Xiaomi Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G: First Impressions

by Hitesh Arora, November 25, 2014

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Xiaomi on Monday launched the Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G phablets in India. The Xiaomi Redmi Note is priced at Rs. 8,999 and will be sold through the company's online retail partner Flipkart in India. Flash sale registrations will start from November 25 at 6pm IST, and the first sale will happen on December 2, similar to way the Xiaomi Mi 3 and Redmi 1S have been sold so far.On the other hand, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G will be sold by Filpkart as well as at 100 Airtel exclusive stores in six cities - Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai - but its launch is slated for the second half of December. Even though it will be available at physical stores, consumers will need to register on Airtel's website in advance and only those who win invitations from the company will be able to pick one up in person.
Xiaomi says that the 4G variant is specifically made for India, and it supports FDD LTE band 3 and TDD LTE band 40.
Both the Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G look the same, and there is no difference whatsoever from the outside. Upfront, both smartphones feature 5.5-inch HD (720x1280-pixel) IPS LCD displays with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Notably, Xiaomi offers the Redmi Note in some regions without protective glass.
The screens appear vibrant and offer good sunlight legibility at full brightness. The rear panels have a glossy finish, which makes them prone to fingerprints. The devices feel very slippery, though their rounded edges still let you get a good grip, and they sit well in your palm.
The two phablet smartphones - Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G - performed well in our limited time with the device. We didn't encounter any lags or crashes during that time. Overall the smartphones appeared very well optimised with 2GB of RAM on both, though the Redmi Note packs a 1.7 GHz octa-core MediaTek processor, while the Redmi Note 4G runs on a quad-core 1.6GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU.
The Redmi Note is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device that runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and the Redmi Note 4G is a single-SIM device with Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Though Xiaomi has not had time to roll out an Android 5.0 Lollipop update yet, it has indicated that both devices might get it soon after the Mi series devices do.
The Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G both come with 8GB built-in storage and a microSD card slot for expansion. The Redmi Note supports microSD card up to 32GB in size, while the Redmi Note 4G supports up to 64GB.
The volume rocker and the power key are placed on the right edge, while the 3.5mm jack is on the top and the Micro-USB charging point is on the bottom. The speaker output is loud enough, and it is located at the bottom-right corner of the back.
Both smartphones feature 13-megapixel rear autofocus cameras with LED flash, and 5-megapixel front-facing cameras. We tested the rear camera in different lighting conditions and the results appeared quite decent, though sometime we felt the images were slightly oversaturated. The cameras use Samsung sensors, and overall seem to be at par with several affordable phones with the same camera specifications, but we will reserve our final verdict for after the full review.
So far, the Xiaomi Redmi Note and Redmi Note 4G appear to offer great value for money. In our limited time testing them, both smartphones performed well. Apart from the old-school design we hardly had anything to complain about. We are yet to review the devices, so do stay tuned for more.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha India Launch Expected at September 27 Event

by Ketan Pratap, September 22, 2014

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Samsung on Monday started sending invites to an event on Saturday, where the company is likely to introduce the Galaxy Alpha smartphone in India.The invite describes the event as the unveiling of the "Next Generation Stylephone", tipping the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha with its markedly-different design.
Notably, Samsung, during the global launch of the handset, had called the Galaxy Alpha "the evolution of Galaxy Design", touting "metal frame, elegantly curved corners, and a tactile soft back cover".
While announcing the Galaxy Alpha, Samsung had announced the smartphone would be globally released starting September in over 150 countries.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha runs the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 4.7-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) Super AMOLED display. The handset sports a sleek profile with dimensions 132.4x65.5x6.7mm and weighs 115 grams.
The Galaxy Alpha is powered by an octa-core chipset, most probably Samsung's Exynos SoC, with quad-core 1.8GHz and quad-core 1.3GHz. The smartphone also comes in a quad-core variant with a clock speed of 2.5GHz, presumably the Snapdragon 805 SoC the other LTE-A smartphones are carrying.
Considering that Samsung launched the octa-core variant of the Galaxy S5 in India, we can expect the company to announce the octa-core variant of the Galaxy Alpha, and may bring the LTE-A version later.
There is 2GB of RAM and 32GB inbuilt storage, which is non-expandable. The Galaxy Alpha sports a 12-megapixel rear camera and also includes 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. It packs an 1860mAh battery.
Apart from LTE, other connectivity options include Micro-USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS/EDGE, 3G, and NFC. The Galaxy Alpha, much like the flagship Galaxy S5, comes with fingerprint scanner.
The Galaxy Alpha was launched with Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver, and Scuba Blue colour variants.
A recent report had suggested that due to excessive pressure from the brick-and-mortar retailers regarding the differences in offline and online pricing of handsets, Samsung has decided to exclusively sell rights for around 48 models to offline retailers.
The report had also claimed that the 48 models also include the premium Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Alpha without revealing all the models.

