March 16th, 2010
Videocon IMO would need to brand itself harder to be a cellphone player. Nothing wrong with manufacturing phones, but the only problem is that no on expects you to pull out a Videocon from your pocket. That aside, the V1675 is a well priced blackberry clone (at least in design). Videocon has somehow managed to deliver a QWERTY, Dual SIM smartphone with an optical trackpad for Rs 5500. While you will find many local china pieces at better price, mind you this one comes with a brand name like Vodafone with it. So is the V1675 really cool?
Well not really. Had Videocon thought a little about innovating and creating a real product instead of just copying Blackberry design, UI (icons etc) and attach to that a Nokia charging slot; I would have appreciated this product lot more. Yes the phone works with a Nokia charger and while you would say that its good for compatibility, its actually no better than a silly Chinese counterfeits who bundle in a Nokia charging pin (why not a MicroUSB that’s the industry standard?). Seems like the innovation and real product creation in mobile field is left to new entrants like Notion Ink only.
Coming back to the V1675
(more…)
Categories: First look, Reviews |
Tags: india, indian cellphone maker, indian smartphone, v1675, videocon, videocon mobile phones review, videocon V1675, videocon v1675 price india, videocon v1675 review | 3 Comments
March 15th, 2010
Having traveled to Hyderabad last week for the HeadStart – ITsAP startup showcase, we happened to run into Hyderabad based Notion Ink who were one of the startups selected for an onstage demo and exhibition at the event. We met two of the company founders Sachin Ralhan and Rajat Sahni and also saw a dummy build of the Adam (no prototype 
. )
During the Notion Ink presentation we didn’t have too much new to listen to, but we had a long conversation with the founders on how they started (the story should come up on the HeadStart blog soon). A few things that we learnt were: (more…)
Categories: First look, Tech Industry News, eReaders & Tablets |
Tags: headstart itsap hyderabad, headstart network, Notion Ink, notion ink demo, notion ink headstart | 3 Comments
March 15th, 2010
Aircel has launched “Peek” – a physical QWERTY handset made specifically for emails. Aircel claims that Peek is the thinnest email device ever. Peek can support upto three email accounts at a time. The email clients supported are Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail and all POP3 or IMAP accounts.
Peek supports PUSH email which allows automatic retrieval of new mails. The attachments supported are Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF and all image files. The screen on this device is 2.5″ QVGA with no touch support. The battery on the device is good to last for 2 to 3 days on a full charge, for ‘average’ email users. Aircel Peek is priced at Rs. 2999 which sounds quite affordable. Other charges involve a Rs. 897 for email access for first 90 days and Rs. 299 per month hence. The device would be available in two colors – Red and Black.
The rental charges per month might happen to be a deal breaker as Aircel charges only Rs. 98/month for unlimited GPRS on mobile. Mobile users can easily configure multiple email accounts to their handsets, which BTW is also used for making calls (unlike Peek) 
For more details on the device, check Aircel Peek’s official webpage.
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, Tech Industry News |
Tags: aircel, aircel peek, aircel peek blackberry, blackberry alternative, email device, email handset, india, peek, peek in india | 6 Comments
March 11th, 2010
LG is out with a refresh to its successful touchscreen series Cookie. Its amazing to see how companies like Samsung and LG have seen a great market in the low end touchscreen market after the iPhone came and swept the smartphone industry. The LG Cookie Pop would give competition to the Corby range and hopefully keep up the momentum that Cookie KP500 had set (yes the Cookie range has got new blood after a little delay IMO).
Design:
In this segment, what sells more than the features is the looks. LG has gone with a very simple bar shaped design, but managed to keep the phone housing a 3.0” screen very handy and compact. This thing weights just 87 gms and you will actually feel that when handling the phone. The buttons on the side have some chrome and all of them are pretty clickable and neatly placed. Press the camera button the the right once to open up favorite apps and long press to go to the camera mode. The button on the front enables a lot of single key operations like return to home screen, answer or disconnect a call etc. On the top you have the power button which also performs the wake / sleep function.
Features: (more…)
Categories: First look, LG, Launch Pad, Reviews, smartphones |
Tags: 2010 cookie, cokie pep, cokie pop, cookie, india, LG, lg cookie, lg cookie india, lg cookie pop, lg cookie pop india, lg cookie pop review | 3 Comments
March 10th, 2010
When technology advances and we develop simpler mechanisms, the devices keep getting more economical. But what about those who can’t think simple and go on developing complicated designs for simple things? They end up making what is called as exclusive luxury goods . 4N is a similar unaffordable luxury watch from designer François Quentin. (more…)
Categories: Concept / Educative, First look, Weird or not?, Wow Gadgets |
Tags: 4n wristwatch, exclusive designer limited edition watch, François Quentin designer watch, weird watch | No Comments
March 9th, 2010
It would not be wrong to say that LG was the first to introduce economy touchscreen smartphones. LG managed to create a new segment with LG Cookie. The segment also has developed interest by many other cellphone manufacturers like Samsung with its Corby and now Nokia introducing the C-Series. After LG Cookie and LG Cookie Plus GS500, now there is a new member under the Cookie umbrella - LG Cookie Fresh GS290.
