FreeCharge and Indus OS partners to launch Recharge 2.0 ; a payment solution integrated in OS itself

World's first Regional Operation System Indus OS and India's  leading digital payments platform Freecharge unveiled Recharge 2.0 which is unique in itself as it is a digital payment product integrated within the smartphone dialer interface. Recharge 2.0 on the Indus Dialer will enable users to have a seamless and simplified recharge experience powered through FreeCharge.

Indus OS and Freecharge - Recharge 2.0 launch

The Recharge 2.0 will help prepaid users which makes 95% of the India's mobile subscriber base. A majority of prepaid users also use fixed monthly charge for limited amount of data usage, however mostly they don't have clue how their money is spent. Recharge 2.0 aims to bridge this gap and gives features such as comprehensive analysis of usage pattern alongside real-time updates to offer more control in the hands of users. 

The OS-integrated payment innovation on Indus Dialer is seamless and accessible in the most natural interface, the phone dialer - moveing beyond the app and web interfaces as claimed. The new Indus dialer allows users one-touch access on the phone dialer to recharge through FreeCharge. Recharge 2.0 also allows users to set thresholds for low balance alerts. With detailed insights you can get to know talking to whom you spent most of your balance and on what day you spent most. Users can Recharge in just one touch. 

Responding to a question on Security of user's balance as anyone with access to dialer can misuse already configured Freecharge wallet, Mr Govind Rajan, CEO, Freecharge told that they do have more than 500 anomaly checks on Freecharge side which tracks parameters such as user's location, past transactions, recharge amount etc and reject if the transaction parameters doesn't confirm with these checks. However, on OS side there is no such protection which can be deal breaker for many.

Recharge 2.0 will be exclusively accessible to the existing 6 million plus Indus OS user base and new users of Indus OS powered devices. Indus OS is currently the #2 mobile OS in India, with a 7.6% market share. By catering to Indus OS user base via the OS-integrated brands, FreeCharge expects to scale up its recharging transactions and volumes by nearly 20%. FreeCharge currently sees a major chunk of its transaction coming through the recharge's category.

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YU Yutopia with fingerprint sensor, 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 810 processor launched for Rs 24999

YU Televentures, the sister brand of Micromax Informatics today announced launch of their next flagship device Yutopia, which is touted as most powerful Android phone on planet, well on papers the  phone does looks like most powerful android phone as of now. YU has for first time ventured out of Sub 10K range and the device is priced at Rs 24,999/- which we feel is aptly priced for the specifications you are getting along with the phone.

YU Yutopia

YU Yutopia, sports all metal body made from aircraft grade aluminium which includes the back cover as well, the antenna bands are fitted seamlessly into the body. The device is just 7.2 mm thick and carries the familiar all symmetrical design which has been the standard for YU since Yuphoria. The smartphone is light in weight and finds a perfect fit when hold in hands.

The phone comes with 5.2 inch WQHD(1440x2560) Sharp OGS TP display with a stunning 565 ppi pixel density. The device is powered by one of the most powerful processor from Qualcomm the Snapdragon 810 and is first Indian brand to have it on their device. Snapdragon 810 (2GHz Cortex-A57 quadcore coupled with 1.5 GHz Cortex A53 quad core) which is coupled with a powerful 4GB DDR4 RAM , on storage front the device packs in 32 GB of inbuilt storage which can be further extended upto 128 GB via micro SD card. 

One of the major attraction of the phone is its camera which is sourced from Sony. The phone is adorned by 21 Megapixel rear camera from Sony with Exmor RS IMX230 sensor for optical image stabilisation and is fitted with Blue glass filter for more natural photos in low light. The rear camera is supported by dual tone LED flash for photography in dim light conditions. For front camera the device sports an 8 MP front facing camera supported by 5P lens as its rear counterpart. The rear camera is capable for shooting 4K videos, HD videos and slowmotion videos. 

