Android Authority |
- Android 4.2.2 firmware leaks for Galaxy S3, complete with Galaxy S4 features
- On top of the world: HTC One used to make first video call from Everest summit
- Review: ThL W100, the cheapest branded quad-core smartphone on the market
- Android Authority On Air – Episode 64 – Google IO13 Recap
- New Google media player ‘H840 Device’ passes through FCC
- Samsung tablet with flexible display spotted in new design patent
- Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 “Mega” appear in new rumors
- Dell’s Project Ophelia will start shipping in July for $100
- The Galaxy S4 family: familiarity vs brand dilution
- Weekly News Roundup #5 – India
| Android 4.2.2 firmware leaks for Galaxy S3, complete with Galaxy S4 features Posted: 20 May 2013 02:34 AM PDT
A leaked Android 4.2.2 firmware for the Galaxy S3 surfaced online. Features like a new Settings UI, a new lockscreen, and more are coming to the Galaxy S3 in the future. It's no surprise that Samsung is planning to bring some of the software features launched on the Galaxy S4 to the Galaxy S3. The Korean giant confirmed it, with the obvious limitation being that features depending on hardware, like Air View, won't be making it to last year's flagship. Thanks to a test firmware that leaked online, we now have an idea of what features are likely to make the jump to the Galaxy S3. The firmware, codenamed I9300XXUFME3, has been made available online by the guys at Sam Mobile, who specified that this is a test firmware, and that more features could be included in the final release. A video of the firmware in action reveal some of the features that Galaxy S3 users should expect in the close future, starting with those coming from the S4:
Notably absent are the many software features that Samsung introduced for the camera of the Galaxy S4. Features like Eraser mode or Sound and Shot aren't hardware dependent, and should work in theory on the Galaxy S3, the Note 2, and other Samsung devices. For the full list of new features in Android 4.2.2 for the Samsung Galaxy S3, head over to the source. Sam Mobile also provides instructions on how to install the new firmware. Note that this isn't by any mean an official release, though the leakers claim that they have tested it and that it works just like an official version. As for a release date, insiders quoted by the source say that the Galaxy S3 will get the bump to Android 4.2.2 sometimes in June. We'll keep you posted. 
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| On top of the world: HTC One used to make first video call from Everest summit Posted: 20 May 2013 01:49 AM PDT British mountaineer Daniel Hughes and HTC One just secured their own footnote in the history of mountain climbing with the first video call made from a smartphone on top of Mount Everest. Hughes has used the HTC One together with Inmarsat’s Broadband Global Area Network service (a satellite Internet service), to talk live to BBC News from the peak of the highest mountain in the world. The image and sound quality came out pretty good, considering the conditions, as you can see in the video below. Note that the low resolution and stuttering were likely caused by the limited bandwidth and big latency that is typical to satellite connections. The most impressive moment of the call is, probably, when Daniel shows everyone the view at his current location, which is absolutely incredible. The HTC One is an integral part of Daniel Hughes’ kit (HTC is also the lead sponsor for Hughes’ adventure), as he’s trying to achieve his dream of putting a red nose on top of Mount Everest. The ultimate goal is to raise £1 million for charity Comic Relief, which fights poverty and social injustice around the world. Currently, Daniel Hughes’ efforts have only raised a little over £40,000, but hopefully his luck will turn. While the HTC One may have been keyed, knifed, and hammered in the past, this stunt most certainly takes things to a whole new level and helps Android climb even more (literally). 
