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Come January End, Android One Devices Will Get Their Lollipop

The latest Android mobile OS Lollipop has already hit the devices such as Google’s Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 tablet. However, it was uncertain till now that when will Android One devices get the new update.

According to recent reports, the Lollipop update for the Android One phones is ready and consumers may start seeing it on their phones as early as the middle of December. This means that starting next month, you can expect your Android One to get an update via OTA.

Although Google has remained quiet about the update to Android One devices, Spice, the company which made Dream Uno phone for Android One programme, has stated that the Lollipop update to its users will be rolled out by the end of January. “We plan to provide Lollipop in our Android One devices around January 2015 and the update will be available for all Dream Uno users in India,” stated Prashant Bindal, CEO, Spice Mobility.

The Android One initiative was taken by Google to boost the smartphone adoption rate in emerging markets. Google launched Android One handsets with great promises not just by the company, but also by the homegrown players that collaborated with the search giant and came out with inexpensive handsets. Though, the Android One smartphones, which are priced at Rs. 6,399 onwards, have been advertised more than any other handset launched by the three companies, they failed to get the desired response.

India is the first country where the California-based firm’s Android One devices have been launched. Roll out across other markets like Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka will follow in coming months.

November 20, 2014
Yahoo Steps Into the Shoes of Google as Default Search Engine on Firefox

Of course, Google is the ultimate king of internet search engines and there is no doubt in it. With almost all the popular browsers using Google Search as their default search engine, the American internet giant enjoys a monopoly in the social-networking arena.

Well, Yahoo is trying to revive its lost glory and has taken a major step to challenge the supremacy of Google over internet search. Starting in December, Firefox will use Yahoo as its default search engine in the United States on mobile and desktop.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve entered into a five-year partnership with Mozilla to make Yahoo the default search experience on Firefox across mobile and desktop,” Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer wrote in a Wednesday blog post. “This is the most significant partnership for Yahoo in five years.”

It is estimated that Google has been paying Mozilla around $100 million for the privilege of being the default search engine used in the Firefox browser. That deal, last renewed for a three-year period in 2011, has come to an end and will not be renewed as Yahoo has grabbed the contract for the next five years.

“Our teams worked closely with Mozilla to build a clean, modern, and immersive search experience that will launch first to Firefox’s U.S. users in December and then to all Yahoo users in early 2015. The interactive and integrated experience also better leverages our world-class content and personalization technologies.” Mayer wrote. She further talked about the company’s vision saying, “At Yahoo, we believe deeply in search – it’s an area of investment and opportunity for us.”

Market leader Google accounts for 67% of searches from US desktop computers. That compares to about 20% for Microsoft and 10% for Yahoo, according to research firm comScore. Let’s see how much popularity this American multinational giant gains with this deal.

November 20, 2014
Jolla Achieves Crowdfunding Target in a Day for its New Tablet

Jolla, the Sailfish OS-powered company formed by ex-Nokia employees, is ready to launch its first tablet. The company’s phone has been appreciated for its innovative new OS and features and is said to be a good challenger to the predominant market powers of Android and iOS.

The company had launched a crowd funding campaign on indiegogo to fund its latest tablet. The popularity of the company can be assessed by the fact that it has achieved its funding target of $380,000 in just a day. As of now, they have achieved in access of 228% of their original goal and are fast approaching a million dollars.

The tablet in itself looks sexy as hell with its dual tone color scheme. It has a 7.85-inch 2048×1536 pixels display at a density of 330ppi, which would be capable of capturing some stunning visuals. The tablet will run on the upcoming Sailfish 2.0 operating system.

Jolla tablet will be powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core 64 bit processor along with 2 GB RAM. The 32 GB of internal storage comes with an expandable option which will let you use the full potential of the amazing display. It gets its juice from a 4300 mAh battery, which is smaller than most of its competition, so we have to wait till the tablet comes out to judge the battery performance of the device.

The camera on the device is equivalent to the iPad Mini 3. It has a 5MP main camera and a 2MP front camera. Where the device wins, is its price; the company promised a $189 price tag and is $60 cheaper than the upcoming Nokia N1 and almost half of the iPad Mini.

From its first look, the tablet looks great but the fact still remains that the tablet market is in a state of slowdown. In a time when large screen phones have dissuaded people from going tablet, it would be interesting to see if Jolla’s fresh new approach to tablet would be appreciated by the market. We just have to wait till May 2015 when the tablet starts shipping.

