The Business of Banning Phones!

India is repeatedly hitting headlines worldwide, not because of Black Money or the Mangalyaan, but because of the ban brought onto some of the Chinese smartphones and their vendors. The first vendor which was recently banned is Xiaomi, which made a place in Top 5 smartphone makers in the world based on the sales in Q3 of 2014. While the second victim was OnePlus, the renowned maker of the Flagship Killer 'One'.

Reasons for the ban on both are different, but intention seems to be the same. Xiaomi entered Indian market in July 2014 and in not less than five months, Xiaomi churned the whole market, surprised the users and stunned every Indian smartphone manufacturer with its grand success. Though the company was limited to pre-registrations and flash sales, the available numbers were vanishing in seconds, even faster than that in China. Indian smartphone market unlike the global market is ruled mostly by native smartphone vendors. Most vendors import phones designed, researched, manufactured and assembled in China. The damage Xiaomi caused to these vendors was irreparable and allowing another such brand, OnePlus could do nothing but simply threaten their own existence. But market economy system wasn't been on Laissez-faire mode and OnePlus did land on Indian shores. The storm was intensifying, again. 

Xiaomi was doing its business buttery smooth with its flash sales on Flipkart and recently launched another Value for Money smartphone Redmi Note with 3G as well as 4G support, that too at an astonishing price. The sellers again started to shiver. But they took a sigh of relief when Ericsson filed a case against Xiaomi in Delhi High Court for patent infringement. The ban initially caused Xiaomi to import, advertise and sell its smartphones in India till February 5, 2015. The ban however was reconsidered later and Xiaomi then allowed to import only Qualcomm powered smartphones in India, that too only for a stipulated time.  Smartphones in Indian market are mostly powered by MediaTek chipsets and one could easily imagine who must have been benefited the most with the ban on MediaTek based smartphones from the house of Xiaomi. We don't want to dissect over who is behind the ban but intention is pretty clear.

On the other hand, OnePlus One is a ravishing smartphone with top of the line specifications and a great value for money preposition. Whereas Cyanogen, Inc. is the company formed by technology enthusiasts and developers, known for a very popular Android Custom ROM, Cyanogenmod. Both the companies spent delightful seasons together but soon after the recent tie-up of Cyanogen with Indian smartphone manufacturer and one of the leaders in India, Micromax, the relationship with OnePlus went sour. On one hand, OnePlus was peacefully selling One in India, Cyanogen was mostly confused about which side they actually are. Finally calling an end to the rumors, Cyanogen officially declared their non-cooperation to OnePlus and chose Micromax as their shelter in India. Soon after the picture got clear, OnePlus faced a temporary ban in India on selling its products because of the Cyanogen logo on One's back. Micromax launched Yureka, its first Cyanogenmod running smartphone at a phenomenal price tag. Though the ban on OnePlus One is temporary, but it is ultimately beneficial to Micromax and other Indian smartphone brands to push their products.

Banning smartphones or products with a legal aid is not bad when it is in the purview of business, profits and loss. But when it comes to the competition, it should be fair and clear. Just because a company cannot offer great products at ground breaking price, it should not be on a spree to create barriers to the ones who could offer all those. Price is a crucial factor but that does not decide the market dynamics. What actually decides is a quality product. This business of banning is not new but if you couldn't survive the competition, you should better be off the market.

Sunday TechKnow: Motorola Does it, Again

It's been a while since Motorola had launched Moto E in India, which had taken smartphone segment in India on storm. Now, Motorola had just opened its cards which will put Indian budget smartphone manufacturers/vendors under pressure. Just seven minutes before (9:50 am IST) Motorola has announced that it has begun rolling Android 4.4.4 for all its new gen Motos i.e. elder Moto X, mid-range Moto G and the little chap Moto E. The update will be up on the air in this week. Considering the fact that Motorola has been acquired by Lenovo, many folks had given up on further updates after 4.4.3.

Motorola Germany, few days back had said that the Android L update would roll out to Moto X and Moto G starting this fall, but later on Motorola official explained that it is nothing more than a hoax created by a fake Motorola Germany Facebook account.

 Motorola has been very fast with updates. Let it be its own applications, boot services with Football World Cup dedicated boot animation and much more. According to Motorola, in 4.4.4 update for its Moto series, there are several stability and framework fixes which will make usability smoother and interface a lot cleaner. Along with some updates there are minor applications update as well, for example new phone dialer and compatibility to Motorola's own Alert app. 

