G/2004/14198
` 20/-
AUGUST 2012
Celebrating
Convergence
www.mobilityindia.com
Vol. 9
Issue # 3
Trends in Convergence
Beyond Megapixels - The Quest for Better Handset
Mobility Enterprises
Driving LTE into Enterprise World
Mobility Analysis
Mobility - Giving Wings to Payroll
MOBILITY
WiFi
Pushing Broadband Boundaries
MOBILITY
Mobility august2012.indd 31
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August 2012 | 31
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32 | August 2012
Mobility august2012.indd 32
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MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:34:17 PM
MOBILITY
Content
Mobility Voice
2
Enterprise News
3
18
Trends in Convergence
Nigeria's DoPC selects Shyam Networks P2P Radio NETGEAR Focuses Effort Towards SMBs Huawei Launches Wi-Fi Data Card E355 Portronics Presents "CHARGE IT" Juicer for... Gartner Says Worldwide Sales of Mobile Phone...
Mobility News
5
IRIS to Distribute MTS CDMA Smartphones Karbonn appoints Taproot as its creative partner Lava to launch E-Tab Z7H tablet with Android 4.0... Zicom Launches IP-based Multi-Apartment Video... XAGE unviels power-pack M900 FORCE handset LGSmartphone Idea Camp: Inviting Innovation Intex adds SENSE 3.0 to its touchscreen phone HTC and Tata Docomo introduce HTC Desire VC Karbonn intros Budget Android 4.1 'Jelly Bean'... Micromax Unveils A84 Superfone Elite Sony Presents Xperia Ion for `35,999 HCL ME Y2 3G tablet launched in India at `14,999 Bangalore based Niam Computech launches Tablet
WiFi
Pushing Broadband Boundaries
Mobility august2012.indd 1
Mobility Enterprises Driving LTE into Enterprise World
Mobility Analysis
Mobility — Giving Wings to Payroll
9 most Prominent Tethering Apps for Andorid Smartphones
COVER STORY
MOBILITY
The Quest for Better Handset 20
22
Smart Mobility
Samsung Presents Omnia M for `18,650
10
Beyond megapixels
24
Mobility Review HTC Desire C — Impressively Built 25 LG Optimus 3D Max (P725) — True 3D Phone 25 Nokia Asha 302 — True Performer 26 Samsung OMNIA W — Happiness in your Hand 26 NXG Xtab A10 Plus — The Budget Tab 27 Zync Z999 Plus — True to the Colours 27 Asus Transformer Prime — The Power Packed 28 Samsung 10 inch Galaxy Tab 2 — the super star 28
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August 2012 | 1
8/21/2012 2:34:19 PM
Mobility News
Editorial Front Editor Chief Editor Asst. Editor
: Swapan Roy : Manoj Jha : S. Goswamy
Design Desk Art Director
:
Anit Kumar
Acct. & Finance Finance
:
Sandip Sarkar
Marketing & Sales Marketing Manager : Marketing Executives : Circulation Manager : Production : System Manager :
Tridip Dey Pratap Biswas Tenzin Kunkey S. Dutt Raj Kumar P. Biswas Ashish Ghosh Ashok Paul Ajay Biswas
H.O.: Delhi / Editorial Office Roy Mediative S-39, 1st Floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-II, New Delhi-110020 (INDIA) Mob: 09810380882, 09811346846 Ph: 91-11-41602841, 65683896, 40536384-87 Redg.Off.: 38-B / 56 Block, C. R. Park, New Delhi-110019 (India). Branch Office: Mumbai: E-mail: roy@ mobilityindia.com Kolkata: 105/12B, Dum Dum Road, Sil Colony, Kolkata-74 Contact: 09330922965; 09903392620 E-mail : roy@ mobilityindia.com Orissa: Krushna Nagar, 5th Lane, Lalji Palli, Berhampur-760008 (Orissa) (India) Contact : Raj Kumar-09338410809 Email : info@mobilityindia.com ncn_reporter@yahoo.com
VOICE
India Needs Broadband Push
Rollout of Wifi driven broadband holds the golden key to enable India’s next gen broadband era
E
ven after the government putting a lot of emphasis on increasing the broadband penetration, this is a sad fact in front of everybody that Broadband penetration in India is extremely low and it stands at roughly 13 million. Factors that have prevented widespread adoption are failure to make the medium sufficiently attractive and a lack of availability. A third element, affordability, was a significant barrier in the past, but new technology developments have driven down the costs of converged and mobility driven devices and Internet subscriptions, making pricing less of a hurdle today. Most broadband customers in India today are primarily concentrated in urban areas; semi-urban and rural areas are virtually excluded. To date, market forces have not been sufficient to spread the technology beyond urban areas due to cost constraints, lack of compelling local content, limited availability, and a fragmented group of industry operators involved in pushing broadband. But this should change in the coming months as new age technologies such as WiFi is set to take on the broadband plunge. Also an important fact is that absence of a comprehensive wired infrastructure in India has made wired broadband expensive in semi-urban and rural areas. Hence setting up a wired communication network is expensive and demands considerable amount of time. In such a scenario, it should make great sense for a technological adoption on the WiFi side.
Mobility monthly News Paper, Printed, Published & Owned by Swapan Roy at 38-B / 56 Block, C. R. Park, New Delhi-110019 (India).
Swapan Roy
Printed at Pushpak Printer, C-96, Okhla Industrial Area-I, New Delhi-20. Retail selling price of News Paper Rs. 20/-. Annual subscription Rs. 240. Editor : edit@mobilityindia.com roy@ mobilityindia.com Marketing : tridip@mobilityindia.com marketing@mobilityindia.com Info : info@mobilityindia.com Subscribe : subscription@ mobilityindia.com Web : www.mobilityindia.com 2 | August 2012
Mobility august2012.indd 2
www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:34:24 PM
Nige N
D
oPC, the generation from Lagos, Niger deployed Point to Radios from S Networks in ord deliver, Internet services for its ente customers. With an aim to d true next gene connectivity for enterprise users, Nigeria based In Service Provider, on PC, has selected S Networks Limited Point to Point Radio RM 58 to deliver services for its enter “Driven by a str reliable services, are always deman Internet related se we have decided to radio products. We partnered with Sh brought a new se resiliency to our P2P Mr Anurag Garg – M “Today’s en
Huawe
H
uawei announced Huawei E355 Data with Wi-Fi for 5. Huawei E355 W modem functions as a data card for a s user and as a mobile Fi hotspot, which simultaneously con up to five Wi-Fi-ena devices, allo users to enjoy inte connectivity anyt anywhere. The Huawei Wi-Fi modem co with a USB interface unlike traditional cards which can powered via a comp Huawei Wi-Fi mode offer users the flexi powering with a va USB chargers, offer on-the-go connectiv MOBILITY
Enterprise News
OICE
Push
key to enable
increasing the everybody that ands at roughly
ailure to make third element, y developments en devices and et subscriptions, g pricing less of le today. ost broadband mers in India are primarily ntrated in urban semi-urban and reas are virtually ed. To date, t forces have en sufficient to the technology g local content, tors involved in
chnologies such mportant fact is has made wired ting up a wired able amount of ogical adoption
Swapan Roy
MOBILITY
Nigeria's DoPC selects Shyam Networks P2P Radio
D
oPC, the next demand for the best generation ISP communication services from Lagos, Nigeria has which can deliver high deployed Point to Point speed Broadband, Radios from Shyam Bandwidth on Demand Networks in order to and QoS. This is where deliver, Internet based SNL partnered with services for its enterprise DoPC, where our customers. carrier grade wireless With an aim to deliver broadband IP Radio is true next generation being used to enable connectivity for its true next generation enterprise users, Lagos, communication Nigeria based Internet infrastructure. Our P2P Service Provider, Direct radios are time tested on PC, has selected Shyam and provide seamless Networks Limited (SNL) connectivity between Point to Point Radio – i.e. Nafis Kazim, COO, Shyam Networks Ltd places and deliver high RM 58 to deliver Internet capacity bandwidth, services for its enterprise user community. clubbed with long range IP backhaul “Driven by a strong need to incorporate capabilities,” as explained by Mr Nafis reliable services, enterprise customers Kazim, COO, Shyam Networks Ltd. are always demanding to have better Internet related services. This is where RM24/58 Series P2P and P2MP Radios we have decided to go with Shyam’s P2P This platform deploys reliable and radio products. We are very happy to have secure high-speed wireless IP connections partnered with Shyam and it has surely between multiple remote locations through brought a new sense of reliability and high-capacity Point to Point and Point to resiliency to our P2P links,” as explained by Multipoint links. Available in multiple Mr Anurag Garg – MD, DoPC. frequency bands and configurations, it “Today’s enterprise customers covers a distance of up to 40 km.
NETGEAR Focuses Effort Towards SMBs
I
n a bid to address the increasing opportunities in the SMB segment and encouraged by the significant growth in its SMB business last fiscal, NETGEAR, a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, has decided to expand its product portfolio and drive a stronger partner strategy, with the prime focus towards SMBs in India.
Huawei Launches Wi-Fi Data Card E355
H
uawei has 5 users at the same announced the time, with its personal Huawei E355 Data Card Wi-Fi zone. With the with Wi-Fi for 5. The expanding usage of Huawei E355 Wi-Fi Internet by multiple modem functions both family members on as a data card for a single devices like Gaming user and as a mobile Wiconsoles, Music Pods, Fi hotspot, which can Smarter TVs, Tablets simultaneously connect etc, we feel that E355 up to five Wi-Fi-enabled Wi-Fi Data Card is devices, allowing ideally suited for the users to enjoy internet internet hungry families. connectivity anytime, Huawei E355 also offers anywhere. flexibility for smaller The Huawei E355 business establishments Wi-Fi modem comes to quickly connect a Shanxin, President, Huawei Device with a USB interface and Victor small team to internet India unlike traditional data and start business on the Victor Shanxin, cards which can only be go. President, Huawei Device powered via a computer, the This expands Huawei India, said, “To Empower Huawei Wi-Fi modem series open market data card Millions of Indian SMEs offer users the flexibility of range to 5 devices available and large families, Huawei powering with a variety of in Indian market. Huawei is launching world’s first USB chargers, offering true E355 Wi-Fi Comes at an Wi-Fi Dongle, Huawei E355 on-the-go connectivity. attractive price of `5499/-. allowing users to connect MOBILITY www.mobilityindia.com
Mobility august2012.indd 3
Subhodeep Bhattacharya, Regional Director, India & SAARC
Addressing at a National Seminar organized by PHDCCI on "Affordable ICT solutions for SMBs" in New Delhi, Subhodeep Bhattacharya, Regional Director, India & SAARC said, "Our focus is on SMBs". "As per the statistics, India is a home to around 50 million SMBs, of which 10 million are tech-savvy. This number or the addressable market opportunity will upsurge to approximately 11 million by 2015. Also, SMBs in the country will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 % by 2015, contributing $ 15 billion or over one-third of India's overall IT spend. Hence we can foresee overall growth for NETGEAR in coming years by tapping the SMB segment." NETGEAR has been focused on its SMART IT vision which envisages a reliable, affordable and simple range of products covering the entire infrastructure needs of small and medium businesses, encompassing switching, storage, wireless and security solutions and it foresees huge growth in this field. August 2012 | 3
8/21/2012 2:34:27 PM
Sandeep Marwaha, Maharashtra and
Enterprise News
Portronics Presents “CHARGE IT” Juicer for Tablets & Mobiles
P
ortronics, one of the emerging pioneers in innovative, portable and digital devices introduces the charging device called as “CHARGE IT”. It is a unique device that allows you to charge your Tablets including iPads, Samsung Galaxy note and others through your computer, by connecting them through the USB. This feature exists by default in Mobiles but not in Tablets. The CHARGE IT is the intermediary that allows you this freedom to connect the Tablet to the computers. The 3 pain areas to be addressed: 1. Charge Tablets: Except for MAC, no PC can
charge Ipad and Galaxy tablet so far through the USB cable. 2. Fast Charge Smart Phones: You need atleast double time to charge phones
on to charge phones: If you want to charge phones through the laptop then it should be on all the time.
