Handsets 

HTC Corporation has launched the HTC Incredible S device in the Indian market. The device packs in a WVGA LCD display, stereo surround sound and an 8 megapixel camera with dual flash. Its other features include support for video recording and playback, the e-reader facility, 1 GHz CPU speed, 1.1 GB of internal memory, 768 MB RAM, Android operating system, an inbuilt digital compass and a proximity sensor. The HTC Incredible S is priced at Rs 28,900.

HTC Corporation has also launched the Desire Z Android-based smartphone. The device has a touchscreen, a QWERTY keypad, support for high definition video recording and a 5 megapixel camera with a flash. The Desire Z operates on an 800 MHz Qualcomm 7230 processor and has 1.5 GB of internal memory and 512 MB RAM, support for GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, HTC widgets such as mail, message, music, and an internal GPS antenna. The device costs Rs 25,590.

Acer has launched its Liquid Metal smartphone in India. The device has the Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon core processor, a curved display with a TFT capacitive touchscreen and support for HSPA 14.4 MBPS, 3G (3G + WiFi), GPS and a mini USB. Its other features include an inbuilt video recorder, Dolby Surround technology, EQ profiles and dynamic bass boost facility and support for push mail. The handset also has three predictive diallers, an accelerometer sensor and a 5 megapixel camera. The Acer Liquid Metal is priced at Rs 20,500.

Intex has launched five hand-helds priced between Rs 1,490 and Rs 2,640. The handsets are dual-SIM (GSM + GSM) devices that support video and audio recording, and are compatible with AVI, MP4 and 3GP format files. All the handsets are GPRS enabled, with an Intex Zone that offers services such as access to MSN, Yahoo!, Facebook, mobile tracker and an answering machine facility. The phones also have a built-in FM radio with recording, a web camera, support for Bluetooth technology, expandable memory up to 8 GB and blacklist facility.

Nokia has introduced its E7 smartphone. The hand-held is equipped with an AMOLED touchscreen, a four-line full QWERTY keypad and built-in VPN, and supports high definition video recording and playback. It also features an 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, HDMI connectivity to project files, videos and images onto large screens, 16 GB of flash memory, an Adobe Reader and the USB-On-The-Go facility that enables easy file sharing by connecting a USB stick to the smartphone. The device is priced at Rs 29,999.

Lava Mobiles has launched the KKT 35 handset that supports multiple-format video files such as AVI, MP4 and 3GP and, dual-SIM cards (GSM + GSM), and has a digital camera. Its other features include 8 GB of external memory, a 262,000 colour screen, FM radio with recording and alarm facility, an inbuilt torch, mobile tracking facility and an inbuilt Indian calendar. The device costs Rs 3,950.

Samsung’s latest Android smartphone, the Galaxy S LCD 4 GB, has been launched in India. The Galaxy S LCD, also called GT i9003, has a 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixel) resolution touchscreen made of Gorilla glass. The Android 2.2 Froyo-based smartphone features a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU and a dedicated graphics card for improved display. The phone also features 4 GB of inbuilt memory expandable up to 32 GB by using an SD card. Priced at Rs 25,000, it also packs in a 5 megapixel autofocus camera and supports HSPA, video calling, Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi, GPRS and EDGE.

Wynncom has launched the Y36 mobile phone. The hand-held comes with a dynamic wireless speaker, which can work within a range of 3 to 5 metres and supports 3GP and MP4/RMVB file formats. It also has an expandable memory of up to 16 GB, dual-SIM cards (GSM + GSM), an inbuilt torch, support for Hindi language, a 2 megapixel camera with flash, SMS mobile tracking facility, Class 10 GPRS and EDGE. The hand-held also supports Opera Mini, Yahoo!, MSN and Skype chat servers and Facebook, and offers FM radio with recording, phone and SMS blacklist facility, auto call record application, smart phonebook search and smart dialling facilities, PC sync, a web camera, support for Java and an inbuilt NES Emulator. The Y36 is priced at Rs 3,095.

LAVA Mobiles has launched the B8 QWERTY handset, which offers users the push mail facility, Wi-Fi connectivity, a touchpad, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with LED flash, support for MP3 and MP4 format files, and A2DP Bluetooth technology. Other features include support for dual-SIM cards, an auto call recorder, expandable memory support of up to 16 GB, Java-embedded games and an inbuilt G-Sensor. The handset is priced at Rs 5,299.

Services 

Uninor has introduced an offer for its prepaid customers in Andhra Pradesh under which users can avail of full talk-time on a series of low denomination vouchers. The vouchers are priced at Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 30 and Rs 50, and have lifetime validity.

