all-magazine-feb-mar-low-res-2013 by My Mobile

feb 15 to mar 14 2013  Rs 75

www.mymobile.co.in

for a connected lifestyle

Force 10

Will BlackBerry rally with its new OS and devices? P 40

æ Game Over, SMS?

Has mobile messaging defeated texting? P 38

æ Appily Safe Five apps that you can use in times of trouble P 68

Anniversary

issue æ Tested

Nokia Lumia 920, HTC Butterfly, HTC 8S, Nokia Asha 308, Idea Ivory and more... P 44

powerlist

device of the month acer iconia b1 P 44

first call

ight years. That might not seem like a long time in normal life. But in technology, well, it’s almost like a millennium. Eight years ago in February 2005, touchscreen phones were the exception rather than the rule, good cameras on phones were still a luxury, accessing the Internet on your handset meant having to put up with WAP sites and when you talked about downloading content to your handset, people still thought in terms of wallpapers and ringtones. Oh, and Apple was a company that only made computers and media players, and a tablet was something you found at a chemist’s.

EDITORIAL Pankaj Mohindroo |

Editor-in-Chief

It was eight years ago that we started My Mobile in an attempt to serve you a slice of the best in mobile technology. And it has been quite a ride. We have seen devices, companies and trends rise and fall, and rise again. A veritable roller coaster. One which we have no intention of getting off. Needless to say, we would not have been able to get this far without your support, and we will continue to strive to be worthy of it. A staple feature of our anniversary issue has the Power List of those who matter in the world of Indian telecom. And this year we have no fewer than eighty worthies, some well-known, others less so, but each of whom has played a role in making Indian telecom what it is today and what it will be in the coming days. A mustread for anyone keeping an eye on Indian telecom, even though I say so myself. There are other features to read as well. We take a look at BlackBerry’s return and whether the new OS will spur the company back to more successful ways. We also take a close look at the challenge that is being posed to one of the most popular mobile services of them all, SMS. And given the shock and outrage over the assault on a lady in Delhi, our Apptastic section looks at apps that can help people in times of distress. Also on board are interactions with key members of industry. And of course, no issue would be complete without our array of burn tests and reviews. And this time, we have a number of key devices, ranging from HTC’s large screen Butterfly to Nokia’s comeback vehicle, the Lumia 920, to the amazingly priced Acer Iconia B1, which we think redefines the budget tablet segment. There is also room for Canon’s first mirrorless DSLR and even a look at the latest edition of Assassin’s Creed.

Ketan Pratap | Reporter

DESIGN Ajit Kumar Parashar | Graphic Designer

C I R CU L A T I O N Lalit Sharma | Sr. Manager – Circulation Amit Prakash | Manager – Circulation

ADVISORY BOARD Prithipal Singh S.C. Khanna S.D. Saxena Rajan Mathews T.R. Dua T.V. Ramachandran Shiv K. Bakhshi

All in all, it is business as usual at My Mobile. As it has been for eight years. And hopefully will be for many more to come.

Sonu Halan Bhasin Bejon Misra

Happy reading from the team. 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. 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

04 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

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 IX, Issue I, February 15, To march 14, 2013

content

powerlist

Communication Commanders: The 80 most powerful people in the telecom industry

spotlight

We take a look at the growing popularity of the messenger service and how its poses a threat to traditional SMS.

just in

Step up with the newst smartphones in town

Chief Speak

Finbarr Moyniham, General Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Business Development, MediaTek, talks about how MediaTek processors have helped in mobile advancement and exciting things in store.

sneak peek

Face To Face Vijender Singh, Managing Director, Pantel Technologies speaks about changes witnessed in the market and future plans.

The smartphone saga continues

34 in focus Gerard Rego, Director â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Developer Experience, Nokia India shares views on the Indian app market and apps to come from Nokia Letters

News

Consumer Forum

Gear Guide

Mobile Doctor

06 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

BlackBerry comes with a new OS and two new devices, but will they revive the company?

content my guide

etc Samsung ATIV convertible, HCL charger, Sony Power Supply, Canon EOS M camera

62 Boredom Busters A lot of action for gaming enthusiasts

BURN TESTS

Give a new look to your pictures with these smart photographic apps

rumour mill

acer iconia b1

nokia asha 308

Trivia

wynncom g3

persona

fly f410

vantage point

idea ivory

my zen tab 773b

htc butterfly

salora PowerMaxx z1

htc 8s

nokia lumia 920

Total number of pages= 100 (96 + 4 cover)

smart apps

New buzz around celltown

Tweet and stay connected with Twitter

Ten facts you might not know about BB's Thorsten Heins

S.Jayadeep Reddy, MD and CEO, ehealth Access

jargon Buster NFC demystified

apptastic

08 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Be safe and secure with these security apps

96 97 98 70

letters It is a delight to read this magazine as it fulfils the need of all the readers who are keen to get themselves updated about all the Gadgets and  Bharat Broadband Gizmos that are currently available  TOP 13 FOR 2013 in the market and are attracting maximum users for the same. The  Aakash, any good? magazine keeps me updated about the whereabouts of multiple brand mobile phones, software, applications, etc. It helps me notice the variations happening in the market  Tested of various gadgets every month. It gives a wide range of knowledge on mobile phones and assists in purchasing the same. Thanks to the My Mobile team for helping me and many more readers by providing details of every gadget. -Pankaj Mishra, Udaipur. JAN 15 to FEB 14 2013  Rs 75

www.mymobile.co.in

FOR A CONNECTED LIFESTYLE

The real picture

P 30

Mobiles, gadgets and games that will rule 2013 P 20

Does the budget tablet for students deliver? P 38

Lenovo S880, Sony Xperia Miro, LG Optimus L9, Micromax Canvas 2, Aakash 2 and more... P 45

NOKIA LUMIA 510

Whenever I read this magazine I get mesmerized by the vast range of information it carries in every issue.As I am a gadget freak, the magazine covers everything including my areas of interest like various mobile applications, software, games and even the various headset devices available in the market. Through the magazine, every month I often end up purchasing quality products for myself. Along with the magazine I also visit your website regularly. I would like to suggest that the My Mobile team enhance the information of multiple gadgets by dividing the sections on its official Web page. -Neeraj Kumar, Amritsar. I am a regular reader of your I AAKASH: magazine and A DISTANT DREAM? I really like the various stories that you cover in every issue. I enjoyed reading the Aakash tablet story published in the January edition. It highlighted every aspect related to the gadget and the controversies surrounding it. I would also like to applaud your team for the selection of stories. The topics are very recent and compel the reader to read. I would request you to include more stories of this kind. -NamitaAhuja, Delhi WWW.MYMOBILE.CO.IN

SPOTLIGHT

It has attracted hype and controversy in equal measure, and has been seen the in hands of our President and the UN Secretary General. But is the Aakash anywhere close to achieving its goal of promoting education in the country? Danish Khan

t started out as an ambitious Government project to promote education, acted as a catalyst to galvanise the Indian budget tablet market, and has attracted praise and criticism by the truckful. Yes, there has never really been a dull moment in the life of the Aakash tablet. The journey of Aakash has been a bumpy one. The first Aakash was severely criticised for outdated specs, faulty units, and unfulfilled pre-orders. Not just the product, even the company that made it, Datawind, was involved in spats with its assembler Quad Electronics, IIT Rajasthan and several partners. At that time, the tender of providing 1,00,000 lakhs tablets was in jeopardy, but interestingly, the Indian government again awarded Datawind with the tender of the Aakash 2 tablet, preferring it to other domestic manufacturers, including Wishtel, the manufacturer of IRA range of tablets that specially caters to the education domain. But even as it was criticised heavily in India, Datawind managed to get accolades in the international arena - from getting several award nominations for manufacturing an innovative product, to the recent acknowledgment by the United Nations for bringing mobile innovation in the education sphere. Lost in the midst of all this praise and criticism, however, has been the core question: has the device been able to serve the purpose for which the Indian Government envisaged it? Its purpose was to revolutionise the Indian education segment by blending mobility with education. It was not just the tablet that mattered, the content on it was important as well - IIT-Bombay is presently conceptualising and developing content for the Aakash 2 tablet. The institute has also developed several applications for the tablet.

New Aakash, more controversy

The second version of the tablet—Aakash 2 came after the storm over the original Aakash, which was rejected by IIT-Rajasthan, which was responsible for testing the device. The rejection resulted in a full-blown spat between Datawind and the IIT. Datawind’s CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said that the decision to reject the Aakash tablets by IIT-Rajasthan was made on unscientific grounds, and claimed that institute imposed rugged military test criteria for the testing of the tablets. He also alleged that the institute secretly signed an MoU with Datawind’s then subcontractor Quad Electronics for the creation of a “convergence device”, which he termed a competitive device to Datawind’s offering. All that controversy led to the release of the technologically superior Aakash 2. The Indian President Pranab Mukherjee launched the Aakash 2, and initial feedback about both its

38 MYMOBILE JAN 15 to FEB 14 2013

COMPARISON CHART Model No

Aakash I

Touch Panel

Resistive

Aakash II

Capacitive

Processor

366 Mhz Connexant

RAM

256MB

Display and resolution:

7” display with 800x480 pixel resolution

Flash

2 GB

4 GB

Android OS

2.2

Cortex A8; 1Ghz 512MB

4.0.3

Front - VGA

Camera

G-Sensor

Sensor Ports

2 USB Ports

Micro SD & Mini-USB (Plus 4-port USB hub)

Network

WiFi dongle support

WiFi with external 3G

Power and

Up to 180 minutes on

Battery Life

battery. AC adapter 200-240 volt range

Audio

Audio out: 3.5mm jack/ Audio in: 3.5mm jack

Audio out: 3.5mm jack Internal Mic

Storage

External 2 GB card included. Expandable up to 32 GB Supported

External 2 GB to 32 GB Supported

design and technical specifications was positive. But once again, it found itself embroiled in another controversy, with many labelling it as a device made in China. We reached out Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of Datawind to learn more about these allegations. While speaking on the manufacturing of the device in China, the Datawind CEO said “We’ve never claimed it is a ‘complete India made device.’ Since the ecosystem of component suppliers exists in China, we had the boards made and tested in China at the initial stages of the Aakash 2 production but the final assembly and programming was done in India. Subsequent to that we had small tablet manufacturers kit together the parts of each unit (using those motherboards, and touch screens from our Montreal facility). The Chinese manufacturers source the components (including the ones we’ve designed) from our nominated subcontractors - which then are brought to India for final assembly and programming.” The CEO assured us that the manufacturing and testing of board used in the Aakash

2 tablet will shift to India over time. “We are also setting up more manufacturing facilities in India, in addition to our current one in Amritsar to fasten our delivery process as we have a huge backlog of orders.” he added.

Will Aakash 2 succeed

The success of Aakash 2 depends upon the content and usability among all educational institutes across the country. The company’s CEO has said that the shipment of the initial batch of 1,00,000 Aakash 2 units for colleges will be complete in the next couple of months. Aakash 2 is purely a Ministry of Human Resource Department (MHRD) product and is restricted only for teaching and training purposes. However, there is a commercial version of the tablet available in the market, which is being sold under UbiSlate 7Ci brand by Datawind. There are improvements galore when compared with the original - the original Aakash tablet had a 366 MHz processor, 256 MB RAM and 7-inch resistive touch creen display with 800x480 pixel resolution.

JAN 15 to FEB 14 2013 MYMOBILE 39

I would like to express my appreciation for the team of My Mobile magazine as it always exceeds my expectations. The magazine not only provides information about the latest and multiple branded mobile phones but also about various gizmos and mobile applications. The best part about the magazine is that it has various articles in EXPERT SPEAK by various well-known gadget gurus that provide a large amount of knowledge and help the readers. The colourful designs inside the magazine and animations related to various

10 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

games and aps also attract attention. I enjoy reading the magazine and really like the Jargon buster section as it every time simplifies the tech world jargon and helps me understand and practise new things. -ManikKhatri, Bhopal. I am a dealer of mobile phones basically, but I used to have limited brands in my stock as I was not completely sure about new brands. But when I switched reading to My Mobile magazine and its website, it helped me a lot by giving information about newly launched products in the market, after which I expanded the variety and brands that I was offering. My customers now need not switch to other dealers in the market and my business is growing rapidly at a fast pace. I appreciate the efforts taken by the team to enhance the quality and by providing to the point content on the website and magazine itself. -Akaash Kumar, UP. I have been following this magazine from 2011, and its content in the field of technology is amazing as it covers almost everything from various service providers, applications, security system, multiple mobile brands, tablets,etc. I liked the “Gear Guide” article for the January-February 2013 edition of the magazine as I am a working woman and a Nokia user and don’t get much time to search the mobile stores to accessorise my Nokia phone according to my budget. But that particular article helped me to make my choice in an easy manner without wasting any time. I simply love this magazine and always make time to go through its monthly editions and the website itself. -Priya, Pune. I am a religious reader of your magazine. I never miss a single edition of it. I always love to read the various and interesting cover stories which you include every time. I really like the concept of the cover story in the January edition, the upcoming thirteen expected devices for 2013. After reading the story I am very keen to read more about these devices. I am a tech-savvy person and like reading a lot about the coming technology and keep myself updated about the latest trends. The stories covered are interesting and keep me well updated as compared to others. I would like to read more of these interesting stories in future as well. -Mohit Yadav, Pune

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

NEWS bits operators & tariffs Aircel launches ‘One nation, one rate’ tariff plan

Telecom operator Aircel has launched a unique tariff plan called ‘One nation, one rate’ which offers one rate for voice, SMS and data in home circles and on roaming for its subscribers. It is the first project of its kind in the industry and has come at a time when other incumbent operators are reducing prices. ‘One nation, one rate’ will provide the following One India tariff to Aircel subscribers: a. Voice – Local/national calling at 1 paisa/second in the home circle as well as on roaming on the Aircel network. Incoming calls while on roaming on the Aircel network will be free. b. SMS – Local and national SMS at Re 1/SMS in the home circle as well as while on roaming. c. Data – User will be able to carry the home circle rate while on roaming. The plan is available in Delhi for Rs. 39. Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel, said that the product will make a mark in the growth of the telecom industry and will also improve the user base of Aircel.

Vodafone join forces with Payback Vodafone India has joined hands with PAYBACK, India’s largest multi-brand loyalty program, as its exclusive partner in the telecom category. The members using PAYBACK will be able to redeem points for a Vodafone recharge as well as avail the Vodafone Bill Pay facility using PAYBACK points. Vodafone customers will also get an opportunity to be part of the exclusive PAYBACK program that enables them to earn and redeem PAYBACK points in more than 50 in-store and online partners brands of the program. Mr. Rahul Rana, Chief Operating Officer, PAYBACK India, said, “Vodafone is one of the leading telecom players and we are delighted to be associated with them”.

Idea Cellular announces ‘Speed Booster’ plan Idea Cellular launched a new 3G ‘Speed Booster’ plan for its postpaid customers. This will allow the 3G users to enjoy high speed data throughout their bill cycle. The plan offers three price points – Rs. 100, 175 and 250 - allowing 300 MB, 500 MB and 1 GB of 3G data, respectively. The plus point of this plan is that the Idea subscribers can take these speed boosters multiple times till the end of the current bill cycle. This new plan is available for purchase from all Idea showrooms for postpaid mobile customers across the country. .

12 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Value Added Services/Applications/ Games Airtel launches ‘Apna Chaupal’ for rural areas Leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel has launched a new voice based portal for VAS called ‘Apna Chaupal.’ This portal will provide all the information in local language on activities like agriculture, devotion, job updates, entertainment, education and health. The portal is designed keeping in mind the rural and semi-urban markets. The user can subscribe to the value added services by dialing the toll free number 58080. The service allows the customers to have easy access to a host of information on varied subjects through a simple process. Rohit Gothi CEO (Delhi/NCR) Bharti Airtel stated, “The purpose of launching ‘Apna Chaupal’ is to provide customers important VAS services from a single portal.”

BBC Sports App for iPhone BBC international has unveiled their official BBC Sports application for iPhone. It provide the users with access to Sports news, live scores, stats, commentary and analysis on-the-go. The app was intitally launched for the UK and offered football scores including starting line-ups, match stats, live text commentary and the post-match report. The app will also incorporate links from the BBC mobile site, which has been optimized with responsive design for stats pages, for other sports, and league news. The app also allows mailing and social sharing. Users can download the app from the Apple iTunes App Store for free.

Airtel rolls out alert service for women Airtel has launched an emergency alert service for its women subscribers in Kolkata, Bengal and Odisha. The service will allow women in these respective areas to seek assistance via an Airtel helpline no. 55100. As soon as the subscriber dials the number, an alert and a recorded voice message will be sent to already 10 pre-loaded numbers. The messages will share the location and time of the sender. Alerts and messages will be repeated thrice in a span of 30 minutes. The service has been made available for free for 30 days for all the women subscribers in the region. After the 30 days period it will cost Rs. 30 per month. The operator is also in talks with the local police in order to make sure that a single number is introduced for the purpose of emergency calls.

NEWS bits Policy & Regulations HANDSETS & MORE HCL rolls out three ME tablets HCL has launched its new range of HCL ME tablets - the ME U2, ME V1 and ME Y3. The tablets were unveiled by the company’s new brand ambassador, India’s U-19 cricket World Cup winning captain, Unmukt Chand. The three ME tablets run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system and come with 3G, video calling, voice calling and dual SIM capabilities. Two have a 7-inch screen display with 800 x 400 pixel resolution - the ME Y3 comes with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution. The HCL ME Y3 has a 3.2-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel front camera. It comes with 4 GB internal storage with a microSD card for further expansion, and has a 1 Ghz Cortex A9 CPU processor, built in GPS and FM Radio with a mini-HDMI port. It costs Rs. 11,999. The HCL is calling HCL ME V1 a phablet as it comes with integrated voice receiver, call vibrate options, and built in EDGE/Data support. It has a 2-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel front camera. It comes with 1 GB RAM and costs Rs. 7,999. The HCL ME U2 has a VGA display and a 0.3 megapixel front camera. The device has 1Ghz Cortex A9 processor with 1GB RAM and 4GB internal storage, which can be expanded to 32GB using a microSD card. It supports external USB dongles and also has a mini HDMI port. It comes with a price tag of Rs. 5, 999.

Blackberry Z10 and Q10 revealed BlackBerry (formerly RIM) launched its much awaited devices, the Blackberry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10. Both the phones run on a new operating system called the BB10 OS. The Z10 is a touchscreen phone and comes with 4.2-inch multi touch IPS LCD display. It is powered by 1.5 GHz dual core processor and packs 2GB of RAM and 16GB inbuilt memory expandable up to 32GB. It boasts an 8.0-megapixel rear camera with a 2.0-megapixel front facing camera. The device includes connectivity options like Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi, and 4G LTE. On the other hand, the Q10 is a touch and type smartphone. It has a 3.1-inch super AMOLED display and beneath it is a QWERTY keypad. It is also powered by 1.5 GHz dual core processor and comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory expandable up to 64GB. It sports an 8.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2.0-megapixel front facing camera for video calling. On the connectivity front, the device offers 4G, LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.

Apple launches a 128GB iPad Apple has rolled out the 128GB version of the fourth generation iPad with Retina display. The 128GB iPad with Wi-Fi and with Wi-Fi + Cellular connectivity will have twice the storage capacity of the 64GB version. It features a 9.7-inch Retina display along with the Apple designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera, iOS 6.1 and ultrafast wireless performance. iOS 6.1 will have support for additional LTE networks around the world, and iTunes Match subscribers can download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud. The iPad runs more than 800,000 apps available on the App Store and includes 300,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad, from a wide range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. All versions of the 128GB iPad will be sold through select Apple Authorised Resellers.

14 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

DoT direct telcos to install remote access towers Keeping security concerns in mind, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom operators to install remote access servers in India in the next six months. DoT has said that, the operators will get permission for remote access only after it is satisfied with the compliance report submitted by the operators. It has also further asked the operators to make an online mirror image and audit trail of the remote access information. These steps have been taken in order to monitor and tighten the norms of remote access and also monitor data and voice traffic on cellular networks from remote locations. Additionally, DoT has asked international long distance operators to provide details of international routes and countries to which their networks are connected directly, and routing of international telecom traffic. Along with this, the operators will also have to give training to officials of DoT and the term cells on remote access methodologies.

