Airtel will now be selling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G smartphone with its own postpaid plans including 4G data starting Thursday. Until now, the smartphone was available exclusively via e-commerce website Flipkart. An Airtel representative had earlier told NDTV Gadgets that the units being sold via the telecom operator will not be locked to the Airtel network, just like the ones available via Flipkart.

The Airtel-Xiaomi collaboration will let users buy Redmi Note 4G handset at Rs. 9,999 from 133 Airtel stores across six cities - Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Kolkata. Users will be able to book the handset from Airtel's dedicated Mi page and select their preferred Airtel store in the aforementioned cities where they wish to pick up the device. While the booking process has already started, the sales will commence from Friday. Users can book online via Credit Card, Debit Card or Cash payment method, the company said.

Airtel added that it will keep a 'Mi Day' each week where users can walk-in and buy a Redmi Note 4G without any pre-booking from the selected Airtel stores.

The telecom giant has also made it mandatory for prepaid Airtel customers and non-Airtel customers to first opt for Airtel's postpaid myPlan before buying the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G. Airtel postpaid users with at least 500MB of 3G data activation can buy the smartphone without opting for any other data plans.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G users in the above mentioned six cities will be upgraded from 3G to 4G networks, as and when 4G services are rolled out. The upgrade to 4G will happen at the same tariff as their 3G data packs.

Airtel postpaid users in Bengaluru, where Airtel already has a 4G network, can get up to 10GB free 4G data by logging on to company's Airtel Live website via their Redmi Note 4G smartphones

Continue reading

A couple of weeks ago, at the start of the Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF), Google finally launched the Chromecast wireless streaming accessory in India at Rs. 2,999. When it first launched last year, the Chromecast was seen as a geeky curiosity, though as long term owners of the HDMI dongle, we can testify it's seen more and more use off late. At the same time, we've seen alternatives such as Teewe, which was really easy to set up and worked well too, and Esycast, whose UI could definitely stand some improvement, but which is still a good alternative, launch in India. So how does the Chromecast measure up and who should be buying it?

The first, and most obvious question is what a Chromecast is, and what you'll use it for. The Chromecast is a small gadget, a little bigger than your thumb, and it connects to your TV using the HDMI port. On the back, there's a Micro-USB port which is used to power the Chromecast, and the charging cable and an optional HDMI extender cable (for hard to reach ports) are also included in the box.

Its design and build quality is well ahead of the competition - despite the low price, it feels like a premium gadget, and this continues even when you're using it, thanks to a well-made, sleek and easy to use interface which is better than any of the Indian efforts we've used.

The Chromecast connects to your home Wi-Fi network through a simple pairing process - the steps are neatly explained when you first connect it to the television and are very simple to follow. Once you've done that, you can "cast" videos from other devices on the same Wi-Fi network to the Chromecast - this works in a couple of different ways.

For one, there are videos being streamed off the Internet - so for example, if you go to YouTube on a connected phone or PC, and press the cast button - the video is downloaded to the Chromecast directly, instead of being downloaded to your device and then streamed to the Chromecast locally.

This is also used for apps like Eros Now, and like Popcorn Time, so while we might lack some of the "channels" you have in the US such as Netflix and Hulu, there is a pretty big selection of content available now. However, not all video sites are supported and for these you can use the mirroring option via Chrome (see below).

Then, there's screen mirroring. This only works on phones that have Android 4.4.2 or later. If your phone meets that requirement, then the process of mirroring is pretty simple - just launch the Chromecast app and tap the "Cast Screen" button and it'll mirror your screen on the TV.

This allows you to duplicate anything from your phone to your TV screen - whether you're browsing Facebook or want to show your friends your games. Actually playing the games on the big screen isn't a great idea incidentally, unless you're playing a turn based board game style game, where quick reactions don't matter. That's because there's a small amount of lag - a consistent half second or so delay - between your mobile screen and the TV screen.

This is also how you can send content from your PC to your TV - install the Chromecast extension in your desktop Chrome browser, and you get a "Cast" button on top of the page. If you're on a site like YouTube and you click the cast button, it will simply play the video from your Chromecast. Otherwise, it mirrors the webpage you're on to your Chromecast.

