Reliance JioPhone testing begins in three days, bookings to open on August 24

Three days to go for Jio to begin testing of the new JioPhone. Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio will be commercially launching the new 4G feature phone next month. The USP of the device is its price tag and 4G connectivity. The company claims it is effectively free but the user still has to pay a price of Rs 1,500, which can be refunded after three years.

The device was first unveiled on July 21, during the Reliance AGM. The company promised that the device will be available for testing by August 15 and users will be able to pre-book the device on August 24.

Recently, a few reports also suggested that the JioPhone might be able to run a special version of WhatsApp and is in talks with the instant messaging application to make it happen. If the company succeeds in achieving this, it can pose a great threat to the entry level smartphones.

Currently, other than voice over LTE (VoLTE) calls and basic internet browsing, there is hardly anything that the JioPhone user will be able to do with the fast 4G connection. One of the biggest deprivations would be the lack of basic applications like Facebook and WhatsApp.

However, Reliance Jio knows that India's 200 million subscriber base of WhatsApp can increase manifold if they are able to provide a special WhatsApp application for the phone's respective operating system.

JioPhone is being touted as 'India ka Smartphone' as it is aimed at the feature phone market, which is still a majority in the phone market. The company also launched exclusive data plans for the device. JioPhone will be launched for testing on 15 August, will be available for pre-booking from August 24 and will be commercially available by September this year.

Dreading the monopoly Reliance Jio can have on the cheap-segment devices and customers, other telecom operators are jumping into the race with their own offerings. Idea Cellular-Vodafone is also planning to introduce a cheap 4G smartphone at Rs 2,500. Being a smartphone, the company claims that it will be able to run basic applications like Facebook, WhatsApp and Google.

Big Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 sale: Here's how you can get the device at Rs 999

Redmi Note 4 has been a huge success in India and the even six months after its launch, the device is selling like hot cakes. Xiaomi is celebrating the great success of this mid-tier device by launching a Big Redmi Note 4 sale on the completion of six months. The sale begins at 12pm IST on Flipkart and Xiaomi Inida website.

The Chinese company is offering the device with various offers but one offer stands out. The device can be bought at a price as low as Rs 999. Though it might sound too good to be true, the company is offering a exchange offer discount of up to Rs 12,000.

Other than this offer, the buyer can avail the buyback guarantee by paying a small amount of Rs 249. Flipkart is also offering a discount of Rs 500 on Mi Air Purifier 2 on purchase of any variant of Redmi Note 4. Xiaomi India's website will also be offering the phone with various offers on the same occasion.

Recently, there were concerns regarding the safety of the device after a video emerged which showed a smartphone bursting into flames. Despite Xiaomi acknowledging another fire incident, the video happens to be unrelated to Redmi Note 4. According to the company, the burnt Redmi Note 4 they received was not the same as the one showed in the video. 

The device still holds well against competition in the same segment. The likes of Moto G5 Plus and even the upcoming Nokia 6 can pose a serious threat to the Redmi Note 4.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, the phablet from affordable line-up of the Chinese firm will go on sale today at 12:00 pm on company's website Mi.com and Flipkart.

The phone comes at a starting price of Rs 9,999.
The 32GB internal memory, 2GB RAM variant will be available for Rs 9,999, whereas the one with 3GB of RAM will be available for Rs 10,999. The 64GB memory variant with 4GB RAM will be available for Rs 12,999.

The Redmi Note 4 is powered by the Snapdragon 625 and Adreno 506 GPU, which uses a new power efficient 14nm FinFET technology.

The device sports a 13 megapixel rear camera with CMOS sensor and a 5 megapixel front facing camera. The metal body houses a 5.5-inch full HD display with 2.5 D curved glass for smooth touch response.

The phone features a 4100 mAH battery which is just one per cent bigger than the Redmi Note 3 but will apparently add 25 per cent screen on time in comparison to Redmi Note 3. The colour options for the Redmi Note 4 include gold, black and dark grey.

Reliance Jio 4G feature phone worth Rs 500 leaked in images; loaded with camera and torch

Reliance Jio's 4G feature phone, which costs Rs 500, was a rumour until today. However, this new report leaked clear pictures of the device in flesh. Last week we reported that Jio is closing up to the launch date of a 4G feature phone priced at Rs 500. Now, these images not only substantiate the rumour, but also give more details about the coming device. 

A report from TechPP shows images of a black feature phone with a 2Megapixel camera module at the back of the device. The phone looks like an average feature phone but carries Jio's Lyf branding which has been so far, been used for the company's smartphone line-up. 

The phone also has a big button which indicates the presence a torch light on the device. Though it looks very much like an ordinary feature phone, the Jio Lyf branding in itself means that it will be 4G capable, as the new company doesn't deal with any other spectrum but 4G. The phone is also expected to run a few of Jio's services like JioTV. 

