Handsets 

Micromax Informatics Limited has launched a new handset, the Q80, which supports Ezmail, a push email facility that allows users to receive their mail instantly. The device also supports 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Its other features include support for dual-SIM cards, a 3 megapixel camera, a 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video calls, a music player with a built-in Yamaha amplifier, a TFT QVGA screen, a QWERTY keypad and an optical track pad.  It also has preloaded applications like Opera Mini, Snaptu, Bloomberg UTV, ngpay, Burnout, Newshunt, Facebook and Nimbuzz. The Q80 has 68 MB of memory, which is expandable up to 8 GB. The device is priced at Rs 4,999.

LG has introduced the Optimus Black handset in the Indian market. The device supports 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.5 Mbps HSUPA networks and is powered by an OMAP 3630 1 GHz processor. Its other features include a WVGA IPS LCD screen, a 5 megapixel camera, a 2 megapixel front-facing camera, 2 GB of eMMC memory, a 512 MB RAM, the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system (OS) and support for Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity. The phone is available for Rs 20,990.

HTC Corporation has launched the HTC Salsa handset. The phone is powered by the Android operating system and has features such as a 5 megapixel camera, a VGA front-facing camera that supports video calling, a stereo FM radio, a TFT screen, 512 MB ROM and 512 MB RAM. It also offers support for 3G, EDGE and GPRS, and allows access to Facebook. The phone costs Rs 22,000.

HTC has also introduced the HTC Flyer tablet in India. The device functions on a 1.5 GHz CPU and operates on the Android platform. It has 32 GB of internal storage memory, a 1 GB RAM, and a 7 inch touch-sensitive screen with 1024x600 resolution. Its other features include an in-built G-Sensor, a digital compass and an ambient light sensor, support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies, a 5 megapixel camera, a 1.3 megapixel front camera, support for various audio and video formats, and a microSD memory card slot. The Flyer has been priced at Rs 39,890.

Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) has introduced the SMS Express (Alcatel OT-255C) handset for new prepaid customers across circles. The device supports the group SMS feature, a quick SMS key, a QWERTY keypad, an FM radio, and storage capacity of up to 500 SMSs and 500 phonebook contacts. The device’s quick SMS side key allows customers to launch an SMS composer screen to compose SMSs of up to 1,024 characters at a time. The handset is priced at Rs 1,149.

Spice Mobile has introduced the Mi270 Android hand-held in India. The device, costing Rs 5,700, has a dual-SIM slot, a 2.8 inch resistive touch screen with 240x320 pixel resolution, a 2 megapixel camera and expandable memory of up to 16 GB. The phone has a 600 MHz processor and supports GPS, aside from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and EDGE connectivity.

Salora International has forayed into the mobile handset market with the launch of its SM 501 and SM 401 devices, which cost Rs 2,999 and Rs 2,499 respectively. The devices support multiple languages including Hindi, English and Bengali. Both support dual-SIM cards and house a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and zoom. Other features include support for WAP, GPRS and MMS, an e-book reader, an inbuilt answering machine and a motion sensor.

Huawei has launched the Huawei MediaPad, a 7 inch Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet. The MediaPad is driven by Qualcomm’s dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, supported by Huawei Device’s Hi-Space cloud solution and Google’s Android Market. The MediaPad measures 10.5 mm and weighs approximately 390 grams. It supports 1080P full high definition video playback and features a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a 5 megapixel autofocus rear-facing camera with HD video recording capabilities. The device also packs in HSPA+ 14.4 Mbps and high speed Wi-Fi 802.11n internet connectivity. The MediaPad supports HSPA+ data services, Flash 10.3 videos and comes pre-installed with applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Let’s Golf and Documents To Go. The MediaPad has a 7 inch IPS touch screen and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor.

Zen Mobile has introduced the M-72 dual-SIM hand-held for Indian users. The device packs in a 2.4 inch colour display screen, an MP3/MP4 player, support for Bluetooth technology and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Other features include an inbuilt video recorder, an FM radio and an 1,800 mAh battery that ensures 40 days of battery standby time. The device is priced at Rs 1,800.

