Mobility Monthly Magazine June 2019

Mobility Monthly Magazine

June 2019

Issue 6

Volume 16

Pages 52

20

beyond technology, beyond lifestyle

Featured

Page 36

Ms. Jyotsna Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska Group

Interview

Page 38

Mr. Gopal Jeyaraj, Head India and SAARC Anker Innovations

Manufacturing

Page 40

Ms. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd.

www.mobilityindia.com

CONTENTS

4

06 08 12

Editorial News Launchpad Review VIVO: Y15 Ubon WC-1004 Garmin INSTINCT: The rugged GPS Watch Infinix Xband 3

16-22

Retail

23

The New Age Concept of O-LINE-O is Set to Take Mumbai Mobile Markets by Storm

Report FOUNDER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR CHIEF EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR

: SWAPAN ROY

ASST. EDITOR

: E. J. JAWAHARDATHAM

: MANOJ JHA : SHAMPA

PRODUCT HEAD

: SANDEEP SARKAR

FINANCE

: SANDEEP KR. TANTI

BUSINESS HEAD

: TRIDIP DEY

MARKETING

: SUJIT GOSWAMI

SALES

: PRATAP, SANTU, RAJKUMAR

MANAGER IT & WEB

: PAWAN KUMAR

SR. CREATIVE & DESIGN

: MEERA

CIRCULATION MANAGER

: P BISWAS

PRODUCTION ASST.

: ASHISH GHOSH

H.O.: Delhi / Editorial Office Roy Mediative A-23, 1st Floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi-110020 (INDIA) Mob: 09810380882, 09811346846, 09582951366 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: 105/19, Dum Dum Road, Sil Colony, Kolkata-74 Contact: 09891666264, 09330922965; 09903392620 E-mail : roy@ mobilityindia.com Orissa

24

: RoyMediative, Royal Communication, Shree Complex, Room No. 7, Louchapada Road, Opp. SBI Bank, Berhampur - 760001 (Orissa) (In-

India Smartphone Market Grew by 7%, despite Global Drop of 6% YoY in 1Q2019: IDC India

28 36 38 40 42

dia) Contact

: Jivanananda Kar - 09439263711

Email

: info@mobilityindia.com odisha.ncn@gmail.com

Mobility Monthly News Paper, Printed, Published & Owned by Swapan Roy at 38-B / 56 Block, C. R. Park, New Delhi-110019 (India).

Printed at Pushpak Printer, C-96, Okhla Industrial Area-I, New Delhi-20. Retail selling price of a magazine copy Rs. 20/-. Annual subscription Rs. 240.

Editor

:

edit@mobilityindia.com

Marketing

:

Info

:

info@mobilityindia.com

Subscribe

:

subscription@ mobilityindia.com

roy@ mobilityindia.com tridip@mobilityindia.com

44

Special Story Factor to Shape the Present and future of Audio

Featured Syska as a brand is also catering to the rapidly changing needs and demands of consumers

Interview Our positioning in the market has been premium however at price points, which justifies the BUY

Manufacturing Kodak TV India Aims to be a Top LED and Smart TV Brand in India

5G

Nokia confirms 42 commercial 5G deals across the globe

Distributor “Rajchandra Agencies’ Growth is Driven by its ‘Strong Goodwill, highly Experienced & Committed Team’”

d&i Award

46-47 48

marketing@mobilityindia.com

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

More than Half of Consumers Would Pay More for Sustainable Products Designed to Be Reused or Recycled, Accenture Survey Finds

50

“Rajchandra Agencies’ Growth is Driven by its ‘Strong Goodwill, highly Experienced & Committed Team’”

Product Feature Neumann : NDH 20

App 5 Lite travel Apps

6

EDITORIAL

EDITOR’S DESK

Integration of wireless, IoT, Biometric Monitoring, etc set to dominate audio technology Dear Readers, Greetings from Mobility magazine !

In this issue our main story focuses on the consumer and market trends in the audio accessories segment.

Rapid advances in technology, manufacturing methods, transmission, portability and consumers demand for wireless products with superior features are driving the headphones, earphones and speakers market. There is a clear surge in demand for wireless accessories like wireless headphones, wireless earphones and Bluetooth speakers.

Swapan Roy roymobility@gmail.com

Next, the convergence and the increasing integration of IoT, biometric monitoring, augmented hearing, and ambient noise control are set to revolutionize the global earphones and headphones market. The integration of other advanced features like water resistance, gesture recognition, sensors, voice as dominant User Interface (UI) and virtual assistance will lead to the evolution of the global wireless headphones market.

Editor’s Choice

Today technology is changing so fast, let us see what more is in the offing.

HONOR 20i HONOR 20i comes with a powerful triple camera setup. The primary rear camera features a 24MP sensor to capture everything exactly as users see it with their eyes. The secondary camera uses an 8MP ultra-wide lenses with 120° field of view. The third 2MP camera is a depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture. The front camera gets a 32MP; sensor with f/2.0 aperture for great looking selfies.

The AI-enabled camera is capable of recognizing over 500 scenes in 22 categories, automatically applying the best settings to the perfect shot. Based on the AI-powered algorithm, the camera can enhance the subject’s face and the background by modifying the exposure time and applying colour adjustment according to different scene types, creating professional-grade films.

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8

NEWS

OPPO joins Android Q Beta program and showcases 5G capabilities at Google I/O 2019 This week OPPO participated in Google I/O 2019, Google’s annual developer conference, where the leading smartphone company showcased its strong capabilities in both Android development and 5G technology. During the event, held from May 7-9 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California, Google announced that OPPO would be joining its Android Q Beta program as one of the OEMs to introduce testing of the next version of Android. The forthcoming version of Android, Android Q, became available as Beta earlier this year. As an early adopter of the operating system, OPPO featured its newest smartphone ‘Reno’ in an Android Q Beta demo at I/O, offering software developers in attendance the opportunity to experience and test the device. During the conference, Google also announced that Android Q Beta would be available on OPPO Reno smartphones starting from May 8th.

Realme 3 is the new No. 1 smartphone model on online channels: Counterpoint Research Realme, the No. 1 quality smartphone brand in India, launched realme 3 at the beginning of 2019, adding another performance master to its much-loved realme series.

According to the leading industry analyst firm Counterpoint Research, realme 3 was the No. 1 smartphone model on online channels in March 2019. Sharing his pleasure by sharing the information with the realme fans, Madhav Sheth, Chief Executive Officer, realme India said, “We are delighted to share the news of realme’s latest achievement. Realme has already created records by selling more than 5 lakh units of realme 3 in just three weeks of its sale. Today it has earned another milestone by receiving the No. 1 position on online channels in March 2019 by Counterpoint Research. We are sure realme 3 will go a long way with the never-ending love from our customers and fans.”

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

NV Telecom to Launch latest Mobile Accessories Brand Harmano The Ahmedabadbased NV Telecom, a mobile accessories distribution company, is all set to launch their own brand Harmano mobile accessories by August 2019. NV Telecom has been into the distribution of mobile accessories for the past one decade. The outstanding features of the Harmano mobile accessories will include top class quality, honest price and best-in-class service. The product-line under Harmano brand will initially include earphones, mobile cables, Bluetooth handsfree, Bluetooth neckband and airpods.

Mahendra D Jangir, Founder, NV Telecom, comments, “We have been into mobile accessories distribution for about a decade, so we know what exactly the customers need. Our product and business policy will be based on top class quality, honest price and best-in-class service and armed with these principles, we are sure that our Harmano accessories will be a big hit in the market. As we have already been into mobile accessories distribution, our established channel network is an added advantage for us. We have over 10 regional distributors and over 70 sub-distributors under them. We also have an excellent system for after-salesservice. Currently our channel network is present in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP, Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, J&K, MP and Maharashtra. And in the coming times, we want to expand pan-India. Backed by the advantages of a strong channel network, well-built after-sales-service system, honest price, high quality and wider geographical spread of partners, we are sure that our Harmano brand will be a grand success in the Indian market in the coming months and years.”

10

NEWS

MMA’s Cognition Research Study Tells Marketers to get a ‘First Second Strategy’ The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) launched its ground breaking Neuroscience Cognition Research which establishes that the human brain needs 400 milliseconds (or 4/10th of

a second or less than ½ second), to engage with mobile advertising and trigger an imprint, positive or negative.

This research has been done to test and assess the duration at which advertising on mobile platforms can be recognized and processed cognitively.

The cognition research report is an eye-opener for mobile marketers in many ways. Ever since videos have become the preferred mode of marketing a product, there has been a deluge of ads. On the flip side, owing to excessive screen time, the viewer’s attention spans have been reducing.

