Second Generation Moto E specs leaked

Motorola has been doing pretty well since its second innings began and the all its first generation devices but the Moto E have had their successors hit the launchpad. But the successor of the Moto E is already awaiting its launch and has had its specs leak on to the interweb recently.

First gen Moto E used for illustrative purposes

As per the latest reports which are coming in from Greece, the successor of the Moto E is coming soon and it will bring in quite a decent upgrade over the first generation model. The second generation Moto E will come with a 4.5-inch screen with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. At the back will be a 5-Megapixel camera without flash like the current Moto E.

Under the hood will be a 1.2 GHz quad core CPU which will be either a Snapdragon 400 SoC or a Snapdragon 410 SoC. Joining it will be a 1GB RAM. It will run on Android 5.0 Lollipop in all likelihood right from the start. It will get LTE connectivity which is quite a good thing. Information about the pricing is unknown for the time being but the pricing is expected to be on the affordable side of things.

Recently, a Motorola device had showed up on benchmarking which had somewhat similar specs. So this might just be the next best affordable smartphone.

Source:

Next Windows 10 for smartphones will reportedly run on ARM as well as Intel processors

Microsoft made some important announcements in September about its upcoming operating system, Windows 10. The company announced that it will drop the ‘Phone’ from Windows Phone to make it Windows 10 as its upcoming operating system will be a single, unified platform which will support all types of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, hybrid devices, and wearables. Right now, no one knows about the features of Windows 10 for smartphones but Microsoft will reveal more details about it in January 2015 during a press event.

Last month, Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet reported that Microsoft has already started working on Windows 10 for smartphones internally. Later, Microsoft announced that it will provide Windows 10 update to all the Lumia smartphones running Windows 8.1. According to a new report from ZDNet, it appears that Windows 10 will run on ARM as well as Intel based processors, which exactly how Microsoft will be able to run the same operating system on all the platforms. This also means that we could finally see Windows 10 based smartphones with Intel processors based on x86 architecture.

“I’m hearing that Microsoft is still testing the mobile SKU on a very limited basis within the Operating Systems Group at this point. I would think the mobile SKU might need to be dogfooded internally at Microsoft more widely before Microsoft releases it to external testers. But once Microsoft does deliver the Windows 10 mobile bits to testers, ongoing and regular updates will be coming at least monthly, according to sources.”

– Mary Jo Foley, ZDNet.

Currently, there are many brands out there who have launched Windows 8.1 based tablets at very cheap prices featuring Intel Atom processors. This might hint towards even cheaper Windows 10 based smartphones in the future which might give it a tough fight to Android smartphones in the low-end and mid-range segment. Intel’s best smartphone processor right now is the Atom Z3580 which combines 2.33GHz quad-core 64-bit CPU, PowerVR G6430 GPU and can support up to 4GB RAM.

Via | Source

WhatsApp for Windows Phone finally receives an update with new features

WhatsApp for Windows Phone received an update, resulting in addition of fresh features and refinements. The upgrade contains features transferred by the WhatsApp team from the beta version. This update, has caused quite a stir among Windows Phone users as there has been no update for the app since June.

According to Windows store listing, here is what version 2.11.586 offers:

• The app now opens smoothly without any lag
• Now users can share the exact location by dropping and dragging the pin
• Users can add caption to each photo and video
• Easy Crop and rotation of images
• Can make chats and groups archive
• Each chat or group can have their respective background
• Enhanced support for phones with high-resolution display

Are you a Windows Phone user? Are you liking this Whatsapp update? Let us know in the comments box.

Vodafone beats Airtel, Aircel and BSNL in 3G Benchmarking – Chennai

Marketing teams of Operators claim different exceptional Data speeds and advertise the technology in a way far beyond the practical usage scenarios. Considering the Data growth/statistical figures and Data hunger smartphones, we at Telecom Talk have taken an initiative to check the Quality of 3G Data services provided by operators in real usage scenarios and we name it instant 3G check where speed tests are performed on smartphone with no background data/Sync active and at a location instantly. We have taken into account the situation of a normal user who access Data without any technical knowledge and all they know is they are using 3G Service provided by their respective operator.

