all-eng-low-res-feb-2014 by My Mobile

february 2014 ď Ź Rs 100

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for a connected lifestyle

The charge of Indian brands Taking on the multinationals

Tested

Apple iPad Air, Nokia Lumia 1520, Nokia Asha 502, Lenovo Vibe X and many more P 40

P 24

best of ces 2014 P 64

phone of the month

Nokia Lumia 525 P 48

Indian Classic, appy spin Innovative spin on the Hanuman Chalisa P 36

first call “Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward... ”

hose immortal lines by Tennyson about the charge Of Lord Cardigan’s Light Brigade against the Russian guns at the Battle of Balaclava still thrill our nerves more than a century after they were written. So you can imagine just how thrilled we feel to see Indian brands finally step out of the “value for money” zone in handsets and take on well entrenched players at higher price points. A few years ago, a Micromax or a Lava device was mainly for those on a tight budget. Today, Hugh Jackman endorses Micromax and Liverpool Football Club has a tie-up with Xolo. Of course, these are early days and there is nothing to suggest that the charge of the Indian mobile phone brigade will be as disastrous as that of Lord Cardigan’s cavalry, but what we do know is that it definitely is as valorous. Most important of all, in the long run, it will benefit both the consumer and the industry by offering more competition. It is this new battle in the Indian market that we cover in our lead story, where we look at changing perceptions of Indian phone brands, the way ahead for them, and their chances of success against some very well entrenched and formidable opposition. And Indian brands are coming to the forefront on not just the mobile hardware stage, but also on the app space. We were stunned to see the manner in which Delhi-based artist Charuvi Agarwal interpreted one of India’s most famous devotional works, the Hanuman Chalisa. We met her to find out more and as you will discover in the following pages, it was quite a work of art. Meanwhile, it was business as usual - and sometimes unusual - at the world’s consumer tech event, CES, at Las Vegas. There were dozens of gadgets unveiled at the show ranging from the expected to the surprising and from the routine to the bizzare. We take a look at some of the notable ones that were showcased. Also in the magazine is our take on the 2G auction, and with February being the month of romance, our selection of Valentine Day apps. If love is in the air, surely it has a place on your handset as well. Of course, there is room for our regular features as well. Our Burn Test section contains reviews of some of the latest handsets and tablets in tech town including the Nokia Lumia 1520, the Apple iPad Air, the Acer Iconia W4, the Lenovo Vibe X and the amazing Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, among others. We look at the latest Angry Birds and Cut The Rope games in our Boredom Busters section, and of course, there are apps that will add a lot more to your mobile lifestyle in our Smart Apps section. Rounding matters off are our interactions with key members of the industry, letting you know what goes on in minds that matter in the industry. All of which should give you plenty to read about. Stay tuned, there’s even more coming in the next issue. There’s never a dull moment in technology. Happy reading and keep your feedback coming.

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04 MYMOBILE february 2014

EDITORIAL Pankaj Mohindroo |

Editor-in-Chief

DESIGN Ajit Kumar Parashar | Sr. Graphic Designer Pooja Papnai | Assistant Graphic Designer

CIRCULATION Lalit Sharma | Sr. Manager – Circulation

ADVISORY BOARD Prithipal Singh S.C. Khanna S.D. Saxena Rajan Mathews T.R. Dua T.V. Ramachandran Shiv K. Bakhshi Sonu Halan Bhasin Bejon Misra Edited, published, printed and owned by Pankaj Mohindroo, Published from Flat No. 25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Printed at HT Media Ltd. B-2, Sector 63, Noida. Distributed by My Mobile Infomedia 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.

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 X, Issue XII, FEBRUARY 2014

content

Lead Story

spot light

It has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the past. Will the new 2G auction be any different?

After being on the fringes for years, Indian mobile phones are finally taking on their MNC counterparts in the smartphone market.

Face To Face

chief speak

technology

Sudhin Mathur, DirectorSmartphones, Lenovo India, talks about the emerging smartphone market in India and how Lenovo is keeping pace with it.

Rajesh Shah, DirectorMarketing, HPL Communications, talks about the company's marketing strategy to place HPL handsets in the Indian market.

Rakesh Verma, Managing Director, MapMyIndia, on the company's new mobile apps and what the future has in store on the navigation front.

Letters

Mobile Doctor

News

Gear Guide

Consumer Forum

06 MYMOBILE february 2014

Charuvi Agarwal, a Delhi-based artist and graphic designer has put a completely appy spin on the Shri Hanuman Chalisa. Find out more.

Kapil Wadhwa, Director, Champion India, on his company's leap from computers to smartphones in alliance with BSNL.

Bitter rivals Nokia and Samsung come face to face with their phablets, the Lumia 1520 and Galaxy Note 3.

versus

content

apptastic This Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day fall in love the techy way as we bring you some popular apps that will go well with your lovey dovey mood.

my guide

persona

Ten things you might not know about the man asked to steer BlackBerry out of troubled waters, John Chen.

just in

sneak peek

Xolo Q3000 and Desire 400 (dual SIM) are all set to make waves in the value for money smartphone segment

LG literally adds a curve to phone displays with the G Flex while Nokia releases the affordable big screen, the Lumia 1320.

BURN TESTS Champion Trendy 531

etc

event

bazaar bargain

Samsung Galaxy Gear, Sony PS4, Transit Wireless Speaker by Soen, Zebronics Sonic, Epson EH TW5200 projector, iBall UFO 3...and more

Which products shone at the biggest electronic fair of them all - CES 2014? Hint: there were some from India too!

BSNL Penta Smart PS501

Nokia Asha 502

Lenovo Vibe X

Asus Transformer Book T100T

Boredom Busters

Nokia Lumia 525

Acer Iconia W4

Jai-Veeru go mobile with Sholay: Bullets of Justice, On Nom gets more candy in Cut the Rope 2, Angry Birds Go! and much more.

Nokia Lumia 1520

ipad air

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

08 MYMOBILE february 2014

Nokia Lumia 925, Sony Xperia Z, Samsung Galaxy SIII and LG optimus G Pro - super phones, now more affordable.

Smart Apps Give your pictures a comic book effect with Halftone 2, check out Instagram on Windows Phone with 6Tag, and more.

letters I never miss out on any issues of My Mobile magazine. It’s a perfect magazine for every tech enthusiast out there. I T really liked the first edition THA13 S E IC 20 DEVFINED of the New Year. It contained DE the perfect cover story. The cover story clearly highlighted the innovations the mobile and tech industry witnessed 2014: WHAT'S IN STORE? in the year 2013. The selection of all the 13 devices was also made very wisely and bring Tested backs the exciting memories of the past year. I would like to request the team to come up with similar interesting stories in the future as well. – Rehka Sharma, Delhi JANUARY 2014  Rs 100

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11 TECH LEADERS TELL US P 40

DEVICE OF THE MONTH

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8

P 46

Apple iPhone 5c, HTC One Max, LG Google Nexus 5 and more... P 48

I wish a very happy New Year to the My Mobile team. I am a regular reader of the magazine; it is very informative and interesting. I always like all the stories that are covered in the magazine. Along with this, I really liked the cover pages of the last two issues. They are very distinct from all the other magazines and also appeals a lot to the consumer and compels them to read further. Along with this I really liked the Versus section of the January issue. The clear cut comparison between the two Nexus devices was a true delight and a top read. Keep up the good work and keep going. – Pawan Kumar Singh, Patna I never miss any issues of My Mobile magazine. Every time I look forward for the new edition because of the exclusive content that you carry in each issue of your magazine. This time I liked the story that you covered in your technology section about gesture control technology. It clearly explained the entire concept of the technology and further provided an insight on its potential to the reader. I would suggest the team to incorporate more stories in the technology segment. Devender Gupta, Lucknow I am a tech savvy person and My Mobile magazine is wonderful source of information to me. It keeps me up to date with all the happenings in the tech world. My favourite sections are Just In and Sneak Peek, as they carry the recently launched and soon to be launched devices in the Indian market. Along with this, I really liked the expectation 2014 story which you carried in the previous edition of your magazine. The story is very useful to people like me as it highlights what we can expect and will get in this New Year. – Balwinder Singh, Patiala I am a great fan of MyMobile and read all the stories published in the magazine. I also constantly visit the website for new updates. I am a music lover and I liked the story on Bluetooth speakers which you covered in the first edition of the New Year. It helped me buy the best speaker for myself. Apart from this I also like the Bazaar Bargain sec-

10 MYMOBILE february 2014

tion. It is an exciting section and highlights very interesting price drops, which help readers buy their favorite smartphones at relatively lower prices. I would request the team to include more such price drops in the section. – Amrita Gokhale, Pune

This Time, That Year15-Feb 14, 2008-09 My Mobile, Jan

When Apple launched the iPhone in the Indian market, most manufacturers greeted it with cynicism. However, as the device gained popularity, they too started jumping on to the touchscreen bandwagon. One company that doggedly seemed to avoid touch was the one that had the biggest user base of them all, Nokia. And then finally, in early 2008, the company rolled out the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. The phone featured an all-new touch-friendly version of the Symbian Series 60 OS that ran on most of its smartphones, and came with a 3.2 inch resistive touchscreen. Also on board was a 3.2-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and special music integration. Going up against it for the title of Phone of the Month were the likes of the LG KM710, Motorola Yuva EM 325, Samsung Pixon M8800, HTC Touch HD and the first BlackBerry flip phone, the Pearl Flip. It was formidable competition, but such was the performance of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, especially in the multimedia department, that it came out with a clear winner. The phone came with a price tag of Rs 19,200. It did not turn out to the iPhone-killer that many had hoped it would be but it did go on to be one of the hihhest selling phones of all time.

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

mobile doctor PureView camera, although its front facing camera is just 1.3megapixels. In Android, you can consider the Micromax Canvas Turbo and the Gionee Elife E6, both of which have cameras that exceed your requirements and are well within your budget. AMOLED is a kind of a display while Gorilla Glass is a coating placed over a display to save it from scratches. It is perfectly possible for an AMOLED display to have Gorilla Glass. I am a regular reader and customer of MY MOBILE magazine. While review of Lenovo P780 mobile, I came to know that the battery is excellent (4000mAh) but it is non-removable. Now my question is, after a certain period, when the battery will be completely non-functional (will not be able to be recharged any more), what will be the fate of the handset? Will it be able to replace the battery further? Please help me on this. -Pabitra Datta Dear Pabitra, The battery can be replaced once it is exhausted but for that you will have to contact the Lenovo service centre. Mind you, it does take a lot of time for mobile phone batteries to get completely exhausted – our four year old iPhone 3GS is still going strong. I want to buy a smartphone with an 8.0megapixel rear camera and 2.0-megapixel front facing camera. I am also confused weather to go for Windows or Android. Also please tell me the difference between Gorilla touch and AMOLED touch. My budget is between Rs 15,000 and Rs, 25,000. – MohitManshani Dear Mohit, In your budget, there are not too many Windows Phone options available, although if you go just beyond Rs 25,000, you can consider the excellent Nokia Lumia 925, which comes with a

I want to purchase a smartphone within the budget of Rs 6,000. The phone should run on Android and should also have good camera quality. Along with this it should also be capable of recording and playing HD videos. I have shortlisted the Maxx A5. How is the device and also sug-

for about Rs 8,000. I am thinking of buying a smartphone within the price range of Rs 30,000. The phone should have good capacitive touch and good camera quality. It should run on the latest version of Android and should at least have 1GB of RAM. I have selected HTC Desire 600. If there are any other good options then please suggest. – Rayyan Kasim Dear Rayyan, In your budget, we would recommend that you go for the LG Google Nexus 5, which comes with a full HD display, and an 8.0-megapixel camera, and comes well within your budget. What’s more, it is assured of getting the latest version of Android within a short of its being released. The Desire 600 is a decent device but it does not run the latest version of Android (Kit Kat). I want to buy a tablet and it should cost less than Rs 12,000. The tablet should consist of 3G SIM support and should come with 1GB of RAM. Suggest the one that can fulfill my requirements. – Krishan Yadav

gest some other options. – Mihit Dear Mihit, The chances of getting a good camera in your budget are limited. The device you have mentioned is handy enough but if camera is important, we would suggest spending a bit more and opting for at least the Lumia 520, which can play HD videos and shoot 720p videos. It is available

12 MYMOBILE february 2014

Dear Krishan, You could try the Spice Stellar Pad Mi 100 which comes with a ten-inch display and 3G connectivity, and runs on Android 4.1 OS. I would also ask you to consider the Nexus 7 (2012 model) which does not come with 3G but is now available for less than Rs 10,000 and boasts an excellent display and very good processor. I want to purchase a sleek and stylish looking touch screen smartphone. I have a budget of Rs 20,000 and have shortlisted devices like the Samsung Omnia W, Samsung Galaxy S plus, LG E730, LG Optimus Black, Nokia Lumia 710 and HTC One V. If you

have some other good options then please tell me that as well. – Meenakshi Dear Meenakshi, A number of the devices you have named are now a trifle old and out of circulation. If looks and style are important to you, I would suggest you try out the very sleek Nokia Lumia 720 which comes with a 4.3-inch display and is available well within your budget. You could also consider the Lumia 820 which costs slightly more than Rs 20,000 but has a better display and camera. I want to purchase a smartphone but I am confused about the different operating systems. Should I go for Android, iOS or BB10? I have also selected three handsets the Lenovo K900, Apple iPhone 5C and the BlackBerry Z30. Please suggest something so I can decide what to buy. – Vikas Puri Dear Vikas, It all depends on what you need. Android and iOS are very good for those who like to play around with apps and want to be connected all the time to social networks. However, BB 10 is an excellent option for those who prefer a steady mail and messaging experience. Of the three devices you have named, I would suggest you go for the iPhone 5c as that is the best performing of the lot in terms of multimedia, applications and interface. And it looks very striking too. n

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

NEWS bits Intex launches Aqua Octa smartphone with octa-core processor Intex has unveiled its first ever octa-core processor smartphone called the Aqua Octa. The Intex Aqua Octa features a 6-inch HD display with resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. It is 7-mm thin and runs on Android 4.2.2. Jelly Bean. The device is powered by MediaTek’s 1.7 GHz true octacore processor and comes with a 13.0-megapixel autofocus camera at the rear end and a 5.0-megpixel camera in front. This dual SIM device comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage which can be further expanded to 32GB via microSD card. Along with this, the company is also offering an additional 5GB cloud storage with the device. On the connectivity front, the Intex Aqua Octa includes 3G, Wi-Fi, micro USB, and Bluetooth. For back up, it has a 2,300 mAh battery. Intex had unveiled the prototype of this device in November last year.

Nokia Lumia 525 launched in India for Rs 10,399 Nokia has launched the successor to the most popular Windows Phone in India, the Nokia

regard with its 512MB of RAM. The device features a 5.0-megapixel rear camera but there is no front facing camera. There’s 8GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via a microSD card. There’s also a 1,430-mAh battery and the phone runs on the Windows Phone 8 Black update.

Gionee launches its new flagship device, the Elife E7 Gionee Smartphones, has rolled out its new flagship smartphone, the Elife E7 in India. It features a 5.5-inch FHD display with 1920x1080 pixels resolution protected by 3rd generation Gorilla Glass. The device is powered by a 2.2 GHz quadcore Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and run on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system. Along with this the company has also introduced an upgraded version of its UI AMIGO 2.0 with the device. The Elife E7 comes in two variants that support 3G and 4G respectively. The smartphone boasts of a 16.0megapixel rear snapper and an 8.0-megapixel front facing camera. The touchscreen is also responsive to gloves and wet hands. Connectivity options include NFC, Wi-Fi, GPS, GPRS and Bluetooth. The Gionee Elife E7 will be available in black, white, blue, pink, green, yellow and orange colours, The 16GB variant is priced at Rs 26,999 and the 32GB variant is available for Rs 29,999.

Spice launches a budget smartphone at Rs 4,299

Lumia 520 – the Lumia 525. The phone has been launched for Rs 10,399. In terms of design and specifications, the Lumia 525 does not stray too far from its predecessor, but there are some key additions on the hardware front. The Lumia 525 retains the 4.0-inch display which has the same WVGA 800×480 pixels resolution as the Lumia 520, but the upgrade comes in the form of RAM. The Lumia 525 has a dualcore Snapdragon S4 CPU clocked at 1 GHz and now it has 1GB of RAM, which means it can run all the applications in the Windows Phone store, unlike the 520, which was limited in this

14 MYMOBILE february 2014

Spice Mobility has rolled out another budget smartphone for consumers. Called the ‘Spice Smart Flo Mettle 4X (Mi-426),’ it is priced at Rs 4,299, and comes with a metal body. It consists of a 4.0-inch capacitive display with 800 x 480 pixels resolution. The smartphone runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and is powered by 1GHz dual-core processor. The device also comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera for video calling. It is a dual SIM phone and offers 256MB RAM and 512MB internal memory which can be expanded up to

32GB using a microSD card. The connectivity features of the device include 2G (EDGE), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS.

Videocon records highest monthly growth rate in total wireless subscribers for October 2013 Bharati Airtel added more subscribers than any other service provider but in terms of growth rate, the month of October belonged to Videocon. According to TRAI’s telecom subscription data for the month of October 2013, Videocon ranks six when it comes to net subscriber addition but in terms of growth rate, service providers like Videocon, HFCL and Loop Mobile have outclassed the major players. Videocon rules the monthly growth in total wireless subscribers list at 7.40 per cent, whereas Airtel recorded a growth rate of only 0.77 per cent. The monthly growth rate of some service providers like Unitech and Tata and state-owned MTNL has been almost non-existent. While MTNL registered the worst growth rate of -4.43 per cent, Tata and Unitech were at 0.15 per cent and 0.07 per cent respectively.

Micromax rolls out low budget Android smartphones Micromax has expanded its product portfolio with two smartphones, the Bolt A28 and Bolt A59, which are available online for Rs 3,674 and Rs 4,542 respectively. The Bolt A28 is a dual SIM phone (GSM+GSM) and runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It has a 3.5-inch display with 480 x 320 pixel resolution, comes with 1GB RAM and is powered by a 1 GHz Cortex A5 processor. The device has 512MB of internal storage which can be expanded to 32GB. It has 0.3-megapixel cameras on both front and back and houses a 1,500 mAh battery. The Micromax Bolt A59 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It is also dualSIM device, and comes with a 3.5 inch display with 480 x 320 pixels resolution, and is powered by a 1 GHz Spreadtrum SC7710 processor. It comes with 256MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory expandable up to 16GB through a microSD card. The Micromax Bolt A59 features a 2.0- megapixel rear camera with LED flash and also includes a VGA front-facing camera. The device packs a 1,500 mAh battery.

NEWS bits Nokia rolls out the budget-friendly Nokia 106 Nokia has recently launched its Nokia 106, whch is targeted at the budget-concious consumer and is priced at a mere Rs 1,399. This device was launched for the Chinese market earlier this year in August and Nokia has now made it available for India. The Nokia 106 features a 1.8-inch display and is backed by an 800 mAh battery, which delivers talk time of 9.9 hours, as per Nokia’s claims. The handset has an alphanumeric keypad and supports a mini SIM. The best thing about the phone is its dust and splash-proof keypad. The Finnish company also claims that the characters on the keys wouldn’t fade out even after years of use. The device supports only 2G network and can save up to 500 contacts and 5 phonebooks. The phone is available in black, red and white colour options.

Vodafone introduces the ‘My Vodafone App’ Vodafone has introduced an app called the ‘My Vodafone app’ for Android, iOS and BlackBerry. The app will help users pay phone bills, recharge their prepaid account, track service requests, and subscribe to best offers. The app is available for both pre-paid as well as post-paid customers and is absolutely free of cost. The users can access the application through Vodafone GPRS/3G data connection or via Wi-Fi (Registration requires Vodafone Data Connectivity).

‘Sholay: Bullets of Justice’ a new mobile game Hungama Digital Media Entertainment along with Gameshastra Solutions has launched a new game ‘Sholay: Bullets of Justice.’ It features the famous jodi of Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra) and is available on Android and iOS devices. Sholay is a single player finite level based

16 MYMOBILE february 2014

side scroller game. The game recites the story of two petty thieves Jai and Veeru. The game has a “wild west” feel and also portrays the locales of Ramgarh as in the movie, with each character having its own stylised animations. The game goes on the same storyline of the film.

WhatsApp breaks its own record with 54 billion messages On the New Year’s Eve, 2013, WhatsApp processed 54 billion messages while the number stood at 18 billion at the previous New Year’s Eve. Before this, WhatApp had a record of 27 billion messages in a day, which was recorded last year in June. WhatsApp Inc announced on Twitter that users across the world had sent 18 billion messages and received 36 billion messages in a day. The app serves as a platform to over 400 million users across the globe and in India there are about 30 million users who enjoy the service.

iBall launches iBall Andi 5.5N2 phablet at Rs 14,999 iBall has added another phablet to its product portfolio with the launch of the iBall Andi 5.5N2. The device consists of a 5.5-inch display with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. Powering the device is a 1.2 GHz Cortex A7 quad-core processor. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and comes with 1GB of RAM. The iBall Andi 5.5N2 comes equipped with a 12.0-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash. It also has a 2.0-megapixel front facing camera to facilitate video calling. The onboard storage of the device accounts to 4GB which is expandable up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. The connectivity attributes of the phablet include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPRS, EDGE, GPS, Micro-USB and 3G HSPA+. Apart from this, the device also has features like flip to mute gesture control, and a variety of sensors - gravity, proximity, and light. The phone houses a 2,500 mAh battery. The company has priced the device at Rs 14,999.

Bluetooth glasses available on Lenskart for Rs 4,990

on the site. These glasses are available with bifocal, single vision and multi-purpose prescription type, in rectangular and round shape. There’s no compromising on style as these spectacles come in stylish designs with attractive colors. The package contains a pair of eyewear and an extra temple which contains the 3.0 Bluetooth chip. Along with this you get two device chargers - USB and plug point chargers for your convenience. Apart from all this, Lenskart offers these Bluetooth glasses at a price of Rs. 4,990.

Ice X Electronics join hands with HomeShop18 ICE X Electronics, one of the leading Indian tablet and mobile manufacturers, has tied up with HomeShop 18. The partnership has proved out to be fruitful for the company, as per the company which claims that tablets worth Rs 1 crore were sold within just 54 minutes of being aired on the TV channel. The tablet was ICE Xtreme PRO, which was launched with the co-branding of the Rajasthan Royals IPL team. The limited edition tablet was put up for sale at a very competitive price through a special offer for their customers. The company also put up a very exclusive official Rajasthan Royals’ Players’ signed bat, which was a first for the shopping giant. The tablet marked the debut of ICE brand on HomeShop18.

HPL to launch feature phones under Rs 1,999 with WhatsApp HPL, a new mobile phone brand is all set to launch its feature phones in the India market along with the popular messenger app, WhatsApp. India is a country where the market share of the feature phones is about 70 per cent and HPL plans to grab a significant porion of this market, using pre-installed WhatsApp Messenger as a selling point. HPL has planned to launch five handsets with different screen sizes: 1.8-inches, 2.2-inches, 2.4-inches, 2.6-inches and 2.8-inches. All these devices are set to arrive in mid-February in the Indian market and will be priced below Rs 1,999. The firm will be offering devices with 64+64MB or 128+64MB built in memory. One can save up to 1000-2000 phone numbers in these handsets, depending on the model.

Lenskart, India’s leading online shopping portal for eyewear is providing its customers a new way to stay connected: through Bluetooth eye glasses. These are exclusively available

These phones have all the necessary functions like music, SMS and images. HPL claims that it is operating in eight countries as of now and is hoping to reach the next level via the Indian market. n

persona

1 s g n i Ten Th You Might Not

Know About...

2 3 4 5 6 7

ive Chairman John Chen, Execut ecutive and Interim Chief Ex Limited Officer, BlackBerry

Chen grew up in Hong Kong in a one bedroom apartment with his parents as they moved from Shanghai for a better life. His father took odd jobs at factories to keep the family going. Although he went to the US for studies, Chen was not very fluent in English. That did not stop him from receiving his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1979 from the California Institute of Technology. John Chen is the first person from outside Canada to have been handed the reigns of BlackBerry. He is known for his talent of turning around companies. We certainly will not be surprised if he does something similar at BlackBerry. He served for thirteen years in Unisys/ Burroughs. Told he would need to brush up his presentation skills if he wanted to be promoted to management level because “Asians were not presentable,” he took public speaking lessons, and got promoted. He is widely known for his tenure at Sybase, which he made profitable, after four years of losses. Forbes magazine said that Chen had brought Sybase back from the dead. Post his success at Sybase, he was appointed by George W Bush to serve in the President’s Export Council. He has also played a major role in building and maintaining the relationship between the US and China. In 1998, the Committee of 100 awarded Chen the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award while Overseas Chinese Association awarded him the “Distinguished Asian American Businessman” title.

8 9

Chen is an excellent bridge player and was part of the team that represented Hong Kong in the intra Asia tournament. Chen has been a part of different fund raising events and is associated with ‘Save the Children program’ and Dragon Fund that works towards Girl Education in rural China. Legendary for his ability to deal with trouble, he is believed to have told Oracle’s Larry Ellison: “You cannot be better at the Art of War because you read the translation. I read the original.”

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

18 MYMOBILE february 2014

fa c e t o fa c e

“Our Marketing Strategy is already in Place” They are the latest entrants in the highly competitive Indian mobile phone market. And have every intention of making it big, with products that they claim are as good as international brands. We met Rajesh Shah, Director (Marketing), HPL Communication to find out more about its present products and plans for the future. Abhijit Ahaskar

HPL is a new brand. What is your marketing strategy? HPL is definitely a new brand but our marketing strategy is already in place. In this very competitive market, we know that it is difficult for a new brand to position itself but being a brand that believes in always giving its customers innovation, new features and avant-garde technology, we are sure that we will grab the market share very quickly. As we are introducing our first bar/feature phone with WhatsApp we have also coined a marketing strategy that reaches those customers who want to use WhatsApp Messenger without Android Phones. Why should I buy a phone from HPL and not from some wellknown brand? HPL phones are definitely better than the competition. All HPL smartphones come with processing that is much faster than any other mobile. Our product can be compared with any international brand that is priced almost 2-3 times higher than our models but we are sure once the customer will use HPL, their experience will be at par or even better than any international brand. The best feature of HPL that can kill the competition easily is the pre-installed WhatsApp messenger which is an exclusive feature with HPL. As far as smartphones are concerned our product is a class apart from any other brand in terms of the processor speed, sensitive touch screen, unbelievable video quality, memory and aesthetic value. What is your current market share in India? HPL has started operations in India from December 2013 from Gujarat. We are looking for a remarkable market share in the first three months as an upcoming brand on the basis of unique features like WhatsApp messenger which can work with GPRS to chat/voice messaging/

20 MYMOBILE february 2014

send and receive photos, etc., worldwide without any international message charges. HPL is more focusing on establishing the HPL brand as a high-tech and innovative brand instead of grabbing the market share. Once the trade and customers accept us as a hightech and innovative brand then it will be very easy for HPL to get the desired market share. Tell us about some of your products. Where can an interested buyer get them? HPL has already started its marketing setup across India and is planning to appoint state / area wise super stockist and distributor network. By the end of March 2014, HPL will be available in more than 16 states of India. It will also be available on all leading Indian e-commerce portals. Do you have manufacturing units of your own? All HPL models are manufactured under strict quality control measures by HPL Communication in eight ultramodern production facilities situated at Shenzhen, China with our own SMT, R&D and mould making facilities. What about after sales service? The company has planned a unique after sales service system for feature phones and smart phones by which the customer experience will be totally different than existing competitors’ product experience. The company has planned home service for the areas where HPL service centers are not available, in which when the customer calls our customer help desk, a courier picks up the defective mobile from the customer’s place and sends it back after repair. HPL will provide excellent after sales service to the customers and will also cover all the remote areas of India where another companies fail to provide services. n abhijit@mymobile.co.in

spot light

The 2G Auction Cometh

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In 2012, the Supreme Court cancelled 122 2G licenses and asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to conduct fresh auctions, which was ignored by most operators due to high pricing of spectrum. As a result, most of the spectrum remained unsold. In 2013, TRAI asked the Government to reduce the price of 2G spectrum. Will this auction be any different from the previous ones? Abhijit Ahaskar

n the last few years, 2G spectrum has often been in news for wrong reasons. It all began with the allegations that the first spectrum auction gave undue favours to certain operators and that licenses were given away at throwaway prices. The CAG was asked to audit the process of allocation and when the auditor submitted its report all hell broke loose. Allegations were made, probe committees were set up, charge sheets were filed, one minster had to resign and several went to jail. An industry that was yet to stand properly on its feet was jolted.

Cancellations and new auctions

In February 2012, a Supreme Court bench ordered cancellation of 122 2G licenses that were given away unfairly by the-then Telecom Minster A. Raja. The court found the “first come first serve” process of spectrum allocation dubious and directed TRAI to make fresh recommendations for grant of licenses and allocation of spectrum in the 2G band, in the same way spectrum in 3G band was allocated. The TRAI came back with its recommendations within two months but the auction was delayed until November 2012. The eight telcos whose licenses were cancelled were given another chance at acquiring 2G spectrum in a fair manner, when auctions for 1800MHz were held in November. Only five operators - Telenor, Videocon, Idea, Vodafone and Airtel participated in this auction, while the rest chose to stay away. The Government failed to realise the revenue they were targeting and instead of Rs 40,000 crore only Rs 9,400 crore were raised from the auctions. In the auctions for the 800 MHz band, held in March 2013, the government could raise only Rs 3,639 crore and only one player took part in the auction. The reason highlighted for this setback was the high reserve price. The operators felt that Indian reserve prices were considerably higher than international prices.

Steps in the right direction, but with hiccups

On June 26, 2013, an Empowered Group Of

ministers asked the government to conduct another round of spectrum auction in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in consultation with the TRAI on reserve prices. In September 2013, TRAI in its recommendations directed the Government to slash reserve price for spectrum in the 900 MHZ and 1800 MHz band by 60 per cent and 37 per cent respectively. The move delighted operators who saw it as a sign that policy makers were trying to set things right. As per the recommendations, the 403 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHz and the 46 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz bands will be up for auction this time. The Government is expecting Rs 40,874 crore from the auctions and this includes upfront money from the auctions and the fees levied on air waves. While this is a positive step, there is still a long way to go. Complicating matters are the recommendations by the Telecom Commission on the 2G auction. Their version of how things should be is a little different from TRAI’s. For instance, the base price fixed by TRAI for 1 MHz of 1800 MHz band is Rs 1,496 crore, whereas the price recommended by the Telecom Commission is Rs 1,764 crore. The reserve price recommended by the Commission is also 18 per cent more than that of TRAI. The TRAI has also asked DoT to create an extended GSM band for the auction of the 800 MHz band and recommended that it be held separately at a later date, since the subscriber base of CDMA has fallen by 30 per cent in a period of three years and during this time, the GSM subscriber base has increased by 65 per cent. The auctions for this band were held twice, the second time with drastically reduced reserve prices, yet operators save for one, kept away from the auctions. The Telecom Commission feels differently on this matter and wants DoT to proceed with the auction of 800 MHz band. The Commission also recommended that reserve prices of the 900 MHz band be increased by 25 per cent. Mahesh Uppal, noted columnist and telecom expert feels that the Telecom Commission should not have got involved in the matter. “I think TRAI’s price is more favourable, although what the Telecom Commission has recommended will not derail the process. However, I believe the Telecom Commission was wrong to second-guess the regulatory body. When a regulator makes recommendations based on a formal and con-

sultative process, they should not be changed in their detail. I can understand the Telecom Commission taking policy decisions, but specific reserve price is a matter of detail, and the commission should keep away from such detail,” he said.

Needed: A successful auction

Ever since the 2G scam, the Government has been perceived to be heavy handed with operators. High reserve prices, strict taxation policies, increased duty on mobile handsets, issues related to towers, delay in spectrum auctions and the various litigations are some of the measures which have blurred the line between regulation and over-regulation. Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal himself acknowledged that in the last few years DoT has been ruthless with the operators. A successful auction will improve operators’ sentiments and restore public confidence in decision-making bodies and will eventually benefit the industry in the long run. According to sources, Government is sitting on the 500 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band and the 107 MHz spectrum in the 800 MHZ band. Spectrum is a rare resource and failure to ensure spectrum usage is equivalent to leaving a valuable public resource idle, and amounts to a significant loss to the economy. The operators will gain as more Spectrum will mean superior services and network quality. Consumers will gain as a lot of Indian users are still on 2G networks. However, not everyone is pleased with the way things stand. Yashwant Sinha, a senior member of BJP and former Finance Minister under NDA regime, feels this is another scam in making. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he pointed out that the sharp reduction in reserve prices is only going to benefit a few operators and can lead to another loss to the exchequer. Mahesh Uppal feels differently. He said, “Remember these are reserve prices, and not the final prices. If this is too low, the auction will automatically lead to a higher bid. Operators know its value and they will bid till they feel they are getting value for money. The importance of reserve prices has been overstated. They are important but not critical.” An important chapter in the history of Indian telecom could be written with the 2G auction. Only time will tell how it will read. n abhijit@mymobile.co.in

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lead story

The great smartphone 7% a 4. % Lav 5.0

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Once identified with â&#x20AC;&#x153;low cost, low qualityâ&#x20AC;? products, Indian cellphone manufacturers have suddenly emerged as major players in the smartphone market. Today, three of the five leading players in the Indian smartphone market in terms of sales are Indian. How did this happen? And is this just a flash in the pan? We look more closely at the Charge of the Indian Mobile Brigade. Mukesh Kumar Singh and Abhijit Ahaskar Karb o

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indian challenge W

hen it comes to the Indian mobile phone market, the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;change is the only constantâ&#x20AC;? are not a clichĂŠ, but have a resounding ring of truth about them. The past few years have seen radical changes in the market, with new devices, apps and new brands emerging, and old ones retreating. And perhaps one of the most significant changes of recent times has been the emergence of Indian brands in smartphones - a market where most of the shots had been called by international players. Considered low-quality not too long ago, they are now providing serious competition to the likes of Samsung, LG, Nokia and Sony, and in some areas, are more than matching them. Whereas in the past, a Micromax or a Karbonn would compete in the lower

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price segment of the market, offering devices at lower prices, the same brands today are making their presence felt in the upper price tiers, backed up by high profile marketing campaigns and celebrity endorsements. The result? According to the latest IDC (International Data Corporation) report, Samsung is still the leading smartphone brand in India with 32.9 per cent of the market share, but the second and third spots are occupied by Micromax and Karbonn with 17.1 and 11.2 per cent shares of the market. Another Indian brand Lava is in the top five with a 4.7 per cent market share. And lying below them are the likes of Sony, HTC and LG. But have Indian brands come to stay in the highly competitive and rapidly growing Indian smartphone market? Or is this a phase that too will pass?

2.9

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‘‘‘

Feature phones to smartphones

Till last year, except a few international brands the market focus was on feature phones and not smartphones. The main reason for this was that 3G network was not available in every part of the country, which is why we were focusing on feature phones and budget smartphones. From last year onwards, 3G penetration has improved a lot and so more and more Indian brands are launching high end phones in the market. -Pradeep Jain Managing Director, Karbonn

ntil about a year ago, Indian brands were almost synonymous with entry-level handsets. Brands like Micromax started out with feature phones and stayed focused on the lower price segments even in smartphones. While they could not compete with the likes of Nokia and Samsung in terms of brand equity, they did have an ace up their sleeves – that of price in a very price-sensitive market. A common strategy in Indian brands at that stage was offering a number of features, including dual SIM connectivity, at what seemed to be ridiculously low prices. Their performance in many cases lagged behind that of their international counterparts, but well, their prices were so much lower that consumers were tempted into trying them out.

The QWERTY key One of the first Indian brands that began to catch the attention of mainstream customers was Micromax. The company surprised the market when it came up with what it called a Facebook friendly phone, the Q5, backing it up with a clever TV ad campaign. That was the time when QWERTY keyboards were becoming the rage. But while the devices offered by the bigger brands generally came with price tags in the four figure category, devices from Indian brands cost as little as Rs 3,000 in some cases. Only a naïve person would have called a Q5 as good as a BlackBerry in terms of performance, but for people who did not want to spend Rs 10,000 on a phone and still wanted the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard, it was just fine.

Scoring on dual SIM Another area in which Indian brands stole a march over their multinational counterparts was in dual SIM devices. Spice was the first brand to come up with a dual SIM handset and the rest of the Indian brands soon followed. Dual SIM was still a new phenomenon then but one that became immensely popular with consumers who had multiple connections. Although Indian dual SIM devices had to contend with Chinese handsets in the grey market which offered even three to four SIMs on a single device. They received a boost when the Indian government cracked down on devices being sold illegally. Crucially, the Indian players did not give up their price edge – dual SIM devices from Indian brands remained very reasonably priced.

Riding on Android in smartphones The arrival of the smartphone revolution in India, however, saw Indian brands finally move up the value chain. A crucial factor in this was the emergence of Android as the operating system of choice in new smartphones. Relatively open source, Android put Indian players on an almost level pegging with international brands on the software front. Even the hardware needed to run it became more affordable with the arrival of chip manufacturers who offered multi core processors at much lower rates. Android on affordable chips - it was a marriage made in heaven. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, NVIDIA South Asia says, “Global brands have typically dominated the mobility market in India but there has been a recent and significant shift to local OEMs and brands. It is quite amazing what local brands have been able to do in that they’ve captured close to 50 per-cent of the market where companies like HTC and Nokia are still struggling to compete with Apple and Samsung.”

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Playing With the Big Boys

hones from international brands like Nokia, Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG are known for their quality and performance. And this is based on what they have delivered over a period of time, in some cases, more than a decade. And it was this trust, this brand equity that Indian brands needed not just to build for themselves but also combat, because while lower prices had given them a foothold in the market, it had also led to a perception that their products were “cheap and low quality.” Some feel that should not be difficult to accomplish, as Indian brands are relatively better placed. As Anoop kumar, Senior General Manager, Simmtronics puts it, “MNCs follow pre-defined policies and processes, which they try to replicate in India. Indian companies don’t follow any strict policies and are flexible, which is their biggest strength. They could mould themselves according to the requirements of Indian users. This helps them understand an Indian user better than an MNC.”

When Building brand credibility Building credibility and trust was, however, easier said than done. Many Indian brands decided to combat this by focusing on a grassroot approach and setting up service centres in rural and semi urban areas, where bigger brands were not as dominant. Distribution networks were improved, accessories were made available and a whole new ecosystem was developed around their phones. And all this slowly but steadily began translating into brand equity – suddenly Micromax or Spice stood for more than just a dirt cheap price. Also helping the cause of Indian brands was an increased maturity in the Indian market. As media coverage of technology grew and more brands emerged, an increasing number of customers became more open to the idea of switching brands. The popularity and open nature of Android helped too. Suddenly consumers were getting interested in features like widgets and apps, and perhaps the likes of Nokia and BlackBerry missed a trick by not adopting the platform. This opened the door for newer players and many of them were Indian. Once again, the formula adopted was to deliver feature rich devices at relatively low prices. Once again, it worked. T M Ramakrishnan, CEO-Devices, Spice Retail Ltd, says, “Indian consumers are among the most evolved and demand complete value for money. The fact that nearly 30 per cent smartphones sold in the country today come from the Indian brands speaks volumes about the quality and acceptability of Indian brands.”

‘‘‘

International brands enjoy a dominating position in the Indian smartphone market because of the virtue of having a global presence backed by intense marketing budgets and finances. Unlike them, Indian brands have limited marketing budget and medium to leverage themselves. Over years with precision and devising the best marketing mix, we have successfully been able to register ourselves in the mind of our target audience. -Keshav Bansal Director - Marketing (Mobile), Intex Technologies

The 3G and big screen boost The growth of 3G was another key factor. Initially an expensive service, 3G gradually became more affordable. With 3G, users could do a lot more with their phones. Suddenly bigger screens with better Internet connectivity were the rage. And Indian brands were quick to cash in. Pradeep Jain, Managing Director Karbonn says, “Till last year, except a few international brands, the market focus was on feature phones and not smartphones. The main reason for this was that 3G network was not available in every part of the country, which is why we were focusing on feature phones and budget smartphones. From last year onwards, 3G penetration has improved a lot and so more and more Indian brands are launching high-end phones in the market.” The big screen phenomenon in particular saw Indian brands suddenly emerge as viable alternatives as the initial large-screen devices from multinational brands like the Galaxy Note and the LG Optimus Vu came with stiff price tags. Micromax, Spice and Karbonn launched a number of big screen devices that cost a fraction of what better-known brands had to offer. And such was the response to these devices that a number of the so-called big brands had to step off their high-price horses and start offering more affordable large-screen devices. Product quality too improved. Apoorv Bhatnagar is satisfied with his Micromax Canvas 2, which is more than a year old. He says, “I have been using this handset for a year and it is working fine. I use it for browsing the Internet, watching films and playing games and it handles them comfortably just like any other good smartphone.”

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lead story

Upping the Marketing Ante

he success of the Indian brands has been nothing short of amazing. In less than a year, they have surpassed players like Nokia and LG and are now gunning for the top spot. Micromax claims to have sold more than a million units in Canvas series of smartphones, and brands like Karbonn, Spice, Xolo and Intex have done very well too.

Adding star value And as their products have got more upmarket, so have the marketing campaigns of Indian manufacturers. Micromax stunned the world when they signed Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman as their brand ambassador. The move might have been an expensive one but it suddenly put the company in a different league as far as public perception went. Other Indian brands have also picked up iconic brand ambassadors. Celkon is endorsed by Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, Intex by Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar, Maxx Mobiles by the captain of the Indian cricket team, MS Dhoni, and iBall by Kareena Kapoor, who ironically was once Sony’s brand ambassador. A new brand Ice X has partnered with the Rajasthan Royals IPL team and Dhoom 3. Round that off with Xolo signing an alliance with the Liverpool Football Club, and you can see that Indian brands are no longer the poor cousins of their multinational counterparts in terms of public perception. Cynics might say that star value alone cannot change the fortunes of a company.

While that is true, the fact is that these big names played a big role in changing perceptions about Indian brands. And also grabbed a lot of public attention, thanks also to an increased ad spend by many manufacturers. Advertisements for the Micromax Canvas Turbo appeared on the front page of leading dailies, and TV ad campaigns for Indian brands acquired a touch of class, being increasingly shot in scenic locales, and coming with a presentation style that was previously the preserve of “bigger” brands. What’s more, Indian brands cashed in on the cricket craze in the country by sponsoring a number of cricket events. Micromax sponsored the Asia Cup, Celkon sponsored a tri-nation cricket series in West Indies and Karbonn Mobiles became the title sponsors for the T20 Champions League. Whatever Indian brands lacked, it was not visibility.

to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well. They have also been quick to leverage the popularity of e-commerce sites like Flipkart and Snapdeal, making their devices available on them, and often backing them up with special deals. The results are there for all to be seen: According to IDC’s Q3 results for 2013, with 17 per cent market share, Micromax is the second biggest smartphone brand after South Korean giant Samsung, which has a 32.9 per cent of the Indian market. Karbonn comes at number three with 11 per cent of the market share, while Lava is at number five with 4.7 per cent of the market share. In short, three of the top five smartphone manufacturers in the Indian market in terms of market share are Indian.

Increased availability

The new found stature of Indian brands was reflected at CES in Las Vegas this

Indian brands have also improved their distribution networks significantly. Their phones are readily available at stores, be it small outlets to major retail chains, from metros

Taking CES by storm

year, when Micromax and Xolo grabbed global attention with their announcements. Micromax showed off a dual boot tablet ‘LapTab” with Intel’s Bay Trail processor and dual operating systems, giving an inkling that the company wishes to make inroads into serious computing. The device will run Windows 8 and Android 4.2 platforms. Xolo on the other hand unveiled Win Tab, a Windows 8.1 tablet powered by AMD’s A4 processor ‘Temash.’ Both the devices are significant as they represent a move towards serious mobile computing options by Indian manufacturers. Indian players are clearly looking beyond Indian waters for their products now.

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Sales and Service: The next big Challenge

ood after sales service is an integral part of any supply chain cycle. A consumer purchases a particular product not only for what the device offers but also for what the company has to offer if something goes wrong with the device. It is this side of the business where most Indian brands seem to have a lot of catching up to do. Keshav Bansal, Director Marketing, Intex Technologies agrees, “We are aware of this prevalent thought among buyers and have put our constant efforts towards strengthening our after sales services as we strongly believe that the real job is not to sell, but to sustain.” In some quarters, there is a feeling that Indian brands have grown too fast, which has prevented them from putting an adequate sales and service infrastructure in place. Pradeep Jain, Managing Director Karbonn feels, “Most Indian brands don’t have that kind of service that can meet all the expectations of the consumer. Because Indian brands have grown in a very short span of time which is why most players were not able to equip themselves in spare part management and improving after sales. To say that Indian brands have more issues is not right because International brands also have problems. The difference is of 1-2 per cent only as far as top three Indian brands are concerned.” Rapid growth does have its pitfalls.

‘‘

Good after sales service is one of the most important aspects of building consumer trust. Incidentally, Spice has the least percentage of service issues in the industry. We have also started a new app ‘Remote Call Assistance’ wherein the customer care executive can access the consumer’s device from a distant location and solve all software related problems. The consumer needn’t visit the service centre for the same. -T M Ramakrishnan CEO-Devices, Spice Retail Ltd.

The need to improve One of the issues with after sales in devices from Indian manufacturers is the long waiting and correction time service centres take in resolving an issue. Not only do we often get to hear complaints about rude service centre executives in our Consumer Forum section, but users also regularly complain about waiting periods spanning several days even for relatively minor issues. Arup Baral from Chennai received his Micromax Canvas 2 after 70 days from the service centre, which could not carry out the requisite repairs because of a paucity of spare parts. Non-availability of spare parts is often cited as one of the reasons for delays and many an unfortunate buyer finds his phone parked at service centres for weeks. Things are improving but a lot more needs to be done or Indian brands risk slipping back into the “low cost, low quality” perception trap that they have worked so hard to put behind them. Some pundits feel that Indian brands should have actually focused more on improving their service infrastructure instead of splurging on celebrity endorsements and event link-ups. This seems to be over-simplifying things a bit. Others point out that if Indian brands had not spent those amounts on marketing campaigns, they might not have sold enough phones to even warrant service issues. The fact on the ground, however, is that service is not a strongpoint of most Indian brands. While it was possible to get away with poor service on a low priced device, consumers who have spent close to Rs 20,000 on a handset are likely to be more demanding and less forgiving when confronted by poor service, especially when you consider the fact that most multinational brands score better marks in this department. They have beaten the perception challenge, now it is up to Indian brands to overcome the challenge posed by service and supplies.

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lead story

‘‘

NVIDIA’s Tegra mobile processor combines our industry-leading CPU, GPU, LTE modem and camera technology, and taps into the gaming ecosystem that is NVIDIA’s heritage. Thus far, consumers in India were able to access Tegra technology on high-end phones. As a strategy, it was clear to us that our success in a fastgrowing market like India was in bringing great technology into the hands of many. Xolo is a differentiated player. As a brand, they’ve carved a niche in the mid to high-end smartphone segments. And it felt almost organic for us to work with them and to take that leap into the local OEM ecosystem. -Vishal Dhupar Managing Director, NVIDIA South Asia

As good as International phones?

or all their marketing chutzpah and price points, Indian brands couldn’t have made inroads into higher segments without support from major hardware manufacturers. Chief among them is MediaTek, the company which has played a key role in making high-performing processors available to Indian brands at affordable prices. It is not the first tech harwdware brand to ally with an Indian manufacturer – the first smartphone with an Intel processor was launched in India by Xolo. These world class infrastructure companies are working closely with Indian brands to make sure that the products based on their processors are of the highest order in every aspect. Dr Finbarr Moynhan, General Manager International Sales and Marketing, MediaTek says, “We work closely with Indian brands, providing them a complete system solution. Starting from chipset, we provide most of the hardware and what we are delivering to Indian brands finally is close to a complete product.” A number of international players like Qualcomm and NVIDIA are also working with Indian brands. Xolo among Indian brands seems to be a favourite ally, and has worked with all major chip manufacturers. After deploying Tegra 4 from NVIDIA in the Xolo Tegra Note, they have used the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 in Xolo LT900 and AMD A4 Temash in the Xolo Win Tab. Processor giant Intel, which has worked on many occasions with Xolo in past, has also provided its latest Bay Trail processor to Micromax in the LapTab. Indian brands are beginning to use the same technology and hardware that goes into most international phones. The perception that “foreign brands have better products” is slowly fading from consumers’ minds.

The future beckons And perhaps that is the biggest achievement of the Charge of the Indian Mobile Brigade – the gradual but firm erosion of the negative perception people had about their products. Of course, this is just the beginning. More challenges await. New competitors like Lenovo, Huawei, Gionee and ZTE are coming into the Indian market, and older players are learning new tricks. The Indian brands have well and truly arrived in the Indian smartphone market. Now comes the much tougher proposition of sustaining and indeed expanding their market share. Interesting times indeed.

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Some of the best smartphones from Indian brands Spice Pinnacle FHD – Full HD, low price

Karbonn Titanium X – The design edge The new member in Karbonn’s famed Titanium series has all that one expects from an international smartphone, most notably cutting edge design. The Titanium X will turn heads and looks at ease in the company of phones from bigger brands. Its other highlights include a 5.0-inch full HD display, 1.5GHz quadcore processor, 13.0-megapixel camera with auto-focus, 16GB internal memory, and NFC connectivity. And yes, like other Indian smartphones, it was designed to fit most wallets – it retails at a very reasonable Rs 18,490, even though it is the most expensive phone to be released by Karbonn.

With the pixel count on phone displays approaching those on high definition televisions, a number of phones today come with full HD displays. But few offer it at the kind of price that Spice offers for its Pinnacle FHD. Critics may say that the display is not as bright as those seen on phones from better known manufacturers, but it definitely was a landmark attempt from an Indian brand, and at Rs 13,999, cost far lesser than many of the full HD devices being offered by bigger brands. Spice backed it up with a 1.5GHz quad core processor, 1GB RAM, 8.0megapixel camera, and a decent battery.

Xolo Play – Gaming on a budget! Given its knack for roping in international players like Intel, Xolo’s association with NVIDIA didn’t come as a surprise. But the outcome of this association was quite interesting. The Xolo Play came with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, which powered high-end devices like the HTC One X and the original Nexus 7, and showed that gaming devices were not the preserve of bigger brands. The device handled the best and the most graphic-rich games in the industry smoothly and also came with features like the battery saver core and a 12-core GPU. For Rs 13,999, it remains the best option for an Android gamer on a tight budget.

Micromax Canvas Turbo – the Jack(man) in the Box! Micromax had been making waves with its Canvas range of devices and with the Turbo, the brand grabbed centrestage, and not just because it was endorsed by Hugh Jackman. Considered to be one of the best phones by an Indian brand, it combined a good design with a sturdy form factor, 16GB internal memory, an improved 13.0-megapixel camera, 1GB Ram and a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, topping off the package with a number of gesture controls. Small wonder Hugh Jackman said it made him a juggler. And at Rs 19,500, it costs not the earth either. mukesh@mymobile.co.in abhijit@mymobile.co.in

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chief speak

“We are not locked down to any particular ecosystem”

It was not considered a major smartphone brand in India at the start of 2013, but by the time the curtain came down on the year, Lenovo had carved a niche for itself in the highly competitive Indian market, across different price segments. The year saw the company release a number of notable devices such as the K900, the P780 and the Vibe X, and there seem to be more where they came from. We caught up with Sudhin Mathur, Director Smartphones, Lenovo India, to find out more about the company’s plans for the new year. Nimish Dubey

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For most people in India, Lenovo is still more about computers than smartphones. But the year 2013 saw Lenovo making its presence felt in the smartphone segment in India for the first time. To what do you attribute this? Largely because we did not have a smartphone portfolio for Indian markets till 2013. We had done a soft launch towards the end of 2012 in limited states to gauge the consumer response. With a positive uptake we decided to introduce our global portfolio in India in 2013. India unlike the developed countries, has low smartphone penetration and hence tremendous untapped opportunities. With the smartphone shipment expected to grow at a tremendous rate for the next couple of years, we felt it was the right time and more importantly the right portfolio to launch our products in India. The Indian market is a supremely competitive one, with a number of Indian as well as multi-national brands slugging it out. How do you intend to make your brand stand out? Or in other words, why would you recommend someone buy a phone from Lenovo? We expect our growth trajectory to continue owing to our wide product portfolio, keeping in mind the varied preferences of Indian consumers. The distinctive features of smartphones available in our portfolio address the specific requirements of the target audience. For people always-on-the-go, Lenovo offers smartphones with a solid better battery life; for youth who are looking at style and functionality, Lenovo has ultra-sleek and stylish handsets and Lenovo’s performance-oriented handsets are just the right solution for intense usage. As the market is expected to grow rapidly, we believe that consumers will value our differentiated offerings and we will be able to create a significant mark in this competitive market. Additionally, in order to reach out to a wider audience we have our presence in all key large retail format outlets, operator channels, IT channel partners and online channel partners across the country. Going forward we will enhance our marketing to ensure that we have stronger brand recall in the Indian consumers mind. Lenovo is known worldwide for quality products, starting from the iconic ThinkPad range to our consumer range of products. We have carried the same ethos into our tablet and smartphone products. We also continue to focus on R&D with our ‘innovation triangle’ of teams in Japan, China and the USA. This focus on product quality has helped Lenovo become the number 3 player worldwide in smart connected devices (desktop PCs, portable PCs, tablets, and smartphones) with a market share of 6.5 per cent in a couple of years. This also demonstrates that consumers appreciate our ability to innovate, execute and deliver the right kind of smart-connected devices. As a dominant PC + brand, we are confident of leveraging our global learnings and experience in order to be successful in India. You recently released a device called the Vibe X. This is the first time that we have seen you release a device with a name rather than the usual alphanumeric combination. What was the reason for this? While we have launched some truly differentiated phones in the recent past, with the Vibe series we are now making methodical

move to address the premium range. At this range the offerings are seen as much more than a sum of specifications. The consumers start looking for design, usability and enhanced value. We felt that the product ethos of this new series captured the ‘Vibe’ of today’s savvy consumers and hence the sub-brand. As we will continue to bring in more differentiated offerings, we might consider giving our products the right identity. We have seen a very strong design ethos emerging from Lenovo in its recent devices, be it the all metal casing of the K900, the very thin Vibe X or the solid metal back of the P780. What went behind these designs and was there a conscious effort to make design a distinguishing point in your phones? The K900 is one of the distinctive looking smartphones in the market. Defined by a target audience that looks for design along with top end features, the steel Which phone do you use? grey finish with the metal back Lenovo P 780. plate provides a sleek and snazzy appeal. The P780 is a performance Which was your first handset? It phone and the black polycarbonate was an Ericsson handset, which and brushed metal body give it a I bought 17 years back. strong yet premium feel. TheVibe X design is a result of consumer What is your phone’s ringtone? feedback combined with our R&D Most of the time my phone is on team’s focus on ergonomics. The silent as I think it is rude to premium consumers were asking disturb others. for a large screen device but still wanted it to be easy to carry. The What is your favourite app? Vibe X aims to cater to this SHAREit. It helps to share large audience by providing a large amount of information (photo screen powerful device that feels albums with my family, great to hold. Apart from the presentations and product aesthetics and ergonomics the videos with my team). Vibe X also presents an unbeatable combination of hardware design, What is your favourite game? rich display and memory-creating Hard to lock down one. I like camera technologies. With the Asphalt series for racing, growing usage, it is imperative that Cut The Rope for puzzles. In the smartphones have improved feaworld of apps, there is always tures and design. We will something new and exciting continue to push advanced around the corner. features in all our smart connected devices and enhancing and innovating our smartphone design.

Calling SUdhin mathur

You have released phones in India based on a number of different chipsets, including Intel, Qualcomm and MediaTek. Don’t you think this might confuse users, who generally see a single brand sticking to a single chipset? Working with all the key chip makers gives us the flexibility to address all consumer segments. Each of the chip makers come with a unique set of propositions and hence benefits to consumers. Moving on to the software side, Lenovo has been innovating on its interface for Android devices - we even saw the app drawer being removed in the Vibe X. What is the philosophy behind the interface we

february 2014 MYMOBILE 33

chief speak see on your phones? Our focus when developing the UI is to provide the simplest and most intuitive experience to first time Android users. Keeping it clean, easy to manage and yet getting the flexibility of Android with movable homescreens and adding widgets. In India, we have millions of new devices being sold every month and most

of these are to first time Android users. It would be unwise for us to assume they would know all functions of Android from the start. The Lenovo UI team is constantly working towards making the experience of new users as pleasant as possible. For the experienced Android users, there is a whole bunch of excellent launchers on Google Play that lets them personalize their smartphones to their requirement. Are you going to be sticking with Android for

34 MYMOBILE february 2014

your smartphones, or is Windows Phone also on the agenda (a ThinkPhone like a ThinkPad would be SO awesome)? Like our partnership with chipset manufacturers, we are not locked down to any particular ecosystem. At the moment 90 per cent of the devices sold in India are Android based and hence our focus. If this changes or we see significant demand from consumers, we are open to providing devices that cater to them. 2013 saw the K900 and the Vibe X from Lenovo. What can we expect from Lenovo on the mobile front in this year? The Indian smartphone market has today emerged as the third largest smartphone market in the world (Strategy Analytics) and is growing at over 150 per cent annually. Tier I and Tier II cities are expected to fuel the boom in the next one year. In India, smartphones have seen 229 per cent growth YoY. The market is expected to more than double over the next four to five years. The Vibe Series is our first major step into the premium segment and we are confident of grabbing the attention of the urban youth, who are looking for style and functionality in their handsets. At Lenovo, we are excited with the opportunities that exist in the Indian smartphone market and intend to leverage the potential with the launch of other innovative smartphones under our premium Vibe series in the coming years. We are gearing up for the launch of our next phone in the Vibe series Lastly, what is Sudhin Mathur’s resolution for 2014? To see Lenovo as a leading smartphone brand in the country n nimish@mymobile.co.in

Lenovo is known worldwide for quality products, starting from the iconic ThinkPad range to our consumer range of products. We have carried the same ethos into our tablet and smartphone products. We also continue to focus on R&D with our ‘innovation triangle’ of teams in Japan, China and the USA. This focus on product quality has helped Lenovo become the number 3 player worldwide in smart connected devices (desktop PCs, portable PCs, tablets, and smartphones) with a market share of 6.5 per cent in a couple of years.

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“Mobile Apps are the Future” It used to be identified mainly with navigation devices and maps, but of late India’s first map-based company MapMyIndia has been carving a niche for itself in the app space, with a spate of launches. We met Rakesh Verma, the Managing Director of MapMyIndia to find out about the company’s plans. Mukesh Kumar Singh & Abhijit Ahaskar In the last few months, you have launched some new mobile apps. Why this sudden interest in apps? In the last few months we have been quite active in mobile apps. We strongly believe that mobile apps are the future for any company to not just succeed but also to survive. We want to make sure that the five different platforms, namely Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Web browsers are served through our apps. How has this move helped you? In our case we are fortunate that whatever apps we have built on mobile we are able to translate into a solution for B2B business. So we just don’t leave them for consumers, but we take them to a B2B business and show them how they can benefit by adding value on top of the apps. Fundamentally, we are a map and location-based company. So far our vision has been to do things where location plays an element. And almost 80 per cent of data will have a location element, which means most apps become much more powerful if location becomes part of them. Keeping that in mind, we have started releasing more apps for mobile devices. Tell us something about your new apps… Generally, applications in maps include search, POI search, address search, POI

through different categories and reverse decoding. These map applications are fairly old now and we already have them. What is interesting is what we have done recently on these platforms. We have developed four unique apps - Locate, Explore, Reach Me and Maps. They will be available on all five platforms. What is good about them is that they are free, can do a lot of things, are easy to run and behind each of them sits high technology and our high quality maps. Which one is your personal favorite? We feel that ReachMe is going to be the most popular. It is very simple, and can be used to help people find your location and reach you without asking the address. The idea was to do away with punching and allow friends to discover the route to your location by just tapping on the phone using a link or PIN. You can share the link or PIN via SMS, email, WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter, of Facebook. The moment your friend will open the link or enter the PIN in the app, your current location will show along with the shortest possible route. What else are you planning, besides mobile apps? Right now we are doing this for India but our vision is to go international. For the international venture, we are not going

under the brand MapMyIndia, because it’s so synonymous with India that it won’t be justified for the international audience. So our international brand will be called Mapples. It is our own brand which took a backseat after MapMyIndia came up, and we are reviving it to launch MapMyIndia in international market. What would you consider the strength of MapMyIndia? Our biggest strength is our maps. Our current release of maps covers every urban and rural location to the street level and all the roads across the country. It exceeds 2 million road kilometers and it took us 15 long years to create this huge map base. We have the most comprehensive, most detailed and accurate maps with house/building level information. And the challenges facing you? There is no level playing field in Government policies. The rules are something else for foreign companies and something else for domestic players. Google can do anything they want, but Indian companies have to follow the rules. All we want is a level playing field and our Government has not been unable to provide a level playing field to us. n mukesh@mymobile.co.in abhijit@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 35

technology

Indian Classic Appy Spin Indians might be consuming apps like never before on their mobile devices. But the paucity of quality Indian apps often makes them head to international alternatives. That could change with the emergence of apps like Shri Hanuman Chalisa, which have a strong Indian theme and are brilliantly presented. We met the team behind the app to find out more. Mukesh Kumar Singh & Abhijit Ahaskar

36 MYMOBILE february 2014

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nce the preserve of niche users, mobile apps have become an indispensable part of many people’s lives. The success of mainstream apps like Instagram, Angry Birds and Flipboard have made app development a thriving businesses. India is one of the flourishing centres of this industry and, if estimates are to be believed, is the third fastest growing app market in the world. The Indian mobile app economy is expected to grow to $18 billion by 2014, thanks to a significant fall in the cost of smartphones and mobile bandwidth.

The state of Indian apps While there are a number of apps from India on different app stores, generally a wide gulf exists between them and their international counterparts, especially in matters of graphics and presentation. Amidst this dull scenario comes a fresh and unique application called Shri Hanuman Chalisa which combines visual appeal with one of India’s most read poems. Developed and created by a Delhi based artist and graphic designer Charuvi Agarwal, the new app is a take on the 43 verses written by poet Tulsidas on the legendary Indian monkey god, Hanuman. Hanuman is a cultural icon who made impossible things possible. For centuries people have looked up to him, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa every time they felt down or vulnerable, drawing strength from every word of the poem. Of course, this is not the first time an Indian app developer has turned to their country’s mythology and tradition for inspiration. There have been games and apps based on the life of characters like Hanuman and Bhim in the past, but these have generally been casual affairs, and more often than spin offs from films and TV serials. Charuvi’s effort is significant because it stands on its own. And stands tall – a result

of brilliant consistency merged with creativity that shows in the video and the app created by her.

Getting to grips with the Hanuman Chalisa The team behind the app travelled widely, visiting banks of Varanasi; reading the various versions of Ramayana; studying Tankha paintings, Kerala murals, and numerous comic books. The idea was to collate all the materials that would go into the app. They created the characters, defined their roles, drawing each of them uniquely to make them distinct from anything seen before. Creating backdrops also involved a lot of research and application. For representing Lanka, they comprehensively studied South Indian temple architecture and gold edifices of China. All this was then used to develop a short animated film of 12 minutes. The same animation has been used extensively in the app as well as other mediums, giving the app the feel of an interactive, highly illustrated book. The content was also used to create one of the most beautiful apps we have seen for a while. The app presents all 43 verses of Hanuman Chalisa in slides and in 18 of them you interact with objects. For instance in one of the slides, touching the sun transforms it into a mango, or you can be a part of the famous bridge to Lanka by finding the stone that would float and help build the bridge. You can also do Puja and Aarti on the app. In case you want to dedicate a hymn to a friend, go to Faith Beads (a section in the app) and your friend would know about it through Facebook. The app also includes the short film. You can also learn about the many milestones of Hanuman’s life through ‘Tell a Tale,’ an illustrative depiction of Hanuman’s life with a brief write-up. In case a user knows something that he feels is important, he can

go to his account and share his piece on Hanuman with others. The beautiful and breathtaking visuals strike a perfect harmony with the powerful hymns, made more resonating by the voice of legendary Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan. There is another version sung by popular Indian singer Shaan.

The people respond All this was not easy. It took Charuvi and her team about three years to build the animation and another six months to develop the app. But when it was done, it mesmerized people not just in India, but from all across the world. People from as far as Latin America have appreciated it and within a month’s time the app’’s Facebook page has crossed 1,30,000 likes. It wasn’t just the viewers who were impressed. Critics from various fields too have liked her work, and the film has been screened at major international festivals like the 67th Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Films, and many others. The animation was also appreciated at the Siggraph Computer Animation Festival Canada. Such high quality work is unprecedented not just in the matter of the subject involved but also in the entire app milieu. We are yet to see such graphics and level of detail in an Indian app. It has been a long road for Charuvi and her team. And they are in no mood to rest on their laurels. They are looking to make this app available to as many people as possible and are contacting phone brands to help them take the app to the masses. The app itself will be formally launched in February. We hope it will launch a new era in the history of Indian app development – one in which Indian content and design rule the roost. n mukesh@mymobile.co.in abhijit@mymobile.co.in

“We took it as a challenge”

We were told there was no way we could make a film like this. We took it as a challenge. Chalisa has been recited millions of times by devotees but technology can bring it alive in ways unimagined. We wanted to breathe new life into it and make a film that would make people feel they have entered another world. It was a challenge to finish the whole project. We had to accept various other projects in between to finance this. It was also difficult to give a visual narration to the entire text because the Chalisa is a non-linear piece. The 43 verses are disconnected as Tulsidas didn’t write it in continuity. The other challenge was already an audio track set, and in it singers have given six seconds for each verse. It was not easy to tell a story in six seconds, because ultimately for a common man to register a scenes a lot more time was needed. Finding the right talent was also a challenge. Most of the experienced people we met had no artistic sense, so I hired young artists and trained them. - Charuvi Agarwal Founder/director Charuvi Design Labs

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versus

Battle of the

phablets On one side is the latest in the series of devices that started the phablet phenomenon. On another, the first real attempt by Nokia to get into the phablet territory. Both cost about the same. Which is the superior? We pit the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 against the Nokia Lumia 1520 to find out. Nimish Dubey

few years ago, the idea of having a 5.0-inch display on a phone was considered ridiculous. Samsung turned that notion on its head with its brilliant Galaxy Note device which not only introduced a large screen device which could also be used as a phone, but also showed the world that the stylus was by no means dead. While other brands like LG and Sony were quick to jump on to the large display bandwagon, Nokia resisted stubbornly. Until recently, when it finally came out with the Lumia 1520, which had a display that at 6.0 inches was even big-

38 MYMOBILE february 2014

ger than that of the Galaxy Note 3.

Appearance Samsung might have spruced up the appearance of the Note 3 with its faux leather back and also taken ounces off its weight but it really is no match for the more colourful carbonate build of the Lumia 1520. We got the red model of the 1520 and although it is slightly thicker and heavier than the Note 3, it turned more heads than any large screen device we have used for a while. We would go so far as to say that the Lumia 1520 is the best-looking

phablet we have ever clapped eyes on. Winner: Nokia Lumia 1520

Hardware When it comes to hardware, this was a proper clash of titans. The Lumia 1520 is the first Windows Phone with a quad core processor (a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 at 2.2 GHz) and boasts a full HD 6.0-inch display, on the other hand was the Note 3 with a 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display and octa core processing power (two quad core processors clocked at 1.9 GHz and 1.3 GHz). The Lumia

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1520 boasts a better camera and more microphones, but the Note 3 comes with arguably the best stylus we have ever seen in the tech world. Connectivity options see both more or less equally matched. All said and done, we would say the Force is with the Note 3 in this category.

operation of Windows Phone 8 (topped off with its Black update) made using the Lumia 1520 a delight. Round that off with MS Office and Nokia’s usual super useful free apps (maps, navigation and music), and we felt that the Lumia 1520 did enough to earn an honourable draw in this department. No mean feat.

viewing of videos. Winner: Lumia 1520

Ease of use When it comes to large screen devices, ease of use becomes increasingly important as these tend to be bulky. In this department, the Galaxy Note 3 pips the Lumia 1520, courtesy its more compact form factor. The S-Pen stylus helps too, making sketching, editing and indeed, writing, a whole lot easier. The big display of the 1520 does make typing a lot easier but all in all, the device’s bulk makes it more difficult to use than the Note 3. Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Performance In terms of sheer performance, we must admit that we have seldom seen two devices of such hardware and software prowess. We would however give the edge to the Lumia 1520 as Windows Phone 8 runs more smoothly on it than Samsung’s TouchWiz skinned interface on the Note 3. The Note 3 however scores on having more features than the Lumia 1520, which sticks to Windows Phone 8 basics. Both devices have very decent battery for such large displays – comfortably delivering a day and half of usage on one charge. At the end of the day, however, the superior camera and sound performance of the Lumia 3 gives it the edge in our books. Winner: Lumia 1520

Value for money At the time of writing, the Galaxy Note 3 was retailing for approximately Rs 44,000, while the Nokia Lumia 1520 was available for Rs 45,990. At this price point, the difference is marginal. And honestly, we think that both are pretty much inseparable when it comes to this parameter. Those valuing multimedia and a bigger screen would love the Lumia 1520, while those wanting a stylus and a smaller form factor would flock to the Note 3. We are calling this one a draw. Winner: Draw Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Winner: Draw

Software

Multimedia

A couple of years ago, no Windows device could have stood against the might of Android. But it shows just how far Windows Phone 8 has come that we actually found ourselves hard pressed to choose between the software on the Lumia 1520 and the Galaxy Note 3. While the feature packed (Smart Scroll, Smart Pause, et al) and stylus-friendly TouchWiz layer on Android on the Note 3 did offer more in terms of customisation, the sheer smooth

This is where the Lumia 1520 really comes into its own and fairly outslugs the Note 3. The 13.0-megapixel shooter on the Note 3 is one of the better ones we have seen, but the 20.0megapixel one on the Lumia 1520 is bested only by its own cousin, the Lumia 1020. In terms of sound too, we found the Lumia 1520 delivering a much better experience on both headphones and loudspeaker. And the bigger display of the Lumia 1520 does make for better

Conclusion This section has seldom seem as close and fierce a contest as this one. And although the Nokia Lumia 1520 runs out a narrow winner, winning three rounds, losing two and drawing two others, the Galaxy Note 3 is by no means a distant second. In fact, we still think that the Note 3 is the best option for those wanting a phablet with a stylus, while the Lumia 1520 is the better option for those who want a phablet with serious multimedia muscle. Titans, both, we say. n nimish@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 39

burn test A Trendy Champ The Champion Trendy 531 delivers a lot

Pros  Powerful

battery  Free internet

Cons  Ordinary  Slightly

camera

bulky

1020x720p displays, is not mediocre either. Some of the games and videos looked quite good on it. Overall, it will not turn heads but is not an eyesore either.

151 mm

Good list of apps

80.5 mm

n keeping with its name, the Champion Trendy has everything that seems to be trending in the Indian mobile tech market: from a big screen to a powerful 1.2 GHz quad core processor and 1GB RAM. All this and a free one-year Internet connection from BSNL.

Routine looks There’s not much to talk about the look of the Champion Trendy 531. Its 5.3-inch screen and sheer size will grab some attention, although an attempt has been made to add some style by adding a polished brown metal bezel across the side panel. It is a sturdy device with nicely rounded curves and rugged plastic exterior. The display is bright and has a 960x540p resolution which while not being on the same level as the Xolo Play’s or Canvas Magnus’s

40 MYMOBILE february 2014

The phone runs on Android 4.2 and sticks to the original Android interface. It also comes pre-loaded with a bunch of interesting apps such as IMDB, K9mail, Kingston Office, Facebook, LinkedIn, Shazam, Viber, WeChat, True Caller and games like Angry Birds and Temple Run. There is also the Wireless input app that allows pairing with a Bluetooth keyboard so one can put it to some serious official use. Among Hardware features, 3G support, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth are prominent. In internal memory, it has a little more space than what we generally get to see in most 4GB memory phones. This one has up to 2.7GB of internal memory and upto 32GB of expandable memory.

Smooth performer The display responds well to touch, and also handles videos very well. The speaker is loud but sound quality suffers at high volumes. Call reception is good and loud on both SIM slots. Overall, this seems like a decent device capable of handling most routine tasks that you throw at it. The 3,200mAh battery, generally seen in entry level tablets, easily lasts a day on regular use. The cameras are a dull affair. The 13.0-megapixel one at the rear at best gives ordinary and pixellated images.

Conclusion Champion Trendy is big sized smartphone with a good display, large battery and smooth

performance. However, it is likely to face stiff competition from the likes of the Micromax Canvas Magnus and the Xolo Q1000s, which offer similar specs and are better looking. But if you are looking for a big screen phone with a free internet connection, this is not a bad device to go for – Rs 13,999 might seem high to some, but factor in the one year of free Internet connectivity and the deal seems sweeter. If you want a better looking phone with much better specs around the same price point, we would advise you to go for the Micromax Canvas Doodle 2, Karbonn Titanium S7 or Xolo Q1000s. n team@mymobile.co.in

Price: Rs 13,999 verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

performance

value for money

overall

78%

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Budget phone gets smart The BSNL

Penta Smart PS501 scores on price

Smart looking handset The Penta Smart is a well built, good looking smartphone with a plastic body. Penta has done a good job with the look and feel of the device, although one thing they have not been able to keep down is the weight. A 5.0-inch screen size is rare at this price point, but the larger screen does add to the bulk of the device. The back panel houses dual SIM slots, a micro SD slot, speaker and an 1,800 mAh removable battery, covered by a plastic lid. This good looking phone has an equally good looking display. It measures 5-inches, has a resolution of 800x480p and looks much brighter than many phones at this price point, making it useful for games and watching movies. Speaking of which, while it is no hardware monster, it can handle basic and casual games. Speaker quality is very good too, making it an excellent option for those who covet multimedia performance. The phone comes with 4GB internal memory out of which only 1.3GB is available to the user, but you can expand this through an external microSD card.

Bluetooth, 3G and supports dual SIMs. As for specs, it has a 1.2 GHz dual core processor and Mali 400 GPU, which is somewhat good at this price point. The battery is decent and can last a full day on regular use. The Penta Smart will no set benchmarks alight with its performance, but we found its performance to be reasonably steady, barring the odd lag, which is negligible and won’t get in the way. HD movies did not play well, but SD videos played out smoothly.

Pros  Brilliant  Good

For Rs 6,999, the Penta Smart is a decent value for money smartphone. The brand is not as popular as a Micromax or Xolo, so if you want something close from a better known brand, check out Xolo A500S IPS that has fairly similar specs or if you want something better, go for Xolo Q500, priced at Rs 7,499, which runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 200. n team@mymobile.co.in

speakers

looks

Cons  Mediocre  Not

Conclusion

camera

enough internal memory

138 mm

antel Technologies was one of the pioneers of entry-level budget tablets. Unlike some entry level brands, their devices were easily available, decent looking and came in a number of varieties. And now the company has decided to foray in the smartphone market. Penta Smart PS501 is one of the many handsets launched by Pantel, delivering good features at an entry level price point. It comes with the BSNL brand, as BSNL is offering some bundled plans with the device. And since it is unlocked, you can use the handset with any connection.

Price: Rs 6,999 verdict 8

Looks

Decent performance for the price

Features

The phone runs on Android 4.2 with stock Android interface. The 5.0-megapixel camera however lacks clarity and the same goes for the front facing camera as well – mind you, our expectations were not unduly high in this department. The phone comes with regular Google apps such as Drive, Gmail, Maps, Play Store, and Voice Search. On the connectivity front, the phone supports Wi-Fi,

ease of use

8 9

performance value for money

overall

80%

72.2 mm

february 2014 MYMOBILE 41

burn test Crystal clear Asha The Asha 502 is more than a glass front

Pros  Looks good  Superb interface  WhatsApp integration

Cons  Small display  No 3G  Fixed focus camera

42 MYMOBILE february 2014

okia’s Lumia range might be grabbing more attentions and headlines but it is by no means the only arrow in Nokia’s phone quiver. The company is also betting big on its relatively more affordable Asha range of phones. It launched the highly improved Asha 501 last year, and has started 2014 with the Asha 502 dual SIM, an upgraded version of Asha 501, which comes with some very deft new touches.

A touch of glass The Nokia Asha 502 dual SIM looks very similar to the 501, with one major difference – it is encased in a transparent frame which gives the device a very classy look, although it does attract more fingerprints and smudges than the matte-finished body of the 501 did. And while the device has a 3.0-inch touchscreen display like its predecessor, the button below it is now a touch key. And a closer look at the ports will reveal that the company replaced the mini pin charger which was seen in many Nokia devices with a micro USB port. The phone looks good and feels solid enough, although one has to be very careful while removing the back panel to insert the SIM and microSD card.

Tweaks and changes The Nokia Asha 502 dual SIM has a 3.0-inch display with 320x 240 pixel resolution, which might not seem very high by Android standards but works well enough on the Asha platform. The quality of the display is decent and the touch experience is good as well. The phone comes with dual SIM functionality with micro SIM support – of the two SIMs, one is hot-swappable, while you have to remove the battery to place the other. The back panel, however, has to remove the back panel in order to insert SIM cards and the microSD card. The on-board storage of the device amounts to 64GB and the company is also offering a 4GB microSD card with the sales pack. The 502 also comes with a better camera as compared to the 501 – it has a 5.0-megapixel camera with flash, although there is still no sign of autofocus.

Asha gets more social The Nokia Asha 502 dual SIM runs on Nokia Asha 1.1 operating system, which works significantly more smoothly than its previous version. The phone comes with a double-knock feature, used to unlock the screen. The homescreen contains all the apps – there is no separate section for apps or app drawer (shades of the iPhone!). A swipe reveals recently used apps, which is again a neat touch. As in the Asha 501, the interface is very swipe-based with a swipes in either direction or up and up and down giving you access to different

features and sections of the phones – you can of course go directly to the homescreen by simply touching the only button below the display. While the device come with a number of pre-installed social networking apps, these remain on the basic side. What, however, will be welcomed by most users is the inclusion of WhatsApp Messenger, which until recently was not available on the Asha platform. A number of games come pre-loaded in the device and more can be downloaded from the Ovi Store. For browsing there is Nokia Xpress Browser which delivers decent browsing speeds even on relatively slow connections as it uses very little data. And this is important as the Asha 502 does not come with 3G, although it does have Bluetooth, EDGE and Wi-Fi connectivity. Multimedia is very good too, considering the device’s price point. While we would have preferred having autofocus on the camera, it still delivers very acceptable results. The device comes with a music player an FM radio. Sound quality is very good over headphones, but the equaliser settings that we saw in the 501 are missing here. And in a very neat touch, we found we could control the FM radio and music from the lock screen of the device itself.

Conclusion Better looks, better software, better camera

Price: Rs 5,700

99.6 mm

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59.6 mm and a smoother operating system – all these combine to a very pleasant user experience on the Asha 502. The device delivers a good touch experience and is a solid performer in most departments, although its apps are not as rich as those on Android. Yes, we would have liked a larger display with a higher resolution and 3G connectivity, not to mention autofocus on the camera, but on the flip side there is no denying that the Asha 502 does the basics very well indeed and in these days of giant phones, its surprisingly compact frame is a sight for sore eyes. At Rs 5,700 we still think it is more than a match for entry-level Androids. Those looking for an alternative can consider the Micromax Bolt A63 which is priced at Rs 6,350. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

8 9

Features ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

82%

february 2014 MYMOBILE 43

burn test Gorgeous Vibes The Lenovo Vibe X

Lenovo Vibe X S960

tech specs

scores with its looks

he new Lenovo Vibe X sets a new standard in mobile phone form factor. At 6.9mm, it is one of the slimmest phones around. Not only does it boast an ultra slim profile but also has a robust and solid metal exterior. But do its innards reflect its outer beauty?

Super slim, metal body smartphone

144 mm

The look and feel of this handset is its key attraction. The Vibe X is one of the best looking ones that we have seen in a while. An ultra slim profile, backed by a solid metal based exterior and nicely rounded edges not only adds a touch of class and elegance but also make it comfortable to hold. It is a unibody phone with closed battery panel and the ports and the SIM slot are

placed on the side. The phone comes in 16GB and 32GB variants. We could not find the speaker anywhere on the phone, until we decided to play something, discovered that the in-call grille, which appeared a little too wide than usual, houses the speaker, a very unusual position. The handset also boasts of a 13.0-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a front facing camera next to the speaker. Very impressive and graceful in design, the phone is a winner in the looks department.

Outstanding display, slow interface The Vibe X also comes with a new user interface, which is very different from the one we saw on the P780 and the K900. This new interface is certainly unique and good looking with lots of new icons, but is to some extent responsible for making the device sluggish, in spite of the presence of a fairly robust hardware in it. Mind you, it looks wonderful on the dazzling display, which is a full HD affair with 441ppi pixel density, and superb colour accuracy. Watching videos and games was surely an exhilarating experience on it. It also supports wide viewing angles, so the viewing is not affected if the screen is not precisely in front of your eyes. The display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and in spite of its shiny appearance, remains largely clean and smudge-free.

A slightly slow performer After dazzling us with its looks, the Vibe X left us slightly disappointed with its performance. It is an overall decent performer, but lags in a few departments. For instance, in spite of having a quad-core processor and 2GB RAM, it cannot run all games smoothly. And a slight amount of lag kept surfacing whenever we were using the phone. The phone is at its best however when viewing video content with its edge to edge design and brilliant colours making viewing an

74 mm

44 MYMOBILE february 2014

Price: Rs 25,999 absolute delight. Camera quality is decent enough in good light conditions, but dips as the light fades – we expected more after being spoilt by the brilliant camera on the K900. On the plus side, it can record HD videos and also comes with numerous modes and settings to play around with it. For a phone so thin, the battery back-up is quite good. It easily gives a day long back-up on normal use. The device comes with some pre-loaded games like Asphalt 7, Blockbread3, Fishing Joy and the Gameloft Store from where you can get more games. Among pre-loaded apps, it has Accuweather, Facebook, UC browser, Skype, and some of Lenovo’s own apps, including a battery manager. All said and done, the Lenovo Vibe X is a very good proposition with an amazing build quality, ultra slim form factor and decent hardware. It is very ergonomically designed, handy to use, has a big screen and as far as looks is concerned you don’t get to see

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Pros  Amazing looks  Ultra slim form factor  Outstanding display

Cons  Can’t handle all games  Camera not up to the mark  Slightly sluggish

verdict

phones like this often.

Conclusion Vibe X is a must-have for its brilliant display, incredibly ultra slim form factor, decent internal memory and robust build quality. It may not be a power horse and is let down by its cameras and a slightly laggy interface, but if you value appearance and general performance, well, you won’t find something like this every

day. And at Rs 25,999, it definitely offers very decent value for money. If you are open for Windows Phone, go for Nokia Lumia 925, which is selling at Rs. 26,999 or check out the Google Nexus 5, which is selling at Rs 28,999. The Nexus 5 also comes with a great display and has far superior hardware performance to the Vibe X. But it is unlikely to turn heads the way the Vibe X will. n team@mymobile.co.in

Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

84%

february 2014 MYMOBILE 45

burn test Windows Transformer The

Transformer Book T100T is many things

sus has a very strong presence in the tablet and keyboard dock market, thanks to its Transformer series. And now the company is trying to work the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magic in the convertible Windows tablet market. After the Asus Transformer Book T100 the company has now come up with its improved version the Asus Transformer Book T100T. It comes at an affordable price and stacks of good features. But are they enough for it to prevail in a very competitive market?

Nice design, good looks The Asus Transformer Book T100T comes in dark gray, fingerprint-smudge-prone plastic with a black keyboard. There is also a black bezel around the screen and a silver-gray docking hinge centered above the keyboard. The hinge forms a natural handgrip when the laptop is closed. In order to undock the tablet, one has to push the release button given in the center of the hinge with one hand and pull the screen up and away with the other. To dock, you place the screen over the hinge and push down firmly. The hinge is solid but we do wish it tilted just a few degrees further back in laptop mode. The device comes with a 10.1-inch IPS display of 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. When we hold the tablet in the landscape mode, the power button is located on the top, the volume control button is placed on the left along with the Windows button (used to switch screens between start and desktop mode). Apart from this, the microSD card slot, the HDMI port, the USB charging port and the 3.5mm audio jack are located on the right side of the device. The keyboard that comes with

46 MYMOBILE February 2014

the device houses a USB 3.0 port on the left. The device looks slim and smart enough and feels solid to hold.

All about Windows 8 The Asus Transformer Book T100T runs on the 32-bit edition of Windows 8.1 and is powered by an Intel Atom chip clocked at 1.33GHz up to 1.8GHz, with onboard graphics. The device comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded to 64GB with the help of a microSD card. The 10.1-inch IPS display is very bright with deep blacks and fairly rich colors as well as generous viewing angles, although it is reflection-prone and is not very good for viewing in sunlight. The dock that comes with the device is very compact and the keys are well-placed to deliver a good typing experience. The quality of the keyboard is much better than the Bluetooth keyboards available in the market, although the trackpad is a bit of a pain to use, and the left and right mouse button areas also are not very clearly defined. Also using a non-Bluetooth keyboard allows flexibility in work and frees you from the hassle of charging the keyboard. The F keys of the keyboard let you to control things like volume and screen brightness, which you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tend to get with a third-party keyboard. And yes, when attached, the device looks like a compact notebook. Connectivity options include, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB port but there is no support for 3G and NFC.

Decent performer The Asus Transformer Book T100T performs many tasks well, but is prone to the odd lag and

sometimes even hangs. It is a good option for doing day to day tasks but tends to slow down while multi-tasking. It handled HD videos without any problems, but the front facing camera is nothing to write home about and is best used for video chats over Wi-Fi. The stereo speakers placed in the tablet with tiny grilles located on the glossy plastic deliver respectable sound. The sound quality was respectable and we enjoyed watching movies on it. The battery life of the device was good, seeing us through ten hours of use. All the charging is done using the micro USB port given on the tablet, although the charging process itself tends to take some time. In all, we can say that it is a decent performer considering the price segment it caters to.

Conclusion The Asus Transformer Book T100T is a complete tablet in itself and if you attach the keyboard it functions as a proper laptop. The build quality is good and it delivers a good tablet experience and a solid notebook experience in one device, for a reasonable price. It comes with a nice design, but the keyboard quality is not that good. Its touchpad keys are not very responsive and smooth to type. Overall, it is a complete product with a compact form factor. Asus is also providing one year warranty and a year of unlimited free cloud storage with the device. The battery life is good too. It comes at a price tag of Rs 34,099 which is a bit on the higher side, when you consider that the Acer Iconia W4 comes for Rs 26,990, although it does not have a keyboard. n team@mymobile.co.in

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Pros Good display Decent battery life  HDMI support  

Cons Lags a bit  Takes time to charge  Not so impressive keyboard 

Price: Rs 34,099 verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

74%

february 2014 MYMOBILE 47

burn test The Budget-friendly Lumia

The Lumia 525 improves the Lumia 520

he Nokia Lumia 520 was one of the best selling Windows Phone 8 smartphones of 2013, in spite of certain limitations. The new Lumia 525 addresses those and looks all set to carry the torch of being the “budget-friendly” Lumia in the series. But will customers flock to it as they did to its predecessor? What the new smartphone brings to the table is an improved RAM, loads of new apps, FM radio and a more refined appearance.

Compact and elegant

Windows 8 Black, loads of useful apps A good thing with Windows phone 8 is that most users are assured of getting an upgrade to any updates made to the OS, preventing the kind of fragmentation you see on Android. The Lumia 525 comes with the latest version of the OS, Windows Phone 8 Black. It also comes with loads of apps like Adidas Micoach, Nokia MixRadio, BigFlix, Flipkart eBooks, Microsoft Office, Here Drive, Nokia Xpress, Your Movies, Nokia Beamer, Radio and Zinio. The app scenario seems to have improved on the Windows Store. There are more apps on it covering broad range of categories. The interface is still tile driven and continues to be easy to follow and use. The response to touch is good and because it houses a better processor and more RAM, games run a lot better on it, including titles like Temple Run 2 which struggled on the Lumia 520. The phone also comes with the tap to unlock feature, letting users unlock it by just tapping on the display.

119.9 mm

In the age of big screen phones, Lumia 520 showed that relatively small screened phones could still be popular. The Lumia 525 has retained the 4.0-inch screen size of its predecessor. Even the screen resolution (800x480p) and pixel density (235ppi) is similar. The back panel has been changed, though. The matte finish has been dumped for a glossy one, lending the device a shiny appearance, somewhat similar to Lumia 920. But unlike 920, its back panel is removable, and houses a 1,450mAh battery, a micro SIM slot and microSD card slot. The back panel also includes the speaker and a 5.0-mega-

pixel camera, which is the only camera in the phone. The front panel features a 4.0-inch multitouch display, touch buttons and an in-ear grille. The phone has a compact profile, is lightweight and fits easily in one’s hand. It emphasises that even small screen phones can be entertaining and enjoyable. The display is not without a downside – it is too glossy and got smudged easily.

Improved hardware with plenty of storage

64 mm

48 MYMOBILE february 2014

The Lumia 525 has some serious hardware muscle. It runs on 1GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor, has 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory and up to 64GB expandable memory, which is impressive for its price point. The handset supports Wi-Fi, 3G and has Bluetooth 4.0, and also adds another important element that was missed in Lumia 520, the FM radio. Lumia 525’s FM radio works with the headset and won’t play on loudspeaker but its overall reception quality is good. The 5.0-mega-

pixel camera can record 720p videos. There is no front camera so video calling and chats are out of the question.

Faster, smoother to use Games run better and more smoothly on the Lumia 525 than on its predecessor. In fact, we can see some people preferring it even to the higher priced Lumia 620. The Lumia 620 has only 512MB RAM and the same processor as the 520, but it comes with LED flash and has better looks. The Lumia 525 has a good display and handles gaphics and reproduces colours much better than many Android phones in and indeed above its price segment. It handles MP4 and AVI files well too. Not only do HD movies look good but they also run smoothly on it. The speaker quality is good and so is the in-ear call quality. The camera seems much faster than its predecessor and is easy to access with the dedicated camera button, although the absence of a flash does limit its utility in low-light conditions. The camera comes up with good results in good light conditions. You also have multiple modes and smart features to play

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Pros  Good performance  Value for money  Handy and easy to use

Cons  Does not support all video formats  Glossy build attracts smudges  No front-facing camera

around with, making this quite a handy camera at this price.

Great to use A well-built smartphone with a compact form factor, Lumia 525 is easier to use than many big screen phones. It is light and thanks to the shiny surface, and multiple colour options, it looks quite eye-catching. It is powered by the same 1,450 mAh battery we saw in the Lumia 520. It gives up to 10 hours of talk-time on 3G and up to 336 hours on standby. Overall, a value for money smartphone with loads of stuff to keep one hooked. The handset comes in black, white, orange and yellow colour variants.

Conclusion

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

If you are looking for a smartphone in the vicinity of Rs 10,000, the Lumia 525 is a much better option than the many Android phones that seem to have flooded the market. It comes from a reputed brand, runs without any lag, has a user friendly OS and above

Camera | 5.0-megapixel Others | FM radio, Smartcam, Nokia Here Drive, Here Maps

Price: Rs 10,399

all comes at an impressive price. If you do venture into Android at around the same price point, do check the Xolo Q500, which comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 quadcore processor, has 1GB RAM and is priced at Rs 7,999. n team@mymobile.co.in

verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

88%

february 2014 MYMOBILE 49

burn test Another Tablet Ace(r)

The Iconia W4 delivers solid value for money

hile most tablet manufacturers focus on Android, Acer seems to be betting big on Windows 8 as well. The company had surprised us last year with the Iconia W3, which was the first Windows 8 device that we could actually put inside our coat pockets, and now it has repeated the dose with the better specced Iconia W4. And has managed to do so at a lower price as well. Could this, rather than the Android brigade, be the real challenger to the iconic iPad?

219 mm

Better looking than the W3 While the Iconia W3 had impressed a lot of people with its portability, it was not the stuff of which beauty contest winners were made. To put it very bluntly, it was a bit of a Plain Jane. The W4 will not stop traffic either but comes with a much better finish, with the brushed metal finish on the back actually adding a touch of class to the device. The lower part of the tablet with the Windows Home logo on it is slightly recessed which makes it a bit difficult to use but otherwise the look is pretty much minimalistic, with one side of the tablet being totally bare, the display/ power on/off button being placed right on top and the volume controller on the side, alongside a microSD card slot and HDMI port. There is a microUSB port on the lower part of the tablet, which actually means that you can even charge it off your regular smartphone charger if push comes to shove - you can also use the port to plug in an adaptor which will let you attach a proper USB device to the tablet.

135 mm

Cons

Pros Full Windows 8 with MS Office  Solid design  Excellent price 

Not the most powerful processor  Low resolution display  Ordinary camera 

50 MYMOBILE February 2014

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In a neat touch, as in the W3, Acer has bundled the adaptor along with the tablet. Acer has also made the tablet slimmer (10.8 mm against 11.35 mm in the W3) and has shaved some weight off it for good measure - the W4 tips the scales at 435 grammes, which is iPad Air territory, and is far easier to hold onehanded than its predecessor.

And with better specs Looks are not the only thing that have changed about the Iconia W4. The device has also got a spec boost. The display is the same size as the W3 - 8.1inches with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution - but looks discernibly brighter than its predecessor, which had taken some flak for a dull display. There are changes below the hood too. The W4 is powered by a quad core Intel Atom Z 3740 processor as compared to the dual core Intel Atom Z2760 processor that had driven the W3. RAM stays at 2GB, but the camera on the back has been ramped up to 5.0-megapixels, which is a significant boost from the bare-bones 2.0-megapixel affair on the predecessor. Storage stands at 32GB and 64GB depending on the model you opt for (expandable using a memory card), and in a very significant move, Acer has also increased the battery of the device from a smartphone-like 3,400 mAh on the W3 to a more hefty 4,960 mAh. Finally, like the W3, the W4 comes with a fullfledged version of Windows 8 (updated to Windows 8.1) and with MS Office bundled with it.

Solid price-performance blend We normally mention the price of a device towards the end of a review but the price tag of the W4 screams for attention. The 32GB variant of the tablet is available for Rs 24,999, while the 64GB variant is available for Rs 26,999.

Not only are these lower than the price of the W3, but they are actually well below most high-end Android tablets and the iPad Air and iPad mini with retina display. And well, for that money, the Iconia W4 delivers a very good performance. Yes, we would not recommend using it in desktop mode too often as the keyboard is just too awful but stick to the tiled interface and you will have a very decent experience. And while Acer has not shown us any keyboard specially designed to work with the W4, you can connect it over Bluetooth to one and type away to your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content. Mind you, we would recommend sticking to tasks that involve more text than graphics - there is only so much that the processor can do. That said, when it comes to social networking and Web browsing, W4 delivered a solid performance, with a battery life in the vicinity of eight hours. And yes, onscreen typing and the odd lag apart, it did give you the phenomenal advantage of having something that pretty much mimicked your office PC and yet could fit into your overcoat pocket.

Conclusion We loved the Iconia W3 for the sheer value it delivered. W4 is a significant improvement in performance (although the camera remains mediocre) and comes at a lower price. Which makes it the best option for anyone wanting a truly portable Windows 8 experience. Yes, we would recommend that you keep a keyboard and mouse handy when you get into typing mode or need to work in the less touch-friendly Desktop mode. But those quibbles apart, this is quite THE tablet for those who love to work on the move. The closest thing to it in price and performance terms is perhaps the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 which costs Rs 22,990, but runs on Android. n

Price: Rs 26,000 verdict Looks

8 9

Features ease of use

perfoRmance

value for money

overall

84%

team@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 51

burn test

Fantastic phablet The

Lumia 1520 is easily the best phablet we have used

Pros  Very good hardware  Superb multimedia  Good battery life

Cons  Expensive  Difficult to handle  Camera a bit laggy

52 MYMOBILE February 2014

fter months of resisting the temptation, Nokia has finally bitten the phablet bullet. And done so with a vengeance. The Lumia 1520 represents the best device that Nokia has ever put out in terms of hardware. But is terrific hardware enough for it to prevail over some very stiff competition?

BIG, but stylish There is simply no way of getting around it - the Lumia 1520 is massive in smartphone terms. It is more than half a foot long and its width is more than the length of the display of the iPhone 4S. And yet, unlike other large screen display phones that tend to be bulky, the Lumia 1520 actually manages to look stylish. And for this, Nokia’s designers deserve a round of kudos. The colourful carbonate body that is the hallmark of the Lumia series has

been retained, although the Lumia 1520 has a slightly glossy feel to it, unlike that of the Lumia 1020, and the Nokia logo actually seems to have been written under the back rather than on it. The smooth glossy finish means that the back will attract smudges but also that they will be easy to clean. And while the Lumia 1520’s length and width are on the higher side, it is very much on the slim side at 8.7-mm of thickness. The front is dominated by a 6.0-inch display, the right houses the power/display, on/off key, the volume rocker and praise be, a camera button (a must on phablets, we think). On the left are the slots for the SIM card (the 1520 takes a nano SIM, incidentally, so we would advise getting one before you go for the phone) and the microSD card. The 3.5-mm audio jack is on the top, and the micro USB charging slot on the base of the device. And jutting

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out from the back is the camera with dual LED flash. There is no denying its size, but thanks to its design, the Lumia 1520 will turn heads especially if you get a red unit like we did.

Lumia goes quad core and full HD

Conclusion

team@mymobile.co.in

Price: Rs 46,000

Multimedia beast...and productive too We are going to be blunt about this - the biggest strength of the Lumia 1520 is its multimedia. The screen is one of the best we have seen on a phone and the camera the best on a phablet, capturing details and colours brilliantly, although it is a trifle laggy (like its counterpart on the Lumia 1020). Top that off with very good sound, and free downloads from Nokia

alas, it does so at a price that is on the stiff side. At Rs 46,000, it is almost as expensive as the Lumia 1020 was at the time of its launch - and unlike that worthy (which boasted a phenomenal camera), it has no feature that it can really claim to be exclusive to itself, apart from its size, which is actually a bit of a mixed blessing. Yes, the Lumia 1520 is going to face stiff competition from the likes of Sony Xperia Z Ultra and most notably, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, which is more compact and also adds a stylus to the phablet mix, but none of its competitors work anywhere as smoothly as it does. True, it is big. True, it is expensive. But if your hands and wallet can bear its weight, we will go out on a limb and say that Lumia 1520 is the best phablet money can buy at the moment. n

The Lumia 1520 does offer a lot to its users, but

162.8 mm

The big size of the Lumia 1520 is backed up by what’s easily the most powerful hardware we have seen on a Nokia device. The six-inch display is a full HD affair with 467 ppi pixel density and is made of Gorilla Glass. Under the hood is a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz and backed up by 2GB RAM and 16GB of onboard storage, expandable using a memory card. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, and NFC. The camera is a 20.0-megapixel affair with Nokia’s Pureview technology. And running on top of this is Windows Phone 8 with the Black update, which comes with an improved Glance screen, letting you see more notifications without even switching on the display, camera improvements, the Storyteller app, and a whole lot more. All of which is pretty awesome, but ironically, Windows Phone’s ability to work smoothly across almost all devices means that you will not see a massive change in speed of most regular operations, from say, a Lumia 925 or a Lumia 920. However, move into tasks like tweaking video and things seem much faster on the Lumia 1520.

Music and Your Movies, and what you have is a multimedia monster in your hands. Thanks to the size of the display, you can also edit videos and images easily. Playing games takes on an entire new aura - Asphalt 8 was mesmerisingly brilliant. Windows Phone 8 also has more apps than ever before so you can actually use all that glorious display real estate to do more. Like all Windows Phone 8 devices, it has MS Office, but its large display makes creating and editing documents and spreadsheets a snap. Battery life is excellent - we got past a day and a half of hefty use. And while your hands will get tired holding the phone, call quality itself is very good, in best Nokia tradition.

verdict Looks

Features

9 8

ease of use

perfoRmance value for money

overall

85.4 mm

82%

february 2014 MYMOBILE 53

burn test A breath of fresh Air Apple

gives the iPad a makeover

hen it comes to the tablet market, there is the iPad on one side, and the rest of the world on the other. Or so it would seem, such is the dominance of Apple’s tablet which is credited with having started the tablet revolution. That said, the iPad has remained relatively unchanged over the years, with changes being limited mainly to the hardware. Well, that has changed with the iPad Air, which has received a refresh not just in terms of hardware, but also in appearance.

Air: the name fits Apple had first used the name ‘Air’ for its incredibly thin and lightweight MacBook Air range. And well, it sits just as easily with the new iPad. Although the resolution and size of the display remain the same at 2048 x 1536 pixels and 9.7-inch, respectively, the iPad Air seems far more compact than its predecessors. And that is because it is. Apple seems to have gone on a frame shaving spree, making this the thinnest (7.5-mm), least wide (6.6inch) and also the shortest (9.4-inch) iPad ever. But all that strikes you later. Your first look of the iPad Air will reveal a device that is rather different from those that went before it. The bezels have been significantly reduced, making the screen appear more dominant than it did in previous editions of the device. The edges also seem more rounded than before and curve gently into the unibody frame. All the buttons are at the usual locations, with the volume and screen orientation rocker on the right, the power button on the top, and the home button (which seems a bit smaller) just below the display. And when you hold it, you will realise just how light it has become. After years of weighing above half a kilo, the iPad has broken the 500 grammes barrier and at around 470 grammes, is one of the lightest ‘large screen’ tablets in the market today. But this lightness should not be taken to mean a loss of substance or a feeling of flimsiness – the iPad Air is easily the most classy looking tablet in the market by some distance, a delectable blend of metal and glass.

A performance that is not Airy! It might have lost millimetres and grammes in build, but what the iPad Air has gained is some fantastic hardware. The tablet is now powered by the A7 chip with 64-bit processor which is similar to the one seen

54 MYMOBILE February 2014

iPad Air (16GB wifi) tech specs

on the iPhone 5s as well as an M7 motion processor. The display remains a retina affair although the resolution is unchanged from the previous edition. The camera’s megapixel count remains at 5, but image quality is very decent indeed, and a notch above some of the smartphones in the same price segment. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, 3G (depending on the model) and a still-relatively restricted Bluetooth. But what makes the iPad Air stand out from the competition as always is its interface and apps. iOS 7, for all the complaints about it initially, works very smoothly and the app reservoir at the disposal of the iPad is far greater than anything that Android tablets have access to. What’s more, with the faster processor, the iPad Air can actually do heavy duty tasks like image editing at a snap, and while there are not too many applications out there that make the most of the A7 processor at the moment, their number is likely to increase in the coming days, and those that are optimised for it – such as Infinity Blade 3 – look utterly brilliant. Yes, we found our fingers straying on to the display more often than ever with the severely trimmed bezel, but there’s no way of getting around it – the performance of the iPad Air is the closest we

Pros 

Great design



Very good hardware



Fantastic interface and apps

Cons Expensive  Shrunk bezel results in lesser holding area  Bluetooth remains restricted 

have seen a tablet come to a proper computer in terms of speed. Special mention also needs to be made of the camera. While we are not too sure that people would use a device of this size to take images, the quality of the 5.0-megapixel iSigh camera on the iPad air might well tempt them to do so. We got pictures and videos from the device that compared very favourably with those we have taken from high-end smartphones. Of course, with the apps available for

Price: Rs 35,900 tweaking images and multimedia, this makes the iPad Air equally adept at creating as well as editing content. And all this without compromising on battery performance, which still runs close to the ten hour mark of continuous use on Wi-Fi. Not too many tablets can match this - we have only seen the Kindle Fire 8.9 HD and the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 come close or better this figure.

Conclusion If performance and apps were all that mattered, the iPad Air would be in a league of its own. And when it was launched in India, it certainly was one of the least expensive high-end tablets in the country. However, the price edge of the iPad has been worn down by the competition to the extent that we must concede that the starting price of the iPad Air at Rs 35,900 seems a bit on the high side for a Wi-Fi only tablet, especially when you consider that apps have kept getting larger in the retina dsiplay era, necessitating more storage space. Yes, it certainly is the best tablet around in terms of performance, but when you consider that you can get the likes of the Nexus 7 (2013), the Acer Iconia W4 and Kindle Fire HD for much lower prices, you realise just how stiff is the competition it faces. That said, if you are looking for the best performing tablet in the market, this is it. By a mile. n team@mymobile.co.in

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verdict Looks

Features

ease of use

8 9

perfoRmance value for money

overall

86%

February 2014 MYMOBILE 55

just in Xolo Q3000 Another value for money offering

olo is slowly making its presence felt in the mobile phone market by launching smartphones with good features at an affordable price. The company has now launched a new phablet Xolo Q3000. The device comes with a 5.7-inch full HD display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. It is a dual SIM device (GSM+GSM), runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor and comes with 2GB RAM. The inbuilt storage of the device stands at 16GB which is expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. The Xolo Q3000 comes equipped with a 13.0-megapixel rear snapper with LED flash and BSI 2 sensor. Along with this there is also a 5.0-megapixel front camera to facilitate video calls and selfies. The connectivity attributes of the device include 3G (HSDPA: 42.2 Mbps, HSUPA: 11.5 Mbps), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. Making sure that all this keeps ticking over is a 4,000 mAh battery. Available in White and Black colours the Xolo Q3000 is available for Rs 18,849. n

HTC Desire 400 dual SIM Desirable dual SIM

any mobile phone manufacturers are focusing on the mid-range mobile phone segment market, realising the potential it has. HTC in particular seems to be targeting this segment with a number of interesting offerings. The latest of these is the HTC Desire 400 Dual SIM. The smartphone comes with dual SIM functionality (WCDMA+GSM) and also has active SIM support. It comes with a 4.3-inch Super LCD2 display with 800 x 480 pixels resolution, and is powered by 1 GHz dual-core processor. The device runs on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, with HTC Sense 4.0 laid over it and comes with 1GB of RAM and 4GB onboard storage, which can be further extended to 64GB using a microSD card. The device comes with a 5.0megapixel autofocus rear camera along with LED flash, HTC ImageChip and a BSI sensor. The connectivity features of the device include, 3G, Wi-Fi, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, GPS and GLONASS. The HTC Desire 400 dual SIM comes in two colour options: White and Grey. The company has not yet launched the device in India, but we think it will be launched in the proximity of Rs 20,000. n

56 MYMOBILE february 2014

team@mymobile.co.in

sneak peek LG G Flex Check the curves!

fter the era of large display devices it’s now the time for curved displays. And LG is among the first mobile manufacturers to launch a phone with a curved display, the LG G Flex. The smartphone sports a 6-inch curved P-OLED display of 1280 x 720 pixels resolution and a curved body and self -healing back. Powered by a 2.26 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor the phone runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of non-expandable internal memory. It also boasts a 13.0-megapixel autofocus rear snapper with LED flash and a 2.1-megapixel front facing camera. Like the LG G2, the G Flex also comes with keys on the back panel. The company has also introduced some new user interface features, such as QTheater for quick access to photos, videos and YouTube from the lock screen; Dual Window for multitasking with two windows; and Swing Lockscreen for a dynamic lockscreen image based on the way the phone’s held. The connectivity options of the device include 3G, WiFi, GPS, GPRS, EDGE and Bluetooth. And to keep all this ticking the smartphone houses a non-removable 3,500 mAh battery. Mind you, all this will cost a pretty penny – the G Flex is likely to be priced in the range of Rs 60,000 –Rs 65,000. n

Nokia Lumia 1320 Affordable WP phablet

fter winning accolades for its highend Lumia 1520 phablet, Nokia is now attempting to replicate its success at a relatively lower price with the Lumia 1320. The device features a 6.0-inch ClearBlack IPS display, but unlike the 1520, this one is not full HD but a 1280 x 720 pixels affair. Powering it is a 1.7 GHz dual core processor from Qualcomm, again a step down from the quad core muscle behind the Lumia 1520. The Lumia 1320 comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage which can be further expanded to 64GB via microSD card. The phablet sports a 5.0-megapixel primary camera accompanied by LED flash and it also offers two-stage auto-focus and full HD video recording features. There’s also a VGA secondary camera for self portraits. The connectivity attributes of the device

include 3G, GPRS, GPS, EDGE, W-iFi and Bluetooth. A watered down version of the 1520? Maybe, but with a price tag of Rs 23,999, we can see many people queuing up for this one, especially given the fact that Windows Phone 8’s performance is unlikely to be majorly affected by the relatively more modest specs n team@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 57

etcetera Sony PlayStation 4 The next level of gaming?

nlike Microsoft, Sony managed to launch its next generation gaming console the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in India. The console boasts of next generation graphics that are superior to the ones found on the PS3 - this means games will look more realistic than ever. The PS4 also offers new ways of playing games using the new Dual-Shock 4 controller that includes a touchpad and a light sensor that works in tandem with the PlayStation camera. The controller has been redesigned so that it works better with first person shooters and there is a ‘Share’ button on the controller as well. While the controller is part of the package, the PS4 camera is sold separately for Rs 4,999. As for the games, while a few exclusive titles like Kill Zone: Shadow Fall and Knack will be available at the launch, most other titles are already available for current generation consoles, which

means the experience will be similar, albeit with superior graphics. India is getting eight games at launch which include Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Call of Duty: Ghosts and FIFA 2014. Of course, the new capabilities are due to the new x86 AMD Jaguar 8-core SoC, but this also means that it’s not backwards compatible with PS3 games, which is unfortunate. One of the coolest features of the PS4 is its ability to stream games onto the PS Vita handheld. This works just like the NVIDIA Shield, which can stream games from a PC with specific graphics cards. Other new features of the console include a redesigned user interface, screen sharing and game broadcasting capabilities. The PS4 is also deeply integrated with networks like Twitch and Facebook. Sony has also vastly improved the PlayStation network. In our humble opinion, if one is looking for a cutting edge gaming experience, the PlayStation 4 is the console to opt for. In fact, it’s the only option as Microsoft has shown no sign of releasing the Xbox One in India. n

Sony PlayStation 4 Price: Rs 39,990 Pros | Stunning gaming experience, Innovative controller Cons | Not backward compatible with PS3 titles, Limited exclusive titles

RATING

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www.mymobile.co.in

Samsung Galaxy Gear Powerful, but

not perfect

lot of people have been claiming that smartwatches are going to be the next big thing in mobile technology. And while the idea of having a watch that acts like a communication device is not new - anyone who has seen Star Trek will tell you that - it is only in recent times that manufacturers have started looking at watches with smart functions as viable commercial products. And perhaps no manufacturer has managed to pack as much into one watch as Samsung has with its Galaxy Gear. On the face of it, the Gear looks like a chunky, rectangular watch, with a rather odd strap, mainly because one side of the strap has the 1.9-megapixel camera protruding from it. Some might like the “in your face” size of the watch - we honestly found it too big. But the Gear packs in a lot into that chunky frame. The 1.6-inch AMOLED display not only displays the time, but also shows notifications for new mails, messages and social network alerts, and a whole lot more, once it is

paired with a compatible device over Bluetooth. And thanks to a microphone and speaker in the buckle of the strap, you can actually make and receive calls from the device too. The 1.9-megapixel camera is a bit awkward to handle but takes decent snaps once you get the hang of it. And yes, it all works very smoothly indeed, making the Galaxy Gear easily the most powerful smartwatch we have ever used. The problem is that all this comes at a price. At Rs 22,990, the Galaxy Gear costs much more than its rivals. It also has limited compatibility with devices, and at the time of writing, worked only with the Samsung Galaxy SIII, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition). Top that off with a battery that needs to be recharged once a day, and the Gear becomes an expensive proposition. In terms of functions, however, it remains the gold standard for smartwatches right now. n

Samsung Galaxy Gear Price: Rs 22,990 Pros | Supports almost all phone functions, Camera and calling

RATING



Cons | Very expensive and limited compatibility , Poor battery life

february 2014 MYMOBILE 59

etcetera Transit Wireless Speaker by Soen Awesome

sound in a compact form factor

he smartphone and tablet boom has also led to an increase in demand for wireless speakers as people want to hear their music or even watch films while on the move, and not just over headphones. And of the Bluetooth speakers that we have seen of late, one of the best is Transit from Soen. The speaker is very well-designed and is surprisingly compact - it will even fit into a ladies’ handbag, and at about half a kilogram is just a tad heavier than the iPad Air. Some might think that at Rs 12,999, it is a bit on the expensive side, but that would be before they start using it. For once you pair your device with it, the quality of sound you get is frankly right up there with the best in the business, with great bass and fantastic clarity. There were times when we wished for slightly higher volumes but barring that, the Transit delivered a great listening experience. The fact that it can double up as a speakerphone is a huge bonus. And yes, we love the magnetic mart cover that comes with it and covers RATING the speakers. n

transit wireless speaker by soen Price: Rs 12,999 Pros | Great sound, Excellent design



Cons | A bit expensive, We would have liked higher volumes

iBall UFO 3 Musical flying

saucer

iBall UFO 3 Price: Rs 2,499 Pros | Affordable price, Stylish design Cons | Average sound quality, Mediocre build RATING

60 MYMOBILE february 2014

luetooth speakers are very much in vogue these days. They come equipped with different features and are available at various prices. However, the stylish ones tend to be a bit on the expensive side. Which is why we like the iBall Bluetooth UFO, which delivers stylish looks at a relatively low price. The distinct name of the speaker comes from its design of a flying saucer. The device’s red body with black speaker grille will turn heads. One can find the on/off button on the lower part, while the sides contain the volume control button, USB, microSD slot, micro USB and the Aux-in cable slot. You can also use the speaker as a speakerphone, which is handy. We paired a number of Bluetooth devices with the speaker and faced no problems as far as connectivity went. However, music quality was mediocre. Still at that price, it is a good deal for those wanting a stylish speaker. n

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www.mymobile.co.in

Zebronics Sonic

A well priced, operatorfree 3.5G USB dongle

t may look like a routine data card, but the Zebronics Sonic is more than just a data card and can be used as a pen drive. It is backward compatible and is not bound with any operator, making it free to be used with any connection. So you can change SIM cards anytime anywhere. Just pop in any standard data activated SIM and your data card is ready to use. It is sleek if a little glossy, but supports all operating systems including the latest Windows 8 and Mac OS X operating systems. It is easy to use, and works on the plug and play principle – the software installs automatically within seconds and you are ready to use the dongle. It supports HSDPA speeds of 7.2Mbps and works with both 2G and 3G SIM cards. It also offers some additional benefits like support for voice calls and the option to expand memory, to up to 16GB with a micro SD card. It is priced at Rs 1,500 and comes with a one year warranty. A decent deal for anyone who wants to be free of the fuss of carrying multiple data dongles. n

Epson EH TW5200 Good

projector, great price

f you are looking for a projector for a gathering at home or for board room meetings, check out Epson’s new EH-TW 5200, a 3LCD projector with 3D, high brightness levels and a compact form factor. It is simply designed with a control panel and multiple adjustment sliders on the top and the ports on the back. The projector performs brilliantly - we liked its brightness, brilliant colour accuracy and the enormous screen (up to 200-inches) it is capable of generating. The horizontal keystroke slider allows you to project a normal image even if the projector is not in front of the image. It comes with a number of connectivity options like HDMI with MHL link, D sub, composite, USB and many more, allowing it to be paired with most devices. And it comes with its own set of in-built speakers, which are very decent. 3D is impressive but expensive - each pair of glasses cost Rs 6,000 and the one with the device does not suffice. For Rs 98, 699, a real bargain. n

zebronics sonic Price: Rs 1,500 Pros | Supports micro SD card, impressive price Cons | Glossy finish

RATING

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epson eh-Tw5200 Price: Rs 98,699 Pros | Compact and easy to carry, excellent image quality

Cons | Noisy fan, expensive 3D glasses

RATING

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etcetera Radha Krishna iPhone Case

Godly case for the Godphone

erhaps no device has inspired as many cases as the iPhone. And if they have a spiritual bend of mind, then the Radha Krishna case from Love4Apple would be just what they need. The case is well built and has precise openings for controls and features and is available for the iPhone 4/4S/5/5s. But what makes it shine is the picture of Lord Krishna and Radha on the back, which is based on a 1953 painting. The level of detail in the painting is amazing. The colours might seem a trifle dull in some places, but that does not stop this from being one of the most eyecatching cases we have seen for a while. n

Strontium UHS-1 Nitro 566X Card (64GB) Micro size, massive storage

he era of big data has well and truly arrived with people storing vast amounts of content on their phones and tablets. And this has led to the emergence of memory cards with large storage capacities. And one of these is the Strontium UHS-1 Nitro 566X Card which stores a massive 64GB of data and comes with a high-speed class 10 reading. In a neat touch, the card comes with an adaptor that lets you use it with devices that support SD cards, as well as the full version of the MyBackup Pro app for Android. Read and write speeds were decent and at that price, we think this is a very good deal for those needing large amounts of storage on the move. n

Strontium Nitro 566Xk Price: Rs 3,999 Pros | Good read/write speeds, SD card adaptor Cons | A bit on the expensive side RATING

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SanDisk Ultra (64GB) USB 3.0 High speed performer

Radha Krishna iPhone Case Price: Rs 999 Pros | Beautifully reproduced painting, Good build

Cons | Colours look a trifle dull

anDisk is well known for its portable storage devices and the latest addition to their range is the SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB 3.0. It’s a very compact pen drive and comes with a slider design, saving you from the hassle of a cap. It can take rough handling and being a USB 3.0 device, works really fast and transfers data at a speed of 80MB/second. It also allows the user to protect access to their private files with password protection and encryption using the included SanDisk Secure Access software. It is available in three storage options of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB – a good, solid option carrying your data around. n

SanDisk Ultra 64gb USB 3.0 Price: Rs 2,275 onwards Pros | Good build, Bundled software Cons | Slightly on the expensive side

RATING

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62 MYMOBILE february 2014

RATING

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www.mymobile.co.in

Sony DSC- RX10 A pricey performer

ecent times have seen an increase in the number of cameras that try to marry the convenience of point and shoot cameras with the quality of DSLRs. Sony’s RX series has been particularly notable in this regard, with the RX100 in particular winning rave reviews. And now comes the RX10, which is totally different as compared to its predecessors, which were relatively compact affairs. Where it does not differ is in terms of photography: picture quality is excellent. The camera sports a multi-angle 3-inch LCD and XGA OLED viewfinder (an odd touch, as the colours appear saturated in it). Also on board are connectivity options like Wi-Fi and NFC.Although we loved the image quality, we must confess we found the camera to be bulky by previous RX series standards. The RX10 is almost as big as a DSLR and when you factor in its price, costs about as much. That said, if all you want is stacks of controls and great image quality, with size and portability not being a major factor, the DSC-RX10 is RATING a fantastic option. n

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Sony dsc-rx10 Price: Rs 84,990 Pros | Great performance, multiple wireless connectivity options Cons | A bit bulky, expensive

Portronics Pure Sound Pro BT

Decent sound, decent price

ith each version, Portronics adds a new element to its compact, handy and easy to carry Pure Sound speaker series. With the new Pure Sound Pro BT, however, they have gone well beyond a nominal upgrade. The speaker comes with the same trademark bar design seen in other Pure Sound speakers, only this one is longer and bulkier as it houses a set of 2.5W speakers and two woofers and a LCD panel so one can keep track of what’s playing and through what. When it comes to sources, the speaker supports playback from multiple sources like a memory card, FM radio, USB drive, and all devices with a 3.5mm jack. Sound quality is decent for a small room as long as you stick to relatively light music. Turn the volume way up and you will see deterioration creep in. Overall, the speaker is a good option for those looking for compact speaker with sound bar and woofer included. There is fine rubberised stand underneath it to keep it firmly on the surface. A decent device at a decent price. n

RATING

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Portronics Pure Sound Pro BT Price: Rs 4,499 Pros | Supports multiple sources, easy to carry Cons | Ordinary looks, sound breaks at high pitch

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event

The Dozen That Shone

They came, they saw and they dazzled Las Vegas. CES 2014 saw some of the most spectacular technology in the world being showcased. We cherry pick the twelve products that stood out in the tech crowd. Heena Gupta

he International Consumer Electronics Show is one of the most significant consumer technology events in the world. Every year sees the Technorati descend on Las Vegas to witness and experience the greatest products in the world of technology. And this year was no different. There were thousands of visitors at the event which saw dozens of innovative products being showcased, from the expected to the bizzare. And making their presence felt this year were a number of Indian manufacturers as well. When the dust settled on January 10 at Las Vegas, we felt that of all the products introduced at the event, these twelve were perhaps the most interesting and would also stand the test of time.

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Intel Edison

Intel is the master in the art of making powerful processors, and at CES they showcased a processor the size of an SD card called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Edison.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Powered by an Intel dual-core Quark SoC and designed keeping in mind the wearable computing products, the company claims that Edison can be strapped to anything and will also have its own app store. Presently, the company has introduced a prototype which will have Linux as its operating system, and will have connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Its power consumption is ultra-low and it comes with Wolfram Language and Mathematics on board. The company will be launching it sometime in mid-2014.

www.mymobile.co.in

LG Lifeband Touch and Heart Rate Earphones

Wearable technology was the rage at CES this year and among those products that caught the eye were LGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lifeband Touch and LG Heart Rate Earphones, which marked the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry into fitness tech. Lifeband Touch is a smart activity tracker which can send and receive data from a smartphone or third party devices and comes with Heart Rate Monitors (HRM) and a touch OLED display which shows time, biometrics, incoming calls and also controls music. All this information can be accessed with the swipe of a finger. The Heart Rate Earphones come with PerformTek sensor technology that measure blood flow signals from the auricle, the external part of the ear to capture accurate biometric data such as heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption. The company has introduced a flexible and comfortable ear piece designs to suit the need of users. There is a clip present on the wire connected to the earphones, while Bluetooth connectivity enables the unit to send data to a smartphone or the Lifeband Touch. Their pricing is unclear as of now but these could well redefine tech fitness in the coming months.

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

Samsung has expanded its tablet product portfolio with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2. The tablet consists of a 12.2-inch display with 2560x1600 pixels resolution and as with other Note devices, comes with an S-Pen stylus. It runs on the latest version of Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, and comes in two versions: one featuring the octa-core Exynos 5 processor for the Wi-Fi only models and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU for the LTE model. The tablet offers 3GB of RAM and comes with 16GB and 32GB, with the option to extend storage using a microSD card. It also boasts of an 8.0-megapixel autofocus primary camera with LED flash and a 2.0-megapixel secondary camera. The device packs a huge 9,500 mAh battery and connectivity options include Wi-Fi, USB 3.0 and Bluetooth. Will the biggest Note be able to replicate the success of its smaller predecessors? We will find out when it hits markets in the coming days.

Micromax Canvas LapTab

Best known for its affordable smartphone range, Micromax pulled a rabbit out of its hat at CES by launching the LapTab, an Intel powered dual-booting Windows 8.1/ Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean tablet.Users of this device have the option of working either on Android or Windows, depending on their inclination. The device sports a 10.1-inch display with 1280x800 pixels resolution and is powered by an Intel 1.46 GHz Celeron N2805 processor which works in concert with 2GB of RAM. A 2.0-megapixel camera is placed on the back of the tablet and it comes with 32GB of internal memory which can be further expanded up to 64GB using amicroSD card. It comes with a wireless keyboard cover as well, adding a productive edge to it. The price of the device is not known yet but we are expecting it to be far from extravagant in best Micromax tradition.

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event Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Many credit Sony with starting the trend of “mini” versions of large devices (remember the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro?) and at Vegas, the company launched a smaller version of its flagship, the Sony Xperia Z1, which it christened as the Xeria Z1 Compact. The device sports a 4.3-inch Triluminos HD display with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels. It is powered by a 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 processor and runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The device comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage (expandable to 64GB via microSD card). However, one feature that it retains from its larger version is the 20.7-megapixel sensor and LED. There is also a secondary camera which has a resolution of 2.0megapixels. For connectivity there are options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. And yes, just like its large cousin, it is water and dust resistant too. Perfect for those who believe that big things come in small packages.

Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G

Huawei launched the successor to its Ascend Mate at CES. The Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G features a 6.1-inch HD IPS+LCD display and slightly rounded body. The 4G phablet is powered by a 1.6 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor (MSM8928), along with an Adreno 306 GPU and 2GB of RAM. It runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and has Huawei’s Emotion UI 2.0 running on top. The onboard storage of the device accounts to 16GB which is further expandable. This 9.5 mm thick device is slightly thinner than its predecessor and comes equipped with a 13.0-megapixel rear shooter and a 5.0-megapixel frontfacing camera. A worthy successor to the original mate, we think.

Yahoo! Magazine

Yahoo! also made a number of important announcements this year at CES, defying predictions that it was on the decline. While the decision to take over Aviate grabbed headlines, we were most intrigued by its all-new digital magazines. The magazines will focus on subjects like technology, food and property and will be led by David Pogue, the former columnist of New York Times. The Yahoo! News Digest will provide two daily summaries, one in the morning and one in the evening. The magazines will have a tiled interface which will further expand, so that the user will not have to leave the homepage and can scroll down for more news stories. The Yahoo! News Digest will use the Tumblr platform, which the company purchased in May last year. Competition for Flipboard? We hope so.

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www.mymobile.co.in

LG WebOS TV

A year back LG announced that it has acquired HP’s (and before that, Palm’s)WebOS operating system for smart TVs. And at CES the company reinvented and reintroduced it as LG’s new Smart TV platform. The new LG WebOS for TVs will offer an intuitive user interface for an experience that the company claims is both seamless and uncomplicated. This will enable users to have simple connectivity, content discovery, and fast switching between apps and functions. The new interface works in accordance with LG’s magic remote and offers a card like interface with icons placed in a horizontal row on the bottom of the homescreen. The WebOSTV will also offer access to LG Store’s comprehensive collection of apps, letting users browse the mostviewed and most-downloaded items available from across the Smart TV platform, including broadcast TV programs and the latest games. The company claims that it will incorporate WebOS in more than 70 per cent of its smart TVs that will be launched in 2014.

Intel Jarvis Bluetooth headset

Intel too was bitten by the wearable tech bug at CES. The company showcased a Bluetooth headset named Jarvis (shades of Iron Man?), which is worn on an ear like any other Bluetooth headset but will remain remotely attached to the user’s phone with the help of an Android app. It will allow the user to issue Siri-like commands at any time — save an appointment in your calendar, phone a friend, and do much more. Mind you, it is only a reference design. Intel hopes its partners will build products around the concept. So do we.

NVIDIA Tegra K1

NVIDIA announced its all new Tegra system-on-chip (SoC) for smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics and automobiles. The NVIDIA Tegra K1 features 192 GPU cores and is offered in dual-core and quadcore variants. The quad-core model has a 32-bit ARM cortex A15 chipset, whereas the new dual-core model consists of NVIDIA’s own custom-designed dual-Denver cores that are based on the ARM’s latest V8 64-bit architecture. Both Tegra K1 system-on-chips come with DDR3L/ LPDDR2/LPDDR3 memory controller, 4K video decoder and encoder, security engine, industry-standard input/output interfaces, HDMI output and so on. These new chips have high performance dual-ISP cores, which support up to a 100-megapixel sensor, and handles 4096 simultaneous focus points. The Tegra K1 will provide full support to latest PC gaming and will also help the developers bring out graphics-rich games to the mobile devices. The 32-bit version is expected in devices in the first half of 2014, while the 64-bit will make way in the second half of the year.

Xolo Win Tablet

If Micromax was the first Indian brand to grab attention at CES 2014, Xolo was the second. The company surprised everyone with the Xolo Win Tablet. This tablet is the first to use AMD’s “Temash” accelerated processing unit (APU). It has an AMD A4-1200 dual-core 1.0 GHz processor, as well as a Radeon 8180G GPU.The tablet comes with a 10.1-inch LED display and has 1366x786 pixels resolution. It comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC memory and a 2.0-megapixel camera on the back and a 1.0-megapixel front facing camera. Running on top of this is Windows 8. The company claims that the tablet can deliver seven hours of battery backup with its 3,500 mAh battery. The tablet will be launched in India by the end of January, but the pricing is not yet disclosed. There are rumours, however, that this will be one of the most affordable Windows 8 tablets in the country. n heenagupta@mymobile.co.in

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boredom buster Name: Cut The Rope 2 Price: Rs 55 RATING

Tested on: iPhone 4S

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Cut The Rope 2 Cutting

remains crazy fun

hen it comes to sheer cuteness, perhaps no gaming figure enjoys the popularity of the amazing Om Nom in the Cut The Rope series. An adorable frog-like creature, Om’s sole task in the game to sit staring wistfully at bits of candy that you have to liberate from various instructions and get into his mouth. Sounds a tad too simple? Well the game was addictive enough and Om Nom irresistible enough for millions to get into feed mode. And so successful has the game been that it has now spawned a sequel. And Om Nom remains as adorable as ever with graphics having been given a significant boost. There are new creatures to help him - and you - get him some chocolate, and well, the puzzles seem simple enough but keep getting more infuriating as you move up the level chart. And there are more than a hundred levels to play. It’s all about working out angles and cutting the right rope at the right time. As insanely addictive as ever we say, and better looking than ever before. n

Angry Birds Go! The Birds

Name: Angry Birds Go Price: Free

take wheel

Tested on: Nokia Lumia 920

RATING

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68 MYMOBILE february 2014

t is credited as being one of the games that spurred the casual gaming rage on smartphones and tablets, but of late Rovio has been trying to add new dimensions to its Angry Birds series of games. The Bad Piggies edition of the game had you getting away from slingshots and making vehicles. And now comes Angry Birds Go! which actually sees the birds jump into vehicles of the sort that you would see in The Flintstones and race against the clock or against some feathery opposition (some of which can get very hostile). Controls can be touch or tilt based and are easy to master. And well, if you are looking for just a quick race, this game is pretty good. However, those looking for something a tad more intense will find the tracks too short and too repetitive. Then there is the matter of in-app purchases. Hints to purchase a better vehicle are helpful initially but then get infuriating. Yes, we do think this game is good enough for the odd adrenaline surge, but we prefer our Angry Birds attacking pigs with catapults, thank you very much.

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Sholay Bullets of Justice

Name: Sholay Bullets of Justice Price: Free

RATING

Tested on: LG Nexus 4

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Interesting, but not quite as spectacular

hen it comes to Bollywood films, Sholay enjoys near iconic status, being one of the most successful Hindi films of all time, one which not only set box office records but also became in many ways a part of Indian culture. And now mobile users also have a game based on the film, which coincides with the release of the film in a 3D avatar. The game allows you to participate in key events from the film from the battle on the train to the face-off with the legendary Gabbar. Do keep your expectations a bit on the low side for unlike the film, the game is pretty much a 2D sidescroller, with you having to make your characters move forward and back and use weapons and fisticuffs to beat off the baddies. The graphics are not the greatest and the gameplay is a bit complex, as it involves onscreen buttons, but those who love the film and want a slice of it on their handsets are unlikely to mind too much. We just hope that a more graphics rich variation of the game is around the corner. An epic film deserves more than a casual game. n

The Room 2 Still

spooky, still challenging

he Room was one of the surprise hits of 2012. Many had been dismissive of a game in which you just had to look around for objects in a room and use them to reveal new clues, but thanks to some superb design and fantastic atmospheric music, the game became a cult hit, notwithstanding the presence of a price tag. And well, towards the end of 2013 came its sequel, The Room 2. The basics of the game remain the same - you still have to “look around” a room and find objects and match them with others: place a key in a lock, use spectacles to see specially coded messages on scrolls...that sort of thing. And the graphics and music remain as spooky as ever. What has changed is the scale of the game. While in the previous edition, you were mainly dealing with objects on a single table, here there are multiple tables and the objects from one could be used with those on another. Some might find it complicating what was a very simple game, but we just loved having so much more to do. And the chilling storyline only added to its charm. If there’s one game worth paying for on the iPad or iPhone, this is it! Spooky and challenging as ever. n

RATING



Name: The Room 2 Price: Rs 270 Tested on: Apple iPad (3rd generation)

nimish@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 69

Smart apps 6tag The Best Instagram app for

Windows Phone?

Name: 6tag Price: Free RATING

Tested on: Nokia Lumia 920



es, Instagram might have officially arrived on Windows Phone devices but the official app (which we covered in our previous issue) did seem a bit restricted - there was no option to record video, for instance, and the interface seemed to be pretty standard Windows Phone stuff. Which is why a lot of people are still preferring to use third-party Instagram apps on the platform. One of the most popular and versatile of which is 6tag. A free download, 6tag definitely has a 'fresher' look than the official Instagram app. The Home, Notifications, Featured and Profile icons are placed prominently on the top and not hidden away in a corner, and you can swipe between them with minimum fuss. And all the Instagram functionality you want is here: you can double tap a picture to like it, post comments, post pictures, and hooray, even videos. You have the iconic Instagram filters at your disposal and some very basic editing options as well. It looks better than the official Instagram app, works more smoothly and more importantly, even does a bit more. If you love Instagram and are using a Windows Phone device, this is an app you ignore at your peril. n

Halftone 2 Make comic strips of your pics

ention the words "image editing" and most people will think you are referring to apps that let you add effects and filters, play around with colours and maybe do things like change orientation and crop images. But there is more to image tweaking than just that. In fact, with a bit of patience and effort, you can even arrange your photographs like a comic strip complete with dialog balloons. Sounds difficult to believe? Well, then you must try out Halftone 2 for iOS. The app lets you choose a page format with the number of panels (and their shapes also), and then it is up to you to place images in them, add dialogue and descriptions in the relevant pages, and if you like your creation enough, share it across social networks. And the amazing part is that all this actually happens faster on an iPad than we have seen happen on a computer - the app has been designed to support iPad's gestures, so you can pinch to zoom in and out, increase or decrease font and image sizes and so on. Yes, it is not free, but for Rs 110, we think Halftone 2 is one of the most innovative image editing apps we have seen on any platform. If you are the type that loves playing around with comics, it is pretty much a must download. n

70 MYMOBILE february 2014

Name: Halftone 2 Price: Rs 110 RATING

Tested on: iPad (3rd generation)



www.mymobile.co.in

Sparky Lock Screen Adding class to

your lock screen

t is the first screen you see when you power on your Android device's display. But for some reason, not too many people experiment with their lock screen (the screen that stands between them and their phone's basic interface). Perhaps that is because they don't get to see apps like Sparky Lock Screen. Available in lite and paid versions on Google Play, the app does not just place a funky image on your home screen but also makes it extremely interactive. So, when you power on your phone's display (it does not work with tablets yet, alas), you might get to see a doughnut, with different portions of it showing the number of missed calls and messages you have. Just place your finger on the centre of the doughnut and slide it towards the portion you want to see - say messages, to open the app directly from the lock screen. Or you might see a notepad containing information about calls and messages, with just a slide across each needed to take you to them. Very very useful as well as attractive, we think. Mind you, we wish they had included more images (they are outstanding) in the free version of the app - there are just two and unlocking more will set you back by about Rs 200, which actually is not that bad a deal when you see what the app can do. n Name: Sparky Lock Screen Price: Free/Rs 200 Tested on: LG Nexus 4

RATING



SO.HO (Social Homescreen) SO.HO

launcher puts SNS up front on your device

ne of the joys of owning an Android device is that unlike on iOS, BB and Windows Phone, you can pretty much change the look and feel of your phone's interface. One of the most popular ways of doing so is through a launcher app, which replaces the default interface of your device with a new one. And if you are are a social networking addict, then you need to download and use SO.HO Launcher. Available as a free download for Android phones, SO.HO comes to life whenever you unlock your phone. Yes, you do get a set of home screens that you can customise with widgets and shortcuts but what really stands out is the main home screen that keeps updating with the latest from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And this is not just a viewer - you can post updates to all three social networks from within the app as well, and also post likes. Pretty handy, we think. And oh yes, did we mention that it is totally free? n nimish@mymobile.co.in

Name: SO.HO (Social Homescreen) Price: Free

RATING



Tested on: LG Nexus 4

february 2014 MYMOBILE 71

a p p ta s t i c

Appy fizz for

Valentine’s Day! Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with an appy touch? We take a look at some apps that will let you do just that! Binni Rawat

72 MYMOBILE february 2014

ebruary is called the month of love by many people, coming as it does with Valentine’s Day placed squarely in the middle. Of course, you could mark the day by letters, wishes, flowers and chocolate. Or – well, this IS the age of technology – you could perhaps just go the appy route and celebrate the day by installing some apps on your tablet or phone. And well, you would be spoilt for choice as there literally are thousands of apps out there that tend to cater to the tender sentiment. We bring you apps that we think are particularly good for those struck by Cupid’s arrows.

www.mymobile.co.in

Avocado: (iOS, Android, Web) Price: Free Avocado is a messenger app but a bit different from the run-of-the-mill apps because here you chat not with a bunch of people but just with your beloved. It gives you privacy to share messages, pictures, doodles, calendars, events and much more. There are shared lists for everything, which allows you to do a number of things together. One can send hugs and kisses to your beloved one and the best part is that it keeps a complete archive of your relationship for a walk down the memory lane. Avocado is a platform where two people can always stay together, even when separated by geography. Now that’s what we call love!

Where’s My Valentine?

Love Test Calculator: (iOS,

Valentine Love (iOS,

Price: Free

Want to play a ‘normal’game with a Valentine touch thrown in? Go for Where’s My Valentine, a Valentine Day’s version of Disney’s popular Where’s My Water game. This game is all about getting Swampy (an alligator) a bath. The trick is about getting water to the shower through various twist and turns. But this variation of the app has a distinct Valentine’s Day touch to it. The water pipes are heart shaped and the background is in pink with tiny hearts. Along with the alligator, users also have an option to choose Peri (Another Disney cartoon character) who goes to another level only when the underwater tank is full. You have all the fun of a classic game, with a touch of love too.

This app’s name gives away its functions. It comes with four major tiles named Calculator, Test, Challenge and Tender words. The Calculator tile requires the couple’s names and their dates of birth after which it calculates the amount of love they have for each other. The ‘Test’ tile has a number of questions based on whose answers the user is given an elaborate result about the relationship they share with their partners. Then comes the Challenge where there are questions about your partners that you need to answer to find out how much you really know about them. Finally, there are Tender Words - a huge collection of love messages. Lovely, we think!

Available on iOS 7, this app by Sony Music Entertainment allows you to celebrate and express your love to your Valentine with a number of romantic songs from the latest Bollywood flicks. The app consists of two columns, one for Songs and the other for Playlist. There is a catch though – the app itself is free for iOS but once you play a song it stops midway and a pop-up comes, asking you to buy full tracks. On Android its all free. Users can also share songs via social networking sites with their beloved ones. The app is all pink and red with hearts all over the background. Love-ly music is in the air with this one!

Android)

(iOS, Android)

Android)

M.A.S.H Valentine: (iOS, Android) Price: Free M.A.S.H. was one of the most interactive Valentine’s Day app we used. It is in a question and answer format where the user is asked to give four suitable options for a particular question, like their crush, favorite dress, favorite gift and so on and so forth. At the end of the question, one has to draw a spiral from where the app picks a random number and does a calculation of its own. The end result is formed by choosing one answer out of every question and reads something like this, “Harry Potter will give you a bracelet for the prom. That evening you will go skiing. You and Harry Potter will end up getting married!!!” A bit crazy? True. But lots of fun too. n

binni@mymobile.co.in

february 2014 MYMOBILE 73

mobile senseX

bazaar bargain Sony Xperia Z

Nokia Lumia 925

t was one of the first devices in India to be launched with a full HD display and even today remains one of the few that is both dust and water resistant. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, thanks to a recent software update the Sony Xperia Z has been bumped up all the way to Android 4.3, and even now boasts very decent specs - it comes with a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm quad core processor, 5.0-inch full HD display with Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile Bravia Engine 2, 2GB RAM, 16GB onboard storage which is expandable using a memory card, and a very decent 13.0-megapixel camera. All this in a frame that still looks capable of turning heads and remains quite slim at 7.9-mm. For Rs 30,500, we think this is a very good deal for anyone looking for a very good Android phone. n

he Lumia 925 is easily one of the best looking Windows Phone 8 devices out there in the market today. Launched as a more svelte and sleek version of the outstanding but bulky Lumia 920, it comes with an even better 8.7-megapixel camera and an AMOLED display while sharing most of its specs (dual core Qualcomm processor, 1GB RAM, NFC connectivity). One department where it lags behind the 920 is in terms of onboard storage which stands at 16GB (the 920 had 32GB), but that apart, this is a much better looking device that performs just as well, and comes with the usual bunch of Nokia services including Mix Radio and Maps. It has received the Windows Phone Black update too, which further sharpens its performance. Pretty much THE phone for those who want a good camera, smooth OS and dazzling looks. n

Launched at: Rs 38,990

Launched at: Rs 34,169

Current Price: Rs 30,500

Current Price: Rs 27,000

Price fall: 21.77 per cent

Price fall: 20.98 per cent

74 MYMOBILE february 2014

www.mymobile.co.in

LG Optimus G Pro E988

Samsung Galaxy SIII I9300 T

here will be those who will scream sacrilege at our talking about the Galaxy SIII even as the market is buzzing with news of the successor to its successor, the Galaxy S5. Well, our rationale is simple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we still think that the Galaxy SIII is a superb device. Yes, it might not boast a full HD display but its 1280 x 720 pixels Super AMOLED display is still amongst the best we have used, and well, its quad core processor, in combination of 1 GB RAM is still capable of handling just about any Android app out there. The 8.0megapixel camera takes very good pictures, the software has been upgraded to Android 4.3, and well, we actually think the size of the phone makes it a whole lot more manageable than some of the behemoths of today. And well, at that price, it remains quite a good deal. n

t might have got overshadowed by the awesome G2 that followed not too long after its launch but there is no denying the fact that the LG Optimus G Pro was one of the most powerful devices ever to come out of the LG stables. So powerful that we think it remains an absolute deal at its current price if you are not finicky about the version of Android that the device is running (it runs Android 4.1). The phone comes with some very impressive specs including a full HD 5.5 inch display 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and a 13.0-megapixel camera, all of which is powered by a Qualcomm quad core processor. There are connectivity options galore and the phone still looks smart and classy, not least because of the glittering patterns on its back panel (shades of the Nexus 4). Still a good deal, we think. n

Launched at: Rs 43,180

Launched at: Rs 42,500

Current Price: Rs 23,800

Current Price: Rs 29,500

Price fall: 44.88 per cent

Price fall: 30.58 per cent

february 2014 MYMOBILE 75

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

Nokia Fast Micro-USB Charger | AC-10E

Save energy and save the environment. Based on a common energy-rating system for chargers, it has a 5-star rating for energy saving. Rs 900

Wireless Charging Plate

Keep your Nokia Lumia on this sleek plate and watch your battery charge up. It comes with minimalistic design and vibrant colours to match your device. Rs 3,999

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 2,100

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 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 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 1,600

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

76 MYMOBILE february 2014

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

Wireless Charging Shell for Lumia 820 With wireless charging shell make your Nokia Lumia 820 compatible across any Qi wireless charger. Rs 1,999

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 Monster Headset | WH 930

Wireless Charging Pillow by Fatboy

Now simply place your Lumia on the Fatboy pillow to start charging without even plugging in your Lumia. Rs 5,499

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 1,100

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

february 2014 MYMOBILE 77

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MY GUIDE 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 January 3, 2014) Devices featured in the My Guide have been segregated into four categories baswed on price and colour-coded as:

Tablet CDMA Smartphone Lifestyle (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 Disclaimer : The prices quoted in My Guide are the Best Buy prices quoted by the respective companies, exDelhi. 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. NR stands for not reviewed M.O.P. stands for Market Operating Price

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 79

myguide NOKIA

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS 105

100

107

108

114

112

206

Dimension (mm)

107 x 44.8 x 14.3

110 x 45.5 x 14.9

112.9 x 47.5 x 14.9

110.4 x 47 x 13.5

110 x 46 x 14.8

110.4 x 46.9 x 15.4

116 x 49 x 12.4

Weight (grams)

75.8

69.9

Model

12/840

7.2/840

12.7/576

13.8/600

10.5/637

14/840

20/680

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/1.45

65,536/1.8

56KB/1.8

65,536/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8MB/No

NA/No

4MB/16GB

4MB/32GB

16MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

No/No/No

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1000

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

S30

S40

Symbian S40

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Dual SIM/GSM+GSM

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

1,140

1,300

1,565

1,880

2,423

2,785

3,650

Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

NOKIA

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Asha 210

208

Asha 501

301

Dimension (mm)

111.5 x 60 x 11.8

114.2 x 50.9 x 12.8

99.2 x 58 x 12.1

114 x 50 x 12.5

Weight (grams)

97.3

90.6

102

12/1104

12/480

17/624

20/504

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

502

Asha311

Lumia 520

99.6 x 59.5 x 11.1

106 x 52 x 12.9

119.9 x 64 x 9.9

100

124

13.7/576

14/696

14/360

NEW

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.4

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.0

262,144/2.4

262,144/3.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

64MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

64MB/32GB

256MB/32GB

8GB/64GB

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

Shared

2,000

Shared

2,000

Shared

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Symbian S40

S40

Asha software platform 1.1

Symbian S40

Windows Phone 8

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

4,700

4,899

5,000

5,511

5,700

6,500

8,500

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

Price in Rs

80 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

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

myguide NOKIA

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

515 Dual SIM

Dimension (mm)

114 x 48 x 11

Weight (grams)

102

Talktime/Standby (hours)

525

Lumia 620

Lumia 625

Lumia 720

119.9 x 64 x 9.9

115.4 x 61.1 x 11

133.2 x 72.2 x 9.2

127.9 x 67.5 x 9

164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8

129 x 70.6 x 8.5

124

127

159

128

220

139

NEW

Lumia 1320

NEW

Lumia 925

10.4/432

17/336

14/330

23.9/768

23/520

25/672

18.3/432

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.4

16million/4.0

16 million/3.8

16.7million/4.7

16million/4.3

16million/6.0

16.7million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

256MB/32GB

8GB/64GB

16GB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

6.7MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.7MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Symbian S40

Windows Phone 8

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

Windows Phone 8

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Windows Phone 8

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

10,000

10,399

12,300

15,800

16,000

23,999

27,000

Burn test Rating

Price in Rs.

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

SUB-ENTRY LEVEL (UP TO Rs 2,499)

(UP TO R s 2,499)

MODELS

NOKIA

PARAMETERS Model

Lumia 1020

Lumia 1520

NEW

BSNL-CHAMPION

JOSH

SQ 281

A2700

MAXX MX153

M-TECH MX555

CHAMPION

Dimension (mm)

130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4

162.8 x 85.4 8.7

130 x 55.5 x 11.5

120 x 51 x 10.8

112.5 x 45.5 x 14

122.8 x 51 x 9.8

120 x 51 x 13.5

Weight (grams)

158

209

96.5

19.1/384

27.4/768

2.5/36

-/350

NA/350

5/160

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16.7million/4.5

16million/6.0

262,144/2.8

NA/2.4

65,536/1.8

NA/2.6

NA/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

Yes/Yes

16GB/64GB

32MB/8GB

NA/8GB

NA/NA

32MB/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

32GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/ No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

41.0MP/Yes/Yes

20.0MP/Yes/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

1.3 MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

500

100

300

500

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

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 SIM/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM + GSM Dual Band/GSM + GSM Dual BandGSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/No/Yes

No/No/No

Windows Phone 8

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

39,000

46,000

1,900

1,800

1,030

2,376

1,299

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 81

myguide UP TO Rs 2,499)

V0E0L0) (ERNsT2R,Y 50L0E-6

MODELS

UP TO R s 2,499)

M-TECH

PARAMETERS Model

SAMSUNG

ALCATEL

JOSH

TULIP

METRO

STAR+

E1207T

E1282T

OT 2005D

A999

Dimension (mm)

118 x 50.5 x 14.2

123 x 52 x 12.9

114 x 50 x 14

108.0 x 45.5 x 13.5

109.2 x 45.5 x 14.5

120 x 50 x 9.95

113 x 58 x 13

Weight (grams)

65.1

74.5

Talktime/Standby (hours)

8/720

8/430

12/660

14/425

25/350

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.4

NA/2.6

NA/2.4

65,536/1.52

65,536/1.8

262,155/2.4

NA/2.4

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

32MB/8GB

NA/No

NA/4GB

128 MB/8GB

NA/8GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/NO

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

1.3MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

2.0MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

500

1,000

Shared

500

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

Price in Rs.

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

Yes/No/No

No/No/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Proprietary

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

1,699

1,599

1,699

1,300

1,600

2,750

2,900

(Rs 2,500-6000)

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-6000)

PARAMETERS Model

JOSH

LAVA

MAXX

SAMSUNG

JM2400

Discover 132

Discover 135

T375

T585

MT401

Metro 2252

Dimension (mm)

116 x 50 x 60

103 x 59 x 10.7

103.09 x 59.9 x 10.8

125.5 X 67 X 12.5

113.0 x 46.0 x 13.9

Weight (grams)

103

140

Talktime/Standby (hours)

25/350

12.8/601

9/560

NA/300

11.9/760

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/2.4

262,144/3.2

262,144/3.5

262,144/3.2

NA/4.0

65,536/1.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/8GB

258KB/4GB

NA/16GB

48MB/16GB

50MB/32GB

NA/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

No/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

Yes/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

VGA/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

Price in Rs.

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

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Proprietary

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

4,099

3,299

3,600

4,100

4,200

2,838

2,650

82 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

myguide (Rs 2,500-6000)

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

(Rs 2,500-6000)

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

ALCATEL

Champ Neo Duos C3262

Rex 60

Rex 80

Rex 90

OT 4007D PIXI

OT 8000D

OT 6012D IDOL MINI

Dimension (mm)

96.9 x 54.3 x 13.5

101.8 x 55 x 12.5

102.0 x 58 x 11.5

113 x 61.90 x 11.84

115 x 62.3 x 12.2

143 x 78.4 X 9.8

127.1 x 62 x 7.9

Weight (grams)

118

163

Talktime/Standby (hours)

14/550

15/NA

13/500

16/15

9/540

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.4

65,536/2.8

262,144/3.0

262,144/3.5

262,144/NA

16million/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

20MB/32GB

30MB/16GB

20MB/16GB

10MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32 GB

8GB/None

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Proprietary

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.1

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

3,200

3,700

4,500

5,000

4,933

9,999

10,900

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

ALCATEL

PARAMETERS Model

APPLE

BLACKBERRY

OT 6030

OT 6033X

Iphone 5C

Iphone 5S

Curve 9220

Curve 9320

9720

Dimension (mm)

133 x 67.5 x 7.9

134.4 x 68.5 x 6.4

124.4 x 59.2 8.97

123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6

109 x 60 x 12.7

114 x 66 x 12

Weight (grams)

110

132

112

102

103

120

Talktime/Standby (hours)

7.2/415

16/700

10/250

7/432

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/NA

16million/4.0

65,536/2.44

262,144/2.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

16GB/No

16,32/No

16,32,64/No

512MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.1

iOS7

BlackBerry OS 7.1

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

13,500

17,900

41,900/53,500

53,500/62,500/73,500

8,700

12,000

15,000

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/No

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

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 83

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

BLACKBERRY

PARAMETERS Model

BSNL-CHAMPION

Curve 9360

Z10

Z30

Q10

SM 3512

SM 3513

Dimension (mm)

112 x 62 x 14.2

120 x 66 x 10.8

130 x 65.6 x 9

140.7 x 72 x 9.4

119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4

119.5 x 63 x 10.8

Weight (grams)

130

120

136

170

139

Talktime/Standby (hours)

5/336

12/336

10/312

25/384

10/NA

6/350

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

262,144/2.44

16million/3.1

16million/4.2

16million/5-0

16million/3.1

262,144/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

256MB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

256MB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes /Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/No/yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad band/No

Quad Band/No

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

Price in Rs.

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

BlackBerry OS 7.0

BlackBerry OS 10

BlackBerry OS 10.2

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

Yes/Yes/HSPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

BlackBerry OS 10

Android OS v4.2.2

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

16,500

19,000

27,000

38,000

36,500

4,300

5,300

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Model

BSNL-CHAMPION

GIONEE

SM 6513

Trendy 531

CTRL V4

Gpad G2

Elife E3

Dream D1

Dimension (mm)

182.5 x 99 x 8.5

151.10 x 80.5 x 9.8

129.3 x 68 x 11.1

136 X 67 X 9.7

145 X 73 X 9.9

137 X 68 X 7.9

130 X 67 X 8.6

Weight (grams)

102

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Apr-62

6/200

24/450

14/312

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/6.5

16million/5.3

16million/4.3

16Millon/4.5

16Millon/5.3

16Millon/4.7

16Millon/4.65

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Yes /Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/GSM

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

Price in Rs.

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

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

6,500

13,500

7,499

9,199

13,499

14,999

16,999

84 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

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

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

GIONEE

PARAMETERS Model

HPL

Elife E5

Elife E6

A35

A44

AONE

A40

A1XP-QUAD CORE

Dimension (mm)

137 X 69 X 6.85

142.5 x 69.4 x 7.9

122.3 X 65 X 11.2

135.2 X 67.5 X 9.9

125.5 x 64.5 x 10.7

137 x 68.8 x 10.8

Weight (grams)

133.9

120

117

108

125

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

4/NA

3.5/NA

4.5/NA

4/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16millon/4.8

16.7million/5.0

NA/3.5

NA/4.0

NA/4.63

NA/4.0

NA/4.63

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/NA

32GB/No

512MB/NA

512/NA

512MB/NA

4GB/NA

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

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

Price in Rs.

Quad Band/NA

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA

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/No

Android OS v4.2

Android OSv2.3

Anroid OS2.3

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

18,999

22,999

3,390

4,290

5,590

5,490

7,990

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

HPL

PARAMETERS Model

HTC

A45-qHD

A50-qHD

Desire U

Desire XDS

Desire 500

Desire 600

Dimension (mm)

135.2 X 67.5 X 9.6

143 X 74.2 X 9.6

118.5 x 62.3 x 9.3

118.5 X 62.3 X 9.3

131.8 x 66.9 x 9.9

132.35 x 66.2 x 10.12

134.8 x 67 x 9.26

Weight (grams)

115

127

114

123

130

Talktime/Standby (hours)

3.5/NA

NA/NA

12.1/435

NA/NA

11.4/539

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

NA/4.5

NA/5.0

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

16million/ 4.3

16million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/NA

4GB/32GB

4GB/64GB

16GB/No

8GB/64GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/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

Price in Rs.

Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Dual Band/GSM+CDMA Tri-Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Windows Phone 8

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

8,590

9,590

11,000

13,000

20,000

23,000

28,000

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

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 85

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

HTC

PARAMETERS

ICE

JOSH

Xphone

Petal

Fortune

One Mini

Butterfly

Butterfly S

One DS

Dimension (mm)

132 x 63.2 x 9.25

143 x 70.5 x 9.08

144.5 x 70.5 x 10.6

137.4 x 68.2 x 10.4

138 x 69 x 10.6

118 x 62 x 10

118 x 62 x 13

Weight (grams)

122

140

160

143

149

170

220

Model

13.27/692

NA/NA

25/659

27/500

5/120

Apr-48

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

16million/5.0

16.7million/4.7

16million/4.63

262,144/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/No

16GB/32GB

32GB/No

512MB/32GB

140MB/32GB

170MB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

4.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

4.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Price in Rs.

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

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

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v2.3

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

32,000

36,000

46,000

48,000

5,999

4,100

4,999

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Model

KARBONN

JOSH Fortune 9

Fortune HD

Thunder

A10

A25

A27 +

A30

Dimension (mm)

119 x 65 x 12

151.1x80.5x9.9

160x82.5x9.7

146 x 78.6 x 10.5

133.6x66x9.1

166 x 91 x 10.7

Weight (grams)

165

200

188

150

126.5

280

Apr-48

May-48

6/300

4/180

10/600

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.0

16,million/5.3

16million/5.7

262,144/3.9

16million/5.0

NA/4.2

262,144/5.9

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

170MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

2GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

114MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.2MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Price in Rs.

Dual SIM/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Quad Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

6,199

12,499

15,999

6,000

6,780

8,800

9,000

86 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

KARBONN

PARAMETERS Model

S2 Titanium

LENOVO

Iris N320

Iris n400

Iris N501

A390

145 x 74 x 9.90

143.5 x 72 x 9.3

115 x 61.5 x 11.9

125 x 63 x 10.2

148.5 x 79 x 10.5

125.6 x 64 x 10.1

Weight (grams)

186

115

131

Talktime/Standby (hours)

S5+ Titanium

LAVA

Dimension (mm)

NEW

6/250

NA/NA

4/200

4/390

7.8/620

14/220

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.0

262,144/3.2

16million/4.0

16million/5.0

NA/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/32GB

1.4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

100MB/32GB

127MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/No

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/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.

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

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v2.3

Android v4.0

A Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/ Yes/HSDPA,HSUP es/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

9,500

10,500

15,500

4,499

8,099

13,500

7,500

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

LENOVO

PARAMETERS Model

A706

P700i

S920

P780

K900

Optimus L3 II Single

Optimus L3II Dual

Dimension (mm)

136 x 69 x 10

125.6 x 64.5 x 12.8

154 x 77.7 x 7.9

143 x 73 x 9.9

157 x 78 x 6.9

102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9

102.9 x 61.3 x 11.9

Weight (grams)

130

162

159

176

162

125

110

16/230

NA/NA

25/480

43/840

15/300

8/480

16/730

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.5

16million/4.0

16million/5.3

16million/5.0

16million/5.5

262,144/3.2

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

4GB/16GB

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Tri-Band/No

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Tri-Band/GSM+GSM Dual Band/GSM+GSM Tri-Band/GSM+GSM Tri-Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

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

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Yes/NA

Yes/Yes

Yes/NA

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

10,100

12,000

17,500

18,500

28,000

6,200

6,600

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 87

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Optimus L4 II Dual E445

Optimus L5

Optimus L5 II E450

Optimus L5 II Dual

Optimus L7 P705

Optimus L7 II

Optimus L7II Dual

Dimension (mm)

112.8 x 64.7 x 11.9

118.3 X 66.5 X 9.5

117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2

125.5 x 67 x 8.7

121.5 x 66.6 x 9.7

122.2 x 66.6 x 9.7

Weight (grams)

125

103

124

118

115.5

Model

NA/NA

10/900

10/642

19/902

12/800

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.8

16million/4.0

16million/4.3

16 million/4.3

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

2.72GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

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

Price in Rs.

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

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,200

8,300

9,200

9,500

11,900

12,600

12,800

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Model

Optimus L9 P765

G Pro Lite Dual D686

Nexus 4

Optimus G

Optimus G Pro

Nexus 5 16GB

Nexus 5 32GB

Dimension (mm)

131.9 x 68.2 x 9.1

150.2 x 76.9 x 9.48

133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1

131.9 x 68.9 x 8.5

150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4

137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6

Weight (grams)

125

161

139

145

170

130

12/830

14.5/845

15/390

15/335

31/598

17/300

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16 million/4.7

16million/5.5

16million/4.7

16million/5.5

16million/4.95

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/No

32GB/No

16GB/64GB

16GB/No

32GB/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Qual Band/No

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Price in Rs.

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

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

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

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.4

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes / Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

15,500

18,200

23,500

26,000

29,500

29,990

34,000

88 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Model

MAXX

MICROMAX

AX353

AX8 Race

AX505

AX51

A63

Dimension (mm)

138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9

118.80 x 63 x 11.90

147 x 79.4 x 10.2

141.5 x 73.7 x 9.3

124.5 x 65.7 x 11.3

Weight (grams)

143

198

161

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NA/NA

4/NA

5/NA

4/135

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.2

262,144/3.5

262,144/5.0

16million/5.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/No

32GB/No

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

YesYes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/VGA

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Sahred

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.2

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

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

35,500

37,500

2,970

6,250

6,500

7,000

5,500

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

MICROMAX

PARAMETERS Model

A74

Canvas 3D

Dimension (mm)

133 x 67 x 10.1

147 x 76.5 x 9.7

Weight (grams)

147

164

5/155

4/225

7/290

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16milllion/4.5

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video Phonebook Capacity

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

Canvas 2.2

Canvas HD

Canvas 4

147x77x9.9

144 x 74 x 10.7

156

6/280

6/220

5/174

16 million/5.0

16million/5.3

16million/5.0

4GB/32GB

16GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

Shared

NEW

Canvas A110Q Plus Canvas Doodle 2

NEW

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

7,500

8,500

11,000

14,000

12,000

17,200

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/HSDPA,HSUPA

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 89

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS

MICROMAX

MTECH

SAMSUNG

Turbo

DEZIRE

A1 INFINITY

OPAL

Dimension (mm)

128.3 x 71 x 8.6

113.6 x 62 x 13.7

117.3 x 62 x 11.4

125 x 64.5 x 11.5

Weight (grams)

Model

Galaxy Star Pro

Galaxy Trend

Galaxy S duos 2

121.2 x 62.7 x 10.6 121.50 x 63.10 x 10.85 121.5 x 63.1 x 10.6 121

118

7/105

4/240

5/300

15/370

8/-

8/280

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.0

NA/3.5

NA/4.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/No

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/64GB

4GB/64GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/No

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

Shared

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/N0

Bar/Yes/No

19,000

3,099

3,499

4,899

6,600

7,900

10,500

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model Dimension (mm)

Galaxy Core

Galaxy Quattro

129.30 x 67.60 x 8.95 133.30 x 70.70 x 9.65

Galaxy Grand

Galaxy S4 mini

Galaxy Mega 5.8

Galaxy SIII

Galaxy Note II N7100

143.5 x 76.8 x 9.6

124.60 x 61.30 x 8.94

162.6 x 82.4 x 8.9

136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6

151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4

124

143.9

161

108

184

133

183

9/500

11/210

10.1/440

12/NA

NA/NA

22.5/830

35/980

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

16million/4.7

16million/5.0

16million/4.3

16million/5.8

16million/4.8

16 million/5.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/64GB

8GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Weight (grams) Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Frequency/Dual SIM

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

GPRS/EDGE/3G

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

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

12,700

15,500

17,500

22,000

22,300

23,800

28,000

90 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

SAMSUNG

PARAMETERS Model

SONY

Galaxy Mega 6.3

Galaxy S4 Zoom

Galaxy S4

Galaxy Note 3

Galaxy Golden

Xperia M

Xperia M Dual

Dimension (mm)

167.6 x 88 x 8

125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4

136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9

151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3

118 x 59.5 x 15.8

124 x 62 x 9.3

Weight (grams)

199

208

130

168

179

115

Talktime/Standby (hours)

17/420

13/2330

17/370

20/490

NA/NA

10.16/498

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16,million/6.3

16million/4.3

16million/5.0

16million/5.7

16million/3.7

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

32GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

16.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Sahred

Shared

Quad Band/NA

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

Price in Rs.

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

Android OS v4.2

Quad Band/No Yes/Yes/HSPA+ Android OS v4.3

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

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Clamshell/Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

29,000

29,500

36,500

44,000

49,000

12,500

13,500

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

SONY

PARAMETERS Model

Xperia L

Xperia C

Xperia SP

Xperia ZR

Xperia ZL

Xperia Z

Xperia Z 1

Dimension (mm)

28.7 x 65 x 9.7

141.5 x 74.15 x 8.88

130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98

131.3 x 67.3 x 10.5

131.6 x 69.3 x 9.8

139 x 71 x 7.9

144.4 x 73.9 x 8.5

Weight (grams)

137

153

155

138

151

146

169

8.4/498

14.1/588

18/734

11/470

10/500

11/550

14/880

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.3

16million/5.0

16million/4.6

16 million/5.0

16million/5.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/32GB

16GB/64GB

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.1MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.1MP/Yes/Yes

20.7MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Quad 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.

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

15,200

19,500

19,000

25,200

25,500

30,500

40,000

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

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 91

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS

SONY

SPICE

Model

Xperia Z Ultra

Mi 351

Dimension (mm)

179 x 92 x 6.5

115.3x62x11.8

Weight (grams)

Mi 353

NEW

124.1 x 63.7 x 13.6

Mi 435

Stellar Virtuoso Mi 496 NEW

Coolpad MI-515

Stellar Virtuoso Mi 495

140 x 73 x 9.9

212

135

161

11/550

3/216

3.5/150

NA/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.4

262,144/3.5

16 million/4.4

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/64GB

512MB/16GB

NA/16GB

4GB/32GB

NA/32GB

4GB/32GB

NA/32GB

Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi 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

Price in Rs.

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

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

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

40,000

3,877

4,211

5,800

6,500

7,800

10,499

SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

PARAMETERS Model

SPICE

WHAM

XOLO

Stellar Virtuoso Mi 530

WG50

WT72

WQ45

WS50

W1 WIRY

Dimension (mm)

152 x 79 x 10.3

110 X 57 X 10.1

188.4 X 108 X 9

132 X 66 X 9.9

147 X 73.5 X 9.8

120 x 60 x 5.8

125 x 63.2 x 9

Weight (grams)

196.3

190

270

150

130

120

Talktime/Standby (hours)

A500S IPS

NEW

4.1/696

5/200

6/240

4/280

10/280

6/240

10/492

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.3

16million/5

16million/7.0

16/milliom/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Dual Band/NA

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/NA

Quad Band/NA

Dual Band/GSM+GSM

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes//Yes

Yes/Yes/Yes

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v2.3

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

13,999

6,147

10,567

11,432

12,628

12,990

6,800

92 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

myguide SMARTPHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

XOLO

PARAMETERS Model

A600

Dimension (mm)

136 x 67 x 9

Weight (grams)

Q1000 Opus

NEW

143.3 x 72.9 x 9

Q900

NEW

137 x 70 x 9.9

Q800

Q1000

135.5 x 67 x 9.6

143.5 x 70.8 x 8.8

Q2000

NEW

156 x 77.8 x 9.8

X1000 NA

138

143.5

180

22/650

18/700

13/384

16/360

14/350

17/520

9.5/336

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/4.5

16million/5.0

16million/4.7

16million/4.5

16.7million/5.0

16million/5.5

16million/4.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

Shared

Talktime/Standby (hours)

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

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

Shared

Quad Band/No

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Yes/Yes/HSDP+

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

Android OS v4.0

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

13,000

13,800

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

Price in Rs.

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

7,000

9,000

10,000

12,800

CDMA PHONE

MODELS

SMARTPHONE

XOLO

PARAMETERS

CDMA

Model

Q1000s

Samsung B229

MTS Striker C121

MTS Striker C131

MTS Striker C132

Micromax GC222

Dimension (mm)

147 x 72.1 x 7

164.8 x 81.6 x 8.9

108 x 44.38 x 14.20

106.8×44.7×13.15

108.5 × 46.7 × 12.15

115.5 × 47 × 13.5

110 x 45 x 10

Weight (grams)

158

65.5

68.2

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NEW

Q3000

NEW

22/327

33/667

6.5/720

33/360

16/240

17.9/360

4.5/170

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/5.0

16million/5.7

65,536/1.5

65,536/1.44

65,536/1.77

262,144/1.8

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16GB/No

16GB/32GB

450KB/No

1.29MB/No

59KB/4GB

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

No/No

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

13.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

VGS/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

500

300

Frequency/Dual SIM

Dual Band/No

Quad Band/GSM+GSM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSPA+

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Operating System

Android OS v4.2

BREW

Brew 3.1.5

Brew 3.1

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

Price in Rs.

Yes/Yes

No/No

Yes/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

14,500

18,500

1,100

1,500

1,550

1,650

2,289

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 93

myguide CDMA PHONE

MODELS

CDMA PHONE

CDMA

PARAMETERS Lava ARC8c

MTS Mtag 281

Mpower TV 239

Samsung Primo Duos

MTS Duet

MTS Duet II

Samsung Galaxy Y CDMA

104 x 57 x 13.3

118.5 x 50 x 12.45

118.8 x 49.9 x 14.07

116.36 x 61.7 x 12.7

104.0 x 58.0 x 11.5

103

97.5

May-90

10/220

4.4/420

6.67/160

NA/NA

10/NA

6/120

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/2.2

262,144/2.8

262,144/2.4

242,144/3.5

262,14/4.0

262,144/3.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

NA/8GB

170MB/32GB

85MB/16GB

75MB/microSD

4GB/32GB

120MB/32GB

160MB/32GB

Model Dimension (mm) Weight (grams) Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

YesNo

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

VGA/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

1.3MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

3.2MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

100

Shared

2,000

Shared

Sahred

Shared

CDMA/No

Frequency/Dual SIM

CDMA/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/No/No

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

Price in Rs.

BREW

Yes/Yes/EVDO Rev.0 Yes/Yes/EVDO Rev.0 Android OS v2.3

BREW

CDMA/No

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

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/Rev.A

BREW

Android OS v2.3

Yes/Yes

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

2,699

3,199

4,400

4,999

5,199

5,648

7,350

CDMA PHONE

TABLET

MODELS

CDMA PHONE

CDMA

PARAMETERS

APPLE

Blackberry 8530

BlackBerry Curve CDMA 9350

HTC Desire XC

HTC Desire 600 C

HTC One Dual SIM

iPad Mini Wi-Fi

iPad 2 Wi-Fi

Dimension (mm)

109 x 60 x 13.9

109 x 60 x 11

119.5x 62.3 x 9.4

134.8 x 67 x 9.26

137.4 x 68.2 x 10.4

200 x 134.7 x 7.2

241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8

Weight (grams)

105

107

130

143

308

607

Model

Talktime/Standby (hours)

NEW

4.5/252

NA/NA

11.4/539

27/500

NA/NA

10/720

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

65,536/NA

NA/2.44

16million/4.0

16million/4.5

16.7million/4.7

16 million/7.9

262,144/9.7

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

256MB/32GB

512MB/32GB

4GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

32GB/No

16,32,64GB/No

16,32,64 GB/No

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/NA/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

4.0MP/Yes/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

VGA/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

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

BlackBerry OS

BlackBerry OS7

Android OS v4.1

Quad Band/GSM+CDMA Quad Band/CDMA+GSM Quad band/CDMA+GSM Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.1

NA/No

No/No/No

iOS 7

iOS 6

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

No/No

Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

12,500

17,250

20,190

27,541

54,290

94 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

21,900/27,900/33,900 23,999/29,500/34,500

myguide TABLET

MODELS

TABLET

APPLE

PARAMETERS Model

iPad Mini W-Fii+3G i-Pad 2 Wi-Fi+3G NEW

Dimension (mm) Weight (grams)

200 x 134.7 x 7.2

241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8

ICE

iPad(4th generation) Wi-Fi

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

Xtreme Classpad

Xtreme Connect

ICE Xtreme Pro

241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4

183.3 x 122.3 x 11

196 x 118 x 11

195 x 123 x 11.7

312

607

652

662

307

330

NA/NA

10/720

NA/NA

5/120

8/200

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16 million/7.9

262,144/9.7

16 million/9.7

16million/7.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16,32,64GB/No

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

5.0 MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

5.0 MP/No/Yes

VGA/No/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Quad Band/No

No/No/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

iOS 7

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

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

Price in Rs.

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

iOS 7

iOS 6

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

No/No

Yes/No

No/No

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

4,999

6,666

7,990

29,900/35,900/41,900 32,000/38,000/44,000 31,900/37,900/43,900 39,900/45,900/51,900

TABLET

MODELS

TABLET

KARBONN

PARAMETERS

SAMSUNG

Model

A34 TA-FONE HD

A39 TA-FONE HD

A37 TA-FONE HD

Smart Cosmic

Dimension (mm)

197 x 124 x 12.3

188.0 x 111.1 x 9.9

209.8 x 123.8 x 7.4

Weight (grams)

335

304

316

Galaxy Tab 3 2110 Galaxy Tab 3 3100 8.0 Galaxy Tab 3 3110 8.0

8/240

NA/NA

20/NA

24/NA

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/7.0

262,144/7.0

16 million/9.7

16million/7.0

16million/8.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

4GB/32GB

1.5GB/32GB

8GB/64GB

16GB/64GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

No/Yes

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

2.0MP/No/Yes

2.0MP/Yes/Yes

2.0MP/No/Yes

3.15MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

Frequency/Dual SIM

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

Tri Band/NA

Tri Band/GSM+GSM

No/No/Yes

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

Android OS v4.0

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v4.2

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

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

8,500

8,900

9,500

9,990

16,500

20,500

24,500

FEBRUARY 2014 MYMOBILE 95

myguide LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

MODELS

TABLET

PARAMETERS

SAMSUNG

SONY

SPICE

TAG HUER Meridiist GMT Stainless Steel/Black PVD

Galaxy Note10.1N800

Xperia Tablet Z

Racing Carbon

Link

Dimension (mm)

243.1 x 171.4 x 7.9

266 x 172 x 6.9

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

112 x 46 x 15.5

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

118 x 67 x 16.6

Weight (grams)

540

495

160

155

160

200

Model

Stellar Pad Mi 1010 Racer Sport Classic

30-Oct

10/890

NA/384

3/220

7/392

3/220

6.5/336

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/10.1

16million/10.0

16 million/3.5

262,144/1.9

16million/3.5

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

16,32,64/64GB

16GB/64GB

16GB/32GB

8GB/32GB

NA/NA

8GB/32GB

256MB/8GB

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Camera/Flash/Video

8.0MP/Yes/Yes

8.1/Yes/Yes

3.0MP/No/Yes

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/No/Yes

Phonebook Capacity

Shared

1,000

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

NA/No

Quad Band/No

Yes/Yes/HSDPA,HSUPA

No/No/HSPA+

No/No/Yes

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Android OS v4.3

Android OS v4.1

Android OS v2.3

Android v2.3

Android OS v2.2

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/Yes/No

49,990

43,000

12,999

2,06,000

Starting 2,85,000+

3,15,000

Starting 3,40,000+

LIFESTYLE

MODELS

LIFESTYLE

TAG HUER

PARAMETERS Model

VERTU

Racer Prestige Gold Meridiist Steel & Gold

Ascent

Constellation Ayxta

Ascent Ti

Constellation Quest

Signature

Dimension (mm)

118 x 64.35 x 15.9

112 x 46 x 15.5

117 x 46 x 19

100 x 48 x 18

115.5 x 49 x 13.1

116 x 60.8 x 12.7

130 x 42 x 13

Weight (grams)

160

155

148

174

160

165 to 185

166

3/220

7/392

4.8/300

6/300

5/300

7.5/349

3.5/300

Screen (colours)/Size (inch)

16million/3.5

262,144/1.9

16million/2.0

16million/2.4

16million/2.0

16million/2.46

16million/2.0

Inbuilt/Expandable memory

8GB/32GB

NA/NA

8GB/32GB

100MB/8GB

4GB/No

8GB/32GB

4GB/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Camera/Flash/Video

5.0MP/No/Yes

No/No/No

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

3.15MP/Yes/Yes

5.0MP/Yes/Yes

No/No/No

Phonebook Capacity

1,000

2,000

1,500

Shared

2,000

Frequency/Dual SIM

Quad Band/No

GPRS/EDGE/3G

Yes/Yes/HSUPA

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/No/No

Yes/Yes/No

Yes/Yes/R99

Yes/Yes/HSDPA

Yes/Yes/R99

Operating System

Android OS v2.3

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Yes/Yes

Yes/No

Bar/Yes/No

Bar/No/No

Clamshell/No/No

Bar/No/No

Bar/No/Yes

Bar/No/No

4,55,000

Starting 5,45,000+

Starting 2,89,000+

Starting 3,47,000+

Starting 3,75,000+

Starting 3,90,000+

Starting 7,28,000+

Talktime/Standby (hours)

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

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

Price in Rs.

96 MYMOBILE FEBRUARY 2014

consumer forum Complaint 1 I purchased a LG D686 on 25 November, 2013. From the second day onwards, its touch buttons started responding erratically. After the problem increased, I called the customer care. No one picked up the call, or responded to my SMSess. On the next day I received a call from them and was asked go to Bhagya Communications. I took my set there on December 3, and after inspection was informed that some strip below the touch pad was not working. I requested them to get it replaced as I had purchased it only a week ago. I left the set along with the complete box and accessories and my original bill. On 10 December, I went to the service centre and was told that the defective strip was replaced but now the phone was having some issues in the memory. The person asked me to speak to some higher official, who spoke very rudely to me. He said he would look into the matter and revert. However I am still waiting for his call to this day. In between, the service centre called and asked me to collect the set which they have repaired. I feel cheated by LG Electronics and humiliated by their staff. I request you to get my handset replaced. I feel harassed and clueless. Please help me. -Saurabh Srivastav LG’s response: Awaited

Complaint 2 I bought a BlackBerry Bold 9790 from Univercell at Madurai in July. I took Airtel’s 3G connection for BlackBerry for this phone last month but regrettably the browser speed was very slow, even slower than 2G. YouTube won’t play, all video streams won’t take off, and the rest of the operations were also taking more time. To check the network connection, I took the SIM card out and placed it in another phone. The

Net speed was normal on other mobile phones. When I tried to run Internet on a Wi-Fi network, it again slowed down. This can’t

that they are unable to process the request. I even told them that I do not want my money refunded, just that they stop deducting from my account; which too has proved futile. Now I am helpless. I have attached the details of the amount deducted and the dates on which it happened. Please help me in this matter. I am tired and exasperated. -Nivibo Reliance’s Response: Please note that, we have taken the request for waiver and the amount Rs.3 has been posted to your account by deactivating the pack USSD Services.

Complaint 4 I am an Aircel subscriber in Punjab. I am being overcharged by the company. My bill is generated on the 27th of the month, but we never receive it or it is received after the due date of the bill and our connections are cut many times.

be a network problem and seems like a handset problem. Please help me in this matter. -Sidhiq Blackberry’s Response: Awaited

Complaint 3 I am Reliance prepaid (NorthEast Zone) subscriber. The problem is that Reliance has been deducting my balance for VAS which I am not using, from my number. I tried calling them but every time I am told that their system is being upgraded, and

Also, under the plan I am entitled to waiver of charges if I make or take a call on Aircel network. But I have been charged always. I have brought it to Aircel’s notice and every time they say that they will adjust it in the next bill, but it is never done. Data charges are free in Aircel network, but are charged to me. Under this plan I am entitled to take five connections, but I have been refused the fifth connection. My bills have not been adjusted for a long time. Almost every month Aircel is taking excess

money from me and not adjusting it in bills. From December 2012 to December 2013 my numbers were barred 6-7 times and I had to pay Rs 7,000-8,000 each time to get them unbarred. I have called customer care several times and asked them to register my complaint but they straight away have refused to lodge any complaints. I have spoken to several people in Aircel, but no one has helped in rectifying my problem. One official even changed my plan on his own after hearing my problem. Because of all these problems, I have decided to port my number to Airtel. Before cancelling my Aircel services, however, I want to settle my account with them. -Rajan Kuthiala Aircel’s Response: Awaited

Complaint 5 I am an Airtel custmer. Sometime ago, Rs400 was deducted from my account without even asking me. When I called the custmer care, I was given routine excuses, like, I was browsing the internet. But this was not the case. this has not happend for the first time. Airtel has deducted money like this before from both my Airtel number. Now I am going to change both the connections, but before that I need an explanation. -Pritambhara Prakash Airtel's Response: Awaited

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.

february 2014 MYMOBILE 97

fa c e t o fa c e

“Our alliance with BSNL gives us an unprecedented edge” Champion, a notable brand in the IT hardware and peripherals industry has forayed into the mobile market with industry level handsets bundled with free data from BSNL. Kapil Wadhwa, Director, Champion India tells us more about Champion and what it has in mind for the future. Abhijit Ahaskar

Champion is a new brand in the smartphone industry. How is it going to compete with already existing brands like Xolo, Micromax, or Spice? We have been associated with this industry for a long time now. We understand the intricacies of the market and believe that technology should be available at affordable prices, especially in the Indian context. With our own manufacturing facility in the country, we are extensively focusing on delivering mobility products. We are very positive about the new products we aim to introduce in partnership with BSNL in 2014. Our alliance with BSNL does give us an unprecedented edge over other competing forces. We are positive that we will be able to reach a larger audience with the new products we aim to introduce in partnership with BSNL in 2014. We are also working on the design and performance of our products to make them eye-catching and at the same time easy to use. Our low prices and superior functionality are also reasons our products will score over our competitors. All these introductions are keeping us enthusiastic for the year ahead. We recognise the “technological obsolesce factor” and keep pace with the ever-changing international scenario. Our strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been recognized by platforms like CHIP, which honoured us with the Best Value Award, and the WD Excellence Award. Your association with BSNL is wellknown. What are the special operator related plans on your handsets? Champion’s “Apna Phone” range of feature phones come prebundled with 1200 minutes of talk time on BSNL network. BSNL is also offering 500MB of 3G data every month for a year on the Champion

98 MYMOBILE february 2014

Trendy 531 smartphone. What retail and marketing strategies do you plan to follow in India? We have a strong nation-wide distribution network and our channel partners have been strategic to our growth in the country. Through our partnership with BSNL, we will also be able to take strategic advantage of their reach. We hope to distribute in the coming days via four main channels: BSNL outlets, traditional dealers, large scale retail outlets and online. We have appointed 3,000 dealers across the country and have tied up with 400 service centres for after-sales service. These numbers are only likely to grow in the coming year. What would you say is the USP of your products? Our products offers great quality, are feature-rich, incorporated with the latest technology and offer effortless user experience to consumers at affordable price points. Our partnership with India’s premium telecom operator BSNL will offer our discerning consumers the much-needed enhanced user experience with wide connectivity and robust reach across the length and breadth of the country. Do you have manufacturing units in India? We do. The company’s manufacturing facility is in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. After sales service is an important aspect of customer satisfaction. What are you doing in this regard? We do acknowledge the importance of after sale services and are working to provide better services through our channel partners across India. Tell us a bit about your upcoming products? We will be introducing a total of nine smartphones with topend features, phablets, tablets and data cards at very affordable rates.n abhijit@mymobile.co.in

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