•
• Charge it solves all the three problems seamlessly: • Allows you to charge tablets directly through computer. It enables 1.3A of current that allows you to shorten the charging of tablets to
through the computer Vis a Vis AC adapter. 3. Computer should be
less than 4.5 hrs Smart phones charges almost at the same speed as they are on AC adapter. Most of the smart phones can be charged within 1-2 hrs time Upgrade the laptop as the big power bank. One can charge the phones through the laptops even if they are on sleep mode
Pricing and Availability: Priced at a market price of `799/-, the Portronics CHARGE IT is available across the country.
Gartner Says Worldwide Sales of Mobile Phones Declined 2.3 Percent
W
orldwide sales of mobile phones to end users reached 419 million units in the second quarter of 2012, a 2.3 percent decline from the second quarter of 2011, according to Gartner, Inc. Smartphone sales accounted for 36.7 percent of total mobile phone sales and grew 42.7 percent in the second quarter of 2012.
"Demand slowed further in the second quarter of 2012," said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner. "The challenging economic environment and users postponing upgrades to take advantage of high-profile device launches and promotions available later in the year slowed
Table 1 Worldwide Mobile Device Sales to End Users by Vendor in 2Q12 (Thousands of Units) Company 2Q12 2Q12 2Q11 2Q11 Units Market Units Market Share (%) Share (%)
demand across markets. Demand market upward. However, of feature phones continued to feature phones will continue to decline, significantly weakening see pressure," Mr. Gupta said. the overall mobile phone market. "Declining smartphone sales "High-profile smartphone is worsening Nokia's overall launches from key manufacturers position, as it had already lost such as the anticipated Apple the No. 1 position to Samsung iPhone 5, along with Chinese in the previous quarter and is manufacturers pushing 3G facing reduced profitability due and preparing for major device to continuous declining sales of launches in the second half of premium smartphones," said Mr. 2012, will drive the smartphone Gupta. Table 2 Worldwide Mobile Device Sales to End Users by Operating System in 2Q12 (Thousands of Units)
Samsung
90,432.1
21.6
69,827.6
16.3
Nokia
83,420.1
19.9
97,869.3
22.8
Apple
28,935.0
6.9
19,628.8
4.6
ZTE
17,936.4
4.3
13,070.2
3.0
Android
98,529.3
64.1
46,775.9
43.4
LG Electronics
14,345.4
3.4
24,420.8
5.7
iOS
28,935.0
18.8
19,628.8
18.2
Huawei Device
10,894.2
2.6
9,026.1
2.1
Symbian
9,071.5
5.9
23,853.2
22.1
TCL Communications
9,355.7
2.2
7,938.9
1.9
HTC
9,301.2
2.2
11,016.1
2.6
Research In Motion
7,991.2
5.2
12,652.3
11.7
Motorola
9,163.2
2.2
10,221.4
2.4
Bada
4,208.8
2.7
2,055.8
1.9
Research In Motion
Microsoft
4,087.0
2.7
1,723.8
1.6
7,991.2
1.9
12,652.3
3.0
863.3
0.6
1,050.6
1.0
Others
137,233.4
32.8
152,989.70
35.7
Total
419,007.90
100.0
428,661.15
100.0
153,686.1
100.0
107,740.4
100.0
Source: Gartner (August 2012) 4 | August 2012
Mobility august2012.indd 4
Operating System 2Q12 Units
Others Total
2Q12 2Q11 Market Units Share (%)
2Q11 Market Share (%)
Source: Gartner (August 2012) www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:34:28 PM
I
ris Computers domestic IT in India, has tied a leading telecom in India for distr Smart Phones Samsung Galax and their very o brand. MTS is Smartphones w end features attractiveprices between `4000 for Indian us Smartphones com with very attracti onVoice & Data would otherwise Sanjiv Kris explains, “The co of a crore per m Circles alone an a substantial `1 fiscal and help M portfolio of CDM country amongs
Karbonn
K
arbonn Mobi brand in telecommunication sphere, has anno appointment of its creative partn going forward, T focus on Karbonn M degree creative and communication. While Karbon has already mark prints in domestic markets as the fas mobile brand by c brand awareness i years, the company to build up a strong & Global market. Speaking on h Shashin Devsare Karbonn Mobiles have Taproot as o will be responsible creative inputs on Retail Merchandis creating a wider bra penetration in dom markets our next solidifying the str MOBILITY
Mobility News
obiles
IRIS to Distribute MTS CDMA Smartphones
han 4.5 hrs t phones charges st at the same speed ey are on AC adapter. of the smart phones be charged within rs time ade the laptop as ig power bank. One charge the phones ugh the laptops if they are on sleep e
Availability: a market price of ortronics CHARGE ilable across the
3 Percent
ward. However, s will continue to Mr. Gupta said. smartphone sales Nokia's overall had already lost ition to Samsung us quarter and is d profitability due declining sales of tphones," said Mr.
to 2Q12
2Q11 Units
2Q11 Market Share (%)
6,775.9
43.4
9,628.8
18.2
3,853.2
22.1
2,652.3
11.7
2,055.8
1.9
1,723.8
1.6
1,050.6
1.0
7,740.4
100.0
MOBILITY
IRIS - MTS comboset to catalyze MTS Smart Phones
I
ris Computers Ltd one of the largest domestic IT distribution companies in India, has tied up with MTS Mobiles, a leading telecommunications company in India for distribution of their CDMA Smart Phones viz Samsung Galaxy, Alcatel and their very own MTag brand. MTS is offering Smartphones with high end features at very attractiveprices ranging between `4000 to `8000 for Indian users. The Sanjiv Krishen, Smartphones come bundled Iris with very attractive value for money Plans onVoice & Data for 3 months (which would otherwise cost much higher.) Sanjiv Krishen, Chairman, Iris explains, “The company is achieving sales of a crore per month in Delhi and NCR Circles alone and we target to achieve a substantial `15 crore by end of this fiscal and help MTS to have the largest portfolio of CDMA Smart Phones in the country amongst all Operators in India.”
The company plans to launch 2 new models this month & many more in the coming months Not many people know that the affordable and popular CDMA technology delivers internet at nearly half the price, but with speed & performance as good as 3G in the GSM Network. MTS also claiming seamless Live TV on their net works on Smart Phones. Iris, will be focusing on this fact of better internet access speeds Chairman, inherent in MTSCDMA networks to lure customers to MTS devices and services. Initially acquiring a Super Distributorship for Delhi, Iris is about to sign up for Smart Phone distributorship for Rajasthan and UP soon. IRIS is buoyed by its success in the IT sector, with a turnover in excess of `1200 crores for the current year. It has several top international
Karbonn appoints Taproot as its creative partner
K
arbonn Mobiles, the leading mobile Karbonn Mobiles across markets. For the brand in Indian same, Taproot successfully telecommunication ecocame across as the best choice sphere, has announced the considering the innovative appointment of Taproot as approach and understanding its creative partner, wherein of the brief. Taproot has a track going forward, Taproot will record for building iconic brand focus on Karbonn Mobiles’ 360 communication strategies for degree creative and marketing the best of the domestic and communication. global brands. We are confident While Karbonn Mobiles that our association with has already marked its foot Taproot will help us engage prints in domestic and global better with our consumers, Devsare, Executive markets as the fastest growing Shashin creating strong brand imagery.” Director, Karbonn Mobiles mobile brand by creating huge Manan Mehta, Managing brand awareness in a short span of three Partner, Taproot India said, “There was no years, the company has now selected Taproot formal pitch involved in the whole process. to build up a strong Brand Imagery in Indian We presented our credentials and shared our & Global market. view on the brand’s way forward and decided Speaking on having Taproot on board, to join hands.” He further added that, Shashin Devsare, Executive Director, Karbonn Mobiles has demonstrated sturdy Karbonn Mobiles said, “We are happy to performance during the FY11-12 amidst have Taproot as our creative partner who intense competition. This is a proof of them will be responsible for providing 360 degree being a true blue blooded Indian brand and creative inputs on TV, Print, Digital and has been our inspiration to partner them. Retail Merchandising. After successfully Our partnership presents an opportunity to creating a wider brand awareness and deeper take Karbonn Mobiles to the world and at penetration in domestic and international Taproot India, we hope to build this brand markets our next step is now to focus on that will find a place in the consumer’s heart solidifying the strong brand imagery of and also, their hands.” MOBILITY www.mobilityindia.com
Mobility august2012.indd 5
IT products umbrella.
under
its
distribution
Lava to launch E-Tab Z7H tablet with Android 4.0 ICS
L
ava may soon officially announce one of its upcoming tablet E-Tab Z7H in India and apparently it will be priced at Rs. 5,499, placing it in competition with various other such Android ICS based tablets in the sub 10k category, with similar pricing and specifications. Like most of the other tablets in this segment the Lava E-Tab Z7H sports a 7-inch display of WVGA resolution. It is powered by a 1.2GHz single-core Cortex A8 processor and includes 512MB of RAM. The device also supports USB dongles for 3G connectivity, and has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
August 2012 | 5
8/21/2012 2:34:40 PM
Mobility News
XAGE unveils power-pack M900 FORCE handset
Zicom Launches IP-based MultiApartment Video Door Phones
Z
icom Electronic Security Systems Ltd – the pioneer in electronic security in India has announced the launch of its IPbased Multi-Apartment Video Door Phones with Touch Screen technology and High-Definition supported 7-inch and 8-inch Indoor Units possessing clear image quality. Announcing the two novel units’ introduction, Mr Pramoud Rao, Promoter and Managing Director, Zicom Electronic Security Systems said, “At Zicom, we are committed to providing holistic security solutions that help in ensuring overall security of our customers, while adding on to the aesthetic value of their homes.” Both units can be used as a screen to view multimedia files and also act as digital photo frames. The two-way visual intercom between flats comes with an in-built camera in the
X
Mr Pramoud Rao, Promoter and Managing Director, Zicom Electronic Security Systems
indoor unit. Not only does the unit support audio conversation, it also allows residents to view each other during intercom calls. An in-built intrusion facility makes both products unique, supporting multiple alarms such as fire, glass break, smoke, motion and many more etc. Apart from recognizing visitors, such features ensure the premises are protected from various kinds of potential mishaps.
AGE Communication India Pvt. Ltd., has introduced its latest stylish and power-packed handset, the M900 FORCE which has got a stand by time of 2 months. XAGE has invaded the overcrowded dual SIM cellphone territory with an array of affordable handsets from lowend utility handsets to high-end multimedia cellphones with the aim of catering to the needs of the ever-growing number of cell phone users. The M900 FORCE is a complete package with a variety of things such as a 2.8" screen which gives an amazing visual experience and an expandable 16GB micro card support memory which allows you to add loads of songs and images on the handset, to make sure that you never run out of entertainment. The Wireless FM radio meets the need of people who love listening to
LG Smartphone Idea Camp: Inviting Innovation LG’s smart way to connect better with consumers
L
G Electronics, a global giant to showcase their creativity and in modern technology talent. The Smartphone Idea and mobile communications, Camp is an excellent way to gain has launched inspiration from an innovative the imagination c a m p a i g n of the mobile by the name phone users and ‘Smartphone tech enthusiasts. Idea Camp’. It helps us This campaign gain a better is a ‘consume rs understanding connect’ initiative of the demands which would and desires of be conducted Sanjay Maheshwary, Business our consumers online. During Head, Mobile Communications, and gives us a the campaign, LG India. first-hand insight LG would invite consumers to into their minds. For dynamic submit unique app, feature, products like mobile phones, concept, service, design, UI it is extremely important for ideas that they desire in their us to be in direct contact with phones. The best ideas would our consumers in order to get incorporated in LG’s future understand what exactly they are smartphone line-up and also looking for and, therefore, add win prize value of `15,00,000. value to their lives”, says Sanjay “We at LG firmly believe in Maheshwary, Business Head, constant innovation and this Mobile Communications, LG contest allows our consumers India. 6 | August 2012
Mobility august2012.indd 6
songs, bollywood gossip, news and sports commentaries with their friends and co-workers. Capturing your favorite moments with family and friends is now made easier with a 1.3 Mega pixels camera which will also helps you to record videos to cherish the best moments of your life. M900 FORCE also gives an opportunity to choose from various color options like White Blue, Black Yellow & Black Red. Pricing: `2,599/-
Intex adds SENSE 3.0 to its touchscreen phone
I
ntex has nationally announced the launch of INTEX SENSE 3.0a new touchscreen phone with a 3.2 inch display. Expanding its touchphones category, this stylishly designed phone is targeted at semi-urban and urban youth who would like to carry a chic phone equipped with the latest applications and features. Commenting on the launch, Sanjay Kumar, GM- Mobile Business, Intex Technologies (India) Ltd said: “Touchscreen mobile phones have taken the Indian mobile market by storm and it’s a new found craze among the young Indians. Riding on the new wave, both multinationals and domestic players have plunged into touch phones category which gives consumers a desirable opportunity to choose from a wide range of options.” Price `3,500 .Available in three distinct huesGold, white and silver, the handset can be bought through 15,000 plus distributors and reseller outlets and is available at 70 INTEX SQUARES (exclusive retail stores) and several hypermarkets across the country.