The leak also suggests that the 4G VoLTE phone by Jio will come with 512MB of RAM paired with 4GB of internal storage, which is expected to be expandable up to 128GB via a microSD card.

Reliance Jio's growth was exponential in the initial months of its launch but has gradually slumped. As per April 2017, the Mukesh Ambani-led company registered over 112 million subscribers. One of the biggest hurdles the company faces is the limited number of 4G-capable phones in the country. However, with what Jio has planned next the number might go way beyond the existing user-base.

This new move will be another major disruption after Reliance Jio's mega launch of Jio 4G services back in September last year. With such a low priced 4G feature phone, the impact of the Reliance Jio will be felt not only in the telecom industry but also among feature phone manufacturers.

The low price will facilitate more buyers to shift to 4G network without the need of an expensive smartphone.
We are not sure if these subsidized phones will be launched as a part of an offer from Reliance Jio or will be stand alone devices. 

Considering that the company will be subsidizing about two-thirds of the actual cost of the device, there is a high chance that the 4G feature phone will come bundled with a Reliance Jio connection. A similar model is followed in most developed countries where carriers tie-up with manufacturers to drastically bring down the prices of the handset.

Along with the device, the company is also expected to launch cheaper data plans, reducing the average revenue per user (ARPU). The new plans can go as low as Rs 80 to Rs 90.

Asus launches Zenfone AR in India, priced at Rs 49,990

After Lenovo, Asus has announced the launch of its Tango-based augmented reality (AR) smartphone, which is also Daydream View compatible. The Zenfone AR packs in high-end specifications and has been priced at Rs 49,990. It will be available exclusively on Flipkart.

Tango is an AR computing platform developed by Google and Daydream View is Google's new virtual reality (VR) headset.

To provide AR features, the new smartphone is equipped with a 23 MP primary camera, along with a fisheye camera with 170 degree field of view and a depth-sensing camera with IR projection. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor (optimised for Tango) and has 8 GB of RAM.

For Daydream, Asus has added a 5.7 inch 2k display with 515 pixel per inch display. To eliminate the motion blur, it has 2ms low persistence. Asus claims to have added Visual Master 3.0 for enhanced visuals.

The device comes with 128 GB internal storage, which is expandable up to 1 TB. As AR and VR apps can be power hungry, it has got a 3300 mAh battery and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge, which can charge 60 per cent of the battery in 45 minutes.
After Lenovo, Asus has announced the launch of its Tango-based augmented reality (AR) smartphone, which is also Daydream View compatible. The Zenfone AR packs in high-end specifications and has been priced at Rs 49,990. It will be available exclusively on Flipkart.

Tango is an AR computing platform developed by Google and Daydream View is Google's new virtual reality (VR) headset.

To provide AR features, the new smartphone is equipped with a 23 MP primary camera, along with a fisheye camera with 170 degree field of view and a depth-sensing camera with IR projection. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor (optimised for Tango) and has 8 GB of RAM.

For Daydream, Asus has added a 5.7 inch 2k display with 515 pixel per inch display. To eliminate the motion blur, it has 2ms low persistence. Asus claims to have added Visual Master 3.0 for enhanced visuals.

The device comes with 128 GB internal storage, which is expandable up to 1 TB. As AR and VR apps can be power hungry, it has got a 3300 mAh battery and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge, which can charge 60 per cent of the battery in 45 minutes.

Motorola launches Moto E4 Plus at Rs 9,999: Features, price, offers, availability

One of Motorola's most successful series, the E-series has been received really well in the Indian market. Today, the company launched the Plus version of the fourth generation of the series, Moto E4 Plus.

The smartphone budget segment has been dominated by companies like Xiaomi and Motorola that provide much better price to performance ratio when compared to other smartphone brands in the market. Both companies have been capitalizing on this by launching an array of devices within the small price bracket.

Moto E4 is no different and targets first-time buyers who are looking for a wholesome smartphone experience without sacrificing on affordability. The Moto E4 Plus comes with a bigger display and a bigger battery along with perks like Dolby Atmos for better media output.

Specifications

Display
Moto E4 Plus sports a 5.5-inch with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and pixel density of 267 ppi. The screen comes with 2.5D curved glass, a standard feature in most smartphones now.

Hardware 
Driving the device will be quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz together with two gigs of RAM. It will come in 16GB and 32GB memory variants. The device comes with a fingerprint sensor under the display panel. The device also features a mammoth 5,000 mAh battery which will should easily last two days, given the 720p display.

Camera
In camera department, Moto E4 Plus comes equipped with a 13 megapixel primary camera at the back capable of capturing videos in 720p at 30fps. The front snapper is a 5 megapixel unit with single LED flash and beautification mode for selfie-lovers.

