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iGyaan Holiday Guide : Best Smartphones for 20000 Rupees
Continuing on with our Tradition of Holiday Guides today we bring the best phones under the 20,000 Rupees mark (15,000 – 20,000), Of course you can check out our under 15,000 guide and Under 10,000 Guide if they better suits your purpose.

(In order of preference)

Android Phones

Samsung Galaxy R (Rs. 20,000) : Have 20k to spend? This is our pick for smartphone under the 20 thousand mark. The dual core smartphone is available at online retailers for prices well below 19k including deals, searching will get you a good deal. The phone performs great and a review done for the second time, by us, will fill you in on required info.

LG Optimus 2X (Rs 18,599) : Although the phone fared poorly in our review, The device has been rooted, modded and been patched to fix all software glitches of the stock ROM, This is a alternative dual core smartphone for the modder and cellphone tweaker. This phone will keep you busy for hours. If you plan to mess around with software on your device this is your poison. Although this may not help you Our Review is here

Motorola Defy Plus (Rs 17,000) : The best rugged phone in this class, with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 512MB ram a 3.7 inch WXGA screen and endless hours of outdoor fun. This is your device if you love the outdoors but want in on the latest smartphone action. The Defy Plus will most probably get the ICS update since it has all supporting hardware ( Considering that Motorola is almost a Google entity now) . Our complete review with the higher priced Xperia Active is here.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V ( Rs 17,499) : Five words : “Timescape plus Mobile Bravia Engine” define what Android on a smartphone should look like. There is nothing that looks and performs as good as the TimeScape UI (Considering only Android OS)on Sony Ericsson Phones ( according to us) The phone is powered with a 1GHZ scorpion processor and features a 3.7 inch Screen with MBE. It has 512 MB Ram and Android 2.3 with a confirmed upgrade for Ice Cream Sandwich. Our Review is Here

There are of-course others that didn’t make the list, Our Reviews can be seen for those:
Blackberry

Curve 9360 (Rs. 19,000) : The curve that runs OS 7, a fix for those who are not yet ready to shift to a full touch Blackberry, and those who are not ready to switch to Android or the likes of iOS. The device is the slimmest Blackberry yet at only 11mm. 800 MHz processor 512MB Ram and 512MB Rom. Check out our Video.

Curve 9380 ( Rs 20,000): The first full touch curve, it brings BB OS 7 and a range of nice changes to the blackberry users, 800 MHz cpu , 512 MB Ram and 512 MB Rom is carried on from its younger cousin above. The device also features a nice 3.2” HVGA+ touch screen with a 480 X 360 pixel resolution at 188ppi. Check out our full review.

iOS

iPhone 3Gs ( Rs 20,000) : Two years old but still selling strong, the iPhone 3Gs supports iOS 5, iCloud, iMessage, Airplay and everything except FaceTime. If you hurry you can cash in on the new iOS 5.0.1 Jailbreak and even get Siri working on it. What else could you ask from a two year old phone. in terms of specs, it runs at 600MHz, has 16GB internal storage and 256MB Ram. The AppStore is the largest app market although most new apps may not perform great on the 3Gs. But hey you still get asked the question : “You have an iPhone”? Read our Editorial Here

Symbian

Nokia E6 (Rs. 17,000) : The business power seller from Nokia, If you don’t use a Blackberry, you use a Nokia E Series phone. A Qwerty marvel from Nokia, the device features 2.46-inch Touchscreen making it the first Touch Type – Nokia E Series. The device is loaded with Symbian Anna and comes with a 680 MHz processor, 8 MP camera and a very long battery life, bundled with a excellent build quality. Check out our Unboxing and Review Video

Nokia 701 (Rs. 17,800) : Although stocks are limited on this recently released phone, it seems like a promising option for the Symbian lover, Running the new ~~Symbian Belle~~ Nokia Belle, the device features a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 640 x 360 px. Inbuilt NFC, 1 GHz processor and 8MP Camera with 720p (30fps) Video. Our Review will be out shortly.