November 20, 2014
Nexus 7 Experiencing Performance Issues Post Lollipop Upgrade

Well, Android 5.0 Lollipop got all of us excited when we got hold of it. The new operating system (OS) update is described as a ‘quantum leap forward’ by Google and has got an overwhelming response from the critics, escalating the desire for the software exponentially.

However, it’s just one side of the story. Many early adopters of the Android’s latest upgrade are complaining about the new OS. One of the most talked-about issues is that the update causes Google’s own Nexus 7 tablet to run slowly and crash repeatedly.

The users have also complained on Adobe forums that installing Air apps would show a non-descriptive error message, “-505”. On this, Adobe said that it had not been aware of this ‘critical’ bug before Tuesday and had escalated it to Google. According to a post by Program Manager Chris Campbell, the issue has been ‘escalated to Google,’ seemingly pointing the finger at the search giant rather than in its own camp. Campbell said that the company had not been aware of what he described it as a ‘critical’ bug before November 18.

Although, the first wave of the update has already reached the users, many Android-based smartphone makers are withholding the OS till the device testing is complete. It is quite notable that most of the complaints appear to be related to Google’s own-branded smartphones and tablets.

Nvidia, LG and Motorola have also released Android Lollipop update for some of their handsets and tablets. Dozens of complaints have been posted to Google’s forums stating that owners of the 2012 version of the Nexus 7, in particular, are experiencing performance issues. If nothing else, Google is likely working quickly to ensure these problems are fixed as more devices are expected to receive the update soon.

It has been a weird year for both the mobile operating system giants. Even the new iOS launch was mired in complaints regarding decreased performance and Apple had to face some flak for that. The pressure of bring new product in the earliest possible time to leads to bugs like these. Updates are fast becoming the buzzword for judging an operating system so it is advisable to the companies to take time with their homework so that they can give a quality update. As the old saying goes slow and steady gives the best bug-free update, or something like that.

November 20, 2014
Top 5 Websites that Let You Send Fax for Free

Before there were emails and video conferences, fax machines were the convenient mode of instant communication. It was one of the fastest way to send important documents and memos across the sea. However, there were some glitches and it led to the wastage of paper. You needed a print out of the document first to send it over. Fax is still deep-rooted in many parts of the world. Some enterprises still hold on to the fax machines for their documentation and office matters. In case you don’t have a fax machine, you have to run around looking for shops to send a fax. But not anymore.

Here is a list of websites that will send your faxes for free:

1. eFax

Well, as the name suggests, this is one of the most popular websites to send faxes over the internet. However, eFax is not a free service but you get 30 days trial. You will get a local fax number to send and receive faxes. This service is running since 1977 across 49 countries including India. After the free trial, you can go for a monthly plan.

2. Superfax

It is the most popular website with pricing in Indian currency and office in India, which adds credibility. It is an email to fax service which gives you free demo account for three days. You will get 10 incoming and outgoing faxes with the demo account. After three days, you can sign up for an annual or a lifetime plan.

3. Speedfax

Another Indian company, SpeedFax is also an email-based service to send and receive faxes. You get three days trial pack and after that you can go for six months or one-year plan.

4, SendFreeFax

Sending a fax from this is similar to sending an online SMS. This service is only for Indians and it is absolutely free. To use this service, you do not have to enter a country code. It is basically a hassle-free service, however, we can’t comment on the credibility of the website.

5. Popfax

It is quite the same service as all the above with one added advantage. You can use this service from your mobile and yes, you do not need credit card to use this trial. The website provides services in 500 cities across 20 countries.

November 20, 2014
KIRAN : Samsung’s Tizen-Based Answer to Google’s Android One

Two months back, some reports spilled the beans that the new low-end smartphone by Samsung will run on Tizen OS. However, details about the same were quite sketchy then, but now information has been leaked.

After cancelling the Samsung Z project, the Korean company is now focusing on the low-end of the marketplace for its Tizen-based smartphone. The first handset to run the new OS is expected to be Z130H. According to SamMobile, the rumoured Samsung SM-Z130H is codenamed KIRAN, however, the official name is not known.

In addition to this, the report claims that it has been able to obtain icons, lock screen themes, and default wallpaper from a system dump of the Tizen 2.3 OS on the device. According to the leak, the KIRAN is powered by a dual-core Spreadtrum SC7727S processor clocked at 1.2 GHz and a Mali-400 graphics processing unit. The smartphone will be packed with only 512 MB of RAM, but there’s no mention of internal memory.