Playing the video has a couple of benefits - for one thing, it usually looks better. On a webpage, there are often elements on a page that are needed for navigation, which don't look good when you're watching a video on your TV screen.

The other difference is that casting a tab requires more power from your computer, affecting its performance and also in the case of laptops - battery usage.

In this way, the Chromecast becomes a pretty good way to send content from your devices to your TV, without having to keep a computer (even a small HTPC) hooked up to the television all the time. The Chromecast is a lot smaller than any computer, and if your TV comes with USB ports, you can even power the dongle directly from the TV, so there's nothing sticking out from it at all.

You can also use the Chromecast to watch videos you've saved on your HDD - and it's made really simple with Plex. You'll need to set up a Plex server on the device that holds all your content, and then you can use the Plex app on iOS or Android to play the videos on your Chromecast. The mobile then acts like a remote - you can control playback, change the video or even use the phone for other apps once the video is playing. VLC is also supposed to get Chromecast support for Android and iOS soon, and MX Player is also apparently working on this.

Finally, Google has also rolled out some Chromecast games, where each player can use his or her phone as a controller. These family-friendly multiplayer games include titles like Wheel of Fortune, Hasbro's Monopoly Dash, Scrabble Blitz, Connect Four Quads and Simon Swipe. You can see all the Chromecast apps here.

If you've got a smart TV; or if you keep a video game console hooked up to your television; or use a HTPC or a smart box like the Amkette Evo TV or Apple TV, then you probably won't have much use for a Chromecast. It doesn't really allow you to do anything you can't accomplish with any of those devices.

But if you've ever wanted an easy way to get content from your phone or laptop to your TV, then the Chromecast is a great, and cheap option. In our case, it gets used first and foremost as a YouTube jukebox. Queuing up videos is simple, and when friends come over, creating a playlist on the fly is easy. We use the PlayStation 3 connected to the home theatre setup for larger groups, while the Chromecast gets used with the TV in smaller groups.

Apps like VLC, Popcorn Time, and others will also find more use in India, where services like HBO Go and Netflix aren't easily accessed. Screen mirroring of Android devices can be a lot more useful than it sounds too - imagine if you want to show people a Word document stored on your phone, for example.

All things considered, it's hard to describe the Chromecast as a must-have gadget. But it's cheap enough that you can buy it just to play around with something new, and its value emerges over time, as you find it fitting into your routine.

Teewe is a full Rs. 1,000 cheaper, while the Esycast is available for approximately Rs. 2,600. The Chromecast is definitely more expensive, but your favourite third-party app is more likely to add support for Chromecast than any of the others, and the build quality is significantly better. At the end of the day, you have to decide if that's something you're comfortable paying extra for.

Continue reading

The cheapest smartphones don't have all the gizmos of Apple or Samsung models, but I'm impressed by how many features you do get for roughly a third of the price.

Processors are slower, yet that's not so noticeable for basic tasks such as email,Facebook and weather checks. Video and audio are also enjoyable, as long as I'm not expecting the same performance I get on high-end phones. Batteries don't last quite as long without a recharge but I still got about seven hours of streaming video on Hulu. Do I really need the nine to 12 hours I can get with an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy?

Because you spend so much time with your phone, there's a case for having the best. But those come with a price tag starting at about $650 (unless you agree to a two-year contract, in which case you end up paying higher service fees for voice, text and data).

So consider how you use your phone and what features will remain most important to you over the next year or two. Before you break the bank, here are three solid phones that cover the basics:

ZTE Nubia 5S Mini (Android, $280)
The Nubia is a slim, light device with a 4.7-inch screen - the same as the iPhone 6. It looks sleek and is comfortable to hold. What's the catch?

The Nubia's display measures 1,280 pixels by 720 pixels, well short of what you get on the latest iPhones and top-end Samsung Galaxy devices. That resolution is adequate for 720p high-definition video, not the sharper 1020p. The camera is OK for taking everyday shots; pricier models deliver better focus and colors and take nicer low-light photos with the flash off.