YU Yutopia with finger print sensor on back

As a flagship entering into 2016 should have, the Yutopia also sports a finger print sensor at the back which can be used for authentication as well as to wake up the phone with a tap. The finger print sensor can also be used to take selfies as well. Apart from Finger Print sensor the device has all other important sensors on board which includes, light sensor, hall sensor, proximity sensor, G-Sensor, Barometer, Accelerometer and electronic compass.

For connectivity the phone supports dual Sim cards (Micro SIM + Nano SIM) supporting 4G LTE, 3G, Wifi, Bluetooth. The phone comes packed with a non removable 3000 mAh battery which is made of high density polymer and comes with support of Quick Charge 2.0 from Qualcomm which means your phone will get charged from 0 to 60% in just 30 minutes.

Over the hood the device is running on Android 5.1 based Cyanogen 12.1 and should be upgraded to version 13 based on Android Marshmallow which is currently under test. The other announcement along with Yutopia was the  launch of AroundYU service from YU Televentures, which can be seen as an aggregator of aggregators. The service can be accessed by swiping right on the home screen where you can select the service you want which ranges from travel, cab, flight , train to food and many others. As per Rahul Sharma, founder YU Televentures this has been made possible because of the partners they have strategically invested in. For example all travel related details are exposed by ixigo, for cab booking you have Ola, for online purchase you have flipkart, SnapDeal, Shopclues etc. All you need to do is just search in AroundYu and you just do your work with the convenience of just one click without having to install all these applications on your smartphone.

For quality sound experience YU has partnered with DTS to provide you high quality sound and comes pre-installed with Gaana app for both online and offline music playback. Another highlight of the device is that for listening music you get Little Bird earphones from House of Marley. 

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rahul Sharma, Founder, YU Televentures said, “We commenced our exciting journey at YU a year ago with a promise of making technology more simplistic and the smartphones an enabler of our daily tasks. We are extremely euphoric to complete our first year with a bang as today’s launch reaffirms our promise of doing everything that’s exciting and new. YUTOPIA is a revolutionary product that is packed with the compelling ‘Around Yu’ services, making the smartphone literally five years ahead of any other device.”

Assured Upgrade:

The Assured Upgrade Program gives any customer buying YUTOPIA an option to upgrade to YUTOPIA 2 when the new device is launched in the future. There will be an upgrade window from YUTOPIA 2 launch date and will offer 40% cashback of value of YUTOPIA, if the customer decides to exchange YUTOPIA  and upgrade to YUTOPIA 2.

SBI CASHBACK OFFER

State Bank Credit Cardholders will get Rs 1000 Cashback on purchase of YUTOPIA mobile at Amazon. This will be applicable on SBI Card EMI Transactions. The campaign will run from 17th Dec’15 to 2nd Jan’16. Cashback will be credited to the customer’s card within 45 days from the end of the campaign period.

Offers on Around YU, booked from Around YU:

Cabs: 1st get Rs. 100 off and 4th ride is free

Food: 1st meal get 15% off

Flights: 500 lucky users to get flights at Rs. 1 on first trip (40 users every week)

T&C apply. To read T&C go to www. yuplaygod.com

YU Yutopia is real flagship killer launched towards the end of the year and the date marks for one year milestone for YU. So far YU has been very successfully with its all 4 devices (Yureka, Yureka Plus, Yuphoria and Yunique). YU has been the talk of the town in the geeky world since the launch of its first device thanks to its partner in crime Cyanogen, the most sought after Operating system based on Android. However so far the manufacturer seems to be competing against likes of Xiaomi, Asus etc. but with launch of Yutopia it has stepped up its presence in territory of likes of OnePlus, HTC, Samsung, Motorola.

Looking at the specs and our hands on experience the device is real flagship killer and promising. We will update our blog with detailed review so keep watching this space for more details about he device.

