XOLO Play NVIDIA TEGRA 3 Smartphone Launching Soon

The Play comes with a quad-core processor, and is branded as a mobile gaming device by its makers.

 

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XOLO, who recently released the Q600 quad-core smartphone at Rs 9,000, has now listed a new smartphone called the XOLO Play on its official website. Going by the "step up to the next level of gaming" slogan that XOLO has affixed on its new smartphone, we expect the device to offer users a quality gaming environment by having all the necessary hardware requirements in place. In tune with this, the company claims that its Play will host the NVIDIA TEGRA 3 chipset with a 1.5GHz quad-core processor.

According to the official specification list, the upcoming phone has 1GB RAM, along with a 12-core NVIDIA GPU. These specs no doubt look handy enough to run certain (not all) high-end games, but a 2GB RAM would have done the XOLO PLay a world of good, especially with its maker having branded it as a "gaming" device more than a "conventional" smartphone.

The key technical specifications of the XOLO Play are as follows:

• 4.7-inch HD display having 1280 x 720 pixels
• Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean operating platform
• 1.5GHz quad-core processor
• single-SIM support
• 8MP rear camera, and a 2MP front camera
• 1 GB RAM
• 4 GB internal storage
• MicroSD card slot for expansion up to 32 GB
• Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), 3G and USB connectivity
• 2,000 mAh battery that is claimed to offer a talk time of 9 hours on 3G and 11.2 hours on 2G
• 167 grams

The phone offers one-touch access to the NVIDIA TegraZone from where users can access various new games that work with the device's NVIDIA TEGRA 3 processor.

As the XOLO Play is yet to be launched officially, its pricing details are unknown. But we expect a near 20K price tag on this device, going by its technical specifications. Interestingly, XOLO Play has surfaced right at the time when Micromax Canvas 4 is about to be unveiled and Karbonn just released their Titanium S9. These new devices suggest a certain three-way battle among the Indian brands. Interesting times line ahead. We will keep you posted. Let us know which of these 3 do you find the most promising by commenting below or casting your vote in our opinion poll.

                                                                                 

Samsung Launches Galaxy S4 Zoom — Camera With A Phone

This device is now available in India and may possibly give rise to a new product category called Phamera (pun intended).

 

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What will you get if you fuse a point and shoot camera that sports a 10X optical zoom with a smartphone? Will you end up with a smart camera with calling functionality, a smartphone with a proper camera, or some marketing mumbo-jumbo like Cam-phone or PHAMERA? Well, let's just call it the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom for now. And that's what the Korean giant launched in India this week.

Once upon a time, a camera on a phone was looked upon as a gimmick. However, those phone-cams evolved at such a frantic pace that before one knew it, they were almost rendering basic point and shoot cameras obsolete. The integration of social networks such as Facebook and Instagram with people's lives gave rise to a need for even better cameras on their phones — ones that could make the photos they shared instantly on these platforms look better, without having to carry a separate camera. Samsung seems to have taken this need a bit too seriously with the Galaxy S4 Zoom, to a point that the phone barely looks or feels like a phone. Yes, it does behave like one, if you can ignore it's bulk.

For starters, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom has a 16 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, Xenon flash, and a 10X optical zoom with optical image stabilization, which makes it a proper point and shoot camera with a respectable zoom. Add to that features such as HDR, Panorama, and different capture modes, along with the capability to record 1080p (Full HD) videos. The Galaxy S4 Zoom comes with a Zoom Ring that can be used to activate the Quick Launch and Shortcut features, giving users instant access to multiple camera modes including Auto, Gallery, and Smart Mode.

Talking of Smart Mode, it lets you choose from a series of pre-set modes. If you aren't smart enough to know which Smart Mode to select, the 'Smart Mode Suggest' feature provides a list of the best options for your consideration, based on surrounding factors such as light levels, focal length, or face detection, so that you do justice to the camera. The Drama Shot from the original Galaxy S4 makes an appearance here, along with a few other popular features. It allows the user to merge continuous shots of moving objects into a single image, while the Action Freeze feature allows users to instantly capture high-speed action.