The findings of this report will provide answers as to why marketers are often befuddled about the lack of response while consumers wrestle with too many diversions. The report provides directives to advertisers on how to leverage specific visual elements to capture the emotional brain’s attention and the need to contrast ad complexity to the ad’s contextual environment.

58% rise in malicious mobile banker packages circulating online in Q1 2019

Kaspersky Lab researchers have uncovered a worrying rise in malware designed to steal credentials and money from users’ bank accounts: in Q1 2019, researchers found 29,841 files of such malware, up from 18,501

in Q4 2018. Overall, attacks on more than 300,000 users were detected.

These are among the main findings of Kaspersky Lab’s IT threat evolution in Q1 2019 report.

Mobile banking Trojans are one of the most rapidly-developing, flexible and dangerous types of malware. They usually steal funds directly from mobile users’ bank accounts, but sometimes their purpose is changed to steal other kinds of credentials. The malware generally looks like a legitimate app, such as a banking application. When a victim tries to reach their genuine bank app, the attackers gain access to that too.

In Q1 2019, Kaspersky Lab detected around 30,000 modifications of various families of banking Trojans, trying to attack 312,235 unique users.

WarrantyBazaar. com forays in Refurbished Home Appliances Industry WarrantyBazaar.Com, an integrated platform providing extended warranty services, today announced its entry in Refurbished Home Appliance market to offer extended warranty. After successfully penetrating in refurbished smart

phone industry, Warranty bazaar. com sees another emerging category flooding the Indian market – refurbished white goods, which is available as low as three-fourth the price of a new product. To cater to this segment, the company has entered into an association with ecommerce companies and sellers to offer 6-12 months extended warranty on refurbished, box-opened and used white goods. In the Home Appliances category, Warranty Bazaar. com is going to provide warranty on Refurbished TVs. However, in time to come; the company also plans to provide warranty on products like Washing Machines, Refrigerators etc. With an extensive distribution network, the company is set to deliver its services pan India.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Suraj Mhatre, Business Head, WarrantyBazaar.Com said, “Warranty is one of the most important aspects in Refurbished industry which adds value to your device. Today, a customer, while purchasing any refurbished good is concerned about the lifecycle of the product which also includes after sales services. ”

Paytm Continues to Dominate Digital Payments with 5.5 Bn Transactions and a GTV of $50Bn in FY’19 Paytm, the brand owned by One97 Communications, India’s largest digital payments company has successfully added huge impetus in the adoption of digital payments. The company today announced that it has achieved a GTV (Gross Transaction Value) of more than $50 Billion, while clocking 5.5 billion transactions in FY’19. This increase is a result of the rapid growth in the adoption of Paytm’s digital payments solutions across online and offline for multiple use cases including retail payments, fees, utility payments, travel booking, entertainment, games and more. Its newly launched Paytm First premium subscription-based rewards program has further helped promote usage and resulted in increased customer retention.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

12

LAUNCHPAD

oraimo unleashes ‘Airbuds OEB-E99D’, its first true wireless earbuds with superior sound and customizable fit

T

RANSSION Holdings announces the launch of new age wireless, long lasting and trendy looking ear buds- Airbuds OEB-E99D. The oraimo Airbuds are designed to deliver a superior audio experience at an affordable price of INR 2999 and will be available starting today across India. The ergonomically designed oraimo Airbuds has capabilities par excellence and elevates the auditory experience to all together new level. The cushioned ear tips and comfortable ear design along with HD quality sound makes it class apart. oraimo Airbuds are impeccably engineered to deliver clear, balanced sound quality and advanced wireless connectivity to ensure true sound performance. Secure fit coupled with comfortable design and latest Bluetooth version V5.0, provides its users with hassle free crystal clear call experience. Well, to your delight, there is no risk of signal loss which makes video watching a complete treat, with proper sync of audio and video.

Daiwa Announced 80cm ‘D32SBAR’ Smart LED TV with Quantum Luminit Technology

OPPO Launches Reno 10x Zoom

Syska introduces ‘Beat Pro’ earphones for an immersive music experience

W

D

aiwa announces its latest ‘D32SBAR’ Smart LED TV. The TV comes with the unique cricket picture mode that brings unforgettable cricket viewing experience with surround sound and enhanced picture quality.

Supporting the cricket Mode, is the Quantum Luminit Technology fused with Wide Color Gamut (NTSC 90%), that brings ultimate picture quality by combining spectacular details, and striking contrast ratio. Featuring a Stunning 1366*768-pixel resolution, 300 Nits Brightness & Built-in Soundbar, the TV brings the ultimate audio-visual experience in your living room. With A+ Grade Panel, and 16.7m colors, the Smart TV offers enriching involvement of red, green and blue colour efficiency. The TV is equipped with a 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 Quad-core processor and operates on Android 8.0 version along with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of ROM. Go wire free with e-Share support that lets users mirror the smartphone to TV and vice-versa along with supporting the phone as remote or air Mouse. The TV also supports 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB port, Optical Output, Wi-Fi and LAN.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

ith the introduction of OPPO Reno series, OPPO is expanding their product portfolio as they expect the premium segment of the market to expand. The surge would not only be driven by current OPPO F series users who are seeking continuity of OPPO’s signature features like VOOC flash charge technology, panoramic screen & rising camera design but the introduction of innovative technology and new experiences like 10x Hybrid Zoom will also help drive growth in this category. The OPPO Reno series, which has been engineered for creativity, would thus serve the needs of these smartphone upgraders in the premium segment. Moreover, with nearly six years of operations in India, OPPO has developed a robust retail network of 250+ outlets, supported by OPPO Experience Consultants, a strong presence of after sales experience across 200 cities and a local R&D center in Hyderabad. Empowered by this infrastructure, OPPO aims to provide consumers with a delightful shopping experience, coupled with a seamless after sales services and latest software experience. Reno series also marks the start of the next five years, wherein OPPO will concentrate on building great products that will bring alive their innovative technology with elegant design.

S

yska Accessories, the leading name in the mobile accessories segment in India, has launched the Syska HE1100 Beat Pro earphones that come with Hi-Fi clear sound which give users a captivating music experience. The Syska Beat Pro earphones are not only a good choice when listening to music but also while making / receiving calls as they cut out any unwanted noise in the background giving listeners an immersive experience. The design of the earphones are fascinating because of its metal housing which result in a rich experience for bass music lovers. The Syska HE1100 Beat Pro earphones come with a high definition built-in microphone, which provide absolute clarity to listeners.

The earphones have a multi-function button which can be used to play, pause, control volume, track speed and answer calls, thereby offering all functions through the click of a button.

The Syska Beat Pro earphones also come with a 1.2 metre anti-winding round cable which provide a tangle free experience. These earphones are compatible with all devices that include mobiles, laptops, gaming & music devices.

14

LAUNCHPAD

Stuffcool Launches Universal Magnetic Holder – Car/Desk Mount

Wings Lifestyle Launches TouchEnabled Truly Wireless Earbuds

ROAV by Anker Launches AlexaEnabled Smart Car Charger

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tuffcool has launched universal magnetic holder car/desk mount that makes navigation so much simpler.

The magnetic holder allows you to mount and remove your smartphone with a single hand. This magnetic holder is made with strong magnets to hold smartphones firm and even an iPad/Tablet up to 9.7” screen size. The magnetic holder can be used on the windshield of your car with the strong suction cup and also comes with a sticky gel to be stuck on the dash board or your desk. The long adjustable arm of the magnetic holder makes sure that you get best viewing angles as per your convenience. Just adjust the arm according to your preference and lock it with the locking knob to make sure that the viewing angle doesn’t change even if the car is in its top speed.

ings Lifestyle recently introduced the premium earbuds in India and they can be purchased from Amazon and Myntra. The intuitive earbuds are sleek, elegant and when inserted into the ear can be operated just by touch.

Each earbud has sensors allowing users to adjust volume, change songs, answer calls, and use Siri and Google using touch. All these actions can be completed without ever having to hold your smartphone. The Wings Touch’s sound output is specially designed keeping in mind the preferences of Indian audiences who like music that has a heavy base. Consumers today struggle using true wireless earbuds because they all either have no controls at all or have buttons which dig into the user’s ear when pressed. Those using Wings Touch earbuds need only double touch on the right earbud to raise the volume and double touch on the left earbud to lower it. A long touch on the right earbud will skip to the next song in a playlist while a long touch on the left bud will play the previous song in a playlist. A single touch on the right or left earbud will pause or play a song.

The Wings Touch is a huge step forward because it is intuitive and ideal for trendy consumers who love listening to music and lead active lifestyles.

