Smartphone News and Reviews, Latest Cellphones, Accessories, New Launches, Specifications, Details with Image and Video from Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, Moto, HTC, Xiaomi, Oneplus, Meizu, Sony, Lava, Micromax Yu Mobile and More.
Apple Music has finally arrived on Android. The newest music streaming app is the third Apple app to make its way to Android – the first to being Move to iOS and BeatPill+. Apple Music is something many Android users have been waiting for. It is one of Apple’s better launches this year and one that has pleased music lovers all over.
The Android app looks similar to Apple Music on iOS with only some differences that are particular to Android. The design is pretty much the same and all the Apple Music options are there including Beats Radio. True to Android the app has a left slide-out menu that features the For You, New, Radio, Connect, Playlists and My Music tabs. The For You section is packed with albums and curated playlists based on your taste. The suggestions look just like the iOS.
But those are just the pros to the story. The Android beta version of the Apple Music comes with a host of bugs and glitches that are quite putting off.
The app is far from working smoothly at the moment. Saved playlists and album artworks take a long time to load properly even with fast network connectivity, and you’re left with black spaces and a white background that makes the overall app a dull affair.
Downloading multiple songs or a playlist seem to fail occasionally while single downloads work fine. Since it’s still in beta stage one expects the app to come with some issues. The updated version will look to smooth things out.
Furthermore, the app does not sync with your music folder, which one would have preferred since Android users tend to use their phones like an MP3 player, storing music files for years. Thus, the My Music page will only show songs purchased from iTunes and songs saved from Apple Music. Google Play Music allows streaming as well as downloaded music files so Android users may just stick with that.
Apple Music has a massive library of music and one can pretty much find anything in there. For users in India, this means that there is now a great alternative for popular music streaming apps like Saavn, Wynk and Gaana. To download the Apple Music for Android, head on over to the Google Play Store and try it out. As mentioned above, the app has a 3-month free trial after which you’ll have to pay to stay on.
BlackBerry seems to be in the forefront of things currently, and along those lines there seems to be another leak about an alleged Android device being created by BlackBerry and code-named Vienna. The Vienna is slightly different looking, as compared to the Priv. While the Priv has a hidden keyboard which can be revealed by sliding the display upwards; the Vienna has a visible QWERTY keyboard.
Image Source: crackberry.com
However, one must note, that this is just a leak and the images may not be the end design of the project. It is further speculated that this product could possibly be cheaper than the BlackBerry Priv. Now, as we speak about the display of the Vienna, it can be seen that there are three physical Android keys above the QWERTY keyboard. Along with that, we can also see the rear and front cameras.
As of now, this is all we know about the Vienna. There is no information about the launch or announcement of the device.
According to an HTC ROM developer the HTC One X9 will be launched early next year around January to March 2016 and unfortunately it won’t be a high-end smartphone. The source has further suggested that this new handset might be priced lower than the One A9.
HTC E56 (One X9) targeted Q1 2016 Device will be positioned lower than HTC One A9 It will be released ~2-3 months before flagship “M10”
The availability of the One X9 will reportedly be around the first quarter of 2016 and there’s more; HTC might reveal a flagship successor to the One M9 called the One M10. As of now, there is no information about the M10, but we do know that the rumoured specs for the X9 are reportedly incorrect. There won’t be a Quad HD screen, or the Snapdragon 820 or the MediaTek Helio X20 processor or 4 GB of RAM, and not even a 3,500 mAh battery.
HTC One X9 rumours (1/2): Snapdragon 820 or MediaTek Helio X20 – Wrong 3GB or 4GB RAM – Wrong 32-128 GB ROM – Wrong 1440p screen – Wrong
However, Twitter ‘leakster’ @evleaks suggest that the X9 or the E56 might feature a 5.5-inch display with 1080 x 1920 pixels, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory, 4 MP UltraPixel front-facing camera, 13 MP rear camera, and a 3000 mAh battery.
.@stagueve All wrong. E56 sports a Mediatek SoC & 5.5″ FHD display. Memory is just 2GB/16GB, camera 13MP/4UP (OIS), w/ a 3000mAh battery. — Evan Blass (@evleaks) November 9, 2015
Apart from tweets and specs leaks, there have also been a couple of images leaked by @TechTA.