Decline in mobile subscriber base: TRAI The mobile subscriber base in the country is on a continuous decline, says the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The number of subscribers has fallen from 890.60 million in November 2012 to 864.72 million at the end of December 2012 with a negative growth of –2.91%. The report further highlighted decline in the urban base of subscribers from 62.19% to 61.65% whereas the share of rural wireless subscribers has increased from 37.81% to 38.35%. According to the regulator, the number of telephone subscribers in India decreased to 895.51 million at the end of December, 2012 from 921.47 million at the end of November 2012, thereby registering a neagtive monthly growth rate of -2.82%. With this, the overall teledensity in India decreased to 73.34 at the end of December, 2012 down from 75.55 of the previous month. The report further highlighted, that during the month Uninor added 9.18 lakh subscribers and the subscriber base of BSNL also improved. But the telecom operators who have shown negative growth are - Reliance Comminucations (RCom) which lost 15.58 crore subscribers during December, followed by Vodafone which lost 32 lakh customers. The subscriber base of Tata has gone down by 29 lakh, Aircel by 19 lakh,, Bharti by 17 lakh, Sistema by 7.8 lakh, Videocon by 3.7 lakh and Idea Cellular has witnessed a drop of 1.9 lakh. Loop and MTNL also lost subscribers marginally during December, according to the regulator’s data.

just in Micromax Canvas HD A116 Canvassing quad core muscle

icromax has been on a launch spree of late, unleashing a number of devices in the market, accompanied by extremely high-profile advertising campaigns. One of the most successful of these was the large-screened Canvas 2, and not surprisingly, the company is seeking to cash in on its success. It has announced its successor, the Micromax Canvas HD A116, which is expected to arrive in the market by the end of February. It will come with much more powerful specs, the most spectacular of them being a 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6589 processor. Also on board will be 1 GB RAM, 4GB internal memory which can be expanded upto 32GB via microSD card, an 8.0-megapixel rear camera and 0.3 pixel front facing one, it has a 5-inch IPS LCD capacitive display with superior pixel density than its predecessor. On the connectivity front the phone will offer 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. It will come with a 2,000 mAh and also have dual SIM support. On the software side, it will run on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and will come with the usual array of Google apps. And of course, it will not cost a bomb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all this is expected to be available for less than Rs 15,000. Small wonder that online booking of the device has already started. n

Nokia Lumia 820

More Windows Phone magic

he Lumia 920 might be grabbing the headlines, but it is not the only arrow in Nokiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Windows Phone 8 arsenal. The Finnish handset manufacturer has also launched the Nokia Lumia 820, which has slightly scaled down specs but still packs quite a punch. The device has a 4.3-inch AMOLED, ClearBlack capacitive display and is powered by 1.5 Ghz dual core Snapdragon S4 processor, and comes with 1GB RAM along with 8GB internal storage, which can be expanded up to 64GB using amicroSD card. For photographers, there is an 8.0-megapixel autofocus camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash. There is also a secondary VGA camera to support video calling. Connectivity options offered by the device include 3G HSPA+, WiFI 802.11b/ g/n, Bluetooth 3.1, GPS/ A-GPS and NFC. The device also supports wireless charging and comes in a variety of colour options such as Black, White, Red, Cyan and Yellow. It is available in the market for Rs. 26,799. n team@mymobile.co.in

16 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

sneak peek Samsung Galaxy S II Plus A classic gets even more muscle

hat do you do when you make a great product? Well, you reinvent and refresh it time and again. And that certainly seems to be the case with Samsung. The company has been expanding its iconic Galaxy S series of smartphones and the latest addition to the line is the Galaxy S II Plus. Running Android 4.1.2, the phone is powered by a 1.2 GHz Cortex A9 dual core processor, and comes with an 8.0-megapixel camera as well as a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED multi touch WVGA display. It has quad-band GSM and 3G support, 1GB of RAM and 8GB inbuilt storage which is expandable up to 64GB via microSD card. It is expected to arrive in April in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 22,000, which might strike some as being steep, but then whoever said that classics were inexpensive? n

Sony Xperia V Sony’s

high five?

ony seems to be putting all its mobile eggs in the Xperia basket. And the result is some stunning handsets. The latest is the Sony Xperia V, a hardware beast in a sleek exterior. It runs on Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and is powered by a 1.5 Ghz Krait dual core processor and 1GB RAM. Serving up visuals is a 4.3-inch TFT touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels with a density of 342ppi. The back houses a 13.0-megapixel camera with LED flash, capable of shooting HD video at 30fps. The phone’s internal memory stands at 8GB, and is expandable to 32 GB using a microSD card. And of course, this being a Sony, the phone is a treat for the eyes, being available in white, pink and black. That’s not all - it is water resistant and scratch proof as well. All this for a price that is expected to be in the vicinity of Rs 26,000? Not bad at all. n

team@mymobile.co.in

18 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

power list

Communication

commanders T You may not know all of them, but they are the men whose every move affects the telecom industry. They are the men who walk in the industry’s corridors of power, affecting the tech destiny and experience of one of the world’s largest mobile markets. my mobile

They come from different parts of the industry - telecom policy makers, operators, handset manufacturers, VAS operators, mobile accessory manufacturers – but what each of them shares is the ability to influence the Indian (and sometimes even international) mobile world, thanks to their standing and influence. So in keeping with our annual tradition of bringing you up to speed with the powers that be of the Indian telecom, here is My Mobile’s Power List of the eighty people who drive India’s telecom fortunes. There are some new names in the list and some have made an exit, but for Indian telecom, each one of these eighty matters.

20 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

www.mymobile.co.in

OPERATORS æ Sunil Bharti Mittal Chairman, Bharti Group

Sunil Bharti Mittal is credited by many for revolutionising the whole industry. Mittal appeared in the telecom industry in 1984 and entered the mobile domain in 1995 by launching Airtel mobile services in New Delhi. His leadership skills sustained the spirits and rejuvenated the company in 2012, when its stocks dipped. Airtel today is one of the leading names in not just the Indian telecom arena but is also making its presence felt in Africa and parts of Asia.

æ Sanjay Kapoor

CEO, Bharti Airtel, India and South Asia

Sanjay Kapoor has had a remarkably successful career in the field of telecommunication, and comes with a track record that few CEO’s can match. He joined Bharti Group in 1998 and since then has grown meteorically with the company. It was under Sanjay, the company rolled out 3G services in India and transformed itself from voice driven organisation to a voice and data driven one. As he moves on, his parting shot has been the tariff rationalisation and increase which should ensure the survival of the industry.

æ Marten Pieters CEO, Vodafone Essar

Vodafone has been doing business in India for more than 14 years but the period following the appointment of Marten Pieters as CEO (in 2009) have been some of the most busy ones for the company. Vodafone today commands a significant chunk of subscribers in India, has stepped up its consumer friendliness, and is considered among the top three telecom operators in India in terms of subscriber base. And a lot of this is due to the initiatives of the limelight-shunning Pieters.

æ Himanshu Kapania MD, Idea Cellular

Himanshu Kapania is known for coming up with out of the box ideas and executing them at lightning fast speeds. And this has helped in catapulting Idea Cellular into the league of India’s top telecom entities. Kapania is responsible for strengthening Idea’s dominance in established service areas, while also launching services in new service areas and expanding brand presence in other major markets in India. His next challenge will be to maintain his creative streak and keep subscribers hooked as competition intensifies.

æ Srinath Narasimhan

Managing Director, Tata Teleservices Limited

He has held various positions in project management, sales and marketing, also corporate positions in several Tata companies, Srinath Narasimhan has been driving is the managing director of Tata Teleservices Limited and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited. He spearheads all operations at Tata Teleservices Limited along with TTML that serves in more than 4,50,000 towns and villages across the country. Srinath is spearheading new projects in high-technology areas such as process automation, computers and telecom.

æ Deepak Gulati

Executive PresidentMobility Business, Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL)

Deepak Gulati has been a name to reckon with in the telecom sector and is the kind of business executive who believes in leading from the front. His major strength lies in the areas of sales, distribution and he has already won accolades for spearheading the launch of GSM services across various circles in the country. Despite being one of the youngest telecom operators in India, Tata Teleservices today has risen to be one of the key players in the industry thanks to men like Deepak Gulati.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 21

power list æ Sunil Sood

Director Business Operations – South and West, Vodafone Essar

“Work hard, play hard” has been Sunil Sood’s motto. Guided by his management skills, Vodafone has grown from strength to strength in the country. He joined the company in April 2000 and since then has served on various top management posts, bringing about significant growth for Vodafone in every region he has headed. However, with the subscriber base getting saturated, he faces a new challenge in the form of finding new revenue streams, but then he loves to work hard.

æ R.K Upadhyay

æ Vesevolod

CMD, BSNL

R.K. Upadhyay is credited with being the man who reinvented BSNL. At a time when the company was showing signs of stagnation, Upadhyay was the man who took charge and turned matters around. Last year BSNL reported a gain in subscriber base in certain circles, which is a sign of just how well he is succeeding. As the managing director of BSNL, he is one of major driving forces behind India’s broadband expansion, a role to which he is eminently suited.

æ Sigve Brekke

æ Gurdeep Singh

Rozanov

CEO, MTS

Vesevold Rozanov is acknowledged by many as being the force behind the growth of MTS in India. He has a deep understanding of customer’s needs, as can be seen from his decision to steer MTS into high speed data services segment. Today MTS has a significant presence in the data broadband market with its competitive 2G and 3G tariffs beating many big players. However, voice services is a different ball game altogether, and that is Rozanov’s next challenge.

MD, Uninor

President and CEO, Wireless Business, Reliance

Sigve Brekke’s efforts have made Uninor among those few emerging operators in the country who have been able to make their presence felt in an extremely competitive market. As the head of Asia operations for Telenor, Sigve Brekke has helped the Uninor brand make a good start in the Indian market. However, well begun is only half done and his next challenge will be to sustain growth while building the brand. No one doubts his ability to do both.

Those who know about telecom industry know that Gurdeep Singh is a man to look out for. It was his initiatives that brought Aircel back into the picture a few years ago when the company was not doing well. And now he has a pivotal role to play in the growth of Reliance Communication, in the face of some very intense competition. He is unlikely to be fazed by the challenge, though, given his skills and superb track record.

æ Vineet Taneja

Operations Director, South & Sri Lanka, Airtel

Vineet Taneja joined Airtel in August 2011, prior to which he was the Chief Marketing Officer at Nokia India, and had also served with Hindustan Lever for almost 17 years across India and abroad in a variety of roles. All of which has equipped him with a vast reservoir of knowledge and skills of both the industry and the consumers. As this is being written, there are rumours that he might be moving on, after an exceptional tenure.

22 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

www.mymobile.co.in

æ K Srinivas

President, Consumer Business, Airtel

K Srinivas has proved to be talismanic for Airtel. During his tenure, Srini has helped the company achieve a dominant leadership position, overtaking all key competitors. He spearheaded the launch of Airtel’s first 100% venture overseas by successfully translating the unique business model of the company beyond the shores of the country. More than two decades of working experience in companies like Britannia, Nabisco and Hindustan Lever have served this IIM-Bangalore post-graduate well. And Airtel too.

æ Anuradha

Aggarwal

æ Jyoti Pawar

Senior Vice President, Brand Communication, Insights and Online, Vodafone India

Director, Legal and Regulatory, Bharti Airtel

Anuradha Aggarwal took over as the Senior Vice President in January 2012 and has since helped Vodafone reach new levels of excellence. She has extensive domain expertise in sales, marketing – innovation, activation and general management, and has been instrumental in developing and activating both product and service brands in India and South Asia. And the SRCC graduate has only got started. Expect more from her in the coming months.

Regulation is an area that requires immense knowledge, expertise and a sharp mind that can understand the nitty-gritty of government policies and use them for the benefit of the company. Jyoti Pawar comes armed with these skills, which help her in dealing with issues resulting from crucial regulatory policies. She has been one of the industry’s key persons in interactions on regulatory matters, bringing experience accumulated over 16 years of extensive exposure in civil and criminal litigation, commercial arbitration, corporate laws, finance laws, commercial and transactional work, into play.

æ R.S. Mathews

General Secretary, COAI

He possesses a vast knowledge of finance and administration in addition to his experience of operating in India during the build-out of Birla-AT&T’s Gujarat and Maharashtra circles. He sits on the board of several community non-profit organizations and has over the course of his career, gained extensive experience of organisational leadership and mergers, acquisitions, turnarounds and spin-offs, financial operations, sales and marketing and strategic planning. Experience that he has put to good use in the COAI, where he has been in the thick of action in matters pertaining to legislation and other key issues.

æ Rajat Mukarji

Chief Corporate Affairs, Idea Cellular

æ T V Ramachandran

Resident Director, Regulatory Affairs & Govt. Relations, Vodafone Essar

People in the industry refer to TV Ramachandran respectfully as the ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of the telecom industry. And with good reason. Prior to his role in Vodafone, Ramchandran headed the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) as Director-General for 12 years. He is a regular advisor to Government and non-government organisations and played a pivotal role in shaping the regulatory framework in the country. He was also the founder-Chairman of the Indian chapter of the world-wide GSM MoU Association.

He has shown outstanding ability in managing key projects for Idea. And it is largely through his experience in consumer durables and products as well as strategic insights that Idea is among the top three telecom operators in India. With intense customer focus, a handson management style and strong team building skills, he enjoys the challenge of quickly scaling up operational environments. Over that, he understands the telecom regulations well and has immense knowledge of government policies and its implementations. Which is why, he has been able to contribute to them in a huge manner.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 23

power list æ Sashi Shankar CMO, Idea Cellular

Imbued with a spirit of entrepreneurship and possessing the knack of taking calculated risks, Sashi Shankar has managed to keep one step ahead of the competition, as he endeavours to build high brand visibility for Idea. Although he believes in delegating work and providing adequate freedom for people to perform, he is not averse to switching to a hands-on approach when needed. And so far it has served Idea very well indeed.

æ Jagbir Singh

Director, Network Services Group, Airtel

He is the man behind Bharti Airtel’s 4G strategies in India and it was under his regime that the company last year announced an acquisition of 49 percent of Qualcomm’s Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) venture to expand Airtel’s 4G footprint. Before joining Airtel, Singh worked with different companies like Reliance Communications, Nortel (APAC), Lucent Technologies, and the Defence Research and Development Organisation. He also served as Group CTO, Bharti Airtel for almost nine years where he was responsible for strategic planning of the mobile networks.

handsets æ P. Balaji

Vice President and Managing Director, Nokia India

2 æ B.D Park

CEO, Samsung South West Asia Operations

BD Park has been the driving force behind Samsung’s success story in India. The year 2012 saw it forge ahead and become the leader in the mobile handset segment. And its CEO has played a key role in this success, focusing on smartphones and making the smartphone a mainstream product. He has also built a very strong retail network, paving the way for the company’s rise in the smartphone category.

His move from Sony to Nokia came as a surprise to many people. After all, he had generated remarkable growth (over 200 per cent) for Sony in the mobile segment. Perhaps that is why Nokia decided that it needed someone like him to sustain its position of strength in the Indian market. He brings years of experience, humility and a strong relationship with channel partners that should further strengthen Nokia’s position in the market. Everyone in the telecom industry will be watching his progress with interest in 2013.

24 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

æ Rahul Sharma,

Rajesh Agarwal, Sumeet Arora and Vikas Jain Executive Director, MD, CTO, Business Director Micromax Informatics

Taking a huge jump to number three in our list of power is the Micromax leadership team. Known in the past for their offerings in the lower price segment, the company has been making its presence felt in the higher price echelons, thanks to products like the Canvas 2 and the Superfone A90. And it shows no sign of losing momentum – even as we write, the company is preparing a budget quad core device for the Indian market.

æ Kenichiro Hibi MD, Sony India

In 2011, we saw Sony parting ways with Ericsson and soon after in Mid 2012 we saw a new MD of the corporation in the form of Kenichiro Hibi. Under his guidance the company has started to pick up steam and has brought many good designs. Hibi brings with him over 23 years of diversified experience in Sony, with a host of senior level positions to his credit. It is experience he can be expected to use wisely as Sony forges ahead in India.

www.mymobile.co.in

æ Sudhir Hasija and Pradeep Jain Chairman and Director, MD, Karbonn Mobiles

Staying put at number six from last year is this Karbon Duo. With strong distribution skills, the Karbonn brand is doing very well in metros and rural towns. Both Hasija and Jain are known to be very helpful and focused on relation building, and have set Karbon on the path of becoming one of India’s leading mobile device brands. They will be facing stiff competition but knowing them, they would be able to handle it.

æ Faisal Siddiqui

Country Head India, HTC

æ Sunil Dutt

Faisal Siddiqui is known for his sheer efficiency and as a mentor. And it is these qualities that have come to the fore during his tenure at HTC India, which has seen the company launch a number of handsets across all segments. One of the key challenges he is likely to face is improving the distribution system and support around the brand – an area where it trails the likes of Nokia and Sony. He is tackling it with typical forthrightness.

MD, Blackberry India

He is known as the turnaround artist, who has exceptional knowledge of the communication industry and handset segment. So who better than him to drive the fortunes of BlackBerry as the company prepares for an era of transition, moving not just from the enterprise segment to the mainstream but also from an older platform to a brand new one. And who better than Sunil Dutt to oversee this transformation? It would be a brave person who would bet against his pulling it off.

æ Maneesh Dhir and Sanjay Kaul

Country Sales Manager and Head, Telecom Business, Apple

The duo come to the Apple table when the company (finally) looks to expand its presence in India beyond a few niche pockets. They will have their hands full given the price sensitivity of the Indian consumer, even as they try to make Apple a brand to resonate with the masses. Competitors like Samsung and Nokia are unlikely to sit still either. And as the market wonders whether Apple will release a mid-segment phone this year, the duo has one of the most challenging tasks ahead of them. And in all probability, will be relishing it.

æ Viral Oza

Marketing Director, Nokia India

Viral Oza is one of the Finnish manufacturer’s best campaigners, with a knack for reaching out to the consumer in an innovative manner. Considered one of the best brains in the industry, he has been playing a key role in Nokia’s strategy since the shift from Symbian to Windows Phone, and is expected to further strengthen the position of one of the strongest mobile brands in the country.

æ Rahul Saighal

Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung India

An Economics graduate from St. Stephens College Delhi and an MBA in marketing, Rahul brings a vast reservoir of knowledge and experience with him to Samsung. And it has definitely been showing in the company’s performance. He is one of the reasons behind Samsung’s rise to prominence, allying tactical marketing with large investments that has helped the company expand its robust distribution network.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 25

power list æ Harsh Chitale

CEO, HCL Infosystems

When Harsh joined the HCL brand everyone had just one question on their mind - would he be able to revive and push the brand to new levels? Well, the 41-year-old is definitely proceeding on those lines. An IIT gold medallist, he is the person spearheading the operations at HCL, and has leveraged the HCL hardware business as he tries to turn the company around.

æ S N Rai, Sunil Bhalla, Vishal Sehgal, Hari Om Rai

Co Founder and Directors, Lava International Ltd.

Rising a few steps in the ranks are founders of Lava, who have combined their marketing skills with a strong belief in research and development. Like many Indian brands, Lava too has faced challenges from established international brands with deep pockets and great brand equity. It is to the company’s credit that it has managed to carve a niche for itself against such odds. And for that, its founders should take a bow.

æ Prakash Katama æ BK Modi

æ Y. Guru

Group Chairman, Spice Group

MD, Celkon Mobiles

A new entrant in our list of the powerful is Y Guru, the man behind Celkon Mobiles, which has rapidly emerged as one of the key players in the Indian mobile market. The company is in the process of building a manufacturing unit at Maheshwaram and has made an investment of Rs 500 crores. Round that off with research and development based in India and star cricketer Virat Kohli as a brand ambassador, Guru clearly has got the brand headed in only one direction.

He had taken a back seat in operations, but his love for technology could not keep him backstage and now he is back in the spotlight. In charge of the company once again, he has diversified it to become more vibrant and appealing to the consumers. His witty style and sense of humour appeals to all, and well, the man certainly knows how to dress with flair.

æ Victor Shanxin

President, Huawei Devices, India

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 tie-ups. Under the guidance of Victor Shanxin, Huawei India could well prove to be one of the biggest gainers in the Indian mobile market, not just in handsets but also in dongles.

26 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Director of Factory Operations, Nokia

He held a number of senior positions in the company before taking over as Director of Factory Operations for Nokia. And this has given Prakash Katama exceptional knowledge of the demand and supply network along with logistics. He governs Nokia’s plant, which is the world’s largest mobile phone plant for which he lays down the quality controls, enabling the plant to send products to over 100 countries. Very much the factory man for Nokia.

www.mymobile.co.in

æ Ambrish Bakaya

æ Ashok Gupta

Vice President Corporate affairs, Samsung India

CMD, Telemart

His name has been connected with the mobile industry since its very onset. Known for his understanding of the mobile distribution sector, Ashok Gupta and has worked closely with a number of leading brands. He is the man behind Telemart which handled Nokia’s distribution for a decade but later joined hands with Samsung. And see what happened!

æ Govind

UttamChandani

MD, SSK Telecom

æ V Ramnath

A chemical engineer and an MBA, Govind Chandani, or Govind Bhai as he is fondly called, is credited with establishing a strong distribution network for Samsung. The head of one of the biggest entrepreneurially-driven distribution companies in India, he is going to have his hands full with a number of distribution chains entering the segment. We expect him to react with something special again.

Director Sales, Nokia

A sales wizard, V Ramnath knows just what is needed to make a product click. In his earlier role, he built strong relations with operators for Nokia and now is heading the company’s sales division. He handles one of the biggest retail and distribution networks in the country and will be looking to ratchet things up a notch, to win back lost territory from Samsung.

Ambrish Bakaya is also one of its most senior members, having been in the mobile handset industry since 1995-96. An expert in handling corporate affairs and operator business, he has built a bridge between Samsung and key mobile operators and substantially increased Samsung’s visibility in the regulatory eco system. It is not just revenues that he is gunning for, his main aim is to promote and educate society to enable it to embrace the new wave of mobile adaptation. We are rooting for him to succeed.

policy æ Kapil Sibal

Minister of Communication and IT

One of the most high-profile members of the cabinet, Kapil Sibal has seen a number of ups and downs in his tenure as Minister of Communication and IT, but to his credit has never been anything less than forthright. His initiatives in fiber network have won him acclaim, although the 2G auctions did fetch some flak. He now faces the challenge of taking the telecom industry out of the quagmire in which it finds itself today and to restore it to its former glory. Whatever happens, this is one minister who will always be ready with a quip.

æ Rahul Khullar

Chairman, TRAI

This IAS officer has been in the eye of one storm after another ever since he took office in May 2012. His first order of business in this position was to sort out the claims over the auction prices. His performance in this regard has been appreciated, as has been his consumer-friendly approach – he recently assured the consumers that mobile tariffs are constantly monitored by TRAI and no harm will come to them.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 27

power list æ R. Chandrashekhar Secretary, DOT

When a person has keen and complete knowledge of technology, it shows. The secretary of DoT is one of those rare people who knows exactly what they want to do, and how to do it. His mobile broadband and optic fiber segment initiative had slow starts but have since picked up speed. He is set to bring broadband to the masses in cities and villages, and his move to issue unified licenses after a TRAI directive has yielded good results too.

æ Ajay Kumar

Joint Secretary, DIT

A leader in policy making, Dr Ajay Kumar’s policies have proved beneficial for the industry and have yielded good results. He fast-tracked the framework to spur manufacturing of electronics, and has always believed in engaging external consultants outside the department to help in the promotion of the electronic industry in the country. Both approaches are expected to reap rich dividends.

æ Milind Deora

MoS, Ministry of IT and communication

Son of veteran politican Murali Deora, this young minister of state has hit the ground running in his tenure. A B.A in Business and Political Science, he completed his studies from the Boston University, and is the youngest member of Lok Sabha. He has played an admirable supporting role to the senior minister, Kapil Sibal in the ministry.