Connectivity
Moto E4 Plus will support only a single nano SIM. Connectivity features include 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 LE. The phone also has a fingerprint sensor for advanced security features. The phone has a water-repellent coating for an added level of safety, albeit of a different kind.

Software
The smartphone will run latest Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. The interface will stick to vanilla Android experience with minimal changes in the software. During the event the company emphasized on quick Android updates, facilitated by the stock Android software.

Availability and offers
The device will be going on sale at 11:59pm today at price of Rs 9,999. The device will be selling with various offers on Flipkart which includes Moto Pulse 2 earphones at Rs 649 instead of Rs 1,599.
Idea users will get 84GB for 84 days at Rs 443. Jio users will get Jio Prime and 30 GB extra data over the normal data plans offered by the company. Flipkart will also offer a buyback guarantee of Rs 4,000 on the device.

Moto E4 Plus comes to India on July 12, will be a Flipkart exclusive

Lenovo is all set to launch the budget smartphone Moto E4 Plus on July 12. It is expected to be up for sale soon after the launch. The device will be available online exclusively through Flipkart. The e-commerce website has even put up a teaser of the new smartphone.

The teaser begins with the most-awaited feature of the handset - a mammoth 5000 mAh embedded battery which can keep the phone juiced up for two days. The Moto E4 Plus will be a beefed up version of the Moto E4, which is yet to be officially launched in India.

A Mumbai-based retailer posted an unboxing video of Moto E4 describing the handset's specifications. Moto E4 might also be officially launched in India with the unveiling of its bigger version, said a report by India Today Tech.

Since Moto E4 is available at Rs 8,999 (unofficially), the E4 Plus can be priced close to Rs 10,000.

Specifications

Moto E4 Plus sports a 5.5-inch with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and pixel density of 267 ppi. The screen comes with 2.5D curved glass, a standard feature in most smartphones now.

The smartphone will run latest Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Driving the device will be quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz together with two gigs of RAM. It will come in 16GB and 32GB memory variants.

In camera department, Moto E4 Plus comes equipped with a 13 megapixel primary camera at the back capable of capturing videos in 720p at 30fps. The front snapper is a 5 megapixel unit with single LED flash and beautification mode for selfie-lovers.

Moto E4 Plus will support only a single nano SIM. Connectivity features include 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 LE. The phone also has a fingerprint sensor for advanced security features. The phone has a water-repellent coating for an added level of safety, albeit of a different kind.

Don't download third party GST apps! They may be malware

Think twice before downloading those apps on your smartphone for GST-related queries. Cyber experts have raised the alarm over apps that claim to assist in calculating or filing Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns.

Security agencies asserted that market is flooded with scores of apps that claim to be providing information about government schemes and initiatives, of which most of them are dubious in nature and not safe to use.

According to the cyber experts, most of these dubious mobile applications allegedly work for data capturing or phishing. There is a pool of applications run by individuals that is based outside the country or may be running from unidentified location as there is no regulatory body to keep check on them.

InFocus launches Redmi 4 competitor Turbo 5 with 5000mAh battery at Rs 6,999

InFocus launched its budget offering, Turbo 5 to enter the highly competitive mid-range segment of the market. The device is priced starts at Rs 6,999 and in terms of specifications gives a neck to neck competition to industry favourites like Redmi 4 and Moto C Plus. 
InFocus has launched two variants of Turbo 5. One with 2GB RAM and the other with 3GB RAM. However, the company has limited the devices to 16GB internal memory for both the devices.
The device will be exclusively available on Amazon.in from July 4 onwards. The 2GB RAM variant is priced at Rs 6,999 and the 3GB variant will sell at Rs 7,999. 
Specifications 
Display
In terms of display, the device features a 5.2 inch screen and the sports a resolution of 1280x720. To make the display feel more responsive, it is covered with a 2.5D curved glass. The device also has dedicated capacitive buttons below the screen. 
 Processor
In terms of power, the device comes equipped with a 1.25GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737 processor paired with Mali T720 GPU paired and 2GB or 3GB RAM options. 
Battery 
One of the biggest selling points of this device is the battery life on the device. The phone comes with a massive 5,000mAh battery. Given that the device sports a humble 720p screen and a relatively under clocked processor the battery should last way more than a day's period. The company claims that the device offers 23 hours of talk time and up to 816 hours of standby time. The company is so confident about the device's battery that they are also providing the ability to charge other phones using OTG. 
Camera
On the camera front, the device features a rear camera with 13Megapixel autofocus and an LED Flash with an F2.2 aperture. The front camera houses a 5Megapixel sensor and again a F2.2 aperture. Under the rear camera module, the device houses an fingerprint sensor. 
Connectivity
On the connectivity front, the device offers 4G with VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/ AGPS, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, FM radio, microUSB 2.0, Accelerometer, Ambient Light sensor, E-Compass, and Proximity sensor.