However, the front camera for selfies is 5 megapixels, better than the typical phone. (The rear camera takes 13 megapixel shots, which is common.) And it comes with 4G connectivity and 16 gigabytes of memory.

Motorola Moto G (Android, $180)
Motorola has a $129 Moto E phone, and you get a good device at that price. But I've found photos to be subpar, especially because the camera has a fixed-focus lens, meaning it doesn't compensate for how far away your subject is. Given how much people use the camera on their phones, I recommend spending another $50 for the Moto G.

The latest Moto G model has a large 5-inch screen that is covered with Corning's Gorilla Glass for durability, something more common in pricier phones. The Moto G's back is curved, which could contribute to a better grip. Like the Nubia, its display is 1,280 pixels by 720 pixels.

The rear camera is 8 megapixels, the same as the iPhone, though shots weren't as good. The front camera is 2 megapixels.

The Moto G's main shortcoming is the lack of 4G LTE cellular connectivity. You're stuck with the slower 3G network. LTE is available for last year's Moto G model, but that screen is only 4.5 inches and the camera's resolution isn't as good. The Moto G also starts with just 8 gigabytes of memory, when many smartphones are starting to offer 32 gigabytes.

Microsoft Lumia 635 (Windows, $179)
This 4.5-inch device doesn't feel as sleek as top-end Lumia phones such as the Icon and the 1520. But it's better than the $79 Lumia 530, which feels like a bar of soap, given its bulk and smaller screen. It's worth getting the 635 instead, especially as some carriers and retailers are offering substantial discounts to bring its price close to the 530's.

The Lumia 635 has a 5 megapixel rear camera, no flash and no front camera. It performed better than the Nubia and the Moto G in low light. Just don't expect shots to match what the 20-megapixel Icon produces. The display resolution is lower than on the Nubia and the Moto G, and the built-in storage is again just 8 gigabytes.

But the 635 does have 4G connectivity.

Continue reading

Iris-scanning technology was one of the features that was rumoured to debut on smartphones in 2014. The feature kept making headlines and was expected last year to be introduced on a flagship Samsung Galaxy handset, though that never happened.

However, it seems the new year will finally break the jinx and we'll see the first smartphone sporting iris scanning and recognition technology. ViewSonic, a company largely associated with displays, will reportedly launch a smartphone packing Iris recognition technology sometime in January.

Considering that ViewSonic does show its products at CES every year, we can expect that the California-based company will reveal the smartphone at this year's event.

Gizmochina in a report has detailed features, functions, and has also received images of the ViewSonic V55 smartphone. The publication has even posted a YouTube video (seen below) titled "ViewSonic V55 teaser with Iris recognition technology" showing how the feature works on the smartphone. As of now, there is word on the pricing of the new smartphone.

According to the report, "With this technology, only the owner of the device, whose iris patterns are recorded pre-recorded can unlock and access information from the smartphone."

The report adds that the ViewSonic V55 smartphone will include the iris scanner on top right corner of the handset and will be covered be a small piece. Users will have to slide the piece covering the scanner to use it.

Continue reading

The much-awaited successor to the Xiaomi Redmi 1S (also tipped as the Redmi 2S) is expected to launch on January 4, with the firm uploading a poster for an event on that date ahead of CES 2015 event.

Reports speculate that the Xiaomi handset recently spotted on the Tenaa certification website and appeared to be the successor of the Redmi 1S with 4G LTE connectivity, might be the smartphone that will be launched on January 4 due to its resemblance.

Xiaomi, on its Weibo account uploaded a poster (via Gizmochina) that shows three women holding smartphones with a rear panel that matches the panel seen on the Redmi 2S' Tenna listing image.

As per the latest AnTuTu benchmarks and Tenaa listing, the anticipated Redmi 2S features a 4.7-inch HD display and runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 LTE-enabled 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor with Adreno 306 GPU, and features 1GB of RAM. Also, the rumoured Redmi 2S includes an 8-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The device is also understood to measure 134x67.21x9.2mm and weigh 132 grams, which is 26 grams less than the existing Redmi 1S.