www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:34:45 PM
HTC and
A dual technolo
F
ollowing on fro HTC, a global d TATA DOCOMO Desire family of sm With a brillian and the latest H integrated with An Desire VC (CDM GSM) is one of the 4 inch smartphone This dual-sim sm one of the best-i that let users switc personal and wor numbers and acc for greater freed management. It al to easily switch be for better coverag you stay connected you are. “The ne VC is an excellen of style and tech Faisal Siddiqui; Co and dual-sim cap connections while perfect lifestyle sm Commenting o Tandon, Head No well received dualaddition of a Sma portfolio of produc our offerings to co India reach, suppo cutting-edge Photo voice and data com for discerning voic “Qualcomm is on the launch of powered by the Sna said Dr. Sandeep manager and vi - business de Qualcomm India & Asia. “The HTC D VC utilizes TA DOCOMO’s high speed CDMA data network to enable a rich and seamless data experience for social networking cloud service and other Intern services for Ind consumers.” MOBILITY
Mobility News
ck M900
wood gossip, news commentaries with and co-workers. g your favorite h family and friends e easier with a 1.3 camera which will u to record videos e best moments of 00 FORCE also gives ity to choose from options like White ellow & Black Red. 2,599/-
to its ne
NTEX SENSE 3.0lay. Expanding its one is targeted at arry a chic phone
- Mobile Business, mobile phones have a new found craze
ht through 15,000 able at 70 INTEX permarkets across MOBILITY
HTC and Tata Docomo introduce HTC Desire VC A dual technology cdma android smartphone with gsm support
F
ollowing on from the successful launch of the HTC One series, HTC, a global designer of smartphones, today in partnership with TATA DOCOMO unveiled its latest addition to the popular HTC Desire family of smartphones – HTC Desire VC. With a brilliant 4 inch screen and the latest HTC Sense 4.0 integrated with Android 4.0, HTC Desire VC (CDMA EV-DO and GSM) is one of the most affordable 4 inch smartphones in the market. This dual-sim smartphone offers one of the best-in-class interface that let users switch easily between personal and work mobile phone numbers and accounts, allowing for greater freedom and cost management. It also enables users to easily switch between networks for better coverage, ensuring that you stay connected no matter where you are. “The new HTC Desire VC is an excellent amalgamation of style and technology” said Mr. Faisal Siddiqui; Country Manager, HTC India “Its innovative design and dual-sim capability allows users to maximize their network connections while smartly managing data usage – making it the perfect lifestyle smartphone choice.” Commenting on the launch of the HTC Desire VC, Mr. Sunil Tandon, Head Non Voice Services, TATA DOCOMO, said: “As a well received dual-technology telecom service provider in India, the addition of a Smartphone like the HTC Desire VC to our existing portfolio of products and services is an important step in strengthening our offerings to consumers in the CDMA & GSM space. Our panIndia reach, supported by the traditionally strong speeds on TTL’s cutting-edge Photon network, will provide users with an exceptional voice and data communication experience and provide great value for discerning voice customers. “Qualcomm is pleased to congratulate HTC and TATA DOCOMO on the launch of the HTC Desire VC powered by the Snapdragon processor,” said Dr. Sandeep Sibal, country manager and vice president - business development, Qualcomm India & South Asia. “The HTC Desire VC utilizes TATA DOCOMO’s highspeed CDMA data network to enable a rich and seamless data experience for social networking, cloud services and other Internet services for Indian consumers.” MOBILITY
Mobility august2012.indd 7
Karbonn intros Budget Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ tablet
K
arbonn Mobiles, the fastest growing mobile brand in the Indian telecommunication eco-sphere has achieved another industry-first in the sector by introducing the country’s first budget tablet (Karbonn Smart Tab 1) running on the revolutionary Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ platform. With this technological marvel, Karbonn Mobiles has become the first company to bring in
lightening fast 1.2GHz performance and a high level of functional integration. Intending to capture the yet nascent smart tablet market in the country with its revolutionary offering of industry benchmarks like Android ‘Jelly Bean’ platform and a 17.8cm capacitive 5-point touch screen powered by a 3,700 mAh battery; the Karbonn Smart Tab 1 priced at Rs. 6990/-
the latest innovation from the Android world to the Indian technological shores which is touted to be the fastest and smoothest version of Android yet. By collaborating with MIPS Technologies Inc., who are regarded as one of the leading providers of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for networking, mobile and embedded applications & Ingenic Semiconductor who develop innovative processer technology; Karbonn Mobiles has introduces the world’s first Android™ 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ Smart Tab I tablet which incorporates the popular, ultra low-power MIPS-Based™ JZ4770 SoC from Ingenic as its running core and leverages the simplicity and elegance of the MIPS architecture, resulting in features like extremely low power consumption,
(MOP) also features a 3D gravity sensor, Wi-Fi and 3G support through USB dongle, along with a 2MP front camera and pre-embedded applications such as the Karbonn Smart Browser and Karbonn Smart games, local apps including the Times of India and Economic Times app, Facebook and much more. Commenting on the launch, Pradeep Jain, Managing Director, Karbonn Mobiles said, “Karbonn Mobiles is forever committed to bring revolutionary technology to the Indian technological ecosphere. Herein through our technological collaboration with MIPS Technologies and product alliance with Ingenic Semiconductor, we are proud to present the world’s first Smart Tab loaded with the revolutionary Android ‘Jelly Bean’ technology which is an industry-first in itself.”
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Mobility News
Micromax Unveils A84 Superfone Elite
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icromax has launched A84, their next Android smartphone in the Superfone series, dubbed as Superfone Elite. It has 4-inch (480 x 800 Pixels) 16M color capacitive IPS touch screen display, 1 GHz processor, 5MP auto focus camera with LED flash and 0.3MP front camera and runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Micromax Superfone Elite A84 Specifications 4-inch (480 x 800 Pixels) 16M color capacitive IPS touch screen display Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) 1 GHz processor 5MP auto focus camera with LED flash and 0.3MP front camera 3G, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, USB 2.0 and aGPS Expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD 1630 mAh battery The Micromax A84 Superfone Elite is priced at `9999. It would be available across all leading retail outlets in India.
Sony Presents Xperia ion for ` 35999
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ony Xperia ion is now available in India from online retailer Snapdeal. The LTE version was announced for AT&T at CES and released exclusively on AT&T in June. The HSPA version was announced in June. It has 4.55inch (1280 x 720 pixels ) HD Reality display and comes with 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. The global HSPA version was supposed to run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) according to the official site, but according to the Snapdeal site it runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
BSNL & Pantel Unveil Penta T-Pad WS802C tablet
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antel in partnership with BSNL has launched a new tablet device which is called the Penta T-Pad WS802C. It is a device which comes bundled with a 2GB 3G data plan from BSNL which is valid for the first 60 days since purchase. In terms of the specifications the Penta T-Pad WS802C is equipped with some decent hardware. Unlike many other affordable tablet available in the Indian market, this one features a 8-inch display with a 800 x 552 pixels resolution. It is powered by a Cortex A8 processor clocked at 1GHz, it includes 512MB of RAM, 0.3 megapixel front facing camera, 2 megapixel rear camera, 4GB internal storage capacity, microSD card slot, Bluetooth 2.1 and HDMI-out port. This device comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0 ICS and is officially priced slightly higher than the competition at `14,699.
HCL ME Y2 3G tablet launched Bangalore based Niam Samsung Presents in India at ` 14,999 Computech launches Tablet Omnia M for ` 18,650
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CL Infosystems Ltd has launched its latest 3G enabled tablet, HCL ME Y2. This thirdgeneration Android-based tablet from HCL is a trendy and stylish device and is officially placed at `14,999. HCL ME Y2 tablet runs on Android OS 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The device has a 2-mega pixel rear camera and a 0.3-mega pixel front camera. The tablet features a 7-inch multi touch capacitive screen with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. It is powered by a 1GHz single-core processor and supported by 1GB RAM. It has 7-inch display with 8GB of built-in storage, 4,000 mAh battery, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It is priced at `14,999.
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iam Computech, a Bangalore based company has launched its line of tablets under the brand name Zyphr. The series include two models - 'Seven' and 'Nine' with screen sizes respectively 7" and 9.7". Running on Android 4.0 platform, Seven and Nine are priced at `6,499 and `14,449 respectively. Both the tablets are powered by Allwinner (Boxchip) A10 Cortex A8 1.2 Ghz processor and have exciting features that make it a must-buy for every tablet lover. The tablets will be made available by the end of August through online stores and the retail distribution channel across the country. Besides one can also book it online by visiting the company's official website. "We are already in talks with leading online stores like Flipkart, Indiatimes and Naaptol to sell our products. As far as offline selling is concerned, we are evoking a good response from IT dealers for these newly launched products. We have so far generated queries from 20 - 30 dealers, pouring in from places as far as Cuttack in Odisha to Jabalpur in MP and Pune in Maharashtra. www.mobilityindia.com
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amsung has launched the Omnia M, their new Windows phone in India. It went on sale in India last week from Samsung eStore. It packs in a 4.0-inch (800 x 480 pixels) super AMOLED display, 1 GHz processor and 5 MP Auto focus camera with LED Flash and a VGA video calling camera. It has 3.5mm audio Jack, FM radio with RDS, 384MB RAM and 4GB Internal Memory. The connectivity features include, 3G HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v 2.1, aGPS, and USB 2.0. It has 1500 mAh Li-on battery. It also comes with Samsung ChatOn cross-platform communication app, Tango (mVoIP) voice video calling app, Xbox Live app and more. The Samsung Omnia M is priced at an MRP of Rs.18,650, but you can get it for `16,400 MOBILITY
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Cover Story
WiFi
Pushing Broadband Boundaries
growth rate from 2 and penetration o becoming a reality commercially,’ he e
broadband access over unlicensed sp Lot of hand Han netbooks comes w will increase rapid 802.11ac. This Wisimultaneous users
With India’s broadband penetration still remaining to be a big challenge, a cutting edge technology like WiFi holds big potential to realize the country’s broadband dreams and enable unwired mobility for everyone
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ireless communication has changed the dynamics of communication. We are living in a convergence friendly era where there are multiple devices communicating with each other with rich media content. Today's technologically advanced world has made it possible for us to stay connected 24x7 with our friends and family. Without being tethered to a fixed location consumers can stay connected from anywhere. Advanced technology means that people are now able to use this wireless devise to make calls, connect to the Internet and access their work and files, wherever they are. According to Nafis Kazim, COO, Shyam Networks Ltd, wireless communication has changed the dynamics of communication. “We are living in a convergence friendly era where there are multiple devices communicating with each other with rich media content. Today's technologically advanced world has made it possible for us to stay connected 24x7 with our friends and family. Without being tethered to a fixed location consumers can stay connected from anywhere. Advanced technology means that people are now able to use this wireless devise to make calls, connect to the Internet and access their work and files, wherever they are,” he explains. 10 | August 2012
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As described by Rajesh Sahore, Founder & CEO, Aries Networks. With the newer wireless standards being ratified, WiFi today has reached at such a technological level, that it is no longer seen as complement to wired technology, but sometimes, even as an option for replacement of Wired technology. “Upcoming WiFi technologies cater to even Gigabit Ethernet speeds making it an even sweeter deal for the consumers. WiFi as a technology thrives on it's capability of providing mobility to the users. Today, almost every organization, be it large or small, or individuals prefer to procure a laptop/tablet/smartphone in their endeavor to be mobile and yet be digitally connected to the world. Thus providing a higher level of productivity and efficiency. This can be provided only by a Wireless Technology. Add to this, the security features which are much more stronger, thus giving confidence and comfort to it's users,” he adds on.
