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AutoGyaan : GM Launches new Captiva in India Starting Rs 18.75 L Ex-Showroom Delhi

General Motors has launched their much awaited SUV the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 AT AWD in India, Priced between 1,874,062-2,459,000 (ex-showroom Delhi). The SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that delivers 186.5 bhp at the rate of 3,800 revolutions per minute (RPM) and 424 Nm at the rate of 2,000 RPM torque along with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The SUV is also equipped with a five-plus-two flexible seating arrangement that can accommodate seven adults. It boasts of 1,565 litre cargo space. In terms of safety, the Captiva is equipped with six airbags.

[quote]In India, it (Captiva) has established a clear niche for itself in the premium SUV segment, The Captiva is all about economical, refined and power-packed diesel performance combined with spacious luxury and fantastic road presence,”

Lowell Paddock, president and managing director, General Motors India[/quote]

June 27, 2012
Vodafone India offers new international roaming pack

Telecom service Vodafone India has launched an international roaming package under which subscribers can avail of 60 percent discount on services including voice and data.

These packs will be available till Sep 30. The offer is activated on a minimal one-time rental fee of Rs.1,499 valid for 30 days, the rental for which will be charged in the customer’s bill.

[quote]Vodafone subscribers can now avail international roaming services at 60 percent discount rate for voice, data and SMS in one single pack. This discount offer is applicable across 40 countries on specific partner networks across the globe[/quote]

[quote]”This latest offering addresses the latent needs of customers travelling to multiple countries with a single pack on one number and one-time rental, thus making international roaming a worry-free experience,”[/quote]- Sanjoy Mukerji, chief commercial officer, Vodafone India.

June 27, 2012
Apple Brings iTunes to Hong Kong, Singapore and 10 others in Asia, India left Out!

Apple has finally started to branch out into what is a major chunk of their earning region. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam are among the dozen new countries where Apple has just launched their iTunes store for music and movies. Other countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. If you are asking then the answer is no, India was not included.

The company has left out India from the mix, possibly in comparison to the number of account holders. Hopefully, they can roll out the store in the coming months.

[Apple]

June 27, 2012
Apple Starts seeding iOS 6 Beta 2 to Devs

While everyone waits the arrival of the next big OS for your iDevice, Apple is working hard to get it ready. The company has pushed out Beta 2 to the developers for testing, there are no special additions the primarily focus is on the bug fixes leading the software closer to a final release. There are still other betas expected before the final release comes out, So, hold on to your horses.

Those who have active developer accounts can download the latest betas from their accounts now.

[9to5 Mac]

June 26, 2012
Microsoft gives a hands on look to the Windows Phone 7.8’s new Live tiles Home screen.

While thousands complain about the fact that their devices will not be upgraded to Windows Phone 8, Microsoft tries to give it a positive look. Ben Rudolph demonstrates hows Windows Phone 7.8 will look on existing Windows Phone 7.5 devices, while he shows off a Lumia 900 running 7.8.

The video shows how the new home screen will work on existing devices, including restructuring of tiles. The company is trying to push on on features that will be added, but there is no mention of the features that will be left out for those who actually took a skinny dip into the Windows Phone Pool.

[Windows Team Blog]

June 26, 2012
Google Nexus Tablet ready to be sold US $ 199 or Rs 11,000

Google’s long rumored Nexus tablet has been rendered and now has a price, $199 to be precise. Specs of this upcoming tablet are expected to be a 7-inch, quad-core Tegra 3 slate with a front 1.2-megapixel camera, NFC, 8GB to 16GB of storage and a 1280 x 800 IPS-based LCD.

Google’s I/O conference should reveal more information about this elusive device, especially wen it is finally showcased.

June 26, 2012
HTC to Launch Siri Like Assistant : HTC to not Launch Siri Like Assistant

Several reports came to light when images of supposed Siri like voice assistant from the Taiwanese manufacturer came into being. The image shows a very Siri like interface on the HTC One X. Recently, LG introduced Quick Voice after Samsung announced the S-Voice feature with the Galaxy S III. All these voice commands driven personal virtual assistant services are set to compete with the Apple Siri.

Speculations of HTC-branded voice recognition software were triggered after the company put a strange image on their official Twitter and Facebook pages. HTC has apparently taken a hit at the rival companies, which are extensively promoting their voice-recognition applications. Apple initiated the war in the voice control segment with Siri, which is due to launch for iPad tablets and remaining countries, including India, very soon, along with iOS 6.

Interestingly the Google version of Siri Substitute which was slated for late 2012 release might be announced with Android Jelly Bean at the Google I/O this week.

June 26, 2012
Samsung Expects more than 10 Million Galaxy S3 sales by July 2012 End

All blowing up news aside, Samsung is hopeful that the company will be able to sell over 10 million units by the end of July 2012. Samsung had already earlier announced that the company has received 9 million preorders for their flagship, and now expect to sell another million.

Samsung timed the launch to perfection and took advantage of Apple’s new iPhone launch cycle, which now happens in October rather than June. According to Korea Economic Daily, the factory in charge of the production of the Galaxy S3 is working to its maximum capacity, finishing 5 million units per month. Samsung did not wish to comment on these figures, noted the Korean daily.

