Motorola Moto X4 Android One smartphone gets Android Oreo update

The Android One edition variant of the Motorola Moto X4 has started receiving a new update. Carrying a build number of OPW27.1, it's a major update that brings along Android 8.0 Oreo.

Please refer below available system update

This update also includes the latest Android security fixes. The roll out is inline with the 'end of the year' time frame that was promised by the company when the phone was launched.

It is an OTA roll out, it might take time for the update to hit your device, so be patient.









Source : Motorola Moto X4 Android One smartphone gets Oreo update

Google Nexus 7 tablet to reach India after September

The recently concluded Google I/O 2012 saw the software giant step into the tablet market with the Asus Nexus 7. Priced at $199 for the low-end version, the tablet has been announced for markets across the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK, with the delivery scheduled for mid-July. However, according to a report by The Mobile Indian, Indians will be able to lay their hands on the Nexus 7 only after September. Anonymous sources from Asus reveal that Google and Asus don’t have any plans of releasing the Nexus 7 in the country before September. The source revealed, “Google and Asus have no plans in place for India right now. We will be able to announce that only post the third quarter (ending September)." The Nexus 7 is the first device to run the newest iteration of Android – Jelly Bean.

This news could well mean the tablet would be launched in India only by the end of the year. Currently, it is available for the aforementioned markets through Google Play, and it would be interesting to see how the company sells the device in India. The Indian market has a growing number of low to mid-range tablets and the Google Nexus 7 could intensify the competition, especially if it is sold at the same starting price point of around Rs. 11,000. Considering the growing affinity towards tablets, the Nexus 7 has the potential to become the most favoured tablet in India if the price factor is maintained. A recent survey also revealed how more IT and business professionals will be opting for Android tablets in the developing countries.

The Nexus 7 comes equipped with a seven-inch IPS display that boasts a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core Tegra 3 chip and 1 GB of RAM. Google is touting the tablet as a serious gaming device, which also features a 12-core Nvidia GeForce GPU. The Google Nexus 7 tablet is available in two storage capacities - 8GB and 16GB - priced approximately around Rs. 11,000 and Rs. 13,000, respectively. When it comes to the size, the Nexus tablet measures 198.5 x 120 x 10.5 mm and weighs 340 gm. These dimensions allow it to go head-to-head with the Amazon Kindle Fire, which seems to be the device that the Nexus 7 is targetting, rather than the iPad as was predicted earlier. The connectivity options found on the Google Nexus 7 tablet include Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and NFC capabilities, and the tablet also comes with Google Wallet pre-installed. As for the camera featured here, it comes as no surprise that Google has just added a front facing camera that can be used for video calls. However, what's interesting is that this camera can shoot HD 720p videos.

Source : Google Nexus 7 tablet to reach India only after September

Sony rolls out update for the Xperia Z, fixes sudden death issue

Some users of Sony’s latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z, have complained on Sony forums that their devices have been randomly crashing. Some of these users were able to fix this problem with a hard reset of the device. For those that weren’t able to do so, a fix has been released by Sony to address the issue.

The fix for the Xperia Z is available to users either over the air or via the PC sync software. The update is being rolled out in phases so if you haven’t received the update, you should in the next few days. The update only addresses the issue of the sudden death of the smartphone and doesn’t bring any new functionality or features to the table. If you are one who hasn’t yet received the update and is impatient to update your Xperia Z smartphone, can do so via the XDA developers forum.

The Xperia Z was launched earlier this month and we really liked some of the features of the smartphone. You can check out all the details in our review. The phone is capable of resisting dust and even being immersed in water, apart from sporting an excellent display. We put the durability of the Xperia Z to the test and we have a video to prove its capabilities.

The Xperia Z is Sony’s flagship smartphone boasting of some impressive specifications that includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad core processor clocked at 1.5GHz. The device also sports 2GB RAM and houses a 5-inch Reality Display with a 1920x1080 pixels resolution. The Adreno 320 GPU supports its graphical capabilities. The Xperia Z has 16GB built-in storage expandable via a microSD card slot. The rear of the smartphone houses an 8MP shooter and the 2330 mAh battery powers the entire package.