Indian Market for WiFi As being put by Dhananjay Ganjoo Director - Telecom, Juniper Networks, India & SAARC, “Recent telecom reports indicate that by 2011-2012, the Wi-Fi networking market and services in India will increase by USD$890million, making a 36% compound annual MOBILITY www.mobilityindia.com
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content, not just w and anytime which and productivity o enabling people to and allowing custo Today there are hu including tablets, s needs are also cha devices which en anywhere.” He ad The previous expansion of Wi-F daily lives, and the trends and develo impact on unabate “At Dell, we be of computing dev trends is that of slimmer and at th performance and m penetration of Wi it gives consumers technology to ma from Dell. MOBILITY
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growth rate from 2008. With the increasing use of mobile devices and penetration of wireless broadband, wireless connectivity is becoming a reality with its rapid deployment at personally and commercially,’ he explains. According to Shridhar Kadam, VP - Product Management, DIGISOL, there is huge potential for WiFi in India. “Future of Wi-Fi in India is good as uses of Wi-Fi is increasing in homes and the Home User category is one of the fastest growing categories needing computing and communication infrastructure. The emerging Indian broadband market is on the verge of a huge growth curve. And WiFi is perfectly positioned to provide instant broadband access today from devices that are already available, over unlicensed spectrum in a Safe, Secure and Reliable manner. Lot of hand Handled Devices like Mobile Phones, Netpad, netbooks comes with Built in Wi-Fi, hence penetration of wireless will increase rapidly. Another upcoming wireless standard is 802.11ac. This Wi-Fi standard promises more bandwidth & more simultaneous users, he explains. According to Shishir Singh, Director, Product Marketing, Dell India, Wi-Fi is one of the most ubiquitous wireless communication technologies in use today, primarily because it is easy to install, easy to use and inexpensive. It was originally designed as a way of extending internet connections wirelessly within an enterprise. “However today what makes such a technology so special is that, WiFi enables devices to access internet content, not just within a home or enterprise but from anywhere and anytime which plays a huge role in increasing the efficiency and productivity of the workforce. At Dell we are focused on enabling people to pursue their passions through technology, and allowing customers to enjoy an ‘always connected’ lifestyle. Today there are hundreds of millions of devices which use Wi-Fi including tablets, smart phones, TVs and set tops. As consumer needs are also changing, there is a huge convergence of user devices which enable consumers to easily connect anytime, anywhere.” He adds on. The previous year witnessed the continued growth and expansion of Wi-Fi to become a key mobility enabler in people’s daily lives, and the same is expected in the year 2012, with new trends and developments emerging around Wi-Fi, make a big impact on unabated growth of Wi-Fi. “At Dell, we believe that mobility will dictate the form factor of computing devices in the years to follow. One of the latest trends is that of Tablets and Ultrabooks, devices are getting slimmer and at the same time, they are packed with great performance and more connectivity options. With the increasing penetration of WiFi connectivity and growth of WiFi hotspots, it gives consumers the power to choose how they want to use technology to make their lives better,” explains, Shishir Singh from Dell. MOBILITY
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As explained by Jason Xu, Director of TP-LINK India, WiFi Technology is becoming increasingly important to daily life, which not only makes the lives of Wi-Fi users more productive, convenient and fun, but is also rapidly developing to accommodate many traditional applications in the home that require more speed and bandwidth. “Wi-Fi connects you to your office, your family, your entertainment over your mobile phone, computer, media players and other devices to the world. It's available in millions of devices and of millions of locations, and it's easy to set up and use,” he adds on. As being put by Eric Yang, Country Manager – India at Edimax Technologies, today Wi-Fi technology has emerged to be a pre-eminent technology. The requirement of Wi-Fi is increasing due to its cost-effectiveness and easy availability. “Its quality, functionality and the performance has created the need from all over the world. Wi-Fi makes the traffic clean and quick. Wi-Fi does everything from pushing of e-mail to streaming videos, linking to the video conference, keeps the user connected with the work and the group,” he adds on. The Wifi Advantage “The proliferation of Wi-Fi-enabled devices and continued expansion of broadband services provide a solid foundation for growth in home Wi-Fi adoption. Wi-Fi household penetration rate in India stood at 2.5 percent in 2011 and is expected to grow further. Today, the majority of devices include wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as standard, offering seamless connectivity. Now that these technologies are commonplace, manufactures are looking towards more innovative options to attract buyers. New wireless technologies will trump existing ones by providing faster speeds, easier connectivity and seamless communication among devices,” Nafis Kazim from Shyam Networks explains. The popularity of wifi is a testament primarily to their convenience, cost efficiency, and ease of integration with other networks and network components. • Convenience – The wireless nature of such networks allows users to access network resources from nearly any convenient location within their primary networking environment (a home or office). With the increasing saturation of laptop-style computers, this is particularly relevant. • Mobility – With the emergence of public wireless networks, users can access the internet even outside their normal work environment. Most chain coffee shops, for example, offer their customers a wireless connection to the internet at little or no cost.
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Mobility Personality
• Productivit maintain a network as this implies productive any conven • Deploymen wireless n access poin the additio cables bein even be im building). • Expandabil increased n In a wired additional w • Cost – Wir network hardware at worst modest inc from w counterp This poten increased is almost al more outweighed the saving cost and associated running ph cables. Talking about advantages of Dhananjay Ga from Juniper Net says that Wi-Fi tec benefits like anyincreased producti Some of the ke • Mobility – longer con aren’t restr connect to • Efficiency – users to co using desig difficulties. just as Withe Wi-Fi si • Reduced co than tradit costs (TCO As explained devices are being well as cellular co 12 | August 2012
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• Productivity – Users connected to a wireless network can maintain a nearly constant affiliation with their desired network as they move from place to place. For a business, this implies that an employee can potentially be more productive as his or her work can be accomplished from any convenient location. • Deployment – Initial setup of an infrastructure-based wireless network requires little more than a single access point. Wired networks, on the other hand, have the additional cost and complexity of actual physical cables being run to numerous locations (which can even be impossible for hard-to-reach locations within a building). • Expandability – Wireless networks can serve a suddenlyincreased number of clients with the existing equipment. In a wired network, additional clients would require additional wiring. • Cost – Wireless networking hardware is at worst a modest increase from wired counterparts. This potentially increased cost is almost always more than outweighed by the savings in cost and labor associated to running physical cables. Talking about the advantages of WiFi, Dhananjay Ganjoo from Juniper Networks says that Wi-Fi technology offers enterprises and its users many benefits like any-where computing, portability, flexibility, and increased productivity. Some of the key benefits for the end-user using Wi-Fi are • Mobility – Wi-Fi provides mobility. Employees are no longer confined to their desk or a particular place and aren’t restricted to using legacy (Ethernet) cables to connect to the internet • Efficiency – Wi-Fi enables employees and authorized users to connect to the company’s Internet network using designated WEP/WPA keys without any technical difficulties. The computer keeps the connection settings, just as Wi-Fi is activated once the computer recognizes the Wi-Fi signal and connects automatically each time • Reduced cost - Installing a Wi-Fi involves far lesser cost than traditional network cables and reduces overhead costs (TCO) As explained by Shishir Singh from Dell, more and more devices are being launched that include Wi-Fi functionality as well as cellular connectivity. The key benefits of Wi-Fi are to MOBILITY
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enable wireless access to deliver voice, data, and video streams with no cables attached. “Some offer connectivity over an area as large as your desktop whilst others can cover a medium-sized office space. Wireless technology can offer businesses more flexible and inexpensive ways to send and receive data,” he adds on. Other benefits include: • Eliminates Clutter: Users don’t need to carry cables or adaptors in order to access office networks and also eliminates wiring for PC’s like switches, adapters, plugs, pins, and connectors. • Increased efficiency: Enabling users to carry portable Wi-Fi devices giving them the ability to take calls anywhere, anytime and deliver quick and easy access to information • Greater flexibility and mobility for users: office-based wireless workers can be networked without sitting at dedicated PCs. Enables users to enjoy the advantages of the Internet in public places such as lobbies, cafes, universities, hotels, airports, and many other common areas. Wi-Fi also supports roaming: so you can walk around a building from one access point to another. • Reduced costs: Wireless networks are, in most cases, cheaper to install and maintain. • Easier Upgrading: One of the main advantages of a wireless network is that you can add another computer (up to the maximum number stated on the hub or router) more easily than on a wired network. This reduces the cost of upgrading or adding to your computers if you use an external company to setup or maintain it. According to Jason Xu from TP-Link, Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called 802.11 to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. “If you are new to the technology, you'll love how it enables you to connect on the go and share an internet connection at home. And if you have used Wi-Fi for a while now, you might like to find out more about how it can connect a large variety of productivity and entertainment tools,” he explains. Rajesh Sahore from Aries Networks says that secure Access to information is serving the need to be connected to the digital world, even when on the move is probably the primary benefit for the end user using WiFi technology. “WiFi as a technology is prevalent not only in data and networking terms, but also in the Voice world wherein the 3G and soon to be launched
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Cover Story
LTE are Wireless Technologies used for information access on smartphones and tablets.” He adds on. Elaborating on the advantages that WiFi is bringin for the end user community today, Eric Yang from Edimax says that WiFi gives freedom of movement which can be carried anywhere and anytime provides mobility to the user to continue their connectivity with their work group. “It is compatible with all the devices, fast and better accessing of data, cost saving, requires less space and there is no complexity of cabling in and around the premises. More than one user can get the benefit of connectivity without any additional cost,” he explains on. Challenges for WiFi “With a focus to provide better and seamless access to broadband, we, at Shyam Networks are constantly innovating and improvising our products to help enable and empower the consumers with an unmatched quality and a promise to deliver superior fast broadband services. Our range of pocket
routers will surely help towards providing seamless broadband connectivity for those who are always on the move and need broadband connectivity,” Nafis Kazim from Shyam Networks elaborates. For a given networking situation, wireless LANs may not be desirable for a number of reasons. Most of these have to do with the inherent limitations of the technology. • Security – To combat this consideration, wireless networks may choose to utilize some of the various encryption technologies available. Some of the more commonly utilized encryption methods, however, are known to have weaknesses that a dedicated adversary can compromise. • Range – The typical range of a common 802.11g network with standard equipment is on the order of tens of meters. While sufficient for a typical home, it will be insufficient in a larger structure. To obtain additional range, repeaters or additional access points will have to be purchased. Costs for these items can add up quickly.