Windows Phone

Samsung Omnia W (Rs 18,990) : Launched upwards of 25k , Samsung has fiercely dropped the price of the Omnia taking into record the Nokia Lumia Marketing campaign. The device has a nice 3.7 Inches WVGA Super AMOLED display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon Processor, and 5MP AF Camera With LED Flash including a VGA front camera. Comes with Windows Phone Mango 7.5 and Samsung Apps. Our Review is Coming Soon

Nokia Lumia 710 (Rs 19,999) : Finally available the Nokia Lumia Series brings the first versions of Nokia Phones running WP7.5 to India. Powered by a 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Scorpion Processor the Lumia 710 is the smaller sibling of the highly advertised Lumia 800. This device has 3.7-inch TFT LCD touchscreen display screen with 480 x 800 pixel and a 5MP camera + LED flash. It also has a 512 MB RAM and has Adreno 205 GPU. iGyaan Review Out Shortly.

Other phones that were not designed for Windows 7.5, but still support it fully include the following,( and you can possibly find a good deal on them):

HTC HD 7 : 19,500

HTC Mozart : Rs 19,000

Dell Venue Pro : Rs 20,000

Stay tuned for more Holiday Guides.
December 28, 2011
WindowBreak Project wants a single universal unlock tool for Windows Phone Devices

Windows Phone developer Jaxbot is back, after a long time, to modding and developing for Windows Phone 7.5 Devices. His new Project WindowBreak seeks a universal unlock tool for all / any Windows Phone 7-7.5 devices. This just means a possibility of jailbreak, which can be unlocked using this tool. Jaxbot has already demonstrated this process on Samsung devices in his video below. He wants to get the app running for othe manufacturers including Nokia and HTC.

[xda-developers]

[WindowBreak]

December 28, 2011
LG announces new 3D glasses for their 2012 TV lineup (PR)

LG has just announced a new flurry of lightweight and designer 3D glasses that go along with their televisions. The three options available include the F310 which are lighter and are curved more for a better fit compared to last years models, the F320 clip-on design for glasses-wearers and Alain Mikli-designed F360 half-rim frames. There is no information on pricing or availability just as yet, But they will be available along side LG’s new 2012 Smart TV lineup which features 1,200 in built apps. Check out both press releases below.

[toggle title_open=”LG 2012 3D Glasses PR” title_closed=”LG 2012 3D Glasses PR” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]

LG UNVEILS STYLISH NEW 3D GLASSES FOR 2012

New CINEMA 3D TV Glasses Will Convince More Consumers
That 3D Doesn’t Have to Be Uncomfortable or Ugly

SEOUL, Dec. 26, 2011 -– LG Electronics (LG) announced today that its newest collection of 3D glasses, including a pair designed by renowned eyewear designer Alain Mikli, will be introduced in the first quarter of 2012. The new 3D glasses — the F310, the clip-on F320 and the Alain Mikli F360 — are lighter and more comfortable to wear while upgraded design features such as curved lenses and clean frame structure have transitioned 3D glasses from burdensome requirements to stylish fashion accessories.

“Compared to active shutter glasses, LG’s 3D glasses are far more comfortable to wear and much more affordable, making it possible for large groups and entire families to watch 3D programs and movies together,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of the LG Home Entertainment Company. “LG is addressing two of the biggest barriers to 3D acceptance head-on and we’re confident consumers will react favorably to our strategy in the coming year.”

The F310 is characterized by a distinctive design that combines soft lines within a slim frame. Unlike many previous 3D glasses, the lenses have been curved to better accommodate the shape of the wearer’s face, as well as to improve the overall CINEMA 3D viewing experience. The F310 weighs a mere 13.5 grams, making it 20 percent lighter than LG’s previous design.

Another new item for 2012 includes the clip-on F320. Clip-on 3D glasses are unique to 3D TVs based on Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, which is at the heart of CINEMA 3D TV. Compared to the previous generation clip-on 3D glasses, the F320 weighs 25 percent less at 5.5 grams.

Developed in collaboration with Alain Mikli, the F360’s half-rim frame design is sportier and only weighs 16 grams. The lenses of the F360 have been curved and cover most of the wearer’s face, deepening the immersive CINEMA 3D experience. The stylish F360, as well as all 3D glasses from LG, can also worn in theaters showing 3D movies since both CINEMA 3D and theaters utilize the same FPR and RealD technologies.

