Mobile Phones News Blog

Huawei has launched its Honor and the new Ideos X5 smartphones in the Indian market. Huawei Honor features a powerful 1,900 mAh battery, which claims to give upto 9 hours of talk time, 6 hours of gaming and 10 hours of video, and a over all three days backup on a single charge.

The Huawei Honor currently runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but is upgradeable to Android 4.0 (ICS), and features a 4 inch, scratch resistant Gorilla glass with 245 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution, the highest in its category.

Apart from that it features a 1.4 GHz processor and a gyroscope, and an 8 megapixel auto focus rear camera with high definition video recording. The phone also gets a front facing camera for video chatting and 720P Video recording and playback features. Huawei Honor is priced at Rs 19,990.

Honor is a DLNA -certified device, which ensures interoperability and ability to play content wirelessly on other DLNA-certified devices such as digital cameras, game consoles and TVs. Honor users can Blacklist and Whitelist calls or protect their SMS from unauthorised use. Honor comes with a lock screen that has a built-in quick launch to the Camera, SMS and Phone apps.

Some other additions include a unique new app called Data Traffic Manager which allows user to set their monthly data package budget and offers an overview of data consumption over 2G/3G , WiFi networks, the apps consuming traffic etc.

Huawei has launched its Honor and the new Ideos X5 smartphones in the Indian market. Huawei Honor features a powerful 1,900 mAh battery, which claims to give upto 9 hours of talk time, 6 hours of gaming and 10 hours of video, and a over all three days backup on a single charge.

The Huawei Honor currently runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but is upgradeable to Android 4.0 (ICS), and features a 4 inch, scratch resistant Gorilla glass with 245 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution, the highest in its category.

Apart from that it features a 1.4 GHz processor and a gyroscope, and an 8 megapixel auto focus rear camera with high definition video recording. The phone also gets a front facing camera for video chatting and 720P Video recording and playback features. Huawei Honor is priced at Rs 19,990.

Honor is a DLNA -certified device, which ensures interoperability and ability to play content wirelessly on other DLNA-certified devices such as digital cameras, game consoles and TVs. Honor users can Blacklist and Whitelist calls or protect their SMS from unauthorised use. Honor comes with a lock screen that has a built-in quick launch to the Camera, SMS and Phone apps.

Some other additions include a unique new app called Data Traffic Manager which allows user to set their monthly data package budget and offers an overview of data consumption over 2G/3G , WiFi networks, the apps consuming traffic etc.

Toshiba has announced its new tablet line-up under the Excite brand with three tablets of 7.7, 10 and 13 inch screens. Under the hood all the tablets will sport similar hardware with a quad core Tegra 3 processor, 5 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front camera, stereo speakers, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. They also all feature Gorilla Glass displays and aluminum bodies.

Toshiba Excite 7.7, as the name suggests, will have a 7.7 inch Amoled display, microUSB and microSD ports, and a 0.3 inch thick body. The Excite 7.7 will be launching on 10 June in the USA at $499.99 (Rs 25,000) for the 16 GB model and $579.99 (Rs 28,000) for the 32 GB version.

Toshiba Excite 10 with 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel LED display, will also have the same number of ports and slots. It is said to have 10 hours of battery life, a thickness of 0.35 inches and 589 gram weight.

It is expected to be launched on 6 May with pricing starting at $449.99 (Rs 22,500) for the 16 GB version, $529.99 (Rs 26,500) for 32 GB and $649.99 (Rs 32,500) for the 64 GB variant.

The most striking version of the three is Toshiba Excite 13, which comes with a 13.3 inch LED display with 16:9 aspect ratio and 1600 x 900 pixel resolution, and that makes it the largest tablet in the world.

This one gets the same slots and mini HDMI port same as the other two, but maximum claimed battery life of 13 hours, and it is marginally thicker at 0.4 inches, and slightly heavier at 997 gram; much lighter than a similar sized laptop, but almost twice as heavy as a tablet.

The tablet is expected to be launched on 10 June for $649.99 (Rs 32,500) for the 32 GB model or $749.99 (Rs 37,500) for 64 GB of storage.

7.7 inches and 10 inches are now common screen sizes in the market. Though Toshiba’s tablets will boast top of the line hardware they will compete with tablets from rivals like Samsung and Asus, which have similar features. And the crucial difference can come down to pricing.

