my-mobile-english-aug-2012-all-file by My Mobile

aug 15 to sep 14 2012  Rs 75

www.mymobile.co.in

for a connected lifestyle

æ Keep it real! Get cracking on Augumented Reality

P 44

æ Do

they care?

We test the customer care prowess of the bigwigs of the mobile industry P 22

WIN

Sony Xperia Neo L Enter the

Snapdragon contest P 32

æ Tablet Wars

The best tablets under Rs 8,000 P 36

æ Parineeti's ishq with technology The beautiful actor reveals her techy side

P 82

æ Tested

LG Optimus 4X HD, Sony Xperia Neo L, HTC Desire C, Sony Xperia Go and many more P 48 Samsung Galaxy beAm

first call

ugust is a special month for all of us. It is the month in which 65 years ago, India awoke to freedom, while the world slept. It has been a busy period for our nation which has moved forward from being a colony of a foreign power to a rapidly growing economy. And it is this growth that has brought a number of mutlinational companies to our shores. This is particularly the case in the mobile phone segment, where almost every brand worth its salt in the cell world has a presence in our nation. But do these brands just focus on selling products to the massive Indian consumer population, or do they back up their products with service that is every bit as good as the hype surrounding their brand names? We decided to venture out into the marketplace to discover just what an Indian customer who invests in a major cellphone brand experiences. Read our cover story to discover what we experienced. In the month of Indian independence, we have also turned our attention to the desi-videsi divide - or rather, competition - in the smartphone segment of the Indian market. A few years ago, most people associated smartphones with high-profile foreign brands, but the past few years have seen Indian manufacturers close the gap on them with a number of devices that combine decent specs with prices that are right up the alley of the cost-sensitive Indian consumer. Who will prevail in this battle? Check out our feature to find out more. As smartphones proliferate, so do the number of applications associated with them. There is an app for everything, say the tech wizards and this time we take a look at the world of augmented reality where you need to just point your device at something to get information about it. And if you are the type that keeps most of their data on their device, check out our story on data back up to ensure that it stays secure. Finally, using your smartphone extensively can be detrimental to battery life - which is why we have delivered a host of tips and tricks to ensure that your device keeps ticking over for as long as possible. And that’s only the tip of the monthly iceberg of information that is an issue of our magazine. We also have our usual mix of gadget and app reviews, and interviews with notable members of the cellworld, as well as the latest from the market, whether substantiated or just hinted at. Of course, you can get even more on our website, http://www.mymobile.co.in/ All of which should free you from the need to rely on any other source for information on the mobile world. Now, isn’t that appropriate in the month in which our nation gained independence? Wishing you all a very happy independence day from all of us. Stay free. In thought. And action.

EDITORIAL Pankaj Mohindroo |

Editor-in-Chief

D ES I G N Ajit | Consultant Art Director Ajit Kumar Parashar | Graphic Designer

CIRCULATION Amit Prakash | Circulation Manager

ADVISORY BOARD Prithipal Singh S.C. Khanna S.D. Saxena Rajan Mathews T.R. Dua T.V. Ramachandran Shiv K. Bakhshi Sonu Halan Bhasin Bejon Misra Edited, published, printed and owned by Pankaj Mohindroo, Published from Flat No. 25, First Floor Shankar Market Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Printed at HT Media Ltd. B-2, Sector 63, Noida. Distributed by Central News Agency Pvt Ltd and India Book House (Maharashtra & Gujarat). Copyright 2005. My Mobile is a registered trademark of My Mobile Infomedia Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form– electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without prior permission.

Pankaj Mohindroo editor-in-chief

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and the views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged.

Volume VIII Issue VII, August 15, To september 14, 2012

04 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

content

Contest

Play and win a Snapdragon Phone!

lead Story Do the global brands have a truly global customer care?

Face To Face

Chief Speak Victor Shanxin, president, Huawei Devices – India, discusses company’s strong focus on Indian enterprise as well as consumer market

Vishwadeep Bajaj, chairman and MD, ValueFirst, sheds light on the stagnating position of Indian VAS market Kall Ramanathan, executive VP and country head – India operations, Port Indigo talks about their upcoming mobile solutions and plans for India Karry Morrison, CEO, Endloop, talks about their innovative applications and the future of mobile apps and their growing relevance Rajesh Razdan, co-founder and director, mCarbon, discusses the challenges they face as a VAS player

30 41 84 109

34 Which brand should I buy?

Versus Hottest budget tabs fight for the best tab title

infocus A matter of choice between the Indian and global brands Letters

Consumer Forum

Mobile Doctor

News

Gear Guide

My Guide

Ways to have back up of your mobile data

08 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Cell Clues

A few handy tips and tricks to save that draining battery

content

Spotlight

cell-ebrity

Actor Parineeti Chopra talks about her love for gadgets

Augmented Reality: experience the reality through your phone's camera

just in

Find out what Nokia Lumia 610 and HTC Desire VC have in store for you

sneak peek

82 Preview An exclusive preview of the BlackBerry 10 operating system

110

Telco Trivia

112

All you need to know about BlackBerry

Byond x-1

they said it

113

persona

114

Quatable quotes from the industry behemoths

Celkon A95

Zen UltraTab A100

The other side of the Facebookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark Zuckerberg

et-cetera

Be it cameras or portable speakers, we have it all for you

zync tab 999 +

lg optimus l5

htc desire c

sony xperia go

It's time to get all musical with these apps

sony xperia neo l

samsung galaxy beam

lg optimus 4x HD

rumour mill

The spicy tit-bits from the telecom world, you heard it here first!

BURN TESTS

A look at soon to be launched Sony Xperia Ion and Blackberry Playbook 4G

smart apps

Boredom Busters Fight the alience or drift with the continents, life can't get any more exciting!

Total number of pages= 116 (112 + 4 cover)

10 MYMOBILE Aug 15 to sep 14 2012

letters FOR A CONNECTED LIFESTYLE

Enter the

Snapdragon contest P32

Gadgets your sibling will love P 36

3G prices fall, 2G prices risethe tariff turnaround P 22

Will the cameraphone invasion kill point and shoot cameras? P 34

BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981, HTC One S, LG Optimus 3D Max, Nokia PureView 808, and more... P 50

Last month I had to buy a new mobile phone for me so I searched the Internet but ended up being highly confused. Then my friend gave me My Mobile magazine as he is a regular reader of this magazine. When I read the magazine I found it very interesting and decided to pen down a few lines for you guys. The magazine is amazing in providing full-fledged information to its reader. The manner in which phones were reviewed gives a very clear picture to the reader of what to keep in mind while buying a phone. The magazine even solved my queries and I easily made my mind about which phone I have to buy. Credit goes to My Mobile. -Sachin Kumar, via email

My husband is a fan of SPOT LIGHT this magazine and reads MOBILE TECH: it regularly. This time he WHAT WOMEN WANT drew my attention towards “What women want” is a question that has been plaguing men for years. a story in the issue, ‘Mobile T While we do not claim to have found an answer to THAT query, we did Tech: What Women Want.. manage to figure out what they are looking for in their mobiles & gadgets Heena Jatav He laughed aloud, saying that he hopes the magazine could answer someday what women really want. I read the article and found it really interesting as some known women of our country expressed their choice of gadgets. They actually inspired me to be technology-friendly. I am looking forward to see similar articles in the forthcoming issues as well. -Shobhna Gupta, New Delhi here was a period when technology and gadgets were considered to be mainly male territory. Most devices were designed keeping men in mind, and the only concession that was made for the fairer sex was in terms of colours (anything that came in pink was supposed to be attractive to women, irrespective of design and features). However, that era is now past, and women today form an important part of the audience that is targeted by device manufacturers. Rare indeed is the marketing campaign that does not feature a lady or girl using the device advertised, be it the iconic iPhone, the BlackBerry range or the recently released Galaxy S III. Yes, women have finally claimed their place in the tech sun, and we talked to a number of them about the devices they used and why:

MOTOROLA RAZR MAXX Long lasting RAZR

otorola Mobility has expanded its RAZR family with the new, RAZR MAXX. The company has added a splash guard coating to the phone that keeps it safe from water and scratches. Motorola claims that the 3300mAH battery is capable of giving up to 17.6 hours of talktime and 607 hours of standby time on a single charge. The phone runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system and can be upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It boasts the iconic RAZR design made with KEVLAR fibre and has 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Corning Gorilla Glass display. With just 8.99 mm thickness, RAZR MAXX is amongst the sleekest phones in the market. The phone is powered by 1.2GHz dual core processor and comes with 16GB internal (expandable up to 32GB via microSD) memory and 1GB RAM. The MAXX sports an 8.0-megapixel autofocus camera with 1080p video capture capability supported by LED flash. The 1.3 megapixel secondary camera on the phone can capture HD video. Motorola RAZR MAXX is available in Indian stores for Rs 31,590. 

SAMSUNG GALAXY BEAM The new projector phone

he Galaxy Beam is Samsung’s new entry in the smartphone segment but this one comes with a twist. As the name suggests the phone has an in-built 15 lumens pico HD projector. It allows users to share and display multimedia content anywhere anytime on walls, ceilings or any flat surface. The phone comes with a 4.0-inch WVGA TFT display and runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with TouchWiz UI 4.0. It has 8GB internal (expandable up to 32GB via microSD card) memory and 768MB RAM, and is powered by dual core 1 GHz processor. The Galaxy Beam also sports a 5.0-megapixel camera with a LED flash. The camera of the phone is also capable of recording videos at 720p. A 1.3megapixel secondary camera has been added in the front. The phone comes packed with a 2000mAH battery and is expected up to 760 hours on 2G/3G and also project videos for 3 hours. The phone has connectivity options ranging from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth to 3G. The South Korean phone giant announced the projector smartphone back in February during Mobile World Congress 2012. However, Samsung Galaxy Beam is not available in the market now but it is available on pre order at a price in the vicinity of Rs 29,900.  team@mymobile.co.in

48 MYMOBILE JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012

GOOGLE NEXUS 7 Droid goes tabbing Google style

fter launching the nexus series in the smartphone category, Google has taken its first step of launching its own Nexus tablet called the Goggle Nexus 7. Surprisingly instead of Motorola, Google has partenered with Taiwanese manufacturer Asus to develop the Nexus 7. As the name suggests, it’s a 7.0-inch tablet that runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) operating system. Powered by a 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU and a 12 core Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), the Nexus 7 is expected to offer a new dimension of tablet experience to the users. It is the first 7.0inch tablet running on a quad core processor. Nexus has an IPS (In-Plane Switching) screen, with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. It also supports Near Field Communication (NFC). The Nexus 7 comes with a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera but no camera has been added at the back. It will be available in two memory versions 8GB and 16GB. However there is no option of expanding the internal storage further. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It has a 4325mAh battery that is expected to give up to 300 hours of standby time. The Google Nexus 7 tablet is expected to hit the Indian market by the end of September this year. 

MICROSOFT SURFACE New family of PCs for Windows

icrosoft created a definite buzz in the tech circles when it recently showcased its new Microsoft Surface tablet. The tab runs on Windows 8 operating system and blends the power of a strong software with the feel of premium hardware. Surface will be available in two models, one running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro. Both models would have 10.6 inch ClearType HD display and come with unique casing called VaporMg and a stand. The Windows RT version runs on a Nvidia Tegra CPU while the Windows 8 Pro version or Surface Pro will run the Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor. The latter will be shipped with 32 and 64GB storage options and would sport 2HD cameras located in the front and rear. While Windows Pro would be shipped with 64 and 128GB storage options and would also have front and rear HD cameras. 

team@mymobile.co.in

JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012 MYMOBILE 49

I have been regularly reading My Mobile since June 2011 and have not missed reading even a single issue. This is the best magazine I have ever come across which gives in-depth knowledge about the world of technology. Every month readers like me get to know so many new things about the telecom industry which is no less than a treat. I pray to God for the success of this magazine. Eagerly waiting the next issue. -Abhishek

12 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

assistant professor (System-Analysis-CumProgramming), Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi

Samsung Galaxy S2

For Dr Malhotra, her phone is her life. To the extent that she thinks (entirely in jest, we reassure our readers) that while she can think of living without her husband, life without the device that carries her world in it is unthinkable. “For me, my mobile phone is my life because I have stored lot of information in my phone,” she explains. “I access my mails and other information from the Internet through my mobile only. I also use Google maps extensively.” She is currently using a Samsung Galaxy SII, but could consider a BlackBerry phone as an alternative. “My entire family is on BBM so I could join them there” is her rationale. And she is definitely planning on trying out a tablet in the coming days as it is such a buzz word in the tech world.”

28 MYMOBILE JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012

BURN TEST I am big fan of your publication. Every month I eagerly wait for the next issue to come in the market. Every month, My Mobile provides me inforN mation beyond my expectations. I have one request 82% here to make. I am loyal customer of Nokia and always use Nokia handsets. Since nowadays the market is flooded with Android phones which have a lot of interesting applications, I was wondering if Nokia is planning to bring its handset on this interesting platform. If there’s any possibility of the same please do a feature so that users like me can wait for a Nokia phone to come on Android and not switch to other handset brands. -Nikhil Singh, New Delhi

WWW.MYMOBILE.CO.IN

Pros

Cons

 Bulky

 41.0-megapixel camera sensor

NOKIA 808 PUREVIEW Point,

 No zoom option while clicking in

 3G Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

full resolution

 1.3 GHZ ARM 11 processor

 Symbian OS still a bit dated

Shoot, Zoom!

TECH SPECS

Size | 123.9 x 60.2 x 13.9 mm Weight | 169 grams

Memory | 16GB, microSD

Battery | Li-Ion 1400 mAh Screen | 16million colours

Talktime/Standby | Upto 11 hours/ Upto 465 hours

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes

Bluetooth/ WiFi | Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity | Shared

Frequency | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Others | Nokia Maps, HD video

Price: Rs 32,500

okia had revolutionized the mobile camera market with the launch of the 5.0-megapixel N95 in 2007. Now, after almost five years, the brand tries to do the same with the new 41.0-megapixel sensor toting PureView 808. Will it succeed?

Looks: Not slim, still smart

Nokia has been doling out relatively bulky phones for a while now, and the PureView is no different. It might not have the slimmest of waistlines, but still looks good. Our review unit was white in colour but it is also available in black and red colours, although the latter has not come to Indian shores. The phone has a smooth and curved design and the back has a plastic matte finish. The one element in the whole form factor that stands apart is the bulge in the back panel caused by the camera. Camera lovers will not mind it, though.

60.2 mm

Camera | 41.0 megapixel

The PureView comes with some very decent

Dear editor, I am probably one of the oldest M readers of My A Mobile. I love reading about technology and new M phones coming to the market. So far whatever knowledge I have gained from this magazine has made me capable of analyzing even people’s behavior while purchasing a new phone. But it is unfortunate to see that people of the place to which I belong have very little knowledge about technology and gadgets. I want everybody to reach journals like My Mobile so that the knowledge of technology could reach every nook and corner of this country. -Sukhdev Sisodia, Jarela, Rajasthan SNEAK PEEK

Blackberry Bold 3

She might be best known for being an exemplary police officer and social activist campaigning for a variety of causes, but Kiran Bedi is also clued in to the latest technology. “I am currently using BlackBerry’s latest Bold model. The handset is very useful for me as it is easy for me to type fast on BB phones. For typing I think BlackBerry phones are unmatchable. I surf the Net, preserve my pictures, instantly share them on SNSes, make my notes on it, watch videos, etc. So my phone is a very useful device,” she says. Although she has no plans to switch handsets, her choice of an alternative phone is clear too. “If I have to choose another device then I would definitely opt for the iPhone 4S,” she says. Not surprising, when you consider that she is using the new iPad, and loving it. “I love the combination of my BlackBerry handset and iPad. It works well for me,” says the lady who, aided by that lethal tech combo, is working to change our lives.”

Hardware: Solidly Nokia

JUST IN

Dr. Charru Malhotra

Kiran Bedi

social activist and retired IPS officer

123.9 mm

HIGHLIGHTS

I am regular reader of My Mobile. The best thing about the magazine is that it is a complete WIN guide for mobile phones and gadgets. Whenever I get confused between devices and brands,  Gifts for Rakhi this magazine is a one-stop solution. I specifically like reading  TOPSY-TURVY burn tests of mobiles and tablets TARIFFS! which enables me to make clear  RIP Cameras? cut comparisons between different devices available in the mar Tested ket today. Also the My Guide is extremely useful as one can find different options in one’s budget. -Vikram, via email JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012  Rs 75

www.mymobile.co.in

The 4.0-inch display offers a good visual experience

specs. The display is a 4.0-inch Corning Gorilla Glass Nokia Clear Black display and the back is made of high-quality plastic. Below this is a 1.3 GHZ ARM11 processor, a separate GPU, 1 GB ROM and 512 MB RAM. The internal memory of the phone is 16 GB, which can be expanded further using a miscroSD card and there’s also support for USB-on-the-Go. On the connectivity front it has 3G, Wi-Fi and NFC support along with Bluetooth and a mini HDMI port.

Software: Good(?) old Symbian

The PureView 808 runs on Nokia Belle, which is lacklustre in terms of performance and interface when compared to other operating systems, in spite of multiple, customisable home screens and widgets. Nokia has packed the phone with a number of apps like Nokia e-mail, Nokia Store, Drive, Maps, Social, as well as some camera specific apps like Silent Film Maker, and the Big Screen app to use the HDMI connectivity. Symbian fans will love the

58 MYMOBILE JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012

The 41.0megapixel camera is the highlight of the phone

familiar interface, but we cannot see it converting iOS and Android users.

Multimedia: Sensor-sational!

The highlight of the PureView is its camera. The 41.0-megapixel sensor is bigger than anything seen on any cellphone camera so far, and takes pictures of up to 38.0-megapixel resolution. Nokia has added a number of profiles and settings with the camera - there is an automatic mode (where the camera decides everything) and three creative modes C1, C2, C3. In each of these, you can capture pictures in two modes - PureView (that offers 8 MP, 5 MP and 2 MP resolution) and in full resolution. In full resolution, there are two screen aspect ratios (16:9 and 4:3) - at 16:9 the highest resolution is 34 MP, but in the 4:3 aspect ratio the resolution goes up to 38 MP. In the creative modes, you can also change saturation, picture quality, colour tones, contrast, and other elements. Picture quality is quite impressive, thanks to oversampling at lower megapixel counts, a

The phone comes with a dedicated camera key and xenon flash

The phone offers USB on the go and HDMI connectivity

process in which the camera chooses the best pixels among a set of pixels in the same area to get the best picture quality. That said, we found more “noise” while zooming into images in PureView mode than in the full resolution one. And yes, you cannot zoom while taking a picture in full-resolution mode, although you do get lossless zoom at lower megapixel counts. Video quality at 1080p resolution is great, although we would have loved to see more innovations like smile shot, blink detection, frame shot while capturing a video. There is a Xenon flash, which is always welcome but does affect the battery. As far as sharing the picture goes, it was strange that while posting on Facebook from the camera app, one could not select which album to post the picture in - all the pictures went to the PureView folder in Facebook. Apart from the camera there is a music player in the phone along with an FM radio that offer a good multimedia experience - sound quality is exceptional.

The phone is a bit thick but gives a sturdy feeling

User Experience: Snappy!

It takes great pictures, has awesome sound quality, is a full-fledged smartphone which performs zippily, thanks to a powerful processor. If we had a complaint about the PureView, it was about its interface and the now increasingly archaic-looking Symbian Belle OS, which is not in the league of Android and iOS in terms of ease of use or apps. That said, call quality was good and battery life remains amazing - the best we have seen in a large touchscreen device. We had push mail running, made lots of calls and did stacks of photography and still got a day and half out of it.

Conclusion

Nokia 808 PureView is available in the market for Rs 32,500. It is a one of a kind device, when viewed in terms of camera power, and none of the phones come near it in that respect. It is only let down by the cpability of its operating system. If you are looking for an Android that packs in a good camera, you could consider

the HTC One X which runs on Android and boasts of a 8.0-megapixel camera, and is available for Rs 36,000. Nokia N8, which till date is among the best camera phone ever produced is also an option and it is priced at Rs 18,100. 

VERDICT LOOKS

team@mymobile.co.in

8 9

FEATURES

EASE OF USE

PERFORMANCE

VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

JUL 15 to AUG 14 2012 MYMOBILE 59

I have been reading about many technological innovations nowadays in your magazine and in newspapers too but one thing on which we all are missing out is green technology. I think the issue holds much of importance and should be presented in the limelight to educate people about it. I request you to kindly do some good features around the same. -Venkatesh Iyer, Chennai

e the nd hav a s e m n a drea ellpho n c i t y u e o k so st y ab es? can al u craz e it he late ew lin Are yo l to pen a f or news and hands on t ink you hav f th ur tia poten have a nose ve to lay yo em? If you h a dia’s to t u r Do yo ? Do you c orld about sh your CV y Mobile, In w u ne headli and tell the g for you. R r name in M n s ou i gizmo e are look .in to see y w o , in you mymobile.c e. n i @ z team bile maga o m best

consumer forum Complaint 1 Recently I purchased a Samsung Galaxy CDMA Y (i509) mobile handset and started experiencing many issues both technically and operationally. The Kies software is not working properly. I cannot download Samsung applications directly from PC to the handset. I cannot send MMSes to other mobiles. I sent many mails to them but got no proper response. Each time a person calls and gives different versions. For instance, the first technical person called me and mentioned that since there is a hardware issue in this set, it cannot connect to Kies. Subsequently, other people are calling and giving different versions. Samsung have provided an e-mail id for any customer support: support.india@ samsung.com. When we send mails to this mail id, they will not reply. They will ask us to route the query though their website. Their website email system is not at all customer-friendly. Every time we have to enter our name, address, e-mail ID, etc. There is no provision to see thread mail without which we cannot make out our own questions nor the response from Samsung. Each time a junior person calls and asks me what is the problem which means there is no coordination at all. I want to return the handset immediately. -SM Ramesh Company’s reply Awaited.

Complaint 2 I purchased a Micromax mobile Q1 in August 2011. After some time I noticed that it was not working properly. I deposited it in Sonepat customer care centre on 1 November 2011, but they were unable to repair the phone. On 1 February, they gave me another phone to use while they repaired my phone. But that phone’s display stopped working in three days. When I went to the customer care to get my phone back, they said they had misplaced my phone. Please help.

-Anonymous Company’s reply In reference to the trail mail, we have tried to contact the customer but the given contact number is switched off. Kindly let us know if in case he/she

returned my phone and said that the phone is repaired, but this is not the case. I am still facing the same problem and they are refusing to repair my phone. All the repairing was done by Harmony Audio (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd, French bridge, Near Charni Road Station, Charni road, Mumbai400004, Phone: 022-23612847, 022-30726670, E-mail: harmony_ mumbai@nokiacareindia.com Does this mean that if Nokia Care repairs a phone at the end of the warranty period, then they will refuse to repair the phone in case the problem recurs? I am requesting to you please help me on this issue. -Prashant Jain Company’s reply Looking into the matter

Complaint 4 I have been using Vodafone from more than six years. I had to go to Bangkok for a few days so I went to the Vodafone office on 10 July and

writes again.

Complaint 3 I have the Nokia N6303i phone and its IMEI number is 352682042210707. My phone was repaired on 9 June for poor incoming voice quality. After seven days again I was facing the same problem and my warranty period expired on 17 June 2012. Again I requested them on 28 July to repair my phone for the same problem. At first they refused but after checking by a senior person, they agreed. After an hour they

14 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

asked for international roaming service to be activated on my number. The executive asked me to clear all the dues and to deposit Rs 3,000 for the same. I did so and I quoted two days time for the service to be functional. I asked them to discontinue all the promotional plans and packs from my plan as I had no use of these benefits. But it has been more than 10 days since I requested for this service but my number is still not working. It is disappointing that even after paying the security I am unable use

the services. The executive told me that the prepaid number can be used anywhere in the world by maintaining a minimum balance of Rs 250 so I took one more Vodafone prepaid number so that I stay connected with my family and friends but even that number is not working. Could you please request Vodafone to activate this number as soon as possible? -Dheeraj Company’s reply Awaited

Complaint 5 I bought a Nokia C2-03 mobile and it got a touch problem within six months of purchase. I went for service to the Nokia Care here (shop no. 2851/37-b,first floor, Bharath Garden, Trichy main road, Thanjavur) on 5 July 2012. I have not received my phone yet and am not even getting a proper response and am being made to go again and again to Nokia Care. In the end, I returned my ten day old Nokia C2-03 to same shop keeper with a loss of Rs 1,800/ + calls to Nokia Care persons + travelling to service centers (time, money, effort). I have complained for the last month about touch not working but again the touch and microphone are not working well (my last job sheet number is 2855). -K. Maheswaran Company’s Reply This case has already been closed on 20 July 2012 with a swap.

