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HTC Desire 626 Dual-SIM with 4G LTE Support Launches in India

HTC’s newest addition to the smartphone industry Desire 626 launches in India today. The phone has a 5-inch display and resolution of 720 x 1280. Internal storage of 16 GB expandable up to 32 GB with the microSD card, and 2 GB of RAM are some of its other specifications.

Desire 626 is powered by 7 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor, while its Android OS is coupled with HTC Sense. Thought HTC hasn’t specified it yet, we can expect the device to run on Lollipop 5.1.1. The phone has a main camera of 13 MP a BSI sensor, f/2.2 aperture, and a front camera of 5 MP, again with BSI sensor. Further, Desire 626 packs a battery of 2,000 mAh.

The handset comes in two colour variants – Blue Lagoon and White Birch and will be available with major retailers for Rs. 14,999 in the coming weeks. Watch this space on all the latest updates on pricing and availability.

February 5, 2016
Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro Makes its Way to India for Testing

Last week, reports coming out of Samsung’s manufacturing and assembly units in China brought to us news of a new beast of a phone arriving in the coming months. The reports talked of Samsung working on a new extra-large smartphone which, if sources are to be believed,will be called the Galaxy A9 Pro.

And now it looks like this elder sibling of the China bound A9 looks to be more real than it was first thought to be. Latest reports suggest the Galaxy A9 Pro was imported to India for testing. The A9 Pro, as it had been reported earlier, is listed with a 6-inch display, the same as the regular Galaxy A9 that was launched late last year for Chinese markets.

The A9 Pro is expected to be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 652 processor. The phone will reportedly also include 4GB RAM and 64GB inbuilt storage. The hardware will interact with the user through Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. A battery pack of 4000mAh will power the Pro.

The pricing for the device as listed on import export tracking website Zauba is $360 (about Rs.24,000) , but owing to Zauba’s track record so far, this pricing source should not be considered too reliable.

February 5, 2016
Vodafone 4G to Launch in Mumbai and Bangalore Next Week

About a month ago, Vodafone revealed plans of rolling out 4G services in major cities of India. This was followed by 4G internet soon being made available in Delhi and NCR. Now the company has announced dates of when it will be available in Bangalore and Mumbai.

Vodafone will launch 4G services in Mumbai on the 10th of February and in Bangalore on 11th of February. Vodafone is also planning on home delivering 4G-ready SIMs to its premium high-value customers in Mumbai, and formal communication for it is already being sent out. The launch in Mumbai will be in phases starting with South Mumbai.

Currently, Vodafone is offering data packs ranging from 35 MB which costs Rs. 11, going up to Rs. 2,499 for 20 GB in Delhi and NCR. It has also become country’s first network provider to provide 4G international roaming in the UK, Romania, Spain and Netherlands. Vodafone, one of the biggest network operators of India, also has big plans like introducing 5G in countries like Australia by 2020. But let’s see if it manages to overcome the 4G hurdle first.

February 5, 2016
WhatsApp Increases its Group Member Limit: Brace Yourself for Spam

Say hello to the world of social media and inanity that only seems to be increasing with every passing day. Amidst millions of pointless comments and cat-pictures that are exchanged every day, here is some news to make you shudder at the prospect of more spam. WhatsApp has increased the number of members that can be part of a group from 100 to 256.

The move has perhaps been made to make users stick to the platform, especially in the face of competition its facing from other companies like Hike, Viber and KakaoTalk, to name a few. The company is clearly trying to hard to keep up its status of being the world’s most popular messaging app. WhatsApp confirmed 1 billion users on the platform with 42 billion messages being exchanged every day.

Since Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp, it is only likely that the platform would be entering into different methods of generating revenue. Now that the platform is all set to be cost-free minus any charge at all, the move to increase members in a group could be aimed at creating an income from those using WhatsApp as a means to publicise themselves. From personal business to brokers to marketing firms, everyone seems to be using this platform to publicise themselves. And it is precisely this section of WhatsApp users the increased group limit seems to be directed at.

An average WhatsApp user is not likely to be effected by the update at all. Also, the update could have been announced on a trial basis as well. Even if Facebook is tinkering with the platform to test different ways of increasing its profits, a random figure like 256 (why not 250 or 300?) still seems an odd way to start. Let’s see what the company has in mind and what all it leads to.