Below is the table which gives details of  respective operator’s speeds and other details:

3G Speed Test Chennai: These Test Were performed at 1:00am

If everything goes fine every time with service  i don’t think CC are required. Just wanted to explain some troublesome situations with 3G Networks we faced while performing this quick check. Signal reception is very fluctuating between H+/H/E and couldn’t even fix to one single cell ID for at least 5 minutes there by the current android phones and the smartphones phones which don’t have 3G Only option in Network settings will have a worst 3G experience where the device will be trying to switch between alternate strong signals and eventually land to E if it’s the strong available signal, there by giving a pathetic customer 3G experience.

Scenario 1: We faced the same condition with Aircel and while testing the speeds the device latched to E and it was very troublesome for us to perform the check. So, we took another device which have 3G only option got it latched to 3G and performed the check and concluded at results.  We have earlier faced this kind of situation with BSNL as well which is now seems to be fixed. So, customer pays for 3G and gets this patchy Network experience.

Scenario 2: While testing we also came across a situation with Airtel Network where the Device is latched to H and with full signal strength. It worked flawlessly for sometime and all of a sudden [You can notice from the 3rd trail result in table] the Down-link and Up-link stopped and I’m not even able to open Google on my phone. If this situation continues for longer times and the validity of the 3G Pack expires without utilizing my data balance, just wanted to know if operators are ready to accept this and refund my remaining data balance? So, customer is a victim in the end if not the case.

If more than a single CellID is mentioned in table, this means that device is latched to those sites while testing in progress.

Having very large customer experience centers, wondering if these type of situations are really monitored on big screens and acted upon quickly in case of issues?

Dear Readers, we thrive to perform these kind of Customer centric tests as often as possible by traveling across various circles. We just started with our DATA Centric Qos tests. If you want to share results with proofs in your circle you can mail me on Srikapardhi[at]telecomtalk[dot]info. Do let us know how are you enjoying the Quality of 3G Services via comments. We may be covering such kinds of tests repeatedly in different/same circles at different locations.

Note: Time of the tests/Network issues/exact Geo Location is out of the scope of our tests. Tests are performed in Locations of availability of 3G Network. Devices taken for testing have the speed/technology as tabulated. Maintenance of a cell site/performance/defective cells are also out of the scope of this article. The only scope we consider is the final quality of service a end user experiences.

Be Ready to Shell Down for using Whatsapp and other IM Applications, a bad move?

Instant messaging applications have become an instant hit across the age groups. The Whatsapp- Facebook deal added a new dimension to the Instant messaging application. This made all the developers to focus on IM platform and in turn gave rise to slew of Instant messaging applications and what ensued was a mad gold rush.

The reason why Whatsapp and other leading IM applications are well accepted is because they provided folks with an option to chat with their friends seamlessly, exchange photos, music and also create personalized groups similar to the Yahoo chatrooms.

The best part is that users just have to pay for the Data pack. Whatsapp is elementary in breeding the Mobile Internet ecosystem. Consumers started to invest in Smartphones just because of Whatsapp. It won’t be wrong if we say that it is just because of these IM applications that the Mobile Internet bloomed. Another prize winning feature is the ability of staying connected with your kins in other countries at no extra costs. The darker side is that these IM dug the grave for traditional SMS and caused the telecom operators lots of harm in terms of revenue.

TRAI has decided to meet and decide about the regulation to make companies like the Whatsapp and Viber to pay connectivity charges to telecom companies. Needless to say this revenue will also bring some revenue to the government coffers. Even Gopal Vittal head of Bharti Airtel’s Indian operations’ hinted that Over-the-Top players like WhatsApp, Skype, LINE, WeChat etc should be regulated and should be under some jurisdiction sometime back .

