Acer Two In One ( Laptop And Tablet)

Acer today launched its 2-in-1 Acer One notebook-cum-tablet device at Rs 19,999 on Amazon.in. The device sports a magnetic detachable Acer Snap Hinge design for transition between modes along with a latch-free keyboard docking.

The Acer One with up to 32GB of storage in the detachable screen, is powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor. It comes in two variants- 1GB RAM and 2GB RAM versions. The 2GB RAM variant costs Rs 21,999.

The device comes pre-installed with Windows 8.1 operating system. There is an optional keyboard dock with integrated hard-disk with up to 500GB of storage. Also included is 1TB of storage with a free one-year subscription to OneDrive.

Specs:

1.33 GHz with Turbo Boost upto 1.83 GHz Intel Quad Core Baytrail Z3735F Processor

1GB2GB DDR3L RAM

32GB eMMC ROM for tablet and 500GB Hard Disk integrated in Keyboard dock

10-inch Touchscreen Display (Multi-Touch) with Gorilla Glass protection

0.3 MP web cam and 2 MP Camera

Windows 8.1 Operating System

2 x USB2.0 ports

1 HDMI port

MicroSD card slot

6000mAh battery

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Asus Kills Dual-boot Notebook to Please Microsoft, Google

Dual-boot or multiboot systems are nothing new, but it looks like neither Microsoft nor Google are too jazzed about the idea of their operating systems living together on the same machine. In fact, they're unhappy enough that it put the kibosh on a newly-announced dual-boot system from Asus. Announced at CES in January, the Transformer Book Duet ran both Microsoft Windows and Google's Android OS. It was supposed to be available for purchase this month. Instead, the company has canned the idea for the foreseeable future. A report in the Wall Street Journal says the device was probably canceled due to Microsoft and Google's feelings on the issue. The WSJ says Asus faced pressure from Google and Microsoft and that the device has been indefinitely postponed. In an industry where products are announced, shipped, relegated to the bargain bin and then redesigned and re-announced all in the space of a year, an 'indefinite postponing' is as bad as it gets. Especially if that product had already been announced and was well on its way to launch.

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Asus Transformer Book T100: An ultraportable workhorse

Asus Transformer Book T100: Though a known name among tech enthusiasts, Asus is yet not that popular among general consumers in India. To shed that image, the company has gone into an overdrive, releasing a slew of pocket-friendly but extremely good looking devices. Right from its range of budget-to-premium laptops like the Vivobook, Zenbook and Taichi to its Transformer range of tablets, the company is not keeping any stones unturned to fill every price segment in the market.

The Transformer range of tablets is an initiative on the company’s part to bridge the gap between a tablet, netbook and a laptop. The Transformer Book T100 is a Windows 8.1 convertible tablet. This is a new segment that is quickly gaining traction and is expected to become a separate vertical in the tablet segment.

Once unpacked, the T100 does not make heads turn with its glossy back. The deep bluish-black tablet is light at just over 550 grams and compact to hold, however it has a plasticky feel. The device has a 10.1-inch screen, which is a fingerprint magnet. With a HD display measuring 1366 x 768 pixels, I felt the display quality was a bit below satisfaction. Colours did not look vibrant enough. Viewing angles were good though, thanks to the IPS display.

But where the tablet scores is the detachable keyboard that comes along. It is not a full sized keyboard with the weight same as the tablet itself, and lacks light indicators of any kind. Attached with a USB port, the keys could feel too small for someone with thicker fingers and the small built-in touchpad isn’t very responsive. Considering that the T100 is a tablet that has been priced attractively, including a keyboard is still a very smart move, and will definitely help Asus stand in better stead compared to the Acer Iconia and Dell Venue tablets, both of which lack keyboards.


Powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor, the T100 is extremely fast. Whether its multitasking between apps, documents, browser or quickly switching from the Metro user interface to the desktop mode, the tablet responds well.

