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Xiaomi Races Ahead, Kicks LG Out of the Top 5 in Third Quarter

Xiaomi’s short life in the consumer electronics business is marked by immense growth. The company was founded in 2010 and since then it has not looked back. It even went ahead and kicked Samsung from the top of the points tally in China. It is going through a rough patch at the moment in India but globally, happy news keeps pouring in for the company. American information technology research and advisory firm, Gartner has released some encouraging numbers for the smartphone industry.

Gartner news report shows that the smartphone is growing at a good pace and business is booming. Smartphones sales saw an increase of 20 percent; the industry sold over 301 million units in the third quarter of this year. A fact that is even encouraging for the industry is that smartphones are eating into the shares of feature phones who saw a decrease of 25 percent.

This report also leads to a major reshuffle in the points tally for smartphone makers. Samsung still managed to guard its fortune at the top of the table even with an eight percent drop and it now holds 24.4 percent of the market. But the news that was the cause of a lot of worry for the big name brand is the arrival of Xiaomi in the league of the big boys. With this, the Chinese disrupting force has kicked out LG from the top 5 points tally.

The message is coming loud and clear, people have seen the possibility of high specs at low price, and they are going for it. The companies that will adapt to this will have a comfortable stay in the points, and the rest will go to dust. It’s time the companies stopped cheapening out on providing decent specs at a price point, if small time manufacturers can do it, so can the big brands with their massive capital.

December 16, 2014
Skype Translator Preview Kicks-Off Today

Users will finally be getting first-hand experience with the highly anticipated Skype translator starting today. As the preview program now kicks off and will be available to Skype customers who sign-up via the Skype translator preview page. The program offers instant translation of both spoken and written languages for people participating in a Skype conversation, making it possible for people to communicate in entirely different languages.

At launch, the program is only limited to users of Windows and Windows Phone OS, so Microsoft has a slight leverage here. The Skype translator for now is available in two languages, Spanish and English, along with more than 40 instant messaging languages. The Redmond giant says they dedicated intense resources for this project, in this case a decade of research in the understanding and advancement of speech recognition, automatic translation and machine learning technologies.

Apparently Skype Translator relies on machine learning, hence the more technology is used, the more it improves, somewhat like a very advanced form of AI. Thus, it is expected continually to increase the standards of English and Spanish translation over the course of time, as more and more people start using the Skype translator preview.

Skype translator does look quite promising, but it’ll be very interesting to see how it performs in real-world and evolves over time. Certainly one of the more innovative technologies we’ve come across, lets hope it can live up to the hype. Do check out the demo video below to get a better idea of what the program is all about.

December 15, 2014
Microsoft Opens its Official Retail Store on Amazon

It’s been long since the multinational company Microsoft has been functional in India, but only now has it set up a store here. Microsoft has joined hands with popular e-commerce website Amazon to trade its hardware and software products within the country.

The initiative is commenced to bring all Microsoft products under one roof and provide customers with best offers. The company made an official announcement,

Consumers buying Microsoft products at the Microsoft Brand Store on Amazon.in would enjoy a number of benefits, including exclusive products across various Microsoft product categories. Consumers will also have access to unique bundles available only at the Microsoft Brand Store.

The brand store has the following six categories under which you can select a product and make a purchase. These categories are Xbox, Windows Phone, Windows 8.1, Office, Accessories and Laptops & Tablets.

The exclusive offer on the brand store includes Xbox One Assassin’s Creed Bundle. It includes three free games – Unity, Black Flag and Dance Central Spotlight and an additional wireless controller free worth Rs. 3,999. Another exclusive offering includes Xbox One FIFA Bundle free FIFA 15 and a free wireless controller for Rs. 34,990.

The list adds Microsoft’s recent release Lumia 535. The store offers no discount on the device and it comes at the launch price of Rs. 9,199. Another deal that is tempting is the offering Nokia Lumia 1320 at a massive discount of Rs. 9,000, a price cut from Rs. 23,999 to Rs. 14,999. The device has an impressive 6-inch HD display and a 5MP camera to capture pictures.

Yet another surprise by the company in the store is the Nokia Lumia 730, a phone with 5-inch qHD LCD display. It houses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor clocked at 1.2GHz together with 1 GB of RAM. It sports a 5MP front and rear camera. The 8 GB of internal storage capacity along with 15GB of free OneDrive cloud storage makes the phone a nice pick.