Source : Sony rolls out update for the Xperia Z, fixes sudden death issue

DigiVive's nexGTv to stream Pepsi IPL 2013 on mobile phones

DigiVive’s mobile TV service nexGTv has won the official mobile streaming rights for the Pepsi IPL 2013. The company has also tied up with Times Internet for the broadcast. With a total of 76 matches, the IPL will begin April 03 and go on till May 26.

nexGTv users will be able to catch all the action on the go as well as the match repeats and highlights from video-on-Demand section. Pepsi IPL channel will be clubbed into existing subscription packs of nexGTv, hence users can watch it by subscribing to these packs.

The service can be availed by sending a SMS mytv to 58888, or from any of the app stores and from the nexGTv website www.nexgtv.com

Digivive claims its nexGTv mobile TV service has already been activated by more than 9 million users and on an average there are 25,000 downloads everyday. The company reveals the company registered a massive traffic and traction after bagging rights to stream live T20 World Cup on nexGTv.

“Cricket is not just a sport in India but the real source of entertainment with lot of emotions involved. This is ‘the real content’ desired by users. We have witnessed immense success during last cricketing actions that were streamed live on nexGTv. Streaming all the 76 matches of IPL is yet another step towards our commitment of delivering best possible service and content on our mobile TV platform,” says G.D. Singh, director, DigiVive.

Speaking on the partnership, Satyan Gajwani, CEO, Times Internet, said "Sports, and cricket in particular, is a strong area of focus for us. Partnering with nexGTV is a step forward for us in bringing IPL 2013 to cricket fans across mobile devices, allowing them to catch the IPL action anytime, anywhere. The last few years have been promising and we hope for higher engagement with mobile cricket’s fans this year".

Source : DigiVive's nexGTv to stream Pepsi IPL 2013 on mobile phones

Aakash 3 might arrive in mid-2013 : Datawind

There is barely a week left for Datawind to supply 1 lakh units of the Aakash 2 tablet, but the company has already come out and stated that the next iteration of the Aakash lineup will be launched sometime around mid-2013. Datawind's official website states that the Aakash 3 is expected to be launched in mid-2013. In fact, the Canada-based vendor expects the specifications of the new tablet to be finalised by the end of this month by the National Mission for Education through Information Communication Technology (NMEICT).

Datawind's recommendations for the specifications of the Aakash 3 include an embedded cellular modem that will enable it to accommodate a regular SIM card and offer Internet connectivity. The company went on to reveal that its new tablet, the UbiSlate 7C+, was based on the recommended specifications for the Aakash 3.

As per Datawind, the recommended specifications include a Cortex A8 CPU clocked at 1GHz, 512MB of RAM, 4GB storage, a multi-touch capacitive screen, a front-facing VGA camera, Wi-Fi and GPRS.

Deepak B Phatak, committee member and a professor in IIT Bombay's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, was quoted in the media as saying the Aakash 3 would come with "a faster processor, support both Linux and Android operating systems and have advanced memory." He also said the global tender for the tablet would be floated in February, and as many as 50 lakh units would be rolled out in the next phase.

He was quoted as saying, "Our aim is to imbibe the usage of tablets in the education system and create an ecosystem for this. We have distributed Aakash tablets to 250 colleges across the country and asked them to come up with newer ways to use the device."

Phatak, together with Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras, will be leading the design of the new tablet, accompanied by hundreds of students and partners. The third iteration of the "poor man's tablet" is expected to have a larger distribution and servicing system to enable users to get their tablets repaired locally. Phatak suggested two models for the upcoming tablet: one for schools and the one for colleges. He added that the option for school students could be made available for Rs 2,236, while the one for college students would be priced a little higher.

However, it looks like Datawind will miss its supply deadline for the second time in a row. The company is expected to supply 1 lakh units of the Aakash 2 by March 31, 2013, but it recently updated the tablet's delivery status to IIT Bombay, following reports hinting at a delay in supplies.

According to the company, as of last week 17,100 devices have been delivered to IIT Bombay and paid for, and as many as 29,400 units of the Aakash 2 are in transit to IIT Bombay through their logistics company and should be delivered in the next few days. Another 23,500 devices have been manufactured and are with sub-contract manufacturers, pending shipment once the company clears the payment for the 29,400 units.