æ N. Ravi Shanker

CEO, Bharat Broadband

He is the CEO of the Government broadband firm that has one aim – to spread the Internet to the remotest corners of the country. Ravi Shankar aims to make Bharat Broadband a catalyst for increasing broadband penetration in rural areas so as to foster socio-economic development. And these are not mere words – under his guidance, rural India is getting online and who knows, we might just see upto 100 MBPS speeds at gram panchayats.

equipment æ Akhil Kumar Gupta

MD and Vice Chairman, Bharti Infratel

He has won a host of awards, the most recent one being the ‘best CEO of the year’ at the National Telecom Award 2012. But that only tells part of the story that is Akhil Kumar Gupta. His expertise in financial and strategic matters has played a major role in his success. He also ventured along with Vodafone and Idea to set up Indus Tower, which has now become the largest tower company around the globe. More awards surely await.

æ Sandeep Girotra

Head of India Region, Nokia Siemens Networks

He is responsible for sales and operations in the area, a field to which he brings skills and experience accumulated over 20 years. Known for his business and operational management skills as well as strategic brilliance, he has played a key role in the growth of the company he joined in 1996. His efforts have driven growth across a number of customers including Aircel, Idea and Tata.

28 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

www.mymobile.co.in

æ Jeffrey M. White

President, India & SAARC and Leader of India Board, Cisco

Jeffrey M White has been associated with Cisco since 1997 and has held different key positions in this period. A person who appreciates the potential of the Indian market, he aims to further the growth of his company by strengthening innovation and forging healthy relationships with the customers, partners and the government. Given his track record, he has a very good chance of succeeding.

æ Cai Liqun

CEO, Huawei Telecommunications India

Associated with Huawei since 1995, Cai Liqun is responsible for handling overall business strategies and implementations as well as operational management for the India region. His tenure at Huawei has been notable for his supervision of the development of Wi-Fi, CDMA, WiMax and Core Network products. He believes that focusing on one’s goal will lead to achievements, and certainly has success squarely in his sights.

æ Fredrik Jejdling Head Region India, Ericsson

He was appointed by the company to manage the India region in June 2011, a time when the Indian telecom industry was going through a tight phase as 122 licences were scrapped. It is therefore a tribute to his business acumen that he has helped the company do well even in these rough times, acquiring good market opportunities along the way. He perceives India as a great market and has every intention of making it a profit centre for Ericsson.

æ Rajiv Mehrotra

Founder, Chairman and CEO, VNL

He founded the company in 2004, with a vision of taking telecom to the next level and to connect millions of people around the world connect with each other. In particular, he wants his company to transform lives of people living in rural areas. And his company is following his vision, developing sustainable solutions for wireless and voice broadband services. His achievements have won him the 69th position in the ‘Global Telecom Power 100 list.’

æ Umang Das President, Viom Networks

æ Dr. Avneesh Agrawal

Sr. Vice President & President of India and South Asia, Qualcomm

1Associated with Qualcomm since 1994, Avneesh Agrawal has held key posts in the organization, demonstrating his intellect and leadership skills. His dedication to innovation can be gauged by the fact that he has 84 US patents. His knowledge and skills have played a major role in Qualcomm’s rise in recent times.

Apart from helping his company avail many growth opportunities in the past, Umang Das is also known for his contributions to the telecom industry, including establishing the cellular mobile telephony business in the country. It is a reflection of his dedication and business acumen that Viom Networks has become the world’s largest independent telecom infrastructure company with over 40,000 towers across 22 telecom circles in the country.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 29

power list æ Manoj Tirodkar Chairman and MD, GTL

A first generation entrepreneur who firmly believes in green telecom, Manoj Tirodkar’s leadership has helped GTL, a company that basically deals with network services, shared telecom infrastructure and power management services, strike partnerships with global technology leaders like Qualcomm, Ericsson, Alcatel - Lucent, and Nokia Siemens Networks. And it is not just revenues that he is after – he and his company are also working on its carbon footprint by investing in solutions which are energy efficient.

æ Sameer Sinha

Chief Sales and Marketing officer, Indus Towers

Arriving at Indus Towers after working in a number of reputable organisations, Sameer Sinha’s key responsibilities in the company involve sales, business development, marketing, branding and collections. It is a diverse role but experience accumulated in an association with the telecom industry that goes all the way back to the era when privatization had just started, has helped him drive the company to new heights.

retail

æ Asim Warsi Vice President, Samsung Mobile

æ Ajit Joshi

æ Satish Babu

MD and CEO, Croma (Infiniti Retail)

Founder, Univercell

An MBA from Melbourne Business School, Ajit Joshi has over 20 years of experience and has always believed in delivering the best retail experience to customers around the world. Under his direction, Croma has emerged as one of the major players in the Indian retail market. He prefers to keep a low profile, though, working away to satisfy the customer. And more often than not, succeeding.

Known to be determined and strong willed, Satish Babu has made Univercell one of the country’s largest mobile retailers and best-known brands. His experience and the ability in analysing consumer behaviour, coupled with a firm belief in innovation being the key to success have helped the company achieve a consumer base of 10 million. And he shows no signs of slowing down.

He believes that passion is the main factor behind decision making, and therefore ensures that management works with enthusiasm to get results. And it is this passion that has made him one of the best-known names in the telecom industry, and played a key role in making Samsung the mobile behemoth it is today. He handles 8,000 branded outlets of the company all over India and also plays a crucial role in the launching of new devices.

30 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

æ Himanshu

Chakrawarti and Moin Mushtaque

CEO, Vice President Handsets and Accessories Business, The Mobile Store

The MobileStore offers a comprehensive experience to the consumer, ranging from handset purchase to the service operator choice and multiple other services like monthly bill collections, new postpaid and prepaid connections. Presently the company is aiming for 1,000 outlets across 150 cities in India. And the men who are trying to make this possible are Himanshu Chakrawarti and Moin Mushtaque. Neither is averse to taking a risk, but both also believe in maintaining healthy relationships with associates, partners and vendors.

www.mymobile.co.in

æ L Subhash Chandra

Chairman and MD, Sangeetha Mobiles

L Subhash Chandra believes in taking risks and facing challenges. And is this attitude, combined with an ability to put in hour after hour of hard work in a strict working regime, that has played a major role in making the Bengaluru-based Sangeetha Mobiles a well known brand today. The company has a base of 2 million customers and continues to grow, thanks to the man driving it.

æ M. Balu Chaudhary

Chairman, MD, Big C Mobile

æ Kannan

Big C Mobile was started with the goal of becoming a national player in mobile and mobile accessories in the Indian market. Today it is one of the biggest retail chains in Andhra Pradesh in the telecom space. A lot of the credit for this goes to M Balu Chaudhary who believes in extending best shopping experience to customers by providing a wide range of mobiles coupled with best price. A dedicated and determined man, he works over time to expand his company’s consumer base.

Gopalakrishnan

Director, Retail, Nokia India

When it comes to experience in marketing, retail and sales, there are not too many people who can match Kannan Gopalkrishnan. This management graduate from IIM-Kolkota believes in developing and implementing his vision within his team. Assigned with the responsibility of managing multiple retail stores of the brand, he has been instrumental in optimising Nokia’s presence in over 400 cities and towns. A man with a vision, who also delivers on it!

æ Kaushal

Nevrekar

CMO, Reliance Digital

A person with ample experience in the retail and telecom industry, Kaushal Nevrekar has the responsibility of buying and merchandising consumer durables, IT and telecom products at Reliance Digital, iStores by Reliance Digital and other formats of Reliance Retail where these product categories are merchandised. He is also one of the innovators who brought data enabled mobile phones to Indian consumers under the co-branding of Reliance and was associated with the launch of the brand ‘Reconnect.’ Beneath the friendly exterior lurks a brilliant mind.

æ Kanni Uvaraj

and Uvaraj

MD, CEO, Poorvika Mobiles

æ Krishna Kumar and Vinay Nath

COO (DelhiOperation) and Head National support, Vice President and Head Category and Commercial, Spice Hotspot

Vinay Nath and Krishna Kumar are gunning to make Spice Retail provide consumers with the best prices for various smartphones and accessories. And so far, they are showing signs of succeeding, thanks to their focus of making a wide range of products available at a good price. This duo is clearly putting their years of experience in the retail sector to very good use.

Poorvika Mobiles was started with the aim to provide excellent customer service to the South Indian mobile market by the Uvaraj couple, in 2004 with only one showroom dealing in mobile phones of various brands and their accessories. Today Poorvika Mobiles has as many as 155 showrooms and is still growing. Dedication to customer satisfaction and sheer hard work are exemplified by this couple who have made their company a well-known brand in a very competitive industry.

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 31

power list vas æ Vishwanath Alluri

Founder, Chairman and CEO, IMImobile

He founded IMImobile to make the most of the country’s intellectual resources for technological advancement, and he has been successful in doing that. Of course, he is no mood to rest on his laurels, no matter how considerable they are. He believes in innovation and wants to expand his business in the coming years. Given his track record, who would dare to wager against him?

æ Neeraj Roy

MD and CEO, Hungama Mobile

He always wanted to be an entrepreneur and it is a testament to his determination and grit that he has become just that. Under his leadership, Hungama today has become South Asia’s largest digital and mobile entertainment company. He has created a strong presence in the VAS segment and is all set to take his company to greater heights, notwithstanding the cynics and naysayers.

æ Vijay Shekhar Sharma

æ Debasis

CEO, NetXcell

Founder and CEO, One97

He started his career with a small Internet-based business while in college. And then he founded One97, which is a frontier settler in mobile internet services for Indian consumers. Under his leadership, the company has been able to deliver mobile content, advertising and commerce services to consumers. With VAS facing a significant challenge from the app revolution, he has yet another challenge on his hands today.

æ Manoranjan

Mohapatra

CEO, Comviva

He started his career wishing to expand and deploy innovative communication solutions in developing markets. And he has certainly taken a step in that direction, and is today seen as one of the pioneers in offshore software services. Known as ‘Mao,’ he has a deep knowledge of telecomrelated technology and has provided strong leadership to establish Comviva as a complete VAS solutions company.

æ Vishwadeep Bajaj

Founder and CEO, ValueFirst

He started ValueFirst with a view to provide customers with a platform that offered enhanced services related to SMS, Voice, USSD, WAP, Media, Apps and digital properties. His expertise and knowledge led to the company becoming one of the leading digital media enterprises in India. Most people would have been content with having achieved this much. Vishwadeep Bajaj is however looking for new frontiers to conquer.

accessories æ Manisha Sood

Country manager and Director, India and SAARC,SanDisk

At SanDisk, Manisha Sood is responsible for establishing the sales and marketing infrastructure within India. She also oversees the sales of memory cards and USB products through leveraged distribution channels and a sales coverage model in major cities across India. If SanDisk is one of the leading brands in mobile and digital devices memory cards in India today, it is in no small measure due to her efforts.

32 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Chatterji

He is known for his clear vision and a go-getter attitude, both of which have come to the fore as NetXcell has commenced its operations in Africa. The company has gained a user base of 250 million customers under his supervision, and also won the ‘Silver Award,’ attaining recognition as one of the most innovative software companies around. He also received the ‘Indra Super Achiever’ award for his hard achievements. Something tells us he will win even more in the coming days.

www.mymobile.co.in

æ Mohit Anand MD, Belkin India

Anand has been at Belkin since 2008, and has led the company’s expedition into the wireless networking sector. Responsible for sub-continental operations, he has been closely involved in Belkin’s strategy around product improvement and marketplace presence. For many people, he is the face of Belkin in India and is credited with bringing a number of international products to the country.

æ Nitesh Gupta

æ Ratish Pandey

Director, Molife

General ManagerIndia, Bose

He is not just responsible for Bose India, but has also been instrumental in setting up a subsidiary in Dubai. Ratish took on the responsibility of leading the India operations in January 2001, and since then, he has led the company capably, expanding its operations throughout the country in personal audio products and phone headsets, in spite of being in charge of a brand that is perceived as expensive.

æ Bobby Joseph Country Manager, Plantronics India

He has been with the company for nine years and was involved in setting up the complete operations for Plantronics in the region, including setting up back-office support and infrastructure and other aspects like accounting, auditing and financial management. His core responsibilities include supervising the day to day functioning, marketing and product management for Plantronics. It is a role he revels as Plantronics strives to make space for itself in a competitive and price sensitive market.

æ Gordon Wu

Regional Head South Asia, Transcend

Gordon Wu joined Transcend in 2006, and after handling the European and AsiaPacific regions, is now steering the company’s fortunes in India. Known to swear by the virtues of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, he has been taking on some very stiff competition in the market. His ‘brand globally but touch locally’ mantra helps.

Nitesh has been a part of a successful family. Under Nitesh’s direction the company Molife has become one of the best accessory providers in the country. The company makes cover for major manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung. Over that under Nitesh’s guidance the company makes a number of portable chargers for mobile phones. With market sizes increasing the challenges are increasing too with Chinese and smaller manufacturers coming into play. This is a task Nitesh might need to face.

æ Sanjeev Bhardawaj

MD, ERD

Sanjeev Bharadwaj is the spearhead behind ERD, a company which started business in 1997 and initially manufactured products like mobile phone chargers and adapters. Today the company is the leader in manufacturing chargers, adaptors, and mobile phone batteries for third generation gadgets. Guided by Bharadwaj, the company has also ventured into hands free kits, smart mobile phone covers, memory card reader, LED torches, lanterns and solar mobile chargers. Not a man to sit still, this.

æ Shashi Reddy CEO, Casemate

An MIT graduate, Shashi Reddy started a privately held company in 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, after his graduation. The company is a brand to reckon with when it comes to designs and manufacturing fashionforward mobile accessories for a variety of smartphones and tablets, which include Apple, BlackBerry, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, Motorola, LG and Sony Ericsson. Case-Mate products are sold in 80 countries around the world. The company is also an official partner of the BlackBerry Alliance Program. Not bad for a graduate entrepreneur! n

team@mymobile.co.in

Feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 33

fa c e t o fa c e

“India is a huge potential market for Tablet PCs” Of late Pantel Technologies has been making waves with its budget tablet offerings in the Indian market. We caught up with Vijender Singh, Managing Director, Pantel Technologies, to find out more about the company’s plans and strategy Ketan Pratap

What sets Pantel apart from the bunch of tablet brands available in the market today? Pantel Technologies has pioneered the low cost tablet PC market worldwide. And the Indian market is no different. For a given specification or feature, the price offered by Pantel Technologies is the best in the market today. How big is the Indian tablet market? What kind of growth do you see for it? India is a huge potential market for Tablet PCs. Apart from a booming retail market, the Central and state governments have also identified the tablet PC as the technology platform for digital inclusiveness. For instance, Pantel Technologies has special products for the student community that come preloaded with relevant course material. What changes in consumer preference have you witnessed over the last few years? With changing times, people have become more conversant with technology and its applications/ usage. With times to come, technology will shape the way things work and to keep themselves abreast with the latest across the world, they need to be tech savvy with adoption of various digital applications and technology standards and platforms. In times to come, this space will become very interesting as customer usage starts evolving and innovative applications get developed on the Android platform that aid in the multi-functionality of the Tablet PC devices. An interesting trend is the ‘merging’ of the customer experience of computing, voice calling and information consumption. In the ICT industry, computers stand for creation while LCD TV(s) stand for consumption of information - Tablet PC(s) from Penta T-Pad represent a perfect ‘merging’ of these two requirements of a customer today. When you use an 8.0-inch Penta T-Pad, model WS802C, you experience a platform for both TV viewing expe-

34 MYMOBILE Feb 15 to mar 14 2013

rience and computing delight. Of late, many new tablet players have joined the market, offering tablets of all size and at affordable prices. Do you see this as a threat to your position in the market? Pantel Technologies is a tablet PC focussed brand unlike any other brand today. It has its own design house and technology IPR which gives it the ability to be the first to market and hence the ability to control costs. It has already proved its mettle with an alliance with BSNL, feature-rich tablet PC(s) and quality customer service. Speaking of which, do tell us more about your alliance with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Penta T-Pad(s) was launched in a reverse bundling alliance with BSNL in March, 2012. Pantel Technologies is the first ever private firm to win the confidence of India’s largest telecom operator by infrastructure. It is also an endorsement of Pantel’s product quality and wide line-up in the category of tablets PC(s). With BSNL’s reach, Penta T-Pads ensure connectivity for users across the cities as well as rural areas. What has been Pantel’s target market? Penta T-Pads are targeted for people of all ages and user groups. Pantel Technologies today offer’s the most competitive capacitive 7.0-inch tablet at Rs. 3,999 in the market. Likewise, when it comes to a 7.0-inch tablet with a 3G SIM functionality, the price point of Rs. 9,999 is the lowest in the market today. What role do you think price plays in the Indian tablet market? Customers are quite price-sensitive but that doesn’t mean they compromise on technology. That’s where Pantel Technologies comes into the picture. Pantel Technologies is a pioneer in devising affordable yet technically powerful tablet PC(s). n

ketan@mymobile.co.in

chief speak

36 MYMOBILE FEB 15 to MAr 14 2013

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“India will have very dramatic transitions this year” The brands launching budget priced handsets and tablets might be making headlines, but one of the companies making such products possible is MediaTek, which is delivering processors capable of delivering good performance at relatively low prices. We met Dr Finbarr Moyniham, General Manager - Business Development, MediaTek, to talk about processors in general and MediaTek in particular Sulabh Puri How lucrative is the chip market today? We have come from the mobile space it has been the main focus of the Indian market. It has been our major focus since we started chipping in the mobile space. In the last year or two, we have seen a transition as we are moving from 2G to 3G, from feature phones to smartphones and tablets. That would certainly call for optimism in the industry right now. In our own journey we saw a huge ramp in our smartphone platforms as compared to last year. A lot of that came in China as they moved from feature phones to Android smartphones. We could see that in the second half of last year, and in 2013, a lot of the same will happen in India. We see a lot more adoption in 3G, smartphones. We see a lot more opportunities for smartphones, tablets, data devices, which is quite exciting. So, I think it should be a good year. Which brands are you associating with in India? We have worked with pretty much all of the local brands in India for many years - Micromax, Karbonn, Lava, Spice, Intex and lots of the other brands. And those guys has all been very good partners. Many of them have already launched smartphone devices using MediaTek platforms. Naturally, we are very excited as Micromax is so thoroughly ready to adopt our new quad core platform. But, my expectation is we will see more devices coming from brands in India.

for smartphone in China last year - the 3G networks. If you look at the China market you have three operators each of them has a 3G network, in fact each of them has different technology. So you have three operators competing with three different types of technologies. And last year I would say that in 2011 all of them had robust well build out 3G network. Similarly, Android has also got a certain level of ecosystems and you had chipset suppliers like MediaTek growing in system solutions. Now if you look at India I think the 3G networks are getting to the place now where you have a similar kind of effect. I think you have multiple operators that are also aggressively moving. You have operators engaging people to move towards data services. They are starting to build creative models for data packages. At the same time, you have more and more public deployment of Wi-Fi also showing up. Both are important as not everybody will sign up for 3G data plans. But to get the full smartphone experience you need a Wi-Fi or a 3G. So, I would say a lot of the same effects that were there in China will occur in India as well. And I think our expectation is that India will have very dramatic transitions this year.

Can you name the next one?Not yet. No device announcements for now.

Is MediaTek prepared for the 4G transition? Yes, absolutely we are ready. We expect our first 4G, LTE platforms later this year. LTE would be a more 201415 story for MediaTek. I think 2013 is still more about 3G. Even in Europe today, LTE is not so widely deployed as the US, Korea and Japan.

How is the Indian market different from China? There are differences of course besides the obvious ones. The language requirement, user interface kinds of things which are obviously different. Both the countries have a very rich media culture like movies, music, but with very different content. And I would say the other difference is probably one of the factors that really saw the momentum accelerate

What is the next step after quad core? If you look at what we did over the last three and a half years we launched our first 3G smartphone platform in the second half of 2011. Early in 2012, we launched a Gigahertz platform, in the middle of last year we launched the dual core platform and then in December, we launched the quad core platform. So, certainly going into this year you will see us come with

a refreshed portfolio of products for the entry segment. You will see more focus on the high end products in 2013- 14. A strong portfolio of products for the entry level segment, and probably also more focus on the tablets. What is the ‘exciting factor’ coming from MediaTek? For me the exciting part would be to see the ramp and the volume of the adoption of devices. It’s very gratifying when you see people using smartphone products based on MediaTek technology. The power of staying connected is very exciting and interesting. The power of staying connected and having access to information is transforming. On the technology side I think it’s a little bit of boring work to do. I think we have seen a rapid growth of GHz and I think that’s been a very performance led message. There will be more focus on smartphones. So, if you look at some of the decisions we made on the 6589 platform, we decided to use the cortex A7, because we could give the quad core experience. You will see a lot more focus on optimising the power consumption of the platform. We do a lot of features on hardware for more power efficiency. The camera and ISP functions are also observed and then we do system level optimisation. So, it’s not any one thing, it’s the combination of all the different technologies and again the way we approach the market as the full system solution. Do you see Windows Phone coming up? Is Mediatek supporting that platform? Windows is coming up but they are in very small volume as compared to the Android. But, I think we certainly see some of the nice devices coming with the Windows phone. I do expect that they will take a certain percentage of the market. At the moment we don’t support Windows Phone. Right now we are only focused on Android. There is nothing stopping us. When the time come Mediatek can support Windows as well in future. n sulabh@mymobile.co.in

Feb 15 to MAR 14 2013 MYMOBILE 37

spotlight

Is the Messenger Slaying SMS? One is a roaring lion, the other an older, and sleeping one. We are referring to the Instant Messenger and SMS, both of which had coexisted peacefully for a while but are now increasingly being pitted against each other. Who will prevail? Heena Gupta

MS has come a long way launched back in 1992. It has today become an integral part of many peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily routine. For many, it remains a great substitute for voice calling and has revolutionised the whole concept of communication. Once was considered a mere add-on, it grew phenomenally and today connects millions of people. However, it has come under challenge of late from the messaging services being provided by different developers. Are we coming to the end of an era, or this just a false alarm for the venerable SMS?

Messenger: Johnny Come Lately... Once the preserve of the smartphone wielding few, instant messaging has suddenly become a rage, thanks to the greater availability and affordability of

both smartphones and Internet connectivity. There are various messenger apps available in app stores, and many of them even come pre-installed on devices, saving users the need to even download them. Many of them automatically connect to the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone book and give them the information about friends who are already using the service. They work just like SMS, only with no character limits, no restrictions on multimedia (you can send a picture without signing up for MMS), no restrictions on the number of people you can message, and do all this at an incredibly brisk speed. Small wonder then that messaging services are growing by leaps and bounds and even some mobile manufacturers like Apple (iMessage) and BlackBerry (the iconic BBM) are coming out with their own messaging services bundled on their devices.