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| Review: ThL W100, the cheapest branded quad-core smartphone on the market Posted: 20 May 2013 12:51 AM PDT
HardwareAt the heart of the W100 is the MTK6589, a quad-core A7 processor designed for low power but yet quad-core performance. A7 cores are becoming increasingly popular and are starting to replace the Cortex A9 cores that were popular in dual-core phones. By using the A7 core the MTK6589 is able to reduce its energy needs, but at the same time offer quad-core performance. Here are the full specs of the ThL W100:
The device is 134 mm long, 70 mm wide and 9 mm thick which is reasonable considering the 4.5 inch display. However the phone is amazingly light. It weighs just 102 grams and when I first picked it up I thought I had forgotten to put the battery in! Much of this lightness is achieved by using lots of plastic, so no aluminum uni-body designs here, but still it is pleasure to hold. The phone only comes with 4GB of internal storage that is divided into 1GB phone storage and 3GB external storage. This can be a problem for larger apps or games as they simply won’t fit into the 1GB of phone storage. However the good news is that a microSD card can be added and in the settings the microSD card can be set as the default write location. This helps keep the price down but doesn’t leave the user frustrated with no hope of expanding the storage. Although the resolution of the screen is “only” 960 x 540 the display is remarkably high quality. The IPS screen has excellent viewing angles, the colors are vibrant and when on full brightness the screen doesn’t look washed-out. Below is a photo comparing the same image on a HTC One S, a Nexus 7 and the ThL W100. Although the HTC One S offers deeper coloring, I think the W100 is actually the best of the three displays (in terms of color at least).
ConnectivityThe phone has all the standard connectivity options like Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth, 2G GSM and 3G. It doesn’t have NFC nor does it support LTE but for only $169 that isn’t a problem! There are two SIM card slots both of which can be used for normal GSM services and messaging but only one of which can be used for 3G. It doesn’t matter which slot is used for 3G as everything is configurable via the settings. Which SIM is used by default to make calls, which SIM is the default for SMS and which SIM should be used for 3G can all be set accordingly. Both slots are unlocked and will work with any SIM card, contract free. For 3G the phone only supports 850 and 2100MHz. The latter number is the "normal" 3G frequency and should work in most places around the world, however a lot of carriers also use a secondary 3G spectrum range. In Asia this tends to be 850MHz, as supported by the W100, while in Europe it tends to be 900MHz. I tested the 3G slot with a local carrier which uses 2100MHz and 900MHz networks. The 3G worked fine but the range and effectiveness wasn’t as good as a phone that also supports 900MHz. The 3G connectivity will be optimal in areas with only a 2100MHz network or with a 850MHz/2100MHz network. I compared the Wi-Fi signals strengths of the W100 with a HTC One S and a Nexus 7 using the free "Wifi Analyzer" app from the Google Play Store. The W100 performed just as well as those two devices and I was able to access the Internet from all around the house and outside without any problems. SoftwareThe phone runs Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean and includes Google Play and Google Now. The phone is running a slightly tweaked version of stock Android. The most noticeable difference is the transparency of the app draw. When the app draw is opened the background (but not the desktop) can still be seen. It is visually pleasing and a nice touch from ThL. The other thing I noticed was that the settings app uses color icons. Other than that, everything looks to be stock Android. The device supports Google Play and although not all the official Google apps like YouTube etc are pre-loaded, it is a simple matter to install them via the Play Store. Using Google Play was simple and I didn’t encounter any "incompatible" apps. All the top free, paid and essential apps like Twitter, Yahoo! and Facebook all reported compatibility with the W100. For those who like customization it is worth noting that the phone isn’t rooted by default.
PerformanceThe MediaTek MT6589 is becoming increasingly popular at the lower end of the quad-core smartphone market and since it uses one of the the latest core architectures from ARM, it is a good choice for this phone (and other in the range). I previously tested the 5.8 inch, 720p Mithril phone which uses the same processor and the results are very similar with the W100 getting slightly higher benchmark results mainly due to its smaller screen (and hence less effort needed by the CPU/GPU). The phone scores 13,041 on AnTuTu (compared to the Mithril’s 12,737). Putting that into some context it means that AnTuTu rates the W100 as being faster than the Google Nexus 7, the Asus Transformer Prime (both of which are Tegra 3 quad-core devices) and faster than the Samsung Galaxy Note. Similarly the W100 scores 4006 on Quadrant putting it on par with the Asus Transformer Prime. For further comparison the ThL W1, which is powered by a 1GHz dual-core Cortex A9 based MT6577, scored 6436 on AnTuTu and 2737 on Quadrant. Older dual core phones like the HTC One score just under 7000 on AnTuTu. Overall the phone performed well and there was no lags or annoying pauses. It felt as fluid and usable as any of the Android devices I have at hand, maybe even better.
