Mobile Devices

Zen Mobile has launched the A-60 dual-SIM handset for users. The device packs in a 2.4 inch QVGA TFT screen, expandable memory up to 16 GB and internal memory of 78 MB. Its other features include support for 3G and Bluetooth technologies, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a front VGA camera, support for social networking and chat servers like Gtalk, Facebook, Twitter and Skype, and a built-in MP3/MP4 player and FM radio. It is priced at Rs 3,249.

Research In Motion has launched the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone that functions on the BlackBerry 7 operating system. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 has a TFT screen with 16 million colours, a QWERTY keypad and an optical trackpad, 8 GB of internal memory, support for 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth and infrared technologies, a 5 megapixel camera and video recording facility. Its other features include a 1.2 GHz processor, support for JAVA MIDP 2.1 and BlackBerry Maps, an inbuilt MP3 and MP4 player, and geo-tagging and face detection facilities. The device is priced at Rs 32,500.

Nokia India has expanded its dual-SIM handset portfolio with the launch of the C2-02, C2-03 and C2-06 Touch & Type phones. The C2-02 has a 65,000- colour touchscreen, a 2 megapixel camera, support for Java and social networking sites and an inbuilt organiser. The C2-03 features a TFT screen with 56,000 colours, handwriting recognition facility, a 1,000-contact-capacity phonebook and class 12 GPRS. Nokia’s C2-06 offers 10 MB of internal memory, a 2 megapixel camera, video recording facility, support for email, push email, WAP 2.0 and support for dual-SIM cards. The Nokia C2-02, C2-03 and C2-06 are priced at Rs 4,289, Rs 4,949 and Rs 5,349 respectively.

Samsung Electronics has launched the GALAXY Tab 750 and GALAXY Tab 730, the world’s thinnest mobile tablets measuring 8.6 mm, in the Indian market. The GALAXY Tab 750 and 730 feature Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface implemented on the Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) platform. The tablets support 3G HSPA+ network speeds of up to 21 Mbps, Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, and pack in a 1 GHz dual core application processor and 16 GB internal memory. They come preloaded with the Readers Hub application that provides access to books, newspapers and magazines. Its other features include the Mobile TV and Social Hub application, which offers access to email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections on a single interface. The GALAXY Tab 750 and 730 also feature a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, video and flash playback, support for web browsing and Polaris Office application. The GALAXY 750 costs Rs 36,200 and the GALAXY 730 is priced at Rs 33,990.

MVL Mobiles has introduced the R6 multimedia phone for Rs 1,999. The device has a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash, supports dual-SIM cards and has an expandable memory of up to 8 GB. Its other features include conference call facility, an Indian calendar, a user interface that supports multiple languages, a built-in torch, a sniffer application, a smart call divert option, Bluetooth technology, wireless FM, and support for multiple audio and video formats.

Sony Ericsson has announced the launch of its W8 Walkman phone in India. The handset functions on the Android platform and offers users the FM Moment and Share Moment applications, bundled-in speakers, preloaded songs and videos, and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Its other features include support for MP3 and AAC format files, Bluetooth, Gmail and other email servers, web browsing, Wi-Fi connectivity, and access to social networking sites and chat servers. It is priced at Rs 9,995.

Beetel Teletech, a Bharti Enterprise company, has introduced the Magiq Android tablet. Worth Rs 9,999, the device offers a 7 inch TFT touchscreen and is powered by a 1 GHz processor. Its other features include dual cameras of 2 megapixel each, 8 GB of internal memory and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Nokia has launched three feature-packed mass market smartphones – the Nokia 700, the Nokia 701 and the Nokia 600 – which function on the Symbian Belle platform. The Nokia 700 offers users single-tap NFC sharing and pairing capabilities. Powered by a 1 GHz processor, it features a 3.2 inch AMOLED screen with ClearBlack display, 2 GB of internal memory (with the option of using a 32 GB microSD card), high definition video capture and a 5 megapixel full-focus camera with LED flash. The Nokia 701 has a 1 GHz processor, an 8 megapixel full-focus camera with dual LED flash and 2x digital zoom, a second front-facing camera and support for high definition video recording. It comes with 8 GB of internal memory that can be upgraded to 40 GB by installing a 32 GB microSD card. The Nokia 600 has a built-in FM radio antenna for listening to radio without headphones and an FM transmitter that permits broadcasting music from the phone to any FM radio. Its other features include 60 hours of music playback time, an external loudspeaker and the ability to stream music wirelessly to NFC-enabled accessories. The price of the devices has not been announced yet.