Datawind claims the delay was caused by the verification process the Customs had to conduct on the Exemption Certificates for certain components issued by IIT Bombay.

As for the remaining 30,000 units, Datawind has confirmed that the motherboards, touchscreens and all other components have been manufactured and the final assembly is being completed. It expects to meet the 1-lakh-unit target within the next couple of weeks, and says efforts are being made to deliver as many as possible by March 31, 2013.

Source : Aakash 3 might arrive in mid-2013 : Datawind

Samsung Galaxy S4 is available at Rs 59,990

It has been less than a week since the Samsung Galaxy S4 was officially unveiled to the world and the phone is only set to hit stores at the end of April. However, those itching to get their hands on one as soon as it’s released will be happy to know that the Samsung flagship is now up for pre-order at an online retailer.

The website lists the phone on sale for a discounted Rs 59,990, which is a good Rs 5,000 less than what is supposedly the official price of the Galaxy S4. Now, that’s putting it in iPhone territory! The listing says that the phone will start shipping in 45 days, which lines up with the end of April target that Samsung has set for the launch.

At such an early stage, it is hard to know what the actual price of the phone is, but we think that the phone will definitely launch for less than that touted price, especially considering the leaked pricing in Europe. Amazon.de has the Galaxy S4 on pre-order for €649 (approximately Rs 45,000), with a 50 euro discount. Even taking into account the usual levies and excise duties that will be attached to the price on the India-bound handset, the price of Rs 59,990 seems stratospheric. We expect the phone to be priced under Rs 50,000 to better compete with the likes of the Sony Xperia Z and the soon-to-be-launched HTC One.

The listing shows that Galaxy S4 is powered by the new Exynos 5 Octa processor, which uses two quad-core CPUs in conjunction to maintain the balance of high performance and power-efficiency. The listing also says that the internal storage of the device is 16GB. There are two other models of the S4 with 32 and 64GB of storage, but neither is put up for sale on the website.

Here’s a look at the key specifications of the Galaxy S4:

• 5-inch full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080) display, 441 ppi
• HSPA+, LTE, GPRS/EDGE
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluetooth 4.0 with EDR and A2DP
• GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
• NFC
• MicroUSB 2.0  with MHL, USB On-the-go, USB Host
• 13 megapixel primary camera with LED flash, Simultaneous HD video and still image stabilisation, 1080p video recording.
• 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 1080p video recording @ 30fps
• 16/32/64GB internal storage with microSD card for further expansion up to 64 GB

There is no doubt that the Galaxy S4 is a top-of-the-line handset, but even with the above specifications, the new Exynos CPU and a slew of software features, a price of Rs 59,990 is not justified. However, Samsung has a steady fan following, not unlike the fanbase Apple enjoys. So there could be a case made for such a high price. Take a look at our poll and let us know whether you think the high price for Samsung’s latest and greatest is worth it.

Source : Samsung Galaxy S4 is available now at Rs 59,990

Motorola's X Phone may launch in November

A lot of people are waiting for Google and Motorola’s first collaborative outing—the X Phone. According to PhoneArena, the Motorola X Phone is set to come out in November, as opposed to earlier rumours about a launch date in July. The phone will reportedly sport a 4.8-inch display made of sapphire glass, which is said to be three times harder to crack than Gorilla Glass.

The corners of the smartphone will supposedly be made with rubber bumpers to make the phone sturdier, and the back will be carbon fibre. It is said to be powered by a quad-core 2GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, and will have a 4,000 mAh battery, staying in line with Motorola’s affinity for high-capacity batteries. As an added bonus, the device will also supposedly be water-resistant. To be fair, these rumours sound too good to be true.

We've had rumours suggesting the phone will have an edge-to-edge Full HD display, a rugged or unbreakable casing and a long-lasting battery, something that Google feels has often been ignored by other manufacturers. It is also said to feature the Sony Exmor RS sensor, which is used in the Sony Xperia Z.

It's rumoured the X Phone will also give you the liberty to pick the device and then choose which carrier you want to go with. Similar to how Dell changed the PC game in the 1990s, Google wants to build phones to order and then sell them at a very affordable price tag, which won’t be bound to a contract.

