HTC U Ultra, U Play Smartphones in India

Taiwanese Smartphone maker HTC is all set to launch its latest U Ultra and U Play Smartphones in India.

HTC unveiled the two Smartphones in the international market last month. The key highlight of the devices is the Sense Companion, an AI-based assistant. 

HTC's Sense Companion is similar to the likes of Google Assistant and Apple Siri. According to the company, the AI assistant learns the user's working patterns and optimizes the device accordingly. The assistant also is integrated with Google Assistant, meaning it doesn't directly compete with it.

HTC U Ultra sports LG V20-like dual display. Besides a 5.7-inch QHD LCD display, there is also a 2-inch screen on top with 1040x160 pixel resolution. While the 64GB variant has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 coating, the 128GB version has Sapphire Glass coating.

The Smartphone is powered by the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor clubbed with 4GB RAM. The base model comes with 64GB inbuilt storage, which can be expanded using a microSD card. There is also a 128GB storage version.

The Smartphone comes with a 12-UltraPixel 2 rear autofocus camera with BSI sensor, OIS, PDAF f/1.8 aperture and LED flash. There is a 16-MP front-facing shooter with BSI sensor as well. The camera can record 4K resolution videos with 3D Audio.

The HTC U Ultra is backed by a 3000mAh battery that is rated to deliver up to 26 hours of talk time on 3G or 4G connectivity. The battery also supports Quick Charge 3.0 technology. As for the connectivity, the Smartphone includes 4G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.2 and USB Type-C (USB 3.1).

The HTC U Play Smartphone sports a 5.2-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) resolution display with Super LCD and Gorilla Glass protection. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor clubbed with 3GB or 4GB RAM. The Smartphone will be available in 32GB or 64GB inbuilt storage versions with microSD card expansion.

There is a 16MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, BSI sensor, OIS, PDAF and dual-tone LED fash along with the 16MP front-facing camera same as the HTC U Ultra. The handset has a 2500mAh battery that is said to run for up to 15.2 hours on talk time and support fast charging technology. The connectivity features remain the same as the U Ultra.

Both the U-Series HTC Smartphones are dual-SIM and run on Android 7.0 Nougat OS.

Asus launces Zenfone Go 5.0 LTE (ZB500KL) Smartphone

Asus has launched its Zenfone Go 5.0 (ZC500TG) Budget Smartphone in India last year. Now, the Taiwanese company has expanded its 'Go' line-up with the launch of Zenfone Go 5.0 LTE (ZB500KL) in the country.

Priced at Rs 8,999, the Smartphone comes in Black, Red, Gold, Silver and Blue color options. It's available on Amazon as well as offline retail stores in the country.

The Zenfone Go 5.0 LTE (ZB500KL) features a 5-inch HD display of 720x1280 pixel resolution. Powering the device is a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. There's 16GB of internal storage, with support for microSD cards.

Running Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system out-of-the-box, the handset sports a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera for selfies. Backed by a 2,600mAh battery, it offers 4G LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS as major connectivity options.

Acer launches Spin 3 Convertible Laptop

Taiwanese technology company, Acer has launched its Spin 3 (SP315-51) laptops in India. Priced at Rs 42,999, the laptop can be used in different modes as it has a 360-degree rotational screen hinge.

Acer Spin 3 laptop runs Windows 10 out of the box and features a 15.6-inch HD resolution display along with Acer Color Intelligence technology. The technology adjusts the gamma and saturation on the display in real-time, making the viewing experience better. The technology also cuts Blue Light from the screen reducing the level of eye strain.

The Acer Spin 3 also comes with backlit keyboard with a 1.6 mm keystroke. It is powered by the 6th-generation Intel 'Sky Lake' clubbed with 4GB DDR4 RAM. There's also 500GB inbuilt storage. Acer claims its new Spin 3 laptop can run for 9 hours on a single charge.

The Acer Spin 3 features dual USB 3.1 Type-C ports alongside Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, MIMO and usual set of other ports and wireless networks.

The laptop's audio output is powered by Dolby Audio Premium and Acer True Harmony. For video chatting, the company has included an HD webcam with HDR imaging support.

Acer had unveiled its new 'Spin' series laptops at pre-IFA event in August last year. The lineup includes the Spin 7, Spin 3, Spin 5 and the Spin 1 range of laptops. Of these, Spin 7 has already been launched in India last December.

Oppo F1s Smartphone’s Rose Gold Color Variant

Chinese Smartphone manufacturer Oppo has launched the Rose Gold color variant of its F1s Smartphone in India. Bearing a price tag of Rs 18,990, the Smartphone is available exclusively on Flipkart.