On the phone front, though it sports S4 in the name, the hardware isn't as powerful, nor does it come with all the bells and whistles that you associate with Samsung's flagship phone. Though the company did not shed light on the device's hardware, the S4 Zoom is known to have a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1.5 GB RAM, and 8 GB of internal storage that can be expanded further by 64 GB using a MicroSD Card. It has a 4.3" Super AMOLED capacitive touch-screen with pixel dimensions of 960x540. It runs the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS. It doesn't lack anything on the connectivity front with all the major bases covered, namely Wi-fi, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, USB etc.

After having used the device for a few minutes, I cannot use the words compact or light for it. Though the screen is not as huge as that of the GALAXY Grand or Mega, it is it's thickness that makes it not so pocketable. Also, one tends to look a tad funny, slapping a camera to the ear, with the lens and zoom mechanism on the other side. The overall UI felt nippy and the captured images seem to have fair amount of detail. But given the less than ideal lighting at the venue, I would like to reserve my judgment about the picture quality for later once we have the device in our labs shortly. Watch out for the in-depth review of this gadget soon.

The Galaxy S4 zoom is available in white and black colours and is priced at Rs 29,900 in India. As a part of the introductory offers, you get a free Flip Cover, Interest free EMI Offer for 6 months and 2 GB 3G Data free per month for 3 months for Reliance customers.

Android Jelly Bean Upgrade For Samsung GALAXY Grand Duos Leaks

The update is also said to bring with it a battery life enhancement.

 

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Samsung GALAXY Grand Duos (model: I9082) that was launched in January this year, now looks slated to receive the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean firmware update. The smartphone currently runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Android platform; out of the box.

A report published in SamMobile mentions about leaked test firmware of the Android 4.2.2 Jelly bean, and goes on to state that the upgrade will soon seed to users of the device. This test firmware is also available for download, to users of the GALAXY Grand Duos. The update is expected to bring various enhancements such as a new transparent notification bar, Page Buddy, Day Dream, and the Smart Stay feature.

SamMobile also states about a battery life enhancement with the Android 4.2.2 update. But there is no mention about the camera enhancements that are generally expected with the Jelly Bean firmware upgrade.

The latest leaked test ROM confirms earlier rumours about the GALAXY Grand getting Android 4.2.2, along with various devices that are hugely expected to receive the same very shortly. The predominant among these devices are the Samsung GALAXY S3 and the GALAXY Note II.

The GALAXY S3 and GALAXY Note II are the top contenders to get the Android 4.2.2 initially considering the fact that both of these are high-end devices in comparison to the GALAXY Grand Duos which is mid-range. In terms of tech-specs, the Grand Duos comes with a 5-inch TFT display, has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and features an 8MP rear camera which is the USP of the smartphone. The device also offers dual-SIM support to users.


(image credit: SamMobile)

Redesigned Google Maps For Android, Now Available For Download

New "Explore" feature let's you hunt for places in a jiffy!

 

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The revamped Google Maps Android application is available for download on the Google Play Store. The redesigned Google Maps follows the new design, similar to its desktop version, which Google announced at the I/O Developers Conference 2013. The app features an all new user interface and provides enhanced navigation to users. Seeding for both Android phones and tablets, it comes with a new feature called "Explore" to help you look for places, local favourites, and common interests.

The new Google Maps is available for devices running Android 4.0 and above. The changelog list of the new Google Maps for Android includes:

• Voice-guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation.
• 360-degree street view of cities, restaurants, and museums.
• Sign in to save favorite locations, get tailored recommendations, and access past searches across devices.
• New Explore feature.
• Revamped user-interface (UI).
• Comprehensive, accurate maps in 200 countries, and useful information on over 100 million places worldwide.