There are many more options to choose from.

December 15, 2014
Slimmest Phone in the World ‘Vivo X5 Max’ Out in India for Rs. 32,980

Earlier, we reported that the world’s slimmest smartphone will be making its debut in the Indian market soon and today it was officially unveiled. The Chinese electronic giant announced the Vivo X5 Max, which has beaten the present record holder Oppo R5.

With just 4.75 mm thickness, the phone has given slim a new definition. The device is announced at a price of Rs. 32,980, which is a bit more than expected. The X5 Max comes with a 5.5-inch Full HD display and has a screen resolution of 1080x1920p. It runs on 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 and is packed with 2 GB of RAM and Android 4.4 KitKat. On the camera front, it has a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front snapper. The device offers dual-SIM card slots with support for 4G LTE and TD-SCDMA. It holds Hi-Fi 2.0 audio and a Yamaha YSS-205X chip as well.

Oppo confirmed that its upcoming release, the R5, would not be that expensive and will come in a price bracket of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000. The R5 will launch later this month.

As told previously, BBK Electronics has partnered with Viacom 18 to promote the device. Through this joint venture, the Vivo X5 Max will be advertised on the following platforms: MTV, VH1, Colors and Comedy Central. Also, the company is likely to launch more smartphones in the market within the range of Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 40,000.

December 15, 2014
Xiaomi Plans to Lead the Home Automation Race; Invests Over $200 Million in ‘Midea’

After recently announcing the Mi Air Purifier, the company is showing further interest in the Smart Home business. Reports have surfaced that Xiaomi has invested around $205 million in Chinese home appliance maker Midea, acquiring about 1.29 percent share in the Chinese home appliance maker.

“The deal between Xiaomi Technology and Midea will see strategic cooperation between the two companies in smart home initiatives and electronic products,” said Xiaomi.

Midea was established in 1968 and shares the vision of a true smarthome with Xiaomi. The home appliance maker revealed that it is planning to invest CNY 15 billon over the course of the next three years on smartphone home research and development. Midea is focussing on a range of smart home management systems for air, water, nutrition and health.

Smartphones aren’t its only forte, Xiaomi has a bunch of smartdevices like a set-top box, smart TV, the Mi Band fitness tracker and the already mentioned Mi Purifier. The company also added that nearly 25 countries have shown initiative in its growing smart home ecosystem.

The past week, Xiaomi has had a tough time in India. The company has been banned from importing and selling handsets in India. Well, since the ban is only on smartphones, hopefully we will see some of its future home automation offerings arrive in our country.

December 15, 2014
Indian Government Files a Legal Case Against Google

It looks like tough times for Google are not going to be over anytime soon. After facing oppressive laws in Spain over the news service of Google, the internet search giant is under scanner in India as well. Of late, The Survey of India (SOI) filed a complaint against Google saying that it has been misleading people. As per the complaint lodged with Dehradun police, the multinational search giant has been disseminating wrong information about the coordinates of the Indian boundaries.

A senior official from the technical wing of the SOI stamped the news saying, “The faulty coordinates were noticed in Jammu & Kashmir and the northern side of India which are not as per our maps. The decision to file a written complaint was taken after consulting the highest level of authority.”

However, the police seems skeptical on this take of SOI. When inquired from the police official Anil Joshi about how far is the news reliable, he conveyed that the police is still on it. He commented that officials are trying to figure out the authenticity of the complaint. Meanwhile, the complaint has been forwarded to the cyber cell team as they will be heading all further investigations. And once they come to a conclusion, the subsequent course of action will be decided then on.

December 15, 2014
WhatsApp on Web Might be a Reality Soon

The popular cross-platform mobile messaging tool WhatsApp has made a mark in the smartphone arena and now the service is planning to make its grip on the web platform as well. If the rumours are to be believed, WhatsApp may soon come up with a web version of its widely-accepted messaging app.

As per a report by AndroidWorld.nl, the screenshot of the HTML programme above encodes word ‘WhatsApp Web’. In addition to that, the code also embeds logging into a web service and checking online status, the later feature is seen on the mobile version. However, there is no definite evidence in support to the report, and an official announcement from the largest mobile service is still awaited.

