Reliance Jio's 5G Launch: A Game-Changer for the Indian Telecom Industry

 

Reliance Jio, the largest telecom operator in India, has launched its 5G services in select cities in the country. The services are currently available in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Gurugram, and Kolkata.

Jio's 5G services offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is much faster than the current 4G services. The company is also offering a number of 5G-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and routers.

To access Jio's 5G services, users need to have a 5G-enabled device and a 5G plan. Jio's 5G plans start at Rs. 399 per month.

The launch of Jio's 5G services is a major milestone for the Indian telecom industry. It is expected to boost the adoption of 5G in India and help the country become a global leader in the 5G space.

Here are some of the benefits of 5G:

• Faster speeds: 5G can offer speeds of up to 100 times faster than 4G. This means that users can download files and stream videos much faster.
• Lower latency: 5G has lower latency, which means that there is less delay between when a user requests a service and when the service is actually delivered. This is important for applications such as gaming and virtual reality.
• Increased capacity: 5G can support a much larger number of devices than 4G. This is important for applications such as smart cities and the Internet of Things.

iOS 16 and iPadOS 16: A Closer Look at the New Features

 

Apple has released iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the latest versions of its mobile operating systems for iPhones and iPads. The updates include a number of new features and improvements, including a redesigned lock screen, improved notifications, and a new Messages app.

Here are some of the key features of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16:

• Redesigned lock screen: The lock screen has been redesigned with new widgets, wallpapers, and personalization options. Users can now create multiple lock screens and switch between them with a swipe.
• Improved notifications: Notifications have been redesigned to be less intrusive. Users can now snooze notifications for a set period of time or dismiss them all at once.
• New Messages app: The Messages app has been updated with new features, such as the ability to edit or unsend messages, and the ability to schedule messages to be sent later.
• Live Text and Visual Look Up: Live Text and Visual Look Up have been improved to work with more types of content, such as videos and Live Photos.
• Shared Photo Library: Users can now share a photo library with up to five other people. This allows everyone in the group to add, edit, and delete photos.
• New features for developers: Apple has also released a number of new features for developers, such as support for Live Text and Visual Look Up in apps, and new APIs for gaming.

iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are available now as a free update for eligible devices.

Android 13 Beta 3: A Preview of the Next Generation of Android

 

Google has released the third beta version of its upcoming mobile operating system, Android 13. The beta is available now for Pixel phones and a select few other devices.

Android 13 Beta 3 includes a number of new features and improvements, including:

• A new privacy dashboard that gives users more control over their privacy settings.
• A new media player that makes it easier to control music and videos.
• A new notification design that makes notifications more visually appealing and easier to read.
• New features for developers, such as improved support for foldable devices and new APIs for gaming.

The beta is a preview of Android 13, and it is not yet ready for everyday use. However, it is a good opportunity for users to try out the new features and provide feedback to Google.

The final version of Android 13 is expected to be released later this year.

The Future of VR: Voice Control with Meta's Hey Meta Voice Assistant

 

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has launched an AI voice assistant for its virtual reality headsets. The voice assistant, called "Hey Meta," can be used to control VR apps and games, as well as to get information and answer questions.

The Hey Meta voice assistant is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, and it can understand natural language commands. This means that users can simply speak to the voice assistant to control their VR experience. For example, users can say "Hey Meta, launch Beat Saber" to launch the Beat Saber game, or "Hey Meta, what's the weather like today?" to get the weather forecast.

The Hey Meta voice assistant is still under development, but it has the potential to make VR more user-friendly and immersive. It is also a step towards Meta's goal of creating a metaverse, a virtual world where people can interact with each other and with digital content.

Play Xbox Games on Your Phone or Tablet with the New Xbox App

 

Microsoft has released a new Xbox app for Android and iOS devices. The app allows users to stream Xbox games to their phones and tablets, as well as chat with friends and family.

The new Xbox app is a major update from the previous version, and it includes a number of new features. These features include:

• The ability to stream Xbox games to Android and iOS devices: This is the main new feature of the app, and it allows users to play Xbox games on their phones and tablets.
• Voice chat and party chat: The app also includes features for voice chat and party chat, so users can communicate with friends while playing games.
• A new interface: The app has a new interface that is designed to be more user-friendly.
• Support for more games: The app now supports a wider range of games, including Xbox One games and Xbox Series X/S games.

The new Xbox app is available now for download from the Google Play Store and the App Store.

