Category: Mobile

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.

Xiaomi Issues MiUi Update to fix some Mi3 Issues

Xiaomi seems to be pumped up about its new Mi3 sales in India, and the company is hell bent on proving that they are here to stay. The new MiUi update comes just days after the initial batch of phones were sold in India. This update addresses some of the crashing issues that people have been facing, along with other bug fixes and add ons.

The new MiUi update adds a new “saver” feature in data usage, which will allow users to possibly save on data costs. The MiUi update also adds a new version of Block and optimises the online music page.

The file is 592 MB in size and will essentially do a software re-flash, so is recommended that you back up your data before you proceed.

The Xiaomi Mi3 competes with the flagships for a price that is considered lower than mid range. The Mi3 is powered by a Snapdragon 800 chipset and features a 1920 x 1080p display, has a 3050 mAh battery and comes with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. MiUi comes on top of Android 4.4 Kitkat and hopeful the company will issue the next version of Android, currently known as Android L.

For more details on the Mi3, read our review here.

July 27, 2014
Xiaomi Mi3 Review : Get it Now!
The era of saying, “that’s a Chinese phone” in a negative manner may have finally ended, and that will be purely thanks to the fact that a lot of Chinese manufacturers are ready to put that norm to rest.

With Gionee taking the market horses by the reins last year, Xiaomi is the latest player and is ready to play in the heated battle zone with the right approach for India.

OVERVIEW

India is the most price sensitive market in the world, one of the largest markets for Mobile Phone users, even those who switch handsets frequently. The country is flooded with manufacturers and brands trying to reach a level of excitement in the mobile space. With the Xiaomi Mi3, the Chinese manufacturer hit the right note with Indian buyers, by simply launching the product. There was a huge demand for a good budget phone; However Xiaomi dissolved their overheads by launching the product at a marvellous price of Rs 13999/- for the 16 GB variant.

The stocks are very limited, and only those who preregister can buy the phone. Every few days the phone will go on sale on shopping website Flipkart, making it excruciatingly difficult to own one right now. What makes it more painful is the long list of dealers who have multiple accounts on Flipkart, waiting to snatch this phone, just so that they can sell for a markup.

Is the handset really worth all that worship? Let’s find out.

BUILD QUALITY AND HARDWARE

Let’s say this, finding a phone this well made, for this price, is practically impossible. The Xiaomi Mi3 is encased in a solid brushed aluminium shell and laden with Gorilla Glass 3 in the front. Possibly one of the only phones with a reinforced micro USB port, the Xiaomi Mi3 has held no bars in design and build quality.

The rigid frame also gives it fantastic looks and the rounded sides and edges relate to the fit in the hand, and it all feels great. Each time you pickup the Mi3 the first words out of your mind would be “No way this costs only Rs. 13999?.

Hardware wise, the Xiaomi Mi3 is pretty top notch, unlike its latest version; the Mi4, the Mi3 carries a Snapdragon 800 chipset with quad cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, a full HD 1920 x 1080p IPS LCD display made by Sharp or LG, 2 GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a whopping 3050 mAh battery. Apart from that you get the Adreno 330 GPU and Bluetooth 4.0 LE along with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

Just putting the parts together will cost you more than a phone. However someone at Xiaomi has the right contacts with suppliers.

ANDROID AND MIUI

The Xiaomi Mi3 in India comes preloaded with Android 4.4.2 out the box, which is skinned with MiUi, a very iOS like skin which does not contain an application drawer. The UI is fast and snappy and offers a lot of customisations including themes which can be downloaded from the Mi Store. The Mi3 will give full access to the Play Store and allow for launcher downloads as well as launcher replacement if so be the case.

The UI is snappy and not laggy at all, the phone has good multitasking capabilities and will blaze through the live applications, despite few software glitches, that may often cause slowdowns and crashes.

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

The phone is a beast for the price range. It does not break any records as per say, but is truly top notch in its price bracket, in fact pretty much compares to phones in double the price bracket. The phone runs through mostly all our tests and scores good results in our benchmark tests.