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OAV by Anker Innovations enters Indian Markets with the launch of India’s first Alexa enabled car charger – ‘Viva Pro’. The first smart car charger that comes equipped with Voice Controlled Navigation, to allow Alexa to get directions while you drive.

Enabling Voice Initiated Calling or streaming Music – Hit the Road with Alexa Viva Pro! Plug the Roav Viva Pro into the cigarette Lighter in your car, download the App (Android and IOS) and you are ready to go! The Viva Pro gives you four options for streaming audio from your phone to your car’s stereo: Bluetooth, USB, the Aux cable and FM radio. Enabling Hands-free calling, the Smart car Charger, also comes with Dual USB Ports, that delivers High speed charging with Power IQ technology, to driver and passenger.

Mixcder Launches New HD901 Wireless Headphones

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ixcder announced the lightest, most comfortable, lowest cost foldable Hi-Fi wireless headphones on the market — The Mixcder HD901 premium Bluetooth headphones. The Mixcder HD901 Headphones are designed to be everyone’s travel-everywhere headphones, featuring a great combination of low price at $19.99, high quality sound with superior bass and 40mm drivers, easy compact travel foldability, light weight at just 5 ounces, and comfort with soft ear cups and adjustable headband sliders. The HD901 is the all-in-one solution for music lovers, audio-book listeners, travelers, sports enthusiasts, and students.

The Mixcder HD901 has improved sound quality with precision-engineered dual 40mm drivers and an advanced CSR chip that delivers high definition clean smooth audio with a balanced mid-range for a clear dynamic music listening experience with deep bass.

The headphones can be used wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired with the included 3.5mm audio cable. They also feature a microphone for making and receiving phone calls, as well as a TF Card slot for MP3 music.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

16

REVIEW

VIVO: Y15

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ivo, the global innovative smartphone brand, announced the launch of the Y15, the latest entrant in the Y-Series portfolio.

The vivo Y15 is a feature packed smartphone with AI Triple Rear camera, powerful 5000mAh battery and a 16-megapixel front camera priced at INR 13,990.

Y15 offers AI Triple Rear Camera (13MP + 8MP + 2 MP) capable of capturing Wide Angle Images of up to 120° along for its photography savvy customers to enjoy clicking pictures of high quality. For customers on the move, Y15 is loaded with 5000mAh battery which gives an uninterrupted smartphone experience to the users. Seamless performance, high capacity and a screen-to-body ratio of 89% for an immersive viewing experience are other features that Y15 is sporting. The crisp 16.15cm Halo FullView™ Display, enhances the user’s visual amusement experience and makes tackling the daily to-do lists easier than ever before.

Like all vivo devices, the Y15 follows commitment to ‘Make in India, vivo Y15 is also manufactured at vivo’s Greater Noida facility.

The Y15 will be available in Aqua Blue and Burgundy Red color variants across leading

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

online platforms (Flipkart, Amazon.in, Paytm, Tata Cliq), all offline partner outlets and vivo India E-store.

The new Y15 is equipped with Helio P22 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM, which provides seamless user experience. This not only accommodates more applications in the background but also enables effortless multitasking with no lags thereby ensuring smooth performance all day long. New Y15 is power packed with a massive 5000 mAh battery, which ensures uninterrupted performance for more than 24 hours. All these power packed features make the vivo Y15 an ideal choice for all smooth multimedia consumption needs at a competitive price.

Capture with AI Triple Real Camera Featuring 13MP Main Camera, 8MP AI Super Wide-Angle Camera, and a third 2MP Depth Camera ensures to create unrestrained masterpieces with every shot. From magnificent landscapes to beautiful portraits, these three cameras help you capture your most impressive shots - with the least amount of effort. Overall, the new Y15 is a power packed model at an affordable price point.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

18

REVIEW

Ubon WC-1004

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ecently wireless charging devices are gaining demand and popularity in the India market. The main reason about this is now more and more Smartphone are now supporting wireless charging capabilities and affordability of wireless chargers which are now available in the market. In the recent times we have seen many wireless chargers which are now affordable and also multipurpose like in combination of a power bank, Bluetooth speaker and also with a mouse pad.

Ubon WC-1004 wireless charging mouse pad is such device with which you can not only charge your electronic devices but also a mouse pad. Simply place your device with Qi technology onto the charging pad and your device with start charging immediately.

One side of the pad has the apparatus necessary to charge your phone wirelessly, leaving enough room to move the mouse around.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

The a wireless charging pad that’s designed to sit on your bedside table, but we discovered it also doubles nicely as a mouse pad.

It gives you 5 W Qi-certified Wireless Charging, that charges phones with integrated Qi functionality or devices equipped with a Qireceiving battery case. With 5 W/1 A output, the charger delivers power quickly and smoothly to your smartphone without having to sacrifice any speed compared to a wired charger. It has a very elegant, compact design and travel-friendly design does not take up much space on your desktop or nightstand while the black finish ideally blends into any environment. With this charging pad you can charge devices like Apple iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8, 8 Plus / Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note9, Note8, Note5, Google Nexus 6/5/4 and all other Qi-enabled smartphones, tablets and accessories.

20

REVIEW

Garmin INSTINCT: The rugged GPS Watch

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dding to the excitement of the buyers, Garmin India, a unit of Garmin Ltd. launched three more new attractive colors of its first ever lifestyle watch – Instinct. Designed for the outdoor enthusiast, the watch is now also available in Sunburst, Lakeside Blue and Sea Foam colors.

Extremely capable and tough, the Garmin Instinct comes in a fiber-reinforced polymer case and is thermal, shock and water resistant (U.S military standard 810G). The fiber-reinforced polymer case adds strength and durability and the chemically-strengthened, scratch-resistant display is high-contrast enough to read in bright sunlight. So you can take it with you, into the extremes you face every day, without hesitation.

Key Features This rugged, reliable outdoor GPS watch is built to the U.S. military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters). The fiber-reinforced polymer case

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

adds strength and durability, and the chemicallystrengthened, scratch-resistant display is highcontrast enough to read in bright sunlight.

Seamless GPS Integration: Built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support helps track in more challenging environments than GPS alone.

Monitor and Train: The Instinct GPS watch monitors heart rate, activity and stress throughout the day. When you’re ready to train, we’ve got you covered with preloaded activity profiles for running, biking, swimming and more.

Instinct is loaded with various multiple sports modes like running, cycling, swimming, climbing, skiing, rowing, weightlifting and yoga.

Garmin Connect: The watch can be paired with phone and Garmin Connect online fitness community for automatic uploads, live tracking and the GroupTrack feature.

22

REVIEW

Infinix Xband 3

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nfinix, a premium smartphone brand from TRANSSION HOLDINGS, launched its smart health fitness device, Infinix Xband 3, on Flipkart.

of features. The band offers heart rate monitoring, BP tracking, sleep and activity tracker, oxygen levels, calorie intake, outdoor running, step counting etc.

The device, priced at INR 1599/-, is the first smart health band in its category to offer a color display and customizable interfaces, and can be easily operated through the Infinix Life app available on Google Playstore and Apple App Store.

A sleek device with pin-based convenient clip-on charging, it is the first to offer color display in its price segment with three interface options to choose from.

Users can also get automatic weather report, Smart task reminders etc. Furthermore, Xband 3 enables the users to control their smartphones remotely, serving as a shutter for the camera or control music. The band is IP67 water resistant and offers battery-life duration of 20 days.

Indians have been bitten by the fitness bug and tracking/ monitoring devices that keep a record of physiological variables are in great demand. The Xband 3, priced at INR 1599/-, emerges as the best buy in its segment, offering the ideal combination of a great price point with a range

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

RETAIL

23

The New Age Concept of O-LINE-O is Set to Take Mumbai Mobile Markets by Storm

Mr. Vibhooti Prasad, Director, O-LINE-O

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he Mumbaib a s e d O-LINE-O Nexus Pvt Ltd has been launched to serve as an online-to-offline and offline-toonline business bridge, based on the unique concept that helps the consumers to purchase products from the offline stores without physically visiting the stores and enjoy the convenience of shopping from home and avoid spending his valuable time and effort. And if the customer still wants to visit the retail store which sent him the product, he can visit that that would be located close to his address. In an interaction with Mobility, Vibhooti Prasad, Director, O-LINE-O, shares his companies business-logic, policy, mission and vision.

