Mobility Monthly Magazine
May 2017
Issue 05
Volume 14
Pages 34
20
beyond technology, beyond lifestyle
www.mobilityindia.com
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CONTENTS
16
EDITORIAL
8
NEWS
10
LAUNCHPAD
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FEATURED
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Customer support, repair and after sales services go hand-in-hand: Intex
SPECIAL STORY
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Feature Phones Segment is Still a Big Point of Interest for Every Brand
CHANNEL FOCUS
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Recently launched Midobrand already selling 100,000 Mobiles a month
REVIEW
Editor Chief Editor Associate Editor (Tech,) Asst. Editor Product Head Creative Head Acct. & Finance Marketing Manager Marketing Executives
: : : : : : : : :
Swapan Roy Manoj Jha Jayanta Ghosh E.J. Jawahardatham Anit Kumar Gautam Middyaz Sandip Sarkar Tridip Dey Sujit Goswami, Pratap Biswas S. Dutt Raj Kumar
Circulation Manager Production
: :
System Manager
:
P. Biswas Ashish Ghosh Ashok Kumar Paul Ajay Biswas
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).
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PENTAX KP : A stylish compact DSLR SONY MDR-XB950BT: Feel every pound and bass
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
Coolpad Note 5 Lite: Good-looking stable performer
DEVICE OF THE MONTH
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Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ LG G6
INTERACTION
30
Mr. Sanjay Jain & Mr. Jainendra Jain
APP
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Orissa: Saraswati Behera Building, Kharavella Nagar, 2nd Lane, Near Jyoti Nagar, Berhampur-760001 (Orissa) (India) Contact : Raj Kumar-09338410809, 09439263711 Email : info@mobilityindia.com ncn_reporter@yahoo.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
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MOBILITY MAY 2017
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EDITORIAL
Feature phones are here to stay! The surprising trend shows that feature phone market is big despite the fact that the market is consolidating and the percentage money share of feature phones is less compared to smartphones. According to a recent study, almost 85% feature phone users do not intend to switch to smartphones on their next purchase and feature phones constitute more than 50% share of mobile phones in terms of number of units as they remain the preference of people in small towns and rural areas who are not interested to but smartphones.
Indian consumers will continue to welcome feature phones solely due to their functional simplicity, durability, better battery life and ease of repair & operation.
Feature phones are here to stay! Latest studies have cited that although revenues from feature phones constitute less around 14%, in terms of number of units they hold about 57% of the market.
Swapan Roy roymobility@gmail.com
Editor’s Choice
Honor 8 Lite Running on powerful Kirin 655 octa-core chipset backed by a 4GB RAM+64GB ROM,available with Android 7.0 (Nougat) and EMUI 5.0 and will be the ďŹ rst device from Huawei Honor to come out of box with this update.
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MOBILITY MAY 2017
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MOBILITY MAY 2017
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NEWS
ALTBalaji announces strategic partnership with Micromax
Iconic Kolkata eateries turn cashless with MobiKwik
ALTBalaji, the digital platform of Balaji Telefilms Limited announces a strategic partnership with leading mobile brand Micromax, to help its users get access to exclusive ALTBalaji content. The partnership will enable users to have easy access to ALTBalaji mobile platform’s exclusive and original content on the go as the Micromax smartphones will come pre- loaded with the app. ALTBalaji, the subscription based digital entertainment platform will be commercially available from mid-April onwards. The app will be launched with 6 new shows and will be followed with a new show every 15 days for its viewers to binge watch. The content is created by some of the best talents of Indian Entertainment industry including critically acclaimed directors and actors. The long illustrious list of artists comprises of Nagesh Kukunoor, Juhi Chawla, Nimrat Kaur, Rajkumar Rao, Hansal Mehta, Sakshi Tanwar, Ram Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Sameer Soni, Yudhishtar Urs, Dipannita Sharma Atwal, and more.
Foodies in the City of Joy will not have to worry about cash anymore as they can now pay for their cravings using MobiKwik digital wallet which today announced associations with most iconic food outlets in Kolkata. MobiKwik, which is aiming an annual Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $10 billion by end 2017, is planning to spend Rs 300 crore for expansion aimed at growing its user base from current 50 million to 150 million in 2017. Popular eateries like Kalika Mukhorochok at College Street, Lakshmi Narayan Shaw & Sons at Hatibagan (Beadon Street), Paramount Sherbets & Syrups at Bankim Chatterjee Street, Putiram and Malaikari at Surya Sen Street, Kusum Rolls at Park Street, Camac Fast Food Point at Camac Street, Kocoa Mania at Lord Sinha Road, 6 Russel Street, Vardan Market stalls, Raj snacks at Nagore Bazaar, Decker’s Lane, Indra Mahal at Esplanade, New Chowringhee at Cabin Esplanade, Lord’s More, Maharani Southern Avenue, Tripti at Garia, Baba Ka Dhaba at Garia will now accept payments through MobiKwik.
Fox Mobiles Appoints Nitin Pandita as Business Head
Seagate advising business leaders and entrepreneurs to amplify their focus on Data critical
Fox Mobiles announced the appointment of Nitin Pandita as Business Head of Fox Mobiles in India. Driving the Fox Mobiles sales, he will be responsible for building robust strategies to build and develop different markets for the brand. Nitin Pandita is a seasoned professional special- i z i n g in Channel Sales and Distribution Management. He has a rich experience with reputed telecom companies in domestic and International Markets – Bharti Telecom, Brightstar, Salora International, BrightPoint, etc. At the Advanced Computers, in addition to Fox Mobiles, Mr. Nitin Pandita also leads brands like Lenovo, Philips and Alcatel in their pan-India sales operations.
ACT Fibernet paves way to 1 Gbps internet connection in India
ACT Fibernet, announced the launch of 1Gbps (Giga speeds) wired broadband internet service for the city of Hyderabad. Launched in the presence of Shri. K. Taraka Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Municipal Administration and Urban Development and Industries (MAUD), ACT Fibernet is the first player in the Indian internet market to GIGA enable an entire Indian city. Riding on the strength of being the largest non-telco ISP, ACT Fibernet has the best global fiber optic technology and is now bringing world class experience with futuristic speeds to Indian consumers.When the average internet speeds in India is 2.5 Mbps, ACT Fibernet’s 1 Gbps launch will leapfrog Hyderabad internet speeds to 400x national average. Very few cities across the world can boast as being ‘Giga enabled’, certainly not at this scale.
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In response to a new study forecasting a 10-fold rise in worldwide data by 2025, global data and storage leader Seagate is advising business leaders and entrepreneurs to amplify their focus on the mega trends driving data growth over the next several years, and examine their business’ course for the future value of data from creation, collection, utilization and management. The IDC white paper, Data Age 2025, sponsored by Seagate, predicts data creation will swell to a total of 163 zettabytes (ZB) by 2025; indicating that the decade centered around the conversion of analog data to digital is being replaced by an era focused on the value of data; creating, utilizing, and managing ‘life critical’ data necessary for the smooth running of daily life for consumers, governments and businesses alike. Consumers and businesses creating, sharing and accessing data between any device and the cloud will continue to grow well beyond previous expectations.
Delhi-Kolkata Train Route Highest On Mobile Connectivity: RailYatri
On a long train journey, the mobile phone invariably becomes the biggest entertainment and knowledge source for passengers. However, one is never sure what to expect in terms of mobile network connectivity along the train route. The latest RailYatri app allows you to quickly find that out! The new version that was recently launched displays the mobile network coverage for any train. So, travelers can check & compare the mobile connectivity across different routes. This comes a long way in solving uncertainties and staying connected with families as one would know where the mobile connectivity is better and where they might hit a
NEWS
low connectivity patch. To check the network coverage, just open the timetable of any train on the RailYatri app and a link on the bottom of the screen will map the route along with the coverage details.
