Wednesday 31 October 2012

Samsung Galaxy S IV rumoured to sport Exynos 5450 processor


The Samsung Galaxy S IV is touted to be Samsung's next flagship smartphone after the Galaxy S III. The latest rumour about the handset comes via SamMobile, which sourced the information from DDaily that the Galaxy S IV will feature the new Samsung Exynos 5450 processor.

As per the SamMobile report, “According to the latest rumours is Samsung going to use their new EXYNOS 5450 processor (codename Adonis) in their new upcoming Galaxy S IV. Samsung’s current Galaxy S III is using the EXYNOS 4412 this is a quad/core processor based on 1.4 ghz Cortex – A9 architecture (which is quite fast already). If this rumor is true Samsung will blow everybody away! The EXYNOS 5450 is a big beast in speed and is very efficient in power technologies. Samsung firstly wanted to use the EXYNOS 5250 in their smartphones and tablets. But since LG started to develop their own processor and marketing term quad-core is a hot item at the moment.  Looks like Samsung decided to use the EXYNOS 5450 in their Galaxy S IV.”

This is not the first time we are hearing about the next flagship from Samsung, with an earlier report stating that the S IV would be unveiled at the 2013 Mobile World Congress event to be held in Barcelona.

According to company officials and local parts suppliers, Samsung Electronics plans to unveil the latest handset in its Galaxy line, the S IV, at a European technology exhibition in February. The schedule was released only three days after Samsung’s rival Apple introduced the iPhone 5. The new device is expected to hit shelves globally by March next year. Executives from Samsung’s local parts suppliers said the company’s new flagship smartphone will "definitely use’’ LTE networks. It will also sport its in-house Exynos-branded application processors and quad-core chips.

The S IV is expected to feature a lot of improvements over the S III, the most notable being the increase in the size of the display. The anonymous Samsung source has stated that the display size will be 5 inches, and that it is not certain if the screen will feature flexible display technology. The official went on to state that Samsung intends to implement the one year product schedule and the Galaxy S IV may be the first product to match this strategy. The handset will feature the rectangular styling with rounded corners found on the S III, but it is expected to have some external design changes.

Zync Z5 lands in India; packs 5-inch display, dual-SIM, ICS for INR 9,490



The budget tablet company Zync has entered in the lucrative phablet market in India by announcing its first 5-inch dual-SIM device for INR 9,490. Dubbed as Zync Z5, it runs on Android 4.0 and will compete with Micromax’s recently launched Superfone Canvas 2 A110, Spice Stellar Horizon and iBall Andi 5c.

Like all of Zync tablets, Z5 also seems like a China-made rebranded product. It comes with 5-inch WVGA display, 1GHz processor (probably dual-core, but not sure), 8MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera and 2500 mAh battery.

On the connectivity front, you will get 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. There is 4GB of on-board storage, 512MB RAM and microSD card slot.

Company has also pre-loaded a host of apps on the device including Office Suite, Aldiko e-Book Reader, Bollywood Hungama, Daily Horoscope, ibibo Games, BigFlix and Zomato.

The Zync Z5 is available at Snapdeal.com.

A look at all the available 5-inch budget Android devices in the country

Micromax A100: INR 9,790
Micromax A110: INR 9,999
Spice Stellar Horizon: INR 12,499
iBall Andi 5c: INR 12,999
And, Zync Z5: INR 9,450
Micromax A101 is coming soon with 5.2-inch display

Micromax launches new 5.2 inch smartphone


Micromax A101 is available only on Homeshop18 and looks like it is actually a 5 inch phone and 5.2 inch spec is typing error.

Micromax has launched a new Android 4.0 based phone with a 5.2 inch screen which, if true, is the largest screen size in an Android phone from an Indian manufacturer. Called Micromax A101, it is a dual SIM smartphone featuring a dual core 1 Ghz processor, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, a front camera and a 2000 mAH battery. The phone is available for Rs 9,999 on Homeshop18.

Micromax spokesperson said, "This was an exclusive launch for Homeshop18.com and will not be available in the open market." He declined to comment on the specifications.

There is some confusion about the screen size of the Micromax A101. While, Homeshop18 mentions that it has a 5.2 inch screen, in another instance, the online retailer says the phone has a 12 cms display which means it has a 5 inch display. Also, the A101 looks almost identical to Canvas A110 except for the camera which is an 8 megapixel unit in A110 as against 5 megapixel mentioned in this one.

it has 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options as well. Micromax is offering 1 year warranty on this phone.

If it is a 5 inch device, then it doesn't make sense to buy it, as Micromax Canvas 110 is available for the same price and offers a better camera compared to A101.

Image Credit: HomeShop18

Spuul app for iOS offers unlimited Indian movies for Rs 270


Spuul, which is a free app for streaming Indian movies, has added in-app premium subscription for movies.

Spuul.com's app for streaming Indian movies on the iPad, iPhone and iPod now also has a new 'in-app purchase' feature, which users can buy to watch unlimited free as well as premium movies on their Apple devices.

The premium service on Spuul, which is Rs 270 per month, was until recently only available for subscription through the web. But now, the new in-app feature allows users to easily sign-up for a monthly premium subscription within the Spuul app itself and payments will be processed via the user's iTunes account.

Those who do not want to pay to watch movies do get a wide range of free movies as well.

Commenting on the in-app purchase feature, Michael Smith, chief product officer, Spuul, said, "With the in-app purchase feature users can instantly sign up for our premium subscription with just three easy taps. We believe this feature will drive greater interaction with the app and make our movies even more accessible to users.

Developed internally by Spuul, the app supports any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch device running iOS version 4.3 or later.

The iOS app's resume function allows users to save and recall a playback position between different devices. So when you pause your movie on one device, you can pick up from where you left on any device of your choice. There is also a search function for easy content discovery.

The Spuul app is available for free download on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch through the iTunes store.

Nexus 10 is official, coming on November 13 for $399 with 2560x1600p display



Along with LG Nexus 4, Google has also taken the wraps off Samsung built Nexus 10 tablet. The tablet will go on sale starting November 13 in US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Canada and Japan.

According to Google, the 16GB Wi-Fi only version of Nexus 10 tablet will be priced at $399 and the 32GB version will be sold for $499. There is no word on the HSPA+ version of the tablet right now; we believe it is not coming anytime soon, although Google did make the 3G Nexus 7 official today.