SpaceX launches its first recycled rocket in historic leap

SpaceX successfully launched and then retrieved its first recycled rocket on Thursday, a historic feat and the biggest leap yet in its bid to drive down costs and speed up flights.

It was the first time SpaceX founder Elon Musk tried to fly a booster that soared before on an orbital mission. He was at a loss for words after the Falcon 9 core landed on the bull's-eye of the ocean platform following lift-off with a broadcasting satellite, achieving what some had once told him was impossible.

"This is a huge day. My mind's blown, frankly," Musk said. He called it an "incredible milestone in the history of space" and predicted, "this is going to be a huge revolution in spaceflight."

Samsung Galaxy S8 announced, gets Siri like voice assistant, Bixby

Korean smartphone giant, Samsung, has unveiled the new flagship at the Unpacked event in New York. Boasting larger display and a new voice assistant software, Samsung aims to bury the Note 7 exploding battery fiasco with the launch of the Galaxy S8.

As the rumours suggested, the Galaxy S8 comes in two screen sizes - the 5.8 inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2 inch Galaxy S8+. With the new devices, Samsung has also coined a new term in the smartphone dictionary (the way Apple does) and is calling it 'infinity display'. In simple terms, the Galaxy S8 has got bezel-less displays, offering a bigger screen. There will be home button below the infinity display that would respond to the pressure.

Micromax launches Dual 5 for Rs 24,999

Home-grown smartphone brand, Micromax on Wednesday announced the launch of a new smartphone Dual 5. The phone will be available in offline as well as online stores including Flipkart from 10th of April and the company is offering a one-year replacement warranty on the phone, in case of any damage.

Dual 5 packs in a 4.7 mm thin chassis and is crafted from a single stab of aluminium. It has a 3D antenna technology, which the company claims offer 20 per cent better network and WiFi reception. The phone has a 5.5 inch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, it runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM and has been provided with an internal storage of 128GB with expandable memory. Dual 5 has an IR Sensor for universal remote and a Freezer app for disabling memory intestine apps and restricting background processes.

Motorola to launch Moto G5 in India on April 4. Here's how you can get one

Motorola launched the Moto G5 Plus in India this month and now the company has announced the launch day of its younger sibling Moto G5. The company has started sending media invites for the launch event on April 4.

Moto G5 will be the successor to Moto G4 that was launched last year and will fit in the 5-inch segment of smartphones.  The device will be available exclusively on Amazon India from 12am on April 5. Amazon Prime members will get  special offers on the launch of the device.

In terms of size, the Moto G5 is just 0.2 inches smaller than the Moto G5 Plus but the internals differ from each other. The Moto G5 comes with a milder Snapdragon 430 chipset where as the Moto G5 Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 625.

In the camera department, the Moto G5 features a 13-megapixel rear camera with PDAF, f/2.0 aperture, and dual-LED flash, and a 5-megapixel wide-angle front camera for selfies.

 The device runs on Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, and comes in Lunar Grey and Fine Gold colour variants. The Moto G5 is powered by a 2800mAh removable battery with support for quick charging.

The device comes will come with 2GB or 3GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, with the option to expand further via a a microSD card slot.

Xiaomi launches Redmi 4A for Rs 5,999

After selling over one million Redmi Note 4 units in 45 days in India, Xiaomi India has announce the launch of the Redmi 4A. The new smartphone belongs to the company's budget Redmi smartphone range and features a 5inch HD display. This is a dual SIM smartphone powered by 1.4GHz qual-core Snapdragon 425 processor and is paired with 2GB of RAM. It will be available in 16 GB storage capacity with expandable storage of up to 12GB. The Redmi 4A packs in a 3,120mAh battery and includes connectivity options such as 4G, VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, IR port and FM radio. It boasts a 13MP rear camera with f2.2 aperture that is capable of full HD video recording and a 5MP front facing camera. It runs on MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0 and has support for 13 Indian languages.

The device has been priced at Rs 5,999 and will go on sale starting March 23 on Amazon and Mi.com. The Rose Gold variant of the device will be launched on April 6, during the Mi Fan Festival

Looking at the increasing demand for the Xiaomi smartphones, the company is also launching a pre-order feature on its Mi.com portal where the consumers will be able to pre-order smartphones even when they are out of stock.

Apple announces new 9.7-inch iPad priced at Rs 28,900

Along with the Red Special Edition iPhone, Apple has also introduced a new 9.7inch iPad. It features a brighter Retina display and has been priced at Rs 28,900 onwards. Last year, Apple has announced the iPad Pro 9.7 inch on 64-bit A9X chip with a starting price of Rs 49,900.