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YU rolls out Cyanogen 12.1 OS update for YU Yureka and Yureka Plus phones

YU users gets another reason to cheer this festive season as long awaited Cyanogen 12.1 OS update which is based upon Android 5.1 Lollipop is made available to users via OTA update. Much needed update for many was awaited from around 5 months when Cyanogen announced to provide update on the same.

Rahul Sharma, founder Micromax and YU Televentures tweeted earlier confirming the same and explained the delay owing to make the release a stable one for all Yureka and Yureka Plus users.

Sure it took longer but the final stable 12.1 update for all YUREKA & YUREKA Plus users is rolling out NOW. Play on https://t.co/HPMDqHpAWS

— Rahul Sharma (@rahulsharma) November 2, 2015

 Yu users can verify the new OS upgrade in settings , upgrade should bear version number as YOG4PAS3JM, which is available automatically via OTA. That means you don't need to go to any other link or website, just check for software update and you should be presented with above said update even if not don't worry, latest update is rolling out in phased manner and should be available to everyone within two weeks as per YU folks.

YU Cyanogen 12.1

Along with the newly added features to Android Lollipop , some of the new features coming along with the upgrade are as following.

1. Live Display: Your screen will become a smarter screen once updated to latest upgrade as it will automatically adjust its brightness, contrast and light spectrum coming through your display as per environmental conditions and is said to improve battery performance.
2. Calender with emails: The new calendar application powered by Boxer, will allow seamless integration of your emails including Gmail to your calendar so that you never miss any event/appointment. The application also allows one to send availability with just one touch from the email application.
3. New Launcher: The redesigned UI for the folders and app drawer streamlines the user experience by focusing on one-handed-use. The new design also reduces visual clutter, enabling you to find what you’re looking for faster.
4. Audio FX UI Updated- With a clean design and straightforward UI that’s now consistent across all of our devices—plus the 24-bit High-Res Lossless Audio and 13 preset configurations our users know and love—AudioFX continues to help audiophiles get the best possible sound from their audio. This update will also bring superior performance and amazing thermal control to your YUREKA and YUREKA Plus.

Yuphoria users don't be disappointed, we got a word that you will be getting the upgrade very soon.

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Yureka Plus price slashed by 1000, existing customers will receive Rs 1000 Amazon gift card

In the season of new launches and price cuts , the newly launched Yureka Plus from YU gets price cut of Rs 1000/- before it goes for sale on 6th August, 2015. The full HD smartphone will be now available for Rs 8999/- after price cut, the registration of the sales closes by today midnight, this is some information you would love if you are about to buy a new phone and you see Yureka Plus as your next phone, however existing customers who have paid Rs 9999/- will not left disappointed as they will receive Rs 1000/- gift card on Amazon.in.

Yureka Plus

The slashed price is now the lowest for a full HD smartphone in Indian market. YU is a sister concern of Micromax which is online only brand and claims to be made for the public. On launch event of Yuphoria , Co-founder Rahul Sharma emphasized a lot on how from screen size to body material was selected after listening to thousands of brand followers. This time company claims that the price cut decision is also made after feedback received from followers to keep the prices of Yureka Plus same as of the Yureka itself.

Yureka, from YU was answer to likes of Xiaomi, ASUS, Motorola and even One Plus One when it was first launched and over half a million units of phone sold tells only about how successful the campaign was, Yureka Plus is expected provide similar success story for the company.

Yureka Plus comes with 5.5 inch Full HD display (Yureka offered HD display to consumers), packed with Octa Core Snapdragon 615 SoC, Out of box Cyanogen OS 12 which is based upon Android Lollipop 5.0.1, 2 GB DDR3 RAM, 13 MP AF main camera and 5 MP secondary camera. Device comes with onboard 16 GB storage , which can be further extended upto 32 GB via Micro SD card. The phone supports dual sim with 4G connectivity capability and is fuelled by a 2500 mAh strong battery.