The Tenaa listing additionally showed the handset to feature 8GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card (up to 32GB) and a 2200mAh battery. The dual-SIM phone is also listed to feature 4G LTE support on both SIM cards.

Xiaomi's recently leaked Arch smartphone with dual-edge display might also show up at the January 4 event. While there is no confirmation from the Chinese manufacturer about the Xiaomi Arch, the other two Xiaomi devices that are expected to launch soon are the Mi 5 or Mi 4S smartphone and the MiPad 2 tablet, which were both recently spotted in purported specifications and images.

Continue reading

Xiaomi is reportedly preparing a Galaxy Note Edge-like smartphone with a dual-edge display, dubbed the Xiaomi Arch.

According to GizmoChina on Saturday, a purported poster of the as-yet-unannounced Xiaomi Arch was spotted that called it the world's first phone with dual-edge display or dual-curved screen. However, the report doesn't reveal the source of the poster.

The Xiaomi Arch appears like a concept smartphone from the purported poster image (see above), and features a dual-edge display instead of just the single-edge display seen on the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.

While there is no confirmation from the Chinese manufacturer about the Xiaomi Arch,the two devices that are expected from the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi at CES 2015 are the Mi 5 or Mi 4S smartphone and the MiPad 2 tablet, which were both recently spotted in purported specifications and images.

From the purported image for the alleged Mi 5 or Mi 4S, the smartphone appeared to be a large screen phablet and was said to come with a sapphire glass display. The sapphire glass rumour is in line with a previous report, where the company was said to have ordered 50,000 sapphire covers for the smartphone.

As far as the specifications are concerned, the anticipated Mi 5 or Mi 4S smartphone is rumoured to feature a 5.7-inch Quad-HD (1440x2560 pixels) display; a 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor; 3GB of RAM, and a 20.7-megapixel rear camera.

On the other hand, the anticipated next generation Xiaomi MiPad tablet, expected to be called the MiPad 2, is said feature an Intel chipset (1.8GHz), instead of an Nvidia Tegra SoC as seen on the original MiPad. The other tipped specifications of the rumoured MiPad 2 included a similar 7.9-inch display with a 2048x1536 pixels resolution; 2GB of RAM; 16GB of built-in storage, and MIUI skinned on top of Android 4.4.4 KitKat

Continue reading

The BlackBerry's blinking red light used to haunt me.

Just when I thought I could relax, enjoy a nice dinner or go for a run, my BlackBerry would start blinking again, signalling a new message. I was an addict. Typing with one hand, hiding the BlackBerry under the dinner table? No problem. Walking down the street while composing messages? Easy.

That was four years ago.

Today, I'm a loyal iPhone user, having just bought my second phone from Apple. I get my personal and work email on it. I also use it to tweet - maybe too much - and share photos of my travels on Instagram. My airline boarding passes and hotel reservations live on my phone. As a travel reporter, it's an indispensable tool for my work - not so much for the email but for all the apps that help me manage my trips. It feels like a mobile office for me.

This past week, I went back to my BlackBerry ways to test the company's latest model, the Classic.

For BlackBerry, this device is a return to its roots: It's made for those heavy corporate users who love the physical keyboard and have resisted the touch screens adopted by millions of iPhone and Android users. The Classic has strong security features, restores the beloved navigation row and sports a battery that won't be drained by lunch.

I can see how the Classic is a great device for loyal BlackBerry fans.

My friend Heather Montminy practically jumped out of her chair to try the Classic when she saw me testing it during dinner last week with our respective spouses. Montminy is a lawyer who has been using a BlackBerry for 12 years and carries two phones: an iPhone for her personal use and a BlackBerry for work.

"I'm excited for any new BlackBerry. I was really concerned that they were going to phase out the keyboard," Montminy says. "I feel like I can get a business email done much faster and more efficiently."

She says she's not great at typing on a touch screen and often finds herself making mistakes and having to go back and fix them. That might be fine in a message to friends but not on an important work email.

But after four years on the iPhone, I don't think the Classic is for me. I also don't believe it's going to sway back anybody who has abandoned the BlackBerry.

To be honest, I've become very good at typing emails on my touch screen. And I'm no casual user.