February 5, 2016
Xiaomi Mi 5 to Come with 5.7-inch Display and Glass Back

The Chinese tech giant, Xiaomi is all set to unveil its next handset to global audiences on the 24th of this month, and as we near the launch date leaks and rumours regarding the phone are heating up. Details of the SoC on board have already been revealed by the company, but Xiaomi has decided to keep a tight lid on everything else about the handset.

Latest leaked pictures of the phone reveal it to come with a glass back, something that had been widely reported for some time now, but what came as a surprise to us was that the previous leaks failed to reveal that this glass back would have a beautiful pattern running all over it.

A new GFXbench listing though has revealed something not as welcome. According to the report, the Xiaomi Mi 5 will have a 5.7-inch, 1080p display and will be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 SoC. This contradicts the 5.5″ and 5.2″ size reports, as well as QHD resolution rumours that have been making rounds for the past couple of days.

The listing pegs the Mi 5 to come with 3GB RAM and 64GB for storage. No other variants are listed. Apart from this, the Xiaomi Mi5 will have a 16MP main shooter with f/2.2 aperture and an 8MP camera on the front. Other expected features include Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BDS, OTG and NFC.

February 5, 2016
Apple Trade-in Program Will Replace Broken iPhones with New Ones

iPhones are delicate and it’s no big secret. But if you are an iPhone user, you are not alone in worrying about the safety of your device. Clearly Apple has been giving it some thought and seems to have come up with a solution. According to reports, Apple is about to launch a program that would allow customers to exchange their broken iPhones in return for credit to but a new one.

The models to be made part of this scheme include iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, as of now. Older models won’t be able to get their devices exchanged. The company would offer $50 against 5s and about $200 and $250. This trade-in program includes broken screens, buttons and cameras.

Additionally, Apple Stores all over the US have also begun rolling out installations of plastic screen-protectors in the coming days, but it won’t be a free of cost service. Installations have already begun in many stores.

In most cases, this upgrade would end up costing more than the actual price of a new iPhone after including all costs of subsidies, financing plans and the credit this program would offer. This, in turn, would simply lead to more iPhone sales for the company, and perhaps a relatively cheaper way to get a new iPhone for a broken one for consumers.

The trade-in program would be rolled out in the US soon, but no news on when it would be made available in India. We can expect it here in the next couple of months though, before the end of 2016.

February 5, 2016
VAIO Unveils Windows Powered Phone with 5.5-inch Display

The Japanese manufacturer of personal computers launched its first smartphone, the VAIO Phone (VA-10J) running on Android last year. This year VAIO has added yet another name to the smartphone industry. Called VAIO Phone Biz, for reasons unknown, the handset marks a switch from Android to Windows in VAIO smartphones. The move is a little surprising after the lack of popularity of Windows as an OS among smartphone users.

However, the device will support Continuum, a Windows feature that allows the phone to be used as a computer once it has been plugged into a television set or a monitor.

In terms of specifications, the Phone Biz has a 5.5-inch FHD display with a resolution of 1920X1810. It is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 octa-core SoC clocked at 1.2GHz, along with 3GB of RAM. Internal storage of 16 GB expandable up to 64 GB makes for the memory specifications of the smartphone. Phone Biz has a 13 MP main camera, 5 MP front camera, 4G LTE support and a 2,800 mAh battery.

The phone comes in a Silver coloured variant and will be priced close to $430 (approximately Rs. 29,000) when it enters the Japanese market in April.

After providing a consistent and reliable range of laptops, VAIO seems to be turning its attention to another aspect of the tech-world. While VAIO laptops have pretty much performed well, let’s see if the computer manufacturer manages to achieve the same results with its smartphones as well. Perhaps only time will tell. There is no word on when Phone Biz will arrive in markets outside Japan. Watch this space for all the latest developments.

February 4, 2016
Fitbit Launches the Stylish Alta Fitness Wristband in India

Fitbit Alta, a sleek new wristband fitness tracker has been announced by the company which recently introduced a bigger Fitbit Blaze at CES this year. Fitbit Alta is a slim, sleek fitness wristband that can be personalized to fit your style. Alta comes equipped with features which enable it to automatically track the users day to day activity, exercise and sleep patterns.