Talk with Ramesh Ramnath As WiFi is set to push networking limits to the fullest, Cisco is all geared up to provide its expertise in this segment. Ramesh Ramnath, Technology Leader, Service Providers, Cisco India & SAARC talks about the company’s growing impetus on the Wifi side. How do you look at the WiFi Technology today? Mobile network traffic is growing exponentially, and service providers must manage their networks efficiently to meet consumer demand. The technology evolution of radio access networks is limited by the laws of physics, and significant growth in radio frequency (RF) efficiency can no longer be expected. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access is reaching the limits of Shannon's law, the spectrum available for mobile data applications is limited, and the only solution for increasing overall mobile network capacity is to increase the carrierto-interference ratio while decreasing cell size and deploying small cell technologies. Wi-Fi, one of the small cell technologies, appeals to many operators as a cost-effective mean of offloading large amounts of mobile data traffic while delivering a variety of new services. It offers these features: • Widespread existing deployments • Availability of user devices that support the technology • Cost efficiency • Capability to address new users and devices without mobile subscription (without a subscriber identity module [SIM]) • Globally available spectrum capacity • Standards availability for integration into mobile core networks In a nutshell, Wi-Fi holds a very important place for the service providers to
be able to provide a viable and efficient way to offload subscriber traffic. What are the Key drivers of WiFi today ? Some of the factors that are driving dramatic growth in the Wi-Fi marketplace: • Our research shows that providers can expect mobile data traffic to increase 26-times over the 5 years between 2010 and 2015, and much of that growth is coming from video traffic. • This coupled with the lack of available new spectrum and the inability for mobile providers to quickly and
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•
What are the key benefits for the end user while using WiFi? Wi-Fi networks are an essential component to meet the ever-growing demand for mobile broadband. As per Cisco Visual Index (VNI) there will be 2 billion network devices in India by 2016. By the sheer size we can easily envisage the high importance of an offload strategy. Wi-Fi is the most cost-effective and technologically mature solution for the same. As for as end users are concerned, Wi-Fi has the capability to address new users and devices without mobile subscription and can operate in an unregulated free spectrum band. Also Wi-Fi provides significantly superior bandwidth as compared to other technologies. Moreover, significant percentage of smartphones comes with inbuilt Wi-Fi chips, the end users stand
Ramesh Ramnath, Technology Leader, Service Providers, Cisco India & SAARC 14 | August 2012
•
cost-effectively add new macro-cell sites, you can see that the ability to offload data is very attractive. At the same time, there is a growing acceptance of Wi-Fi as it becomes ubiquitous in all kinds of devices, from smart phones and tablets to televisions and even automobiles. And finally, we’re seeing wireless usage shift indoors. This has traditionally been the hardest place to cover with a macro radio, but as end-users become more comfortable with the technology, providers are finding new ways to offload traffic while their subscribers are at home or in the office.
www.mobilityindia.com
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• Reliability – Like any radio frequency transmission, wireless networking signals are subject to a wide variety of interference, as well as complex propagation effects that are beyond the control of the network administrator. • Speed – The speed on most wireless networks (typically 1-54 Mbps) is far slower than even the slowest common wired networks (100Mbps up to several Gbps). However, in specialized environments, the throughput of a wired network might be necessary. According to Juniper’s Dhananjay Ganjoo, today enterprises have to constantly ensure that the mobile computing environment is transparent and secure at any campus or branch location in the enterprise, and from any external location with the BYOD penetration. “There are two critical challenges that need to be addressed in the enterprise space – • User-centric security - Security risks are involved in
to benefit from the technology. There is also increasing coverage of Hotspots for endusers to benefit from the technology. What kind of challenges is this technology facing today? Some of the bottlenecks that Wi Fi technology is facing today are: • Low power level: the de-licensed 2.4 GHz devices have to be restricted to 100 milliwatts of radiated power output (26 dBm) • Coverage area restriction placed "within the single contiguous campus of an individual, duly recognized organization or institution". • Hotspots in public areas still need licenses from the Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) and violations are illegal and liable for a penalty • The outdoor use of the same spectrum requires a license • Spill over of signals to a public area (like roads or streets) is liable to punishment For widespread adoption of Wi Fi, these challenges should be addressed so as to provide better services to the end user. What kind of penetration does WiFi has in India? WiFi is widely deployed and available in most of the Enterprises. Apart from this, large populations of residential users have also deployed WiFi. Apart from this there are several Service Providers who have started deploying this solution today , especially in public places and hotspots. With the increasing number of smart device users in India, wherein WiFI is the preferred mode of connectivity, usage is MOBILITY
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operating Wi-Fi networks as networks are open to intruders and hackers who may cause unwanted consequences to an organization’s resources. Enterprises and large organizations are continuously working to understand and mitigate the risks associated with this technology against unforeseen threats, delays and unwanted losses. In an enterprise Wi-Fi network, the technological reasons for security challenges come from the fact that wireless signals propagate beyond the physical areas and boundaries of the organizations, which, if intercepted, can lead to misuse of critical data and information by unauthorized personnel • Managing independent mobile devices connecting to the network - Legacy campus and branch networks are increasingly strained from the increased number of wireless devices entering the enterprise and the inability of the network infrastructure to meet such demands.” And especially in today’s scenario, with networks allowing
bound to increase. How does the future look for WiFi in India? There is a huge upside in the opportunities for the growth of wireless products and solutions in India since the market is maturing and growing, people are realizing the benefit of a pervasive wireless network and more mobile applications to be available for consumers benefit. Internet is increasingly becoming pervasive and India is one of the fastest growing internet markets in the world. As per Cisco VNI, there will be two billion networked devices in India by 2016 and internet traffic will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 64% between 2011 to 2016. Wi-Fi is one of the strongest solutions to accelerate the growth of data and video. With limited spectrum allocated, in India, to be shared between voice and data, WiFi will be used to offload the congested air interface, which is likely to be jam-packed very quickly- because mobile Internet data traffic is set to grow 58-fold between 2011 to 2016, at a CAGR of 126% (VNI). The Government of India is also planning build a broadband network for e-Panchayats in a bid to address various aspects of broadband services for panchayats. This along with the availability of affordable small devices will fuel the growth of WiFi We also see great potential for Wi-Fi adoption within the enterprise segment, educational institutes, government, healthcare and retail sectors, although the response to public hotspots have been tepid. With rationalization of tariffs, lowering cost of handhelds and proliferation of smart hand-held devices, the adoption is certainly set to grow. www.mobilityindia.com
Ideally what are some of the biggest consumers of WiFi in the enterprise community? The enterprise market in India has been one of the primary consumers of Wi-Fi. Most of the Wi-Fi growth is happening in enterprises because that’s where the largest concentration of mobile computer users is. Enterprises are also adopting the VDI/ VXI technologies and are encouraging their workforce on the BYOD concept. Do you have any WiFi Plans on the product front? Cisco has been the leading innovator in the WiFi space and has constantly provided our customers with various feature enhancements. Wi-Fi has created a large market opportunity for operators, and that opportunity is attracting increasing competition. As a result, as providers attempt to secure locations and launch services, the race to capture this opportunity will go to the swift. Given this scenario, there are four important ways Cisco helps service providers capture the Wi-Fi opportunity with Cisco Service Provider Wi-Fi (SP WiFi), a carrier-grade solution for mass market deployments. • Carrier class solution by design: Cisco SP Wi-Fi is tailored to meet the needs of service providers, providing cost-effective, small cell coverage and capacity to meet the scale and quality required by mobile data users today. Cisco has been designing service provider Wi-Fi networks for years, and our advanced products reflect attention to design detail needed in real-world deployments. August 2012 | 15
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Cover Story
access to a rapidly growing number of employees and customers, enterprises must have strong and flexible identity management system to ensure appropriate access while ensuring security for business critical applications information. “Juniper’s Simply Connected solution is an integrated portfolio of resilient switching, security, and wireless, products that allows simple and secure access to business-critical information and collaboration. The solution helps in securing the device, the network edge and the application by avoiding data leakage on an ongoing basis without compromising technology requirements to reduce the support burden in the face of new devices, security, reliability and network performance,” he adds on. Speaking about the challenges of WiFi, Shishir Singh from Dell says that even though Wi-Fi products are useful, there are still some downfalls that must be stated in order to get a firm grasp on exactly what Wi-Fi wireless LAN technologies are composed of. “Wi-Fi is designed for medium-range data transfers and most versions works up to about 250-300 feet away from the access point indoors, and about 1,000 feet away outdoors, and with more distance between your computer/laptop and the access point, the speed and the quality falters tremendously. Another challenge for Wi-Fi products is their security system. The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is the common wireless encryption standard which is easily broken even when configured accurately. (Wikipedia, Wi-Fi) To counteract this problem, however, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) has been established, but still a complete secure wi-fi enabled system is not guaranteed,” he explains. Talking about the challenges being faced by WiFi, Jason Xu from TP-Link says that Wi-Fi products operate over radio waves, in the same way as your cell phone, garage door opener, TV, radio, GPS navigation system or microwave. Each of these types of products operates in a specific slice, or frequency band, of the radio spectrum. “Wi-Fi products operate in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands. These bands are designated as "license-free", which indicates that individuals may use products designed for these bands without a government license, such as those that are granted to TV or radio transmissions within licensed bands. Because the Wi-Fi bands are "license free", it becomes more important for manufacturers to ensure that their products pass the standards of interoperability set by the Wi-Fi certifications. Additionally, because they also share these bands with non-Wi-Fi products, such as remote control toys, certification testing ensures that Wi-Fi products are good neighbors and will not interfere with
signals from these devices and vice-versa.” He adds on. Speaking about the challenges pertaining to WiFi usage, Rajesh Sahore from Aries Networks, says that most of the WiFi devices, be it your cordless phone or your wireless routers use the same 2.4GHz frequency band, due to which the coverage range of the wireless products reduce drastically due to channel conflicts. Hence, when a user has more wireless products in the office/home the range of all his/her get affected, thus causing blind spots and even no coverage areas. “Hopefully, with the introduction of dual band wireless products, which have the ability to operate at 2 different frequency levels i.e. 2.4/5 GHz, these conflicts can be reduced and better distance coverages can be achieved,” he adds on. Talking about the challenges of WiFi technology, Eric Yang from Edimax says that Wi-Fi in the SOHO & SMB segment is not facing many challenges but there are still significant challenges to meet enterprise users’ requirements for voice quality and functionality, plus the enterprise IT managers’ requirements for reliability, scalability, interoperability and security. WiFi in India The enterprise market in India has been one of the primary consumers of Wi-Fi owing to its dense concentration of mobile computer users which has enabled and continued its positive growth story. Enterprise Wi-Fi networks have now become the norm in large organizations, considering that they were earlier usedprimarily to complement wired networks, and insome cases for building-building connectivity. Finally, the consumption of Wi-Fi enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops etc.) has considerably shot-up in both SMB and large enterprises in recent years and continues to drive wireless traffic. “In India, WiFi penetration is very low compared to the west and other Asian countries. But lately, a lot of players are moving into this space. Wi-Fi has become a mainstream wireless technology which provides Internet access at home to a wide variety of consumer electronics and mobile devices. The proliferation of Wi-Fi-enabled devices and continued expansion of broadband services provide a solid foundation for growth in home Wi-Fi adoption,” Shishir Singh from Dell explains. Over the last three years, wifi has increasingly become the medium of choice for connecting to the internet for high bandwidth applications such as youtube, social networking sites and large file downloads. With WiFi technology, it is approximately 25-30 times cheaper to transport data over the internet compared to 3G. Hence such a technology plays a