Test

Score

Quadrant Benchmark 20376

Antutu Benchmark 30537

Nenamark 60.0 FPS

As far as gaming is concerned, the Mi3 can handle anything that is thrown at it, basically, any game that exists on Android will run on the Mi3, which is mostly thanks to the heart of the handset being a Snapdragon 800 – one of the most stable chipsets when it comes to apps and software.

We gamed on the Mi3 extensively and found it to be seamless and smooth, although the 16 GB runs out, and it runs out fast. You would be better waiting for the 64 GB variant if gaming is your bit because space is tight.

The Xiaomi Mi3 is excellent in day to day use and offers excellent performance, whether its running apps or multitasking, you will not be disappointed.

MULTIMEDIA AND CAMERA

The Xiaomi Mi3 has a beautiful display with excellent viewing angles and a full HD resolution. Xiaomi has gone as far as calling it a “retina” display, because the panels are made either by LG or Sharp, both of which supply to Apple for the iPhone.

The display is big and bright, and you will enjoy consuming media on this phone, the audio is excellent out of the 3.5mm jack, and you will be happy with the overall experience. The onboard speaker is not overly loud, but can be adequate, of course, which could be different for different folks, we would have liked a better speaker though.

The camera is the best in class, with a 5 element lens and f2.2 aperture, the 13 MP shots are right on the money. The colours are accurate, and images are perfectly sharp. Low-light performance is excellent, and video is good. The front camera is good for 2
MP shots which will more than suffice for the selfie nerd in you.

PHONE AND BATTERY LIFE

Phone networks are strong, and network performance is good where we tested (Delhi/NCR and Mumbai), the phone supports 3G networks mostly globally and without issues in India. There is no 4G/LTE and expecting it would be inappropriate.

Battery life is impressive thanks to a well balanced chipset, which helped us get through almost two days without a recharge on the 3050 mAh battery pack.

Talk Time 6-7 hours

Music 19 hours

Internet 10+ Hours

CONCLUSION

Just a few months ago, Motorola broke the bank in India by launching the Moto G in this price bracket using a similar sale strategy (the Flipkart way). Now Xiaomi seems to have this in their pocket for the Xiaomi Mi3 and possibly for the Mi4 in the near future. There are several complaints, already of handsets with faulty Sim card trays, heating issues and handsets that refuse to boot or get charged.

Around 35-service centres will offer, support and Flipkart has a brilliant reverse pickup for faulty and dead on arrival products. So device and support “should not be” a problem. However, there is no clarity on who is behind the sales, an Indian partner or the company itself? How dedicated are they and how serious do the consider one of the larger mobile markets?

With confirmed news of the new Mi4 coming soon, and OnePlus showing interest in India, the Mi3 may be a miss for some. However for those who need a phone now, it doesn’t get any better than this. If you were considering a last generation Nexus 5, this overthrows that with half the price. Get the drift? Now get the phone!

Buy Now

[tw-column width=”one-half”]

GOOD THINGS
- Excellent Build
- Uber Hardware
- Stunning Looks
- Android 4.4 and MiUi
- Excellent Performer
- Great Battery
[/tw-column]

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

BAD THINGS
- No Official Company to find
- Flipkart only Sales
- Limited Units
- Faulty on Arrival Units
[/tw-column]
July 27, 2014
OS X Yosemite Public Beta Released, Here’s How You Can Get it

Apple first showcased their latest version of Mac OS, labeled OS X Yosemite, earlier this year at WWDC. It featured a completely redesigned user interface and better OS X to iOS integration. A lot of users have been waiting patiently to get their hands on it ever since. While developers have had access to the all new versions of Mac OS X ever since the announcement, Apple are finally allowing the general public to get a taste of Yosemite starting Thursday, 24th July.

To know about its various new features and their functionalities, follow this link to read more.

So here’s how it works. All users who signed up with their Apple ID on the beta program website (its still not too late to do so) will get an email with a link and an activation code which will allow them to download the latest build.

Users should keep in mind that this beta build, while fairly stable, might (and will) still contain bugs and errors. Apple clearly states that the software is still in development, which means some applications and services might not function properly. Also, some of those awesome new features require an iOS 8 device, which is not part of the program. The beta version has a built-in Feedback Assistant application, if users want to report any bugs or provide any feedback on the build as they’re using it.