Top rumours about Apple's iPhone 5

Apple Inc distributed invitations to an event in San Francisco on September 12, setting the stage for what is widely expected to be the release of the iPhone 5.

Apple Inc distributed invitations to an event in San Francisco on September 12, setting the stage for what is widely expected to be the release of the iPhone 5. The typically cryptic invitation said 'It's almost here', sported a number 12 - corresponding to the date of the event - and cast a large shadow of the number 5, a clue that the fifth version of the popular smartphone could be in the pipeline. The event will take place at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the preferred venue for the unveiling of past products such as the iPad.

Here's a look a the top rumours about the most-anticipated Apple device till date:

#1 The new screen could measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source has said, an increase from the 3.5-inch display that has been held constant since the smartphone began selling in 2007 and revolutionized the mobile industry.

#2 A technology blog, 9to5Mac, that got hold of a purported photo of the next iPhone, say that the new phone would be taller than the previous iPhones, but not wider like many of the Andriod phones available today.

#3 The leaked images also show that the back panel appears to be covered in metal and the headphone jack is on the botton of the phone now.

#4 Apple Inc's new iPhone will drop the wide dock connector used in the company's gadgets for the best part of a decade in favour of a smaller one, a change likely to annoy the Apple faithful but which could be a boon for accessory makers. The iPhone 5, Apple's next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port "to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom", two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. It would mean the new phone would not connect with the myriad of accessories such as speakers and power chargers that form part of the ecosystem around iPods, iPads and iPhones, without an adaptor.

#5 The phone will have an advanced technical capability of LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless network that would give all phone carriers a chance to sell their fastest data services to Apple's base of iPhone customers. LTE technology is much more fragmented than the previous third-generation wireless technology, making it more difficult to make LTE phones that work seamlessly around the world.

#6 The next iPhone, is expected to come with a built-in chip which can serve as your credit or debit card for small payments. Tech savvies looking at leaked images of the internals of the device have spotted what they believe is an NFC chip within the phone. NFC is seen as the successor to the chip-and-pin, serving as a small contactless card that can be waved against scanners at tills to automate a payment, the Daily Mail reported.

#7 Audience Inc , which makes chips used in Apple Inc's iPhones, said its top customer is unlikely to use its technology for the latest iPhone. Audience's chips improve the voice quality in mobile devices by filtering out background noise, and the company supplies these to Apple's contract manufacturers like Foxconn International Holdings Ltd and Protek Ltd.

#8 Vietnamese tech news site tinhte.vn, has speculative images of the newly designed earphones that could accompany the new iPhone.

#9 Photos that are believed to be that of the next generation iPhone's motherboard that have surfaced on the WeiPhone user forum, show that a SIM card slot that seem to be smaller than the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S.

HCL MyEdu and HCL Me Tablet U

HCL My Edu is priced at RS 9,999. It comes with on board NCERT Text Books.Keeping pace with the edutainment features of latest tablets in the market, HCL has come out with its HCL MyEdu Tab 1 and a slightly relaxed version HCL ME Tablet U. HCL MyEdu has a 2 MP  front camera which is a significant addition to 0.3 MP camera of its sibling HCL ME Tablet U. ­­­Both these Tablets run on the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, powered by a 1Gh processor.

HCL MyEdu Tab 1 focuses on the education and helps students to learn lesson according to their grasping capacity. The MyEdu tablet has a self assessment feature that lets the learner understand his advantages and disadvantages. If you are a parent, this device helps you to understand the overall progress of the child that is recorded after each stage of completion of the course. HCL tied a knot with the NCERT to develop an app consisting all the syllabus related books. The  tablet which is priced, Rs. 9,999 has resourced rich multimedia content on technical and professional skill along with assessments and other apps. A more advanced version of the tablet, MyEdu Tab K12 directly aim at K12 students. This particular version of the tab cost 11,499 including the device, content, memory card and the above mentioned NCERT books.

HCL ME Tablet U tablet share almost identical spec leaving behind the educational utility. This tablet is priced at Rs 7,999 and has 17 preloaded apps. The new HCL store allows the end user to install apps over the air from a repository of some 1000 and more apps. It also provides connectivity options such as USB full, USB mini. The 4GB internal memory is expandable upto 32 GB. Like the majority of other tablets in the budget level, what irks the customer is the lack of foresightedness to include SIM card and 3G. The USB full port opens up possibilities to connect to the 3G network through the external dongle. HCL offers a hand full of goodies worth Rs 3000.