LG’s share of the global 3D TV market increased from 7.6 percent during the first quarter of 2011 to 14 percent by September. FPR’s unobtrusive technology played a key role in the company’s success in 3D TVs, as uncomfortable and expensive glasses have been identified in numerous studies as being the number one reason consumers have been reluctant to adopt 3D in the home.

LG plans to continue the success it saw this year by sponsoring a series of 3D film and gaming events in 2012 in order to introduce the CINEMA 3D experience to thousands of participants and visitors.

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[toggle title_open=”LG 2012 Smart Tv PR” title_closed=”LG 2012 Smart Tv PR” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]

LG UNVEILS NEW SMART TV FEATURES FOR 2012 FOCUSING ON RICH CONTENT AND EASE OF USE

Now With Over 1,200 Apps and New Magic Remote, LG’s Smart TV
Significantly Upgrades User Experience and Convenience

SEOUL, Dec. 27, 2011 –- LG Electronics (LG) will unveil its newest Smart TV features at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month. Imbedded in the new CINEMA 3D Smart TV line-up for 2012, LG is aiming to provide CINEMA 3D Smart TV owners with the most comprehensive yet easy-to-use home entertainment experience possible, as evidenced by the over 1,200 apps, growing quantity of premium content services and the new Magic Remote.

“Even thought the Smart TV market is in its infancy, LG is constantly introducing new features and upgrading existing ones in order to deliver the richest, most convenient Smart TV experience in the market today,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “The features and functionality we’ll be introducing in 2012 are, I believe, second to none when it comes to showing consumers how a Smart
TV can improve their TV viewing experience.”

LG’s Smart TV ecosystem has experienced enormous growth over the past year, having launched over 1,200 Smart TV apps. In addition to access to more movies and TV programs, user can access social networking services (SNS) on their LG Smart TVs, make donations to charities and even browse famous art collections.

LG’s 3D Zone offers a growing collection of 3D movies and TV shows, while existing 2D movies can be converted to 3D via LG’s enhanced 3D conversion engine. Due to the use of Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, LG’s 3D glasses are battery-free, lightweight and inexpensive, making them ideal for watching 3D content in large groups and comfortably for longer periods of time.

And even though LG’s Smart TV ecosystem is growing in features and choices, using the TV is simpler than ever, thanks to the new Magic Remote. The new Voice Recognition mode lets users enter text — such as search terms — by making voice commands. Wheel enables users to swiftly scroll up and down various menus and apps, allowing for quicker selections. Magic Gesture makes it possible to communicate physical movements as commands. And lastly, Pointing lets users make on-screen selections quickly and easily without having to scroll or push direction keys repeatedly.

The new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs offer a variety of connectivity features. The newest among them is Intel’s Wireless Display (WiDi) technology, which enables easy and quick connection between TVs and PCs without the need for cables or Internet access. Through Smart Share Plus, users can access content stored on external devices such as PCs, tablets and smartphones. Smart Share Plus also offers the Screen Share function which streams TV content to external viewing devices using a Wi-Fi connection.

The quantity of content is further expanded through premium content services available through the Smart TV function. While content availability constantly grows, they remain easy to access, thanks to the upgraded Home Dashboard, which allows for quick browsing. And the shortcuts displayed on the Home Dashboard can be customized, giving users the option to handpick their favorite content and apps for instant access.

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December 28, 2011
Spire Installer brings Siri to any Jailbroken iOS device legally, Requires a Proxy iPhone 4S

While Apple has limited Siri usage to just the iPhone 4S, iOS hackers Grant Paul (aka chpwn), Steven Troughton-Smith and Ryan Petrich have initiated a download of Siri using Spire Installer on any Jailbroken iPads, iPhone 4, iPod touches and the iPhone 3GS considering that the device runs on iOS 5 (Interesting since an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.0.1 just came out). The Installer legally downloads a 100MB Siri installation directly from Apple and this is all legal mind you.

The Siri port to run however requires a proxy iPhone 4S with instructions available on the link below. The team reports that once iPhone 4S is jailbroken the need for a proxy device may be eliminated altogether.