Are you being harassed by a celco that doesn’t hear your plea? Email your issues to consumer-forum@my mobile.co.in and we will take up your cause with the concerned company. Kindly mention your contact number at the end of the Email so that we can get in touch with you. Whenever possible, also provide us complete details of the correspondence with the celco.

www.mymobile.co.in

mobile doctor Have you tried using the Kies syncing software that came along with your phone? In most cases, this lets you back up all the data on your phone on to a computer. If you do not have it, you can download it from http://www. samsung.com/in/support/usefulsoftware/KIES/JSP

I am planning to buy a Sony Xperia U. My budget is Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. Which is a good mobile in this range? I like to listen to music. -Vikas The Xperia U is indeed a very good smartphone for those looking for a good music experience. However, if you are looking for an alternative, you could also consider the HTC One V which comes with Beats Audio, runs on Android ICS and offers very good music quality as well as decent camera. It costs around Rs 18,900 at the moment. I compared the Nokia 6303i Classic and the Samsung Galaxy S2 with the same SIM. I found that Live TV and YouTube play better in Nokia, in terms of speed, sound and quality. Is Nokia still better or is it Symbian jadoo? -Nagendra Kumar As we do not know which network or which region it was in which you tested the devices, we cannot really say for sure. But yes, Nokia does have a formidable reputation for the quality of signal reception and multimedia on its devices. The apps you used to access YouTube and Live TV also might have a lot to do with your experience. No, we are not sure it is Symbian Jadoo, as you put it, as the S2 is also an excellent device, but we are glad you are able to enjoy a good multimedia experience on your Nokia 6303i. I have Samsung GT S5233A. I want to backup my contacts and messages but I cannot. Please help me. -Dinesh khandelwal

I am having a BlackBerry 3G 9300. Can its OS be upgraded to OS 7.1? My friend has a Samsung Galaxy Note, but that costs significantly more. Is Android OS better than BlackBerry OS? Kindly guide me. -Muthukrishnan

First of all, the bad news - no, you cannot upgrade your BlackBerry 9300 to OS 7.1. In fact, any BlackBerry device running OS 5 or 6 cannot be updated to OS 7.1, or even OS 7 due to hardware issues. As to Android OS vs BlackBerry, it all boils down to what one really needs, as is the case in most things in life. Android does have many more apps, a more touch-friendly interface and superb social network-

16 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

ing, but the BlackBerry comes with solid performance, excellent keyboards in most cases, and generally with very good productivity applications. The Galaxy Note is of course an exceptional device and if you are looking for a large screen phone, perhaps one of the better options out there in the market. Please suggest an Android smartphone under Rs 15,000 with features like 3G, Wi-Fi, video calling support, a good camera and nice touch response. -Gautam If you are looking for an Android device with these features, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini pro will be a decent option. It has all the features you are looking for and a touchscreenkeyboard combination as well. When we last checked, its price was in the vicinity of Rs 13,000. I have got a Nokia N97 mini handset. I was wondering if I can run the Glympse app on this device? If I can, could you please share the download link with me? I read about the app on the May 2012 issue of your magazine. -Captain Vikas Raj I am afraid you will not be able to run Glympse on your handset as Glympse at the moment does not support Symbian. You can get more information on which devices support Glympse at http://glympse.com/get_glympse Please tell me what is the different between Android 2.3

Gingerbread and 2.2 Froyo? Which one is better? -Hiren Android 2.3 is an update of Android 2.2. It therefore includes a number of new features and fixes. These include a smoother interface, a new keyboard, better copy and paste functions, better application functionality, support for NFC and an improved camera application. If you have to choose between the two, we would recommend going for Android 2.3 I want to know that if I buy an iPhone 4S from the USA in $199 that is carrier locked, then will it work in India after unlocking or not. And secondly, I want to buy a phone for all-round purpose and money is not a matter. Please suggest me a phone against the iPhone. -Sameer Singh Well, if you manage to unlock the phone (jailbreak it, to use the term) then the phone will work in India, but will not be supported by any official warranty. If you are looking for a good all round phone in India, then, other than the iPhone 4S we would advise you to consider the Samsung Galaxy S III and the HTC One X, both of which pack in powerful quad core processors, excellent displays and very good cameras. Both devices run on Android Ice Cream Sandwich and while the One X costs about Rs 36,000, the Galaxy S III costs in the region of Rs 37,400.

Is your mobile phone acting strange? Email your queries at team@mymobile.co.in and our mobile doctor Arshdeep Singh will suggest remedies for your ailing device. Disclaimer: The views expressed by Arshdeep Singh are his own and do not necessarily coincide with those of My Mobile.

NEWS bits operators & tariffs Tata DOCOMO makes local calling cheaper in Andhra Pradesh

Tata Docomo, the telecom brand of Tata Teleservices has slashed the prices of its services. It has launched the Sneham pack for its prepaid GSM and CDMA customers across Andhra Pradesh. In this offer, GSM and CDMA prepaid subscribers with a recharge of Rs 23 can make local calls to any Tata DOCOMO mobile number at 1 paisa per six seconds and to other local mobile numbers at 1 paisa per two seconds. The ‘Sneham pack’ is valid for 30 days only. The first minute of the day will also be charged at 1.5 paise/second.

BBM Plan from Reliance at Rs 129

Value Added Services/Applications/ Games Microsoft introduces Outlook.com Microsoft has rolled out a preview of its new e-mail service for users, Outlook. com. The release is being seen as Microsoft’s step to re-build personal e-mail, provide a fresh user experience and deliver an e-mail service for the next billion users. Outlook.com has a clean user interface, works across devices with Exchange ActiveSync, and gets the clutter out of the way with 60 per cent fewer pixels in the header and 30 per cent more message visibility in the inbox. There are no display ads or large search boxes that take up extra space. Outlook.com preview is connected to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google and will soon include Skype as well. The service also includes free Office Web Apps – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, as well as SkyDrive. Microsoft is also giving virtual unlimited storage and industry leading spam protection. Outlook, of course, is very familiar to most corporate employees who use Microsoft’s Office e-mail application day in and day out.

Now chat in ‘Hinglish’ with Swype Swype, a touch input keyboard application from Nuance Communications, has introduced the new generation Swype that supports Hinglish, that peculiar mix of Hindi and English terms that is widely used by India phone users. Nuance has integrated capabilities from its renowned XT9 portfolio in the new version of Swype. According to the company, the mixed language Hinglish database consists of around ten thousand Hindi words translated into Latin script, as well as an English wordlist. Users can also add words that they use frequently over time as the app contains adaptive capabilities. Additional features include next word prediction and multi-modal keyboard. The next generation of Swype is available for OEMs supporting the Android platform. Those whose Android devices did not come with Swype pre-installed on them can go to beta. swype.com to download Swype Beta for Android.

Tencent brings mobile messaging platform WeChat for Indian market Tencent, a Chinese Internet company, has launched its mobile messaging platform, WeChat, for the Indian market. The app is a free mobile voice and text messaging application available on four platforms – Android, Windows, iOS and Symbian. The app, which already has already more than a 100 million users across the globe, comes with interesting features like ‘Moments’ where one can share photographs with selected contacts. It also allows group chat, supports animated emoticons and Emoji art, and allows users to connect with their social circles from phone contacts and Facebook as well as use location-based social (LBS) features to discover other members of the WeChat community. The application is available for free download and the company assured us that it will always remain free of cost.

Cloud concerns, challenges discussed at Cloud Computing India 2012 conference Indian broadband and telecom service provider Reliance Communications has introduced a new BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) plan for Rs 129. The offer will give BBM access to prepaid and post-paid customers for 30 days to both CDMA as well as GSM subscribers. To activate this plan, Reliance pre-paid subscribers need to send “ACT BBMPRS129” to 53739 from their BlackBerry devices, while the post-paid subscribers will need to contact Customer Care.

18 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

The 2nd International Conference on “Cloud Computing India 2012” was recently organised in the capital. A panel of industry experts and leaders discussed the trends, opportunities and challenges lying ahead for the consumer as well as industry in the field of cloud computing. Present at the conference were eminent personalities like Thomas Mathew T, managing director, LIC; Najib Khan, CMO, Airtel Business, Bharti Airtel Ltd; Reena Dayal, chairperson, Storage Networking Industry Association India; L. S. Subramanian, Cloud Evangelist and Founder Director Cloud Security Alliance Mumbai Chapter; Ashwani Kumar, director – Wireline, ZTE India; and Kantanu Kundu, CEO, chairman and founder, A2Zapps.com. The points of discussion included the cloud computing paradigm: transforming business, technology and industry, new business models and drivers for growth of cloud computing in India; as well as the myths, challenges, opportunities and realities facing the industry’s Cloud strategies.

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NEWS bits Policy& Regulations HANDSETS & MORE HTC launches Desire VC, dual SIM smartphone at Rs 21,999 HTC along with Tata DOCOMO has unveiled the Desire VC. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor and runs on Tata DOCOMO’s GSM technology and Photon network. The phone features a 4.0-inch touchscreen and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with HTC’s Sense 4.0 interface placed over it. The HTC Desire VC runs on both CDMA EV-DO and GSM networks and comes with studio-quality sound experience, enabled by Beats Audio. The HTC Desire VC will be available at (MOP) Rs. 21,999. HTC has also bundled this device with a few Tata DOCOMO post-paid and pre-paid voice and data offers for both CDMA and GSM customers

Jelly Bean tablet by Karbonn launched for Rs 6,999 Indian manufacturer Karbonn Mobiles has launched the upgraded version of its Smart Tab 1, which is based on the latest Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) OS. The company has priced the tab at Rs 6,999, making it one of the most affordable tablets in the country. Presently the updated version of Smart Tab 1 is available only on online pre-order, but it is expected to hit Indian stores soon. The existing users of the device will receive an update to update their tablets to Jelly Bean, although the company has not given any fixed date for the update as yet. The Karbonn Smart Tab 1 has a 1.2 GHz processor and boasts a 7.0 inch capacitive touchscreen. Its storage can be expanded upto 32 GB via a microSD card. The device sports a 2.0- megapixel front facing camera for video calls and self portraits but has no rear camera and comes with a 3700 mAh battery.

Videocon launches value for money mobiles Videocon Mobile Phones, has announced the launch of its new range of feature and touch phones in the affordable price category. The company stated that the V1542, V1548, V1531+ and the V1580 are targeted towards today’s mobile generation who want affordable phones. All the four phones come with Dual SIM capability as well as other features like Movie Juke Box application, FM radio, GPRS and Internet support as well as preinstalled SNS like Facebook and Twitter integration. The V1542 features a 2.6 inch WQVGA display, the V1548 has a 2.6 inch QVGA touch display, the V1531+ a 2.4 inch QVGA display and the V1580 has 3.2 inch WQVGA touch display. The V1548 and V1531 come with memory card support of up to 8 GB whereas the V1542 and V1580 come with 16 GB memory card support. As far as entertainment goes, the V1542 and the V1548 feature wireless FM support and the V1531+ and the V1580 come with FM recording facility as well as the Movie Juke Box application. The Videocon V1542 is priced at Rs 2,099, the V1548 for Rs 2,399, the V1531+ for Rs 1,850 and the V1580 for Rs 2,999. These models are available across the country.

Cabinet fixes Rs 14,000 crore as spectrum auction base price The Indian cabinet has decided a minimum base price of Rs 14,000 crore for the forthcoming spectrum auction, a figure that is Rs 4,000 crore lesser than what was suggested earlier. The decision making body fixed the base price for 5 MHz in the 1,800 MHz frequency band which is used by players who use the GSM technology platform. On the other hand, CDMA players will have to pay Rs 18,200 crore to get 5 MHz in the 800 MHz band. The operators who were demanding an 80 per cent reduction in the base price found this decision disappointing as a high reserve price will ultimately lead to a hike in tariffs. The Supreme Court in its February 2 verdict this year had cancelled 122 spectrum licenses allotted during the tenure of former Telecom Minister A Raja who, it ruled, had distributed the spectrum to nine players by unlawful practices.

Indian telecom subscriber base reaches 965 million According to latest telecom subscription data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the total telecom subscriber base in the country has reached the figure of 965.52 million as on 30 June. The data revealed that total wireless subscribers are now 934.09 million. With this the overall teledensity has reached the mark of 79.58 per cent.

Techiewood ‘From Sydney with Love’ director Prateek Chakravorty got his lead actress from Facebook

Jabra launches Supreme Unified Communication headset for mobile workers Jabra has launched the Supreme UC headset in the Indian market to meet the demands of mobile workers. The headset is compatible with all unified communication devices as well as mobile phones and tablets. It comes equipped with a nano Bluetooth USB adapter and allows the headset to be connected with another device. The headset comes with an Active Noise Cancellation feature, which ensures the recipient gets clear sound, and does not miss out on anything. Mind you, all this does not come cheap. The Jabra Supreme UC headset is one of the more expensive offerings from the company, and comes with a price tag of Rs 11,000.

20 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

What do you do when you need a heroine to star in your film? Well, according to Prateek Chakravorty, you head to Facebook. The director revealed that he got his lead heroine, Bidita Bag, for the forthcoming film, ‘From Sydney With Love,’ from the social networking site. Evidently, last year Bidita received a message on her Facebook account with an offer to be the heroine of a Hindi film. She responded, and the rest, as they say, is history. The film is due to hit the halls shortly and its success could well determine whether Facebook will become a recruiting ground for Bollywood.

lead story

Big Brands

Customer-rrr 22 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

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Many people purchase phones from well-known brands, hoping not just for better performance but also better after sales service and support. But is the “big brand = better service” equation a fact or a myth propagated by skillful marketing and word of mouth? We take up, close and personal with how six major brands handle their customers’ problems Heena Jatav, Harshita Rastogi and Ketan Pratap

... Care

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 23

lead story

ndia has second largest telecom market in the world, with 929.37 million mobile phone users. it is hardly surprising that such a massive market has attracted the interest of almost all major mobile manufacturers in the world. Be it Sony or Samsung, Nokia or BlackBerry, if the Indian consumer wants a particular brand of handset, it is a fair chance that they will find them in their own market, without having to leave the country. And these brands in turn attract the highest number of consumers, thanks to their formidable reputation for quality and service. It is not just the products they sell that the consumer invests in, but also the assurance that should something go wrong, a bigger, well-known brand will be able to set matters right a whole lot sooner and more smoothly than a relatively unknown one can. But how often does this actually happen? While most of these brands do bring their latest products to the Indian market, do they back them up with similar service? Customer satisfaction not only helps a brand stay popular, but also helps it spread its fame. And also, purchasing is only the first part of the entire brand experience - what kind of service to customers in India get after they have bought a particular handset? While all brands insist that they do their best for the consumers, the truth on the ground seemed to be a bit different as we could see from the frequent complaints in our Consumer Forum section. So, to get the answers for ourselves, we chose six mobile handset giants from the industry - Nokia, Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony and BlackBerry - and visited their service centers to get an idea of how they were treating the Indian consumer. Read on to find out what we discovered. (The experiences narrated in this story pertain to our visits to outlets in Delhi and NCR)

24 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Nokia Contact Details +91 (STD Code) 30303838 (Working Hours 9AM-9PM (Monday-Sunday, including public holidays) Service centres can be located on Nokiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website To locate a centre via SMS: type NCC<space>CITY NAME and send it to 55555* Email support on website Live chat option available

okia has been one of the oldest players in the handset segment and is one of the most popular handset brands amongst users in India. Ever since it started business in India, Nokia has been seen as one of the most reliable handset brands in the country, to the extent that for many

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users a handset in the country is synonymous with Nokia. The reason for this is not too hard to deduce - of all the mobile brands in the country, few have invested as heavily into their marketing and service networks as the Finnish giant has. Be it a metropolis or a small town, there is a fair chance that you will find a Nokia store or a Nokia Care center in it. Round that off with one of the largest product portfolios that encompasses just about every kind of handset you can think of, and you get an idea of why Nokia has an almost cult-like following in the country.

Reach Being one of the oldest brands with a wide audience, Nokia has got an edge over its competitors in terms of reach with a number of stores set up across the nation. As per the company, it presently has more than 1100 Nokia Care touch points and more than 800 Care centres in more than 400 towns and cities. In addition to these centres, the brand also has over a hundred collection points in relatively remote locations, supported by more than fifteen Care vans for the rural areas. The company has also set up Nokia Care Experience Centers (NCEC) in the metros which provide software assistance, service support, sell accessories’ sale, and provide other related care solutions. They can be reached through a toll-free number, and are quick to respond over e-mail you will get a response with twenty four hours.

Company’s perspective “As a truly consumer-driven company, Nokia has taken a 360 degree approach towards providing consumers with the best customer care support. Over the years, we have therefore established a robust infrastructure of care touch-points that spread across the across the length and breadth of the country, reaching out to all types of consumers. These touch points include physical care

centers, collection points, and even mobile vans that establish reach in areas where there are no physical care centers. All our large format care experience centers are divided into special zones including the hardware repair zone, the services support zone, the learning zone, and the service experience zone that allow the consumers to explore and familiarize themselves with the features and services available across a multitude of devices. Lastly, the Nokia website – www.nokia. co.in provides customers with direct access to all the information about Nokia Customer Care Service and its contact details. Also, our representatives support the customers in various languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Malayalam, Punjabi, Marathi and Gujarati.”

of going online and booking a specific time slot of their choice to visit the service centre out of the store options in the city. One can book the time slot for an appointment in advance by registering on Nokia’s website. This is perhaps the best option for those who are in a hurry and perhaps do not have the option to wait as customers with a prior appointment are attended first. Also, Nokia representatives do reply to your mails via calls and give you information on how to proceed further. As per the representatives, the support and service they would provide depend on the level of the problem the users face. For instance, resolving a basic problem could be a mater of a few hours while a major problem could require the customer to wait for a few days. We spoke to a few of the customers at the center and received reactions that were mixed. “I had a Nokia 5800 handset which had a ruptured display. The customer care representative told me that it would cost Rs 1500. However, later on I was told that the IC (internal circuit) of the phone is also faulty and that would cost me an additional Rs 1,800. As there was no point in doing that I asked for my phone back without any repair. Surprisingly, I have got it back but with a completely dead screen,” complained one. However, another customer, who had also issues with some physical damage in the phone, was fairly satisfied with the service, saying “It took them some time in getting my handset repaired, but I am glad about it actually getting repaired.”

Our experience

Our conclusion

There are an abundance of the Nokia customer care centres across Delhi and thus locating one was the least of our worries. When we visited one of the centres, we found it out to be very well-maintained, in spite of a large number of customers at the centre. There were consumers of all sorts here - from those wielding basic phones to those toting high-end handsetes, showing just how wide Nokia’s user base in the country is. While some of the representatives present at the centre were only too willing to speak with customers and seemed well-versed in matters pertaining to handsets and services, there were others who seemed less inclined to help, unless specifically addressed. And while finding a Nokia customer care center is easy, getting a representative to pay attention to you is not. Perhaps Nokia needs to have more representatives at these centres - we were attended after waiting for a while, although perhaps you could blame that on the rush. The company gives users the option

No matter where you are in urban Indian, there is a fair chance that you will be able to find a Nokia customer service center within a few miles of your location. And that itself is an achievement for the brand. However, the problem is not in finding the center but in actually getting attended to. Representative performance was also patchy - there was a distinct lack of decorum in the manner in which some of the customers were being treated which we felt did not sit well with Nokia’s reputation and status in the country. Nokia seems to have been able to reach the customer in terms of physical access to service centres, now all it needs to do is provide consumers with access to representatives at these centres. All said and done, however, we cannot help but be impressed at the effort the brand has put in to reach its customers. You might have to spend some time waiting at a Nokia service center but you wil find one, and be attended to, even if it is after a while. And surely that counts for something!

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 25

lead story Samsung

HTC

Contact Details 1800 110011 (toll free) 180030008282 18002668282 (With STD code) 3030 282 Email support: support.india@samsung.com

he last few years have seen Samsung emerge as one of the leading mobile phone brands in the country. The company has been able to leverage the Android revolution to the fullest, and today has the largest portfolio of smartphones in the country and is known as a brand that provides multiple options in mobile phones to its customers at all price points. And the company has been trying to match its upward sales curve with a matching increase in customer care facilities. It has opened nearly 300 Smartphone Cafes and two experience zones in the national capital, where customers can get a first-hand experience of its mobile products, and plans to open similar other stores all across the country soon. But what about after sales service?

Reach Samsung has a good number of service centres across the country. One can reach Samsung via the phone and e-mail, and also through different social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus. One can also participate in a Live Chat with Samsung executives and can find this feature on Samsung website in ‘Support’ category. The service works from 11 am to 6 PM from Monday to Saturday.

Company’s perspective We contacted Samsung to get their perspective on customer service but got no response from the company in spite of repeated attempts on our part.

Our experience If our experience is anything to go by, the popu-

larity of Samsung’s handsets has not eliminated the problems that are associated with them. We spoke to number of Samsung consumers who faced different problems at different levels. The reactions we got both from consumers and from different service centers are mixed but were definitely more on the negative side. Some customers were furious at the treatment they received at service centres, which was a worrying trend. “The kind of treatment I received from Samsung service center located near my house is unforgivable. The touch of my handset Gt-S8530 was showing some signs of trouble so I visited the service center. For many days, they made me come back to them again and again but of no use. Finally they assured me that I would get my money back but eventually that did not happen,” said one harrassed customer. And this was not an isolated case, unfortunately. We spoke to many others who said that they were tired of visiting service centers to get their defected device repaired. According to some authorized service centre executives, Samsung takes lot of time in resolving its customers’ problems. We also interacted with some customers whose phone’s faults were rectified speedily, but this was the case when the fault in the phone was a minor one. Evidently more serious problems take significantly more time getting resolved. A silver lining was the Live Chat feature in Samsung’s online support, where the responses were both good and speedy.

Our conclusion Based on our experience, we think that Samsung is more aggressive in its marketing, branding and promotional activities to reach out the masses at every level rather than in keeping those consumers happy even after their purchase. We expected the brand to close to the top in its customer service but found that there was definitely room for improvement in this area.

Hello, how can I help you?

26 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Contact Details 1800-266-3566 (Provides service from 9am-8pm) Service centers details is also provide on company’s website

aiwan-based HTC has been one of the star performers in the Indian market of late. Initially the company made smartphones based on the Windows Mobile platform but has of late been more closely identified with Android. HTC has in particular been making waves for its innovative design, using materials like Teflon, and user interface (the Sense UI). The brand was named as a Device Manufacturer of the Year for 2011 by GSMA at Mobile World Congress. HTC’s market share in India has been on the rise and as it releases more models, it seems set to grow even faster. But has its customer service kept pace?

Reach Compared to other brands, HTC does not have a large number of authorised service centers in India. The company has 130 authorised service centers across the country. What’s more, HTC does not have its own dedicated service centers like Nokia but provide its customer care support through a franchise model. One can also reach HTC’s online customer care support and can also find them on Facebook.

Company’s perspective We contacted HTC to get their perspective on customer service but got no response from the company in spite of repeated attempts on our part.

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lg Contact Details Our experience We visited stores which were acting as franchisees for HTC and our overall experience was good. Consumers as well as store executives told us that HTC delivered good after sales service to its customers. The service center executives claimed that HTC always tried to free its customers from their problems as soon as possible - an approach that definitely seems to be working. Consumer reactions were, however, mixed. “I am satisfied with HTC’s service. My handset showed some problem once so I rang the customer support number. They advised me to visit a service centre from where my phone got repaired in three days. Now it is working perfectly,” said a student of Delhi University. Some, however, complained at the limited number of service centers, which made them difficult to find and more often than not, made consumers travel long distances to reach them - not the best experience for someone with a faulty product! On the flip side, as the company has a limited number of service centres, they are mostly located in the most popular and reachable locations like in popular markets.

Our conclusion Based on the responses we received from HTC’s customers, the company provides good after sales service but lags behind due to less number of authorised service centers. However, the company is keen on strengthening its customer care service along with extending its smartphone portfolio. So HTC’s customers can clearly expect better things in the future, but as of now, the company’s customer service has been adversely affected by the number of centres - a classic case of perhaps a company with great products but as of yet, not the werewithall to service them.

...your problem does not come under warranty

1800 180 9999 (Toll Free) (Valid for MTNL / BSNL Lines) for others STD code + 39010909 Or send SMS at 5757554 Email Address- lgservice@lgindia.com

G Electronics entered the Indian market back in 1997 and since then has been a major mobile player of the country. According to our research, LG is considered to be one of the affordable brands as they have a good line of feature and smartphones in their portfolio. The company takes great pride in its after sales service and has come up with various campaigns highlighting the same. LG has also added a smart feature called “Remote Call Service” to its smartphone series that allows an LG representative to remotely diagnose and support the device.

Reach Compared to other brands, LG has a considerable number of authorised service centres across the country. As far as consumer reach is concerned, LG has a good online and offline after sales service support for customers. LG customer support is also available on social sites like Facebook. LG has approximately 1100 service centres across the country, which is a very respectable number.

Company’s perspective On being asked about LG’s strategy when it comes to after-sales service, Sanjay Maheshwary, business head, MC, LG India said, “After-sales services is our key focus area this year. We have already set up an industry best infrastructure for customer service. We have unique programs like “Hour Service”, “Pick Up Service” that ensures high level of customer hand holding and satisfaction. Efforts are now on to expand the reach of these programs.”

As i said, we are unable to help you. Visit our service centre!

Our experience We found the LG customer care centres (service centres) to be very well-maintained. The counters were furnished with proper weather control. An

automatic machine with a security guard was placed near the entrance of the store to give away tokens with numbers on it. As we moved on, we noticed enquiry counters where people could ask questions. Once the problem was briefed at the counter, the customers were asked to sit and wait for their turn. There was sufficient space for seating for the customers waiting for their turn. However, one had to wait for quite a while before reaching the customer service executive counter. And once the turn came, the first thing executives did was to take the handset for a complete check. The executive then briefed the customer about the status of the phone and the time-period required for is repair and the charges involved. Consumer experiences, however, tended to vary. Soumya Bose, a Pune based event manager was not satisfied with the services offered to him by LG. According to him, his LG Optimus Black P970’s touch was not working properly and he decided to repair it from the LG service centres. He got a call from the centre after about two weeks and was asked to collect it. But the executives denied the fact that the phone was repaired and he was forced to visit the centre day-in and day-out. There were also a few customers who faced issues with their handsets even after getting them repaired from the service centre. We also met people satisfied with the services of the company. At the LG customer care centre, the executives were well-informed and were adept at delivering information. However, the outsourcing of customer service is a topic of much concern because it affects the costumers and the image of the brand.

Our Conclusion Based on our experience of LG’s service centres, while the number of centres is not an issue, the time taken to resolve an issue was too long. Promises were not kept - a classic case of over promising and under delivering - and sometimes customers were treated with suspicion! In terms of customer delight, we found LG’s performance average - they have the presence but perhaps not the service to go with it. The company might be advertising its after sales service extensively but has not been able to translate it, at least not in its mobile division.

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 27

lead story Blackberry

Sony Contact Details 1800 3000 2800 (Toll Free) Customers can post their problems to Sony through their official website www.sony.co.in.

ony entered the Indian market in 1994 and with its huge array of electronic devices, has been making its presence felt. Our research revealed that Sony is considered to be one of the luxury brands, one which customers like to flaunt. Do customers feel the same way after dealing with the company’s aftersales service?