On the back, the device features a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash, while its front camera is a VGA. The smartphone sports a WVGA (480×800 pixels) display of unknown size. Connectivity-wise, the KIRAN will offer dual-SIM capability along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with A-GPS support and microUSB 2.0. FM Radio will also be included in this phone.

Moving on, the Tizen interface will rather closely mimic Samsung’s TouchWiz UI for Android. It has basically the same general design language. Samsung with KIRAN is trying to achieve what Google couldn’t with Android One. An earlier report hinted that Samsung would launch its Tizen-based smartphone this month in India. As of now, there is no announcement from the South Korean giant regarding any Tizen-based smartphone launch in the country.

November 19, 2014
iPhone 6 Successor Might Feature a ‘DSLR Quality’ Camera

It’s hardly been three months since the launch of the latest flagship from Apple, the iPhone 6. But it’s the next-gen model which is now on everyone’s radar. According to a recent report, the successor of the iPhone 6 might feature a camera that is capable of DSLR level performance. Sources close to the Cupertino giant have revealed in a podcast that the next-gen iPhone will have two lens system. Apple blogger John Gruber, who has a long history with the company, attributes the information.

“The specific thing I heard is that next year’s camera might be the biggest camera jump ever. I don’t even know what sense this makes, but I’ve heard that it’s some kind of weird two-lens system where the back camera uses two lenses and it somehow takes it up into DSLR quality imagery,” said Gruber.

But there could be other possibilities that we cannot ignore. For instance, the HTC One M8 has a ‘dual camera’ feature that includes two sensors that work in tandem to produce images. So what exactly this ‘two lens’ system refers to is still unclear.

The iPhone camera is still considered to be one of the best in the industry, adding DSLR quality to it will just put it miles ahead of the competition. Other smartphone manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, etc. use 16-20 megapixels, while iPhone still carries an 8MP resolution sensor.

The first iPhone ever launched came with a 2MP camera, which was upgraded to 3.2 MP in the iPhone 3GS, while iPhone 4 had a 5MP camera. Though, it was in 2011 when the camera was significantly enhanced to 8 MP in the iPhone 4S, and is still stuck with the same.

So, an upgrade to the iPhone camera is certainly long due. We are likely to find out next year if this turns out to be a reality or just one of the many rumors that pop up before every iPhone launch.

November 19, 2014
‘Back To the Future’ Style Auto-Lacing Shoes are Here, Finally!

Well, Michael J. Fox made them popular in 1980s, even though they were pure science fiction. If you are ‘Back to the Future’ fan, you must be knowing what I’m talking about. Yes, someone has finally built McFly’s auto-lacing shoes.

Interestingly, as we’re closer to 2015 when McFly arrives in the future, a company is set to launch the first shoes with auto-lacing capabilities. The shoes named as Powerlace P-One doesn’t look similar to the sneakers in the movie, however, they certainly get the job done.

The company has launched a Kickstarter campaign to launch its first auto-lacing shoes and they are looking to raise some $577,000 to make the project a reality. A pair of Powerlace P-One costs around $155 under the early bird deal and its market price will go to $170 when it will be released.

The Kickstarter page explains, “The mere insertion of the foot automatically engages the lacing system’s mechanism. The activation of the small lever found at the lower rear end of the shoe unlocks the power system. It’s really that simple! The total energy required for the lacing system’s mechanism is provided for by the weight of one’s body. The Powerlace shoe has been extensively tested in laboratories and has been subject to the wear and tear conditions when in actual use.”

With 56 days left to reach its goal, the team has already raised over $19,500 and should start shipping the shoes in May 2015 if the funding is successful. The Powerlace shoes have a simple mechanism for auto-lacing that doesn’t involve any voice commands, complex chips, apps, batteries or motors.

November 19, 2014
IBM Verse Integrates with Social Media to Declutter Your Inbox

IBM has launched a new e-mail application, for its enterprise customers, that integrates social media, file sharing and analytics to learn a user’s behavior and predict interactions with co-workers.

Verse e-mail application is built to eliminate as much clutter as possible. The app learns your habits and puts the highest priority people and tasks at the top level. You’ll know if a key team member e-mails you during lunch hours, or that you have a meeting in 10 minutes.

