Vodafone

May 22 2013

Vodafone UK delays 4G LTE roll-out to September

Vodafone

Carrier will likely wait for compatible iPhone

Vodafone UK will wait until September to launch its 4G LTE services, according to reports. British national newspaper The Guardian reports that Voda will miss the originally-targeted summer launch window for its LTE network, which runs on 800MHz and 2600MHz airwaves purchased as part of the recent 4G spectrum auction.

The Guardian quotes Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao as saying "We want to be able to launch it when it's really ready. End of the summer means when there is going to be a good commercial window for launching it." That likely means the operator is waiting for refreshed iPhone hardware from Apple. The current iPhone 5 model sold in Europe supports LTE on 1800MHz, the frequencies used by rival EE, but not the 800MHz and 2600MHz that Vodafone will be using. (Most 4G Android phones sold in the UK support all three bands.)

As for rival networks, O2 is said to be targeting summer "at the earliest" for its 4G switch-on. Three UK has built its "Ultrafast" brand around DC-HSDPA and its upcoming LTE offering, but says it's in "no rush" to launch the latter, which it's currently targeting for switch-on in Q4.

Source: The Guardian

    


By Alex Dobie • 4g, delay, international, lte, News, uk, Vodafone • 0

May 19 2013

Weekly News Roundup #5 – India

wnri feature

In a weekly segment, I’ll be doing a roundup of the mobile technology news in India, including new device announcements and releases from Indian manufacturers, network carrier news, and anything else that captures the pulse of  the Android scene in India. 

In today’s “Weekly News Roundup – India,” Micromax launches a new stylus-toting smartphone, as well as one for music enthusiasts, Panasonic enters the Indian smartphone market with a not so budget-friendly quad-core offering, the Nexus 4 is finally officially available in India, the Vertu Ti is released at the price point of a compact car, Notion Ink teases the Adam II tablet, and Vodafone launches new International Roaming plans.

As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s get started!

Android Smartphones

Micromax Canvas Doodle A111

wnri - micromax canvas doodle a111

Micromax continues to add to its Canvas smartphones portfolio, with two new additions this week. The first, called the Canvas Doodle A111, joins the exponentially increasing budget-friendly quad-core smartphones in the country, but will be offering something different from the rest, with the Canvas Doodle A111 featuring a stylus. Specifications of the latest Canvas smartphone from Micromax include -

  • 5.3-inch display with 854×480 resolution
  • 1.2Ghz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8225Q processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • 1.22GB available internal storage (4GB total), expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 8MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
  • 2,100 mAh battery
  • Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
  • Dual-SIM support

Unfortunately, the specifications of the Micromax Canvas Doodle A111 aren’t up to the mark compared to the rest of the quad-core smartphones available in the country. Priced at Rs 12,999 (~$245), the availability of a stylus isn’t enough to recommend the Canvas Doodle over other similarly-priced smartphones. There’s no information yet on whether Micromax will be launching stylus-specific apps for the Canvas Doodle A11.

If you’re interested in picking up the Micromax Canvas Doodle A111, you can do so from online retailers SnapDeal here.

Source – Tech Tree

Micromax Canvas Music A88

wnri - micromax canvas music A88

Micromax released a second smartphone this week, this time in association with JBL, a company well known for its audio products, called the Canvas Music A88. The specifications of the latest offering from Micromax includes -

  • 4.5-inch display with 854×480 resolution
  • 1Ghz dual-core MediaTek processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
  • Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
  • 1,800 mAh battery
  • Dual-SIM support

Priced at Rs 8,499(~$160), the specifications of the Micromax Canvas Music A88 aren’t the best in its price range, but in this case, has a very specific music-oriented target audience in mind. The JBL association means inclusion of a free JBL Tempo headset, with Micromax also offering free unlimited music download from a database that includes over 3 lakh songs via the “MLive!” application.

You can find out more about the Micromax Canvas Music A88, and even buy it online, from the Micromax website here, as  well as from online retailers Saholic here.

Source – Times of India

Panasonic P51

wnri - panasonic p51

Panasonic is a well-known electronics brand in India, and the company has now decided to take a chance in the already overcrowded Indian smartphone market, with the Panasonic P51, announced at a launch event in Delhi this week. The specifications of the Panasonic P51 include -

  • 5-inch IPS display with 1280×720 resolution
  • 1.2Ghz quad-core MediaTek processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • 2.500 mAh battery
  • Dual-SIM support

The Panasonic P51 comes with a free magnetic flip cover and a stylus, along with handwriting recognition support, and boasts more than decent specifications, along the lines of quad-core offerings from local manufacturers that fall in the Rs 15,000 price point. So, it’s somewhat unfortunate that the Panasonic P51 is priced at a whopping Rs 26,900 (~$507), and the inclusion of a stylus and the latest Android OS isn’t enough to justify a difference of close to Rs 10,000.

The Panasonic P51 is available from various retail stores around the country. You can find the complete list here.

Source – NDTV Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro

wnri - samsung galaxy grand quattro

Samsung launched the Galaxy Grand last year hoping to capture a piece of the mid-range market in India, but with local manufacturers beginning to release quad-core devices at less than Rs 15,000, Samsung had a difficult go at things. Now, Samsung has launched a revamped version called the Galaxy Grand Quattro, which, as the name suggests, boasts a quad-core processor. Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro include -

  • 4.7-inch display with 800×480 resolution
  • 1.2Ghz quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 5MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
  • 2,000 mAh battery
  • Dual-SIM support

Like every new Samsung device, the Galaxy Grand Quattro looks a lot like the Galaxy S4, with the major difference being the smaller display size of the Galaxy Grand Quattro. While Samsung India had priced the first Galaxy Grand wrong at close to Rs 20,000, the company has a much better contender to take on similar quad-core offerings from local manufacturers with a Rs 16,900 (~$318) price point. Granted, the price is slightly higher, but the brand recognition of Samsung is enough for consumers to ignore that difference.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro comes in the Black Mist and Frosty White (just like the Galaxy S4) color options, and is available from the Samsung India e-Store here.