Reportedly, the back of the X Phone is no ordinary panel—Google is said to have implemented a touch-sensitive button in the Motorola logo back there. Motorola had included a similar feature in its Backflip phone. This rumour is in line with a patent application from Google covering backside device touch controls. There’s no word on what exactly the rear touch panel's functions are, but it's rumoured it could be used to scroll through webpages and for launching voice commands.

Source : Motorola's X Phone may launch in November

Samsung Galaxy Grand launched in India for Rs 21,500

Samsung Electronics has launched the latest phone in its Galaxy line-up – the Samsung Galaxy Grand. The device runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and is powered by a 1.2GHz dual core processor. The phone is priced at Rs 21,500 and comes with a flip cover along with Rs 8,000 worth of free movies and music plus 50GB of space on popular cloud-storage service Dropbox as part of the introductory offer.

Samsung claims that the Galaxy Grand is one of the world’s top performing dual SIM smartphones. Smart Dual SIM also offers the flexibility of selecting different mobile billing plans for either SIM, which allows switching between them to make the most of competitive call and data plans.

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Grand in India

Here's a quick look at the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Grand smartphone:

• 5-inch WVGA TFT LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels
• 3G, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi capabilities
• A-GPS Glonass
• Bluetooth
• 8MP camera
• 8GB + microSD expandable up to 64GB

As per the press release, the display renders messaging, multimedia and web content in good colour and clarity. The device also sports the Multi-Window feature that is present in the popular Galaxy Note series. It allows multitasking and running of multiple applications simultaneously without having to switch screens.

Speaking at the launch, Asim Warsi, Vice President, Samsung Mobile, stated, “Continuing with our legacy of launching innovative devices that redefine consumer experiences, I take great pride in announcing the launch of the Galaxy Grand in the Indian market .The Galaxy Grand is revolutionary not only in terms of the great Smartphone experience that it provides but also in terms of its value proposition. I feel the Galaxy Grand will further fuel the growth of the Smartphone market in India and will especially delight consumers looking for a great Smart Dual SIM phone. The Galaxy Grand best meets the growing consumer preference for a large screen device that gives them a great multimedia experience and superior performance.”

The Galaxy Grand comes with various features that enable the consumers to use the device. The Smart Stay uses the front camera to prevent the device from going into standby mode while it detects a user in front of the device. Direct Call feature enables users to automatically dial a call by raising the device up to the ear. Smart Alert shows missed events such as missed calls and new messages just by picking up the phone. Popup Play enables the users to watch video in a pop-up window anywhere on the screen while running other tasks. The S Voice feature allows the user to control the phone using their voice. The device also features a unique Face & Voice Unlock that enables the users to lock and unlock their device with face or voice recognition.

The phone comes pre-loaded with ChatOn, Samsung’s cross-platform communication service that lets users socialise with friends and to do more than just instant messaging. ChatOn allows users to freely share multimedia content, do group chatting with friends and create personalised animated messages. The device also comes pre-loaded with a host of other applications. This includes ‘Games Hub’ and ‘My Services’ that includes services like myMovies, myMusic , myMobileTV , myStation ,myReader and myEducation, which allows them to enjoy and personalise their device.

While myMovies gives users access to thousands of Indian movies, trailers and film songs, myMusic allows them to download and listen to English and Bollywood numbers from a song collection that totals more than 250,000. myReader allows Galaxy Grand users to access Indian newspapers, magazines, over 30,000 books and for the first time, even audio books. MyMobileTV allows consumers to watch 100+ Live TV channels on the device while myStation gives them an opportunity to watch live concerts and performances on their device. The All Share Play enables easy sharing and playing of contents across Samsung digital devices, anywhere anytime.

The device comes with a powerful 2,100mAh battery and is available in ‘Elegant White’ and ‘Metallic Blue’ colour options.