Indian operators are already providing dedicated whatsapp plans like Airtel is offering Whatsapp plan at Rs 38 and BSNL also recently stated offering Whatsapp related plans.

This step comes in wake of the leading Instant messaging applications offering free calls over VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Consumers are paying just for the Internet packages and not for the calls and messages.

We feel that this will be a extreme step by the Government and the Telcos will definitely lose revenue on the Mobile Internet packages. It won’t be surprising if the Telcos charge consumers on per Email basis. Something similar seems to be baking on Indonesian turfs as well. Please tell us how you feel if you have to shell down extra for using Whatsapp are you ready to pay?

Email App Acompli Arrives On Android, Adds A “Focused” Inbox That Displays Your Most Important Mail First

One of the better mobile email applications to emerge in recent months is Acompli, an app designed more so for business and professional users looking for a simple, but powerful tool to manage their email, calendar, and shared files while on the go. Today, the company is bringing its app to Android users, while also launching a new feature called “Focused Inbox,” which is similar to Gmail’s “Priority Inbox” functionality, in that it curates your mail in order to show you what’s most important first.

With the upgrade out now on the iOS version, and the debut of Android, Focused Inbox will be turned on by default.

Explains Acompli CEO Javier Soltero, the goal with the new feature was to create an inbox experience that “immediately starts delivering value” and “doesn’t rely on an excessive triage mechanism,” which is a non-too-veiled reference to the popular mobile email app Mailbox, now owned by Dropbox. Where Mailbox has been built primarily to help people work through their massive inboxes, Acompli instead wants to just put the email you need to see first right in front of you.

A comprehensive review of how well Acompli’s Focused Inbox works isn’t really possible at this time because email curation and prioritization like this takes more than a few days of training before you can really tell how smart a company’s algorithms can become.

However, it seemed to at least not be showing any obvious mistakes when I first tried it.

Unlike Gmail’s Priority Inbox (an alternative setting for those who don’t care for the tabbed interface), which takes into account user actions, like whether you read an email, Acompli tries to determine whether or not you’re actually responding the person in question.

If you do, those emails have more weight than others, allowing it to do more than just remove the obvious pseudo-spam, like email newsletters or social updates, from the Focused view.

Your full inbox is still available, of course – you just pulled down on the main screen and tap the button labeled “Other” to see the rest of your email. And if you don’t care for the new experience, you can disable it in your settings.

But when it’s enabled, by default, you’ll only receive push notifications for your “Focused” messages, and the app’s icon will only display a red badge for the unread items in this part of your inbox. More importantly, perhaps, to email purists, is that none of what Acompli’s doing to re-arrange your email will be reflected in your main email client itself – it’s just giving you a more actionable mobile view.

The addition is one of many new features Acompli has added in recent weeks, having also rolled out integrations with cloud services like Dropbox, iCloud, and OneDrive, in addition to its support of email services like Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com and Exchange.

Though the company declines to say how many users are now on Acompli, early data shows it’s a very “burst-y” app used for short periods of time, we’re told. The average user session is just 22 seconds, but retention is high, ranging from 43% to 44%, on average. The app is also used 11 times more frequently than the average productivity app, even though users are spending but a few seconds in it – likely looking for a specific email or file, or writing a quick message or response.

Focused Inbox fits in well with that established pattern of being an app where users just want to get in then get back out quickly.

Original Article 

Apple Explores Augmented Reality Navigation For iPhones

Apple has two new patent applications out today (via AppleInsider) that show it’s been working on boosting the iPhone’s navigation abilities with augmented reality features. The patent describes a way that the iPhone could use its camera in combination with on-device software to generate virtual maps of your surroundings, which are overlaid on a real feed, and which can do things like provide a look inside surrounding buildings.

The patents describe a way to use GPS, Wi-Fi and sensor information to pinpoint a user’s position and then download a 3D model of their surroundings, including points of interest. To compensate for the fact that using sensor data alone would likely result in an imperfect matching of virtual and real environment (as has been the case in other similar AR mapping apps), Apple uses live video feed from the iPhone’s camera, and lets a user actively match up virtual elements with their real-world equivalents in the resulting image. Once it’s locked in with a match, users can do things like virtually “peel back” the outer layers of buildings to reveal their interiors.