“Nexus 10 is the ultimate tablet for watching movies or reading magazines. We wanted to build a premium entertainment device, so we partnered with Samsung to do just that. Nexus 10 is the highest resolution tablet on the planet at 2560-by-1600 (300ppi), that’s over 4 million pixels right in your hands. It comes with a powerful battery that will get you up to nine hours of video playback and more than 500 hours of standby time,” stated Google in a blog post.

Same as Nexus 4, Nexus 10 also runs on Android 4.2. This new version of Android introduces several new cool features include support for multiple users; gesture based typing in stock keyboard and improved Google Now.

Full specs:

  • 10-inch 2560x1600p True RGB Real Stripe PLS display with 300PPI
  • ARM Cortex-A15-based dual-core Exynos 5250 processor with Mali T604 GPU
  • NFC (two, both in front and back)
  • 9,000mAh battery
  • 16GB/ 32GB internal storage
  • 5MP rear/ 1.9MP front camera
  • Dual, front-facing speakers for audio
  • 2GB RAM
  • Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi
  • microUSB, Micro HDMI
  • Android 4.2
  • 604 grams

There is no word on India launch, but we are highly doubtful that it is going to happen anytime soon. Unless Google takes matters in its own hands, given Samsung’s record, we are more than skeptical.

Windows Phone 7.8 OTA update may be delayed


With the new Windows Phone 8 platform recently being launched, Microsoft is creating an ecosystem with its devices. However, at the keynote, Microsoft did not provide any information about Windows Phone 7.8. This would come as disappointing news for those who have taken the plunge with Windows Phone 7 devices such as the range of Nokia Lumias, Samsung Windows Phone devices and others. A recent report by WPDang states that these handsets will not be updated to Windows Phone 7.8 as well in the near future.

As per the report, the over the air (OTA) update will not be issued immediately. Instead, the manufacturers will focus on launching devices running on the Windows Phone 7.8 platform before issuing updates to existing devices. Hopefully, the wait for getting Windows Phone 7.8 on existing devices will not be very long as these handsets will not receive Windows Phone 8 at all.

None of the existing WP 7 devices, including the Nokia 900, are eligible for a Windows Phone 8 update. In order to avoid a riot outside their stores, Microsoft promptly announced Windows Phone 7.8, a sort of ‘value pack’, if you will, for existing devices. All handsets running WP 7.5 or Mango will be upgradeable to WP 7.8 and one of the new features that the update brings with it is the new customizable homescreen from WP 8. Users of the Lumia 800 and other such devices will be able to resize the homescreen widgets as well as choose between different colour schemes for better personalization and this goes for all Nokia Lumia handsets.

In an interview with The Verge, Greg Sullivan explains this decision, “The nature of the investment [in Windows Phone 8] is primarily in areas that are not exploitable by existing hardware. To do the work to bring all of those elements to a platform that can't exploit them wasn't necessarily the most efficient use of resource.”

While we understand that WP 8 is a completely different beast, altogether, it’s surprising that Microsoft couldn’t optimise it for single-core handsets. Perhaps it was the amount of RAM and not an issue with the CPU. Who knows, perhaps someone will manage to strip it down and port it over to older handsets. Not everyone cares about dual-core on their phones, NFC and all that jazz, so for them, the WP 7.8 update is more than welcome. “When you pull that Lumia out of your pocket after you’ve received that 7.8 update, it will look and feel the same as a Windows Phone 8 device,” said Sullivan. This should keep many WP 7 users happy for the time being, until they decide if they need to take the WP 8 plunge.

Nexus 4 coming to Asia including India beginning end of November



LG built Nexus 4 is official, but everyone wants to know when it is coming to their country. Well, Google has already revealed that US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia will first to receive this flagship smartphone on November 13 via Google Play.

Rest of the world should not worry, according to an LG issued press release; the offline availability of Nexus 4 will start in the end of November. Company added that countries in Europe, Central/South Americas, Asia, CIS and the Middle East will get the smartphone starting the end of November.

We guess the prominent markets will be first to get this offline availability of Nexus 4. As India is a prominent market and even an LG executive has already confirmed that Nexus 4 will land in India by end of November; we are hoping to see Nexus 4 reaching India by the end of next month.

There is no word on the pricing, but considering LG and Google have gone so aggressive in US with unlocked 8GB unit at just $299, we are expecting Nexus 4 to sell around INR 20K in India.

Here is the complete statement from LG:

Nexus 4 is sold unlocked and is GSM/HSPA+ compatible so it will operate on more than 200 network providers worldwide. Just pop in a supported SIM card and be up and running in no time. It will be available to purchase in both an 8GB version and a 16GB version on Google Play starting November 13 in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia. Offline availability in Europe, Central/South Americas, Asia, CIS and the Middle East will begin from the end of November.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

LG Google Nexus 4 announced with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean


Google & LG announced the new Nexus 4 smartphone with quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

Google and LG have announced the fourth generation Google Experience Device - Nexus 4 (LG E960). The new LG Google Nexus 4 smartphone will be made available from November 13 in US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Australia through Google Play Store online.
The new LG Google Nexus 4 flaunts a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus panel display and houses a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor. Google has added new Android 4.2 update as the new flavour of Jelly Bean update on the Nexus 4 smartphone.

Nexus 4 has a True HD IPS Plus panel display that supports 1280 x 768 pixel resolution and thereby offering pixel density of 317.6 pixels per inch. Compared to that, the iPhone 5 has a 4-inch Retina display with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution and pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. The Nexus 4 display has been constructed using the Corning Gorilla Glass 2 technology for strength and resistance from scratches. The display panel has been constructed using Zerogap Touch technology and is slightly curved.

The Nexus 4 houses a quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor which has been made using 28nm silicon fabrication technology. This S4 Pro processor is paired with the Adreno 320 graphics chip that is capable of playback and recording 1080p HD video. LG has added 2 GB RAM to make the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean run smoothly like butter.

Apparently, the Google Android's Senior Vice President for Mobile and Digital Content, Andy Rubin stated, "A lot of the networks that have deployed LTE haven't scaled completely yet - they're hybrid networks which means the devices needed both radios built into them. When we did the Galaxy Nexus with LTE we had to do just that, and it just wasn't a great user experience."