Reach Compared to other brands, Sony does not have considerable number of authorised service centres across the country (255 service centres). As far as consumer reachability is concerned, Sony has a good offline support through their toll free customer service helpline number and for online support one can post the problems to their official website.

Company’s perspective We contacted Sony to get their perspective on customer service but got no

response from the company in spite of repeated attempts on our part.

Our experience When we visited one of the Sony’s customer care centres, we found the ambience of the store far from impressive. The centre was small in size and could not accommodate too many people. However, it seemed to have processes well in place. The guard or the executives at the reception would listen to a consumer’s problem and give a token accordingly and there were fliers that contained details of servicing and mobile parts available from Sony with prices. The executives were, however, struggling to keep pace with the customers as the service counters were limited and customers kept walking in. Getting the attention of a customer service executive in these circumstances was a task in itself. We noticed that many customers got their phones repaired within a few hours on the same day. However, there were a few who were not happy with the services. Sony has many number service centres across India and this shows the company’s intent to offer a better after sales service for its brand.

Our Conclusion Customer Care: We are happy to help you

28 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

At Sony there were a few issues like a customer being transferred over and over from executive to executive and being made to narrate their problem again and again. Customers were also asked to check several times to see if an issue was resolved and of course, the paucity of executives at the service centres did not help. As of now, Sony’s service centres score on being wellorganised but seem under-staffed, which sometimes results in some harsh exchanges.

Contact Details Airtel / 7070 (BlackBerry toll free) & 98714 27070 (from any phone) Vodafone / 198 (BlackBerry toll free) & 98200 98200 (from any phone) Reliance Mobile / *363 (BlackBerry toll free) & 30336363 (from any phone) Tata Teleservices / 121 (Postpaid) & 12524 (Prepaid) Service centres can be located on BlackBerry’s website

lackBerry devices have got a cult following amongst professionals and corporate executives. However, as the time passed by, it has also started getting popular among the younger, college going crowd. The brand has been in operation in India from the year 2004 and has, in this period, managed to rope in a variety of consumers. Considering the smaller set of operations and comparatively lower number of users across nation, the brand has set up a restricted number of customer care service centres. Also, as we all know that unlike others BlackBerry has got its own servers that are exclusive to the brand. And if they happen to be down, then fixing consumer problems can take on an entirely different dimension. But how does the company’s customer service treat the BlackBerry Boys?

Reach When it comes to authorised centres, BlackBerry is not in the same league as the other brands. Forget about cities and small towns, even the country’s capital has only one authorised centre in the capital and one in the NCR area. For getting a BlackBerry device repaired or serviced, customers generally have to rely on the franchise stores, which are again limited in number. When it comes to online and offline support, there are toll free numbers as per the operator who is providing the service. There are other options like Twitter handles, community centre, help blog available on the official website.

Company’s perspective We contacted RIM to get their perspective on customer service but got no response from the company in spite of repeated attempts on our part.

Our experience As there are not many centres available to get your BlackBerry repaired, we chose to go to

www.mymobile.co.in

Read the warranty! I

t might look tedious and packed with legal terms but we would advise all consumers to go through the warranty of their device carefully (especially if they are investing a significant amount in a device) while purchasing a device. It could make a world of difference to your after-sales experience.

Customer Care Tips! some stores as well. The authorised centre was not at all disappointing. The staff was fairly knowledgeable and helpful in sorting out problems. There were quite some customers seeking solutions to their problems. We were attended well and were also been given relevant information about the device and the problem. However, the case was totally different at another store. The customer care representatives were rude and reluctant to help. When we spoke to a few of the customers, the picture got clearer. One BlackBerry user was highly disappointed with the kind of after sales and customer care service the brand offers. “There is no point visiting the customer care centres as they are least interested in even listening to you until and unless you are making a purchase from the store. Also, they don’t even attend those with software related issues,” she complained. “After about one year of purchase the phone started creating troubles. My handset has started giving problems with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, has got software issue, in fact the BBM also is a complete nuisance at times. And the customer care is as hopeless as ever.” “The device hangs a lot especially after you get BBM service activated on it, it gets slower in performance. And the issue with BBM service getting slow down and hanged is universal. All my friends with BlackBerry face similar problems and knowing that there is no point cribbing have kind of started ignoring it, and have become habitual of it malfunctioning,” said another customer. “However, one good thing about the customer care centre is that the store in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi, gives a replacement handset if it takes them time to repair yours. So until your handset does not get repaired, they give you an alternative handset to use.” Now, that is something other brands and stores could learn.

We hope you never have to contact the customer care service or centre of a manufacturer with a faulty device. But in case you do, here are some of the important pointers that need to be kept in mind before contacting them: n

Conclusion Even if the number of BlackBerry handsets are lower as compared to other major brands, the customer expectations from BlackBerry remain as high as ever. We, therefore, feel that the company really needs to strengthen its customer care service. Its authorised centre is, however, quite good and we hope that the brand open others like it.

The warranty is non-transferable and is only for the first end user on purchase from the authorised trader. The warranty is valid only when the consumer show the warranty card and original purchase invoice or receipt at the time of service required. Mobile companies have the right to decline warranty service, if the above documents are not presented or if the information contained is incomplete or the warranty card is found altered. Any damage caused due to barred adaptations or alteration to the product will not be covered under warranty like physical damages. Warranty can also be void if the type or serial number on the device has been changed or removed. External accessories (battery, cable, cover, charger, earphones) are not included in the warranty of the device. They have a separate warranty. The warranty does not cover damages caused to the device due to incorrect installation by customer or linking the product to equipment not accepted by the mobile brand and insufficiency in product performance due to signal reception through third party apparatus or equipment or the use of any third party software. The warranty does not cover any damage caused to the device by any accident, lightning, ingress of water, fire or improper ventilation, dropping or excessive shock or any external cause beyond the device’s control. Mobile companies also reserve the

right to replace the faulty part with an equivalent or reconditioned part in certain cases.

Check Before You Leave... We would advise you to take the following precautions before leaving a phone at a service center and also while collecting the device from the same place:n

Don’t forget to get a receipt of submitting your handset from the store executives - if in case you need to give your phone to the store for some days or even for a few hours. Back up the data on your phone, if possible before you take it for being repaired. If during the repair the content of the hard drive or memory are altered, deleted, or in any way modified, the mobile brand is not responsible. So back up data whenever possible. In many cases, the handset parts that need to be repaired or changed are not available with the company as the product sometimes goes out of production. You should confirm this with the team at the service centre in these cases and also check which substitute parts they plan to use (if any) to repair your device. Sometimes when you face a certain kind of problem in your device, the representatives also highlight some other problems in it and charge you for that as well. Our advice: check the other problem with other stores before giving the device for repair. Ask the customer care staff if a particular kind of repair comes under warranty or not. You might end up paying a significant amount of money otherwise. When you receive your unit after repair, make sure that all the parts are intact and all the functions of your phone are functioning properly. Do not forget to ask how much you will be charged for the repair of your device, to avoid bill shock later. Always check the cost of repairs before agreeing to get your device repaired. n heena@mymobile.co.in harshita@mymobile.co.in ketan@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 29

fa c e t o fa c e

“Indian VAS Sector has Flopped” The Indian VAS market seems to have reached a point of inertia. Indeed some even claim that it is declining. We talked to Vishwadeep Bajaj, chairman and MD, ValueFirst about the Indian VAS market in general and his company’s plans in particular Heena Jatav e-mail, etc., and through our out-reach solutions, we run digital advertising campaigns for our customers on our large opt-in communities. So, unlike VAS players whose business model depends on revenue sharing with operators, we are a customer of operators. We use operator resources like SMS or voice minutes to provide our services to enterprise customers.

We have not heard about any breakthrough on the VAS front for a while. Where exactly is the Indian VAS industry heading in your opinion? VAS has actually become a very bad word. Overall the sector has flopped because there is no innovation taking place. There are some key reasons behind it. One is that the ecosystem is closely governed by the operators. They have not really allowed or provided the opportunity or open platforms for VAS companies to innovate and grow. Secondly, the revenue share is highly skewed in the favor of operators. On top of it, VAS companies suffer from long payment terms from the operators and also have reconciliation issues. VAS companies have been producing ABC content Astro, Bollywood and Cricket. For a while, the ABC model worked but eventually consumer fatigue has set in and the VAS sector has started stagnating. As VAS companies have not really made significant money or have low margins so eventually they have stopped

in investing in innovation or in content which entails higher cost of production. Is there a way out of this scenario? The only possibility of recovery is appropriate intervention from the industry regulator, TRAI. What really is required is that the regulator should create a kind of framework where the closed ecosystem of operators is opened up with the right kind of revenue share for VAS players which creates room for investment in R&D and innovation. Then we can hope something could change. Right now I don’t think there is any hope. You said ValueFirst is not a VAS company so what exactly can we call it? ValueFirst is a digital media company which offers in-reach and out-reach media solutions. Through our in-reach solutions, our customers can interact with their existing consumers using a digital mode of communication such as SMS, voice,

30 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

As you have many SMS based platforms, how is regulator intervention affecting your business? After the regulation came in, our business has actually grown by 40 per cent. The reason for this is that ValueFirst has always been a regulatory compliant company. After the regulation went live, some of the bad players got weeded out and their good business has moved to us. In addition, large corporates have decided to work with ethical and law abiding companies. What do you think will be the killer app in the times to come? An application which serves the different needs of communication through a single interface by integrating voice, text, video, images in a device and in a network agnostic manner allowing consumers to share and communicate when they want and in a manner they want could be very interesting. What new can we expect from ValueFirst? The out-reach segment is growing exponentially with a large addressable market slated to be around Rs 4,000-5,000 crores by 2016. We believe we can become the market leader here. We are completing focused on consumer acquisition as well as product innovation to offer great solutions to our customers. n heena@mymobile.co.in

contest

The Snapdragon

Super Five Snapdragonâ&#x201E;˘ not only makes your phone work better but is also available across a range of devices - check out these five

here are some who believe that a powerful processor is accompanied by a high price tag. However, thanks to Qualcommâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative technology and breadth of processors, ranging from entry level to high end, consumers have access to some serious processing muscle without breaking the bank. And it is not just multimedia devices that need the processing rush - even business phones can benefit from them, too. The following five devices highlight the sheer variety of devices, spanning price segments and features and running on a powerful Snapdragon processor.

32 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

Sony Xperia S Rs 29,000

Sony Xperia Neo L Rs 18,499

Nokia Lumia 710 Rs 14,990

Sony broke out of its normal mould with an all-new design in the Xperia S. It came with a 4.3 inch HD Reality display with Bravia engine, a 12.0 megapixel camera, and 32 GB’s worth of storage. It would take a lot of processing power to make this behemoth keep ticking smoothly, be it playing high definition video or recording and editing it, or even just browsing the Web. And the Xperia S has just that with its 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which, among other things, handles Android Ice Cream Sandwich beautifully.

Sony’s four-inch capacitive display driven phone might grab attention for its sleek and stylish looks, excellent display, and a top-notched 5.0Megapixel camera. Ensuring that everything runs smoothly without a hitch while handling diverse tasks and keeping battery drainage to a minimum is Qualcomm’s 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. Who says phones with large displays drain wallets and batteries alike?

Those who felt that Windows Phone devices would be available only to those with deep pockets have been proven wrong by devices such as the Nokia Lumia 710. The phone boasts a 3.7 inch display, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB storage and runs not only the latest version of Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) but is also in line to get updated to Windows 7.8 in the coming days. And making sure that this transition is smooth is a 1.4 GHz Qualcomm processor - one of the fastest seen at this price level. n

BlackBerry Bold 9900 Rs 32,000

Fast processors are not only the preserve of large display devices that focus on multimedia. There is a room for them in the enterprise segment too, where number crunching and rapid updates are the needs of the hour. Few devices do this better than the BlackBerry Bold 9900 with its combination of a 2.8 inch touchscreen and spacious keyboard in an incredibly slim package. Running on top of these is BlackBerry OS7, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2 GHz processor.

HTC Desire VC Rs 21,999

The latest smartphone to arrive in the Indian market comes with a 4.0 inch display, running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and dual SIM (CDMA EV-DO and GSM) support. Music is enhanced by Beats Audio, while users who love storing data on the cloud get 25 GB of Dropbox storage. Ensuring that it runs at the rate of knots, irrespective of function, feature or network, is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1 GHz processor.

contest@mymobile.co.in

QUALCOMM-MY MOBILE SNAPDRAGON CONTEST 3 Do you think you know everything about processors? Well your knowledge can actually help you win a latest high performance Snapdragon smartphone! Just answer the following questions and send them to contest@mymobile.co.in

IN W

What is the processor family from Qualcomm called? A. Dragonfly B. Jurassic C. Snapdragon D. Xolo

Which phone runs on a 1.4 Ghz Snapdragon processor and costs less than Rs 15,000? A. Nokia Lumia 710 B. Sony Xperia Neo L C. HTC Desire VC D. BlackBerry Bold 9900

wINNERs OF cONTEST 1 1. Ankit Garg 2. Monalisha

Sony Xperia Neo L *Terms and Conditions 1. Lucky draw will be conducted to declare the winners of the contest 2. The contest can also be participated through www.mymobile.co.in/snapdragoncontest 3. Members of Qualcomm and My Mobile and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest. 4. Last date of sending the entries is September 10, 2012 5. 2 lucky winners get an Sony Xperia Neo L each.

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 33

infocus

Desi or Videshi

The Phone Brand Battle There was a time when buying a smartphone inevitably meant investing in a multinational brand. However, that has change now with the arrival of a number of Indian buyers who are not just offering excellent devices, but also at lower prices. But how good are their prospects when compared to their high-profile counterparts? We take a closer look. Heena Jatav

ot too long ago, when you went out to purchase a smartphone, you did so knowing that you would have to invest in a multi-national brand and burn a hole in your wallet in the process. Today, the scenario is rather different and one can buy smartphones for as low as Rs 5,000. And for this, we have to thank Indian manufacturers, who have brought smartphone prices down dramatically, giving the consumer more options and their foreign competitors a few headaches.

Scoring on price

It is no secret that India is an extremely pricesensitive market. With relatively lower disposable incomes, the vast majority of people tend to weigh the pros and cons of a device very extensively before investing in it. Which is why the arrival of Indian brands in the phone arena caused a significant stir, as they came in with features that competed with those being offered by international brands, and with price tags that were much lower. Brands like Spice, Micromax and Karbonn presented phones that were both affordable and efficient. The response was indeed good and home grown brands together acquired 25 percent of the overall phone market in India. And as smartphones and tablets started getting more popular, Indian brands stepped into the fray as well. And once again, they fought on value for money, offering users features that were similar to those seen on devices from global brands, but at significantly lower prices. Once again, they have made their presence felt. According to market analysts, the popularity of Indian handsets has grown

34 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Which brand should I buy?

www.mymobile.co.in

exponentially specially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities due to their perceived value for money. And international brands like Samsung and Nokia are now following suit, coming out with devices that are rich in features and relatively low in price. The result of this is that smartphones today have gone below the Rs 5,000 price mark and are within the reach of even those with relatively low incomes. According to reports revealed by the Indian Cellular Association, the size of smartphone market in India in year 2011 was 12 million and is expected to reach 20 million in the current year - a growth rate is 70 percent. And while the share of Indian brands in the overall smartphone market is small, they have played a major role in making smartphones mainstream in the country. “The entry of Indian mobile handset players focusing on low-end, value conscious consumers has intensified competition in the Indian mobile device market. The average selling price (ASP) of a mobile device is approxi-

The influence of local handset players is not limited only to Tier-II and Tier-III cities now. They are now looking at targeting the major cities with midand high-end products as well, even as they work on improving quality and after sales service mately $45, with 75 percent of devices sold costing below $75,” Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner, revealed.

Domestic or international consumer choice

With both domestic and international brands vying for attention in the Indian mobile handset market, we tried to analyse which brand the consumer was likely to favour and why. According to Arshdeep Singh, director at Karbonn Mobiles, “India has very diverse population. Metro customers definitely go with popular brands but people of Tier-II and Tier-III cities go for Indian brands. The reason behind that is that people of these cities are more practical in their approach and go with what offers them best value proposition at a cheaper price.” Telecom market analyst and director at Comfirst, Mahesh Uppal, feels that most people won’t mind trying a product if the risk is manageable especially if the price is affordable. “People buy a phone for its specific features but the purchase is also aspirational. There is an interest in carrying fashionable brands. People expect their handsets to help them with their routine phone tasks, but they also want it to reflect their personality and selfimage as well. People will in general have to reconcile their other needs with their budget,” he said.

Battling it out

Indian brands have a relatively small share of the Indian mobile market at the moment but that could change. According to a report from Gartner, the share of global vendors is declining as local and Chinese manufacturers looking set to control a large segment of the market. The report says that the Indian mobile device market is very competitive with more than 150 manufacturers selling devices to consumers. While most of the local and Chinese manufacturers have

remained focused on low cost devices, some manufacturers have built capabilities to deliver smartphone devices and even ventured into other markets. “The big global brands will continue to face competition from local and Chinese brands as some of these brands are building capabilities to compete at a larger level covering broader consumer segments. G’five, Karbonn Mobile and Micromax occupied third, fourth, and fifth positions after Nokia and Samsung in the third quarter,” says Anshul Gupta. There are a few reasons why Indian brands are not able to match the popularity and reach of global brands like Nokia and Samsung. These include perceived quality and after sales service - the latter particularly rankles as consumers with defective handsets from domestic brands often have to run from pillar to post to get them repaired, thanks to the limited number of service centres.

The future of Indian brands The influence of local handset players is not limited only to Tier-II and Tier-III cities now. They are now looking at targeting the major cities with mid- and high-end products as well, even as they work on improving quality and after sales service. Recently Lava tied up with Intel to release the Xolo 900 in India and as we go to print, there is news of a tieup between Karbonn and Intel as well. Indian brands are clearly here to stay. Arshdeep Singh puts Indian handset manufacturers in two categories - those who are just doing “copy and paste business,” i.e., importing Chinese handsets, giving them their brandnames and selling in Indian market; and those who are working with technology and keeping pace with ongoing trends. “Brands like Karbonn and Micromax keep innovating and work closely with the latest technology. Such brands certainly have a sound future in Indian mobile market,” says Singh. A leading official of ICA is also optimistic about the future of Indian brands in smartphone market, saying: “Just like they have created a significant position in feature phone market, I believe over a period of time Indian players will be able to secure a similar position in the smartphone market too” As Indian brands look to expand their presence in the smartphone market, building consumer confidence through measures like brand promotion and sponsoring key events, one thing is clear - the Indian consumer can expect prices to fall even further, even as product quality improves. For when desi and videsi brands slug it out, it is the desi consumer who wins. n heena@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 35

versus

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36 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

level

We put three under 8K tablets against each other Sulabh Puri

9) (Rs 6,49hen k oo b n W . ax Fu rted it all

Micromably the tablet that sta elow the 8K mark,

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aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 37

cell clues

Android and the Art of Data Back Up With smartphones becoming a rage, an increasing number of people are placing lots of confidential information on their handsets. But just how secure is this information from thieves and even natural phenomena? Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your data stays intact and never falls into the wrong hands. Harshita Rastogi

Data Back Up 38 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I

thank the moment my colleague forced me to take the data back up of my phone and installed the data security app on it. My phone got drenched in the rain a week later and even though it got damaged, my data was secure in the cloud,â&#x20AC;? recalls Neha Sharma, an engineer. Her phone did not survive the unintended bath, but thanks to her colleague, her data did. Not many are as fortunate. Indeed, the mere thought of losing their handset is enough to give people sleepless nights, as a phone today is not merely a device for making calls, but is home to a wealth of information and content. Be it a student, a homemaker or a professional, their handset not only houses text messages and phone records, but in many cases, contact lists, appointments, pictures, files and music and a host of other data of immense personal, and sometimes even professional, value. And it is this data that lives in a constantly

the mere thought of losing their handset is enough to give people sleepless nights, as a phone today is not merely a device for making calls, but is home to a wealth of information and content. Which is why backing up the data on your phone is always a good option threatened state - your phone could be stolen, misplaced, fall into water, or just be a casualty of malware or a virus. Which is why backing up the data on your phone is always a good option. Fortunately, there are a number of applications that let you do just that. As Android is the most popular smartphone OS in the world at the moment, let us cast an eye at some of the data back up options it offers.

The handset PC Suite way

Most handset brands come with their own software to help you back up your phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data on your computer. This software generally comes on a disk along with your device or sometimes comes installed on your device itself and gets transferred to the PC when you plug it in. You can also simply need to go to the website of the brand and download the software by entering details about the device you have. Once downloaded and installed, the software will help you save all the data including contacts, messages and multimedia-based content like songs, images, audios, videos and also applications. You can retrieve these later and even transfer them to another device if you wish - even though transfer is generally easier in the case of a device belonging to the same brand. Samsung has Kies for its devices, LG has the LG PC suite, HTC offers HTC Sync, and Motorola comes with MotoCast.

A Google retreat

Android being a Google product does come with some Google benefits. One can directly have the access to their Google accounts via their phone, and not just that, the user can also take back up of the data on phone using their Google account via phone. All you need to do is go to the Settings option in the phone, choose the Privacy option, wherein you will see options to take the back up of your phone data on the desired Google account. This way you can have access to your data anytime and from anywhere, even if you lose your phone.

The appy path

For all those who want to take back up of some specific data, like messages, or contacts or images and the like, Google Play (the Android app store) is full of data security apps in that case. Notable among these are: n Titanium Backup Pro Key (Price: Rs 323.57): The app does come with a price tag but is capable of backing up almost all of your mobile content. Not only does it take a backup but can also restore and save your apps and data along with market links. The application also has an option to let you save SDcard data. From SMS/ MMS/messages to schedules to Wi-Fi settings to even ringtone settings, this app can save it all. n SMS Backup + (Price: Free): SMSes and contacts are something we wish not to ever lose. This app automatically backs SMS, MMS and call log entries up in your Gmail or Google Calendar. n My Backup Pro (Price: 276.30): This app not only backs up data but also allows you to schedule times for regular back ups as well. And it saves almost all sorts of content including multimedia as well as alarms and APNs on its server. The data can be obtained by logging into the website of the developers, from where you can also restore data to a new device.

Getting Cloud-y

The cloud is not just for enterprises, even consumers can store their data on it, with a mixture of the right apps and services and then access it either from a computer or their handsets. With your data on the cloud, you will never need to worry about losing your handset or virus attacks, as all your data will be sitting safely on a server. Some of the services that offer cloud storage include Dropbox, Box, Google Drive and Skydrive. Most of these services are available in the form of apps on Google Play and can also be accessed through the browser on most Android phones. No, all these apps and services definitely do not give you the freedom to lose your handset, or give you the money to buy a new one. What they will provide is peace of mind. Peace of mind that the information that you value more perhaps than even the financial value of your handset - is not just safe, but can also be transferred to another device, if and when you use it. After all, we live in the information age - an era in which the information stored on a device matters so much more than the device itself. n harshita@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 39

cell clues

Stopping Battery Drain Phones might have got bigger and smarter than ever before but battery life seems to be shrinking rapidly. We take a look at some measures to get more out of your smartphone battery Harshita Rastogi

f you have bought your smartphone at any time during the last two years, it is a fair chance that the first thing you do when you arrive at a place is look for a power outlet to ensure that your phone does not run out of charge. The days when charging a phone a few times a week was enough seem to have well and truly passed. Yes, smartphones have got smarter and faster than ever before, but one thing they are also doing like never before is draining battery. The problem is so ubiquitous and across all

platforms that you have two choices either crib about the low battery back up of your handsets (and keep a wary eye out for plug points) or be more careful about your mobile usage habits. For those who opt to take the latter course of action, the following should help you get just that bit more out of your smartphone’s battery. No, it won’t magically make your phone run for days on a single charge but it will definitely see you needing to recharge your phone less frequently.

Keep it dim: You might be unaware of the fact that while you are using your phone, its display is constantly consuming its battery. Keeping its brightness on the lower side will not hinder the visibility of the content and will also keep battery consumption low. Most phones come with tweaking options - we suggest you use them. Shut the apps not in use: We often use an app, but then forget to exit it properly while switching to another app. It could be a messenger app, a social networking service or even a game. In most cases, this results in the app running in the background and depleting battery. Just remember to properly exit and shut down the apps you are not using and you will find your battery lasting longer.

3G or not: Switching over to a high-speed network like 3G might give you faster browsing and downloading speed, but will also take a heavy toll of your battery. So whenever not needed, turn 3G off in your phone - your basic tasks like calls, texts and e-mail will work just as well on 2G. Turn Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth off: Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have added a new dimension to our lives and GPS has brought navigation and geo-tagging to our handsets. But all these options guzzle battery too. So when you are not using them, remember to turn them off. Allow applications to access location information only if you think it necessary, remember to switch Wi-Fi off when you exit a hotspot and unpair your device and switch off Bluetooth after using it.

Camera cautions: If your smartphone comes with a powerful camera, do remember to exit it properly. If it is running in the background, it will consume battery. And even while using your phone’s camera, just remember that taking pictures and videos (especially if you are shooting in high resolution and using the phone’s inbuilt flash) also uses battery. No, we are not asking you to stop taking pictures - just asking you to be careful while doing so.

Use heavy duty graphics and connected apps...with due care: Live wallpapers, live widgets, constantly-connected apps (like Facebook, Twitter, and news alert apps) and games that use high definition graphics may be a lot of fun, but they also end up draining battery. Use them with discretion if you want your battery to last longer.

