4GB RAM smartphones and tablets are coming! Samsung ups its memory module game to 4GB LPDDR4, available early 2015

It's official, dear readers - we're entering the age of mobile devices that have as much random access memory as the average laptop nowadays! Samsung just announced it has begun mass production of the industry's first 4 Gigabyte LPDDR4 mobile DRAM modules for smartphones and tablets. They are built on the company's 20nm process technology and offer an input/output data rate of up to 3200Mbps (megabits per second), along with UHD video recording and playback, continuous shooting of high-res images over 20MP resolution, and up to 40% lower power consumption compared to LPDDR3 units. The power savings are eligible for all LPDDR4 modules, so 2GB and 3GB RAM devices are getting the goods too.

                                 

Samsung is already selling 2GB and 3GB LPDDR4 RAM modules to global application processor vendors and mobile device makers, which means tomorrow's smartphones and tabs will be treated to cutting-edge RAM memory. As for those 4GB chips, Samsung expects they will become market-ready in early 2015. So it looks like it's time to place the bets - is the 4GB module going in the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the Galaxy Note 5? Heck, why not both? 

Additionally, there's this interesting quote fom Samsung's VP of Memory sales & Marketing, Joo Sun Choi: "By initiating production of 20nm 8Gb LPDDR4, which is even faster than the DRAM for PCs and servers and consumes much less energy, we are contributing to the timely launch of UHD, large-screen flagship mobile devices." Are 4K smartphones coming already? To be honest, we believe tablets will be the first to utilize ultra high definition because it makes more sense - their displays are sufficiently larger. But if Samsung wants to cram such an ungodly amount of pixels on your 5-or 6-incher, who's there to stop it?

HTC Hima (M9) render leaks; new flagship to be unwrapped at CES?

A tweet out of France by NWE's Steve Hemmerstoffer, states that HTC will be taking the wraps off of its new flagship model earlier than expected. While the code-named HTC Hima (M9) was originally rumored to be unveiled in March during MWC, the latest buzz has the device being introduced next month at CES instead. HTC has run into some problems with the release cycle for its flagship phones. When the HTC One (M8) was launched last March, the handset had the latest specs including a Snapdragon 801 chipset, 2GB of RAM and a 1080 x 1920 resolution on its 5-inch screen.

But the specs on the HTC One (M8) were soon overtaken by Android phones like the LG G3 offering 3GB of RAM, and a 1440 x 2560 resolution on its screen. The Hima is expected to allow HTC to play catch up by offering a 1440 x 2560 QHD screen, 3GB of RAM and an octa-core Snapdragon 810 CPU. An Adreno 430 GPU will crunch graphics. Android 5.0 is pre-installed, with Sense 7.0 running on top. A 20.7MP rear-facing camera adorns the back of the unit, with a 13MP front-facing snapper included. The 2840mAh battery could be optimized to allow a long battery life for the device, similar to how the manufacturer squeezes more cell life than expected out of the HTC One (M8).

The tweet also includes a press render of the HTC Hima which is too psychedelic to actually provide us with an image of the phone that our brain can process. We would take that image with a grain of salt. With that in mind, we are certainly hoping that the speculation is true, and that we are only a bit more than a week away from the unveiling of HTC's next flagship phone

Renault Lodgy India spec officially revealed

Launching in March 2015; 85bhp and 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel engines; expected price from Rs 8 lakh. 

The Lodgy launch is not too far away, and Renault now wants to get people excited about its new MPV, and has released its first official image. The headline, of course, is that it is massive, and has a long 2,810mm wheelbase – an ideal combination for freeing up interior space in an MPV. Like the Renault Duster, this car started its life as a Dacia, and with the switch to the Renault badge for India, it has been given a few changes.

 

 There’s a new chrome bar grille with a massive Renault logo, a new chin (unpainted, since it is often easily scratched) and updated tail-lights too. On the inside, there will be a lot of bits borrowed from the Duster, including things like the instrument cluster, infotainment system, control stalks, steering wheel, gearlever and air-con controls. Here too, expect a few subtle differences from the Dacia version of the global markets, including a bump up in quality.

Power is expected to come from the same 1.5-litre dCi engine as the Duster, in both its 85bhp and 108bhp guises. While this may not seem like a lot, bear in mind that the torque – 25.3kgm – is more than what you get from the Toyota Innova’s 2.5-litre engine. It also has the advantage that, at 1,350kg, this monocoque MPV is a whole lot lighter than the ladder-chassis Toyota. However, actual driveability with the car fully loaded up remains to be seen.

However, we’ve driven this car

, and can tell you that its highlight is the space it offers. There is plenty of useable space on offer in the second, and even the third row, and comfort level is good too. Even with all the seats in place, there is a decent amount of boot space available, thanks to the very upright tailgate.

When it goes on sale around March 2015, we expect the Renault Lodgy to cost between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, which could make it not only a viable rival to compact MPVs like the Maruti Ertiga and Honda Mobilio, but also to the expensive but popular Toyota Innova.

New Skoda Superb here in 2015

Skoda's third generation Superb will be shown officially in February, but details have already emerged that give us a good indication of what the new car will be like.  To begin with, Skoda's foray into the realm of entry-level luxury will continue unabated. The new third-generation Superb will look more grown-up on the outside, even more spacious on the inside, and better

equipped than the previous-gen car. Based on VW's MQB platform architecture that's shared with cars like the new Passat, Octavia and Golf, it will also come with a set of well-engineered mechanical bits. 

