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Details of the Monster 12.9-inch ‘iPad Air Plus’ Leaked

Back in August, Bloomberg reported that Apple will launch a 12.2-inch iPad in early 2015, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Since then, the reports and leaks of the device have been scarce. However, this weekend, a leak from the Japanese magazine Mac Fan reveals what they believe to be schematics and specs surrounding Apple’s rumoured tablet, which is now supposedly bigger with a display at 12.9 inches.

The company is expected to jump size significantly from the 9.7-inch iPad Air, that’s currently available. It is believed that the move is the outcome of the recent sluggish iPad sales. Purported measures of the previously rumoured device are 305.31×220.8×7 mm (12×8.7x.28 inches). The slate is said to feature Apple’s next generation A9 processor.

The launch of bigger iPad makes sense as the company is opting for ‘bigger the better’ mantra for their other devices too like iPhone 6. The rumoured iPad is not the only monster slate in the market as Samsung launched 12.2-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro earlier in February.

AppleInsider has cited another Japanese publication called Macotakara that has some details which align with the information shared by Mac Fan. Macotakara said that the upcoming ‘iPad Air Plus’ will feature a 12.2-inch display with speakers and microphones on multiple edges. Macotakara also claimed that the iPad Air Plus won’t be as thin as the 6.1 mm iPad Air 2, but will be as slim as an iPhone, measuring somewhere between 6.9 mm and 7.1 mm.

The same report by Mac Fan also added that the iPad mini 4 will be powered by Apple’s existing A8X processor and sport a new, thinner design. It also says that following the launch of the iPad mini 4, the iPad mini and iPad mini 3 will be discontinued.

If these rumours are true, what we don’t understand is what will happen to the Apple MacBook Air family if a 12.2-inch iPad launches. Well, maybe the company will merge the MacBook Air and Pro lineup to make more space for the iPad Air Plus in the market. However, this may result in utter confusion and may cost Apple another setback in the iPad sales. Anyhow, these are just the production of rumour mill for now, the plan of the company will be revealed when the time comes. Until then, we wait.

December 1, 2014

The Stylish ASUS ZenWatch Likely to Hit Indian Shores by March 2015

ASUS ZenWatch is all geared up to launch in India by March 2015. The stylish looking watch has already made its mark in the smartwatch arena and is the hot favourite in the Android wear smartwatch league. The device is expected to be priced below Rs. 20,000 in the Indian market, though there is no official statement from the company in terms of pricing. We can expect the ZenWatch to be strategically priced, as the Moto 360 (its main competitor) is selling in India for Rs. 17,999. The other first-gen Android wearables like the LG G Watch and Samsung’s Gear Live are priced at Rs. 14,999 and Rs. 15,900 respectively.

ASUS ZenWatch has already received some rave reviews and is claimed to be one of the best Android wearables currently in the market. The smartwatch is one hell of a looker and comes with a 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display. The screen is curved to give off a 2.5D effect and the watch is powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor along with 512 MB RAM. Check out the key specs in the table below:

Specifications	ASUS ZenWatch
Display	1.63-inch AMOLED, 320×320 pixels
Processor	1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400
Storage	4 GB
RAM	512 MB
Battery	1.4Wh
Operating System	Android Wear
Dimensions	50.6×39.8×7.9 mm

It is also rated IP55 for water and dust-proofing, so it can easily handle those accidental splashes. The ZenWatch also has a 9-axis sensor for tracking activities and movements like step counts, heart rate and relaxation levels. In short, it’s a personal wellness manager that helps users keep a close watch at their fitness goals.

Overall, this unique piece of hardware is one heck of a device we just can’t wait to get our hands on it.

December 1, 2014

Cyanogen Ditches OnePlus in Favour of Micromax in India

While Indian smartphone lovers were anticipating the launch of the ‘Flagship Killer’, OnePlus has dropped a bomb that was not expected by anyone. The company has shared some disappointing news on its official blog. Well, Cyanogen had granted exclusive rights in India over the Cyanogen system to another company.