Use battery saving apps: There are several apps available in app stores on almost every platform to save battery. These vary from alerting you about the battery status to alerting you about open apps and closing them, with and/ or without your permission. You can get app managers too. Just be careful not to end up getting any malware and stick to apps that have been downloaded a number of times and have got good reviews. n

harshita@mymobile.co.in

40 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

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fa c e t o fa c e

â&#x20AC;&#x153;India is a whole new world with tremendous potentialâ&#x20AC;? Port Indigo Mobile Solutions hopes to come out with solutions that add a new dimension to the mobile industry in the country. We met Kall Ramanathan, executive VP & country head - India Operations, Port Indigo, to talk about just how the company plans to do that. And its plans for India Harshita Rastogi Many of our readers might not be familiar with Port Indigo. Could you tell us a bit about your company? Port Indigo Mobile Solutions Private Limited was incorporated in 2011 at Mumbai, and is a subsidiary of Port Indigo, Inc., USA. The company was established to cater to the mobile user, to overcome and disregard barriers of language, illiteracy and unfamiliarity of the mobile phone and instead, enjoy the features and facilities. By creating a strong presence in India, we propose to help handset manufacturers differentiate their products; mobile network operators maximise revenue through our innovative premium range service bouquet; content providers reach a brand new audience, hitherto unexposed to rich media entertainment; and help other businesses benefit from our products, solutions and business support systems catering to both GSM and CDMA domains. Our investments will continue to be on innovation and creating market awareness for the-ground-breaking concept and distinctive technology that we would be serving. When can we see you operating and functioning in the Indian market? Port Indigo has already commenced operations and we have been able to develop some strategic alliances with leading Indian and International companies. We believe that an important phase of our growth and market dominance will happen over the next few quarters. What kind of products and services do you plan to launch in India? Port Indigo is poised to release a range of world-class products and services in the Indian market over the coming

months and years. With our unique and patented technology, the mobile user will be able to use the full functions of their mobile phone and explore the wide world of audio-visual entertainment and information without having to know a whole lot about how it works. Our intuitive technology coupled with optimised systems and navigational facilities will deliver a variety of media, content, entertainment, information, commerce, and other services to their mobile devices in the most simple and uncomplicated way. Considering India is a price-sensitive market, what will be your pricing strategy here? This is a very good question and an important one. Port Indigo recognises that pricing is a critical aspect of doing business in India and we will look to seize market inflection points to provide best value at attractive prices. What are the challenges you foresee in setting up functions and proceeding further in India? Setting things up in India is far easier now than it used to be, but there are still some areas where things can take their own time. However, we have taken these factors into consideration in our planning and strategy and are geared to face these situations. How is the Indian market different from other countries? In business, no two markets

can be the same, so it is not prudent to compare. India is a whole new world with tremendous potential in mobile telecom. Most importantly, there is no significant lag in technology or product availability in India compared to the rest of the world. How has the mobile and content market evolved so far and what, in your opinion, drives it today? In my view, mobile content in India is still evolving. It may seem a little slow because content creation and packaging have to contend with multiple languages, diversity of culture and even huge differences in socio-economic conditions. There are four categories of content in India that the trade often calls the ABCD of content - Astrology, Bollywood, Cricket and Devotional. These four drivers, interestingly, cut across the challenges and barriers mentioned earlier and will play a vital role in the growth of the content market. n harshita@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 41

chief speak

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are extremely bullish in our expansionâ&#x20AC;? It might not be grabbing headlines as frequently as some of the other players in the mobile industry, but Huawei has been making its presence felt in the Indian market, with a number of interesting products. And it has more in store, as it works towards strengthening its foothold in India. We spoke to Victor Shanxin, President, Huawei Devices India about what company has in store for the Indian market Heena Jatav

42 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

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While Huawei has been quite aggressive in the B2B segment, we have not seen it in quite the same role in the mobile devices segment. Is this a conscious decision by the company? Huawei Device is transforming from a company that sells millions of devices in single transactions to large businesses, to a “Businessto-Customer” (B2C) brand that also sells individual devices directly to people. To strengthen our objective of becoming a B2C brand in India, Huawei launched its first series of Ideos smartphones last year and got an overwhelming response from the audience. Since last year we have launched over ten handsets in the Indian market. We are extremely bullish in our expansion as we feel the Indian market has huge scope for growth. In the coming months, we plan to launch revolutionary products like Ascend P1 and D Quad. At this movement we are focusing on expanding our channel retail presence, engaging consumers with product demonstrations, and engaging youth via Digital touch points and our brand ambassador Chetan Bhagat. As a global company, we would be offering consumers a wide range of products, thus catering to all segments ranging from affordable smartphones to premium one. Globally you have a strong presence in this sector. We saw you launching some very impressive offerings at CommunicAsia. When can we expect something similar in India? Huawei has been in India over the last ten years and has been providing end-to-end network solutions to India’s leading telecom operators. Huawei India Devices has been offering a range of high-quality products for the past several years satisfying the needs of nearly 25 million Indian households and enterprises in multiple categories such as mobile broadband, home convergence products and smartphones. We strongly feel that there is more opportunity in developing the sustainable business model we have in India. We want to understand the Indian consumer’s preferences for 3G and 4G devices across smartphone, tablets, and data cards. We are also revamping our distribution to serve consumers across India in more than a hundred cities and in new channels such as large format retail and online. As we grow in the Indian market, we are also increasing our service footprint and leveraging new channels like Facebook to provide online service to our consumers. Apart from handsets, what other device categories are you present in India? To deliver premium experiences to mass market, driven by local consumer insights, our aim is to provide the best service to the customers. Therefore, the company is focusing on a portfolio of products that ranges from smartphones and data cards to tablets. In each of these product categories, we are offering the latest technological innovations, such as cloud+, phone finder, 16 GB memory, message+, and so on. Our strategy is to grow in all the mentioned categories and provide our consumers with unmatched product experience. What is the size of data card industry in India and what percentage of share does Huawei

hold? The data card market has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in the last fiscal and has grown by 17 per cent in FY12. With the increase of broadband usage and the launch of 4G, the data card segment is likely to grow further. Huawei Device has a market share of 65 per cent in FY12, which is a ten per cent increase from FY11. Huawei sold over 4 million data cards in the financial year 2011. While continuing to work with operators for 90 per cent of forward bundled data cards, Huawei will also bring the remaining 10 per cent consumers on unlocked data cards. How is the introduction of 4G likely to affect data usage in the country? The success of 4G will depend on the availability of new spectrum and wide coverage. After the Kolkata launch how many subscribers have taken up LTE in the region? Do you think high cost of devices is a hindrance? The LTE subscriber figure can only be known by the operator. As the service has been launched recently worldwide, the consumer demand will pick up over the next three years. Huawei is working closely with operators and content partners to bring down the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the end consumer by focusing on data plans, device price and content availability. You recently launched a plug and link data card, HiLink. What is so special about the product? Huawei HiLink E303C automatically connects users to the Internet in as little as 15 seconds after the Data Card is inserted into the USB port, without the need for a tedious dial-in process, driver installation or manual configuration. This is up to 75 per cent faster than products currently on the market. The HiLink E303Cs is the first EDGE/GPRS/GSM-compatible product in the Huawei HiLink series that supports HSPA+network with 7.2 Mbps Downlink. The HiLink technology is the result of more than one year of dedicated research and development and we believe that it will not only enhance consumers’ user experience, but will also enable operators to reduce development and maintenance costs and speed up UI customization. What will be the key market drivers for the growth of mobile broadband in India in the years to come? With ever increasing smartphone penetration and a host of new devices such as tablets and increasingly powerful smartphones, the need for mobile broadband is at an all time high. The mobile broadband market is growing and this is being recognised by businesses, governments and consumers alike. With newer technologies such as WiMAX and LTE, the mobile broadband industry is poised on the brink of significant growth. Applications in various sectors such as education, commerce, gaming, entertainment, as well as smarter devices will drive broadband growth. With India adopting TD-LTE, will Huawei become a leading mobile device player in this category? Huawei is already an end-to-end player in LTE area. The company globally leads the mobile broadband and data cards segment with over 55 percent of market share. With the launch of Bharti Airtel’s 4G services, Huawei now has the opportunity to offer its first LTE Router B593 and LTE USB Stick E392 to the Indian customers. n heena@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 43

Spotlight

Augmenting the Real with the Digital Want to look at the world around you with different eyes? All you need is a smartphone and some augmented reality magic! Harshita Rastogi

magine scanning a bar code with your smartphone’s camera and seeing a virtual world with real time images spring up on your device? Or getting a full-fledged game on your smartphone with a lively interface with 3D effects, images and sound? Or even better, just pointing your device at a place and getting information about interesting places to visit and see around as well as directions on how to get there? Well that is the magic of augmented reality where the real and digital merge on a platform to let you experience a whole new world. “To augment” means “to add on” and that is exact-

ly what the concept of augmented reality (or AR, as many call it) does - it adds digital information on top of the real world seen through the camera of your mobile device. Augmented reality has been around for a while - most notably in gaming on computers, where augmented projections were used via Web cameras -but is now set to go mainstream, thanks to the development of innovative applications that leverage its strength for every day use and of course, improved hardware (processors, cameras, sensors, etc.) Today augmented reality apps are capable of delivering informative graphics on the screen of your device along

44 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

with audio to complement what you see. The content on the screen gets refreshed as you move and what’s more, thanks to better connectivity, this happens a lot faster than it did in the past.

Adding new dimensions to AR Infotech giant Qualcomm is one of the many players that is trying to add a spin to AR as we know it. The company has come out with software named Vuforia to provide a running platform for augmented reality based services and apps. This provides the developers an environment to develop apps for iOS and

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also offers a scanning function for pictures, QR codes and also product barcodes. One can get information about the name of the artist who drew a painting or the recipe of a food item being scanned - all you have to do is point your device’s camera at the object one wish to get information on (Note: the product should, however, be available in one of Junaio’s channels, databases or connected partner platforms). Wikitude is another AR browser that has been making waves for a while now and is making its way on to major platforms. Ranjan Moses, courier product management, RIM, India explained what the browser delivers to BB users: “Wikitude has added benefits for a BlackBerry user as they have integrated the iconic BBM platform with the application. BBM integrated Wikitude provides an enhanced social network experience as one can share their BBM presence in the Augmented Reality world and connect with other people who are using Wikitude integrated BBM.” There are other AR apps like Layar as well which has worked out a way to add digital content to static print media, thanks to augmented reality.

Getting into business

android. Handset manufacturers are also putting their best foot forward to promote their products using augmented reality-based apps - Nokia has come up with apps like City Lens Beta for its Lumia series of devices, which tell you about points of interest around your current location, whenever you launch the app. MapMyIndia is another company that is integrating augmented reality elements in its products. Rohan Verma, director, MapMyIndia, explained the rationale for this. “By encompassing augmented reality-based features in our applications and devices, we do not just enhance the user experience by providing better visual effects but also give more informative, elaborative and engaging piece of communicative and interactive information to them,” he said. Software developers meanwhile continue to go strong on the AR front. There are AR browsers like Junaio for iOS and Android and Argon for iPad and iPhone. These browsers come with apps that have an augmented reality based interface. For example, once the user downloads Junaio, all they need is to scan a code with the phone camera. This will result in an augmented reality-based game appearing on the screen of the phone. The browser

Thanks to its flexibility and potential, augmented reality is now making its place felt in corporate circles too. There has been a significant uptake of augmented reality in m-advertising, and considering its interactive nature, it is further being expected to grow in retail, education and even health care. Narsimha Suresh, CEO & founder – TELiBrahma explains the potential of AR thus: “There are basically two dimensions in which AR is being used. Firstly, to integrate consumers across the brand touch points i.e. traditional media (TV, Print, outdoor) and physical locations; and secondly, to create new and innovative experiences using the new media to give virtual trial, augmented experience, 3D interactivity, etc. Wherever there is an opportunity to deliver innovative engagements based on the real world context of the consumer, augmented reality kicks off.” Gaming developers and SNS players are also making use of AR for advertisements in their interface. Two years ago, Benetton had released their print ad campaign which had an augmented reality element in it. It required the users to simply scan the barcode by their phones and watch the videos promoting their clothing line. There are several other smartphone and product brands that have services running on a similar model, letting users watch relevant content about a product on their phone and tablet screens by simply scanning a barcode. Augmented reality is clearly big business.

Not all roses But just like almost everything in life, augmented reality too has its downsides. It is a very resource hungry technology - it uses a device’s camera, GPS, sensors and Internet connectivity, and therefore is a battery guzzler. “At this stage, challenges are in terms of network and multitude of devices available with varying capability,” points our Narsimha Suresh. “We have our services compatible on 2G networks and middle range phones.” Many AR apps, however, struggle on 2G networks and work best only on high-end devices with high-speed connectivity, which make them expensive propositions, even if the apps themselves cost nothing. Rohan Verma is concerned about both battery life and security issues. “Battery consumption is a sure shot concern of most of the players. The more and the better the features are in a device, so does the consumption of battery increase,” he explains. “We feel that privacy is another concern as there are times when the augmented reality based apps and service providers use some real time information about a person or place, which may hinder their privacy and create some unwanted situations. The industry will have to work up on for a relatively better adaptation of such applications.”

The future is real...augmented digitally! For all its shortcomings, what cannot be denied is that augmented reality is now very much a part of the mobile world. And could be making its presence felt even more in the coming days. “In the near future, prevailing trends on gaming, mobile advertisement and even mobile marketing would take a giant leap through AR functions. Marketers and advertisers have already started using AR to the brand’s benefit, “feels RIM’s Ranjan. “Further, this technology would help in not only information oriented feedback but also visually appealing feedback mechanism that would make ideas real and tangible. For example, instead of looking up for a restaurant in your neighborhood, you are using AR to see its location and reviews for it and other restaurants right on top of your on-screen view of the street.” Similarly, scanning a barcode with a phone camera might just give you information about a whole range of products and services. Or just pointing your camera towards a food item could give you its nutrient count, ingredients, and recipe. There are just no limits to what augmented reality can do. In the coming years, you will not see the world just through your own eyes but also through that of your device. And THAT is the power of augmented reality. n

harshita@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 45

just in Nokia Lumia 610

Illuminating Windows

okia Lumia 610 is the third in the Lumia Series and the most affordable one as well. Running on the Windows Phone operating system, it is a touchscreen phone with a 3.7-inch LCD display. It is powered by 800 MHz Snapdragon processor and has 256 MB RAM along with Adreno 200 GPU. It comes with 8 GB of onboard storage, which cannot be expanded. On the connectivity front, it supports 3G as well as Wi-Fi support and is capable of giving HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA of up to 5.76 Mbps. For multimedia enthusiasts, the device comes with the 5.0-megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash, touch focus, face recognition and geotagging. It is also capable of capturing VGA videos at 30 frames per second (fps). The music player of the phone supports most popular audio formats, and there is also a stereo FM radio. The 1300 mAh battery is expected to give up to 10.5 hours of talktime and 670 hours of standby time. The Nokia Lumia 610 is available for Rs 12,200. n

HTC Desire VC A new

desire

fter the very cute and affordable Desire C, HTC has introduced a dual SIM phone in the Desire series called the Desire VC. The new Desire VC supports CDMA and GSM connections and runs on the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The interface is enhanced by HTC Sense 4.0 and the phone boasts of a 4.0-inch display, probably the biggest among CDMA smartphones launched till date. The device runs on 1 GHz Qualcommâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snapdragon processor and comes with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB using a miscroSD card. For those who wish to stay connected, the Desire VC comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options with features like Wi-Fi Hotspot and DLNA. The Desire VCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music player is powered by Beats Audio and it also packs in a stereo FM radio. It has a 5.0-megapixel autofocus camera with an LED flash that can capture WVGA videos. The HTC Desire VC is available for Rs 21,999 in the Indian market. n

team@mymobile.co.in

46 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

sneak peek BlackBerry Playbook 4G Its playtime again

esearch In Motion (RIM) has released a new version of the PlayBook almost two years after its launch. Called the PlayBook 4G, the tablet, as the name suggests, comes with 4G (LTE) connectivity support. It is expected to be launched in two versions: Wi-Fi and Cellular+Wi-Fi. As far as the looks go it is similar to the Playbook V1 and with 10 mm thickness and 425 gram weight, it is a pretty compact device. The new Playbook 4G again has a 7.0-inch WSVGA capacitive touchscreen but runs on the new Playbook OS 2 operating system, a dual core processor and 1 GB RAM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB and HDMI apart from LTE. The Wi-Fi version is expected in three capacities: 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB while the Wi-Fi + Cellular one will be available only in 32 GB storage capacity. The Playbook 4G comes with a 3.0megapixel front facing and a 5.0-megapixel back camera and both of these are capable of recording 1080p videos. The tablet has been launched in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home country Canada and then will be introduced in other parts of the world later. n

Sony Xperia Ion

Experience the energy

ony seems to be throwing everything it has behind its range of Xperia smartphones and the next biggie to emerge in that range is the Sony Xperia Ion. Like most Xperia devices, this one too is an Android Gingerbread device (ICS update expected soon) but is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual core processor and comes with 1 GB RAM. The device has a 4.6-inch HD reality screen powered by mobile BRAVIA engine a recipe for a visual delight - and comes with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI and NFC connectivity options, as well as LTE in some regions. It has a 12.0 megapixel auto focus camera with 16 x digital zoom and LED flash along with features like face and smile recognition, touch focus, geo-tagging, image stablisation and 3D sweep panorama. The 12.0-megapixel camera can also record 1080p videos at 30 frames per second with continuous autofocus. There is a 1.3-megapixel secondary camera too that can record 720p videos at 30 frames per second. The phone comes with a 16 GB internal memory that can be expanded further using a microSD card. Last but not least, the Ion is PlayStation certified - so be ready for an impressive gaming experience. n

team@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 47

burn test Byond X-1 Touch

on a budget

his is the era of touchscreen phones and this is applicable not just to high end device but to ones at the bottom of the cell pyramid too. And it is this part that Byond is targeting with its X-1 phone, which offers a touchscreen experience at a very low price. But does it do enough?

Pros 

Dual SIM (GSM+GSM)



Light to hold

Cons

The bar shaped touchscreen handset is small in size, with a 2.4 inch screen and a D-pad below it. The dual SIM handset come packed in a plastic body with three back panels in candy orange, white and red colours given in the box. You might even think it is a toy phone due to its overall build factor and the colour combination of the panels. We are not bowled over by its looks, although some kids might be.

97.6 mm

Looks: Toy boy 

Small screen makes it difficult to type



Sound on loudspeaker is not clear

loudspeaker mode. The antenna allows you to play FM without having to plug in headphones.

Hardware: Plastic resistive

User Experience: Average

There is a torch alongside the 3.5mm audio jack and power on/off key. The back panel is plain with a 1.3-megapixel camera and speaker. The D-pad below the screen has four shortcut keys, and a calling

Its small screen size and the over all build quality stop the X-1 from being a winner. It is difficult to type on the small display, and the touch experience also detracts from using the few apps and games on the device. What’s more, to make a call one needs to go to the menu screen and opt for the dialer, which is annoying especially when you have to make an urgent call.

tech specs Size | 97.6 X 51.9 X 13.8 mm Weight | 82 grams

51.9 mm

Memory | microSD upto 8 GB Battery | 1200 mAh Screen | NA Talktime/Standby | Up to 12 hours/ Up to 400 hours

and call end key on both sides. The USP of the device is the resistive QVGA touchscreen, which however does not deliver the greatest experience.

Software: A bit appy

Camera | 1.3 Megapixel

Phones at this price do not come loaded with apps and the X-1 is no exception to this cruel rule. The phone comes with basics such as an eBook reader, sound recorder, King Movie app and a few other apps. Apart from these, there is also a mobile tracker option as a security feature.

Frequency | GSM 900/1800

Multimedia: Just like that

GPRS/3G | Yes/No Bluetooth/WiFi | Yes/No Phonebook Capacity | 500

Others | Games, Facebook, Google support

Price: Rs 2,250

As far as the multimedia features are concerned, the 1.3 megapixel camera delivers decent results, as per its capacity and you can also shoot video. For music lovers there is an audio player and FM given in the phone. The music player works well enough, although, there is some loss of quality in

48 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Conclusion The Byond X-1 is available for Rs 2,250. Other options in this segment are the Chaze C333 and Chaze C99, which cost Rs 2,850 each and offer a 3.2 inch display. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money overall

76%

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Celkon A95 Big

on features

Looks: Decent enough The A95 is a very average looking phone. It has curved corners and comes in black plastic. There is a silver metal strip running around it, and the back panel is black with a silver sparkle effect. The front is dominated by the 3.2- inch touchscreen below which are four touch keys for Search, Home, Shortcut and Back. The top of the phone has the on/off and screen lock button and the 3.5 mm audio jack slot. There is a micro USB port on the left and volume rocker keys on the right. The back houses the camera, flash and speaker grill.

112 mm

ndian brands have been trying to make their presence felt in the smartphone market as well, with products that deliver on both the feature and price front. Celkon’s A95 attempts to do just that. Does it succeed?

Hardware: Also decent The phone supports dual SIM functionality and its 3.2 inch display is a capacitive one. There is a 3.2-megapixel camera at the back and a VGA camera in front for video calls. Memory is expandable to 32 GB. But its biggest attraction is a 1 GHz processor, although the RAM at 256 MB, seems comparatively less. On the connectivity front, it supports 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Software: Basket full In software department, we probably got what we expected from A95. The phone runs on Android 2.3, which might strike some as old but is decent enough for most functions, although we had problems accessing Google Play through the unit we got for review. The interface is standard Android, and Celkon has preloaded some apps like Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Mobo Video, and MX video on the device. It also comes with SNS integration with support for Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Gtalk and Google+.

Multimedia: Impressive The A95’s 3.2-megapixel camera comes with options like Scene Mode and different shooting modes like Sepia and Negative. Also on board are features like face detection and anti-flicker. However, image quality is not the greatest. The audio quality of the device is good and the video player is capable of playing videos in different formats. The device also

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes

60.5 mm has FM radio, although one needs to plug in the headphones to be able to use it.

User Experience: Budget stuff For its price, the A95 offers a decent package. The touch of the phone is good and

Pros  Good

capacitive touch

1

GHz processor

Cons

 Poor

camera quality battery back up

Price: Rs 5,499

 Poor

connectivity options work well. We were, however, concerned at the fact that we could not access the Google Play store from the device. Battery back up too is poor, thanks to a 1400 mAh battery which struggles to get through a day.

Conclusion At Rs 5,499 the Celkon A95 is not a bad deal for someone looking at a low-priced smartphone. Those looking for alternatives can also consider the Micromax A50 which costs Rs 4,700 and the Idea 3G smartphone, which is available at Rs 5,994. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

performance

value for money

overall

70%

aug 15 to sep 14 20121 MYMOBILE 49

burn test The Zen experience Another

181.5 mm

low-cost tablet arrives in the Indian market

nown until now for having some very good value for money phones in the low price segment. Zen has now taken the plunge in the budget tablet segment. And first up from them is the UltraTab A100. But does it bring anything new to the budget tab table?

Looks: Solid, very solid When it comes to appearence, Zen has managed to put together a very decent machine. This seven-inch tablet has a nice finish and unlike many other tablets around the same price, it has a rock-solid feel. The bezel has only two physical keys on itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;power on top

highlights

121 mm

3 The tablet runs on Android 4.0

and a volume key on the right. The rest of the functions can be managed through the touchscreen. Above the capacitive touchscreen, users will also find a 1.3 MP camera, although there is no rear camera on this tablet. Flip it over and you will find a hot swappable microSD slot and a single loudspeaker. The rear panel is slightly rough, which is a good thing as it enables one to get a better grip of the tablet. All in all, whatever the Ultratab looks, it is definitely not cheap.

Hardware: Good, for the price For a tablet with a price tag of Rs 6,000, the Zen Ultratab has some decent artillery under

50 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

The slim tablet is easy to grip

the hood. A 1.2 GHz processor is the main brain behind the workings, which is accompanied by Mali 400 GPU for graphics. Together they reduce the load times of both utility apps and games. As for RAM and storage, we feel they could have been better. Currently, there is 512 MB RAM and 4 GB storage, which can be expanded upto 32 GB using a microSD card. To power the device Zen has installed a 2,800 mAh (non-removable) battery that gave us about 3 hours of video playback. For data connectivity, the UltraTab comes with Wi-Fi and USB support. Users also have the option to attach a USB cord to the tab and then use a USB 3G dongle for Internet connectivity. We

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video applications—Super-HD player and MX player. These can run most popular video formats such as DivX and MP4. The seven-inch screen is great to watch videos on. However, to make the most of it, we recommend you use the supplied headphones as the loudspeaker is not loud enough. iBrowser is another good addition to this tablet, which caters to everything from videos to games. There is a special application dedicated to music, which appropriately is called ‘Music.’ This application lets you browse music through artists, album type and songs. Users also have the option to make their own playlists. But there is no equaliser feature here—a must-have feature in any music app. The 1.3-megapixel front camera is fine for video chats but not for taking pictures.

User Experience: Brisk and user-friendly

Camera | 1.3 megapixel

The Zen Ultratab A100 is one of the most user friendly budget segment tablets available in the market today. Users upgrading from other Android platforms will feel right at home using it as one can easily adapt to the user interface and get to grips with how the tablet works in a short while. The seven inch touchscreen responds well and one is able to quickly switch between screens with the least amount of delay. The battery life is low - we would have liked a few more hours of usage.

Frequency | GSM 850/900/1800/ 1900/2100 (via 3G modem) Others | USB On The Go

Price: Rs 5,999 Cons

Cons 

Responsive screen works well



There is no rear camera



Indian content preinstalled



Relatively low battery life



Android ICS



Loudspeaker is not very loud

It comes with some games preinstalled

The seveninch display is good for movies

Conclusion Overall this tablet represents very good value for money at Rs 5,999. Zen has provided lot of first-rate like Indianised content, good apps and games, along with 3G dongle support, and a relatively new version of Android, at a price that is very much in the budget category. Those looking for alternatives in this price segment could consider the Micromax Funbook which also sports similar specs, runs Ice Cream Sandwich and comes with a price tag of about Rs 6,500.n

There are apps for cricket, astrology and stocks

team@mymobile.co.in

verdict attached a 3G USB dongle with the tablet and found ourselves browsing the Internet in next to no time at all.