[chpwn blog]

December 28, 2011
iOS 5 devices finally receive Untethered Jailbreak : No Luck for iPhone 4S and iPad 2
iPhone and other iOS device users on iOS 5.0.1 will begin to rejoice as Untethered jailbreak for their devices is finally here. Just weeks after an exploit for untethered jailbreak was found for iOS 5.0.1, it has been incorporated into RedSn0w 0.9.10, the Pwnage Tool and Chronic Devteam’s Cydia package. This will work on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (including the CDMA version), iPad 1, iPod Touch 3G and iPod Touch 4G, so long as they’ve been updated to iOS 5.0.1.

Steps are simple
1. Head over to the Dev Team page here and download the RedSn0w for your OS (Mac/Win)
2. Make sure your device has been updated to iOS 5.0.1
3. Run Redsnow on your PC or Mac and Follow instructions.
Meanwhile pod2g who found the initial exploit, is also reportedly searching for a solution for iPhone 4s and iPad 2.
December 28, 2011
Harrods will sell the Porsche Design P’9981 BlackBerry for £1,275, Blackberry for a Lakh

And you thought Blackberry phones were expensive! Meet the most expensive Blackberry phone on retail yet. The Porsche Design P’9981 Blackberry will sell in the UK exclusive through Harrods for a price of British Pound 1,275/-, that amount converted into Indian moolah is just a couple of thousand over a Lakh of rupees. Move over Vertu, expect the Indian elite to switch to this Berry as soon as it hits the Luxury Retail outlet in London.

The device is supposedly going to start selling before the British bring in their new year 2012. Traveling to London for the New Year party? Get us one of these on the way back!

December 28, 2011
Thunderbolt ports to hit PC starting April 2012
Envious of your friends Apple Computer with a high speed Thunderbolt I/O (not like he can do much with it yet) ? Intel is finally going to be able to bring their Thunderbolt technology to PCs starting April 2012. The next-Gen data transmission system which is currently only enabled in some Apple computer will come to PCs in time for Intel’s 22nm Ivy Bridge processors (Due April 2012). The only competition that Thunderbolt has, in terms of data transfer, is USB 3.0 which offers 10 times the speed of traditional USB 2.0. Thunderbolt ports however, have a couple advantages over USB 3.0 :
- Thunderbolt ports offer double the speeds of USB 3.0
- One machine requires only one Thunderbolt port, as all peripherals have an in and an Out Thunderbolt, so that the devices can be chained ( term : Daisy-chained) in a series. Eliminating the need for hubs or multiple wires connected to a single PC ( Gamers should start falling in love with Thunderbolt about now)
Asus and Acer have already announced that their 2012 lineup will include Thunderbolt ports.
December 28, 2011
AutoGyaan : 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid coming to India starting 23 Lac

Hyundai is planning to bring the 2012 Sonata Hybrid to India sometime next year. The Hybrid revamp of 2011 Hyundai Sonata, one of the most sold cars of this segment in the US in 2011, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will also be launched in India at a starting price of 23 Lakhs.

The new Hybrid Sonata comes with a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI engine which offers 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 – 4,500 rpm with regular fuel and offers a Mileage of 13.16 KM/L . The new breakthrough Hybrid Blue Drive technology lithium polymer battery pack with powertrain with engine decoupling, significantly reduces the amount of energy required to maintain speeds, resulting in a increase to 19 KM/l sustained.

The Sonata Hybrid comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

The Sonata Hybrid shares the same “Fluidic Sculpture” design language with all other 2012 Sonatas. The new design features re-shaped front and rear fascias with a deeper air dam, extended rocker panels and lower drag wheels allow the air to flow around the body with less resistance.

For safety the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (and non hybrids) have a hot stamped ultra-high-strength steel body structure, advanced airbag technology with 6 air-bags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard. As an option – higher models will include four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Other passive safety features include shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats.

It is unknown if in Car entertainment will be the same in the Indian version of the Sonata. All international versions come standard with a 7 inch multitouch Navigation system and Digital Radio(N/A in India). The Unit supports iPhone and Bluetooth Mobile phone pairing, Also features voice activated- and voice guided Navigation. The in Dash Unit also has iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs and an 8GB of flash memory.