Enclosed in a thin aluminium unibody enclouser, this new 9.7inch iPad features a bright Retina display with over 3.1 million pixels. It runs on Apple-designed A9 chip with 64 bit desktop-class architecture.

There is a front and back camera for HD video recording and FaceTime video calling. It has also got Touch ID, which gives iPad users a simple and secure way to unlock iPad. It can also be used to approve purchases from the App Store and iTunes Store. The new iPad comes with iOS 10, with features such as Slide Over, Split View and Picture-in-Picture help you do even more.

"iPad is the world's most popular tablet. Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos, and now it is even more affordable," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

"New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it."

The new 9.7inch iPad will come in silver, gold and space gray with a starting price of Rs 28,900 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and Rs 39,900 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. 

Apple launches Red iPhone 7

Apple has announced a special edition of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7Plus. The new red aluminium iPhone will be available in 128GB and 256GB capacities and will be available starting March 24 in select countries. The Red Special edition of the iPhone will be priced in India starting Rs 82,000 and upwards and will be available in April.

The Red Special edition of the iPhone has been launched in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED). Apple believes that this will give customers an unprecedented way to contribute to the Global Fund and bring the world a step closer to an AIDS-free generation.

"Since we began working with (RED) 10 years ago, our customers have made a significant impact in fighting the spread of AIDS through the purchase of our products, from the original iPod nano (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition all the way to today's lineup of Beats products and accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO.

He further added, "Apple is the world's largest corporate donor to the Global Fund, contributing more than $130 million as part of its partnership with (RED)," said Deborah Dugan, (RED)'s CEO. "Combining the global reach of the world's most loved smartphone with our efforts to provide access to life-saving ARV medication in sub-Saharan Africa, customers now have a remarkable opportunity to make a difference and contribute to the Global Fund through the purchase of this new beautiful (PRODUCT)RED iPhone."

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7Plus in Red continues to have the same specifications as on the models launched in September last year. The iPhone 7 and an iPhone 7 Plus, measuring a 4.7inch and a 5.5inch display (respectively) runs on Apple A10 chipset  along with iOS 10 and are water and dust resistant.

The iPhone 7 packs in a 12MP new rear camera whereas the 7Plus has a dual camera system with an additional telephoto lens. Both the phones have optical image stabilization. The iPhone 7 32GB is available for Rs 60,000, 128GB for 70,000 and 256GB for 80,000. The iPhone 7Plus 32GB has been retailing for Rs 72,000, 128GB for 82,000 and 256GB for Rs 92,000. The Red Special Edition will start retailing for Rs 82,000 onwards.

This is how Facebook wants to make money using WhatsApp

WhatsApp used to be a simple instant messaging application a couple of years back. The revenue system of the chat was not well defined. However, after Facebook acquired the application at a hefty amount ($19 billion), it's making sure the app can start generating revenue. In last year's Facebook conference, the company had outlined a few methods to make WhatsApp a more investor friendly entity.

Company chief, Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that through WhatsApp, companies will be able to interact with their desired customer in a very personal and direct way. The feature is finally seeing the light of the day and is being tested by WhatsApp.

According to a report by Reuters, there is no official announcement about the tests, but the feature is being used by business ventures like Y Combinator, a United States based seed accelerator, which helps promising young tech firms grow rapidly.

This new feature falls perfectly in line with what WhatsApp's promise to focus on rolling out commercial messaging this year for businesses as it looks to tap into enterprises for monetising its platform.

The business model has previously been put to use on Facebook's Messenger. The user can not only interact with various businesses but also complete the payment with the application. The same chat-bot model might come into play with WhatsApp.

WhatsApp hardly used to benefit from its subscription charges, which does not justify Facebook's mighty investment in the application. This new feature will turn that around and help WhatsApp generate revenue by giving businesses direct access to over 1 billion users.

India is also the biggest market for WhatsApp. Of its over one billion users, about 200 million are here. Last month, Brian Acton, co-founder of popular messaging app WhatsApp, called IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to discuss ways in which the company can contribute to Indias vision for digital commerce.

Highlighting the countrys importance, Acton said WhatsApp hopes to contribute more to "Indias vision for digital commerce in future".
Facebook-owned WhatsApp has almost become the default messaging application for people in countries like India and Brazil. In India, it competes with the likes of Hike, Snapchat and Viber.

WhatsApp to bring back text status in both Android, iOS

Last month WhatsApp took a shot at becoming more than just an instant messaging application by launching Snapchat-like 'Status' feature. The feature had not generated much excitement among the WhatsApp user base.

The problem started when an average consumer couldn't find the conventional text status. WhatsApp had traded the text status for something more visual, pictures as status that lasted for 24 hours. 