However, the 13.3 inch device is very different and will have to create its own market. Though Toshiba has not overpriced it in our opinion, whether the consumer will be comfortable carrying such a big screen will be interesting to watch. We would have been game though.

Toshiba has not yet entered the Indian tablet market (though it had Thrive branded products elsewhere). However, off late Toshiba has been very active in India with its TVs and IT products, and would definitely want to enter the high volume tablet market here as well.

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  Intel announces Studybook tablet for students

Toshiba has announced its new tablet line-up under the Excite brand with three tablets of 7.7, 10 and 13 inch screens. Under the hood all the tablets will sport similar hardware with a quad core Tegra 3 processor, 5 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front camera, stereo speakers, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. They also all feature Gorilla Glass displays and aluminum bodies.

Toshiba Excite 7.7, as the name suggests, will have a 7.7 inch Amoled display, microUSB and microSD ports, and a 0.3 inch thick body. The Excite 7.7 will be launching on 10 June in the USA at $499.99 (Rs 25,000) for the 16 GB model and $579.99 (Rs 28,000) for the 32 GB version.

Toshiba Excite 10 with 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel LED display, will also have the same number of ports and slots. It is said to have 10 hours of battery life, a thickness of 0.35 inches and 589 gram weight.

It is expected to be launched on 6 May with pricing starting at $449.99 (Rs 22,500) for the 16 GB version, $529.99 (Rs 26,500) for 32 GB and $649.99 (Rs 32,500) for the 64 GB variant.

The most striking version of the three is Toshiba Excite 13, which comes with a 13.3 inch LED display with 16:9 aspect ratio and 1600 x 900 pixel resolution, and that makes it the largest tablet in the world.

This one gets the same slots and mini HDMI port same as the other two, but maximum claimed battery life of 13 hours, and it is marginally thicker at 0.4 inches, and slightly heavier at 997 gram; much lighter than a similar sized laptop, but almost twice as heavy as a tablet.

The tablet is expected to be launched on 10 June for $649.99 (Rs 32,500) for the 32 GB model or $749.99 (Rs 37,500) for 64 GB of storage.

7.7 inches and 10 inches are now common screen sizes in the market. Though Toshiba’s tablets will boast top of the line hardware they will compete with tablets from rivals like Samsung and Asus, which have similar features. And the crucial difference can come down to pricing.

However, the 13.3 inch device is very different and will have to create its own market. Though Toshiba has not overpriced it in our opinion, whether the consumer will be comfortable carrying such a big screen will be interesting to watch. We would have been game though.

Toshiba has not yet entered the Indian tablet market (though it had Thrive branded products elsewhere). However, off late Toshiba has been very active in India with its TVs and IT products, and would definitely want to enter the high volume tablet market here as well.

Next Story

• Tablet
  

  Intel announces Studybook tablet for students

UTV Indiagames has launched the official IPL Cricket Fever game for mobile amidst the hysterical fifth Indian Premier League season. The official IPL Cricket Fever game features all official nine teams taking part in the IPL Season 5. The new IPL Cricket Fever game is available for iOS , Android and Java platforms at the same time.

IPL Cricket Fever mobile game features nine actual on-ground teams – Mumbai Indians, Chennai Superkings, Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils, King XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challenger Bangalore and Pune Warriors.

The IPL Cricket Fever game promises vibrant graphics and ultra-realistic animation of the characters , which is backed with the TV Broadcast style experience. The game offers Quick Match, Power Play and IPL tournament mode. With four different stadiums offering three difficulty modes certainly make the game interesting.

The touchscreen devices can make the best of the display and play most popular kinds of shows and even bowl difficult deliveries to the batsmen. Offering intuitive touch controls the IPL Cricket Fever game is available for Apple iPhone as well as iPad. Other than that, the game can be played on Android OS based devices and also on the JAVA platform based devices.

Sony has launched the new Xperia S smartphone in India with a price tag of Rs 32,500. The company has also announced to launch the Xperia P, Xperia U, and Xperia Sola devices in the next few months.

The Xperia S becomes the first Sony Mobile branded phone in India. Sony bought Ericsson’s stake in the joint venture company of Sony Ericsson and has also changed the brand name to Sony Mobile.