December 28, 2011
Airtight brings Airplay features Google TV

Have an iOS device but miss the Airplay feature because you didn’t get the Apple TV ? Well Airtight is the answer, considering you got Google TV instead. A simple app that costs only 99 cents allows you to use any Airplay enabled device like an iPad or iPhone to share with a Google TV on the same network. It currently works with only sharing of Non-DRM Movies, and Music and direct mirroring is not yet supported. So a US $ 99 Apple TV seems like a better option if you still haven’t invested in a Google TV.

[Airtight]

December 28, 2011
Italy’s fines Apple with 1.2 Million UD Dollars for AppleCare Sales

The Italian Anti-trust commission has fined Apple US dollars 1.2 Million(900,000 Euros), for pushing customers to buy AppleCare for their products without letting them know about the existing warranty and support that comes with the unit.

Apple typically offers 90 days of complimentary telephone support and 1 year of hardware warranty with almost all their products excluding iMac’s which get at location service. In Italy, companies are actually required by law to provide two years of free support to customers, which, according to the Italian Antitrust Authority, was not clearly explained to Apple customers either online or at the point-of-sale.

The three companies affected with the fine are Apple Italia, Apple Sales International and Apple Retail Italia. The fine is split into two sections, where 400,000 Euros is the fine for not clearly disclosing already available warranties, and 500,000 Euros for selling AppleCare without disclosing the above.

The Anti-Trust commission has also given Apple 90 days to update the information on their website.

[Reuters]

December 28, 2011

Samsung Galaxy R i9103 Second Review ( Price Drop Version)

We got over a thousand requests to review the Samsung Galaxy R especially after the price drop. The device originally launched at Rs. 27000, just a little shy of the price of the Galaxy S2, but now the phone is priced at a mere 20,800 , also available at online retailers for a discount of 1000 using a coupon. Making it the best under 20k handset, here is why.

Build Quality and Design

Not the best build quality by Samsung, the Galaxy R lacks precious looks and precious materials. The back panel especially fades away after just light use, the scratch resistant front display is not so scratch resistant after all. We did face some issue with the power button and it turned out to be really fidgety. Apart from the downsides, we did like the look of the handset and it does feature some great elements, including a nice sized, tactile home button along with a nice chrome bezel.

The design is identical to the S2 but is much fatter than the powerful predecessor. The back of the device makes it look a bit ugly, and since it fades easily the look worsens day by day.

Hardware and Multimedia

Now that the price is so different, we see that there is a slight difference b/w the specs of the S2 and the R.


COMPARISON	Samsung Galaxy R I9103	Samsung Galaxy S 2 I9100

Platform
Operating Freq	GSM – 900, 1800	GSM – 850, 900, 1800, 1900; UMTS – 2100
OS	Android v2.3 (Gingerbread)	Android v2.3 (Gingerbread)
User Interface	TouchWiz	TouchWiz 4.0
Java
Processor	1 GHz ARM Cortex A9, Dual Core	1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A9, Dual Core
Graphics	ULP GeForce	Mali-400 MP

Display
Type	Super Clear LCD	Super AMOLED Plus
Size	4.2 Inches	4.27 Inches
Resolution	WVGA, 480 x 800 Pixels	800 x 480 Pixels
Colors	16 M	16 M

Camera
Primary Camera	5 Megapixel	8 Megapixel
Secondary Camera	VGA	2 Megapixel
Flash	LED	LED
Video Recording	1280 x 720	1920 x 1080, 30 fps
HD Recording	HD	HD, Full HD
Other Camera Features	Geo-tagging, Smile Detection, Auto Focus, Image Editor	Auto Focus, Shot Mode, Photo Effects, White Balance, Geo-tagging, Face and Smile Detection
Zoom		Digital Zoom

Dimensions
Size	66 x 125 x 9.5 mm	66.1 x 125.3 x 8.4 mm
Weight	135 g	116 g

Battery
Type	Li-lon, 1650 mAh	1650 mAh
Talktime		18 hrs (2G), 8 hrs (3G)
Standby Time		710 hrs (2G), 610 hrs (3G)

Memory and Storage
Internal	8 GB	16 GB
Expandable Memory Slot	Micro SD, upto 32 GB	Micro SD, upto 32 GB

The camera on the device is a 5MP snapper and it gives out decent image quality and 720p video, the LED flash is also good enough to illuminate low lit subjects, but don’t expect it to fill a room. Images are as crisp as can be from a 5Mp sensor, the quality when compared to a 5MP snapper from the iPhone 4 is a bit lower. 720p video is smooth and without jitters and we will soon upload a video sample to demonstrate that.