Software: ICS, no less At a time when most manufacturers are fighting shy of upgrading their Android devices to Android 4.0 (or Ice Cream Sandwich), it amazes us no end to see low cost tablets coming with ICS installed on them. The Ultratab A100 not only has Android 4.0 loaded on it, but also packs in some nice Indian applications, which will hopefully keep everyone in the family entertained and informed. These include the Astro app that will tell you your

daily horoscope according to your sun sign, while for those who want to keep an eye on the stock market, there is the BSE/NSE stock app. Cricket followers will love the CricBuzz app, and also on the tablet are free dictionary, inBollywood and MXplayer. Zen has also added some decent games to the tablet such as Tower Defence, Pool Break pro and Traffic Wonder.

Multimedia: Applications galore

Looks

Features

8 9

ease of use perfoRmance

value for money

overall

The larger displays of tablets make them ideal for entertainment and the Ultratab scores heavily here. The tablet comes with two good

82%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 51

burn test 2

Zync 999+ The

plus factor?

192.55 mm

121.35 mm

Pros

Cons

 Android Ice Cream Sandwich

 No built-in video calling in the

dialler

 SIM card support

 Interface not very responsive

 1.5 GHz processor

 Relatively expensive for the specs

highlights The tab has VGA front facing camera

Zync 999 plus comes with HDMI connectivity

52 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

The touch experience is not that smooth,

It has a built in SIM support

The keys on the front panel lack haptic touch

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tech specs

the device. On the utility front, there is Astro File Manager along with the default file manager. The browser comes with full Flash and multi-touch support.

Size | 121.35 x 192.55 x 12.2 mm Weight | 340 grams

Multimedia: Nothing exceptional

Others | Angry Birds, Big Flix

Price: Rs 11,999 printed on the back panel in white - not really very tasteful. The front has a 7.0-inch screen and three buttons for home, options and back, which lack haptic touch so you are not sure when you have touched them.

Hardware: Solid set

ablets might have started as a high end phonemenon but have now come firmly into the affordable category, with tablets ranging between Rs 6,000 - Rs 15,000 becoming a rage. And the latest to join this category is the Zync 999+. What makes it different from the competition, which includes tablets from such worthies as Micromax, HCL and Intex?

Looks: What is new? As far as the looks go, there is no ‘plus’ in the new Zync 999+. It looks like most of the other entry-level tabs in the market. Considering that it’s at the higher end of the affordable bracket, we expected some differentiation, but in this area the tab is pretty basic. It is a 7-inch tab with average thickness and an angular body. There are no enhancements or accentuations around it. The black body looks plastic and the names of the slots and buttons are

Beneath that predictable exterior come what are becoming a standard set of hardware specs. The 999+ runs on a 1.5 Ghz processor and Mali 400 GPU. It comes with built in 3G support so you can use a SIM card instead of carrying a dongle around. It also comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, 512 MB RAM, and 8 GB internal memory that can be expanded further with a microSD card to up to 32 GB. It offers HDMI connectivity and a 3.5 mm jack. The backpanel cannot be detached as it has been screwed on. Honestly at this price we expected a better, higher resolution display.

Software: ICS on a budget The Zync 999+ comes with the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android - which is a huge point in its favour. There are five homescreen panels that can be customised for convenience. Apart from the keys on the front panel there are touch keys for back, home, recent apps and options. The notification bar along with the settings is on the bottom right and the app tray can be accessed from the top right. The menu is divided into apps and widgets. When it comes to games and apps the tablet comes pre-loaded with popular games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja. Apart from that, apps like BBC News and ibibo Games, Skype and WhatsApp have also been added to

The tablet has a VGA front facing camera and a 2.0-megapixel camera at the back. Picture quality is average and in any case, we do not expect anyone to use this tab for some serious photography -in fact, we don’t think you can use too many tabs for serious photography, if any. There is no hardware camera key so you will have to do with the soft key given with the viewfinder. However in the still mode, just two picture sizes are available - VGA and QVGA - which is a bit surprising considering that the back camera is supposed to be 2.0megapixel. It is also capable of capturing 720p videos and the quality is acceptable. One can also capture panorama shots with the tablet, if so inclined. For music, surprisingly there is no FM Radio, but two music players. The sound quality is just about decent. There is a HD video player on the tablet that is competent but the audio quality is not impressive.

User experience: Mixed bag Considering the fact that this tablet is available at the higher end of the affordable tablet segment, we must confess to being a bit disappointed with the Zync 999+. The whole touch experience is not that smooth and convenient. Battery life was nothing exceptional either -you are going to be recharging it at least once a day if you use it extensively.

Conclusion At Rs 11,990, one can say that either the Zync 999+ is overpriced or under polished, depending on your perception. If you are looking to buy a tab in this price range, we would suggest you go for the Reliance 3G tab for Rs 12,999 or the Intex Tab for Rs 10,500. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

7 8

Features ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

72%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 53

burn test

LG Optimus L5 Big

screen for mainstream 2

118.3 mm

Pros

Cons



Big 4.0-inch display



Can only record VGA videos



Good audio experience



Smart, sophisticated design

Camera performance average



Low resolution screen

66.5 mm

highlights The home key in the middle gives access to recent apps.

The phone has a sleek form factor

The back panel is plasticky but stylish

The camera comes with LED flash support

54 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

The volume key doubles up as camera key

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mind it that much considering the price range of the phone. The phone looks smart and sophisticated with the silver piping on the sides adding to the whole design. Those with smaller hands are likely to find it to be a bit broad but it looks impressive, especially when one is using it in landscape mode.

Hardware: Ups and downs

Price: Rs 14,400

t may not have the specs of the high-profile Opitimus 4X HD, but the new LG Optimus L5 delivers a large, 4.0 inch display at an affordable price for the smartphone hungry mainstream user. But will they be lured by this offering?

Looks: Sticking to the straight LG has decided to go angular with the new L5 with its straight lines and 90 degree corners. As far as the looks go, it is a pretty decent device in white, with a shiny finish on the front and a patterened back panel. Though the back panel is again very plasticky, we don’t

The Optimus L5 runs on an 800 MHz Snapdragon processor with 512 MB RAM. It has an internal memory of 4 GB which can be expanded further using a microSD card. Though 1 GHz processors have become a norm in this price range, the 800 MHz processor gives an acceptable performance. On board are Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G connectivity. And then there is the most impressive feature of them all - the big 4.0-inch display, which is unusual in this price range. The catch? It has just a 320 x 480 resolution, which is appalling in this segment and doesn’t do justice to the real estate.

Software: Anyone for Ice Cream...Sandwich? The device runs on the latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, with the new Optimus UI which covers the operating system’s default interface. There are shortcuts for dialer, messaging, email and camera, that you can access directly from the lock screen. There are five customisable homescreen panels and a long press of the home key lets you see and shut down recently used apps. Rather surprisingly, there are no pre-loaded apps for social networking in the phone, although the browser does come with Flash support and multi-touch. The browser also has gesture control where you just need to touch a virtual button and you can tilt the phone to zoom in and out on the Web page, which is more of a stunt than a utility in our opinion (isn’t pinch to zoom much simpler!). LG’s Remote Call Service where an LG representative can remotely access your phone to seek out any problem is very much there, as are SmartShare, which lets you share content over Wi-Fi, and LG’s own app collection, LG SmartWorld. For those who like to dabble with MS Office, Polaris Office lets you edit and create them. The L5 also comes with the Mobile TV app which lets you watch Live TV and on-demand TV, for which you can buy daily, monthly and weekly packs. On the e-mail front, you can setup any POP or IMAP account on the device and there is also support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

Multimedia: Got the groove On the multimedia front, the L5 sports a 5.0megapixel camera, video player, FM radio

and music player. The picture quality of the camera did not impress us much. The camera comes with features like geo-tagging and face recognition, self timer and scene modes, which are now standard. There is no dedicated camera key but the volume rocker doubles up as a shutter release button, which is handy. We were surprised to see that the camera shot only VGA videos - we expected something much better. There is a dedicated video player which comes with DivX and XviD support. The music player delivers an impressive sound experience in loudspeaker mode and comes with a number of sound effects, for which you have to plug in the headphones. FM radio reception is good and the interface is simple to use.

User experience: Not there yet! The LG Optimus L5 is a decent looking phone with a good touch experience. The battery backup of the phone is also good, with one full charge easily lasting a day. Features like SmartShare and Wi-Fi Hotspot are also good value additions in this price segment. However, we must confess we were dissappointed by the camera, and the relatively lowresolution display. A faster processor would also have helped, especially when we were in HD graphics territory.

Conclusion LG Optimus L5 is priced at Rs 14,400 and is a decent option if you are looking for a large screen device running a relatively new version of Android. Other options that you can consider are the Motorola Defy Plus, which has a 1 GHz processor but runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and is available for Rs 15,750. If you wish to try another platform, you can also consider the Nokia 710, a windows Phone with a 1 GHz processor which comes with a Rs 13,750 price tag. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

78%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 55

burn test HTC Desire C Cute and desirable

Pros Good looking



3G support



5.0-megapixel camera

107 mm



Cons

Looks: Cute, cuddly HTC might be best known for its sharp and serious designs, but the Desire C reveals the brand’s playful side. It is a relatively stout phone which is a departure from the HTC devices that we have seen recently, but is perfect for easy handling.

No Flash with camera



600 MHZ processor



No video calling features

highlights

60 mm

fter the release of the One series , HTC has now turned its attention to reviving the HTC Desire series with the launch of its new Desire C. An affordable Android targeted at those who want to experience the smartphone revolution without spending a bomb, the Desire C could well be HTC’s price warrior.



The cute red colour of the phone stands out

3 The camera has no flash

The front panel has a metallic finish while the back panel has a rather dull matte finish. The front is primarily taken up by the 3.5inch touchscreen and three capacitive touch buttons, while the back has the camera, and the HTC and Beats Audio logo. The device is available in three colours Polar White, Stealth Black, and Flamenco Red. Our review unit was red - even the battery was red - and we absolutely loved its looks.

screen, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and also has a Wi-Fi Hotspot feature along with Wi-Fi Direct for peer-to-peer sharing. The phone has just 1GB internal memory but you can expand it further using a microSD card. However there is no flash with the 5.0megapixel camera and there’s no secondary camera for video calling, even though the phone comes with HSDPA and HSUPA capabilities.

Hardware: Generally solid

Software: Sense-ible Android

The Desire C comes with a relatively less powerful processor at 600 MHz, but it ticks off most of the other hardware boxes. It has 512 MB RAM, a 3.5-inch, 16 million colour touch-

The HTC Desire C runs on the latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, on top of which runs the new HTC sense 4.0. The homescreen has five customisable pan-

56 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

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ence on the phone is great, and comes with Flash support as well as multi-touch.

Multimedia: Steady stuff

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes

The HTC One V has a 5.0-megapixel fixed focus camera which is pretty basic. Its UI is similar to the One series with the video and still keys depicted on the viewfinder separately, although the picture in video functionality is obviously not there. For stills the highest resolution is 2592 X 1728 and the highest video that you can capture is of 640X480 resolution. The camera has face detection, smile shot as well as geo-tagging, White Balance, auto enhance options. Both the still and video quality of the camera are just about acceptable. On the music front, the phone comes with a music player, FM radio and TuneIn Internet radio. It features the well known Beats Audio feature which adds a fillip to the sound quality from the loudspeaker as well as headphone.

Bluetooth/ WiFi | Yes/Yes

User Experience: Cutesy!

tech specs

The Desire C offers a standard HTC experience in a very cute package. The touch interface is smooth and intuitive and it packs some very handy features. The battery backup of the phone is good - one full charge easily lasts a day with Wi-Fi, calling, e-mail and a couple of hours of music. The biggest letdown has been the processor which can slow down the device at times - more processing power would have helped both ICS and Sense!

Phonebook Capacity | Shared Camera | 5.0 megapixel Frequency | GSM 850/900/1800/1900/2100 Others | Polaris Office, Sound

Hound

Price: Rs 14,500

Conclusion The HTC Desire C is priced at Rs 14,500. If you are looking for an alternative, we would suggest the newly launched Nokia Lumia 610, which runs Windows Phone but has a larger 3.7 inch touchscreen display and comes with a 800 MHz processor, with a price tag of Rs 12,200. n

5 The options key on the front gives access to recent apps

The Sense UI makes the phone convenient to use

The music is enhanced by Beats Audio

team@mymobile.co.in

els - strangely enough you cannot increase or decrease this. The leap view has been given an overhaul - long pressing the homescreen minimizes all five panels to the top and opens all the widgets, apps and shortcuts in the rest of the screen, allowing you to customise panels easily. You can also now create folders on the homescreen by simply stacking one app icon over the other. The Recent Apps tab has not been given the Sense treatment - it is vanilla ICS where tapping the Options button shows a column of recently-accessed apps. You can simply swipe on a screen to close the app. Decent, but nothing like what we saw in the One X. The menu is divided into three categories - All, Frequent

and Downloads. There are three options at the top for Search, App Store and Options. The new look for the Options menu ( i.e. the three dots) of ICS has been retained in the Sense UI too. The settings menu has been divided into four sections - wireless and networks, device, personal and system. Like all Android devices, this one too comes with strong SNS integration. Friend Stream integrates all your social networking activity into one window. A number of apps come preloaded on the phone, including the likes of Soundhound, eBuddy Xms, 7digital, and Bollywood Hungama. For creating and editing MS Office files, there is Polaris Office. The browsing experi-

verdict 9

Looks Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

80%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 57

burn test Sony Xperia Go Go Xperia Go!

111 mm

Cons

Pros

Looks: Normal, very normal The new Sony Xperia Go is a rugged phone, but not the kind of rugged that invokes images of being thick and covered with layers of thick contoured rubber. On the contrary, the Go is a rather sleek and compact looking phone that can pass of as a ‘normal’ phone. The phone is

IP67 certified- dust and waterproof



Dual core 1GHz processor



3G and Wi-Fi connectivity

highlights

60.3 mm

t seems to be raining Xperia handsets of just about every size and configuration these days as Sony goes into overdrive to revive its mobile fortunes. The latest is the all terrain Xperia Go, but with all the previous rugged phones giving blink and miss performances in the Indian market, with this one click?



The ports come with waterproof covering

slim and angular in design and reminds us a bit of the Xperia Sola. While the screen was raised significantly in the Sola, here just an edge has been given to it. It has a rubber finish body with water tight covers for the 3.5 mm jack and the mini USB port. The battery has been secured inside and is not detachable. All in all this is a pretty regular looking pone

Hardware: No entry to water and dust! The Xperia Go comes with IP67 certification which is a US-based certification for devices that can withstand extreme conditions. The phone is dust proof, shock proof and water

58 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012



Older version of Android



No secondary camera



No detachable battery

3 The screen is scratch resistant

proof and as per the certification, can be kept submerged in the water for up to 30 minutes. However, the lanyard eyelet might let some water seep into the back panel - something that did happen when we tried it out. But even though water did go into the loudspeaker mesh, there was no effect on the functioning of the phone. In terms of specs, the Xperia GO runs on a 1 GHz dual core processor and comes with 512 MBRAM. As far as performance goes, we didn’t face any glitches except for the proximity sensor’s response that at times put the call on hold or even disconnect it while we were talking. The back panel of the phone is

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4 Also on board are a number of apps for fitness freaks (hey, this is a phone for the outdoors, after all), including Adidas micoach, Figure Running and WalkMate. WisePilot navigation has been added and provides both pedestrian and vehicle navigation.

Multimedia: Just there

tech specs

Phonebook Capacity | NA

The phone comes with a music player and FM radio. There are equalisers to improve sound quality. For speakers there is the XLoud feature and for headphones you can choose the Surround Sound settings for a better experience. The sound of the music player is good through loudspeaker and even better through headphones - typical Sony! The Xperia P boasts a 5.0-megapixel camera (thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no front-facing camera) which captures acceptable pictures and comes with scene recognition, panorama and 3D sweep panorama and 3D multiangle. There is a dedicated 3D camera and 3D album app too. You can connect the phone to a 3D television to see pictures in all their three-dimensional glory. The camera can also captures 720p HD videos and comes with face detection and single focus modes - video quality is also acceptable.

Camera | 5.0 megapixel

User experience: Needs more

The Xperia Go claims to be waterproof, but the fact that the water seeped into the back panel in seconds didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make us comfortable. The proximity sensor was another dampener and then there was the battery - we had it to charge it twice a day, even while using it normally. Considering that it is an outdoor phone, we had expected better battery performance.

Frequency | GSM 850/900/1800/1900/2100

Others | Walkmate, Office suite

Price: Rs 17,999 The 5.0megapixel camera gives decent picture quality

The body of the phone has a rubber finish making it easy to handle

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia Go is priced at Rs 17,999. You can also opt for HTC One V for Rs 18,000 which runs on Ice cream Sandwich OS but is not IP67 approved. n

The phone is pretty sleek at 9.8 mm

team@mymobile.co.in

verdict detachable and you can access the SIM tray and SD card slot. The phone has 8 GB internal memory which can be expanded using a memory card. In terms of connectivity, it has a a mini-HDMI port, 3G and Wi-Fi.

Software: Old, not gold Like the Xperia S and the Xperia P, the Xperia Go too runs on Android 2.3.7 (Gingerbread), which now is showing its age. Though an upgrade is expected to come soon, we cannot help but be disappointed, given the increasing number of Android 4.0 (ICS) devices in the market. There are five customisable homescreen panes, with an Overview mode which

shows you the panes floating on the screen - pretty, if not too useful. Timescape combines your Facebook and Twitter activity into one and you can also download more plugins from Google Play for Foursquare, Gmail, and other services. There are four soft keys at the bottom of the homescreen for Media, Menu, Messaging, and Dialer. Like other Xperia devices, the Go too comes with LiveWare Manager, which lets you set the behavior of your handset when paired with an accessory - for instance, you can set the device to open the music player each time you plug in your headphones. The browser comes with full Flash and multi-touch support.

Looks Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

76%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 59

burn test 2

Sony Xperia Neo L An Xperia for the youth

120 mm

highlights

61 mm

he latest in Sony’s Xperia range is the Sony XPERIA Neo L, which is an upgrade to the Neo V. It is slightly slimmer than its predecessor and unlike most other devices in Sony’s kitty, comes with Ice Cream Sandwich Android OS.

Looks: Hello, good looking! We have seen a flurry of good-looking phones from Sony, and the new entrant to their Neo series is easy on the eye as well. It is similar to the older Neo models, yet is modern. The Neo L has a large 4.0- inch scratch

5.0 MP camera can take really good shots

resistant touchscreen that supports 16 million colours. Sony has placed the power and volume keys on one side, while the other side has the USB cum charging port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Apart from the front facing camera, the Neo L also has a 5.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash. The phone comes with four navigation keys on the device, which looks stunning in its all-white avatar.

The 4.0 inch screen is a treat for the eyes

processor along with 512 MB RAM onboard, with the Adreno 205 handling the graphics. While these are good enough for managing simple navigation and most basic tasks and game, it is a bit under powered when it comes to high-end games and heavy movie files. On the connectivity front, the Neo L supports quad networks in 2G and HSDPA 900 and 2,100 in 3G, as well as Wi-Fi, USB and Bluetooth.

Hardware: Slightly under powered

Software: ICS, finally!

The Neo L is built on Qualcomm’s MSM8255 Snapdragon chipset, with a 1 GHz Scorpion

The Neo L marks the first time we have seen Android Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)

60 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

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However, if you really want to enjoy a video or MP3, we recommend you use the headphones supplied with the handset. There are number of equaliser options on this device for those who like to tweak sound settings. While users can video chat with the front facing camera, they can take some very good shots with the rear 5.0-megapixel camera. We must confess that we were very impressed with the camera, which delivered some exceptional results, irrespective of the light conditions. Speaking of light, the flash works well in low light and users get good pictures without too many “grains.” Panorama mode works well too.

tech specs Size | 120 x 61 x 12.8 mm

Pros

Weight | 131.5 grams

Large screen is good for gaming and movies



You can take good shots with the rear camera

Screen | 16million colours



User-friendly interface on top of Android 4.0

Talktime/Standby | Up to 8 hours/ Up to 575 hours

Battery | Li-Po 1650 mAh

Our overall experience of the Neo L was a pleasant one. The new interface works well and one can adapt to it in a jiffy. The games and utilities that have been added to the phone improve user experience. Movies look exceptionally good and so do the games. However, the phone’s performance is not upto the mark when graphic hungry games or utilities are opened. On the battery front, the performance is typical of an Android phone with a large display - if you are going to be seeing lots of videos, you will need at least one recharge a day.

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes

Cons

Bluetooth/ WiFi | Yes/Yes



High end games don’t run that well



Battery life could have been better



User Experience: Not the perfect performer

Memory | 1GB, microSD



There is no dedicated camera button

Phonebook Capacity | Shared Camera | 5.0 megapixel Frequency | GSM

Conclusion

850/900/1800/1900/2100

All in all, this phone is basically built for the youth, who want to play games, and at the same time listen to music and also watch movies. This phone does all that rather well, as long as you do not get into the heavy duty graphics gaming area. At Rs 18,499, the Neo L is not a bad buy if you are looking for a smartphone with good multimedia. Those looking for alternatives can try the HTC One V, which also runs on Android ICS. n

Others | Playstation certification

Price: Rs 18,499 5 The loudspeaker delivers crisp sound

The new ICS interface is easy to use

The white finish of the phone gives it a classy look

team@mymobile.co.in

verdict coming out of the box on a Sony Phone. And it looks great. The new interface looks nice, especially the lock screen, where users have the option to unlock the phone or to head to the camera function without unlocking. Slight changes in the menu system are apparent as well. Like most ICS phones, the NEO L also has five home screen panels, which can be customised with apps, shortcuts and widgets. Users will also find the usual pre loaded tools and apps that come with the operating system. These include Gmail, Maps and YouTube. Sony has also added some apps which one can

find in other Sony Android phones as well, such as TrackID and Xperia Gallery. Users also get an EA app via which one can download more paid EA games or a trial version before they make the actual purchase.

Multimedia: For those who love videos This phone is targeted at those who love to watch videos. The 4.0-inch screen is perfect for that purpose and displays a wide gamut of colours, with deep blacks. A single loudspeaker is also there on the phone which is great for sound.

Looks Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

78%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 61

burn test

Samsung Galaxy Beam Smart(phone) projections

123 mm

highlights

59.8 mm

e had heard something like this was in the pipeline, but had not known that it would be out so soon. Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Galaxy Beam finally integrates a projector with a smartphone. But is it a marriage made in digital heaven?

Looks: Irresistible We have hardly seen a phone in the fabulous Galaxy series that looks bad. The new Beam is also well attired in silver and ebony grey with yellow trim. It comes with a 4-inch touchscreen of 480 x 800 resolution, just under which is a large homescreen button along with feather touch menu and back buttons. It has a

The 5.0megapixel camera with flash works well

1.3-megapixel front facing camera that takes care of your video calling needs and a rear 5.0-megapixel camera with LED flash for your photographic needs. The meshed rear panel allows the user to grip the phone better. This also holds a single loudspeaker on the bottom right portion. Volume and power keys are placed on either side, along with the SIM and microSD card slots. However the most attractive physical feature on this phone is the projector that is placed on the top of the phone. It does make the phone a bit chubby, but it still is slimmer than Nokiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PureView 808. The projector can be turned on by pressing the projector button above the

62 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

The projector can display a 50 inch image

power key. A USB port that doubles up as the charging port is placed at the bottom of the phone.

Hardware: Up to date If Samsung wants to run a projector through a smartphone, then the phone needs to have the hardware wherewithal to back it up. And it does - the Samsung Beam has a 1GHz Cortex A9 dual core CPU along with 768 MB RAM. Together they make this phone run quite quickly. Graphics are provided by the Mali 400 GPU. The phone slots a 2000mAh battery that can keep the projection running for 3 hours on a full charge. A pair of headphones

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1 on, but hey,, this phone has an in-built projector too. Turn it on to enjoy movies on a large screen. It can project images and videos on a screen as big as 50 inches, with the best results coming at 32-40 inches. At 15 Lumens DLP the projection is not super bright, but is very viewable. You do need to turn off the lights and project it on a white screen or wall to get the best results, though. We found it better than some of the stand alone pocket projectors we have seen in the past, which cost Rs 10,000-20,000 more than this handy device. Though the sound of the single loudspeaker does not do justice to the videos, it is passable for presentations. Users can adjust the focus by pressing the projector button and then moving the focus slider on the touch screen. The 5.0-megapixel camera is good enough for regular party shots. Other multimedia features include FM, Music Hub and Social Hub. There are no games on this phone, although one can head off to Google Play to get some.

Pros

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes



It has an in-built projector



Dual core processor

Bluetooth/ WiFi | Yes/Yes



The large touchscreen is nice to work with

Phonebook Capacity | Unlimited

User Experience: Easy peasy We faced almost no problems with the Galaxy Beam. The interface runs smoothly, camera works well for both videos and pictures. The on-screen keyboard is comfortable and lets you type quickly. The battery delivers over nine hours of talk time, unless you turn on the projection. We would have liked a nice stable stand for this phone, especially for those users who need to project long videos.

Camera | 5.0 megapixel

Cons  A stand would have been

better for projection

Frequency | NA Others | NA

 Loudspeaker does not to do

justice to projections

Price: Rs 28,900

 Android 2.3

Conclusion Samsung Beam is a great buy for professional who need to give presentations on the go. This phone doubles up as a projector, is easy to carry and does not require any power or display cables. It is an excellent replacement for pocket projectors too. And as of now, has no viable alternative. n

5 The device has a dedicated projector button

The phone also has GPS navigation

The battery gives over nine hours of talk time

team@mymobile.co.in

verdict is also supplied in the box. Strangely enough, Samsung has provided a battery charging unit which can charge the phone’s battery - a bit superfluous we thought as charging the battery normally seems more convenient! On the storage Front beam has 8 GB internal memory that can be expanded up to 32 GB using a microSD card.