This leak shows us both the front display and the back cover of the alleged smartphone. The first thing we notice is the dual-LED flash that is located in the upper left corner of the One X9, it can also be implied that this device could sport three capacitative buttons below the display, back, home and overview. Thirdly, there might also be BoomSound speakers included within the HTC mid-ranged smartphone.
As of now, this is all the information that is available, so until then, stay tuned and we will bring you all the facts you need to know regarding this handset.
Diwali is right around the corner and we are all receiving and sending gifts to one another. However, picking the right gift is always a very tricky affair. So, in order to make it slightly easier for you, we bring you a list of smartphones in different ranges that could help you pick your Diwali present.
Low-Range Smartphones (Rs.5,000 – Rs.10,000)
1. Moto E 2nd Generation: Motorola has been doing quite well this year with its budget smartphones and the Moto E 2nd Gen is definitely one worth sending out as a Diwali present.
This phone boasts a:
5MP primary camera with auto focus, HDR and 0.3MP front facing camera
4.5-inch (11.43 centimeters) quarter HD IPS capacitive touchscreen with 960 x 540 pixels resolution
Android v5 Lollipop operating system with 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 quad core processor, 400MHz Adreno 302 GPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (GSM+UMTS)
2390mAH lithium-ion battery
You can buy this phone on Amazon India for Rs.4,999.
2. YU Yuphoria: This smartphone from Micromax’s YU comes with:
8MP primary camera and 5MP front facing camera
5-inch (12.7 centimeters) HD IPS capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution and 294 ppi pixel density
Android v5.1.1 Lollipop operating system with Snapdragon 410 quad core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (GSM+GSM)
2230mAH lithium-ion battery providing talk-time of 7 hours and standby time of 160 hours
Android Lollipop with CyanogenOS 12 and OxygenOS – 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad core processor, 578MHz Adreno-330 GPU, 3GB RAM, 64GB internal memory and single Micro SIM
Multi-touch IPS 5.5″ (13.97 cm) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (full HD 1080 x 1920 pixels @ 401 PPI) touch-screen by JDI with LTPS technology
Long lasting 3,100 mAh Li-Po battery and best-in-class camera (13MP Sony IMX214 rear with dual LED flash & 5MP front with 1080p@30fps); 6 lenses to avoid distortion and color aberration, 4K resolution video with stereo recording
4G LTE, Bluetooth v4.1, GPRS, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with Miracast
This phone is exclusively available on Amazon India at a Diwali price of Rs.17,999 instead of Rs.19,999.
2. Mi 4 (16GB):
13MP primary camera with 4K UHD video recording and 8MP front facing camera
5-inch (12.7 centimeters) IPS HD capacitive touchscreen with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution and 441 ppi pixel density
Android v4.4.4 KitKat operating system with 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB RAM, 16GB internal memory and single SIM
3080mAH lithium-polymer battery
The Mi 4 which was originally priced at Rs.14,999 will now be available on Amazon India at Rs.12,999.
3.Micromax Canvas Knight 2 E471:
13MP primary camera and 5MP front facing camera
5-inch (12.7 centimeters) AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution
Android v5 Lollipop operating system with 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 octa core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB and dual SIM (GSM+GSM)
2260mAH lithium-ion battery providing talk-time of 7 hours 45 minutes and standby time of 335 hours.
High-Range Phones (Rs.20,000 and above)
1. OnePlus Two:
The star smartphone of the year comes with –
13MP primary camera with f/2.0 Aperture, 1.3 µm Pixels, 6-lenses, Dual LED Flash, advanced Laser Autofocus with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and 5MP front facing camera
Designed with premium stainless steel frame and multi-touch IPS 5.5″ Corning Gorilla Glass IPS LCD (full HD 1080 x 1920 pixels @ 401 PPI, 1500:1 contrast ratio; 178 degrees viewing angle)
OxygenOS based on Android Lollipop 5.1.1 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (64 bit with 1.8GHz Octa-core SoC) featuring 4G LTE, Adreno 430 GPU; 4GB LPDDR4 RAM; 64GB eMMC5 storage
3,300 mAh Li-Po battery; Dual Nano SIM, Fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C port and 3-way physical alert toggle switch
It is now available on Amazon India at Rs.24,999.