The screen is not anything like the Super AMOLED Plus display on the S2 but the SLCD display is the same size and same pixel resolution, also the same color density and is a exceptionally bright display with great outdoor visibility. The display is try capable of playing good video and the device supports unto 1080p video playback without any issues.

Audio on the device is loud, a bit louder than the S2 we presume, the earpiece did give us some problems as we mentioned in the unboxing, but somehow the volume keeps going up and down in the earpiece and we suspect its a software thing. Mic works great without any problem.

The NVidia Tegra 2 chipset is well supported in the gaming developer community, so expect to find more games work on this device than were supported on the S2 initially. Let us mention that all sort of games play brilliantly.

Call Quality and Messaging

The network is great and no breakages in sustained network, even while traveling. We did however face low signal in key areas like flyovers and tower changes. Audio is good, but like we mentioned the earpiece can get a bit bothersome.

The device also supports video calling over 3G networks which is a great add-on to those who want to use this feature, although we prefer services like Skype and Fring which work great too.

Messaging works great on the nice and large screen, with the ability to switch to Swype which is inbuilt into the system you can enhance the experience of typing. You can also switch to a flurry of available keyboard replacements in the Android Marketplace to best suit your needs of typing.

Battery Life

The battery life on this device is varied out of the box you will struggle to pass a few hours with the device, you will need to charge it at least twice a day if not more. But we found easy fixes, and we have discussed these with Samsung and we believe that a software update should rectify the problem soon. Turn off Wifi, background data sync and Mobile data, when not in use and here are the results

Talk time 2G : 5 hours

Talk Time 3G : 4-4.5 Hours

Standby Time : 2 Days- 3 Days

Internet usage : 8 Hours over Wifi

Video Playback : upto 6 hours constant video

Conclusion

The device is an exceptional device especially after this price drop, it does lack proper construction, but has a set of features that are difficult to match at this price. The only thing that comes close to this device is the LG Optimus 2X with almost the same price and the same chipset. The Galaxy R has a newer built of Android and will definitely get the ICS update. The Galaxy R also has TouchWiz UI which we prefer over the one on LG. We also believe that the device is well supported in the developer community and has a larger user base.

Samsung Galaxy R is a great purchase and a brilliant holiday gift.

We Rate it 4.0/5.0

Images

Unboxing Video

New Review

December 27, 2011

The iPad 3 Rumors starting to Pour in : Retina display & 2 GHZ Dual Core A6 Chipset

The iPad 3 Rumors are starting to our in and flaring over what is said to be the next iPad slated for a early 2012 release. Here is what the inter webs are discussing:

Launch Date

The iPad 3 is supposedly set to be launched in around the end of January with sale beginning on 24th Feb 2012 (Steve Jobs’ Birthday)

Processor

If Apple is launching a new iPad we can expect a spec bump, Rumors point to a dual core A6 chipset clocked at 2GHz with enhanced Graphics processing equivalent to gaming consoles.

Display

Apple is also said to be working on a Enhanced retina display for the iPad 3 ( or simply a higher res display than the current version.).

Camera

People complained a lot about poor cameras in the iPad 2 and Apple is said to be fixing that issue with the 5MP snapper from the iPhone 4 being installed in the iPad 3 along with FaceTime HD front camera.

Design

Apple is said to be furthering the slim profile of the iPad 2 by making the iPad 3 even thinner. The form factor will continue to remain the same and the smart covers will still work.

What will actually happen at the launch of the iPad 3, if there is one, will only be known post the launch. But the rumors point in the general direction that any company would head in. The possibilities of these changes is quite high. The only thing that we are unsure of is the shipping date.

What do you think?