That means, the flagship killer will be reaching the country with the popular Cyanogen OS onboard for now. However, it won’t be getting any official support or future updates. The company also added that the One will continue to be supported globally and receive frequent OTAs.

The reason for this disappointment is a recent agreement between Cyanogen and homegrown smartphone maker Micromax, through which the latter has exclusive rights to offer devices with the custom platform in India. So, while the company has no other choice than to bring the OnePlus One to the country with the CM11S OS inside, it’ll be developing its own firmware as a replacement in the future.

The company estimated that they will be able to release our first community build to Indian users next month and have a production-ready build in February. The system will be based on Lollipop, the company said, and will be built to be stable, fast, and lightweight. The smartphone manufacturer also revealed that it will be bloatware-free and will only carry the features important to users. It further stated that they don’t have any intention to iterate Google’s Material design and stock Android experience.

Cyanogen OS was one of the main reason a lot of people wanted to get their hands on the OnePlus One. The fact that Cyanogen saves users from the trouble of rooting, unlocking the bootloader and flashing a new ROM as well as assures them that the phone will be supported in the long run, have made it popular and it has built quite a following in recent years.

As we reported earlier, OnePlus One is going to launch on 2nd December (tomorrow) in India and will be sold exclusively through Amazon.in. The device is expected to be priced around Rs. 24,990 for 64 GB and Rs. 19,990 for 16 GB variant.

December 1, 2014

Xiaomi Redmi Note: Unboxing and Hands On

In the house, we have the new Redmi Note from Xiaomi. The device was launched just a few days back and will be available in two variants, one is a 3G variant, while the other one is the 4G LTE compatible variant. The one with us is a 3G variant. The phone comes in the recycled MI style brown box. The first thing that you see once you unbox is the Redmi Note, which has a nice and glossy back. Delving deeper in the box, we see the microUSB to USB charging cable along with a fairly nice quality wall charger. Also included in the box is a 3.8 volt, 3100mAH battery along with a manual, service booklet and a bunch of other documentation.

Getting back to the phone, on the front we have a 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720p. A 5MP wide angle camera capable of 1080p video recording sits on the top of the device. Right below the display, we have three red coloured touch capacitive buttons. The right side houses the power button along with the volume rockers. On the top lies the 3.5 mm headphone jack along with a secondary microphone for voice cancellation. There’s nothing on the left, while at the bottom lies the USB port along with the main microphone.

Coming on to the back, we have a 13MP camera bundled with a LED flash. The back has a nice glossy finish with a MI logo at the bottom along with the speaker grill right below the logo. Removing the back panel reveals the two SIM slots and an SD card slot.

Talking about the specs of the Redmi Note, the chipset on the device is a MediaTek octa-core MTK 6592 processor clocked at 1.7GHz bundled with 2 GB RAM. It offers 8 GB in-built storage expandable up to 32 GB. The device is powered by a pretty solid 3200 mAh battery. On the camera front, you get a 13MP primary camera along with a wide angle 5 MP front-facing selfie shooter.

Key Specs

Specifications	Xiaomi Redmi Note (3G)
Display	720×1280 pixels, 5.5 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
Processor	1.7 GHz Octa-core
Storage	8 GB + microSD upto 32 GB
RAM	2 GB
Camera	13 MP, 4128×3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash 5 MP front camera
Battery	Li-Po 3100mAh
Operating System	Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean)

Powering on the device, the first thing you see for setting up the device is a keyboard input method. Once through with the setup process, you get to see the same MIUI we saw in the MI3. The exact version is the MIUI 29.0, while the Android version is 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It will be updated soon to the KitKat. Coming back to the UI, the interface seems quite snappy and swift. Scrolling is really fast and responsive, there are a lot of quick toggle notifications. Multitasking should be fairly good as we always have a little over 1 GB RAM free.

The screen has a nice feel to it, so you would want to avoid putting a screen protector to retain that feel. We also tried playing a few videos and it runs videos pretty well, though the audio output is not as good we’ve seen with devices in the same price range.