The Nexus 4 also embraces the 8 megapixel camera that is capable of recording panorama images and also shoot full 1080p HD video. The camera also has continuous focus, real-time zoom and time lapse mode for shooting great videos. In the front lies a 1.3 megapixel camera capable of 720p HD video calls. The phone also features 3G network support and Bluetooth 4.0 sensor for faster file sharing.

The Near Field Communication feature dubbed as Android Beam has been updated to share images, videos, contacts, apps and other content with a gentle tap over another NFC device. This phone also brings better location based services with Google Maps software through Assisted GPS, QuickGPS and Simultaneous GPS features.

Google has added a 2200 mAh Li-ion battery to make the phone last longer than usual. LG and Google will offer the Nexus 4 in two storage options at this moment - 8 GB for $299 (Rs. 15,900 approximately) and 16 GB for $349 (Rs. 18,550 approximately). We won't be surprised if LG-Google announce a new 32 GB Nexus 4 model after couple of months, may be in first half of next year.

LG and Google aim to make the Nexus 4 available in stores for these markets by end of November- Europe, Central/South America, Asia, CIS and Middle East.

Google announces 32 GB Nexus 7 tablet with 3G model


Google has announced the 32GB on-board storage bearing Asus Nexus 7 tab & also one with 3G network support.

Google has finally announced higher storage bearing Asus Nexus 7 tablet model and 3G network supporting model. The new Nexus 7 tablet model will offer 32 GB onboard storage and will be available in WiFi only and WiFi+3G flavours.

Google has closely worked with Asus to introduce an affordable Android OS based tablet - Nexus 7 with a compelling hardware. Asus packed a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor with 1 GB RAM. This hardware is good enough to run the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on the tablet. Also, the update integrates Project Butter that aims to provide 60 frames per second experience with native user interface and apps.

Asus made Nexus 7 tablet features 7-inch IPS panel display supporting 1280 x 800 pixel resolution natively. Nexus 7 was offered as WiFi only model. And now, Google has announced HSPA+">HSPA+ supporting Nexus 7 3G model as rumored.

Google and Asus offered Nexus 7 in 8 GB and 16 GB storage options. Now the company has axed the 8 GB model and instead added new 32 GB on-board storage offering model.

The ASUS Google Nexus 7 line up now comprises of 16 GB Nexus 7 WiFi for $199 (Rs 10,600 approximately), 32 GB Nexus 7 WiFi for $250 (Rs. 13,250 approximately) and 32 GB Nexus 7 WiFi+3G model for $299 (Rs 15,900 approximately). These models are available from the Google Play store and several other participating online as well as offline retailers.

ASUS and Google are yet to formally announce the Nexus 7 tablet for India and we expect the announcement to take place in coming weeks along with the new LG Google Nexus 4 smartphone announcement.

Google announces Android 4.2; brings photo sphere, gesture typing & improved Google Now


In addition to the new Nexus devices, Google has also announced an update to Jelly Bean in the form of Android 4.2. This is not a major Android release, thus it is carrying the Jelly Bean moniker, but it does pack several new features.

We have already seen some of these features in the past leaks like multiple user support, but there are many more about which we are hearing for the first time.

1: Photo Sphere camera:

Your panoramic photos are no longer just vertical or horizontal, by adding street view like technology to camera app on Android, Google now allows you to snap images in any direction and create Photo Spheres.

In Google’s words:
Up, down and all around you, it’s like no camera you’ve ever seen. With Android 4.2, snap pictures in every direction that come together into incredible, immersive photo spheres that put you right inside the scene. View your photo spheres right on your phone, share them on Google+ with your friends and family, or even add them to Google Maps for the world to see.

The Verge adds:
The camera prompts you to line up and take overlapping shots of a scene, which it then stitches together to make an immersive panorama — just like Street View. You can view the resulting image as a flat file, but Android 4.2 and Google+ have built-in Photo Sphere viewers that let you move things around. (The file format is just regular .jpg with some embedded XML, so anyone can build a viewer, not just Google.) It’s impressive stuff.

2: Gesture typing:

By adding Swype like functionality in stock Android keyboard, Google now allows to type by just gliding your fingers over letters. The stock Android keyboard will even predict the next word, similar to SwiftKey.

There are also improvements in text-to-speech and even the stock dictionary is more accurate.

In Google’s words:
Writing messages on the go is easier than ever with Gesture Typing – just glide your finger over the letters you want to type, and lift after each word. You don’t have to worry about spaces because they’re added automatically for you.
The keyboard can anticipate and predict the next word, so you can finish entire sentences just by selecting suggested words. Power through your messages like never before.
Android’s dictionaries are now more accurate and relevant. With improved text-to-speech capabilities, voice typing on Android is even better. It works even when you don’t have a data connection, so you can type with your voice everywhere you go.

3: Multiple users:

Android 4.2 is also introducing multiple users support. Now, every user of a shared tablet in a household can have their own space – own homescreen, background, widgets, apps and games. It also includes support for app data too, so the same game can support individual high scores and levels for different users.

You don’t even have to log-in or out and can just switch between users. This feature is only available on tablets.

In Google’s words:
It’s your fully customized tablet. And theirs, too. With support for multiple users, you can give each person their own space. Everyone can have their own homescreen, background, widgets, apps and games – even individual high scores and levels! And since Android is built with multitasking at its core, it’s a snap to switch between users – no need to log in and out. Available only on tablets.

4: Support for Miracast/ Enable wireless display

This new version of Android comes with default integration of Miracast wireless display standard. You can share video, YouTube content or for that matter anything from your phone/tablet to an HDTV. As most of the televisions don’t have Miracast support right now, you will have to purchase an adapter, which will allow you to share content.

In Google’s words:
Android 4.2 allows devices to enable wireless display. You can share movies, YouTube videos, and anything that’s on your screen on an HDTV. Just connect a wireless display adapter to any HDMI-enabled TV to mirror what’s on your screen quickly and easily.

5: Enhanced Google Now

In addition to already mentioned features Google is also improving Google Now with Android 4.2. Google Now will show even more cards in Android 4.2, like for flight information, restaurant reservation or shipping details.  Google Now will also alert you about nearby attractions or movies timing among other things.