December 27, 2011
Samsung working on a High Res Dual Core 2 GHz tablet for launch in Feb 2012

Samsung is said to be hard at work on a tablet that will feature a retina like resolution of 2560 x 1600 px. The tablet is said to be either 11.6 inches or 10.1 inches, all running on a dual-core Exynos 5250 CPU clocked at 2GHz, pushing apps on a custom Touchwiz running on Ice Cream Sandwich. The tablet is also said to have an 8MP camera at back and a 3MP camera in the front capable of HD Video Calls.

The tablet will also feature Android Beam for easy syncing of media with a Galaxy Nexus, and a special wireless docking mode for gaming on HDTVs. The tablet is supposedly slated for release in February 2012 to beat rumors of an iPad 3 sale starting on Feb 24th ( Steve Jobs’ birthday). There is no official announcement from Samsung but it appears that CES 2012 would be a good time for Sammy to announce this thin, wide and high res Tablet of the future.

December 27, 2011
iGyaan Holiday Guide : Best Phones for 15,000

So many questions, so little time. Its the time for holiday cheer and we are literally getting bombarded with hundreds of emails asking us what phones to buy. So here is our guide for the best options in the Rs. 15000 price.

(In order of preference)

Android Phones

1. Micromax A85 SuperFone : (Rs. 15290) The price drop has already been announced, and at this price it is the best spec’d phone. A dual core Nvidia Tegra 2, 3.8 inch touchscreen, 5 MP camera and gesture control make this the best bet at the price. But sadly it ships with Android 2.2.

2. Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro Sk17i: (Rs 15,000) One of the most recommended devices by iGyaan in 2011 our extensive review will tell you why this device is an excellent purchase.

3. Motorola Defy (Rs 14,000) : The original defy is still an awesome phone, with Android a brilliant rugged construction that resists water and dust. The design is also shock proof. Check out our Review.

4. HTC ChaCha (Rs. 14500): A brilliant form factor with excellent build, the only touch and type phone with this design from HTC. Also the first phone with a dedicated FB button on the Android platform, a Social king. Our Review Covers it.

5. Samsung Galaxy Ace (Rs 13000): One of the most loved phones of 2011 the ace has a nice display along with impressive looks, a good processor and Touchwiz on top of Android 2.3. The device is well supported in the developer community and will get ICS courtesy Root and Custom CM9 rom. Check out our Review

6. HTC Wildfire S (Rs 12,500): Not our last option but an alternative to the Galaxy Ace, the build is far superior also is the quality of materials used. The device features HTC Sense on top of Android 2.3 and is arguably the best built phone of this bracket. The camera in some aspects is better than the Ace and pulls out great images. The processor is only a 600MHz compared to the 800MHz on the Ace. We reviewed it Here

Blackberry

Blackberry Curve 3G 9300 (Rs. 14,450): The only berry in this range, you also get the CDMA version of the curve 8520 (called: 8530) which is not worth mentioning. What is to say this is an old outdated berry running on the older OS6 but features a great and responsive OS. It is a great upgrade for some one on a Blackberry high . We however say, spend more and get the Curve 9380 : we covered here.

Nokia Symbian

Nokia 700 (Rs 15299) : Younger version of the 701, this device is available in the market in select locations, features new Symbian Belle and a 3.2 inch Capacitive Amoled Clear Black display. A 5 Mp camera and 720p video capabilities make it a good competitor. Another add-on is the tough gorilla glass front. The price seems a bit high for this old-school Operating System. The phone also has a 2Gb internal storage and is a grab option for those who refuse to abandon the legendary OS in its dying days.

Nokia 500 (Rs 11,000): Then there is the 500, its the only other Nokia phone in this bracket apart from the discontinued C6-01. This features a 1GHz processor along with a 3.2-inch TFT nHD Capacitive Touchscreen. The phone features Symbian Anna and has great 5MP camera, which is fixed focus. Again price is a bit of a pinch especially because the device is unable to offer the freedom that say an Android device would offer, But on the upside it does have a 1GHz processor.

