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Get real time directions with Tata Docomo

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Tata Docomo has launched two new location based services called Route Finder and Smart Pilot. For both the services, Tata Docomo has tied up with Navteq, a digital mapping company owned by Nokia (all Nokia smart phones have Navteq maps).

Route Finder is accessible through SMS, and gives directions from the user’s current location, which is detected automatically, to the desired place though or a link (as per the phone’s capability).

Customers with data-enabled phones will get directions via a link, by clicking which they will be able to see the static map indicating the route from current to selected location. Users without data-enabled phones will get directions as text messages.

To access Route Finder customers will have to SMS to 533331. The service will be charged at Rs 5 per successful query-response; there are no additional data charges for accessing maps. This service is available to all customers and works on all handsets.

Smart Pilot, on the other hand, is a voice based navigation service, which offers information as well as navigation details to reach any destination across India.

Smart Pilot application helps customers to navigate with intuitive, voice guided, step-by-step directions. With this service, they can also avail options like setting destinations by address search, searching points of interest like ATMs, petrol pumps, railway stations etc. and they can also find places on interactive maps.

To use the service you have to download an application on the phone by sending ‘smart pilot’ to the toll free shortcode 53333.

“We collaborated with Navteq as they fulfilled our requirements for accurate mapping data while offering a robust points of interest (POI) database with millions of POI, including restaurants, places of worship, shops and hotels that we can utilize to create these applications,” Aditya Gupta, Hub Head, Punjab, Haryana and HP Tata Docomo.

The company claims that the Smart Pilot service is particularly useful for going to places with long and complex routes, multiple intersections and turns with the unnamed roads. It also offers total distance time; graphical and interactive icons for turns, manual navigation, the route plotted on a map, and it can simulate navigation to see all actual turns taken.

In addition, customers can save their favourite locations or routes and also share these with their friends.

Subscription charges of the Smart Pilot application is Rs 10 per day. There will be no data accessing charges after one has subscribed to the Smart Pilot service.

Customers can subscribe to the service by sending an SMS to 53333 (toll free). Or can call the IVR toll free short code 155223.

The service can be accessed on all enabled handsets with activated internet.

Both the services are costly as these days even some feature phones come with free Google Maps. However, for those who do not have access to maps on the go, this service is very useful, especially in India where not many roads are marked properly for directions.

Aircel too has a similar service called Pocket Finder.

Google introduces new features for better, faster search on mobiles

anil-satapathy
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Search giant Google has released new mobile features “to make mobile search even better”.
To make it easier for people to search for what’s around them, Google has introduced new shortcuts to commonly searched local categories, like restaurants, coffee shops and bars, in the form of icons on the mobile Google homepage.

The shortcut icons appear at the bottom of the mobile homepage. Tap “More”, to select from additional popular categories like shopping, ATMs, petrol pumps, etc.

On the results page, you will see a map with markers for your current location and places around you. When you scroll through the results, the map remains at the top of the page and adjusts automatically to the listing you are looking at. That way, you can see the listing information while still getting location context from the map. Tapping on a result will quickly show you more about a place including reviews and other useful details.

Google has also brought another feature that enables faster search with less typing. You can now add suggested phrases to the search box and “build” your search piece by piece. This feature is already available on the Google Search for and devices and now made its debut on www.google.com for mobiles.

These new mobile features are now available on www.google.com on Android (version 2.2+) and iOS (version 4.0+) in 40 languages worldwide.

HTC Sensation now in India for Rs 32,700

Sandeep Budki
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HTC today unveiled its latest smartphone, the Sensation, in India and has priced it Rs 32,700. The HTC Sensation was unveiled on April 12 in London.

The 2.3 based Sensation is HTC’s first ever phone to feature a 1.2 Ghz supplied by Qualcomm and a whole new interface with the latest HTC Sense 3.0.

The HTC Sensation has a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 capacitive touchscreen with Gorilla Glass, an 8 rear camera with dual-LED flash and 1080p HD video recording, a VGA front-facing camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, 1 of internal storage, 768 MB of RAM, microSD card support, and a 1520 battery.

What are your rights with regard to unwanted VAS?

nilabh-jha
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Unwanted Value Added Services (VAS) is one of the biggest concerns of mobile phone users in the country. Almost every subscriber we talked to has faced this problem at least once, especially prepaid subscribers.

Most customers we talked to complained that when they ask their service provider for a refund “the customer care agents say that the service was requested by the user and that they can’t refund. Else, they say you have been using the service for over a week and so we can’t refund.”

But if you prove that you didn’t request the service, the provider will have to refund no matter what.

