Phicomm launches Passion 660

Chinese smart-devices and networking equipment maker Phicomm is making a foray into the Indian market with the launch of its first Smartphone, Passion 660. The phone will be available starting 9 June at Rs 10,999, exclusively on Amazon.

The dual-SIM Smartphone runs Android KitKat 4.4 and features a 5-inch (1080x1920p) full HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Powered by 64-bit 1.5GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (MSM8939) processor, the phone comes with 2GB RAM, and also offers 16GB of internal storage.

Users who want more storage space can install microSD cards of up to 64GB as the phone offers a hybrid microSD-nano-sim slot.

Passion 660 sports a 13MP primary camera with LED flash and a 5MP secondary camera (with IMX 214 sensor from Sony), and packs a 2300mAh battery. For connectivity, the dual-SIM Smartphone offers 4G, 3G, GPRS/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v 4.0 and a micro-USB slot. The phone also boasts of a barometer and a built-in step-counter sensor that does not require GPS & cellular network.

Phicomm Passion 660 will be available in black and white colour variants.

HTC launches Desire 820G+ 4G Smartphone

HTC has introduced budget 4G Smartphone Desire 820G+ in Taiwan, alongside Desire 626G+ that was launched in India last month.

Priced at TWD 5,990, the new Desire 820G+ that will be sold on contract with telecom carrier Chunghwa Telecom.

The all-new Desire 820G+ feature a 5.5-inch (720x1280p) IPS display and runs on Android v4.4.2 (Kitkat). This dual-SIM Smartphone is powered by 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor with 1GB RAM and Mali-450MP4 GPU.

It sports a 13MP rear snapper with LED flash and 8MP front-facing camera.

Packed with 2,600mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, the handset comes with 16GB internal storage and optional installation of microSD card up to 32GB.

On the connectivity front, HTC Desire 820G+ supports 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.0, and A-GPS.

Samsung launches Tizen-powered SUHD 4K TVs

Samsung Electronics has launched its new range of SUHD 4K televisions in India. Part of the JS9000 range, the 55-inch variant is priced at Rs 3,14,900 while the 65-inch variant is available at Rs 4,40,900.

The TVs were first unveiled at CES 2015, in Las Vegas. This model has a soft, textured 'Shirring' design at the back and runs Tizen operating system.

Samsung informed the TVs leverage the proprietary, nano-crystal technology and intelligent SUHD re-mastering picture quality engine, offering enhanced contrast, brightness, color reproduction, and detail.

The SUHD re-mastering engine automatically analyzes the brightness of images to minimize additional power consumption while expressing better contrast levels, producing images with darker blacks and an elevated brightness up to 2.5 times brighter than conventional TVs, and twice the colour adjustment points for accurate colour reproduction, as per Samsung.

The SUHD TV's nano-crystal semiconductor transmits different colours of light depending on their size to produce the highest colour purity and light efficiency available today,' as per the company.

The new user interface for Samsung's Smart Hub is more responsive and allows users easier access to the content they want. It features one screen that displays most recent content and tailored content recommendations. Consumers can share video content from their Samsung smart phone to their Smart TV with the press of a button and can watch TV through their mobile devices without any apps or pre-settings.

Samsung Smart TVs act as an alarm and sync up with Samsung mobile devices, to turn on and display important items such as the time, weather and your schedule for the day.

The TVs will be available at all Samsung Smart Plazas and leading consumer electronic stores.

Panasonic launces Eluga S Mini selfie phone

Panasonic has released the smaller version of its selfie Smartphone Eluga S in the Indian market. The new Smartphone named Eluga S Mini, is priced at Rs 8,990.

The new Eluga S Mini also comes with the Blink Play feature that enables the device to capture selfies with the blink of an eye.

Though its name carries the 'mini' tag, its screen size is 4.7-inch, making it only 0.3-inch smaller than that of its bigger sibling Eluga S.

On the hardware and software front, Panasonic Eluga S Mini shares all other features with the original model.

Eluga S Mini sports a 720X1080p display resolution and packs a 1.4GHz MediaTek octa-core processor and 1GB RAM under the hood. It comes with 8GB internal storage and supports microSD card slots of up to 32GB for expansion.

The phone has a 1,980mAh battery and runs Android 4.4 KitKat and has connectivity options like 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS.

Asus announces ZenWatch 2 Smartwatch

Asus has announced a new version of its Smartwatch, the ZenWatch 2. Unlike the old version it comes in two sizes, like Apple Watch, and features a digital crown rather like Apple Watch.

The new watch comes in a larger 49 mm size, which pairs with 22 mm straps, and a smaller 45 mm version, which uses an 18 mm strap. The larger of the two apparently can lend its charge to your phone in the case of low power emergencies, though Asus hasn't yet revealed how (presumably it involves a USB cable of some sort).

Asus has also announced that the watch will feature a digital crown to help navigate Android Wear. The details of exactly how that will work remain under wraps, though presumably it will allow you to scroll through content. There's also a new magnetic charger cable, which replaces the plastic cable of old. Elsewhere, some features remain the same: there's a an Amoled screen covered with a piece of 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 and a Qualcomm processor.

The new watch is available in cases with a silver, gunmetal or rose-gold finish, and a choice of rubber, soft leather or metal straps. Or a leather one dotted with Swarovski crystals, if you feel so inclined. All in, the tweaks seem to bring the watch in-line with many of Apple's design cues. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

LG announces G4 dual-SIM Smartphone

LG has announced that it will start taking pre-bookings for its new flagship Smartphone G4 starting June 3. The phone will be launched sometime in June 2015. 

The pre-bookings page mentions that consumers will get a metallic finish back cover worth Rs 2,000, a battery charging cradle worth Rs 3,500 and one-time screen replacement worth Rs 6,500 with the phone if they pre-book.

While the company has not announced the pricing, the dual-SIM variant of the phone is available online through retailer Infibeam at Rs 49,999.

Successor to the LG G3, the G4 was unveiled last month. The Smartphone sports a 5.5-inch QHD(2560x1440p) IPS display and has a leather finish back in three colors.

Powered by a 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 64-bit hexa-core processor and 3GB RAM, the Smartphone has 32GB storage and a microSD card for expansion. The phone comes with a 16MP rear camera with f1.8 aperture and OIS 2.0, and an 8MP front-facing camera. It has a 3000Ah removable battery.

The phone supports 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac and GPS connectivity options.