2. HTC One M9 Plus (Gold-Silver, 32GB):
20MP primary camera with sapphire cover lens, auto focus, BSI sensor and ultrapixel front facing camera
5.2-inch (13.2 centimeters) capacitive touchscreen with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution
Android operating system with 2.2GHz,Mediatek MT6795T helio X10 octa core processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal memory expandable up to 2TB and single SIM
2840mAH lithium-ion battery providing talk-time of 23 hours on 2G, 13 hours on 3G networks and standby time of 598 hours on 2G, 626 hours on 3G networks
The HTC One M9 Plus is available at Rs.39,705, which originally would have been Rs.53,900.
16 MP, 2988 x 5312 pixels, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash
This phone that is originally priced at Rs.58,699 will now come at Rs.39,990 this Diwali 2015.
4. iPhone 6:
This list would be incomplete without the iPhone, the iPhone 6 comes with –
4.7-inch (diagonal) Retina HD display with 1334-by-750 resolution
A8 chip with M8 motion coprocessor
8-megapixel iSight camera with Focus Pixels and True Tone flash
1080p HD video recording at 60 fps and slo-mo video recording at 240 fps
FaceTime HD camera
Touch ID fingerprint sensor
LTE1 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi
We hope this list solves at least one-quarter of your problems (all offers and prices are subject to vary as they are applicable only for limited periods of time). Until then Happy Diwali from us! Have a safe one.
Chinese smartphone vendor made a huge entry into the Indian markets with their OnePlus One. Initially we didn’t know what to expect of it, but eventually we were pleasantly surprised as OnePlus One arrived with top notch hardware for its time. Take a look at some of its specifications:
Today, we bring you some good news, that Amazon India is offering a Diwali Special offer on the OnePlus One. The smartphone which was originally priced at Rs.19,999 will now be priced at Rs,17,99 this Diwali.
The phone comes with superior specs and an impressive body. It comes in a sandstone version with chrome and metallic accents, logos, buttons and the Cyanogen logo printed at the back. If you are still not sure about whether to buy this phone or not, click here for other specs, details, unboxing and a hands on review to help you make your mind.
Last month we had mentioned HTC is planning to launch the Desire 728G in India. Today, HTC has indeed launched the phone at a price of Rs. 17,990. The smartphone is offered in Purple Myst and White Luxury colour variants and is available at major offline retailers.
“The new HTC Desire 728G Dual SIM brings distinctive design into a feature-rich smartphone, providing you with a great value smartphone which you can truly make your own. We want to provide a powerful, fully customisable experience to our customers, and the HTC Desire 728G Dual SIM brings this in abundance,” said Faisal Siddiqui, President, HTC South Asia during the launch.
The HTC Desire 728G Dual SIM is housed in a stylish, elegant body and boasts a clean yet striking finish. The device features a 5.5-inch HD (729×1280 pixels) display. It is powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek octa-core processor paired with 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage expandable up to 2 TB via MicroSD card slot.
The handset also features a 13 MP primary camera with BSI sensor, f/2.2 aperture and LED flash, and a 5 MP front camera with 1080p video recording capabilities, a 2,080 mAh battery, and will run on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Other connectivity features include dual-SIM card slots, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 and GPS. The dual SIM, however, does not support 4G.
Online sales of the HTC Desire 728G have yet to begin. We’ll bring word as and when the device becomes available with online retailers in India.
For the first time in the history of selling iPhones in India, Apple is offering a buyback on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus of up to Rs. 34,000 within a month of their launch in the country. The new iPhones are the most expensive in India as compared to other countries around the world. Thus, the buyback scheme is undoubtedly Apple’s attempts to boost its sales post a lukewarm Indian response to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Other than owing to the unexpectedly high price of the new iPhones, which falls between Rs. 62,000- Rs. 92,000, the fall in the price of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus from last year by Rs. 8,000- Rs. 9,000 has further led to reduced sales of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
One of Apple’s four iPhone distributors, Ingram Micro, has announced the buyback scheme in some Apple stores and a couple of other multi-brand cellphone stores in South India, soon to be available elsewhere in the country. This move will be followed by the other three distributors as Apple attempts to meet its target sales for the October-December quarter.
A senior executive of one of the leading trade partners in the country commented on this, “Earlier companies offering buyback used to give indirect subsidy to retailers to compensate and it was the retailer’s headache to sell the old phone, but this time the entire process is driven by Apple.”