The T100 comes loaded with the Windows Home and Student Edition, which should definitely please professionals who want a lighter device to work on their documents, spreadsheets or presentations. However, one has to purchase the license separately from the Microsoft store, which was a let down. The Acer Iconia W4-820, a competitor to this device, had an active MS-Office license preloaded.

Equipped only with a 1.2-MP front camera, the T100 scores low on this front. Though Skype was pre-installed, video calls gave grainy images, but with decent voice clarity. Why Asus missed out on a rear camera was a mystery, considering most of the rivals like Acer (on its Iconia tablets), Dell (on its Venue tablets) and even iBall have tablets with dual cameras. Sound quality was also something that impressed me. Videos on YouTube or from my flash drives played well with decent sound clarity.

The T100 was preloaded with games like Medieval Apocalypse, Agent P, Pinball FX2 and the more popular Krrish 3. Graphics quality was good for a tablet in this price range and the fact that there were not too many lags or stutters while playing them. Sound quality, again, was very good, being too loud at times. As for the storage, the device offers 32 GB and 64 GB options via eMMC, with an option for free storage on the cloud via the Asus WedStorage.

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Apple introduces buyback discounts of up to Rs 40,000 on MacBook in India

After trying to penetrate the mid-range mobile segment with the outdated iPhone 4, Apple India has decided to offer buyback discounts on the MacBook if you are returning your old Apple laptop. According to the Cupertino-based company, you can expect discounts of up to Rs 40,000 if you trade-in your existing laptop for a new one under Upgrade to Mac promotional program.

Those who already own a MacBook can have it exchanged and expect at least Rs 20,000 off on the new one. And if you own one of these systems which is less than two years old, then you may be in for a discount of as much as Rs 40,000. Similarly, notebooks older than two years will fetch you Rs 30,000 and those bought 3 to 4 years ago can look forward to getting Rs 20,000 off.

Buyback schemes have already proved to be helpful for Apple products in the past. Such deals were introduced in April last year on the iPhone and again in September on the newer versions of the gadget. The iPad has also been the recipient of more attention from buyers due to the programs. And now it is the laptop’s turn.

It should be noted that Upgrade to Mac is only applicable on the MacBook. The Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro are not eligible for it. You can head over to the Apple stores or visit one of the authorized retailers such as Reliance Digital stores, Croma, Vijay Sales or more to make the most of the scheme. Make sure the MacBook you wish to exchange is in perfect working condition.

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Samsung dumps Android, launches Tizen-powered smartwatches

Samsung has launched its next-generation smartwatch, the Gear 2 just ahead of its Unpacked event at the Mobile World Congress where it is expected to announce its flagship phone, the Galaxy S5.

The Gear 2 will be available in two variants, namely the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, with the latter being an economy version. Samsung has dropped the Galaxy branding as the new smartwatch does not run Android. Instead, it is powered by Tizen, the Linux based operating system developed under the leadership of Samsung and Intel. The Gear 2 is one of the first commercially available Tizen devices.

Just like the Galaxy Gear, the Gear 2 also sports a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display(320 X 320p), and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB RAM. It has 4GB internal storage and features Accelerometer, Gyroscope and heart rate sensors. The Galaxy Gear did not have a heart rate sensor. It also features an IrLED port allowing it to be used as a universal remote control.

The Gear 2 sports a 2MP camera which is mounted on the front unlike the Galaxy Gear's camera which was placed on the strap. The Gear 2 Neo does not come with a camera. The Gear 2 Neo is made of plastic while the Gear 2 has a metal face.

Both of the variants of the Gear 2 are IP67 certified water and dust resistant.

While the user interface of the Gear 2 looks similar to the Galaxy Gear in the press shots, it is not known if the Galaxy Gear apps will be compatible with the Gear 2. The watch has the ability to store and play music without being connected to a smartphone.

Samsung says the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are compatible with more than "dozens of Samsung Galaxy smartphones at launch," suggesting wider compatibility compared to the Galaxy Gear which was compatible with a handful of high-end Samsung smartphones.