In fact, IBM Verse is said to have a certain level of sentience. Since it is capable of picking up your e-mail habits, and at the same time sends the highest priority people and tasks right to the very top, it minimizes the chance of you missing out on an important e-mail.

It also allows users to transform e-mail content into a list of blogs and social media, view the relationships between different employees in an e-mail, mute a chain and search through attachments. The e-mail’s interface pins a user’s most frequent contacts, schedule and lists of assignments to a dashboard for easy access.

“We came at this from the perspective that this is about changing the game, not just incremental improvements in e-mail,” said Jeff Schick, IBM’s General Manager of Social Solutions. “Guided by analytics, IBM Verse learns your behaviors to adapt to the way you work, wherever you work. And because it’s built for business, it understands you have special security and privacy needs, too.”

IBM Verse runs on IBM’s SoftLayer cloud with the company’s enterprise-grade security. IBM officials say that a beta release will be available to select clients and partners this month. A freemium version delivered via the IBM Cloud marketplace will be available in the first quarter of 2015. IBM Verse will also be offered as an app for both iOS and Android.

November 19, 2014
Nokia Gets Overwhelming Response on Play Store for The Z Launcher

Nokia may be down but in no way out. After announcing its upcoming N1 tablet, the Finnish giant has now declared its Z launcher on the Google Play Store. Originally announced earlier this summer with a limited beta program, Z launcher is a third-party Android home screen and launcher for Android. The app has received an overwhelming response from its users. It has been downloaded over half a million times within few hours of its announcement.

The Z launcher has an entirely different take on the home screen. It removes the hassle of multiple home screens and provides users with one single page. The new launcher can analyse users’ habits and displays apps that they need most depending on the time of the day. It also allows users to search apps quickly on the surface of the screen; for instance, an F shape will pop up Facebook and other apps that start with the letter F.

Nokia has done some fine-tuning with the Z launcher with improvements to speed and performance, scribble recognition and better prediction algorithm. The app is available for devices running on Android 4.1 to Android 4.4. As of now, the Lollipop version has not been rolled out, but we can expect Nokia to release a compatible version very soon.

November 19, 2014
Google Summons Artificial Intelligence to Boost Image Search

Google’s image search is one of the best offerings from the search giant. It has helped millions of students to easily finish their projects a night before submission. It has also helped folks get easy access to the database of images that they can use for free without crediting the source. It also comes handy when using shopping apps that let you look for products by just clicking an image. With a variety of options to search for the perfect image, this is the go-to address for anyone looking for images. Now Google is bringing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost the performance of this valuable tool even further.

The project is led in partnership with Stanford University. The AI system is said to have the most advanced image recognition skills in the world. It is able to recognise the contents of the image better than any other tool out there.
The new system being an AI system is capable of learning from its actions. The researchers feed the system with images and captions. It then recognizes the relation between the caption and image and uses the information for the next search.

The new system being an AI system is capable of learning from its actions. The researchers feed the system with images and captions. It then recognises the relation between the caption and image and uses the information for the next search.

The team believes that there are multiple uses of technologies like this. They speculate that soon the teams will be ready to help the blind understand images and provide alternate text for images in parts of the world where mobile connections are slow. This, apart from the obvious use of helping folks, let’s find the right image on Google.

Though the uses of this new system sound amazing, there are certain concerns. First of all, this technology can come really handy for surveillance. There are already concerns about the privacy rights of citizens in this CCTV camera-aided Big Boss state we live in now, where all our actions are captured wherever we go. It might also lead to a system like the one in the movie Eagle Eye. Tesla founder Elon Musk has recently stated that getting Artificial Intelligence online is like summoning the demon, and we won’t be able to control it. Google’s new system is more powerful than all other systems. But they should definitely create an off switch, just in case.

November 19, 2014
Far Cry 4 Out Now, Here’s Everything You Need to Know

This time, it’s the Himalayas. Well, we are in Tibet for the fourth installment of the Far Cry series. The game has hit the shelves all over the world today, for all major consoles (except the Wii U) and PC. Just like the traditional Far Cry style, Far Cry 4 takes us to a serene, exotic location in the Himalayas called Kyrat and features a new cast.

As the game released recently, most of you might not be updated with what this installment has to offer. So, we decided to bring the details of all the juicy bits that you can expect from one of the biggest launches of this year.

If Far Cry 3 took us on an arduous tropical journey, its successor has cranked up the stakes and takes us to the Himalayas. You don the role of Ajay Ghale, who is caught up in a civil war created by the self-appointed king of the region called Pagan Min aka the bad guy.