Source – Fone Arena

Google Nexus 4

LG-Nexus-4

The long wait is finally over! The Google Nexus 4, which has been one of the most highly-anticipated smartphones in the country, is now officially available. Unlike with the Nexus 7, the Nexus 4 will not be available via the Google Play Store but directly from retailers including LG exclusive stores, multi-brand stores, and various online retailers.

As a reminder, the specifications of the Google Nexus 4 include -

  • 4.7-inch IPS display with 1280×768 resolution
  • 1.5Ghz quad-core Qualcomm SnapDragon S4 Pro processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB internal storage
  • 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
  • 2,100 mAh battery

The Nexus 4 is still one of the best Android smartphones around, and is comparatively far cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, priced at Rs 25,990 (~$490). Granted, this is far higher than the $300 price point in the US, but the marked up price has always been an issue in India, and the Nexus 4 is no different. The Nexus 4 is currently up for pre-order from online retailers Flipkart, with an expected delivery date in the last week of May.

Source – GSM  Arena

Vertu Ti

wnri - vertu ti

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to make a decision between buying a car or picking up a smartphone, you can now do so, with the official arrival of the Vertu Ti “luxury Android smartphone” in India. Before we get into how much this device costs, let’s take a look at the specifications -

  • 3.7-inch sapphire crystal display
  • 1.7Ghz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 64GB internal storage
  • 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera
  • Android 4.0 ICS on-board

Of course, it’s not the (decidedly mid-range) specifications that makes the Vertu Ti the most expensive Android smartphone in the world, but the fact that it features a Grade 5 Titanium body, scratch-free sapphire crystal display, and premium Bang a& Olufsen speakers. The smartphone also comes with a feature called Vertu Key, which provides instant access to various services, such as country specific security alerts, articles, city briefs, and Vertu Customer Service. You’ll also get exclusive event invites, club memberships and more.

Wondering how much getting your hands on the Vertu Ti is going to set you back? Rs 6,49,900 (~$12,262).

If you have that kind of money lying around, you can find the full list of retail stores around India here.

Source – Zee News

Android Tablets

Notion Ink Adam II

wnri - notion ink adam 2

When Bangalore-based Notion Ink announced the first Adam tablet, the company promised to deliver a product that would offer a viable alternative to every high-end tablet, but couldn’t deliver on its promise. The Adam tablet was plagued with software issues, shipping delays, and poor build quality. A couple of years later, and the company is attempting to make in impact in the Android tablet market once again, with the Notion Ink Adam II, which was teased at the National Technology Awards this week.

Here’s a quick look a the specifications of the Notion Ink Adam II -

  • 10.1-inch IPS display with 1280×800 resolution, secondary STN display on the spine
  • 1.5Ghz dual-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • internal storage unknown, microSD expansion up to 32GB available
  • 2MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
  • Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
  • 6,000 mAh battery
  • in-built SIM support for 3G

One of the interesting features of the Adam II is the secondary display located on the spine of the tablet, which is a Super-twisted Nematic display (STN), that shows notifications as well as contextual data related to what showing on the main display.

The Notion Ink Adam II is expected to be released in June. The second attempt by Notion Ink is impressive, but may fall short in the highly-competitive Indian tablet market. Unlike two years back, local manufacturers have embraced the Android tablet, and have begun to consistently release budget-friendly tablets with great specifications.  If the company can deliver on what it hoped to accomplish the first time around, it’ll be interesting to see how the market reacts to the arrival of the Adam II.

Source – BGR India

Network Carrier News

Vodafone launches new international roaming plan, with discounts up to 90%

Vodafone Logo

This week, Vodafone announced a new international roaming plan for Indian subscribers, which features a discount of around 90% on data, and close to 64% on voice calls. The plan, priced at Rs 2,499 (~$47) and valid for 30 days, features the following changes in rates -

  • Local outgoing call rate has fallen from Rs 70 to Rs 25/minute
  • International outgoing call rate has fallen from Rs 140 to Rs 50/minute
  • Incoming call rates have fallen from Rs 70 to Rs 50/minute
  • SMS (incoming and outgoing) rates have fallen from Rs 15 to Rs 10 per message
  • Data charges feature the biggest discount, falling from a whopping Rs 563 per MB to Rs 50 per MB

It’s difficult to believe that regular international roaming data charges are Rs 563 per MB! The new roaming plan is available with select network providers in 45 countries, including the US, UK, Singapore, and UAE. Of course, while the rates may have fallen, regularly using the phone could still prove to be very expensive, so depending on the duration of your stay, it is always recommended to pick up a local SIM whenever possible.

Source – Think Digit

What are your thoughts? Will you consider picking up either of the two new Micromax smartphones announced this week? How well do you think the Panasonic P51 is going to do ? What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro? Can you imagine spending that much money to buy the Vertu Ti? Are you excited that the Google Nexus 4 is finally officially available in the country? What do you think of Notion Ink’s second attempt at an Android tablet? Do you think the new discounted international roaming plans are going to make a difference, or is it still to expensive? Let us know in the comments section below.

See you next week! 

    


By Ankit Banerjee • Google Nexus 4, india, lg, Micromax, Micromax Canvas Doodle A111, Micromax Canvas Music A88, News, notion ink, Notion Ink Adam 2, Panasonic, Panasonic P51, Phones, samsung, Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro, Tablets, vertu ti, Vodafone • 0

May 17 2013

Vodafone Smart III is new own-branded budget offering

Vodafone Smart III

£95 up-front gets you Jelly Bean on a 4-inch screen

If you were wondering just how much smartphone you can get for under £100, Vodafone UK has your answer. The Vodafone Smart III is the latest entrant in the operator's Smart line, coming with mostly vanilla Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (despite the distinctly ICS-looking search bar) on a 4-inch WVGA screen. It's powered by an unnamed 1GHz processor with 512MB of RAM, and packs 5-megapixel rear camera, so there's nothing too fancy going on under the hood. But it's an attractive enough design, and we always like to see more vanilla Android out there.