Sony Xperia S is the second officially certified PlayStation device after Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. Hence, Xperia S will have access to the Sony PlayStation store and all the content that is available on it.

Sony PlayStation provides games and entertainment resources to mobile devices and allows them to connect seamlessly to other PlayStation devices as well.

The Xperia S is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM 8206 processor coupled with 1 GB of RAM for faster performance. The smartphone has a 4.3 inch capacitive display comes with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. The Xperia S will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box and the upgrade to Android 4.0 is already available.

Sony has added a 12 megapixel camera capable of recording videos at full 1080p HD at 30 frames utilizing Sony’s Exmor sensor technology. This Exmor sensor helps capturing quality images even in low light conditions.

Sony Xperia S, on the connectivity front, features 3G , WiFi , Bluetooth and NFC capability.

Amongst the other phones announced today, Xperia U and P will feature a 1 GHz processor and all the three phone phones including Xperia S will have access to Sony’s Entertainment Network. Out of the box, consumers can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on Video Unlimited or listen to millions and millions of songs through Music Unlimited.

While Xperia U will have a 3.5 inch screen the Xperia P will sport a 4.0 inch screen, both powered by Sony’s Bravia Engine technology for better display. All new Xperia devices will have similar connectivity options and are DLNA certified. Sharing the same design philosophy, these new models will have a transparent bar just under the screen.

Both Xperia U and P are likely to come with Android 4.0 unlike the Xperia S requires to be upgraded. The Xperia U and P are expected be available at a price lesser than the Xperia S.

Xperia Sola has a slightly different design and comes without the transparent strip. We presume it will be priced comparatively cheaper than the other three phones. The phone will feature a 3.7-inch display, 1GHz dual-core processor and 5-megapixel rear camera. It will also have support for NFC SmartTags, an xLOUD “surround sound” speaker, also offer full access to the Sony Entertainment Network.

Both HCL MeTab U1 and Micromax Funbook were launched within a span of a few days and both of them are focused on education. Here we’ve compared the two.

Hardware

Both tablets have more or less the same hardware and software. Both have 7 inch capacitive touchscreens with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. Both are based on Android 4.0.3. However, while the Micromax Funbook does offer access to Google Play app store MeTab doesn’t, and this is a big flaw as it means that one will not have access to the lakhs of apps on Android’s app store.

HCL MeTab also has a slower 1 GHz processor compared to the 1.2 GHz unit that powers the Funbook (however this difference could be the result of overclocking as both use ARM A8 processors). On the RAM front both use a 512 MB DDR3 RAM, which is low for an Android 4.0 device.

There is a front facing VGA camera on both tablets and neither has a rear camera. HCL MeTab scores higher than Funbook because it has a 3600 mAh battery; compared to Micromax’s 2800 mAh unit.

In terms of connectivity too both have the same feature list with HDMI and USB ports, and WiFi support. Neither has 3G , but Micromax is offering a free Tata Photon dongle with the tablet, making it a better offer.

Micromax is also priced better at Rs 6,500 compared to HCL MeTab U1 at Rs 7,999.

Educational content

Micromax and HCL differ in their content strategy. Micromax offers an educational content marketplace called Vriti, where there are 500 different course materials from about 30 content publishers. These materials can be bought starting at Rs 50 and going up to thousands of rupees.

HCL has varying content plans for its different MeTab tablets. MeTab U1 doesn’t have any content and is priced at Rs 8,000 while the, K12 version which offers course material from KG to 12th is priced at Rs 11,499 (Rs 3,500 for the content,) and the higher education version, on which some content can be accessed on the cloud is offered at Rs 10,000 (Rs 2,000 for content and cloud access).

While in terms of content both have something to offer, we like the Micromax deal better because it offers all the choice and doesn’t force any content on users; while HCL’s tablet limits the choices.

The Micromax offering is also much more scalable. It is a third party offering on the Micromax Funbook and the content creator has announced that its platform will be available for all Android tablets, but then Micromax is not charging for education content.

Availability

Both companies are India based and have a very strong presence here. Micromax being a mobile phone brand has wider reach, but then it has limited the launch to 50 cities right now. HCL on the other hand is an IT company selling laptops and other IT products therefore its network is slightly limited. In terms of service, HCL’s network is stronger as it not only supports its own products, but also products from several other brands; while Micromax relies more on third party services.