Uninor has unveiled a special local and STD calling package for subscribers in Andhra Pradesh. The All India Pack is available for Rs 199 and provides 500 free STD and local minutes to any operator across the country. Also, subscribers can avail of 500 free local talktime minutes within the Uninor network. The pack is valid for 30 days. Uninor has also launched the Local On Net pack priced at Re 1, wherein a customer can avail of 10,000 seconds of local Uninor-to-Uninor voice calls for 30 days.

Uninor has also introduced the Special Tariff Voucher 33 plan for customers in Karnataka. Users can make local calls to Uninor numbers for Re 0.05 per minute. This voucher is valid for 90 days.

Idea Cellular has joined hands with mobile VAS provider handygo to launch the Behtar Zindagi service for customers in rural Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh (West) and Andhra Pradesh. This service provides information regarding health, education, finance, weather, mandi rates, livestock, agriculture and fisheries. To use this service, Idea subscribers have to call 556780 (toll free) and avail of the subscription pack at Rs 30, Rs 15, Rs 7 and Rs 2 for 30, 15 and 7 days and 1 day respectively.

Reliance Communications (RCOM) has launched a tariff plan with special roaming rates for subscribers in Tamil Nadu. Under the plan, incoming and outgoing calls to any network are priced at Re 0.01 per second. The offer is available on Rs 82 recharge vouchers and the tariff is valid for 365 days.

RCOM has joined hands with Facebook to launch a Facebook mobile application. This will enable the operator’s customers to stay connected on their mobile phones without having to upgrade to an advanced smartphone. The application allows users to view photos from their handset, synchronising their local address book contacts with their Facebook friends and access to third-party services within the application such as news, sports, games and weather. As a special promotional offer, users can enjoy this application free for three months without paying any data charges.

Bharti airtel has introduced a recharge option for customers in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Under the Super Ten Paper Coupon recharges, a user can choose from multiple recharge options for Rs 10. Under the plan, Tamil Nadu customers can choose from five options: Rs 9.06 worth of talktime with one-day validity; 30 minutes of free airtel-to-airtel calls with one-day validity; airtel-to-airtel calls at Re 0.01 per minute with two-day validity; 100 free SMSs per day with two-day validity; 100 MB of data download with two-day validity. Similarly, under the Super Ten plan, airtel’s prepaid customers in Kerala can choose from six options priced at Rs 10. These are Rs 10 talktime with one-day validity; 25 free minutes for local and STD calls with one-day validity; airtel-to-airtel calls at Re 0.10 per minute with three-day validity; 75 seconds of calling to the Gulf countries with two-day validity; 100 free SMSs per day with three-day validity; 100 MB of data download with two-day validity.

RCOM has reduced the price of the Reliance Netconnect USB stick modem to Rs 1,099 and has launched unlimited data usage plans priced at Rs 169 for prepaid users. The operator has also launched the City Unlimited plan, which provides unlimited data usage and internet access within the same city at a wireless internet speed of up to 153 kbps.

RCOM and Microsoft have signed a strategic partnership to offer the Windows Mobile solution on the telecom service provider’s wireless network. According to the agreement, Microsoft will offer its productivity solutions to RCOM customers including push email support, chat, photosharing, content back-up and other applications. RCOM also offers Microsoft’s Windows Mobile solution as part of its post-paid and prepaid offerings on its networks. RCOM has introduced a data plan offering downloads of 200 MB for Rs 95 per month.

Bharti airtel has joined hands with Twitter, enabling its customers to receive text messages from people they opt to follow via SMS and send text messages to a short code (53000) to tweet or send a message directly on Twitter. They will also be able to access the links included in the SMS tweets.

TATA DOCOMO has launched the CoMix on-the-go application in collaboration with Zero-Sum Wireless Solutions. The application, which needs to be downloaded, enables users to read entire comic books on the mobile, along with viewing special effects such as character vibration, sounds and zooming text bubbles that magnify the blurbs for better reading. About 2,000 titles are available with the service priced at Rs 20 per full comic book, valid for one year.

HTC Corporation has introduced the HTC Desire HD Android-based smartphone, which comes with LCD display and the SRS virtual sound facility, and is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm 8255 Snapdragon processor. The smartphone enables 720 pixel high definition video recording and has an 8 megapixel camera with a dual flash. It is priced at Rs 26,990.

AKAI Mobiles has announced the launch of the Connect Leaf handset that houses a QWERTY keypad and supports dual SIM cards. Other features include a QVGA screen with 262,000 colours, dual cameras (a 1.3 megapixel camera and a digital camera), PC connectivity, Bluetooth (A2DP) technology, support for GPRS and MMS, access to Yahoo! and Facebook, a built-in FM radio, a music player and a video player. It is priced at Rs 2,900.