The Vodafone Smart III sells for £95 outright on PAYG, and is given away for free on contracts starting at £13 per month. The device is on sale now in black and white color options.

Source: Vodafone

    


By Alex Dobie • budget, Jellybean, News, Smartphones, Vodafone, vodafone smart iii • 0

May 5 2013

Weekly News Roundup #3 – India

wnri feature

In  a new weekly segment, I’ll be doing a roundup of the mobile technology news in India, including new device announcements and releases from Indian manufacturers, network carrier news, and anything else that captures the pulse of the Android scene in India.

This week on the Weekly News Roundup – India, we have just one smartphone announcement, but that’s more than enough when the one is a budget-friendly glasses-free 3D smartphone priced at less than Rs 10,000. While the smartphone sector has been relatively quiet, the tablet market has been witness to four new low-cost tablets from Intex, new market entrants Fly, WickedLeak, and Zync, and Vodafone has some great deals and offers available for you. Let’s get started!

Android Smartphones

Micromax A115 Canvas 3D

wnri - micromax a115 canvas 3d

Both international and local manufacturers have been taking a shot at capturing consumer attention with glasses-free 3D smartphones. We’ve seen the highly-priced LG Optimus 3D and the HTC Evo 3D, and quite a few 3D smartphones from local manufacturers, that have tried and failed to generate an interest in this segment. Riding high on the success of the Canvas A116 HD, Micromax must be feeling bold , because the company is now launching a 3D smartphone of its own, the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D.

Joining the very popular Canvas lineup of devices, the specifications of the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D include -

  • 5-inch display with 800×480 resolution
  • 1Ghz dual-core processor
  • 512MB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 5MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera
  • 2,000 mAh battery
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
  • Dual-SIM support

Compared to rest of the Canvas series, the specifications of the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D, such as the low resolution for such a large display and just 512MB of RAM, are somewhat disappointing. Of course, the selling point of this device is its stereoscopic 3D which means that you won’t need those annoying 3D glasses to enjoy 3D content. Granted, it’s not easy to get your hands on 3D content either, but Micromax helps out there as well. The Micromax A115 Canvas 3D will come pre-loaded with 3D games, along with “Micromax 3D Space” giving you access to 3D videos. Check out the introduction video of the device below -

Rest assured the video is exaggerated, but the 3D feature may be appealing to a lot of consumers. The smartphone is available for Rs 9,999 (~$192) from all leading online and physical retail stores. You can find out more about the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D here.

Source – Tech2

Android Tablets

Intex i-Buddy Connect 3G

wnri - intex ibuddy connect 3g

Intex is following up the i-Buddy Connect released last year with a 3G version of the tablet, which also features some updated specifications. The specifications of the Intex i-Buddy Connect 3G include -

  • 7-inch capacitive touch screen display
  • 1GHz dual-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 3MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera
  • In-built Dual-SIM 2G Voice calling and 3G data support
  • 3500 mAh battery
  • Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

While the specifications are quite good, the disappointing part is the fact that even though most manufacturers have been moving towards Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Intex i-Buddy Connect 3G comes with Android 4.0 on-board. Targeting the youth and student markets, the i-Buddy Connect 3G also comes pre-loaded with a host of apps like Nimbuzz, Skype, Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, and Google Talk. For students, the tablet also features an Educlass app that contains NCERT text books from grades 1 to 12, numerous question banks and sample papers, along with other interactive educational content.

The Intex i-Buddy Connect 3G will be available, in black and brown color options, for Rs 9,990 (~$191).

Source – The Mobile Indian

Fly F8s

wnri - fly f8s

Fly is a new entrant to the already over-crowded local Android device manufacturer arena. It won’t be easy for a new company to establish itself against such stiff competition, but the first step is to always release a great product. Fly, with their Fly F8s tablet, has attempted to do so. The specifications of the Fly F8s include -

  • 8-inch IPS display with 1024×768 resolution
  • 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2.5GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 3.2MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
  • 4,000 mAh
  • Single-SIM support for 3G connectivity

If you’re surprised at the 2.5GB of internal storage, Fly is one of the first company’s to advertise just the usable internal storage. That is, while the internal storage capacity of the tablet is actually 4GB, only 2.5GB is free and available to the user. The Fly F8s boasts some good specifications, but unfortunately is priced accordingly as well. At Rs 13,499 (~$260), the cost of the tablet is somewhat steep.

Source – NDTV Gadgets

WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2

wnri - wickedleak wammy desire tab 2

WickedLeak is known for releasing some great devices at very reasonable price points, and more importantly, with the latest Android OS iteration. So imagine my surprise when I see the first tablet launched with the company to come with Android 4.0 ICS out of the box. Of course, there’s a catch! But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the specifications of the WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2 -

  • 7-inch IPS display with 1280×800 resolution
  • 1.4Ghz quad-core Samsung Exynos 4412 processor
  • Mali-400 GPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 2MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
  • 3,300 mAh battery
  • Android 4.0 ICS or Android 4.2.1 (beta) out of the box

Aside from marveling at the great specifications, the final one on the list might have confused you. Let me explain. When buying the WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2, you can choose whether to go with Android 4.0, or if you want to try your luck with a beta Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean version. Even though everything works, the beta version may have a few bugs, and if you don’t want to risk it, ICS is the choice for you. Whichever option you choose now, the company promises an update to a stable Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean by June.

A good display, a quad-core Samsung processor, 8GB of internal storage, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (either now or eventually). Looking at these specifications, I’m sure you’re wondering how expensive this tablet is going to be. And this is one area where WickedLeak has managed to surprise us again! Starting next week, the WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2 will be available for just Rs 9,999 (~192).

If you’re interested, you can pre-book the device here, with delivery starting from May 15.