The buyback scheme of Rs. 34,000 on the latest iPhones is against iPhone 6. The offer also includes some hi-end Samsung handsets as well. A separate website has been created by Apple where details of old handsets can be uploaded by retailers against which new models can be bought. This buyback scheme by Apple has followed a 7-11% discount on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus on major e-commerce websites in India. Is the new scheme incentive enough for you to give the new iPhones a try?
Nexus devices are traditionally examples of what Google wants from companies in the year to come. They are devices designed to run on the latest versions of Android keeping the performance at its best, being a design and performance benchmark of sorts that run pure Android. However this year google seems to have changed its philosophy and has launched two new Nexus devices. So is the cheaper Nexus 5X actually up to standards with what Google usually puts out, or is it Google’s shadow attempt at keeping the mid-tier market happy?
Build Quality and Design
The Nexus 5X made by LG for Google appears to have a little too much plastic, and is extremely light -so much so that it does not feel premium at all. Made entirely of plastic, barring the display, the device is rather flimsy looking. However, it does not feel like it will break easily, the plastic is rigid, but in no way feels anything close to the feel on the Nexus 6 or the Nexus 5 for that matter. No mention of IP ratings and you get an outdated Gorilla Glass 3 with a simple Oleophobic coating.
The design is not winning any points for now, the black Nexus 5X is fairly boring with a bump on the back for the camera. The back panel is extremely fingerprint and smudge-friendly and gets stained easily. Laying on a table the Nexus 5X is nothing out of the ordinary, and the complete use of plastic kills not only the aesthetic but a lot of the premium feel at the price bracket. Devices like the Moto X and Samsung A8 offer a lot more design and visual appeal. Push a little further in your budget and you get the Samsung Galaxy S6, one of the “prettiest” phones of 2015.
The great thing about the Nexus 5X is that, unlike the Nexus 6, it is very lightweight at only 136g grams and can easily used with one average sized hand.
Hardware
The hardware on the Nexus 5X seems to be a compromise, with Google sticking to Snapdragon 808 and 2 GB of RAM, the only major improvements are the cameras which now stand at 12.3 MP and 5 MP.
Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System
Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price
Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990
Camera
The new Nexus 5X and 6P have similar cameras, and they have to be the best Nexus cameras yet. While low light performance is questionable, the cameras do exceedingly well in good lighting. Good accurate colours, ample amounts of contrast and dynamic range are some the highlights of the cameras.
The main camera captures images just under the full resolution of 12.3 MP at 12.2 MP and UHD video. The front camera comes up with 5 MP pictures and 1920 x 1080p video. While the images are crisp and great to look at, the camera app does slow down once in a while and does not give the experience that is expected from Nexus devices. The rear camera gets laser assisted (IR sensor) auto focus, mostly seen on LG flagship phones, and works pretty efficiently in capturing focus points.
Video quality is great at 4k, but due to the lack of IS, the video tends to be shaky when shot by shaky hands. Sample below.
Android Marshmallow and Experience
The new Nexus 5X, just as each Nexus before it, comes with the latest version of Android, which in this case is Android 6.0 Marshmallow. With this new update you get improved UI features like an App search bar, a new Clock and lock screen messages.
You also get performance upgrades, a brand new RAM manager, standard support for fingerprint scanners and USB type C ports, and hence the new Nexus phones have those both.
Software updates like ‘Now on Tap’ allow you to look at Google Now throughout the UI. Apart from the usual “Ok Google” command, a long-press on the Home button makes the Google Now assistant scan whatever’s on the screen to find extra info online that might be helpful.
Privacy is now been updated and apps can no longer bypass this. A new security feature asks for passwords during boot, and not after booting to prevent unintentional battery drain if a non-owner tries to start the phone.
The new Doze feature is incredible at recognising when the phone is idle to put it in a rested state. This considerably improves battery performance on the Nexus 5X.
Performance and Battery
The Google Nexus 5X is losing out on one big thing and that is performance. Each year Nexus phones stand out as leaders defining performance standards for companies, however, this year the case is different. The higher of the two Nexus devices launched this year, the Nexus 6P, is more of a performance benchmark. The 5X is mostly being sold to cater to those who basically don’t like the idea of an expensive Nexus phone, as was seen last year with the Nexus 6.