The biggest difference over the current car, however, will be the new, smoother flowing profile and the more grown up luxury car look (think Audi A6 or A8). What has allowed this to happen is the fact that Skoda have done away with the twin door rear; the unique bit that allowed the luggage compartment to be accessed via both a large hatchback lid as well as a traditional boot lid. The removal of all the extra hardware has resulted in a less upright rear and an smoother overall profile. And it looks much nicer around the back too, the curved rear section and the semi fast-back-like raked rear windscreen add a coupe-like sportiness. Despite this, the Superb is more practical that the older car; boot space is up by more than 60 litres, at 625 litres, and you can expand that to 1,760 litres once the rear seats are folded down. 

 

Up front, the new Superb gets Skoda's new two part, butterfly-shaped grille and a set of larger headlamps with a distinct hollowed out section below them. The nose now looks more aggressive, and the sharp cutlines on the bonnet and fenders, and the tastefully flared wheel arches add to the sporty stance. Now 20mm longer, a considerable 50mm wider and using a new stretched (by 80mm) wheelbase, the new Superb will be larger still on the inside. The legroom has improved over the older car, the cabin is wide enough to fit three abreast in the rear, and the roominess up front is better as well. Despite its larger size, the new Superb will also be around 75kg lighter. 

 

Because it shares its platform with cars like the VW Passat, the new Superb is also likely to have a lot of the latest goodies found on VW's new B8, such as adjustable dampers and a new-gen infotainment system. There will be a slight roll back on the heavy use of traditional materials like wood, leather and chrome. This is to ensure that Skoda falls in line with the Volkswagen group's hierarchy; above the Czech brand sits Volkswagen, then Audi and Bentley. However, the new car will not be any less luxurious, according to Skoda's design chief Joseph Kaban (spl): "It will be a younger, more youthful interpretation of luxury, and you will find the car has no compromises." 

Power is expected to come from a 2.0-litre diesel motor tuned for around 170bhp or the 1.8-litre 177bhp turbo-petrol engine. The current automatic DSG gearboxes are expected to be carried forward. Expect the new Superb to hit Indian dealerships towards the end of 2015.

Samsung Galaxy Core Prime Now Officially Available at Rs. 9,700

Without an announcement, Samsung has quietly changed the 'not in stock' status of its new budget Galaxy Core Prime smartphone on the company's India e-store to 'in stock'. Priced at Rs. 9,700, the smartphone was listed earlier this month on the company store with no word on availability.

                            

The Samsung Galaxy Core Prime was recently also made available to purchase by e-commerce sites at Rs. 9,275. The Android 4.4 KitKat-based smartphone features dual-SIM support, a 4.5-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) PLS (plane-to-line switching) TFT display, and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM.

It comes with 8GB of inbuilt storage, and supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64GB). The Galaxy Core Prime is said to include a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera, and a 2-megapixel front camera. There is a 2000mAh battery onboard. The connectivity options on the handset include Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and 3G.

The Galaxy Core Prime includes an accelerometer and proximity sensor, apart from measuring 130.8x67.9x8.8mm and sporting a matte body finish with metal sides. It is currently listed in three colour variants - Charcoal Grey, White, and Silver.

Last month, Samsung's dual-SIM variant of the metal-clad Galaxy A5 was listed on company's China website. Listed on Samsung's China website as the Galaxy A5 (SM-A5000), the smartphone came with dual Nano-SIM support, and packs the same specifications as the single-SIM Galaxy A5.

In the meanwhile, Samsung's much awaited but never officially confirmed first Tizen smartphone, the budget Z1, has been leaked in all its glory at a purported retail partners meet in Mumbai on Monday.

Expected to be priced at Rs. 5,700 (based on a report quoting a Samsung executive who also mentioned a January 18 launch date), the Samsung Z1 smartphone was seen to sport a 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) display; a 1.2GHz dual core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM; a 3-megapixel rear camera; a 0.3-megapixel front camera with f/2.4 aperture; 4GB of inbuilt storage expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB), and a 1500mAh battery. Connectivity options are said to include 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0.

Buy at amazon.in @10,249/-

Videocon Infinium Z45 Nova With Quad-Core SoC Launched at Rs. 4,999

Videocon, soon after launching the Infinium Z50 Nova in India, has now unveiled the Infinium Z45 Nova. The smartphone has been priced at Rs. 4,999 and, much like the Infinium Z50 Nova, will be exclusively available via Flipkart.

The Android 4.4.2 KitKat-based Videocon Infinium Z45 Nova comes with dual-SIM (regular SIM + Micro-SIM) support. It features a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480x854 pixels) IPS display and offers a pixel density of 218ppi. The smartphone is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek (MT6582) processor alongside a Mali 400 MP2 GPU and 1GB of RAM. The smartphone includes 8GB of inbuilt storage that is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB).

The smartphone sports a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera with LED flash, while also housing a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The Videocon Infinium Z45 Nova's rear camera features Panorama mode, HDR mode, face beauty, self timer, voice capture, smile shot, and BSI.

Connectivity options on the smartphone include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB, GPRS/ EDGE, GPS/ A-GPS, and 3G. It packs a 1700mAh battery, measures 133.5x65x8.5mm, and weighs 131 grams. The Infinium Z45 Nova also includes sensors such as accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.
The Videocon Infinium Z45 Nova is currently available on Flipkart and comes in two colour variants - Black and White.

Last week, the company launched its latest Android 4.4 KitKat-based smartphone, the Infinium Z50 Nova, priced at Rs. 5,999.