Apple already offers its “Flyover” feature in iOS Maps, which provides a 3D representation of satellite imagery for a more interactive cruise through city streets, but it has yet to employ AR tech. AR apps that similar functionality to that described in these patents has been used before, by companies including Layar and other startups, but Apple’s system is clearly designed to make it less rough around the edges and more of a utility than a neat tech trick.

iOS Maps could use some flashy features to help it stand out, but I wouldn’t expect this one to make its way out to shipping software anytime soon. Still, it’s an interesting direction, and could work together nicely with Apple’s indoor positioning ambitions.

BSNL Offers the cheapest 3G Mobile Internet Packs as of September 2014

It is observed that Operators are hiking Data tariffs while also chalking plans to increase Data consumption by users by introducing various apps related to data consumption. The entire Telecom Industry has been struggling with tariff wars and hikes with Operational Expenditures inflating month by month. Observing the scenario no operator appears to be considering reduction in voice and Data prices while the Operators themselves were also a reason for killing SMS.

Table showing New 3G BSNL Data packs:

BSNL DATA PACK	Price
240MB	Rs39
500MB	Rs78
1GB	Rs139/155
2GB	Rs251
5GB	Rs561
7GB	Rs821
10GB	Rs1011
20GB	Rs1949
Extra Data Charges Beyond free usage	2p/10KB

However, in case of BSNL Mobile Internet DATA STVs when compared are cheaper than any of the private operators. BSNL has the largest 3G Coverage and continuously expanding its Network in unreachable areas all across the country.

While I don’t draw any conclusions regarding the Qos offered by BSNL at this point of time but i can definitely say these stvs are cheapest and most affordable when compared.

Dear Readers which Network are you using for 3G services and how do you feel about the services offered. Do let us know your experiences across various circles via comments.

IFA 2014: Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact announced

Sony has just taken the wraps off its next flagship device, the Xperia Z3 and joining it is the Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet compact. Let us take a look at what each of the device is offering:

Sony Xperia Z3

Sony Xperia Z3

The new flagship comes in just 6 months after the launch of the Xperia Z2. It comes with a slight upgrade under the hood over the last generation in the form of a 2.5 GHz quad core Snapdragon 801 processor, a 3GB RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU. It gets the same screen as the last one which is a 5.2 inch full HD unit. It sheds off 11 grams of weight over the last generation and loses 1mm of thickness as well.

It makes use of Sony DSEE HX audio technology for an enhanced audio experience and its build quality surely makes you look twice at it.

Sony Xperia Z3 Specifications

• 5.2-inch Triluminos display with Live Colour LED and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is powered by the X-Reality engine.
• 2.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB RAM
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded further by 128GB
• 20.7MP rear camera with Exmos RS sensor and a 2.2MP front facing camera. The rear camera supports 4K video recording while the front one supports full HD video recording.
• IP65/IP68 certified for water and dust proofing
• It tips the scales at 152 grams and its thickness stands at 7.3mm
• 4G LTE /3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, MHL 3.0 and NFC
• Black, white, green and copper colours
• 3100 mAh Battery with STAMINA mode which allows for usage for a longer duration

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Xperia Z3 Compact

The successor to the Xperia Z1 compact packs in quite a punch for a device of its size. It gets a 4.6 inch 720p display which is an up from the 4.3 inch unit of the Xperia Z1 and gets a bigger battery too (2,600 mAh from 2,300 mAh). Sony has tried to keep the essence of making it a mini version of the flagship by carrying over almost everything in the hardware department.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Specifications