Smartron appoints Amit Boni as VP Sales & Marketing
Smartron, India’s technology OEM company and premier IoT brand announced the appointment of Amit Boni as the Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In this role, he will be responsible for overall brand building and heading the sales & marketing functions for Smartron. Amit with his rich experience in telecommunications & diversified Industrials space and has been credited for significant contributions in catalyzing growth of the telecom industry in India. Before joining Smartron Mr. Boni has played a vital role in Motorola for seven years at various senior executive positions including India head and was instrumental in scaling Motorola Mobility’s business, shaping the future of handset in the retail & e-commerce segment in India.
Mr. Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI on the interim order given by Supreme Court on Mobile Towers.
For the Telecom industry consumer health and interest are paramount. The industry appeals to the citizens and the public, to not panic and read the interim order in its entirety. There are four EMF related cases which have been clubbed together. The interim SC order relates to only one of them whereas cell towers included in the other cases were left untouched. The particular media story deals with an interim order on one of the four cases. We would like to bring to your notice that there are eight high courts which have found that the radiation emanating from mobile towers are not hazardous for human health. Government of India, in its affidavit has also amply provided evidence of the same stating clearly that it has one of the strictest norms across the world on EMF emission for mobile towers, it regularly checks and monitors mobile towers for emission and has strict and high penalties in case of any exceptions, violation. DoT submission also refers to over 20000 papers which conclusively proves to no scientific evidence which links mobile towers to any adverse impact on human health. As a precaution, DoT has already maintained emission limits at 1/10th of the recommended ICNIRP global standards for India making them one the strictest norms existing anywhere across the globe. Further the Honourable Allahabad High Court has also instituted an expert committee which found that currently there is no conclusive scientific evidence which establishes that EMF has harmful effect on human health. Therefore, citizens have no reason to panic as mobile towers emit low level radiation, which is within the prescribed DoT, GOI norms which makes mobile towers completely safe. Further, the Honourable Supreme Court has also called on COAI to submit various reports and other relevant and connected documents. We believe that final order will take a comprehensive view of the matter after taking into consideration all the supplied material evidence.
OPPO Joins GSMA, Seeks Innovation through Cooperation as Part of Global Trade Group
The ever-evolving global smartphone brand OPPO announced that it has joined GSMA, the trade association representing the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Founded in 2004, OPPO is a global camera phone manufacturer dedicated to providing pioneering products with exquisite attention to detail in both performance and design. After entering the mobile phone market in 2008, OPPO quickly expanded its mobile business to 28 countries and was the fourth-ranked global smartphone manufacturer in 2016 by the IDC. As a newly-minted member of the GSMA, OPPO will participate in a variety of working groups and programs dedicated to the advancement of mobile technology. Furthermore, OPPO will have more opportunity to keep up with latest trends and technologies of global telecommunication industry. Through this partnership, OPPO strives to promote its global development and to seek innovation across various mobile platforms.
SanDisk co-founder Sanjay Mehrotra joins Micron as CEO
Mr. Mehrotra will be replacing Mark Durcan. Durcan will serve as an adviser to the company until early August. Mehrotra was a co-founder of SanDisk and served as its president and CEO from 2011 to 2016. He drove the growth of the company from a start-up in 1988 to an industry-leading Fortune 500 company with revenues that reached $6.6 billion, and ultimately culminated in a sale for $16 billion to Western Digital Corporation in 2016. Micron Technology announced that the board of directors has appointed Sanjay Mehrotra as president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, effective May 8, 2017.
Sanjay Kalirona to Lead Chinese ODM Topwise with COMIO Brand in India
Sanjay Kalirona who previously served Intex Technologies after spending more than 15 years at the IT peripheralsto-mobile phones company. He did a stint of a little over a year at Akai’s mobile phone division in between his tenure at Intex. He is currently serving a notice period at Zen Mobile and will join the Chinese ODM in May first week. Topwise Communication will enter the Indian handset market with the launch of its COMIO handset brand. The company has appointed Sanjay Kalirona as CEO and director for the Indian market. Founded in June 2005, TopWise Communication is one of the biggest ODMs in China, and is among top three printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers in the country. The ODM used to make products for many Indian handset makers, including leading brand Micromax. COMIO will cater to mid to premium smartphone segment with devices priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 15,000 price range.
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LAUNCHPAD
Ziox Mobiles enters Mobile Accessories Market
Ziox Mobiles, under the aegis of Sun Airvoice Private Limited, a growing mobile handset brands in the country now enters into the Mobile accessories category with ‘PBZ-509 Zelfie and PBZ-609 power banks. To make it more effective and valuable, there is an addition of Power Bank PBZ-509 with a selfie function (shutter), the ultimate multipurpose smartphone accessory to capture your happy moments. In addition, to recharge, the Power Bank PBZ-509 allows to click selfie! How does it work? It’s really simple and intuitive, just download the app by scanning the given barcode on gift box and Sync your selfie moments wirelessly with ‘Zelfie’.
New Moto G5 launched exclusively on Amazon.in
Moto G, the first smartphone to come with special offers for Prime members in India. With the new Moto G5, using a single sign-on to pre-installed Amazon apps and deals widget, customers get easy access to their personalized deals, content, order history, wish list, and shipment update. Amazon Prime Members can also effortlessly access tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes, ebooks, free one and two-day shipping and so much more. The G5 is design with high grade aluminum 6000 flaunting a 12.7cm (5.0) screen in full HD with 1080p and 441ppi resolution to provide you an improved entertainment experience. Moto G5 will be available at Đ 11,999 for exclusively on Amazon.in.
Sansui partners with Flipkart.com to launch Horizon 1
Sansui launched its flagship value-for-money smartphone Horizon 1, which would be exclusively available at -Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce marketplace. With an aim to offer fully equipped smartphone for all in the country, the two giants will offer 4G VoLTE enabled phone at never before heard price. Launched exclusively with Flipkart at a competitive price of Rs. 3999, Sansui Horizon 1 is a perfect combination of design, technology and functionality. Horizon 1 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow supported by 1.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor to multitask better and faster on 4G. The device comes with 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM (expandable upto 64 GB) internal storage backed by 2000mAh battery for a power packed multitasking experience.
PhotoFast Introduces 4K iReader microSD Card Reader for Apple
PhotoFast, the premiumiOS smart accessory company based in Taiwan, introduces the new 4K iReadermicroSD card reader for Apple, in response to Apple users’ urgent demands for better storage, transfer, and backup solutions following the release of the new iPhone 7 series. The iPhone 7 series is equipped with 12-megapixel sensors that record 4K high- definition videos, but at the expense of storage space and high bit rate. Taking this into account, PhotoFast has put together years of experience in developing excellence to create the new 4K iReader, providing Apple enthusiasts the all-in- one high-speed storage solution.
lephone unveils its latest 4G smartphone W7
lephone, has introduced lephone W7, a new entrant to the entry-level 4G VoLTE budget Smartphone market, to its Smartphone series. Priced at Rs. 4599 MOP, the phone was launched specifically for the Indian market with support for 22 different regional languages and multiple international languages. Speaking on the occasion Vinod Pandit,Business Head, lephone Technology Pvt ltd, remarked, “lephone is leveraging a platform with an affordable yet power packed device, as it offers the flexibility to address users& increasingly varied demands. With the launch of lephone W7 we intend getting premium devices into the hands of consumers at affordable rates while ensuring consumers benefit from all the latest specifications.”
Nikon launched D7500
Nikon India launched the Nikon D7500. Nikon’s newest DX-format D-SLR combines the performance of class-leading DSLR photography with outstanding agility and operability, creating endless possibilities for core photography enthusiasts and those on a quest to perfect their craft.The D7500, with vibrant 4K UHD video support to capture cinematic adventures, is equipped with a high-performance EXPEED 5 image-processing engine and an updated Nikon DXformat 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor, a combination that creates images with superior definition and reduced noise even at higher ISO values. Both are inherited from the Nikon D500, allowing photographers to embrace their full creative potential and freeing them from the constraints of challenging shooting environments. The new Nikon DX-format sensor also has a native ISO range of 100 to 512001 to provide minimal noise in low-light scenarios.