2 Reasons Nexus 6 Release Date is Worth the Wait

2 Reasons Nexus 6 Release Date is Worth the Wait: Android L Data Encryption & Material Design

By Erik Pineda | September 19, 2014 1:45 PM EST

A Google search page is reflected in sunglasses in this photo illustration taken in Brussels May 30, 2014.

The hardware stuff that the next Nexus smartphone is made of has been pretty much established - that is if the speculations are correct that Google's upcoming flagship device will be the repurposed 2014 Moto X.
Early reviews of the Moto X summed up into a ringing endorsement that it is the best Android smartphone to date - hardware- and software-wise. It follows then that its supposed near-clone, the Nexus 6, has the potentials to match the iPhone 6 that easily took the plum label of the best smartphone in 2014 even prior to its mass roll out.

But beyond the Nexus 6 specifications (check the Moto X specs for details on this), it is the killer features that Google will pack with the operating system that will bring the device into life. That OS, of course, is Android L.
In recent reports, two key Android L features emerged as two of the reasons to hold out for the Nexus 6:
Material Design
Material Design, according to Google, will enhance the Android device experience that even before the actual Android L release has been gradually pushed out. Recently, the Google Play Store was bumped up to 5.0 that highlighted the new design language's simplistic but powerful touch to the Android environment.
Then Hangouts also got a taste of Material Design this week, Android Central reported, somehow dropping clues that most of the Android L elements will be in place by the time the Nexus 6 is all set to come out of the box.
Data encryption
Likely wanting to prevent a repeat of the nude pic hacking of celebrity iPhone users, Google is reportedly deploying Android L with a robust data encryption similar to that of the iOS 9-powered iPhone 6.
The powerful protection is a default element of the next Android version, that according to 9to5Google, "the feature will automatically be turned on, meaning no data on the phone will be accessible without the owner's password."
Data encryption is expected to initially showcase its capabilities with the Nexus 6 as the device is believed as the first device to run on Android L or 5.0 (also referred to as Lion and Lemon Meringue Pie).

Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact: Release date in Asia soon before US launch

Published 21 September 2014  |   Shiena Bernardino

Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone product line

After unveiling the product line during the 2014 IFA tradeshow in Berlin earlier this month, Sony is expected to launch its Z3 line of mobile devices in Asia early in October.
Though the specific dates were not yet revealed, CNet allegedly revealed that Sony's long-awaited flagship mobile product Z3, the budget-friendly Z3 Compact, as well as the other members of the Z3 line including the Z3 Tablet Compact, will be released in the Asian region first before reaching US shores.
According to reports, Singapore will get the first dibs on the new Sony Xperia phone on Oct. 4, and it will be sold for S$998 ($798). On the other hand, the Xperia Z3 Compact will be sold at a more affordable price of S$798 ($638) on the same date.
Meanwhile, fans of Sony mobile phones in the US will have a chance to get a hold of the Z3 via different network carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which will call it the Xperia Z3v. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact will be sold in the US market unlocked.
Sony Xperia Z3 will come with a Qualcomm MSM897AC Snapdragon 801 chipset with Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. Its sensors include an accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity, and barometer, and will run using the Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS.
It will also have an impressive 5.2-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with 1080 x 1920 pixels. The smartphone will also have a Triluminos shatter proof glass display with X-Reality engine. It will also have one of the best smartphone cameras, with a 20.7 MP primary camera with LED flash and autofocus function as well as a 2.2 MP secondary camera.
Both Sony Xperia Z3 and Sony Xperia Z3 Compact mobile phones have waterproof features, which means that users can take their devices up to 1.5 meter deep without worrying about wrecking the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Core 2 Now Available At Rs 8,007: Price-Cut

Written by: Vivek Chhetri

Updated: Thursday, September 18, 2014, 18:22 [IST]