Vibhooti Prasad shares, “When I surveyed the customers why they want to purchase online, they always say online buying will save them time and effort that are needed to physically visit the retail store. On the other hand, they also have apprehensions about online purchases as they are not sure if they get what they want and what the online portals actually promise—in terms of quality and originality of the product and also the service. Sometimes they also have doubts that secondhand or refurbished products may be pushed to them without ever informing them. After understanding these feelings of the customers, we decided to launch our new concept which will allay these fears of the customers and deliver what they expect.

In normal online purchased products are delivered to the customer from a distant source and there is little chance that

the customer could visit the store physically in a convenient manner to discuss with the senders when they have some issues. In our case, the products will be delivered from our connected-store nearest to the customer’s address, and the customer has the privilege to approach the store physically to clarify any issue if they want to; and the customer can also call our customer-care representatives for any service, assistance or query. There will be no delivery charges, the customers will be charged the same price which they pay if they physically visit the store.”

This is a time when offline channel views online channels as unpleasant rivals who dispense goods at discounted rates without giving the customer experience of the products. But O-LINE-O’s novel concept is expected to rival the online channels while giving the customers the convenience and comfort of the online channels while giving the feel, confidence and trust given by offline channels.

Vibhooti Prasad adds, “A unique feature of O-LINE-O’s services is once a customer orders a product, say a mobile phone, the product will be delivered to the customer within 4 hrs from the nearest mobile retail store. Next, our supply agents would be specially trained, not just to deliver the products, but also to assist the customer how to insert the SIM card, operate different features of the mobile phone, etc.”

The new-age brand O-LINE-O is set to emerge as the most reliable mobile retail chain in Mumbai with a mission to revitalize the retail space by bringing the services the customers desire with the combined benefits of offline and online functionalities.

In a nutshell: O-LINE-O merges the online shopping experience with an extended offline service; brings the retail at your door step with the services curated particularly for the customers along with the friendly neighborhood expert to help them. Other benefits include no- cost EMIs, zero down-payment, exclusive offers and more. The customer can choose his favorite products from over 75 neighborhood stores. The O-LINE-O promises that 100% original products are delivered to the customers within 4 hrs by the chosen neighborhood retailer; and hassle-free services—repairs, replacements, easy loans, instant exchange, etc all from one store.

MOBILITY JUNE 2019

24

REPORT

India Smartphone Market Grew by 7%, despite Global Drop of 6% YoY in 1Q2019: IDC India

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ccording to the International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Asia/ Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, India’s smartphone market got off to a good start with a total shipment of 32.1 million units in 1Q19 (2019Q1), maintaining a healthy 7.1% yearon-year (YoY) growth. High channel inventory from the previous quarter resulted in a sequential decline of 8.4%.

“Despite the Smartphone government’s new e-commerce rules, online channels managed to sustain their pace, registering 19.6% YoY growth in 1Q19. Fueled by attractive offers and new launches by vendors like Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, and Huawei, online sales reached 40.2% of the market in 1Q19,” says Upasana Joshi , Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India.

Large shipments in the festival quarters of 3Q18 and 4Q18 led to high channel inventory, leading to flat YoY growth in offline channels in 1Q19. But new products still arrived in Samsung’s A series and online-heavy vendors like Xiaomi and Realme expanded to offline counters.

Average selling prices grew by 3.3% YoY to US$161. This can be attributed to the growth in the US$300-US$500 segment, accounting for 6% of the overall smartphone market in 1Q19. This segment also outgrew all other price bands on the back of newly launched vivo V15 Pro. Joshi further adds, “Samsung surpassed Apple for the leadership position in the premium (US$500+) segment with an overall share of 36.0% in 1Q19 due to its newly launched Galaxy S10 flagship series that

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Market in India

was supported by huge marketing campaigns. OnePlus followed, as its OnePlus 6T was the top-selling model in India’s US$500+ smartphone segment in 1Q19.

The feature phone market, which still accounts for half of the total mobile phone shipments, registered 32.3 million-unit shipments in 1Q19, with a sharp decline of 42.4% YoY. There was a sharp drop in 4G-enabled feature phones, declining by more than 50% YoY due to channel inventory from previous quarters. There was also a sequential dip in 2G/2.5G feature phones.

Ms. Upasana Joshi , Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India

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SPECIAL STORY

W Factors to Shape the Present and future of Audio The increasing integration of IoT, biometric monitoring, augmented hearing, and ambient noise control will revolutionize the global earphones and headphones market.

ith the rapid advancements in technology, manufacturing, transmission, and portable consumer electronics goods, the global earphones and headphones market witnessed significant innovations that boosted the adoption of these devices.

The improvements and developments in the manufacturing and audio technology are leading to a vast transformation in the appearance, sound output, portability, and connectivity of these devices in the global market.

The increasing affordability of wireless connectivity and the introduction of new headphone variants with health sensors and other value-added features will drive the evolution of the market. The top developers are focusing on continuously testing and adapting advanced technology to reduce or offer external noises canceling features; this will boost the revenues in the global market. The rising developments in the field of IoT and AI is strengthening the infrastructure for wearables in the market. A rising number of tech startups are working to develop the integrations of wearables and voice as the prominent UI which is enabling the transition of earphones and earbuds to become the central node in the future systems in the global market. Significant technological advancements in wireless products such as SKAA, Bluetooth, infrared, and Wi-Fi will propel the demand for demand for high-fidelity devices in the market. The wider acceptance of smart hearables, such as true wireless headphones with augmented hearing and language translation capabilities will create lucrative opportunities for leading vendors in the global market.

The increasing integration of IoT, biometric monitoring, augmented hearing, and ambient noise control will revolutionize the global earphones and headphones market.

The increase in the number of mobile devices, access to music and video content on-the-go, and the fast-evolving music industry are some of the major factors attributing to the growth of the global market. The exponential growth of digital media, especially entertainment services such as video, audio, and multimedia will drive the demand for innovative devices in the market.

The global earphones and headphones market is projected to reach values of more than $36 billion by 2024, growing at CAGR of around 13% during 2018-2024.

Earphones and Headphones Market – Dynamics The increasing number of innovations is leading to the transition of wireless devices to hearables in the global earphones and headphones market. The increasing focus on making these products more comfortable and convenient, with the ability to eliminate external noises and deliver a more immersive listening experience will enable vendors to attract new con-

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SPECIAL STORY sumers in the global market. The integration of smart tech that offers the ability to initiate virtual assistants/ smart speakers and control audio and volume buttons due to improvements in manufacturing and audio technology will fuel the demand for new product offerings in the market. Wearables connected to the user’s smartphones and applications steered the market toward smart accessories, which could double the performance and perform functions of the device that they supported. The host of the development of smart headphones, watches, smart eyewear, and fitness trackers will drive innovations in the field of hearing aids and augment the growth of the global earphones and headphones market.

Wireless Headphones Market - Overview The advancement in technology, manufacturing, transmission, and portable consumer goods is leading to innovations in the global wireless headphones market. The vast transformation in the appearance, sound delivery, portability, and connectivity of these products is fueling the demand of wirelss earphones. In-line microphones are now primarily a standard feature, wireless connectivity becoming more affordable in the fu-

ture with health sensors and other extra capabilities are likely to increase the multifunctionality of these devices.

The leading vendors are investing in the testing and adoption of different technologies to reduce or block external noises. The introduction of noise-cancellation and noise-isolation devices has revolutionized the industry. Technological advancements such as SKAA, Bluetooth, infrared, and Wi-Fi are enabling vendors to attract new consumers. The rapid adoption of wearable technology and paradigm changes in consumer preferences towards the use of these devices will positively impact the demand in the market. The introduction of smart hearables will drive the demand for wireless earbuds with augmented hearing and language translation capabilities. The development of hearables

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that deliver outstanding sounds and superior ways to integrate IoT, biometric monitoring, augmented hearing, ambient noise control, increase awareness of surrounding, and delivering all this information to the user’s ears will revolutionize the global market over the next few years. The launch of innovative products with superior features will contribute to the growing sales.

The integration of products with smart features such as hearing aids, fitness tracker wearables, and speech modulation devices will contribute to the development of the global wireless headphones market.

The market is currently witnessing the incorporation of newer technologies such as gesture recognition and control, active head tracking, biometric monitoring, 3D surround sound delivery, and onboard storage in over-ear. The integration of these products with a home entertainment system will result in the evolution of the global market. The global wireless headphones market is anticipated to generate revenues of around $34 billion by 2024.