The Gear 2 will be available in Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange colours while the Gear 2 Neo will be available in Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange colours. It will be available around the world starting April though Samsung has not revealed pricing information.

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Leaked images reveal how Android looks and runs on the Nokia X

Even as launch day for the much talked about Android based Nokia X approaches, the phone has been caught in live shots. The pictures of the device have been leaked online and show a Windows-Phone flavoured Android running on the device which has been codenamed Normandy.

Website Coolxap has a bunch of pictures of the Nokia X up, giving us a better glimpse into the phone’s colourful UI and build. The phone itself looks quite a lot like a Windows Phone but is slightly more bulky and not too sleek, given that the phone is aimed at the low-end segment, catering to Asha users.


The user interface of the phone is the most interesting of the leaks, though. Given how since the time the leaks started appearing, the attention was on the UI, the leaks do not disappoint, showing a tile-based interface. The phone will indeed be running Android 4.4 KitKat but a forked version of it, something like what Amazon uses for its Kindle Fire devices. A “Store” icon is clearly seen in the leaked images, confirming that Nokia will have its own version of the App Store for the phone rather than let Google Play run on it.


The Nokia X is all set to be revealed at the Mobile World Congress, to be held at Barcelona next week. The phone is being heavily teased by Nokia too, which released an image of four black arrows making one big “X” on the Android green colour.

The dual-SIM phone is set to be priced somewhere around $110 or Rs 6,800 if leaks are to be believed. Nokia X will come with a 512MB RAM and 4GB on onboard storage. It will also feature a 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon 200 processor and a 5-megapixel rear camera. Here’s all you need to know about the Nokia X or Normandy before the Finnish company officially announces the device at MWC.

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Normandy may not be Nokia's only Android phone this year

Rumors of the Nokia Normandy are heating up, but new whispers say it may only be the first of a whole pack of Android-powered phones from the Finnish firm.

Word from an Artesyn Technologies source is that says the phone company will have more Android phones coming this year, including several higher-end models.


Supposedly this new slew of phones powered by Google's mobile OS will be revealed sometime between May and June.

The source says the phones will come at different price points, but there's no word if it will be able to reach the Play Store unlike Normandy.


But phones may stay low end : Microsoft, which is in the final stages of finalizing its purchase of Nokia, has reportedly put its new acquisition through the chop shop and leaving it with the low-end Asha and feature phone departments.


Meanwhile, teams involved with Nokia's more notable hardware bits including PureView cameras, HAAC microphones, and ClearBlack displays have been moved to Redmond.

Taking these technology shifts into account, its possible that a majority of Nokia's Android phones could come as budget handsets with the Asha overlay - essentially a faux-smartphone tiled, touchscreen interface.


Nokia's Android pathfinder : Thus far, the only Android Nokia handset we've seen evidence for is Normandy. The phone will reportedly debut at MWC 2014 and it's already shaping up to be an abnormal little droid.a

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Price Points and Specs Review – Best Android Phone Mini 2014?

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, Samsung has taken its popular flagship S4 and scaled back the features and size to make a good midrange phone. While it is not as big or powerful as the S4, the Galaxy S4 Mini is the perfect little phone for lots of users who don’t require all the fluff and extras that S4 takes so very far. Here are the details on this solid little performer.

Display & Design : Size wise, the S4 Mini is similar to an iPhone 5, although the screen on the Mini is larger, measuring 4.3 inches. The overall design is identical to its big brother, the S4, but in a smaller package. Outside features include power and volume buttons, a charging port, a headphone jack, and an infrared blaster. Like the other Samsungs, this device has a user removable battery as well as a microSD slot. The display is a 960 x 540 pixel resolution AMOLED screen, which is reasonably bright and clear.

Operating System & Processor : The S4 Mini runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box, and the processor is the 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400. On board storage is either 8 GB or 16 GB. The TouchWiz user interface gives us all we’ve come to expect from the newer Galaxy devices, including S Memo, S Voice, Group Play, and Smart Stay. You can also use the infrared blaster to change channels on your television, a fun little extra that keeps you from remote hunting.