The dual-SIM (3G+2G) Videocon Infinium Z50 Nova runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 5-inch qHD (540x960 pixels) IPS display; a 1.3GHz quad-core (MediaTek MT6582); 1GB of RAM; an 8-megapixel autofocus camera with Sony Exmor R sensor and LED flash; a 2-megapixel front-facing camera; 8GB of built-in storage that is expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB), and a 1900mAh battery.

 Buy at Flipkart @ 4999/-

Toyota Camry facelift India-bound

Toyota launched the current-generation Camry in India back in 2012 and is now looking to launch its mid-cycle facelift in our market next year.

Toyota showcased the Camry facelift at the Moscow motor show in November this year and the same updated car is expected to hit Indian showrooms in the first of 2015. The facelifted Camry gets styling changes both outside and in – up front, the headlamps are re-styled with LED daytime running lamps and the grille is all-new with a band of chrome on top of it. There’s also a new protruding chin along with the re-designed bumper. These changes align the Camry’s styling with the carmaker's current generation models such as the new Corolla Altis.

At the rear, the boot lid gets mild styling tweaks and the tail-lamps get new LED inserts. The chrome strip on the boot lid is now thinner and divides the tail-lamp into two parts. The alloy wheel designs are also expected to be new on the updated car.

On the inside, the 2015 Toyota Camry has a sporty looking three-spoke multi-function steering wheel instead of the four-spoke unit in the current car. The instrument cluster has also been updated, with blue backlight and a larger 4.2-inch screen at the centre. The multimedia screen on the centre console is also bigger at 6.1 inches.

The updated Camry is not expected to get any changes under the skin and is likely to continue with the petrol and petrol-hybrid set-ups that are on offer currently.

Toyota, so far, has sold 1,360 current-generation Camrys since its launch here in 2012, of which 579 are hybrid models. The carmaker assembles the current-gen Camry in India via CKD kits to keep costs low and will follow the trend with the updated Camry as well.

Suzuki Alto RS Turbo revealed

Targeted at the Japanese car market, the Alto RS Turbo is the performance version of the Suzuki Alto. 

  Suzuki has revealed a hotter version of the Alto for the Japanese market. A turbocharged version of the Kei car, the Alto RS Turbo, will make its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2015.  

 Like all Kei cars, the Alto RS Turbo uses a 660cc petrol engine; power output though, is still unconfirmed. The standard Suzuki Alto uses a naturally-aspirated 660cc engine that produces either 48bhp or 51bhp.

 Cosmetic enhancements on the Turbo RS include racing decals, abundant use of chrome, 17-inch alloy wheels, Recaro seats and ‘RS’ stickers. The bumper-lip, decals and wing mirrors are finished in the same colour as the alloys to further enhance the car’s sporty appeal.

This will not be the first Alto RS Turbo. There have been a few versions earlier, and in fact, there have been hotter versions of Kei cars from other manufacturers as well. But obviously, all of these are restricted to the Japanese car market.

Best Smartphones Under Rs. 15,000

Some of the high profile launches since our last roundup included the three Android One phones and the fingerprint sensor equipped Xolo Q2100, not to mention the Jolla Smartphone running the Sailfish OS and the entry-level Firefox OS phone, the Intex Cloud FX. If you're looking to buy a phone right now, then here are our top picks for smartphones under Rs. 15,000:

Best overall: Motorola Moto G (Gen 2)

The Moto G was one of the handsets responsible for creating the current interest in the under-Rs. 15,000 market, and the second generation of the device remains an excellent buy. The new Moto G  is a bit boring to look at, but does well in terms of its display, software, performance, battery life and camera, making it a really good pick.

 price in flipkart : 12,999/-

Best value for money: Asus ZenFone 5 (8GB)

Available at under Rs. 10,000, the Asus ZenFone 5 8GB model remains our value-for-money pick, since you get a phone with a great camera, decent performance and looks, at a price where the competing phones come with serious compromises. 

 

 

 price in flipkart : 9,999/-

New Hyundai i20 achieves sales peak

Passenger car sales bounced back with the November numbers up by 10 percent after two consecutive months of lower sales. The star of the month was the Hyundai Elite i20 that sold 10,500 units, its highest tally since the car made its debut in July. The other star was the Maruti Omni which sold 7,214 units, racing ahead of the Hyundai Eon and Bolero.

 Maruti’s Alto, whose K10 now offers an AMT variant, sold 24, 201 units and was followed by the Swift (which now has a facelift) and Dzire  with 17,900 and 14,009 units sold, respectively.  The Hyundai Grand i10 continues to be on a roll with 8,396 units sold. Among new models, the Fiat Avventura sold 366 units.

In the mid-size segment, the Honda City was back in the Top 10 after a three-month gap with 7,251
units sold. The Maruti Ciaz sold 5,232 units while the Skoda Rapid and VW Vento were almost neck and neck with 958 and 894 units sold, respectively.

In the UV segment, the Bolero sold 6,300 units, its lowest in the current financial year. The Maruti Ertiga sold 5,003 units.

Import database reveals Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 tablet on the way

Samsung has a Galaxy Tab 5 slate coming our way. Sporting the model number SM-T55, the upcoming tablet appeared in an Indian import/export database.

If the model number is anything to go by, Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 shapes up to be a minor upgrade over the model it is bound to replace. Announced back in April, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (SM-T530/SM-T535), totes Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset, 10.1” 1280 x 800 display, and 1.5GB of RAM.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 is likely to pack 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 SoC when it goes official. Android 5.0 Lollipop with TouchWiz 5.0 will be the OS out of the box.