Thus, yesterday, Samsung just dropped the price of the Galaxy Core 2 smartphone down to Rs. 8,007. The news was revealed by Mumbai-based Mahesh Telecom via Twitter, which AndroidOS first spotted.
Samsung Galaxy Core 2: Key Specifications
Samsung Galaxy Core 2 features a 4.5-inch display offering a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and it is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor coupled,768MB of RAM, Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS with a custom layer of Samsung TouchWiz Essence UI.
Imaging aspect is quite average with the inclusion of 5MP rear camera with LED Flash and a 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing shooter. Other specs include: Dual SIM, 4 GB internal memory, expandable up to 64GB with microSD, 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS + GLONASS and is powered by a 2000 mAh battery. Further, the smartphone holds the dimension of 130.2 x 67.9 x 9.8mm and weighs at 138 grams.
The price cut is purely against the competition from Android One phones. Moreover, apart from that, there are several other handsets like Moto E, Asus Zenfone 4 and Xiaomi Redmi 1S that will compete with the Samsung Galaxy Core 2 smartphone in India.

Sony mocks iPhone 6 in Xperia Z3 Compact ad: “Better than bigger”

Samsung isn’t the only one mocking Apple’s new iPhone before the device even officially goes on sale tomorrow. Today Sony released its own jab at Apple with the ad above playing on Apple’s “Bigger than bigger” catchphrase for the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The Xperia Z3 Compact device in the ad sports a 4.6-inch display about the same size as the iPhone 6, but the ad also points out a few specs the new iPhones can’t claim: 2 day battery life, 20.7MP camera, and waterproofing features.

On cue, Samsung and others have also joined in on the iPhone 6 mocking following Apple’s unveiling earlier this month.

Tim Cook puts personal touch on iPhone 6 launch

AFP | Sep 20, 2014, 02.23 AM IST

Cook said that he has had both an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 6 Plus for months in what is "a privilege of being at Apple."

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief Tim Cook personally kicked off sales of the iPhone 6, joining in "selfies" and shaking hands with customers today outside the company's store near his Silicon Valley home.

Cook was dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans as he worked his way from one end to the other of the long queue outside the Apple Store in the city of Palo Alto shortly before it opened.

"I want to share in the excitement," he said in response to a question from one of the reporters tagging along as Cook welcomed devotees who made the pilgrimage to get Apple's new big-screen smartphones on launch day.

When asked by to pose for a picture with a fan, Cook quipped "Sure, as long as it's with an iPhone."

Cook said that he has had both an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 6 Plus for months in what is "a privilege of being at Apple."

He took part in a clapping count-down inside the window-walled shop before swinging open a glass front door to let iPhone 6 buying there commence.

Cook's local Apple Store was among the last to join in an iPhone 6 roll-out that began many time zones away in Australia.



A man holds two new iPhone 6 mobile devices in front of a logo of Apple in Munich, Germany. (AFP photo)
Television news footage from Australia showed a man identified as the first iPhone 6 buyer drop his new purchase while fumbling it out of packaging to show a reporter.

Buyers from China, deprived of the latest iPhone launch at home, were today among the first in line in Japan to grab the "6" and its new large-screen cousin as Apple hit back at rivals.

Licensing problems in China meant the global rollout went ahead without the huge and lucrative market, in a blow to Apple which had trumpeted its inclusion in the initial wave of the last iPhone launch.

Both new iPhones have larger screens in what some consider Apple catching up with the "phablet" trend pioneered by competitors.


The iPhone 6 has a screen of 4.7 inches and the 6 Plus is 5.5 inches, reflecting a growing preference for bigger displays, despite Apple's earlier vow to stick with the traditional size.

Main rival Samsung has long had a range of larger handsets, which are popular in Asia, and will soon release a new Galaxy Note 4 phablet.

Apple says more than four million pre-orders were received in the 24 hours after the sale was announced.