(more…)
Categories: First look, LG, Tech Industry News, smartphones |
Tags: cokie, cokie gs290, cookie, LG, lg cokie, lg cookie, lg cookie fresh, lg cookie series, LG fresh touchscreen phone, lg gs290 | No Comments
March 9th, 2010
Cashing in on the tablets rush we are seeing this year, here is another entrant from Malaysia. Costing $680 the Ezy tablet features Windows 7, multitouch magic, USB ports, 250GB HDD, 3G and 2GB RAM.
No ground breaking form factor but this one manages to house even a RJ45 network port with a total weight of 1.0 Kg. No huge brand name of controversy like the JooJoo, it won’t be very easy for the Ezy to market themselves in the US markets IMO. However given the
(more…)
Categories: First look, eReaders & Tablets, netbook |
Tags: ezy 3g tablet, ezy tablet, ipad competitor, joojoo, multitouch tablet, tablet, windows 7 tablet | 1 Comment
March 8th, 2010
Olive Telecom has Introduced India’s first handset called Olive Frvron (V-G2300) that can be powered by a AAA battery. The handset is primarily powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery. In case the primary battery dries out and there is no power source available nearby, the handset can provide an hours talktime on a standard AAA battery. (more…)
Categories: First look, Tech Industry News, Wow Gadgets |
Tags: aaa battery phone, aaa battery powered phone, AAA powered dual battery phone, dual power phone, Olive dual battery phone, Olive dual power phone, olive frvron, V-G2300 | 1 Comment
March 7th, 2010
Everyone knew that Android would not be limited to powering cellphones. Android powered netbooks and media players were anticipated even before the google OS picked up momentun. But, recently we have seen the OS powering a few not-s0-expected devices. First we saw the Android powered landline phone and now we have the Android powered VoIP phone on display at MSI’s booth at CeBIT.
The device, MS-9A31 is a landline-cum-VoIP hybrid featuring a large touchscreen. The phone supports DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication), video conferencing and instant messaging. Connectivity options include two LAN ports and a USB port. It also has a card reader for multimedia file transfer. There is no news on pricing or availability of the phone. Check out the video (more…)
Categories: Android, First look, Launch Pad, Videos, Wireless Gadgets |
Tags: Android, android gadgtet, android phone, android voip phone, cebit, cebit 2010, MSI, os, voip, voip phone | No Comments
March 3rd, 2010
WD has introduced its new My Passport Studio portable drives which features its new superfast FireWare 800 interface and a highly innovative customizable e-label(Gosh! I always wanted one on my portable drives. Thanks WD. You are such a savior). They are stylishly sleek and trendy looking. But the big news is that these are formatted to work with your Mac computers. I can already see the Apple fan boys jumping with joy.
Its also loaded with (more…)
Categories: First look, Tech Industry News, USB gadgets |
Tags: My Passport Studio, New Western didgital portable drive, WD My Passport Studio, western digital, Western digital's new portable drive | No Comments
March 3rd, 2010
Asus has outed a number of gadgets at CeBIT 2010 and here are two of the EEE PC models showcased there. The EEE PC 1001PQ and 1201PN throws new life to the Eee line up. While the 1001PQ is a kids system (with games and kids friendly browser), the 1201PN sports a sleek design, larger screen, Intel’s Pineview series Atom CPU and HD capabilities.
(more…)
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, Tech Industry News, netbook |
Tags: 1201PN, 2010, asus 1201, asus eee 1201PN, Asus Eee PC 1001PQ, cebit, cebit 2010, eee, eee 2010, eee pc | No Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Asus has gone official with their first e-reader. Dubbed Asus DR-900, the e-reader features a 9″ touchscreen display made by SiPix. The e-reader cum web browser comes with WiFi & 3G plusn an option to add WiMax. Asus claims that the battery of this e-reader is good to last for 10,000 page flips on a single charge.
The display comes with a resolution of 1024 x 768 (same as the Apple iPad). The device works in landscape mode, has a virtual keyboard and also supports handwriting recognition. The file formats supported include (more…)
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, eReaders & Tablets |
Tags: asus, asus dr900, asus e-reader, asus ereader, asus tablet, dr900, tablet | 1 Comment
March 2nd, 2010
So far we have seen full touch candybar, full QWERTY and even the Corby headsets. Now, Samsung has officially introduced the latest addition to its Corby series called the Samsung Corby Folder. Folder would be the first clamshell form member of the Corby family. (more…)
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, samsung |
Tags: corby clamshell, corby flip phone, samsung clamshell, samsung corby flip fone, samsung corby folder, samsung folder, samsung folder specs | No Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Slashgear is featuring a cool Microsoft Mobile Surface video that shows a mobile controlled with a camera + projector surface that lets you interact with the system in a unique way. The demo shows a drum being played by tapping your hands in the air (over the projected screen). Microsoft would eventually evolve this technology to give you a Surface computer with just a projected screen on a table top. Intriguing technology, not very new though have seen similar ones before. But one things for sure ,this will be way cheaper than the current Microsoft surface is.
