Monday, December 13, 2010

Want a dream phone? Check out Nokia N95!

Nokia N95, a much-awaited smart phone with a unique handset design has started shipping in India.

Its front slides up to reveal a traditional numeric phone keypad and can also slide down providing access to a row of dedicated multimedia playback control buttons, automatically switching the screen to landscape mode and launching the multimedia menu.


Hardware: It is powered by the fastest processor currently used in the Symbian operating system devices and is faster than Dopod D600, a Windows Mobile 5 PDA.

The N95 sports the regular 64 MB RAM (E90 claims to offer almost 80 MB of free operating memory) and about 160 MB internal storage memory and can be expanded with microSD cards to 2 GB.

Dopod D600 comes in with built-in 128 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM that gives N95 a close run. N95 also overtakes when it comes to price. Nokia has priced this baby at a whopping Rs 40,249 while the Dopod has priced its machine at Rs 22,893.

Bells & Whistles Nokia has topped the N95 with a GPS receiver. And a 5 megapixel (sufficient for even 11x14-inch sized prints), autofocus camera can deliver delightful pictures. Dopod's D600 is a 2 MP camera, but when viewed on D600's 71.1mm TFT LCD display, it can put other business phones to shame.

While Nokia has put in a secondary camera to support video calls, despite being a PDA D600 seems to have omitted it. Although DVD quality is certainly an exaggeration by Nokia, but video recorded on N95 definitely offers quality of amateur single-sensor mini-DV camcorders.

Connectivity: The Dopod's PDA has also missed out on connectivity and data transfer options that are found in plenty in N95. Nokia has included HSDPA that give a speed of upto 3.6 Mbps with simultaneous voice and data, wireless LAN will give around 54 Mbit/s. Universal Plug and Play, Bluetooth 2.0 with mass storage class support are a part of N95 too.

D600, although delivers a smooth performance on the Push Email and browsing net front, the presence of Wi-Fi support would have been welcomed in a PDA.

The D600 could not fit in the the web pages in its browser and the more advanced AJAX pages would not work. Navigation was a breeze since this one is a touchscreen machine.

Nokia launches messaging service for small biz



Mobile handset maker Nokia launched on Tuesday a messaging service in partnership with US-based Intuit, under which small businesses can send SMS' to their customers about their products and services.

Aimed at small businesses with upto 10 employees, the 'GoConnect' service will help companies send information on products and other details to their customers in a personalised manner.

"Small businesses can deepen their relationships through targetted communication, which results in increased repeat visit from customers," Nokia India sales director Vipul Sabharwal told reporters in New Delhi.

Asked how the service was different from bulk messaging service offered by other companies, Sabharwal said, "This is targetted at small businesses, for example, a florist, who has a dedicated clientele and the messages sent out are more personalised."

The Intuit GoConnect service is based on a subscription model, which would be available through Nokia Priority dealers.

The service will cost Rs 2,400 for six months (10,000 SMS') and Rs 3,600 for a year (20,000 messages).

"In case, the company finishes the SMS' given to him as part of the package, he can get it recharged through various tariff plans," Intuit Global Small Business vice president and General Manager Terry Hicks said.

Though the service is being launched as a pilot in Delhi and Chandigarh, Nokia expects to roll out GoConnect across the country by early 2011.

Microsoft officially launches Windows Phone 7

Microsoft Philippines, in partnership with HTC Corp. and Smart Communications, Inc., has launched Windows Phone 7, the latest and much-awaited mobile technology from Microsoft, designed to optimize the mobile experience and give its users everything they love in just a snap.

“We are very excited to bring Windows Phone 7 and introduce it to the local market,” said John Bessey, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines. “Microsoft and its partners are delivering a different kind of mobile phone to fuel new experiences by making everyday tasks easier to accomplish – getting more done in fewer steps and providing timely information easier and faster.”

Windows Phone 7 was designed to deliver a mobile experience that has the phone working better for people, bringing together the things they care about most and helping them get things done faster.