Having the latest OS X Mavericks is a prerequisite for the installation of this build. We also recommend that you first back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing this build. Also, if you have a secondary Mac, you should install the beta onto that, rather than risking your primary machine.

Now, if at any stage, users feel that they do not want to be part of the program, Apple will also give instructions to revert back to OS X Mavericks. So, if you just can’t wait till Apple officially releases the latest Mac OS X this fall, hit this link.

By Pranav Arora

July 25, 2014
Xiaomi-Competitor One Plus Might Arrive in India Soon

Just when you were thinking that Xiaomi was the kickass all-in-one package, a new competitor is raising its head at the horizon. Smartphone manufacturer One Plus is planning to come to India with its One Plus One smartphone and boy, is it impressive.

The One Plus One has an incomparable spec sheet at the price it is offered. The phone runs on CyanogenMod 11S based on Android 4.4 Kitkat. It has a heart of steel with a Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz Quad-core processor. Its graphics is powered by a 578MHz Adreno 330 GPU. The RAM on the One Plus One is a phenomenal 3 GB LP-DDR3 and comes in a 16 GB and 64 GB variants.

Everything is Awesome about the One Plus One

The camera department is as impressive as the hardware spec sheet. The main camera is 13 Megapixel with Sony Exmor IMX 214 sensors and a dual LED Flash. The front camera is a distortion free 5 MP Selfie Shooter. The camera also has a wide aperture of f/2.0. The most remarkable feature is its 4K recording capability with and its ability to record slow motion at 720p resolution at 120 frames per second(fps). Now that’s a camera!

The display on the One Plus One is a giant Full HD, 5.5 inch, Corning Gorrila Glass 3 screen. There is nothing to complain about in this phone, a true all-rounder from every angle. To power all of these epic features, this phone comes with 3100 mAh battery.

If you thought the features are impressive the One Plus One also provides impressive back panel options

Now you might be asking, how much lighter would your pockets get if you get this power packed gizmo, well the answer is: the 16 GB variant comes at $299 (around Rs. 17,900)and the 64 GB variant comes at $349 (around Rs. 20,900). Yeah, you read that right, go ahead pull your jaw up!

The company said that there is an enormous interest in their phones in India and they have heard talks of Indians importing them from the US. They would like to take advantage of this favorable situation.

Now this is a real competitor to Xiaomi, which came in and cleared the market and took the limelight away from the Moto G. Indian smartphone consumers might be feeling like a king right now in the times of heavy inflation. So what if food is expensive, you can simply distract yourself with these badass phones.

July 24, 2014
Oplus Introduces the Xonphone 5 in India

Taiwan based phone manufacturers Oplus have introduced their 5-inch smartphone by the name Xonphone 5 in India today.

The Xonphone 5 runs Android 4.4.2 out of the box. It gets it processing power from a Mediatek 1.3GHz quad-core processor. It possesses 1 GB of RAM with 16 GB’s of internal storage with expandable storage support for a 32 GB MicroSD card. The phone is powered by a 2000 mAh battery. The phone is dual sim capable with a Micro SIM and Mini SIM slot.

The display on the Xonphone 5 is a 5 inch 1280x720p HD display with an 180-degree viewing angles. The display also has a 320 ppi display which sounds impressive for the price. The main camera on the device is an 8 MP shooter with autofocus and LED flash, and the front cam is a 2 MP fixed focus selfie cam.

The makers of the phone provide a screen protector inside the box with the usual USB connector, charger and earphones. The phone provides a Yamaha professional bass speaker system which will give a good audio experience.

The selling price of the device is set at Rs7,999 which is pretty competitive for the Indian market. The company has made an exclusive deal with Snapdeal to reach the consumers. If its performance matches up to its spec sheet, it might be another Asian brand that will create troubles for the Indian manufacturers like Micromax, Lava and others.