Talking about aesthetics, the device feels really good in the hand, though slightly on the heavier side. The device has a nice glossy finish all round, so it does attract a lot of fingerprints.

Overall, the device seems fairly decent and comes at a very economical price point and will definitely make the holiday list of the phones. The build quality, look and feel seem quite good given the price of the device. You will able to get your hands on the device very soon as the first flash sale is scheduled for 2nd of December. So that’s about it for now, keep checking back for an in-depth review of the new Xiaomi Redmi Note.

November 28, 2014

Nikon Unleashes Waterproof Digital Cameras With Interchangable Lenses

The leader in imaging technology Nikon has finally released three cameras with interchangeable lenses in its Nikon 1 advanced series – Nikon 1 AW1, V3 and J4. The cameras are said to offer excellent image quality.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Mr. Hiroshi Takashina” author_title=”Managing Director, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd.”]

We are extremely thrilled to announce the latest additions to the highly acclaimed Nikon 1 interchangeable lens camera series. The Nikon 1 AW1, V3 and J4, flaunt a plethora of advanced features that allow users to easily capture images as intended. These cameras offer excellent image quality with superior sharpness and definition, and an immaculate operational feel delivering every bit of exceptional performance and experience that Nikon intends at extending to the consumers.

[/quote]

Of the three cameras, Nikon 1 AW1 has been awarded iF Product Design Award 2014 and is said to be the world’s first shockproof, freeze proof and waterproof camera. It features a 14.2MP CX-format CMOS sensor along with Nikon’s own EXPEED 3A image processing engine. The Nikon 1 AW1 lets you capture motion pictures with Advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system. The 73-point Auto Focus sensor lets you click pictures in just 80-milliseconds. The camera is actually capable of taking motion shots in focus, 15fps with AF and 60fps when the focus is locked. This amazing piece has been priced at Rs. 39,950.

Nikon 1 V3 is more portable because of its compact design. The sensor that boasts in this model is 18.4 MP CX-format CMOS together with EXPEED 3A image processing engine. The device is equipped with vari-angle LCD monitor which allows users to take pictures from any angle. The spontaneous touch-screen control comes with this camera along with built-in Wi-Fi, as cameras are now not just about clicking pictures only. The V3 will cost you Rs. 43,950.

The last addition is the Nikon 1 J4 model. The camera packs an 18.4MP CX format sensor with EXPEED 4A image processing engine. The J4 makes full-scale photography feasible. Advanced shooting options, the image quality of the camera is premium. It sports a TFT LCD touch screen along with built-in Wi-Fi for easy file transfer. The company is offering accessories with the model: a WP-N3 Waterproof Case and a full-scale Underwater SB-N10 Speedlight. The latter one allows users enjoy the underwater photography. The j4 is priced at Rs. 24,950.

November 28, 2014
OnePlus One Goes Invite-Free This Black Friday

Much has been said and heard about the ‘flagship killer’. Earlier it was said that OnePlus One will be accessible to only a selected few through invite system and later, the news of its availability on Amazon through the same system surfaced. Now, forget about all what you have heard as the OnPlus One is open for all on Black Friday in selected countries (United States, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Portugal).

The official site of OnePlus One showcases a banner which says that the handset will be available on order to all the willing customers till stocks last. The official forum alarms you that the offer is valid till Black Friday only and the ordered phones will reach the buyers by 25th December.

The 16 GB variant of Silver White colour is available at $299 and will reach your doorstep in 10 business days, while the 64 GB Sandstone Black model costing $349 will be delivered as soon as in 5 business days.

Not only One, the company is also offering smartphone accessories like JBL E1+ Earphones, OnePlus Silver Bullet Earphones, OnePlus Tempered Glass Screen Protector, OnePlus HD Screen Protector, OnePlus Screen Protector, OnePlus One Flip Cover, OnePlus One Clear Case, and OnePlus One Data Cable at discounted rates.

