Bharadwaj Chandramouli | Fone Arena

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Unboxing and First Impressions

Sony launched the Xperia Z1 Compact, as the “mini” variant of its flagship device, the Xperia Z1 sometime back. It was the Z1f(launched in Japan) for the world and was almost immediately heralded as the best compact Android device yet. Samsung and other companies like HTC have been playing the “mini” game for a generation or two, in which they would release a device that is identical to the flagship, but saddled by poorer specifications and obvious cost cutting, but Sony has done the inevitable, a smaller flagship, with deservedly flagship level specifications and a worthy competitor to the Apple iPhone, which still remains the only small-ish flagship product in the world. In a world of 6 inch phablets, how does the little one fare? Before we let you know that in our review, here is the customary unboxing video –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7flC_kTr8

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Dual OS Geeksphone Revolution to launch on 20th February for 289 Euros

The Geeksphone Revolution was introduced as one of the first ever devices to come with two operating systems out of the box, Android and Firefox Boot2Gecko. The Spanish handset maker, known for making other Firefox phones, will be launching it on the 20th of February for a price of 289 Euros(around 24,500 INR). Powered by the Intel Z2560 processor with PowerSGX544 for graphics, the Geeksphone revolution will be able to switch between two operating systems with ease. Sporting a 4.7 inch 960×540 screen and a 8MP camera, the phone is aimed at the mid-range segment, with the choice of OS being the obvious advantage here. Here are its complete specifications –

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Windows Phone 8.1 leak confirms SD card installation support, VPN and universal apps

Windows Phone 8.1 might be unveiled to the public only in April at the Build developer event, but some enterprising developers have already been able to get a preview of the SDK, as reported earlier by TheVerge. We had expected more information to pop up once it became available, and thanks to a redditor, who claims to be a high-profile WP app developer(there is proof), some details of the next big update to Microsoft’s mobile platform have leaked. While most of the details are developer-oriented, some of the long standing consumer complaints seem to have been resolved, like the support for installation of apps on the SD card, VPN support and the start of universal apps for Windows Store and Windows Phone Store.

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Intex Aqua Octa Unboxing and First Impressions

The Intex Aqua Octa is one of the first phones in the Indian market to feature the first “True Octa” processor from the MediaTek, the MT6592. It is also Intex’s first 6 inch phone in the mid range category, priced at Rs. 19,999. With new innards, a big screen and a decently built body, the Aqua Octa is an interesting device to enter this market. We have got hold of the retail version of this device, so if you are looking to pick one up, here’s an unboxing video that will show you the box contents, a quick overview of the device and more –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBhPTmapqOE

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Motorola Moto G Flip Shell in White – Pictures and Video

The Moto G Flip Shell is Motorola’s take on the flip cover that is oh-so-popular in the Indian market. After unboxing the Indian retail version of the dual SIM Moto G, we took the normal shell for a spin and also tried out the new Flip Shell. The white flip shell we bought has a really cool texture on its back and even has magnets to close the front cover, which will offer protection. We found it to be of really high quality, so take a look at how it fits on the Moto G in this video –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0MHLx6NXlQ

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Nokia’s Android phone will reportedly be revealed at MWC 2014

Rumoured to be a successor to the Asha series of devices, Nokia is apparently preparing to launch its Android-based low cost devices at the Mobile World Congress event this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. The phone had repeatedly leaked out, with images of hardware and images of software, which point to a phone with a Windows Phone-like UI and Android underneath, enabling it to run Android apps. The “forked” Android OS, developed by Nokia, will feature Microsoft’s services prominently, not Google services or Play, which means that there will still be a distinct lack of Google apps on the platform. Previously brushed off as a improbable launch, especially after the Microsoft acquisition, it seems like the Nokia X aka Normandy will possibly be making a N9-style debut at MWC this year.

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Motorola Moto G Shell: Lime Yellow, in pictures and video

Having just unboxed the Motorola Moto G, the Indian retail version that supports two SIMs, we also got to try the new Moto G shells. We had ordered them separately from Flipkart, the normal coloured replacement shell for the back and the Flip shell that protects the back AND the front. But first, lets talk about the normal shell. We have got a bright lime yellow shell that looks dashing on the otherwise boring black Moto G we bought. Check how it looks, on video, skip past it for pictures and thoughts –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezJqz-YtU_A

Our Moto G Review

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Motorola Moto G Dual SIM Unboxing in India, with Google Glass

The dual SIM Motorola Moto G has taken over India ever since it was officially launched here. It was sold out in less than an hour, and a lot of buyers were left frustrated with delays, but it still has quickly become the most popular mid range phone in the market. We had ordered the 16 GB Moto G immediately after the Flipkart pages went up, and got it delivered soon. So, here’s our unboxing of the device, with a small twist. You must have known that we have the Google Glass with us, so we took it for a POV spin in the Moto G Unboxing, you can watch the video here –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsJTuhUac04

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LG G Flex Review – Setting the Precedent

A few years ago, LG was not relevant in the smartphone conversation. The optimus range was uninspiring and the flagships like 2x and 4x were duds, but all changed when the company released the Nexus 4, with Google. Continuing with the successes of Nexus 5 and the G2, LG has firmly cemented its position as one of the top 5 smartphone vendors in the world. But at this point in time, with virtually every evolutionary avenue explored, the question of “What’s next?” had to be addressed in the smartphone market. The G Flex is LG’s answer, as it hopes to set the precedent for the next generation of devices. Well, does it? Lets find out in our review.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIRnDc_eYaA

Check out our LG G Flex Giveaway!