Just after the launch of budget Moto E, Indian people have seen array of KitKat based budget devices coming out from local manufacturers but Moto E's sales didn't affect much. Well built, great display, latest updates and to beat everything, the price of Rs. 6999. After burning Indian smartphone makers to ash, Motorola is in works to launch its secret weapon to devastate international brands, the Moto X+1. The device is supposed to feature a 5.2 inch 1080p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2 GB RAM and 16/32 GB ROM, along with a 13 megapixel camera on the back and 5 megapixel shooter at the front. If rumours are to be believed Moto X+1 would launch in the same month of July and would cost around USD 399 (Rs. 26-28k).

The update though has begun, many users would get it gradually in coming days. We will keep an eye on the update and will report as soon as we are hit with one. 

Why a sub 10k Moto E makes sense?

Motorola had lost its market in India with the last breaths taken along with Motorola Fire, Defy and Defy Plus. In November, when Motorola launched Moto G, the budget, top-of-the-line specification phone, the market scenario changed dramatically. Indians had no clue about what they're going to witness and the drama got bigger when Motorola launched its G in Indian market at an astonishingly affordable price, unlike what expected by many Tech-Gurus. Motorola made an exclusive deal with Flipkart to sell its new line of products and it just worked buttery smooth.

Now, with an invite from Motorola for a new affordable yet sturdy smartphone (most probably Moto E), Indian smartphone vendors are already shivering. Sub 10000 rupees category is mostly dominated by these Indian vendors, like Micromax, Karbonn, Lava and Xolo. Though Samsung, Sony and HTC have their smartphone in this segment, they ain't an apple of one's eye. 

If rumors are to be believed, Moto E will launch with some of the most desirable specifications, one of it would be Android KitKat 4.4 OS running straight out of the box. Smartphones are being launched in dozens a month but lack of system updates is what holding consumer back from buying those. Moreover, there's hardly any internationally recognized brand that offers a stock Android experience at this price point. 

As hinted by rumors, the specifications of Motorola Moto E are:

• 4.3" qHD 960×540 (~256 ppi) display
• 1.4 GHz Dual Core Processor
• 5 MP Rear and VGA front camera
• Android™ 4.4 Operating System
• 1 GB RAM, 4 GB ROM
• MicroSD expansion support upto 32 GB
• 1900 mAh battery
• Dimensions- 124.8 x 64.8 x 6.2 mm

It would not be justice if we comment upon specifications of Moto E just now, but hey, we're discussing tech, it's the next face which is about to be unveiled. Now, if you are about to get such powerful specs at a price of 8999 rupees, I'd bet, there's hardly any person who's seeking a budget Android and ignore this phone. No one's willing to buy a Micromax with a comparatively lower brand image (Micromax fanboys please forgive me if I've hurt your feelings) and cheaper build. At this price point, Moto E will get all its target locked in a view to devastate the competition, not only Indian vendors but also international mates.

How Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 could beat domestic smartphones?

Samsung unveiled its second iteration of one of its most popular Android powered smartphone Galaxy Grand Duos. This time Samsung has hit almost all the right chords to take Indian smartphone makers by storm. Galaxy Grand 2 gets an update over its predecessor in terms of screen size and resolution, processor, battery, Android version, RAM and aesthetics. While there are very few things that it retains, few of them are camera sensors at front and back and obviously the name Grand. This time around the name Grand, matches the specifications. Tech experts all along the world have been appreciating the move from Korean smartphone giant. Let’s have a look at Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 specifications:

• Display
• 13.3cms (5.25) HD (1280x720) TFT

• Chipset
• A7 1.2GHz Quad Core

• Bearer
• 3G Quad (HSPA 21/5.76), EDGE/GPRS

• Memory
• 1.5GB (RAM) + 8GB (Internal Memory*)
• microSD (upto 64GB)

• Camera / Flash
• 8MP AF + LED Flash / 1.9MP (HD)

• Connectors
• MicroUSB, USB 2.0, 3.5mm earjack

• Wireless Connect
• BT 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n, FM

• GPS
• AGPS + GLONASS

• Dimension
• 146.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm

• Battery capacity
• 2600 mAh

• OS / Upgrade
• Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)

• Messaging & SNS
• ChatON, Google+, Hangouts

• LBS
• Google Maps (Turn-by-turn Navi.

• Other Services & Applications
• Club Samsung , My Magazine, Story Album Samsung Hub

• PC Applications
• Kies

• UI / Web Browser
• TouchWiz / Android Browser

• FM Radio

• Audio
• MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, Vorbis, AMR

• Video
• H.263, H.264, VC-1, MPEG4, VP8, WMV7/8, MP43, Sorenson Spark

How it could down existing smartphones from Indian vendors?