Other Offerings by OnePlus

However, India will not be able to avail this offer now, but they will surely receive this device post its launch in India on 2^nd December, exclusively on Amazon. The smartphone (64 GB) is expected to cost Rs. 25,000. For more updates, keep checking iGyaan.in.

November 28, 2014
Micromax Fast Capturing Samsung’s Rapidly Losing Ground

A few months back, Samsung got its first jolt in rating when Xiaomi kicked it from the top of the podium to second spot in China. A few days later, Samsung was overtaken in the Indian market by the homeboy Micromax in Q2 2014. Samsung denied the news and said that it was still at the top. Well, seems like Samsung’s woes have not finished yet.

Market research firm IDC is reporting a drastic fall in Samsung’s market share. At the same time, Micromax is showing positive gains. While Samsung slipped from 29% market share to 24%, Micromax gained a healthy lead of 2 percent and went from 18% to 20%.

Samsung’s sales have been falling over the last couple of years. The culprit can easily be found. The electronic giant has not brought any exceptional device in a while, and even the innovative Note 4 is out of the reach of the average consumers. Samsung is also facing stiff competition from Chinese and Indian brands who are fast adopting high specs, low price formula.

Though Micromax too doesn’t have any exceptional device in its portfolio, its Indian brand appeal comes to its rescue. The company has been berated for its unsavory after sales service. Recently, the company has hinted at making products based on CyanogenMod that would take care of most of its headaches. The custom ROM is known globally for its stock android experience with amazing customisability features and regular updates. The CyanogenMod-based devices will be released under the brand name ‘Yu’ and are expected to be launched next month. If Micromax plays its cards right, it can literally go places with the Yu. The advice for Samsung has been around for a while, it is to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch, and finally the company is paying heed to it. We just have to wait another quarter to know the further fate of these companies.

November 28, 2014
Microsoft to Unveil the Consumer Preview of Windows 10

Everyone is excited about the upcoming Windows 10. Not only is Microsoft bringing back the familiar look that we have come to love and appreciate, it is bound to come with better features than ever before. The company already unveiled a beta version for developers, and it touched on the basic tweaks. But coming January, the company will be unveiling a preview for the consumers and will give more details of its arrival in the market.

The Verge reports that Microsoft is expected to hold its press conference to unveil the product by the end of January. The preview by Microsoft seems to be taking things to a new level. The best bit of this new OS update is that it works across multiple platforms as one operating system. They have also introduced a feature called ‘Continuum’ that makes it easier to switch from touch to non-touch devices.

Windows 10 Start menu

The other important upgrades in the upcoming version include the return of the much-missed Start menu. This time around, the menu is empowered with Windows 8 style live tiles and is customisable. Taking cues from Mac OS X, the company is also adding multiple desktops to Windows 10. For the nerds out there, Microsoft has made it easy to use Command prompt in this version, well about time.

Microsoft has also said that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for personal users, which is just fantastic. The company will be making an official announcements on dates by the end of the year, and we’ll get you all the latest on its arrival.

November 28, 2014
Samsung to Build Next Generation A9 Chips for Apple

On the market front, Samsung and Apple may be arch rivals. They’re like Batman and Bane from the comics of course and not from that dumb sequel of the epic Dark Knight. But when it comes to dealing with hardware for the devices, the companies constantly collaborate with each other. Samsung has been a provider of displays and processors for Apple devices in the past and now the company has won a deal to help develop the chip that will power the next generation iPhones.

Samsung won the contract to develop the new 14 nanometer thin chips. The Korean giant has been involved in the chips of Apple’s flagship smartphones since their inception in 2007. But for the development of the A8 chip for the current generation iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple involved Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Samsung is still providing about 40% of the present generation A8 chips.

The A8 chips in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is a 20nm thin 64-bit chip. Smaller chips have the benefits of being more power efficient and with the development in technology they are getting better at performance. With this chip, you can expect an even better battery life from your next iPhone.