Microsoft tied up with leading network provider Smart Communications, Inc., creating a special combination of service platforms and an innovative technology that revolutionizes the way Filipinos consume data and communicate.

“We are pleased to partner with Microsoft in launching Windows Phone 7 devices in the Philippines,” said Napoleon Nazareno, President and CEO, Smart. “With Smart’s superior network coverage powering Windows Phone 7 devices, we will provide mobile phone users a more productive and enriching experience.”

The sleek and elegantly-crafted HTC 7 Mozart is the first Windows Phone 7-powered smartphone to be available to the Filipinos.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Microsoft and Smart in taking the Windows Phone 7 experience to a whole new level with HTC 7 Mozart,” said Mark Sergio, Country Manager for the Philippines, HTC Corp. “With the Windows Phone 7 technology powering the HTC 7 Mozart, users are given more control over the information that they need and are provided with a more enhanced mobile lifestyle.”

The HTC 7 Mozart allows its users to have an all-around multimedia experience. It is equipped with the SRS WOW HD technology, enabling virtual surround sound for a richer listening and viewing experience. With Windows Phone 7 as the platform, it is also the first in the Philippines to offer the Zune music experience on a phone where users can play their music collection, synced wirelessly from their PC.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Facebook rolls out new mobile privacy features



Facebook is updating its mobile privacy settings.

People using their mobiles to find the latest parcel delivery information through social media sites have been provided with new privacy management features.

Facebook has rolled out a dashboard it launched back in October to mobile phones that allows users to update and manage the information they share from wherever they happen to be.

Building on current privacy controls for mobile devices, users will be able to see a detailed view of the information that they have shared with various applications and websites.

Announcing the measures on the Facebook blog, Rose Yao from the social network site said they will be rolled out over the coming weeks.


She added: "As more people use their phones to connect and share information, we'll continue to innovate and improve your mobile privacy controls so you can enjoy Facebook wherever you go."

The news comes after the social media launched its own @facebook.com email address that will link to the site.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Pine Polo Mobile Phone Launched In India



Pine Polo, the new touch-screen handset from the Singapore-based Pine Mobile was launched in India. The handset has a sleek body with a wide display screen and is equipped with attractive internet features.

The company boasts that the phone is equipped with high-end technology and applications that best suits masses.

“The develop world and the developing world demands the best technology. The POLO is designed with the best technology suiting the masses. We bring the high-end POLO phones in the market with updated applications and technology,” Pine Mobiles CEO, Rohit Agarwal was quoted as saying.

The Pine Polo comes with a 2.0 mega pixel camera with digital zoom, 2.8 inches wide touch-screen display, video player, MP4 player, USB port, Micro SD/T flash card, internal memory 58 MB expandable up to 32GB and withstand up to 7 hours of talktime.

The phone also supports social networking sites including, Opera Mini browser, Nimbuzz and Snatu.

The Pine Polo mobile phone comes with the price tag of Rs. 5,999. The phone will be available with all the leading retail outlets.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Google launches Nexus S phone in UK and US

Google has made its second bid for a slice of the mobile phone market, with the launch of its Nexus S phone.

The Samsung-built device comes less than 12 months after the launch of the firm's Nexus One, built by HTC, which failed to win over many consumers.

The Nexus S will initially be launched in the UK and US, and will be available "from the end of the month".

It is the first phone to feature the latest version of Google's Android operating system known as Gingerbread.


It also comes with new hardware such as Near Field Communications (NFC).

This short-range wireless technology is used predominantly in places like Japan and allows people to use their phone as a travel ticket, make small payments and scan their phone over adverts, for example, to get more information about a product.

"NFC allows the Nexus S to read smart objects" said David Burke of Google's mobile division.

These objects must have a small, unpowered NFC chip in them that is activated when the phone is held near.

"When you put the phone on top, it energises the circuit," explained Mr Burke. "It can echo information back to the phone and the phone can send information to the chip.

"So, you can swipe a movie poster and watch the trailer automatically," he said.