The key highlight of the Oppo F1s is its selfie-focused camera. The Smartphone has a 16MP front-facing snapper. This is complemented by the camera app, which includes different modes like Beautify, Selfie Panorama and screen flash. The handset also has a 13MP primary camera.

Oppo F1s features a 5.5-inch HD display of 720x1280 pixel resolution. It's powered by an octa-core MediaTek SoC paired with 4GB of RAM. There's also 64GB of internal storage, with support for microSD cards of up to 128GB in size.

The F1s runs Android 5.1 Lollipop OS, skinned with the company's ColorOS 3.0 UI layer. Packing a 3,075mAh battery, the Smartphones includes 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, microUSB and Bluetooth 4.0 as major connectivity options.

Asus Zenfone 3S Max with 5000mAh Battery

Asus has announced the availability of the upgraded version of Zenfone 3 Max Smartphone in India. Dubbed Zenfone 3S Max, the Smartphone is priced at Rs 14,999. Zenfone 3 Max was launched in November 2016.

While most of the specifications of the Asus Zenfone 3S Max are similar to that of the Zenfone 3 Max, one big difference is in battery capacity. The battery-focused smartphone comes with 5000mAh battery as compared to the Zenfone 3 Max's 4100mAh battery.

The handset also acts as a power bank to connect and charge other devices. It supports reverse charging technology and comes with a Super Saving mode that can enhance the backup even more. The Zenfone 3S Max comes in just one variant with 5.2-inch display.

Asus Zenfone 3S Max sports 'Premium-crafted' metallic body along with 2.5D glass coating. It is claimed to have a 75% screen-to-body ratio. There's a physical 'Home button' in the front with an integrated fingerprint sensor. This is in addition to on-screen navigation buttons.

New Variant of Nubia N1 Launched

Nubia has launched a new variant of its Nubia N1 Smartphone in India. The new variant comes with a Black and Gold color option along with twice the inbuilt storage as compared to the original Nubia N1. It has 64GB inbuilt storage as compared to the previously launched version's 32GB storage. Rest all specifications of the device remain the same.

While the original Nubia N1 Smartphone costs Rs 11,999, the new variant is priced at Rs 12,499. The new-launched version will be Amazon India exclusive and will go on sales starting midnight February 8.

The company launched both Nubia N1 and the Nubia Z11 back in December last year at Rs 11,999 and Rs 29,999 respectively.

The Nubia N1 packs 5.5-inch HD display with 720x1080 pixel resolution. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system topped with Nubia's UI. The phone is powered by a 1.8 GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor paired with 3GB RAM.

Nubia N1 has a 13MP primary camera with LED flash and phase-detection auto focus (PDAF) for quick focus in 0.2 seconds and a 13MP front-facing camera for selfies. The phone flaunts a metal unibody design and also incorporates a fingerprint sensor.

For the purpose of connectivity, Nubia N1 offers 4G LTE with VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS and USB Type-C. The device is backed by a large 5,000 mAh battery promising up to 3 days of usage on a single charge.

The Nubia Z11 Smartphone boasts of a bezel-less design and comes with a 2.5D curved glass display with 81% screen-to-body ratio. The 5.5-inch Full HD display offers 1080x1920 pixel resolution. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS and is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. The phone has 6GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 200GB via a microSD card.

Some other key specifications include 16MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash and an 8MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens. It comes equipped with fingerprint sensor and offers 4G, LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS as connectivity options. The handset is backed by a 3,000 mAh battery with Quick-Charge support.

Lego launches a Child-friendly Social Network

Lego Life is a digital space where children under 13 can share their block-based creativity.

Designed for tablets and available as an app for Android, Apple and Amazon devices, the platform has been in beta testing mode for several months but as of Tuesday is officially live in the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland.

Although very basic for the moment at least - users can create a profile and then use their account to share images of the things they're building with the wider community; the steps taken behind the scenes to ensure it's safe for children are anything but simple.

Children can only join the network via their parents' email address and contact details. No real names or details are allowed on the site -- all users are assigned randomly generated names and the same goes for photos. Instead of a profile picture, users get a customized Lego mini figure as their avatar.

As for potentially offensive comments, all submissions are physically moderated by staff and though a picture can be given a title or explanation, those viewing it will only be able to comment via Lego's own set of emoji.