Source – NDTV Gadgets

Zync Quad 10.1

wnri - zync quad 10.1

While the selling point of most other tablets from local manufacturers is the low price point, Zync is one company that manufactures tablets with specifications that are similar, or sometimes even better, than those that are available from internationally-renowned OEMs, while being budget-friendly as well. Following the release of the Quad 8.0 and Quad 9.7 (which featured a retina display), Zync has launched another amazing tablet with the Quad 10.1. Here’s a quick look at the specifications -

  • 10.1-inch IPS display with 1920×1200 resolution
  • 1.5 Ghz quad-core processor
  • Mali-400 GPU
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera
  • 8,000 mAh battery
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

The specifications are very similar to any high-end tablet currently available in the market, but still manages to remain reasonably priced. At just Rs 14,990 (~$288), the Zync Quad 10.1 is a steal. You can find out more about the Quad 10.1, and also order it, here.

Source – Tech Tree

Network Carrier news

Vodafone partners with Samsung to launch “All in One” plans for the Galaxy S4

Vodafone Logo

When the Samsung Galaxy S4 was officially launched in India, we knew that Vodafone would be announcing special offers and plans for owners of the flagship device. If you’ve been waiting to find out, here are the details -

  • A Rs 1,199(~$23) per month plan for postpaid users will include 3000 local and STD minutes, 750 local and STD messages, missed call information for 12 months, and high-speed data availability up to 3GB, after which the speed drops to just 64kbps.
  • Prepaid users have the option to choose from two plans. The first plan, priced at Rs 678 (~$13), will get you 1000 local and STD minutes, 500 local and STD SMS, and 1GB of high-speed data. This plan is valid is for 30 days.
  • The second plan offers exactly half of what is available with the first plan. 500 miutes, 250 messages, 512MB high-speed data, and a 15 day validity. The price on the other hand, is a little more than half, at Rs 345 (~$7), so unless you’re very strapped for cash, the first prepaid plan is definitely the better choice.

It’s really easy to subscribe to these plans. All you need to do is insert your Vodafone SIM card into the Samsung Galaxy S4. You will then get an SMS within 24 hours with instructions on how to activate the plans you are eligible for. You can find out more about the special Vodafone plans for the Samsung Galaxy S4 here.

Source – Think Digit

Vodafone launches RedBox initiative to help make switching smartphones easy

Vodafone Logo

It’s feels great when you pick up a new smartphone, but then you realize that you now have to suffer through the somewhat tedious process of transferring all your important data from your old phone to the new. Vodafone to the rescue! The network provider has launched an amazing program, called RedBox, to help their customers easily make the switch between devices.

Launched at various “Retail of Tomorrow” Vodafone stores around the country, trained customer service reps will help you transfer all your data including contracts, images, videos, apps, and documents from one device to another. This will be really helpful for those not as technologically-inclined, making this inevitable step a lot easier to handle. The best part is that you’ll be able to use their services regardless of what device you’re using, and of course, it’s completely free.

Source – BGR India

As with every week, we’ve seen some great devices on offer from various manufacturers, but I must say that the Zync Quad 10.1 and the WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2 sound absolutely amazing.

See you next week!

What are your thoughts? What do you think of the Micromax A115 Canvas 3D? Will you be picking up any of the tablets that were released this week? If you’re planning to pick up a Samsung Galaxy S4, will you be subscribing to any of the special plans from Vodafone? How useful do you think the Vodafone RedBox initiative is going to be? Let us know in the comments section below.

    

By Ankit Banerjee • india, Intex, Intex i-Buddy Connect 3G, Micromax, Micromax A115 Canvas 3D, News, Phones, Tablets, Vodafone, wickedleak, WickedLeak Wammy Desire Tab 2, Zync, Zync Quad 10.1 • 0

Apr 28 2013

Weekly News Roundup #2 – India

wnri feature

In  a new weekly segment, I’ll be doing a roundup of the mobile technology news in India, including new device announcements and releases from Indian manufacturers, network carrier news, and anything else that captures the pulse of the Android scene in India.

The Android scene in India this week was dominated by the launch of the highly-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S4, along with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 510 (Note 8.0) and the ASUS Fonepad, and the availability of the 32GB version of the Nexus 7 from the Google Play Store. But as always, Indian manufacturers have been a tad busier. In the second edition of the Weekly News Roundup, we have two new budget-friendly quad-core smartphones, a Jelly Bean voice-calling tablet, a new app from Rediff, and a host of network carrier news.

As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s get started!

Android Smartphones

Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro

wnri spice stellar pinnacle pro

Following the success of the Spice Stellar Pinnacle, the company has now launched the successor of the device, which features an upgraded quad-core processor and one of the few devices from not only local, but international manufacturers as well, to feature Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on-board. The specifications of the Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro include -

  • 5.3-inch capacitive display with 960×540 resolution
  • 1.2 Ghz quad-core MediaTek processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • 2,550 mAh battery
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on-board
  • Dual-SIM capabilities

With a quad-core processor and Android 4.2, the Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro has a lot of advantages, but the qHD display resolution is definitely not good enough for a screen of that size, especially with competing devices from Micromax and Karbonn featuring 720p displays.

The Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro is available from for Rs 14,990 (~$282) from online retailers Saholic.

Source – NDTV Gadgets

Zen Ultrafone 701HD

wnri zen ultrafone 701hd

Following similar releases from Micromax, Karbonn, Spice (above), and others, it’s now time for Zen Mobiles to jump on the quad-core smartphone bandwagon. The Zen Ultrafone 701HD, which falls in the sub-Rs 15,000 category as well, boasts some impressive specifications, that include -

  • 5-inch HD IPS display with 1280×720 resolution
  • 1.2 Ghz quad-core MediaTek processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
  • 8MP rear camera, 3.2MP front camera
  • 2,000 mAh battery
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • dual-SIM support

As you can see, the specifications are definitely worth the price, and the fact that Indian manufacturers have moved to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on their latest device releases is great to see. The Zen Ultrafone 701HD is available for pre-booking from SnapDeal, and is priced at Rs 11,999 (~$226). You can find out more about the device here.