Alongside the SM-T55, the import paperwork revealed another, budget-friendly Samsung slate – the SM-T116. Valued at roughly $100, the tablet is the likely successor of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite.

Most Expensive Watches in the World

1). Cartier Secret
Price : $ 2.75 million

 The watch is made of White Gold made out of 18 carat white gold plated with rhodium. It also shows the 3.53 carat portrait cut diamond which makes it looks glamorous as well as trendy. To make it more luxurious it is covered with 3010 brilliantly cut diamonds. All these features makes it most expensive.

 2). Patek Philippe 1953 Heures Universelles Model 2523
Price : $ 2.9 million

 This watch is the most preferred watch in the community of rich peoples. This watch was auction in the year 2006. It is made up of 18 carat yellow gold. It features a polychrome and enamel dial which resembles the North American continent. It is also included in the list of most expensive watches.

3). Piaget Emperador Temple
Price : $ 3.3 million

Piaget Emperador Temple was listed in the top 10 luxurious watches. The Piaget Emperador was made up of expensive diamond in which
a). First Watch contains 207 baguette cut diamonds, 481 brilliant diamonds and emerald cut diamond
b). Second Watch contain 11 baguette cut diamonds and 162 brilliant cut diamonds.

Nikon 1 AW1, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 J4 Compact Cameras Launched in India

Nikon on Friday launched the Nikon 1 AW1, Nikon 1 V3, and Nikon 1 J4 compact cameras in India.

While the Nikon 1 AW1 comes with a 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens kit at Rs. 39,950, the Nikon 1 V3 and Nikon 1 J4 come with 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM lenses priced at Rs. 43,950 and Rs. 24,950 respectively. The cameras are also listed on the company's India website.

The Nikon also states that the 14.2-megapixel sensor featuring AW1 camera is the first waterproof, shockproof and freeze-proof interchangeable lens camera. While it can stay underwater without any camera body for up to 15 metres, it can also absorb fall shocks from up to 2 metres and temperature as low as -10 degrees. The camera also features an Advanced Hybrid Autofocus System, which chooses the best image and records videos depending on the contrast and other settings.

New cars for 2015: SUVs and MPVs

The promising MPV, SUV segments are only going to be heated further when the likes of Maruti, Ford and Hyundai add more models to the mix next year.

1. Maruti YBA compact SUV

Factfile
Coming: End 2015
Est price: Rs 7.5-10 lakh
Engine(s): 1.2 petrol, 1.5 diesel
Rivals: Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura

2. Hyundai ix25

 

 Factfile
Coming: Mid 2015
Est price:Rs 10 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel
Rivals: Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano

3.Maruti S-Cross

 Factfile
Coming: March 2015
Est price: Rs 13-14 lakh
Engine(s): 1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel
Rivals: Mahindra XUV500, Renault Duster AWD

Motorola Droid Turbo gets a blue version at Best Buy

In case the original color variations of the Motorola Droid Turbo weren't interesting enough for you, then here's something you should consider: a blue model.

That's right, there's a blue Droid Turbo now, to complement the black and red iterations that have been on sale so far.

 The blue hue is apparently going to be a Best Buy exclusive, so if you want to purchase it anywhere else you're out of luck. Obviously though you will be able to get one with a Verizon contract, even if you do pay Best Buy for the phone.

The blue Droid Turbo isn't up for sale yet. It has already been listed by the aforementioned retailer, but only with a "Coming Soon" notice attached. We assume it will become available in time for the holidays however.
Pricing is similar to what you'd shell out for the other colors - $199.99 with a new two-year contract, and $699.99 sans long term agreement.

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition unveiled

Lamborghini has yet again announced the production of an exclusive new special series, they like to call this one the Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition. As the name suggests its has been created to celebrate the long and ongoing partnership with Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli. The brands have been working together since 1963, from then to now all Lamborghini cars have been equipped with Pirelli tyres.

All technical features have been retained from the regular Aventador including the carbon fiber monocoque, the V12 engine, pushrod suspensions and the permanent all-wheel drive. The details for the Pirelli series has been designed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile. Standard equipment for the exterior will include the transparent engine hood, the engine compartment in carbon, glossy black Dione 20/21 inch rims, P Zero tyres with red logo and red calipers (yellow only in the case of the Rosso Mars exterior).

The exterior sports a two-tone color scheme giving customers two options. The first one being matte black for the roof, the pillars, the rearview mirrors, the engine hood, and the front, rear, side and moving air intakes, in contrast with six glossy finishes for the rest of the body. The second option incorporates glossy black for the upper parts of the car and the air intakes, in contrast with four matte finishes for the rest of the exterior.

A thin red stripe runs along the roof and the engine hood, the rearview mirrors, and the outer profiles of the air intakes, a feature designed to recall Pirelli branding. The Pirelli logo in red, is visible at the start of the two roof lines and on the tyres.

The interiors of this Pirelli Edition are upholstered with black Alcantara with red contrast stitching. The red stripe on the body is also repeated on the inside, running along the interior ceiling and the seats, which feature the Lamborghini and Pirelli crests embroidered in red. Leather inserts adorn the door panels and the seat sides. To underscore its exclusiveness, each car will have a ‘Pirelli special series’ plaque inside.

The new Pirelli edition will be available in Coupé and Roadster forms. Production will be in a special series and orders taken by dealers will be delivered summer 2015.

