The K.R. Mangalam Group’s mobile handset division, Chaze, has launched the C249 multimedia handset. Priced at Rs 2,250, the phone features a 1.3 megapixel camera, an inbuilt FM radio, audio and video player, 3.5 mm audio jack, support for Bluetooth and software like BlackList, Answering Machine and Auto Call Recording. The C249 supports web applications such as Facebook Chat, Twitter and Yahoo! Messenger. The device can store 1,500 names and 300 text messages.

Samsung  has unveiled its dual-SIM smartphone portfolio in the Indian market with the launch of the Galaxy Ace Duos (SCH-i589), the Galaxy Y Pro Duos (GT B5512) and the Galaxy Y Duos (GT-S6102). The Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos is a dual-SIM device with an 832 MHz processor that runs on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Priced at Rs 16,900, the device has an HVGA display, support for EVDO Rev. A capability and a 1650 mAh battery. The Galaxy Y Pro Duos features a capacitive touchscreen, a 3 megapixel camera and Wi-Fi support, and is priced at Rs 11,090. The Samsung Galaxy Y Duos is a dual-SIM smartphone. It has a 3.14-inch touchscreen with QVGA resolution and an 832 MHz processor, and packs in the Samsung’s proprietary Social Hub and messenger services. It is priced at Rs 10,490.

Lava International Limited has collaborated with Intel Corporation to launch the XOLO X900 smartphone. The device functions on Intel’s smartphone reference design featuring the Intel Atom processor Z2460, with Intel Hyper-Threading technology and supporting HSPA+ technology on the Intel XMM 6260 platform. The XOLO X900 Android smartphone will be available in the second quarter of 2012. The smartphone is powered by a 1.6 GHz processor, has an 8 megapixel camera and supports the HDMI, NFC and HD video formats.

Nokia plans to soon launch the Asha 303 Touch and Type QWERTY hand-held. It offers users the Nokia Music Unlimited service, a music sharing tool, on the Series 40 platform. The device has a 1 GHz processor, and supports 3G connectivity and various applications such as WhatsApp Messenger, a chat tool and a live TV tool, Zenga TV. The phone also has a 3.2 megapixel camera.

HTC has unveiled the HTC One series of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress 2012. It is expected to be available on Bharti Airtel’s network in April. The HTC One series of devices integrates the Android 4.0 operating system with HTC Sense 4. The handsets also have NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 mobile processors, 1.5 GHz quad-core processors and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 platform.

LG has introduced the Optimus Sol in India. Priced at Rs 19,000, the device is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 processor and an Adreno 205 GPU, with 512 MB of RAM. The device has a 5 megapixel camera, an AMOLED touchscreen with 256,000 colours, 1 GB internal storage and Class 10 GPRS. Other features include support for Wi-Fi, HSDPA and EDGE; a secondary QVGA camera; support for WAP, HTML and Adobe Flash; and the Android Gingerbread operating system.

Nokia has introduced the Nokia 700 handset in India. Priced at Rs 18,099, the device has an AMOLED screen with 16 million colours, 2 GB internal memory, 1 GB ROM and 512 MB RAM, Class 33 GPRS and EDGE, a 5 megapixel camera and support for Bluetooth, HSDPA and Wi-Fi. The device runs on the Symbian Belle platform and its other features include a stereo FM radio, WAP 2.0, support for MP4, WMA, eAAC+ and WAV audio files, and ARM’s 1 GHz CPU.

MAXX Mobiles has launched the MTP 9 hand-held that has a 2.8 inch touchscreen, and supports dual-GSM SIM cards, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features include an inbuilt projector, access to social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and Nimbuzz, a 5 megapixel camera, 1 GB of internal memory and a 280 MHz processor. The device costs Rs 6,999.

Intex has launched the Avatar 3D touch phone, priced at Rs 3,690. The handset has a 2.8 inch stereoscopic display that requires 3D glasses (bundled) to view 3D content, a one-touch 2D to 3D image and video converter, support for dual-SIM cards and a 2 megapixel camera with LED flash. The handset also has 10 preloaded films and games on its bundled 4 GB microSD card and applications allowing access to Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Facebook. The Intex Avatar supports various languages, and features the Intex Zone, which offers users several applications on one platform.

Beetel Teletech has launched the GD 777 touchscreen mobile handset. Priced at Rs 5,499, the device has a 5 megapixel camera and supports an expandable memory of up to 16 GB, Java, GPRS, WAP and EDGE. It also supports various instant messenger platforms and 3D games, and can be used as a webcam.

Huawei has announced that the Ascend G 300 (Huawei ASURA) device will be initially available to only Vodafone customers through Vodafone stores and the company website from April 2012 across European markets and New Zealand. The smartphone has a 4 inch WVGA capacitive touch screen with a 1 GHz processor. Other features include a powerful 3D graphics card, over 2 GB of internal memory, a 1500 mAh lithium ion battery and the Android 2.3 platform.