A quick test using Epic Citadel showed that the W100 can manage an average of 47.4 frames per second at 960 x 544 using the high resolution mode. The Tegra 3 based Asus Transformer TF300 manages 46.5 FPS and the Nexus 7 53.7 FPS. CameraThe W100 includes an 8MP camera which takes vibrant pictures and is certainly well beyond what to expect in this price range. Also the inclusion of a 5MP front facing camera is remarkable. The built-in camera app includes features like face detection, HDR, continuous shooting and panorama. The camera works well for quasi-macros shots and I was able to get a good focus lock on objects even when quite close. The dandelion picture below demonstrates this the best.
BatteryIn the box ThL provide two 1800 mAh batteries. The advantage of two batteries is that you can leave home with both fully charged and know that you will get double the battery life during long journeys or times away from a mains socket! The device includes a fairly standard USB mains charging adapter and the phone can also be charged from a laptop or PC since charging only requires 500mA. My battery tests revealed that the ThL W100 can play video for about six hours on one charge. In another test I found that a full battery will allow you to watch YouTube videos over Wi-Fi for about five hours or play heavy 3D games for about three hours. ConclusionFor those with questions about buying electronics online from China, see our guide (part one, part two) – it isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. For $169 this phone could be missing half the features it has an I would still recommend it! OK, this isn’t a Samsung Galaxy S4 or a HTC One, but it costs a lot less than they do. The W100 has a quad core processor based on ARM’s low power consumption Cortex A7, a vibrant IPS display, good connectivity options, reasonable battery life and a nice 8MP camera. The support for only 850MHz and 2100MHz on the 3G side could be limiting to some, but there are other advantages like dual-SIM support plus features like GPS and a compass. All that from a branded Chinese company for just $169. 
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| Android Authority On Air – Episode 64 – Google IO13 Recap Posted: 19 May 2013 07:02 PM PDT
And now that Christmas in May (at least for us Android geeks) is over, we give you a very special Android Authority On Air show: The Google IO 2013 recap. First of all, Google IO is a developer conference. We’re saw things focused towards developers and a few brag-worthy stats such as 900 Million Android activations (from 400 million last year), 48 billion app installs from the Play Store, and Chrome being the world’s most popular browser with 750 million users. The Android focus of IO was extremely exciting and amazing. You’re going to say how is this so? Google didn’t unveil a new version of Android? Google showed us that they are in control of Android. They showed us that they are running the show, no matter your carrier or who makes your phone, it’s ultimately Google that has your back, and will give you new services and Android updates in the background. How do they do this? With Google Play Services. Besides all the new bells and whistles for developers, we discussed some of the heavy hitters of IO this year such as an expanded Google+ Sign-in, Google Cloud Messaging, Play Services, Game Services, a Galaxy S4 Google Edition, Hangouts, Google Play Music All Access, Maps, Google+, Google TV, and more. Miss the show? Watch or listen below.
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| New Google media player ‘H840 Device’ passes through FCC Posted: 19 May 2013 05:51 PM PDT
According to the FCC, a new Google branded media device is making the rounds. The new Google product “functions as a media player” and includes an external power source (AC adapter , so we know this new product isn’t a tablet or smartphone). What exactly do we know? Well, we don’t know much besides the product name: H840 DEVICE and the model number: H2G2-42 (which is a nice hat tip towards you Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fans).
Additionally, Droid Life was recently informed of a product in the works, code named ‘Wolfie’. They were told this device would be focused on gaming. We know that Google is pushing their Google Play Game Services platform hard and that Google still hasn’t effectively taken over the living, yet. I’ve said in the past that an Android game console / Android TV device (think Nexus Q and Google TV hybrid) would be a winner. We don’t know exactly when this device will show up. However, there are rumors that June 10th could be a big day for Google, releasing Android 4.3 and a white Nexus 4. June 10th also just happens to be Apple’s WWDC 2013 event. Releasing the next iteration of Android, a new Nexus 4 and an Android media player on the same day of Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference would definitely steal some thunder from Apple. 