November 28, 2014
European Parliament Overwhelmingly Supports Breaking Up Google

It was reported earlier that the European Parliament was considering a draft proposal to break the search and other businesses of search engines. This proposal was put on vote, and it has received overwhelming support. It is important to know that the resolution is non-binding on any party, but it now puts pressure on the European Commission to introduce regulations on search engines.

Although the resolution doesn’t name a specific search engine, but it’s easily assumable that the target is Google. The company enjoys a comfortable hold on the market with a 90% market share. It spooks the legislators that an American company forms such a monopoly in the continent. There are multiple business malpractice allegations against Google too. The allegations have led to anti-trust investigations against the company. One of the major reasons for this proactive crackdown of Google is the privacy concerns.

The resolution received 384 votes in favour of the motion and 174 against it. Andreas Schwab, the German Conservative Lawmaker and co-sponsor of the bill said that this is a clear sign for the European Commission to prevent monopolies and create a level playing field for the companies.

France and Germany have even called for review of the competition rules of the EU so as to enhance the accountability on global internet companies. They intend to make it easier for governments to target these companies.

Google has yet not commented on the issue. The vote count is definitely going to get the balls rolling in Google’s defense team. The case matters because it is questioning one of the basic and most essential components of the internet, the search. They are seriously considering regulations for the internet. It won’t be an easy task as Google is now literally the gateway to the internet and most of its ‘intuitions’ comes from integrating search with its other service. It will be interesting to see where this path takes us and the information superhighway.

November 28, 2014
GoPro Reportedly Working on a Line of Consumer Drones

According to recent report, GoPro is developing its own line of consumer drones with high-definition cameras that might launch as soon as next year. The company’s core business is to make wearable video cameras popular with surfers and other sports enthusiasts.

The company plans to start selling multirotor helicopters equipped with high-definition cameras late next year, aiming for a price tag between $500 and $1,000, according to the report. The drone market has been flourishing recently with electronic giants investing money in this lucrative market.

Drones, which are essentially unmanned aircrafts, are becoming smaller, cheaper and easier to fly with technological advancements. Consumer drones are typically lightweight helicopters with cameras that can be controlled with a tablet or smartphone. However, series of regulations and rules have restricted the use of drones for consumer needs. In the US, regulators allow their use by hobbyists with a long list of rules.

For the drone industry, the GoPro drone marks a new splash in the quickly expanding market. GoPro needs to offer something that differentiates it from its competition – both Parrot and DJI, two market leaders in consumer aerial drones. These companies have launched next-generation hardware with advanced camera features, including advanced onboard software image stabilisation and 4K recording. GoPro cameras are already compatible with several consumer drones in the market.

November 27, 2014
Twitter Says it’s Tracking Your Mobile Apps But Won’t Invade Privacy

Twitter, the micro-blogging social media platform, has announced that it has started collecting data on the apps its users download and install on their smartphones.

It is no secret that Twitter is looking into stuff to increase targeted ads in your social feed, however, their latest approach is an issue with users concerned about their privacy. The service has revealed that its app will start tracking the list of applications you have installed on your device in order to improve the relevance of both ads and other content that slips into your tweet stream, such as Favorites. The feature is named as ‘App Graph’. Twitter is adamant that it’s not collecting data from within the apps, and will let you know when the monitoring kicks in.

Twitter has been working to personalise users’ timelines with better content as it struggles to convert its numerous passive users, meaning those who don’t sign in or those who have accounts but rarely tweet into active, more engaged users. Twitter has been testing ways to make its service more usable from the initial sign-in, even if you don’t have a network of friends to follow or aren’t sure how to get started. For instance, Twitter’s recently added ‘Instant Timeline’ feature for new users will give people something to see as soon as they sign in for the first time.

Twitter has ensured that the data will be strictly business-oriented and won’t be invading your privacy in any way. However, the mere official statement is not enough for some users and they are opting third-party clients like Tweetbot or Talon who are not facing this problem, at least for now.