38 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

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“More and more people are adopting the messenger service not because it’s cost effective but because of the other value added services that come along with it. Apart from chatting users can play games, share videos, audios, pictures and many other files”, says Syed Shahnawaz Karim, Senior Manager Nimbuzz India, which is one of the most popular mobile messaging platforms, along with the likes of WhatsApp Messenger and eBuddy.

Cheaper phones and Internet = more messaging

The smartphone revolution and slashing of mobile Internet tariffs has also played a role in the growing popularity of mobile messaging. Messaging, although possible, was not easy on feature phones and GPRS/EDGE used to cost a pretty penny. However, nowadays, smartphones are available for as low as Rs 5,000 (some for even lesser) and one can get a decent GPRS/EDGE connection for less than Rs 100 per month. And of course, the fact that most messaging services come free of cost makes them even more viable. Many third party messengers also can work across

More and more people are adopting the messenger service not because it’s cost effective but because of the other value added services that come along with it. Apart from chatting users can play games, share videos, audios, pictures and many other files platforms, so you can send a message from say an Android device to a Windows Phone one without any problems. The cause of SMS was not helped when restrictions were imposed recently on the number of texts a person could send out per day, which actually pushed more users towards mobile messengers, which had no such restriction in place. There is also no issue of different messaging rates at different times, so even a “bill shock” is not likely, as long as one does not overuse data services on one’s device. Top that off with the fact that one is charged extra for sending SMSes to international locations and even for locations outside one’s telecom operator’s circle, but can send an instant message free of cost to any location and bandwidth permitting even video chat, and you can see why messaging is becoming so popular. “I like to use messenger over SMS as I can easily send bulk and long messages to my friends.

There no limit I can send as many messages as I want without being charged an extra penny. And I also don’t have to worry about the length of my message”, says Tanish Gupta, a college student.

SMS: Facing a challenge!

Thanks to all these factors, SMS is facing its first real challenge since its very inception. People are finding mobile messengers simply easier to use and far less restrictive. It is also more innovative in terms of updates and interface than SMS, which has rather stubbornly stayed almost the same since the days of its creation. This has also made messaging more popular among the younger crowd, which likes to express itself in its messaging. Interestingly, even operators for whom SMS has been a source of steady revenue, seem to be recognising the popularity of messaging and have been coming out with packages to promote it - a number of operators offer special BBM-only plans and Reliance Communications recently came out with a plan that allows users to send as many WhatsApp Messengers as they want in a month for a mere Rs 16. Of course, it is way too early to predict the demise of SMS. Smartphones for all their pop-

ularity still make up a very small portion of all the phones in the country, and most traditional phone users still find it far easier to use SMS than messaging, thanks to the sheer familiarity of the interface. Factor in the fact that the mobile Internet phenomenon is still largely a metrocentric one, and you can see why, for all the challenges facing it and its relative lack of flexibility, it is far too early to say “Game over, SMS.” Nimbuzz’s Shahnawaz Karim acknowledges this. “The future of SMS is blurry,” he says. “It will not die but its use will get limited. In the times to come messenger will be the first choice of the people. The use of SMS will be limited for the industry use like the bank uses SMS or for tele-marketing”. We cannot see consumers complaining in this scenario, as they will have the best of both messaging and text worlds! n heenag@mymobile.co.in

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 39

in focus

Force ten from BB is back. With two new handsets. And a new platform to boot. But will it bring glory days back to the company? Nimish Dubey

f you had told us in 2008 that Research In Motion (RIM) would find its position as one of the leading smartphone manufacturers in the world threatened in a few years, we would have laughed at you. At that time, the company’s iconic QWERTY keyboard driven handsets were synonymous with enterprise mobility and push mail. You were not even considered to be a true executive unless you had a BlackBerry. Five years, however, is a long time in technology and the period from 2009-2012 has seen the meteoric rise of Android and iOS, challenging BlackBerry’s position in not just the enterprise segment but even threatening its very existence, as per some pundits. RIM, however, is in no mood to fade into the night, and after a number of corporate reshuffles and a year of relative inactivity, it has now shown its hand - a whole new operating system as

well as two new handsets. The big question in everyone’s mind, however, is whether this is going to be quite enough against some very formidable competition?

A new name, a new OS It is not just a whole new platform that RIM has come out with, it has also changed its name - the company will henceforth be known as BlackBerry. But the real headline grabber was the new platform, BlackBerry 10 (BB 10 henceforth) that the company unveiled at a launch event. Much more touch friendly than in the past, the OS will however be available on both touchscreens as well as devices bearing the QWERTY keyboard that for many people is the hallmark of a true BlackBerry. And it is not a mere us-too OS by any means. We have spent some time with the developer versions of BB 10 and can testify

40 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

that it is very unlike anything that the competition - iOS, Android or Windows Phone - has up its very ample sleeves. For one, the interface is totally gesture based, allowing you to navigate your device by just swiping one or two fingers across the display. There are active frames letting you see different apps from a single screen, the browser comes with Flash support and the onscreen keyboard for touchscreen devices comes with an innovative predictive text system that shows word alternatives on top of letters even as you type. The camera - never a BB strength - has been given a total turnaround, and apps have been given a boost too, with support for a number of Android applications. All this, of course, is allied with BB’s core strengths of push mail, social networking muscle (share anything from almost any app), BlackBerry Messenger, and enterprise friend-

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liness in terms of security. Formidable? We think so.

And with new devices too!

Of course, any OS is only as good as the devices it runs on. And BlackBerry has certainly thrown the hardware kitchen sink at BB 10. The company has showcased two devices, the all-touch Z10 and the touch and type Q10, which also sports a QWERTY keyboard. The Z10, with its 8.0-megapixel camera and 4.2inch touchscreen of 1280 x 768 resolution is an example of smooth understated design; while the Q10 comes with a 3.1-inch 720 x 720 Super AMOLED display below which is a QWERTY keyboard that brings back ever so pleasant memories of the Bold 9900. Both devices are driven by dual core processors, have display densities that are greater than even the iPhone 5, and come loaded with connectivity options. Needless to say, they are the most powerful hardware to have come from the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stables for a while. On paper, they seem excellent bets.

Both devices are driven by dual core processors, have display densities that are greater than even the iPhone 5, and come loaded with connectivity options. Needless to say, they are the most powerful hardware to have come from the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stables for a while But is it enough? The big question, of course, is whether this device-platform combination can win back smartphone market share for BlackBerry. Initial response has been mixed to say the least, with some hailing the OS and devices as revolutionary and others complaining that it is far too little, too late. At the time of writing, we had not spent extensive time either with

the OS or the products to draw any conclusions, but given the sheer equity enjoyed by BlackBerry, writing them off (as some have done) would in our opinion be neither sane nor fair. A lot, of course, is going to depend on the pricing of the devices, the timing of their launches and the alliances BlackBerry drives with different operators. Of these, pricing is going to be a crucial factor in the Indian market, which is known to be price sensitive. There is the little matter of the competition too, which in the case of Android, packs in much better specs (quad core processors) and in that of Apple, a virtual app treasury. Round that off with a resurgent Nokia riding on Windows Phone 8, and BlackBerry does have quite a battle on its hands. Is it a battle that the new BB can win? Will the BB boys ride again? We will know the answers in the coming days. In the meantime, all we can safely say is that BlackBerry is back where it belongs. n nimish@mymobile.co.in

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 41

fa c e t o fa c e

“I believe that there is an app for just about everything” It was one of the first companies to make apps available to its users, and is now getting into appy mode again with the launch of its new Lumia and Asha devices. We met Gerard Rego, Director - Developer Experience, Nokia India, to find out more about Nokia’s plans to spread ‘appiness’ in India Sulabh Puri How big is the Indian App market? According to Gartner, the global app business is worth $8.5 billion (Rs 44,200 crore) with the US leading the invention pack, followed by Europe and India fast catching up. Indian research company IMRB estimates that 1.2 billion Indians already have cellphones and one in three of the country’s urban Internet users have downloaded a mobile phone application. The app market in India has been growing at a very promising rate where on one hand we have app developers creating millions of utility and entertainment apps and on the other hand, we see growing downloads by consumers. According to leading consultancy Research2Guidance, India is slated to become one of the biggest players in the global app market by 2016, overtaking leading smartphone app markets such as the US, and five Western European Union countries

help us enhance the experience. We understand the importance of apps in one’s life. Different people are looking for different kind of apps. Since we alone cannot create apps to cater to the needs of all consumers, we opened up the Nokia store and Windows Marketplace to developers. We work very closely with them to offer technical and business development support, consumer insights to develop apps that are relevant to consumers. Recently, we announced operator billing solutions on the Nokia Store. Integrated operator billing offers our consumers a seamless purchasing experience. To give you a perspective, we have already seen a 25 times increase in downloads from the Nokia Store post our operator billing tie-ups. This keenly highlights the true potential and opportunity for application development in India – for all stakeholders.

How is Nokia working on the ecosystem and promoting the application culture? Eco-system partners have always been core to our business strategy of providing relevant solutions to our consumers. Towards this, we look at all aspects of the consumer’s experience and possible partnerships that can

How are the Nokia consumers adapting to the application culture? There has been a trend that suggests new users are embracing apps at the same pace as existing users. Nokia Store is the largest app store in India and sees over 80 million downloads per month in India. According to industry estimates, Nokia Store has over 50% of all downloads from all digital stores in the country. Today, over 50 per cent of downloads from the Nokia Store are on S40 phones. About a year ago, app downloads on S40 platform was 12-15 per cent. Which is the app that intrigues you the most? Well, I have been associated with technology for years now and during this time have seen how technology has empowered consumer’s lives. Apps today can actually make your life easier. I believe that there is an app for just about everything. And the benefits of these apps are beyond anyone’s imagination - fun, quirky, utility, productivity, connectivity. Today, apps are not technology for consumers - it is part of everyone’s lifestyle. Any app that can enrich my life in some form or the other has and will always intrigues me. n sulabh@mymobile.co.in

42 MYMOBILE Feb 15 to mar 14 2013

burn test Budget bravura The Iconia B1

this category. In connectivity, it has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS. There is no 3G and no option to plug a USB dongle either, but at this price, we have no complaints.

redefines budget tablets

Pros  Large

7.0-inch display

 1.2

GHz dual core processor

Cons  Camera

197.4 mm

disappoints

 Screen

resolution could have been better

Hardware: Decent The B1 packs in a dual core 1.2 GHz processor, 512MB RAM and comes with 8GB of onboard storage (expandable using a microSD card). The 1024 x 600 display is not the brightest but is comfortably better than other tablets in

128.5 mm

hen it comes to budget tablets, Indian consumers’ options have been limited to Indian and relatively lowprofile brands. However, that changes with the Acer Iconia B1, which brings some serious hardware and software muscle to the segment with its Iconia B1.

Looks: Smart enough Yes, the Iconia B1 is not going to stop traffic with its looks, but neither is it going to make people look away. The tablet is an all plastic affair with the 7.0-inch display and a 0.3-megapixel on its front, and a plain dark brown-black back which juts out a bit. There are no hardware buttons on the front and on the right is the volume rocker and the screen/ power on/off button. The lower part houses the micro USB port and a rather large slot for the microSD card, while there is a 3.5mm jack on the top. At 320 grammes, the tablet feels rather light and can be comfortably carried in one hand. Smart enough for the budget conscious, we would say.

Acer Iconia B1 tech specs Size | 197.4 x 128.5 x 11.3 mm

Software: Jelly Bean rarity The Iconia B1 is one of the few tablets in the country to come with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Acer has refrained from doing too much to the basic interface - you have the normal five customisable homescreens and Google apps. You can also download further apps from Google Play.

Multimedia: Limited, but… When it comes to multimedia, the B1 is on the backfoot. Sound quality is decent and the display is very good for viewing Web pages and videos, but there are no pre-installed apps for sound or video. With no camera around, picture taking and tweaking options are limited.

Performance: We love it The Iconia B1 is the first ‘budget tablet’ we have seen that tackles most tasks with a degree of ease, be it Web surfing, checking social networks or even handling a relatively high-specced game like Dead Trigger. There was the odd lag, but for the most time, the B1 ran just fine. In terms of battery, it lasted about six hours on Wi-Fi – most people should be able to see off a day of use.

Conclusion In our opinion, the Iconia B1 redefines the budget tablet segment by serving up a good performer for as little as Rs 7,999. No, it is not a production device, but if you seek an affordable slice of Android, this is the best around. An alternative is the Micromax Funbook Pro which sports a 10-inch display, Android 4.0 and is available for Rs 9,000. n team@mymobile.co.in

Weight | 320 grams Memory | 8GB, microSD

verdict

OS | Android 4.1

Looks

Screen Size | 7.0 inch, Capacitive

Features

ease of use

Price: Rs 7,999

44 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

performance value for money overall

86%

8 10

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Nokia Asha 308

Typical Asha

Nokia’s budget range continues to go strong

tech specs

Memory | 64MB, microSD

Size | 109.9 x 54 x 13 mm Weight | 104 grams

he Lumia range might be grabbing the headlines, but Nokia’s Asha series has been making cash registers ring at the sales counters across India. And the company is in no mood to rest on the laurels earned by this series, as can be seen from its constant expansion. The Asha 308 is the newest member of this family.

OS | Symbian S40 Screen Size | 3.0 inch, Capacitive

109.9 mm

Battery | Li-Ion 1110 mAh

Looks: ‘Asha’ style Be it an entry level device or a smartphone, one thing that remains standard in a Nokia phone is its style and design, which generally exudes quality and concurrence with international standards. Nokia Asha 308 delivers on these fronts. The phone may not be the slimmest, but is comfortable to hold and at 104 grammes, is pretty light. The front panel is dominated by the 3.0-inch display and below the screen are two physical keys for calling and call end/power. At first glance you may think that the screen is a bit small but the phone itself is very easy on the eye.

Hardware: Not bad at all for the price The Asha 308 is is slightly underpowered if compared to the Asha 311 when it comes to the processor, but its touchscreen’s response can even compete with a high-end smartphone. On the memory front the Asha 308 comes with 20MB internal memory (expandable to 32GB using a microSD card) with 64MB RAM. The microSD card is hot swappable i.e. one can change it without switching off the device. The device comes with dual SIM (GSM+GSM) support - while one SIM goes under the battery the other SIM is hot swappable. On the connectivity front it comes with Bluetooth, GPRS, EDGE and GPS.

Software: Get (s) forty! The Nokia Asha 308 is a Symbian Series 40 device, and sports a interface similar to that of other Asha devices. The interface of the phone is plain vanilla and easy to use. There are three homescreens given with the central one being the hub to all the icons. Swiping the screen to the right reveals a screen with all the pre-loaded apps arranged in a matrix, and swiping to the left navigates to the dialler. One can customize all three screens as per one’s convenience. There is also a notification drop down panel given on the top of the screen,

Talktime/Standby | up to 17 hours/up to 600 hours GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/No/Yes/No Camera | 2.0-megapixel Others | Unlimited music download, new UI

Price: Rs 5,680 was very good as well, catching stations even in low signal regions.

User experience: We are satisfied

54 mm

Pros  Dual

SIM functionality

 Good

Cons  No

Wi-Fi or 3G

 Limited

internal memory

touchscreen response

which can be used to access shortcut keys to Bluetooth, music player and data connection.

Multimedia: Entertainment encore The Asha 308 has a 2.0-megapixel camera, FM Radio and music player. The camera takes good pictures in well lit conditions, but video quality is just about acceptable. Music, however, is the forte of the Asha series and the 308 does not disappoint in this department. The device comes with unlimited downloads from the Nokia Music store for a year, and downloading is smooth as the songs come compressed and occupy minimum onboard memory. You can also download 40 free EA games straight to your phone and fire up the fun when you are on the go. Also on board are Nokia Maps for navigation. Browsing the Web on the device was a pleasant experience. The FM Radio reception

The Nokia Asha 308 is definitely a very good phone at its price point. The touchscreen and music experience is excellent and even our Internet experience was decent, notwithstanding the absence of Wi-Fi and 3G.

Conclusion The Asha 308 is a value for money device for those looking to enjoy the affordable Symbian experience. It is available for Rs 5,680. As an alternative, one can go for Nokia’s own Asha 311 which comes with a 1 GHz processor and is available at Rs 6,150. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

performance

value for money

overall

82%

feb 15 to mar 14 20131 MYMOBILE 45

burn test Wallet-friendly Smartphone

Easy on the eye, easy on the pocket

 Runs

backup is decent

on an old Android version

 Average

camera quality

Wynncom G3 117.8 mm

The front panel is dominated by a 3.5 inch display with three soft keys on the bottom for Back, Home and Settings option. The back panel is textured and houses the camera accompanied by a flash and the speaker grille. A greyish strip runs around the device. The top includes the lock/unlock key and the 3.5mm audio jack port while the volume rocker keys are on the right. The phone looks decent enough but is unlikely to turn heads.

tech specs Size | 117.8 x 63 x 11.2 mm Weight | 118 grams Memory | 100MB, microSD OS | Android 2.3

Hardware: On expected lines

The Wynncom G3 runs on Android 2.3 which now is showing its age, as most new budget devices are running on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Wynncom has taken a page out of Fly’s design book and tweaked the interface a bit - the display unlock option comes with the company’s logo in the centre with four options (unlock, camera, calling and messaging). There are five customisable home screens panels, and five fixed keys on the display for Calling, Contacts, Menu, Messages and Browser. On the application front, the device comes with apps like Shazam, Zenga TV,Facebook, Nimbuzz and Moneycontrol pre-loaded.

 Touch

 Battery

Looks: Quite regular

Software: Stale Gingerbread

Cons

is satisfactory

martphones are getting more affordable by the day. And now Wynncom is also targeting the low-price smartphone segment with its latest offering, the G3. But does it succeed?

The Wynncom G3 has a 1 GHz processor whose performance was decent enough as long as you did not push it too hard. The device was unable to handle heavy games or even apps but easily played HD videos. It comes with around 100 MB internal memory which can be expanded up to 32GB using a microSD card. This is a dual SIM (GSM+GSM) device that with support for one 3G and one 2G SIM. For connectivity, it includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE and GPS. Speaking of battery, the G3 comes with a 1,200 mAh capacity battery that the company claims to deliver a standby time of 140 hours and 4 hours of talktime. Impressive at this price point.

Pros

Screen Size | 3.5 inch, Capacitive Battery | Li-ion 1,200 mAh Talktime/Standby | up to 4 hours/up to 140 hours

63 mm

Multimedia: Not raveworthy

GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes

The G3 sports a 3.0-megapixel rear camera and a front VGA camera for video calling. The camera did not excel either in still or video mode. The sound quality was also nothing to talk about although it certainly was adequate. The Wynncom G3 comes with a 4GB microSD card which contains some HD videos that the device played with ease.

Camera | 3.0-megapixel

User Experience: Budget stuff

verdict

The interface is plain vanilla, making it an easy to use device. However, in terms of multimedia, we expected a little more and we would have loved a more recent version of Android. But then it does compensate with the 1 GHz processor that handles most functions well. All of which makes the Wynncom G3 is a value for money device in the Rs 6,000 segment.

Conclusion

Facebook, Nimbuzz

Price: Rs 5,500 8

Looks Features

7 8

ease of use performance

value for money

The overall performance of the Wynncom G3 is acceptable, given its price of Rs 5,500. Those looking for an alternative can consider the Micromax A50 available at Rs 4,400 or the Karbonn A5 at Rs 4,999. n

46 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Others | Shazam, Zenga TV,

team@mymobile.co.in

overall

76%

www.mymobile.co.in

Dual core/SIM

Pros

Fly ups the dualcore ante

1

GHz dual core processor

 Dual

hen it comes to launching products with new innovations, Fly has always been a name to reckon with. And the new Fly F410 with its tweaked interface is the latest.

Cons  Not

the greatest build quality

Looks: Mr White

 Average

Hardware: Dual Fantasy While most devices lag behind in specifications at this price point, the Fly F410 scores with its processor, display and dual camera. It surprised us with its speed while running apps and browsing the Web, thanks to the 1GHz dual core processor. The F410 also boasts of a 4.0-inch capacitive screen that offers a good touch response. The handset supports dual SIM (GSM+GSM). Storage stands at 1GB expandable up to 32GB - you get a 4GB card with the device. For connectivity, it supports Bluetooth, GPRS, Wi-Fi and 3G. However, 3G is supported only through SIM 1. The device comes with 1,500 mAh battery that easily gives a day backup.

Software: Getting Ice Cream (Sandwich)!

audio

The F410 also comes with a music player with customizing options, as well as an FM Radio. However, the music quality is nothing to rave about. The company is giving some Bollywood HD videos on the bundled 4GB microSD card, speaking of which, the phone is capable of playing HD videos, although the experience is not the greatest.

123.9 mm

The front panel has a 4.0-inch display, which is a rarity in this price segment with four keys at the bottom and includes a front camera at the top. The back houses a 5.0-megapixel camera along with flash and at the bottom is the speaker grill. The top also has the lock/unlock key and the 3.5mm audio jack port. We just wish the phone had not been so glossy as it makes it slippery to hold.

camera

User experience: Good value for Money The Fly F410 might not be an exceptional performer but offers value for money. The device impressed us with its processing speed. There are a variety of decent multimedia features in the phone and the battery backup it offers is good as well.

Conclusion It is Rs 8,490 and is not a bad deal for those looking for their first smartphone on a budget. However, if you are looking for alternatives can go for the Samsung Galaxy Ace available for Rs 10,000 or opt for a bigger display with the Micromax Canvas 2 at Rs 10,299. n

64 mm

Fly f410 tech specs Size | 123.9 x 64 x 10 mm

The Fly F410 runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) which can be considered old, but Fly has made some modifications in the interface of the device. The device comes with five customizable homescreens that cannot be increased or decreased, but can be customised with apps and widgets. The device also comes pre-loaded with some apps like – Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zenga TV, Saavn and Nimbuzz.