Other markets launched today are Singapore, Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Some 20 more countries will get the new iPhone from September 26.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact vs Sony Xperia Z3 - specs comparison

We compare Sony's latest Xperia Z3 phones to see which one comes out on top

Sony has just announced the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact at its IFA press conference, the hotly anticipated successors to the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z1 Compact. In many respects, the Z3 Compact is almost identical to its big brother, the Xperia Z3 - something that Sony itself was keen to emphasise this week - but the big questions on everyone's lips are, what's the difference and which one's better?
After all, is it really just a matter of looking for the one with the size that best suits you? And, given that the screens have different resolutions, does that make a difference? With so many questions, we decided that we needed to put together some answers, so we're pitting both phones against each other and are comparing them spec-for-spec. By the time you've finished reading this you'll know which version of the phone best suits you.
Be aware that this is purely a specification comparison to highlight the differences as they stand on paper. Until we test both phones in for a full review we can't judge things like performance, battery life, screen quality and camera image quality. We'll have to wait for an official release to give a final verdict, but in the meantime you can decide which one is worth waiting for.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Dimensions: One of the most obvious differences between each handset is its respective size. As its name implies, the Z3 Compact is much smaller than the Z3, measuring 127 x 64.9 x 9mm while the Z3 measures 146 x 72 x 7.3mm. This makes the Z3 Compact much easier to use in one hand which in turn makes it much more pocket-friendly than the larger Z3. The Z3 Compact is also lighter, weighing 129g, compared to the Z3's weight of 152g.

Materials: Both phones have a glass rear and nylon corners to help prevent them from getting damaged after a taking tumble. This certainly makes them look the part of a flagship smartphone, but we have found in the past that the glass panels can make Xperia phones quite slippery - so it's just as well they both have the new nylon corners to help it take a few more knocks than previous models. Both phones are available in a much wider variety of colours this time round, too. The Z3 Compact comes in white, red, green and black while the Z3 comes in white, black, copper and silver green. Both white models are exclusive to Phones4U.

DISPLAY

Another big difference between the two phones is screen size and screen resolution. The Xperia Z3 Compact has a 4.6in screen with a resolution of 1,280x720, giving it a pixel density 319ppi, while the Z3 has a much larger 5.2in screen with a Full HD 1,920x1,080 resolution and a pixel density of 423ppi.

This means the Z3's screen will look much sharper than the Z3 Compact, and it will also be able to Full HD video at its native resolution as well. The Z3 Compact, on the other hand, can play 720p videos, but will have to compress Full HD content.

PERFORMANCE

Processor: Both the Z3 and Z3 Compact have the same quad-core 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. While we haven't had a chance to test both phones yet, they have the potential to stand toe-to-toe with the Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G3, as these phones also use the 2.5GHz version of the Snapdragon 801 processor. The Galaxy S5, for instance, scored a lightning fast 391ms in the SunSpider JavaScript benchmarks, while the G3 scored 649ms, so hopefully both phones will be able to delivery comparable speeds when we finally get them in for review.
Of course, this is likely to be better news for the Z3 Compact, as its miniature size will hopefully mean a smaller price to go with it, making it potentially better value than the Z3 when it comes to web performance.
Memory: Like most high-end smartphones, the Z3 Compact has 2GB of RAM, which should be plenty for handling multiple tasks at once in Android 4.4. The Z3 has 3GB of RAM, but we'll have to wait and see whether there's any discernible difference between app loading times when we get them in for testing.
Storage: Both phones are available with 16GB of internal storage and are compatible with microSD cards up to 128GB, so you don't need to worry about running out of space for your music and video files.

CAMERA

Each phone also comes with Sony's 20.7-megapixel 1/2.3” ExmorRS sensor and Bionz mobile processing engine. This has an 8x digital zoom and can record video in 4K. It also has an ISO sensitivity of 12,800 (a world first for a smartphone), which means it should be able to perform well in very low lighting conditions. Again, as with the phone's processor, this is likely to make the Z3 Compact better value than its larger counterpart.

FEATURES

One of the defining features of Sony's Xperia Z range is its waterproof chassis and the Z3 and Z3 Compact are no different. Both phones are water and dust resistant and have been certified as IP65/68 compliant. This means you can use them up to 1.5m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and they're both completely dust-tight, so there's no way anything can become corrupted by the ingress of dust.
Another killer app belonging to both phones is Sony's brand new PS4 Remote Play app. This lets anyone with a PS4 use their phone as a remote screen to connect and control their games. This means you can still play games if other members of your family want to watch something on TV (a similar idea to the Nintendo Wii U's Off-TV Play feature), and it also means you can effectively turn your PS4 into a handheld games console.

You'll need to connect the phone to your console via Wi-Fi and use the GCM10 Game Control Mount to connect it to the Dualshock 4 controller to take advantage of this feature, but this is something that will surely appeal to gamers who want to be able to play their games anywhere in the house.