Source – Think Digit

Android Tablets

Solara Fontab

wnri solara fontab

Joining the slew of voice-calling capable 7-inch budget-friendly Android tablets in the country is the Solara Fontab. Priced at just Rs 6,899(~$130), the device features decent specifications that include -

  • 7-inch display with 1024×600 resolution
  • 1.5 Ghz ARM Cortex-A9 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32GB
  • 2MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
  • 3,500 mAh battery
  • Voice-calling via in-built 2G SIM slot, 3G via USB dongle
  • Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

The specifications are standard fare for a tablet at this price point, but it’s really good to see budget-friendly devices featuring the newer iterations of the Android OS, which has been an issue in the past.

Source – BGR India

Android Apps

Rediff News

wnri rediff news

Rediff.com launched a news app that gives users free access to news from over 30,000 Indian and international sources including the New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, Economic Times, Times of India, The Hindu, and more, as well as news from rediff.com. Features of this new app include -

  • Breaking news in the Top News section, including cricket scores of ongoing and recent matches
  • Categories include Top News, World News, Business, Sports, Cricket, and Entertainment
  • Search news articles in categories of your interest
  • Share news on Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, SMS, and e-mail
  • Choose to turn of article images to reduce data usage
  • Offline modde support allowing you to preload articles to read later

The simple tile-based interface is intuitive and easy to use, and the app works great as a compiler for news from around the world. You can download the Rediff News app for free from the Google Play Store here.

Source – Think Digit

Network Carrier News

RCom offers unlimited access to Twitter for 3 months

wnri reliance twitter

Reliance Communications has announced a partnership with Twitter, that gives users unlimited access to Twitter on their smartphones with no additional data consumption charges. Valid for 90 days, the “Reliance Twitter Access Pack” is available for free to all Reliance GSM prepaid subscribers.

Of course, additional charges will apply if users choose to visit external links from Twitter.The  Twitter page for people who opt for this free service will show a customized message informing of any such additional data charges when clicking on an any external link.

Anyone interested can subscribe to this service by visiting twitter.com or mobile.twitter.com on their Reliance GSM prepaid device. Users can also subscribe by sending a “ACT Twitter” SMS to 53739 or by dialing *777*30#.

Source – BGR India

Vodafone launches special roaming packs for prepaid subscribers

Vodafone Logo

If you travel a lot around the country, I’m sure you have multiple SIM cards for different states to avoid high roaming charges, which also the reason for the popularity dual-SIM smartphones in the country. The good news, if you’re a Vodafone prepaid subscriber, is that the newly announced special roaming packs drastically reduces the call rate while on roaming.

Now, outgoing calls will cost 90p per minute, with incoming calls, which earlier cost up to 1 Re, now reduced to 30p per minute. The plans come with a roaming benefit of 30 days, with a tariff validity of 180 days. The packs are priced in the range of Rs 26 and Rs 47, depending on which circle you’re a part of.

Granted, this plan isn’t as good as a similar offer from Aircel, in which incoming calls on roaming are free, but with National roaming expected to be free by the end of the year, this is a good first step, and we can expect similar price cuts from other network carriers as well.

Source – Think Digit

What are your thoughts? Will you be picking up any of the new smartphones or tablets announced this week? Have you tried out the new rediff news app yet? What do you think of the free access to Twitter pack from RCom, and the reduced national roaming charges from Vodafone?  Let us know in the comments section below, and also let us know what else you’d like to see covered in this segment.

By Ankit Banerjee • Apps, india, News, Phones, Reliance Communication, Solara, Solara Fontab, Spice, Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro, Tablets, twitter, Vodafone, Zen Mobile, Zen Ultrafone 701HD • 0

Apr 26 2013

Galaxy S4 delayed by a week in the UK due to low stock

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one s4 quick view aa

The Samsung Galaxy S4 was supposed to be released in the UK on April 26, but it seems that there isn’t enough stock available, which, in most cases, has delayed the launch until May 3.

A Vodafone spokesperson said it is “very unlikely” that more stock would become available over the weekend, but the carrier said it will try and fulfill pre-orders with the current stock available. Similarly, Phones4U told the Guardian:

All available stock will be used to fulfil pre-orders before going into our stores and we are working with Samsung to ensure that all pre-orders and sales across our other channels are fulfilled as quickly as possible. We anticipate that handsets will be in store next week but cannot confirm an exact date.

Carphone Warehouse, alongside a lot of other retailers, is facing a similar problem, and like Phones4U and Vodafone, it is trying to fulfil as many pre-orders as possible. While the delays are no doubt frustrating, it is a testament as to successful the Galaxy S4 already is and will become.

The UK isn’t the only country feeling the sting of Galaxy S4 delay’s though. Both T-Mobile and Sprint delayed online sales of the device until April 29 and 27, respectively. This was all due to “an unexpected delay with inventory deliveries”, which comes shortly before Samsung announced an “overwhelming global demand,” and memory part shortages.

The Galaxy S4 supports a 4.99-inch Super AMOLED 1920 x 1080 Full HD display with 441ppi. It has a 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-facing shooter, a 2MP front-facing camera and has a microSD slot with support for up to 64GB of expandable storage.

Having a hard time making a decision on a Galaxy S4? Check out our review of the device by Android Authority‘s Joshua Vergara!

By Brad Ward • carphone warehouse, News, Phones, phones4u, Samsung Galaxy S4, Vodafone • 0

Apr 25 2013

Verizon preparing a $100 billion offer to buy Vodafone’s share of Verizon Wireless

Verizon

It’s no secret that Verizon Communications wants more power over the direction of Verizon Wireless, which it owns in partnership with Vodafone. With that in mind, Verizon is preparing to offer up an $100 billion cash and stock bid to get buyout talks started.