Wireless Headphones Market - Dynamics The increasing number of collaborations between the manufacturers and several industry partners is one of the major factors attributing to the growing revenues in the global wireless headphones market. The industry partners comprise sectors such as smartphones, other mobile devices, music, fashion, and entertainment including several music artists and celebrities. These collaborations have led to the launch of new variants of existing models and garnered new sales. The collaborations with complementary industry partners also allow the vendors to minimize research and development costs to develop new products in the market. The rising demand for high-quality products at affordable prices is encouraging the players to invest in the development of new earphones and headphones with value-added features at competitive prices. For instance, in 2014, Apple acquired Beats Electronics for $3.20 billion. This acquisition aimed to manufacture listening products that are compatible with Apple line of products such as iPhone, iPod, iPad, and MacBook. The easy affordability of mobile phones, easy availability, and accessibility of the internet is boosting the demand for mobile music accessories, thereby, driving demand in the global wireless headphones market.

Trends: Smart features such as water resistance, gesture recognition, sensors, and biometric recognition are driving the global wireless headphones market The global wireless headphones market by features is categorized into smart and non-smart. Smart features segment dominated more than half of total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of approximately 23% during the forecast period. The introduction of smart products that offer real-time problem-solving capabilities is gaining immense popularity in the

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SPECIAL STORY

global market. The vendors are introducing products with smart features such as virtual assistants, gesture recognition, biometric monitoring, voice controls, and language translation to attract the maximum number of consumers.

The increasing application of these products in the sports and fitness industry will drive revenues in this market segment during the forecast. The integration of advanced features like water resistance, gesture recognition, sensors, and biometric recognition will lead to the evolution of the global wireless headphones market.

Non-smart products offer basic functionality such as connecting via Bluetooth, answering calls, and streaming music. The increasing availability and adoption of technologically advanced product portfolios will adversely impact the growth of the non-smart products in the global wireless headphones market.

Hi-fidelity sounds of over-ear earphones are contributing to the revenues in the global wireless headphones market

Need for personalized listening experience is fueling the growth of the global wireless headphones market The global wireless headphones market by end-use is segmented into entertainment, fitness & sports, and gaming. Entertainment segment dominated close to 2/3rd of the total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of approximately 21%. The evolution of the music industry and the popularity of portable devices such as iPods, MP3, MP4 players, and online music sites are the major factors attributing to the growth of this segment. The introduction of smart technology that provides features to control the ambient sounds and deliver a personalized listening experience will transform this market segment over the next few years. The manufacturers are collaborating with several music artists to launch their name edition products to attract

The type segment is categorized into in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear. The over-ear wireless headphones are the fastest growing segment in the global market, at a CAGR of around 27%. The launch of over-ear products with built-in capability to reduce external noise and extra comfort to the user is propelling the growth of this segment. The introduction of features such as hifidelity sound is fueling the demand for these products in the global market. The major feature of this product is the The leading vendors are investing in the testing ability to reduce outside noise significantly and improve the and adoption of different technologies to reduce sound experience of the end- or block external noises. user in the market. The leading vendors are investing in several advancements in the manufacturing and audio technol- a maximum number of consumers. The growth of the ogy to gain a larger global market share. The launch of streaming industry will fuel the growth of this segment devices including timbre and related sound harmonics in the global wireless headphones market. and envelope is driving the development of this segThe increasing adoption for smart wearable devicment in the global wireless headphones market. es that track activities, heart rate, calories, and blood The availability of in-ear phones with the balanced pressure will contribute to the growing demand in the armature and that offer detailed sound with higher tre- fitness and sports segment in the market. The gaming ble range is propelling the demand for these products industry is witnessing the development of products with in the global market. The additional capabilities of on- longer-lasting batteries, ability to charge while playing, ear earphones such as noise cancellation, active noise surround sound, hot battery swapping, and improved cancellation, and controlling ambient sound are con- band and earpiece for increased comfort enabling the tributing to the growing revenues in the global wireless user to play for longer hours. Such developments will boost consumer confidence levels in the global wireless headphones market.

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SPECIAL STORY headphones market.

Medium range wireless headphones with equalizer settings and multifunction buttons will boost sales in the market The price range segment is divided into low, moderate, and premium. Moderate priced wireless headphones are the fastest growing segment in the global market, growing at a CAGR of approximately 22% during the forecast period. The introduction of medium-priced products that offer equalizer settings, multifunction buttons, better battery life, and some degree of resistance to water and sweat is fueling the growth

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believes the consumer trend of investing in music and fitness subscriptions, as well as fitness gear, creates opportunities for vendors operating in the European market. The rising rate of savings will lead to the sale of high-cost consumer durables and electronic products in Europe. Celebrities endorsing these products will fuel the demand for earbuds and other music accessories in the region, thereby, contributing to the growth of the global wireless headphones market.

Smart devices with real-time problem-solving capabilities are fueling the growth of the global true wireless headphones market

The global true wireless headphones market by features is classified into smart and non-smart.

Smart devices segment dominated the total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of more than 29% during the forecast period. The use of smart features is redefining the genre of wearables by integrating features of various electronic devices into the tiny space of earbuds in the global market. The integration of modern, advanced features such as virtual assistants, voice as dominant UI, gesture recognition, biometric monitoring, onboard storage, and language translation that are capable of resolving real-time challenges will transform the market. Google launched its Pixel Buds with an inbuilt language translation feature of this segment. The medium price wireless earphones to translate up to 40 languages. Bragi, one of the first range from $50 to $99.99. The launch of newer models companies to offer truly wireless earbuds, uses techwith activate voice assistants such as Siri and Google nology from iTranslate to offer the language translaNow is enabling players to gain a larger global wire- tion feature in its earbuds. The increasing adoption of mobile applications that enable the users to monitor body vitals The launch of innovative products with such as heart rate and calories burnt during a workout session superior features will contribute to is augmenting the evolution of the growing sales. the global true wireless headphones market. less headphones market share.

The increasing availability of low range products on various e-commerce websites and domestic electronic stores is fueling the growth of this segment in the global market. Premium range products offer hi-tech functionalities such as layered hearing and speech amplification in the global market.

Digital audio subscription across Europe will lead to the development of new products in the global wireless headphones market The global wireless headphones market by geography is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, Latin America, and MEA. Europe occupied the largest market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of more than 17% during the forecast period. The growing adoption of paid digital audio subscriptions and engagement in fitness and sports activities is fueling the growth of the European market. The research analysts at Arizton

Sales of non-smart true wireless headphones will witness continuous growth in terms of revenues and units sold due to consumer shifting to smart devices in the global market.

The availability of online platforms in emerging countries will drive the demand for non-smart devices in the global true wireless headphones market.

True Wireless Headphones Market E-commerce segment is fueling the sale of medium-priced products in the global true wireless headphones market

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The price range segment in the global true wireless headphones market is divided into premium, medium, and low. The medium priced product is the fastest growing segment in the global market, at a CAGR of around 30% during the forecast period. The absence of innovative technologies in medium-ranged products such as higher IPX ratings and improved control over ambient sounds is resulting in reduced pricing in the global market. The wide availability of these products on ecommerce websites, headphone stores, and supermarkets is boosting the revenues in the global market. The vendors operating in this price segment also offer tap/touch controls, and the earbuds can be used to activate voice assistants such as Siri and Google Now. The incorporation of these features will contribute to the increase in the sales of products in this segment in the global market. The vendors of medium range products are in the position to incorporate added features into their products which allows keeping the prices constant or even increase a bit in the market. The increasing popularity of affordable smart devices will boost sales in the global true wireless headphones market.

The premium products offer the latest innovations and technological advancements to a wide range of consumers in the global market. Some vendors in the low-priced segment offer tap controls and the earbuds

Online segment occupied more than 2/3rd of the total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of around 23%. The increasing number of OEMs’ e-commerce portals and online direct-to-consumer stores such as Amazon, eBay, Best Buy, Alibaba, and JD.com is contributing to the growing demand in this segment in the global market.

Several leading vendors are promoting the concept and use of Bluetooth devices and technology through social

media channels and attracting the maximum number of consumers in the market. The wide variety of options available in the global market is fueling the growth of the online distribution channel in the global market. The ease-of-accessibility and convenience afforded by online stores will contribute to the growing revenues in the global true wireless headphones market.

Specialty stores such as Apple Stores, Bose Stores, and Harman Lifestyle Showrooms are attracting the maximum number of consumers in the retail segment in the market. Staffs in supermarkets and shops are educated The rising demand for high-quality products at about the product features, their affordable prices is encouraging the players to modus operandi, and their usage the global true wireless headinvest in the development of new earphones and in phones market.

headphones with value-added features at competitive prices. can be used to activate voice assistants such as Siri to attract consumers in the global true wireless headphones market.

Social media inuences sales across online distribution channels in the global true wireless headphones market The global true wireless headphones market by distribution channel is segmented into online and retail.