Ixia and Bajaj Capital are some of Juniper’s customers in the WiFi space Ixia: Juniper’s ‘wired-less’ campus network solutions for Ixia, leaders in converged IP services testing solutions, helped them in integrating their fixed and mobile network access into a seamless and highly-manageable fabric, enabling the company towards continued development of its R&D center in Kolkata. Juniper’s 'Simply Connected' vision for Ixia enabled it in combining a simplified wired network and high-density wireless solution to provide secure and device-agnostic connections. Bajaj Capital: Juniper’s ‘wired-less’ campus network enabled Bajaj Capital, a financial planning and investment advisory firm to increase its network performance and availability, while increasing security and reducing its operating costs. The entire network infrastructure runs on Junos, which helped the company to simplify its management and apply fine-grained security and quality-of-service control across wired and wireless networks. 16 | August 2012
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www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
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critical role in a pri Explaining the Rajesh Sahore fro for data has been WiFi was used onl however, with the the penetration is “The demand gone up mutifold of WiFi is definite are preferring WiF home consumers adds, moves and c and security have customers.” He ad
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Cover Story
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critical role in a price sensitive market like India. Explaining the present and futuristic scenario for WiFi in India, Rajesh Sahore from Aries Networks says that WiFi penetration for data has been limited to larger cities and towns till now as WiFi was used only for last mile connectivity or for user access, however, with the increase in broadband reach due to 3G rollout, the penetration is set to increase exponentially. “The demand for 3G routers and 3G modems have really gone up mutifold over the last 12 months period. The future of WiFi is definitely bright in India. More and more customers are preferring WiFi over standard Wired Connectivity, especially home consumers and SMEs as it gives them the flexibility of adds, moves and changes. To add to it enhancements in speed and security have made the WiFi a more obvious choice for customers.” He adds on. Future of India’s WiFi “Wi-Fi is not new to India and is deployed in enterprises, campuses and SOHO sectors. The Indian Enterprise Wi-Fi market (including WLAN hardware, systems integration and software services, not including embedded devices, laptops) is on track for a huge growth curve which is being triggered by an increased usage ofWi-Fi enabled devices in the workplace coupled with IT exposure to emerging sectors in the country. (E.g. Retail Sector). The necessary market drivers are in place to propel the growth, development and deployment of Wi-Fi into a mainstream technology across the country,” Dhananjay Ganjoo from Juniper Networks explains. As multi-national companies and Indian corporations continue to grow their Indian offices (expected growth in MNC hiring in tech sector to double in 2007) and global work-practices begin to be seen in India, the always-on connected professional is increasingly visible. Flexihours and home-office culture has set-in in the tech cities making laptop usage and home Wi-Fi a necessity. The small business enterprises are contributing significantly to the mobile workforce by becoming the fastest growing segment in laptop consumption. According to Nafis Kazim from Shyam networks, WiFi is seriously being taken by the enterprise community. “It is one technology that is set to drive communications needs of an enterprise to the next level. Today there is a growth of voice over Wifi network is helping enterprise push a lot of their applications on the Wifi environment. Moving forward this trend is set to grow even bigger and create better opportunities for the enterprise users. For us SIs, Building Solutions, Real Estate Players, Retail chains, Hypermarkets, Airports, mobile Operators are our key customers.” He adds on. As described by Jason Xu from TP-Link, Wi-Fi is not new to India and has been deployed in enterprises, campuses and SOHO sectors for several years. “However, now more than ever before, it is clear that all the enablers for creating a sustained Wi-Fi network will emerge. Technology upgrades we’ll see within the next year or so will make WiFi much faster, smarter and more efficient in how it distributes signals. It’ll be so fast, and integrated into so many devices, that you may finally get to dump a lot of those cables cluttering your living room,” he adds on. Discussing the India opportunity for WiFi, Eric Yang from MOBILITY
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Edimax says that the internet penetration in India is a little higher than 10% of the total population in India. So as far as internet penetration is concerned it is still at its very early stage but the market is bound to improve in the years to come. “The future of Wi-Fi in India can be looked at from different dimensions and overall it is very optimistic and healthy. The future of Wi-Fi will depend on first internet penetration, Knowledge of the end-users on the advantages of using Wi-Fi, acceptance of Gadgets in the market which comes with Wi-Fi options like Smart TV, ipad, Smart phones etc. Enterprise community requirement of Wi-Fi is already much matured and largest demand comes from corporate and SMB,” he explains. The WiFi Bet – What Vendors have in store Operating predominantly in the broadband space, Gurgaon based Shyam Networks is fully committed towards enabling a broadband driven ecosystem and Wifi is surely a big part of this broadband scheme. “Our products like the pocket router, or tablets are all Wifi enabled and designed to push the broadband envelope of the country to the next level. We are the first end to end B2C Broadband brand which have product to fill in 3 buckets of access Enable & Experience. Further being operator agnostic we offer customers a choice to pick the operator & data plan of his choice. Our key product line include tablets, Routers, Data cards, 3G Pocket routers, Outdoor CPES & switches,” he adds on. Betting big on WiFi Digisol is coming up with number of WiFi Products this year in addition to existing product range. 1) Wireless Repeater:- Which will enhance the Wi-Fi coverage (DG-WR3001N) 2) Pocket Size Wireless Broadband Router (DG-BR1000Nu) 3) Wireless Wi-Fi Router (Especially for 5 to 10 user network) 4) Wireless Wi-Fi Drive (For sharing the Network drives and internet among the users) When it comes to putting WiFi on work for the end user community, all of Dell’s Notebook range are wi-fi enabled and even its All in One desktops have WiFi card readers. The XPS 13 & 14 ultrabooks are equipped with Intel® Rapid Start technology and Intel® Smart Connect technology for faster responsiveness and connectivity and enterprise-friendly features to intersect the design and performance desired by consumers with the security and services required by IT departments. Delivering WiFi for the end user community, TP-LINK is focusing on dual band products and next generation WiFi standard 802.11ac products now, which offer higher bandwidth and expanded signal coverage. The company is also working on portable products to make wireless routers and access points more convenient for end-users to carry and use, and even giving users the ability to share 3G/4G connections. “Aries Networks is a company formed with the sole focus of bringing in "Tech-novative" products to it's customers, predominantly from the Wireless Technology arena. Our initial product offering in the portfolio itself consists of the Aries Broadband Router and the Aries Range Booster. While the current offering is networking oriented, we intend to bring wireless products and solutions which step out of the realm of being just connectivity devices and make them multi-application oriented,” explains, Rajesh Sahore from Aries Networks.
www.mobilityindia.com
August 2012 | 17
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Trends in Convergence
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Beyond megapixels The Quest for Better Handset
I
f we look back at the history and association of mega pixel with handset cameras, it all started on June 11, year 1997. On that day, a man named Phillipe Kahn clicked the photo of his newborn baby girl in the hospital. And within moments he sent that photo to hundreds of his friends and colleagues in what is now believed to be the first transmission of a cell phone image with the help of a service provider network. Come to the year 2013 and experts believe that the number of mobile cellular subscribers will reach 6 billion
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on the global scale and dimensions. That’s enough mobile devices to cover 87% of the world’s population. And what is most interesting is the fact that most of these mobile devices have embedded cameras. A recent survey showed that over 50% of cell phone users take photos on their phones. Cell phone cameras have created a massive photographic potential that is still yet to be understood or realized. Even if the cell phones do not represent the pinnacle of image quality, getting that many cameras into that many hands www.mobilityindia.com
is bound to result in some amazing imagery. While most people don’t buy a phone for the camera (service plan, battery life and brand loyalty are all considered as higher priorities), it would be nice to be able to compare image quality in different camera phones before buying. As yet, the only quantifiable metric we can use to compare cameras is the pixel count. This metric has served phone manufacturers well over the last few years. The graph below shows the march of the pixel count arms race. MOBILITY
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What is Mega Pix For normal 4 even VGA (640 x 4 is just fine. Digital 1991! In 1999 wh only 1.2 or 2 MP, e if you were making Today, even the at least 5 or 6 MP, size print. How? S three-feet (1m) w back. Print a billbo feet back. 6MP is p It is important depends more on than the number most people's slop motion blurs the width of a microsc Even when there was little vis cameras with seem For instance, a 3 M looks the same as when blown up to Sharpness has image quality, and do with sharpness. has nothing to d Color and tone a technically.
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Trends in Convergence
The mobile vendor’s focus on the megapixel is quite understandable. Unlike color reproduction or ISO performance, pixel count is a quantifiable number that no one can argue. Even manufacturers who have tried to tout better technologies such backside illumination or IR filters have found their marketing ploys lost on an audience who just wants more megapixels. Enter the IEEE, the electronics organization behind many of the standards used in the industry. One of IEEE’s next projects will be to create a rating system that will be used to assess the image quality of cell phone cameras. Here the ultimate goal would be to create a five star rating system that will comprehend all complex facets of image quality while delivering the bottom line result into one easy to understand number. This new project will leverage existing work by the International Imaging Association.
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What is Mega Pixel? For normal 4x6" (10x15cm) prints, even VGA (640 x 480 or 0.3MP) resolution is just fine. Digital cameras did this back in 1991! In 1999 when digital cameras were only 1.2 or 2 MP, each megapixel mattered if you were making bigger prints. Today, even the cheapest cameras have at least 5 or 6 MP, which enough for any size print. How? Simple: when you print three-feet (1m) wide, you stand further back. Print a billboard, and you stand 100 feet back. 6MP is plenty. It is important to note that sharpness depends more on your photographic skill than the number of megapixels, because most people's sloppy technique or subject motion blurs the image more than the width of a microscopic pixel. Even when megapixels mattered, there was little visible difference between cameras with seemingly different ratings. For instance, a 3 MP camera pretty much looks the same as a 6 MP camera, even when blown up to 12 x 18" (30x50cm)! Sharpness has very little to do with image quality, and resolution has little to do with sharpness. Resolution (pixel count) has nothing to do with picture quality. Color and tone are far more important technically. Pixels Pictures are made up of little dots called pixels. Pixel stands for PICture ELement. Put enough of them together and you have a picture. They are arranged horizontally and vertically. Get close enough to your MOBILITY
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Phillipe Kahn who transmission first cell phone image about 100 DPI, dots per inch. There isn't much variation from screen to screen so we rarely discuss this. It's easy to figure out: most computer screens are about 1,024 x 768 pixels. If your screen is 10" wide then divides 1,024 by 10 and you have a 102.4 DPI screen.
First camera phone picture computer screen (or use a magnifier) and you'll see them. Resolution (Linear Resolution) Image Resolution Resolution is how many pixels you have counted horizontally or vertically when used to describe a stored image. Mobile embedded cameras today have between 2,048 and 4,500 pixels horizontally. 3 MP cameras have 2,048 pixels horizontally and 14 MP cameras have 4,500 pixels. They have fewer pixels vertically since the images aren't as tall as they are wide. Screen Resolution Most computer screens today are www.mobilityindia.com
Pixel Count, expressed as Megapixels Pixel Count, expressed as Megapixels, is simply multiplying the number of horizontal pixels by the number of vertical pixels. It's exactly like calculating area. A 3 MP camera has 2,048 (horizontal) x 1,536 (vertical) pixels, or 3,145,728 pixels. We call this simply 3 MP. Small differences in pixel count, between say 5 MP and 8MP, are unimportant because pixel counts are a square function. It's exactly like calculating area or square footage. It only takes a 40% increase in linear dimensions to double the pixel count! Doubling pixel count only increases the real, linear resolution by 40%, which is pretty much invisible. As we move ahead more and more mobile vendors are trying their best to pack more megapixel inside their camera phones. August 2012 | 19
8/21/2012 2:35:11 PM
Mobility Enterprise
Driving LTE into Enterprise World
As operators are working their way towards rolling out enterprise class service on LTE network, more and more enterprise adoption stories are set to further establish LTE for the long run 20 | August 2012
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R
ight at the helm of enterprise world, there is widespread change happening in the way mobiles, handsets smartphones and tablets are being used. The wide adoption of mobile social networking is driving a change in mobile usage, from voice calls and texts to content creation and consumption, at least in the consumer world. But for businesses, being able to use a smartphone to upload videos to Facebook isn't enough for IT decision-makers to go build a www.mobilityindia.com
mobile strategy based on privatized LTE (Long Term Evolution), the leading 4G standard. In order to woo enterprises, LTE must exhibit more than just enhanced browsing and social networking. Businesses want one of three things from 4G: - To satisfy customer demand for mobile browsing in high-traffic and high profile public venues, like stadiums, airports and convention centers. MOBILITY
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- To improve by replaci mobile pho speed tab critical ente CRM, ERP tools. - To create streams b from every served by network Most importa and service provi is to actually mee to be able to en and deliver relia Service Level Agre enterprise. Withou SLAs, LTE can ne critical application hospitals. The enterprise to work for them, This means privat exist much like a where data stays o the trip back to the the risk of securit costs down.