Half way into the video demo by Microsoft, I felt this isn’t new. I have seen similar magic before in a demo by TouchMagix (a startup from India), though Microsoft would integrate a full blown computer in this interface as it seems. A little googling, and I have a video demo by Touch Magix to compare with. Watch both the videos (Microsoft Mobile Surface and TouchMagix) below. You can also see the obvious similarities of this technology with the Light Blue Optics video we saw earlier. And did I forget the Pranav Mistry Sixth Sense demo from TED?
(more…)
Categories: First look, Future WIP, Tech Industry News, Videos, microsoft |
Tags: microsoft, microsoft mobile surface, microsoft touchmagix, projector computer, sixth sense microsoft, surface, surface mobile, touchmagix, touchmagix pune, ui | No Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Nokia C series has finally gone official with Nokia showing the C5 officially. Leaked earlier, we already had a fair idea of what the C5 can offer and here is what Nokia says: We are introducing the new Nokia C5, an affordable smartphone optimized for social networking and sharing.
The image gives out the obvious details in the form of compact design, large comfortable keypad and the UI that flaunts favorite contacts, email and app shortcuts on homescreen. The features as we hear are the same as rumored before with Symbian S60v3, 3.2MP camera, AGPS, 2.2″ screen, etc. The price is rumored to be sub $200. More as it comes…
Via TechKnots / Nokia FaceBook
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, nokia, smartphones |
Tags: 2010, C series, c5 preview, cebit, cseries, nokia, nokia c5, smartphone | No Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Featuring a 7″ touchscreen and a mere 600MHz processor running on Ocean Android the iLet Mini Hal serves the purpose at just $200. Now this wouldn’t put the iPad or the Asus Eee to shame when it comes to performance, but gives you plenty to do with for a travel companion even if you don’t want to use it extensively. This serves as an ebook reader, features (more…)
Categories: Android, First look, Launch Pad, Notebook / Laptops, eReaders & Tablets |
Tags: android tablet, ebook reader, haleron, haleron ilet mini, ilet, ilet mini, ipad, ipad competitor, netbook, tablet, tablt | 2 Comments
March 1st, 2010
eviGroup, the company behind much appreciated tablet called Pad, have launched an extension to its tablet lineup. This time, its the 10.1″ multi-touch tablet called Paddle; which seems to be going head on with the Asus Eee convertible. The Paddle is expected to go on sale with the Pad. Paddle features a customized UI built over the windows platform. The UI called Scale displays media apps and other functions into tabbed categories with a barrel-like scrolling interface. The specifications of the device are as follows – (more…)
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, Notebook / Laptops, eReaders & Tablets |
Tags: evigroup, ipad competitor, multi-touch tablet, paddle, Scale ui, slate, tablet, windows tablet | No Comments
March 1st, 2010
Asus made an impact in the industry with the Eee PC and they seem to be gearing up to ride the tablets wave we are seeing this year. The yet to be officially Eee PC T101MT (teaser video seen before) seems to have leaked out been previewed eary and hands on videos are around the web. The design is a convertible touchscreen (tablet + netbook) and specs sheet is average with an Atom N450 CPU (1.6GHz), 2GB RAM, WiFi, 320GB HDD, 0.3MP webcam & the 10.1″ multitouch screen. Running on Windows 7, this sure tests how finger friendly Microsoft has gone. The version previewed in the video below seems to be a prototype and is expectedly crude.
Are they missing a good multitouch OS? (more…)
Categories: First look, Launch Pad, Notebook / Laptops, Videos, eReaders & Tablets |
Tags: asus eee, asus T101MT, eee tablet, netbook tablet, T101MT, tablet, windows 7, windows 7 tablet | 1 Comment
February 26th, 2010
After the technology showcase and launches we saw at CES and MWC, ceBIT (Germany) is knocking on the door. Amongst the plenty of notebooks that we expect to be shown at ceBIT, it seems that the Asus refresh of the EEE PC lineup has leaked out. Three new models 1015P, 1016P and 1018P are being reported by Akihabara news.
All of these models are expected to feature 10″ screen and some enticing details like aluminum body, fingerprint recognition, 14 hour battery life and USB 3.0 are being promised in these netbooks. Asus sure is looking forward to give Acer a tough run in this segment, however no word on what OS these would be running (though best bet is Windows 7).
Categories: First look, Leaked / Spyshots, Notebook / Laptops, Tech Industry News, netbook |
Tags: 1015P, 1016P, 1018P, asus 1015p, asus eee, cebit 2010, cebit germany, eee lineup, eee pc, trade show | No Comments
February 26th, 2010
The NV-U35 is the latest NAV-U pocket GPS or PND (Portable Navigation Device) by Sony, which can be used not only in cars but also on the bicycle and on roads. Its Compass and the Direction recorder allows its multi-utility. To be launched in Japan around mid-March, listed below are few of its features: (more…)
Categories: First look, Tech Industry News, Wireless Gadgets, Wow Gadgets, sony |
Tags: New pocket Sony GPS for Japan, NV-U35, Portable Navigation Device, Sony GPS | No Comments
