First unveiled in South Africa in February, Vodafone’s Webbox is to be release in India soon. The device, which looks like a QWERTY keyboard, connects to any television set via standard RCA cables and converts the attached TV into a monitor. This setup can then be used to browse the web, read e-mail and perform simple computing tasks.
The device offers internet access via a Vodafone SIM card that supports 2.5G and EDGE networks. When connected, the home-screen offers users the ability to browse the web using an android version of Opera Mini 5.1, which compresses data by upto 90% to ensure fast loading pages. The device also boasts the ability to send and receive SMS and E-Mail messages, listen to FM radio as well as music, view photos in the photo gallery, edit documents with the built in text editor and integration with social networks.
The Webbox is expected to retail for Rs. 5800/- which includes a 12 GB data plan for free. You can see a demo of the device in the video below.
This is it, exclusive news for those waiting to spend up-to 20k on their smart-phones. Apple has just made the choice tougher. The iPhone 3Gs will be re-launched in India and go on sale tomorrow for 20 thousand. Whats more its going to be completely factory unlocked and will work with your carrier of choice.
The iPhone 3GS was originally launched in India in 2010 approximately 10 months after its launch in the United States. the 3Gs was sold locked to Airtel and Vodafone at full pricing. this in turn led to a lot of controversy in Apple’s Indian Market strategy. This year Apple started to sell the iPhone 4, again after 10 months of its US launch, but this time around the device was factory unlocked and ready to use worldwide.
The pricing of the iPhone 3Gs seems very competitive especially when 20 thousand is a decent budget for a smartphone these days.
We will get you more news on this as and when we gather.
We have Seen companies extend deadlines, But, HTC just seems to have met it in Advance. The HTC Sensation originally slated for a June 7 ship date is already available for PRE-Order goodness by Vodafone.uk Whats more they promise that the device may be delivered as early as May 19th.
Companies spent hundreds of thousands of Crores in acquiring the 3G spectrum from a govt. of corrupt officials. Its been more than a couple of years since our country has been abuzz with talk about 3G networks and 3G data speeds.
While in first world countries like the United States, where total revenue from sale of handheld phones is 1/10 of the total revenue in India, Americans are talking about 5th gen networks and the rollout of Nation-wide LTE services, essentially standing on 4.5 G Networks.
Private players slowly yet steadily roll out 3G Services for consumers in India. Docomo and Reliance were among the first few GSM players to launch their 3G services, followed by Airtel and now Vodafone.
Vodafone was slow in the rollout of their 3G services, they claimed that they were “prep-ing the infrastructure”. To think once the service did roll out the users would get seamless 3G services, WRONG!
If you were upset with your network before rollout of 3G, get ready to pull your Hair! The immediate difference between 3G and 2G data connections, is that the minute you switch on 3G, your network will dwindle from 5 bars straight down to 1 bar. The phone will stop ringing, as the person on the other side gets a response ” this number is not reachable”. While you try all apparent Steve Jobs style poses, you will get absolutely no network coverage.
If by some grace of your beloved deity, you do get a strong signal, you will be appalled with the poor quality of 3G data connections, download speed is shaky and always from 240-800kbps, about half of minimum promised speeds.
Here is how Vodafone Fared in 5 tests carried out in different locations in Delhi.
In all cases phone call quality was poor, a lot of call drops, and the phone was mostly unreachable. We had to turn off 3G in several cases to make phone calls. Turning the phone from 3G mode to 2G boosts the network straight to 5Bars, after which one faces no call drops nor is the phone unreachable. Download speeds on Edge are a constant 144kbps in all 5 areas of the city.
For comparison purposes we also took a device which was 3G powered with State owned MTNL 3G JADOO services. And here is how MTNL fared in all the areas
So in comparison MTNL fared quite good and was able to deliver quite close to promised speeds, we also continued to get phone calls and did not face any call drops.
But there is another interesting aspect to MTNL, they currently have a 4500 Rs scheme where you get unlimited data for 6 months at 3G speeds. Which basically kills all hopes for Vodafone or any other private player. There is a claimed 200GB/month limit, but even if you cross it you are not charged.
Conclusion
We have been waiting for 3G in India for too long, almost long enough to not care. If you can, then for 3G stay away from private players, especially in Delhi. Prices are exorbitant and service is poor. Network failure after network failure, not to forget 1/3 of the promised speeds. Companies will need to tighten up their quality if they want their consumers to stick else MNP will be quite handy for those who really want decent 3G quick.
So this is new information, wait, perhaps its old. But, anyway a representative from Vodafone India Corp Comm, told us that Vodafone will try launching its services by 10 th March or latest by 30th March. Are they trying to bring in the next fiscal year with 3G?
So pricing still remains a mystery, as far as we know, you should get ready to hear ridiculous pricing for all their Data plans
Pay as you Go
10p for 10kb roughly translated makes it 10,000 Rs / GB
Or possibly prepaid monthly packs (prices not confirmed)
600 Rs – 399 MB
400 Rs – 199 MB
1200 Rs – 1 GB
Similar pricing with postpaid is expected.
But, with Packs like these Vodafone shouldn’t bother. These packs are not up-to expectation and will let down a lot of hopeful consumers like us!