Crafted exquisitely with great finesse, the YUREKA Plus now comes in a stunning White version ‘Alabaster White’ along with the Moondust colour variant. So if you want this power  packed phone then head on to Amazon India and register for the next sale now.

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5 Things you need to know about One Plus Two

Global technology startup One Plus has launched its second device OnePlus 2 yesterday and is trending topic of the tech town since then. One Plus One was launched as a Flagship killer last year and it proved to be one. The phone created a lot of buzz with its specifications, design, highly customizable Operating  System, unique invite system model of sale and very low prices as compared to the 'Flagship' devices. This time Indian customers don't have to wait for the device for too long neither there will be a flip-flop on Cyanogen updates as OnePlus 2 runs on company's own Oxygen OS. 

OnePlus 2 Specifications at a glance:

OnePlus 2 comes with a frame made of aluminium-magnesium alloy, full HD 5.5" IPS LCD In-Cell display with 178 degree of viewing angles, weighing just 175 grams fuelled by 3300 mAh strong lithium polymer battery, dual 4G SIM support. The device runs on the mighty 64 bit Snapdragon 810 SoC, 64 GB (16 GB model also available with 3GB RAM), 4 GB RAM. On camera side the device comes with a powerful 13 MP rear camera with dual LED Flash and f/2.0 aperture equipped with advanced Optical Image Stabilization system. On front there is a 5 MP wide angle camera to cover one and all in a groupfie.

5 Things you should know about OnePlus 2

5. Finger Print Sensor and No NFC

The biggest addition to second iteration of OnePlus is the addition of Finger Print sensor which was expected from OnePlus as other flagships had already incorporated the same. Finger Print sensor is placed at the position of  Home button but its not home button. Its just finger print sensor which responds in less than 0.5 second and can store upto 5 profiles. The finger print sensor directly unlocks your phone without pressing the power button where as in iPhone you need to press the power button first to use the sensor.

There is one thing you might miss in OnePlus 2 and that is NFC, company said that statistically it is proved that the number of customers using NFC feature is extremely low hence it made sense to shell it out from the next iteration and focus on other enhancements.

OnePlus 2 Finger Print sensor (click to enlarge)

4. Alert Slider

Another addition (not update) on the OnePlus2 is the alert slider button on left edge of the phone, which is inspired from Apple however it gives user 3 modes where in sliding to the top disables all the notifications (except alarm notifications), keeping in the middle will get you notifications only from your priority contacts and sliding down the profile changes to receive all notifications.

OnePlus 2 Alert Slider

3. Oxygen OS

OnePlus 2 is the first device to run on Company's own highly customizable Operating System the Oxygen OS based on Android Lollipop 5.1 . Previous version from the company ran on Cyanogen OS which is also customizable OS based upon Android and is one of the most loved Android based OS, however company landed in trouble in India due to exclusive deal from YU televentures and Cyanogen for India. The new OS gets rid of the problem and maintain the same essence offering customizations such as on screen gestures, dark mode, ability to switch between hard and capacitive buttons and adaptive brightness. Custom apps like Camera, Audio Tuner and File Manager also accompany the OS. The color of Led notification light is also customizable for different battery statuses and notification.

OnePlus 2

2. USB Type-C charging port

OnePlus 2 comes sports USB Type-C port and comes with OnePlus patented USB Type-C data and charging cable is reversible on both ends. This means effortless and fumble free charging when plugging into the phone or in the wall charger, the flat cable also helps it to prevent from getting tangled.

OnePlus 2 - TYPE C USB Cable

1. Pricing and Availability:

Most important part for aspiring buyers, the 64 GB model which is coupled with 4 GB RAM (only smartphone to have 4 GB RAM after ASUS Zenfone2) will be available from 11th August at Rs24999/- on Amazon India. The pricing for 16 GB model (comes with 3 GB RAM) is not made official for Indian market however looking at the global prices device is expected to be priced around Rs 20,500 in India and will be available later this year.