November 27, 2014
GizmoPal Wearable Allows Kids to Call their Parents with One Button

Well, why should adults have access to all the new gadgets that are changing the way we live and do our work. That’s what LG thinks, and in line with this, LG introduced KizOn in South Korea earlier this year. KizOn is a wearable device for children that makes it easy for them to communicate with their parents.

Now, the toddler-focused wearable is sailing to the west with the launch of GizmoPal (US nomenclature) on Verizon. The GizmoPal is designed for kids anywhere from pre- to middle- school to easily make and receive phone calls using a single calling button and auto-answer feature.

It only requires a pre-configured number setup and, then using a single button, kids can easily make or receive a call. All what the child has to do is press the button to make or answer a call, followed by speaking into GizmoPal and listening through its speaker—no complicated steps that can cause confusion.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Dr. Jong-seok Park” author_title=”President and CEO of LG Electronics”]

GizmoPal was developed in response to customers’ opinions that technology should be used to improve the lives of all consumers. It occurred to us that children had the most to gain because they’re the most vulnerable.

[/quote]

The GizmoPal also comes with a companion app available for iOS and Android. This app uses GPS to allow parents easily monitor their child’s location at all time. Obviously, it will need Verizon service to work as intended, the fee itself is only $5 per month. The new wearable is available now on the carrier’s site for $80, while it will go on sale from 11th December in physical stores.

November 27, 2014
Arkham Knight Trailer Flaunts Wacky New Batmobile

The upcoming game in Rocksteady’s Arkham series, Arkham Knight, has a new trailer giving us fresh insights of what we can expect from the game. This sequel is set one year post the events of Batman: Arkham City where Batman is fending off Scarecrow, who has united Batman’s foes in a deadly plot to kill the Bat. The new trailer shows off the Batmobile with Batman leaping out of the vehicle to fight enemies.

In the trailer, we get to see some of the gameplay, especially how the Batmobile has been made an integral part of the game mechanics. It also shows some of the highly acclaimed combat and stealth mechanics that we saw in Arkham Asylum.

Batman: Arkham Knight marks the return of Rocksteady Studios. The last year’s Arkham Origins developed by Warner Bros. was a bit disappointment. The game also marks the return of the veteran voice actor Kevin Conroy as Batman with Scarecrow being the Dark Knight’s nemesis this time. In this explosive finale of the Arkham saga, Batman faces his arch nemesis Scarecrow, who has united Gotham’s top evil geniuses including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn to destroy the Dark Knight forever. The game will feature the intriguing Batmobile, which apparently will form an integral part of the gameplay for the first time in the franchise. A deadly combo of Batmobile and new gameplay mechanics should suffice hardcore Batman fanatics who have been longing for that complete Batman experience.

The game was expected to launch in October this year, but the date has now been pushed ahead. The official launch date for Batman: Arkham City is 2nd June for the PC, Xbox One and PS4. Check out the new trailer below:

November 27, 2014
Universal Studios Shops New Steve Jobs Project

All you Apple fans have something to look forward to. The new Steve Jobs movie has been picked up by Universal Studios. This news surfaced less than a week post Sony Pictures reportedly dropped the project. As per sources, the new Steve Jobs movie has been acquired at a price tag of more than $30 million. Following the last year’s flop Jobs, the yet untitled movie is said to have a much better script, director, and cast.

The upcoming movie based on Walter Isaacson’s biography ‘Steve Jobs’ will be penned by Aaron Sorkin. X-Men star Michael Fassbender is attached to star in the project. The film will be directed by Danny Boyle, the A-list director of Hollywood and winner of 8 Academy Awards. Aaron Sorkin, who has movies like The Social Network, A Few Good Men and The West Wing in his portfolio, has been a celebrated scriptwriter with a strong hold on biopics. Scott Rudin, the first producer to scoop an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, Mark Gordon along with Guymon Casady are financially backing the project.

The film was due to start shooting this winter, but because Fassbender’s involvement is announced recently, the same is now likely to be delayed. You can expect the film to go on floors in early 2015.

November 27, 2014