In today’s day, where everything is about seamless interconnectivity between web and mobile, WhatsApp shouldn’t remain constricted to smartphones.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is the only popular messaging service which doesn’t have a web version. Its competition such as Line, Viber, Telegram and WeChat allow users to text both via phone and web. With a user base of over 600 million, the tool definitely needs a web version.

December 15, 2014
Tried and Tested : Top 5 Personal Safety Apps That Need a Permanent Spot on Your Device
Safety has become a primary concern of every individual, especially women. The recent Uber incident in the capital goes to show that taking safety precautions no longer remains an option, but has become a necessity.

Our phones are loaded with many apps to amuse us, but there is an urgent need to install one of the below listed emergency tools to make sure your loved ones and family knows your whereabouts in hard times. These apps are quite handy and you will always feel a support with any of them on your phone.

We are jotting down top 5 apps that will safeguard you in uncomfortable situations:

VithU

This emergency application alerts your contacts added in the app with just the push of a power button twice consecutively. The recipients receive the message, “I am in danger. I need help. Please follow my location.” The app keeps updating recipients with your location details every 2 minutes.

Pros:
- Instant and facilitates locating you with your present position.
- Convenient to use.
- Offers safety tips in an emergency situation with ‘Tips Feed’ option.
- Compact (acquires only 2.2 MB space on your device.)
Cons:
- Doesn’t record background sounds.
Women’s Security

With this, only a finger touch is enough to notify your recipients. It records surrounding voices for 45 seconds and sends out an alert (through mail and message) along with your location.

Pros:
- Works even without a working internet connection.
- Recording remains hidden within the device.
- Easy usability.
- Comes in handy with 517KB size.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer continuous tracking of the person in trouble.
Safetipin

It is a complete safety package. It lets you know about how secure the area is where you are residing. Tracking and alarm features locating friends and family over GPS, and let them track you. The personal safety app keeps you updated about the possible harassment threats and precautions to be taken to keep yourself safe.

Pros:
- Directory option to find local emergency help numbers.
- Helps locate nearest police station, hospital or pharmacy, and suggests directions to reach there.
- Allows views sharing about locations.
Cons:
- Needs a working internet connection.
- Doesn’t have an instant access button to notify in emergency.
Scream Alarm!

Scream Alarm! is an app which makes a very high scream for you. This feature is a boon when you experience a potential threat.

Pros:
- Makes a loud, shrill woman’s scream.
- Helpful to make passers-by learn that you need help.
Cons:
- Requires unlocking the screen first to activate it.
- Doesn’t inform contacts that you need help.
- Doesn’t facilitate sending location and other vital information.
- Sound recording not available.
Nirbhaya: Be Fearless

Another app to keep you safe is Nirbhaya: Be Fearless, which allows you to send messages and call contacts added in the app. All you need to do is press the power button. Also you can shake to send an emergency message.

Pros:
- Shake feature sends a message even when the phone is locked.
- Informs about the safety level of areas.
- Instantly dispatches emergency message.
- Gives an alert about the potential unsafe area.
Cons:
- You might alert your close ones even when there isn’t an emergency.
December 15, 2014
Editor’s Pick : The Week in a Video

Quite a few exciting things went down this week. So we decided to chart it out for you, here’s the weekly round up:

1. OnePlus Launches in India – Read more about it here.

2. We’re giving away 50 OnePlus invites. – Read more about it here.

3. Micromax Brings Out ‘Yu’ – its own developers forum. – Read more about it here.

4. Meet the YotaPhone 2- Read more about it here.

5. Apple Expected to Open Up 500 Retail Outlets in India – Read more about it here.

6. Indian Government Plans Rs.10,000 Start Up fund – Read more about it here.

7. Xiaomi banned in India- Read more about it here.

8. Google halts production of Nexus 5 – Read more about it here.

9. Nexus 6 Goes on Sale, Unavailable till Christmas – – Read more about it here.

December 14, 2014
The Xiaomi Wave: Here’s All You Need to Know About the Xiaomi Ban
It has been a busy last week for Xiaomi. The Delhi High Court has put a halt on Xiaomi’s surging sales in India by passing an ex-parte injunction order. Ericsson India filed a case against Xiaomi for infringement of patents under the IPR Rules, 2007. This adverse order came into light when Xiaomi allegedly refused to reply to Ericsson’s repeated communications. The injunctions subsequently led to a suspension of sales through Flipkart and also a shut down of their Xiaomi India Site.