If we cloely look at the specifications that are packed in Galaxy Grand 2, one might say that these could be found in a 14K smartphone too. But wait there are few arguments to this. Lets take this one-on-one.

Processor

Most of the mid-budget segment smartphones from Indian vendors mostly possess MediaTek processor, which is not bad at all but definitely a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is better in terms of performing the tasks at an ease. This doesn’t talk in terms of benchmarks but the difference in performance could be easily seen in one-to-one comparison.

Camera

This is one component of Indian smartphones that has been run-of-the-mill since their introduction. A 13 MP sensor would produce a large resolution image but in terms of quality it seriously lack details, colors and exposure along with the depth. Here’s what Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 gains an advantage. Before using a device it might be unjustified to declare Grand 2 winner but Samsung has been known for its camera quality and functions. Also, Galaxy Grand too possessed a gorgeous camera. Samsung this time has also incorporated Story Album too which organizes clicked photographs according to the dates those were taken on. This would ultimately convert your one day picnic into a beautiful set of memory by making it an album.

Customised User Interface

This might be controversial topic but I personally prefer a custom UI over Vanilla Android. Features such as swipe left to message and right to call directly from your contacts or call logs is one of the examples on how custom UI could save on time. Samsung’s TouchWiz UI is one of the finest and user friendly interfaces I have ever used and Galaxy Grand 2’s interface is no exception. Smart pause, a better Samsung keyboard with swipe typing, direct call, flip to mute are some of the touted features of TouchWiz and they seem really useful in day-to-day life. Though sometimes TouchWiz seems lagging one can be survived with such negligible lags.

RAM and ROM

Samsung learned from their past and have timed a blast in Grand 2 with 1.5 GB of RAM. This would definitely favour gamers and heavy multi-taskers. One might have appreciated a 2 GB or RAM but 1.5 GB is enough when compared with domestic smartphones. Inbuilt memory is unchanged and is 8 GB but expandable via a Micro SD card slot that too upto 64 GB.

Battery

Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 packs a mighty 2600 mAh battery. If we are to compare the battery with existing mid-range smartphones, there are hardly a couple of devices which have a more powerful battery. Samsung also claims that the software and hardware has been tuned is such a way that it will yield best results. We are yet to test the same but we hope that it will sustain for a day or more.

Android OS Version
Galaxy Grand 2 comes preloaded with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. At the present day, there are very few smartphones in the market which are equipped with this version of Android and this gives a definite edge to Grand 2.

Display

Thanks Samsung! Ticking it right Samsung has fitted a 720p HD TFT display in Samsung Galaxy Grand 2, which was much of a need. Absence of AMOLED display is a bit disappointing but it will no more have those oversaturated colors. We may find a High Definition display in a smartphone of price around 15 thousand but since its Samsung, it has to be little overpriced.

Brand Value

If Samsung is charging you something more than for what smartphones are available in the market, then it also make sure that when you take the device out of your pocket, people would consider your presence. 

We expected a price little higher than that of original Grand and remarkably lower than Galaxy S3 which was once Samsung’s flagship device. But even at price of Rs. 22500 (Flipkart), Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is definitely a killer for smartphones from Indian players. The phone might feature a competition from maker like Micromax if it hits the market with its Octa Core phone at around a similar price.

Why 'WhatsApp' and nothing else?

WhtasApp has recently crossed the milestone of 400 million active users. Apparently, there is no instant messenger that has these many number of users, forget about them being active. These are quite a whopping numbers for a company which is comprised of merely 50 employees out of which mostly are engineers. The integration of WhatsApp has become so deep that the stories are making rounds on the internet where the app either helped them with something big or changed their lives, which also include Indian doctors saving heart patients. WhatsApp was founded by two guys, Jan and Brian, who have spent combined 20 years together at Yahoo! Inc. before starting WhatsApp Inc. Even after a huge user base WhatsApp's About page reads "WhatApp Inc. is an early stage technology startup..". This clearly signifies that the WhatsApp Inc. will be going high and higher in future. In the beginning, WhatsApp took its charge on Messaging. Messaging which was considered as one of the most innovative technology ever developed in mobile communication, had been murdered by WhatsApp in a very short period of time after its appearance in the various App stores. This cross-platform messaging app has faced several severe criticism form all over the world, followed by being hacked a couple of times, but its popularity never slid down. Even though there were established and more secured old messengers like BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), WhatsApp broke though the ice and introduced a simple yet classy messaging app. Not only BBM but there are still several competitor messaging apps such as WeChat, Line, Snapchat, Hike, Nimbuzz, etc. in the wild but there's hardly anything that could alter WhatsApp. Recently a study revealed that most teenagers in the age group of 16-18, are dumping Facebook and migrating towards WhatsApp which in their view is cool.