In its current form, Verizon Wireless sees 55 percent of its control from its parent company. The remaining 45 percent belongs to British-based Vodafone. While the bid has yet to be officially brought to Vodafone, sources reporting to Reuters say that Verizon has hired legal and banking advisers as part of its preparation plans.

The question is whether or not Vodafone would even be interested in such a deal. According to several analysts and anonymous investors, it is possible that Vodafone would consider a buyout proposal, but likely wouldn’t settle for anything lower than around $125-$130 billion.

As New Street Research Anaylst, Jonathan Chaplin puts it:

“We doubt that Vodafone management or shareholders would be willing to sell for $100 billion; however, this is a good starting point for negotiations”.

Obviously all of this is still in the early stages. According to the Reuter sources, Verizon Communications will talk more about the deal internally at their regularly scheduled board meeting, right ahead of the company’s annual shareholder meeting.

Either way, Verizon seems quite determined to make the deal work. The plan is start private discussion of the matter, but Verizon is said to be prepared to take the bid public if Vodafone isn’t receptive of their offer.

By Andrew Grush • News, verizon, Vodafone • 0

Apr 24 2013

Galaxy S4 pricing revealed on Virgin Media, starts at £31 per month

samsung galaxy s4 back side aa

While EE, Vodafone and few others have already released details on Galaxy S4 availability, Virgin Media has been fairly quiet on the matter, and now the MVNO has just announced its pricing plans for Samsung’s latest flagship device.

Customers who are subscriber to Virgin’s broadband or TV services will continue to pay £31 per month while also getting a cheaper device cost at £99, but that’ll get you a very limited service with a mere 200 minutes, 500 texts and 500MB of data.

Mobile-only customers will have to pay £36 per month for the device. If you’re not already a Virgin Media customer, there are other deals out there with a more flexible data plan, though, you’ll end up paying more than a mere £31 or £36 per month.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 supports a 4.9-inch Super AMOLED 1920 x 1080 Full HD display with 441ppi. It has a 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear-facing shooter, a 2MP front-facing camera and has a microSD slot with support for up to 64GB of expandable storage. Samsung’s latest flagship offering is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.

If you’re not familiar with the Galaxy S4, be sure to check out our review by Android Authority’s very own Joshua Vergara!

The One We’ve All Been Waiting 4: Virgin Media Unveils Samsung Galaxy S4 Pricing

Most anticipated smart phone of the year available from £31 per month*
Unlimited Samsung Galaxy S4 data plans from £39 per month for Virgin customers
23 April 2013, London, UK – Virgin Media has announced that its TiVo and Broadband customers will be able to get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S4 from just £31* per month when it hits stores this Saturday.

Virgin Media TV broadband or home phone customers who choose the Samsung Galaxy S4 will get £5 off their monthly mobile tariff, inclusive insurance worth £7.99 per month and unlimited calls and texts to other Virgin Media mobiles.

Graeme Oxby, Executive Director of Mobile & Home Phone at Virgin Media said: “We’ve had record levels of interest in the Samsung Galaxy S4 so we’re delighted to offer our customers exclusive treats they can’t get elsewhere, including a fiver off their monthly bill and inclusive insurance. The Samsung Galaxy S4 will go straight to the top of the battle of the smart phones; making the inclusive insurance with next day replacement the obvious choice for Virgin Media customers.”

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the slimmest, fastest and most powerful member of the Samsung Galaxy family. It will offer never seen before features including Samsung Smart Pause and Samsung Smart Scroll which allow users to intuitively control their phone with their eyes and for entertainment fanatics, the Samsung Galaxy S4 offers a stunning 441ppi 5-inch screen and will even double up as an infrared remote control.

Virgin Media Samsung Galaxy S4 Pricing
Starter Essential Premiere

Monthly price £99 upfront £36 £41 £44
Monthly Price £69 upfront £38 £43 £46
Mins 200 600 2500
Texts 500 Unlimited Unlimited
Data (in the UK) 500MB 1GB Unlimited
Calls to UK landlines (Inc. in total minutes) (Inc. in total minutes) Unlimited

Virgin Media Customer Exclusives

Monthly price £99 upfront £31 £36 £39
Monthly Price £69 upfront £33 £38 £41
Calls & texts to Virgin Mobiles Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

Insurance with 24 hour replacement Inclusive Inclusive Inclusive

Exclusive extras for Virgin Media Broadband and TiVo customers:

£5 off your monthly mobile tariff – save £60 per year
Calls from Virgin Home Phone to Virgin Mobiles during inclusive calling periods
Unlimited calls and texts to other Virgin Mobiles
Inclusive Insurance worth £7.99 per month – save over £90 per year with guaranteed next day replacement visit www.virginmedia.com/insurance for more details
Mobile Rescue – Contacts stored safely online and customers can lock and locate their handset remotely

Key features of Virgin Media’s latest tariffs

SMS Alerts to let you know when you’re reaching applicable allowance limits
Tariff flexibility to move onto higher or lower tariffs anytime without penalty
Better network coverage than ever before on Virgin Media with T-Mobile and Orange networks in the UK
Three months free Spotify on compatible handsets

For full handset specifications go to store.virginmedia.com/SamsungS4

Notes to Editors
* £99 up front exclusive to Virgin Media TiVo and Broadband customers
** Exclusive rates available to Virgin Media customers subscribing to TV or broadband services

By Brad Ward • ee, galaxy s4, News, Phones, samsung, Virgin Media, Vodafone • 0

Apr 14 2013

Weekly News Roundup – India

wnri feature

In  a new weekly segment, I’ll be doing a roundup of the mobile technology news in India, including new device announcements and releases from Indian manufacturers, network carrier news, and anything else that captures the pulse of the Android scene in India.

It’s been a busy week for in India for international manufacturers in India, with Sony releasing the Xperia SP, HTC officially launching the HTC One, while also slashing the prices of the One X and the One X+, and finally, we found rumored release and pricing information of the highly-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S4. But that’s not even close to how busy Indian manufacturers (and one Chinese manufacturer) have been!