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| Samsung tablet with flexible display spotted in new design patent Posted: 19 May 2013 05:13 PM PDT  Samsung Youm OLED flexible display demoed at CES 2013. Samsung has been recently granted a design patent for a tablet PC that appears to have a bendable display. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Samsung a slew of patents earlier this week including two design patents for tablets. As always with patents – whether awarded or not – keep in mind that they do not portray actual products, and we may never see the devices shown in patent images come to life. But such patents indicate that Samsung is definitely exploring various tablet designs including slates with flexible displays or bendable areas. These patents have been both submitted for review last summer. That said, in these images you'll be able to observe the two tablet designs awarded to Samsung. Patent number D682,264 (filed in June 2012) shows images of a "Tablet computer" that comes with a built-in case and a handle (second image below). In addition to the offered images, other details are not mentioned.  Samsung Design Patent D682,263 for a “Tablet PC” – filed in July 5, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013. Most interestingly, patent D682,263 (filed in July 2012) shows a "Tablet PC" that appears to have a bendable display. As you can see in the image above, the tablet PC can be folded along the dotted line. However, the patent clearly states that the dotted lines are not parts of the claimed design: The broken lines shown in the figures represent portions of the tablet PC which form no part of the claimed design. Patent '263 isn't offering any more details than patent '264 does, but what’s clear from the drawings is that the “tablet PC” has a screen with a flexible section. We can only speculate that the bendable part of the tablet's display could act as some sort of a touchscreen keyboard, while also acting as a stand when users would hold the tablet in landscape mode on a surface. The rest of the display would presumably continue to act as a display. Interestingly, it’s not clear what the difference is between a “tablet computer” and a “tablet PC,” the two products described in these newly awarded patents.  Samsung Design Patent D682,264 for a “Tablet computer” – filed in June 20, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013. As recent reports have shown, Samsung is not yet ready to mass-produce flexible displays in enough quantites to meet consumer needs. While still showing off its advancements in flexible display tech at consumer shows, Samsung is not yet ready to launch a product featuring such a panel. The company's own JK Shin has more than once deflected a clear answer when asked about the first Samsung products featuring a flexible display. Most recently, when asked whether the Galaxy Note 3 would pack such a screen he said that more time is still needed without making other comments. Another report recently claimed that the Galaxy Note 3 would not feature a flexible display as previous rumors suggested. That said, we have no idea when a Samsung tablet with flexible display could arrive. So far this year, Samsung has announced two new tablets, the Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, with at least two more models rumored to arrive, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. Rumors have also mentioned an 11-inch Nexus-branded Samsung tablet, which is yet to be confirmed. AA Staff contributed to this story. 
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| Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 “Mega” appear in new rumors Posted: 19 May 2013 03:52 PM PDT  Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Concept A couple of new reports offer new details about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 3 smartphone but also mention a device never seen before in similar rumors, the Galaxy S4 Mega. Galaxy Note 3Sam Mobile published a picture (see below) that has been allegedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3. The image has apparently been posted on the forum of a Polish website called SmartFan. Naturally, the information can't be confirmed at this time, as we're only looking at details available from EXIF data, and such info can be tampered with. Assuming it's real, the image appears to have been taken with a GT-N7200 device running firmware version N7200XXUAMEB. The Galaxy Note 2 has model number GT-N7100, while the Galaxy Note has model number GT-N7000, so it makes sense to assume this GT-N7200 is the third handset in the series.
According to the EXIF data, the device has a 13-megapixel sensor and an aperture of f/2.2, matching the characteristics of the Galaxy S4 main shooter. The Galaxy Note 3 could share the same camera with the Galaxy S4, but it's too early to have it everything confirmed.