Fitbit left no stones unturned when it came to styling the device. The fitness tracker is designed with a satin finish, stainless steel body and features a line of stylish interchangeable bands in multiple popular colors and premium materials.

Speaking about the Fitbit Alta, the CEO and Co-Founder of the company James Park, said

“Fitbit Alta will turn heads as our most fashionable device yet. The attractive, versatile design of this new fitness tracker fits seamlessly into daily life – from the gym to the office to a night out.”

The company says that the Alta will remind you to move, and nudge you to stay active throughout the day. It will congratulate you on reaching personal health milestones daily, and help keep track of your progress. Users can customize the prompts based on the schedule and can put it on “Do Not Disturb” during long meetings or appointments.

Fitbit Alta Lineup

The Fitbit Alta works in tandem with the Fitbit app which records the users daily activities and shows them in the app along with the weekly goals. The goals can also be personalised to the user’s fitness routine. The Fitbit Alta will start retail with a price tag of Rs. 12,999 available starting March via Amazon India and retail stores.

February 4, 2016

Samsung Galaxy A5(2016): Hands On

Samsung today unveiled the refreshed models of the budget, Galaxy A5 and A7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Galaxy A5 2016 model is priced at Rs 29,400 in India, and will be available through Samsung’s e-retail partner, Snapdeal, and other offline retailers.

The refreshed A5 features the glass and metal design found on the Samsung Galaxy S6. The A5 (2016) model also comes equipped with a fingerprint scanner. The phone will be available in three color variants gold, black and white.The A5 in terms of design, just like the A7 (click here for A7’s hands on), does look and feel extremely premium.

The Galaxy A5 (2016) comes packing a 5.2 inch Super AMOLED display with full HD resolution. It is powered by an Octa-Core processor clocked at 1.6GHz paired with 2 GB of LPDDR3 RAM. The memory on board is 16 GB which is expandable to 128 GB using a MicroSD card. 4G and Dual – SIM connectivity.

The phone has a 2900 mAh battery. This is a significant bump up from the last generation A5 which came packing only a 2300 mAh pack. To add to this, the A5(2016) also features Fast Charging which is sure to bring smiles on a lot of faces reading this hands on.

The A5 (2016) offers a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5 megapixel front camera. Both the front and rear cameras of the phone come with a f1.9 aperture. The rear camera on the back of the refreshed Galaxy A5 also has an Optical Image Stabilisation feature.

The phone overall is nice. The refreshed A5(2016) does not come with great under the hood specifications. For the price it’s being sold at the return feels inadequate. Full HD display and 2 GB RAM without the capability of capturing 4k Video that even the Rs 10,999 Le 1s comes equipped with only shows the disparity between options in the market and what Samsung is offering here.

Another thing worth mentioning is that Samsung’s Galaxy A5(2016) is still stuck on 5.1.1 and does not come with Android Marshmallow out of the box. But for all its shortcomings what does work in the handset’s favour is the fact that it feels extremely premium when it comes to looks which might help buyers gloss over the hefty price tag that Samsung plans to sell this handset at.

Specification	Galaxy A5(2016)
Display	5.2″ FHD Super AMOLED
Processor	1.6GHz Exynos Octa-Core Processor
RAM	2GB
Front Camera	5.0MP(f1.9)
Rear Camera	13MP (f1.9) AF with LED Flash
Storage	16GB
Expandability	128GB
Battery	2,900 mAh, Fast charging
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® v 4.1, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC (UICC, eSE)
Operating System	Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
Price	Rs. 29,400

February 4, 2016

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016): Hands On

Samsung today unveiled the refreshed models of the budget, Galaxy A5 and A7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Galaxy A5 2016 model is priced at Rs 29,400 and A7 2016 at Rs. 33,400 in India, and will be available through Snapdeal and other offline retailers.

The updated A7 features the glass and metal design found on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and comes with a bunch of new features and specs.The A7 sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED FHD screen with 1920 x 1080p resolution and a 1.6 GHz octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and 16GB internal storage and 3,300 mAh Fast Charging battery.

On the camera front, the A7 features a 13MP primary camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS. The front camera also features an f/1.9 aperture. It is further equipped with fingerprint sensor. The phone will be available in three color variants gold, black and white. The dual-SIM A7 is priced at Rs. 33,400.