HyperX Cloud Revolver S Headset Launched in India
HyperX a division of Kingston Technology Company, announced its most advanced gaming headset to date, the HyperX Cloud Revolver Swith plug-and-play Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. HyperX has added Dolby Headphone technology into a new USB dongle that delivers high-end immersive audio at the touch of a button. HyperX Signature Memory Foam and anew wide headband design enhance comfort for endless hours of game play. The new premium headset also features multi-platform support, 50mm drivers
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LAUNCHPAD and a noise cancelling microphone designed for use by professional gamers and eSports teams globally.The HyperX Revolver S comes with an MRP of INR 12,999/- and is currently available on Amazon.in.
Jabra announces the launch of the Jabra Speak 710
Jabra announces the launch of the Jabra Speak 710. The premium, portable speakerphone is designed for professional and personal usage, and ensures great sound for conference calls and music. The Jabra Speak 710 is a high-end personal device providing premium HiFi grade audio and superior Unified Communication experience. The Jabra Speak 710 is the boasting an Omni-directional microphone for up to six ‘in room’ attendees, 15 hours of battery life and a HiFi grade speaker for crystal clear conversation and music. Jabra Speak 710 Series comes in a small, compact design, with an integrated folding stand for extra flexibility.
Sony launched its new EXTRABASS Series
Sony India has strengthened the EXTRABASS headphones series and EXTRABASS wireless speaker series for 2017. Sony India urther expanded its EXTRA BASS headphones series. The elevated line-up fits in perfectly with today’s choice of popular music genres. The extended constituents of the EXTRA BASS family are the wireless MDR-XB950B1, the vibrant and stylish MDR-XB550AP and MDR-XB510AS a splash proof, in-ear sports headphones. Sony India has further expanded its EXTRA BASS series with the inclusion of four new portable wireless speakers – SRS-XB40, SRS-XB30, SRS-XB20 and the SRSXB10. The line-up has been expanded keeping in mind Sony’s EXTRA BASS speaker growth.
TECNO Mobile launched five models in India
TECNO smartphone promises to give better night photography with its unique image processing technology PIXELEX engine. It promises to capture the brightest pictures even in the night by redefining the boundaries of image technology and user experience.The new TECNO smartphone range includes five models – i3, i3 Pro, i5, i5 Pro and i7 in a price range of INR 7,990 to 14,990 (MOP). While i5, i5 Pro, i3 and i3 pro will all be available across 3 states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab from 22nd April, 2017; i7 will be hitting the market early May’17. These new products come in the exciting colors of Champagne Gold, Sky Black and Space Grey.
Videocon launched Delite 11+
Videocon Smartphone announced the launch of its latest smartphone Delite 11+ which comes equipped with exclusively built Pro 360 OS based on Android Marshmallow. Videocon Delite 11+ priced at INR 5800. The Pro 360 OS offers a series of essential and advanced features to fulfil needs pertaining to Security, Privacy, Efficiency, Lively and Remote Access. From intruder selfie feature to app lock, heat monitor and anti-theft mode, Pro 360 OS guarantees your smartphone complete security. It not only ensures that your Delite 11+ is virus free but also cleans the system regularly with the pre-installed anti-virus facility.
Xiaomi Launches its Latest Flagship Mi 6
Xiaomi unveiled its newest flagship Mi6, showcasing a sleek and beautiful device powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 835 platform with 6GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. Priced from RMB 2,499, Mi 6 is the first device powered by Snapdragon 835 to debut in China. It will be available starting 28 April on Mi.com and in all 72 Mi Home stores in China, and will make its way to selected global markets at a later date.
Creative Announced New Designer Portable Fabric Bluetooth Speakers
Creative Technology announced the Creative Nuno Series of designer lifestyle portable Bluetooth speakers. The series comprises of the compact Creative Nuno and the even more compact palm-sized Nuno Micro. With the Creative Nuno series, simplicity is the new luxury.Nuno means ‘woven cloth’ in the Japanese language. The Creative Nuno series draws its name from the way the speakers are wrapped in sheaths of woven fabric, resulting in a signature rustic minimalist look. The clean lines embody the timeless appeal of simple, well made, handcrafted pieces of art.
Smartron unveils srtphone
Smartron, India’s first global technology OEM Company and Premier IoT brand, has announced the launch of their much awaited srtphone, a smartphone which draws inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar and is a gift from him to his fans. srtphone, designed and engineered and manufactured in India, comes with an unmatched experience as it showcases a blend of genius and craft and sport a powerful Qualcomm 652 Octa-Core processor with 4GB memory delivering 30%-50% better performance in this price category. This performance driven smartphone comes with the latest Android N and offers a great experience including ensuring fastest Android update roll outs, unlimited t.cloud storage and signature tcare thanks to tronX, Company’s AI and IoT platform. srtphone, which was formally unveiled to the world by Sachin Tendulkar himself, is poised to be an epitome of Mastery at the Core.
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Customer support, repair and after sales services go hand-in-hand Intex focus to reach out to a large customer base,has developed a wide network of 1600 distributors, 80,000 + dealers and 125 brand stores - Intex Smart World covering 90 cities across 25 states.
Mr. Arvind Raina
GM - Services (Mobile), Intex Technologies
Why After sales is key for Intex? In today’s competitive market, especially in the mobile handset industry, the hardware and software features of various phones are mostly the same and so to keep hold of key consumers, after-sales services is a very crucial element. It has become a key factor among the users in deciding which phone to buy. Customer support,
The advantages of offering after-sales services can be mainly categorized into: • Competitive Advantage – services or benefits that are not provided by others • Differentiation – setting yourself apart from other competitors • Customer Satisfaction – keeping constant communication with your customers • Customer Loyalty – Customers tend to purchase again and recommend the brand to their colleagues repair and after sales services go hand-in-hand with the product quality and influence the response of customers in buying the product. Good after sales services help form a positive perception about the brand and makes it more reliable. How your services are different from other brands? After-sales service is a differentiating advantage for brands. At Intex, regular customer connect with the senior management has helped develop a healthy consumer
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confidence in the market, that as a brand, we are serious about achieving customer delight. Our initiatives have helped develop a customer oriented culture where every service employee feels the pride in delivering an excellent customer service. Good after-sales services help build consumer connect with the brand. As a matter of fact, the relationship with the customer does not end with the purchase of the phone rather begins from there, which is essential to keep consumers happy and ensure
Following are few examples of best services / practices offered to customers: In case there is a repeat complaint, it is taken up on priority and handled using a process called as C1AL i.e. Customer First Analysis Later. Under this program, the moment we get a repeat complaint, the query is served on war footing level and the customer I updated at every stage till the query is completely resolved. Analysis of the same is done only later on. Regularly measuring Transactional Customer Satisfaction and capturing customer feedback has helped us find out the root causes of issues and thus taking actions on these causes to eliminate them completely. Senior Management is regularly connected with customers to understand their real pain and this gives confidence and trust to customers about organization’s commitment towards them.