One Plus2 with Kevlar back cover

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Secure your Android devices with these 7 tips from Trend Micro

No doubt Android is the most loved (or used) mobile operating system today with 1 billion units shipped last year running on Android. The market share of Android smartphones was 81% followed by Apple with 15% and Microsoft with 3 percent at third position.

“Many users choose Android over other OS-based devices because first, the devices can be relatively cheap; second, it’s known for fast and efficient data storage and third, it’s available across different form factors, brands, and price points,” said Paul Oliveria, researcher of Trend Micro. Moreover, Android is popular among mobile developers and manufacturers for its capacity to house innovative app development without licensing fees and its simple, yet powerful Software Development Kit (SDK).

As Google wants to empower users and developers as much as possible, the very freedom makes Android a viable platform cybercriminals and hackers want to exploit. Android users can expect to run into a few problems from time to time and their device and the data in it can be stolen, spied on, and used by cybercriminals if they aren’t careful. “Because the mobile landscape is ever-changing, securing mobile device can be tedious. In the virtual world where hackers and cybercriminals are hard to trace, you are the only one who can make sure your device and the data in it is well protected. We hope the following tips can be of help in that endeavor,” Paul said.

1. Lock the screen – Enabling a screen unlock code will prevent a device thief from accessing your mobile data.
2. Protect your data – Android virtually comes with pre-installed security measures that can be easily accessed and enabled from the security submenu. The Android security screen also includes an option to encrypt the device. Enabling this option will help protect sensitive information stored in the device.
3. Strengthen passwords and app permissions – Google does a fine job at synching their updates with Android devices. However, some manufacturers take a little more time to update. Remember to check the features that you allow the app to access, and don’t forget to use strong and unique passwords. If you re-use your passwords, hackers can effortlessly guess the passwords on your other accounts.
4. Install a security app – It’s always a good idea to make use of security apps. An app that offers anti-theft features like remote wipe-out, tracking, and locking, as well as malware scanning and detection can help mitigate potential threats. For example, Trend Micro Mobile Security is a security app for Android phone and Android tablet, which blocks malicious apps from Google Play before they are installed; guards against identity theft and viruses; blocks dangerous and fraudulent websites; protects your privacy on Facebook; protects kids online; and even extends battery life and optimizes device performance and memory.
5. Connect to secure networks – Whenever you go online using a network you don’t know, such as public Wi-Fi, you should be more careful because unsecured Wi-Fi networks can be used to stage man-in-the-middle attacks where data can be intercepted by a third party. Avoid online banking, financials, and purchasing over public networks. If you use Wi-Fi at home, please make sure you use a password to secure your router.
6. Avoid rooting your device – Before rooting your Android device, consider the pros and cons first. While it allows you more control over your device, it could also allow unsigned apps, including malicious ones, access to your data. This also makes it difficult to patch and update your OS and apps, which could leave your device vulnerable.
7. Download from official app stores – Downloading from third-party sites or app stores is one of the easiest ways for any mobile device to get infected with malware. Limiting your apps to those from official or trusted app stores (like the Google Play app store) can lower the risks.

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Micromax unveils LapTab, the first dual-boot tablet at CES 2014

Once again Micromax has stunned the market with launch of first of its kind dual-boot tablet LapTab at CES 2014 - Las Vegas. LapTab, the first dual boot Windows and Android tablet is powered by Intel celeron processor.
LapTab was showcased for the audiences around the world at Digital Experience! Pepcom’s big consumer electronics showcase ahead of CES® 2014. LapTab would be launched officially in early February for consumers.

Plans for going global were visible when Micromax roped in Hugh Jackman as their brand ambassador.Now pulling curtains from first dual boot tablet at CES is another step to enter global market.  Price of LapTab is not known as of now.