Software: Gingerbread again! For some reason, Samsung has opted for the older Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) rather than 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for the Beam. It includes regular applications such as YouTube viewer, ChatON, game hub, music player and

more. The voice search application works well and recognises Indian accents. The home screen consists of seven panels, where you can place application icons and widgets, as per your tastes and preferences. These widgets can be resized according to user’s preferences and taste. For navigation, there is GPS connectivity and if you want to quickly edit photos on the fly, Samsung has added the Photo Editor application as well.

Multimedia: From 4 to 40 inches and beyond The Beam is a multimedia powerhouse. Its 4-inch screen is neat enough to watch films

Looks Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

86%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 63

burn test LG Optimus 4X HD LG’s quad-core

warrior

Looks: Not what we expected

1 132.4 mm

t was the first company to offer the world a smartphone with dual-core processor and now LG is back in the high-end smartphone battle, with its LG Optimus 4X HD, which touts a quad-core processor. But will it do enough to unseat some very high-profile competition?

LG has churned out really good looking smartphones over the past few years (remember the iconic Chocolate and the sleek Optimus Black?). However, with the new Optimus 4X, it seems to have just stumbled a bit. It is by no means a bad looking phone but its design and style do not do justice to the whole premium position that it is supposed to have. While the front is impressive with its large 4.7-inch display, we felt let down by the sides which had two silver coloured strips and a corrugated thin black strip in the middle. The patterned finish on the plastic back panel also does not exactly add to the phone’s appearance. Considering that the 4X is a high-end device, we expected it to have at least that premium finish that is the LG trademark. No, it is not an ugly device by any means - it is sleek and smart and quite solid - but we did expect something better.

68.1 mm

Hardware: Four cores, baby! The Optimus 2X ran on a dual-core processor, and in keeping with that nomenclature pattern, the 4X runs on a quad-core one - the NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.5 GHz Cortex A-9, to be exact, and packs in 1 GB RAM. It has an internal memory of 16 GB which can be expanded further using a microSD card. It boasts of a wide range of options from Bluetooth to 3G, Wi-Fi and yes, NFC. LG even packs a NFC tag in the sales pack for people to experience the service. This tag can be used to get quick access to various modes like car mode, office mode, sleep mode and user mode with custom settings.

Software: New coat of paint Running on all that top-notch hardware is the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android, with the new Optimus UI which covers its default interface. The lock screen has a circular interface. There are four shortcuts for dialer, messaging, e-mail and camera that you can access directly from the lock screen. The notification bar remains at the top and there are seven

64 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Pros 

Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9 processor



Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system



4.7 inch True HD-IPS screen

Cons 

Camera not as feature-rich as the competition



Not the greatest design



Battery life is a concern

www.mymobile.co.in

highlights 1 The 1.3 megapixel camera has been given in the front

2 Phone comes with NFC Tag+ app for the NFC tag

homescreen panels that can be customised with apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders. Instead of the Option key, long pressing the Home key gives you access to the recent apps which retain the standard ICS look of a vertical bar with apps running in small windows. You can simply swipe to delete them from the recent apps list. The Contacts tab comes with social integration and you can sync your Facebook, Google and Twitter accounts and access all the updates and activities from the contact tab itself. On the SNS front, the phone uses LG Social+ for access to social sites like Facebook and Twitter. The browser comes with full Flash support as well as multi-touch. Then there are the usual

tech specs

The new Optimus UI is fast and convenient

Size | 132.4 x 68.1 x 8.9 mm Weight | 133 grams

4 The volume key doubles up as camera key

Memory | 16GB(12GB user available), microSD

User experience: Fast, very fast

Battery | Li-ion 2150 mAh Screen | 16million colours

The Optimus 4X is a quad-core processor driven device and it does not disappoint in terms of speed - be it in browsing, gaming or handling multimedia. We loved the touch experience it served up and the screen was very impressive indeed. The exteriors didn’t impress us much, however, and neither did the battery performance which barely completed the day with continuous Wi-Fi, a couple of hours of gaming and the regular number of calls and texts.

Talktime/Standby | Upto 9.3 hours/ Upto 730 hours

5 The 8.0-megapixel camera is supported with an LED flash

GPRS/3G | Yes/Yes Bluetooth/ WiFi | Yes/Yes Phonebook Capacity | Shared Camera | 8.0 megapixel

burst shot, video shot, macro mode, and infinity modes which are expected at this price point are conspicuous by their absence. What’s more, the panorama mode works only in VGA resolution. There is a secondary camera too, and the phone’s volume rocker doubles up as a shutter release key. Picture quality is acceptable but the flash performance could have been better. The camera can capture full HD videos of good quality. There is a dedicated video player which comes with a preview mode that shows the upcoming frames in the small screen on the timeline. But the true viewing delight is the phone’s screen which lights up any kind of visual content that you see on the phone. The big 4.7 inch true HD screen provides ample real estate and quality for enjoying videos, especially HD ones. The device comes with support for Dolby effects but these work only with headphones - in fact, in the music player, even the settings get active only when the headphones are plugged in, which is a bit disappointing. FM radio reception is good.

Conclusion

Frequency | GSM 850/900/1800/1900/2100

At Rs 34,990, the LG Optimus 4X HD is the most affordable of the quad-core phone brigade in the country. If you are looking for similar performance and specs from a device that looks better, you could try the HTC One X, which is priced at Rs 34,250. n

Others | Remote Call Services, Smart Share

Price: Rs 34,990

team@mymobile.co.in

suspects like Remote Call Service where an LG representative can remotely access your phone to seek out any problem; SmartShare, which lets you share content over Wi-Fi; and LG SmartWorld, the brand’s own repository of games and apps. For viewing and editing documents there is Polaris Office.

Multimedia: Click and listen The device comes with an 8.0-megapixel camera, video player, FM radio and music player. The camera comes with features like geotagging and face recognition, HDR, panorama along with continuous shot scene modes, and ISO, which are handy but not really in the same league as what other high-end devices are offering. Features like smile recognition,

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

80%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 65

www.mymobile.co.in

Preview

BlackBerry 10:

A Preview

It might be a while before the first handsets bearing BlackBerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next OS come to the market, but we managed to get an idea of what the OS would be like, courtesy a Blackberry 10 developer alpha unit Sulabh Puri

few weeks ago, RIM had showcased a BlackBerry 10 alpha unit at their Jam World Tour in India. We got the phone in our hands for a short while and while the version of BlackBerry 10 running on it was nowhere near the final avatar of the OS, we definitely did get a feel of what it would be like. The all-touchscreen handset looks like a smaller version of the BlackBerry PlayBook, with all the ports (USB, SD card slot) located on one side, and the volume on the other - even the buttons look like those on the PlayBook. The device comes with a rear camera but it is clearly in development status, as its images were rather basic. But it was the software rather than the specs of the device that intrigued us. And with good reason - BlackBerry 10, better known as BB10 is a complete departure from the current version of the operating system, being icon-driven with very few

66 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

menus. As in the case of the PlayBook navigation on the device is largely gesturebased, where you can swipe to minimise an app and tap to shut it, and also swipe from screen to screen. As in the PlayBook, the OS handles high-definition games with a modicum of ease, barring the odd crash. The interface also brings a top drop down menu system where users can manage settings like Wi-Fi. The camera interface is very similar to the one found on Sony XPERIA Ray - you need to press and hold the screen to get an image. But what really struck us most forcefully was the fact that the OS seemed to have been designed for a large, high-resolution display, which kind of makes us wonder if the iconic QWERTY keyboard might be coming to the end of its reign in BB. We will know next year. As of now, we must confess to being impressed by what we have seen, bugs aside. n sulabh@mymobile.co.in

boredom buster

www.mymobile.co.in

Arise, Dark Knight The

Batman is back

he Dark Knight Rises has been one of the most high-profile films of the year, and now it has a game dedicated to it as well. Called the Dark Knight Rises (as the movie) this game puts you in the shoes of the Batman and while some might balk at its $ 6.99 (Rs 387, approx.) price tag on the iTunes App Store, we think it is worth every penny. The game has six chapters and in each chapter there are multiple missions that need to be completed. The graphics are amazing and you almost feel like you are in Gotham. The controls are simple. On the left is the control to move and on the right is the choice of weapons and attacks that you can chose from, each one having a separate virtual button, making it easy to use. Taking out villains earns you credits and clearing a mission gets you skill points. These can be used to upgrade your weapons, armour, vehicles, etc. You get to jump through roofs glide, ride the Batmobile and fight the enemy using every possible strategy from using gadgets like batarangs and smoke bombs to flashbang grenades and of course, your bare fists. New gadgets get unlocked as you clear levels. Each level has a last saved point and incase you die, you start from the last saved point. Getting hit will also reduce your life but you can replenish it by buying health restorers from the tech shop. Or just move away from battle to let your health auto-restore - ah, the joys of non-violence. All in all, The Dark Knight Rises captures the essence of the film, and delivers a very entertaining experience. n sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Apple iPad2

Rating

90%

Aug 15 to Sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 67

boredom buster Full and Final Fantasy fun An iconic game goes mobile

hen it comes to role playing games (RPGs), Final Fantasy enjoys legendary status. First launched in 1987, it is still among the most loved games in this genre. And now has been launched on the Windows Phone platform. The full version of the game is available for Rs 360 in the Marketplace, although you can also try it for free before buying. The story is simple- the Earth is decaying as the winds have stopped and the seas are raging and the land is in darkness (yes, ALL of that). The people are waiting for a prophecy to come true where the warriors of light will come and restore balance on the Earth. These warriors of light have one crystal each and special powers of their own. One is a warrior, one a thief, one a white mage and one is a black mage. There are three continents where one has to explore a number of dungeons, shrines and villages dotted with random combats while the party is traveling. These combats enable the party to gain experience and Gil (Gold) that comes in handy for buying upgrades. The controls are simple there is a crystal shaped D-pad that comes in handy for moving the party and a right side joystick, which helps in increasing the speed. While exploring the terrain, you also come across chests that contain Gil or other items. While in combat, you can use various strategies like Fight, Magic, Guard, Item and Flee. You need to tap on the target to attack and lose life when attacked. There are also boss battles that offer a steeper challenge. The game is long and if you love RPGs, it is the one for you. Just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect cutting edge graphics on modern lines - this is for the golden oldies. n sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Nokia Lumia 800

Rating

78%

68 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

Rating

82%

Food Fight! Who dares stand between

Garfield and his snack?

ou would be hard pressed to find anyone in the world who does not know the self-satisfied, smug and Lasagnaloving cat, Garfield. Which is why we were delighted to see him step into the mobile gaming world with Garfield Defense- Attack of the Food Invaders. It is a tower defense game, where Garfield has to protect the food in his refrigerator from alien invasion! The aliens, on the other hand, want to capture food and convert it into weapons to annihilate the Earth. Garfield on the other hand is equipped with

newspaper roll, frying pan, forks etc. You get the idea - this is a proper food fight! Aiding Garfield on this mission of mercy are friends like Odie, Nermal, Wade, Orson and Jon, who get unlocked as you keep clearing stages. In a neat touch, you have to use popcorn to summon them for help. Killing aliens not only saves the Earth but also gives you extra popcorn and cookies. While the latter can be used for upgrading Garfield, his armour, friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; powers, and the refrigeratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resistance, the former add to

the popcorn count for summoning help. With each stage the power and capabilities of the alien army increase, necessitating some cookie munching from Garfield. Of course, if you run short of cookies, you can always purchase some from the in-app purchase system, or keep playing until you stack up enough. Considering how much fun playing the game is, we took the latter option. The graphics of the game are right out of the Garfield comic strips. The game can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for free. n sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the LG Optimus 4X HD

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 69

boredom buster Gears of War Clone Yes, that

is exactly what Inversion is!

etting inspired is one thing but brutally copying a game is another. And that is what Namco seems to have done with Inversion. As soon as we started playing this shooter action game on our PS3, a sense of déjà-vu took over. The style and presentation of this game is very similar to the iconic Gears of War. You play Davis Russel who along with his partner Leo are part of the city police. You are tied to a pole and about to be killed, when the story jumps back a few weeks. You along with your

partner are headed to the apartment where Davis’s wife and daughter await your return. And then all hell breaks loose. The metropolis is under fire from an alien race called Lutadore. The objective of their invasion is not clear, but they are out to kill anyone in their path. Sounds familiar? Even the game physics and shooting style have been seen before. The hide and hit format of shooting in Inversion is similar to Gears of War series. Heck, even the main gun used by Davis and Leo in the game is similar to the

Lance rifle in GOW. The aliens have a device that makes people float, making them easy targets. The good news: you also get hold of it! AI in the game is not-so-bright and is often standing in the open, waiting to be gunned down. There are plenty of weapons in the game, but the really cool ones appear by the end. Graphics of the game are decent, and sound is occasionally good. The feeling of having been there and done that, however, never goes away. Which is why Inversion ends up as a pitiable mix of some big titles. Price: Rs 2,999. n sulabh@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Play Station 3

Rating

60%

70 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

Storm in the Middle East... A

simple rescue mission leads to lot of mayhem

his year we have seen a number of squad-based shooting games. The latest one on the list is Spec Ops: The Line by 2K Games. And unlike the competition, the game comes with a fresh and engaging storyline. It is based in Dubai, which has been hit by sandstorms for a while. The administration of the country overlooked it and when things got worse left the city secretly. Among those left behind to die is Colonel John Konrad, a commander of the US Army. You play Walker, a Delta Force team member, entrusted with the mission to extract Colonel Konrad and get him back home in one Rating piece. Of course, in best gaming tradition, that is easier said than done. You reach a devastated city that is filled with sand and packed with hostile elements. There is no shortage of guns in this campaign which spans about seven hours. There are things that put you off, though - at times, guns misfire, even when you are pointing them right. The AI response is not good either. You need to shoot them multiple times to completely take them out. Multiplayer mode is not that great either. There are heaps of upgrades and weapon choices here, but we would stick to Battlefield or Call of Duty for their online play. Graphics of the game are pretty good and one can recognise Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline even when it is covered with sand and dust. The sound lifts the game up from time to time. All said and done, Spec Ops : The Line has a new story in a new land. But we would recommend waiting for its price to come down - it is not really value for money with its current price tag. Price: Rs 2,499. n

65%

sulabh@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Play Station 3

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 71

boredom buster

Cool as Ice Mammoths, sabres, sloths...the lot!

s the name suggests, Ice Age Village is a game developed to promote and create interest in the recently launched film, Ice Age 4: Continental Drift. It is a city building game, with the same story line as the film. The continents are drifting apart and the animals are in confusion so our Ice Age team decides to create a dwelling place for all those whom they meet. The gameplay is simple- in each level you get certain goals, and you need to achieve them to move to the next level. These goals include creating homes for various animals like sloths, mammoths, piranhas, etc., and then breeding them by finding partners for them and then feeding and taking care of the whole family. Each activity completed earns you coins and unlocks more elements for you to use in your Ice Age village. You can buy more land by using coins or special acorns. You

72 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

can make a movie theatre and Rating can watch some special videos in it too. There are certain tasks that take hours to finish normally and can be finished much faster using acorns, but do remember to sue acorns efficiently or else you will have to buy them through the in-app purchase system. There are some mini games in the app too. For instance, you have to make the acorn chasing, sabre-toothed squirrel Scrat fight Piranhas ninja style and can also win extra coins by rubbing eggs and making them hatch. Overall itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun, fast and full of activities that can keep you occupied. And it can be downloaded for free from the App Store. n

80%

sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Apple iPad2

www.mymobile.co.in

Smart apps Mixing it up Giving music the blender treatment

usic has always been as much a medium of expression as one of entertainment for a number of people. And it has received a new dimension, thanks to MixTapes, a Windows Phone application that lets you listen to a number of popular songs and music converted into mixes by users across the world. The appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interface is similar to the side swiping one that user sees in a Windows Phone. You need to create an 8tracks.com account and then you can find music based on artists or genre like reggae, electro, party, folk rock, and Bollywood. The songs are listed as New Mixes, Hot, and Popular in the search option and the recent mixes are displayed on the homescreen. While listening to a mix you can also view the profile

of the creator, watch the video on YouTube and in some regions even buy the music. The app comes with a Wi-Fi management option where you can play the music only when the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network and you can also pin mixes of your choice on to the home screen live tiles. The social angle has been taken care of as the app allows you to share mixes on Facebook and Twitter. You can also play music in the background while working on other apps. All in all, a good app for those who wish to listen to something different. Or even create something of their own. n

sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Nokia Lumia 800

Rating

78%

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 73

Smart apps Alarm bells Minimum

hassle, maximum effect

magine an app that can actually help you schedule your time in an easy and simple manner without having to go through a number of steps of creating category, setting reminders, creating alarms, and other such tasks? A simple pinch and a tap and you are all set. Well, an app called 30/30 does just that. And it costs nothing - it can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store for free. What makes the app special is its interface. There is a time dial at the top and a number of slots at the bottom where you can write about your task. Managing them is also simple - you need to pinch apart two slots to create a new one between them or swipe one to delete it. Double tap on a tab to edit it and while editing it you can also choose from a number of icons to go with your task. By default the time is set at 30 minutes, thus the Rating name 30/30 but you can chose to set the time as per your convenience - but only in minutes, as it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give options at the second level. You can simply touch the dial to stop the timer or long press it to stop the time countdown completely. The task in action remains un-editable if the timer is running or paused. The app is particularly useful for those who have to finish work in a set period of time or are practicing for competitive tests where time management is of the essence. It even works for those who are always chasing deadlines and end up invariably working on the last day of the deadline. Yes, we are using it.n

80%

sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Apple iPad2

74 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

Sing, sing a song Appy

Rating

80%

karaoke singing

e may not admit it, but within each of us is a singer. Whether they get discovered or not depends on the mix of fate and talent that comes oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing stopping you from belting out a few notes now and then and one of the best ways to do that is the free StarMaker karaoke app that is available for the iPad, and can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store. The app comes with a number of categories of songs like New Releases, Most Popular, Gleek Out ( the ones that were used is famous serial Glee), Experts Only,

and Easy Songs. To start with you can opt for free songs as for the others you need free tokens, which you get by completing various achievements or by buying subscriptions. You can start with a tutorial and then download songs as per your liking. The karaoke system is very simple, the lyrics of the song get displayed on the screen and the guide track plays in the background. Bars are placed to depict the notes and pitch of the song and all you have to do is match them. It is best to use headphones with a microphone while recording

for better clarity. Each song you sing gets recorded and you can create your own tune, get into contests and win free tokens to get more songs. You can also see the current leaderboards in each category for contests and listen to their entries too. Download StarMaker if you have an iPad. You owe it to your inner singer. n sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the Apple iPad2

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 75

Smart apps

Streaming music magic!

Songs across languages and genres

Bhojpuri and many other languages. ith 3G becoming much more affordYou can also browse through songs alphaable and pervasive in terms of cost betically in 31 languages and also browse and reach, the time has come to instrumental music. Music is available across actually reap the benefits of the high speed classical, devotional and popular categories. Internet access. And one of the best ways Once you chose a category or album you of doing so is by tuning in to some of can choose to play all, shuffle or share the latest and best from the Indian using Bluetooth, Messaging, Google+, music world, be it film music or Rating or e-mail. Once you login you can pop albums, through the aptly titled also create your own playlists and Songs app, available for free downadd your favourite songs to it. In the load from the Google Play store. Once playlist options there are various categodownloaded, the appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homescreen ries like most popular, daily popular, and your provides users access to a number of popupublic and private playlists. These are basilar songs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi,

82%

76 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

cally the public playlists of all the members of the Songs community and you can listen to them. The biggest strength of the app is its massive library of music across genres and languages. The interface is simple to use and understand and the quality of songs is also very good. A must-have for anyone who loves Indian music and loves to explore. n

sonia@mymobile.co.in

We tested it on the HTC Desire C

etcetera

FujiFilm FinePix F660EXR Big zoom, small body!

ujifilm’s FinePix is yet another example of big zooms coming in small camera packages. The 16.0 megapixel CMOS F660EXR packs in a 15x optical zoom at a price tag of Rs 19,999. The hard metallic bodied camera is a rather smart looking, pocket-sized device that is high on toughness quotient and is comfortable to hold. It comes with a 7.6 cm LCD screen at the back and a pop-out flash on the top left. The placing of keys and buttons for performing several functions is also done keeping the user’s convenience - one can operate functions without losing grip on the device. In terms of performance, the camera churns out good pictures, rendering colours in their natural tones, even with the zoom maxed out. The camera also comes with an EXR auto option which automatically detects surroundings and chooses the appropriate shooting mode required at that point. For social network addicts, the camera comes with a Facebook and YouTube uploader which allows users to upload pictures and videos to these sites through the FinePix Studio software, which you need to install on your PC. Some might find the camera a bit on the heavy side, but we guess that’s the price you pay for packing so many features into one small package. The over all performance of the camera is good and one can consider this as an option between a point and shoot, and DSLR cameras. n

Pros | Solid and yet compact build, Decent optical zoom Cons | Might seem a

bit heavy for some users, Social networking integration could have been smoother

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 77

etcetera

Logitech Mini Boombox Booming sound, on the move

f you are looking for a good sound experience without spending too much and without having wires running around everywhere, then you need to check out the Logitech Mini Boombox. Designed simply and yet easy on the eye, it connects to any Bluetooth-running smartphone or tablet. You can control playback on your smartphone from the speaker, making it a sort of remote control for your phone. It charges via a USB cable and gives ten hours of continuous music playback, depending on the volume of music you listen to and at. The body of the speakers are made of plastic probably to keep its weight down, and it comes in multiple colour options - so you can choose one that reflects your attitude. The Mini Boombox has touch-sensitive controls with no physical buttons. When the device is turned on, six red icons appear on the top panel, indicating where to push to start, pause or change tracks as well as for adjusting volumes and connecting to a Bluetooth device. Sadly, there were no markings to highlight controls - one could get confused when the backlighting goes off. In terms of performance, this tiny speaker delivers clear sound quality at low and medium volumes. However, on the higher side, there was bit of distortion. We consider the Mini Boombox a device good enough to fill a small or medium sized room with music - definitely a good enough option for small indoor parties, as long as you do not venture into the higher decibel levels. And at a price tag of Rs 4,500, it is definitely one of the most affordable portable Bluetooth speakers in the Indian market. n

78 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Pros | Touch sensitive controls, Built-in battery Cons | Distortion at higher volume, Plastic body

www.mymobile.co.in

Fully loaded The front-runner

in Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DSLR series rocks

Pros | Plenty of shooting modes, The tiltable 3-inch LCD screen is great for taking pictures from any angle

Cons | Indoor shots in auto mode have digital noise, Lenses cost extra

ony has got the Indian DSLR market squarely in its sights, if the recent releases of its DSLR cameras is anything to go by. Leading the charge is their premium DSLR, the Alpha 77, which comes with a 24.3-megapixel sensor. It might look like most DSLRs in the market, but there are some subtle changes. The keys are well placed and within reach of the thumb and the index finger. Users will find the 3-inch swivel pull-out screen at the back great to work with, as it helps them take good shots from varied angles. Sony has also added a monochrome LCD on top of the camera, to show features such as ISO, drive mode, remaining battery, white balance, shutter speed and aperture. We tested the Alpha 77 with Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SAL 16-105mm lens (sold separately) that costs Rs 32,000 in the market, and the results were spectacular. There are plenty of modes in this camera ranging from the basic automatic to full manual control. Indoor shots in low light under automatic came out a bit a grainy, although when we switched to manual and lowered the ISO, we saw a considerable reduction in digital noise. Macro shots were great, and panorama mode was not too shabby either. It can shoot at 12 frames per second, making it a great buy for wildlife and sport photography. A very good option for first time users who do not mind spending the extra buck for great shots. Price: Rs 69,990 (Body only). n

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 79

et cetera Logitech Tablet Speaker Serving sound on the tab

e may have arrived in the era of mobility with tablets and smartphones dominating, but one area in which these devices tend to lag is in sound. Unless you have a good pair of headphones, these devices are not actually equipped to deliver sound in an open area or to be played out loud. Which is why the speaker accessory market has been doing brisk business and the latest entrant to this is Logitechâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s compact speaker specially designed for tablets. It might be called Tablet Speaker but it works equally well with notebooks, smartphones and media players, and any device that can connect to a 3.5mm jack. This rectangular speaker has rounded corners with speaker grills on both sides with a silver strip all around it. It comes with a rubberised flexible clip that lets users attach it to the top of the tablet - a good option, although it does end up making the tablet look strange and unbalanced. The back panel of the speaker contains a USB port and two rubberized stands have also been place on the bottom panel to place the speaker easily anywhere. Battery life stands at eight hours as claimed by the company, which makes it good enough for long trips. Available in Black colour, the product is priced at Rs 4,499 by the company, which makes it a decent deal if you are looking for a speaker set for your tablet or other devices that occupies very little space while delivering decent enough sound. n

Pros | Good audio quality, Smart design Cons | Looks awkward when attached to tablet, Non-replaceable battery

80 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS A top-notch Canon treat

Pros | Wide range of options for any level of shooter, Well-stabilized 20X zoom lens Cons | Poor battery life, Price is on the higher side

here has been a boom of 20x-plus optical zoom compact cameras of late. And the all new Canon PowerShot SX260 HS joins the growing super zoom market with impressive specifications. And it looks good too. The SX260 HS has a svelte matte finish body which gives it a brushed metal feel. It comes with 20x optical zoom and a 12.0-megapixel camera, in a pocket-friendly frame, that will fit comfortably into most hands. Mind you, it IS a bit heavy compared to other Canonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s releases. The back of the camera has a jog dial that functions as a controller for various options, below which is a 3.0-inch LCD screen. The top of the camera includes the pop-up flash, with the shutter button ringed by the zoom control. The camera has a number of creative shooting modes and also features a choice of artistic filters such as fisheye, sepia, and other effects which are applied in the camera. As in most cameras, we got better results outdoors than indoors. The 20x zoom works fine, although we would have liked the battery to have lasted longer. All of which makes the SX260 HS a treat for snappers and an an excellent companion for travellers. It is available for Rs 22,995 in the Indian market, with a 4 GB memory card being part of the package. Some might find the price to be a bit on the higher side when you consider offerings from competing brands, but we think this camera offers enough bang for the bucks it costs. n

team@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 81

c e l l- e b r i t y

“I am a complete phone addict” She has been praised for her performances in Ishaqzaade and Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, and seems set for a great future. But does she have a tech side? We met Parineeti Chopra at an HCL event to find out Harshita Rastogi

What is Parineeti doing at an HCL event? I am a complete gadget freak. However, I have not come as an ambassador of a particular product or a series of products but have been invited to support the brand HCL. So you are a gadget lover. Which is that one gadget that you can’t do without? It would surely be my phone. I can never think of living without my phone. I know it is a very clichéd answer but I seriously am completely a phone addict. It is not only a source of voice calling or talking to people, but is also my entertainment, information and connectivity centre. I rarely carry handbags, but this comes handy and remains with me always. Well, while we are on the subject, we would love to know about the phone you use. Umm…I can’t tell you. actually. I keep changing my phone every few months. It’s raining tablets everywhere. Do you also use one? Yes, I do. Actually, as I told you, that I love gadgets, I have most of these. Also, like me, my siblings also love gadgets and thus we keep on exchanging and shuffling gadgets with each other. If you can’t reveal the brands of the gadgets you use, at least tell us about the operating system you like the most? Well, I said that I am a gadget freak, not a tech freak. So I only know about gadgets but not about technology, not even about the OS, for that matter. Do you use applications on your devices? Yes, I do. In fact, at the moment, I mostly play games. Also, I am hooked up to Sudoku and so have almost all sorts of Sudoku applications available. Other than that, as I read a lot, I have all Kindle associated apps on my device as well. If you ever had to gift a gadget, which one would it be? And to whom? I would not like to be specific to one gadget, as it may depend on the needs of the person at that time. Answering to your second question, it would be my sister to whom I would like to gift a gadget. n harshita@mymobile.co.in

82 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

fa c e t o fa c e

“Smartphones today are barely phones” When it comes to mobile apps, Endloop has emerged as force to be reckoned with apps like iHeartRate and Arcade Solitaire 2. And as it comes out with a new innovation, iMockup, we met Kerry Morrison, CEO, Endloop Mobile, to talk about both iMockup as well as the future of mobile apps Sonia Sharma Do you see a potential for devices After the success of iMockup, what are the other app initiatives that you are working on? We have a number of new apps in development, mostly focused on the social services space. We are always fascinated with the vast array of connection points that exist in services like Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, etc., and we have some ideas on how to make this connectivity easier to take advantage of.

like tablets and their apps in the creative world? Can they match up to the functionality that devices like PCs and notebooks provide? Absolutely. We’re a creative company and we use tablets constantly throughout the day. I don’t think we’re near a time when laptops and desktops can be replaced by the tablets, but today’s tablets can do so much. It’s amazing.