NFC is a growing trend in mobiles and will start to become more pervasive in the New Year, said Shaun Collins, managing director of research firm CCS Insight.

"NFC is going to be the technology of 2011, in my opinion," he told BBC News. "Most of the BlackBerries will have it and a big swathe of mid to high-level Nokias will have it."

The next version of the iPhone is also rumoured to contain the technology.

Net calls
 
The Nexus S was first shown off by Google boss Eric Schmidt at the Web 2.0 summit in San Francisco in November.

The touchscreen device has been built in cooperation with Samsung and is part of its Galaxy S family of phones and tablets.

Mr Collins said it would compete with other "flagship devices" such as Nokia's N8, the BlackBerry Torch and the HTC Desire HD.

"This is great news for Samsung," said Mr Collins. "It becomes the de-facto flagship product for Android."
The search giant dismissed claims that it was showing any favouritism towards Samsung or that it was going into competition with other handset manufacturers that produce phones using Android.

"Our objective is not to compete with partners," said Mr Burke. "Our goal is to push the mobile ecosystem forward."

Mr Collins said that Samsung's window of opportunity with the device was small.

The phone claims to have the "world's first" 4in (10cm) curved display and has front and rear-facing cameras.


Inside it has the same processor as the Nexus One, but with increased memory bandwidth to make it more responsive, according to Mr Burke.

The phone is also the first handset to introduce the latest version of Android - known as Gingerbread.

The software is the fifth major revision of the firm's software and will be rolled out to most Android phones in the "coming weeks or months", said Mr Burke.

It includes a new user interface, support for new hardware such as gyroscope - used for gaming, for example, and internet calling.

This allows anyone to set up a VOIP account that can be used to place and receive calls over the internet.

The phone can be configured to use this feature as soon as it is in range of a wi-fi hotspot, allowing people to by pass the network operators.

Mr Burke said that he didn't expect any resistance to this feature from the networks, particularly as many of them customise the android software and could " remove the feature if they want to".

Phone promise
 
The phone also has a greater emphasis on voice control.

"In the US, one in four searches done on Android devices is done with voice," said Mr Burke.

The phone comes with existing software that allows people to control navigation on the phone with their voice as well as conduct searches. 
 
A new set of commands also allows people to send text messages, e-mails and set alarms on their phone, amongst other things.

These will initially only be available in the US, whilst the firm build the voice models needed for its software to cope with other regional accents.

The phone will initially offered for sale by Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Best Buy in the US. It will not have its own Google web store like the Nexus One, which was shut after less than 5 months after Google admitted that it "remained a niche channel for early adopters".

"That didn't work out for Google," said Mr Collins. "But Carphone Warehouse is a different ball game - they have the distribution, brand and presence."

Mr Collins said that Carphone Warehouse was "setting themselves up as the place to go to for Android".
"They see that the operating system is increasingly becoming the differentiating factor for consumers and they are aligning themselves with Android," he said.

Mr Burke admitted the firm was "going for volume" by partnering with Carphone Warehouse.

In the UK, the Nexus S will come free with £35 per month contracts or will be offered unlocked - to be used on any carrier - for £549.

A spokesperson for Carphone Warehouse said that it would take pre-orders from 1600 GMT today, but it would not be on sale "until later in the month".

The firm said it was still negotiating contracts with "all of the UK operators" but could not say when a phone ordered today would be delivered.

"We don't want to promise anything to customers that we can't deliver," she said.

Google has made its second bid for a slice of the mobile phone market, with the launch of its Nexus S phone.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Google Voice for iPhone

Earlier this year we launched a Google Voice HTML5 web app for iPhone users. Today we’re taking the Google Voice experience on the iPhone to a whole new level with the launch of the official Google Voice for iPhone app.