FEATURED retention and repeat purchase. We have also taken few preliminary steps in the direction of Virtual Service Centers. Providing customer remote trouble shooting at our contact centers has initiated practice towards virtual services. What are the new initiatives by Intex in the after sales market? We aim to provide the best of services to our customers and we have various new initiatives to create long lasting memories for customers. Via such initiatives, receiving regular customer testimonials has become a trend. The name of the Initiative is IMD i.e. I Made a Difference. I made a difference is a program where any employee/service partner shares a customer satisfaction story which he/she feels is a result of excellent customer service or a best practice. Can you please tell us about your current service center network? Intex Services has in April 2017 reached the milestone of opening its 50th MICP or Master intex Care partner in Ahmedabad - Gujarat. The 1st MICP was also opened in Gujarat in Rajkot in 2014. At present, Intex MICPs are spread across 24 states and 30 cities led by west, north, east and south zones. Intex Service network spread across 1000+ cities across pan India with a network presence of around 1500+ service partners (ICPs) and 100+ Exclusive Intex Care Partners, called as EICPs. Our focus is to reach out to a large customer base. Intex has developed a wide network of 1600 distributors, 80,000 + dealers and 125 brand stores - Intex Smart World covering 90 cities across 25 states. Please tell us about how your mobile handset service division is impacting the business? At Intex we have a practice of capturing NPS (Net promoter score) wherein we find out the number of
Additionally, we are investing in various ways to create robust after-sales services Company is investing in the development of a modern CRM to ensure Omni-Channel presence and match customer’s information from every single channel and update in real-time. Investment in various digital modes of interaction with customers e.g. application based registration of customer’s Installation requests, Capturing Customer feedback using a digital machine, IVR based remote interaction with customers and collaborations with various technological partners to manage and improve field services in an effective and efficient manner. Investment in setting up Business Excellence teams to ensure sustenance of service excellence practice. Company is investing heavily on its back-end support, i.e., Repair Factory and multi presence Warehouse and distribution network. A Newsletter on CDIT & Mobile is prepared by the Intex Technologies Services Team on a quarterly basis which is circulated amongst Internal and External Fraternity. External Fraternity here includes Retailers, Distributors & Service Partners. The Newsletter comprises of various information related to new practices, CSAT positioning, performance record, rewards & recognition to the employee of the quarter. We believe in valuing and appreciating our employees for the hard work they apply to best serve our customers. (Sample Attached) VOC (Voice of Customers) is shared amongst the services team in which both positive and negative feedback is circulated amongst the team on a weekly basis. This helps the team in analyzing the collective feedback and work towards improving the service.
Soon, we aim to cater to these 5 areas where Intex would be focusing in the next 6 months – Our major focus would be on Employee engagement as we follow the “Employee First” philosophy and believe that only an engaged employee can deliver a delighted customer. Another area of focus would be “Customer Experience by Leadership”, where top management would be personally involved in meeting and interacting with customers. We understand that due to this, down the line staff will feel pride in providing an excellent customer service. To make Intex Service as a sales enabler and positioning service excellence as a brand differentiator. Another key area of focus for 2017 would be “Process for everything and everything with Process”. We believe whatever can be measured can be improved. With this theme, we are going to give lots of focus in measuring customer voice from various channels and a systematic mechanism to improve and sustain customer delight.
customers who are loyal and ready to recommend Intex to their known ones. With this we aim to create Intex as a brand differentiator. With these initiatives, even retailers and other channel partners started recommending Intex to their customers and have helped the company to increase revenues on a sustained basis. There is a pressing need to develop a Customer Experience Framework & Best Practices to ensure a consistent Service Delivery and achieve Customer Delight through an integrated approach involving people, processes & best practices. We strive to improve the customer experience and achieve service provider excellence by our various initiatives.
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martphone market in India crossed the 30 Million unit shipments milestone for the first time ever in a quarter in CY Q3 2016 maintaining its healthy traction with 11 percent Year-on-Year growth. And though feature phone market is consolidated with few key vendors, it is also witnessing the emergence of new brands. Some new brands in the second quarter in Indian market has quadrupled its shipments while few have more than doubled over the previous quarter. And entry of the new vendors have extended the feature phone supply since past few quarters and this category is expected to grow significantly. This in turn might further slowdown the feature phone to smartphone migration. Functional benefits are still making the quintessential feature phone an attractive buy. Almost 85% feature phone users do not intend to switch to smartphones on their next purchase, according to a recent study. Why India still needs more feature phones? In certain markets, such as India, where the proliferation of mobile phones grow on users’ demands, handset companies today still see the scope of launching new feature phones. As per media reports, more than 50 per cent share of feature phones continue to dominate as they remain the preference of people in small towns and rural areas who have little need for or money to buy smartphones. The coveted factors why India still needs
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feature phones are: * India is a price sensitive market and hence consumers (especially in tier II, III cities and rural areas or maybe overall) display a very cautious spending behaviour. One of the possible reason is affordability and socio-economic behaviour of Indian consumers. * Lack of awareness and technological literacy. * While urban population is increasingly growing tech savvy, consumers from smaller towns and rural areas are still marginally exposed to the technological advancement that India and the world has moved towards. The pace at which this segment of population is coping up with the advancement is considerably low because of which they feel more comfortable with the conventional way of communication. * The basic need for a phone till date is to make and take phone calls for majority of people. Therefore, the rate of migration from feature to smartphone is slow and hence feature phones continue to account for more than half of the total Indian mobile phone market. * Reduced demand globally and in India, the shipment of smartphones have slowed down. Feature phones are here to stay! Other research and studies like the latest CMR report have also cited that, although revenues from feature phones constitute less
SPECIAL STORY around 14%, in terms of volume, they hold about 57% of the market. So, overall there is a scope to play where home-grown companies are introducing their low-end handsets for users’ daily convenience. And it’s a fact that, Indian consumers will continue to welcome feature phones solely due to the functional benefits, combined with durability, battery life, and the ease of repair, said Ms. Nidhi Markanday, Director & Business Head, Intex Technologies Gaurav Nigam, Product Head, Lava International Ltd said “In India, majority of the population still don’t have access to smartphone due to multiple reasons ranging from affordability, battery life, durability and availability of internet. Therefore the telecom needs are satisfied by Feature Phones. Moreover there is another segment which has a need for high count and duration of calls. For this segment battery life is most important which they get only in Feature phones as smart phones consume higher battery due to internet and various applications”. According to Mr. Chiranjib Sarkar, National Sales Head of Ziox Mobiles “There is not a rich ecosystem of quality local applications, in regional languages. Telecom operators, original equipment manufacturers, TRAI and industry bodies all agree that there is a lack of local content, for the local population. This gives very strong reason for many users across India to own a Feature phone”. Also, not everyone is comfortable with English as a first language and Feature phones offering user interfaces in local languages. The battery life, durability and capabilities of feature phones still offer value to users in India, said Mr. Sarkar. “The reasons why India still need more feature phones because of its advantages. Functional benefits are still making the quintessential feature phone an attractive buy. Functional benefits combined with durability, battery life and ease of repair are still drawing consumers. Feature phones still account for 55% of total handset shipments in India. They are small and cheap. They have battery life that have weeks of standby time. Moreover, they provide all critical mobile services. Besides, Feature phones market has a strong presence in India, mainly in Tier III cities and smaller towns. They are not only affordable, but also offer multiple features that allow users to stay connected at all times”, said Mr. Vinod Pandit, Business Head, lephone Technology Pvt Ltd. Nikhil Chopra, Executive Director, BTM Exports said “In our view India technology infrastructure is still lacks the capacity to get fully converted into a complete 4G reliant. Hence the feature phones and entry level smart phones both have ample takers here”. What are the key elements that makes the feature phone segment still so attractive for brands? According to Ms. Nidhi “In India, almost 85% feature phone users do not intend to switch to smartphones on their next purchase, according to a recent study conducted by Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) and Kantar IMRB. As mentioned above, it’s because the devices’ durability, battery life and other comfort specifications. With JIO’s plan for 4G roll out in feature phones, India’s mobile phone market is creating a new category of mobile devices to attract more users to use feature phones. While many other brands have also been working on
Ms. Nidhi Markanday
Director & Business Head, Intex Technologies
With Jio planning to roll out 4G-capable feature phones and the government aggressively pushing for a less-cash era by enabling mobile banking on feature phones using USSD, we are confident about the market to accelerate wherein, we will see an increased growth of the sale numbers for our feature phones.
