DIGITAL SANKALP

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

The Intex Aqua i4+ has recently been released in India and it is being pitched against none other than the Micromax Canvas Juice A77 which was introduced last month. The prices of the two gadgets are almost the same and they more or less have the same specifications as well. Here we have jotted down a brief summary of both the handsets to help you pick the right contender. Do take a look. Intex Aqua i4+: This <a href="http://www.mobiletor.com/2013/12/27/intex-aqua-i4-budget-android-smartphone-costs-rs-7600/" style="border:0px;outline:0px;vertical-align:baseline;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,149,220)" target="_blank">mid-range Intex device</a> has been loaded with all the components that come under the sough-after category. The very first thing to notice about the phone is its 5-inch touchscreen which may not be the best in class, but does manage to deliver visuals in 854 x 480p resolution. A couple of cameras have been fitted on the device to make it apt for capturing images, recording videos and making conference calls. <img alt="Intex Aqua i4 Plus" src="http://www.mobiletor.com/img/27-12-2013-59.jpg" style="border-width:0px;outline:0px;vertical-align:baseline;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;min-height:auto;margin-right:auto!important;margin-left:auto!important;text-align:center!important;float:none!important;display:block!important"> The Jelly Bean 4.2.2-based smartphone acquires steam from a dual core processor ticking at 1.2GHz as well as 512MB of RAM. Its 4GB of onboard memory may not be enough to fulfill all your hoarding needs and thus you get a microSD card slot for increasing it further by up to 32GB. A 2000mAh battery powers it from within. Key specifications: - 5-inch touchscreen - 8MP camera, 1.3MP webcam - 1.2GHz dual core processor - Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS - 512MB of RAM - 4GB onboard memory, expandable up to 32GB - 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth GPS - 2000mAh battery Micromax Canvas Juice A77: Coming to the <a href="http://www.mobiletor.com/2013/11/25/micromaxs-next-canvas-smartphone-dubbed-juice-a77-dont-know/" style="border:0px;outline:0px;vertical-align:baseline;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,149,220)" target="_blank">Micromax Canvas Juice</a>, this uncreatively named smartphone is said to be capable of offering a long battery life, thanks to the built-in 3000mAh power pack which is better than that of the rival Intex phone. It has a 5-inch FWVGA screen as well, but this one tags along a 5MP camera and a 0.3MP webcam. <img alt="Micromax Canvas Juice A77" src="http://www.mobiletor.com/img/25-11-2013-60.jpg" style="border-width:0px;outline:0px;vertical-align:baseline;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;min-height:auto;margin-right:auto!important;margin-left:auto!important;text-align:center!important;float:none!important;display:block!important"> The Android 4.2.2 platform is another common factor between the two devices. The Micromax phone also has a dual core processor, however, it ticks at 1.3GHz. Also, this dual SIM handset brings 1GB of RAM and its internal memory remains the same that is 4GB which of course, is expandable up to 32GB. Key specifications: - 5-inch touchscreen - 5MP camera, 0.3MP webcam - 1.3GHz dual core processor - Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS - 1GB of RAM - 4GB onboard memory, expandable up to 32GB - 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth GPS - 3000mAh battery <img alt="Aqua i4 Plus Canvas Juice" src="http://www.mobiletor.com/img/28-12-2013-81.jpg" style="border-width:0px;outline:0px;vertical-align:baseline;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;min-height:auto;margin-right:auto!important;margin-left:auto!important;text-align:center!important;float:none!important;display:block!important"> Conclusion: So the Intex Aqua i4+ and Micromax Canvas Juice A77 are pretty similar with very few differences. The former sets you back by Rs 7,600, whereas the latter is priced at Rs 7,999. Have you made up your mind regarding the two phones? Or are you still confused? Do drop in a comment to let us know.

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

The Intex Aqua i4+ has recently been released in India and it is being pitched against none other than the Micromax Canvas Juice A77 which w...

8:56 pm

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

The Intex Aqua i4+ has recently been released in India and it is being pitched against none other than the Micromax Canvas Juice A77 which w...