Xiaomi continues to insist that they have not received any notice but will take all necessary measure to comply with all the rules and regulations.

The Criers: Those Adversely Affected
- Xiaomi
Although Xiaomi does not seem to be panicking, however this suspension would adversely affect their company both strategically and financially. India is among the largest markets for the Xiaomi handsets and this ban would be a big blow for this Chinese company. On the other hand, Xiaomi seem determined to take necessary legal action to lift the ban as soon as possible.
- The Xiaomi Fans
Of course the Xiaomi fans will also immensely disappointed. Xiaomi had entered the Indian markets earlier this year in the month of July with great anticipation and it surpassed all expectation with flying colours. This ban would imply no more devices would be sold till further notice. To add fuel to the fire, this injunction would also imply ban to the much anticipated Xiaomi Mi4 which was set to release in India at the end of this month.

The Smilers : Those who Benefited

Xiaomi, however, has not been the only budget smartphone launched this year . There has been an influx of impressive smartphones in 2014. This interdiction would mean good news for other smartphone manufacturers like OnePlus and Motorola, who can seek a competitive edge in the market. Other domestic companies like Xolo, Asus, Iris who earlier didn’t stand a chance infront of this impressive device now have the opportunity to establish themselves till this case is settled.

What Happens Now ?

Although Xiaomi has ruined plans for many domestic smartphone manufacturers; it is a necessary evil. Xiaomi has forced the domestic manufacturers to also introduce budget smartphones to compete in the market. This healthy competition has led to the growth of the smartphone industry in India.

The bad news for Xiaomi, however, is that court hearings in Delhi are never dependable. Although the ban is till February 5 as of now; however, when Xiaomi will be able to sell it handsets again cannot be said. A similar incident took place with Chinese manufacturer Gionee, who chose to resolve the same out of court. Though this may seem like an ideal situation, however Xiaomi is not a cash rich company and does not have any corporate offices in India.

Although Xiaomi seems adamant to stay; only time will tell whether they will actually survive in this cut throat market.
December 14, 2014
OnePlus Director Confirms India to be One of the First Countries to See the ‘OnePlus Two’

OnePlus One is received blissfully by the Indian users and why not, the phone is such a great offering at a marginal price. The Co-Founder of OnePlus and the Director of OnePlus Global, Carl Pei, is immensely delighted with the overwhelming response to ‘One’ and has thanked all the Indian OnPlus fans to make the device a success.

Carl shared his views in an official blog post saying, “As a company that’s not yet even a year old, and has no track record on which to stand upon, your faith in our product and vision is humbling. We know we made you wait a while. We understand the wait could be frustrating, but looking back, we are glad that we waited until all pieces were in place.” He also mentioned that India is an important marketplace and the country wouldn’t be lagging behind in receiving the upcoming smartphones from the company.

Pei seized the attention of the Indians OnePlus One fans with his comment, “We have some big plans in the works, India. And while it took a while for us to get the One to you, we promise that won’t be the case in the future. India will be one of the first countries to see our newest products in the future.” This ascertains the fact that like we will be the first one to see the forthcoming ‘OnePlus Two’.

The Chinese manufacturer feels that there is a need to establish an office in the country and it is working hard in this direction. Pei mentioned that the company is planning to set up a local headquarters in Bangalore, which is said to house a GM, local marketing and logistics team, along with Research and Development team. India will soon be having a local PR to update us with its all important company advancements.

Well, with this post, the OnePlus has kept us longing for the future OnePlus gadget.

December 14, 2014

Review : XOLO Omega 5.0

XOLO off late has added some rather interesting products to its catalogue in the overflowing lower mid-range category of smartphones. The company recently launched the Play series, along with adding a Windows Phone to its product catalog.

The Indian manufacturer has now added a pair of sub Rs. 10,000 devices under the new XOLO Omega range, the XOLO Omega 5.0 and the Omega 5.5. Given the price, they offer a fairly solid set of specifications. We assess if the Omega range take on the likes of Xiaomi, who have notably made a dent in the market with their aggressive pricing. It’s all about flagship killers these days, though can XOLO have a Xiaomi-killer in the making?