The Nexus 5X runs dated and weak Snapdragon 808 chipset because, most manufacturers have preferred the 808 over the 810 pertaining its heat issues. The 808 scores considerably less on benchmarks achieving 48020 on Antutu which falls roughly below last year’s Note 4 by Samsung. So the Nexus 5X is not a flagship benchmark.
Battery life is assisted by the Doze feature and gives you extended use, especially if you have a long screen-off time.
The Nexus 5X will easily last a day for the average user going into the second day before requiring a charge. With a talk time of around 6 hours, we are not complaining.
Usage
LG Nexus 5X
Talk Time
5.5 – 6 hours
Internet on LTE
4 hours
Internet on Wi-Fi
5 hours
Gaming and Video
5 hours
Standby
6- 7 days
Conclusion
The Nexus 5X is available in India for a price of Rs 29,990 (at the time of review) for the 16 GB variant which is about Rs. 4,000 more than the US$ 379 price. At this price it lacks the essence of a Nexus phone. Its built in plastic lacks a QHD display and comes with 2 GB of RAM, the best advantage of the Nexus remains the quick updates. For a better hardware experience the Moto X Style offer better value for money, at the same price and has a QHD display 3 GB of RAM and better cameras, fast turbo charging and dual sim capabilities. More over you get expandability up to 128 GB. The Moto X style offers a near-Nexus Android experience and will soon get marshmallow.
You should consider one of the many other options instead of the Nexus 5X this year. For LG and Google the intent is wonderful and the phone brings back the brilliance of the Nexus 5, however the Nexus 6P is more Nexus than the Nexus 5X.
Motorola is ushering in this Diwali season with a bunch of new exchange offers and discounts on their handsets. Let us take a look at some of their Diwali deals:
1. The Moto X Style (32GB):
This is part of Motorola’s premium handsets that comes with a 5.7inch display along with a 1440X2560 pixel resolution and corning gorilla glass 3 protection. It runs on the Android OS version 5.1 Lollipop and can be upgraded to 6.0 Marshmallow. The X Style is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 and comes with a 3GB RAM with internal memory of 32GB expandable via a micro SD card to 128GB. It comes with a 21MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera and is fueled by a non-removable 3000mAh battery. The original price of this handset is Rs.31,999, however this Diwali it comes with an exchange offer of up to Rs.15,000 on Flipkart.
2. Moto X Play (32GB):
This handset comes with a 5.5-inch display and a 1080 X 1920 pixels resolution protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It runs on the Android OS version 5.1.1 Lollipop which can be upgraded to the version 6.0 Marshmallow, and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 615. The smartphone comes with a memory of 32GB expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card and also comes with 2GB of RAM. On the camera front it comes with a 21MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera; the X Play has a non-removable 3630mAh battery. The original price of this handset is Rs.19,999, but this Diwali it will be priced at Rs.18,999 along with an exchange offer of up to Rs.8,000 on Flipkart.
3. Moto G3 (16GB):
The Moto G3 (16GB) comes with a 5-inch display and 720X1280p resolution while being protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It is currently run on the Android OS version 5.1.1 Lollipop and has a planned upgrade to the version 6.0 Marshmallow. This handset is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 and comes with an internal memory of 16GB expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card and has a 2GB of RAM space. It has a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP secondary camera while being fueled by a non-removable Li-Ion 2470mAh battery. The original price of this phone is Rs.12,999, but this Diwali it comes at a discounted amount of Rs.11,999 along with an exchange offer of up to Rs.5,000 on Flipkart.
4. Moto E2 (4G):
This lower ranged smartphone comes with a 4.5-inch display and 540 X 960p resolution while being protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with an oleophobic coating. It is run on the Android OS, v5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to v5.1 (Lollipop) and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 410. The Moto E Gen 2 4G comes with an internal memory of 8GB expandable up to 32Gb via a micro SD card and comes along with a 1GB of RAM space.On the camera front it comes with a 5MP primary camera and VGA secondary camera. This phone is fueled by a Li-Ion 2390mAh battery. Originally priced at Rs.6,999 it now comes at Rs.5,999 on Flipkart.