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The presence of several Chinese vendors offering low-priced models that are capable of music streaming and answering calls and have improved features in terms of battery and playback time will lead to higher sales in the APAC market.

The high average disposable income of the population, the proliferation of smartphones, and the manufacture of the new products with advanced features are the main factors contributing to the growth of the headphone market.

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FEATURED

Ms. Jyotsna Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska Group The Indian mobile accessories industry is a huge market approximately worth approximately Rs. 10,000/-crore. However, 90% forms a part of the unorganized market.

Mobility India caught up with Ms. Jyotsna Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska Group to know how they are leveraging its resources to gain higher ground in this segment.

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FEATURED

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Syska as a brand is also catering to

the rapidly changing needs and demands of consumers What are the major factors affecting demand for Mobile Phone Accessories in India?

The major factors affecting the demand for mobile phone accessories in India is the growing user base of smartphones. India is the second largest smartphone market in the world after China. Over 440 million phones were shipped to India in the last year. There is an upward moving graph in the smartphone industry which has given mobile accessories an equal opportunity to boom.

Mobile accessories like power banks, Bluetooth speakers, earphones, wireless headsets are gaining traction among Tier I as well as Tier II consumers. Online sale of these products have increased tremendously as technological advancements are consistently giving a push to this segment.

Today, almost 65% of the Indian population is aged below 35 years and 50% below 25%. They are all looking for smart accessories that are not only are a fashion statement but also make their life easier. For example: Wireless buds - Used for fitness, running, on the go to keep you free of tangled wires. Not only this, our widespread distribution network is definitely a vital factor. Companies are looking to capture every multi-brand outlet, small / large retailers and also use the growing e-commerce platforms to gain competitive advantage. Moreover advanced technology devices & accessories available at affordable prices are also a key driving force.

What are the latest Technology & Market Trends in the Indian mobile accessories market?

The latest trends in the Indian mobile accessories market can be summed up in two words - Smart and hands free. Wireless technology is the future. With the constant hustle in consumer’s lives especially millennials, no one has the time to detangle wires. Trends of wireless devices like wireless over the ear headphones, fitness neck bands, earbuds, and smart watches are all catering to this segment of smarter, faster and efficient technology.

It is also no longer only about style and looks but rather about bringing comfort and convenience to people’s lives.

For instance a power bank can save us time and energy in looking around at an airport for mobile charging stations.

Some of the most popular mobile accessories today are power banks, neck bands and earbuds. However, there has been a consistent rise in demand for fitness bands and portable speakers as well.

India is a price-sensitive market? Do you think this trend will change in the near future?

The future is here already. We have witnessed a 14% growth in the smartphone industry in 2018. By 2021, we are looking at almost 33% growth as per statistics of smartphone shipments coming into India. This shift has been prominent as the sales of smartphones have heavily increased in comparison to feature phone. Whether it is a smartphone or mobile accessories brand, companies have understood the evolving needs of consumers. Syska as a brand is also catering to the rapidly changing needs

and demands of consumers. Some consumers look for low cost earphones with no warrantee while there are consumers who do not mind spending heavily for a product with top notch quality.

We at Syska offer products in three different price ranges, however our bestselling models fall within the high and mid range products. There will ofcourse always be a market that demands low priced products with high quality.

Being a customer centric company, we are looking to fit into every space and cater to the varied requirements of our customers.

Additionally, consumers in India have started understanding the value of good quality products and after sale customer service. There is definitely a change in the mindset from “We need a charger to charge our smartphone” to “We need a fast charger that does not negatively affect the battery life of our smartphone in the long run”. Lack of brand awareness was initially a major issue for most brands, however today there is an increase in demand from consumers who are seeking new and innovative mobile accessories.

What is the biggest challenge the mobile accessories brands are facing in India?

The biggest challenge in this industry is the threat of piracy. We are constantly facing counterfeit production of not only our brands but also of our competitor companies.

Along with that, a lack of standardization is slowing down the growth. We are no longer looking at brands from India but also Chinese brands looking to enter this business in India. Adhering to competitive pricing is a key challenge for sustained growth.

What opportunities do you see in the Indian mobile accessories market?

As mentioned earlier this is a Rs, 10,000 crore industry.

Every consumers need is an opportunity in itself. Syska’s main aim is to focus on affordable and quality products that make consumers lives comfortable and convenient by using the latest innovative technology. Young India comprising of millennials and GenZ are looking for new and innovative products that are classy and simplify their lives.

As per the market analysts, there are only a few standard brands operating in the mobile accessories market in India and still there is an unfilled vacuum. What is your opinion on this and how you want exploit the situation?

Yes, 90% of this market is unorganized, and this is a huge opportunity for us. Syska has introduced quality mobile accessories for its consumers across segments. We have primarily been a distribution oriented company and will continue to grow our offline channel partners. We are currently present in 17,000 retail outlets and are continuously driving our team to be present in every store right from a small retailer or chain to a multi-brand outlet. Customers only buy what they see and hence we want to be seen everywhere. Competitive prices, great quality products and customer service are what will drive our business further.

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INTERVIEW

Our positioning in the market has been premium however at price points which justify the BUY In an exclusive interview with Mobility India, Mr. Jeyaraj share key features of Brand Anker and its portfolio we pervaded the Indian market with our niche 5 brands. These spanned from Anker (smart charging products), Soundcore (smart audio products), Nebula (smart portable projectors), Eufy (smart home appliances and security products) and Roav (smart car products). With Anker Innovations, we are all set to disrupt the Indian Markets.

verall, I have been engaged with the field of mobiles and peripherals for the past 13 years, and have taken different roles and responsibilities. With Anker, my association started in the Year 2016, wherein I undertook the responsibility of India and Central Asian Markets.

The journey with the brand has been very exciting. Truly, am delighted to be part of its operations, committed to delivering robust smart solutions via our varied product line. The experience has been quite insightful and has widen my horizons, across Global landscape. Anker is all about delivering smart tech based solutions to make human mobility a constant affair, and each of its offering transcends the same philosophy.

Unlike the brands entering India which have been entangled in the price war, Anker has established its niche with Quality and superior technology.

Mobile accessories market do have a huge opportunity but more and more brands are coming and playing in this category, How Anker has placed itself and what are the key features of Brand Anker and its portfolio?

Everybody has a smartphone today and to harness its smart features, the need for mobile peripherals will always be on a continuous rise. Indian market is witnessing a huge boom and the scope of opportunities has extended to be limitless. There is a plethora of other brands sweeping this segment with their set of solutions and expertise. However, Anker prides on its durability, quality and premium built.

We are not intimidated by our competitors; we are confident about our technological prowess cultivated through our proficient research and development. Moreover, our technologies are distinct as they are developed by our own team, giving us the technical edge over others.

Our confidence in the brand can also be assessed via our 18 months’ replacement warranty that we offer with all our audio and charging products. Our positioning in the market has been premium however at price points, which justifies the BUY.

How it all started?

In the initial period, my association with Anker was only around Distribution of their products.

However around 2017 the association extended to managing the Indian subcontinent. With the support of our partners and distribution channels,

What will be Anker’s go to market strategy on offline and online basis?

Anker is a very channel friendly brand. We trust in having balanced approach between the Online and Offline Markets. Our motto is to build the right pricing for our products, making it affordable but

Mr Gopal Jeyaraj,

Head India and SAARC Anker Innovations

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not negotiated on the Technology.

Parallel, it is also imperative for us, to take care of the pricing margins of the retailers. With much cost of production involved in making these products, attention to ROI will be our area of focus to work upon. While engaging with both the channels, we are conscious of maintaining price hygiene as well as making sure there is least online/offline conflict in the picture.

Tell us about Anker’s product portfolio?

Ankers product portfolio is a manifestation of smart living with products catering to smart charging (ANKER ), smart audio products(SOUNDCORE), smart portable projectors(NEBULA), smart home appliances (EUFY) and smart car products(ROAV). We have launched all five brands among the respective channels with the aim to maximize its presence across the Indian landscape. These are allencompassing smarter solutions engineered to make life worthy of living in style. We will ensure our products touches as many lives as possible in the India market.

What are your targets for 2019?

We are an aspiring team working diligently and ambitiously to get closer to our dream of taking over the peripheral market of mobiles in India. We want to establish ourselves as the sole smart solution provider in the Indian landscape primarily, and across the globe too in later stages of our evolvement. We aim for becoming the most trusted and popular brand known in the industry for its exclusive smart life products. Dedicated to constantly keep manoeuvring our technical innovations, we intend to keep coming up with smarter lifestyle machines with more upgraded and advanced features. In 2019, we essentially aim to create larger channels across India with as many as retail outlets available, aspiring for three times the growth from there on.