WhatsApp Teaser Image

Let it be witty icons or time saving broadcast messages, WhatsApp's features have always been unique and widely accepted by majority of its user base. The updates of the application are regular and in every update there are some upgrades (mostly desirable) and bug fixes which make the messenger more reliable and stable at the same time. There has been a lot of graphics seen on social media which depicts the breakup of relationships due to Last seen timestamp on WhatsApp which is nothing but a throat-choke for this app on most platforms, except Apple iOS. Sharing images and in turn sharing ideas is a breeze on WhatsApp and video sharing is a fun. Even though these features are easily available on plethora o f apps but the overall package that WhatsApp offers is undeniable. Sharing Voice messages serves the purpose of VOIP and direct calling. 

Features is not the only factor behind the success story of WhatsApp but its compatibility on array of devices, starting from a budget Nokia Asha to fingerprint reader iPhone to six incher Android phablets. WhatsApp acceptability can also be witnessed through major carriers in an intensive smartphone user country like India introducing WhatsApp oriented plans at a pocket friendly price. This will increase application's integration to new heights and to a huge number of users. 

Back in August Times of India had reported that technology enthusiasts are sad about absence of Indian tricolor on WhatsApp and developers did respond in time providing an update with Indian flag right before Republic Day along with flags of several other countries. 

Features that  users expect:

• Sending of any file regardless of its type and format
• Real time calling
• Last seen time stamp removal
• Option to send compressed as well as uncompressed image maintaining the resolution

Though there might be an unending list of desirable features that we want to see in WhatsApp in future, while these are very few which are possible to inoculate in no time. Let us wait and watch the limits where WhatsApp will reach in near future.

Dhoom 3 Review: Does the third part stand to the expectations?

Dhoom, the word might sound a little awkward to discuss alone but when it combines with a Bollywood movie the viewpoint changes drastically. This time it's the third installment of the Dhoom series and more interestingly it has Aamir Khan featuring in a negative character. Where Dhoom 1 filled adrenaline in our veins, Dhoom 2 made us more anxious and eager to see what is next. In this context we had a lot expectations from this third part of Dhoom, let's see if it sustains our expectations.

Review

Since the start of the movie, nothing much resembles to what we call Dhoom. This time it's rather personal and the complete 172 minutes film is moving over and around Aamir who is in a negative role but this time it seems to be more of positive. The Vijay Krishna Acharya's direction is above average but disappointing as and when compared to previous Dhoom(s). The film has a mediocre plot where Aamir (Sahir) son of a circus owner, stands still and decides to devastate a bank, which he think is responsible for his father's suicide. The story  proceeds in a much known and predictable way. Story rarely has any twists which leave viewers awestruck. The Dhoom one where made us to drive our bikes in a crazy fashion and higher speeds, Dhoom 2 made us to go tech-freak for a while to steal something or at least fantasizing of doing something similar, but Dhoom 3 neither gives us the adrenaline rush nor the fantasy of being a thief. As said earlier, its more of personal and unlike John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan, Aamir in no sense justify a negative role. Existence of Katrina (Aaliya) in movie I would say is merely a mistake since she neither has any deep-love chemistry with the lead actor nor has any linkage with the Super-Cop Abhishek Bachchan (ACP Jay Dixit). The dialogues are cheesy and humourless. I was expecting a bit of humour from Uday Chopra (Ali) but he horrendously fails in doing so. The beginning of the movie seems identical to Rohit Shetty's overacted comedy movies but carries no fun thereafter and fight scenes are sloppy. Overall, if we compare it with the older versions of Dhoom, the third part is a let-go type but if you have been waiting for this movie since its first poster release then you must go and watch it. Though there is a suspense in the movie which is revealed just before the interval, there is nothing much that you should be expecting. Songs are meaningless and I would say only background score could have done a great job. There is very less or no soul in the lyrics and tunes as well. Climax of the movie is a bit interesting but leaves very less for us to look ahead for the fourth part. Ultimately, Dhoom 3 doesn't stand up to the hype that was created.

What I liked: Dialogues, screenplay and special effects.

What I did not like: Music

Overall Rating: 2.5/5