and-shoots, pocket camcorders and digital photo frames. Production will end the first half of this year. The future for the company will hold printers, brand licensing, enterprise services and photo labs. For those who already own Kodak products will continue to get warranties and service.

February 10, 2012
Rumor : iPad 3 Announcement will happen in First Week of March

Looks like its iPad time of the year, several sources are pointing at the 1st week of March announcement of the iPad 3, with stock available soon after. The new Tablet from Apple is supposedly set to use the same form factor as the iPad 2 , but will boast a faster processor , higher resolution display and bigger battery according to rumors. The iPad 3 will also come with improved optics for rear and from cameras and a whole new Speaker system. Knowing Apple, these many changes may not actually be happening to the iPad.

The iPad 2 was announce March 2nd last year, so the dates seem to coincide with last years launch.

[All Things D]

February 10, 2012
Airtel releases Q3 Results out : 18,000 Cr Revenue and 1000 Cr Profit
Bharti Airtel Limited has just released their financial results for the third quarter 2011. Declaring overall customer base, year over year profits and an overall increase in revenues for the company. The total revenues for the total revenues for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 of `18,477 crore grew by crore grew by 17.1% over the last year. India & South Asia India & South Asia continued its double digit revenue growth (Y-o–Y 12.1%) aided by improvement in realisation rates. Africa Africa revenues recorded a healthy Y-o-Y growth ofY growth of 16.1%; the growth was a strong 32.2Consolidated EBITDA margins % in Rupee terms% in Rupee terms, aided by exchange rate movements.

Main highlights of the result
- Overall customer base stands at Overall customer base stands at 243 million, across 19 countries
- Total revenues at ` 18,477 crore, up by crore, up by 17.1% Y-o-Y
- Non Voice revenues at ` 2,801 crore, up by 20.4% Y-o-Y
- India & South Asia revenues at a & South Asia revenues at `13,163 crore, up by 12.1% Y-o-Y
- Africa revenues came in at $1,0057 million, up by 16.1% Y-o-Y; in Rupee terms, Africa revenue growth is a in Rupee terms, Africa revenue growth is a strong 32.2%.
- Consolidated EBITDA of ` 5,95858 crore, up by 19.0% Y-o-Y. EBITDA margins imprimproved to 32.2% (PY: 31.7%).
I am pleased that investments in branding and networks continue to be our focus in India, as we enhance customer experience for voice quality and cater to the ever increasing demand for data. These investments are resulting in healthy growth of Mobile revenues. In Africa, we have crossed the 50 million customer milestone and are now one of the fastest growing telecom companies in the continent

Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti Airtel

The Consolidated Operating Free Cash Flow in the nine months at ` 6,279 crore was lifted by a strong performance in India; Africa reported positive operating cash flow for the first time in Q3. The Net Debt – Equity ratio is 1.38 (Q2 FY12: 1.33) and Net Debt – EBITDA ratio was held at 2.56 (Q2 FY12: 2.59).

[Airtel]
February 8, 2012
Google Launches Chrome browser for Android Devices (video)

Nothing less than expected, Google on Tuesday announced the first beta release of its Chrome Web browser for Android-powered smartphones and tablets. With Chrome, Google is focused on aligning its mobile browsing experience more closely with its desktop browser.

Like the desktop version, Chrome for Android Beta is focused on speed and simplicity, but it also features seamless sign-in and sync so you can take your personalized web browsing experience with you wherever you go, across devices.

– Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP of Chrome

February 8, 2012
Get your grips on : Gaming on the Nokia Lumia 800 Demo Video

A quick Video that demonstrates Gaming Capability of the Nokia Lumia 800 and similar Windows Phone Devices.

February 8, 2012
Samsung launches new remote with Siri like voice commands

Heard rumors of an Apple TV with Siri voice control, well Samsung’s not even waiting for that to launch as the company has already launched a new remote with voice activated functionality. The new remote is a Universal remote and can be used on all Samsung Televisions and Home Theater systems. It drops all flavor of buttons to be replaced with voice features.

While the remote will use a combination of Bluetooth and IR to connect to a range of existing and upcoming TVs, Samsung is yet to give out an official list of supported devices, or even if the remote will work cross brands. The remote can also be used for controlling a set-top box, Blu-ray Disc player, etc.