However, according to a report by The Independent, the company has faced a huge backlash by the consumers leading to a roll-back of the status feature. The text-only status will now be back. But the new stories-like feature will also continue alongside the text status.

A spokesperson from WhatsApp stated, "we heard from our users that people missed the ability to set a persistent text-only update in their profile, so we've integrated this feature into the 'About' section in profile settings. Now, the update will appear next to profile names anytime you view contacts, such as when creating a new chat or looking at Group info. At the same time, we're continuing to build on the new Status feature that gives people fun and engaging ways to share photos, videos and GIFs with their friends and family throughout their day."

According to the report, the change has already been implemented in the beta version of the Android app and will come to the final version by next week. With iOS, the time isn't mentioned specifically but it  is likely get the update soon.

WhatsApp started out as a way for people to let their friends know what they are up to - at work or available, for example. Instant messaging, now the app's main function, was added later.

But it's also a sign that the Facebook-owned app is expanding the amount of features it has, just as Instagram, another Facebook subsidiary, has been doing over the years.

WhatsApp has more than 1 billion users. The company says its users spend more than 50 billion messages each day, including 3.3 billion photos, 760 million videos and 80 million GIFs - the animated images that make many popular internet memes.

Coolpad launches Note 5 Lite for Rs 8,199

Coolpad has launched Note 5 Lite, a pocket-friendly, mid-segment smartphone. A basic version of Coolpad Note 5 that was launched last year, the Note 5 Lite costs Rs 8,199. It will be available only on Amazon India and will go on sale from March 21.

The Coolpad Note 5 Lite features a 5-inch HD display and is covered with scratch-resistant 2.5D cured glass on the top. It measures 145.3x72.3x8.7mm and weighs 148g. With 1GHz Mediatek quad-core processor under the hood, it offers 3GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage with support for expandable memory card. This dual-SIM device comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with Cool UI 8.0 skinned on top of it. There is a 13MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and an 8MP front camera with LED flash. Additional features include a fingerprint sensor at the rear and USB OTG support. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, micro USB port and a 3.5mm audio jack. It packs in a 2,500 mAh battery, with standby time of up to 200 hours.

"Our endeavour will be to unveil products that empower our esteemed customers. In line with this commitment, we also plan to unveil a strong future product line, to be up by pre-Diwali," said Syed Tajuddin, chief executive of Coolpad India.

Microsoft announces Lite versions of Skype and Linkedin

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the launch of Skype Lite - a calling and instant messaging app -  aimed mainly at mid to low end Android phone users which consumes less resources than its conventional offering. Nadella announced this at the company's 2-day flagship event 'Future Decoded' happening in Mumbai. The app targets Indian users facing challenges of  poor  connectivity, bandwidth issues and limitations of low, mid-end handsets.

The app has been developed at the company's Hyderabad R & D Centre. Aimed primarily at those using low end Android handsets, Microsoft said the app consumes very little footprint and bandwidth. This is available now on Google Play and the company said currently it has no plans to launch this in other developing markets. Skype Lite is expected to compete with Whatsapp and other similar platforms. Microsoft said Aadhar integration has been built into Skype Lite.

Nadella also announced the launch of Linkedin Lite which would work on even basic phones. Linkedin Lite he said would help even blue collar workers and would work on slower connections too under a program called Project Sangam.

LG launches smartphone with '112 panic button' feature

Korean electronics firm LG has launched a new smartphone-K10 2017-with a panic button that allows users to connect to emergency number '112'.

The government had mandated that all mobile phones in the country will be sold with panic button feature with the deadline now set for February 28.

As per the order, pressing panic button will make a call to single emergency number '112'.

"The K10 2017 smartphone comes with an emergency panic button that can be pressed to generate an alarm. We are very optimistic that consumers will appreciate this product," LG India Corporate Marketing Head Amit Gujral said.

He added the device, priced at Rs 13,990, is not just aimed at women but is also relevant for students and others.

The concept of a device with panic button feature was floated after brutal gangrape of a paramedical student in Delhi. The Finance Ministry approved a Nirbhaya Fund following the incident for the integration of the police administration with mobile phone network to trace and respond to distress calls with minimum response time.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who was present at the event tweeted: "Happy to note, aligning with Government initiative, LG has implemented Industry's 1st smartphone (Make In India) fully supporting Panic Button service."

The device features a 5.3-inch display, 1.5 GHz octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear and 5MP front camera and 2,800 mAh battery. Gujral said the company is also working on expanding its retail presence in the country and by the end of the year, its handsets will be available at about 8,000-10,000 retail points. 

BHIM might be most successful branded software product: MoS

Minister of State for Law and IT PP Chaudhary today said that government's digital payment application BHIM may take lead among the most successful branded software products in the country.