A7 has 4G LTE support and comes in three colour variants -Gold, Black and White. The phone is definitely more expensive than expected. The device has an extremely premium build and feel, but the specs are not fancy enough for the design. Only FHD display and 3 GB of RAM does not make for an impressive device in a market which already has way too many options to choose from. Find the complete specifications of Samsung Galaxy A7 below and let us know in the comments section if this phone catches your fancy.

Specification	Galaxy A7
Display	5.5″ FHD Super AMOLED
Resolution	1920X1080
Processor	1.6GHz Octa-Core Processor
RAM	3GB
Front Camera	5.0MP(f1.9)
Rear Camera	13MP(f1.9) AF with LED Flash
Storage	16GB
Expandability	128GB
Battery	3,300 mAh, Fast Charging
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® v 4.1, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC (UICC, eSE)
Operating System	Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
Price	Rs. 33,400

February 4, 2016

Sony Announces Alpha A6300 -World’s Fastest AutoFocus Camera

Sony today announced a new, mirror-less camera that boasts of the world’s fastest autofocus speed and the world’s highest number of autofocus points. The Alpha a 6300, successor to the Sony A6000, one of the best-selling mirror-less cameras of the past few years, will soon come to markets with the promise of a more intelligent, faster autofocus system and support for 4K and high-frame-rate video.

The camera comes with a new 4D Focus system which locks on to an object in hardly 0.05 seconds. According to Sony, this sets a new record for a camera with interchangeable lens and APS-C sensors. It has also been claimed that this creation of Sony Labs also boasts the world’s highest 425 phase detection autofocus points.

Another key enhancement seen on the A6300 is the addition of a reworked 24.2MP APS-C Exmor sensor, featuring thinner copper wiring and enhanced processing with the BIONZ X processor that is slated to improve low-light performance up to ISO 51200 and allow for 4K recording with full pixel readout, and Full HD video at up to 120 fps.

The back of the Sony A6300 houses a XGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder with 2.4 million dots and a 120fps framerate mode for smooth subject tracking. Below it is a tilting LCD display.The camera comes with 64 different functions which can be operated by 9 customizable buttons housed on the dust and moisture-resistant magnesium alloy body.

The A6300 camera includes silent shooting mode along with a microphone line input for convenience. Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity options are also present on the camera.

Specification	Sony Alpha A6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Lens Mount	Sony E
Image Sensor	APS-C Exmor CMOS (23.5 x 15.6mm)
Effective Pixels	24.2MP
Total Pixels	25.0MP
Maximum Resolution	24MP: 6000 x 4000
Aspect Ratio	3:2, 16:9
Still Image File Format	RAW, JPEG
Storage Media	SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
Card Slot	1 x SD (UHS-I) / Memory Stick Duo multi slot
Viewfinder Type	2.36m-dot 0.39″ / 1 cm XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
Frame Coverage	100%
Magnification	1.07x (35mm Equivalent: 0.70x)
Eyepoint	23mm at -1m^-1
Diopter Adjustment	-4 to +3m^-1
Shutter Type	Electronically controlled, vertical-traverse focal-plane type; Electronic
Shutter Speed	1/4000 to 30 sec., bulb
Flash Sync Speed	1/160 sec.
Drive Modes	Single, continuous (Hi+, Hi, Mid, Low selectable), self-timer, bracketing
Top Continuous Shooting Rate	11 fps
Self-Timer	10, 5, 2 sec.
Exposure Metering System	1200-zone evaluative metering with Exmor CMOS sensor
Metering Method	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Range	-2 to 20 EV with f/2 lens
Exposure Modes	Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter speed priority, Manual
Exposure Compensation	±5 EV in 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps
Exposure Bracketing	3 or 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV increments 9 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV inctrements
ISO Sensitivity	Stills: 100-51200 Movie: 100-25600
Autofocus System	Enhanced Fast Hybrid AF with 4D FOCUS
Number of Focus Points	Phase Detect: 425 Contrast Detect: 169
Focus Modes	Automatic, Single-shot, Continuous, Direct Manual Focus, Manual
Autofocus Sensitivity	-1 to 20 EV with f/2 lens
Built-In Flash	Yes, Guide Number: 19.7′ / 6 m; Coverage: 16mm
Flash Control	P-TTL
Flash Modes	Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, High-speed sync, Wireless with compatible external flash
Flash Compensation	±3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
Flash Bracketing	3 or 5 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV increments 9 frames in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV inctrements
External Flash Interface	Multi Interface Shoe
White Balance Modes	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White, Cool White, Day White, Daylight), Flash, Color Temperature (2500-9900K), Color Filter, Custom, Underwater
Movie Recording	XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160: 30p, 24p, 25p XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080: 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 24p, 25p AVCHD: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 24p, 25p MP4: 1920 x 1080: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p; 1280 x 720: 30p, 25p
File Format	XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4
Compression	XAVC S: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio Recording	Yes, built-in stereo microphne or 3.5mm audio input
Audio File Format	XAVC S: Linear PCM, 2ch AVCHD: Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator MP4: MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
External Microphone Input	Yes, 3.5mm stereo input
Headphone Jack	None
Maximum Recording Time	29 minutes 59 seconds
Monitor	3.0″ / 7.5 cm 921k-dot tilting TFT LCD
Interface	1 x Micro-USB (Multi Terminal) 1 x Micro HDMI (Type D) 1 x 3.5mm stereo audio input
Wi-Fi	Yes, built-in with NFC & QR Code function
GPS	None
Power Source	1 x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Pack
Battery Life	Viewfinder: 350 Shots LCD Screen: 400 Shots
Operating Environment	32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Dimensions	4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9″ / 120 x 67 x 49mm
Weight	404 g with battery and Memory Stick