Source : Samsung Galaxy Grand launched in India for Rs 21,500

XOLO B700 budget Android phone now available online for Rs. 8,999

Just days after revealing the X1000 Android smartphone, XOLO has made the B700 budget Android phone available for purchase online for Rs. 8,999. THe XOLO B700 is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and comes with a PowerVR SGX531 GPU, the same GPU that also powers the XOLO X1000 and the Micromax A110 Canvas 2. The B700 also has 512MB of RAM and an impressive 3450 mAh battery.

The phone is claimed to provide 20 hours of continuous talktime on 3G and 86 hours of continuous music playback thanks to higher than normal battery rating. The phone has a 4.3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 960x540 pixels and 256 ppi (pixels per inch).

The B700 runs on Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and offers 4GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards up to 32GB. The XOLO phone also provides most modern connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS. The B700 is the first phone launched by XOLO from its B series (the B stands for Big Battery) and will join phones already being sold from the X, A and Q series.

The XOLO B700 is available to purchase online from sites like Flipkart and eBay.

Source : XOLO B700 budget Android phone now available online for Rs. 8,999

Micromax launches A116 Canvas HD with 5-inch IPS HD display at Rs 14,999

Micromax has launched its new A116 Canvas HD smartphone at a press event held in Delhi. The device is priced at Rs. 14,999. The Indian phone maker is known for its budget-friendly handsets and this mid-level device also comes with an attractive set of features. Its flagship model, the A110 Canvas 2, was quite popular and this one takes the performance a notch higher. This affordable smartphone goes by the latest trend and packs in a 5-inch IPS display just like the previous Canvas A110, but with higher 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. It is also Micromax’s first smartphone to feature a quad core processor.

The smartphone is powered by a powerful MediaTek MT6589 1.2 GHz quad core processor, with 1GB RAM. It runs on the Android Jelly Bean 4.1 and comes equipped with a 2100mAh battery. The smartphone comes with an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and multiple camera settings such as night mode and 4X zoom. This 3G enabled phone supports microSD card up to 32GB. Promising superb graphics and HD viewing experience, Micromax targets youth who are always on the lookout for better, faster and savvier smartphones on the move.  

Commenting on the launch and association with MediaTek, Deepak Mehrotra, Chief Executive Officer, Micromax, said, “At Micromax, we constantly strive to innovate and develop great technological experiences for our consumers. Today’s launch marks our association with MediaTek to bring forth our first quad core phone in this segment, offering consumers a great user experience with latest features and added functionality. We are excited with the success of Canvas 2, which has clearly established Micromax as number one player in the new 5” phablet category in India. We are looking forward to similar success with the new phone being unveiled today.”

Micromax’s previous popular flagship model, the A110 Canvas 2, came with a 5-inch FWVGA capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. Equipped with a 2,000mAh Li-ion battery, it offered up to five hours of talk time and up to 180 hours of standby time. The device ran on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The A116 Canvas HD is expected to be available for purchase starting the first week of February via all major retailers across the nation and all major online stores.

Source : Micromax launches A116 Canvas HD with 5-inch IPS HD display at Rs 14,999

Nokia Asha 308 launched in India at Rs 5,865

Nokia has launched one of its latest phones from the Asha line in India. The Nokia Asha 308 is now available on Nokia India’s online store for a price of Rs 5,865. The phone runs on Nokia’s S40 full-touch interface.

The new device offers a fluid 'swipe' user interface and an open environment for third-party application development, characteristics that have earned the complete Asha Touch range full smartphone classification from global market research companies and analysts such as GfK and IDC.

Nokia Asha 308 has been launched in India

Here are some of the highlights of the Nokia Asha 308:

• 3-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 400 x 240 pixels
• EDGE/GPRS
• Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
• 2 megapixel camera, VGA frontfacing camera

In its official statement, Nokia previously shared that it has released a new version of Nokia Xpress Browser, which it claims enables up to 90 percent more efficient mobile browsing and faster access to rich web applications compared to conventional browsers.

"Our innovative Asha Touch family of devices is designed for people who want a great smartphone experience with lower running costs," said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia during the announcement of the phone. "By introducing the Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309, we're expanding our affordable smartphone lineup and bringing new mobile experiences to more people.”