According to our survey done by “The Mobile Indian”, the most abused service is caller ringback tone, which the subscriber doesn’t get to know of unless a caller tells him about it; ringback tones are followed by news and weather alert services. Even Rajan Mathews, president of COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) agrees to our survey results.

At a time when our inbox is bombarded with unwanted SMSs it is easy to miss on the SMS informing us of the activation of a value added service, and news alerts get confused with all the other unwanted SMSs we get. It is only when ours balance is deducted that we realise that a service has been activated.

Another big problem is the fact that service providers now charge on a daily basis, so in case a Rupee has been deducted you don’t even realise it. All you can do is to be more vigilant and keep track of your balance.

You can also ask for an itemised bill for a pre-paid account in case you find anomalies. Though this will be chargeable to you (a maximum of Rs 50 as per TRAI guidelines), is a good tool in case you have to prove a case.

The rules

VAS services can only be activated by at least two key strokes, the first one to request the service and the second one to confirm the request.

So the first right that you have is to ask your service provider to show the records of your request, which it has to provide.

Rajan Mathews, blames unwanted activations on outsourced customer care. He said, “Most operators outsource VAS service activations and put a target for the activations. These outsourcing firms use illegal means to meet these targets.”

He adds that only 20 per cent of these companies are making the water muggy.

In case you are not happy with customer care’s response, you have all the right to approach the nodal officer, who is a direct employee of the operator and is responsible for solving all the customer complaints. You will find the number of the nodal officer on TRAI’s website. These numbers are also available on the service provider’s website in the ‘contact us’ and ‘customer care’ sections.

Do remember to email them and not just make a call. The mail will is documented proof of your interaction and complaint. You will need to give the nodal officer some time &#151 usually the time that was specified by the nodal office during your interaction. The maximum time allowed for the nodal officer is one month.

While moving on to appellate authority, the highest authority for consumer complaints, again the complaint must be made in writing.

If you find that these people are not in the mood to listen and are just making excuses, do get in touch with the national consumer help line at 1800-11-4000 and register a complaint there. Then send the complaint number you receive to the nodal officer. This should pressurise the telecom company and moreover save you valuable time in case the issue is not resolved with the operator itself and you decide to follow the case further.

Most people do not follow up much on these cases as the money involved is too little for the hassle but as consumers we need to be more vigilant and should be more active in protecting our rights if these wrong practices are to be curbed.

To know more about your rights, you can also read the handbook for consumers by TRAI, which talks about consumer rights. Also, when you buy a new connection, you get a booklet, which usually contains all the rules and regulations you need to know. Besides, it also contains important numbers for you to contact in case of problems.

Apple now releases unlocked iPhone 4 in USA; still costly for Indians

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Apple has finally put up unlocked iPhone 4 devices for sale in the USA and it can be used anywhere in the world with any micro-SIM from any cellular service provider.

A 16 unlocked iPhone 4 costs $649 (Rs 29,250 approximately) and 32 GB iPhone 4 costs $749 750 (about Rs 33,750) without sales tax, which is roughly between $40 and $53. The device is available in black and white colours.

However, all those who are just getting excited about bringing unlocked iPhone 4 phones from the USA should pay heed to the fact that the smartphone is about the same price in India.

In the past Apple has sold contract-free iPhone models that were configured to work with AT&T wireless in the USA.

Last month we analysed the cost of Apple iPhone 4 overseas (outside India). Our analysis still stands true that the “possession price” of an unlocked iPhone 4 in India is relatively cheap compared to what it is in the USA, UK and in other European countries.

Unlocked iPhone 4 devices are also available in Canada for CAD $659 (Rs 30,257 approximately) for the 16 GB model and CAD $779 (about Rs 35,768 ) for the 32 GB version, which is low compared to most other countries.

In India, Apple is selling an unlocked 16 GB iPhone 4 at Rs 34,500 and a 32 GB model for about Rs 40,900. Apple has pleased several USA based nationals who wish to use the iPhone 4 with other carriers of their choice. If you are in India and are looking to order an iPhone 4 through a friend, colleague or relative, then it’s not a wise choice.

Do note that despite being sold in the USA, the iPhone 4 does come with international warranty. So yes, if anyone has bought a ‘legally’ unlocked iPhone 4 from the USA then it will be under warranty in India as well.

Sony to launch tablet in India soon

nilabh-jha
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Sony is soon going to launch two tablets based on 3.0 operating system in the Indian market. The devices are codenamed S1 and S2. While S1 has a 9.4 inch screen, S2 has two foldable 5.5 inch screens.

The tablets were announced at the end of April this year and are going to be launched soon. An Indian spokesperson at Sony confirmed this but refused to divulge the date of launch.