The handset is expected to be unveiled at IFA 2013 in Germany in early September. Galaxy S4 MegaThe Galaxy S4 is rumored to have plenty of brothers including the Galayx S4 Mini, the Galaxy S4 Zoom and the Galaxy S4 Active, but it looks like another member of this expanding family may have been spotted. Called the Galaxy S4 Mega, this particular model has been seen in Samsung's recently updated WatchOn application. As you can see in the screenshots below WatchON has been updated with "added support for the upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active." In fact, these product names are mention right on the app’s page in the Google Play Store:
From the looks of it, the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy S4 Active we mentioned before also get confirmed, but the Galaxy S4 Mega is a totally new product name. Considering that the Mega is a new subfamily of Galaxy smartphones (currently there are two models in it, the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Galaxy Mega 5.8), where would a Galaxy S4 Mega fit? Is the device a bigger Galaxy S4 Mega? What purpose would it serve?
We'll be back with more details about upcoming Samsung devices once we have them. 
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| Dell’s Project Ophelia will start shipping in July for $100 Posted: 19 May 2013 01:05 PM PDT
Introduced this year at CES, Dell's ambitious project of delivering Android 4.0 (or above) experience to any device that has a compatible HDMI port and a display has finally received a price and a release window. Officially known as Wyse Project Ophelia, the small dongle will be sold for no more than $100 and should be first launched this summer, in July. As the source states, Dell will demonstrate Ophelia on regular computer screens and 55-inch displays next week in Los Angeles, during the international Citrix Synergy conference. Afterwards, the first units will begin shipping in July to interested developers that wish to write Android applications for the device. Only in August will the project be available to a wider audience through various cable companies or telecom providers that may want to include Ophelia in their offers. After that, Dell will also sell it on their official website. Furthermore, Dell is also working on “a keyboard-like technology for users to type when Ophelia is docked to a screen.” What will Ophelia mean for the market?The Android-based dongle can solely boot Google's platform and render content on any device that has a HDMI port, including projectors, TVs and computer displays. Once paired, Dell's toy can offer direct access to Wyse PocketCloud, a smart cloud solution that can allow users to access their desktop from mobile devices. The dongle also offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Meant to be a cheap alternative to tablets and computers, Ophelia has the potential of transforming any screen into a full-state PC, used for gaming or content consumption. Future owners will have the possibility of downloading applications, movies or TV shows directly from Google's Play store and stream content from Hulu and Netflix. Dell also states that a specific set of security features will be integrated in the package for better management. Especially aimed at IT administrators, the cloud client manager system will offer specialists the ability of tracking-down the location of the dongle, erase data in case of theft or even to monitor activity. 
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| The Galaxy S4 family: familiarity vs brand dilution Posted: 19 May 2013 11:48 AM PDT
In 2012, Samsung began its familiarity strategy. It's hard to miss a newer Samsung phone on the streets because they all have that definitive look. Plastic rounded body, usually in white, the devices were basically mini or maxi Galaxy S3 versions. This design philosophy was then transferred to Samsung's tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. Samsung is able to churn out a lot of devices aimed at a lot of niche markets and then observes to see which can become hits. This is of course how the Galaxy Note range came to fruition, but now Samsung is taking its familiarity strategy one step further. Galaxy S4 – the strategy continuesThe Galaxy S4 already incorporates many similarities with its sibling, the Galaxy S3, both in physical design and software. This means that there was already a familiarity from the S3, or any Samsung smartphone from 2012 for that matter, and people would be more inclined to buy something they were already familiar with.
This was extremely successful for Apple's iPhone as the device became almost synonymous with the word smartphone. Of course now the market is much more different. However Android still has a brand recognition problem. Surveys have shown that the Galaxy brand is becoming more recognised than Android, and this could develop into a problem for Google. Are people buying Samsung smartphones for the Google services, or the Samsung Galaxy brand? Galaxy S4 Mini – mini phone big plansSamsung gets it, there are some people who are simply not inclined to learn hand gymnastics, or prefer a smaller phone for other reasons. So with the Galaxy S3 Mini, Samsung attempted to accommodate those people, with a smaller version of the extremely popular Galaxy S3. Of course those in the know would remember that the Galaxy S3 Mini was merely a shadow of its big brother. But thanks to the familiarity and brand recognition it was a good seller. A good enough seller, it seems, that Samsung is interested in making a successor in the form of the Galaxy S4 Mini, or at least that’s what plenty of reports claim.