• 4.6 inch Triluminos display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with the X-Reality engine powering it.
• 2.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
• Adreno 330 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded further by 128GB
• 20.7MP rear camera with Exmos RS sensor and a 2.2MP front facing camera. The rear camera supports 4K video recording while the front one supports full HD video recording.
• IP 65/68 certified for water and dust proofing
• Its thickness stands at 8.9mm and weighs 129 grams
• 4G LTE /3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with GLONASS, MHL 3.0 and NFC take charge of connectvity
• Black, white, green and orange colours
• 2600 mAh Battery with STAMINA mode

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

Sony likes to call its the “slimmest and lightest waterproof tablet” and it is basically a Sony Xperia Z3 packed into a tablet. It will be one of the better tablets when it goes on sale. The tablet will pose quite a lot of threat to the likes of the Nexus 9 and the next generation of iPad Mini. It has an 8 inch display with Contrast Enhancement. It comes with a matte rear finish and ditches the glass panels of the Xperia Z3 for it.

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact Specifications

• 8-inch display, 1920 x 1200 pixels
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM
• 16GB of internal storage which can be expanded further by 128GB
• 8.1MP rear camera and 2.1MP front camera
• IP 65/68 certified for water and dust proofing
• Its thickness stands at 6.4mm and weighs 270 grams. This weighs pretty less when compared to many and slim waistline makes it really easy to hold it.
• Black and white colours
• 4500 mAh Battery which provides upto 13 hours of video playback

The three devices will be launched in October globally and their pricing will be one of the key factors determining their success.

IFA 2014: Sony Xperia E3 and Xperia E3 dual announced with 4.5-inch screen

Sony has just launched the Xperia E3 and Xperia E3 dual at their IFA 2014 event. The E3 Dual as the name suggests is just the dual-SIM version of the regular Xperia E3.  The Xperia E3 will be a mid-range Android smartphone aimed at the likes of the new Moto G. It comes with 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor coupled with Adreno 305 GPU and 1GB of RAM. It brings LTE connectivity on a budget.

• 4.5-inch LCD display,  854 x 480 pixels, capacitive multitouch
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, Adreno 305 GPU, 1GB RAM
• 4GB of internal storage, microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
• 5MP primary camera with autofocus and LED flash, VGA front-facing secondary camera
• dual SIM, 4G LTE, 3G HSPA+, Bluetooth v4.0, Wi-Fi, GPS with A-GPS and microUSB v2.0 port
• 2330 mAh battery, STAMINA Mode
• Colours: Black, White, Lime and Copper

It will succeed the Xperia E2 and will look towards bringing 4G LTE experience on a budget. Let us see how things pan out for it in the future.

Asus Fonepad 7 (2014) launched in India for Rs 8,999

Asus showcased the 2014 version of the Fonepad 7 in India alongside the launch of the Zenfone series a few weeks ago. It has now launched the tablet in India at a price of Rs 8,999 which makes it the cheapest tablet from a renowned manufacturer. It is also cheaper than the last generation of the Fonepad 7 and is slightly lighter on specs. It gets voice calling abilities and dual SIM functionality. Let us take a look at its specifications:

Asus Fonepad 7 (2014) Specification Details:

• 7 inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels
• 1.2 GHz dual core Intel Atom Z2520 processor
• PowerVR SGX544 GPU
• Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with ZenUI on top of it. It is upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat too which is quite good.
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB of internal storage which is further expandable by 64GB via a microSD card slot
• 2MP rear camera and VGA front camera
• 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and Dual SIM with dual standby for connectivity
• 3950 mAh battery
• Red, Blue, Black and White colours
• Rs 8,999

It is expected to be popular among the people looking for a budget tablet with calling abilities.

TRAI to initiate the Consultation process for Upcoming bout of Spectrum Auctions

The Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) began its consultation for the upcoming rounds of auctions to be held for mobile operators. The licenses were issued based on 20 years basis according to which license of some of the Telecos like Vodafone, Airtel, Idea and Rcom are set to expire this year.

The consultation process will help in determining the reserve price of spectrum to be auctioned for a total of 18 service areas spread across 900MHz and 1800 MHz These spectrums are primarily used for facilitating service based on Mobile GSM technology.