July 24, 2014
Get Exploring with the New Google Maps Feature

Remember the time when there was a profession dedicated to guides? oh yes they still exist and Google has plans to make that job obsolete. With the new ‘Explore’ feature, exploring new places will get a lot easier. The feature will be available on Google Maps app on both Android and iOS platform.

The Explore feature will be available on Android as well as iOS

All the user needs to do with this update is to tap the new Explore button at the bottom right corner of the map to get a quick look at what’s nearby (where available). The feature will provide you information on different places and activities that adapt to each area and moment throughout the day. This also allows you to browse other neighborhoods and cities on the map so you can plan your day’s outing or daydream about your next vacation.

The feature also gives you an option of finding what is nearby the place where you’ll be in the next five minute walk or a 20 minute drive. The convenience of finding a spot that suits your taste has never been this easy. As the results change according to the time of the day and weather, you can be assured that you will find exactly what you are looking for. The feature performs optimally when the location reporting and web history have been turned on.

The Awesome functionality of this app will make it stand out.

The feature also lets you assess the reviews and relevant information about the spot you have chosen to hang at. This can be done by tapping on the ‘My location’ on an Android devices. You can also save these places for future references. Like other data analysis based system, the app will personalize itself with regular use.

On the look from, the upgrade features Google’s latest material design. The interface is simple, clean and easy to understand.

So if you have an itch to always be outdoor and exploring, Google Maps and the Explore feature was what the doctor would prescribe for you. So go ahead, get Exploring !

July 24, 2014
Microsoft’s Nokia Lumia 530 Officially Arrives

After taking in the Nokia brand and completely trashing away the Android based Nokia X series, Microsoft Mobility has come back with their Lumia series. The new phone known as the Lumia 530 will come in single and double Sim variants.

The Nokia Lumia 530 will come with a 4-inch FWVGA (480x854p) display. It gets its processing power from a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor with a 512 MB RAM. Though the phone comes with a 4 GB internal storage but is expandable upto 128 GB which is definitely welcome. The device is juiced up through a 1430 mAh battery which seems good enough for a 4-inch screen.

The camera on the phone is a 5MP fixed focus shooter without an LED Flash. The phone also lacks a front facing camera so that might be a dissuading factor for prospective buyers. Connectivity wise, the Lumia 530 offers Bluetooth 4.0, FM Radio, Wi-Fi, 3G and A-GPS.

Lumia 530 comes with Multi color Flip cover options

The phone comes preloaded with Microsoft Office apps and provides 15GB of free cloud storage space via OneDrive. Storage wise the phone is a warehouse but might lose in the feature race. The phone comes with multiple back panel color options like Orange, Green, Black and White. The company also provides multicolored Flip covers which is known as Flip shells.

Lumia 530 will be released globally and selective roll-outs will begin in August 2014. The expected price of the device is around 6,900 which is pretty steep when compared to what the competition offers at that price.

Considering this was the first independednt release from Microsoft they should have offered a lot more instead of a generic release. This phone doesn’t even match its predecessor, the Nokia Lumia 525 in terms of specs. A Moto G or E like release would have really set brand Microsoft in the Phone business. This phone seems inadequate except in terms of storage.

July 23, 2014
Xiaomi Introduces The Mi 4 With LTE and an 8MP Selfie Cam

After taking India by storm with their Xiaomi Mi 3, the chinese smartphone dragons have released their next “flagship,” the Mi 4. Yesterday Xiaomi did something that nobody thought was possible; they pulled a MOTO. Xiaomi’s first India offering, the Mi 3, flew off the shelves within an hour of launch on Flipkart. Even though the companies had provided a pre-registration option, the phones simply vanished, and also managed to crash the website.

Coming back to the star of the moment, the Mi 4. The phone comes with stainless steel styling elements which sets it apart from the Mi 3. The 5-inch 1080p smartphone gets its processing powers from the 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC. The phone has 3GB of RAM and comes with 16/64 GB internal storage options.

The camera on the phone is a 13 megapixel shooter with a wide f/1.8 aperture, so night shooting is going to get a boost from it. The selfie camera is a massive 8 MP; a major upgrade in the MI series. The phone also gets an LTE radio and is juiced up by a 3080 mAh battery. The phone will be sold at CNY 1999 which in Indian currency is about Rs. 19,000 and CNY 2,499 for the 64 GB model which would come out to Rs. 24,000 in India.