Real Meaning of The past few the bulk of cellula not from outdoors will continue with enterprise begins t a parallel network solutions. LTE does, ho penetrate indoors reach equivalent W indoor LTE, enterpr two approaches the carrier commu adoption – for the An approach or picocell array additional covera help of LTE. Whi technologies canno SLA and don't off throughout larger While it is tr antenna system "blanket" coverag exactly inexpensiv as more DAS provi to leverage existin to extend LTE cov down the cost. MOBILITY
Mobility Enterprise
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- To improve operational efficiency, by replacing wired desks with mobile phones/workstations/highspeed tablets or by mobilizing critical enterprise applications, like CRM, ERP or security monitoring tools. - To create innovative revenue streams by generating revenue from every guest/visitor/employee served by a local enterprise LTE network Most importantly for te operators and service providers, if 4G driven LTE is to actually meet these goals, it needs to be able to ensure coverage indoors and deliver reliability backed up by Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for the enterprise. Without indoor coverage and SLAs, LTE can never meet the needs of critical applications, like those used by hospitals. The enterprise community needs LTE to work for them, not just for the carriers. This means privatized LTE networks that exist much like a restricted wireless LAN, where data stays on-site and doesn't make the trip back to the carrier's hub, reducing the risk of security breaches and driving costs down. Real Meaning of LTE The past few years have shown that the bulk of cellular data usage is coming not from outdoors, but indoors. This trend will continue with LTE, especially as the enterprise begins to look at the service as a parallel network to existing connectivity solutions. LTE does, however, need help to penetrate indoors for the enterprise. To reach equivalent WLAN performance from indoor LTE, enterprises need to take one of two approaches - possibly subsidized by the carrier community looking to push LTE adoption – for the enterprise community. An approach involving femtocell or picocell array that would provide additional coverage indoors with the help of LTE. While cost-effective, these technologies cannot provide a guaranteed SLA and don't offer consistent coverage throughout larger facilities. While it is true that a distributed antenna system (DAS) provides more "blanket" coverage indoors but is not exactly inexpensive. This is changing fast as more DAS providers examine new ways to leverage existing technologies in order to extend LTE coverage, which will drive down the cost. MOBILITY
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LTE for the Enterprise While working for the enterprise community, SLAs are common enough in IT, covering everything from email to voice services. Cellular services, however, are treated much differently. Because of the consumer-centric nature of wireless services, SLAs have not been seen as important. With LTE capable of acting as a mission-critical network, these agreements must be comparable to those from other service providers. Running an enterprise IT backbone on a network sans SLA is essentially a pink-slip-in-waiting for any IT executive, so for widespread adoption in the business, SLAs must become
well as enterprise-specific LTE devices. The ability to bypass LTE "bottlenecks" by remaining on the in-building network means that no matter how congested the macro-level network becomes, the enterprise LTE grid remains accessible. In the WiMax world, private network examples already exist through service providers, but WiMax lacks the application and user pool to really drive adoption forward. For LTE, "killer" enterprise applications are coming, and soon. This offers enterprise shops better control over data traffic, gives them more options in wireless and, perhaps most important, allows the business to improve efficiency and justify the ROI of LTE, particularly when it comes to highperformance enterprise applications. Additionally, LTE must enable traffic routing to and from the enterprise's IP network without traversing the mobile operator's core network. The industry is developing new standards, such as Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO) and Local IP Access (LIPA), to allow Internet traffic to flow from the enterprise's local LTE network directly to the Internet, bypassing the operator's core network. Future releases of LTE will also include various offload mechanisms like those mentioned above, that will enable private networks.
commonplace. That's not to say that the SLA needs to be free. Businesses are willing to pay for benefits above and beyond the consumer world. For example, a three-second download speed enhancement might seem trivial to consumers. But for the enterprise, this efficiency spread across a network could represent significant productivity gains, hence their willingness to pay more for it. The final step for LTE in the business world is to function as a truly "private" network. This means communications within a given area is not transmitted back to a central hub, but rather lives within the enterprises' confines. A private, in-building LTE network can function as a strong backup to fixed networks, and this capability is already being explored at both the enterprise and consumer level. Demand is growing for more mobile, enterprise-class applications, from realtime security surveillance applications to high-bandwidth productivity applications, such as WebEx, Skype and IPBX apps, as
Driving LTE into the enterprise Beyond M2M and offload mechanisms, the final component is a strong convict ion from the carrier side. The carriers of the world need to see revenue from providing private LTE networks as value-adds. In an ideal future, the enterprise would negotiate with a single carrier for a certain volume of subscribers over a specific period of time. The carrier would then provide the technology and bandwidth for the private LTE network on an exclusive basis, much like the business-class broadband model. What does the future hold for LTE in the business world? For LTE to go beyond a last-resort business tool, it needs equal coverage both indoors and outdoors, a strong SLA and the ability to support private LTE networks. Despite the possibilities, the roadblocks outlined can kill the business potential before it even gains steam. The good news, however, is that carriers are already exploring these challenges in preparation for an enterprise push. Moving forward more LTE adoption is surely in the offing from the enterprise side.
www.mobilityindia.com
August 2012 | 21
8/21/2012 2:35:13 PM
Mobility Analysis
Mobility — Giving Wings to Payroll
W
ith the concept of mobility ruling the roost, globally as well as in India, advances in technology in recent years have broadened the range of solutions available to all businesses, and an increasing number of local
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governments are experiencing first hand, the benefits of mobility driven concepts like payroll on mobiles or smart phones. It is now expected that organizations will have integrated library and internet systems, www.mobilityindia.com
(direct email corre representatives). 'in-house' functio organisation's busi head office. Many critical governance with performed offsite exchange and man becomes more com enabling technolo associated with information have system is one such Previously mob the computing p capacity to effec access to informati speeds were not However, today, t we have all the c inside the smart p perform almost an deliver mobility fo There is a new is driving a revolutio - not just in comm collection and manip and modification of Convergence applications like intelligent solutio devices' to provid experience for us to the next leve profitability. The mobility fr workers to utilise mobility and deli convenience for t directly, and to c automatically, whic time consuming ad actioned tasks. Mo payroll application client applications, w in either an online o
e-Commerce facilities for transactions with suppliers and customers (such as online rates payments), greater online interaction with customers (online tracking of development applications), and streamlining of even the most basic communications MOBILITY
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Mobility Technolo Payroll when technologies are le capabilities and de control at the These products payroll administra accomplish more o The reason i mobility technolog on the long run. processing to an o save much more th much of the MOBILITY
Mobility Analysis
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(direct email correspondence with elected representatives). But all of these are 'in-house' functions; those where the organisation's business is conducted inside head office. Many critical functions of local governance within an enterprise are performed offsite in the field, where the exchange and management of information becomes more complex. In the absence of enabling technologies, the inefficiencies associated with double-handling of information have been tolerated. Payroll system is one such example. Previously mobile devices did not have the computing power or the memory capacity to effectively provide wireless access to information systems and network speeds were not sufficient for the task. However, today, this are different. Today we have all the capability being pushed inside the smart phone so that they can perform almost any computing task and deliver mobility for their end users. There is a new wave of technology that is driving a revolution in mobile connectivity - not just in communication, but in data collection and manipulation, and the creation and modification of records. Convergence friendly mobility applications like Payroll are delivering intelligent solution with mobile 'smart devices' to provide a productive mobile experience for users taking applications to the next level of productivity and profitability. The mobility framework allows offsite workers to utilise the functionality of mobility and deliver great platform of convenience for the enterprise solutions directly, and to complete work requests automatically, which reduces the need for time consuming administrative handling of actioned tasks. Most of the mobility driven payroll applications are simplified, smart client applications, which are able to operate in either an online or offline mode.
ties for transactions d customers (such payments), greater n with customers of development d streamlining of ic communications MOBILITY
Mobility Technology for Payroll Payroll when clubbed with mobility technologies are leaping ahead in terms of capabilities and delivering unprecedented control at the hands of enterprise. These products empower managers, payroll administrators and employees to accomplish more on a daily basis. The reason is simple—Web based mobility technology saves time and effort on the long run. In fact, migrating your processing to an online environment can save much more than time. By eliminating much of the physical infrastructure MOBILITY
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associated with processing payroll and supporting HR, an organization can also realize significant cost savings—anywhere from 20-90%—depending on which technologies are employed. Even better, enterprises can create a dynamic new environment where - more of the day-to-day payroll and HR processes are automatic. Employees and managers can fulfill many of their own payrollrelated requests, and administrators have more visibility into the system than ever before. The increased efficiency of a webbased timesheet is lost, however, if the technology does not carry through to manager approvals as well. Online timesheets received by the payroll department unapproved will create a bottleneck if the approval process places undue burden on the supervisor who needs to approve those timesheets. One solution to this issue has been the use of Interactive Voice Response Systems (IVR), where managers can approve timesheets over the phone, but this system is increasingly becoming unpopular. That’s why the functionality of the latest payroll systems allows the same online mobility and freedom to managers to approve timesheets that employees have to submit them. These systems are proving very cost effective, and provide the user more control over how the timesheet is reviewed. By enabling managers to execute the task of timesheet approval in an online environment, they can perform this necessary function where ever and when ever is convenient, freeing them up for the more business critical functions of their job. And the payroll team receives approved timesheets that they can begin processing quicker than ever before. Application Integration Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a common concept that you’re probably already familiar with. And it’s an issue that your company probably has confronted in your supply chain or CRM system. But the issue is just as relevant with payroll technology. Up until a few years ago, time tracking and payroll systems from different vendors did not communicate well. But that problem is quickly fading, with mobile systems that can integrate with any product, from almost any vendor. This means an organization is no longer limited to vendor-specific product selection, and the burden on internal IT resources is now greatly reduced. www.mobilityindia.com
Every payroll department is familiar with the housekeeping items that bog down staff with administrative paperwork. Change of address forms, updates to dependant information, updates, change of account information for direct deposit—these are the tasks that crunch the workload of payroll. But new technologies are alleviating this situation, by empowering employees and managers to perform these tasks on their own in an online environment. To further reduce errors and improve on compliance, the latest payroll systems enable a “payroll preview” option before the actual payroll is run. When a payroll is previewed, everything occurs exactly as it would if the payroll were submitted. The system will flag any errors, corrections can be made, and another preview can be run until all data is accurate and correct. And this all happens without checks being reissued or having to amend the real payroll. If a payroll professional wants to see the impact of any changes, they can “test and tune” in a safe environment, reviewing the results on individual employees or whole departments if necessary. Finally, the last new payroll technology is the one that perhaps payroll departments will appreciate the most. This is the ability to process and submit the actual payroll online. Just as employees and managers can make and review time submissions anytime, anywhere, a payroll professional can run their company’s entire payroll the same way. This means control of payroll is not limited to one computer or one specific office. It can be especially beneficial in a small payroll department, where a key employee could still run payroll even if they were out of the office and at home. Online processing is another example of how new payroll technologies are improving the workflow and mindset of payroll executives everywhere. New Thinking Adoption of these new mobility driven payroll technologies is on the rise, as previous skepticism is overcome by the proven results that these ten new products are offering. With the current levels of encryption, redundancy and reliability available, mobile payroll systems can provide the same comfort level and accountability as any other major business system, such as an ERP or e-Commerce platform. Moving forward this trend is likely to continue ahead within India as well as on global turf. August 2012 | 23
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Smart Mobility
9 most Prominent Tethering Apps for Android Smartphones W
ith a growing number of smartphones or tablets allowing tethering of devices, we are presenting some of the most prominent tethering applications that an end user can go for. Tethering refers to sharing the Internet connection of a handset with other devices such as notebooks or desktops; with tethering applications, connecting a smartphone with other devices can be done over wireless LAN (WiFi), through Bluetooth or by physical connection using a cable through USB.
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Google’s online Android marketplace, Play, currently offers a wide selection of tethering applications, many of them available free—although some can cost users up to $15 for the service. Android’s ever growing user community of users offer useful, if opinionated, information on the best ones. We are presenting 9 different Android tethering essential applications to get you hooked on the Internet and create mobile hotspots for all your different convergence friendly devices.
EasyTether ($10) Tether to Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Ubuntu, PlayStation 3, Wii or Xbox, with no root and no tether fees. The app is easy to use and gets high marks for its speed and reliability.
FoxFi (Free) With this app, WiFi mode currently works on most Samsung, Motorola and LG phones, as well as new HTC phones with Android 4.0, such as the HTC One.
PDANet (Free) With more than 6 million installs and high ratings, this app shares your phone's Internet connection with your computer and does not require rooting your phone.
WiFi Tether for Root Users (Free) This program enables WiFitethering for "rooted" handsets—smartphones running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's subsystem.
Barnacle WiFi Tether (Free) Barnacle is unlimited, free and opensource, allowing you to share 3G wireless access with Windows, Macs, the iPod and iPad, Linux and the Xbox game console.