  

Nokia Pro Camera App Will Soon Land On Lumia 920, 925, And 928

You can tinker with the shutter speed, exposure, white balance, and much more.

 

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In yesterday's announcement, Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, demonstrated how the Pro Camera app unlocks the potential of the Lumia 1020's 41 megapixel camera. As you already know, the app will come preloaded with the Lumia 1020. Thankfully, those who have purchased a current Lumia flagship need not worry, as Nokia Pro Camera will soon be made available for the Lumia 920, 925, and 928. The Finnish giant hasn't specified a timeframe, but we expect the software to start rolling out next month.

The app provides total control over parameters such as shutter speed, exposure, white balance, and ISO. What's more, even after the picture has been snapped, you can reframe it. All this comes with a touch-friendly UI that comprises of scroll wheel and swipe gestures.

Another thing that will please the shutterbugs is the manual focus. Tinkering with these settings, you can achieve the Bokeh effect. Long exposure can be used to capture surreal light trails. Here are a few sample images, published by Nokia.

Spice's New Pinnacle FHD Mi-525 Smartphone Takes Micromax Canvas 4 Head-on

The smartphone offers a Quad-core processor, full-HD display, and matches or betters the Canvas 4 in most departments.

 

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Spice Mobility has launched yet another device, called the Pinnacle FHD Mi-525, with a 5" full-HD display and a quad-core processor. The Pinnacle FHD runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), and is priced at Rs 17,000. It competes with Micromax's new Canvas 4, which is priced at Rs 18,000.

Spice's new Pinnacle FHD has features such as Pop-up Play, Spice Cloud support (2 GB free storage), direct call, intelligent answer, and flip-to-mute. Let's find out what tech-specs the Spice's new Stellar packs in:

• 5" full-HD capacitive touch screen with pixel density of 1080x1920.
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean platform.
• 1.5 GHz quad-core processor.
• Dual-SIM support (3G+3G).
• 8 MP autofocus rear camera, 2 MP front camera for video calls.
• 1 GB RAM.
• 8 GB internal storage.
• MicroSD card slot for expansion up to 32 GB.
• Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, Wi-Fi, EDGE.
• 2100 mAh battery.

One of the two areas where the Canvas 4 seems to score over the Spice FHD is in the camera department, where the former flaunts a 13 MP camera as against the latter's 8 MP snapper. Having said that, we have seen in the past that only megapixels do not translate into better picture quality. Secondly, Canvas 4 has twice the amount of internal storage as compared to this device. Other than that, Spice's offering seems at par or better than Micromax's flagship device in every other department; mainly display and processing hardware.

With the launch of the Spice Pinnacle FHD Mi-525, the competition for the best domestic smartphone in the Indian market has suddenly turned red hot with the Micromax Canvas 4, Karbonn Titanium S9, and XOLO Play, all vying for the top spot in the sub-20k price bracket. Samsung is bound to feel the heat.

                                                     

Apple Mac OS 10.8.4 Release Updates Safari Web Browser Too

The update fixes the iMessage out of order display issue, among others.

 

With the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) slated to begin from June 10, where Apple is expected to unveil iOS7 (expected to come out with iRadio) and the Mountain Lion 10.9 Mac operating system, Apple has released a refresh of its OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) operating system. The new update version, Mountain Lion 10.8.4, also brings along a new Safari 6.0.5 web browser. It also fixes the issue that would be a likely cause for iMessages to display out of order in Messages.

In addition to this fix, other enhancements such as improvements to Microsoft Exchange compatibility in Calendar, and fixes to issues that obstructed FaceTime calls to non-US phone numbers, are present in Mountain Lion v10.8.4.

However, these are not the only changes that the update features, there are other minor improvements as well. Users can check the full changelog to get the complete list of modifications. Mountain Lion v10.8.4 can be obtained from the Apple Support Downloads site.