India | Fone Arena

Apple reportedly asked Indian govt to relax FDI policy to open Apple Stores

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Apple is keen on opening up their Apple Stores in India. The Cupertino-based company had asked the Indian government to relax the policy on foreign direct investment (FDI) in single-brand retail, according to a recent report from Business Standard. Latest Indian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy permits 100% stake for foreign businesses, up from the previous limit of 74%, to boost the Indian economy. But current FDI on single-brand retail requires the company to source 30% of its materials locally, for proposals involving foreign investments in excess of 51%.

Continue reading “Apple reportedly asked Indian govt to relax FDI policy to open Apple Stores”

Over 44 million smartphones shipped in 2013 in India – IDC

Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos vs Micromax Canvas HD-1

India’s smartphone market grew 181% year-over-year in 2013, with shipments of 44 million smartphones, compared to 16.2 million units in 2012, according to a recent report from International Data Corporation (IDC). Over 257 million mobile phones were shipped in 2013. The feature phone market grew just 16% YoY in Q4 13 and the overall mobile phone shipments in the quarter stood at just 67.83 million units, that includes 15.06 million smartphones. Smartphone market crossed one billion shipments for the first time in 2013. Continue reading “Over 44 million smartphones shipped in 2013 in India – IDC”

Panasonic P31 with 5-inch display, unique software features launching in March

Panasonic P31 teaser

It has been more than four months since we had seen a smartphone from Panasonic India. The Panasonic T31 was launched back in October, the company has started teasing their upcoming Panasonic P31 smartphone with new software features in their new teasers. The phone would come with Gesture Play, a new unlock feature that lets you draw on the screen to unlock the smartphone and POP-I Player, a new multi-tasking video player. It might have more software features. Continue reading “Panasonic P31 with 5-inch display, unique software features launching in March”

Aircel launches Aircel Joys to offer deals and upto 90% discount on mydala

Aircel has partnered with mydala.com to launch Aircel Joys, that would let their customers avail exciting deals and discounts up to 90% in a range of categories such as Entertainment, Lifestyle, Shopping, Hospitality, Personal Care and more. To avail these offers, Aircel subscribers can dial *121*787# to browse through the menu and select the deals as per their requirements. Aircel Joys is available for both pre-paid and post-paid customers. Continue reading “Aircel launches Aircel Joys to offer deals and upto 90% discount on mydala”

Micromax Canvas Tab P650E now available for Rs. 8999, Funbook Mini P410i coming soon

Micromax Canvas Tab P650E

Micromax Canvas Tab P650E, the company’s first tablet in the Canvas series with CDMA support is now available from online retailers HomeShop18 and Infibeam. Micromax Canvas Tab P650 with a 8-inch display was launched last year, but this has a 7-inch display. It is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Continue reading “Micromax Canvas Tab P650E now available for Rs. 8999, Funbook Mini P410i coming soon”

Micromax Funbook Ultra HD P580 with 7.8-inch HD display, voice calling now available for Rs. 11990

Micromax Funbook Ultra HD P580

Micromax Funbook Ultra HD P580, the company’s latest tablet in the Funbook series is now available from HomeShop18. It has a 7.8-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) IPS display, powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). It has a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It has 3G support via a SIM card slot and has an ear piece with voice calling capabilities. Continue reading “Micromax Funbook Ultra HD P580 with 7.8-inch HD display, voice calling now available for Rs. 11990”

Micromax Canvas Blaze HD EG116 with 5-inch HD display, Dual SIM (GSM + CDMA) listed on official website

Micromax Canvas Blaze HD EG116

Micromax Canvas Duet II (EG111), the company’s latest dual SIM (GSM + CDMA) smartphone went on sale earlier this month, today the Micromax Canvas Blaze HD EG116 with similar specifications has surfaced on the official website. It has a 5-inch HD display, powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It has a 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Continue reading “Micromax Canvas Blaze HD EG116 with 5-inch HD display, Dual SIM (GSM + CDMA) listed on official website”

Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update now available in India

Samsung started rolling out the Android 4.4 (KitKat) update for the Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) users in Russia last week, Indian users started receiving the update earlier this week. The Samsung Galaxy S4 got the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update in India last October. Recently, Samsung promised Android 4.4 update for 14 Galaxy device in the U.S. Continue reading “Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update now available in India”

Idea Cellular ties up with Opera to launch Idea Web Pass

Idea Web Pass

Vodafone launched the Opera Web Pass for their users in India earlier this week. Today, Idea Cellular has tied-up with Opera Software to launch Idea Web Pass, that lets users enjoy customized, time-based mobile internet packages within the Opera Mini browser. Idea and Opera joined hands to launch a Co-branded version of Opera Mini for Idea Customers, back in 2012. Continue reading “Idea Cellular ties up with Opera to launch Idea Web Pass”

Wickedleak Wammy Passion X water resistant phone with 5-inch 1080p display launched for Rs. 22499

WickedLeak Wammy Passion X

Wickedleak has launched Wammy Passion X, the company’s first water resistant smartphone. It uses AquaProtect waterproof technology, that protects the smartphone from inside-out from any water or water-based liquid damage. It has a 5-inch full HD display based on OGS technology, powered by a 1.7 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).It has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Continue reading “Wickedleak Wammy Passion X water resistant phone with 5-inch 1080p display launched for Rs. 22499”

Spice Smart Flo Poise Mi-451 with 4.5-inch display, Android 4.2 launched for Rs. 5499

Smart Flo Poise Mi-451

S Mobility has launched Spice Smart Flo Poise Mi-451, the company’s latest entry-level smartphone in the Smart Flo series. It has a 4.5-inch (854 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch screen IPS display, powered by a 1.3 GHz dual-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). It has a 3.2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It has dual SIM support and 2G (EDGE) connectivity. Continue reading “Spice Smart Flo Poise Mi-451 with 4.5-inch display, Android 4.2 launched for Rs. 5499”

Vodafone India partners with Opera to bring web pass service

Vodafone India has partnered with Opera Software to bring web pass services for Indian customers. Opera Web Pass was announced back in 2012, and lets operators offer time or site specific, mobile internet offerings to their customers. This will encourage new users to get online using their mobile devices and also help increase data usage among the existing users, believes Vodafone and Opera. Continue reading “Vodafone India partners with Opera to bring web pass service”

BlackBerry Z10 price temporarily drops to Rs. 17990 in India

BlackBerry Z10 had already received a price cut in India last year, few months after it was launched at a price tag of Rs. 43,490. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its foray into the Indian market, BlackBerry has cut the price of the BlackBerry Z10 to Rs. 17,990 for a limited period. Last year the company announced EMI schemes for the Z10 and up to Rs. 11000 discount on the Z10 in exchange for old phones. Continue reading “BlackBerry Z10 price temporarily drops to Rs. 17990 in India”

Sony Xperia T2 Ultra now available online in India for Rs. 33749

Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, the company latest mid-range phablet is now available in India from online retailer Snapdeal. It packs a 6-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD TRILUMINOS Display for mobile with X-Reality picture engine, powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and runs on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean). Continue reading “Sony Xperia T2 Ultra now available online in India for Rs. 33749”

Karbonn Kochadaiiyaan phones up for pre-order, priced between Rs. 1890 and Rs. 8199

Karbonn Kochadaiiyaan The Legend S5i, A6 Plus and A36

Karbonn is the official mobile phone partner for Rajinikanth’s upcoming Kochadaiiyaan movie. Karbonn Kochadaiiyaan feature phones and smartphones are now available for pre-order on Flipkart. Earlier this month Karbonn Mobile said it would launch 1 million Kochadaiiyaan branded mobile phones. Continue reading “Karbonn Kochadaiiyaan phones up for pre-order, priced between Rs. 1890 and Rs. 8199”