What the Galaxy S4 Mini means is that Samsung sees a smaller form factor a big enough reason for people to choose a particular smartphone model, even if they have to skip out on the latest and greatest specs. That allows Samsung to leverage the S4 brand and enables it to sell a lot more smartphones than it normally could have, had it blessed the S4 Mini with a name like Galaxy Pop, for example. This leaves Samsung prone to its strategy backfiring, if Samsung is serious about the smaller form factor, why doesn't it invest enough money to make the S4 Mini a legitimate competitor to the iPhone 5? That way Samsung could control all three points of the smartphone market in a three pronged attack. The Galaxy S4 Mini for the smaller form factor, the Galaxy S4 for the middlers, and the Galaxy Note 3 towering above the rest. Unfortunately if the rumored specs are anything to go by, the Galaxy S4 Mini will be nothing but a mid-range phone with a famous name. A smartphone with a great camera, there's an S4 for thatThe S4 is no longer a single smartphone it seems, it’s a legion of handsets to cover your every need. So if you want to dump your DSLR, but simply aren't satisfied with the pictures that smartphones produce, you should know that Samsung reportedly plans on introducing a variant of the S4 to please those who take pride in the pictures they take. Not a lot is known about the Galaxy S4 Zoom, but it is rumored to include a 16-megapixel camera with optical zoom. Whether or not the camera will be good enough to make people get rid of their DSLRs, is a question that is yet to be answered. Although, a purported photograph taken with the Galaxy S4 Zoom has made its way to the Internet and is down below for you to behold.
A tweaker not a tweeter, there's an S4 for thatThe Galaxy S4 Google Edition certainly raised eyebrows, and in some circles clouded the definition of a Nexus device. Samsung's sales philosophy is very different to Apple's. Whereas Apple believes in gaining the maximum profit out of its products and therefore only makes high-end devices, Samsung makes a range of products, spanning almost every nook and cranny of the smartphone market. A sale is a sale, no matter where it comes from. Of course the Galaxy S4 Google Edition isn't being sold at near cost like other Nexus devices. This version of the S4 is being sold at an eye watering $649, so Samsung isn't sacrificing profits here either.
Whether the S4 Google Edition is merely a peace offering to Google, or not, Samsung further strengthens its brand appeal and flexibility with a stock Android-running Galaxy S4, appealing to a market that would normally not be interested in a TouchWiz version of the S4. Spend more time on the high seas than the high streets of Manhattan, there's an S4 for thatThe Sony Xperia Z might have attracted Samsung's attention enough, for the company to contemplate creating an S4 that was water and dustproof as well. Heavy duty smartphones are far from what you call sexy, they are often slow, underpowered, low-specced and wouldn't exactly win a Miss Universe contest anytime soon. The Xperia Z changed it all, however with its back and front adorned with glass, it’s far from what we call "heavy duty." Samsung recognised the appeal of a high-end device that could take a beating and has since been rumored to have begun developing a version of the S4 that was more ruggedized, dubbed the Galaxy S4 Active.
The Galaxy S4 Active is rumored to keep most of the original S4's specifications, but to have a slightly downgraded processor. So if you wanted to pick up an S4, but simply wasn't sure that it could take a beating, Samsung wants you to rest assured, a smartphone with you in mind is coming your way. Wrap upSamsung has world domination in mind, and the Galaxy S brand seems like the perfect way to leverage Samsung into the forefront of technology. But Samsung's plan on creating a legion of S4 versions to conquer the world could backfire horrendously. The S4 Mini's rumoured specs aren't exactly to die for, and the Galaxy S4 Zoom's camera could turn out to be a flop. Even the Google Edition of the S4 with its high price and limited audience could fail, leaving customers with a bad taste in their mouths, and we all know keeping customers happy is a major part of business 101. Do you think Samsung is doing the right thing including many smartphones in the same high-end Galaxy S4 brand? Or is this simply hurting Samsung's image? Do you plan on picking up any of the many editions of the Galaxy S4? 