HCL new launch is seen as a direct attack on Aakash Tablet and Micromax Funbook. HCL as a company with reputation in India expects to be in the driving seat of Indian tablets with its latest releases.

Tablets: Just for Games and Videos?

not just a pastime gadget, not just a video player or net browser. The tablet can do a lot more for you.Do you have a tablet? What do you do with it? Some sure variables in your answer will be - play games, watch videos and browse the internet. Are our tablet habits corresponding to what they really stand for?

Tablets are the buzzword in every electronics shop overcrowded with Tablet enthusiasts. The expectations of each person who bumps into Tablets offered by multitude of companies, starting from the so called local brands to the highly priced international brands, differ with regard to the penny left in his/her pocket. All eyes are on the tablets which have a high entertainment prospect, regardless of what segment they belong.

For some, the tablet is nothing but the extension of their Smartphone. They want to experience better access and seamless internet connectivity in a wider screen along with high resolution videos and games. People's attitude towards Tablets is like looking forest for the trees. They give the minutest attention to the specification, which they believe can best fulfill their desires, usually ending up in playing games and video playback,  thus forgetting the larger benefit of a tablet.

If tablets were to fulfill only the multimedia necessities of its users, what difference does it makes when compared with handheld game consoles? The tablet manufacturing companies rather than trying to remove the scale from the eyes of their users are trying to gain profit from the fallacy of their consumers who consider it as an entertainment platform. Companies now focus on equipping their devices with more video formats and embedded games, intentionally shutting off their wisdom to incorporate connectivity solutions and apps that can bring the office into the hands of  wide-travelling users whereever they go.

This precludes the possibilities of using tablets as an eBook reader, mobile office manager, edutainment device and most importantly as a communication gadget. The expectancy of battery life is assessed with regard to the number of hours it can work after continuous exposure to playing games.

Tablet users should realize the larger avenues offered by tablets and make decisions based on informed  thinking rather than falling prey to the whims of the manufacturers. Let's try to realize the huge potential that these handy gadgets hide inside them. When looked from  a different angle tablets are more cost effective devices than netbooks, with added features like 3G connectivity and SIM card support. It is the bane of tablets that such a high profile gadget is treated as a mere entertainment utility.

Can Tablets replace PCs and laptops?

The PC, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet or the Smart Phone?The arrival of Windows8-powered Surface Tablets is sure to unsettle te oligopoly of Google's Android and Apple's iOS. Tablets that run on Android and iOS were just offshoots of a single stem: the Smartphones. With no added features and apps, except high-resolution screen and some USB ports, tablets did not cast any magic on the users. Windows was waiting for the right moment to pounce and grab the opportunity; this resulted in the disclosure of their undercover operation on a tablet that runs on the latest Windows 8 Operating System, which is yet to be released.

Tablets never became an intimate gadget for any of its users other than for the ones who got it as a gift. One major reason for this is that compared to a Smartphone, the tablet is a less portable device; but with an identical interface and similar functions, except for the bigger screen. I have seen people going haywire after losing their Phones; but in case of Tablets, people are concerned only about whether the game or a movie they were playing has stalled or not. For obvious reason: one gives her heart only to someone who best understands it. Tablets never became integral for the purpose of communication. Though many of them came with the latest 3G to 4G connectivity, its users never thought of using it beyond watching movies, playing games and at times checking the mail.

Where did the manufacturers go wrong?

Deciding that the tablets can become future mobile alternative made a mess. When people prefer 'small is good' it is absurd to believe that a 7 inch screen can penetrate into their communication habit. Microsoft's decision to go ahead with a tablet that works like a regular laptop is not an out of the box thought. Microsoft tried to accomplish this even in 2000 by coming out with its Windows Tablet Computer, which failed miserably in the market.

The failure was the result of the companys' lack of farsightedness.  However, gaining inspiration from the users' frequent interaction with mails, social media and other online apps, windows designed the new Metro style operating system Windows 8, with Homescreen becoming the gateway for many applications. Its one touch access belittles all the existing interfaces in the tablet industry.

Addiction has never stopped gadget hoppers from moving from one brand to another. This is evident when we think of mobile phones. The once glorious Nokia Symbian had to heed to the pressure from the Android mobiles and was forced to pitch in Microsoft to rescue them from the market ditch. People like to experiment with new gadgets, if they move forward buying Tablet with full PC functionality that means the irritating alarm bell will start to ring in the rivals' ears, signaling that it is time to revitalize the existing technology.