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Flipkart and Motorola reportedly trying to ensure Moto G supply under heavy demand

The Motorola Moto G had landed in India after a lot of anticipation. Moto made a splash with a brilliant pricing strategy, but for a company that is re-entering a long forgotten market, distribution has so far been a nightmare. With an exclusive arrangement with Flipkart, one of the leading e-retailers in India, Motorola set out to serve the Indian market by providing 8 GB and 16 GB versions of the Moto G through a single channel. The device would not be available in stores or any other e-retailer, so it created a mad rush which Motorola or Flipkart could and should have expected. With orders opening at 12:00 on the 6th of February, both the models sold out in less than an hour, leaving many prospective buyers frustrated.

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LG G Flex Unboxing in India

LG G Flex, the pioneering flexible phone with a curved screen, was officially launched in India yesterday. This is out and out a technological showcase product from LG, with innovations like a flexible display, body and battery brought to the table. It also features all the high end features that one would expect from a flagship device, but is also a phablet with a 6″ screen. Basically, this is the pinnacle of LG’s engineering prowess, which might actually end up setting the precedent for a whole lot of devices in the future. The Indian variant we have here, is priced at a sky high Rs.69,999/- which is unattainable for most. With that price tag, apart from the device itself, what does the G Flex pack in terms of box contents? We unbox the device to find out –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFASnC7qD6M

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Micromax Canvas Turbo Mini A200 Unboxing and First Impressions

Among many other trends, Samsung also started this “mini” variant trend, of its single flagship device in its portfolio. The idea was to offer a small screened version of the much loved flagship, at a lesser price that everyone can afford. This trend was followed by HTC with their One mini and even Sony, with their Z1 compact, which is possibly the best implementation without compromises till date. In that line of “mini” devices, we now have our own Micromax with their “mini” version of the popular flagship – Canvas Turbo. Appropriately named the Micromax Canvas Turbo mini A200, the phone takes its screen size and the specs a notch down, to compete with devices in a different price segment. Announced some time back for a price of Rs. 14,490, how does the Canvas Turbo look and what does it bring? Lets find out in our unboxing video –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAFpI2IJQgU

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LG G Flex becomes the first curved smartphone to launch in India, priced at Rs. 69,999/-

LG G Flex, the world’s first curved flexible smartphone has finally made its way into India, with a price tag of Rs. 69,999, as we previously revealed. The bendable 6 inch device had taken the world by storm when it was officially announced last year, with a curved flexible display, a self healing back and the curved flexible battery being its highlights. Taking cues from LG’s own TV lineup, the curved OLED screen on the G Flex offers a panoramic movie watching experience up close, in landscape, and a better voice audibility during calls. These are the two main reasons why the curved screen exists, but it also has a flexible body overall and really thin bezels with G2-like buttons on the back, making it really unique. This is touted as LG’s most forward thinking phone yet, and definitely makes for a good showcase of technology, which LG hopes, will set the precedent for other future devices to come.

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Stephen Elop will lead Microsoft’s Expanded Devices team, working on Xbox, Surface and Nokia

Stephen Elop, the ex-CEO from Nokia, will be heading the expanded devices team at Microsoft, as per reports. Previously rumoured to be in the running for the top job at Microsoft, Stephen Elop now gets to lead the newly formed team, like previously agreed upon. This is pretty obvious now, as Microsoft just announced its newest CEO, Satya Nadella, who takes over the position from Steve Ballmer. Elop stepped down from his role as the CEO of Nokia immediately after the announcement of Nokia-Microsoft acquisition, to avoid a conflict of interests.

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Flipkart’s launch day offers for the Motorola Moto G detailed

Just after revealing the prices of the highly awaited Motorola Moto G in India, Flipkart, the exclusive launch partner for the device, has also revealed new launch day offers for its customers. Expected to be a timed exclusive, Flipkart is pulling all stops to sell out the most hotly anticipated Indian smartphone launch in the recent times, with bundled offers that might make sense for its own customers. Motorola, a company that exited the Indian smartphone business years back, is now firmly back in play with its successful budget smartphone, but obviously, they had to look at building new distribution channels for the re-entry in the Indian market. Flipkart has obviously capitalized on this opportunity to have Moto G as an exclusive, especially with Amazon India as a growing competitive threat.

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