In Google’s words:
We designed Google Now to make life simpler by giving you the right information at just the right time in easy to read cards, before you even ask. And the feedback has been awesome. So today we’re adding more cards that we hope you’ll find useful. Flight information, restaurant reservations, hotel confirmations and shipping details—how often have you found yourself wading through your email to get this information at the last moment? So next time you book a table for dinner, you’ll get a reminder with all the details without ever having to lift a finger. You’ll also get cards for nearby attractions, interesting photo spots, movies times at nearby theaters or concerts by your favorite artists.

Other features:

notifications


  • Daydream: Daydream lets your Android device display useful and delightful information when idle or docked.
  • Improved notifications: Now take actions directly from notification shade. Snooze an alarm or reply to email and more.
  • Lock-screen improvements: Widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera
  • Pinch to Zoom in Gmail

Nexus 4 to come with multiple storage options & wireless charging


Now it is official as the leaked user manual for the Google Nexus 4 says it all.

The next in line Google Nexus device, the LG Nexus 4 will come in 8 GB and 16 GB storage capacities, according to Engadget.

The website has claimed to have a copy of the official Google Nexus 4's user manual. Quoting the manual, it said, "The manuals confirm it is going to be called the Nexus 4, and that along with the 8GB version we've seen there will definitely be a 16GB edition available. As you can see above, it also includes an induction coil for wireless charging and excludes any microSD slots for additional storage."

The Google LG Nexus 4 was to be launched today during an event in in New York which was sadly has been postponed due to hurricane Sandy.

The LG Nexus 4 is to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (APQ8064) chip with 2 GB of RAM, quad-core Krait and graphics Adreno 320. The device has a 4.7-inch IPS+ in-cell display with 1280×768 pixels resolution. The additional glass layers have been removed for better display performance too. It will have a 13 megapixel rear camera and a secondary 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, which is capable of video recording and calling in HD resolution.

Nexus 4 would also feature a wireless charging module just like the Nokia Lumia 920 smartphone, making charging easier. Multiple microphones for active noise cancellation and a micro SIM as opposed to a Nano SIM will be included on the device.

Freegate: Access Blocked Overseas Websites As Quickly As Local Ones


Do you live in a country that is heavy on censoring websites? It sucks when you are trying to make use of the Internet, and a really awesome website is not available simply because your government will not allow it. Thankfully, there are ways to work around this, you just have to get a little creative. This software is used primarily in China, so if you test it outside of China, it is unlikely that it will work.

Freegate is a great option for getting around blocked websites for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that it’s free, and there certainly no price better than free. The second is because it promises to download international pages just as quickly as if they were local.

If you are traveling to China, you will want to download this to your computer before you go or else you might find that your Internet does not access many of the websites you are accustomed to visiting. It is a tiny program and it will not suck down many system resources to have it.

Features:

  • View international websites that are blocked.
  • Built to work in China, may not work elsewhere.
  • Ultra small program won’t use many resources.
  • Uses DynaWeb to bypass blocks.

Find Freegate @ dit-inc.us/freegate

GeneratePattern: Generate Patterns From Pixels


GeneratePattern lets you generate a pattern from a box, 20×20 pixels wide. Make a pattern by simply clicking on empty pixels and see the pattern immediately applied to the background. The box is originally set to 20×20 pixels, but you can adjust the box size from 1×1 pixels up to 50×50 pixels, as you see fit. You can pick different colours for each pixel, erase separate pixels or simply reset everything to start over.

Once you are done, you can download your pattern as an image (in .PNG or .ico format) or as HTML & CSS code to integrate in your design background. Moreover, you can register on the website to save your patterns in your account or share them in the site gallery.

Features:

  • Generate patterns from pixels.
  • Click on pixels to see the effect immediately.
  • Download pattern as an image (in .PNG or .ico format) or as HTML & CSS code.
  • Free, no registration to generate and download patterns.
  • Register to save your patterns online and share in the site gallery.

Check out GeneratePattern @ www.generatepattern.com

LiteManager: Remotely Control Multiple Computers With Ease


The built-in Remote Desktop application within Windows is a highly useful utility that lets you control a remote computer easily. But what if you need to remotely control multiple computers through a user-friendly interface? In this case, you will find an app called LiteManager to be very helpful.

LiteManager is a desktop application that lets you control multiple computers remotely. You can install the app on multiple computers and control them all through a central computer. The network can be seen on the app in a map-like picture. The main computer can see all the individual computer screens and control them.

You can zoom into any connected computer and move around files from one system to another, access device managers, edit registries, and initiate screen recorders. Power management and text chat are also supported.

LiteManager comes in a free package, and in a premium package that costs $10 and comes with a 30 day trial.

Features:

  • A user-friendly desktop app.
  • Lets you remotely control multiple computers.
  • Shows a network map.
  • Offers file manager and various other system apps.

Check out LiteManager @ www.litemanager.com

VideoMach: A Video Format Converter With Video Editing Features


Most freeware video conversion applications offer a limited set of features that are restricted to converting videos from one format to another. As a result, you end up installing a bunch of different software apps for video conversions, picture-to-video conversions, and video fix-ups.

Here to combine all these features and present them in a single package is a tool called VideoMach.

VideoMach is a desktop application that lets you convert videos between different file formats. Picture-to-video conversions are also supported. A wide range of file formats are supported including AVI, JPEG, MPEG, RGB, WAV, and more.

Video fix-up features are also supported; these include rotating videos, resizing them, removing borders, sharpening videos, adjusting colors, arranging videos into arrays, overlaying text / logos, and adding audio to animations.

VideoMach offers a free and a paid version; the free version offers limited functionality when it comes to a few file formats whereas the paid versions has these limitations removed.

Features:

  • A user-friendly desktop app.
  • Compatible with Windows computers.
  • Lets you convert video formats.
  • Lets you fix up videos.
  • Lets you create animation from images.

Check out VideoMach @ www.gromada.com/videomach

Bushido Tickets: Keep a Track Of Issues Faces In Development Of Software


While developing software, programmers encounter various issues during and after the software has been made. For example, you might have created a web application that is unable to connect to a Twitter account. As a developer, you would want users to report this issue and your team to react to this issue. Here to offer you this service is a website called Bushido Tickets.

Bushido Tickets is a user-friendly web service that is currently in its beta stage and free to use. The site helps you track and manage issues that arise during the development or testing of software. You start by creating an account on the website. You can then create a project per software that you are developing. In each project, issues can be added by other invited developers so that your team members can take notice and begin working on that software issue. You are able to view a progress bar that indicates how many issues of the total number have been solved. Under the bar you can how many users have been subscribed to the projects. Following that, you find the list of software issues.