Camera : While the S4 carries a full 13 megapixel camera on board, the S4 Mini’s 8 megapixels are still nothing to sneeze at, especially for a midrange phone. Video can be captured in 1080p, making it very good as well. The flash is good, and you will be able to take decent pictures with this camera even in low light situations. This as well as the editing features earn the Mini’s camera two thumbs up.

Battery : The battery of the Samsung Galaxy S4 has a 1,900mAh battery and boasts a talk time of 12 hours, which is really not too bad for most users. If you decide to do a lot of clicking and searching, you may find that the battery drains more quickly than you would like, though.

Price Points : While full price is $399.99, Sprint users will enjoy the S4 Mini for free with a two year contract. Verizon customers will pay only $49.99 for the phone with a similar plan, or about $16 for the Verizon Edge payment plan.


All in all, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a great little phone with a few extras that will keep budget users happy without sacrificing too much quality or performance. It is certainly not comparable to the flagship phones from Verizon or other companies, but then again, it isn’t designed to be. While nothing to write home about, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini remains a solid contender in the midrange market which is able to keep up with the other minis on the market.

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Metis Learning launches Android based tablet Eddy for kids at Rs. 9,999

Metis Learning has launched an Android based learning tablet Eddy for kids, in India. With a price tag of Rs 9,999, the tablet is aimed at children aged between 2-10 years.

It features a 7-inch (1024x600) IPS display Eddy is powered by 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, It comes with internal memory of 8GB, expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card. The tablet also has an HDMI port. The tablet is available on eddytablet.com and amazon.in.
 

It has a 0.3 megapixel front camera and a 2 megapixel back camera and packs in a large 3200 mAh battery which can last for more than 4 hours.


Eddy comes with educator-selected learning content, a kid-safe environment and high-quality hardware. It also has a kid-safe browser, which only permits access to reliable websites. Not only can parents set time limits for their children to play on Eddy, they can decide which subjects their children should focus on.

Meanwhile, world’s leading Chipset maker Intel has launched a 10-inch 'Intel Education Tablet' for school students. It will come loaded with a range of educational apps. 

'Intel Education Tablet' design run Android 4.2 and is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520, with an Intel GMA powering 1080p video playback; have 1GB or 2GB of RAM. It comes with up to 32GB of Flash storage. It also has front and rear facing cameras. It will have 12 hours of battery life and Wifi and 3G as connectivity options.


Intel also introduced the 10-inch Intel classmate PC based on the Intel Celeron processor N2806. It is powered by Windows 8.1. A Windows 7 version. It said that a Linux version based on Intel Celeron processor N2805 will be launched later this year.

Both the devices have features such as a snap-on magnification tool and a temperature sensor probe allowing users to view microscopic and macroscopic images and measure and analyze environmental data.

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Coming soon:Titanium S6 with 13MP camera, stylus, stock Android, Snapdragon 4-core

 

After the success of the Titanium S1, S2 and S5 Karbonn is readying for another quad-core 5-incher. This one called the Titanium S6 will run on a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 or 200 series chipset  with 2 GB of RAM.

 

The main attraction of this phone will be its 13 megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash, like the Galaxy S4 and Micromax’s upcoming Canvas 4. It will have a stylus which makes it possible to compete with the Galaxy Note. We are yet to know more on its features.
 

It will sport full HD display and Dragontrail or Corning Gorilla Glass protection for the screen. The  image of the phone posted by Gizchai.com, does show Android Edition printed on the back of the phone, indicating it might run a stock Android. We could not see a company logo not marked on the back panel of the phone. Also the phone shows a physical home button on the phone which was not there in Titanium S1, S2 and S5. Hence would wait for more pics. 

MD Karbonn Mobiles, Pradeep Jain, announced the handset saying “We are working on a quad-core based smartphone, that will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean version and will be priced around Rs. 19000. Our aim at Karbonn is not to provide the cheapest smartphone is the category but a quality product in the market. We have done that with our past products and we will continue to do the same with Titanium S6." The Karbonn Titanium S6 Mobile is expected to be launched in July and will be priced at Rs. 19,000. 