How have smartphones, tablets and their innovative apps changed the way people work? I could write paragraphs on this. I think the biggest change is in our ability to have a very powerful, pocket sized computer with us at all times. Smartphones today are barely phones and with the varied app offerings that exist, there is almost nothing I can’t do to manage our business with just my iPhone or iPad.

How do you see the app market growing in the coming days? Do you thing that cross platform apps will be the future of app development? The app market places for both iOS and Android are going to continue their massive growth, for the extended future. If by crossplatform we’re talking mobile web apps, then for sure, but only in certain instances. For highly technical or hardware focused apps, native and platform specific is the only way to go.

What kind of changes or enhancements have you seen in the work of the professionals who are using iMockup? The single biggest change in workflow for people who use iMockups is the speed with which they can conceive and produce wireframes and mockups. We get an amazing feedback from our users who can’t get over how quickly they can jump in and get started on their projects.

How has being situated in Toronto helped you in establishing a sound business venture? What edge do you have by having your centre there? Toronto is a fantastic place for business. The community here is unbelievably supportive, the level of talent as good as anywhere outside Silicon Valley and the investment community here is focused on growth and building the next great business. While we are looking to expand to Europe and the US, Toronto will always be where our headquarters is. n sonia@mymobile.co.in

84 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Gear guide Disclaimer: The prices have been obtained from companies/ respective showrooms

Nokia Fast Micro-USB Charger | AC-10E

Save energy and save the environment. Based on a common energy-rating system for chargers, it has a 5-star rating for energy saving. Rs 950

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-607

This headset enables you to be connected with little charging. It just requires 15 minutes of charging, giving you up to 5 hours of talk time. Rs 4,500

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-105

This headset enables you to answer, end and reject calls with the convenient built in keys. It has an eye catching design. Rs 950

Nokia Monster Earphone | WH920 The in-ear design of the set isolates external noise to ensure enriched music experience. The earphones have volume controller built in to its cord. Rs 5,110

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-213

With Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-213 talk at length. Keep it ready to use with up to 400 hours of standby time. Rs 3,110

Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset | BH-905i

This Stereo headset has an option of active noise cancellation. With this you can hear your music and calls with low noise and great sound. Rs 3,500

Nokia Play | 360°

Enjoy clear 360-degree audio for your music with Nokia Play 360° (MD-50W). The curved design case brings a modern look and feel. Rs 9,300

Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset | BH-505

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-108

Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-108 helps you to stay in control with just one touch. Check your email, browse the web or write a quick note – this wireless headset gives you the freedom to multitask. Rs 950

Bluetooth Headset BH-505 keeps you active and entertained. The headset features a lightweight neckband for all day comfort. Rs 3, 940

86 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

www.mymobile.co.in in Delhi but may vary on account of dealer discretion/company schemes.

Nokia Extra Power | DC-8

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on the road and away from an AC supply, you can get peace of mind with a reliable, pocket-sized source of backup power. Rs 1,540

Nokia Extra Power | DC-11

Power-up your phone and headset while on the go. Charge the power pack, your phone and an accessory at the same time. Rs 2,570

Nokia Retractable Car Charger | DC-10 With Nokia Retractable Car Charger DC-10 charge your phone in the car. Rs 950

Nokia Monster Headset | WH 930

This Nokia headset boasts of some high end features that are not to be seen in any other headsets available in the market. Rs 11,420

Nokia Stereo Headset | WH-701

It helps to control your calls and music in a world of sound. It features three sets of comfortable ear pads and an integrated remote for controlling volume, calls, and music. Rs 1,390

Nokia Mini Speaker | MD-11

Play your music and listen to the radio out loud with this compact, yet powerful mini speaker. You can connect mini speaker for quality stereo surround sound. Rs 1,190

Nokia Extra Power | DC-11K

Charge two devices at the same time. It is extra compact and lightweight and offers a quick boost of power. Rs 2,400

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-104

With Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-104 you can stay on top of your calls and enables convenient wireless communication throughout the day. Rs 1,050

Nokia Car Charger | DC-4

Simple and compact, this mobile phone charger offers rapid phone charging from a car cigarette lighter socket. Rs 240

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 87

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MY GUIDE Disclaimer : The prices quoted in My Guide are the Best Buy prices quoted by the respective companies, ex-Delhi. The prices may vary on account of promotional schemes or dealer discretion. M.O.P. mentiond in My Guide are not applicable in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

While My Mobile tries to ensure accuracy in the pricing and features any discrepancies that may emerge are beyond our control. Please check with the retailer about features of the phone before buying. The ratings that have been included are from the burn tests of the phones that we have reviewed. Feel free to update us.

(Last updated on Aug 3, 2012)

Devices featured in the My Guide have been segregated into four categories baswed on price and colour-coded as:

CDMA Enterprise High-end (Rs 12,000 upwards) Mid-level

(Rs 6,000 - Rs 11,999)

Entry-level (Rs 2,500 - Rs 5,999) Sub-entry level (up to Rs 2,499) Nokia

NR stands for not reviewed M.O.P. stands for Market Operating Price

Y MOBILE 89 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

myguide MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS 1280

100

101

X1-01

C1-01

110

C2-00

Dimension (mm)

107.2 x 45.1 x 15.3

110 x 45.5 x 14.9

112.2 x 47.3 x 16

108 x 45 x 14

110 x 46 x 14.8

108 x 45 x 14.65

Weight (grams)

81.92

69.6

91.5

78.8

74.1

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.30/528

Screen (colours)/Size (inch) Monochrome/1.36 Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/No

7.2/840

13/1032

10.4/540

10.5/637

5.75//460

65,536/1.8

NA/No

NA/16GB

64MB/32GB

16MB/32GB

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

1000

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Symbian S30

S30

Symbian S40

S40

Symbian 40

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

960

1,120

1,400

1,725

1,800

2,200

2,250

Music Player/FM Radio

MODELS

Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY

NOKIA

PARAMETERS C2-02

X2-02

X2-01

C2-03

C2-01

Asha 200

202

Dimension (mm)

102,8x51,2x17

113 x 50 x 15

119.4 x 59.8 x 14.3

103 x 51.4 x 17

109.6 x 46.9 x 14.6

115.4 x 61.1 x 14

114.8 x 49.8 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

110

107.5

115

105

5/600

9.8/443

4.3/480

5/400

8.4/430

7/888

5/400

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours) Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.6

262,144/2.2

262,144/2.4

65,536/2.6

262,144/2.0

65,536/2.4

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

10MB/32GB

128MB/8GB

10MB/32GB

75MB/16GB

NA/32GB

10MB/32GB

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

Shared

1,000

2,000

Shared

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/No

S40

Symbian S40

S40

Symbian S40

S40

Yes/Yes

Slider/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Slider/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

3,220

3,100

3,500

3,700

3,750

3,850

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 90 MY

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

Asha 305

300

C5-05

302

Dimension (mm)

110.3X53.8X12.8

111 x 47 x 13.3

112.8 x 49.5 x 12.7

105.8 x 51 x 13.8

116.5 x 55.7 x 13.9

115.5 x 58.1 x 13.6

112 x 46 x 12.3

Weight (grams)

114

89.3

NEW

Talktime/Standby (hours)

14X528

13.3/540

6.9/550

11.5/620

9/707

7/800

12/630

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/3

262,144/2.2

262,144/2.4

16million/3.2

262,144/2.4

16.7million/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

10MB/32GB

48MB/16GB

128MB/32GB

40MB/16GB

128MB/32GB

55MB/8GB

50MB/16GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Symbian S40

S40

Symbian S40

Symbian S60

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

4,650

4,800

5,800

6,150

6,450

7,200

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes Bar/Yes/No

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

X3-02

303

C5-03

500

Lumia 610

Dimension (mm)

106.2 x 48.4 x 9.6

116.5 x 55.7 x 13.9

105.8 x 51 x 13.8

115 x 58.9 x 12.8

111.3 x 53.8 x 14.1

113.4 x 53 x 16.8

119.24 x 62.18 x 11.95

Weight (grams)

126

150

131.5

5/430

8.2/731

11.5/600

7.3/400

7/500

11/400

10.5/670

Talktime/Standby (hours) Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.6

16million/3.2

262,144/2.36

16million/3.2

16.7million/3.2

16million/3.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

50MB/16GB

100MB/32GB

40MB/16GB

256MB/32GB

2GB/32GB

200MB/16GB

8GB/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Symbian S60

S40

Symbian S60

Symbian Anna

Symbian S 60

MS Win Phone 7.5

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,150

7,450

8,100

8,650

9,230

10,500

12,200

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

YMOBILE 91 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

603

700

Lumia 710

C6-01

701

Dimension (mm)

113.5 x 57.1 x 12.7

110 x 50 x 9.7

119 x 62.4 x 12.5

103.8 x 52.5 x 13.9

115.5 x 59 x 10.5

117.2x56.8x11

113.5 x 59 x 12.9

Weight (grams)

109.6

125.5

131

133

131

135

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.7/540

7.14/403

7.3/400

12/420

14.4/681

17/504

12/390

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7mollion/3.5

16million/3.2

16million/3.7

16.7milloin/3.2

16.7million/2.46

16million/3.2

16.7million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/32GB

2GB/32GB

8GB/No

340MB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

12.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Symbian Belle OS

Symbian Belle

Windows Phone 7.5

Symbian^3

Symbian Anna

Symbian Belle

Symbian^3 OS

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

12,900

13,500

13,750

14,000

15,500

17,750

18,000

MODELS

SUB-ENTRY LEVEL

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

BYOND

Lumia 800

808

Dimension (mm)

119.7 x 62.8 x 11.9

123.7 x 62.4 x 13.6

116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1

123.9 x 60.2 x 13.9

106.3X47.8X14.6

108.3X45.2X14.2

104.6X38.8X3.7

Weight (grams)

146

176

142

169

109

118

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Nano

NEW

BY002

NEW

BY011

NEW

6/450

9/430

13/265

11/465

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7million/4.0

16million/4.0

16miilion/3.7

16million/4.0

NA/1.8

NA/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

16GB/No

16GB/32GB

NA/4GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

41.0MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

300

500

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM No/NoNo

No/NoNo

YesNo/No

Symbian Anna

Symbian^3 OS

Windows Phone 7.5

Nokia Belle OS

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

20,800

21,800

32,250

1,250

1,299

1,799

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 92 MY

MODELS

BYOND

PARAMETERS Model

Torch

123

Jewel

115.5X50.1X14.8

119X50X10.3

118.04X52.14X15.32

121.8X54.6X18.7

97.6X51.9X13.8

109 x 47 x 15.6

118.6 x 51 x 15.6

Weight (grams)

150

176

103

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

9/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.4

NA/2.6

NA/2.4

65,536/1.8

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/4GB

NA/8GB

NA/4GB

85.5KB/4GB

45KB/4GB

187KB/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

X-5

NEW

BY015

CHAZE

Dimension (mm)

NEW

Powerhouse

NEW

X-1

NEW

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

300

500

300

500

250

500

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

NA/NoNo

Yes/No/No

NA/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

1,799

1,999

2,199

2,099

1,350

1,850

2,250

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

CHAZE

PARAMETERS Model

KARBON

LAVA

LECOM

C555

C666

C249

ARC21

KKT 34+

3100

Dimension (mm)

117 x 53 x 13.7

121 x 56 x 13

116 x 50 x 13

115 X 50 x 15.5

110 x 46 x 14.65

113.5 x 51.2 x 16

106 x 45 x 14.6

Weight (grams)

121

123

112

81.4

Talktime/Standby (hours)

9/720

7/600

6/300

3/120

12/720

3.3/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.6

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

65,536/1.8

262,144/2.4

NA/1.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

428KB/8GB

233KB/8GB

45KB/8GB

NA/8GB

250KB/8GB

NA/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

No/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

No/NoNo

VGA/No/Yes

Yes/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,500

1,000

500

1,000

300

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,950

2,100

2,200

2,100

1,820

2,200

999

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

YMOBILE 93 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

LECOM

PARAMETERS Model

8200

8202

8222

8500

8585

8555

A 230

Dimension (mm)

112.7 x 49.5 x 14.8

110 x 48 x 13.1

114 x 48 x 13.8

116.5 x 50.5 x 14.9

116.8 x 50 x 14.8

117 x 51.3 x 13.6

108.6 x 46.6 x 13.8

Weight (grams)

100

110

100

Talktime/Standby (hours)

4.3/NA

3.2/NA

5/NA

8.3/NA

5/NA

17/809

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.2

262,144/2.2

NA/2.4

262,144/1.77

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/8GB

NA/32GB

NA/8GB

NA/32GB

25MB/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

No/No

Camera/Flash/Video

Yes/No/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/NA

Yes/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

300

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,630

1,880

1,930

1,990

2,099

2,399

2,300

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

PARAMETERS Model

MTECH

C105

ALPHA

M78

M18i

Dimension (mm)

114.5 x 59 x 13

104.2 x 47 x 15.8

106X48X16

117 x 53 x 15.5

125X52X15.3

112 x 49 x 16

118.5 x 55 x 14.7

Weight (grams)

115

110

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Beta

NEW

M135

M15

NEW

16/650

10/960

8/720

10/960

8/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.2

NA/1.8

NA/2.0

262,144/2.4

NA/2.4

262,144/2.6

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4.7MB/4GB

NA/8GB

32MB/8GB

NA/16GB

32MB/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

Yes/NA/NA

Yes/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

500

1,000

500

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/No

No/No/No

Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/No

Operating System

Genric

Music Player/FM Radio

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/NO/No

Bar/No/No

2,350

1,149

1,299

1,799

1,749

1,849

Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 94 MY

MODELS PARAMETERS

MTECH

REDD

Model

MT279

R1200i

R1670

R6800

R24

HD88

Dimension (mm)

113X54X14.3

105.7 x 45.5 x 15.6

107 x 43.6 x 17.3

108 x 44.6 x 17.3

116 x 53 x 12.3

114.5 x 50 x 15.4

Weight (grams)

110

NEW

Talktime/Standby (hours)

4/240

6/240

12/720

10/620

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.8

65,536/1.8

262,144/2.0

262,144K/2.4

262,144K/2.6

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/16GB

NA/4GB

NA/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/NA/NA

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

500

1,000

500

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM YesNo/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

2,149

999

1,399

1,499

1,649

1,840

1,949

MODELS

ENTRY LEVEL

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SPICE

CHAZE

1200

1205

Hero Music

E2232

M5115

M-5445

C234

Dimension (mm)

109.5 x 45.5 x 12.8

110.6 x 45.35 x 13.9

109.2 x 46.0 x 14.9

107 x 45 x 13

118 x 49 x 11.3

118 x 52 x 13

Weight (grams)

65.1

73.2

121

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.6/800

11.1/580

NA/500

4/500

4.5/400

5/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65536/1.5

65,536/1.8

65,536/1.77

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32,64MB/No

4MB/4GB

20MB/8GB

NA/8GB

123KB/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

No/No

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

100

1,000

500

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Operating System

Proprietary

Properitory

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

1,100

1,230

1,680

2,050

1,100

1,900

2,500

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE 95 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

CHAZE

PARAMETERS

KARBONN

LAVA

K33

K1818

K1616

KKT39

C333

C99

K44

Dimension (mm)

114 x 62 x 13.8

110 x 55 x 13

95.5 X 46 X 16.8

15.8 x 51.5 x 107

106.6 x 54.3 x 12.7

116 x 61 x 12

116 x 47 x 11.5

Weight (grams)

117

114

135

80.5

Model

6/NA

5/480

2.5/190

4/300

4/500

6/312

10/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.5

262,144/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

233KB/8GB

1.96MB/8GB

64MB/4GB

95KB/8GB

Yes/8GB

NA/16GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

2,000

350

1,000

2,000

500

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Clamshell/No/No

Slider/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

2,850

2,600

3,000

3,700

4,700

2,700

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

LAVA

PARAMETERS

Model

A10

A16

M70

A200

A350

S365

A290

Dimension (mm)

120 x 47.5 x 13.1

99.8 x 51 x 15.8

116 × 53.3 × 12.85

117 x 50.9 x 11.5

113.5 x 51 x 13

Weight (grams)

105

100

110

91.45

Talktime/Standby (hours)

3.1/220

12.5/328

14.5/559

25/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.0

262,144/2.6

262,144/3.2

65,536/2.2

262,144/2.2

NA/2.4

65,536/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

200MB/16GB

32MB/MicroSD

30MB/32GB

128MB/8GB

256MB/32GB

9.7MB/16GB

NA/4GB

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

2,000

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Genric

Generic

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/No/No

Bar/No/No

3,800

3,900

4,750

3,650

3,900

3,950

4,000

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 96 MY

MODELS

PARAMETERS Model

T500

C375

Dimension (mm)

105 x 57.3 x 12.9

113 x 61 x 12.9

Weight (grams)

Talktime/Standby (hours)

MICROMAX P520

X450

X333

109.1 x 56.2 x 12.95 103.65 x 57.2 x 13.35 120

MOTOROLA X445

NEW

EX109

116.7 x 52 x 20.3

110.3X55.2X14.1

102 x 59.5 x 12.8

110

8/720

16/789

23.8/454

3/200

4/315

4/129

8.3/500

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.3

256,000/2.8

65,526/2.8

262,144/2.0

NA/3.2

262,144/2.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/8GB

78MB/8GB

13MB/4GB

75KB/8GB

Yes/8GB

NA/8GB

59MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

500

250

200

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Generic

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

4,100

4,630

5,000

2,850

2,899

3,000

3,250

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/No

PARAMETERS Model

MOTOROLA

SAMSUNG

EX212

E2152 Guru 36

Metro 2252

Dimension (mm)

106 x 53 x 13.9

111.6 x 46.3 x 13.5

113.0 x 46.0 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

105

80.4

6.25/625

11/660

11.9/760

11.4/550

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.0

65,536/1.8

262,144/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

5MB/16GB

NA/2GB

NA32GB

45MB/16GB

Yes/No

No/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

800

1,000

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

2222

Metro Duos C3322

3520

Ch@t C3222

102 x 52 x 16.78

109.7 x 58.1 x 12.3

88.9

97.5

10/500

9.1/610

11/500

262,144/2.2

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.2

46MB/16GB

28MB/16GB

54MB/8GB

Yes/No

VGA/No/Yes

2.0/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

1,000

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

109.5 x 61.3 x 11.85 113.97 x 47.9 x 13.99

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Proprietary

Yes/Yes

Clamshell/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Clamshell/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

4,500

2,500

2,550

3,000

2,950

3,350

YMOBILE 97 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

Champ2

Champ Delux

C3530

Chat 3G 527

Metro C3752

Champ 3.5G S3770

Primo S5610

Dimension (mm)

96 x 52.6 x 12.15

101.8 x 55.0 x 12.3

112.2 x 46.7 x 11.9

103 x 55 x 12

97.9 x 19 x 16.4

118.9 x 49.9 x 12.8

Weight (grams)

79.5

89.7

Talktime/Standby (hours)

10/500

15.8/500

13/550

3/288

13.3/900

6/350

15.67/960

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.7

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.2

262,144/2.4

65,536/NA

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

40MB/16GB

30MB/16GB

50MB/16GB

80MB/32GB

40MB/16GB

30MB/16GB

110MB/16GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

2,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA, HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Proprietary

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Slider/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

3,400

4,050

4,200

4,480

4,650

5,000

5,480

MODELS

MID LEVEL

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SPICE

SAMSUNG

Wave 525

Star 3 Duos

M-6700

cappuccino 2

M-6868

M-6900

Star II Duos 6712

Dimension (mm)

109.5 x 55 x 11.9

102 x 58 x 11.51

111 x 54 x 13.2

107.6 x 55.6 x 13

114.5 x 63 x 12

116 x 62.5 x 11.6

109.5 x 56 x 12.2

Weight (grams)

100

95.5

100

95.5

167

100

15/900

14.3/520

6.2/234

6/288

4.5/450

9.4/218

10/550

Talktime/Standby (hours) Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.0

262,144/3.1

65,536/2.8

262,144/3.4

262,144/3.5

262,144/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

100MB/16GB

20MB/16GB

45MB/16GB

54.7MB/8GB

39MB/8GB

30MB/16GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

2,000

1,500

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/No

Tri Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/No

Bada

Android OS, v2.3

Proprietary

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

5,500

5,650

2,850

3,100

5,300

5,500

6,000

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 98 MY

MODELS

HIGH END

PARAMETERS

SAMSUNG

SONY ERICSSON

SAMSUNG

TAG HEUER

Wave Y

Mix Walkman

Text Pro

Wave 3

Meridiist GMT Stainless Steel/Black PVD

Link

Meridiist Steel & Gold

Dimension (mm)

110.0 x 57.9 x 12.3

95.8 × 52.8 × 14.3

92.0 × 53.0 × 18.0

125.9 x 64.2 x 9.9

112 x 46 x 15.5

118 x 67 x 16.6

112 x 46 x 15.5

Weight (grams)

104.8

136

122

155

200

155

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

12.1/610

9.6/465

5.1/400

14.25/535

7/392

6.5/336

7/392

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.0

16.7million/3.0

16million/4.0

262,144/1.9

16million/3.5

262,144/1.9

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

150MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

100MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/NA

256MB/8GB

NA/NA

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Shared

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Bada OS v2.0

Andriod OS 2.2

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/NA

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

15,000

Starting 2,80,000+/ 3,50,000+

Starting 3,25,000+

Starting 5,40,000+

6,950

6,150

7,400

MODELS

ENTERPRISE LEVEL

VERTU

PARAMETERS Model

APPLE

Ascent

Constellation Ayxta

Ascent Ti

Constellation Quest

Signature

iPhone 4

iPad 2 Wi-Fi

Dimension (mm)

117 x 46 x 19

100 x 48 x 18

115.5 x 49 x 13.1

116 x 60.8 x 12.7

130 x 42 x 13

115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3

241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8

Weight (grams)

148

174

160

165 to 185

166

137

607

4.8/300

6/300

5/300

7.5/349

3.5/300

14/300

10/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/2.0

16million/2.4

16million/2.0

8GB/32GB

16million/2.0

16million/3.5

262,144/9.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

100MB/8GB

4GB/No

16million/2.46

4GB/No

16GB,32GB/No

16,32,64 GB/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

2,000

1,500

Shared

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

iOS4

iOS 4.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Clamshell/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Starting 2,89,000+

Starting 3,47,000+

Starting 3,68,000+

Starting 3,86,000+

Starting 7,22,000+

34,500/40,900

24,500/30.500/36.500

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE 99 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

APPLE

PARAMETERS

BLACKBERRY

Model

i-Pad 2 Wi-Fi+3G

iPhone 4S

New i-Pad Wi-Fi

New i-Pad Wi-Fi+3G

Curve 8520

Curve 9220

Curve 3G 9300

Dimension (mm)

241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8

115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

109 x 60 x 13.9

109 x 60 x 12.7

109 x 60 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

607

140

652

106

102

104

10/720

14/200

9/720

4.5/408

7/432

4.5/461

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/9.7

16million/3.5

16million/9.7

65,536/2.46

65,536/2.44

65,536/2.46

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16,32,64 GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

16,32 64GB/No

256MB/microSD

512MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

iOS 4.3

IOS 5

Quad band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

IOS 5

BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry OS 7.1

BlackBerry OS

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

38,900/ 44,900/50,900

8,800

10,500

13,000

32,900/38,900/44,900 40,000/46,000/56,000 30,500/36,500/42,500

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS Model

Play Book

Curve 9320

Curve 9380

Curve 9360

Bold 9780

9860

Torch 9800

Dimension (mm)