Weight | 101.5 grams

Multimedia: Above average

Camera | 5.0-megapixel

The 5.0-megapixel rear camera comes with options like Panorama shot and takes some decent shots in well-lit conditions while the front camera is useful for video calling or using apps like Skype.

Others | Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Saavn and Nimbuzz

verdict

Price: Rs 8,490

team@mymobile.co.in

Looks

Features

ease of use

performance

value for money

overall

80%

feb 15 to mar 14 20131 MYMOBILE 47

burn test An Ivory Idea, Sirji Idea rolls out a budget device

Looks: Normal yet stylish The first thing that you notice about the Idea Ivory is how light it is. The back panel of the phone is plain and is surrounded by a silver ribbon on all sides, which gives it a very classy look. The body is of plastic and the corners are round which makes the phone easy to hold. The front of the device is dominated by a 3.5-inch display, with three soft keys for back, options and home; while the back panel houses a 3.2-megapixel camera and speakers. The top of the phone has the display lock/ unlock button, which is also used to switch on the phone and a 3.5 mm audio jack slot. The charging slot is on the left side and the volume rocker on the right side of the handset. The phone is available in two colour variants: black and white.

Hardware: Good for the price The phone comes with a 3.5-inch capacitive TFT display and supports dual SIM (GSM + GSM) functionality. It is powered by 1GHz dual core processor and comes with 512MB RAM, and 4GB internal memory which can be expanded up to 32GB. It comes with a 3.2-megapixel rear camera, and on the connectivity front offers 3G, Wi-Fi, GPRS, A-GPS, WLAN and Bluetooth.

Software: Ice Cream Sandwich The smartphone runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system. It has five home panels, which can be customised with widgets and app shortcuts. The homescreen also has shortcuts for calling, contacts, menu and messaging. The device has some pre-loaded apps like Facebook, Twitter, IMAP, HTML, Music Video Player, Documents to Go and POP3 mail support.

Multimedia: Good sound and images The Idea Ivory has a 3.2-megapixel rear camera, which takes decent pictures in daylight. The audio quality was good as well, but the video player was not able to play HD videos well. The music quality of the phone is good, whether heard on loudspeakers or on headphones. The on board FM radio has good reception and the sound is again very good.

Pros  Good

capacitive touch

 Dual

core processor

143 mm

dea returns to the device segment with Idea Ivory. But is the stylish looking, reasonably priced device good enough to stand up to some very stiff competition?

Cons  Low

screen resolution

 Battery

could have been better

User Experience: Fine

80 mm

Keeping in mind its price, the Idea Ivory is a very decent option. The touch of the phone is exceptional and the voice quality over calls is also very good. That said, we would have

IDEA Ivory tech specs Size | 143 x 80 x 10.1 mm Weight | 108.9 grams Memory | 4GB, microSD OS | Android 4.0

appreciated a display with a higher resolution and the battery backup of the phone was not the greatest - we had to recharge it at least once a day with normal use.

Conclusion The Idea Ivory is a very good option for anyone looking for a smartphone with a relatively large display and decent processor. The phone is available for Rs. 7,390. Those looking for alternatives in the same budget range can consider the LG L3, which is available for Rs 7,500. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict 8

Screen Size | 3.5 inch, Capacitive

Looks

Battery | Li-ion 1,300 mAh

Features

Talktime/Standby | up to 5 hours/up to 320 hours

ease of use

GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes

performance

Camera | 3.2-megapixel

value for money

Others | Android & Chrome browser, Dual SIM

Price: Rs 7,390

48 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

overall

7 8

74%

www.mymobile.co.in

Another ‘Zen’ tab Another

he low cost or budget tablet market in India has been mushrooming of late with a number of decent tablets under Rs 10,000 being launched. And the latest to join the list is the new Zen Tab 773B. But what marks it out from the competition?

121.4 mm

tablet joins the budget fray!

Looks: Familiar As far as looks go, the Zen Tab 773B looks like most other budget tablets in the market. In fact, we found it to be more heavy and thick than the Zen Tab 708B. It comes with a 7.0-inch diaplay and no hardware keys on the front, with a VGA camera above the display. Below the screen are keys for Back, Home and Settings which lack haptic touch, so you don’t

Pros  Decent

Cons build

 Reasonable

 Poor

life

battery

specs for the  Mediocre multimedia price

know if you have touched them. The names of the slots and buttons are printed on the back panel in white – not really very tasteful.

Hardware: Standard stuff Beneath that predictable exterior hood are equally predictable specs. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz processor and comes with 512MB RAM. Internal storage stands at 8GB which can be expanded to 32GB using a memory card. The presence of SIM means one can make calls with the device, while other connectivity options include Wi-Fi, HDMI and USB.

194.2 mm

User experience: Mixed bag

board are some videos and apps.

Multimedia: Nothing exceptional The multimedia experience on the tab was decent although we would have preferred louder speakers and better headphones. Videos run well and most popular video formats are supported. Files can be transferred from a PC to the tablet quickly and without too much trouble. However, we would have preferred a better display. The VGA camera is good for making video calls.

My Zen Tab 773b tech specs Size | 194.2 x 121.4 x 11.45 mm

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 Zen Tab 773B. The whole touch experience is not that smooth and convenient, although the multimedia and Internet browsing experiences are above average. The tablet works fine as long as one uses relatively light apps and does not get into multi-tasking mode. SIM support is a plus, but battery life is so so - you will need to recharge the tablet twice a day if you use it extensively.

Conclusion The Zen Tab 773B is priced at Rs 9,930, which is a bit high in our opinion is a bit on the high side. Those seeking alternatives can consider the Micromax Funbook Pro, which sports a 10.1-inch display and is available for Rs 9,999. n team@mymobile.co.in

Weight | -

verdict

Memory | 8GB, microSD OS | Android 4.0

Looks

7 7

Software: Still ICS!

Screen Size | 7.0 inch, Capacitive

Features

The Zen Tab 773B runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich which seems to be the OS of choice in budget tablets. There are five customisable homescreen panels. The notification bar with settings is on the bottom right and the app tray can be accessed from the top right. There are six touch icons on the lower left side of the screen for back, home, recently used apps, volume adjustment keys and the option to open system settings. The browser comes with full Flash support, and also on

Battery | Li-Ion 3200 mAh

ease of use

Talktime/Standby | up to 5 hours/-

performance

GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/No/Yes

value for money

Camera | VGA

overall

Others | Super HD player, flash support

Price: Rs 9,930

76%

feb 15 to mar 14 20131 MYMOBILE 49

burn test Float like a Butterfly HTC adds style

to the phablet

fter lots of speculation, HTC has finally bitten the phablet bullet, although it still calls the device a smartphone. And has done so with a vengeance in both spec and price terms. But does the power packed Butterfly pack enough punch to overcome established players like the Galaxy Note?

Cons

Pros 

Great design



Massive price tag



Excellent hardware



Brilliant display

Battery life could have been better



Disappointing camera

Looks: Beauty on the outside… 2

70.5 mm

143 mm

We have no choice but to be honest not since the iPhone 5 have we been as impressed by the design of a product as we have been by the HTC Butterfly. In our experience, phablets or phones that venture into 5.0-inch display territory have many virtues, but being pretty is not one of them. Scratch that now. For the HTC Butterfly is a delight to look at – it tips the scales at a mere 140 grammes and is 9.01 mm thin, and exudes a premium feel. The front is jet black with the 5.0-inch display dominating, with three soft keys below it for Back, Home and Menu. Just below it lies the covered USB charging slot, while on the right is the volume rocker. The top houses the power/display on/off button and a 3.5 mm jack, while both sides have grilles on them, giving them a classy look. The carbonate back houses an 8.0-megapixel camera with LED flash as well as the Beats Audio speaker. Getting to the SIM card tray can be a problem though as you have to open a flap next to the power button and THEN insert a pin to pop the tray out – not the most intuitive thing to do, really. That blemish aside, we must hail the Butterfly as a design wonder – it is the first device with a 5.0-inch display that we have seen fit easily into a girl’s hand!

Hardware: …Beast within It looks like a butterfly, but in the hardware department, the HTC Butterfly stings like a bee. The 5.0-inch Super LCD 3 display is the first on a phone to sport a 1080p full HD resolution and has a staggering 440 ppi pixel density, which is the highest we have seen on a phone so far (the iPhone stands at 326 ppi). And powering it is a Qualcomm S4 1.5 GHz quad core processor, backed up by 2GB of RAM. The device also comes with 16GB of onboard memory which

50 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

www.mymobile.co.in

highlights The 5.0-inch display is the first full HD one seen on a phone

The device is incredibly slim for a phablet

The sim card tray is difficult to extract

1 5 4

The device runs on Android Jelly Bean

can be expanded using a microSD card (its slot lies adjacent to that troublesome SIM tray). The 8.0-megapixel camera packs a BSI sensor for better low light photography and can also shoot full HD video. The front-facing 2.1-megapixel can also shoot HD video and connectivity options include 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. When it comes to hardware, this baby is pretty much stacked.

Software: Sense and Jelly Bean

Price: Rs 45,500

Music gets a boost courtesy Beats Audio

We were a bit surprised to see the Butterfly running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). With those specs, we would have expected it to come with 4.2 with its camera and keyboard tweaks. That said, the Butterfly packs in a fair deal in software terms. HTC’s super smooth Sense UI runs above it giving you five customisable homescreens and some excellent widgets. Also on board are apps like Polaris Office, PDF Viewer, Task Manager, and Stocks, apart from the Google mail, chat and map goodies. For all else, there’s the Google Play store.

Multimedia: HD history To put it bluntly, the HTC Butterfly delivers the finest viewing experience we have seen on a mobile device this side of the two most recent generations of the iPad. Videos and images look glorious and even reading text on Web pages is a delight. That HD display sure makes a massive difference. Music is very good on both loudspeaker and headphones, but then that is something we have come to expect from HTC devices of late. We will, however, confess to being disappointed with the camera which, in spite of a number of shooting options (face detection, auto smile capture, etc.) did not really come up to the standards of HTC’s own superb One X. The pictures we got were not the sharpest and colours at times seemed just a bit washed out – good enough for social networks but not really in the Lumia 920 or iPhone 5 category. Mind you, you can always

tweak those images on that gorgeous display.

Performance: Very good indeed We loved using the HTC Butterfly. It looked good and worked brilliantly with no stutter whatsoever, providing us with one of the best experiences we have seen on a large screen phone. Yes we would have preferred a better camera and that display does drain battery rather fast (be ready for at least one recharge a day), but even with those qualifications, we have no qualms about declaring the Butterfly as the best blend of style and substance in phablet or large display territory.

Conclusion It delivers a lot, but the HTC Butterfly delivers it at a price. At Rs 45,500, it is one of the more expensive handsets in the country. There will be those who will be lured by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, which also sports a stylus, and is also powered by a quad core processor, and is available for Rs 35,500. But if it is display magic and style that you are looking for, the Butterfly stands alone in the 5.0-inch display device category. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict 9

Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance value for money

overall

82%

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 51

burn test Salora Smarty Better

known for its televisions, Salora comes to the smartphone party

131 mm

highlights

64.5 mm

alora, a brand that has long been associated with television sets, has now plunged into the smartphone business with the newly launched POWERMaxx Z1 handset. How well does it stand up in an increasingly competitive market? We took it for a spin to find out.

Looks: A bit chunky Our immediate reaction after we took the phone out of the box was: we have seen something similar before. We would not be totally wrong if we say the looks of the Z1 are inspired by LG and Sony. We got our hands

on the shiny black version of the phone which is a little heavy, but considering it has a large 3,200 mAh battery inside, it is not too bad. The front of the phone has a large 4.5-inch qHD IPS LCD touchscreen with three feather touch buttons underneath it, which we might add, work really well. For video chat and self portrait shots Salora has added a 1.3-megapixel front camera as well. The back panel is made up of meshed plastic that helps in gripping the phone better. The rear has an 8.0-megapixel camera with LED flash and a single loudspeaker. For volume, a rocker key has been placed on the side of the phone with the power key

52 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Camera takes decent shots

Display is sharp and crisp

on the other side, while the 3.5 mm audio jack and USB port are on the top.

Hardware: Fast enough for the price Every passing week sees Indian brands matching their international counterparts in the specs department. Salora is a prime example of this, sporting as it does a dual core processor. The Z1 has a Cotex A9 1 GHz dual core processor that makes navigation smooth and reduces boot up time. However, 512 MB RAM seems a bit low, as other phones around this price range are coming with 768 MB RAM.

www.mymobile.co.in

Salora POWERMaxx Z1

expiration date on each.

Multimedia: A good shooter One area in which the Salora Z1 excels is multimedia. The 8.0-megapixel camera is capable of taking some exquisite shots. However one needs to keep the ISO settings low and choose the correct scene feature for the perfect shot. Macro shots came out good as well. The front camera is not bad for video chat, but is not the best for self portrait shots. For entertainment the Z1 also features a few good video and audio apps, along with an FM player. The screen is not the best in the category, but does well enough to keep one entertained. The loudspeaker at the back does a good job and so do the supplied headphones.

User Experience: A few niggles, but a good workable phone

Battery | Li-ion 3,200 mAh

Pros 

Good screen



Excellent battery



Decent rear camera

For a first smartphone, the Z1 does creditably. The operating system might not be the latest, but performs at a decent rate of knots, although the phone’s boot time could have been lesser. Call quality is good too. Another bright point about this phone is its battery life - it lasted for a day and half with light game and browser use, with Wi-Fi running.

Talktime/Standby | up to 22 hours/up to 430 hours GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes Camera | 8.0-megapixel

Conclusion

Cons 

Front camera not the best



Relatively old OS



Bulky

Price: Rs 15,999 5

There are good apps on the phone

It is another Indian brand, which is trying to make a mark in the smartphone segment. We tested the phone with the Quadrant benchmark and the phone scored 2,794 points, which is just a few yards behind the LG L9. All in all, the Salora POWERMaxx Z1 is not a bad buy. In case you want to look at other options around the same price range, you could consider the Samsung S II Duos which is available for Rs 14,500. n

Others | GPS navigation, Chrome browser, XE currency calculator

Has a large battery

The touch of the device is quite smooth

team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Users can use the onboard 4GB storage to stack up on games and apps, and can also add an additional 32GB via a microSD card. The Z1 supports 2 SIM slots, one for CDMA and the other for GSM connection, so one can enjoy best of both worlds. Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

Software: Old OS with lot of new apps Salora has used Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with a customised home and app screen. The home screen has five panels to accommodate widely used apps and widgets.

For quick access, the home screen also has settings, camera , music and gallery icons. From the top one can also pull down the drop down panel, from where one can quickly turn on/off various features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS navigation. The phone comes loaded with various applications right out of the box, including the likes of Chrome browser, XE currency calculator, YouTube and Sound Recorder. For social (network) butterflies, the phone also carries apps such as Twitter, Facebook and Skype. A app worth mentioning is the To Do app, which lets one easily make a list of activities and also put

Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

76%

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 53

burn test WP8 Gets Affordable HTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

8S has the lowest price tag of all WP8 phones in the market

120.5 mm

63 mm

highlights The screen is a treat to work with

The tile interface of Windows Phone 8 works well

54 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

The Beats Audio loudspeaker delivers good sound

Memory can be expanded using a microSD card

Call quality is top notch

www.mymobile.co.in

okia might have a special relationship with Microsoft, but HTC was the first to showcase Windows Phone 8 devices in India. We got our hands on the red version of the phone. Does this lower price device come at the cost of performance?

Looks: If looks could kill HTC must have spent quite a few hours on the design drawing board for the 8S. The result of their efforts is a beautiful phone with a sleek and stunning design. The device has a 4-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen, with three feather touch keys under it for back, home and Bing search buttons. The volume key on the right is large and comfortable to use, as is the power button located on top. A dedicated camera button is also located on the right side of the phone. There is no front facing camera, which we found a bit strange, but it does have a 5.0-megapixel rear camera with LED flash. The overall build of the phone is solid and the matte-finished back panel that runs along the sides makes it easy to grip. Speaking of panels, you cannot remove the one on the back to remove the battery, although you can remove its lower part to insert the SIM and a microSD card.

Hardware: A mixed bag The 8S finds itself against some very stiff competition in its price segment, and to its credit, it does come with some very decent machinery underneath that very sleek hood it has. It comes with a 1 GHz Krait dual core processor and an Adreno 305 GPU. Some might consider the RAM to be on the lower side at 512 MB, but we did not see it affecting the performance of the device. To store games, pictures and application data, the 8S carries 4 GB storage, which can be expanded with the help of a MicroSD card. The 4-inch 16 million display supports a 480 x 800 pixel resolution and is protected by Corning Gorilla glass. As for the battery it has 1,700 mAh Li-Ion non-removable battery. On the connectivity front, the phone has 3G, Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth and GPS.

Software: Windows Phone 8 magic! The 8S is one of the new wave of devices featuring the latest edition of Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform – Windows Phone 8. Unlike the previous version of Windows Phone (7.5), this new version uses the full screen with the tile set by removing the arrow bar. The tile menu system works well and is practical for power users, and it works beautifully on the 8S. One can customise the tile set with ease and can quickly increase or decrease the size. The phone does not have many applications but the few it has, are useful. The office suite is good for people who like to keep their documents handy on the go, while the

Pros 

Good screen



Good sound



Excellent build

Cons 

No front camera



Mediocre rear camera



Limited apps

converter converts currencies, weight, speed, temperature, etc., across different units. And we do think that the flash light app will be handy for those needing a ray of light in dark times – it comes with three levels of LED brightness.Those looking for cloud storage will love the 7GB of Skydrive space which comes with the device.

HTC 8S

Multimedia: Good screen, mediocre camera

Weight | 113 grams

The 4.0-inch display on the 8S is fine for video playback and gaming. The colours are not exceptional like the HTC ONE X+ but are good for its segment. An area in which the phone excels is sound, courtesy HTC’s Beats Audio tie up. One area where the phone does disappoint, however, is in the camera. The 5.0-megapixel shooter does not deliver very good results. Digital noise is apparent and the colours are not very vivid. Shots without flashin brightly lit rooms and surroundings, however came out fine. This is really one for those well-lit areas and sunny days.

User Experience: Not bad

tech specs Size | 120.5 x 63 x 10.28 mm

The HTC 8X left us with mixed emotions. We got floored by its sleek appearance and speedy OS, but were extremely disappointed by the camera. The battery easily lasts for a day and a half, although using Wi-Fi can take a heavy toll of it. Call quality is quite good and the device charges quite briskly too. The touch experience was excellent throughout.

Conclusion The HTC 8S is definitely aimed at the younger generation with its array of colourful covers and excellent sound, courtesy Beats Audio. Yes, it is not perfect, but considering its price tag – it is by far, the most affordable Windows Phone in the Indian market- one can overlook the niggles it does have. Its closest competitor is the Nokia Lumia 820 which is retailing at around the Rs 26,000 mark, although those willing to put up with an older version of Windows Phone can try the Nokia Lumia 800, which is available for Rs 18,000. n team@mymobile.co.in

Corning Gorilla glass

Price: Rs 19,200 verdict Looks

Features

8 9

ease of use perfoRmance

value for money

overall

82%

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 55

burn test nokia lumia 920

Nokia’s New Lumi(a)nary Will the Lumia 920 turn the tide for Nokia

t has been a while since Nokia released a smartphone that has received as much attention as the Lumia 920. For many pundits, it is the biggest challenge the Finnish giant has thrown at Android and iOS in both hardware and software terms. But just how well does it fare against some very stiff competition?

Looks: the 900 redux On first glance, the Lumia 920 looks as if it is cast out of the same mold as its predecessor,

tech specs Size | 130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7mm

the Lumia 900. Both have strikingly similar looks, although the Lumia 920 is just a bit larger and a bit top heavy, courtesy its larger display and that PureView camera (more of both later). Of course, that is not a bad thing at all, considering that the 900 was very easy on the eye. In the case of the Lumia 920 too, the unibody design makes the device stare-worthy, especially if you get a red one, like we did. There are no physical buttons on the front and all the buttons (volume, power and camera) are on the right of

70.8 mm

Talktime/Standby | up to 18.6 hours/ up to 460 hours GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes Camera | 8.0-megapixel Front Others | Carl Zeiss, NFC, City Lens, PhotoBeamer

130.3 mm

Price: Rs 37,000

Cons

Pros 

Excellent display



Priced on the high side



Low light photography



Nokia maps and music

Apps not in the same league as iOS, Android



Battery life

56 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

www.mymobile.co.in

highlights The display is among the best we have seen on a handset

Windows Phone 8 works smoothly

The camera excels in low-light conditions

Nokia Maps and Music are a huge bonus

the device. A micro USB port is at the bottom, while the top houses a 3.5mm jack and a micro SIM card tray, which needs to be released using a SIM extractor. On the back is the 8.7megapixel camera from which extends a steel band with Nokia and Carl Zeiss written on it, and a dual LED flash next to it. The smooth texture of the back makes the phone a tad slippery and some might find it on the heavier side at 185 grammes, but all said and done, the Lumia 920 looks good and feels solid. A rare combination indeed.

Web pages to images a delight. Just above it is a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and that 8.7-megapixel rear camera has some of the PureView pedigree in it as well as the capacity to shoot high definition video. There is the usual bevvy of connectivity options – Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS – with NFC and wireless charging added to the mix (provided ye have the accessory). Yes, we would have loved expandable memory as well, not to mention a removable battery, but all said and done, this is a very well-specced device indeed.

Hardware: Display magic

Software: Windows 8 flagship

The super exterior is backed up with some very decent specs – a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB of onboard storage, but the first thing that will hit you about the phone is the amazing 4.5-inch 1280 x 768 resolution that makes viewing everything from

It is not the first phone in India to fly Windows Phone 8 colours (the HTC 8X has that honour) but the Lumia 920 is seen by many as the flagship Windows Phone 8 device. And while the OS operated as smoothly as it did on HTC’s device, we must confess the display added a new fillip to the tiled interface. The standard Windows Phone 8 features including resizeable tiles, Kid’s Corner (which children can access without touching your own data), Internet Explorer, MS Office, and Bluetooth file transfer are there, and of course, there is Nokia’s addition to the mix – the maps and unlimited music downloads via Nokia Music, as well as apps like City Lens and PhotoBeamer which are available in Windows Market. In one word: formidable!