- Operates on Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS

- To be launched in early February 2014, the first look of the device to be given at Pepcom & CES 2014

- Powered by the latest Intel® processor (“Bay Trail-M”), LapTab ushers a whole range of power saving and high performance features

Powered by an Intel® processor (“Bay Trail-M”), the first-in-the-world tablet will offer great performance, and promises an impressively long battery-life for media consumption on the device. The device supports both Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OSand Windows 8.Aptly designed for multitasking across operating platforms, users would need to simply reboot the device and select the alternate option to switch from Windows to Android and vice versa.

Commenting at the Pepcom event, Mr. Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder, Micromax said, “Today, we are taking the next leap in raising the innovation bar globally, with the introduction of LapTab. Over the past few years, we have been witnessing a growing trend of increasing consumer demand for two operating systems in one device, which offers a blend of great PC like productivity in a tablet like form factor for seamless consumption. The Micromax LapTab fulfills that consumer need by giving them access to the world’s first dual-boot tablet. Combining functionality and style, the LapTab further builds on our promise to constantly empower our users with superior technology that directly addresses their needs.”

He further commented,

“As Micromax looks to expand footprints across global markets, we would continue to fulfill our promise of democratizing technology for people around the world by making it more affordable and accessible. We would be unveiling an array of innovative products across international markets in next six months for which Micromax is known for.”

Commenting on the launch Steven J. Dallman,vice president, Sales and Marketing Group and general manager, OEM Channel Engagement at Intel said, “Today people want choice when it comes to operating system environments and only Intel Architecture can deliver a complete user experience. The innovation we are seeing from companies like Micromax is exciting and we congratulate the company on its introduction of the LapTab.”

Designed with precision, the form factor of the LapTab exemplifies sleekness and simplicity sporting a 10.1” IPS vibrant display. Powered by a 1.46 Ghz Intel® Celeron® N2805 processor, 2GB RAM and 7400 mAh battery, the tablet promises to take care of all your multitasking needs in no time making it super-efficient. The tablet packs in a 2MP front camera allowing users to capture images, record videos and chat online without any hassle. With its innovative brightness control technology, the LapTab automatically adjusts the screen content by continuously monitoring the environment. 

With storage of 32 GB expandable up to 64 GB, the tablet supports Bluetooth v4.0 and Wi-Fi, ensuring full time connectivity. The LapTab comes with a transleeve which can be combined as a cover and stand for the wireless keyboard packed with a 230 mAh battery promising a continuous usage of 20+ hours. Consumers will also have an option to buy a customized keyboard for LapTab when it hits the stands.

LapTab will be available across e-commerce portals and retail stores starting early February, 2014. For more information, please visit www.micromaxinfo.com

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After Canonical with Ubuntu for mobile its now Mozilla's turn

Earlier it was only Apple's iOS known for smart phones, later Android came in to break the monopoly of iOS. Recently, Canonical's also displayed their mobile Ubuntu OS working on smart phones. Samsung's Tizen and Jolla's Sailfish are also prepared to compete. Nothing to surprise Mozilla has also entered into Mobile OS race.

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Pantech's Discover: Storm in smart phone market.!

Smart phone lovers will remember this year's Conusmer Electronic Show for Pantech's Discovery "Discover". Pantech revealed its most ambitious smart phone Discover in CES. Discover comes with a 4.8 inch HD display, 12.6 MP camera , 4G LTE, NFC in built with Android ICS upgradable to JellyBean. with unbelievable price of $49.99 with AT&T carrier.

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Wait is Over... Ubuntu is coming to power your phones

How many of us were waiting for this good news. While Android is already dominating mobile market which is also based on Linux kernel, Canonical says their OS can run on any phone which runs Android's current version.

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Windows Blue.... the next next generation OS from Microsoft.. Is that true?

With Windows 8 launched just a month ago.. already there are rumours of project named as Windows Blue or Blue being worked upon in Microsoft. If reports are to be believed this project was existing well before Windows 8 launch and can be launched next year.

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