Issues can be added by setting a name and a description. To better explain an issue, you can attach an image with the ticket. Issues can be prioritized as critical, high, normal, low, and trivial. Comments can be left on the issue which enables interaction between developers and others.

Features:

  • A user-friendly web service
  • Helps you manage software issues
  • Lets others leave comments on issues
  • You can attach images with each ticket
  • Issues can be prioritized
  • Sorts issues according to project
  • Shows progress bar that shows how many issues have been solved

Check out Bushido Tickets @ http://bushidotickets.com/

iPad mini available for pre-order in India for Rs 28,990


Apple recently took the wraps off the much hyped diminutive tablet, the iPad mini. This is the first new device to be launched with Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. When Apple announced the iPad mini, they mentioned that it was up for pre-order in numerous countries. However, India was not one of them. This 7.9-inch tablet is available to pre-orders on eBay. The 16GB Wi-Fi only version costs Rs 28,990.

When Apple announced the iPad mini, the base model which is the 16GB W-Fi only variant was priced at US $329. That translates to roughly Rs 17,750, depending on the conversion rate of the dollar. The eBay seller who has a fairly good track record is pricing it a lot higher than what it will cost overseas.

However, you would be able to get your hands on the iPad mini before it makes its way here officially. The seller notes that the iPad mini will start to ship from November 12.

When Apple announced the iPad mini, speaking at the widely covered event, Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing shared, “iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad.” Schiller went on to add that the “iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless?all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life”.

The iPad mini has an aluminium and glass design 7.2mm thick, and weighs only 0.68 pounds. As per an official statement by Apple, the iPad mini has 35 percent more screen real estate than 7-inch tablets, and up to 67 percent more usable viewing area when browsing the web. The dual-core A5 chip on the iPad mini allows for responsive graphics and a multi-touch experience that Apple believes to be both, fast and fluid while still providing all-day battery life.

The iPad mini features a front-facing FaceTime HD camera and a 5-megapixel iSight camera at the back, which allows for recording full 1080p HD video. The iSight camera includes video image stabilisation and both cameras feature backside illumination, which Apple claims will allow users to capture great pictures in low light. The iPad mini also allows easy sharing of photos with friends and family using iCloud’s Shared Photo Streams.

The iPad mini features dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi support for speeds up to 150Mbps, which Apple says is twice the Wi-Fi performance compared to previous the iPad models. The iPad mini is available in a Wi-Fi version and a cellular one, which are world-ready with built-in support for most wireless standards, including LTE and DC-HSDPA. The iPad mini data plans will be available sans contract; so users will be only required to sign up and activate service directly from their iPad. Using the Personal Hotspot feature you can share a fast cellular data connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB with up to five other devices such as the MacBook Pro, the iPod touch or another iPad.

Monday 29 October 2012

Aircel teases iPhone 5 coming soon to India


With the launch of the iPhone 5 looming close in India, mobile phone carriers have begun teasing the handset. Aircel was one of the carriers that officially launched the iPhone 4S in India. The mobile phone services operator has now put up a teaser page (http://www.aircel.com/AircelWar/appmanager/aircel/mumbai?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=P49800157921351243769377) on its site indicating that the iPhone 5 handset is coming soon.

As of now, there is no information on prices available or specialised tariff plans available. However, this all should change closer to the date of launch, which is scheduled for November 2, 2012.

Here is a quick look at the highlighted features of the iPhone 5:

  • 4-inch, 326ppi Retina display at 1136 x 640 pixels,
  • GPRS, EDGE, EV-DO, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSDPA, LTE and Wi-Fi
  • GPS
  • Bluetooth
  • 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording, 720p front-facing camera
  • 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB versions


For those interested in purchasing the iPhone 5, the base model, the 16GB version will be launched at Rs 45,500, the 32GB version of the iPhone 5 will be available for Rs 52,500 and the 64GB model for Rs 59,500. These prices are more or less on par with the previous generation iPhone 4S, when it was first launched in India.

Ingram Micro has recently announced that it will offer the Apple iPhone 5 at leading trade stores and retail outlets across India beginning on Friday, November 2. It was recently reported that in order to expand its user base in India, Apple will start selling the iPhone 5 through specialised distribution companies. Apple has tied up with Ingram Micro Inc, which is a large US-based distributor of technologies, as well as Redington India Ltd, a local distributor with 12,000 smaller partners across the country.

Made entirely out of aluminium and glass, the iPhone 5 weighs 112 grams, and is 20 percent lighter than the iPhone 4S, and is the thinnest iPhone yet at 7.6mm. Apple has chosen to debut iOS 6 with the iPhone 5. The new OS includes Apple's own Maps app, an updated version of Siri and lots more. Overall, the new iPhone has been upgraded in almost all respects.

Siri has also been updated and new features include support for more languages, easy access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; Siri and Facebook-enabled apps like Photos, Safari and Maps; and Shared Photo Streams via iCloud.

Safari has also received a major update – the ability to go full screen on the device by touching the arrows on the corners. Another major feature of the new Safari app is the ability to sync tabs between the desktop and iOS versions of Safari. This new feature is called iCloud Tabs. The new Mail app has also received some updates, including the ability to mark people as VIPs and the ability to flag certain mails for follow-ups.

Micromax Canvas 2 A110 now available for Rs 9,999


Micromax Canvas 2 is the successor of Canvas A100 & comes with better screen & processor than its predecessor.

Micromax Superfone Canvas A110, which is the successor of Canvas A100, is now available at Rs 9,999. The phone is better than the outgoing model on three factors - screen, camera and processor.

Currently Micromax Superfone Canvas A110 is available on Saholic for Rs 9,999 and is expected to be offered by other online and retail stores in a day or two.

Canvas A110 has a 5 inch screen with 800x480 pixels resolution as its predecessor but in the new model, the screen is an 'IPS panel' that offers better viewing angle.

Unlike the A100 which has a 5 megapixel rear camera with single LEF flash, the Micromax Superfone Canvas A110 boasts an 8 megapixel rear camera that too with dual flash. Also Canvas A110 has a dual core 1 Ghz processor against a single core unit in the Canvas A100.