Source

February 4, 2016

LG G5 Unveiling Date Confirmed

After many rumours and leaks, we finally have some concrete news about this LG flagship. The G5 will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress this month. LG has sent out invitations for an official event on 21st February at MWC in Barcelona.

We have heard a lot about the device the last couple of days. Rumours suggest that the LG G5 may come with a ‘modular’ design. Now before you thing of Google’s Proje ARA here, the G5 is going full modular, and you won’t be able to replace parts as you please. The G5’s modular nature is more to do with design rather than anything else. The design and the ability to still preserve the removable battery is LG’s top priority.

Other than this, it is also rumoured to come equipped with a 5.3-inch QHD display, sporting a Snapdragon 820 processor and 3GB of RAM with 32GB of internal storage. It’s also suggested that LG G5 might include an eye scanner, USB-C connectivity and a fingerprint sensor. Speculation also points to a 21-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing sensor.

February 4, 2016
Samsung Forum 2016 : SUHD TV and Smart Fridge Unveiled

Samsung Electronics showcased its range of new innovative technologies for smart homes today at the Samsung Forum 2016, Kuala Lumpur, in a bid to make a serious dent in the growing market space for smart home appliances in the country. Samsung showed off technologies that it believes will make a meaningful difference to the lives of consumers.

The company unveiled its range of smart appliances, spotlighting a dynamic line-up of new products such as the KS9500 series SUHD TV – available in 65-,77-, and 88-inch sizes – that come with the thinnest bezels you’ve ever seen and a smart fridge that comes with a giant 21-inch touchscreen display. The smart fridge is part of Samsung’s ‘Family Hub’ lineup of home appliances.

Samsung along with these also launched a smart oven which comes with what Samsung calls the HotBlast Technology, and also digital inverters which will come with inbuilt stabilizers.

SUHD TV

The SUHD TVs produce unparalleled picture quality with what is “world’s first cadmium-free”, 10-bit Quantum dot display with the “world’s first bezel-less curved design”. The new range as Samsung claims offers stunning brightness, exceptional contrast and the most life-like colors ever offered by Samsung on a TV.

These TVs will provide a premium high dynamic range (HDR) experience, with 1,000 nit HDR minimum for a higher level of contrast between light and dark images. New Ultra Black technology also significantly reduces light reflection, further enhancing picture quality with minimal glare.

The Samsung SUHD TVs will be powered by Tizen operating system for fast access across content, and will also feature a 360 Degree design language.

RT700 Refrigerator

Samsung at the Forum also unveiled the world’s first Smart convertible 5in1 frost free refrigerator. The new top-mounted freezer (TMF) refrigerator, the RT7000, which features Samsung’s unique Twin Cooling Plus technology, is designed to focus on modern, and healthy living.