The innovation in technology is not something built overnight. Many heads rub each other to form a conclusion on creating new devices. True about the creation of Tablets too. A long trail is left behind during assembling of a Tablet, which has the latest specifications.

Rather than the addition of peripherals the trend seeks for reduction of protruding extensions. A series of such expulsions can be seen from the era of desktops until the now popular tablets. Integrated virtual keyboards replaced the physical keyboards seen in PCs and laptops; the mouse is almost dead, with the integration of touchscreens with better precision and one touch access. Earlier processors used to be room heaters, such was the noise and heat they radiated; over time processors became 'Atoms', leaving no trace of their existence.

We can neither ignore the past generation of gadgets (of humans too), nor can we stick on with the old paradigms. Tablets may be a future revenue generator or in the passing of time, they may surpass Laptops and Ultraboooks in performance and better user experience. Desktop, Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet or whatever, when new brilliance puts in better devices, for the poor ones, doors open to the garve of electronic waste.

Karbonn Smart Tab 1 – A torch bearer

The Karbonn Smart TabKarbonn (the company which came up with low budget mobile phones and Smartphones even before the Chinese wave that swept the mobile industry a few years back) has entered the Tablet computer industry. Karbonn launched its first budget level tablet Karbonn Smart Tab 1, in the first week of May this year. Karbonn has left a clue inside the name 'Smart Tab 1' that hints at the future wagons' of tablets that may follow this release. Smart Tablet, priced RS. 6,990 is fielded to battle with Micromax Funbook and Aakash tablets, that are targeting the edutainment aspect of the tablets.

Karbonn Smart Tab 1 runs on the Android 4.0 Ice cream sandwich. The 1.2GHz X-Burst single core processor and the 7-inch display gives macho performance to the new comer in the industry. The 2 M P front camera, HDMI output and expandable storage up to 32 GB are all features that compete with other Tablets in the same segment. What lets down the user is the exclusion of 3G facility and SIM, which tablets in the budget level are trying to incorporate into their devices.

Karbonn is confident that the new tablet can deliver 7-8 hours of battery life for continuous video playback or Web browsing. Though the device hurts for its negligence of 3G, Smart Tab 1 has USB ports that support external USB dongles.

Tablets: Are They for You?

The tablet computersTablets are taking over the role of laptops and netbooks as the most flexible mobile computing device till date.

Microsoft came out with the idea of Tablet computers and introduced the Windows Tablet PC in 2000. Though Microsoft failed to carry forward the hype into a commercial success, many companies came up with different variants of Tablet Computers. The most notable among them was Microsoft's born rival Apple. Apple came up with its iPad in 2010, followed by a jam-packed queue outside its istores for prebooking iPad, thus depressing all its rivals. Apple's iPad reversed the concept of Microsoft Tablet PC as a business-purpose mobile computing device to an entertainment-and-media-oriented consumer product. Even though iPad became the bagpiper that attracted a majority of elite class, the gadget hardly attracted the middle class and laymen due to the high price tag. Sensing this trend in the market a hand full of companies gathered to manufacture tablets with reasonable price, so as to attract the more thrifty segment of customers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft plans for a stiff resistance through its first hardware product 'Surface', a Tablet loaded with the upcoming Windows 8 RT operating system.

The tablet wave took some time to reach India. This is expected of a country that lags behind technology as a result of the digital divide. The diffusion of tablet innovation filliped after the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry launched the economical Aakash project in collaboration with Datawind, a British company. This triggered a spark that propelled the leading mobile manufacturers in India to come up with economically priced tablets, with features circumventing some high brand names in tablet industry. MicroMax, Karbonn, HCL, Beetel and Reliance are some familiar Indian brands along with government's Aakash, competing in Tablet industry.

Appearances can be deceptive

Rather than taking for granted the propositions put forward by companies and putting your hands on the Tablet, test-use it to make sure that what you saw was not just a mirage.

In the race against time, tablet manufactures are giving emphasis to design. This is for attracting the not-so-techie section, especially the youth, before they are enlightened. In the recent times, Apple's iPad has become the touchstone for the reviewers who assess the performance of latest tablets. This doesn't mean that iPad is fee of glitches (The recent iPad 4 has come under the scanner for its poor battery performance).