Rest of the specification of the Superfone Canvas A110 are more or less the same as its predecessor such as 2000 mAH battery, 3G, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, Android 4.0.4, gravity and proximity sensor, and 32 GB expandable memory. Canvas A110 has dual SIM functionality like the outgoing model also.

Google delays launch of Nexus devices


Due to hurricane named Sandy, Google's event has been delayed until further notice

Google's next big Android event that was going to take place on the November 29 in New York has been cancelled as the city has been hit by a hurricane this time.

Google has sent out emails to the invitees apologising for the cancellation saying, "We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more. Stay safe and dry, The Android Team." So this means that Nexus fans will certainly have to wait for a few more days to lay their hands on the next generation of Nexus devices.

Google was expected to announce the launch of Google's next in line Key Lime Pie operating system and the Nexus device based on the new age operating system during the event. As per the rumors, at the Google's event there will be launch of not just one but three entirely different products under the Google Nexus brand. But with the current situation, there is no information as to how longer things will have to be delayed.

As expected earlier, the LG Nexus 4 surely is one of the Nexus devices which was to be launched during the event. Besides, Google was expected to show a 7 inch tablet with calling functionality and a 10 inch Nexus device during that event.

The 7 inch tablet, according to reports, is none other than the Asus Nexus tablet that was launched couple of months back on Android Jelly Bean. Google is expected to re-launch it with integrated 3G connectivity. On the other hand, the 10 inch tablet would be from Samsung which might hold a few surprises too.

Just Landed: Makes Picking Up Friends & Family From The Airport Easier [iOS]


Picking someone up from the airport can be a real pain. You have to try to time it so that you don’t get there too early and have to pay for parking. You also do not want to be late and make the poor person you are picking up miserable since they have already been traveling all day.

Just Landed is an iOS app that is designed to take the guess-work out of the process and make picking up someone at the airport as easy as possible.

You can use Just Landed to track flights by number, so you will know if there is a delay or if the flight may be running ahead of schedule. Not only can you look up the flights, you can also have it alert you to any changes. If something happens, and the flight gets delayed, the app will let you know right away.

Another cool feature of Just Landed is that it will actually use traffic data and tell you when the perfect time is to leave for the airport, so you get there right on time. This is incredibly useful for making sure to hit that sweet spot of not too early and not too late. It will even provide a notification when it is time to go.

Features:

  • Make picking someone up from the airport easier.
  • Track flights by number.
  • Receive notifications for changes in status.
  • Uses traffic facts to let you know when is the best time to leave for the airport.

Find Just Landed on the iTunes App Store

Sunday 28 October 2012

If you are a student of music or an aspiring applicant for top music schools in the country, then you should check out Musical Overture. This website allows you to showcase your talent by uploading your performance videos while joining a community of young musicians who can help you out with tips and advice as you traverse the world of music. musical-overture1 Musical Overture was mainly created as an alternative platform to perform in the audience of recruiters in music and performance arts. It also offers one of the best collections of learned musicians performances, which is always inspiring to watch. This app is useful not only for performers, but also for recruiters who are looking for talented musicians. It is a great stepping-stone for anyone who wants to be noticed in the music community. Features: Upload videos to showcase performances. Seen by recruiters of conservatories and music colleges. Helpful community gives you tips and advice. Check out Musical Overture @ http://musicaloverture.com


If you are a student of music or an aspiring applicant for top music schools in the country, then you should check out Musical Overture. This website allows you to showcase your talent by uploading your performance videos while joining a community of young musicians who can help you out with tips and advice as you traverse the world of music.

Musical Overture was mainly created as an alternative platform to perform in the audience of recruiters in music and performance arts.  It also offers one of the best collections of learned musicians performances, which is always inspiring to watch.

This app is useful not only for performers, but also for recruiters who are looking for talented musicians. It is a great stepping-stone for anyone who wants to be noticed in the music community.

Features:

  • Upload videos to showcase performances.
  • Seen by recruiters of conservatories and music colleges.
  • Helpful community gives you tips and advice.

Check out Musical Overture @ http://musicaloverture.com

Unroll.me: Easily Manage Your Email Subscriptions In Gmail


The quest for ending email overload starts with removing all of your unwanted subscriptions that you have mindlessly added before. Although Gmail’s filters are a good way to block subscriptions, the best approach is to manage each subscription and remove them altogether. For this specific need, you should check out Unroll.me. This app scans your emails, detects your subscriptions, then lets you manage and delete them.

Using this service is a breeze as all you need is your email account to get started. Unroll.me’s core function lets you convert your email subscriptions into threads. This will allow you to view your email subscriptions at a glance. Subscriptions are also grouped into different website types like social, news, financial, shopping and more.

Unroll.me is a space and clutter-saving app if you are OCD with your email inbox. Keeping track of current offers and subscriptions you are listed in gives you a general pattern of your opt-in habits.

Features:

  • Scans your e-mails and determines your e-mail subscriptions.
  • Sorts and organizes subscriptions for you.
  • Quickly delist yourself from subscriptions.
  • View e-mail subscription updates.

Check out Unroll.me @ http://www.unroll.me

JustEdit: Browser-Based JavaScript, HTML & CSS Editor [Chrome]


Are you looking for a new way to write and practice your JavaScript, HTML and CSS coding? If you are, JustEdit is a nice light option that works right from Google Chrome. It is a simple editor that does exactly what you need it to, and that is it lets you write your code with minimal distraction.

The main feature that should get most developers excited is the ability to execute and run code directly from the handy Chrome extension. This allows you test things on the fly, before you put in hours of work only to find out there is a problem when you run it through a compiler later.

Everything in JustEdit is based on the jsdo.it platform. Jsdo.it provides a place for developers to get together and share bits of code they have created with other developers. Overall, JustEdit is a very simple web app, but it does what it needs to and does it well.

Features:

  • Simple browser-based editor.
  • Edit and write CSS, HTML and JavaScript from your Chrome browser.
  • Execute code directly from the browser.
  • Backed by Jsdo.it platform.

Find JustEdit on the Chrome Web Store

TalkTyper: Online Speech To Text Service


Speech to text software is widely available on mobile devices for free. However, you will find less luck in desktop apps as good voice dictation software costs a lot. Of course Apple will be adding voice dictation to Mountain Lion, and Windows probably has some apps that can do the job, but if you need an online solution right now, then Talk Typer is a valuable option.