This week, we have two smartphone announcements from Lava and Intex. But this has definitely been the week for budget-friendly Android tablets, with three (!) new tablets on offer from Micromax, two from Karbonn, and one each from iBall and Lava. There’s also great news for owners of the Lava Iris 501 and the WickedLeak Wammy Titan 2, with both companies announcing software updates for their respective devices. If you’re planning to pick up some of these devices, or any others, you’ll also be interested in Vodafone’s “One Time Trial” 2G and 3G packs that the company introduced this week.

As you can see, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s get started!

Android Smartphones

Lava Iris 455

wnri - lava iris 455

While the company’s Xolo lineup of smartphones is certainly more popular, Lava continues to add to its budget-friendly portfolio with the Iris 455. The Lava Iris 455 features a 4.5-inch display with a 960×540 resolution, 1Ghz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage expandable via microSD, 5MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, and a 1,500 mAh battery. While similar devices from competitors, at best, feature Android 4.0 ICS, Lava has upped the game with the Iris 455, which comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board.

The specifications of the Lava Iris 455 are decidedly mid-range, but will also boast a price to match that, which is expected to be in the Rs 7000 to Rs 9000 range (~$132 – $169). The device will release with two color options, grey and silver.

Source – Tech 2

Intex Aqua Wonder 2

wnri - intex aqua wonder 2

Intex earlier this week announced its intention to join the budget-friendly quad-core market with the Aqua Wonder 2. The company is hoping that what will make the Intex Aqua Wonder 2 stand out is the fact the device will be priced at less than Rs 10,000 (~$188), while similar devices currently available are pushing the Rs 15,000 (~$288) mark.

The Intex Aqua Wonder 2 features a 4.5-inch qHD display, 1.2 Ghz quad-core MediaTek MT6589 processor, 512MB RAM, 2GB internal storage expandable via microSD, 8MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera, 1,800 mAh battery, dual-SIM support, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board.
The low pricing certainly makes sense, considering the compromises made with RAM, and internal storage. The Intex Aqua Wonder 2 is expected to release tomorrow, and will be available for Rs 9,900 (~$187).

Source – Think Digit

Software Updates

wnri - wickedleak wammy titan 2

The biggest concern consumers have when deciding to buy a smartphone or tablet from a local manufacturer is software support. Most devices from Indian manufacturers don’t receive software updates, and remain stuck with the Android OS version it released with. Luckily, this is a trend that is slowly changing. This week, WickedLeak and Lava announced software updates for their respective devices.

The WickedLeak Wammy Titan 2, which was released a month ago, will now receive an official update to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, which is amazing, considering a lot of international manufacturers haven’t released the Android 4.2 update for their devices yet. The update, that is rolling out now, will feature performance and stability enhancements, Google Now, GPS Info with Pictures synced with Camera, and swipe/gesture typing. This is another good reason to pick-up the low-cost alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Lava also announced an update for the Iris 501, which had launched with Android 4.0 ICS. The update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will feature Google Now support, enhanced notifications, UI changes and Project Butter improvements. Unfortunately, the update will not be over the air, and will require you to go to a Lava service center to update your phone. You can find the full list of Lava Service Centers here.

Source – AndroidOS.in, Think Digit

Android Tablets

Micromax Funbook Talk P360, Funbook Talk P362, and Funbook 3G P560

wnri - micromax funbook 3g p560

Micromax Funbook 3G P560

Micromax announced three new budget-friendly Android tablets this week, two a part of the company’s Funbook Talk series that features the ability to make voice-calls from the device, and a new addition to the Funbook 3G series.

Most of the specifications of the Funbook Talk P360 and the FunBook Talk P362 are the same, with the only differences being the fact that the former features a 1Ghz single-core processor, 2GB internal storage, and Android 4.0 ICS on-board, with the latter coming with a 1.2 Ghz single-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 4GB internal storage, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board. Other specifications of both devices include a 7-inch capacitive display with a 800×480 resolution, 1GB RAM, expandable storage up to 32GB, 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, 3,000 mAh battery, in-built 2G support and 3G support via USB dongle.

The Micromax Funbook 3G P560 features a 1Ghz single-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage expandable via microSD, 7-inch capacitive display with 800×480 resolution, 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, Android 4.0 ICS, 3,000 mAh battery, and in-built 2G and 3G support.

As you can see, Micromax is continuing its strategy of flooding the market with devices with minor differences between each. The Funbook Talk P362 is the pick of the lot, with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board, and a comparatively faster processor, and with the insignificant difference in pricing, it’s difficult to understand the reasons behind releasing the other two tablets.

The Micromax Funbook P360, Funbook P362, and Funbook P560 are available from online retailers Saholic for Rs 6,999 (~$132), Rs 7,499 (~$141), and Rs 8799 (~$166) respectively.

Source – AndroidOS.in

iBall Slide 6309i

wnri - iball slide 6309i

iBall continues to make waves in the budget-friendly Android smartphone and tablet segment with the launch of the iBall Slide 6309i, which is one of the cheapest 7-inch tablets available compared to other devices with similar specifications.

The iBall Slide 6309i features a 7-inch display with 1024×600 resolution, 1.2 Ghz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 1GB RAM, 2GB internal storage expandable via microSD up to 32GB, 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, 3G support via USB dongle, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board.

Considering the fact the specifications are comparatively better than the Micromax tablets on offer above with only the option of 2G voice-calls not available, it’s amazing that the iBall Slide 6309i is priced at just Rs 5,199 (~$98).  You can find out more about the iBall Slide 6309i here.

Source – NDTV Gadgets

Lava ETAB Connect

wnri - lava etab connect

Apart from the Iris 455 smartphone, Lava also launched the ETAB connect Android tablet this week. The Lava ETAB Connect boasts specifications that are very similar to the Micromax Funbook Talk P360, including voice-calling capabilities, but with the ETAB Connect allowing for 3G voice-calling, while the Micromax tablet is restricted to 2G.