Apps vs Specifications

Tablets are now shifting their focus to built-in apps rather than their technical specifications. With the arrival of Aakash, tablets have moved a step further by spreading its wings to the edutainment sector.

For tablets that run on Android and iOS, apps can be installed over-the-air from their dedicated app stores. Other than this facility the hardware developers are now setting goals to make their products a stand out by pre-loading apps that are exclusive to their brand name.

A hand full of connectivity options, both wireless and wired is inducted into tablets. Bluetooth and WiFi are two common connectivity options available in tablets. In addition to this USB, HDMI and 3G are now becoming popular. The tablet industry is showing a downward trend in price and an upward surge in incorporating maximum available features.

Tablets seem to have a prospective future in India. Multi brand competition is expected to further slash the cost of this gadget. Though tablets are yet to live up to the hype, companies hope that more Smartphone users will shift to Tablets as their media manager.

Reliance Tablet: Great Specs, CDMA connected

Reliance tabletReliance came up with its Android powered CDMA 3G Tablet in the latter half of 2011. Reliance communications is the first mobile service provider to venture into the tablet industry in search of fortunes. They rolled out this tablet collaborating with their Chinese hardware partner ZET. The device ran on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.   The tablet which came under the price tag of Rs 12,999 was a new addition to the economic tablets that started showing up after the announcement of Aakash Tablets. Now reliance has come out with an upgraded 3G Tab with a better processor and a 3MP rear camera. The price hike is not overwhelming but it has been increased to 14,999, an increase of Rs 2000 when compared to the older version.

The Reliance 3G Tablet (CDMA) has a 7 inch screen with 512 MB RAM and a 4GB external storage up to 32GB. The 3G facility is an added feature unlike many economic tablets available in the market. The deficiency of the tablet is its OS. The latest version of Android 4.0 Icecreamsandwich is a lot better than Gingerbread when it comes to improved performance and debugged apps.

Most low budget tablets ignore the rear camera, the reliance 3G Tablet is an exception to this. The 3 MP camera in the rear is a feature attributed to the premium tablets in the market but reliance tapped this feature into its new release. The front camera supports video call and thus makes full advantage of its 3G connectivity. Built in apps include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Reliance has embedded its premium products, Reliance TV and BigFlix in the new upgraded version of the tablet. The Reliance 3G Tablet is bundled along with offers worth Rs. 6,500, which is an additional benefit for the customer.

If one can tolerate Android Gingerbread, the Reliance 3G Tablet is a better option among the economic tablets. Technical specifications are the best when compared to other tablets in the same price segment. Reliance has their ball rolling in the tablet manufacturing industry.

Funbook: Affordable Edutainment Tablet

Micromax Funbook: Tall claims on technology for educationFunbook from Micromax has received jolts and pats from its users. The 7 inch 1080 resolution tablet, fielded into the market with preloaded edutainment apps was expected as an agile response to the India government's Aakash tablet that targets the educational sector.

Like many other low budget tablets, Funbook is moulded around a plastic body, with the rear coated in faux aluminum. If you are one among those with a loose hand, Funbook is not the right choice as it is lightweight and lacks grip. Funbook runs on the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest Android operating system, but has retained some unnecessary Android buttons that are available virtually.

Users have encountered frequent hanging and forced turnoffs when they tried opening multiple applications. The wake up duration after sleep and the response time for opening apps are slower than on other Tablets in the same range.

If you are OK with these shortcomings, Funbook offers a lot of multimedia apps which makes it worth a catch. The browsing experience stands at par with the best tablets in this sector. The premium edutainment apps open up wide possibilities for children to enjoy learning experience. The tablet comes with Google Play Store, the company's official app store for installing apps over-the-air.

The multi-touch resistive touch screen has the best sensitivity when compared to other economic Tablets available in stores. Micromax has included 2800 mAh battery in its latest Tablet, which gives 5-6 hours backup. The 3 MP front camera offers video chat facility. It will be uneven to think of a rear camera in a Tablet that comes with a price tag of Rs. 6,499.

Though the new Micromax Funbook is embedded with more features and apps than any other tablet classed in the Economic segment, the caveat is poor user experience. For a beginner in mobile computing devices, Funbook is a definite choice. But for those who look forward for faster operations and glitch-free user experience, it may be a little frustrating. This budget-tablet suffers in many aspects, but for go-getters who are stuck with a budget of INR 7000 or less, it is a prime option.