194 x 130 x 10

109 x 60 x 12.7

109 x 60 x 11.2

112 x 62 x 14.2 mm

109 x 60 x 13.9

120 x 62 x 11.5

111 x 62 x 14.6

Weight (grams)

425

103

130

104

135

161.1

10/NA

7/432

5.5/360

5/336

4.5/456

4.7/337

5.5/432

Talktime/Standby (hours) Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/7.0

65,536/2.44

16million/3.2

262,144/2.44

65,536/2.44

16million/3.7

16million/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16,32,64GB/No

512MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

2.5GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

BlackBerry OS 7.1

BlackBerry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/Yes/Yes

13,300/16,900

14,800

16,500

17,000

19,900

20,000

20,350

BlackBerry OS

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 100 MY

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

MODELS

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS Model

HTC

Bold 9790

9810

9900

Porche

Explorer

ChaCha

Wildfire S

Dimension (mm)

110 x 60 x 11.4

111 x 62 14.6

115 x 66 x 10.5

115 x 67 x 11.3

102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9

114 x 64 x 10.7

101.3 x 59.4 x 12.4

Weight (grams)

107

161

130

155

81.3

124

105

Talktime/Standby (hours)

5.1/432

6.5/296

6.3/296

5.5/348

7.6/485

4/120

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/2.45

16 million/3.2

16 million/2.8

16million/2.8

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.6

16million/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

90MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

512MB/microSD

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

YesYes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/No

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Blackberry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS 7.0

Android OS v2.3

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes//Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

24,800

28,750

30,500

1,36,000

8,450

11,400

12,600

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

HTC

PARAMETERS Model

Desire C

One V

Desire V

S-510 Desire S

Radar

Rhyme

Sensation XE

Dimension (mm)

107 X 60 X 11.9

120.3 x 59.7 x 9.24

118.5 x 62.3 x 9.32

115 x 59.8 x 11.6

120.5 x 61.5 x 10.9

119 x 60.8 x 10.85

126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3

Weight (grams)

115

114

130

137

130

151

NA/NA

6.73/261

NA/NA

4/120

10/480

6.3/265

9.1/310

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.5

16million/3.7

16million/4.0

16million/3.7

16million/3.8

16million/3.7

16million/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

1.1GB/32GB

8GB/No

1GB/microSD

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android v4.0

Android OS, v2.3

Windows Phone 7.5

Android OS 2.3

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

14,500

18,000

20,800

22,500

22,600

24,500

32,500

YMOBILE 101 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

HTC

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

IDEA

One S

Evo 3D

OneX

Sensation XL

ID 280

ID 918

Blade

130.9 x 65 x 7.8

126 x 65 x 12.05

134.36 x 69.9 x 8.9

132.5 x 70.7 x 9.9

102 x 53 x 13

111 x 57 x 12

116 x 56.5 x 11.8

119.5

170

130

162.5

126

130

NA/NA

9.3/358

10/290

11.8/360

4/288

4/200

4/192

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

16million/4.7

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/No

1GB/32GB

32GB/No

16GB/No

152MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

152MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Android v4.0

Android OS v2.3

Android OS 4.0

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v2.2

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v2.2

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

33,300

34,000

34,250

36,000

5,650

5,750

7,750

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

KARBONN

PARAMETERS

LAVA

Model

S12

Optimus Me P350

L3 E400

Optimus Pro C660

Optimus Net P690

Dimension (mm)

120 x 60.5 x 11.3

117 x 57.5 x 13.4

108 x 57.5 x 12.2

102.6 x 61.6 x 11.85

119.5 x 59.7 x 12.9

113 x 59 x 11.7

Weight (grams)

120

110

129

121

Talktime/Standby (hours)

4/100

4/200

10.8/590

11/626

12/600

13.5/852

12/581

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.5

NA/3.8

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

120MB/32GB

155MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

170MB/32GB

150MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

QuadBand/No

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v2.3

Android OS 2.2

Android OS v2.2

Android OS v2.3

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,500

9,500

7,300

7,000

7,700

7,750

8,800

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 102 MY

MODELS

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

Optimus One P500

P698

E510

113.5 x 59 x 13.3

114 x 59 x 11.7

113.4 x 60.8 x 11.9

Optimus L5

NEW

118.3X66.5X9.5

E730

Optimus L7 P705

Optimus Black P970

122.5 x 62.5 x 9.8

125.5 x 67 x 8.7

122 x 64 x 9.2

129

124

123

125

107

124

109

8/550

11.5/556

10/900

18.5/496

19/902

6/375

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

16million/4.0

16million/3.8

16million/4.3

16 million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

170MB/32GB

160MB/32GB

Yes/32GB

4GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

2,72GB/32GB

2 GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/N0

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v2.2

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v2.4

Android OS, v4.0

Android OS v2.2

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

9,450

10,000

11,800

14,400

17,000

17,600

18,750

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

PARAMETERS Model

MICROMAX

Optimus 2X

Optimus 3D

LG 3D maxx P725

A50

A70

Fire

123.9 x 63.2 x 10.9

128.8 x 68 x 11.9

126.8 x 67.4 x 9.98

113 x 61 x 13

1112X61X13.2

111 x 58 x 13.5

116.5 x 58 x 13.45

Weight (grams)

139

168

148

116

112

110

Talktime/Standby (hours)

A52

MOTOROLA

Dimension (mm)

NEW

14.5/421

13/450

17.5/365

4/240

5/182

4/168

7/504

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

262,144/3.1

NA/3.2

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

6.4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

132MB/32GB

160MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v2.2

Android OS, v2.3

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA Android OS v2.3

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v2,.3

Android OS v2.2

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

20,850

25,900

28,750

4,700

6,200

7,800

8,350

YMOBILE 103 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

MOTOROLA

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

Fire XT

Defy mini

Defy XT535

Milestone XT800

Defy+

Atrix 2

RazrXT 910

114 x 61.9 x 11.95

109 x 58.5 x 12.5

115x58x11.9

120 x 61.8 x 11.4

107 x 59 x 13.4

125.9 x 66.0 x 10.4

130.7 x 68.9 x 7.1

84.3

107

115

137

118

147

127

9.7/720

9.6/420

9/290

5.4/100

7.10/384

8.9/3821

9.4/305

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.5

262,144/3.2

16million/3.7

16million/4.3

262,144/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

2GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+CDMA

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes/Rev. A Android OS v2.1

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

9,400

11,200

14,500

15,300

15,750

22,300

29,500

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

PARAMETERS Model

MOTOROLA

SAMSUNG

RazrMaxx

Galaxy Pocket 5300

Galaxy Y

Galaxy Y Colour

Galaxy Y Duos

Galaxy Y Duos Pro 5512

5830 Galaxy Ace

Dimension (mm)

130.7 x 68.9 x 8.99

103.90 x 57.90 x 12.98

104.0 x 58.0 x 11.5

109.8 x 60 x 11.95

110.8 x 63.5 x 11.9

112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5

Weight (grams)

145

97.5

109

112.3

113

Talktime/Standby (hours)

17.6/607

15.8/520

6/120

17.5/630

19.16/740

12/520

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.0

262,144/3.1

262,144/2.6

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

3GB/32GB

160MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

158MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS, v4.0

Android OS, v2.3

Android OS, v2.2

Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

31,150

6,900

7,100

7,600

8,950

9,500

11,400

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 104 MY

MODELS

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

Omnia W I8350

Dimension (mm)

115.6 x 58.8 x 10.9

5830 Galaxy Ace Plus

Galaxy Ace Duos

I9003 Galaxy SL

114.7 x 62.5 x 11.2 112.74 x 61.50 x 11.50 123.7 x 64.2 x 10.59

Galaxy Tab2 310 193.7 x 122.4 x 10.5

Galaxy S Plus I9001 Galaxy Advance i9070 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9

123.20 x 63.00 x 9.79

Weight (grams)

115.3

114

122

131

345

119

120

Talktime/Standby (hours)

7/370

11.1/660

16.8/570

12.8/750

30/NA

17.3/480

15.5/690

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.7

262,144/3.7

262,144/3.5

16 million/4.0

7.0/16million

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/No

2.7GB/32GB

3GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Windows Phone 7.5

Android OS, v2.3

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Android OS, v2.2

Android 4.0

Android OS, v2.3

Android 2.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

15,000

15,500

15,650

19,000

19,500

21,000

22,400

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

Galaxy Tab620

Galaxy SII i9100

193.65 x 122.37 x 9.96 125.30 x 66.10 x 8.49 345

116

SONY ERICSSON

Galaxy Note

Galaxy Tab 730

Tab 10.1 1750

Galaxy SIII

Xperia Mini

146.9 x 83 x 9.7

230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6

256.7 x 175.3 x 8.6

136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6

92 x 53 x 18

178

453

565

133

136

40/1000

19.3/710

6/100

NA/1750

9/NA

22.5/830

5.4/331

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/7.0

16million/4.27

16million/5.3

16million/8.9

16million/10.1

16million/4.8

16.7million/3.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/MicroSD

16GB/32GB

16GB/No

16GB/64GB

320MB/16GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.0MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS, v3.2

Android OS, v2.3

Android OS, v3.1

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android 4.0

Android OS 2.3

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

25,600

26,700

30,250

32,500

34,000

37,500

11,500

YMOBILE 105 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

SONY ERICSSON

PARAMETERS Xperia Mini Pro

Live with Walkman

Xperia Active

Xperia Neo V

Xperia Ray

Xperia Pro

Arc S

Dimension (mm)

92 x 53 x 18

106 x 56 x 14.2

106 x 60 x 14.5

116 x 57 x 13

111 x 53 x 9.4

120 x 57 x 13.7

125 x 63 x 8.7

Weight (grams)

136

115

126

100

142

117

Model

5.4/331

6.7/350

3.2/416

6.9/430

6.8/430

6.9/430

7.4/460

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7million/3.0

16million/3.2

16million/3.0

16million/3.7

16million/3.3

16million/3.7

16million/4.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

320MB/16GB

320MB/32GB

120MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

300MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Android OS 2.3

Android OS, v2.3

Yes/Yes

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

12,500

14,250

15,800

17,500

18,500

19,500

25,000

Xperia Sola

Tablet S Wi-Fi

Xperia P

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

PARAMETERS

SONY ERICSSON

SONY Neo L

Model

R800i Xperia Play

Xperia U

Dimension (mm)

119.0 x 62.0 x 16.0

112 x 54 x 12

111X60.3X9.8

120X61X12.8

116.0 x 59.0 x 9.9

241.2 x 174.3 x 10.1

122 x 59.5 x 10.5

Weight (grams)

175

110

131.5

107

598

120

8.25/625

6.6/472

6.3/520

8/575

6/475

11/430

6/475

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16 million/4.0

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/3.7

16million/9.4

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

8GB/No

4GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

16GB/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Xperia go

NEW

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS, v2.3

Android 2.3

Android 4.0

Android 2.3

Android OS, v3.1

Android 2.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

31,000

16,400

17,999

18,499

18,700

21,000

23,500

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 106 MY

MODELS

CDMA

SONY

PARAMETERS

SPICE

CDMA

Model

Tablet S 3G+Wi-Fi

Xperia S

Tablet P

Mi 280

MI 350N

Samsung Hero Plus 159

Samsung B209

Dimension (mm)

241.2 x 174.3 x 10.1

128 x 64 x 10.6

180 x 79 x 28

105.5 x 57 x 12.9

116 x 61 x12.75

108.5 x 45.8 x 13.3

108.0 x 44.8 x 14.3

Weight (grams)

598

144

372

136

72.3

Talktime/Standby (hours)

11/430

7.5/450

NA/120

3.3/150

5/200

3/230

4.3/470

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/9.4

16million/4.3

16million/5.5

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.5

65,536/1.52

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

32GB/No

4GB/32GB

134MB/32GB

170MB/32GB

597KB/No

351KB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

No/No

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

12.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/No

3.2MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Quad Band/No

Frequency/Dual SIM GPRS/EDGE/3G Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Android OS, v3.1

Android OS, v4.0

Android OS, v3.2

Dual Band/NO

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

CDMA/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

No/No/No

Android OS, v2.3

BREW

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

No/Yes

No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Clamshell/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

26,000

31,000

32,000

5,050

7,550

1,000

1,100

Samsung B379

Samsung B339

Samsung Guru 539

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Samsung B229

Samsung Hero B189 Samsung Superstar Samsung Hero B319

Dimension (mm)

108 x 44.38 x 14.20

105 x 44 x 13

108 x 45.4 x 14.7

109.5 x 45.4 x 14.2

108.20 x 47.1 x 14.35

109.6 x 44.9 x 14.0

Weight (grams)

75.7

77.5

6.5/720

3.3/250

3.3/212

3/257

4.3/470

6/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.77

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

450KB/No

NA/No

1MB/No

351KB/No

2.5MB/4+4GB

No/No

Yes/Yes

No/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

500

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/CDMA1X

Operating System

BREW

Music Player/FM Radio

No/No

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,200

1,399

1,450

1,500

1,780

2,300

Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE 107 AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 MY

MODELS

myguide

CDMA

PARAMETERS Samsung Guru Muzik 219

Samsung Guru Dual CDMA

Samsung Duos 169

Mpower TV 239

MTS Live Wire

MTS M-Tag

Samsung Primo Duos

Dimension (mm)

112 x 46.3 x 15.3

114.9 x 47.8 x 14.1

115.5 x 48 x 15.9

118.5 x 50 x 12.45

198 x 54 x 13

113 x 54 x 12

118.8 x 49.9 x 14.07

Weight (grams)

86.7

110

103

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

4/230

6.5/300

4.5/250

4.4/420

3/200

4.4/200

6.67/160

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/1.7

65,536/2.0

65,536/2.2

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

14MB/2GB

7.41MB/4GB

42MB/8GB

85MB/16GB

256MB/32GB

170MB/32GB

75MB/-

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

YesNo

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/No/No

BREW

Operating System Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

CDMA/No

Yes/Yes/CDMA 1X Yes/Yes/EVDO Rev.0 BREW

BREW

CDMA/No

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS, v2.2

BREW

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

2,700

3,400

4,500

4,600

4,800

5,300

5,000

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Dual Band/CDMA+GSM

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Samsung Galaxy Y CDMA

MTS M-Tag401

Galaxy Pop CDMA

Blackberry 8530

Galaxy Ace Duos I589

Blackberry Curve CDMA 9350

Blackberry 9670 Style

Dimension (mm)

104.0 x 58.0 x 11.5

127 x 64 x 13

110.9 x 60.6 x 12.1

109 x 60 x 13.9

112.4 x 59.9 x 12.44

109 x 60 x 11

96 x 60 x 18.5

Weight (grams)

97.5

132

106.6

105

125

131

Talktime/Standby (hours)

6/120

4.3/200

5/320

4.5/252

7/300

4.5/252

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.0

262,144/4.0

262,144/3.14

65,536/NA

16million/3.5

NA/2.44

65,536/NA

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

160MB/32GB

170MB/32GB

164MB/microSD

256MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

YesYes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/NA/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

CDMA/No

Quad Band/No

CDMA/No

Dual Band/CDMA+GSM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/EVDO RevA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Rev.A

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Rev. A

Operating System

Android OS, v2.3

Android OS 2.2

BlackBerry OS

Android OS, v2.3

BlackBerry OS7

BlackBerry OS

Music Player/FM Radio Form Factor/T.Screen/QWERTY Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Clamshell/No/Yes

7,400

8,250

8,900

12,500

16,750

20,990

22,500

YMOBILE AUG 15 to SEP 14 2012 108 MY

fa c e t o fa c e

â&#x20AC;&#x153;VAS market in India is far from saturatedâ&#x20AC;? These are challenging times for VAS players in India, as the sector attempts to carve an identity for itself. We caught up with Rajesh Razdan, Cofounder and director, mCarbon, a VAS innovator delivering context aware offerings, to talk about the state of the market and challenges the sector faces Harshita Rastogi How big is the Indian VAS market? The VAS provider ecosystem involves multiple players such as content owners, aggregators, and technology enablers. Presently, the revenue generated from VAS applications in India is shared in a ratio that is in favour of service providers, with VAS providers getting only a small fraction from the telecom revenue pie. Currently, the mobile value added services (MVAS) market in India is accelerating. It has the potential to generate Rs 55,000 crore by 2015. What kind of revenue share do VAS and applications generate in total? The VAS market currently translates to approximately up to a total of 10 per cent of wireless industry revenues, driven by an increased operator focus on VAS due to continuous fall in voice tariffs, increasing penetration of feature rich handsets, availability of vernacular content, and increased user adoption of VAS applications. With increased availability of differentiated and customised content, GPRS/WAP products, CRBT, and others, which previously accounted for about 5-6

per cent of operator revenue, could finally come of age. VAS market at present is said to be saturated. Would you agree with this? In our view, the VAS market in India is far from saturated. Yes, the demand for the type of VAS that has been made available for the last 5-7 years has gone sluggish because it was going through a major growth curve without anyone worrying too much about quality and relevance, not to mention whether the customer wanted it in the first place. We believe that this trend will bring forth a very new wave of innovations around these areas that will be far more consistent and real. This will also ensure that people and companies will be forced to innovate constantly for the fear of being left out. VAS innovation in this part of the world is still currently plagued by challenges like local language content, user awareness, etc. Also VAS as of today is primarily used as an entertainment medium, though sectors like health, education, infrastructure, banking, commerce, hygiene, sanitation, law and agriculture

offer immense opportunities. However, with growing consumer awareness and rise of a generation that is extremely net-savvy the sector is likely to grow at a healthy pace in India in the long run. What do you think would be the key drivers for mVAS in India? The emergence of smartphones and tablets has revolutionised the manner in which we socialise and work. It has also contributed to an increasingly robust growth in non-voice generated revenue for Telco players worldwide. Availability of smartphones at all price points, wider adoption of Internet on mobile and services like m-Commerce and m-Education are expected to drive the change. The next fourto-five years are critical for the growth for mVAS in India. The cost of connectivity has already moved into highly affordable range and any further step in that direction will certainly propel growth. Interestingly, bringing down the cost of bearer will not increase the dropping ARPU but the corresponding VAS top-up service will. n harshita@mymobile.co.in

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 109

rumour mill

Talk Galaxy Note 2 incoming on August 29?

The Samsung Galaxy Note was one of the products that surprised everybody last year. While critics carped that it was neither a tablet nor a phone (some called it a â&#x20AC;&#x153;phabletâ&#x20AC;?), consumers lined up to get a slice of its stylus-driven action. Now, we are hearing that Samsung will announce its successor on August 29. As per whispers and rumours, it will have a larger, 5.5-inch display, will be powered by a quad core processor, and most surprising of all, will come with a 13.0-megapixel camera. And doing the writing magic this time around will be an improved S-pen. Will it be the kind of success that the original was? We will find out.

in Tech Corners

Other specs remain sketchy but the device is expected in September or October this year.

More iPhone rumours... As we come towards THAT time of the year when a new iPhone is generally announced, rumours surrounding the handset are growing at a rate that can only be called exponential. As per the latest set, the new iPhone will be unveiled on September 12 at an Apple event and will come with a larger display (four inches, as per most sources), a 12.0-megapixel camera and a quad core processor. However, what is going to be most interesting is whether Apple will actually change its 30-pin proprietary port to a smaller one? If it does so, it will necessitate the using of adaptors to make the new iPhone work with older dock-based accessories.

HTC coming out with large HD display handset Lenovo upping tab ante After Samsung and LG, it seems that LG too with ThinkPad Tablet 2 has been bitten by the large display phone bug. If rumours are to be believed, the Taiwanbased manufacturer is planning to come out with a handset with a large 5.0-inch display with a staggering 1794 x 1080 resolution. Powering it will evidently be a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, with a new version of sense running on top of it for good measure. It is not clear whether the device will run Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean.

The world might be bracing itself for an iPad mini and the Microsoft Surface, but other tech players also have plans for the tablet market. And one of the most impressive seems to be coming from Lenovo, which is believed to be working on a sequel to its ThinkPad tablet. According to some of our sources, the ThinkPad 2 will have a 10.1 inch touchscreen display like its predecessor, but there the simi-

110 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

larity ends - it will run on a dual core Intel Clover Trail processors, sport a 1366 x 768 resolution display, have 2 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage space, and most significantly, will run on Windows 8, the same OS that drives Surface. Given the heritage of the ThinkPad brand and the respect it commands (especially in the enterprise sector), we bet that some people in Redmond, and maybe even Cupertino, are worried.

Android and Chrome OS - both on ONE tablet? All right, we must confess that this one seems a tad far fetched by most standards, but we cannot help but be intrigued by rumours in some circles that the next Nexus tablet will not only run the latest version of Android but also Chrome OS. Yes, if speculation triggered by some patents filed by Google are true, then Google is working on a tablet that will come with both of its operating systems - Chrome OS and Android. And that is not all - the form factor of the device will be a hybrid as well, combining a touchscreen with a twist-to-slide-out physical keyboard and touchpad, allowing users to touch as well as type fluently. We have no other specs, but we are already keeping our fingers crossed for this behemoth. n team@mymobile.co.in

Blackberry n BlackBerry is the offspring of Canada-based company Research In Motion (RIM), which has been developing and designing it since 1996. The first true BlackBerry, the 950, was code-named LeapFrog. The BlackBerry 850, the first commercially available device, was released in 1999.

BlackBerry after the seeds of Blackberry fruit. Incidentally, most BB devices at that time were black in colour.

n The device got its fruity name because of the buttons’/keys’ resemblance to seeds. After a detailed research of various fruits by the RIM team, it was named

n There are around 55 million active BBM users in the world.

n Barack Obama is the first President of US to have used a BlackBerry. Incidentally, the US Government uses more than 500,000 BlackBerry phones.

n Just like Bill Gates, RIM co-CEO and co-founder Mike Lazaridis was

n There are even terms for the feelings and emotions that

n BlackBerry’s Internet service allows the device to use two-thirds less data transfer than any other smartphone while still providing the same amount of information.

a college drop-out. n Mike Lazardis remains one of the few tech CEOs to have won an Academy Award. He won it in in 1998 for a digital film barcode reader

Blackberry users experience:AaackBerry-ing | when you have left the house without it BraxBerry-ing | the vibration you get even when you do not have the BlackBerry Whip-Lashberrying | looking at your BlackBerry instead of the road n The BlackBerry has its own term for injuries caused by using it. We have all heard of terms like tennis and golfer’s elbow. The term for overusing the BlackBerry is ‘BlackBerry thumb’.

www.mymobile.co.in

They said it

Talk Time... “I really worry about everything going to the cloud, I think it’s going to be horrendous. I think there are going to be a lot of horrible problems in the next five years.” -Steve Wozniak

co founder of Apple, speaking after performing in monologist Mike Daisey’s “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.”

“Technology has the power to change people’s lives. But to make a difference, we need to carefully consider what to focus on, and make hard decisions about what we won’t pursue. This enables us to devote more time and resources giving you products you love, and making them better for you.” -Max Ibel

Director of Engineering through a blog post on retiring a few Google services.

“Forget Rs 14,000 crore. There is no business case even if the reserve prices were set at Rs 1,650 crore (per Mhz). Idea is losing Rs 170 crore per quarter in each of the seven circles where our licences were quashed by the Supreme Court,” -Himanshu Kapania

managing director, Idea Cellular, quoted in The Economic Times.

“We don’t have the economy of scale to compete against the guys who crank out 60 handsets a year. We have to differentiate and have a focused platform. To deliver BB10 we may need to look at licensing it to someone who can do this at a way better cost proposition than I can do it.” -Thorsten Heins

chief executive of Research in Motion (RIM), to the Telegraph on the possibility of licensing BB10 OS to other handset brands

“Our approach so far has been ad hoc. There are some 12 stakeholders in protecting the cyber defences of India. They are together responsible for the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, which is the principal national agency,” -Shashi Tharoor

MP, during his keynote address at the International Cyber Security and Policing Conference

“We put up a sign that said ‘fight club’ -- first rule of the Purple Project is you don’t talk about Purple Project outside those doors,” -Scott Forstal

senior vice president, Apple, describing the work putin developing the iOS user interface in the patent trial against Samsung

aug 15 to sep 14 2012 MYMOBILE 113

www.mymobile.co.in

persona

Ten Things You Might Not Know About… Mark Zuckerberg, Founder & CEO, Facebook

2 3 4 5 6 7

His friends and co-workers call him ‘Zuck’ but that is not his only nickname. When he was a kid his mother called him ‘Princely.’

He designed his wife, Priscilla Chan’s, wedding ring that has a ruby flanked on either side by diamonds.

He is a fan of Taylor Swift and yes, his list of likes also includes Jay-Z, Green Day and Lady Gaga. When it comes to dressing, he once wore a tie every day for a year!

He is a Star Wars fan and also enjoys Brad Pitt’s movie, Moneyball.

He enjoys long showers. He has thumbed up the page, “I stay longer in the shower because the water is so warm” on Facebook.

His dog has a Facebook page! A big, fluffy, white Puli named Beast, he is mainly a Hungarian Sheepdog. He’s very photogenic and has almost as many pics on his page as Zuckerberg has.

8 9 10

He has only 91 photographs posted on Facebook. There are pictures of food, friends and pets. So we can assume he likes to take photos of what he eats, his hang-outs and his pets.

His favourite book is Ender’s Game and Plato’s works. And he can read and write four non-English languages - French, Hebrew, Latin and ancient Greek.

Zuckerberg was born to Jewish parents, but considers himself an atheist. n

114 MYMOBILE aug 15 to sep 14 2012

Zuckerberg, the brain behind the Facebook phenomenon suffers from red-green colour-blindness. Now you know why Facebook’s main colour is blue! Because blue is the richest colour for Mark- he can see all of blue.

*Disclaimer: The information has been collected from the public domain and not from an interview with Mark Zuckerberg.

RNI REG NO./DELENG/2005/15033 DL (ND) - 11/6100/2012-13-14 (Posting Date 19-20 of every month)