Specifications of the ETAB connect include a 7-inch capacitive display with 800×480 resolution, 1Ghz Qualcomm processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage expandable via microSD, 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera, 3,000 mAh battery, and Android 4.o ICS on-board.

The selling point for the Lava ETAB Connect is its pre-loaded content, that features over Rs 15,000 worth of digital content from Hungama, BIGFLIX, MeritNation, EduKart, and more. That being said, the Rs 9,499(~$179) price point is steep compared to Micromax Funbook P360 and the iBall Slide 6309i.

Source – BGR India

Karbonn A37 and A34

wnri - karbonn a37

Karbonn has also adopted the policy followed by Micromax, and released two tablets with minor differences between the two. The Karbonn A37 and A34 both have a lot of similar features with the difference lying in the fact the the former features a 1Ghz dual-core processor, 4GB internal storage, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on-board, while the latter is powered by a 1Ghz single-core processor, with 2GB internal storage, and Android 4.0 ICS on-board. The Karbonn A37 also features 3G voice-calling support, as opposed to the A34, which is restricted to 2G.

The other common specifications include a 7-inch capacitive display with 800×480 resolution, 512MB RAM, expandable storage via microSD, 2MP rear camera and 0.3MP camera, dual-SIM card slot, and a 3,000 mAh battery.

The Karbonn A37 and A34 boast very similar specifications and features to the other tablets on this list, and is similarly priced as well, with the Karbonn A37 available from Infibeam for Rs 9,490 (~$179), while the Karbonn A34 is priced at Rs 7,290 (~$137).

Source – BGR India

Network Carrier News

Vodafone Logo

Vodafone introduces 2G and 3G “One Time Trial” Packs

With so many budget-friendly Android smartphones and tablets on offer, it’s become very easy, but maybe a bit confusing, to pick up a smartphone. Of course, the best of using a smartphone is to get online and stay connected, which requires an additional 2G or 3G data connection. To help you decide which option suits your needs the best, Vodafone has announced 2G and 3G “One Time Trial” packs.

The 2G pack is priced at just Rs 25 (~$0.47) with the 3G pack almost double at Rs 49 (~$0.93). Both packs will be valid for 7 days after activation, and will include 500 MB of data. The user’s device will determine which pack can be activated on your device, that is, if you have a 3G-enabled phone, then the 3G pack will be chosen. The “One Time Trial” is available for both pre-paid and post-paid Vodafone customers, and can be activated by sending TRY to 111 by SMS.

Source - BGR India

What do you think of the latest Android smartphones and tablets that were released in India last week? Would you consider buying any of these devices? If you’re a Vodafone customer, have you tried out the 2G or 3G One Time Trial Pack? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and also let us know what else you’d like to see covered in this segment.

By Ankit Banerjee • iBall, iBall Slide 6309i, Intex, Intex Aqua Wonder 2, Karbonn, Karbonn A34, Karbonn A37, Lava, Lava ETAB Connect, Lava Iris 455, Micromax, Micromax Funbook 3G P560, Micromax Funbook Talk P360, Micromax Funbook Talk P362, News, Phones, Tablets, Vodafone • 0

Apr 4 2013

HTC One will be available from April 23 in Australia

htc-one-flat-left

It looks like HTC is finally figuring out the issue with the component supply shortages related to the UltraPixel camera, that has negatively-affected the highly-anticipated launch of the company flagship, the HTC One. With news trickling in over the last week or so about the launch of the device in Taiwan, the UK, the US, and Canada, it’s now time for the folks down under to rejoice!

That’s right, HTC confirmed that the HTC One will be available in Australia from April 23, with pre-orders with most major network carriers starting from tomorrow. As we expected, the HTC One will be available from all major carriers, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and Virgin Mobile. Apart from confirming the availability on their networks, the companies also announced specific pricing and “recommended plan” information. Here’s a quick look (the $ below implies the Australian dollar) -

  • Optus – If you choose to sign up for a $60/month 2-year contract, you will have an additional $3/month handset payment. The monthly plan includes $650 worth of calls (1 minute = $1.19), unlimited SMS, and 1.5 GB of data. The plan over 24 months will cost a total of $1,512. Pre-orders for the HTC One will start from tomorrow, April 5.
  • Vodafone – A $60/month 2 – year contract will require an additional $5/month handset payment. The monthly plan includes $700 call value, unlimited SMS, and 1.5 GB of data. The plan over 24 months will cost $1,560. The pre-order page will go live from tomorrow, and if you decide to order the HTC One before April 22, you will receive a set of Beats Solo headphones, worth $199, for free.
  • Virgin Mobile – Virgin Mobile seems to offer the cheapest plan with the most value. A $59/month plan will require an additional $3/month payment for the handset. The monthly plan includes $700 call value, unlimited calls and texts to other Virgin Mobile customers, and 3GB of data and will cost $1,488 over 24 months. The pre-order page should go live from April 5 as well.
  • Telstra – Telstra offers the most expensive plan of the lot. A $60/month plan will mean an additional $10/month for the handset payment. The monthly plan itself also doesn’t offer as much comparatively, with $600 worth of calls, unlimited SMS, and 1 GB of data, with the total cost over 24 months setting you back $1,680. The carrier will also give you the opportunity to buy the device off contract at $768. Telstra will be offering the Beats Solo Headphones for free as well (till stocks last), and will also exclusively sell the black version of the HTC One. You can register here to find out more.

Granted, these are all just recommended plans, and other options will also be available for you. If you’re undecided on whether the HTC One is the device for you, don’t forget to check out our hands-on review below -

If you live in Australia, will you be picking up the HTC One? What do you think of the recommended plans the various network carriers have to offer? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The post HTC One will be available from April 23 in Australia appeared first on Android Authority.

By Ankit Banerjee • australia, availability, HTC, HTC One, News, Optus, Phones, Telstra, virgin mobile, Vodafone • 0

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