Talk Typer’s interface cannot be any simpler. Just click on the microphone icon to input your voice then watch as the app translates it into text. You can then copy the text to your clipboard, print it directly, e-mail, or share to Twitter. It also links to Google Translate for quick translations.

Talk Typer is one of the easiest and cheapest (free!) solutions for voice dictation software. It is best used with Google Chrome since this browser has the best support for voice dictation.

Talk Typer is a great free app for those who absolutely need voice dictation to save their fingers from typing.

Features:

  • Simple online voice dictation.
  • Edit voice-recognized text.
  • Quick dictation ideal as alternative to typing.
  • Copy text to clipboard, e-mail, or share through Twitter.

Check out Talk Typer @ http://talktyper.com

First Aid – American Red Cross: The First Aid App Everyone Should Own [Android]


No one wants to face a medical emergency. It’s scary, and could lead to some long-term problems for everyone involved. That does not mean however that you should not be prepared if something terrible does happen. No one expects you to be a doctor, but there are certainly some steps you can take to make sure you are prepared to handle some basic first aid, should a situation arise.

Downloading the First Aid app by the American Red Cross is a great first step.

This app breaks down how to deal with a variety of first aid situations. It shows everything as simple step-by-step instructions which are easy for anyone to understand. It also includes video and animations that make it easier to learn the processes they are showing. It even has quizzes that you can take to improve your knowledge and share the results with your friends.

You can call 911 directly from within the app. This is a quick way to get the potentially life saving information you need while still being able to get professionals to the scene as quickly as possible. The is one hundred percent free, and there are no ads or spam.

Features:

  • First aid steps by the American Red Cross.
  • Step-by-step instructions for everything.
  • Videos and animations to help you learn.
  • Integrated with 911.
  • Spam and ad free.

Find First Aid – American Red Cross on Google Play

JoyTunes: Help Your Children Learn The Recorder Or Piano Through Interactive Games [iOS]


Learning a musical instrument can be really difficult in the initial stages. This can be very discouraging for young children who have just begun learning. Here to offer some assistance is a tool called JoyTunes.

JoyTunes is a tool that helps young children learn the recorder or the piano. The app basically provides interactive games that require children to play the right notes on their instruments. The service offers two iOS applications: one for the recorder and one for the piano.

Both of these apps require your child to have an iPad device that is running version 4.3 or later of iOS. The game detects musical notes through the iPad’s microphone and lets your children progress to the next stages, provided they keep playing properly.

The apps have received many positive reviews which indicate that children love learning to play their musical instruments through the help of these games. These apps being absolutely free give you another reason to give them a try.

Features:

  • A user-friendly device app.
  • Compatible with the iPad.
  • Helps teach the recorder or piano through games.
  • Offers various exciting game levels.

Check out JoyTunes @ www.joytunes.com

Wishybox: A Simple Universal Wishlist


WishyBox is a wishlist you that lets you add and keep track of items you wish to have and share it with friends and family. It has a simple drag-and-drop interface where you can add items (including purchase links, notes, prices etc) and rearrange them with your mouse.

To set up your own wishlist, sign in your Facebook login and add items. Once you are done, share your wishlist with friends and family members by sending them an email. Friends can reserve items, so that no one ends up buying the wishlist owner the same item. Friends can comment on items but the wishlist owner won’t see the comments in order not to spoil the surprise.

Features:

  • Free online wishlist.
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
  • Add/edit/relist items to a wish list, share with friends and family.
  • Friends can leave comments on wish list items. Comments are invisible to the owner.
  • Keep your wish list private or share it friends and family.
  • Free, sign in with Facebook/Yahoo/Google or Windows Live ID accounts.

Check out Wishybox @ www.wishybox.com

Saturday 27 October 2012

First images of Nexus 10 tablet leaked online, specs in tow


There have been some rumblings in the past that Google would partner with Samsung once more to release a flagship device. Unlike their partnership last year, which saw the launch of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, both brands are coming together to introduce a tablet designed to take on the likes of the iPad. Now, images and specifications of the upcoming tablet have been leaked online. The tablet has a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels with around 300 pixels per inch (ppi).

As per a report by Brief Mobile, the author states that these are the first images of this upcoming tablet from Google that will be co-manufactured by Samsung. As expected, it will run on the upcoming Android v4.2 platform. The website confirms that it will be called Jelly Bean, and not Key Lime Pie.

Here is a quick look at the leaked specifications of the Nexus 10:
10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and 298.9 ppi
Wi-Fi, NFC
Bluetooth 4.0
5-megapixel rear-facing camera with a front facing camera
16GB internal storage (other options possible)

The report states that the Nexus 10 features a Samsung-built Exynos 5250 1.7GHz dual-core processor with a Cortex-A15 architecture and Mali-T604 GPU. This is the same processor used in Google’s latest Chromebook. The website claims that it benchmarks better than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro and Apple A6 SoCs. The tablet has 2GB of RAM.

The source, who provided the website with the images, states that there is only 16GB of internal memory and no microSD card slot. There is no word on whether there will be multiple storage options available at the time of its launch.

The author ends by stating, “Google is relying heavily on their new Drive and Play Store infrastructures for cloud storage, whether Android fans like it or not. We were thinking Drive might come pre-installed on this device, but that’s not the case (at the moment). The display is an incredible feat for Samsung. At 2560 x 1600 pixels, it far surpasses the Apple iPad’s “Retina Display” in resolution. We’re told the display measures 10.1-inches. That means we’re looking at approximately 298.9 pixels-per-inch, dwarfing Apple’s 263.92 on the third-generation iPad.”

As for the design, the rear of the Nexus 10 is believed to have a brushed aluminium feel. The edges are believed to be rubber coated while the overall build feels extremely thin and light.

The article states, “We expect Google to announce this tablet on Monday, October 29th, in New York City. At that time, the Android tablet market will have a new virtual king of the hill. With an ultra high resolution screen, screaming fast processor, and the latest Google operating system, I’m comfortable calling the Nexus 10 the best-specced Android tablet in the world.”

iBall launches Slide 3G 7334 dual-SIM tablet for Rs 10,999


iBall has launched the iBall Slide 3G 7334 dual-SIM tablet PC in India. As per an official statement by iBall, it is the first dual-SIM tablet PC in the country, and also the first in India with built-in FM transmitter.