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MANUFACTURING

Kodak TV India Aims to be a Top LED and Smart TV Brand in India

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uper Plastronics Pvt Ltd (SPPL), established in 1990, has its HO in Noida and three manufacturing plants in India located in Noida, Una and Jammu and manpower of over 1000. They manufacture a wide range of accessories and consumer electronics for OEMs. SPPL has entered in to a brand licensing and technology collaboration agreement with Eastman Kodak Company, USA, according to which SPPL is the exclusive Kodak Brand Licensee for KODAK HD LED TVs in India.

In an interaction with Mobility, Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, shares, “Kodak as a brand, had established a legacy of trust with their cameras and photographs and has a loyal consumer base in India. The brand recall for Kodak has given us an edge over other brands and Kodak’s foray into HD LED TVs in India has been welcomed by consumers with great enthusiasm. In the last one year we have has seen a very good growth in demand for KODAK TVs both in offline and online. Today, KODAK TVs are present on all major online portals in India and Flipkart is our strategic partner. Currently the brand is one of the top 5 online selling TV brands online and on offline front also we have seen a significant increase in sales. We are present in over 400 LFR counters including retail chains such as Croma and Reliance stores, across India. Now people have started recognizing KODAK TV India as a premium brand.”

Talking about their product and market strategy, Mr Singh shares, “We are working very aggressively to increase our 4K LED TV market share. We do a lot of R&D, in terms of market dynamics, latest technology & features, and present consumer behavior & needs before we develop and launch a new product. Most other brands just follow and apply their global standards and strategies while releasing products in India, an approach that does not work. We build our TVs specifically for the Indian market, while selecting hardware, apps, search options and region-specific content. Our prices are also very affordable and the content availability is much broader and deeper. We are entering into more tie-ups with several national and international partners, on technology as well as market front. We have R&D centers-one in China and one in India (Bangalore) and excellent technical and customer service teams which are trained with special focus on consumer behavior and needs and to settle consumer complaints promptly in a way that satisfies the customers. We get regular feedback both from our own customers and from the market overall and redefine & update the technology, product, market and consumer strategies on regular basis. We are doing a lot of backward and forward integration, which few other brands match.

Some brands launch products online with a big fanfare, after 2 or 3 online sales, they vanish. But our strategy and vision are long-term and we are here to stay in the Indian market.”

Talking about their hardware and future plans, Mr Singh continues, “We use the latest technology and updates in terms of interface, hardware, picture quality, build quality, etc. We always compare our strategies and objectives only

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Mr. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd. with the top 3 brands in TV segment. The advantages we enjoy include we have over 550 service centers across India, we are a Make in India and we are providing different and superior technology and features compared to other top players. Soon we will be launching our 32-inch 4K LED smart TV which will be our main focus for the coming one year and we are expecting a huge demand for 4K TVs in this category in 2020. Besides that we have already launched 2 models this year (2019), launching 2 models in June and will be launching 7 more models before the end of 2019.

Currently, we have a market share of around 5% in India and our target is to sell 500,000 units this year and increase our share. We want to be among top 4 brands in India by 2020.”

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5G

Nokia confirms 42 commercial 5G deals across the globe

Nokia confirms its position with 42 commercial 5G deals (more than any other vendor has announced) in place with operators around the world, 22 with named customers such as T-Mobile, Telia Company and Softbank. Including these agreements, Nokia’s 5G deals, trials and demos total over 100 5G customer engagements to date.

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ince the announcement of the 30th commercial 5G contract at the end of March the company has seen an average of one major contract win each week - with a steady pipeline in place for further agreements.

Nokia’s ability to deliver on crucial network transformation goals has been rewarded by the confidence shown in the company from our existing customers. To date, every 4G customer that has come to us to investigate how we may work with them for 5G has selected Nokia as a vendor and cumulatively we believe we have a higher share with these customers in 5G than we had in 4G. With an end-to-end portfolio that is unique in the industry, Nokia can work in partnership with operators to deliver “real 5G”. Nokia’s in house 5G mmWave Small Cells and AirScale BTSprovide in-building and outdoor coverage, while our Microwave Anyhaul, Cloud native RAN, antennas, and 5G cloud-native core are part of approximately half of our agreements to date. Beyond our mobile networks portfolio, Nokia has excellent FP4 network processor-based IP routers and PSE- 3 chipset powered optical networking - our customers can use the Nokia Network Services Platform to make this into full5G-strength software defined connectivity ‘smart network fabric’ secured by Nokia Security Orchestration, Analytics

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and Response (Nokia SOAR) to ensure resilient 5G. Early rollouts of 5G have been well publicized in North America, Korea and Europe and Nokia is looking forward to announcing its work with operators in emerging nations and regions such as India and Latin America over the coming months.

Nokia President and Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Suri says: “The pace of 5G progress is accelerating across the globe. We are delivering significant performance increases to operators and the power of Nokia’s end-to-end portfolio is being recognized. In fact, in pretty much every network where Nokia products are deployed, we are the performance leader. Here and now - at the beginning of one of the most radical technology transitions ever with 4G giving way to 5G - this is Nokia’s time to shine.”

Resources: • Web page: Nokia 5G • Web app: On the road to 5G • Web page: Nokia Services • Web page: Services for 5G - Turning 5G visions into real business

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DISTRIBUTOR

“Rajchandra Agencies’ Growth is Driven by its ‘Strong Goodwill, highly Experienced & Committed Team’”

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Distributor Association ajchandra Agencies, founded in (MMDA) since its inception 1998 and led by Mukesh R Gupta, in 2016 and one of the is a Mumbai-based Distribution core committee members House catering to FMCG, Telecom, Smart of the All India Mumbai phones, Mobile accessories & Insurance Distributor Association products. The company is currently a (AIMDA) which came into distributor for Vivo brand mobile phones existence in 2018. MMDA in North Mumbai, Super Stockiest for PAPA has been very effective while brand accessories in Greater Mumbai, and settling issues between the Regional Distributor for Mobile Insurance distributors and the brands.

Brand, DG Think Forward. The company MMDA is a strong bridge also distributes FMCG products of ITC & between the brands and the is the biggest distributor for Airtel Mobility channel partners including in Mumbai Circle. distributors and retailers Talking about the market trends, and an effective platform Mukesh Gupta comments, “Currently to raise and resolve the smartphone industry is entering a industry-related issues consolidation phase, a trend that has amicably thru mutual been witnessed in several other consumer trust and respect for one product categories in the past (including another.”

FMCG & Telecom). Only the brands which T o d a y , can create ‘Pull’ for their products will Mr. Mukesh R Gupta, an effective survive in the long run; the ‘Push’ brands Proprietor, Rajchandra Agencies sales strategy, will be out sooner or later. Price wars are at superior service the fiercest level in the smartphone industry experience to at present and this may result in fewer brands surviving in consumers and the coming years. The current Indian market is flooded with the right product a large number of mobile accessories brands because of mix targeting low investments needed to launch an accessories brand the desired set compared to launching smartphones. Since there are too of consumers many brands in the market, most accessories brands are are crucial for finding it tough to scale up their distribution across the the success country. Only the brands with deep pockets, powerful USPs, of any brand. strong intent to provide quality and efficient distribution Regarding network will survive in the coming years.” their service Besides their Head Office at Dahisar, Rajchandra policy, brand Agencies has branch offices at Mira Road and Virar in association and Greater Mumbai city. The company boasts of a well equipped future plans, Office (H.O.) at Dahisar (Mumbai) managed by a robust & Mukesh Gupta professional sales team to drive the Distribution business adds, “Vivo much needed in the competitive Mumbai Market. offers excellent Talking about their current focus, Mukesh Gupta states, customer service “Our present focus is on the distribution of Vivo Smartphones for its products. so that the brand grows stronger and becomes No. 1 Our dedicated player in North Mumbai. Our next focus is on distribution and experienced of accessories. We are also dealing in mobile insurance for team of customer which there is a growing scope of business. We have two decades of experience in distribution maintaining healthy service professionals is a ‘big plus’ for us. Our tremendous relations with partners in north & west Mumbai. This is a business growth is attributed to the Vivo brand which has compelling differentiator between us and our competitors. been doing very well. We are planning to launch our own The major challenge is getting back market outstandings branded of smartphone accessories & mobile insurance products in future. We are also open to new business options and to avoid bad debts.”