According to Nokia, the Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309 phones are its most affordable capacitive touchscreen devices to date. A view shared by independent analysts is that the Asha line represents great smartphones available for less than USD 99. "Nokia's Asha Touch family delivers all the core smartphone experiences, and with the new software developer kit, provides ever-increasing flexibility for developers to build compelling new experiences for consumers," said Will Stofega, Mobile Phone Program Director, IDC.

Nokia also introduced two extensions to its Xpress Browser Internet platform, which the company calls the only cloud-based web browser to support web apps.

The Nokia Nearby web app helps people discover new places by searching nearby locations and presenting the options on a map. The service is available via Nokia Xpress Browser or as a feature within Nokia Maps.

The Nokia Life+ web app will give millions of people access to content that spans education, health and infotainment to enhance their daily lives. Nokia Life+ is available in English across 18 countries, with local versions coming to India, China and Indonesia in the fourth quarter of this year. Nokia Life+ can be accessed through Nokia Xpress Browser or the Nokia Store.

Both the services work with Asha Touch smartphones. In addition to these services, Nokia also introduced a new web-based tool that makes it even easier to build new applications. With Nokia Xpress Web App Builder, publishers can create appealing web apps for Asha Touch devices, and even novices can turn their web content into a fun and sophisticated web app for Nokia consumers.

Source : Nokia Asha 308 launched in India at Rs 5,865

LG Optimus Vu With Android 4.0 And 5" Screen Lands In India

Announced at MWC 2012 in February, LG's first phablet, the Optimus Vu, has finally hit the Indian market. The handset has a 5" screen, and will compete with the Samsung GALAXY Note II. On the software front, the Optimus Vu runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and comes preloaded with a plethora of apps specifically created for the stylus. It is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 chipset and has an 8 mp camera.

Here's the list of detailed specs:

• 1.5 GHz Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 chipset, 1 GB of RAM.
• 5" IPS screen with 1024x768 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio, 16 million colours.
• 8 mp auto-focus rear camera, 1.3 mp front camera.
• Camera features: 8x zoom, Time machine shot, HDR, Panorama, Continuous shot, Beauty Shot, 1080p video recording at 30 fps.
• Wi-Fi, 3.5 mm Jack, Bluetooth, A-GPS, NFC.
• 32 GB internal storage, Micro-USB port with support for MHL.
• Quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 GHz), Tri-band 3G (W900, W1900, W2100 MHz), Micro-SIM slot.
• Android 4.0 (ICS), Preloaded with special apps for stylus.
• 5.5" (l) x 3.6" (w) x (0.3 mm)(d), 168 grams.
• 2080 mAh battery.

The original Optimus Vu (launched in Korea earlier this year) had a dual-core CPU, but for other markets, LG has decided to go with the quad-core chipset. So at least on paper, the Vu looks as powerful as the GALAXY Note II. That said, I wonder how many users will find a 4:3 form factor comfortable. The Note II has the upper hand also because of its 3100 mAh battery, Jelly Bean OS, and the microSD card slot.

The Optimus Vu is listed on LG's India website with an MRP of Rs 34,500.

Source : LG Optimus Vu With Android 4.0 And 5" Screen Lands In India

Sony lists Xperia phones due for Jelly Bean update

Sony has released a list of phones due to get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update in a statement. The announcement clarifies the doubts on which Xperia smartphones will get the next Android version, after the recent upgrades across the 2011 and the 2012 ranges of Xperia phones from Android Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4 version).

According to the update statement, the latest Xperia phones - the Xperia T, TX and V will get Jelly Bean from the middle of Q1 2013, around February.

The slightly older phones, the Xperia Ion, Xperia S, Xperia arco S, Xperia P and Xperia Go will also receive the Jelly Bean upgrade. However, Sony says that the rollout schedule for these phones will be announced “in due course”. This is notable, as the Ice Cream Sandwich rollout earlier this year first covered the 2011 Xperia phones and then covered the newer Xperia S and Xperia U phones. If Sony carries on with the same tradition, then the early-2012 range of Xperia phones should expect the goodness earlier than the very recent launches.

Unfortunately, for those of you using a 2011 range Xperia smartphone, the upgrades will stop with the recently rolled out Ice Cream Sandwich update. Sony says, “We were glad to provide the Android 4.0.4 upgrade for our 2011 Xperia portfolio across most markets and the majority of models but, after thorough evaluation, we have concluded they will not be upgraded beyond Ice Cream Sandwich.”