With the possibility of Apple taking the HDTV industry by storm major companies are not waiting around to see what the outcome is, as they did with the iPhone and iPad. All brands including Samsung, Sony, LG and Philips showed off Voice activated features in their displays at CES 2012.

[Link]

February 8, 2012
Facebook changes looks again, new photo viewer claimed better!

Facebook has once again implemented new changes to the out look of its main website in continuation of its timeline UI. The new features include a newer photo and video viewer which darkens the background to retain focus on the photo in question , the comments and the “sponsored stories”.

The new photo/video browser while appreciated a lot more that the previous version which was slow and laggy compared to the original Facebook photo/video viewer, wow its happened many times. A lot new changes can be expected from the website, especially since it has recently filed the largest IPO by an Online company, since Google.

[facebook]

February 8, 2012
Samsung Wave M Unboxing and Quick Review
So we finally got our taste of the new Wave M, the cheaper version in the new range of BADA devices from Sammy. The Phone has a good set of specs and a decent price, but we sometimes feel Samsung is stretching its luck.

The device is well built to say the least, the touchscreen is very responsive and the list of included apps is interesting. The device does however lag a lot, and we saw this during our initial impression, its not a pretty sight.

In the Box is a charger, usb cable, 3.5mm headset with in-ear cups, the phone itself, a 1350mAh battery, a leather type cover and the warranty booklet along with quick start guide.

The back of the device is an interesting metallic texturized looking finish which is actually pretty smooth to touch and yet does not attract fingerprints. The buttons seem tactile and the device feels good to hold in the hand.

Initial impressions of the software lacked and the device failed to deliver during browser testing in the initial hands on (you will see in upcoming video).

Specs Include
- 832 MHz Processor
- 3.65 Inch Screen
- Bluetooth 3.0
- WiFi Direct
- Bada 2.0
- 5MP Cam
- 3G
Price is about Rs.12,250 in the Market.

Video Unboxing Coming Up!
February 7, 2012
Samsung Champ Duos Deluxe C3312 Unboxing and Hands on !
The next revision of the Samsung Champ is here and with a bang. The Champ Duos Deluxe is a dual sim variant of the Champ lineup with added features, an improved touchscreen and a lot more apps in the newer user interface.

In the box of the Champ Duos Deluxe you will find a charger, handsfree , manual and warranties along with the handset itself. The first look of the device shows that the device is well built and can handle some beating.

The touchscreen is a resistive touchscreen but is very responsive to the finger aswell, as will be demonstrated in our video.

Samsung Champ Deluxe Duos C3312 features and specification:
- 1.3 MP Primary Camera
- Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with dual standby
- 2.8-inch Touchscreen
- FM Radio
- GPRS and EDGE Enabled
- Expandable Storage Capacity upto 32 GB
- Operating Freq:GSM – 900, 1800
- User Interface: TouchWiz
- Java: Yes
- Screen resolution: QVGA, 240 x 320 Pixels
- Video Recording:Yes
- Size:55 x 101.8 x 12.1 mm
- Battery:Li-Ion, 1000 mAh
Price of the Phone is (MRP.) Rs 4750

Video Coming Soon.
February 7, 2012
Volkswagen Ready to source double components from India – Spend US$ 942 Million

Volkswagen Group is looking to double ‘component sourcing from India’ with an expense of $924m for the current year said Audi Chief Michael Perschke. While Audi looks at multiple car launches and dealership expansion in 2012, VW Group luxury car maker acknowledges that cost effective manufacturing would find strength in component sourcing from India, and investment in new plants.

The Volkswagen Group sources various components from India that include crankshafts for vehicles across its Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda brands.

Audi sold just over 5,500 cars in India in 2011, and targets sales of 8,000 cars in the current calendar year, in line with luxury car sales growth of around 50 percent in the country.

In the long run, our expectations are to increase our global sourcing out of India,” Perschke said. “In terms of cost competitiveness […] India has a strategic advantage.”

-Michael Perschke

Audi sold just over 5,500 cars in India in 2011, and targets sales of 8,000 cars in the current calendar year, in line with luxury car sales growth of around 50 percent in the country.

Spending on luxury cars in India grew 36 percent in 2009-10 to $1bn, according to a recently released report by AT Kearney, outstripping growth in jewellery, electronics and watches. But, we still lack behind countries like China where Mercedes and BMW sold a combined 320,000 vehicles in the first nine months of 2011.

February 6, 2012