5. Motorola Nexus 6:
This high end phone comes with a 5.96 inches display and a 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution while being protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It is run on the Android OS, v5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to v5.1 (Lollipop) and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805. It comes with an internal memory of 32/64 GB with a 3GB of RAM space. However, this phone comes with an expandable external memory card slot. On the camera front it comes with a 13MP primary camera and a 2MP front camera. The Nexus 6 is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3220mAh battery. originally priced at Rs.29,999 it will soon be available at Rs.24,999 along with an exchange offer up to Rs.10,000 exclusively on Flipkart.
We hope these offers enhance your Diwali celebrations!
Major mobile brands are paying a lot of attention to the mid-range market. Samsung already has a bunch of devices in the mid-range bracket, and so does Motorola and many others others. It is also rumoured that Apple may come out with a cheaper 4-inch iPhone 7. Now Huawei has joined the party as well with its G7 Plus mid-range device.
Huawei has expanded its mid-range G series with the Huawei G7 Plus. The G7 Plus is similar to the G8 which was announced at IFA 2015 and stands as a successor to the G7 that came out last year.
The G7 Plus comes with an upgraded display and processor. It sports a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen display with a 2.5D Gorilla Glass on top, a 13 MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, a 5 MP selfie snapper. Under the hood you’ll find Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 615 chipset with 1.5 GHz octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality, 4G LTE, and a 3,000 mAh battery.
Other features include a square fingerprint sensor beneath the rear camera. There’s dual SIM capability and comes with LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. The device will run on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
The Huawei G7 Plus has launched in China and Thailand at a price of 2097 Yuan (approx. $330), but there’s no word yet on when the device will launch in other markets.
HTC received a truckload of criticism for coming out with an iPhone look alike with the One A9. Yes, HTC did not hesitate in ripping off the most notable iPhone characteristics. The company later came out with a defence stating that Apple copied them first.
This is fine and all, but now HTC has come out with a commercial titled ‘Be Different’, which blatantly copies (read: parodies) Apple’s ‘1984’ advertisement. More than the actual device, the commercial relies heavily on symbolism.
The theme is a familiar one. Back in 1984, Apple launched the Macintosh with a commercial that showed a woman (representing Macintosh) saving humanity from conformity (Big Brother). The idea was based on George Orwells dystopian novel , ‘1984’. Apple’s commercial became iconic for its timing, poetic spirit, and the fact that it truly ushered in personal computing.
Jump to 2015 and we see HTC pulling a ‘1984’. The commercial for the One A9 is eerily similar to Apple’s commercial. It follows the same dystopic theme. Here we have a man running through a dystopian environment with his HTC One A9, while scores of expressionless men and women (all dressed alike) march around him. But because he carries a One A9, he’s “Different” and “Bold”.
The symbolism doesn’t just end there. The true punch comes when the man finds himself at the creepiest looking dinner ever. He proceeds to jump on the table and literally kicks a pile of ‘apples’. Why does he do it? Because the apples have become boring, grey, and generic. And that’s what HTC wants you to ‘break’ away from.
As one would expect, the internet is seeing mixed responses to the commercial. While some are just cringing over how HTC has ripped of iPhone and doesn’t even deny it, others feel that the company is playing it very smart coming out with an iPhone-like phone and commercial.
Microsoft held a Future Unleashed event in Mumbai today. CEO Satya Nadella delivered a keynote speech wherein he announced that the Surface Pro 4 will launch in India in January 2016. Microsoft has so far refused to sell the Surface range of tablets in India, believing that the market was not ready for high-end laptops and tablets.
Nadella also announced that the new Windows 10-powered Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones would launch in India next month. He also showcased the much talked about Continuum Mode that lets you hook up the smartphone to a keyboard and display, which in essence lets you use your smartphone like a laptop.
“We are reinventing computing with devices like the HoloLens to Microsoft Band and everything in between.”
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 starts at $899 (Rs. 60,000), the Pro 4 with i5 is priced at $999 (Rs. 65,000) and the Pro 4 with i7 is a whopping $1599 (Rs. 1 lakh). The Indian pricing may cost a little more due to taxes and there is no word yet on which versions Microsoft plans to bring to India.
Nadella’s trip to India come just a month after PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Silicon Valley. Microsoft had earlier said that the company was working on making affordable Internet access available to 5 lakh villages in the country. Mark Zuckerberg also held a Townhall at IIT Delhi last week where he spoke about Facebook’s interest in providing basic internet to rural parts of the country.
Let us know your views on Microsofts newest products in the comments below.