"BHIM digital payments app, which is reported as top trending app in terms of downloads across a range of platforms by the users, with updated version of BHIM scheduled regularly, it might emerge first among the most successful Branded software products from India," Chaudhary said at Convergence India 2017.

He was talking about efforts being made by government to spread digital technology in various walks of life.

Chaudhary said post-demonetisation, since November 8, 2016, the UPI, USSD, AEPS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) and RuPay Card transactions etc, have shown exponential growth and registered multi-digit growth figures in percentage.

"A Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) working under my ministry on a 24x7 basis is already in place to ensure that digital data and transactions are safe and secure, Chaudhary said.

He said that apart from developing digital infrastructure and products, it is also of utmost importance that the people are made aware not only about such products and services but also about the benefits that accrue due to their usage.

Chaudhary said it is time that the private sector also comes forward in a big way to contribute in the efforts of the government by developing applications and products utilising this digital infrastructure and platforms.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said that his department is bullish on innovations.

"DST runs 100 incubator programmes across the country, incubating 2000 start-ups and we plan to increase that to 5000 in the next three years. A new programme NIDHI ((National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations), has been launched which offers seed funding of Rs 1 crore," Sharma said.

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Lenovo Yoga 510 review: A good mid-level convertible

Since the inception in 2012, Lenovo's Yoga series has been a combination of a beauty with the beast. Most of the Yoga series devices are good looking and offer great performance too.
And the mid-range Yoga 510 continues to live up to the expectations. It instantly clicks on the beauty part. While it continues to have the same design language, the neat straight line design of this convertible looks neat. The lid has a matte finish and the thin silver line running around the keyboard and track pad makes it more appealing.

The hinge mechanism that facilitates the tent and the tablet mode has been done in silver (in both the colour variants - black and white). The hinge not only complements the design but is sturdy to handle daily movement. The convertible has a 14inch IPS screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution with good touch response. The brightness levels are good and long sessions do not strain eyes. Watching videos and movies on the device was a delight and was complemented with great sound output as the stereo speakers are powered by Harman.

The keyboard is spaced out and is comfortable to type on. However, as my primary machine is a 15.6inch laptop, I felt the keyboard to be a little cramped but got a hang of it in a couple of days. The touchpad was smooth and there wasn't any urge to plug in a Bluetooth mouse. Lenovo hasn't compromised on the ports on this machine - it has got one USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, HDMI port, LAN, audio combo jack and a card reader. The Yoga 510 looks sleek but isn't exactly light weight as it measures at 1.75kg. Overall, it is can be conveniently used as a laptop and even as a tablet.

The Lenovo Yoga 510 is powered by an Intel Core i5-7200U processor paired with 4GB of RAM and has 1TB hard drive. It runs on Windows 10 operating system. It also has a dedicated graphics card - AMD Radeon R5 M430 (2GB). Overall, the system is a decent performer - good for browsing the web, video playback, running apps and basic gaming. The first review units I received had some bugs as it used to slow down and even refuse to start up. But the replaced review unit had no such issues and showed no signs of lag. The Lenovo Yoga 510 packs in a 2CELL battery that lasted me over 5 hours on medium brightness, when used in the laptop mode. With such a battery backup and convenience to be used into various modes, it comes across a perfect travel companion too.

Bag it or Junk it: A good mid-level convertible.

Price: Rs 60,000

Plus: Display, Design

Minus: Cannot handle heavy graphic games

Xiaomi launches new Redmi Note 4 at Rs 9,999 in new matt black colour

Xiaomi conducted the launch event in New Delhi today where it launched the new Redmi Note 4.

The device was launched in China last year and is finally making a debut in India. According to Xiaomi President, Hugo Barra, the matt black variant will be available soon after the launch event.

The new design follows Xiaomi's glass and aluminum aesthetics that is very similar to the previously launched Mi 5 and Mi Max. The Redmi Note 4 will be powered by the Snapdragon 625 and Adreno 506 GPU, which will use a new power efficient 14nm FinFET technology. The new technology will also enhance the thermal performance drastically.

The phone will feature a 4100 mAH battery which is just one per cent bigger than the Redmi Note 3 but will apparently cross Redmi Note 3 battery by 25 per cent.  

On the camera front, the device will come with 13 megapixel rear camera with CMOS sensor and a 5 megapixel front facing camera. The presentation saw a special emphasis and comparison of Redmi Note 4's primary camera with Redmi Note 3's camera. 

The new device will be offered at a price of Rs 9,999 for a 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM. The 4GB and 64 GB variant will be offered at Rs 12,999 and the 3GB RAM, 32 GB ROM will be available at Rs 10,999.