CONCLUSION

The Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact share a lot of similar DNA. They're both made of the same materials and they have practically the same hardware and software services - the only real difference is screen size and screen resolution.
It's difficult to say definitely which phone is better without testing them yet, but at this stage, we'd say the Z3 Compact may just have the edge when it comes to overall value. However, those who like the idea of having a portable PS4 may want to opt for the larger screen of the Z3 to enhance their play experience. As soon as we get our hands on review samples, we'll update this article to bring you our final verdict.

Moto G (2nd Gen)

Moto G (2nd Gen): Now Available on Flipkart

(Black, with 16 GB)

Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) 5-inch HD Screen

Android v4.4.4 OS 8 MP Primary Camera

1 year manufacturer warranty for Phone and 6 months warranty for in the box accessories Motorola India Warranty and Free Transit Insurance.

Rs. 12,999

Inclusive of taxes

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Moto G (2nd Gen) (White, with 16 GB)

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Key Features of Moto G (2nd Gen) (Black, with 16 GB)

• Android v4.4.4 (KitKat) OS
• 1 GB RAM
• Expandable Upto 32GB
• 1.2 Ghz Qualcomm Quad Core Processor
• 8 MP Primary Camera and 2 MP Secondary Camera
• Dual SIM (GSM + GSM)
• 5-inch HD Screen

MOTO G 2ND GENERATION

Exceptional Phone. Exceptional Price. The Moto G 2nd Generation is the successor to the highly successful Moto G. With a 5-inch HD screen and an incredibly fast Quad-Core processor, you can expect a smooth smartphone experience wherever you go.

Moto G, Moto X Successors Launch Event Live Blog From Delhi, India

by NDTV Correspondent, September 05, 2014

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Sep 05, 2014

12:29 (IST) It's been a pleasure bringing you these updates. Do explore the rest of the site as we resume regular transmission.

12:24 (IST) In case you are wondering, prices for the Moto X and Moto 360 will be announced when they become available in India. Stay tuned to NDTV Gadgets on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for updates.

12:22 (IST) And that's a wrap from the Motorola event but stay tuned to NDTV Gadgets for full coverage of today's announcements and more.

12:20 (IST) "Previous generation Motorola products may continue to be available on Flipkart, but they will be slowly phased out."

12:20 (IST) Comparison: Motorola Moto G (Gen 2) vs. Motorola Moto G

12:15 (IST) Read: Moto G (Gen 2) With 5-Inch HD Display Launched in India at Rs. 12,999

12:12 (IST) "Moto G will be up for orders on Flipkart from midnight tonight." (Editor: So not quite "today" as Motorola said earlier)

12:11 (IST) The Moto X

12:09 (IST) Moto X and Moto 360 will be available "later this month." No price announced yet.

12:04 (IST) The Moto G (Gen 2) is available today from Flipkart at Rs. 12,999 for the 16GB variant.

Motorola is expected to announce successors to popular Moto G and Moto X smartphones at its launch event in New Delhi, India on Friday. Moto 360 smartwatch and a headset of some sort may also make an appearance.

A leaked image of the earlier revealed some of the specifications of the 'New Moto G' including as a 5-inch HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection; 8-megapixel rear camera; dual-SIM support; a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, and support for changeable shells.

Previous leaks have also indicated the successor to the Moto G will come with thinner bezels than its predecessor; a 2-megapixel front camera; front stereo speakers, support for microSD card; 1GB of RAM; 8GB of internal storage, and run on Android 4.4.4 KitKat with an upgrade path to Android L.

Also expected to make an appearance at the event is the successor to the Moto X. Unofficially named Moto X+1, the device will measure 140mm in height and 72.6mm in width, suggesting a display size of approximately 5.2-inches. According to a FCC filing that was spotted earlier, the smartphone is expected to come with Bluetooth 4.0, LTE, NFC, and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac connectivity options.

Flipkart, Motorola's exclusive retail partner in India, has been trying to build up interest in the phones by posting teasers on social media.

In the first such teaser posted on Tuesday, the company tweet asked followers, "What happens when the exceptional smartphone gets even better? Watch this space for the next level!" along with an image with the caption, "Great pictures deserve an exceptional screen. The next level of the exceptional smartphone. Coming soon on Flipkart."

Another tweet said, "Listen to every beat, as sounds come alive on this exceptional smartphone! Watch this space for the next level." with the accompanying image saying "Amazing sound deserves exceptional audio."