Grand Theft Auto 5 review

Forget everything you think you know about remastered video game rereleases, because new-gen Grand Theft Auto 5 punches the rule book, steals its car, and then reverses back over the battered, leathery remains just to be sure. The obvious question is ‘should I buy GTA 5 all over again?’ to which the answer is a resounding ‘Yes. Right this second.’

The improvements are numerous and obvious right from the get go. Better facial animation gives added weight to the already excellent vocal performances. A longer draw distance pulls you deeper into an open-world that was already obnoxious in its level of detail, but now feels even more exciting and alive. In fact it’s so beautiful that simply existing in the sun-bleached sprawl of Los Santos and surrounding countryside is as enjoyable as tearing through it on a lunatic murder spree. One of my favourite moments came when I flicked the radio off and drove slowly over a patch of lakeside dirt, listening to the crunch of gravel under my tyres while watching the afternoon sun peel across the water. Bliss.

Huawei Ascend P8 expected to be launched in March, first images of its metal chassis show up

At 6.5 mm, Huawei’s Ascend P7 is one of this year’s thinnest smartphones - at least if we’re talking about devices that are widely available around the world. The P7 is also one of the best Huawei handsets we’ve tested lately, so we’re genuinely interested in its successor - which, as we told you in November, should be (unsurprisingly) called Ascend P8.

November was also when we heard that the P8 would have a thin metal body, just like the P7. Now, a couple of photos that allegedly show the chassis of the P8 seem to confirm that metal is indeed one of the main materials used to manufacture the new smartphone.

According to Chinese website CNMO, the Ascend P8 should be released in March 2015. It’s said that the new handset will be a bit larger than the P7, sporting a 5.2-inch 1080p display, instead of a 5-inch one. Other rumored features include an octa-core Kirin 930 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, and a fingerprint sensor. 

The Ascend P8 could cost slightly less than $500, thus being a bit more affordable than most flagship smartphones are nowadays.

Next Asus ZenWatch to Offer Voice Calling Sans Handset, Launch in Q3 2015

While launching the  Asus ZenWatch  in Taiwan, the company CEO Jerry Shen on December 24 also announced that the firm is working on the next generation ZenWatch, currently being tipped as ZenWatch 2. The firm additionally released a few new teasers for its upcoming next generation of ZenFone handsets over the week.

As per the announcement by Shen, the Asus ZenWatch 2 will support independent voice-calling functionality like the Samsung Gear S smartwatch. The watch will support a SIM-card to make calls and will be released in Q3 2015. It is possible a prototype or early version of the device may be showcased at the upcoming CES 2015 event in Las Vegas, or at MWC 2015 in Barcelona later in the year.


 The Chinese company is said to launch two more wearable devices other than the ZenWatch that will focus on the user's health and fitness. Also, these fitness-related devices will be priced lower than the Asus ZenWatch 2, as reported by Focus Taiwan.

As for the original ZenWatch, which launched in Taiwan at TWD 5,990 (roughly Rs. 12,000), Shen added that the Android Wear-based smartwatch would roll out in select European markets, China and Hong Kong in the second phase. The watch is available in limited quantities for now and will stay the same until February.
Asus on December 21 and 22 also released two teaser videos for the next generation ZenFone handsets. The YouTube and Facebook videos indicate the smartphones to feature back buttons like seen in LG G2 and LG G3. The details on what functions will be carried by the rear buttons are still scarce. However, the buttons are speculated to act as camera shutter buttons, power buttons or a shortcut key for certain features.

Jaguar F-Type Coupe India review

We drive the 543bhp Jaguar F-Type R-Coupe in and out of town for a full week.

  The monsoons may have had a slow start, but on this evening in early August, it’s pouring buckets. From my vantage point inside Jaguar Land Rover’s very swanky corporate showroom in Worli, Mumbai, all I see is an opaque sheet of rainfall. The flooded conditions seem apt to put any of the Land Rovers on display to the test, not the 543bhp (and 69.3kgm), rear-wheel-drive rocketship I have just  been handed the key to. I’m itching to drive, but better sense tells me to hold out. I just can’t let impatience and unnecessary bravado cut short my week-long stint with what promises to be Jaguar’s most exciting sports car in decades. A lot of Jaguar literature and a few coffees later, I notice the downpour has reduced to a mild drizzle. Visibility is better and traffic seems to be in motion too — that’s the green signal I’ve been waiting for.  I want to make a fast getaway, but quickly realise I’d need the equivalent of a racehorse’s blinkers to keep me walking straight to the car’s door. It looks just so damn hot, I simply have to stop to take one hard look at it. Eventually I peel my eyes away from the F’s shapely form, making a mental list of all the details I’d like to see up close later on. Like the door handles that pop out as you press the unlock button on the key fob, which is such a neat touch. 

 It’s quite a drop into the cabin, but the beautifully contoured bucket seats offer a comfortable landing. On the outset, frontal visibility seems good and I’m quite taken by the welcome gesture or Jaguar handshake. It’s performed by a platform hidden atop the centre console that rises to reveal the air-con vents, a bit gimmicky but literally a very cool touch. Starter button depressed, the engine rumbles to life to settle at a gruff idle. Gear lever clicked to D, and I’m off. But I’m not in the clear — rush hour has begun and traffic is thickening. All plans for an initial joy ride are cancelled and I decide to call it a day. It’s on the journey home that my right foot gives in to temptation and I weigh down hard on the accelerator at the first opportune moment. What follows has me thrilled and petrified at the same time. The Jag’s tail momentarily steps out of line as the Pirellis struggle to put down all that power on the wet surface. Meanwhile, the exhaust roars loud enough to alert every living being in the vicinity that there’s a big cat on the prowl. This is going to be a very fun week. . 

continuous.... >>

Xiaomi has sold 1 million smartphones in India so far

This year Xiaomi ventured outside of its home market, China, and into India. For many months now, it's been holding pretty much weekly flash sales in partnership with Flipkart, the biggest retailer in the subcontinent. And apparently those have been going quite well.