Nokia has also unveiled two low-end hand-helds – the Nokia 100 and Nokia 101. The phones are based on the Series 30 operating system. The Nokia 101 supports dual-SIM cards, and has an MP3 player and expandable memory of up to 16 GB. The Nokia 100 and 101 can support up to five separate address books and store personalisation details for up to five different SIM cards. Its other features include a full colour display, an FM radio and a flashlight. These phones will also offer Nokia Life Tools providing access to market information, weather forecasts, health advice, language tuition and entertainment news through an on-board application using specially created SMSs. Besides, the devices are preloaded with Nokia Money, which allows the mobile to be used as a debit card. The Nokia 100 and the Nokia 101  will cost approximately Rs 1,399 and Rs 1,699 respectively.

Tata Teleservices Limited has announced the launch of the Tata Walky Groove Station, a fixed cordless colour handset. It offers features like a pod docking station, a colour screen, a USB/microSD slot and a built-in FM and MP3 player. Its other features include stereo speakers, 220 minutes of talktime and 240 hours of standby. The handset costs Rs 2,999.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has launched two Android-based smartphones priced below Rs 5,000. The MTS MTag 3.1 and the MTS Livewire are based on Qualcomm’s mobile processors and are designed to work on the CDMA EV-DO REVA network. The MTS MTag 3.1 comes packed with an audio and video player, a 3.2 megapixel camera and access to Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Google Maps. The MTS Livewire features a 3D graphics hardware accelerator chipset, touchscreen display, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM and a 3.2 megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera.

HTC Corporation has unveiled the HTC EVO 3D hand-held based on the Snapdragon S3 mobile processor. Built on the Gingerbread (2.3) version of Android, the HTC EVO 3D features a 3D display, dual 5 megapixel cameras, a 3D high definition (720p) video recording facility and the HTC Sense application. Other features of the HTC EVO 3D include 3G Mobile Hotspot capability, support for up to eight simultaneous Wi-Fi-enabled devices, support for the Android Market application that provides access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games; 4 GB of internal memory, 1 GB RAM, and Bluetooth support. The device is available for Rs 35,990.

Micromax Informatics Limited has announced the launch of the X40 hand-held. It comes with an inbuilt projector, a multi-format document reader, a QVGA screen, support for dual-SIM cards, a 2 megapixel camera, FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and internal memory of 80 MB, expandable to 4 GB. The phone also comes with preloaded applications like Facebook, Nimbuzz, Opera Mini, Snaptu and Mundu radio. The X40 is priced at Rs 4,999.

Vodafone Essar has collaborated with Facebook to launch the Vodafone Blue handset. The device enables customers to use popular social networking functions, from status updates to sharing photographs. The handset, priced at Rs 4,950, has a QWERTY keypad and a QVGA screen. It enables access to the internet and supports the Opera 5 browser. Its other features include a 2 megapixel camera with flash, Bluetooth technology and 16 GB of expandable memory.

Services

InMobi has joined hands with NDTV to bring mobile advertisements to consumers on NDTV’s mobile applications. Under the terms of the partnership, InMobi has exclusive rights to monetise NDTV’s mobile applications for Apple iOS and Google Android devices in India and globally.

Vodafone Essar and Opera Software have launched a co-branded version of the Opera Mini mobile browser, which can be downloaded across Vodafone’s network in India. With the co-branded web browser, Vodafone Essar can offer customers a better and faster browsing experience on most mobile phones capable of connecting to the internet. The browser features customised speed dial shortcuts for easy access to Vodafone Essar products.

Getit, an information search service, has launched its local search application on BlackBerry devices. This application permits users to search for information on the BlackbBerry device. The application can be downloaded from either the BlackBerry store or from Getit’s website.

Spice Digital has unveiled the SPICE GANG mobile portal. It enables users to selectively subscribe to various infotainment and entertainment services. The services on offer range from jokes and songs to cricket information and news.

Bharti airtel has launched the SMS Gyan service, which allows users to search any topic by sending a predefined keyword as a text message to 55444. On sending an SMS query, airtel mobile customers will instantaneously receive an SMS response with information on the topic. Users are charged Re 1 per query or a monthly subscription of Rs 30 for unlimited queries.

Vodafone Essar has introduced the RC 497 and 157 prepaid vouchers for Chennai and Tamil Nadu customers travelling to Sri Lanka. The RC 497 enables customers to make outgoing calls for Rs 30 per minute and receive calls for Rs 6 per minute. The RC 157 allows users to make calls at Rs 40 per minute and receive calls at Rs 15 per minute. Both vouchers are valid for 15 days and customers can avail of this offer through e-top-ups.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has joined hands with IIT Kanpur to launch the Digital Mandi application. This service enables farmers to access mandi rates of approximately 3,000 agricultural produce markets on their mobile phones.