The Galaxy S2 has sold more than 20 million units since its release a year ago. Its succesor, which is bigger and more powerful is in a good position to beat that number.

June 25, 2012
Another complaint comes up as Samsung probes Ireland’s S3 explosion

Samsung is currently investigating a report that one of its Galaxy S3 handsets exploded in a user’s car in Ireland, and another model allegedly exploded in a Korean schoolboy’s pocket.

The news comes as the electronics giant gears up to launch its flagship handset in its native Korea on Monday. A schoolboy in Korea was earlier reported to claim his handset’s battery exploded while in his back pocket.

In that incident, Samsung claimed the external pressure pre-empted on the device was what caused it to explode.

The Galaxy S3 is Samsung’s flagship device and these incidents would certainly put a doubt in the consumer’s mind.

June 24, 2012
Meet Siri the Punjaban!

After many months of trials and tribulations we got Siri on the iPhone 4S to go Balle Balle!

Check it out and remember to visit iGyaanTV and subscribe on Youtube.com/iGyaanTV

June 24, 2012
HTC One XXL Specs leaked in Screenshot?

There’s been some talk that HTC is readying a 5.3-inch Galaxy Note challenger of their own by the name of the One XXL . Other than its size, we really haven’t heard much else.

But a new leak is showing us that the HTC One XXL might be a next generation One series smartphone featuring 720p HD display and a fast quad-core mobile processor, it could be a beefed up version of the HTC One X. The details were leaked in the screenshot and shows off all the specs that make an Android fan’s heart flutter. We got a 4.7-inch display, quad-core Qualcomm S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 8MP camera and 1.8MP front facing camera.

If this IS true, then watch out Samsung!

June 23, 2012
U.S judge dismisses Apple vs Motorola patent suit

A U.S. judge on Friday ruled that Apple Inc. cannot pursue an injunction against Google’s Motorola Mobility unit, effectively ending a key case for the iPhone maker in the smartphone patent wars.

Judge Richard Posner, of the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois in Chicago, has also dismissed a counterclaim that Apple was infringing on Motorola’s patent in iPhones. Posner ruled out any damages for either company and said, that neither party is entitled to an injunction as the parties have failed to present enough evidence to create triable issues. In the ruling filed, Posner also said neither side could refile their claims.

[quote]During the legal proceedings, the judge also pointed to serious problems with the U.S. patent system and questioned the worth of many software patents, saying, Reuters reported, You can’t just assume that because someone has a patent, he has some deep moral right to exclude everyone else[/quote].

June 23, 2012
Dell to launch Ubuntu based laptops in India

Dell, the second-largest computer seller in India, will sell personal computers loaded with the free operating system Ubuntu.

Ubuntu, is a widely used Linux-based open source software and Dell India, along with Canonical Ltd., the UK-based owner, has decided to sell personal computers based on it.

[quote]The machines — including the new Inspiron 14R and 15R — will be available with Ubuntu pre-installed from June 21 and more models are slated for release later in the year, Canonical CEO Jane Silber told reporters.[/quote]

Starting this month, the Ubuntu installed laptops and netbooks will be available in 850 Dell stores in India. Dell in India currently sells PCs loaded with Windows, the proprietary operating system, of Microsoft.

June 22, 2012
Blackberry 10 devices won’t have physical keyboards

The first BlackBerry device running Research In Motion’s new operating software will not have a physical keyboard, only a touchscreen one.

The BlackBerry 10 software will be offered on devices with physical keyboards in the future, but RIM spokeswomen Rebecca Freiburger declined to say when. RIM is expected to start selling BlackBerry 10 touch-screen devices this year.

RIM’s hopes hang on the BlackBerry 10 system, which is meant to offer the multimedia, Internet browsing and apps experience customers now demand. The Canadian company is preparing to launch the new software later this year, just as North Americans are abandoning BlackBerrys for iPhones and Android devices.

If those keyboard-loving customers haven’t already jumped ship, I doubt a couple of months is going to make a huge difference. It’s better for RIM to focus one piece of hardware–one that represents where the industry is headed–than launch Blackberry 10 with a lackluster keyboard model just to appease a fraction of its shrinking customer base.

June 22, 2012
Google Wallet Slip reveals Android 4.1 as Jelly Bean Moniker

When the Android Jelly Bean name came out, it was rumored to be given to Android build 5.0 and beyond. But a recent slip on the Google Wallet, while someone was purchasing the Galaxy Nexus reveals that in-fact the Jelly Bean Moniker will go to Android 4.1.

This information might get confirmed at the Google I/O next week. However the slip up has been corrected and does not show on the checkout page anymore.

[quote]While the Galaxy Nexus is still available through Google Play, it no longer makes mention of Android 4.1. A shot of the Galaxy Nexus sporting a new pink and green wallpaper and what looks like a new search box still shows up (as seen above) on Google Play when the Galaxy Nexus is in a user’s shopping cart.Google declined to comment on the Google Play mishap, or on the Jelly Bean nickname. One bit of detail not disclosed on Google Play or by Google is when the next iteration of Android will arrive. A good time for such a launch would, of course, be Google I/O, the company’s massive developer conference taking place June 27-29 in San Francisco.[/quote]

June 22, 2012