Source : Sony lists Xperia phones due for Jelly Bean update

Facebook second most accessed site, behind Google in the US

In a study carried out by Nielsen Media Research, it has been concluded that Google is the number one website in the U.S. The number two spot is taken by Facebook, followed by others, such as Yahoo!, MSN, YouTube and Microsoft in that order. There are some interesting facts to consider. The study was completed between January and October, this year. The ranking displayed based on the number of average unique visitors that accessed each site. Google took a lead of roughly 11 percent in terms of these numbers, over Facebook. The data was collected based on computers used in offices and homes. Some 153.4 million visitors from the U.S accessed Google. on an average per month.

Although this was a study done by Nielsen in the U.S, similar patterns are expected for other countries around the world, including India. The use of Google is obvious, whereas Facebook is a major phenomenon these days. Microblogging services like, Twitter didn’t not figure in that list - sites like Wikipedia, Apple and Ask.com did. The study shows without a doubt, the dominance of Google on the web and these numbers reported don’t even include international traffic.

Source : Facebook second most accessed site, behind Google in the US

Apple to receive $10 for every Android phone sold?

We all know that Apple is going all guns blazing in the war against patent infringement (read: Android). Now, as reported by Phone Arena, Kevin Rivette, managing partner at an intellectual property firm called 3LP Advisors LLC has mentioned in a conversation with Bloomberg that if things do go Apple’s way in this patent war, there’s a good chance that they might get $10 for every Android device that has been sold. This figure is close to twice of what Microsoft receives from its licensing deal with Android manufacturers. It seems like Apple is gearing to become foes with a lot of companies in the tech world.

So, what do we think about this? For the love of technology, definitely not good, because these two are fighting like Optimus Prime vs Megatron! We, on the other hand, are peace lovers and have happily installed the MIUI iOS themed ROM on our Android phones.

Source : Apple to receive $10 for every Android phone sold?

Samsung Smartphones leading in India

Though the popularity of Nokia is declining, it has played a key role in introducing the Indian terrain to mobile phones. The Finnish player has now been taken over by Samsung in India. According to TOI, in November the volume market share and value share were 38 percent and 35.2 percent for Samsung as per GfK research firm. It is for the first time that it has exceeded these figures to overtake Nokia.

Samsung Mobile and IT country head, Ranjit Yadav said, "At Samsung, we believe in offering our consumers innovative smart mobile devices across different operating systems and different price points, and giving them more choice. This has helped Samsung emerge as the preferred brand in the smartphone market in India."

Samsung witnessed the highest share in October in value, while Nokia was leading in terms of volume. In India, we saw a surge in the market as the month of November contributed 6 percent of the overall phones of the year. Reportedly, CyberMedia Research claims that smartphone shipments reached 7.9 million units from January to September in 2011. It also says that Samsung appears as the market leader with larger value share in September. Nokia has been striving to bounce back and this year we saw it put forth the Lumia range.

Source : Samsung Smartphones leading in India

India seeks Taiwan help to boost Aakash production

The Indian government is planning to partner with Taiwan-based PC makers to obtain components for the world's cheapest tablet PC, Aakash. According to Sandeep Yadav, who is a convenor of the project, India is seeking participation of the Taiwan-based PC makers in the bidding for the second generation of the Aakash tablet, UbiSlate 7. Yadav says that the Taiwanese manufacturers can help India keep price of the new tablet less than $35. He also pointed out that 10-20 per cent of the Aakash tablet components were provided by the Taiwanese companies. He further disclosed that the Indian government plans to roll out 200 million Aakash tablets (upgraded version) in the next three years. Yadav also acknowledges that the Aakash 2 a.k.a UbiSlate 7 is a better choice than the original Aakash.

The Aakash tablet was released online by the UK-based developer DataWind. The Aakash received a massive response from the customers, as the device was sold out in less than a week after its launch. Unfortunately, DataWind has not yet started distribution of the Aakash tablet.