Multimedia: Hotstepper!

The phone’s build is rock solid, like the Lumia 900

The camera of the Lumia 920 has been getting a lot of attention with its optical image stabilisation and PureView technology. Use it in well-lit conditions and you might wonder what the fuss is about. Turn down the lights a bit and you will find out - the camera took relatively clear pictures in near pitch black conditions and dark, without any flash either. Video was exceptionally good too, even when one’s hands were less than steady. Music quality was very good on headphones and even on loudspeaker mode, and well, one could download music to one’s heart’s content thanks to the unlimited downloads facility from the Nokia Music

Store. The large display is terrific for viewing videos. Yes, if it is multimedia you seek, the 920 is a real ace!

Performance Seen in isolation, the Lumia 920 is nothing short of awesome. It has got a smooth interface, a very good camera and super sound quality - be it on music or on calls. If it has any flaws, it is in the battery life which struggled to get through a day of hefty use - with that camera, one does tend to shoot lots of images and videos - and in the relative paucity of apps when compared to the riches lying with Android and iOS. Compare it with the likes of the iPhone and the high-end Androids (into whose price segment it squarely falls), however, and it does not quite stand out as prominently. We cannot help but feel that it would have been better served by a lower price tag.

Conclusion If you are looking for a high-end device with lots of multimedia muscle, the Lumia 920 is as good as it gets. Those looking for more apps might consider the iPhone 4S which is available for Rs 39,500 while large screen lovers can look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, which is available for Rs 35,500. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

9 8

ease of use

perfoRmance value for money

overall

84%

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 57

boredom buster

An Assassin in America

Assassin’s Creed ventures across the Pacific, with stunning results

esmond Miles is back in yet another instalment of Assassin’s Creed, which after a slow start, has risen to be one of the most popular games around. Assassin’s Creed 3, puts you once again in the very able shoes of Desmond Miles, who is trying to avert the apocalypse of 2012. To do this he is using a machine to go back in time and reliving the moments of his ancestors and turning the tables around. This time he has to go back to the eighteenth century, at the time of the American Revolution, and play the life of his ancestor Connor, a member of a special Assassins group. In best Assassin’s Creed tradition, the objective is simple: stop the league of Templars in their footsteps. There are some additions to the tradition too, though - Assassin’s Creed 3 brings some new moves to the table, which if executed well are very rewarding. When you are

fighting swarms of foes a special icon lights up on the top of the enemy and if you hit a key at the same time, your character performs a special move to take down the opposition. Shades of Batman: Arkham City. The campaign mode is long and rewarding. The graphics on the PS3 are superb and as in all games of the series, so is sound (it had better be - it plays a vital role in those ‘sneaky’ moments). And of course, you have the run of the place - you can scale city walls, trees and even hills with ease. However, the gameplay can get sloppy sometimes. You will often see your enemies slacking and disinterested in engaging you, even when you are a yard away from them. The open world can be a little harsh and you end up falling from a tower or building, if you are not careful. However the engrossing story more than compensates for these eccentricities. A worthy addition to the series. n sulabh@mymobile.co.in

Name: Assassins Creed 3 Price: 2,599 Tested on: PS3

RATING

58 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013



www.mymobile.co.in

Running time again! Temple

Run gets a stunning sequel

hen it comes to games that redefined and indeed, established mobile gaming, Temple Run - the endless running game from Imangi - has a special place, right alongside the likes of Cut the Rope and Angry Birds. And with good reason - the game combined ease of use with extremely addictive gameplay as you helped an explorer out sprint a group of dangerous monkeys whose sacred idol he or she had stolen. Well, Temple Run has now got a sequel. And while those expecting radical innovation will be disappointed in Temple Run 2, followers of the original will just love it. For, the game remains largely the same. You still play a thief who has stolen an idol and have to get away from its defenders, in this case, something that looks like a cross between a gorilla and a vulture. And yes, the aim of the game is still to keep running endlessly, with you getting points for the distance you have covered, as well as the gold coins, power-ups and gems you manage to pick up along the way. Gameplay remains as simple as ever - your character keeps running whether you touch the display or not, you swipe to the right or left to turn in either direction and swipe upwards to jump and downwards to slide below obstacles and crevasses that pop up at regular intervals. So what has

changed? Well, the game has got a whopping graphics update and looks staggeringly beautiful now with pathways in the clouds and a lot more detail than in the past. We also sensed that running has just got a tad tougher with far more obstacles and tricky pathways and yes, you do get to swing from a rope at times too. All in all, Temple Run 2 is every bit what Temple Run was, with a fresh coat of paint thrown in for good measure. And it remains addictive as ever. Get those shoes on, folks. n Name: Temple Run 2

nimish@mymobile.co.in

Price: Free Tested on: iPad (3rd generation)

RATING



feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 59

Smart apps

I Your pictures on all screens

PhotoBeamer lets you show images on any display

magine being able to share the images on your phone on just about any display – a computer, a television, a tablet – by just hitting a few buttons. No messing with wires or passwords. Sounds incredible? Well, Nokia’s PhotoBeamer app for its Lumia range of handsets allows you to do just that. The app is available for free download (yes, it costs nothing) from the Nokia Apps section of the Windows Market. It is a light enough download, and once it is done, all you have to do to send a picture to another display is launch the app and then select the image that you want to send. This will launch the camera on your device and ask you to head to http://photobeamer. com on the device on which you wish to display the image. Entering the URL on the device will show a QR code. All you have to do is scan it using the open

60 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

camera app on your phone and that’s it – the image will be transferred to the other display, without any compromise on resolution or quality. Yes, PhotoBeamer does need both the sending and receiving device to be connected to the Internet – the faster the connection, the better the results – and yes, we wish we could also transfer images to our social networks in a similar manner, but even then, what cannot be denied is the sheer effectiveness of the app. With it, you can send images from your phone to a computer, a tablet, or even another phone literally within seconds, network permitting. And if you have a smart TV, well, you can show off your Lumia’s pictures on the large screen with minimum fuss. A must-have for all those who love to take and share pictures, and have a Lumia! n

nimish@mymobile.co.in

Name: Photo Beamer Price: Free Tested on: Nokia Lumia 900

RATING



www.mymobile.co.in

Picture in picture magic Adding a new spin to mobile photography

rofessional photographers may wince at the very notion, but there is no denying the fact that the humble handset is now most people’s preferred instrument of photography, being easy to use and simply saving one from the need to carry an extra device. Adding to the smartphone’s effectiveness as a makeshift camera are a flurry of apps that allow users to do more with the pictures they have. Instagram and Pixlr-o-matic are prime examples of such apps and joining their ranks now is PIP camera. PIP camera’s charm lies not just in adding filters to your images but also letting you place the image within an object – PIP stands for ‘picture in picture.’ So you can take a picture of a friend and place it within a bottle, a canvas, a logo and a whole lot of other things depending on your inclination. The app also blurs whatever’s in the background of the object, giving you a bokeh-like depth of field result which you can share on your social networks. You can also opt to have a different image in the background if you so wish. All this topped off with a series of filters that let you add a number of effects to your image. The app comes pre-loaded with a number of objects into which you can place your subject and can download a few more free of cost if you feel so inclined. If we have a complaint, it is that like Instagram, it tends to reduce the resolution of the images that one takes. On the flip side, the effects are nothing short of awesome and render quite beautifully. Top that off with the lack of a price tag and this app is pretty much a must have for all those who want to tweak their images innovatively without spending either time or money. n nimish@mymobile.co.in

Name: PIP Camera Price: Free Tested on: iPhone 4S

RATING



feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 61

etcetera Sony Portable Power supply Price: Rs 5,550 Pros | Can charge two devices together,

Good design

Cons | Takes a little extra time to charge, Charges other devices slowly

RATING



Charge on the move A cure for bat-

tery drainers

e live in an era when devices do more and consume more battery. The days of a phone lasting three to four days on a single charge are very much passe. Today, you will be lucky if the smart device, be it a

phone or a tablet, manages to last a single day. You could tackle the situation by either using your device sparingly or by charging it at every opportunity…or, of course, you could simply opt to purchase a portable charger. And if you have a number of devices that need to be juiced up, then the Sony Portable Power Supply is just what you need. It comes with a capacity of a whopping 7,000 mAh which lets you charge your device(s) more than once. The charger comes with a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, encased in a slim and sleek aluminum body – whoever said chargers look bor-

ing clearly did not see this one. It also comes with two USB ports, letting you recharge two devices at one time. A very handy feature given the fact that many people today carry two phones and some even add a tablet to the mix. There is also an on/off button and a light indicator that shows when the charger is on and devices are being charged. The charger comes with a micro-USB cable and an AC adaptor. We just wish it had charged devices at a faster clip - we charged a fully discharged smartphone of 1,400 mAh battery in about two and a half hours. At Rs 5,550, it is not the cheapest option around, but given the build quality and capacity, it is

Charging time! Compact,

speedy charger HCL Power+ Price: Rs 899 Pros | Fast Charges devices, Good price Cons | Design could have been better, Charging cable a bit short

RATING



62 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

e might have started doing more with our mobile devices, but this multi-tasking acumen does tend to drain battery at the rate to knots, to the extent that rare indeed is the smartphone user who does not keep an eye out warily for charging points. Which is the reason why many people have now started carrying portable chargers along with them for those moments when one needs an extra charge. One of the latest to join the ranks of such devices is HCL’s latest Power+ charger, a portable compact charger of 1,800 mAh capacity, which comes with multiple charging connectors. These connectors can provide life to any type of mobile handset or other electronic gadgets like your camera, PSP or even an iPod anytime, anywhere. The device is extremely portable with dimensions of 45 x 76 x 13mm and weighs just 52 grams. It gets fully charged in around three to five hours, if fully drained. We used it to charge a 1,200 mAh battery and it got charged within an hour, which is very impressive indeed. As a bonus, it also comes with two small LED lights which can be switched on to provide a torchlike effect. The device costs around Rs 899, which is not a bad deal for those wanting power on the move. n

www.mymobile.co.in

Mirrorless marvel Canon’s mirror-

less DSLR is out to carve a niche for itself

e do not know whether it has been spurred by the competition or sheer market demand, but Canon has now plunged into the mirrorless DSLR camera segment. And their first salvo in this category is the EOS M, a sleek camera that frankly is a bit expensive but does deliver crisp shots. The build of the camera is quite sturdy. The lens is strong and the large touch-

Canon EOS M (With Kit) Price: Rs 49,995

screen display at the back adds to the show. Thanks to the touchscreen which takes care of most shooting features and tweaks, there are only a few physical keys on the body. One can pinch zoom the images to preview image quality. Talking about which, the images can be shot at 18.0-megapixels and the kit includes a good 18-55mm lens. The camera is capable of giving excellent shots, but not in Auto mode. The Auto mode is good for brightly lit rooms and outdoors. For the rest of the shots, one needs to switch to other modes like AV, program and

manual (there are twelve of them). When compared to other shooters in the mirrorless camp like the Sony NEX series, Canon’s EOS M is a bit thicker and heavier. However it scores on battery life – on a full charge, it can give about 220 shots or an hour and half of HD movie recording. Overall, this is not a bad first move from Canon if you have the money for it. If you want to spend a little less and do not mind a more chunky camera, then you can look at Canon 600D, which is available for around Rs 45,000. n

Pros | Good touch screen, Nice image quality Cons | Slightly heavy, A bit over-

priced

RATING



feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 63

etcetera A heady Windows 8 combo Samsung throws its

hat into the convertible ring

amsung has joined the league of convertible tablets with the ATIV Smart PC, a tablet that can be attached to a full QWERTY keyboard that converts it into a notebook. Running on Windows 8, the Ativ is an 11.6-inch tablet with very good build quality. It sports a purplish blue hue on its back panel and keyboard, an unusual color in tablets. Under the hood the machine packs quite a punch. It runs an Intel Core i5 1.7 GHz processor and comes with 4 GB RAM, with graphics powered by Intel (HD 4000). Together they deliver a very good experience, playing games and movies without hiccups. Windows 8 works very well on the device and the touch experience is generally good, barring the odd problem in swiping. The tablet can play HD movies and supports most audio formats, and if does not, there is always a Windows program that will let you play your files, available in the Market. The keyboard attachment works well too and is handy for users who like to type, although attaching it does make the tablet PC a little heavy. Most features like USB port, speakers and headphone ports are available on the tablet only. The keyboard could have had a bigger role and maybe even sported an additional battery which comes into play as soon as you attach the tablet (although that would have made the convertible even more heavy). Overall, the Ativ proves that Samsung has got a good contender in their Windows 8 corner, although it is a pricey one. Had it been Rs 10,000 less, it would have been a drool-worthy buy. n team@mymobile.co.in

Samsung Ativ Smart PC 700T Price: Rs 75,490

Pros | Good touch screen, Fast processor Cons | Very expensive, No

battery in keyboard

64 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

RATING



For distribution inquiry please contact : +91-9717041986, 011-46206100

consumer forum Complaint 1 In May I purchased a Vodafone postpaid number for 3G data usage, with no calls activated. With the number I got an offer of 3G at Rs 650 for the next three months. When the three months were about to end, I requested a change of data plan to a lower amount. In spite of my repeated requests throughmails, calls and even by going to the Vodafone Care, it was not changed. Through calling and e-mails, Igot several complaint numbers and different customer care representatives telling me my plan will be changed shortly, but it was never changed. Finally I had to put in a request for deactivating all offers on my post-paid number, and I stopped using the SIM ‘then and there..In that particular month, I did not get any bill from Vodafone but yes I did get calls from customer care almost daily telling me my bill was Rs 896. I requested for a physical bill as I was overcharged and wanted to check the bill for details but the company did not send me any bill. After three months now, I have received a bill with amount exceeding Rs 2,000, in spite of never having used the number. I again requested for a detailed statement but the company replied that I have been charged for the data I used in the May-June month, even though I remember paying the bill when I used data over the free limit during that period. What is amisswith the billing and why am I not being given detailed statements of the bill? -MiteshPratap Vodafone’s reply: The issue has been resolved.

Complaint 2 I submitted my Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro handset for repair in August, 2012 at Ranchi. Till date the Sony team is not giving me any update about when I can expect to get the set back. I went to their service centre despite my busy schedule – to my utter surprise, they asked

me to call up their toll free number to get a tentative date! My point here is if I am visiting their service centre – is not their responsibility to provide me with this data? Why should I call up the toll free number? Even their

they couldn't get my contact, because my phone was switched off. Now my mobile number does not get switched off because it is my personal number, but what I forgot to mention in my complaint is that when somebody tries to call my number, they are told that the number is switched off/number doesn't exist/please check the number/out of coverage area. I first thought that this was a network issue, but when I contacted my operator, they asked me to try using my SIM card with another handset. I did so and it worked fine. But when I put it back into my Nokia C-5, the problem returned. What should I do? I have been to Nokia Care and they have tried to repair my phone but my problems are increasing. -Jaychandran Nokia’s Reply: The issue has been resolved.

Complaint 4 I bought a LG Optimus 3D (P920) from Flipkart.com at a price of Rs 29,200.

website does not have proper data about the status of the set. For the last 10 days they are showing that it is under repair. If possible, please intervene and help me out. -ShaunakBasu Sony’s reply: Thank you for contacting the Sony Xperia support centre. We have resolved the issue.

Complaint 3 I saw the September 15 - October 14 issue of My Mobile magazine. In it, relating to my complaint, Nokia's reply was shown as

66 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

Within three months of the purchase, the handset started giving trouble. It would hang at least 2-3 times in a day, and would get discharged easily. When I went to the service centre, they updated the software and replaced the battery of my device as well. However, the problem remained. I then spoke to the customer care people to provide me technical support but was disappointed. Then I asked the area manager to replace the handset and give me a new unit but he suggested I get the motherboard replaced. I did the same and got the motherboard replaced from the customer

care centre. Now the device has started giving me another problem. Every time I start playing a game, it quits by itself in five minutes. Even the processing has slowed down. Earlier, while the camera would get launched in 2-3 seconds, now the same takes 20-25 seconds. Not just this, many other applications are also now giving problems. I want the company people to return me my money, as I am not at happy with the company’s response. I have already visited the service centres a number of times and have spent about Rs 1,300 on the same. I had saved every single penny to invest in this handset and am now highly disappointed. Please help me get the money back. -Shrikant LG’s Response: We have received the handset and will be giving it back to the customer, once the issue has been resolved.

Complaint 5 Recently, I recharged a day’s Internet pack on my Airtel number. I started using the Internet, only when I received aconfirmation SMS from Airtel. But at the end of the day, an amount of Rs. 127 got deducted from my main account. Also, the complaint number 198 is not working on my number. Please look into the matter. -Shis Kumar Airtel’s ReplyThe issue has been noted and our team is working on a resolution.

Are you being harassed by a Telco 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 Telco.

a p p ta s t i c

Stay Appy, Stay Safe

Can an app keep you safe? Well, if used effectively and in a timely manner, of course it can. We take a look at apps for those times when you feel unsafe Nimish Dubey

68 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

he past few weeks have witnessed an uproar in the nation following the assault and murder of a young lady in Delhi. The tragic incident has highlighted the need for better security for women in the country, and even as we go to print, moves are underway to ensure that this happens. Fortunately, there are also a number of applications that can let you contact your near and dear ones in times of strife. These location-based apps send out details of your geographic location to selected contacts, allowing them to come to your aid and/or alert the authorities. Here is a look at five of the best options among these:

www.mymobile.co.in

Glympse Price: Free Sometimes just letting people know where you are at a particular time or where you are heading can make a huge amount of difference. Glympse is designed to do just that. Using it, you can share your location with a select group of people, letting them track your movements exactly as you head towards your destination. The best part is that they don’t even need to have the app themselves - they can view your location on any device that can access the Internet.

Available from: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry

ShakeSOS

StaySafe

bSafe

Heading out to the airport or railway station at a late hour? Or just feeling a tad creepy while heading home? StaySafe is the perfect app for you in these odd situations. The app lets you share the details of your trip when you start out with those you wish to keep in the know and if you do not check in into your destination at the end of the time specified, an alarm is sent out with details of your last recorded GPS location. Incidentally, the alert will be sent out even if your phone is damaged, switched off, or out of battery.

It is hyped as “the most advanced personal safety alarm in the world” and while we would not like to comment on that, there is no doubt that bSafe is one of the simplest safety apps to use. It does a lot of things from sending alerts to friends if you don’t check in to letting you share your location with selected people to sending a fake phone call to your own handset, but what we really love about it is the large SOS button that it places bang in the middle of the screen - in times of trouble, just hit it!

Price: Free

Available from: iOS, Android, BB

It does not really get simpler than this. Just specify the people that you trust and depend on, and when you are in trouble, just shake your phone. Doing so will send out alerts with a custom message as well as your location to these contacts. No, you do not need to even launch the app for it to work - just configure it after downloading and after that, help is a mere handsetshake away. You can also configure the shake threshold to ensure that you do not accidentally trigger off alarms.

Available from: iOS, Android

Available from: Android

Guard My Angel Price: Free Just specify the amount of time you want your Angel in the app to keep a watch over you. If at the end of the time, you do not hit the I am OK button, an alert is sent out to selected contacts along with your last recorded GPS address. You can also send out an SOS alert using the SOS button if a crisis occurs before the time you have specified runs out. The alert will go out even if your phone is damaged subsequently. No, it is not quite as good as having a real angel watch over you, but it definitely is handy.

Available from: iOS, Android n nimish@mymobile.co.in

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 69

Jargon buster

NFC demystified

Considered geek territory at one time, NFC seems set to go mainstream, as it is coming in a number of devices and gadgets. But what is so special about it? Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very basic primer on the technology and where it is headed Ketan Pratap n Near Field Communication (NFC) is a

short range wireless technology that lets two devices exchange small amounts of data when the two are placed in close proximity (less than four inches apart). NFC technology works in a peer-to-peer topology where both endpoints have to be NFCenabled. NFC-equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange information or data with each other with a simple tap or wave. n Nokia, Sony, and Philips formed a NFC

Forum in 2004. This forum was dedicated to promoting the security, ease of use, and popularity of NFC technology. The technology traces its roots back to radio-frequency identification (RFID). It was only in 2006 that the group produced the first set of specifications for NFC tags. NFC tags are small objects, like a sticker that contains information or data that a NFC compatible device such as a smartphone, can intercept when passed over the NFC tag. n Though NFC technology has not been adopt-

ed in the mainstream but its prospects are very exciting. NFC can be used in variety of applications like: Tap to pair - Due to the short range of the interaction, NFC can be used to establish a direct connection between two devices using a secondary bearer technology such as Bluetooth. The Finnish handset maker, Nokia has championed this use case by implementing it in its Bluetooth-enabled accessories. Tap to share - When two NFC enabled devices are held in close proximity with each other, they can exchange information. The information exchanged may be a photo, vCard, URL or it can be an application specific object. Tap to pay/authenticate/redeem - An NFC device follows a standard NFC tag or a contactless SmartCard that is generally referred to as Card emulation mode. This means the mobile device can be used as a credit/payment card, transit card, access key, coupon, or loyalty card. Tap to initiate a service - NFC enabled devices can also gather and transmit information to and from passive NFC tags. NFC

70 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

tags come in a variety of shapes, types and sizes and can be read only or rewriteable. n As years have passed, more specifications

have emerged and the potential of the technology has expanded beyond payment methods to encompass sharing videos, links, and game invites between smartphones and other NFC devices, information, URL, e-mail, RSS feeds and similar information. n Many people get confused between NFC

and Bluetooth technologies and how they work. Bluetooth data transfers are not about security or convenience whereas NFC is secure and requires devices to be in close proximity and convenient. NFC also caters to a shorter communication range, i.e., up to four inches as compared to Bluetooth that works up to 10 meters. n The first NFC-compatible handset was the

Nokia 6131 in 2006. ketan@mymobile.co.in

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Add. - My Mobile Infomidia Pvt. Ltd., # 25, 1st Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001. Phone: 011-46206161, 41081012/13, Fax: 011-41520637 Terms and Conditions: The offer is valid in India only. Gift will be deliverd within a month after clearing of the cheque.Please allow 4 - 6 weeks for processing your subscription. Any request for cancellation of subscription will not be entertained. Copies will be sent by ordinary post. The actual model of Subscription gift may vary from the model shown above. This subscription offer is valid till stocks lasts. All disputes subject to competent courts of Delhi only.