Services

Bharti Airtel has introduced the RC 24 and RC 46 coupons for its prepaid users in Kerala. The vouchers enable users to make local calls within Airtel’s network for Re 0.10 per minute and to other operators’ networks at Re 0.30 per minute, and are valid for 30 days.

TATA DOCOMO has launched the Age-on-Network offer for its prepaid customers in Orissa. Based on the period of usage, the offer enables users to avail of additional talktime. Also, the talktime benefits are commensurate with the time spent by the customer on the network. This offer is applicable on a recharge of Rs 40 and above.

Research In Motion, along with MonsterIndia.com, has introduced the Monster mobile application for BlackBerry phones. This free application can be downloaded on the BlackBerry App World.

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has introduced the MTS Super Zero offer. The scheme permits customers to make free unlimited local and national calls within SSTL’s network. In addition, customers can avail of free local and national SMSs. The Super Zero offer is available as a daily, weekly or monthly scheme.

TATA DOCOMO has introduced the Grab a Song search service that offers customers access to a music library from which they can choose any song as their Call Me tune. To activate the service, customers are required to dial 57878 and hold their handset near the source of the music track. Thereafter, TATA DOCOMO’s back-end voice recognition software would match the song’s availability in the operators’ Call Me tune database and identify it. The subscriber would then receive an SMS confirming the activation of the service.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) has launched its Broadband for Every Home plan, which offers speeds of up to 2 Mbps at Rs 300 per year. It provides 50 MB of free usage per month  and data downloads beyond this limit are priced at Re 0.20 per MB. New customers opting for the plan would have to pay Rs 200 as a one-time installation charge, Rs 300 for testing and Rs 300 or Rs 600 for MTNL’s wired or wireless modem respectively.

MTNL has also introduced a prepaid pack with a first-time recharge coupon (FTRC) of Rs 84 for prepaid GSM 3G subscribers in Mumbai. The offer enables users to make voice and video calls for Re 0.02 per minute within a group of up to nine MTNL GSM subscribers. Call charges to other networks are priced at Re 0.30 per minute for local calls and Re 0.50 per minute for STD calls. The Rs 84 FTRC offers talktime worth Rs 54, 250 SMSs, 100 MB of data and 25 minutes of on-net video calling per month for three months.

TATA DOCOMO has partnered with Exent to launch the Let’s Play subscription-based gaming service under the GameTanium brand. The service provides customers with unlimited access to full-version games with no advertising. Moreover, the GameTanium catalogue offers editorial features such as ratings, reviews and an extensive collection of game trailers. To subscribe to the service, customers are required to send an SMS “Play” to 53333 from Android mobile devices. A free three-day trial of the service is also available.

TATA DOCOMO has collaborated with Stay In Touch Mobile to launch Offers Near Me, a location-based advertising service, for customers in Andhra Pradesh. The service gives customers information on the various schemes introduced by FMCG brands, apparel companies, auto dealers, etc. depending on their location. The service is free of charge and to access it, customers are required to dial *533*9#.

Bharti Airtel, through its wholly owned subsidiary Airtel M Commerce Services Limited, has launched the Airtel Money application. Currently available across 300 cities, Airtel Money permits customers to use their mobile phones for various purposes, such as paying utility bills and recharges. The service also permits users to transfer money from one Airtel Money wallet account to another, or to other bank accounts.

Samsung has collaborated with Opera Software to offer customers access to the Opera Mini mobile browser. The browser is currently available on the Star 3, Star 3 Duos, Champ Deluxe and Champ Deluxe Duos handsets.

Idea Cellular has launched the Talktime Loan offer for prepaid subscribers in Tamil Nadu. It will enable users to borrow talk time worth Rs 3 from other Idea Cellular subscribers. The offer is valid for customers with a balance of less than Re 0.01 and who have been on the operator’s network for more than 90 days.

Loop Mobile and GETIT Infoservices Private Limited have collaborated to launch the Getit on Loop service. As per the agreement, Getit will power Loop’s local search and classifieds services. To avail of the service, Loop subscribers are required to dial 54422 and speak to GETIT’s local search and classified call centre agent. The search service can be used for general products and services, real estate agents, financial agents, packers and movers, etc. The classifieds service allows individuals and businesses to either post their advertisements free or avail of discounts for premium posting services.

TATA DOCOMO has clubbed the Double Talktime with the Full Talktime offer for GSM prepaid customers in Karnataka. A customer can avail of 200 per cent talk time on a recharge and 100 per cent talk time on subsequent recharges or top-ups on a monthly basis. New users can avail of this offer by recharging with a Rs 47 voucher, which is valid for 180 days and entails a talktime of Rs 20. Existing users need to recharge with a voucher worth Rs 21 of 90 days’ validity. Subscribers can make local and STD calls at Re 0.12 per second, and avail of 100 free local and national SMSs every day. The offer is applicable on recharges of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 30, Rs 50, Rs 100 and multiples of Rs 100 till Rs 1,000.