phones with 4G technology, there is clear advantage and we have taken a step accordingly. At the moment, 90% of our smartphones are 4G-enabled and we plan to introduce the new 4G feature phones to gain from recent developments”. While there has been a huge demand for smartphones amongst the tech savvy youth, we have been witnessing a consistent rise in the demand for feature phones as well from tier II, III cities and rural areas owing to its convenience of use. Hence, we plan to introduce around 15 new devices by June 2017 in feature phone segment. However, we recently launched our two new models – Turbo Selfie+ and Ultra 4000i that come equipped with innovative practical features. As the feature phone segment sees huge potential in rural areas, the aim is to tap first-time users as well. According to Counterpoint Research, more than 65% of billion plus mobile users in India are still using feature phones. So, tapping customers who currently use feature phones through 4G and additional features will give feature phones segment a good push, said Ms. Nidhi. “The Indian feature phone market offers immense potential for mobile handset manufacturers, with current sales standing at approximately 12.5 million units a month. This count by all means is significant. Great quality, large base, low service cost and a large population which is looking at affordability makes this segment attractive”. said Mr.Nigam of Lava. Mr. Chiranjib Sarkar said that this might be the era of eminent smartphones but India’s mobile phone industry isn’t writing off the humble feature phone. The feature phones which were all about basic messaging and calls has seen revival of sorts and has gone smarter. As mentioned above, Feature phones are still a force and Brands too are focusing on innovating in the existing segment, with newer enriched features that are relevant to the present-day users. The segment is not focused only to the lesser known brands, in fact several popular brands are aiming on establishing its stronger foothold, underlining its importance especially in rural markets. According to Mr.Chopra “One reason which we understand is the ticket size involved in terms of investments in Feature phones and the other is the saturation in Indian Smartphones scene with the entry of Chinese smartphones manufacturers .The situation has turned nightmarish for many so called branded smartphones. The size and geography also plays an important part here.” Vinod Pandit of lephone said that “Despite the wide range of smart phones available today, functional benefits are still making the feature phone an attractive buy.
MOBILITY MAY 2017
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SPECIAL STORY
Mr. Gaurav Nigam
Product Head, Lava International Ltd. The next big change in the feature phone segment will be introduction of smart feature phones with 4G connectivity. With 4G data tariffs going down we believe that people even at the bottom of pyramid will be able to afford 4G data and would therefore need a device to do the same. Gaurav Nigam, Product Head, Lava International Ltd.
Almost 85% feature phone users do not intend to switch to smart phones on their next purchase. This has clearly busted myths about the feature phone market in India, and indicates that their functional benefits combined with durability, battery life and ease of repair are still drawing consumers. Some people also carry both smart phones and features phones, who use the later for making calls and former for data, mobile transactions etc. Top homegrown handset makers have strategically decided to keep going with the segment as it gives them massive distribution reach, right up to the hinterlands, and large volumes”. Do you feel there is still space for new players in this segment? Yes, India has always been a key market for both international and domestic players to grow, where consumers are constantly looking for new and fresh offerings. With a population where we still have first-time mobile users, it’s for the brands who provide users’ innovative products offering the best quality devices with high-end specifications at affordable prices. Also, with the advent use of 4G technology embedded in feature phones going forward, players are going to empower users at attractive price points too. Currently, our devices are priced at affordable rates with practical and utility based features which are easyto-use and can potentially bring convenience to the daily lives of consumers. As a part of our strategy, we are not just focusing on offering devices at competitive pricing but on providing value added services as a part of our digital services ecosystem to retain and win more consumers. As a home-grown and consumer facing brand, we will continue to be the people’s brand and have a presence in the low-price segment, said Ms. Nidhi. Mr. Nigam said that “the current feature phone market is 149 mn in 2016 which is 57% of overall market (as per CMR report). Hence, there is large potential to serve customers in this segment. However just selling like a trader is not going to give good returns. Whoever enters this segment must ensure good quality product, wide sales and distribution reach (touching villages) and similarly wide service network blue print.” “This is such a segment where every player either established or newcomer is seeking the opportunity. This is the reason you can see other than existing players many new and well-known names are joining this segment” said Mr. Sarkar “Yes, feature phones continue to be preferred by people living in small town and rural areas who do not have a high purchasing power unlike people living in MOBILITY MAY 2017
urban India. More than 50 percent of the mobile phone market in India is dominated by feature phones, they are not only relevant to the current scenario but are here to stay. Home-grown equipment manufacturers are heavily counting on the feature phone for maintaining stability” Vinod Pandit of lephone. Absolutely said Mr.Chopra for the pure reason that feature phone market scenario is still ok for any new brand if the brand has core values incorporated like Longevity, value for money, service supports etc. Plus its always better if the new brand in question here has something extra to offer like having its own assembly unit here like ui phones. What will be the next big change in this segment? According to Ms. Nidhi as mobile penetration continues to grow in the country, both feature and smartphones continue to find takers in the mobile market. According to me, the next disruptive move will be focusing on the pricing strategy of 4G VoLTE feature phone devices. In a fast paced and data-driven market, where mobile phones are meant to be equipped with heavy data, consumers tend to play games, watch live streaming videos and use all sorts of data-driven applications. Mobile brands will need to understand consumer behavior and needs to bring them the right devices at affordable rates targeting both urban cities and rural, tier-II and III markets. As for the year 2016-2017, we’ve had a total sales of 15245077 in the feature phone segment and we aim to launch our 4G enabled feature phones between the range of Rs 2,500 – Rs 3,000/-. Currently we are selling about 60 models in feature phone segment in India and have sold about 19.77 million feature phones in 2015-16 alone. We are optimistic about the growth of 4G feature phones which will further help in holding its ground in the fast growing mobile market. The next big change in the feature phone segment will be introduction of smart feature phones with 4G con-
Mr. Chiranjib Sarkar National Sales Head, Ziox Mobiles
“We still believe Feature phones are here to stay and still our major portion of business comes via this segment. These basic feature phones are getting smarter as well.”
nectivity. With 4G data tariffs going down we believe that people even at the bottom of pyramid will be able to afford 4G data and would therefore need a device to do the same. Lava realized this impending demand and was the first brand in India to launch a 4G Keypad phone - Lava 4G M1 Connect, said Mr. Nigam. Mr. Sarkar said “feature phones have been timely revamped to keep themselves in check with smartphone segment. In the coming days we will witness 4G connectivity, more language options and high level of VAS services”. According to Mr. Vinod Pandit “These basic phones
SPECIAL STORY
Mr. Vinod Pandit
Business Head, lephone Technology Pvt Ltd. The feature phone market in India will continue to be significant some more years from now, driven by companies bringing innovative features, consumercentric form factors, SOS call button and regional languages support.