Following its announcement of serving over a billion users, Facebook is once again in news -this time for a standalone app for delivering news to readers. According to reports, the app is called Notify and it will put together news from different sources which include The Washington Post, Comedy Central and Vogue, among others.
Rumours of Facebook working on a news-only app has been milling since August. This app aims to standout from others in the league by giving alerts to the reader as and when the story they are following develops. The reader would not have to visit specific stories or categories again to view the updates and changes.
Notify is expected to follow in the footsteps of Apple’s pre-installed News app for iOS 9 which boasts of over 40 million users now since its launch in mid-September. Let’s see how users take to this newest update by Facebook. Do you think it will simply add to the fray of many other similar news-related apps or will it be a change as refreshing and useful as reports are making it sound to be? We’ll keep you updated as and when we get more on this.
Micromax unveiled the Canvas 5 yesterday and we’ve provided all the technical details as well as a hands-on with the device. But if you’re still a little uncertain about whether you should buy Micromax’s latest flagship then have no worries. We’ve made a list of everything that is going for the Micromax Canvas 5, and if you find your needs mentioned then we suggest you have your wallets ready.
Design
Right off the bat then, the Canvas 5 looks amazing. It has improved a lot since the Canvas 4 in terms of looks. The moment you see the Canvas 5 after unboxing, you’ll notice a shiny and attractive Gorilla Glass 3 on the front that has a 2.5D Curve Touch panel. The glass doesn’t leave smudges and stays pretty clear. This along with a metal side and rounded edge gives the device an iPhone-like feel. In the back you have a removable plastic panel that has a faux leather texture to it. Because it’s extremely flexible, it’s not likely to break any time soon. So if you want a phone that looks and feels great in your hand, you should definitely look to the Canvas 5.
Display
On switching on the device, we found that the 5.2-inch 1920×1080 Full HD display is crisp, clear and bright. The colours are attractive and makes you want to switch on the device even if you have nothing in particular to do. A graphic-intensive game like Asphalt 8 looks great on the device and works pretty smoothly. The details of the game look crisp and also give decent sound clarity.
Performance and UI
First use of the device right after unboxing will generally give a fast performance. So, it is a little early in the day to know exactly how the device will run. But our initial response to the Canvas 5 is that it gives a solid performance for a phone that is priced at Rs. 11,999. The phone will respond quickly to all your basic day-to-day needs and with no app drawer, you can access your apps a lot faster, as is the case with the iPhone. Though, those who prefer an app drawer may find the screen cluttered with bloatware.
Sliding through the phone quick and fluid and you will love the ease of it all within 5 minutes of usage. A 3 GB RAM for a device under 12K bracket is a rare sight and the Canvas 5 comes with just that. This allows you to multi-task with greater ease and also improves gaming performance. In terms of competition, the Canvas 5 wins over the Moto G (3rd Gen) and the Xiaomi Mi 4i for sure.
Camera
The Canvas 5 actually has a great camera app with loads of modes and pro features like those found on flagship Samsung Galaxy phones. You also get an app that lets you retouch images and give the desired makeup that it needs.
The device features a 13MP primary camera and a 5MP front with flash. The images taken by the primary camera are fairly decent and is quick at capturing images. The added professional modes like ISO, exposure compensations and white balance help you take that perfect shot. So, for a mid-range device, the Canvas 5 gives you a lot to play around with.
Price
Pricing is always key for a successful smartphone (unless it’s an iPhone). The Canvas 5 with all the above mentioned pros would be worth it if it is reasonably priced. And luckily it is. At Rs. 11,999, the Canvas 5 is a terrific phone that gives Motorola and Xiaomi a run for their money. The performance, display and design are premium material. The Canvas 5 along with the OnePlus X show us that it is possible to make a great looking device for a mid-level market. Should you go for it? Well, your interests are ticked in the list above then you definitely should buy the Canvas 5.
Samsung’s newest mid-range ‘On’ series has been officially launched in India on the 3rd of November. The On5 and On7 are the first set of devices in this group. We have been talking about them for a while and now let’s take a look at which of the two devices is a better bet.
Design:
Other than the screen size, On5 measuring a 5 inches while On7 measures a 5.5 inches, both phones are completely identical physically. Because of the screen size, On5 is easier to hold and use with one hand. On5 and On7 also have a tough, sturdy feel thanks to the metal frame of the devices.