OVERVIEW

The one with us is the Omega 5.0 which is the smaller of the two, with main differences primarily being screen size, camera resolution and battery capacity. The XOLO Omega 5.0 packs in a decent set of specs, but with the competition in budget category booming, can the smartphone leave its mark in the market, let’s find out!

HARDWARE

As already mentioned, the XOLO Omega 5.0 does come with a fairly decent set of specs. Notably, it comes quite close to the Xiaomi Redmi Note. Check out the key specs below:

Key Specs	XOLO Omega 5.0
Display	IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours 720×1280 pixels, 5.0 inches (~294 ppi pixel density)
Processor	Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A7
Storage	8 GB internal memory, microSD upto 32 GB
RAM	1 GB
Camera	8 MP, AF, LED flash, Exmor RS Sensor, 2 MP Selfie cam
Battery	2,100 mAh
Operating System	Android v4.4 KitKat OS with Hive UI

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN

At first glance, the XOLO Omega 5.0 looks like a well-made smartphone, though nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to design. It has a pretty bland look, with a black plastic finishing coupled with a metallic silver trim running along the edges. We have the power and the volume rocker keys housed within these metallic strips, with the power button on the right and the volume rockers on the left. The bottom of the device is empty as both the micro-USB port and 3.5 mm headset jacks are housed on top. Meanwhile, the three capacitive physical buttons are located below the display, which are not backlit but would suffice in low light conditions as the icons are shiny enough.

The back of the phone is made out of a smooth glossy plastic, apparently making it a fingerprint magnet. The primary camera unit is housed at the back with the XOLO logo housed right below the camera unit. The rear speaker cutout is made almost at the bottom.

Removing the back panel is relatively easy, which reveals the two SIM card slots along with the microSD slots, though you cannot mess around with the battery unit.

All in all, the Omega 5.0 is quite convenient for one-handed usage. The curved back does enhance the overall grip on the phone, though lacks the looks which forms one of the perennial elements of a smartphone.

SOFTWARE AND UI

The XOLO Omega 5.0 runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat OS with XOLO’s proprietary UI Hive on top. The HIVE UI has more of a streamlined and minimalistic approach to the stock Android, making it perfectly in tune with Google’s new material design.

The first thing we noticed was the lock screen, which has quite an interesting take on jumping onto specific apps directly from the lock screen. It allows users to jump directly into the most used apps directly, which is quite a nifty feature. The second major difference being how all apps are housed; they are arranged chronologically in three different ways – alphabetical, recently used and categorically.

Along with that there are a few interesting improvements. For instance, the contacts application now features block colours and rounded icons; an aesthetically pleasing choice. In addition, the toggle menu has been given a new look as brightness and volume options now get a jog-dial system of adjusting them. Unlike the line bar style found in almost all other UI’s. In addition, there are some nifty power saving modes and CPU information which seems rather useful.

Overall, the UI appears rather pleasing and is minimalistic; HIVE certainly has the potential around which future smartphones’ user interface will be based on. One of the snappier and user-friendly interfaces’ we’ve come across in a long time.

DISPLAY AND MULTIMEDIA

The smartphone features a 5-inch screen with a pixel resolution of 1280x720p, which has a pixel density of 294ppi. Hence, it makes for great readability with larger and broader texts. Even viewing angles are fairly good, presence of an IPS on-board panel is clearly evident.

Meanwhile, the multimedia capabilities of the phone are quite satisfactory. It supports all video formats, though HD videos were experiencing a few hiccups. That being said; the audio quality of the phone does pack some punch, with almost minimal distortion. Overall, the phone’s multimedia capabilities are fairly satisfactory given the price of the device.

CAMERA

The XOLO Omega 5.0 sports an 8MP AF primary camera with Exmor R sensor along with a 2MP front-facing camera. The primary camera unit can take fairly good quality pictures with good detailing and colour reproduction. Daylight images are rather more than satisfactory though one might have trouble at night. Meanwhile, the camera app comes preloaded with an array of shooting modes including HDR, Panorama, Gesture Shot to name a few. Also included in the camera widget are some preloaded effects like Mono, Sepia, Aqua, Blackboard etc.

Overall, the camera performance is rather pleasing, especially when taking macro shots. The rear camera is also able to take Full HD videos at 30 fps, and the video recording quality is fairly decent given the price range. While the front snapper isn’t all that amazing, but it should suffice your selfie needs.