are getting smarter as well. Manufacturers are innovating in the segment with new feature sets that are relevant for present day users: bigger batteries which can act as power banks, selfie cameras, larger speakers to give a surround sound feel and the like. The feature phone market in India will continue to be significant some more years from now, driven by companies bringing innovative features, consumer-centric form factors, SOS call button and regional languages support. A feature phone user prefers to have long battery life and loud speaker in their devices. Therefore, it plans to come out with models which have larger memory to store movies and songs. Some models would come with water resistance and tough build quality”. According to Mr. Chopra the next big change will be a 4G feature phone. India is developing and so are the wishes of masses , everyone is talking about going digital so in our view 4G in feature phone is next tech news. Will Nokia and Jio factor play big role in this segment this year? At the moment, our Indian market is cluttered with undifferentiated products and consumers are constantly seeking for newer ones. Mobile handset brands will need to provide with fresh offerings. At Intex, we are constantly innovating our products and launching new devices as per consumers’ needs. Today, we have just launched our Aqua Strong 5.1+ model that allows users to enjoy superfast 4G speed and processing to experience download speeds and the fun of internet in the most seamless manner. Intex now has moved to an entire portfolio comprising 4G-Volte smartphones and will also be entering the 10K segment smartphones from this quarter. Moreover, there has been no regrowth in the feature phone market in the country and with 4G into play, feature phones will further strengthen by moving towards smart feature phones that will further delay the switch to a smartphone driven market, said Ms. Nidhi. Both are strong organizations and with huge cash flow and reputation behind them but it won’t be so easy for any brand especially newcomer in Feature phone segment”, said Mr. Sarkar. Mr. Chopra said that any such shake or move impacts the market in totality . Remember the times when that Rs 500/- worth CDMA phones got launched , they only resulted in helping the market grow and similar thing is going to happen now. How your brand is looking into this segment? “For Intex, the feature phones segment has always been an opportunity to tap first-time users as well as rural
cities with its low-end yet smart devices. As per latest IDC reports, Intex is the number 3 player in mobile market with a market share of 9.9%. With Jio planning to roll out 4G-capable feature phones and the government aggressively pushing for a less-cash era by enabling mobile banking on feature phones using USSD, we are confident about the market to accelerate wherein, we will see an increased growth of the sale numbers for our feature phones “said Ms. Nidhi from Intex. “At Lava, we are focused on ensuring that we give great quality and experience to our consumers. We are focusing on less models but widest distribution reach. On the innovation side, Lava Connect M1 is the latest offering in this segment, which is equipped to provide the latest 4G technology, supporting high-end connectivity standards like VoLTE at an affordable price. The device can support a majority of social and messaging applications on its Mocordroid operating system enabling video streaming platforms as well as live streaming” said Mr. Nigam from Lava. We still believe Feature phones are here to stay and still our major portion of business comes via this segment. These basic feature phones are getting smarter as well. To keep the consumer engagement high, we are innovating in the segment with new feature sets that are relevant for present day users: bigger batteries which can act as power banks, selfie cameras, large speakers to give a surround sound feel, stylish looks and several other developments all at budgeted prices. Also, most of our Feature phones are equipped with some entertainment applications & minor increments like Pre-loaded content, Games etc, said Mr. Sarkar from Ziox. “Though we are a new entrant, still we are very much competitive in this segment as we offer high quality, good looking handsets at a very aggressive price. Our products have already created sensation in the market with innovative features like selfie feature phone and beautifully crafted sleek ID. Almost all our features phones are produced in India, hence being a part of India’s technological revolution “MAKE IN INDIA”.We are progressively working on the innovative features and attractive IDs. Our phones are already equipped with emergency call button and soon our all products will support multiple regional languages. Vinod Pandit Mr. Nikhil Chopra Executive Director, BTM Exports
India is developing and so are the wishes of masses , everyone is talking about going digital so in our view 4G in feature phone is next tech news.
We at ui phones are very bullish about the feature phones segment . Primarily targeting the tier 2/tier 3 towns and and providing the audience with an array of products ranging from Rs 800-1500 price range . Also for the records we are already working on Smartphones and Tablets and soon ui phones will have all of them in its portfolio, said Mr. Chopra from Ui.
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CHANNEL FOCUS
Recently Launched MidoBrand Already Selling 100,000 mobiles a Month B
ora & Bora Technologies LLP is an Indian firm founded by Mr. Rajender. P. Bora and Mr. Prashant Bora engaged in ecommerce, trading, distribution and manufacturing of consumer electronics products & accessories. It is a part of the Bora Group, a professionally run family-managed enterprise engaged in Food, Finance, Realty and Technology sectors in India with a presence of over 10 years. Bora and Bora Technologies LLP today manufactures and markets mobile phones, mobilechargers, power bank, etc. Bora and Bora Technologies LLP has its manufacturing plant and HO in Pune, Maharashtra and Bora and BoraTechnologies llp has its Sales Office in Delhi. In an interaction with Mobility magazine, Farid Ahmed, Director, Bora and Bora Technologies llp, shares their company’s vision, strategy and plans for their mobile phones and accessories. Farid Ahmed comments, “We have a highly automated manufacturing plant in Pune, where we started manufacturing mobile phone and chargers 6 months
back. We supply mobile chargers to many top smart phone brands in India. We maintain very good quality and consistency. We also market mobile phones, under Mido brand, through our pan-India network of distributors. These mobiles are also available through ecommerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Homeshop 18, etc. They are selling very well, both via online and offline channels. We have not even completed one year after launching the brand into market and we are already selling over 100,000 units per month to the end consumers. And Our chargers stand up to our claims and work for 10,000 cycles, whereas most other providers make big claims, but often their chargers become defunct after only 3000 cycles. The difference between their claims and their actual deliverability is very wide in case of other brands.” Now, after their stellar success, Bora and Bora Technologies llp is also foraying into smart phone and tablet market. Farid Ahmed comments, “We have been providing feature phones, but now our future focus is mainly on providing tablets and smart phones. Feature phones sales are coming down as people are shifting more and more to smart phones. So we are now working MOBILITY MAY 2017
Mr. Prashant Bora CEO, Bora and Bora Technologies LLP
Mr. Farid Ahmed Director, Bora and Bora Technologies LLP
on smart phones and 3G and 4G tablets. We already have 3G, 5-inch smart phone that comes at only Rs 2499 for customer. And soon we are coming up with 4G, 4.5-inch and 5-inch smart phones for which we are yet to decided prices. The 4G calling tablet will be of 7-inch. All our products come with 1-year warranty. We are launching smart phones and tablets under the Mido brand.” Besides selling very well on online sites, Bora andBora Technologies llp hasnearly 41 local distributors spread across India. “Our battery and charger are of very good quality and our price is also very competitive. So our products are competing even with grey products, with little promotion; our products with great quality are often self-promoting with auto-publicity through word of mouth. This year, we want to double our sales,” adds Farid Ahmed. Bora and Bora Technologies llp has its state-of-theart manufacturing plant for mobile phone and chargers in Pune with 20 manufacturing lines. The plant covers an area 50,000 sq ft in two floors. Regarding branding and promotion, Farid Ahmed concludes, “Wherever there is opportunity, we promote our brand and products. And as I said,our brand is selfpromoting due to their high quality and reputation. For example, Snapdeal asked us funds for promoting our brand and they are promoting well. We also use media like magazines etc for promotion. We want to give the best possible products to the partners and the end consumers. With our focus on high quality and transparency, we hope our market share for our accessories and smart phones will increase rapidly in the coming months and years. Depending upon the market trend and demand, we will continue to add more products and models to our portfolio.”
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REVIEW
Coolpad Note 5 Lite
Good-looking stable performer
A
s the mid- tier smartphone segment that is (1020k) still remain flat, the fight for the entry level or
sub 10k is getting fierce. In last few years Coolpad achieved many milestones and established themselves well under 10k and 8k segment. After Note 5 they have recently launched Note 5 Lite which is powered with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of flash storage along with expandable memory using a microSD card. It bears a 13-megapixel auto focus rear camera and 8 mega pixel camera, both equipped with LED flash light and uses an aluminum magnesium alloy making it durable and sturdy yet light weight at 148g. The Note 5 Lite is available with 5inch HD IPS display (1280X970), with a dimension of 145.3*72.3*8.7mm. It comes with scratch resistant, 2.5D curved glass on top of its display. It is powered by 64 bit 1.0 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6735CP processor, assisted by Mali – T720 GPU and 3GB of RAM. It runs on Android 6.0 and is powered by a 2500mAh non-removable battery, with a stand by time for upto 200H. The connectivity options include 4G LTE, 3G / HSPA+, EDGE / GPRS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, Micro USB port and 3.5mm audio jack. Specs wise both the Coolpad Note 5 Lite and Xiaomi Redmi 3s Prime are pretty much similar, the Note 5 Lite, however, gets the lead in the imaging department with an 8-megapixel sensor at the front. Performance: The best thing that we liked about every Coolpad devices is its reliability. Every handsets that we used by Coolpad are stable performers. In Note 5 Light too we haven’t noticed or experienced any mystery crashes or a deep effort to troubleshoot and fix. Things that we liked about this device is its built quality and looks, the smartphone is built well and feels hefty in the hand, extremely thin bezel makes for a wider display, much improved camera performance both with front and back. Talking about call quality of the smartphone was good, we never encountered any problems with it. Things which we thought this devices misses is this it doesn’t have Android Nougat out-of-the-box, a cluttered UI experience and, 1080p display may be disappointing for some. Overall Note 5 Lite is another decent device by Coolpad in under 10k segment. Verdict: A sturdy good looking device with decent overall performance in budget segment.