The Phone provides multiple back panel options

The phone also comes with IR blaster so that it can be used as a TV remote, a feature that is available in some of the top-end phones in India. Staying true to its customizable origins, the MI 4 also comes with options for designer back panels.

Xiaomi and MIUI fans will probably wait for the phone to come to India as it is only released in China currently. Considering the massive response the Mi 3 got in India, Xiaomi would want to take maximum advantage of the market. It has also increased the appreciation for Chinese products in India. With the amount of specs packed in the Mi 4, its seems that the ‘Apple of China’ already has the next winner of the smartphone race in their hands.

July 22, 2014

Unboxing The Xiaomi Mi3

The Xiaomi Mi3 goes on sale tonight for the Indian market at a mere Rs. 13,999. Despite the fact that Xiaomi is a Chinese manufacturer the phone has one of the best specs and benchmarks in its price bracket. This device is set to release in India tonight and will be available for purchase exclusively on Flipkart.com.

The Xiaomi Mi3 has a 5-inch screen with a 1080X1980 p display on a Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 chipset. The CPU is a Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 and the GPU is an Adreno 330. Presently this phone runs on an Android OS, v4.4 KitKat.

The optics are fitted with a primary 13 MP camera, with a 4128 x 3096p, autofocus and a dual LED flash. It also has a secondary camera of 2 MP capable with 1080p video capabilities. The phone has 16 GB internal Storage. Additionally it has a 2 GB RAM which is sufficient to ensure smooth functionality of the device.

Further features also include micro USB port, Bluetooth and Wi-fi and a non-removable Li-Ion 3050 mAh battery.

For a device in its price band it certainly promises to be one of the most dynamic and feature-ful phones. In terms of its functionality and UI it certainly hit all the check boxes. For any person on a fixed budget this flagship introduced by Xiaomi is the phone to order.

Read the Full Specs below:

Size	144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 in)
Weight	145 g (5.11 oz)
Display	5 inch,HD 1080 x 1920 pixels
Android	Android v4.3 (Jellybean)
Sim Card Type	Single Mini Sim
Network	2G Network-GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 19003G network-HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
Memory	Total Storage: 16 GB RAM: 2 GB
GPS	A-GPS, GLONASS
Sensors	Accelerometer,Gyro Sensor,Proximity Sensor,Compass and barometer
Connectivity	3.5 mm sterio audio jack Bluetooth® 4.0 Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Camera	Primary:13 MP, f2.2, 28mm, 4128 x 3096 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash Secondary: 2 MP, 1080p@30fps
Price	Rs. 13,999
Battery	Non-removable Li-Ion 3050 mAh batteryStand-by-Up to 500 hrsTalk time-Up to 25 hrsMusic play-Up to 50 h

July 22, 2014

LG G3 Unboxing and Hands On

The LG G3 is finally here and we think it’s priced perfect for market that we are in. We haven’t been this excited for a product in a while and the G3 just makes the cut. The phone is a beautiful amalgamation of specs and design, hardware and looks, brains and brawn, basically however you put it, LG may have the perfect smartphone here.

Let us put everything in perspective, the G3 is packed with a beautiful 5.5 inch 2560 x 1440 px display, giving this bad boy a whopping 534 pixels per inch density on the IPS panel. You also get Gorilla Glass 3 and a highly optimised and fast Snapdragon 801 Qualcomm MSM8975AC chipset with Quad Cores and 2.5 Ghz on the clock.

The beauty of it all is that for a price difference of just a few thousand rupees/ less than 50$ , you can get a higher speced version with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage vs the usual 16GB storage and 2 GB RAM version.

The box is golden in colour and is representative of the LG G series of phones. Like many smartphones before this you will see the usual set of things in the box, a cable a charger, handsfree and documentation. LG has ignored the need of things like NFC tags and such, because frankly there is no need.

Camera and Laser Autofocus

Price wise the lower spec’d variant will be available for Rs. 46999 vs the 3GB + 32 GB variant which has been launched for Rs. 49999. Did we mention that the device is LTE enabled. Watch the Unboxing below.

