Thursday, 21 November 2013

Nokia asks Delhi High Court to release factory seized in tax dispute

Posted on 06:17by Unknown with No comments

Nokia asks Delhi High Court to release factory seized in tax dispute

Reuters, November 21, 2013

Nokia has asked the Delhi High Court to help release its Indian factory after its seizure by the local tax authorities, the Finnish firm said on Thursday as it seeks to resolve the tax dispute ahead of the sale of its mobile phone business to Microsoft.

(Also see: Nokia India owes Rs. 2080 crores in taxes, court order reveals)

Nokia said it did not expect the dispute to affect its 5.4 billion euros deal with Microsoft, although it was prepared for the possibility that the Chennai plant, one of its biggest phone-making factories, will not be transferred to the U.S. company in time for the sale, which is due to close in the first quarter of next year.

If the seizure is still in place when the Microsoft deal is finalised, Nokia could briefly operate the plant as a contract manufacturer for Microsoft, according to sources close to the company.

(Also see: Nokia shareholders approve sale of mobile division to Microsoft)

Nokia has been in disagreement with the Indian authorities over an income tax bill of 20.8 billion rupees, one of several tax disagreements involving foreign companies in India.

In a statement, Nokia said it wanted the assets to be released by December 12. The sources said the court will hold a hearing on November 28.

(Also see: Nokia gets favourable ruling on frozen assets in India tax dispute)

($1=0.7428 euros) ($1=62.5450 rupees)

Nokia Asha 501 gets software update, brings WhatsApp and more

Posted on 06:16by Unknown with No comments

Nokia Asha 501 gets software update, brings WhatsApp and more

Ketan Pratap, November 21, 2013

Nokia has released an over-the-air Asha software platform update for the popular Asha 501. The headline-grabbing feature in the update is the addition of instant messaging app, WhatsApp. Nokia confirmed the update via it's a Nokia Conversations blog post.

The new features added on Asha 501 via the software update had already been revealed by the company during the unveiling of the Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503 at Nokia World. Some notable changes include instant access to the camera app with the help of single swipe on the lockscreen, and capturing images by touching anywhere on the camera display. Further, with another swipe one can go to gallery and edit images with newly added filters and effects.

Nokia has also revamped the Fastlane UI on the Asha 501, which now comes with interactive alarm and improved privacy features on the lockscreen, allowing users to choose between a notification icon, and a full notification with details. Nokia has also added more services to show in notifications of the Fastlane, which include apps like Odnoklassniki, Sina Weibo, and Renren.

In addition, the software update for Nokia Asha 501 brings an API for VoIP, which would allow users to make calls over a data connection using any third party app. The company claims that the VoIP feature is currently available via Nimbuzz, and more apps will be added soon. The Asha 501 also features support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync after the update.

At Nokia World, the Finnish giant promised that it will be bringing some new additions to the Asha 501, and the company has indeed kept its promise. Users can learn more about the Asha software update to the Nokia Asha 501 here.

Nokia Asha 501

Rs. 5199

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery life
Camera
Value for money

Good
Easy to use UI
Smart design and form-factor
Value for Money

Bad
Battery back-up with data and Wi-Fi usage not satisfactory
No 3G

HTC One Max with 5.9-inch full-HD display available online at Rs. 53,909

Posted on 06:15by Unknown with No comments

HTC One Max with 5.9-inch full-HD display available online at Rs. 53,909

Ketan Pratap, November 21, 2013

HTC's much-anticipated One Max phablet is available online in India ahead of its official November 22 unveiling. The HTC One Max is available at The Mobile Store at Rs, 53,909. The online listing notes that the phablet would be shipped within 1-2 days.

The HTC One Max's online listing was first spotted by Gizbot. Strangely enough, The Mobile Store's HTC One Max listing includes the description of Nexus 5 smartphone.

The Taiwanese manufacturer unveiled the One Max phablet in October this year. It runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box with HTC's Sense 5.5 UI on top. The phablet comes with a 5.9-inch full-HD LCD display. Other specifications of the HTC One Max include a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB/ 32GB inbuilt storage variants with support for up to 64GB of additional external storage via microSD card. The device features HTC's UltraPixel rear camera, while there is a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. It also features HTC Zoe and HTC BoomSound, first seen on the HTC One.

Connectivity features on the HTC One Max include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, DLNA and HTC Connect. The device also packs a 3300mAh battery which can give up to 25 hours of talktime and 585 hours of standby time for 3G networks. It measures 164.5x82.5x10.29mm and weighs 217 grams.

The HTC One Max follows the same design as that of company's flagship smartphone, the HTC One. Notably, the all new phablet from HTC features the long-rumoured fingerprint scanner at the back which lets users log in with a swipe of fingertip. The HTC One Max is now the second device launched this year to come with a fingerprint scanner feature, after the Apple iPhone 5s.

Mobiles launched in November 2013

HTC One Max key specifications

5.9-inch full-HD LCD display
1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor
2GB of RAM
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with Sense 5.5 UI
16GB/ 32GB inbuilt storage variants, expandable up to 64GB via microSD card
164.5x82.5x10.29mm
217 grams

HTC One Max

Display

5.90-inch

Processor

1.7GHz

Front Camera

2.1-megapixel

Resolution

1080x1920 pixels

RAM

2GB

OS

Android 4.3

Storage

16GB

Rear Camera

4-Ultrapixel

Battery capacity

3300mAh

Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 unveiled with support for Ultra HD displays, playback

Posted on 06:13by Unknown with No comments

Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 unveiled with support for Ultra HD displays, playback

Ketan Pratap, November 21, 2013

Qualcomm has unveiled the its next generation of Snapdragon 800 tier mobile processors, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805. As per Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 805 processor is under sampling and can be expected to be available in devices by the first half of 2014.