MOBILITY MAY 2017
REVIEW
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PENTAX KP :
A stylish compact DSLR
R
icoh India announced the launch of its new digital SLR camera-PENTAX KP.
Within its compact, slim body it features a
new-generation CMOS image sensor and a high-performance imaging engine to deliver extremely high-resolution, rich-gradation images. It also provides a range of customization features, such as a grip replacement system to personalize the camera’s grip to accommodate the photographer’s shooting style or a mounted lens, and a control panel to allow a flexible panel layout to meet the photographer’s preference. The camera assures flexible, delay-free response to a wide variety of scenes and subjects. With a redesigned internal structure, the svelteDSLR offers spectacular features like a new-generation APS-C- sized CMOS image sensorsupported by approximately 24.32 effective megapixels and a top sensitivity of ISO 819200, a fiveaxis shake-reduction system,an electronically controlled shutter unit for super-high-speed shooting at 1/24000 second and an optical viewfinder with nearly 100% field of view.
Key Features:
The dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-proof (for
• 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor with max ISO of 819,200
temp. as low as -10°C) camera captures flawless, high-
• 27-point AF sensor with 25 central cross-type points
resolution Full HD movie clips in the H-264 recording
• 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensor aids subject track-
format with a range of functional settings. Itincorporates
ing and exposure
a variety of customization functions to simplify and
• PRIME IV Processor
enhance camera operation, including Smart Function
• In-body ‘SR II’ 5-axis image stabilization
and control panel customization; and is equipped with a
• 7 fps continuous shooting
3.0-inch LCD monitor with a vertical tilt function, a Real-
• Interchangeable grips
time Scene Analysis System and a High-speed 27-point
• Improved ‘Function Dial’ from the K-1
autofocus system with the SAFOX 11 module.
• Electronic shutter up to 1/24,000 sec through the view-
RICOH Pentax KP is available on Ricoh India web store and Ricoh seller’s networks at a MRP of Rs. 88584.
MOBILITY MAY 2017
finder • Wi-Fi communication
REVIEW
SONY MDR-XB950BT:
Feel every pound and bass XB950B1 can be worn for hours on end. The light but durable material gives a premium look and feel,
while suppressing deep vibrations and punchy beats. The ultra-thick earpads seal in the sound by perfectly fitting around your ears. Not only is this pressure relieving but the earpads also keep the music in and keep distractions out. Better still, you can take your music anywhere. The sliding metal headband and swivel folding earcups make it easy to store your headphones in a suitcase or bag. It is very easy to pair with your smart device you just have to. NFC devices link up with instant onetouch connection. Armed with a longlasting battery, these headphones will keep going wirelessly for up to 18 hours, even with the Extra Bass turned on. And when they do finally run out of juice, simply recharge via USB, or plug in in traditional fashion with the included audio cable. A large 40mm driver boasts a high energy neodymium
A
magnet which perfectly balances power and precision re you into Electronic Dance Music and love to surf
to unleash an intense bass. What’s more, an OFC voice
through Digital radio channels and often feel to
call provides high power handling of 1500mW for a
switch to a better headset with some Extra Bass? Then
continuous punch. With a low end frequency range of
this is for you.
3Hz, Sony’s EXTRA BASS tech reproduces pounding sub-
Sony recently ramped its audio line up, and strengthened
bass systems which will have you rocking to the beat.
the EXTRABASS headphones series and EXTRABASS
With the “Sony Headphones Connect” smartphone
wireless speaker series for 2017. The extended
application you play even more. The app enables
constituents of the EXTRA BASS family are the wireless
listeners to fully control the sound levels with an easy to
MDR-XB950B1 .
use interface. The app adjusts the amplitude of audio
The XB950B1 is wireless that support Bluetooth audio
signals at particular frequencies to emulate different
streaming as well as aptX and AAC codec support for
listening experiences. It is also possible to tune the bass
even better quality audio. The XB950B1, for example, has
level with the CLEAR BASS feature to suit your preferred
a passive mode that lets you plug in a cable when its 18-
music preference.
hour battery life is nearly over.
Verdict: Great headphone in this price range. But not
Sporting a metal headband with a soft cushion and
that comfortable in long duration ears starts sweating.
around-the-ear pads for a snug, comfortable fit, the
Overall great bass and good bluetooth connectivity.
MOBILITY MAY 2017
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DEVICE OF THE MONTH
Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ S
amsung Electronics launched its flagship smartphones Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in India. With its new level of design, functionality and user convenience Samsung redefine the future of style and consumer experience with a stunning bezelless dual-edge Infinity Display that provides a truly cinematic viewing experience. The Infinity Display and bezel-less design give you 18% more screen and form a smooth, continuous surface with no buttons or harsh angles, making multitasking more convenient with the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+. The physical home key on the front has given way to a more intuitive soft key with a pressure sensor that is embedded under the display. Despite the significantly larger screens on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, the reengineered design with rounded edges and symmetrical sides make them compact and comfortable for one-handed operation. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back provides durability and a high-quality finish. Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ come with a defensegrade security platform Samsung Knox. In addition, the smartphones introduce an Iris scanner, which is one of the most secure biometric identification systems on a phone. Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ also offer a choice of biometric technologies including a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition. This is in addition to the traditional options of pin and pattern so that consumers can select a secure authentication method that works best for them.
MOBILITY MAY 2017
Samsung Pay, the mobile payment service with defense-grade security, the best low-light camera and a personal assistant, Bixby.
DEVICE OF THE MONTH
LG G6 T
he LG G6, that features a bold new display format complimented by a cinematic viewing experience, exceptional screen to body ratio, wide angle cameras, water and dust resistant and more. Designed in response to consumer feedback and user opinions, the G6 is a much refined approach to premium smartphones, with a focus on the features consumers want, most notably a big screen that actually fits in one hand.
Highlights of LG G6 : One of the most important aspect that users consider when deciding on a smartphone is the display quality it offers, that majorly dictates how their overall experience with the phone will be. LG G6 flaunts a 5.7-inch QHD+ (2,880 x 1,440 resolution) FullVision display, and for the first time ever in a smartphone, an 18:9 screen aspect ratio. Compared to conventional 16:9 aspect ratio displays, the 18:9 format offers more viewing space and a more immersive experience when streaming videos and playing games. The seamless design which offers a slim width, rounded display, flat camera and a metal frame in 3 colors are some of the other features that ensure onehanded usage, secured grip, increased speed and accuracy, premium feel, manageability while outdoors, pocket-ability and durability. Complimented by narrow bezels, the upper bezel is minimized by rearranging the camera, sensor and speaker in a row on the front upper side. The rounded corners of both the body and display not only unify the design but also dispersing the impact if the phone is dropped. The new UI 6.0 with control functions located at the bottom of the screen allows for more convenient single-handed operation. The LG G6 is the first smartphone to feature Dolby Vision technology which supports HDR 10, both of which are standards for High Dynamic Range (HDR). With this upgrade, the picture quality is enhanced with the colors being both dark and brighter than ever before, revealing greater detail for a truly immersive viewing experience. HDR content from Netflix and Amazon can now be watched on the G6 in stunning HDR quality. Amazon will also increasingly create 18:9 content for a cinematic viewing experience on the 18:9 QHD+ display. The G6 comes with a dual wide angle camera to ensure that your clicking experience is a pure delight. G6’s 5MP front camera covers a wide range of 100 degrees for more inclusive selfies. Plus, the wide angle
camera reduces edge distortion, which makes for more natural images. Its 13 MP rear camera covers 125 degrees lens on the wide angle to capture panoramic shots that regular phones cameras can’t. The G6 delivers an outstanding and unique camera experience by creating seamless transitions when zooming in and out between the wide-angle and standard camera lenses even during 4K video capture. And to view selfies, wefies, wide angle pictures and even the ones in the new Square Camera Mode, recent LG G6 photos appear in one window in film mode which means users don’t need to move to their gallery to review them. The G6 provides a Square Camera function which divides the 18:9 ratio display into two identical squares. The LG G6 can also take perfectly square photos in 1:1 ratio, ideal for Instagram, Snapchat and other social media apps. Users can also choose other ratios, such as 4:3, 16:9 and 18:9. Users can also take pictures in 1:1 ratio in one window, while checking, editing and uploading pictures in another window immediately after shooting. What’s more, users can create GIFs by combiningbetween 2 and 100 photos from the gallery. The G6 is the top notch in its league when it comes to reliability. It is durable, water and dust-resistant and battery safe. The IP68 water and dust resistance makes it safe to be immersed in up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes.