Xiaomi's boss for India, Manu Kumar Jain, has announced today via Twitter that the company has already managed to sell more than one million smartphones over there.

This has happened at some unnamed point earlier this month. That's certainly impressive given how limited Xiaomi's phone supplies have been for the subcontinent. It definitely looks like the smartphone maker has somewhat underestimated the demand for its products in India, which may mean it will manage to sell even more units next year.

On the other hand, companies such as OnePlus and even Micromax (through its Yu sub-brand) are anxious to steal customers away from Xiaomi so 2015 is surely going to be an interesting year over there.

Moto 360 review: Eye catcher

Announced back in March, Motorola's Moto 360 is undoubtedly one of the hottest wearable devices of the year. The Android Wear flagship is the first device of its kind to effectively blur the lines between a smartwatch and a regular mechanical timepiece in terms of design.

We call the Moto 360 an Android Wear flagship for a good reason. The gadget is the first and will probably remain the only smartwatch developed with direct input from the search giant. Motorola only recently changed ownership from Google to Lenovo.

Moto 360 is unique not only because of its appearance, but internals too. Motorola's creation is the only Android Wear device to swap Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 for a Texas Instruments chipset. Check out the device's key features below.

Key features

• 1.56" LCD display; 320 x 290 pixels; 205ppi; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• TI OMAP 3 chipset; 512MB RAM; 4GB of built-in storage
• 320mAh battery rated at a full day of mixed use; Qi wireless charging with bundled cradle
• 46mm in diameter; 11.5mm thick
• Stainless steel case with IP67 rating
• Available in different finishes with metal or genuine leather band (off-the-shelf standard 22mm band)
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE connectivity
• Dual-microphone setup for voice commands
• Built-in optical heart rate monitor and pedometer
• Android Wear OS with Google Now integration
• Incredibly light at 49 grams with the leather band

Main disadvantages

• The screen is not fully circular
• There are competitors with more pixel-dense displays
• Android Wear tries to do too many things at once
• Battery life could be better

Motorola Moto 360 lags behind some of its competitors in terms of hardware specs, though this is hardly a surprise. After all, the device is one of the first Android Wear products to hit the market.

The smartwatch appears to make up for its hardware shortcomings with looks and broad appeal. None of its competitors can match the variety of styles that Moto 360 is available in.

Nokia N1's release date for China reportedly revealed, it's very, very soon

Although it's technically not Nokia's first tablet, the upcoming Nokia N1 is one of its more important devices. First of all, it's the first Nokia device that will run Android out of the box (disregarding the discontinued Nokia X line which ran forked Android); it's also the first mobile device that the Finland-based ex-giant made after it sold its Devices and Services divisions to Microsoft; last, but not least, it will be one of the few Nokia devices that won't be, in fact, manufactures by Nokia itself.




                                     
 
Apart from being an important device for Nokia, the N1 will probably be a viable option to all those users that are on the market for a new slate, as it's boasting some potent hardware specs for a pretty competitive price tag - $249. For this amount of money you'll get a quad-core Intel Atom chipset, 2GB of RAM, a 7.9" display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels, an 8MP rear camera, 32GB of on-board storage, and a 5,300mAh battery to keep the lights on. Software-wise, we have Android 5.0 Lollipop with Nokia's Z Launcher atop.

Sounds good, but the last variable that remained veiled in mystery was the release date of the slate. Nokia said the N1 will arrive sometime in Q1 2015, but certain reports claim that the Nokia N1 will hit the shelves in China on January 7, 2015, boasting the same aforementioned price tag. There's no word on its release for the rest of the world, but we hope that the potential adopters of the Nokia N1 tablet won't have to wait long.

most expensive car in the world

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

Country of Origin: Italy
Engine: 750-hp, 6.5-liter, 12-cylinder
0-62 mph: 2.9 seconds
Starting price: $4.5 million

Lamborghini says it plans to build only nine copies of the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster in 2014. Among many other innovations its lightweight body design makes extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. Top speed is 221 mph. 

Described as “an open racing prototype with an extreme design and breathtaking performance”, the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is based on the coupe version that was revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

Unlike the coupe, which was built in only three customer examples, the roadster will be offered in nine examples, with pricing set at €3.3 ($4.5 / £2.8) million before taxes. The convertible shares its 6.5-liter V12 engine with the Veneno coupe, which means that no less than 750 horses are trapped behind the rear bonnet. The exclusive supercar features CFRP-made monocoque and body, while the interior sports lightweight Forged Composite bucket seats and the company’s already familiar CarbonSkin.  

World's Fastest Camera Claimed to Capture 100 Billion Frames Per Second

A team of biomedical engineers has developed the world's fastest camera, a device that can capture events up to 100 billion frames per second.

The current ultrafast imaging techniques are limited by on-chip storage and electronic readout speed to operations of about 10 million frames per second.

"For the first time, humans can see light pulses on the fly," said Lihong Wang, professor of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.

"Because this technique advances the imaging frame rate by orders of magnitude, we now enter a new regime to open up new visions," said Wang.