Regional and National Associations are essential in in distribution. After the initial hiccups, businesses are now the current market scenario to safeguard & protect the more or less adapted themselves to GST Taxation system; rights of its Mobile Distributor fraternity. Mukesh Gupta we feel in the long-run GST is good for business environment who has been a leading member of mobile associations, as it brings transparency & hassle-free taxation system comments, “I have been the President of Mumbai Mobile equally important for the growth of Indian economy.”

“Regional and National Associations are essential in the current market scenario to safeguard & protect the rights of its Mobile Distributor fraternity.”

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D & I Award

d&i Awards

honored the most innovative technologies at Computex 2019

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very year, organizers of Computex, TAITRA, invite technology leaders in Taiwan to participate in the Design & Innovation Awards (d&i awards) to honor the most innovative technologies of the year, and celebrate the tech pioneers in Taiwan. The 2019 edition of d&i awards ceremony was held in Taipei, and the award included categories such as Information & Communication Hardware, Robotics and Drones, Gaming and AR/VR devices.

Asus ZenFone 6 Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) smartphone comes with a 6.40-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 855 processor. It comes with 8GB of RAM. The Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) runs Android 9 Pie and is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. The Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) supports Quick Charge 4+ fast charging. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) on the rear packs a 48-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.79 aperture and a pixel size of 1.6-micron and a second 13-megapixel camera. The rear camera setup has laser autofocus. The Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) runs ZenUI based on Android 9 Pie and packs 256GB of inbuilt storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 200GB) with a dedicated slot. The Asus ZenFone 6 (2019) is a dual-SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM cards.

Acer OJO 500 Windows Mixed Reality Acer OJO 500 is the first Windows Mixed Reality headset and first Virtual Reality headset to feature a detachable design, patented built-in sound pipe technology, and software-assisted interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment technology. The headset’s unique detachable design makes it easy to clean and share among multiple users (family and friends, or in a business environment.) Commercial customers* can personalize the headset with a logo or company colors on the front cover. The Acer OJO 500 Windows Mixed Reality headset is designed with the user and environmental friendliness in mind. The modular design allows the optical portion to be detached from the strap so if the device breaks, the user only has to send back the optical portion for service.

Additionally, the detachable optical design makes it flexible and easy to store. On top of this, different users can have their own strap and share the same optic portion for better hygiene.

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SUNMI V2 PRO V2 PRO is the first all-screen POS handset in the industry, featuring 5.99” HD all-screen. The larger display area provides not only better display quality for businesses but more excellent operation experience. The double-shot frosted anti-slip back cover minimizes chances of slipping even when the handset is held with one hand. Taking the fact that a too heavy handset is not portable in actual use into consideration, SUNMI V2 PRO is slim, but the slim shape does not impact the quality. The solid casing will not be damaged even if the handset falls from the height of one meter. Every curve of SUNMI V2 PRO designed by David, a French industrial design master, delivers elegance and delicacy

Luft Cube, The Smallest, Filterless Air Purifier Luft Cube, the smallest, Filterless Air Purifier. Apply the latest UVA LED technology with nano photocatalyst and patented nano-reactor forming OH radical and Super Oxygen substance, enables to decompose chemical vapors & odors , to break pollens and to kill bacteria.

E-Scooter DC Fast Charger eTreego’s E-Scooter DC fast charger is with its own 4G network connection, international common charging interface and a number of safety protection functions can make the E-Scooter increase the cruising range of 50km in 6 minutes, greatly shortening the previous 2-4 hours of charging time; through the IoT network function can also let the user or the charging station operator know the charging status at any time; the common interface can solve the problem that the E-Scooter charging interface are not uniform and cannot be used for fast charging issue. eTreego’s E-Scooter DC fast charger has many safety protection functions such as temperature protection, over voltage, over current, and leakage detection, which makes the user more safety in using this charging device. In addition, the charging device can greatly shorten the charging time, and make the E-Scooter charge as fast as refueling, solving the problem of the user’s mileage anxiety.

Predator Thronos The all new Predator Thronos reimagines the gaming chair for a new level of gamer. Its steel structure is 1.5 meters tall and comes in menacing dual-tone black with white or blue accents. It puts the gamer in the game through deep impact vibration, where the chair vibrates upon in-game impact. The chair is adjustable and includes an ergonomic seat design, foot rest, and a cabin that reclines up to 140 degrees. The overhead brace supports three 27-inch gaming monitors and a space for a Predator gaming PC. Integrated with a Predator PC and triple Predator monitors plus gadgets, the Thronos becomes more than a gaming chair—it’s a gamer’s cave.

NeuLive The product NeuLive is an autopilot, smartphone-like brain recording/stimulation IoT device, ideal for collecting disease-related big data automatically and massively from freely-moving animals. Based on a customized, neuro-interfacing microchip, the NeuLive features light weight (<8g), wireless data transmission (>5m), simultaneous operation with multiple NeuLives, multi-user access, remote control and autopilot capability. Moreover, each NeuLive supports AI-adaptive control on stimulation, i.e. the stimulation can be triggered or adapted automatically upon the detection of specific pathological signals. These features enable and accelerate the development of personalized bio-electronic medicine for treating various neural disorders, including the Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, dystonia, pain control, stroke rehabilitation, or even depression and dementia.

FaceMe AI Facial Recognition Engine CyberLink is a world leader in facial recognition and face attributes technologies.

The deep neural network-based FaceMe AI facial recognition engine has ranked amongst the fastest, most precise algorithms in the MegaFace Challenge and NIST’s Face Recognition Vendor Test, with an accuracy rate (True Acceptance Rate) of 98.5% and an error rate (False Accept Rate) as low as 1E-6. FaceMe® delivers precision results that are ideal for edge-computing security systems, and person identification solutions as part of smart cities, retail, offices, and homes.

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PRODUCT FEATURE

Neumann NDH 20

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he Neumann NDH 20 is a closed-back studio headphone combining excellent isolation with the carefully balanced sound image and outstanding resolution you would expect from a Neumann product. It is thus ideally suited for monitoring, editing and mixing tasks, even in loud and noisy environments. The NDH 20’s newly designed 38-mm drivers with high-gauss neodymium magnets ensure high sensitivity and low distortion. In other words, the NDH 20 would not need a dedicated headphone amplifier; it sounds just as great on mobile devices such as laptop computers.

Features: • Linear sound balance, like acclaimed studio monitors

Neumann’s

• Excellent isolation allows working in noisy environments • High long-term comfort, easy transportation • Two detachable cables (straight/coiled)

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APP

5 Lite travel Apps T

ravelling to a low network zone or simply don’t have enough space on your smartphone to store a suite of apps that make your life simpler? The solution is downloading another app, only a lighter version! Lite apps offer the same features but take up less space and use less data to find exactly what you are looking for!

Here, we are listing the top 5 must have Lite apps for your smartphone featuring a minimalist app design using less RAM, storage and battery. These apps will make sure you achieve a more seamless, data conserving experience and rescue you if you are ever stuck in a tight spot!

OYO Lite

Ola Lite Stuck in a place with a low network and not sure how to book your cab back home?

Ola’s lightweight app that consumes less than 1 MB will save the day. No matter where you are or which network zone you are in, this app is a must-have on your smartphone to book a cab and get going!

All of us have made an impromptu travel plan at some point in our life either to the hills where there is no connectivity or a business trip to a crowded city with a phone that is dying because of the work calls. OYO Lite will help you find your perfect accommodation even in such circumstances. OYO Lite is fast and responsive, uses less data, takes up storage space of less than 800 KB! So, OYO Lite will help you book a place even in the remotest locations.

Instagram Lite In a social frenzy place where we love updating our interests and passion all the time, Instagram lite is one of the musthave apps on your phone. Instagram lite lets you browse through the posts on your timeline and even post Stories. It’s a massive cut down right from 32 MB to a mere 500 KB. So, there’s no stopping you from updating friends of the amazing time you are having even on top a hill!

Youtube Go Whether you are driving home from your office or binging on some music videos you would want to enjoy this seamlessly in any case. With a basic user interface, Youtube Go is super-fast and light and offers some of the better features of the stock app—like the option to save videos for offline viewing. Rest assured you won’t have to worry about data consumption or the fear of your phone getting heated up.

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Kindle Lite This is for all the bookworms and the wordsmiths who practically eat sleep repeat Kindle! In the times when you forget to carry a Kindle with you, Kindle lite will ensure you don’t miss your next chapter.

It’s essentially a packaged version of the Kindle mobile app, which has undergone updates giving you the best reading experience even on slow networks and with patchy connectivity.

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Date of Pub: 10th June, 2019 | Postal Dt.: 16th & 17th of same Month/ Posted at NDPSO

R.N.I. No. DELENG/2004/14198

Postal Reg. No.: DL(S)-01/3442/2019-21