It should be noted the two handsets differ in their design from J5, and therefore have a better, more pleasant appearance. J5 is inspired by Galaxy S5 in terms of its design which wasn’t a big success with buyers to begin with. Consequently, J5 doesn’t have design as one of its highlights. It was a smart move on Samsung’s part to ditch the S5 and J5 design for the On5 and On7.
Camera:
With primary cameras marked at 8 MP for On5 and 13 MP for On7, the latter definitely offers better, clearer images. However, the same thing cannot be said for the front camera. Both devices give identical results with their cameras marked at 5 MP each.
Samsung Galaxy On5
Processor:
Given that the On7 is priced higher of the two phones, one would expect the processor to be better as well. But surprisingly that’s not the case. On7 has a 1.2Ghz Quad A53 processor with a Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 chipset, while On5 is equipped with a 1.3GHz Quad Core processor which is powered by Exynos 3475.
Samsung Galaxy On7
User Interface and Display:
The two handsets have the same specs for display that is (720×1280 pixel) TFT display. Both phones are quick to respond as well offering a smooth UI, and keeping usage of apps convenient, smooth and uncluttered.
Samsung Galaxy On5
Price:
The specs and price of the On7 is quite similar to the Galaxy J5 except for a bigger battery in the On7 at 3,000 mAh. This begs one to question why exactly Samsung felt the need to introduce a new series when it already had one that covered the price range. Samsung claims to have young consumers in mind as the target audience for the mid-range On5 (Rs.8,990) and On7 (Rs. 10,990).
Samsung Galaxy On7
Meizu m2, Meizu m2 Note, Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime, Micromax Canvas 5 and Moto G (3rd Gen) are some of the devices in the same price range On5 and On7 will face competition from in the market.
Additional Highlights:
The devices are touted as youth friendly and come equipped with an Ultra Data Saving mode that compresses data and saves up to 50% data charges during networking and browsing. The devices also come with MixRadio which is an Apple Music-like streaming service that lets users stream millions of songs, while offering curated music based on the user’s preference at the same time.
Samsung Galaxy On5
Verdict:
With similar specs, and a very narrow difference in their pricing, either of the two devices can be opted for. If you prefer a better main camera and a bigger screen which will definitely be easier on the eyes but harder to use with one hand, then On7 is your device.
However, if you’re more of a selfie-oriented person, willing to let go of crisper images for a more convenient handset that is easier to use with one hand owing to its smaller screen, your answer lies in On5. You would also end up saving a few pennies with this one.
The major difference between the two phones is the 2k price gap, which is equivalent to two movie-outings perhaps? We say let go of two social engagements and get the bigger brother, On7. Let us know in the comments below if you agree and which device would you opt for.
For a closer look, check out the specs table below.
Specs
Galaxy On5
Galaxy On7
Display
5.0-inch HD TFT
5.5-inch HD TFT
Resolution
1280 x 720 pixels
1280 x 720 pixels
Chipset
Exynos 3475
Snapdragon 410 MSM8916
CPU
1.3GHz Quad Core
1.2Ghz Quad A53
GPU
RAM
1.5GB
1.5GB
Primary Camera
8MP(F/2.2) w/ LED Flash
13MP(F/2.1) w/ LED Flash
Front Camera
5MP(F/2.2)
5MP(F/2.2)
Storage
8GB
8GB
Expandability
Up to 128GB via MicroSD card slot
Up to 128GB via MicroSD card slot
Battery
2,600mAh
3,000mAh
Connectivity
Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, Glonass
Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, NFC O (option)
The Google Nexus 5X is losing out on one big thing and that is performance. Each year Nexus phones stand out as leaders defining performance standards for companies, however, this year the case is different. The higher of the two Nexus devices launched this year, the Nexus 6P, is more of a performance benchmark. The 5X is mostly being sold to cater to those who basically don’t like the idea of an expensive Nexus phone, as was seen last year with the Nexus 6.
Battery life is assisted by the Doze feature and gives you extended use, especially if you have a long screen-off time.
The symbolism doesn’t just end there. The true punch comes when the man finds himself at the creepiest looking dinner ever. He proceeds to jump on the table and literally kicks a pile of ‘apples’. Why does he do it? Because the apples have become boring, grey, and generic. And that’s what HTC wants you to ‘break’ away from.