The device will go on sale from January 23, 12 PM on Mi.com and Flipkart. Despite the tremendous demand, the company is going with an open sale and no pre-registrations will be required for the Redmi Note 4.

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Based on Nathan Jurevicius’ Scarygirl graphic novel — winner of the 2009 Aurealis Award for Best Illustrated Book/Graphic novel — Scarygirl presents a wondrous adventure into a distinctive and beautifully bizarre world. The main character Scarygirl is an abandoned child with a tentacle arm who dresses like a pirate, and is haunted by a strange man in her dreams. She sets out into the world to discover the meaning behind her bad dreams, but Scarygirl is hardly helpless, as she has a tentacle-powered arsenal up her sleeve. 

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Video Card:-256MB Shader Model 3.0

Memory 1 GB RAM 
OS Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 
HDD Space 2 GB

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1. Unpack the release
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Snapdeal announces special offers on Google's Pixel and Pixel XL

India's third biggest e-tailer, Snapdeal is collaborating with internet-giant Google to promote and increase the sales of its first smartphone, Pixel and Pixel XL. The website is offering special discounts and insurance services for both handsets.

Snapdeal is offering an instant cashback of Rs 10,000 for Yes Bank customers. Yatra users will also get Rs 10,000 in e-cash along with free mobile protection plan worth Rs 5,999 from Allianz. The online platform serves as Google's official partner in selling Pixel handsets.

The device was launched last year and is Google's first attempt at building smartphones. Aimed specifically at iPhone users, the price point is similar to that of latest Apple smartphones. The device is powered by Qualcomm's flagship chipset Snapdragon 821. The Pixel sports a 5 inch screen and the Pixel XL sports a 5.5 inch screen with a Quad HD resolution.

The Pixel camera contests with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in every aspect and even scores higher overall DxOMark Mobile score of 89 against iPhone 7's DxOMark Mobile score 86.

Xiaomi might launch Redmi Note 4 in India on January 19

Xiaomi might soon launch the much anticipated Redmi Note 4 in India. The device was launched in China in August last year. The company has already sent out invites for a "2017 Mi Product Launch" on January 19. The previous iteration of this device, the Redmi Note 3, witnessed tremendous success in India. The device helped Xiaomi achieve record sales in the online smartphone market.

In China, the Redmi Note 4 was launched in two variants but the Indian market is expected to get a third variant as well. While the Chinese variants were launched with MediaTek Helio X20 processors, Indian versions might get Snapdragon chipsets.

The device is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 625 and feature a 5.5 inch FullHD screen, yielding a pixel density of 401ppi. The device is expected to come in three variants, one with 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM, second with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM  and the third, which will be exclusive to India, with 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM. The user will also be able to expand the memory using a MicroSD card.

On the camera front, the device will come equipped with a 13-megapixel module with pdaf and dual-LED flash and a front facing snapper with a 5-megapixel resolution. A finger print sensor is placed below the primary camera module. The device is expected to range within the price bracket of Rs 9,000 and Rs 12,000.

Flipkart launches 'Apple Fest' with heavy exchange discounts on iPhones

Flipkart has launched yet another sale but this time it's dedicated to just one brand, Apple. Flipkart is the first online retailer to receive rights to sell Apple devices without the need of third-party retailers. The sale begun today and will last till January 13.

The Apple Fest is being touted as a big chance to upgrade your current iPhones with a new one. The company is offering massive exchange discounts of up to Rs 23,000 for the latest iPhone 7 model.

The offers are not limited to iPhones, accessories like back covers, authentic lightening cables and other Apple products are also receiving heavy discounts on the website. An exchange discount of up to Rs 10,000 can be availed for the Apple Watch. Other than the discount, Flipkart is offering a 5 per cent price cut on the use of any debit or credit card.

iPhone 7 (128GB) in Black and Rose Gold colour is available at a price of Rs 65,000, with an exchange discount up to Rs 23,000. The iPhone 7 32GB variants are available at Rs 55,000.

The iPhone 7 Plus 128GB is available at Rs 82,000 and the 256GB is available at Rs 92,000. An additional exchange discount of Rs 23,000 can also be availed with these variants. The iPhone 7 Plus (32GB) Rose Gold variant can be bought at Rs 72,000.

Apple iPhone 6 (16GB) Space Grey variant can be bought for as low as Rs 31, 990. Buyers can also avail the exchange discount which goes up to Rs 24,000.

Apple iPhone 6s 32GB is available at Rs 46,999 with an exchange discount of up to Rs 23,000.

iPhone 6s Plus Rose Gold, Silver and Gold versions are still selling at Rs 56,999 but buyers can avail the exchange discount on these variants.

The iPhone 5s 16 GB can be purchased for Rs 19,000 with an exchange discount of up to Rs 15,000.