I send and receive a whopping 500 emails a day. Many are public relations pitches that only require a word or two in reply. But for many others, I will easily respond with a few paragraphs on my iPhone. In fact, I will often write large sections of my stories on my iPhone while riding the subway or sitting on planes prior to takeoff. The only big downside for me is copying and pasting.

Going back to a physical keyboard this past week turned out to be cumbersome. Yes, I liked that while in another program, the BlackBerry gave me a little banner up top announcing the sender of a new email. And, to be honest, that blinking red light was, in a strange way, comforting. But I wasn't typing any faster with the physical keyboard.

Beyond that, photos aren't as good as what I can take with the iPhone. Both phones produce 8 megapixel pictures, but images taken with the Classic weren't as sharp.

More importantly, BlackBerry lacks several apps I've come to depend on. The Classic will run some Android apps through Amazon's app store, but it's a subset of what's available for Android. It doesn't even run everything that would run on Amazon's Fire phone. Apps need to be tweaked for the phone's 3.5-inch screen (The display is smaller than most phones because the physical keyboard takes up much of the bottom).

There's no Instagram, no Uber car service and no ability to easily pull up my airline boarding pass. With my iPhone, I can get my boarding pass and add it to Passbook. It's there as I get to the security checkpoint - no fumbling around email folders or hoping there is a strong enough cell signal to download the image fresh.

Maybe if I never got a taste of the iPhones and all the apps available for it, I'd be first in line for a Classic. But BlackBerry took too long to modernize its system, and in that time, I've gotten used to the touchscreen.

Continue reading

Just like the Moto G and its LTE variant, the 4G model of the Moto G (Gen 2) has beenlisted ahead of an official announcement by the company. This time however, the Moto G (Gen 2) LTE has been listed on Motorola's site in Brazil.

The LTE (Band 7) variant of the Motorola Moto G (Gen 2) is listed on the firm's site to weigh slightly more than the 3G version at 155 grams, feature a bigger 2390mAh battery, and come only in a 16GB model (though with expandability via microSD card).

The Motorola Moto G (Gen 2) LTE is listed in a dual-SIM variant, with slots for Micro-SIM cards. The rest of the specifications of the smartphone are the same - a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixel) IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 (MSM8226) processor, 1GB of RAM, Adreno 305 GPU. It runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box.

The Moto G (Gen 2) LTE features an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera, and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It also sports dual-front speakers, above and below the display, apart from 2 mics. 4G LTE aside, the smartphone also features 3G, Wi-Fi 80211.ac, Bluetooth 4.0LE, Micro-USB, 3.5mm audio jack connectivity options. It measures 141.5x70.7x10.99mm.

The 3G variant of the Moto G (Gen 2) had its global launch in India back in September, and it was priced at Rs. 12,999. Notably, the Moto G (Gen 2) has not yet been listed for purchase by the company on the Brazil site, with the DTV (Digital TV) variant listed at BRL 799 (roughly Rs. 18,900), and the regular 3G variant listed at BRL 729 (roughly Rs. 17,200). It is not yet known if an LTE model will arrive in a similar configuration for global markets

Continue reading

As more and more Indians go online, our government services are following suit. A lot of things that used to be extremely difficult and inconvenient are now just a matter of a few clicks. To help our readers make the most of the new services that are now available, we will regularly update guides for using different government websites. The new sites make it easy for anyone to file an RTI, apply for a PAN card or download a copy of their Aadhaar card. Digital governance has made applying for things easier than ever, and nowhere is this more true than in applying for a passport.

Just the thought of applying for a passport in India is enough to induce a headache. Many people still sweat over minor details such as how to fill the form and which documents are needed. Many people still hire agents and getting the process completed for a fee because no one wants to waste hours at government offices, running from one department to another in order to get basic things done. If you are one of these people, stop furrowing your brows and relax. It's easy to apply for a passport online. The process is long and you'll still have to go to the passport office, but you definitely won't need an agent to get the job done as long as you follow these steps.

