NEWS bits HANDSETS & MORE Micromax rolls out 3D smartphone for Rs 9,999 Following the success of the Canvas HD, Micromax has launched its first 3D smartphone, the Canvas 3D-A115 in India. Graced with good looks, the new 3D smartphone lets users view 3D content without 3D glasses and comes at an appealing price as well. The Canvas 3D-A115 comes with a 5-inch 3D capacitive touchscreen of 480x800 pixels resolution. It is a dual SIM phone and runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. The device is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core processor with MediaTek MTK6577 chipset. The device offers 512MB RAM and 4GB internal memory which can be further expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. It boasts a 5.0-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED flash and a VGA front camera for video calling. The smartphone offers connectivity options like Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE and Bluetooth. The most interesting part of the phone, however is its price - it is available for just Rs 9,999.
Idea launches Android Aurus Idea Cellular launched another Android based smartphone, the Aurus 2, its first Jelly Bean based device. The Aurus 2 is Idea’s fifth smartphone running the Android operating system. Idea Aurus 2 sports a 3.5-inch display with 320 x 480 pixel resolution and is powered by a 1GHz processor. On the memory front, the device comes with 4GB internal memory with 512MB RAM. The smartphone boasts of a 3.2-megapixel camera with digital zoom along with a front facing VGA camera and supports video calling. Idea’s new dual-SIM Aurus 2 comes packed with a data usage offer for Idea 3G users. For a pack of Rs. 261, Aurus 2 users can get 1.6GB of 3G data and Idea TV subscription free for the first three months of usage. The new 3G smartphone from the company is available at all major mobile retail stores and Idea outlets across the country.
Intex unveils iBuddy Connect 3G tablet with Educlass Intex has launched the new iBuddy Connect 3G tablet with Educlass, an app that includes pre-loaded NCERT text books from class 1 to 12 and a repository of question banks. Intex iBuddy Connect 3G, as the name suggests is a 3G CDMA tablet with an extra slot for 2G GSM connectivity. In addition it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and HDMI ports. For a device to handle so many tasks the components have to be robust enoug. This reflects in the iBuddy Connect 3G tab’s configuration, which includes a 1GHz dual core processor and 1GB RAM. Other highlights of the tablet include its 7-inch multi-touch display, dual cameras, 3,500mAh battery and in-built social networking apps like Nimbuzz, Skype, Facebook, and Yahoo!. The Intex iBuddy Connect 3G is available across the country for Rs. 9, 990.
Spice rolls out dual core Smart Flo Pace 2 Mi-502 mobile Spice has launched a dual core smartphone Smart Flo Pace 2 Mi-502. It is not just a dual core smartphone but is also a dual SIM and dual camera smartphone. It features a wide 5-inch display, Android 4.0 as OS and a slim body with 9.6mm depth. It has a long lasting 2,100mAh battery, 512MB RAM, 32GB external and 4GB internal memory. It has a 0.3MP front camera and a 5MP rear camera. For connectivity it has Wi-Fi, GPRS, bluetooth, micro USB and proximity sensor. Some pre-loaded apps include Hoopz, Nimbuzz, WhatsApp for social networking. It is priced at Rs. 6,999.
12 MYMOBILE may 15 to jun 14 2013
Policy & Regulations TRAI: UP, TN ahead of other states in mobile subscriptions According to a report from the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the leading mobile user of the country. The largest state in India in terms of population, UP has 121.60 million mobile subscribers. Tamil Nadu with 71.81 million subscriptions is at the second position followed by Maharashtra (67.73 million), Andhra Pradesh (64.12 million) and Bihar (60.73 million). Together these five states account for 45 per cent of India’s 861.66 million mobile phone users. The report further states that India comes second in terms of mobile subscriptions after China. The overall subscription figure saw a slight dip of 0.11 per cent in February, when it fell from January’s 862.6 million subscriptions to the current figure of 861.66 million.
Vodafone numero uno in rural India, says COAI According to a Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) report, telecom giant Vodafone has replaced Bharti Airtel as the foremost GSM service provider in rural India. Vodafone’s subscriber base in rural areas has grown by 4.9 million in the first quarter and currently stands at 82.24 million. Bharti Airtel, despite coming second with 82.16 million rural subscribers, is still the leading telecom operator in terms of overall subscription base, which stands at 188.20 million, as per the COAI report released on 31 March, 2013. The same report puts Vodafone’s pan-India subscription number at 152.35 million. Vodafone claims that its popularity in rural areas grew after they decided to involve Gram Panchayats to reach out to the rural population.
TTSL ask DoT for 120 days to surrender additional spectrum
In order to protest against the Government’s decision of charging a one-time fee on airwaves, Tata Teleservices has decided to surrender excess CDMA spectrum beyond 2.5 MHz in 13 circles. Last year, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) recommended that the incumbent operators would be charged with one-time spectrum fee. Other Indian operators (Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance) have received similar notices from DoT for holding extra spectrum. TTSL in a letter to DoT has asked for a period of 120 days to surrender the spectrum. A sum of Rs. 1152.7 crore was charged as a one-time fee. The company will keep only 1.25 MHz more in the circles of Delhi and Mumbai. The company offers high speed Internet services using the CDMA spectrum under the brand name of Tata Photon.