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MOBILITY MAY 2017
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INTERACTION
“Today with mobility industry consolidating, only the most efficient providers and distributors will survive”
Mr. Sanjay Jain
Today ecommerce is a growing trend, which cannot be avoided, becasue of the ease it offers the customers and ability to enable vendors to cut down costs of the distribution chain, but the traditional channel is often the first victim of this digital phenomenon that is invading the markets
Director
S
anjay Jain is one of the partner in the three sister organizations which are into distribution of mobile call recharging services and mobile handsets. Hello Sarvottam (with Sanjay Jain as Proprietor) is based in Azadpur, Delhi, and deals with Reliance Jio; Hello Shubam (with Sanjay Jain as Proprietor) with office at Mukherjee Nagar deals only Vodafone; and Sarvottam Telecare Pvt Ltd in 2011 (Partners: Sanjay Jain (Director) & Jainendra Jain (Director)) deals in Micormax handsets. In an interaction with Mobility Magazine, Sanjay Jain shares his companies outlook, vision and strategy. Regarding their company’s USPs, Sanjay Jain adds, “Taking into account all our three verticals, at present our revenues come: Vodafone 30%, Micromax 30% and Reliance 40%. Reliance we started just 4 months back, but the revenues picked up fast and are increasing. About our USPs, we offer good support to our dealers and good service support to our end users and clear their queries and issues very fast. We maintain different sales and support teams for different brands, which helps us track our performance better. Next, all our employees work on daily targets basis, whereas other work on weekly or monthly targets. This gives us edge over our competitors.” Today ecommerce is a growing trend, which cannot be avoided, becasue of the ease it offers the customers and ability to enable vendors to cut down costs of the distribution chain, but the traditional channel is often the first victim of this digital phenomenon that is invading the markets. Regarding the latest trends in the mobility distribution and market dynamics, Sanjay Jain shares, “Due to the growth ecommerce, our offline channel sales as well as margins are coming down. Customers find it easier and economical to buy things through online channel. After demonetization, the online trend increased further
MOBILITY MAY 2017
Mr. Jainendra Jain Director
bringing the offline further down. Anyway, we support the government’s initiatives as they will benefit the economy and the nation in the long run. Distribution business is consolidating with vendors and telecom service providers choosing only the best distributors and dropping the less efficient distributors. Also providers are adding more areas under the each distributors instead of increasing the number of distributors. On the handset front, Chinese brands are simply knocking out Indian brands because of the advantage they have to manufacture high quality products and lesser prices and also their ability to spend large amounts on promotion. Make in India still has many bottlenecks and it will take a much longer time before it takes off to a beneficial level. Right now lack of availability of skilled workforce in sufficient numbers and components are posing a big limitation to the Make in India and Indian manufacturers are nowhere close to competing with Chinese manufacturers. It will take several years before Indian manufacturers could reach the levels of efficiency of Chinese. Presently Make in India is limited to Assemble in India. Those who are assembling in India are just taking advantage of the incentives and discounts the government is offering. This is indirectly a revenue loss to the government.” Regarding future plans, Sanjay Jain comments, “We started ARD (Activation Recharge Distribution) systems for Reliance Jio in Jan 2017 and they are going well. As I said, Reliance already covers 40% of all our revenues. Reliance is soon coming up with new convergence schemes which include Internet, TV and landline phone and it is expected to run well. In the coming years, we want to expand our distribution business in NCR. For mobile handset distribution, we are planning to take Super Distributorship for Delhi and North India from a big brand with whom our negotiations are going on.”
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APP
MoneyTap App gives you a bite-sized loan whenever you need it It introduced the concept of a Personal Line of Credit/ Credit Line for the first time in India when it launched in September 2016. Mobility India spoke to Mr. Anuj Kacker Co- Founder of MoneyTap to know more about India’s first app-based consumer credit-line which is a very new concept in India.
Mr. Anuj Kacker
Co- Founder, MoneyTap
Q Would you brief us on what MoneyTap is all about? How it works, and how it all started? Who need MoneyTap and how MoneyTap helps them? The story behind MoneyTap is rooted in how an average Indian leads his/her life. Growing up in India, especially in middle-income group families, we all face a shortage of additional funds at some point. For us, the idea was essentially a combination of personal experiences and general observations. We realized that the majority of Indians (especially salaried class) faced several challenges when it came to getting credit, more so for smaller amounts. So, at MoneyTap, we are on a mission to change the landscape of lending business and make credit accessible to those who deserve it. The ubiquitous presence of smartphones and initiatives such as Aadhaar has made it possible for us to develop a truly powerful and disruptive financial instrument. The credit line for consumers with accessibility through an app is a new concept in India and we are excited about the opportunities it can bring to thousands of millions of Indians. MoneyTap is like a friend who gives you money when in need, be it marriage, birth sudden death in the family, school fees, hospital bills or sudden cash crunch during the month end. We, at MoneyTap, want to make credit available for deserving and eligible candidates. MoneyTap introduced the concept of a Personal Line of Credit/Credit Line for the first time in India when it launched in September 2016. The “Credit Line” means that the bank will issue a limit of up to INR 5 lakhs, without any collateral or charging any interest. Against this limit, using the MoneyTap app, consumers can borrow as little as Rs. 3000 or as much as Rs. 5 lakhs and repay it as EMIs from 2 months to 3 years. The interest is paid only on the amount borrowed and the rates can be as low as 1.25% per month. The limit also gets automatically topped up as soon as EMIs are paid back. Any salaried employee can use this free Android app and in a few minutes, using a patentMOBILITY MAY 2017
pending Chatbot interface, provide all the information typically required by banks. The app securely connects with the banking systems to give them not only an instant approval but also a credit limit, depending on individual credit history. As an added convenience for shopping needs, a “MoneyTap RBL Credit Card” is also provided for the user. This is a regular MasterCard Credit Card that is accepted at all locations and for all card purchases offline and online. Q Is your app safe? How it won’t affect your user’s CIBIL score in negative way? Yes, MoneyTap app is absolutely safe. All sensitive information shared by the user is encrypted. We do not share the applicant’s information with any marketing agencies or tele-callers. We take data privacy very seriously. We follow standard Android guidelines of security, privacy and information sharing. Also, since we work with a bank partner, we comply with banking norms of customer privacy and data security. Our IT systems are checked and approved by the IT and Data Security teams of our partner banks. Customers give consent before they share any information with us and we use that information to deliver a valuable service to our customers. A good credit score is one of the important criteria for you to get Credit Cards/Home/Car/2-wheeler in the future. Once you start using MoneyTap and take out cash or EMIs and make timely monthly payments, you start building your credit history. In fact, taking credit and repaying them is the single most important way to improve your credit score. However, if you default or delay your monthly payments, your credit score will be impacted. Q How many banks right now are associated with you, any plans to increase that number? RBL is one of the banks we are associated with, they are our launch partner. There are several other partner banks we’re working with but we’ve not yet announced them. Q Your goals for 2017? We are currently present in 14 cities in India and will be very soon in 30 cities. We are already catering to the salaried segment with earnings above Rs. 20,000 per month, our goal is to include the people earning between Rs 20,000-Rs 15,000 and eventually reach out to the ones earning Rs 15,000 – Rs 10,000 as well. We also plan to launch the app in regional languages and open a new segment i.e. the self- employed segment.
Date of Pub: 10th May, 2017 | Postal Dt.: 16th & 17th of same Month/ Posted at NDPSO
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