The team used a technique called compressed ultrafast photography (CUP) to make movies of the images they took with single laser shots.

This is a series of devices customised to work with high-powered microscopes and telescopes to capture dynamic natural and physical phenomena.

Once the raw data are acquired, the actual images are formed on a personal computer.

"These ultrafast cameras have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of very fast biological interactions and chemical processes and allow us to build better models of complex, dynamical systems," said Richard Conroy from National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, US.
The camera may have wider application in areas like biomedicine, astronomy and forensics.

"Combine CUP imaging with the Hubble Telescope, and we will have both the sharpest spatial resolution of the Hubble and the highest temporal solution with CUP," said Wang.

"Each new technique, especially one of a quantum leap forward, is always followed a number of new discoveries. It's our hope that CUP will enable new discoveries in science ones that we can't even anticipate yet," said Wang.

The research appeared in the journal Nature.

Oppo R5 review: One to remember

The world's thinnest smartphone record is as fragile as a piece of china. It was broken three times in the last couple of months alone. The Gionee Elife S5.1 was first with a ridiculously slim 5.1mm profile, but its moment of triumph was just that - a moment. The 4.85mm Oppo R5 snatched the prize right out of Gionee's hands but didn't hold on to it long enough either. Out of nowhere, the 4.75mm shadow of a Vivo X5 Max took it home. Though obviously, the record stayed in China the whole time.

Our luck isn't any better - we usually miss the record-holder by mere days. OK, the upside is we can concentrate on the important things. That said, the Oppo R5 may not be the thinnest anymore, but it's pure class - and mind you, it's the second time we meet it in person.

The Oppo R5 is made of hand-polished aluminum alloy with special liquid-metal phase-shifting cooling elements inside taking the heat off the processor cores. Speaking of, there's eight of them on the Snapdragon 615 chipset (four 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 cores and another four at 1GHz) with a new generation Adreno 405 graphics accelerator.

BLU outs a trio of affordable Studio smartphones with LTE

A week after the release of Studio 7.0, BLU launched a trio of affordable Studio smartphones with LTE connectivity. BLU Studio 6.0 LTE, Studio 5.0 HD LTE, and Studio Mini LTE are currently available to order contract-free on Amazon for $279, $199, and $119 respectively.

As its price tag suggests, the BLU Studio 6.0 LTE is the most capable device from the bunch. It packs Qualcomm 8928 Snapdragon 400 SoC with 1.6GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable memory, 13MP main camera, and 5MP front-facing unit. The OS on board is Android 4.4 KitKat.
Physical measures of BLU Studio 6.0 LTE are 163.5 x 81.4 x 9.15 mm. The handset packs 3,200mAh battery.

BLU Studio 5.0 HD LTE features Qualcomm 8926 Snapdragon 400 SoC with 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and a gig of RAM. The rest of the device’s specs include 5” 720p display, 8GB of expandable memory, 13MP main camera, 5MP front-facing unit, and Android 4.4 KitKat.

Measures of BLU Studio 5.0 HD LTE are 145.7 x 72 x 9 mm. The handset is powered by a 2,200mAh battery.

BLU Studio Mini LTE  is the most affordable member of the trio. It offers Qualcomm 8926 Snapdragon 400 chipset with 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM.

A 4.5” display with 854 x 480 pixels, 5MP main camera, 0.3MP front-facing unit, and 4GB of expandable memory are also on board. The device boots the seriously old Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box.
BLU Studio Mini LTE measures 137.1 x 67.4 x 10 mm. It is powered by a 1,850mAh battery.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Update Roadmap for Samsung Phones Revealed

While earlier this month Samsung Galaxy S5 started receiving the Android 5.0 Lollipop update in some regions, a new page on the Samsung Finland website has revealed a few more devices that are in line. The Android 5.0 Lollipop update list also includes couple of devices that were launched back in 2012.

First in line for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is the Galaxy Note 4, which Samsung already teased in October. The flagship phablet's predecessor, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is also scheduled for the update.

Interestingly, while the page (via GSMArena) shows the Galaxy S5 Mini to be in line for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, it shows "no information" for its bigger version, the Samsung Galaxy S5. However, the update for the Galaxy S5 has reportedly already rolling out in some regions, and the device also falls under the South Korean smartphone maker's two years or two major updates (whichever comes first) criteria for eligibility.

Talking about Samsung's update eligibility criteria, the page also surprisingly shows Galaxy Note II also scheduled for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. It is worth mentioning that the device was launched in September 2012 and has crossed its two years. The metal-clad Galaxy Alpha and the last year's flagship Galaxy S4 are also in the list of devices due for updates on the Samsung Finland site.

Last month, sources close to Samsung also confirmed the Galaxy S4 would be receiving the update early next year, though the timeline may change. Android 5.0 Lollipop will notably be the third major update for the handset, after Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Android 4.4 KitKat, which puts it outside of the firm's update criteria.

Jivi JSP Q56 Launched as 'India's Cheapest Quad-Core Smartphone' at Rs. 4,399

While Jivi  launched what it called the cheapest Android smartphone in India at Rs. 1,999 in September, the JSP 20, it now is claiming to have launched the cheapest quad-core processor Android smartphone, the JSP Q56.

The dual-SIM Jivi JSP Q56 is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor (unspecified) that's coupled with 512MB of RAM, and is priced at Rs. 4,399. The handset for now is Amazon India exclusive and is available to buy from the e-commerce website.