The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset features a Krait 450 quad-core CPU, which the company claims is the first mobile CPU to run at speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core. The Snapdragon 805 also features the Adreno 420 GPU, which according to Qualcomm delivers 40 percent more graphics processing power than the GPU on the Snapdragon 800.

Further, the new Snapdragon 805 offers Ultra HD support (including display, from games to UI), along with 4K video recording as well as playback capabilities, and support for a Gpixel/s throughput camera with its dual camera Image Signal Processors (ISPs). Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 805 also supports Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) for video post processing, and has hardware 4K HEVC (H.265) decoding for extremely low-power HD video playback.

Qualcomm also integrated the 28nm Gobi MDM9x25 modem, supporting LTE carrier aggregation and 150Mbps LTE 4. Partners can choose the new 20nm Gobi MDM9x35 as well, promising up to 300Mbps LTE-A download speeds. The Snapdragon 805 also features the Qualcomm VIVE 802.11ac module, which enables wireless 4K video streaming.

Commenting on the announcement, Murthy Renduchintala, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., and co-president, QCT said, "Using a smartphone or tablet powered by Snapdragon 805 processor is like having an Ultra HD home theatre in your pocket, with 4K video, imaging and graphics, all built for mobile. We're delivering the mobile industry's first truly end-to-end Ultra HD solution, and coupled with our industry leading Gobi LTE modems and RF transceivers, streaming and watching content at 4K resolution will finally be possible."

MediaTek MT6592 unveiled as "world's first true octa-core" mobile processor

Posted on 06:12by Unknown with No comments

MediaTek MT6592 unveiled as "world's first true octa-core" mobile processor

Ketan Pratap, November 21, 2013

MediaTek has launched the MT6592 chipset, which it has been claiming is the world's first true octa-core mobile processor. MediaTek expects the new chipset to be available in devices running Android Jelly Bean by the end of this year, while Android KitKat-based smartphones powered with MT6592 are likely to be released in early 2014.

As per the company, the MT6592 is a heterogeneous computing SOC which comes with scalable multi-core processing for advanced multi-tasking. The MT6592 chipset is built on the 28nm HPM (high-performance process) and includes eight CPU cores, each capable of clock speeds up to 2GHz. MediaTek says the MT6592 chipset can run both low-power consuming and more demanding tasks equally well, by attaching the full capabilities of all eight-cores in any combination. Further, the new chipset comes with an advanced scheduling algorithm that monitors the temperature and power consumption to ensure optimal performance of the smartphone at all times.

The MT6592 features an advanced video playback system supporting Ultra HD 4Kx2K H.264 video playback, and support for new video codecs such as H.265 and VP9. It also supports a 16-megapixel camera and a full-HD display. Some of the other new additions in the MT6592 include full connectivity capability for dual-band 801.11n Wi-Fi, Miracast screen-sharing as well as Bluetooth, GPS and an FM tuner.

In addition, Intex showcased its first true octa-core smartphone prototype at an event on Wednesday. The company announced that the still-to-be-named smartphone powered by the MT6592 chipset will be launched in January 2014 and can be expected to be priced around Rs. 20,000 in India.

Intex also revealed the specifications of the smartphone, which includes a octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processer clocked at 1.7GHz, coupled with 700 MHz Mali 450-MP4 GPU. Other specifications included a 6-inch HD IPS LCD display; 2GB of RAM; 16GB and 32GB inbuilt storage variants. The smartphone is likely to run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

Google Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat launched in India at Rs. 28,999

Posted on 06:11by Unknown with No comments

Google Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat launched in India at Rs. 28,999

Ketan Pratap, November 20, 2013

Google has finally launched the Nexus 5 in India and is now taking orders for the smartphone through the Play Store. The Nexus 5 is available in two variants - the 16GB model at Rs. 28,999, and the 32GB variant at Rs. 32,999. Google globally announced the Nexus 5 on November 1, after months of speculation and anticipation.

Google Nexus 5 is the platform lead device for Android 4.4, which notably brings a new dialler that automatically suggests people the most likely call while Caller ID by Google matches an incoming phone number to a business even if that number isn't stored in the contact list. Users can send and receive all text messages directly via the unified Hangouts app, and Hangouts for Android now supports location sharing.

It comes with a 4.95-inch full-HD IPS display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels and boasts a pixel density of 445ppi. The Nexus 5 also sports Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The Nexus 5 is powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor alongside 2GB of RAM. It sports an 8.0-megapixel rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 1.3-megapixel front camera. It comes in 16GB and 32GB storage options, with Black and White colours to choose from. Unfortunately, much like Nexus 4, the Nexus 5 does not support expandable storage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and 3G. The Nexus 5 also support wireless charging and comes with dual microphones.

It packs a 2300mAh battery which can deliver up to 17 hours of talktime and 300 hours of standby time. The Nexus 5 comes with dimensions 137.8x69.1x8.59 and weighs 130 grams.

Mobiles launched in November 2013

Google Nexus 5 technical specifications

4.95-inch full-ID IPS (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 with 2.26GHz Quad-Core Krait CPU
2GB RAM
16GB, 32GB inbuilt storage
Android 4.4, KitKat
8.0-megapixel rear camera with OIS
1.3-megapixel front camera
2,300mAh
137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59mm
130 grams