ClockworkMod Tether (Free) ClockworkMod Tether is a USB tether solution for Mac, Windows and Linux that allows you to use your phone's data connection to get Internet access on your desktop or laptop. A premium version is available for $4.99. www.mobilityindia.com
BlueDUN ($3.50)This app allows your phone to share WiFi or mobile connection over the Bluetooth channel with other devices like PCs, tablets or navigation systems. The Bluetooth DUN (dial-up network) service is turned on in order to enable the external device to access the Internet. Wifi Hotspot & USB Tether Pro ($14.50)This "Professional" version is for tech aficionados who crave Internet wherever they go, on whatever device they have, and for business professionals who need reliable online access while traveling and meeting clients. TetherGPS ($2.50)TetherGPS allows you to share the GPS on one WiFi-enabled Android device with another WiFi-enabled Android Device.
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:35:16 PM
MRP: `15,500
T
he Desire C buyers. The p to last year's cosmetic changes. A of impressive specs, (Ice Cream Sandwi since it's actually th OS available at this The device mea x 0.5" ( 12 mm) (d) grammes. It basicall took the Explorer's frame to it. Not a b Desire C is quite curved back panel grip, while its build when compared to o phones. The display is r sharpness could hav side, the panel's vie and its sunlight leg writing home abou by a modest 600 MH of RAM.
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MRP: `31,000
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Mobility Review
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MOBILITY
HTC Desire C – Impressively Built MRP: `15,500
T
he Desire C is targeted at budget buyers. The phone looks very similar to last year's Explorer, with only a few cosmetic changes. Although it doesn't boast of impressive specs, the onboard Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is the phone's USP, since it's actually the only handset with the OS available at this price point. The device measures 4.2" (l) x 2.4" (w) x 0.5" ( 12 mm) (d), and tips the scales at 98 grammes. It basically looks as if HTC simply took the Explorer's body and added a metal frame to it. Not a bad move though, as the Desire C is quite a looker. The handset's curved back panel provides a comfortable grip, while its build quality is also impressive when compared to other mid-range Android phones. The display is reasonably bright, but its sharpness could have been better. On the flip side, the panel's viewing angles are narrow, and its sunlight legibility is nothing worth writing home about. The phone is powered Pros: by a modest 600 MHz CPU, and has 512 MB Sturdy build; Impressive sound quality. of RAM.
Cons: Sluggish performance; Average video player.
Sad
camera;
LG Optimus 3D Max (P725) – True 3D Phone MRP: `31,000
L
G seems to have had a rather busy July. Well before launching its flagship Optimus 4X HD though, the Korean manufacturer had launched the successor to its first "glassesfree 3D" handset, the Optimus 3D. This handset measures 5" (l) x 2.7" (w) x 0.4" (10 mm) (d), and weighs around 148 grammes. It sports a wide bezel and looks quite rugged, with a matte plastic back panel that is easy to hold. Even so, the phone is a little too big for my liking, being difficult to use with one hand.
Pros:
Cons:
Good 3D main camera; 1080p video playback support; Dolby Music improves sound quality.
Uncomfortable for one-handed use; Unimpressive UI, Runs Gingerbread; Glassless 3D doesn't work well; 2D to 3D converter is mediocre.
3D Performance The smartphone's 4.3" Nova Plus 3D stereoscopic LCD panel, which has pixel dimensions of 480x800, is bright and sharp with decent viewing angles. The display's sunlight legibility is strictly average though. Regardless, the highlight of the handset is of course the fact that it offers a "glasses-free, full 3D experience". Apart from the bundled 3D content that includes games and videos, the phone also provides a 3D converter that lets you transform 2D content 3D. MOBILITY
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www.mobilityindia.com
August 2012 | 25
8/21/2012 2:35:17 PM
Mobility Review
N
Nokia Asha 302 – True Performer Pros: Pros:
Cons:
Excellent build quality; Great keypad; Wi-Fi and 3G support; Good sound quality; Great value for money.
Inability to change display brightness; Completely Fixedfocus camera.
MRP: `7000
W
hile the Lumia series trades blows with the heavyweights, the Asha handsets are Nokia's footsoldiers, on a mission to conquer the mass-market segment. Its latest entry-level handset, the Asha 302, is the mobile giant's latest attempt to blur the line between feature phones and smartphones. The phone measures 4.3" (l) x 2.3" (w) x 0.5" (13 mm) (d), and tips the scales at 106 grammes. The gadget is quite a looker and can be easily mistaken for the expensive Nokia E6. Its QWERTY keypad has been thoughtfully designed and offers great tactile response. The phone sports a 1 GHz CPU with 128 MB of RAM. Its microUSB port supports charging and external USB drives. This means that you can connect your USB pen drives to this phone. Other features include: •3.2 mp rear camera. •Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G. •A microSD card slot and 3.5 mm jack. •1320 mAh battery. The Asha 302 is based on the Series 40 platform, which is as simple an OS as it gets. In its latest iteration, you can add up to three widgets to the home screen. These widgets can be used for quickly accessing your favourite contacts, social networks, and connectivity settings, for example. Additionally, dedicated buttons are present for the messaging and phonebook functions.
Well-priced; Impre Sleek looks; Grea quality; 1080p vid HDMI-Out.
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his time arou performance thousand buc manages to strike a like its predecessor. It's worth notin slim profile. Also, it' price point. The bui cake is the brushed The slate is pow GB of RAM. Other •A 2 MP rear an •8 GB internal m •An HDMI por USB OTG (On The •A 3000 mAh ba Similar to its pr out of the box. NX hardware is good en lag though, but over
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Samsung OMNIA W – Happiness in your Hand Pros:
Pros:
Cons:
Brilliant AMOLED display; Excellent UI; Seamless Social Networking Integration; Front camera; Wi-Fi tethering; Powerful Office suite; Compact and lightweight; Includes Gorilla Glass protection.
ILacks USB mass storage mode; Useless as a PMP; No Bluetooth file transfers; Nonexpandable memory; Strange bug with on-screen keypad.
Full phone functio support; 1080p vi HDMI-Out.
Z
MRP: `17,850
I
t's no secret that an Android or Symbian smartphone is a must if you want to get any work done. However, the iPhone has been the sole option offering a refined and lag-free experience for a long time now. That is, until Microsoft spoiled its party with the Windows Phone 7 — an OS that's arguably not just more beautiful, but also nearly as refined and lag-free. All that at a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a free lunch. All this iPhone-like goodness comes with the same frustrating restrictions. In other words, a Windows Phone handset may share the iPhone's pleasing UI and simplicity, but it's just as useless for those who seek productivity. Six months with the Samsung Focus were enough to convince me that WP7 is cut out for this role despite the platform's iPhone-like anal retentiveness.
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www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:35:18 PM
ync's latest e 512 MB of R 4.0 (Ice Cream calling functionality beyond the Rs 10,00 cost. The retail pack earphones, warrant x 4.8" (w) x 0.5" (12 covered by glass, wh design has been ins 7" capacitive, multiThe display is brigh The slate is pow 400 GPU. Other spe •512 MB of D microSD card slot. •2 mp rear and f •Wi-Fi, Bluetoo mm jack. •4200 mAh Lith MOBILITY
Mobility Review
NXG Xtab A10 Plus – The Budget Tab
h the heavyweights, diers, on a mission ts latest entry-level empt to blur the line
3 mm) (d), and tips ker and can be easily Y keypad has been nse. of RAM. Its microes. This means that one. Other features
m, which is as simple up to three widgets or quickly accessing ectivity settings, for nt for the messaging
Pros:
Cons:
Well-priced; Impressive display; Sleek looks; Great audio quality; 1080p video support; HDMI-Out.
Bad camera.
MRP (As On 28-Jun-2012): `8200
T
his time around, the manufacturer is offering a better screen and faster performance with its Xtab 10 Plus. Of course, that hikes up a few thousand bucks in its price tag. Let's find out if this new offering manages to strike a fine balance between price and performance, just like its predecessor. It's worth noting that NXG has done a great job at delivering a slim profile. Also, it's hard to find such lightweight tablets at this price point. The build quality is good too, and the icing on the cake is the brushed metal finish on its rear. The slate is powered by a 1.2 GHz processor, and has 1 GB of RAM. Other specs include: •A 2 MP rear and a front VGA camera •8 GB internal memory and a microSD card slot •An HDMI port, 3.5 mm jack, Wi-Fi, and a micro-USB slot with USB OTG (On The Go) support •A 3000 mAh battery. Similar to its predecessor, the Xtab A10 Plus runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) out of the box. NXG hasn't customised the UI too much, so the interface is clean. The tablet's hardware is good enough to keep the user experience pleasing. The tablet has a slight amount of lag though, but overall it's still miles ahead of its competitors.
Zync Z999 Plus – True to the Colors
r Hand Pros:
Cons:
Full phone functionality; 3G support; 1080p video playback; HDMI-Out.
Buggy software implementation; Terrible camera; Lacklustre display.
MRP: `12,000
Z
MOBILITY
ync's latest entrant, the Z999 Plus, comes with a 1.5 GHz CPU with 512 MB of RAM. Similar to most entry-level tablets, it offers Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). What makes it stand out though, is its GSM calling functionality. This additional feature, however, takes the tablet's price beyond the Rs 10,000 mark. Let's find out if the Z999 Plus can justify its cost. The retail package includes the tablet, charger, USB cable, earphones, warranty card, and a pouch. The slate measures 7.6" (l) x 4.8" (w) x 0.5" (12 mm) (d), and weighs 380 grammes. Its front is covered by glass, while the body is made of matte plastic. The slate's design has been inspired by Sony's Xperia handsets. The device's 7" capacitive, multi-touch screen has pixel dimensions of 800x480. The display is bright, but its colour reproduction is mediocre. The slate is powered by a 1.5 GHz CPU, coupled with a Mali 400 GPU. Other specs include: •512 MB of DDR3 RAM, 8 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot. •2 mp rear and front VGA camera. •Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, HDMI-Out, mini-USB port, and 3.5 mm jack. •4200 mAh Lithium-ion polymer battery. MOBILITY www.mobilityindia.com
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Mobility Review
Asus Transformer Prime – The Power Packed Pros:
Cons:
• great processor • good display • great keyboard attachment
• heavy wieght • costly
T
his tablet from Asus comes with the best specifications amongst tablets and it's a netbook to boot, but it is expensive. Asus Transformer Prime is the costliest tablet out there-at Rs 50,000. But then its specification list is strongest and comes with the added functionality of a physical keyboard that easily detaches itself from the tablet and when attached to it, transforms it into a proper laptop. The tablet looks pretty impressive. The gunmetal finish of the back panel is spot on; the quality is top notch. The front has the screen and black bezel all around with no buttons or any other visible break except for a small front camera and an Asus logo at the top left corner. This Asus tablet is super slim with a thickness of just 8.3 mm, but the broad bezel around the screen makes it appear bigger than other tablets making rounds in the market.
Samsung 10 inch Galaxy Tab 2 – the Super Star MRP: `32,990
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T
he newest tablets offer a 1 GHz dual core processor and Android ICS onboard with a wholesome 10 inch display. Global electronics brand Samsung has launched its latest tablet - the Galaxy Tab 2, 10.1 - in the Indian market. The tablet was announced earlier this year during the Mobile World Congress. The tablet comes with the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is the second generation 10.1 inch Android tablet from Samsung. The Galaxy Tab 2, 10.1 features a dual core 1 GHz processor along with a 1 GB of DDR 2 RAM for better multitasking and performance in applications. The Tab 2 features the all new PLS (Plane to line switching) technology based display; this technology allows the display to show superior colours, contrast and even wider screen viewing angles than the existing IPS technology based displays. The 10.1 inch display features a capacitive touch and a 1204 x 800 pixel native resolution. The tablet features HSPA+">HSPA+ 3G connectivity allowing it to get data download speeds of up to 21 Megabits per second which will come in real handy while accessing social media websites or while sharing content on various websites online. The tablet is powered by the latest Android ICS 4.0 operating system that not only offers functionality of a tablet but also allows users to use it as a regular smartphone for communications as well. www.mobilityindia.com
MOBILITY
8/21/2012 2:35:19 PM
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www.mobilityindia.com
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