With this native app, you’ll continue to have access to all the major Google Voice features on your iPhone, like:
  • Cheap rates for international calls
  • Free text messaging to U.S. numbers
  • Voicemail transcription
  •  Display your Google Voice number as caller ID when making calls
In addition to these benefits, the app provides some features that make using Google Voice on your iPhone a   much better experience:
  • With push notifications, the app will alert you instantly when you receive a new voicemail or text message
  • Most of your calls will be placed via Direct Access Numbers, making them connect just as quickly as regular phone calls
 
Google Voice for iPhone is available to download from the Apple App Store today. You’ll need an iPhone with iOS 3.1 or later and a valid Google Voice account to use the app. At this time, Google Voice is available in the U.S. only.

Source from:Google

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Bharat Berry, Alternative To BlackBerry Launched In India

An Indian firm called Data Infosys Ltd has launched an alternative to Blackberry, Bharat Berry in the wake of government’s unwillingness in implementing Blackberry service without getting user details.

India is asking BlackBerry maker RIM to allow the security agencies to intercept user data. Accordingly, the service provider has been given Jan 31 deadline.

The new 'Bharat Berry' service was launched by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.




On the occasion of the launch, Data Infosys Ltd founder and CEO Ajay Data said, "The issue that the online usage of BlackBerry phones cannot be monitored by the government will be fully-solved with our service 'Bharat Berry', a country made compliant product designed keeping in consideration with all necessary Indian laws and works with all BlackBerry and other phones,".

"The Bharat Berry service provides more advanced push mail on BlackBerry handsets and ensures that the user remains connected to email, calendar and contacts through the servers hosted in India," he said.

"It also provides over-the-air (OTA) synchronisation of calendar and contacts to outlook, so there will be no need to take backup of attach with the computer," he added.

Bharat Berry has a very advanced email server called XGeNPlus and works on open source technologies. There is no compliance issue as the servers are hosted in India, Ajay Data said.

"Unchecked terrorist activities are the major concern of security agencies, as it can escape detection by using BlackBerry's coded services. We are providing a concrete solution to the problem that has left lakhs of BlackBerry phone users in limbo," he further said.

According to him, users will be charged Rs 100 per month in order to access to the services like emails and to ensure access and synchronization of calendar and contacts, they will have to pay Rs 50 per month.

The Bharat Berry software can be purchased online and downloaded from the website bharatberry.com.

"Lakhs of people are using BlackBerry phones today and there is no certainty that the company will continue to work in future following the controversy. In such a scenario, we are ready with similar service on low charges," Nitin Walia, director of the company, said.

There are about one million BlackBerry users in India.



Motorola FlipOut Smartphone Launched In India

Motorola has launched a new smartphone called the FlipOut in India. The handset was announced last month and comes to Indian customers at a price tag of Rs. 15,990.

The FlipOut sports a 2.8-inch Rotator touchscreen and bears a five-row QWERTY keyboard pivoted within the set. The features with the set include 3G, 3MP camera with fixed focus and digital zoom, Google Android 2.1 Eclair OS, 700MHz processor, 512MB ROM, 256MB RAM and 2GB microSD card extendable up to 32GB.

Apart from that, this is a nice device with square form factor and four replaceable back panel covers such as Licorice (Black), Fairway Green, Poppy Red and White. Users can find lots of fun because of support of up to seven customizable home screens, live wallpapers and Microsoft Exchange server. Even, MOTOBLUR interface is there that syncs and merges emails, texts, social networking messages, posts, feeds and status updates in two easily accessible widgets like Messages and Happenings.

The FlipOut will be pitted against rivals like Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro handsets which come in similar price range but sport a smaller form factor.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Aroma mobile D110 launched, affordable feature rich dual SIM phone


Indian mobile market is one the fastest growing mobile market in the world and not only top mobile makers see India as a great market but the market also gives opportunity to many small players to have their share in the pie. And among them Aroma Mobile is one such name that offers reasonably priced mobile handsets with features found in top end devices. The company very well understands that the country’s mobile scene is not driven by big players like Apple and Nokia as there are large number of middle income group segment who form a big chunk of mobile users in the country. Aroma D110 is one such phone that is reasonably priced and feature rich too.
Aroma D110 is dual SIM mobile phone by the company and boasts of its eye catching looks and sleek design. The young, style- hungry mobile users will find the phone an ideal communicating and entertaining device not to forget the dual SIM (GSM+GSM) capabilities. D110 is company’s effort in providing a tech superior and pocket friendly phone to the young Indian mobile customers at the most competitive price in the market. The price of Aroma D110 is set at Rs. 2,699.