The Companies will be able to renew their licenses by shelling out a fixed fee but they are expected to bid afresh for continuing Mobile and other wireless services. TRAI has clearly outlined that it will segregate the spectrums.

TRAI further added that “In future, spectrum will not be bundled with the license. The license to be issued to telecom operators will be in the nature of a unified license? and the license holder will be free to offer any of the multifarious telecom services, In the event the license holder would like to offer wireless services, it will have to obtain spectrum through a market driven process.”

This Auction is expected to replenish the Government’s coffers by Rs 9,355 Crores. The open house discussions will be held on September 22. Government had set a revenue target of Rs 40, 847.06 crore in the fiscal year of 2013-14. The Auctions in February helped the Government to earn revenues exceeding Rs61,652 Crores which is well over the in target.

Airtel To offer 5GB of free 4G data for Samsung S5 4G LTE (G900I)

Indian operators are ramping up the spread of 4G networks throughout India. Airtel is going one step ahead by offering free 4G data for the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE (G900I) in India. According to our sources, says Airtel will be offering 5GB of free 4G data per month for 2 months to all the Samsung S5 4G LTE (G9000I) users in India, though, there is no official confirmation from Airtel yet. We would advise you to check with Airtel customer care before opting into the 4G plans which are described below.

Offers For Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE (G900I)

1. Postpaid Offer: 5 GB 4G data per month for 2 months on special 4G data packs / boosters.
2. Prepaid Offer: 5 GB 4G data per month for 2 months.

Process to activate 4G LTE on Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE (G900I) for Postpaid Users

1. Insert special Airtel 4G SIM (USIM) into your new Samsung S5 4G LTE (G900I)
2. Choose special 4G data plans (boosters for myPlan) amongst Rs 450, Rs 650, Rs 999
3. After plan change, SMS GET4G to 51619 to claim the offer
4. Offer will be activated within 48 hours of receiving the SMS request

Process to activate 4G LTE on Samsung Galaxy S5 4G LTE (G900I) for Postpaid Users

1. Insert special Airtel 4G SIM (USIM) into your new Samsung S5 4G LTE (G900I)
2. Benefit will be automatically provisioned from the backend within 4 hours

Terms & Conditions

1. These offer are available  only in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Punjab (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Phagwada).
2. Plan change can be done at nearest Airtel store or through the call centre.
3. New customers have to first activate their 4G SIM before inserting it and using it.
4. Offer not applicable on corporate connections.
5. Post usage of free data VBC charges may apply
6. Offer valid till 31st October’14.

Samsung Galaxy S5 price drops to Rs 40,000 on various online stores

After being launched at an exorbitant price of Rs 51,500, the Samsung Galaxy S5 price has been dropping significantly. As we reported, the first price drop for Galaxy S5 came in late last month when it dropped to Rs 46,000 on Flipkart. After the news spread, Samsung came out and clarified that they did not drop the price officially. But today, prices of the Samsung Galaxy S5 have been dropped around Rs 40,000 on multiple online stores including Flipkart, Amazon and IndiaTimes Shopping.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Price In India

At this price, buying the Galaxy S5 seems worth the money. Its rivals, Apple iPhone 5S, HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z2 are priced at Rs 46,560, Rs 44,995 and Rs 44,999 respectively. All these rival smartphones are priced over Rs 5,000 higher than the Galaxy S5. This has been the case with Samsung’s flagship smartphone offerings every year. Samsung manages to launch its smartphones earlier than other brands and then keeps on dropping the prices faster than its rivals to attract more buyers. Would you buy the Galaxy S5 at this price? Or would you still shell out some extra money for better alternatives?