Twin Cooling Plus tech cooling system that the refrigerator comes equipped with ensures that a humidity level of up to 70 percent is maintained throughout the fridge so that the food stored stays fresh.The smart fridge has a capacity of 620 litres.

Samsung AddWash-Washing Machine

Samsung AddWash Washing Machine has comes with a nifty feature that makes it convenient to add any item, such as a piece of forgotten laundry, without having to drain the washer in mid-cycle. It comes with an extra access door that allows enables it to do so. It also allows users to add hand-washed items for rinsing or additional softener anytime during the cycle.

AddWash Washing Machine comes with a SuperSpeed feature that makes it possible to complete a normal wash in less than an hour without compromising washing performance.

February 4, 2016

Samsung Unveils Updated Galaxy A7 and A5 Devices with Metal Bodies

Samsung is back with its updated A-series of devices. Today the Korean giant unveiled its mid-range Galaxy A7 and A5 devices, which feature OIS and fingerprint sensor.

Samsung takes the S6 glass and metal design language forward this year and introduces Galaxy A7 and A5. The updated devices come with a bunch of new features and specs.The A7 sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED FHD screen with 1920 x 1080p resolution and a 1.6 GHz octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and 16GB internal storage and 3,300mAh Fast Charging battery.

On the camera front, the A7 features a 13MP primary camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS. The front camera also features an f/1.9 aperture. The dual-SIM A7 is priced at Rs. 33,400.

The A5 upgrades to 5.2-inch AMOLED FHD screen with 1080p resolution. 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, octa-core processor and bumps the battery to 2,900mAh as well. A5 packs a 13MP primary camera with OIS and a 5MP front camera. This dual-SIM phone is priced at Rs.29,400.

The devices will be available through Snapdeal and offline partners starting 15th February. Both A5 and A7 will have three colours variants -Gold, Black and White. Follow this space for more on Samsung’s A-series launch.

Specification	Galaxy A7	Galaxy A5
Display	5.5″ FHD Super AMOLED	5.2″ FHD Super AMOLED
Processor	1.6GHz Octa-Core Processor	1.6GHz Octa-Core Processor
RAM	3GB	2GB
Front Camera	5.0MP(f1.9)	5.0MP(f1.9)
Rear Camera	13MP(f1.9) AF with LED Flash	13MP (f1.9) AF with LED Flash
Storage	16GB	16GB
Expandability	128GB	128GB
Battery	3,300 mAh, Fast Charging	2,900 mAh, Fast charging
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® v 4.1, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC (UICC, eSE)	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® v 4.1, ANT+, USB 2.0, NFC (UICC, eSE)
Operating System	Android 5.1 (Lollipop)	Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
Price	Rs. 33,400	Rs. 29,400

February 4, 2016

Apple’s New Patent is For Controlling Touch Screens Without Touching Them

Imagine tinkering a device without even touching it -turning on or off a display, handling volume controls or screen brightness, attending calls, replying to messages -all of it without any physical contact. While this may sound like a futuristic gadget from the last sci-fi movie you watched, let it be known that this is precisely the kind of device Apple is planning to make.

The Cupertino based tech-giant filed a non-contact patent on Tuesday for devices that can be controlled with only gestures, minus any physical contact. The patent is for multi-touch surfaces with touch-free proximity centers, and it describes this new tech as follows, “the no-touch, close proximity hovering of fingers or other objects above a touch-sensitive surface but outside the near-field detection capabilities of touch sensors.”

Apple plans to fulfill these goals with the help of proximity sensors made of infrared LEDs and photodiodes. Electrical currents could be altered by photodiodes depending on how much light falls on them. By detection of infrared light that reaches these sensors after getting reflected or deflected with the user’s hand, the sensors would be able to interpret gestures and commands.

It is unclear at this point in which Apple device this patent would be put to test first. But since the patent includes image of a laptop that is using non-contact input with a standard touchpad maybe we could hope to see it first in a Macbook or an iMac. For all that we know, these plans could be trashed as well before they even see the light of day, as often happens with patents. Either way, there is nothing stopping you or us from keeping our fingers crossed.

February 3, 2016