The 7-inch Aakash tablet runs on Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and features Arm11-366MHz processor. The Aakash tablet is priced at Rs. 2,500. The Indian government is providing the Aakash tablet to students at a subsidised price of Rs. 1,700.  For more details read Your guide to the new $35 Aakash Tablet.

The UbiSlate 7 has better specs than the original Aakash and costs just Rs. 500 more. The device is expected to be launched early next year.

Source : India seeks Taiwan help to boost Aakash production

YouTube Slam launched by Google destination for cute, crazy, funny videos

Retiring at the end of a long, tiring day, watching crazy, cute videos, or getting blown away by videos of amateur, but talented singers trying their hand at singing; on YouTube is something we've all indulged in. Needless to add, searching for these videos on the site is tedious, to say the least. Now, Google has introduced a latest addition to YouTube, which brings all these 'slam-y' videos under one roof.

Called YouTube Slam, this section of Google's popular video viewing website aims to be the one-stop destination for the most quirky, but interesting videos housed on YouTube. YouTube Slam, according to its description on the site is "This is the place for discovering talented amateur singers, the most adorable clips and the craziest videos on YouTube. Watch pairs of videos and vote for your favorite. Videos are scored based on your votes, and the best videos are featured on the slam leaderboard. Start voting today and be the first to discover the best videos on YouTube!"

YouTube Slam now has a collection of videos categorized under headers like - Cute Slam, Bizarre Slam, Comedy Slam, and Music Slam. There's also a section on YouTube Slam (placed on bottom right) called Slam Leaderboards, wherein essentially users can vote for their favorite videos and also view the ranking to Top 10 videos, within each category. Users can gauge the changes in these lists, either over a week or go straightaway to viewing the 'all time' best videos. With the platform expanding, and content of varying levels making an entry; YouTube Slam will surely be one interesting place.

Source : YouTube Slam launched by Google destination for cute, crazy, funny videos

Samsung Wave M available in India, at Rs. 12,500

The Samsung Wave M S7250 was recently officially launched in India, priced at roughly Rs. 12,500. The Bada 2.0-based Wave M is also retailing for Rs. 11,900 for now, at Letsbuy.com.

The Wave M S7250 has a 3.65-inch HVGA (320x480) display, 832MHz processor, 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash, front-facing VGA camera, 150MB built in storage, expandable via microSD (2GB card bundled), and a 1,500 mAh battery that is rated to deliver up to 6 hour 30 minutes of talktime, and 480 hours of standby time.

The Samsung Wave M also has such connectivity options as HSDPA 7.2Mbps, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS with A-GPS support, stereo FM with RDS, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, and microUSB 2.0.

Bundled onboard, is the TouchWiz UI, Samsung ChatON instant messaging platform, push email, and an image editor. The Wave M weighs in at 121 grams, and has a 12.2mm thickness. Notably, the Wave M S7250 also features DNSe (Digital Natural Sound Engine) audio.

Source : Samsung Wave M available in India, at Rs. 12,500

Samsung Galaxy S III expected in February 2012

As the year comes to an end, it’s time to look forward to 2012 and mobile fanatics will be excited to hear about Samsung’s plans for early next year. Unwiredview is carrying a news that claims Samsung will most likely be launching their next big handset - Galaxy S III in February, this coming year. The hardware likely to power the S III will be a quad-core processor. The last round of rumours claimed that Samsung would use a dual-core processor, like the S II, but one that operates at 1.8 GHz. It’s known that Samsung is already working on a quad-core processor, which will be part of the Exynos series of SoCs. There are other improvements expected as well - a 1280x720 Super AMOLED display and LTE support. It will ship with the latest Android - Ice Cream Sandwich.

There’s more from Samsung. A 3D version of the Galaxy is expected and it’s likely to be called the Galaxy S 3D. A 3D display is likely along with support for 3D video and photo shooting. The 3D fever seems to be hitting mobile phones and Samsung hadn’t jumped onboard the bandwagon. LG was one of the few companies to make the move to 3D phones earlier with their Optimus 3D. A whole bunch of phones will be shown off at MWC 2012 (Mobile World Congress 2012) in early February and Samsung will most definitely show off their new hardware then.

Source : Samsung Galaxy S III expected in February 2012