Motorola Moto E launched in India with an aggressive price of Rs 6,999

Motorola has finally launched the Moto E in India after the smartphone was leaked in all its glory a few days ago. The specs are similar to the ones that were rumoured and the smartphone will go on sale at midnight on Flipkart with a slew of offers. You’ll get 50 percent off on its covers and e-books worth Rs 1,000 if you purchase the device today. Flipkart will also offer you a 50 percent discount on an 8GB Transcend memory card if bought alongside the device. Here are the specifications of the device:

Motorola Moto E Specifications

• 4.3-inch display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and Corning Gorilla glass 3 on top of it
• 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor
• 400 MHz Adreno 302 GPU
• 1GB RAM
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 4GB internal storage, expandable by another 32GB with a microSD card
• 5MP rear camera without flash, no front camera
• Dual SIM, 3G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS for connectivity
• 1980 mAh battery

Motorola has hit the bull’s eye with its pricing and the smartphone will be made available black and white colours alongside the option of changing back panels like its other siblings being on offer as well. In our opinion, this is pretty much the best sub Rs 7,000 device and Motorola is all ready to replicate the success of the Moto G with Moto E.

Motorola updates the Moto G with 4G LTE connectivity and microSD card slot

Right after the Moto E was announced in India at an aggressive price of Rs 6,999, Motorola at its launch event in UK announced an upgraded version of the Moto G which makes it an all the more a value for money device. Motorola has given it the a complete white colour option, 4G LTE connectivity and added the much awaited microSD card slot to it. Yes, you read it correct!

Motorola Moto G LTE In White

Motorola Moto G 4G LTE Specifications

• 4.5-inch display, 1280 x 720 pixels, 329 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass
• 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, Adreno 305 GPU
• 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage (6GB user available), microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
• 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and A-GPS
• 2070 mAh battery

It has been announced for GBP 149 which converts to around $219. The 8GB regular variant which costs $179 globally costs Rs 12,499 in India and the 16GB variant which costs $199 costs Rs 13,999 and judging by that, the 4G LTE variant should cost Rs 15,499. At that price, it would still be quite a good device for India. Even though the 4G roll out is still in its nascent stages, the device will make for a good one if brought to Indian shores.

Apple iPhone 5C 8GB to be available in India next week, might be priced lower than Rs 35,000

The cheaper, 8GB version of Apple iPhone 5C might be launched in India as soon as next week. The Apple iPhone 5C 8GB was announced in March this year as a cheaper option for those who can’t afford the higher priced variants of the iPhone 5C or the iPhone 5S.

Apple iPhone 5C

The 16GB variant of the iPhone 5C is currently priced at around Rs 37,000 but it is being sold in India for as low as Rs 30,000 with various buyback and cashback schemes. According to the price difference in the international markets, we presume that the iPhone 5C 8GB will be priced at Rs 4,000 lower in India than the 16GB variant. So, the iPhone 5C 8GB might come with a price tag less than Rs 35,000 and might be sold for less than Rs 30,000 with various cash back and buy back schemes.

The iPhone 5C comes with a 4 inch Retina Display, dual-core A6 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Is 8GB enough storage for an iPhone considering that you would not get more than 6GB of user available storage? Would you be interested in buying one?

Airtel finally launches dedicated WhatsApp data plans starting at Rs 36 for 200MB per month

So instead of fighting over bandwidth issues with IM apps, it looks like Airtel has done what we’ve suggested last month. Airtel has finally launched dedicated WhatsApp data plans for its 2G and 3G users. Airtel is offering 200 MB of WhatsApp usage for one month starting from Rs 36 which varies according to circles. WhatsApp data plan can be activated by messaging ‘WhatsApp’ to 121.

The WhatsApp plan is priced lowest in Jammu & Kashmir circle, at Rs 36 while it is priced highest in Mumbai circle, at Rs 49. Although, we’re quite puzzled about WhatsApp data plan being unavailable for users from Andhra Pradesh circle.

Airtel WhatsApp Data Plans As Per Different Circles

Although Bharti Airtel has its own Hike Messenger IM app, its usage and market penetration isn’t as high as that of WhatsApp’s in spite of  pushing free SMS scheme that they are offering to Hike Messenger users. WhatsApp has recently crossed 50 million active users in India and more than 500 million users worldwide. WhatsApp was acquired recently by Facebook for $19 billion.Uninor, Reliance and Tata Docomo have already launched dedicated WhatsApp data plans.