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

With an octa-core chipset bundled with 1 GB of RAM, the XOLO Omega 5.0 fared some impressive benchmark scores in our benchmark suite of tests. Interestingly, the Omega 5.0 has a slight edge over the newly launched Xiaomi Redmi Note when it comes to benchmark scores. The Omega 5.0 scooped up 27,290 in Antutu, 11,727 in Quadrant Standard, and a score of 59.1 FPS in Nena Mark. We were pretty much taken aback seeing the Omega 5.0 having the lead over the Redmi Note in our benchmark scores.

Model.	Antutu Benchmark Nena Mark II Quadrant Standard
Xiaomi Redmi Note	24,415 61.5 7990
XOLO Omega 5.0	27,290 59.1 11,727

The scores indeed translate into its real-time performance as it can handle multitasking and normal daily usage without any hassles. Popular gaming titles like Subway Surfer and Temple Run run flawlessly though one might experience a few lags on cranked up settings playing high-end titles like Asphalt. However, it’s still a delightful experience and those slight hiccups do not alter the overall experience of the game.

PHONE, NETWORKS AND BATTERY

The phone’s signal quality is rather good indoors as well as outdoors, while audio on call is pretty crisp and clear on incoming as well as outgoing calls. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi connectivity is quite strong, it detects and latches onto networks within range at ease, thanks to the plastic body which significantly improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Meanwhile, battery life should suffice for one whole day of usage with the included 2100mAh battery, which is quite standard in this price bracket. Even for a heavy user, the battery should make it through the day without the need for constant charging.

CONCLUSION

Given the price, the XOLO Omega 5.0 is a rather solid entry level performer and at the same time is easily available. While it might not appear at par with the competition in terms of its outer demeanor, it overthrows that by what it has on its inside. With an octa-core chipset and 1 GB of RAM, along with a fairly impressive 8 MP camera, it does what you would demand from a smartphone, that too at relatively attractive price point. In addition, the company has also promised the Lollipop update.

XOLO Omega 5.0 is a step in the right direction for domestic manufacturers, especially when companies like Xiaomi and Motorola are constantly giving them a hard time. Put simply, the XOLO Omega 5.0 is a great buy, though you have other options like the Redmi Note and the Omega 5.5, if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit on portability.

[tw-column width=”one-half”]

GOOD THINGS

Economically priced
Good overall performance
Decent battery back up
Snappy Hive UI

[/tw-column]

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

BAD THINGS

Bland design
Average build quality

[/tw-column]

December 14, 2014

Xodium the New Flagship Killer with 2K Display Seems Too Good to Be True

OnePlus One was the best phone of this year. It did fall short on specs in comparison to the newly released flagship, but it sure came about as a serious disrupter for the market. It led people to ask an important question, if a small time company can provide high specs at affordable prices, what is stopping the big name brands from doing so? Well, the big brands are scared of the Chinese duo, Xiaomi and OnePlus but they don’t seem serious about cutting them at source by bringing their own devices which can counter the rising Chinese brands. In fact, these are no small time threats for the established brands; Xiaomi has raced up to the top of the podium in China, throwing off Samsung in the country. This proves the fact that the company that offers maximum features at the lowest cost will win the market, and a new entrant is trying its luck with this philosophy.

Meet Xodium, it looks like the brethren of Xiaomi and OnePlus. The phone flaunts top of the class features with sexy looks and a sleek user interface. Xodium’s spec sheet will blow your mind on the first look. The phone has the innards to take on the likes of LG G3, Note 4 and even the Nexus 6.

The website claims the device can run true 4K videos on its Quad HD display supported by high specs.

The processor on the device is the top of the line, quad-core Snapdragon 805 clocking at 2.7 GHz. With 3GB of RAM, you know this baby is going to be fast. It is available in two storage options, 32 GB and 64 GB. The bit that will make it really aspirational is the fact that it has expandable storage up to 128 GB. The device is juiced up by a 3200 mAh battery. It runs on a custom operating system called ‘xOS’ which is based on Android 5 Lollipop.

The display on the device is a delight. The 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display has a resolution of 1440×2560(2K) and has a pixel density of 534 ppi. This will make it by far the best display in its price point. The display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

The device doesn’t shy up on the camera either. It has a 16 MP main shooter with optical image stabilization. It is capable of 4K recording. On the front, you have a 5MP selfie shooter with LED flash. The device lets you take images simultaneously while recording videos.

