XOLO launched the new Q1000 quad-core Android at Rs. 15K

XOLO officially launched the Q1000 in India at Rs.14,999. Its the company's third device in the quad-core Q-series after Q700 & Q800. The USP of the phablet is its 5 inch IPS-LCD display (1280x720 pixels) combined with protection by Dragontrail glass. It provides high resistance to scratch and shock, although its much thinner than the conventional glass screen at 8.8 mm. Budget phablets from other companies like Karbonn, Zync, Lava, etc fail to offer such protection to the display!

Key Specs:

• 5 inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display (295 ppi) with scratch-resistant Dragon Trail Glass
• 1.2 GHz MediaTek quad-core processor with PowerVR SGX544 GPU
• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
• 8 MP rear camera with LED Flash, BSI sensor
• 1.2 MP front-facing camera
• Full HD 1080p video playback
• 1 GB RAM | 4 GB internal memory | 32 GB expandable
• 3G (HSDPA: 42.2 Mbps, HSUPA: 11.5 Mbps) | WiFi 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth 4.0
• GPS | 3.5 mm audio jack | FM radio
• 2100 mAh battery | 8.8 mm thick

This phablet will certainly face tough competition as several such devices with quad-core processors have been launched recently around the same price bracket. But the device surely looks promising.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z launched for Rs. 46,990 (LTE-version)

Sony launched a new water-resistant, dust-proof Android tablet in India, boasting of some serious hardware specifications, apart from a lightweight and ultra-slim design. At an event in New Delhi, this 10.1 inch tablet was unveiled as the lightest and slimmest in the world at 495 grams and 6.9 mm. The tablet is water-resistant & dust-proof, just like the Xperia Z smartphone.

Sony has made the 16 GB model of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z available in India, and will be bundling a 16 GB microSD card with it – giving users 32 GB of storage out-of-the-box. The company at launch is also including a free premium case for the tablet, estimated to be worth Rs. 2,990. It seems that Sony aims to rival Apple & Samsung by giving customers a No down payment, No processing fee and 0% interest plan on a 6 month EMI offer.

Key Specs:

• 10.1-inch HD (1920 x 1200 pixels) WUXGA Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to Android 4.2
• 6.9 mm thick and weighs 495g
• Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064 chipset
• Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU | Adreno 320 GPU
• 8.1 MP Exmor R rear camera sensor with HDR and 1080p HD video recording
• 2.2 MP 1080p Superior Auto plus front-facing camera
• 3.5 mm audio jack, FM Radio with RDS
• FM radio with RDS, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, HSPA+/GPRS/EDGE/LTE connectivity, WiFi
• DLNA, NFC, GPS and GLONASS, 3.5 mm audio jack, IR blaster and HDMI via MHL
• 2 GB RAM, 16 GB / 32 GB internal memory, up to 32 GB expandable memory
• Non-removable 6000 mAh Battery

This tab was first unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2013. Sony has also included several exclusive features on the Xperia Tablet Z. Users will have 6 months of free unlimited streaming and music download from Sony Music, which features over 15 lakh international, Bollywood, and regional songs from the Sony Music library. Also available is access to Sony LIV, a video streaming service for SAB, Sony Entertainment and Max channels in India, allowing users to watch TV shows after their repeat telecasts. Over 77 programs and 4500 hours of videos and programs will be available via LIV, apart from exclusive content for KBC and Indian idol.

Another interesting feature (apart from universal remote control functionality previously seen in the Sony Xperia Tablet S), is X4 video, which allows users to see up to four videos simultaneously. S-Force Front Surround 3D sound is also onboard, apart from battery stamina mode for extended standby time. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is also PlayStation Certified, but of course, we’ve yet to see Sony truly leverage the PlayStation Suite for mobile devices. Preloaded applications include Google Chrome, Google Maps for Mobile with Street view and Latitude, Google Play, and Google Wallet.

Feel free to let us know what do you feel about this tablet. Will it create a wave in the Indian market, or fade away as an enormously priced device in an highly competitive segment?

Samsung launched Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 phablets in India

Samsung has launched its Galaxy Mega large screen smartphones in the Indian market. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 will be available across the country within a week from today for a price of Rs. 25,100 while the Galaxy Mega 6.3 will be available in mid-June for an MRP of Rs. 31,490.

The GALAXY Mega smartphones will offer split screen capability for a variety of applications including email, messages, 'MyFiles,' 'S Memo,' 'S Planner', amongst others. The devices will also feature the much touted 'Air View' feature, that lets users preview information in emails, photos in Gallery, and speed dial contacts without opening them.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 key specifications:

• 6.3 inch HD display of 720x1280 resolution
• 1.7 GHz dual-core processor
• 1.5 GB RAM
• 16 GB internal storage, can be expanded by up to 64 GB
• 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash
• 2 megapixel front camera
• 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v 4.0, GPS
• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 3200 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 key specifications:

• 5.8 inch display with resolution of 540x960 pixels
• 1.4 GHz dual-core processor
• 1.5 GB RAM | 8 GB internal storage | expandable upto 64 GB
• 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash
• 2 megapixel front camera
• 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v 4.0, GPS
• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 2600 mAh battery

The phones are being launched with special offers from RCOM and Vodafone. RCOM customers buying the phone will get 2 GB data per month free for 3 months and unlimited access to Big Movies library, WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. Vodafone customers will get 2 GB data download (2G+3G) per month for two months.

We are eager to see how well these two new phablets will do in India. The company’s first two phablets, from the higher-end Galaxy Note family, have done unexpectedly well in the country. By offering cheaper phablet devices, Samsung is obviously trying to cater to a larger audience, and continue cashing in on its phablet popularity.

An OPEN LETTER to all smartphone manufacturers!

In this era of 'Smartphones' where numerous brands battle against each other for their phone sales, its a really sad fact that all it takes for a smartphone to get attention is either a really large screen or the number of cores in the processor! It may really seem that a phone is SMART if it has such features, but the ground reality is really contrasting! Is your phone really a 'Smartphone' ? Most probably NO !!

Read this interesting article by Rajiv Makhni who aptly describes how the recent 'so-called' smartphones don't even provide the basic amenities that it is supposed to and how the smartphone manufacturers across the globe fail to innovate with respect to these pre-requisites!

Original Article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Brunch/Brunch-Stories/An-open-letter-to-smartphone-manufacturers/Article1-1054174.aspx

Xolo X910 with 4.3-inch qHD display, 1.6 GHz Intel Medfield processor now available for Rs. 9999

Xolo X910 that surfaced online recently is now available from online retailer Snapdeal. This is the second Intel Atom-powered phone to come with dual SIM support, after the Xolo X500 that was launched earlier this year.

XOLO X910 Specifications:

• 4.3-inch (960 x 540 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display with 256 ppi pixel density
• 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z2460 processor with Hyper Threading
• 400 MHz PowerVR SGX 540 GPU
• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
• 5MP auto focus camera with LED flash
• 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
• 1 GB RAM | 4 GB of internal memory | expandable upto 32 GB
• 3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps) | WiFi 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth v2.1 | aGPS
• Ambient Light Sensor | Accelerometer | Magnetometer | Proximity Sensor
• 3.5 mm audio jack | 2000 mAh battery

Currently retailing at Flipkart, Snapdeal & MirchiMart for Rs. 9999.