Gear guide Disclaimer: The prices have been obtained from companyies 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 900

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-111

Choose the colour that suits you in a design that’s as comfortable as it is stylish - up to five colours available. It is lightweight and offers long time usage. Rs 2,110

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 5,000

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-218

It puts you in control of your hands free calls and keeps you connected all day long. Rs 1,999

Nokia Universal Portable USB Charger | DC-16

You can now charge your smartphone anytime, anywhere with this power bank. It is compatible with most of the devices and has a battery capacity of 2,200 mAh. Rs 1,499

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 9,000

Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset | BH-505

Nokia Mono Bluetooth Headset | BH-109

With Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-109, you can handle calls hands-free, even when you are using two mobile devices at the same time. Rs 1,600

Bluetooth Headset BH-505 keeps you active and entertained. The headset features a lightweight neckband for all day comfort. Rs 3,500

72 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

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 1,500

Nokia Bluetooth Headset | BH-112

Keep it simple - pick up and end calls at the touch of a button. It works with multiple handsets at the same time ideal if you have phones for work and play. Rs 1,450

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 10,500

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 1,110

Nokia Mini Speaker | MD-11

Play your music and listen to the radio out loud with this compact, yet powerful mini speaker. You can also connect them for quality stereo surround sound. Rs 1,100

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 enable convenient wireless communication throughout the day. Rs 1,000

Nokia Car Charger | DC-4

Simple and compact, this mobile phone charger offers rapid phone charging from a car cigarette lighter socket. Rs 220

feb 15 to mar 14 2013 MYMOBILE 73

mobile doctor comes with a full office suite, a 5.0-megapixel camera, and good e-mail and social network connectivity, with an expanding app market as well.

I am a regular reader of your magazine. I want to buy a Windows Phone 8 device. Tell me its pros and cons. Earlier I used Samsung SII but, now I want to switch over to Windows platform. Can I have similar features of Android in Windows Phone 8? –Vijay Adhavhi For Windows Phone 8, Nokia is one of the better choices. The Lumia series currently has Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 running Windows Phone 8. Yes, you can get a lot of Android’s features (good browsing, mail, social networking, and some good apps) on Windows Phone 8 too. I want to buy an HTC phone. Please tell me about the brand and also suggest which device would be a good option? – Manoj Gosh HTC is a well-known brand in the smartphone market. Which device you want depends on your requirements - HTC has a number of devices, such as the One range, the Desire range, the Butterfly and so on. I want to purchase a phone with a good camera, decent battery backup and voice clarity. I am a bit confused between different operating systems. I am not much into applications but, would be using some basic things like Microsoft Office, mail and Facebook. My budget is around Rs.15, 000 please suggest a good option and a value for money device. -Darshit Tejani In your budget and with your requirements, the Nokia Lumia 710 is perhaps the best option. It

I want to buy a phone in the budget of Rs. 13,000 – 14,000. I have shortlisted a few like HTC desireV, HTC One V, Sony Xperia Miro, Xperia U, Xperia Go, and Xperia Sola. I would like to know that which one would be best amongst all these. –Simardeep Singh Out of these, the HTC Desir V is the best, in my opinion. It is comfortably sized. In terms of hardware, all these devices are almost the same, so you will have to see which suits you the best. I am a regular reader of your magazine. I would like to know when will Samsung reveal Jelly Bean updates for all its devices. So far the update is only available for SIII and Note 2. I own the Galaxy Ace and SII. I want to experience the new OS on Ace. When do you think Samsung will give updates as HTC has already given that for all its devices? –Archit Gupta Jelly Bean may not be expected on all devices as updates are being released depending on the hardware of the device. At the end, it is the call of the manufacturer. Do keep checking for updates. I want to purchase a mobile phone and my budget is Rs. 10,000. I want features like a large display, 5.0-megapixel camera and Android operating system. Please suggest some good options. –Iqtedar Alam In this budget, you can try the Karbonn A21. It comes with a dual core 1.2 Ghz, Qualcomm Snapdragon based processor, has a 4.5-inch qHD display and a 5.0megapixel camera. I want to buy a phablet.

74 MYMOBILE feb 15 to mar 14 2013

The specifications I am looking for are a 5-inch display, 1 GHz dual-core processor, good battery backup, video calling and video chatting, good screen resolution, 1GB RAM, 5 or 8-megapixel rear camera and ICS operating system. Please suggest some good brands along with their prices. –Ranjeet Dhinwa For 5 inches, you can opt for the Samsung Galaxy Grand. It has

1GB RAM and an 8.0-megapixel camera. The Micromax A110 Canvas 2 has 512MB RAM and 8-megapixel camera, but the camera quality is not as good as Samsung. The Grand is a better choice but if you are looking for a lower priced device, then the A110 is a good option. I brought a Karbonn Smart tab about seven months ago. I bought it for the purpose of video calling and chatting on Skype and Tango, but Skype and many other apps are not compatible with Google Play. Please tell me why the apps are not compatible and what can I do to fix it? –Burhan You can get the tablet updated from the service center to Android Jelly Bean. That should solve your issues on video call-

ing and Skype also works in that version. I am a regular reader of My Mobile magazine. I want to buy a smartphone working on Android platform and my budget is Rs. 25,000-30,000. It should have a powerful processor and must be futuristic as well. I have shortlisted three devices – Samsung Galaxy Note, Sony Xperia SL amd Sony Xperia Ion. Please suggest which would be the best amongst them. –Chetan Gulati The Samsing Galaxy Note 2 is the best choice among these. It has a wonderful display and camera. Moreover, its multi window and stylus functions do not have any competition at the moment. It also comes with Android Jelly Bean. I want to purchase a phone with good app support and multimedia capabilities. The display should also be high resolution. My selected choices are the iPhone5, HTC oneX+ and Samsung Galaxy S III. Please suggest if there are some other good devices. Price is not a restraint. –Kime Kaing The iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III are good choices. The iPhone 5 has a retina diplay with high pixel density while the S III has a vibrant Super AMOLED display. If you are looking for multimedia, then in my opinion, the S III is the better choice, but the iPhone 5 is slim and elegant.

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.

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 Fab 3, 2013) Devices featured in the My Guide have been segregated into four categories baswed on price and colourcoded as:

Tablet 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 75 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS 1280

100

101

110

114

112

C2-02

Dimension (mm)

107.2 x 45.1 x 15.3

110 x 45.5 x 14.9

110 x 46 x 14.8

110.4 x 46.9 x 15.4

102.8 x 51.2 x 17

Weight (grams)

81.92

69.6

110

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.30/528

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

NA/No

7.2/840

10.5/637

14/840

5/60x0

65,536/1.8

56K/1.8

65,536/2.6

NA/No

64MB/32GB

16MB/32GB

10MB/32GB

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

1000

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Symbian S30

S30

S40

Symbian S40

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Dual Band/No

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Slider/Yes/No

1,050

1,250

1,550

2,300

2,500

3,150

C2-03

202

Asha 200

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

X2-02

Asha 205

Dimension (mm)

113 x 50 x 15

112.8 x 61.1 x 13

116 x 49 x 12.4

103 x 51.4 x 17

114.8 x 49.8 x 13.9

115.4 x 61.1 x 14

110.3 x 53.8 x 12.8

Weight (grams)

115

105

9.8/443

11/891

20/680

5/400

7/888

14/600

Talktime/Standby (hours)

206

NEW

Asha 306

NEW

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.2

65,536/2.4

65,536/2.6

262,144/2.4

65,536/2.4

65,536/3.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

10MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

10MB/32GB

NA/32GB

64MB/32GB

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

1.3Mp/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1000

Shared

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Symbian S40

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Slider/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

3,300

3,500

3,600

3,900

4,000

4,100

4,200

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

Price in Rs

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 76 MY

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

Asha 305

Asha 309

Asha 308

Asha311

302

303

500

Dimension (mm)

110.3X53.8X12.8

109.9 x 54 x 13.2

109.9x54x13

106 x 52 x 12.9

116.5 x 55.7 x 13.9

111.3 x 53.8 x 14.1

Weight (grams)

102

104

Talktime/Standby (hours)

14X528

6/650

17/600

14/696

9/707

8.2/731

7/500

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.0

65,536/3.0

262,144/3.0

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.6

16million/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

64MB/32GB

128MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

128MB/32GB

100MB/32GB

2GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Symbian S40

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

Symbian S40

Symbian Anna

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

4,200

4,800

5,200

6,300

6,400

7,900

8,200

Lumia 710

Lumia 800

808

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

C5-03

Lumia 510

Lumia 610

Dimension (mm)

105.8 x 51 x 13.8

115 x 58.9 x 12.8

119 x 62.4 x 12.5

116.5 x 61.2 x 12.1

123.9 x 60.2 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

126

129

131.5

125.5

142

169

11.5/600

7.3/400

6.2/738

10.5/670

7.3/400

13/265

11/465

Talktime/Standby (hours)

120.7 x 64.9 x 11.5 119.24 x 62.18 x 11.9

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.2

262,144/2.36

65,536/4.0

16million/3.7

16miilion/3.7

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

40MB/16GB

256MB/32GB

4GB/No

8GB/No

16GB/No

16GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

41.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Symbian S60

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

8,500

9,400

10,500

12,500

13,500

18,000

24,500

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/Yes

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

Windows Phone 7.8 Windows Phone 7.5 Windows Phone 7.5 Windows Phone 7.5

Nokia Belle

YMOBILE 77 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

myguide MODELS

SUB-ENTRY LEVEL

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Lumia 820

DS 186

DS187

DS222

MV264

Dimension (mm)

123.8 x 68.5 x 9.9

127.8 x 68.5 x 11.5

130.3 x 70.8 x 10.7

108X47X15.6mm

107.9 x 44 x 14.8

115 x 49 x 14.7

122 x 53 x 14

Weight (grams)

160

185

138

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Lumia 900

FLY

Model

NEW

Lumia 920

NEW

15.4/360

7/300

18.6/460

5/240

5/200

9/500

10/500

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7million/4.3

16million/4.3

16.7million/4.5

65,536/1.8

NA/2.2

NA/2.6

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/64GB

16GB/No

32GB/No

NA/ 16GB

NA/32GB

100KB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

VGA/No/yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

200

100

200

300

Quad Band/No

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

Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 7.5

Windows Phone 8

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

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Nucleus

Proprietry

Nucleus

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

27,000

29,000

37,000

1,299

1,990

2,290

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

FLY

PARAMETERS Model

INTEX

MICROMAX

MV242n

DS222+

Yuvi

Dimension (mm)

118 x 51 x 15

115 x 49 x 14.5

117×50.5×13.8

114 x 48 x 15.6

X104C

121x51x10.77 mm

126.9 x 55.1 x 10.95

Weight (grams)

125

92.5

NEW

X350

NEW

X295

NEW

X325

NEW

Talktime/Standby (hours)

10/ 400

9/ 360

5/250

7.5/330

5/360

4/200

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.4

262,144/2.4

65,536/1.8

262,144/3.0

65,536/2.6

65,536/2.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

245KB/32GB

NA/32GB

NA/16GB

26KB/4GB

78KB/4GB

258KB/4GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

Yes/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

200

500

200

300

500

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Proprietry

Nucleus

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

2,399

2,499

1,485

1,038

1,800

1,900

2,250

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 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 78 MY

MODELS

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SPICE

WYNNCOM

1200

E1207T

E1282T

E2232

Metro 2252

M5365

W100n

Dimension (mm)

109.5 x 45.5 x 12.8

108.0 x 45.5 x 13.5

109.2 x 45.5 x 14.5

109.2 x 46.0 x 14.9

113.0 x 46.0 x 13.9

118 x 53 x 15

108 x 46 x 14.7

Weight (grams)

65.1

74.5

101

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8.6/800

8/430

12/660

NA/500

11.9/760

8/650

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65536/1.5

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.8

65,536/1.77

65,536/1.8

65,536/2.4

NA/1.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32MB/No

NA/No

NA/4GB

20MB/8GB

NA/32GB

NA/8GB

NA/16GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

No/No

Yes/No

No/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

NA/NA/NA

Phonebook Capacity

100

1,000

300

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

No/No/No

Operating System

Proprietary

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

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,190

1,250

1,750

2,200

2,300

1,700

999

MODELS

ENTRY LEVEL

WYNNCOM

PARAMETERS Model

FLY

LAVA

W221

W617

W601

W704

E284

E350

Dimension (mm)

128 x 48 x 13.5

124.4 x 57.2 x 14.7

117.2 x 55.4 x 13.5

103 x 56 x 13.8

114 x 62 x 13.5

114 x 62 x 13.2

Weight (grams)

110

111.4

81.2

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

6.5/500

8/700

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.0

NA/3.0

NA/2.8

NA/3.0

NA/2.8

NA/3.5

262,144/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/16GB

NA/32GB

NA/32 GB

45KB/16GB

258KB/4GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Discover 132

NEW

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

0.3 MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

1.3 MP/Yes /Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/Yes/Yes

1.3 MP/Yes/Yes

VGA/No?yes

Phonebook Capacity

300

1,500

1,000

500

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Proprietary

Nucleous

Proprietary

Nucleus

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

1,499

2,199

2,349

2,499

2,990

4,590

3,299

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 79 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS PARAMETERS Model

LAVA Discover 135

MICROMAX

A290

T375

X445

Dimension (mm)

113.5 x 51 x 13

103 x 59 x 10.7

110.3 X 55.2 X 14.1

96.9 x 54.3 x 13.5

113.97 x 47.9 x 13.99

Weight (grams)

88.9

Talktime/Standby (hours)

X456

SAMSUNG Champ Neo Duos C3262

NEW

Metro Duos C3322

25/NA

12.8/601

4.5/190

4/129

14/550

10/500

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.5

65,536/2.2

262,144/3.2

65,536/3.5

NA/3.2

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/16GB

NA/4GB

48MB/16GB

105KB/8GB

NA/8GB

20MB/32GB

46MB/16GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

Yes/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

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

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Proprietary

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

3,600

3,450

4,600

2,600

3,150

3,050

3,150

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SPICE

WYNNCOM

Champ Delux

Chat 3G 527

Star 3 Duos

Champ 3.5G S3770

M5900

W707

W716

Dimension (mm)

101.8 x 55.0 x 12.3

103 x 55 x 12

102 x 58 x 11.51

114x62x13.6

107.5 x 55.8 x 13.1

120 x 63 x 12.4

Weight (grams)

89.7

95.5

109

Talktime/Standby (hours)

15.8/500

3/288

14.3/520

6/350

3/200

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.0

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.5

NA/3.2

NA/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

30MB/16GB

80MB/32GB

20MB/16GB

30MB/16GB

NA/32GB

NA/32 GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

500

1,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA, HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Proprietary

Nucleous

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

3,600

3,850

4,000

4,800

3,000

3,049

3,249

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

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 80 MY

MODELS

HIGH END

WYNNCOM

PARAMETERS

TAG HEUER

VERTU

W711

W720

Meridiist GMT Stainless Steel/Black PVD

Link

Meridiist Steel & Gold

Ascent

Constellation Ayxta

Dimension (mm)

120 x 63 x 11.8

125.7 x 68.6 x 10.8

112 x 46 x 15.5

118 x 67 x 16.6

112 x 46 x 15.5

117 x 46 x 19

100 x 48 x 18

Weight (grams)

110

138

155

200

155

148

174

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

7/392

6.5/336

7/392

4.8/300

6/300

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/3.5

NA/4.0

262,144/1.9

16million/3.5

262,144/1.9

16million/2.0

16million/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/32 GB

NA/NA

256MB/8GB

NA/NA

8GB/32GB

100MB/8GB

Model

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/Yes/Yes

1.3 MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

2,000

500

1,000

Shared

1,000

2,000

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

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Nucleous

Andriod v2.2

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

Yes/Yes

Yes / Yes

Yes/No

Yes/NA

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Clamshell/No/No

4,599

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

Starting 3,25,000+

Starting 5,40,000+

Starting 2,89,000+

Starting 3,47,000+

3,399

MODELS

ENTERPRISE LEVEL

VERTU

PARAMETERS Model

APPLE

BLACKBERRY

Ascent Ti

Constellation Quest

Signature

iPhone 4

iPhone 4S

iPhone 5

Curve 8520

Dimension (mm)

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

123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6

109 x 60 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

160

165 to 185

166

137

140

112

106

Talktime/Standby (hours)

5/300

7.5/349

3.5/300

14/300

14/200

8/225

4.5/408

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/2.0

16million/2.46

16million/2.0

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

65,536/2.46

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/No

8GB/32GB

4GB/No

16,32GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

256MB/microSD

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,500

Shared

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad band/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/R99

iOS 6

BlackBerry OS

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Starting 3,75,000+

Starting 3,90,000+

Starting 7,28,000+

26,500/31,900

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

38,500/45,500/54,500 45,500/52,500/59,500

Yes/Yes/No

8,400

YMOBILE 81 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS Curve 9220

Curve 9320

Curve 9360

9860

Bold 9790

9810

9900

Dimension (mm)

109 x 60 x 12.7

112 x 62 x 14.2 mm

120 x 62 x 11.5

110 x 60 x 11.4

111 x 62 14.6

115 x 66 x 10.5

Weight (grams)

102

103

130

135

107

161

130 6.3/296

Model

7/432

5/336

4.7/337

5.1/432

6.5/296

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.44

262,144/2.44

16million/3.7

16million/2.45

16million/3.2

16million/2.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

2.5GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/32GB Yes/Yes

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

YesYes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/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

Yes/Yes/No BlackBerry OS 7.1

Dual Band/No

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

BlackBerry OS 7.1

BlackBerry OS 7.0

Blackberry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS 7.0 Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Slider/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

16,000

21,500

26,000

27,500

32,000

9,750

15,500

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/No

BYOND

PARAMETERS Model

B51

NEW

B54

NEW

FLY B63

NEW

Phablet PIII

NEW

F350

F51

NEW

F410

Dimension (mm)

113 x 61.2 x 8

125.2 x 64 .4 x 11.8

136 x 68.8 x 1.7

158.5 x 88.6 x 11.3

118.88 x 61.79 x 11.8

146X 77 X 11.5

123.9 x 64 x 10

Weight (grams)

115

172

164

230

115.5

170

101.5

4/120

4/192

7/140

4/100

4/350

7/144

10/331

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

NA/3.5

NA/4.0

NA/4.5

NA/6.0

NA/3.5

16.7million/5.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

256MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

110MB/32GB

130MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Shared

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

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.

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

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

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/NA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android v 2.3

Android v 4.1

Android v 2.3

Android 4.0 ICS

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

3,499

4,499

9,999

12,699

6,499

8,999

11,999

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 82 MY

MODELS

HTC

PARAMETERS Model

Explorer

Wildfire S

Desire C

Desire V

One V

Desire VC

Dimension (mm)

102.8 x 57.2 x 12.9

101.3 x 59.4 x 12.4

107 X 60 X 11.9

118.5 x 62.3 x 9.32

120.3 x 59.7 x 9.24

120.5 x 63 x 10.28

119.5 x 62.3 x 9.5

Weight (grams)

81.3

105

114

115

113

118

Talktime/Standby (hours)

7.6/485

4/120

NA/NA

6.73/261

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

16million/3.2

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/3.7

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

90MB/32GB

512MB/microSD

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/CDMA+GSM

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

Android OS v2.3

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

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

Android v4.0

Windows Phone 8

Yes/Yes/Rev.A Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,700

10,990

12,999

16,800

17,000

19,200

19,500

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

HTC

PARAMETERS Model

Desire X

Desire SV

One S

OneX

One X+

Dimension (mm)

118.5 x 62.3 x 9.3

129.7 x 67.9 x 10.7

130.9 x 65 x 7.8

134.36 x 69.9 x 8.9

132.35 x 66.2 x 10.12

134.36 x 69.9 x 8.9

143 x 70.5 x 9.08

Weight (grams)

114

131

119.5

130

135

140

20/833

NA/NA

10/290

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16 million/4.3

16million/4.3

16million/4.7

16 million/ 4.3

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

16GB/No

32GB/No

16GB/No

64GB/No

16GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

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.