July 21, 2014
New Launch : The LG G3 Comes to India For Rs. 47,990

LG has officially launched the baddest smartphone till date in India, the LG G3, officially for a smart price of Rs. 47,990 for the 16 GB variant and Rs. 52,990 for the 32 GB variant. The LG G3 is also the first commercially available phone from a big manufacturer to feature a 2K display and what a display it is!

The LG G3 is the third iteration in their flagship line and we have to say, unlike their Korean counter brand, they seem to be innovating on the right side of the brain which is usually the left. The G3 has a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor and comes in 16 and 32GB internal storage variants with 2GB and 3GB RAM, respectively. Both models support up to 128GB microSD cards.

LG has also made the battery removable along with the back panel which comes of easy to house one micro sim card and one micro SD card. The phone is LTE enabled from the get go so you should be mostly happy with the bands supported.

LG has positioned Amitabh Bachchan as the promotion celeb for this particular product and you will see a lot more of him in the coming days is what LG tells us.

LG has also mastered the focus capabilities of this phone says the company thanks to the new Laser autofocus : which also uses phase detection to get quick and precise focus on your subject so that the 13 MP OIS equipped camera can take a picture for you.

Watch the full Unboxing here, and stay tuned for the Review galore coming right up.

July 21, 2014

Hands On With the HTC Desire 616

HTC recently launched a new phone into the Indian market, and despite the fact that many phones exist with similar specs, the price and HTC reassuring name give the new Desire 616 a definite edge.

The HTC desire 616 has a 5 inch display with 1280 x 720 p display an Octa Core MT6592 chipset that has been down-clocked to 1.4 GHz to ensure proper and efficient battery drain along with stability in the OS. Also, even though a lot of people pointed out in our hands on video that the Desire 616 does not have Sense UI, in reality HTC has added Sense 5.5 to the Desire 616, which is on top of Android Jellybean, with a hope of a KitKat upgrade soon.

The optics are fitted with a decent 8 MP camera with 1080p video capture + a 2 MP camera with 720p video capabilities. The main storage is 4GB which can be moved, in-fact is automatically moved to external storage the minute you add a card, seamless downloads for all. 1GB of RAM will suffice and the device promises a great overall functionality.

HTC has hit the right mark with its recent influx of devices in the Indian Market. With the phones like Desire 816 and 516 becoming hot category favourites, the 616 will be an exciting product for India. Stay tuned for the review and watch our hands on below. (please ignore the error in the initial title)

Read the Full Official Specs Below

Size	142 x 71.9 x 9.15 mm
Weight	150 g
Display	5 inch, HD 720p
CPU Speed	1.4 GHz octa-core CPUs
Platform Android	Android™ HTC BlinkFeed 5.5™
SIM Card Type	Dual SIM (Regular SIM + micro SIM)
Network	2G/ 2.5G – GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 (SIM1 & SIM2) 3G – UMTS/ HSPA: 900/2100 MHz with HSPA+ up to 21Mbps
Memory	Total storage: 4 GB, available capacity varies RAM: 1 GB Expansion microSD™ up to 32GB
GPS	Internal GPS antenna
Sensors	Accelerometer Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor
Connectivity	3.5 mm stereo audio jack Bluetooth® 4.0 Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Camera	8 MP camera with auto focus 1080p Full HD video recording Front Camera: 2MP Front Camera: 720p video recording
Price	Rs – 16999 at launch
Battery	Capacity: 2000 mAh Removable rechargeable Li-polymer battery Talk Time: Up to 14 hours for 3G Standby time: Up to 700 hours for 3G
AC Adapter	Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz DC output: 5 V and 1 A

July 21, 2014

Nokia’s MixRadio To Become a Standalone App

After brutally shutting down brand Nokia yesterday, Microsoft has started the process of restructuring the technology that came with the acquisition. The first in line will be Nokia’s MixRadio.

Guardian reports, this Nokia music service will now become a standalone app. It will still come pre-installed in the Microsoft Windows based mobile phones. The service will provided curated music to the users taste.