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Will Google Provide a Taste of Key Lime Pie in October?

Android users who have had their fill of Jelly Bean and Ice Cream Sandwich may have a new snack to munch on this fall.

According to a report from VR-Zone.com, Google is preparing to launch Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie in late October.


Citing unnamed sources, the site said the next-generation mobile operating system will be an "optimized OS" that performs well on devices with as little as 512MB, suggesting that it will have a smaller footprint that will allow it to function on a variety of devices with lower-power processors.

Google did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.


Leaked slides from a February Qualcomm presentation tipped a springtime arrival for the next Android operating system. But Google's I/O developer conference came and went without mention of Key Lime Pie, and summer is fast approaching, so we might be waiting until October. 


As several Android sites pointed out, October is also the fifth anniversary of the launch of the first Android-based phone, the T-Mobile G1, aka the HTC Dream. So perhaps it'll be pie instead of cake for this particular milestone.


Might the launch of Key Lime Pie coincide with the debut of the Moto X smartphone from the Google-owned Motorola Mobility? At the D11 conference last month, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside promised that the anticipated smartphone would arrive by October.
The most recent version of Android, Jelly Bean, was unveiled at Google I/O 2012, while Ice Cream Sandwich debuted during an Oct. 2011 event in Hong Kong.

At this point, 33 percent of Android devices are running Jelly Bean, while 25.6 percent run ICS, and 36.5 percent run Gingerbread, according to Google stats published on June 3.

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Samsung to launch 20.3 MP interchangeable-lens Android camera soon

 

Samsung is currently readying a 20.3 megapixel interchangeable-lens Android camera which might see the daylight on 20th of this month.

According to Vietnamese website tinhte.vn Samsung's mobile chief JK Shin hinted that the company would soon be announcing an Android-powered mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. Press shots of this camera called Galaxy NX, have emerged on the website.

The device comes with a mirrorless mount and a three NX lenses. The backside of the camera features a touchscreen smartphone display. It is likely to be closer in size to a DSLR than Samsung's existing CSC lineup.

Hardware controls are few and far between, and may be limited to a shutter release, video capture button, top-mounted dial and a pop-up flash release, along with the compulsory lens release to the left of the swappable optic, reports Engadget.

The camera will run Android 4.2 operating system and will sport 20.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, dual-core processors or quad-core Samsung Exynos, 4.3 touchsereen. It will feature ISO sensitivity through 25600.

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Dell board recommends Michael Dell buyout offer

Round Rock: The Dell board is standing behind a buyout offer from the company's CEO and founder, and it has asked shareholders of the slumping PC maker to approve the deal in a July 18 vote.

The company's announcement Friday is the latest volley in a battle with prominent shareholders over the company's future and Michael Dell's role in it.


Dell directors unanimously recommended an offer from Michael Dell and the investment firm Silver Lake Partners to take the company private for $24.4 billion, or $13.65 per share, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 


A board special committee told shareholders in an open letter Friday that Michael Dell's plan was the best option, and that it offered certainty and "a very material premium" in a challenging business environment. It noted that the price represented a premium of about 37 percent over the stock's average closing price in the months before rumors about a potential deal surfaced.

But Dell's largest independent shareholder, Southeastern Asset Management, urged shareholders in a letter on Friday to reject Michael Dell's offer. It said it that it will provide more details about its own offer in the near future.

"We are a long-term investor in Dell and (like you) we care about our investment," the letter said.

Southeastern teamed with billionaire investor Carl Icahn earlier this month to pitch an alternative plan that would let Dell shareholders keep their stake in the company and give them either $12 per share in cash or additional shares.


Dell's committee has said that it needs more information on that proposal. The committee also said Friday that shareholders would face substantial risks if the company took on debt to pay for a special payout, a process known as "leveraged recapitalization." With the buyout, the risk shifts to the parties buying the company.