Xodium also has a wide range of sensors such as heart rate sensor, gestures, UV, compass, barometer and other usual sensors including NFC.

Now this phone one-ups the OnePlus One in every side. On the website, the price is stated as $329 (Rs. 20,610) for 32GB and $379 (Rs. 23,742) for the 64 GB variant. This sounds like the sweetest music to any device enthusiast. But we can’t shake off the feeling that it sounds too good to be true. On the website, when you click the buy now button, you only get the option to pre-order by Bitcoin, which is regarded as unreliable way of making transactions. The PayPal option is currently inactive. The website claims they can ship the order anywhere for free which also sounds unreasonable. We would love for this device to be real, who wouldn’t, but we are not sending our hard earned money there way till we see a working device.

December 13, 2014
Xiaomi Adamant to Fight Back High Court Order; Assessing Legal Options

Post the verdict of Delhi High Court to ban Xiaomi handsets in India, the Chinese smartphone maker spoke openly for the first time. In a conversation with Economic Times, Xiaomi India Head, Manu Jain, said that the company will comply with the court orders to stop the sale of its smartphones in India, “We have not been served the notice till now, but we know about the issue. If the court has asked us not to do it, we won’t do it.”

He further said, “We would want to be 100% compliant with Indian rules and regulations.” The smartphone manufacturer is trying every possible bit to fight back legally on the issue, “We will explore all options including legal options on what can be done. Our lawyers and legal teams are working on it, but we don’t know how this will proceed.”

Redmi 1s, one of Xiaomi’s most popular handsets is no longer available on Flipkart

Apologizing to the Xiaomi enthusiasts for the inability to deliver handsets, the International Operations Head, Hugo Barra, commented on the prevailing issue and the drew light on the company’s take to deal with the situation. “We have been forced to suspend sales in India until further notice due to an order passed by the Delhi High Court. As a law abiding company, we are investigating the matter carefully and assessing our legal options,” said Barra.

Meanwhile, registration is closed for both for Redmi 1S and Redmi Note and the upcoming flagships have also been suspended in the country. Yes, that means the upcoming Mi4 will not be available in our country for some time.

The Delhi High Court imposed the ban after hearing the allegations by Ericsson of infringing eight of its registered patents. The company cannot assemble, import, sell or advertise its devices until 5th February.

As of now, both the companies have been asked to submit the list of devices sold by them. Along with that, they have to furnish revenue details generated by the sale of the devices.

December 13, 2014
Alien: Isolation Sequel May Be in the Works

Alien: Isolation sequel is apparently in the making, according to Creative Assembly lead game designer Gary Napper. In an interview with AvpGalaxy, Napper shared his thoughts about Isolation’s story and how the team could handle the possibility of a next sequel. The conversation eventually went deeper, delving into details about the ending of Alien Isolation.

“The plot for a sequel is a daily topic in the studio sometimes. People have their own ideas for where it should go, our writers have some solid concepts and yes, we do have a great opportunity to continue her story. I personally think that Amanda did not get infected in the hive, as when she wakes, the closest egg remains closed…”

Napper also added that he would like to improve on the game mechanics, when quizzed if the hypothetical sequel would mimic Alien Isolation’s style of play.

“I think the action oriented ‘Aliens’ style game is very different from what Isolation is. If we made a sequel I would like to stick to the same terrifying single Alien approach but do more with the environment and interactivity within it.”

Napper also went on to say they won’t alter the game’s DNA, the tense and horror experience which forms the core of the series.

In the meantime, if you still haven’t had enough of the grueling survival horror title, you can put your skills to test yet again as Alien: Isolation now has a new Nightmare mode.

December 12, 2014

Blog

The Criers: Those Adversely Affected

Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Fans

The Smilers : Those who Benefited

What Happens Now ?

OVERVIEW

HARDWARE

Key Specs

XOLO Omega 5.0

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN

SOFTWARE AND UI

DISPLAY AND MULTIMEDIA

CAMERA

PERFORMANCE AND GAMING

Model.

Antutu Benchmark Nena Mark II Quadrant Standard

PHONE, NETWORKS AND BATTERY

CONCLUSION