Aroma D110 features a 2.4-inch 262 K color display with QVGA capabilities that enhances the image clarity and brightness. The device comes with 1.3 MP camera and GPRS/WAP 2.0 and MMA facilities. As mentioned earlier, the company targeted the young mobile users therefore it not forget to offers features that attract them the most including Facebook integration and access to MSN messenger.
The other not-to-be missed features of D110 by Aroma Mobile include connectivity options including Bluetooth and 3.5mm jack. The handset supports multi-format music player, offers video playback and recording features and comes with stereo FM radio. The device gives an expandable memory that supports up to 2 GB so that storing your music, videos and photos is never a problem. The mobile includes e-book reader, Hindi language support and a 1500 mAh Li-ion battery offering a talk time of 500 minutes and standby time of 500 hours.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Nokia Introduces Dual Sim Mobile Phones



A dual SIM mobile phone is one which holds two SIM cards. Initially, dual-SIM adapters were made available to use in regular mobile phones to allow them to contain two SIMs, and to switch from one to the other as required. This combination is called a standby dual-SIM phone. More recently, some phones have been produced that can natively work with two SIMs, both of which may be active at the same time. These are active dual-SIM phones. There are also some Chinese triple-SIM phones.
Dual-SIM operation allows the use of two services without the need to carry two phones at the same time. For example, the same handset can be used for business and private use with separate numbers and bills; or for travel, with an additional SIM for the country visited. Using multiple SIM cards allows the user to take advantage of different pricing plans for calls and text messages to certain destinations as well as mobile data usage.
These phones have until recent years been largely eschewed by the larger phone manufacturers partly due to their close ties with mobile phone networks who would prefer that customers use only one network exclusively.
With the World going Dual SIM, means you can have two connections on same handset, Nokia too introduces a range of Dual SIM Mobile phones in the market. They are all of C series, although C series is not at all new for us because we have already seen Nokia C3 and Nokia C5. All these 4 phones are entry level handsets with satisfying basic need at affordable cost.

Nokia C1:

Nokia C1 Mobile Technical Specification:


  • Dual Sim (GSM+GSM)
  • GSM 900/1800 MHz
  • Symbian Series 30 Platform
  • 1.8″ inch TFT 65k Color Display
  • FM Radio
  • Torch Light
  • 3.5mm Audio Connector
  • SMS
  • Polyphonic Ringtones
  • 500 PhoneBook Memory
  • Li-Ion 1020 (BL-5C) Battery
  • Standby battery time of up to six weeks
  • Weight: 72.9 gm
Nokia C1 will be available in four colors Medium Blue, Red, Light Gray and Sea Green
Nokia C1 Price in India: Approx 2,000/- Indian Rupee (INR)
Nokia C1 and C2 mobile Phone Models


Nokia C2:

Nokia C2 Dual SIm Mobile Features:

  • Dual Sim (GSM+GSM)
  • GPRS/WAP
  • Symbian Series 40 OS
  • 1.8″ inch (128×160 pixels) Color
  • 0.3 Mgapixel Camera
  • Micro-SD cards of up to 32GB
  • SMS/MMS
  • Stereo FM Radio
  • Bluetooth
  • Music (MP3) Player
  • Nokia’s Ovi Life Tools
  • 1,000 phone book memory
  • Nokia Messaging and OVI Mails

Nokia C2 will be available in Black, Grey, Magenta, white and dark Blue.
Nokia C2 Price in India: Approx 3,500/- Indian Rupee (INR) will be avaialble in Q4 2010.