So, expect more bad guys and a dose of variety of pristine landscapes. Far Cry 4 has upped the scale and it just gets bigger, better and badder.

VEHICLES

Making your way around the treacherous terrain, grappling hook allows you to navigate your way across the area in a slew of new ways. Gyrocopters have been introduced that will give a bird’s view of open world adventure, while white-knuckle jumpsuit lets you pounce on your enemy from the sky.

On the ground, Far Cry 4 has those faded yellow tuk-tuks which bring back nostalgia. To top it up, not only can you fire your weapon while driving, but you can also jump from one vehicle to another during chases, or if you’re in no mood for unnecessary fuss, you can finish the chase even before it starts by cutting the enemy’s break.

There will be animal rides as well, elephants for instance. You can charge into the battle on the back of one of these beasts while your sneaky avatar can strap a few C4s on the back and send them charging into the enemy territory.

CHARACTERS

Ajay Ghale is the hero in the game. However, it’s the blonde-haired Pagan Min, played by Troy Baker in his magenta outfit that stole the show at E3. Ubisoft has made sure that there goes some chemistry and depth to the characters, with Min dressed in a particular attire as a homage to his mother. So watch out before you make a mockery of his suit, which would mean you’re making fun of his mom and that surely would not be a good thing. Min took over Kyrat two decades ago, and now his face even appears on the local currency.

Meanwhile, Ajay’s family name is also well respected in the region, but apparently, he’s returning to a land he hasn’t seen since he was a kid.

MAPS

Ubisoft says that the map is exactly the same physical size we saw in the Far Cry 3, but it also happens to be a lot denser. The game takes around 35 hours to finish. There’s a lot more to do, traversing the treacherous mountain terrain with enhanced diversity in the flora and fauna. The diversity offered by Kyrat is something that fans of the franchise would never have witnessed before. Have a look at the Far Cry 4 map:

CO-OP SYSTEM

There’s some rather intriguing co-op elements in this franchise. The co-op mode is quite a big one, though only PlayStation owners get that extra bit. PS3 and PS4 owners of the game, along with the PlayStation Plus subscribers, will receive ten invites they can send to friends who don’t own a copy of the game. These friends can then get a taste of the free trial version of the Far Cry 4’s co-op mode.

Sadly, this functionality will not be offered to Xbox or the PC version of the game.

PC Requirements

Ubisoft has also confirmed that a 64-bit OS is needed to play the Far Cry 4 on the PC. Meanwhile, if your PC is running on a Nvidia card, you’ll have access to a few special features through Far Cry 4’s GameWorks integration. Check out the Far Cry 4 Nvidia trailer below:

Processor – Intel Core i5-750 @ 2.6 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.2 GHz
Memory – 4 GB
Video Card – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD5850 (1 GB VRAM), DirectX 11
Hard Drive – 30 GB available space

DLC and Season Pass

Additional content for single player, co-op and competitive multiplayer will be available in the game’s $30 season pass, which includes a monster-themed mission called ‘Valley of Yetis’. Players will also need to fend off and evade deadly nighttime attacks from a mysterious cult. Ubisoft adds that Ajay can also explore caves but need to ‘watch out for what lurks within’, most probably hinting at Yeti danger.

Weapons, Guns and more guns

Last but not the least, you all have a wide choice of arsenal at your disposal. You have the Vector .45, an ACP submachine gun, the MG42 machine gun, mortars to ‘lay wrath upon your enemies,’ a kukri (the Nepalese version of a machete) for one-on-one combat, the P416 assault-rifle along with a bait for attracting animals (throw some by an enemy and watch a tiger pounce). Finally, there will also be a flamethrower too and an auto-crossbow for those moments when stealth is your best ploy.

It won’t be just about guns to take down Pagan Min’s Royal Army; Ubisoft wants you to use your environment to your advantage such as yaks, snow leopards and elephants.

The game seems to have all the right ingredients from the story to weapons, vehicles, main characters, co-op, multiplayer and a proper take on mysticism with reference to modern-day battles. Far Cry veterans will be familiar with most of the game’s aspects, though it still has the potential for an exciting and intriguing open world experience.

You can buy the game in India via online retailers and other major stores. For those of you who have tried, do let us know your Far Cry 4 experience.