Icahn and Southeastern own more than 12 per cent of Dell shares combined, a total that trails only Michael Dell. They have said they will work to convince other Dell shareholders to reject the Michael Dell buyout.

Icahn has nominated himself and 11 other candidates for spots on Dell's board and has said Michael Dell will no longer be running the company if his nominees gain seats. But the company hasn't scheduled an annual meeting at which it will elect directors. The board said Friday it may not do that if shareholders vote for the buyout at the July special meeting, which will be held at the company's headquarters.


Icahn, who has said Michael Dell's offer amounted to a giveaway, did not return calls from The Associated Press on Friday.

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Idea launches Android smartphone for Rs 7850

Idea Cellular has added another low-cost 3G smartphone to its line-up. Idea has launched Whiz, which is powered by 1 GHz dual core processor and runs on Android Ice Cream v4.0.

Priced at Rs 7,850, Whiz features a 5 MP auto focus camera and also has a front camera with video calling. The 4-inch smartphone has a screen resolution of 800x480 pixels.


Whiz is a dual-SIM smartphone with an internal memory of 4GB and 512 RAM and is powered by a 1500 mAh battery.


Idea has also bundled in free data benefits and Idea TV subscription for the first three months with the smartphone for some zones.   

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Awesome Note for Android APK extracted from leaked Note 8.0 ROM

Waiting to get your hands on Awesome Note app for Android, well the APK is now available for download at XDA. Forum member jujuburi has extracted the installable APK from a leaked Note 8.0 ROM, and it is reportedly working fine on Samsung Galaxy Note II, and Galaxy Note 10.1 devices.

Awesome Note is pretty popular note taking app on iOS platform. It is supposed to make exclusive debut for Android on Galaxy Note 8.0, but thanks to a leaked ROM of this upcoming tablet, we already have access to this app. There is no word right now on Google Play release of the app.


Awesome Note comes with S-Pen compatibility, so it would work flawlessly with Note-series devices, but you can always try on more devices and see if it works, drop a comment you are successful.

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Wammy Passion Y quad-core phablet now on Android 4.2

Wickedleak has said that its Quadcore Phablet Wammy Passion ‘Y’ is now available on Android 4.2 in India from March 28.

The device is powered by MTK6589 cortex A7 Quad core and has Capacitive Touch Screen,Multi Touch Support, 1GB RAM, and 4GB ROM memory. It supports Support Micro SD memory card extended uop to (T-Flash card) up to 32GB maximum.

The dual-SIM device supports Adobe Flash Player 11.1 and has 5.0MP front camera: and 8.0MP Back camera: with Flashlight.

The company said that Wammy Titan 2 Handset will be receiving a similar update to 4.2 soon.

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Lenovo S920 Becomes Official

 

The previously leaked Lenovo S920 Android smartphone has just become official as the company has already made it available over at their Chinese website although it isn’t shipping yet. The device is pretty impressive and features a 5.3 inch display, runs on Android Jelly Bean, and comes with a quad core processor.

Lenovo S920 Technical Specifications

    Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
    5.3 inch HD (1280 x 720) display
    1.2 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor
    1GB of RAM
    16GB of internal storage
    micro-SD support
    8 megapixel rear camera
    2 megapixel front camera
    2,250 mAh battery

When the Lenovo S920 hits the market early April it is going to be the first device of the company to run on Jelly Bean. One thing interesting about this model is that its back part looks similar to that of the HTC One. That’s as far as the similarities go as the rest of the design is quite different. It’s also just 7.9 mm thin making it one of the thinnest devices available in the market.


Based on its specifications this device is capable of standing next to the Samsung Galaxy Note II. The price will be less than the Note II though since its only using a MediaTek processor.

What we are concerned though is the battery life of this device since it only sports a 2,250 mAh battery.

Lenovo has not made any announcement yet if they will release this device in the global market. One thing is for sure though; it will soon be released in China.


Another device which the company is also expected to release is the Lenovo S820 which was spotted weeks ago. There is no information yet regarding the specifications of this device other than the fact that it appears to look similar to the HTC One.