Sony India is, however, holding an event in India on June 17 to showcase the products. The announcement came through a teaser on the Sony India website. The exact location or nature of the event has not been disclosed.

S1 is a 9.4 inch tablet with a curved top, much like a folded magazine. It has both front and rear-facing cameras. The device uses a Tegra 2 and has a customised user interface over Android 3.0 (operating system). It can also be used as a remote control for Sony gear thanks to its integrated port.

The second new tablet from Sony is a dual screen device called S2. It has a pair of 5.5 inch 1024×480 displays, runs on a Tegra 2 chipset, and has two cameras.

Not much is known about the device but it is one of the most important devices for Sony and the company plans to launch various devices that will connect enterprise hardware with network services like Qriocity, which connects many of Sony’s network-enabled devices and also makes it possible for one device to perform as a remote control for another.

Dual-SIM Samsung Ch@t 222 in India soon

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Samsung is planning to introduce a handset with a keyboard, Ch@t 222, for the entry level segment in India.

Just like the previously launched Ch@t series handsets, the new Ch@t 222 (GT-E2222) extends special support to various social networking and email services. Priced roughly around Rs 3,500, the new Samsung Ch@t 222 is capable of holding two SIM modules in GSM configuration along with dual-SIM standby ability. Previously released Samsung Ch@t 322 and 335 handsets were single SIM models.

Samsung Ch@t 222 has 2.2 inch TFT display supporting 220×176 resolution. It has a VGA camera at its back with video recording support but has no Flash. A full Qwerty keypad is the enticing feature for many who are looking for an inexpensive BlackBerry look-alike.

Apart from that, it has all other necessary features like FM Radio, DNSe Sound support for the music player, internet HTML browser, and 45 of internal memory. The 1000 battery promises 11.5 hours of battery life.

HTC Sensation to be launched in India tomorrow

Sandeep Budki
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In the recent times, Indians have seen a lot of new smartphones like Samsung Galaxy S II and iPhone 4, which has given them a wide array of option to choose from. But, if you have still not zeroed on a particular phone, then wait till tomorrow as HTC Sensation is set to make its debut in the country on Thursday.

“HTC Sensation will be launched in India tomorrow and announcement regarding other devices will also be made by their top management in a press conference,” sources told The Mobile Indian.

The HTC Sensation, as reported earlier by The Mobile Indian, was unveiled on the April 12 in London.

The 2.3 based Sensation is HTC’s first ever phone to feature a 1.2 Ghz supplied by Qualcomm and a whole new interface with the latest HTC Sense 3.0.

The HTC Sensation has a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 capacitive touchscreen with Gorilla Glass, an 8 rear camera with dual-LED flash and 1080p HD video recording, a VGA front-facing camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, 1 of internal storage, 768 MB of RAM, microSD card support, and a 1520 battery.

Pricing of the Sensation still remains a mystery but with the kind of hardware the new smartphone features, one can easily expect it to be more than Rs 30,000.

Swype receives an update

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The keyboard replacement software from Swype, which is still in beta, has just received a new update.

The third version of the virtual keyboard software has a simplified registration process and users can now choose the right words from a horizontal menu of predictive text.

There is a feature called Tap Correction which enables users to go from normal typing to Swyping and back without any disturbance in their writing experience.

The Horizontal Word Choose List is also an improvement since the annoying pop ups have been replaced with horizontal menus. This is in line with new standards. On some devices, Swype used to get disabled each time the device was rebooted, but this won’t happen anymore. Those users who had Swype pre-installed on their devices should download the update, as it would not work with their existing phones.

Users have the choice of using their fingers or stylus, and using multiple languages as well. All the common editing functionalities are available with it, and the company says its keyboard is now in use on about 50 million devices.

Another study says mobile usage ups cancer risk

anil-satapathy
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After World Health Organisation, another study has now said that using mobile phones ups risk of cancer in human beings.

The study, which was conducted in 13 countries, says using a mobile phone for just 15 minutes a day can substantially up the risk of brain cancer among its users. The longer people use it, the higher the risk.

A news agency, quoting Elisabeth Cardis, leader of the Interphone Study, said an increased risk of brain tumours, known as gliomas, was seen in the 20 per cent of users with the highest exposure to radio-frequency emissions.

Notably, Gliomas are fatal, usually within three to five years of diagnosis, even with treatment. Also, users may develop cancer close to the area where they held their phones to the head.

Earlier, World Health Organisation too said that mobile phones are cancerous in nature. Many other organisations have also come out recently with studies that have cited adverse effect of radiation of mobile phones on mental and physical health of not just humans but also animals.

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