Butterfly

NEW

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

Android v4.0

Windows Phone 8

Android v4.1

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

18,999

21,990

25,750

32,000

34,999

39,999

45,500

YMOBILE 83 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

IDEA

PARAMETERS

INTEX

ID 918

ID 280

Aurus

Blade

Aqua 3.2

Aqua Sx

Aqua 5.0

Dimension (mm)

111 x 57 x 12

102 x 53 x 13

116 x 56.5 x 11.8

110.5 x 61 x 12.6

116 x 60.5 x 13

143 x 80 x 10.1

Weight (grams)

126

130

125

138

198.9

Model

4/200

4/288

3.5/200

4/192

4/120

5/360

5/115

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.5

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

152MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

152MB/32GB

75MB/32GB

128MB/32GB

2GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

5.0 MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android v2.3

Android v2.2

Android v2.3

Android v2.2

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

4,600

4,700

6,600

6,650

3,730

4,720

9,690

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes Bar/Yes/No

KARBONN

PARAMETERS Model

A1+

NEW

A15

A9+

A21

S1 Titanium

NEW

A30

Dimension (mm)

114.5 x 60.6 x 13.8

124 x 63.6 x 12.4

134.6 x 66 x 9.25

166 x 91 x 10.7

Weight (grams)

130

110

280

4/240

3.5/120

NA/NA

4/200

5/200

4/200

10/600

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

262,144/3.5

262,144/4.0

NA/4.5

16million/4.5

262,144/5.9

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/32GB

202MB/32GB

NA/32GB

4GB/32GB

2.5GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.15/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v4.1

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

4,190

4,990

6,290

7,990

9,990

10,990

11,490

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

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 84 MY

MODELS

LAVA

PARAMETERS Model

Iris N320

L3 E400

Optimus Pro C660

Optimus L3 Dual

P698

115 x 61.5 x 11.9

125 x 63 x 10.2

148.5 x 79 x 10.5

102.6 x 61.6 x 11.85

119.5 x 59.7 x 12.9

102.6x 61.6 x11.85

114 x 59 x 11.7

Weight (grams)

115

110

129

119

124

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Iris

n400 NEW

Dimension (mm)

NEW

Iris N501

NEW

4/390

7.8/620

12/600

13.5/852

17/1044

11.5/556

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

16million/4.0

16million/5.0

262,144/3.2

262,144/2.8

262144/3.2

262,144/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

100MB/32GB

127MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

170MB/32GB

1GB/32GB

160MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

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

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

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

4,799

8,499

13,999

7,300

8,300

8,400

9,100

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

PARAMETERS Model

E510

Optimus L5

Optimus L5 Dual

Optimus Black P970

Optimus L7 P705

E730

Optimus L9 P765

Dimension (mm)

113.4 x 60.8 x 11.9

118.3 X 66.5 X 9.5

118.3 X 66.5 X 9.6

122 x 64 x 9.2

125.5 x 67 x 8.7

122.5 x 62.5 x 9.8

131.9 x 68.2 x 9.1

Weight (grams)

123

125

126

109

124

107

125

Talktime/Standby (hours)

10/900

10/901

6/375

19/902

18.5/496

12/830

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.2

16million/4.0

16million/4.1

16 million/4.0

16million/4.3

16million/3.8

16 million/4.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

Yes/32GB

4GB/32GB

2GB/32GB

2.72GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/N0

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/ GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v4.1

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

11,500

13,000

16,200

16,500

16,880

19,000

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,HSUPA

YMOBILE 85 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

PARAMETERS

MICROMAX

Optimus 2X

3D maxx P725

Optimus Vu P895

Optimus 4X HD

Dimension (mm)

123.9 x 63.2 x 10.9

126.8 x 67.4 x 9.98

139.6 X 90.4 X 8.5

132.4 x 68.1 x 8.9

104.5x56x13

Weight (grams)

139

148

168

133

102

Model

A54 Smarty 3.5

NEW

A89 Ninja

NEW

A68

14.5/421

17.5/365

16/510

9.3/730

4/170

5/144

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

16million/5.0

16million/4.7

262,144/3.5

262,144/4.0

65,536/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

32GB/No

16GB/32GB

130MB/32GB

2.07GB/32GB

2GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

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

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

19,650

25,299

27,200

27,550

4,590

6,190

6,490

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

MICROMAX

PARAMETERS Model

SAMSUNG

A110

A90S

Galaxy Pocket 5300 Galaxy Y Duos Lite

Galaxy Y

Galaxy Chat B5330

Galaxy Y Duos

Dimension (mm)

147 x 76.5 x 9.7

125 x 65 x 10.6

103.9 x 57.90 x 12.98 103.9 x 57.9 x 12.98

104.0 x 58.0 x 11.5

118.9 x 59.3 x 11.7

109.8 x 60 x 11.95

Weight (grams)

144

97.5

112

109

5/180

5/174

15.8/520

15/410

6/120

14/520

17.5/630

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16 million/5.0

262,144/4.3

262,144/2.8

262,144/3.0

262,144/3.1

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

3GB/32GB

2GB/32GB

160MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

160MB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

9,990

12,900

6,100

6,200

6,500

8,050

8,200

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

Price in Rs.

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 86 MY

MODELS

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

5830 Galaxy Ace

Galaxy Ace Duos

Galaxy S duos

Galaxy Advance i9070

Dimension (mm)

Galaxy Y Duos Pro 5512 Galaxcy Music Duos

110.8 x 63.5 x 11.9

110.1 X 59 X 12.3

112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5

112.74 x 61.5 x 11.5

121.5 x 63.1 x 10.5

123.20 x 63 x 9.79

143.5 x 76.8 x 9.6

Weight (grams)

112.3

106.9

113

122

120

161

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Galaxy Grand

NEW

19.16/740

15/570

12/520

16.8/570

12.8/570

15.5/690

10.1/440

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.6

262,144/3.0

16million/3.5

262,144/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

158MB/32GB

3GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

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

Quad Band/No

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

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.2

Android v2.3

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

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.1

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

8,750

9,100

9,900

10,700

15,000

18,500

21,100

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SONY

Galaxy SII i9100

Galaxy Note

Galaxy SIII

Galaxy Note II N7100

Xperia tipo

Xperia tipo dual

Xperia miro

Dimension (mm)

125.30 x 66.10 x 8.49

146.9 x 83 x 9.7

136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6

151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4

103 x 57 x 13

103 x 57 x 13 mm

113 x 59.4 x 9.9 mm

Weight (grams)

116

178

133

183

99.4

110

19.3/710

6/100

22.5/830

35/980

5/470

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.27

16million/5.3

16million/4.8

16 million/5.5

262,144/3.2

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

2.9GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15/No/Yes

5.0/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

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/HSPA+

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

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v4.1

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

23,000

26,500

32,000

35,500

9,199

9,999

14,050

YMOBILE 87 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

SONY

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

Xperia U

Xperia J

Xperia go

Neo L

Xperia Sola

Xperia P

Xperia S

112 x 54 x 12

124.3 x 61.2 x 9.2

111 X 60.3 X 9.8

120 X 61 X 12.8

116.0 x 59.0 x 9.9

122 x 59.5 x 10.5

128 x 64 x 10.6

110

124

110

131.5

107

120

144

6.6/472

7/618

6.3/520

8/575

6/475

7.5/450

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/3.5

16million/4.0

16million/3.7

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/No

4GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/No

32GB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

12.0MP/Yes/Yes

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

Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

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

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

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

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

15,500

16,000

17,000

17,050

17,990

22,000

26,000

MODELS

Price in Rs.

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

PARAMETERS

SONY

SPICE

Xperia SL

Xperia Ion

Stellar Craze Mi-355

Stellar Mi-425

Stellar Virtuoso Mi 495 NEW

Mi-500

Stellar Virtuoso Mi 530

Dimension (mm)

128.0 x 64.0 x 10.6

133.0 x 68.0 x 10.6

118 x 62 x 11.5

125 x 63.5 x 12.5

143 x 77.4 x 10.5

152 x 79 x 10.3

Weight (grams)

144

110

205

196.3

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NEW

8/410

10/400

4/192

5/NA

NA/NA

4.1/696

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

16M/4.55

NA/3.5

262,144/4.0

16millionm/4.5

16 million/5.0

16million/5.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32GB/No

16GB/32GB

140MB/32GB

149MB/32GB

NA/32GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

12.1MP/Yes/Yes

12.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/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

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

26,500

29,999

5,500

8,350

10,499

12,400

13,999

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 88 MY

MODELS

CDMA

WYNNCOM

PARAMETERS Model

Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

119.5 x 63 x 11.4

XOLO

NEW

117.8 x 63 x 11.2

A700

A800

N900

Samsung Hero Plus 159

Samsung B209

136 x 68.5 x 9.1

133x67x10.5

123 x 63 x 10.99

108.5 x 45.8 x 13.3

108.0 x 44.8 x 14.3

129

118

115

124

72.3

NA/NA

4/140

7/425

6/NA

14/336

3/230

4.3/470

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/3.5

16million/3.5

16 million/ 4.5

16 million/4.5

16million/4.0

65,536/1.52

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/32 GB

100MB/32 GB

4 GB/32 GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/No

597KB/No

351KB/No

Yes/Yes

No/No

3.0MP/No/ Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity Frequency/Dual SIM

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

Shared

1,000

Quad Band/No

CDMA/No

CDMA/No No/No/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

No/No/No

Operating System

Android v2.3

Android v4.0

Android v2.3

BREW

Yes / Yes

Yes/Yes

No/Yes

No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

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

7,499

9,999

12,500

17,600

1,000

Samsung B379

Samsung B339

Samsung Guru Muzik 219

MODELS

Price in Rs.

76 6,499

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Samsung B229

Samsung Hero B189 Samsung Hero B319

Lava ARC8c

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

112 x 46.3 x 15.3

Weight (grams)

75.7

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NEW

6.5/720

3.3/250

3/257

4.3/470

4/230

5/90

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.7

65,536/2.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

450KB/No

NA/No

1MB/No

351KB/No

14MB/2GB

NA/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

No/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

500

1,000

100

Frequency/Dual SIM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

BREW

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

Price in Rs.

No/No

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,100

1,200

1,380

1,400

1,650

2,500

2,699

YMOBILE 89 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Samsung Guru Dual CDMA

Mpower TV 239

MTS Live Wire

MTS M-Tag

Samsung Primo Duos

MTS M-Tag 352

MTS M-Tag 351

Dimension (mm)

114.9 x 47.8 x 14.1

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

114.5 x 61 x 11

116x62.2x12.15

Weight (grams)

86.7

103

6.5/300

4.4/420

3/200

4.4/200

6.67/160

4/200

5/200

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.0

262,144/2.4

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

7.41MB/4GB

85MB/16GB

256MB/32GB

170MB/32GB

75MB/-

512MB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

YesNo

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

2,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

CDMA/No

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA

Quad Band/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/EVDO Rev.0

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

No/No/Rev.A

BREW

Android v2.2

BREW

Android OS v2.3

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

3,250

4,150

4,600

4,699

4,999

5,999

6,900

MODELS

TABLET

CDMA

PARAMETERS Model

Samsung Galaxy Y CDMA

MTS M-Tag401

Dimension (mm)

104.0 x 58.0 x 11.5

127 x 64 x 13

Weight (grams)

97.5

132

Talktime/Standby (hours)

APPLE

Blackberry 8530

Galaxy Ace Duos I589

BlackBerry Curve CDMA 9350

iPad Mini Wi-Fi

iPad Mini Wi+3G

109 x 60 x 13.9

112.4 x 59.9 x 12.44

109 x 60 x 11

200 x 134.7 x 7.2

105

125

308

312

6/120

4.3/200

4.5/252

7/300

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/3.0

262,144/4.0

65,536/NA

16million/3.5

NA/2.44

16 million/7.9

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

160MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

16,32,64GB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

YesYes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/NA/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0 MP/No/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.

CDMA/No

Quad Band/No

CDMA/No

Dual Band/CDMA+GSM

CDMA/No

NA/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/Rev.A

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Rev.A

Yes/Yes/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android v2.3

BlackBerry OS

Android v2.3

BlackBerry OS7

iOS 6

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,250

7,800

12,500

12,850

17,999

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 90 MY

21,900/27,900/33,900 29,900/35,900/41,900

MODELS

APPPLE

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

BYOND

iPad 2 Wi-Fi

i-Pad 2 Wi-Fi+3G

iPad(4th generation) Wi-Fi

241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

iPad(4th generation) Mi Book Mi 1 Wi-Fi+3G

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

NEW

119x191x11.9 mm

Mi Book Mi 2

NEW

Mi Book Mi 5

NEW

111.5x193x11.6 mm

124.6x194x11

607

652

662

340

324

348

10/720

NA/NA

3/NA

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/9.7

16 million/9.7

16million/7.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16,32,64 GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

iOS 4.3

iOS 6

Android OS, v4.0

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

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

4,250

5,350

6,999

23,999/29,500/34,500 32,000/38,000/44,000 31,900/37,900/43,900 39,900/45,900/51,900

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/No Bar/Yes/No

BYOND

PARAMETERS

HCL U2

Dimension (mm)

120 x 190 x 9.3

151 x 200 x 9.6

Weight (grams)

474

344

430

Model

Laplet L9

NEW

Laplet L9+

NEW

Mi Book Mi 7

NEW

Mi Book Mi 8

NEW

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/9.0

16million/7.0

16million/8.0

16million/7.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Talktime/Standby (hours)

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

4GB/32GB

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Sahred

Shared

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.

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/No

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS, v4.0

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,750

8,250

10,999

11,999

5,999

7,999

11,999

YMOBILE 91 FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 MY

MODELS

myguide

PARAMETERS

HCL

INTEX

KARBONN

MICROMAX

ME G1

I BUDDY 7.0

Smart Tab 2

Smart Tab 8

Smart Cosmic

Infinity P275

Funbook

Dimension (mm)

238 X 186 X 11

193 X 121 X 9

192 x 122 x 10.5

122 x 192 x 10

Weight (grams)

570

316

360

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

7/NA

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/9.7

16million/7.0

16million/8.0

16 million/9.7

16.7million/7.0

NA/7.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

1GB/32GB

1.5GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

No/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/No

0.3/No/NA

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

No/No/Yes

GPRS/EDGE/3G

NA/NA/Yes

No/No/NA

No/No/Yes

Operating System

Android v4.0

Android v4.1

Android v4.0

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

14,999

6,150

5,990

6,990

9,990

4,500

5,850

MODELS

Price in Rs.

Yes/No Bar/Yes/No

MY ZEN TAB

PARAMETERS Model

SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab2 310

708B

708BH

Dimension (mm)

193 x 121 x 8.5

195 x 122 x 11.7

256.7 x 175.3 x 8.6

262 x 180 x 8.9

Weight (grams)

360

440

345

565

600

4/NA

5/NA

30/NA

9/NA

NA/NA

NA/384

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/7.0

16million/10.1

16million/10.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

16GB/No

8GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

NA/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yesz

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

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.

773B

NEW

194.2 x 121.4 x 11.45 193.7 x 122.4 x 10.5

Tab 10.1 1750

SPICE Galaxy Note10.1N800 Stellar Pad Mi 1010 NEW

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

No/No/Yes

Android v4.0

Android v3.1

Android v4.0

Android v4.1

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

6,999

7,699

9,930

18,250

31,750

36,500

12,999

YMOBILE FEB 15 to MAR 14 2013 92 MY

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

davp 22111/13/0101/1213

Smt. Sonia Gandhi Chairperson, UPA

Over 1 crore pregnant women benefitted

Janani - Shishu Suraksha Karyakram

Prime Minister

Dr. Manmohan Singh

2.5 crore children vaccinated

ú Universal Immunisation

28,000 primary schools and 6000 upper primary schools opened

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Over 10.54 crore children being provided hot cooked meals in schools

Mid Day Meal Scheme

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India

Ê´ÉEòÉºÉ EòÒ Eò½þÉxÉÒ ¦ÉÉ®úiÉ ÊxÉ¨ÉÉÇhÉ EòÒ VÉÖ¤ÉÉxÉÒ

Scholarships to about 63 lakh minority students and 48 lakh SC students in 2011-12

Scholarship Schemes

Over 46,000 habitations connected through all-weather roads

Better Connectivity

Realising Dreams Building Futures

rumour mill

Talk Is MS mulling a Dell takeover?

The rumour mill is rife with whispers that Microsoft could well consider buying PC manufacturer, Dell Evidently the Redmond giant first contacted Dell in connection with manufacturing future editions of the Surface, but the two got on so well together that the big M was mulling investing a fair bit in Dell. To some the very idea might seem strange given the fact that Microsoft’s biggest strength has been perceived to be Windows software. However, others say that the move would be in line with Microsoft’s increased interest in hardware evidenced by the Surface, the Xbox and the Zune, as well as a number of PC accessories. We are watching this one with interest.

A cheaper iPhone AND a larger iPhone

No device quite attracts rumours the way the iPhone does. And this time the rumours happen to be diverse as well – we have two groups of people, one claiming that Apple will release a 5-inch ‘phablet-like’ iPhone in the coming months, and another claiming that the Cupertino company will revive the iPhone 4 under a new branding and a much lower price tag. Needless to say, there is no official confirmation or even a hint of either event happening. But that is unlikely to stop us –

in Tech Corners

and Apple’s rival tech manufacturers – from keeping a wary eye on the company. After all, most recent rumours about Apple’s products, be it the iPhone 5 or the iPad mini, have been spot on.

Nokia to launch a 41 MP camera toting Lumia

All of us loved the Nokia 808 PureView (it was our phone of the month, remember?) for its amazing camera and sound. However, many was the Nokia follower who wished the phone ran on the smooth Windows Phone platform instead of the relatively older Symbian one. Well, if what we are hearing from some sources is true, their wishes might be about to come true. Nokia is evidently working on a device, codenamed the EOS, which will feature the same 41.0-megapixel sensor that marked the 808 PureView, and this time will be blended with Windows Phone 8. Smart camera or smartphone? If it exists, this device could well be both.

Forget megapixels, HTC is now after ultrapixels What do you do to steer clear of the megapixel race in camera phones? Well, if you are HTC, you simply decide to get rid of megapixels and come up with a whole new concept of measuring sensors. This one is

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believed to be called ultrapixels and will result from three 4.3 megapixel sensor layers photographing each pixel three times, leading to – here we go again – pictures of unprecedented clarity. The technology will evidently be first seen in HTC’s M7 device, which in itself has not been officially confirmed, but is very likely to be unveiled in the latter part of February. Will it also see a new addition to cameraphone jargon. We are waiting and watching.

Fore! Here comes the PS4

Gamers have been keeping an eye on both Sony and Microsoft as booth companies are expected to release new versions of their consoles later this year. And well, if whispers are to be believed, Sony might be the first off the block with the PlayStation 4. The new console could arrive in stores by this summer, as per some of our sources. The specs of the console, which some believe has been codenamed Orbis, are rumoured to be an AMD A10 APU, 8-16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, besides Sony’s Blu-Ray drive. Sony is also believed to have improved motion sensing gameplay, bringing it more in line with Microsoft’s Kinect, although a controller seems to have been retained. We will know for sure in the coming days. Watch this space.n team@mymobile.co.in

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twitter

the 140 character-based network that has become an essential part of our socially networked lives today ‘Twitter’ was mainly created to stay connected with friends through SMS. It was never meant to be used on the Internet as a social platform. Hence the 140 character limit. The first tweet was by one of Twitter’s co-founders, Jack Dorsey, who tweeted on 21 March, 2006: “Just setting up my twttr”. The world mainly knows Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams and Biz Stone as co-founders and creators of Twitter in the 2006. However, Noah Glass, a developer, revealed in 2011 that he too was a co-founder but had been pushed out of the

company by Evan Williams. It was he who gave the free micro-blogging site a name. Twitter is a very busy social space and very different from Facebook with people tweeting about anything and sometimes everything. Around 300 million tweets are sent every day. According to an estimate, about 460,000 new Twitter accounts are created every day. So, if you have just joined Twitter you are still ahead of almost 3 million people at the end of a week. Twitter adds five new users per second and 320 every minute. Twitter’s current CEO, Dick Costolo used to be a professional comedian. He must be the one smiling widely right now. The micro-blogging site made a total of zero dollars in revenues until 2009. Around 70 percent of all Twitter traffic is

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from outside the United States, and out of that almost 25 per cent of all tweets are from Japan alone. Need more evidence about how tech savvy those from the Land of the Rising Sun are? Ashton Kutcher was the first person to have one million followers on Twitter. This helped Kutcher to generate a lot of free publicity and raise money for charity. Who knows, it might even have landed him the role in the Steve Jobs biopic. At the time of writing, Lady Gaga is the most followed personality on Twitter. Talk about pop music rocking. n ketan@mymobile.co.in

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persona

Ten Things You Might Not Know About... Thorsten Heins CEO and President - BlackBerry

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The 54-year-old Thorsten Heins is a native of Munich, Germany. His middle name is Gerhard. Heins is one of the tallest CEOs around he stands at an impressive 6 feet 6 inches (198cm) tall, and enjoys road cycling including long-distance charity rides.

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RIM marked his ascent to the top role with a seven minute YouTube video where he said, “Never lose this innovation spirit.” Heins is a busy man. Apart from being the top gun at BlackBerry, he also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

He loves his motorbikes. But he is not the Harley Davidson type - he prefers BMWS.

He met his wife Petra who is a mathematician and physicist, while they were students during graduation. They have a 21-year-old son and a 23-year-old daughter. Many in media circle and some BlackBerry employees including some of his critics too, call him ‘Mr. Thor’ - blame it on that height and the hair. Heins has no fears about being the stereotyped German - he likes to work in a disciplined process. As once he said in an interview, “I’m German, and I’m a big fan of the term ‘process discipline’.” He may be German but living in Florida for four years has made him appreciate the NBA. He supports the Miami Heat team. Before joining Research In Motion (RIM), Heins had a long career at Siemens AG, the German engineering group that he joined straight from the University of Hannover at Germany in 1984 where he earned a master’s degree in science and physics.

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

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va n ta g e p o i n t

Your Handset = Your Mobile Clinic the country. According to the latest estimates by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), there are 1.1 billion active mobile-broadband subscriptions in the world and in India, the mobile Internet user base has crossed 40 million according to recent statistics. This growth suggests that more Indians are getting online on the go, thanks to increased ownership of Web-enabled devices. We can expect an uptrend in these devices in the coming years, replacing desktop usage. A technology innovation, ‘Telemedicine,’ is making doctors accessible via phone, chat, e-mail, video conferencing etc. In case of any primary health issue, one can now just pick the mobile and talk to a doctor right away to get instant solutions without waiting in queue or travelling. Just imagine: by a simple download and installation of an application to your device, one can make oneself healthy and fit by contacting doctors/specialists from anywhere at any time. A health application in a smart device can also be capable of taking diagnostic measurements like, heart rate, BP, food intake, calories burnt, and so on, allowing one to keep track of one’s health.

number of changes that have taken place in the technological world. The mobile phone has become essential in every person’s day to day life. Everyone across the world has become so dependent on mobile phones that almost all their work is connected directly or indirectly to it. With the upsurge of technology integration, people are using mobiles to schedule their daily tasks, mailers, news, music, videos, GPS navigation, etc. - literally getting the world in their hands. Several apps that can be installed in mobile

devices today are making the device smart enough to make it a video game player, music player, news reader, and even a social networking specialist. In India, mobile phone usage has increased to a great extent, with the subscriber base reaching more than 934.09 million according to recently published official statistics. But regardless of a population in excess of 1.2 billion, India’s Internet penetration rate remains below 10 per cent. That makes mobiles — both smartphones and feature phones — the most accessible Internet platform for hundreds of millions in

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With such applications, every person can now get connected with his/her personal health. The EHR (Electronic Health Record) in mobile helps in capturing data, allowing one to view personal health records any time. These applications would be a boon to aged and senior citizens, who find it very difficult to go to the clinic for every health issue that they face, as it places their health in their hands. Most of them may require specialist consultation every now and then, which is now possible with just a phone call. The ability to connect with doctors, specialists, basic ambulance services is giving them the flexibility to get advice, when it is needed. With the convergence of healthcare and technology, smartphones can soon become multi-specialty handy clinics, so to say. n -S. Jayadeep Reddy MD & CEO, eHealth Access Pvt. Ltd (Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the stance of the magazine)

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