Nokia India has launched two new smartphones, the Nokia E6 and the Nokia X7. Both handsets are the first smartphones to run on Symbian Anna, the latest update of the Symbian software. This offers features such as improved text input, a faster browser, refreshed Ovi Maps and higher security. The Nokia E6 is a Touch & Type monoblock QWERTY business smartphone that enables users to access Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Communicator Mobile and Microsoft SharePoint. It is priced at Rs 18,679. The Nokia X7 is an entertainment-focused smartphone with a 4 inch display, an 8 megapixel camera, and support for video recording and playback. It is priced at Rs 22,829.

Micromax Informatics Limited’s latest offering, the Van Gogh X 450 phone comes equipped with a TFT screen having a 65,000 colour display, a 2 megapixel camera and an integrated Bluetooth headset. The device also houses a multi-format audio and video player, an in-built Opera Mini web browser, and access to social networking and email engines. It is priced at Rs 3,499.

Services 

Reliance Communications (RCOM) has launched a tariff plan bundled with a handset for its customers in Kerala. The handset is priced at Rs 599 with local calls charged at Re 0.01 per four seconds within RCOM’s network and at Re 0.01 per two seconds for other networks. STD calls are charged at Re 0.01 per second. Customers also get free talktime worth Rs 25.

Uninor has unveiled a special tariff voucher for customers in Andhra Pradesh. The voucher, valid for one month, allows customers to make local calls on Uninor’s home network at Re 0.02 per minute across the state.

Vodafone Essar has announced the launch of the East STD bonus pack for prepaid customers in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Customers can make calls to all numbers in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa at Re 0.30 paise per minute. The plan can be activated by dialling *121*28#. The bonus pack is priced at Rs 28 and is valid for 30 days.

Vodafone Essar has introduced an audio- conferencing service for business customers. Customers can choose from a range of audioconferencing versions. The service offers users a 24x7 reservationless, automated and operator-assisted communication platform.

Vodafone Essar has also launched a self-service recharge facility through the existing network of kiosks for prepaid customers across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Prepaid customers can use the self-service kiosks at various locations across the state to recharge their talktime. Recharge options for customers are available in various denominations, starting from Rs 10. Once customers select the e-top-up of their choice and make the payment by following the IVR instructions, they receive their desired recharge amount and payment receipt from the self-service kiosk along with a confirmation SMS.

TTSL has launched an SMS Express offer, under which a customer gets 100 free national SMSs every day for 60 days on purchase of the bundled handset and first recharge voucher of Rs 55. The customer also gets talktime worth Rs 29. Once the free SMSs are utilised, SMSs are charged at Re 0.50 per SMS and all national calls at Re 0.01 per second.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited has launched free MBlaze data cards for post-paid customers. The company has introduced two advance rental plans (ARPs), wherein customers paying three months’ rent in advance can obtain a free MBlaze device. Customers can choose from the MBlazer ARP 3GB 2097 and the MBlazer ARP 6GB Unlimited 2397. For the MBlazer ARP 3GB 2097, customers are required to pay Rs 2,097 to avail of bundled data usage of 3 GB per month for three months, along with a free MBlaze data card. After three months, the customer would migrate to the MBlazer 3 GB plan that entails a monthly rental of Rs 699. As per the conditions of the MBlazer ARP 6GB Unlimited 2397, customers are required to pay Rs 2,397 to get bundled usage of 6 GB per month for three months, along with a free MBlaze data card. After three months, the customer would migrate to the MBlazer 6 GB Unlimited plan that entails a monthly rental of Rs 799.

Bharti airtel has announced the launch of new broadband plans wherein the minimum broadband speed in Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune would be 2 Mbps. For all its other markets across its service areas, the new plans offer a minimum broadband speed of 1 Mbps. airtel broadband customers can choose the plan that best suits their needs, starting from 3 GB up to 150 GB. In select markets, customers can double their speeds to 4 Mbps by paying an additional Rs 100.

Bharti airtel has also launched international video calling services on 3G for Indian customers. The service enables its 3G customers to interact with users in the US, Canada and Bangladesh at Rs 14 per minute. Video calls to the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Oman are priced at Rs 20 per minute. As a prerequisite to making ISD video calls, both the caller and the called person have to be 3G customers and need to have a front camera in their 3G handsets.

TATA DOCOMO has launched the Endless Music service, a music bank comprising various categories and subcategories. Under this service, customers can listen to limitless music and can also download ringtones for Rs 2 per day. By paying an additional Re 1 per day, customers can also download unlimited Call Me Tunes. This service is available for all the post-paid and prepaid customers of the company. Customers have to dial 5909 to avail of this service. The service is auto renewable on a daily basis.