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| Weekly News Roundup #5 – India Posted: 19 May 2013 08:18 AM PDT
In a weekly segment, I'll be doing a roundup of the mobile technology news in India, including new device announcements and releases from Indian manufacturers, network carrier news, and anything else that captures the pulse of the Android scene in India. In today’s “Weekly News Roundup – India,” Micromax launches a new stylus-toting smartphone, as well as one for music enthusiasts, Panasonic enters the Indian smartphone market with a not so budget-friendly quad-core offering, the Nexus 4 is finally officially available in India, the Vertu Ti is released at the price point of a compact car, Notion Ink teases the Adam II tablet, and Vodafone launches new International Roaming plans. As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s get started! Android SmartphonesMicromax Canvas Doodle A111
Micromax continues to add to its Canvas smartphones portfolio, with two new additions this week. The first, called the Canvas Doodle A111, joins the exponentially increasing budget-friendly quad-core smartphones in the country, but will be offering something different from the rest, with the Canvas Doodle A111 featuring a stylus. Specifications of the latest Canvas smartphone from Micromax include -
Unfortunately, the specifications of the Micromax Canvas Doodle A111 aren’t up to the mark compared to the rest of the quad-core smartphones available in the country. Priced at Rs 12,999 (~$245), the availability of a stylus isn’t enough to recommend the Canvas Doodle over other similarly-priced smartphones. There’s no information yet on whether Micromax will be launching stylus-specific apps for the Canvas Doodle A11. If you’re interested in picking up the Micromax Canvas Doodle A111, you can do so from online retailers SnapDeal here. Source – Tech Tree Micromax Canvas Music A88
Micromax released a second smartphone this week, this time in association with JBL, a company well known for its audio products, called the Canvas Music A88. The specifications of the latest offering from Micromax includes -
Priced at Rs 8,499(~$160), the specifications of the Micromax Canvas Music A88 aren’t the best in its price range, but in this case, has a very specific music-oriented target audience in mind. The JBL association means inclusion of a free JBL Tempo headset, with Micromax also offering free unlimited music download from a database that includes over 3 lakh songs via the “MLive!” application. You can find out more about the Micromax Canvas Music A88, and even buy it online, from the Micromax website here, as well as from online retailers Saholic here. Source – Times of India Panasonic P51
Panasonic is a well-known electronics brand in India, and the company has now decided to take a chance in the already overcrowded Indian smartphone market, with the Panasonic P51, announced at a launch event in Delhi this week. The specifications of the Panasonic P51 include -
The Panasonic P51 comes with a free magnetic flip cover and a stylus, along with handwriting recognition support, and boasts more than decent specifications, along the lines of quad-core offerings from local manufacturers that fall in the Rs 15,000 price point. So, it’s somewhat unfortunate that the Panasonic P51 is priced at a whopping Rs 26,900 (~$507), and the inclusion of a stylus and the latest Android OS isn’t enough to justify a difference of close to Rs 10,000. The Panasonic P51 is available from various retail stores around the country. You can find the complete list here. Source – NDTV Gadgets Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro
Samsung launched the Galaxy Grand last year hoping to capture a piece of the mid-range market in India, but with local manufacturers beginning to release quad-core devices at less than Rs 15,000, Samsung had a difficult go at things. Now, Samsung has launched a revamped version called the Galaxy Grand Quattro, which, as the name suggests, boasts a quad-core processor. Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro include -
Like every new Samsung device, the Galaxy Grand Quattro looks a lot like the Galaxy S4, with the major difference being the smaller display size of the Galaxy Grand Quattro. While Samsung India had priced the first Galaxy Grand wrong at close to Rs 20,000, the company has a much better contender to take on similar quad-core offerings from local manufacturers with a Rs 16,900 (~$318) price point. Granted, the price is slightly higher, but the brand recognition of Samsung is enough for consumers to ignore that difference. The Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro comes in the Black Mist and Frosty White (just like the Galaxy S4) color options, and is available from the Samsung India e-Store here. Source – Fone Arena Google Nexus 4
