India's HCL Infosystems unveils ME Connect 2G 2.0 phablet

HCL Infosystem's latest addition to its product line is the 7-inch HCL ME Connect 2G 2.0 smartphone-tablet, more commonly known as a phablet.

The phablet is powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor with 1GB DDR3 RAM and 4GB internal memory, which is expandable up to 32GB, according to a press release.
indias-hcl-infosystems-unveils-me-connect-2g-2-0-phabletHCL ME Connect 2G 2.0.

The HCL ME Connect 2G 2.0 runs on the Google Android Jellybean 4.1 OS and is also equipped with support for 11 local Indian languages and face recognition to lock and unlock the device. As the name suggests, the HCL ME Connect 2G 2.0 phablet only offers 2G voice-calling.

The cameras are outdated, as it sports simply a 0.3MP camera on the front and the rear camera is no better at just 2.0MP. Clearly, this device would be passed on by consumers who want a device to take decent pictures as the resolution is far below current industry standards.
Interesting wireless features


However, other promising features include 3G connectivity through a USB datacard (WCDMA/EVDO), which is not included with the device. The phablet does include both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as it also comes with an integrated Wi-Fi router which can be used to create a wireless hotspot. This is an interesting feature not seen on many devices; that is, a built-in router to create a wireless hotspot. This could be appealing for those who want to create mini hotspots in small areas within a small group of users.


The HCL ME Connect 2G 2.0 is priced attractively at just 8,499 rupees (US$150.30). This is quite a steal for the price in contrast to other Indian phablets from either Karbonn or Micromax. If anything, the HCL brand itself carries weight within India, and if leveraged effectively with a slick advertising and marketing campaign, HCL Infosystems could make a decent in the Indian market.

The question is what their intent is, to make a dent in the market or just enough of a presence to be noticed?

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HCL launches three new ME tablets with Android 4.0

HCL Infosystems yesterday launched three new HCL ME Tabs, called the ME U2, ME V1 and ME Y3. The company’s event saw its new brand ambassador, India’s U-19 cricket world cup winning captain Unmukt Chand launching the tablets.

Some key features of the three tablets are: 3G Video-calling, Voice-calling, Dual-SIM capability, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot and educations apps.


The prices of the three tablets are as follows: HCL ME U2 will cost Rs 5,999, HCL ME V1 is for Rs 7,999 and HCL ME Y3 costs Rs 11,999.


Mr Gautam Advani, Global Head, Mobility Business Unit, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, “We’re very delighted to have Unmukt Chand as our brand ambassador for our ME Tablet brand. Unmukt’s exuberance and passion to excel is an apt personification of our brand. Like Unmukt, the ME Tab brand is young, focused and raring to go.”

Key features of the tablet are as follows:

HCL ME Y3: This has a 1 Ghz Cortex A9 CPU processor and comes with built-in GPS & FM Radio and a mini HDMI Port. It also has dual-SIM capability. The device has a 7-inch screen with 1024X600 pixels, 1GB RAM and 4GB storage space which is expandable via microSD. It has a 3.2 megapixel rear camera and 0.3 megapixel front camera.

HCL ME V1: HCL is calling this one a phablet as it comes with an integrated voice receiver and call vibrate options as well as built in EDGE/Data support. It also has a dual camera, built in proximity sensor and 1 GB RAM. The device has a 7-inch screen with 800X400 pixel resolution. It comes with 1GB RAM and 4GB storage space which can be expanded via microSD. It has a 2 megapixel rear camera and a 0.3MP front camera.

The HCL ME U2: Key spces of this tablet include a 1 Ghz Cortex A9 processor, with 1 GB RAM, and 4GB storage space (expandable to 32GB via Micros SD). This tablet however, does have access to Google Play Store which the other two tablets don’t allow. It can support external dongles and mini HDMI port. This does not support 3G data card. It has a 7-inch WVGA display has a resolution of 800X480 pixels. It has a 0.3-megapixel front camera but no rear camera.


HCL ME Tabs are preloaded with Big-Flix, Cleartrip, LinkedIn, NimBuzz, Twitter and Facebook. Also as an introductory offer HCL Infosystems offers MyEduWorld, a digital learning tool developed by HCL. The tablets will be available across the country from this month onwards.

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HCL ME Y3 dual-SIM tablet retailing online for Rs. 11,999

After dual-SIM feature phones and smartphones, it looks like there will soon be a flurry of dual-SIM tablets in the Indian market. HCL seems to be foraying in this space with its HCL ME Y3 tablet. HCL ME Y3 features a 7-inch capacitive multi-touchscreen with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. There is a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor on-board and it will run on Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system.

The HCL ME Y3 comes with 2-megapixel rear camera and a 0.3-megapixel one in the front. There is 2GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options include, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. One can make voice calls from both the SIMs and it also supports FM Radio. It comes with a 3,100mAh battery. So far it is not clear whether the tablet will support 3G data on both the SIM or just one of them.

The tablet is already listed on the deal site snapedeal.com for Rs. 11,999 and the site is promising to ship it within five business days.

HCL is already offering around a dozen tablets in the Indian market, which range from Rs. 6,700 to Rs. 14,999. However, HCL ME Y3 is the first dual-SIM tablet by the company. Apart from HCL, Swipe and iBall are currently offering dual-SIM tablets in India.


Swipe had launched its Swipe Tab All in One in October 2012 for Rs. 11,999. This tablet comes with 7-inch TFT LCD full-HD capacitive touch screen with 5 point multi- touch and has a resolution of 1028X768 pixels. Swipe Tab All in One runs on Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and has a 4,000mAh battery. This tablet comes with 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB of internal storage.

The iBall Slide 3G 7334 on the other hand is available in the market for Rs. 10,990. It is a 7-inch tablet that sports a resolution of 1024x600 pixels and 4,400mAh battery. Powered by Cortex A9 1GHz processor, iBall Slide 3G 7334 comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. It runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and supports 3G on both the SIMs. Just like the HCL ME Y3 tablet, even iBall Slide 3G 7334 supports FM radio.

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HCL unveils 3G tablet ME Y2 for Rs. 14,999

HCL has launched a new 3G-enabled tablet in the country, the HCL ME Y2 priced at Rs. 14,999.


The 7-inch tablet runs on Ice Cream Sandwich out-of-the-box. It features a 2MP rear camera and a VGA front facing camera. The device has a multi touch capacitive screen with a 1024x600 pixel display.

Under the hood, it is powered by a Cortex A9 1GHz processor hosting 1GB RAM. It comes with 8GB internal storage, which is expandable via microSD card.


HCL ME Y2 includes mini-USB and mini-HDMI ports. It has a robust 4000 mAh battery and connectivity options include Wi-Fi,3G and Bluetooth.


The tablet also comes pre-installed with a host of applications, some with special offers. The Hungama Application will offer HCL ME Y2 customers with free three months subscription to download and play unlimited music, videos and ringtones. Users will also get unlimited streaming of movies for a month for just Rs. 1, courtesy Bigflix.


Y2 users can create, view, edit or share MS Office docs via ThinkFree Office Mobile or listen toBollywood music through Saavn. Social media apps include LinkedIn and Twitter.


The Y2 also comes with its own ME App store featuring over 15,000 Android applications optimized for the tablet.

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