Windows Phone

Samsung Focus (Rs 14000) : The device was never announced in India, but New and unlocked US versions can be bought on Ebay. The device features a nice 4.0 Inch Super Amoled Display with a native 480 x 800 px resolution. Already updated to Mango this device offers all the new features of Windows Phone 7.5 at a bargain, everything of course except a front facing camera. The Focus also has 8GB of memory and 512MB Ram and 512MB Rom

December 27, 2011
LG will introduce world’s largest OLED display at CES – 55 inches (PR)

LG has confirmed that it will be releasing the OLED displays of the future at the CES 2012. The Worlds largest OLED display measuring 55 inches will also be unveiled at the event. The unveiling will happen on January 9th, LG claims their technology uses white OLEDs overlaid with colors for a lower error rate and clearer “ultra definition” screen.

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LG Display Announces World’s Largest OLED TV Panel
55″ Panel to Advance Popularization of OLED TV Market

Seoul, Korea (December 26, 2011) – LG Display [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220], a leading innovator of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, today announced that it has developed the world’s largest 55-inch OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diodes) TV panel. The 55-inch panel is a significant step forward in the popularization of OLED TVs and demonstrates the effective application of AM OLED technology to larger panel sizes at a more cost efficient level.

“Our objective has always been to actively define and lead emerging display technology markets,” said Dr. Sang Beom Han, CEO and Executive Vice President of LG Display. “Although OLED technology is seen as the future of TV display, the technology has been limited to smaller display sizes and by high costs, until now. LG Display’s 55-inch OLED TV panel has overcome these barriers.”

Superior Image Quality in an Ultra Thin Design
LG Display’s 55″ OLED TV panel produces remarkable image quality with no after image due to its high reaction velocity, as well as high contrast ratio of over 100,000:1 and wider color gamut than that produced by LCD panels.

OLED, a medium that controls pixels is a departure from LCD panels which utilize liquid crystals. The new technology allows light emitting diodes to self-generate light and features a reaction velocity to electric signals over 1000 times faster than liquid crystal.

The environmentally conscious will also appreciate LG Display’s 55″ OLED TV panel. While light sources in backlight units, like LCD panels, must always be kept on, the OLED panel allows diodes to be turned on or off which enables lower power consumption than conventional LCD panels.

With no need for a special light source, LG Display’s 55″ OLED TV panel is also able to utilize a simplified structure thinner than that of a pen (5mm), and lighter than LCD panels. The panel’s minimalist structure also allows for the realization of unique design elements.

Advancing the Popularization of OLED TVs
Although industry watchers anticipate OLED as the future of TV display, to date, the technology has faced challenges due to limitations on the sizes of displays it can be applied to and a high level of investment required. LG Display has successfully addressed these issues with its 55″ OLED TV panel.

The panel adopts an Oxide TFT technology for backplane which is different from a Low Temperature Poly Silicon (LTPS) type generally used in existing small-sized OLED panels. The Oxide TFT type that LG Display utilizes is similar to the existing TFT process, with the simple difference lying in replacing Amorphous Silicon with Oxide. Moreover, the Oxide TFT type produces identical image quality to high performance of LTPS base panels at significantly reduced investment levels.

Additionally, LG Display uses White OLED (WOLED). WOLED vertically accumulates red, green, and blue diodes. With white color light emitting from the diode, it displays screen information through color layers below the TFT base panel, which leads to a lower error rate, higher productivity, and a clearer Ultra Definition screen via the benefits of small pixels. Further, it is possible to realize identical colors in diverse angles via color information displayed through a thin layer. Lower electricity consumption in web browsing environments for smart TVs is another key strength of WOLED.

Showing at CES 2012
The world’s first 55″ OLED TV panel from LG Display will be made available for showing to select media and customers at a private booth starting on January 9 in Las Vegas through the end of CES 2012. For information regarding a product tour, please contact the individuals listed below.

About LG Display
LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is a leading manufacturer and supplier of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, OLEDs and flexible displays. The company provides TFT-LCD panels in a wide range of sizes and specifications for use in TVs, monitors, notebook PCs, mobile products and other various applications. LG Display currently operates eight fabrication facilities and five back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China and Poland. The company has a total of 55,000 employees operating worldwide. Please visit http://www.lgdisplay.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Additional information as to factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements can be found in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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December 27, 2011