8:56 pm

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img class="galleryImage imgId100025811 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt5.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/02/smartwatch_16-100025811-gallery.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/gadgets" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px">When International CES opens in Las Vegas in early January, a flood of wearable computing devices, including smartwatches, will be on display.</a></div> The fledgling <a href="http://www.techhive.com/tag/smartwatch/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">smartwatch market</a> is tiny compared to that for smartphones, or even wearable devices like Google Glass or smart bands that cater to fitness and health-monitoring needs. Still, the smartwatch phenomenon promises to blossom in 2014 as experts <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2058703/googles-putting-the-finishing-touches-on-a-google-now-smartwatch-says-wsj.html?tk=rel_news" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">expect Google to launch a model</a> by summer <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2049424/whats-still-to-come-from-apple-this-fall.html?tk=rel_news" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">followed by Apple</a>sometime in the fall. Even Microsoft is reportedly working on one. To achieve any degree of greatness, though, these major tech innovators and their smaller competitors must overcome some significant hurdles. For instance, most of the smartwatches unveiled to date are too expensive, at $200 to $300 each, for widespread adoption. Most of the devices also require a connection to a smartphone via Bluetooth, which implies that users face the added cost of the smartphone and a wireless service contract. The early smartwatches also lack functionality and mostly run fewer than 20 smartwatch apps.<img alt="wearables chart" height="728" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/wearables_chart-100221695-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"> Several analysts say the so-called value proposition of smartwatches is unclear so far. Sure, you can check your smartwatch for a text message or email or use it to find the time or a weather forecast without having to dig into a pocket or purse to find your smartphone. But is that enough to attract users to the technology? Some smartwatches (sometimes called smart bands) include sensors that let them double as fitness monitors, which helps expand their functionality to a degree. A few also have cameras, microphones, and speakers. Beyond those basic price and functionality hurdles, some of the early smartwatches are just plain ugly and far too large (mostly around 2 inches by 1.5 inches) for women to wear on their wrists, say several analysts familiar with the market. <img alt="Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch" height="169" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/09/0904-galaxy-gear-11-100052497-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"> Samsung Galaxy GearThat problem suggests the successful smartwatch innovators will—or should—pair up with fashion designers. "Fashion will be important, whether in smartwatches or Google Glass," said J.P. Gownder, an analyst at Forrester. "Vendors need to up their game on design. They should partner with jewelry and clothing vendors. Tech firms just aren't equipped to deal with fashion by themselves." Gartner analyst Angela McIntyre said that most of today's smartwatches are too large and dull-looking."When I put many of them on, they are wider than my wrist is, and I'm not that small," she said. "These are meant for males to wear, so they are missing half the market right there." "One of the most difficult issues is the smartwatch face—it's a black box. If they'd make them look like conventional watches, that would help. Yes, I'd like more sparkle, and there are some designs for making them look like regular watches. These devices need more of a value proposition that people will understand and want," she added. McIntyre summarized the challenges this way: "If a company could get the home run design—one that's right—with more apps and good price points, they could take off, but we haven't seen that design and that solution yet." <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Newcomers to the market</h2>The latest smartwatches to become available include <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9243607/Galaxy_Gear_is_a_prime_example_of_Samsung_s_hardware_prowess" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Samsung's $300 Galaxy Gear</a>. The Galaxy Gear, launched in the fall, is designed to pair with Galaxy devices like the Note 3 plus-size phone to make phone calls, take pictures, download apps, conduct Web searches, or check email. The <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9240312/Sony_Mobile_unveils_SmartWatch_2_Xperia_Z_Ultra_smartphone" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Sony Smartwatch</a>, now in its second generation sells for $200, but cannot make voice calls. Samsung and eBay recently announced that <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2050348/samsung-galaxy-gear-review-meet-the-smartwatch-that-simply-tries-too-hard.html?tk=rel_news" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Galaxy Gear</a> can now notify users of responses to online eBay bids, giving users the ability to make a quick counter-bid. But that kind of app isn't sufficient to justify the cost of a device that largely relies on smartphones to make calls or the smartphone's cellular or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Innovation coming?</h2>Officials at Samsung and elsewhere acknowledge that wearable technology, especially smartwatches, is barely beyond infancy and will likely see substantial innovation in the next two years. Perhaps Apple will wow consumers globally with an "iWatch" by including technologies like the iBeacon proximity tool that was added to recent iPhone models. The innovative iPod and iPhone turned the consumer electronics market upside down, and Apple could do that again with a smartwatch. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't exhibit at CES, and the company has yet to officially disclose that it's developing an iWatch smartwatch. That said, an iWatch with <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244638/Proximity_tech_takes_off_via_Apple_s_iBeacon_and_Qualcomm_s_Gimbal" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">iBeacon technology</a> could usher in a Apple smartwatch world where users could literally open doors equipped with their own transmitters. For instance, a driver could unlock his or her car and start it with such technology. Users could also use the technology make purchases in a store after receiving a discount coupon by authorizing a credit card payment through a previously-stored account with Apple. Future smartwatches may also include voice and gesture activation capabilities, which would go a long way toward reducing the need for a large touchscreen interface. Voice or gesture control makes it more likely that we'll see an elegant-looking smartwatch with a much smaller face that still has powerful functionality. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Market potential for smartwatches</h2>Analysts at Canalys back in July projected that 5 million smartwatches will ship worldwide in 2014, while Gartner recently said it projects that the global number could reach 7 million next year. Both the Canalys and Gartner projections are tiny compared to the forecasts that 1 billion or more smartphones will ship in 2014. However, the 2014 smartphone projections are both substantially higher than Canalys' report showing that 500,000 would be shipped this year. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">What will work?</h2>Canalys analyst Daniel Matte singled out the $150 smartwatch made by the startup Pebble. That company was started with funding from 85,000 investors found through Kickstarter. Matta termed the Pebble smartwatch as reasonably successful with more than 200,000 reportedly shipped since its unveiling in early 2013. By comparison, reports have Samsung selling 800,000 Galaxy Gear devices to date, though the number has not been confirmed by the vendor. "The Pebble is the best smartwatch so far, even though it's fairly basic," Matte said. "The one or two things it does do, it does well, which means it connects well to smartphones and runs apps on the display fairly reliably. It's really early, but it's still not a great device." <img alt="" height="201" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/01/pebble_smartwatch-100020685-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300">The Pebble smartwatch comes in five colors made of a water resistant material and features a 1.26-inch, 144-by-168-pixel e-paper display with an LED backlight. The device weighs 1.3 ounces and can work with both Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth 4.0. The ARM Cortex M3-based smartwatch runs the Pebble OS. The processor runs at up to 80 MHz.The size of the smartwatch's battery is not disclosed, though <a href="https://getpebble.com/discover" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Pebble says</a> the device can run for up to seven days between charges. Pebble says that "thousands" of developers are working on Pebble apps. Some of the apps coming soon include iControl, which can control home alarms, the FourSquare social app and GoPro for taking photos. Currently, Pebble supports notifications from email or other inputs and alarms, music from the phone and some basic fitness apps. The watch face is customizable. Matte said the Pebble falls at the upper end of the $100 to $150 sweet spot for what he believes smartwatches should cost to catch on with users.Like other analysts, Matte said most smartwatches today "aren't very aesthetic or fashionable." He did note that Jawbone and Nike are making fashionable wearable smart band devices for fitness and sports activities, and those could provide design tips for the major smartwatch makers. Neither the Jawbone or Nike device has a watch-like face in the conventional sense.<img alt="" height="214" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/nike_fuelband_se_volt_4band_iphone_large-100067466-medium.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="300"> The <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2060787/nike-move-makes-the-iphone-5s-double-as-a-fuelband.html?tk=rel_news" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Nike+ Fuel Band SE</a> works with iOS and comes in three sizes and four colors for $149, with a rose gold version for $169. (Nike also has a Nike+ SportWatch GPS for $139.99 that has a conventional watch face.) The Jawbone Up24 has a wrap-around design that works with iOS and comes in two colors for $149.99. With better designs and many more apps, Matte believes that smartwatches (which he terms smart bands) shipments will reach 40 million globally within several years. "Smart bands are the next big thing in consumer electronics," he said.In addition to Samsung, Sony, Nike, and possibly Pebble, other companies expected to show off smartwatches at CES include Basis Science, Burg, Connected Device, Dennco, Ezio, Filip, Kreyos, Kronoz, MetaWatch, Mio, Neptune, Polar, Qualcomm, and TomTom.

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

When International CES opens in Las Vegas in early January, a flood of wearable computing devices, including smartwatches, will be on disp...

2:19 pm

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

When International CES opens in Las Vegas in early January, a flood of wearable computing devices, including smartwatches, will be on disp...

2:19 pm

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

The president of the United States says he's not "allowed" to own an iPhone, which is why he's sticking with his Blac...

2:15 pm

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

The president of the United States says he's not "allowed" to own an iPhone, which is why he's sticking with his Blac...

2:15 pm

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices have become the target of malware and are even getting hit by highly targeted attacks known...

2:13 pm

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices have become the target of malware and are even getting hit by highly targeted attacks known...

2:13 pm

Hackers are reportedly trying to use stolen Target cards

Hackers are reportedly trying to use stolen Target cards

The techniques used by hackers to access credit and debit card data from Target shoppers suggests that the cyber crooks have found a tro...

2:10 pm

DIGITAL SANKALP

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

Intex Aqua i4+ vs. Micromax Canvas Juice A77

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

Is 2014 the Year of the Smartwatch?

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

Beware snoopy apps that ask more than they need to know

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Mobile gadgets security called biggest challenge for business

Hackers are reportedly trying to use stolen Target cards

Popular Posts

Comments

Blog Archive

Blog Archive