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Karbonn Retina A27 priced at Rs. 9,090, now up for grabs

With a price for the Retina A27 by Karbonn having been announced, the company has put forth surprisingly decent components at Rs. 9,090. Even so, the only online shopping outlet which appears to have stashed it at present is Saholic. Seemingly, this gadget could pose as stiff competition to smartphones such as the Lava Iris 430 and the Acer Liquid E1.

Turning our attention to the specifications of the device, the front panel is dominated by a 4.3-inch LCD display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. The screen employs IPS technology in order to grant users the privilege of viewing from wider angles. 512MB of RAM together with a dual core processor clocked at 1.2GHz has been slipped into the device’s chassis with a view to boost its performance.

Another hardware component residing under the hood is a 1,800mAh battery, using which, owners should be able to derive around 4 hours of talk time. They can moreover expect the handset to function for up to 7 days when left on standby.

Inclusion of the Android Jelly Bean OS speaks in the phone’s favor and this obviously serves as a key to the world of the Google Play store. In terms of inbuilt software, users should look forward to security attributes such as slide, face, pattern, pin and password lock options.


This handset could fall in the wish list of ardent mobile photographers, knowing that it flaunts an 8MP camera on the flip side as well as a 2MP webcam on the front. Utilizing the primary snapper will expose users to features such as auto focus, an LED flash and face detection.

The Karbonn Retina A27 furthermore features dual SIM ports, adding to the pile of recent devices in India which have managed to squeeze in an additional slot. Moreover, there will an onboard storage space of 4GB, while the bulk hoarding capacity can be stretched up to 32GB via a microSD card. Interested folks will spot the handset with the aforementioned e-retailer, radiating the color black.

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Simmtronics launches 10.1-inch Android tablet XPad X-1010 at Rs 8,449

New Delhi: After the launch of the XPAD X-720 and X-801, Simmtronics has now introduced a new tablet named "XPAD X-1010", which features a 10.1-inch capacitive multi-touch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The tablet tuns Android 4.0 ICS and is priced at Rs 8499.

The Simmtronics XPAD X-1010 is engineered with a 1.2 GHz A8 cortex processor and 1GB RAM. The tablet has 8 GB of internal memory; its memory can be expanded up to 32 GB. It sports a front VGA camera for video chat.

The X1010 is packed with a 5600 mAh Lithium polymer battery which is claimed to offer 150 hours of back up and six hours of internet browsing time. 

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Business as usual for Dell as private company

Dell Inc, which intends to go private in a $24.4 billion deal led by founder and Chief Executive Michael Dell, plans to stick to its current turnaround strategy to diversify away from personal computers.

Dell Chief Financial Officer Brian Gladden told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday that the company can now pursue its strategy without being limited by the pressures of public ownership.


"Under a new private company structure, we will have time and flexibility to really pursue and realize the end-to-end solutions strategy," Gladden said. "We will be able to pursue organic and inorganic investment and we won't have the scrutiny and limitations associated with operating as a public company."

"So we are generally very, very encouraged by the future here," he added.

The company, once the world's top PC maker and a pioneer in computer supply chain management, is struggling to defend its market share against Asian rivals including Lenovo Group Ltd. It is trying to bolster growth by focusing on products and services to corporations.

Dell has also over the past couple of years given up low-margin sales to consumers and is moving into higher-margin areas, such as businesses in the public sector and the healthcare industry.

But the turnaround has been slow and painful. In November, Dell saw its fiscal third-quarter profit slide 47 percent, hurt by lower PC sales, weaker demand from large corporations and the shift to mobile computing.

Gladden acknowledged that the turnaround will take more time and investment, which the company plans to make as a private enterprise that will have less emphasis on quarter-to-quarter progress.

"Without having really the scrutiny that is associated with a publicly traded stock, we can make the necessary investment and stick to plan, in some cases be more aggressive than we can today," he said.

Rival PC makers were quick to dismiss Dell's move as disruptive, and one that will not be good for customers.

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