5 best value for money smartphones below Rs 20,000 in India as of May 2014

In today’s time, we are flooded with choices for buying a smartphone in any segment. Every now and then prices keep dropping, new ones keep on getting launched and some get some really good offers coupled with them which makes it quite hard for the common man to find something that offers bang for each buck spent. Today we have for you the list of top 5 smartphones that offer maximum value for money in the price range of Rs 10,000-20,000.

1. Moto G (Rs 12,499/Rs 13,999)

Moto G

Moto G has taken the Indian market by storm and has allowed the consumers to be treated to an experience that was possible only in the high end smartphones. It is one of the few devices in the sub Rs 15,000 to run Android KitKat (there are hardly any) and its sales numbers have shown what the smartphone is capable of. Here are its brief specifications:

• 4.5 inch display with  a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and Gorilla Glass 3 on top of it
• 1.2 GHz quad core Snapdragon 400 processor
• Adreno 305 GPU
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB/16GB of internal storage, non-expandable
• 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1.3MP front camera
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB 2.0 and GPS with GLONASS
• 2,070 mAh battery

2. Lenovo K900 (Rs 18,999)

Lenovo K900

Lenovo K900 was launched last year as a rival to the much famed Note 3 but despite having a good spec sheet, its sales could never take off courtesy of the high pricing. Well, Lenovo has given the device numerous price cuts post which it surely makes a lot of sense in the sub Rs 20,000 price category. Here’s a look at its brief specifications:

• 5.5 inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 on top of it
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 2 GHz dual core Intel processor which is way more capable than the regular quad cores
• PowerVR SGX544 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 32GB internal storage, non expandable
• 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front camera
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS
• 2,500 mAh battery

3. Blackberry Z10 (Rs 17,990)

BlackBerry Z10

The BlackBerry flagship was launched last year at a ridiculously high price of Rs 43,490. But  BlackBerry soon realised that it was not going  to sell too many units and the price came down to Rs 17,990 earlier this year and it has been selling like hot cakes ever since. The smartphones comes across as a good value for money device at this price point. Let us have a look at its specifications:

• 4.2 inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
• BB OS 10
• 1.5 GHz dual core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
• Adreno 225 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal storage, expandable by another 64GB
• 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 2MP front camera
• 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS
• 1,800 mAh battery

4. Micromax Canvas Knight (Rs 19,999)

Micromax Canvas Knight

The Canvas Knight is by far the most expensive handset in Micromax’s line-up but it surely provides a bang for every buck spent on it. Retailing at Rs 19,999, it still comes across as one of the better octa core devices on sale in India despite the competition touching lower price points in the segment. The build quality is surely on the better side and Micromax seems to have done a good job with the device. Let us take a look at its specifications:

• 5 inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
• 2 GHz Mediatek Octa core processor’
• Mali-450MP4 GPU
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 16MP rear camera with LED flash and built in Omnivision sensor/8MP front camera
• 32GB internal memory, non expandable
• 2GB RAM
• 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS
• 2,350 mAh battery

 5. Nokia Lumia 1320 (Rs 17,999)

Lumia 1320

The Nokia Lumia 1320 believes in providing the best Windows Phone experience on a budget with a big screen and does a pretty good job at it. Nokia launched the device with the aim to rival the likes of the Grand series and it has been able to do so too pretty well. Let us take a look at its specifications:

• 6 inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top
• 1.7 GHz Dual core Qualcomm S4 pro processor
• Adreno 305 GPU
• Windows Phone 8 OS
• 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB internal storage, expandable by 64GB
• 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and GPS
• 3,400 mAh battery

Our Take?

There are a slew of other good devices in the range which provide value for money such as Grand 2, Xolo Q1010i, Canvas Turbo and the likes. My personal favourites are Moto G, K900 and the Z10. What about you?