Verdict

We have not tested these tablets, but going by first impressions, the made in India Micromax tablet is slightly better.

In terms of price and availablity Micromax Funbook is a clear winner and has the same hardware as HCL; we don’t think our opinion is going to change even after testing the hardware.

With the Indian Premier League season 5 underway, many application developers have announced apps for smartphone users. But while most applications remain legitimate and helpful for the users, some others are trying to exploit users and steal their confidential information right from their smartphones.

While surfing for IPL 2012 applications, we came across several such applications that claim to offer free and live match streaming along with schedules and live score updates too but in reality these application are nothing more than phony applications that are loaded with permissions that if accepted render your precious data open for the apps and in turn for the developers to access.

One such application is “Watch IPL Live 2012″ by a developer named Devroid Apps . The application claims to provide users with live streaming of matches as and when they are played but in return all it does is nothing because this is what this application is supposed to do.

For a justified comparison we compare the permissions that a normal, working free TV streaming application like the “Myplex Now” from Apalya technologies. In the misleading IPL applications, we found out that the number permissions are way above normal and includes permissions such as access to phone book, messages and even allowing application to start automatically when the device is turned on.

In the Fig 1 image, you can see the list of permissions the Myplex Now application required to make live TV working on your Android smartphone. On the other hand, as you can see in the Image FIG 2, the list of permissions that are being asked by Watch IPL Live 2012 application. Clearly, you can see that the application if installed gets access to your location, contact, phonebook, and even access to details of accounts, like Facebook, Twitter and email addresses, if these have been linked to your smartphone.

When searching for the answer to the permissions this application is asking for, we tried contacting the developer through the website link that is mandatory for developers to give. But, the website address mentioned there is invalid and not available.

This is not just the case with one application as there are several such phony applications being distributed through Android marketplace.

So you must not blindly accept anything and everything that comes your way. Users must make sure to read permissions that the application is asking for before installing the application.

Google Play Books, which is an eBook Store, has received a new update that brings 3D page turning animation to the Android 2.2 Froyo and Android 2.3 Gingerbread base devices.

Google Play Book section contains all kinds of eBooks that a user can browse, purchase and download. It also contains collection of the eBooks that have been converted from physical books by Google. The Play Books is the Google’s eBook store in answer to Apple iBooks, Amazon Kindle and Kobo Reader.

The Play Books now comes with the new 3D page turn animation for all the Android 2.2 Froyo or higher devices. The page turning animation is quite slick on the high end devices and intuitive.

Google Play Books is the eBook reader out to compete with already matured eBook readers out in the market. However, the growth pace of the Play Books is relatively slow and features offered are also minimal. For instance there is no way to bookmark a page, highlight text, make notes or even load already purchased ebooks from other book stores.

While device specific issues continue to prevail, the Google Play Books update works fantastically for several devices. Google Play Books unfortunately is not available for all regions and mostly available in the USA. However you can always download and install the .apk package file, go online using an open or private VPN to access all the books available for the USA region. Sounds like too much work but totally worth if you are into reading ebooks.

To get the latest version of Play Books, visit Google Play Store.

Internet giant, Google is making a new type of glasses which is sure to make your life nothing less than a sci-fi movie. Google has unveiled its latest project – Project Glass, in this regard.

Under this new project, Google aims to develop a pair of glasses that will not only work like any ordinary glasses but will offer you information about your surroundings. The technology behind this – augmented reality, is already being used by smartphones and digital cameras. Actually, augmented reality is a technology that combines real world with information gathered from computer generated data like GPS , graphics etc.

The information about Project Glass has been revealed by Google through its post on Google Plus where it also posted a number of pictures including users wearing the glasses. The glasses comprise a transparent display that can be worn by users having functionality like voice commands, camera and even GPS for location awareness. By connecting the glasses to a smartphone, users can also make calls, click pictures, send messages, and many other tasks they do on their phone.

The concept combines augmented reality, voice control, and a lot of the features that are featured on Android smartphones including Google Maps and Google Talk as well.

While the project is still in the concept phase, it looks promising and has the potential to replace many things. Google at this point is not sharing any more information on the project but it seems as Google will be developing multiple versions of the product which will allow usage with vehicles and various other purposes also.