At the heart of the new Slide 3G 7334 is the powerful Cortex A9 1GHz Processor. Both SIM cards of the tablet support 3G; dual-SIM devices usually have one SIM card with 3G and the other with 2G. The device will have high speed 3G support with 7.2Mbps download speed and 5.76Mbps upload speed.

The tablet comes equipped with two cameras: a 2.0-megapixel camera at the back and a VGA camera at the front. The camera is capable of taking 360-degree panoramic photos and sports multi-shot functions. The device also supports 3G video calling. The tablet has a 7-inch HD WSVGA capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels and supports multi-touch. It also sports GPS with A-GPS.

The tablet’s FM transmitter adds on to the usual functions of an FM radio. Even in the middle of nowhere, it is possible to listening to music. The iBall Slide 3G 7334 runs on Android v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It comes pre-installed with apps such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Nimbuzz, Zomato, IBNLive, Moneycontrol, and CricketNext.

On the launch of the new variant of the tablet, Director of iBall, Sandeep Parasrampuria, commented, “We are heartened at iBall to present yet another innovation and latest technology for the Indian consumers with the launch of performance series tablet PC iBall Slide 3G 7334.  It happens to be the first Tablet PC with 2 firsts.  One ….it is the 1st Dual SIM and two….it is the 1st tablet PC to have FM transmitter function. It is packed with HD screen, dual camera, Bluetooth and GPS to give superb experience and makes the gadget one of the most exciting as well as value for money to the users.”

The iBall Slide 3G 7334 comes at a price tag of Rs 10,999.

Earlier this month, iBall had launched its Slide i9702 tablet. The iBall Slide i9702 comes also equipped with a quad-core G400 Mali graphics processor and 1GB DDR3 RAM. iBall has used a full capacitive multi-touch IPS display that helps in viewing images and videos without the need to adjust the angle of the tablet.

The new iBall Slide i9702 comes equipped with dual cameras with both front and back 2MP shooters. The tablet is fuelled by an 8,000mAh battery that gives over 7 hours of battery life, according to iBall. The gadget runs on Android v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It has an 8GB built-in memory, extendable to up to 32 GB with a microSD card. For connectivity, it has Wi-Fi capability, USB ports, and a host port. It also has 3G on data card through a USB dongle, and an HDMI Port to be connected to projectors or TV for a nice experience of presentation, music and videos.

India’s second Intel-powered smartphone XOLO X700 spotted online for INR 14,000



After XOLO X900, Lava and Intel are gearing up to launch the second Intel-powered smartphone in India and well, it seems to be made for India.  Dual-SIM connectivity, decent pricing – XOLO X700 seems to have quite a few things up its sleeve to make it a success in the country.

Spotted on HomeShop18 by folks at TelecomGyaan, XOLO X700 runs on Android 4.0 and features 1.2GHz Intel ATOM processor, 5MP rear camera, 2000 mAh battery, 4.3-inch qHD display, dual-SIM connectivity (with dual-standby) and front camera.

Other connectivity options include the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G. According to the listing, the XOLO X700 will be priced at INR 14,000.

The smartphone is currently listed as out of stock on the website, with no tentative availability date. We hope to hear something concrete about the launch of the phone soon.

Lava had earlier launched India and world’s first Intel powered smartphone XOLO X900 in the country earlier this year. It is currently retailing for INR 17,500 in the country.

Apple's online radio service coming next year


The online radio service will allow devices to get access to music content on the go and apple might just add some more glitz to it as well.

California based Apple was rumoured to be working on setting up its own internet radio service for the mobile devices sometime back. Now Bloomberg has reported that executives from Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group Corp, and Sony Corp's music division recently met with Apple at the company's headquarters to discuss radio plans. Quoting its sources, the news website also pointed out that if the deal works out, which is expected to be finalised by Mid- November, the company might roll out the internet radio service by early next year, probably in the first three months itself.

The service is expected to offer music as per user's choice in terms of the type of music they like or the artist of their choice. But in a world filled with competitors offering similar service, it will be difficult for Apple to establish its name even with a free service. Along with a paid service, there is a bleak possibility that Apple could also offer free service with advertisement, but since Apple hardly offers free services as of now, the free radio services could better be ruled out.

Also the Apple's new music streaming service or online radio service is expected to be exclusive for Apple's wide variety of devices including the iPhones, iPads, iPods and the iMacs. But if all goes out well, there is a possibility that the service might be made available for other devices and platforms as well, something like Nokia is doing with the online radio service that remains exclusive for Windows Phone devices but with plans for other platforms too.

iBall launches dual SIM 3G tablet for Rs 10,999


The tablet is feature rich with FM transmitter, GPS, Android 4.0 OS, Bluetooth, WiFi and HDMI connectivity and 1Ghz processor.

iBall, an Indian IT and mobile brand, has launched an Android 4.0 based 7 inch dual SIM 3G tablet. The new iBall Slide 3G 7334 tablet is priced at Rs 10,990 and is claimed to be the first dual SIM tablet in India. The tablet also comes with built-in FM Transmitter (you can create your own FM station in a very small area like home or car) which is again a first for a tablet in India.

The tablet runs on Cortex A9 1GHz Processor. Another special feature is the 3G support with both the SIM slots (normally in phones only one slot supports 3G while the other works on 2G). RAM and battery capacity was not shared in the release and we are awaiting the response from the company on that.

The tablet has a 2 megapixel camera at both front and back. The 7 inch multi-touch capacitive screen of the tablet comes with a healthy 1024x600 resolution. There is also built-in GPS and AGPS which makes it a great car accessory especially with the addition of FM transmitter.

The tablet also has Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, micro SD card slot and HDMI port as additional connectivity options.

Sandeep Parasrampuria, director of iBall, said, "We are heartened at iBall to present yet another innovation and latest technology for the Indian consumers with the launch of iBall Slide 3G 7334. It happens to be the first tablet PC with two firsts. One, it is the 1st dual SIM and two it is the 1st tablet PC to have FM transmitter function.

It is packed with HD screen, dual camera, Bluetooth and GPS to give superb experience and makes the gadget one of the most exciting as well as value for money to the users."

Feature and price wise, this tablet has incredible value. However, all will depend on performance and quality. If iBall even manages to offer mediocre but consistent quality and performance this tablet is well worth every penny of what the asking price is.