The budget smartphone sports a 4.5-inch TFT display with FWVGA (480x854 pixels) resolution and runs on Android KitKat 4.4 OS. JSP Q56 also includes an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera alongside 4GB of inbuilt storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card (up to 32GB).
A 2000mAh battery backs the smartphone. 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB connectivity options are available in the handset. The Jivi JSP Q56 measures 139x67.5x9.9mm and is available in Black colour variant from the e-commerce website.

Commenting on the launch if the Jivi JSP Q56, Pankaj Anand, CEO, Jivi Mobiles, "We have shattered the price barrier yet again for we believe in bringing the benefits of latest technology to the masses at prices they can afford. However, bringing the price down does not mean that the phone lacks any features, rather it is feature rich and beats the offerings from the competition hands down in terms of price-performance comparisons."

Jivi in September launched the JSP 20 smartphone, which it claimed was the cheapest Android OS-based smartphone priced at Rs. 1,999. It is worth mentioning that Intex, a week before Jivi JSP 20's launch, released an Android 4.4 KitKat powered smartphone, the Aqua T2 for Rs. 2,699 via Flipkart, claiming that it was the cheapest KitKat-based smartphone in the country.

Some of the key features of the JSP 56 handset are a 3.5-inch (320x480 pixel) display; 1GHz processor; 128MB of RAM; 256MB inbuilt storage that's expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB), a 2-megapixel rear camera with flash, and a 1350mAh battery.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G goes on sale in India on Dec.30

Last month, Xiaomi announced that both the Redmi Note and the Redmi Note 4G would be headed to India before the end of the year. Yet while the 3G-only model has been a flash sale star already, the same can't be said for its 4G-capable sibling.

Now though, the Chinese smartphone maker has thankfully unveiled the release date for the Redmi Note 4G in India. It's December 30, which is next Tuesday.

As it's always done in the subcontinent, Xiaomi will be using Flipkart, the biggest online retailer over there, to handle its flash sale. This will start at 2 PM. At the same time, however, you'll be able to purchase a Redmi Note 4G from select stores belonging to Indian carrier Airtel.
The Redmi Note 4G is priced at INR 9,999, which equates to approximately $157 or €129. It comes with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 5 MP front snapper, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of expandable internal storage.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 SoC is running the show, and it sports a 1.6 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 processor. The phone's also got a 3,100 mAh battery, and it only takes one SIM card (unlike the 3G version which is dual-SIM).

Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout review, test ride

We took the the shiny new Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout out on the highway, and here's what it felt like. 

Set your eyes on the Harley-Davidson Breakout for the first time, and you see a low, muscular and an almost menacing profile. With a seat height of 660mm, this is one of the lowest slung among all the Harleys currently on offer in India. The overall Breakout design has been inspired by Gasser drag bikes. The front mudguard is quite short, and the handlebar is straight, but slightly pulled back towards the rider. The handlebar incorporates notification lights, and on the centre sits a chrome-coated single dial speedometer, which houses a small multi-function LCD display. The switchgear on the handlebar has a glossy-matte finish to it and the mirrors mounted on either sides are small, with chrome treatment. There’s chrome all over the Breakout as well, something that's pretty usual to motorcycles from the Milwaukee based manufacturer. Front forks, headlamp housing, engine block, stock air intake housing, gear and brake levers, and the Breakout exhaust pipe - everything has a mirror-like finish. The fit-and-finish on the Breakout is brilliant, but that is something that's expected from a Harley bike – visually, there’s barely anything that seems out of place – and unlike the last Harley, the Street 750, there are no visible cables that spoil the look of the motorcycle
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The Breakout gets the same 1,690cc, four-stroke, V-Twin, air-cooled engine as the Heritage Softail Classic. Crank it, and you’re rewarded with a soft, yet throaty grunt from the exhaust. Mechanically, the engine is quite silent, and while riding, the only sound you’ll actually hear is the all-business speaking exhaust note. Mated to the big powerplant is a six-speed gearbox, which is a disappointment as it lacks refinement. However, the gears shift with a mechanical feel and sound. The Breakout’s engine makes a massive 13.2kgm of torque at 3,000rpm, and despite it being a cruiser at heart, the big bike surges forward with urgency when the throttle is wrung to the top. The first and second gears feel rather short, but then again, higher gears are reached rather quickly and you can cruise at relaxed engine speeds. The big Harley cruiser feels most comfortable between 1,500-3,100rpm. Cross that, and vibrations creep in through the handlebar and mirrors. This gets annoying in the long run.

 However, upshift early, crack open the throttle and you are rewarded with a pleasant, well spaced out thumping melody. Fuelling is a touch snatch though, and can improve.

 

Next-gen Audi A7 to get more stylish

Audi has confirmed that the next generation of its A7 fastback will be even more stylish that what it already is. The A7 is a radical looking car that combines the practicality of a sedan bodystyle with a swoopy coupe-like silhouette.

Design work on the new Audi A7 has already been completed by Marc Lichte, who joined Audi from Volkswagen earlier this year. The car is expected to launch in international markets in 2017. The new A7 has a lot of design elements that see inspiration in the latest Prologue concept that Audi showcased at the Los Angeles motor show. But Lichte has bot revealed any specific details.

The Prologue concept gives not only a hint at this new A7, but also the new A6 and the A8. All of these models are currently being developed; the A6 is also expected to debut with the A7 in 2017, but the flagship A8 will debut globally next year. Lichte has also added that it will be the A7 that will carry the most attention-grabbing design, and that it will not only stand out amongst these three models, but will be different from future Audis as well.