1. Go to the Passport Seva website.
2. Click Register Now in the box titled Apply.
3. Now fill the form to create an account on the Passport Seva website. You need to select the passport office of the city you're living in now, not your native place. Also make sure that you enter the name exactly as it appears in your other documents to avoid any problems with your application. The rest of the form is pretty straightforward - it's just like signing up for any other website..
4. Click Register when done.
5. Now that you've created your account, return to the Passport Seva website.
6. Click the green Login button.
7. Enter your email address and click Continue.
8. Key in your email, password and the characters in the image. Click Login.
9. Click Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport.
10. You can either download the form, fill it and upload it back to the website, or just fill the details online. We recommend that you fill the details online to save time.
    In case you want to download the form anyway, click Click here to download the soft copy of the form, in the first subheading on the page titled Alternative 1.
11. If you want to fill the form online, click on Click here to fill the application form online under Alternative 2. We suggest you choose this option as it is the easiest way to apply for your passport.
12. On the next page, you'll have to choose between a Fresh passport or Re-issue, aNormal or Tatkal passport, 38 pages or 60 pages. Make the selections as per your requirements, and click Next page.
13. You have to enter your personal information on the next page, and once again, the information you fill should match your other documents. If you have any doubts, you can refer to this official instruction booklet. Once you're done, clickSubmit Application at the bottom right.
14. After you've filled the form, return to the webpage mentioned in step 9.
15. Click View Saved/Submitted Applications.
16. You'll see the application you just submitted. Click the radio button next to it and click Pay and Schedule Appointment.
17. Select Online Payment and click Next.
    A list of Passport Seva Kendras from your city will appear on screen along with the date and time of the earliest available appointment.
18. Select one of these from the drop-down menu next to PSK Location.
19. Enter the characters in the image next to and click Next.
20. Click Pay and Book Appointment.
21. This will now take you to the payment gateway. Complete your payment and you'll be redirected to the Passport Seva website.
22. Now you'll see a page titled Appointment Confirmation with all the details of your appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
23. Click Print Application Receipt. The next page will show a detailed view of the application - again, click on Print Application Receipt.
24. On the next page you'll see a preview of the receipt. Once again, click Print Application Receipt to finally take a printout of the appointment confirmation.
25. You will need a print of this receipt to enter the PSK.

Now all you need to do is go to the PSK at the time mentioned in the receipt. Based on our experience, if you have all the required documents, your PSK visit shouldn't take more than two hours. You'll get your passport after police verification is complete. In the meantime, you can check the status of your application here. To track your application status:

1. Go to the website here.
2. Choose Passport from the drop down menu, and type in your case number (which the PSK gives you) and your date of birth, and click on Track Status to see the status of your application.

Have you applied for a passport online? If yes, how was your experience? Let us know via the comments. For more tutorials, visit our How To section.

Continue reading

Microsoft's rumoured Lumia 1330 mid-range handset, which was spotted last month in an image, has been purportedly listed in a GFXBench benchmark along with its specification details.

The Lumia 1330 is being tipped as the successor to the Lumia 1320. Until now, theblue-coloured rear panel of the rumoured device was the only clue that indicated the handset's existence.

According to the GFXBench listing (via Nokiapoweruser), the rumoured Lumia 1330, codenamed RM-1062, features a 5.7-inch display with an HD (1280x719 pixels) resolution. A quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 ARMv7 processor is listed, along with Adreno 305 for handling the graphics. Besides DirectX 11 integration, the rumoured Lumia 1330 is also seen to include 1GB of RAM (shown as 0.38GB in the benchmark screenshot below).

While the Windows Phone handset in the GFXBench test shows a 12-megapixel rear camera, it is actually said to feature a maximum image resolution of 13-megapixel and pack at least a 14-megapixel rear camera sensor as per another source via the website. A 5-megapixel (shown as 4.8-megapixel) front-facing camera is also suggested in the test results.

In addition, 27GB of inbuilt storage is listed for the Lumia 1330, which points to 32GB of overall storage.

While the launch date, availability or the price details of the handset in question are not yet known, Microsoft may introduce at the upcoming CES 2015 event in January in Las Vegas or during the MWC 2015 in February. Microsoft has until now launched only one Lumia handset without Nokia-branding, the Lumia 535

Continue reading