The MixRadio had multiple name changes over the years, from Nokia Music Store to OVI Music Store to Nokia MixRadio and now the app will be just known as MixRadio.

The app worked without any advertisement and will continue to do so. The users though have an purchasing option of Rs.50 for 7 days, Rs.99 for 30 days, Rs.250 for 90 days to download unlimited music.

MixRadio’s chief Jyrki Rosenberg claimed this new app a spin-off of the Nokia MixRadio. The app can now be release on platforms like Android and iOS too as it’s now a standalone app. Rosenberg is also in talks with multiple investors to back his app.

The reasons cited for letting MixRadio go is said to Microsoft’s new strategy of depending on external sources for content instead of running their own. The company recently shut down its production studios; Xbox Entertainment Studios too.

We can surely expect more of bits and pieces of Nokia features either going on their own or going into oblivion soon as Microsoft is restrategizing their entire business model which began with the massive job cuts announced recently.

July 19, 2014
Samsung Launches 4G-Equipped Galaxy S5 in India
At the very least, we can give credit to Samsung for understanding the need of the hour. With Airtel and Aircel racing to provide India with 4G cover, Samsung has decided to launch a 4G variant of its Flagship Device at the price of Rs 53,500.

While most of its features remain the same as the 3G S5, some of the key features of the new 4G variant include:
- Qualcomm 8974 Pro 2.5 Ghz processor
- Supports Eight 4G LTE bands support
- Advanced Camera (HDR mode, Selective Focus)
- IP67 protection (Dust and Water Resistant)
- Ultra Power Saving Mode (24 hours standby time with 10% battery)
- Download Booster
- Wi-Fi MIMO
For this device, Samsung and Airtel have tied up and are making a special data offer to Samsung S5 customers. All existing and new Airtel 4G subscribers will get 5GB 4G data/month free for 2 months. The device will be available in India from 20th July in Copper Gold, Charcoal Black and Shimmery White colour options.

One of the impressive features of this phone is the Download Booster. It allows users to access 4G and Wi-Fi simultaneously, resulting in super high connectivity.

All this sounds pretty fancy, but we’d advise recommend you not to make a hasty purchase, since the brand is notorious for reducing its prices.
July 18, 2014
Facebook Mentions: An Exclusive App for Celebrities

Celebrities get to live a good life. Once in public view, they get loads of cool stuff or in words of Ricky Gervais, “Once you get rich, people start giving you stuff for free.” Now Facebook is coming out with an exclusive app called “Facebook Mentions” that is accessible only to public figures.

Users can follow others and keep a track of trending topics easily

Twitter has become a medium for prominent personalities to connect with their admirers. From Movie Stars, Musicians, Politicians to even Scientists and Astronauts have used the website to connect to their followers. With this exclusive app, Facebook will try to make itself more attractive to the celebrity clientele.

To get access to this app one needs to have a verified page on Facebook. Currently, the app runs only on iOS 7 or higher versions (well that’s going a bit too exclusive.) The app lets users host Q&A with their followers, discover and join conversations relating to them. It also makes the users follow others and shows them what is trending on Facebook so they can share their thoughts on the matter.

Facebook Mentions makes it easier for these personalities to share multimedia content with their followers. It is speculated that the Beats-Apple deal celebration video will be posted through this application.

This app makes life a lot easier for social media managers of celebrities to keep in touch with the perception of their bosses in the public. Ever since social media came into existence, celebrities have had a direct communication channels with their fans and followers. Facebook Mentions hopes to be the exclusive medium for this interaction.

July 18, 2014

Test		Score
Quadrant Benchmark		20376
Antutu Benchmark		30537
Nenamark		60.0 FPS

Talk Time	6-7 hours
Music	19 hours
Internet	10+ Hours

Category: Mobile

OVERVIEW

BUILD QUALITY AND HARDWARE

ANDROID AND MIUI

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

Test

Score

MULTIMEDIA AND CAMERA

PHONE AND BATTERY LIFE

CONCLUSION

Buy Now

2G/ 2.5G – GSM/GPRS/EDGE:

3G – UMTS/ HSPA: