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Top 5 Android handsets above 20,000 in July, August

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Top 5 Android handsets above 20,000 in July, August

Google’s is today the most liked mobile operating system in the world. It has broken all records as far as adoption and usage are concerned. Today there are hardly any mobile brand left in the world, apart from Palm and a few others that do not have an Android device in their kitty. Let aside the global scenario, in India all small and big manufacturers today either have added an Android device to their portfolio or eyeing to grab that opportunity soon.

The Mobile Indian till now have covered varied handset price segments and this time we have focused on the premium and the ultra-premium segment of Android devices that are available in India. These devices are top of the line products available in the market today offering all one could expect from a device, fantasies aside. But all simmers down to one common thing and that is “the best money can buy”

HTC Sensation (Price Rs 30,000)

With an all new Android 2.3.3 operating system, HTC sense 3.0 user interface, and the recently launched Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2 GHz dual core processor, the HTC sensation is as good as a smartphone can get.

With powerful specs like 8 camera with video recording, Flash 10.1 support, and a 4.3 inch qHD with 540 x 960 pixel resolution (quarter high definition) and a uni-body design is what makes this device the most desirable and the most amazing Android smartphone presently available in India.

With a powerful 1.2 GHz processor, the device performs every task brilliantly and even multitasking does not seem to ire the device.

The 8 megapixel camera allows the device to take good and vibrant images which are complimented by a dual power flash for dark light conditions. The device can also capture 720P HD video at 30 and with the kind of screen resolution this device can completely playback HD videos too.

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Samsung Galaxy SII I9100 (Price Rs 30,500)

It was a tough decision to choose between the Galaxy SII and the Sensation as the first choice but the later topped the list due to its fluid and a much refined Sense 3.0 and a qHD resolution 4.3 inch display.

Samsung’s Galaxy S2, the successor of Galaxy S, is based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and has a 4.3 inch (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) Plus display, which is better than the conventional AMOLED displays in terms of contrast ratio and colour reproduction.

The S2 features an ARM cortex A9 based 1.2 GHz dual core and a dedicated graphics chip from ARM MALI which give a better overall experience for applications and games.

1 has been included for better functioning of the device while the internal 16 GB memory takes care of all storage needs. The phone comes with HDMI and for on the go connectivity as well but users need to pay extra to buy supporting connectors to utilize these.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (Price Rs 31,500)

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, as of today, is the only certified gaming smartphone device available in the market. Be it in India or be it in any other part of the world, Xperia Play has created major waves and still remains the best choice for gaming enthusiasts when it comes to smartphones.

There was a point when we had a choice between the Xperia Play and the Xperia Arc for this spot in the top 5 list but ultimately Xperia Play won the spot as it offers a game console like feel.

The big 4 inch capacitive touchscreen displays 480 x 854 pixel resolution and accurate colour reproduction while gaming, and the phone delivers stereo sound.

In terms of hardware, Xperia Play features a 1 GHz processor with a dedicated graphics engine, ensuring smoother and faster graphics performance which is a must for a gaming device. Along with 400 of internal storage space that doubles up as and the added 512 MB of RAM, the device does not run out of breath while gaming, which requires huge amounts of memory.

The Xperia Play, apart from running the exclusive PS content, is capable of playing all the games that are there in the Android stores as well and with the kind of muscle it has, things only get better.

But still, this is a gamer centric device and might not be liked by many other people so if you are also the one who stays away from games try selecting the Xperia Arc that offer better camera ant a slimmer size as well.
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LG Optimus Black P970 (Price Rs 27,000)

Powered by LG’s Nova technology, the display on the Optimus Black is probably one of the brightest displays available on any mobile device as of now. LG claims the display to be of 700 nits (unit to measure brightness) of brightness – no other device or display manufacturer has added such brightness to their mobile display so far.

The LG Optimus Black is a beautiful looking device that misses completely on hardware buttons, if we discount the two side buttons that control the volume and the special LG key that is used to control gestures. The device is extremely lightweight at 109 gm that includes a battery pack. The lack of hardware buttons on the front gives this device a sleek and a clean look that makes it an interesting object to be held and not to be hidden inside the pocket.

The Optimus Black utilises the Texas instruments OMAP 3630 that includes a 1GHz single core processor along with a Power SGX530 GPU. All in all, the combo works well for this phone offering fluid touch operations and faster execution of commands and application requests. The phone also features a 512 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal storage which works well with the Texas Instrument chipset and enhances the experience for the user.

Dell Streak 5 (Price Rs 25,000)

Basically, this is not a smartphone nor even a tablet; the Dell streak is somewhere in between. Calling this as a hybrid smartphone would not be wrong as with its big 5 inch touchscreen and integrated and telephony capabilities, it beats all the other Android based smartphones hands down.

But the reason for this coming last in our list is its operating system; the Streak 5 by default comes with Android 1.6 upgradeable to 2.2. Even after having compatible specs, Dell has not released Gingerbread upgrade for this device.

The Streak 5 houses a Qualcomm 1GHz processor with a dedicated graphics engine and 512MB or RAM and 2GB of internal storage plus an 8GB card included in the package. Its 5 inch display is one of the best features of this device. The device houses a 5 Megapixel camera that records video with the Donut version OS but with Froyo upgrade it records 720P HD videos at 30 FPS.

Top five educational apps on Android

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Top five educational apps on Android

Android Market has about 250,000 apps covering a wide range of subjects such as entertainment, news, game, utility and education. Here are the top apps which we think will be extremely helpful for the users.

The younger readers hooked to their Angry Birds title may not be pleased with the following apps, but those looking to improve their knowledge base and expanding their skills would definitely love the chance.

Algebra Tutor (Free)

Whenever the users need to do some review of the basics of Algebra, this Android will come handy. It gives users instructions for every step and points out the mistakes made by users as well.

The Algebra Tutor app is good for all who would like to revise their knowledge, but the beginners should first learn Algebra from a real world teacher.

You can download the app here: market.android.com

MapMaster (Free)

The MapMaster app for Android offers several challenges with varying difficulty levels. A best part of it is that all the maps in this are available offline so there is no need for the users to have Internet connection.

Users are given 25 seconds to place the at the right location, points are given to users depending on how closely they have got the location right. They also have the option to zoom in to get the location right.

Download the app here: market.android.com

Memory Trainer (Free)

Memory Trainer has been created based on the assumption that regular brain exercises help users improve their memory. Even those who don’t believe this assumption find it appealing and interesting &#151 you would get a feeling that your time is being used productively.

The numerous mini games within the app challenge the users’ brains by asking them where the objects were located, and the scorecard keeps building up over a period of time. Most users have reported a direct correlation between their scorecard and memory skills developed over time.

Go through the link to get the app: market.android.com

Formulas Lite (Free)

The Formulas Lite app comes armed with most of the important formulas for math, chemistry and physics. Users can also work with the formulas with scientific calculator, and get to know some interesting trivia about the formulas they are reading on their phone screen.

Link: market.android.com

Celeste (About Rs 90)

This app uses camera of the phone and shows cosmic bodies, their direction of movement and their path in the sky. The app also comes pre-loaded with interesting facts about the cosmic body visible through the camera, or its image.

For example, if the users point the camera of the phone towards the sun, the app tells them how much time the sunlight takes to reach the earth, or which spacecraft has been sent towards the sun to find out more about it.

You can download the application here: market.android.com

Logitech announces keyboard case for Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet

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Logitech has announced new keyboard case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 750 tablet. It comprises a protective case designed by ZAGG and a wireless keyboard integrated by Logitech.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 750 which has a display of 10.1 inch connects to the Logitech keyboard case via Bluetooth. Built using Aircraft grade aluminium, this Logitech-Zagg case will be available later this September for $100 in the USA. There are no details on whether the same will be made available for India by Logitech.

While pondering over to invest in a tablet, consumers tend to look around for the best accessories for complimenting the tablet. The Apple iPad 2 comes with a good keyboard dock that not only compliments the design of the tablet but also serves as a powerful accessory for those who need a physical keyboard to type faster.

Similarly Samsung has announced the keyboard dock accessory for Galaxy Tab 10.1 but it costs $150 extra. That means the Logitech and ZAGG developed keyboard case may serve out to be a viable option since it is not only a wireless keyboard but also a protective case.

The ZAGG protective case has been built from Aircraft-grade aluminium and the insides have a high-density padding to add cushion to the Galaxy Tab. The keyboard with bit spaced keys also carries some quick Shortcut keys for improving the productivity.

As of now, the Logitech keyboard case for Galaxy Tab 750) is up for pre-orders at the company’s US site. We checked with Logitech India for its Indian availability and were informed that the product is not available in India as yet but may be made available later this year. Of course, it will since India too has become a good market for tablets and related accessories.

No AMD based smartphone yet

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At a time when most of the companies have either entered the smartphone market or are trying to enter, suspense has been slowly building up why AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) has not tried to cash in on the trend yet.

According to the AMD senior vice president Rick Bergmann, the true strengths of the company do not belong there (smartphone segment) and that they would not try to enter an already overcrowded market.

It appears to be a smart strategy for a company which never gained the top spot in the market. In the smartphone segment, ARM has already taken a huge lead over other companies. To compete, AMD would either have to work with Intel or ARM, and none of these options seemed a good bet for AMD.

“We haven’t announced any plans to go in that handheld space. We’ve got plenty of opportunities…. in server, notebook and now tablets, that’s our immediate focus. But if the right circumstances come up and we can see a way to impact the market, we’ll obviously continue to look,” Bergman said.

AMD had launched the Z series processor in June for tablets, though it has not become a part of any major tablet yet. AMD will continue to watch the situation from the sidelines with interest and will make a move the moment they notice there is an opportunity.

The basic reason why AMD would succeed is the constraints faced by smartphones in terms of battery life, pixels or screen real estate, whereas AMD is strong in graphics &#151 though it does see itself playing a bigger role in the tablet space where the user would love to see better videos.

Leaked images show Android Ice Cream Sandwich with nifty features

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First purported screenshots of the next major Android update dubbed as Ice Cream Sandwich is making rounds on the internet. The images, published on two websites Android Police and Rootzwiki, cannot be authenticated though.

The images clearly show a revamped user interface with blue notification bars and multiple feature additions to the core of the operating system. Obviously, the next major Google Android device, currently rumoured as Nexus Prime, will be getting Android Ice Cream Sandwich update first and then will be rolled out to other devices.

The leaked images hint a refreshed user interface that brings certain nifty additions to the home screen. For instance, the Google Search is now embedded as search bar on the top of the homescreen and on right end of it is the Microphone icon that hints at voice based navigation/search. At the bottom tray of the homescreen rests the Drawer icon and a mysterious icon which seems like an App Switcher short cut and may bring some multi-tasking between windows in cool 3D scrolling style.

Next major user experience change will come with the Apps Drawer which will sport more of the Android Honeycomb look combining different tab for apps and widget. Obviously, the Ice Cream Sandwich is taking best of HoneyComb combining it with Gingerbread to give a uniform experience across both &#151 smartphones and tablets.

The change log list compiled by RootzWiki and Android Police suggest several tweaks across the system – the Gmail App has been revamped, Camera carries new Panorama Mode, and a new Google Shopper option.

The much rumoured Google Nexus Prime handset will come with Android Ice Cream Sandwich update and then the will be rolled out to other devices. From the build, one can presume that the Ice Cream Sandwich update will be easily applicable for all the devices released in last one year including the Froyo and Gingerbread updates running devices.

Google is expected to announce the Android Ice Cream Sandwich in December along with Nexus Prime handset.

HTC Mazaa surfaces on eBay listing

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An upcoming HTC handset loaded with Windows Phone 7 Mango surfaced online in an eBay listing. The handset codenamed as HTC Mazaa is likely to be still under development and comes with Mango build 7.10.7720.500 preloaded on it.

This is second device that goes official (in a way) with Windows Phone 7.5 Mango on it. Being a developer early version, this device may show up later once the Mango update is released.

HTC Mazaa comes with a 1Ghz Qualcomm MSM8655 coupled with Adreno 205 graphics chip. This device comes with 5 camera, as confirmed by one of the device winners &#151 @Heedok.

From the front the HTC Mazaa seems to sport 3.7-inch display just like the HTC Mozart handset. The Mazaa has a network module to support both GSM and CDMA networks.

So far, the leaked details of the HTC handsets include Eternity, Prime and Ignite. From the looks and specifications, we believe that the HTC Mazaa might be developer exclusive edition and might be sold as HTC Ignite with a silver casing.

It appears that Windows Phone 7.5 Mango will also bring and support some sub-430$ (Rs 19,350 Approx.) handsets. Most likely the WP7 Mango successor update Tango will be supporting such 3.7-inch display bearing devices from several handset manufacturers.

Microsoft has promised to release Windows Phone 7.5 Mango next month and we hope that several devices loaded with Mango update will also be released at the same time.

Tata Docomo and Indicom users get exclusive access to AR Rahman’s latest ‘Satyamev Jayathe’

The Mobile Indian Network
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Tata Teleservices has tied up with Universal Music Group (UMG) for exclusive rights of AR Rahman’s patriotic song ‘Satyamev Jayathe’ from his recently released album ‘SuperHeavy’.

Tata Teleservices will offer exclusive rights of the music album for initial three weeks to its Docomo and Tata Indicom customers. ‘Satyameva Jayathe’ will include vocals of international legends Mick Jagger who will croon Sanskrit verses of the song along with Rahman, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone and Damian Marley.

Speaking at the occasion, Tata Teleservices head marketing Gurinder Singh Sandhu said, “On this Independence Day, we are offering something exclusive to our Tata Docomo and Indicom customers, where in they can enjoy the song that will add to the spirit of patriotism. Each song is a unique composition while the one that stands out is ‘Satyameva Jayathe’.”

“The same is being highlighted in our current campaign that invites our customers to participate and explore their creativity. The contest is exciting, fun filled and above all patriotic,” he further added.

The service also offers Call Me Tunes, My Song, wallpapers and ringtones of ‘Satyameva Jayate’ for its customers. Charges will depend on the type of service availed.

Nokia launches BH 112 Bluetooth headset for casual users

rahul-gupta
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Nokia has launched a headset, the BH 112, with vibrant colours including cyan, magenta, green, black and white. The headset also comes with matching ear buds.

Even though the design of these hands-free might look simple, they carry the same technology as the recently launched Nokia J Bluetooth headset. And like the J headset, there’s no technical experience required to use the BH 112 either as there’s voice guidance to assist you to pair the device the phone. And, it will also tell you when the battery is running low.

The BH112 comes with multi point connectivity, hence you can connect it with more than one device at any given point of time. Although the BH112 can be connected simultaneously with multiple devices, the headset has only one voice channel. But it’s a big relief for those who carry more than one mobile phone.

Measuring almost the same as the J Bluetooth headset, the BH 112 stands at 8.2 grams of total weight, and even at that the BH 115 is capable of offering up to 5 hours of or over 150 hours of standby time.

The BH112 is priced at Rs 2,200 approximately and will be available in the market from mid next month.

SMS based search engine from Airtel launched

The Mobile Indian Network
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irtel has launched a new service, named Gyan, which allows customers to conduct a search on any topic of interest by sending a keyword as SMS to 55444.

Upon sending an SMS query, Airtel mobile customers will instantaneously receive an SMS response with information on their topic of interest, which can vary to anything from general knowledge, lyrics of songs, meaning of a word, movie reviews, stock related info and weather.

There are certain shortcuts also to get more precise search results, for dictionary: type DICT , for lyrics: type LYRICS , for Acronyms: type EXPAND .

Similarly for weather, type WEATHER and typing STOCK will give you stock prices.

These SMS responses are automatically extracted from the relevant and credible online data sources. The service is currently available the country.

Users will be charged Rs 1 per query or a monthly subscription of Rs 30 for unlimited number of queries.

Hindi version of Android?

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Samsung is in talks with Google for a Hindi version of operating system, an executive of the Korean company told The Mobile Indian.

Android currently supports the major European languages and Chinese, but there is no Hindi version of the even though it is one of the most popular smartphone operating systems in India.

On this, Asim Warsi, director of marketing of Samsung’s mobile business, said, “Android is a third party operating system and so we do not have much control over it, but we are in talks with Google for such a version. However, we can’t comment on when it will be done as that is not in our control.”

A Google spokesperson, however, refused to comment, saying, “We do not comment on rumour and speculation.”

It is surprising that even though Hindi is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world, Android or any other major smartphone OS doesn’t have a version of it. Although there are feature phone operating systems in Hindi from both MNCs and Indian brands, the problem is that the letters on the keyboard are usually in English.

Of the population of India, only 11 per cent speak English, mostly for professional reasons. Add to that the fact that India is the world’s fastest growing mobile market with more than 540 million active mobile users, and some studies suggest that close to 15 per cent of these people are smartphone users.

More than 200 million handsets are sold in India annually and keep in mind that only about 11 per cent of these consumers, or 22 million users, know English. This explains why the consumption of value added services in India is so low.

So it is not just in the consumer’s interest to have handsets in the Indian language; operators and the content industry will profit by it as well.

While there are indeed many languages in India, most of these languages use derivatives of the Devanagari script.

Even languages like Bengali, which has more than 300 million users and is the sixth most commonly spoken language in the world, should not be ignored.

When support for languages with a much smaller number of speakers, such as Polish and Korean, is available, it is not a valid argument that support for Indian languages cannot be developed.

Moreover, since touchscreen phones do not use physical keyboards, manufacturers can create virtual keyboards for many languages and the user can select his/her language from a drop down menu.

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