The long wait is finally over! The Google Nexus 4, which has been one of the most highly-anticipated smartphones in the country, is now officially available. Unlike with the Nexus 7, the Nexus 4 will not be available via the Google Play Store but directly from retailers including LG exclusive stores, multi-brand stores, and various online retailers. As a reminder, the specifications of the Google Nexus 4 include -
The Nexus 4 is still one of the best Android smartphones around, and is comparatively far cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, priced at Rs 25,990 (~$490). Granted, this is far higher than the $300 price point in the US, but the marked up price has always been an issue in India, and the Nexus 4 is no different. The Nexus 4 is currently up for pre-order from online retailers Flipkart, with an expected delivery date in the last week of May. Source – GSM Arena Vertu Ti
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to make a decision between buying a car or picking up a smartphone, you can now do so, with the official arrival of the Vertu Ti “luxury Android smartphone” in India. Before we get into how much this device costs, let’s take a look at the specifications -
Of course, it’s not the (decidedly mid-range) specifications that makes the Vertu Ti the most expensive Android smartphone in the world, but the fact that it features a Grade 5 Titanium body, scratch-free sapphire crystal display, and premium Bang a& Olufsen speakers. The smartphone also comes with a feature called Vertu Key, which provides instant access to various services, such as country specific security alerts, articles, city briefs, and Vertu Customer Service. You’ll also get exclusive event invites, club memberships and more. Wondering how much getting your hands on the Vertu Ti is going to set you back? Rs 6,49,900 (~$12,262). If you have that kind of money lying around, you can find the full list of retail stores around India here. Source – Zee News Android TabletsNotion Ink Adam II
When Bangalore-based Notion Ink announced the first Adam tablet, the company promised to deliver a product that would offer a viable alternative to every high-end tablet, but couldn’t deliver on its promise. The Adam tablet was plagued with software issues, shipping delays, and poor build quality. A couple of years later, and the company is attempting to make in impact in the Android tablet market once again, with the Notion Ink Adam II, which was teased at the National Technology Awards this week. Here’s a quick look a the specifications of the Notion Ink Adam II -
One of the interesting features of the Adam II is the secondary display located on the spine of the tablet, which is a Super-twisted Nematic display (STN), that shows notifications as well as contextual data related to what showing on the main display. The Notion Ink Adam II is expected to be released in June. The second attempt by Notion Ink is impressive, but may fall short in the highly-competitive Indian tablet market. Unlike two years back, local manufacturers have embraced the Android tablet, and have begun to consistently release budget-friendly tablets with great specifications. If the company can deliver on what it hoped to accomplish the first time around, it’ll be interesting to see how the market reacts to the arrival of the Adam II. Source – BGR India Network Carrier NewsVodafone launches new international roaming plan, with discounts up to 90%
This week, Vodafone announced a new international roaming plan for Indian subscribers, which features a discount of around 90% on data, and close to 64% on voice calls. The plan, priced at Rs 2,499 (~$47) and valid for 30 days, features the following changes in rates -
It’s difficult to believe that regular international roaming data charges are Rs 563 per MB! The new roaming plan is available with select network providers in 45 countries, including the US, UK, Singapore, and UAE. Of course, while the rates may have fallen, regularly using the phone could still prove to be very expensive, so depending on the duration of your stay, it is always recommended to pick up a local SIM whenever possible. Source – Think Digit What are your thoughts? Will you consider picking up either of the two new Micromax smartphones announced this week? How well do you think the Panasonic P51 is going to do ? What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro? Can you imagine spending that much money to buy the Vertu Ti? Are you excited that the Google Nexus 4 is finally officially available in the country? What do you think of Notion Ink’s second attempt at an Android tablet? Do you think the new discounted international roaming plans are going to make a difference, or is it still to expensive? Let us know in the comments section below. See you next week! 
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