Intex Cloud Style 4G Smartphone

Intex has launched a new budget Smartphone in the country. The handset, Cloud Style 4G, has a price tag of Rs 5,799 and comes in Champagne and Grey color options.

The device s ports a 5-inch HD display of 720x1280 pixel resolution and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system out-of-the-box. It's powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. There's also 8GB of internal storage, with support for microSD cards of up to 32GB in size.

For the purpose of imaging, the Intex Cloud Style 4G sports an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front-facing shooter. 

Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. It is backed by a 2,500 mAh battery that claims to deliver up to 10 hours of talk time.

Apple to setup iPhone Manufacturing Unit in Bengaluru

Apple plans to make iPhones for the Indian market in Bengaluru. Wistron, a Taiwanese OEM maker for Apple, is setting up a facility in Peenya, the city's industrial hub, to manufacture the iPhones. The facility will start production from next April.

Foxconn, Apple's largest Taiwan-based OEM, earlier committed to setting up a manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. The assumption was the plant would make only Apple products. But Foxconn has tied up with other players like Xiaomi and OnePlus for local manufacture and not necessarily to only make Apple products there.

This will be Apple's second big announcement for Bengaluru. In May, Apple announced a design and development accelerator in the city to grow the iOS developer community and also to guide Indian developers to leverage Apple's programming language Swift and build apps for Apple TV and Apple The facility will open early next year.

The Bengaluru manufacturing facility underscores India's importance for the Cupertino-based company.

Apple CEO Tim Cook's multi-city India tour earlier this year signaled the growing importance of India powered by the demand for Apple products by a burgeoning middle class.

Nubia Z11 and N1 Available on Amazon

Two new Smartphones from Chinese Smartphone maker Nubia will be available on Amazon. The devices are named Nubia Z11 and another device Nubia N1.

Available at a price of Rs 29,999, Nubia Z11 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 6GB of RAM, has 64GB of internal storage and sports 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with Sony IMX298 sensor.

The second device, Nubia N1, is priced at Rs 11,999 and is equipped with Nubia's NeoPower technology and a massive 5,000mAh battery.

The device sports a 5.5-inch full-HD screen, and features 13MP rear and front camera, runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow-based Nubia 4.0 UI and supports a hybrid dual-SIM slot.

Both the Smartphones will be available starting 12 noon on Amazon from December 26.

Airtel to Acquire Orascom's share in MENA

Bharti Airtel has declared that its subsidiary Network i2i has entered into a definitive agreement with Egyptian firm Orascom to acquire the latter's entire equity stake in Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable Systems for an undisclosed amount.

The agreement has been signed with Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding SAE.

Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable Systems (MENA-SCS) is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Orascom.

It is live and operational, connecting Mumbai - Oman - Saudi Arabia - Egypt and Italy. It further has the branching options to connect to other countries in Europe, Africa and Middle East via branching options to Cyprus, Greece, Djibouti, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Libya and Sudan.

MENA-SCS owns and operates a submarine cable network between India and Europe covering Middle East, with options to extend the network to Africa. It is a submarine optic network capable of carrying multi tera bits per second of data speeds.

The proposed acquisition of MENA-SCS is aimed at further strengthening Airtel's global network that currently runs across 225,000 route kilometers, covering 50 countries and 5 continents.

Asus Zenfone 3 Max5.5 ZC553KL goes on Sale

Zenfone 3 Max 5.5 ZC333KL, the big-battery Smartphone from Asus has gone on sale in India. The Smartphone is available at Rs 17,999. The device was launched last month. The Smartphone's 5.2 inch variant (ZC520TL), which too was launched last month along with Zenfone 3 Max 5.5, is already available at Rs 12,999.

Zenfone Max 3 offers massive 4,100mAh battery, which according to the company, offers 30 days of standby time and up to 20 hours of talk time on 3G. The Smartphone can also work as a power bank, and comes with a USB OTG cable to enable users to connect and charge other devices.

The handset boasts of metal uni body design with 'diamond cut' chamfered edges and a 2.5D contoured glass. The device features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display with an inbuilt Bluelight filter. It runs Zen UI 3.0 based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

The handset has 3GB RAM and packs 32GB storage capacity, expandable up to 128GB with micro-SD card. The 4G LTE Smartphone comes with fingerprint sensor in the front and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor with Adreno 505.

The battery-focused Smartphone includes a 16MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, dual-LED flash, PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus), Laser autofocus and Electronic Image Stabilisation. On front, there is an 8MP camera for selfies and video chats. The camera includes a host of filters and modes to help users tweak images as required.