November 19, 2014
Falling Sales Lead Samsung to Decrease its Smartphone Portfolio By 25-30 Percent

Things haven’t been great for Samsung lately. The company’s phones are being berated for their generic designs and offering low specs at high price. It is also facing a profit margin that is lower than before it unveiled the Galaxy line of phones. Looking at the numbers, it can be said that the company is going on a reinvention drive.

It was reported just a few days back that the company was launching ‘Project Zero’ to reinvent its next flagship from scratch. This model will be an inspiration that can be later carried down the food chain. But apart from creating a new product, the South Korean giant will shelve as much as a quarter of its devices.

Head of Investor Relations Robert Yi has said that the cuts in the portfolio can be up to 25 to 30 percent. Presently, Samsung’s margins from its mobile and information technology business squeezed to just 7% in the third quarter that ended September. It is at the lowest level since the end of 2008, before it launched its first Galaxy smartphone. This should be worrisome as the mobile business has almost become the face of the company, and a loss would severely affect the company’s perception in the eyes of its consumers.

Samsung is also getting beat by brands like Xiaomi, Motorola and local brands who are rapidly clearing the dominance of Samsung devices in the market. The company got a massive jolt this year when it dropped to second spot in India and China. This must have finally led the company to see the light and create a new strategy.

It’s not sure as of yet as to what devices will get the boot but considering the massive stock of the Grands and Primes and Autobots and Decepticons, there is a scope for decreasing the number of devices in the portfolio. The company is also targeting the mid and lower segment of the market where the maximum volume of the sales takes place.

Samsung has the potential and resources for beating Xiaomi at its own game. It even has enough financial cushioning to take some unwanted hits. So, it would be advisable to Samsung to take on some more serious risks and give the consumers an offering that will actually be aspirational.

November 19, 2014
Reeljuice is World’s First Portable Charger Which Works With Any Device

Let’s face it. If you’re a serious mobile device user, it is necessary for you to have a power pack always. Portable chargers are one of the most popular secondary devices we use these days. Even though they are very convenient to carry, there is always a chance that you forget either cord or the adapter. Well, now it’s about to change.

Reeljuice is the world’s first backup battery pack with built-in universal charging cable, so you’ll always be prepared to recharge your phone or tablet. It features a 48-inch long, retractable charging cable which can be used to charge an array of popular devices available in the market.

Reeljuice is the only portable power solution in the world that integrates patented, retractable, cord reel technology. It is created by a team of designers and engineers, who have received worldwide acclaim for their innovative products. The developers stated that they have patented the technology, and it’s not just for micro USB devices. The backup battery pack works with iOS devices too. Along with the regular micro USB cable, the power bank also features a Lightning adapter so that you can charge your iPhone or iPad on the go.

The power bank comes with a 10-Watt rapid wall charger which can be used to charge the device anywhere. The developers claim that Reeljuice can power your smartphone up to 6 times on one full charge. It comes in two capacities: 4,800 mAh and 10,400 mAh.

Designed by Lynktec, Reeljuice launched a Kickstarter funding campaign last month to meet the raw material and production charges. They have pledged $78,000 goal, and half of it has been achieved while there are still 27 days more left. If you feel this your ultimate problem solver (it is mine), you can head to their Kickstarter page and back this project. Shipment to investors is expected to start by April next year.

November 19, 2014
Micromax Launches Cyanogen-Powered Brand ‘Yu’ for Advanced Users

Micromax, the second biggest smartphone company in India, has some great plans for the upcoming future. Now with the intention of providing a unique user experience, the company unveiled their new brand called Yu.

According to the company’s Yu Televentures, will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Micromax Informatics. It’s the offspring of a tie-up between Micromax and Cyanogen. Cyanogen is, of course, known world over for making one of the best custom ROM’s for Android smartphones. So this tie-up will surely mean good things for the Indian consumers.

Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma said “This will be a game changer, not just in India, but globally too. Yu has been envisioned for building an ecosystem of connected devices and offer customized experience to users.”

Considering the use for a device with heavy customizability is for advanced users, the products of the brand Yu will be sold online. The company is currently in talks with e-commerce companies to pave a path for the roll out of these devices. The first device from this brand will be introduced next month.

In line with the open source nature of Cyanogen, Yu will be setting up a forum where the users can contribute with ideas and tweaks for the operating system. The suggestions from this forum might get incorporated in the fortnightly updates. For folks who complain about the unavailability of updates on Indian manufacturers, this should be welcoming news.

November 18, 2014