<div>Samsung Electronics on Wednesday (14 January) announced the launch of the first Tizen powered smartphone for India, the Samsung Z1. Appealing to millions of potential users in India, the Samsung Z1 offers exclusive benefits for localized entertainment apps and a simple user interface that makes mobility easier and more enjoyable, even for the first-time smartphone users.</div><div> </div><div>Built on the lightweight Tizen platform, the Samsung Z1 delivers a faster boot time and quick access to apps, along with enhanced web performance to offer users faster page loading times with decreased data usage. The Samsung Z1 is equipped with long-lasting battery performance and also features ‘Ultra Power Saving Mode’ to ensure users can always stay connected, even at the minimal battery levels.</div><div> </div><div>“The smartphone market in India is rapidly evolving, with many consumers using their device as their screen of choice for content including videos, television programs and video games, as well as a range of apps,” said Hyun Chil Hong, President and CEO, Samsung India Electronics, “We have customized the Samsung Z1 to meet these unique, entertainment-focused needs of local Indian consumers for a personal and reliable mobile experience."</div><div> </div><div><strong>Ringo App Launched In India</strong></div><div>Communicating internationally with friends and loved ones relies on one of two things: an expensive calling plan or a stable Internet connection - until now. Ringo, which has now launched in India, is the first international calling app that delivers high quality and low cost calling without using the Internet. Ringo is meant for anyone looking to save big on high-quality international calls, from families trying to keep in touch, to companies conducting global business.</div><div> </div><div>“We believe our app will change the way India communicates with the world,” said Bhavin Turakhia, CEO of Ringo. “In this country, reliable internet connectivity that can support VOIP calling is still far away. Ringo provides the perfect solution for Indian consumers who want to stay in touch with their family, friends and colleagues abroad reliably and at a low-cost”</div><div> </div><div>Unlike other OTT voice apps, Ringo calls do not use the Internet, Wifi, data or carrier minutes. Making a call using Ringo is identical to making a call through your carrier, in terms of quality, and yet costs 70 per cent less than standard rates offered by most Telcos. Ringo uses a unique call flow to convert international calls into local calls. When a Ringo user from India contacts someone in the United Kingdom, Ringo will automatically dial out a local call to the Indian user and another local call to the UK user and connect the two over reliable carrier circuits.</div><div> </div><div><strong>UC Browser Brings Real-Time Facebook Notifications </strong></div><div>UC Browser, the world’s largest third party mobile browser according to StatCounter, is working with Facebook to provide it’s users with real-time Facebook notifications for a richer, more complete Facebook experience. Now, users can access Facebook on UC Browser to get instant Facebook push notifications on their phone, just as they would be using the Facebook app.</div><div> </div><div>This is the first time Facebook has teamed up with a mobile browser to allow real-time notifications outside of its native app without the need to install a new add-on, since the feature is activated within UC Browser. This is a plus for those who prefer to use one app to address all their browsing needs. The tie-up reflects the deepening of UC Browser‘s commitment to giving users a fast, all-in-one mobile web experience.</div><div> </div><div>To access Facebook notifications, all the user has to do is log in to their Facebook account on the latest version of UC Browser via “Menu - Add-on - Facebook - Facebook Notification”. Once logged in, the users will start receiving real-time notifications, even after they exit the browser. Further, they can also manage the type of notifications they receive so they only get the ones that are most important.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Lapcare Sizzles Audio Market With Lapcare Yo</strong></div><div>Lapcare, one of India’s leading brands in smartphone, tablet and laptop accessories and peripherals, has announced the launch of its first and unique Bluetooth speaker-cum-stand under the ‘YO!’ lifestyle series: the Lapcare YO!- LBS999 . This development also marks the foray of the brand into the fast growing Bluetooth accessories segment. Targeted at the upwardly mobile youth, the sizzling new LBS999 blends superior audio performance with elegant design. The compact size and its unique ability to act as a smartphone/tablet stand, make the new range of speakers, a truly great multi-functional travel companion!</div><div> </div><div>Delivering great audio output in its segment, the sassy Lapcare YO! – LBS999, is foldable and features a 1050 mAh Li-On battery, which keeps it going for upto 4 hours. So, don’t forget to pick it up for that next outing! The Bluetooth+NFC connectivity, easily pairs with any Bluetooth enabled device and provides a range of upto 10 meters. Additional features include an USB Port, LED indicator, volume adjusting function and an in- built microphone for hands free call receiving. Truly a cool and useful accessory for on the move user.</div><div> </div><div>Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Popli, COO, Lapcare India said “Lapcare as a brand has been synonymous with care, trust and continuous customer centric product innovations, since our inception. Lapcare’s latest YO! lifestyle series, reflect the youthful demographics of India and their evolving preferences. The new LBS999 Bluetooth speaker cum stand embodies the attitude of the youth and is the first Bluetooth speaker to be launched under the YO! range. Designed with great emphasis on elegant design, multi -functionality and superior audio performance, the new range of speakers, also serve as a smartphone/tablet stand. We truly believe that the LBS999 with its array of useful features is geared to meet the needs of our customers.’ </div><div> </div><div><strong>New OLX TVC Launched</strong></div><div>Borrowing humorous snippets from everyday life scenarios, the two new OLX Ads, SushilBachcha and PatiParmeshwarNOT give persuasive yet intriguing reasons to people for selling more actively, highlighting that there are a plethora of buyers out there for everything. The TVCs end with a closing line that says, “Aise bahot se log intezar kar rahe hain aapki cheezon ka…Ab toh OLX pe Bech De”.</div><div> </div><div>Said Amarjit Singh Batra, CEO, OLX India, “OLX has seen a substantial surge in online buying and selling of used goods between individuals. Our users have been excited about being able to sell their items in a day, sometimes even minutes. This has proved to us that there is tremendous liquidity on our platform with buyers for all kinds of regular as well as unique items browsing OLX.</div><div> </div><div><strong>ASUS Keyboard With Multi-lingual Support Introduced</strong></div><div>ASUS, a leading international brand that combines technological innovation with design perfection for the ultimate life enhancing and computing experience unveils its latest multilingual ASUS Keyboard. This is a state-of–the-art keyboard that enables its users to type as per their preference and comfort in English, Hindi & Tamil as well. One caneither type by tapping with finger and thumbs or by swiping smoothly across the key board to spell out each word. The key board is structured in a way that assists in speeding up one’s typing.</div><div> </div><div>“The ASUS keyboard is a very user friendly device that supports only ASUS gadgets. We are constantly working towards devising techniques that make use of our gadgets smoother for our customers irrespective of the language. Our new innovation enables finger flicking, fast swipe typing and intelligent learning and word suggestions that simplifies your typing needs significantly,” said Peter Chang, Regional Head, South Asia & Country Manager, System Business Group, ASUS India commented. </div><div> </div><div>The ASUS keyboard allows you to just flick your finger downwards to type a special symbol, or flick upwards to type in capital letters. It gives your fingers the freedom to make selection on the fly.It makes editing quick and convenient as it comes equipped with a personal dictionary; that is easily edited. ASUS Keyboard also offers accurate next-word prediction and suggestions, auto-correction and a learning capability.</div><div> </div><div><strong>IAMAI & NetNames Launch White Papers</strong></div><div>IAMAI, the body in India representing the online and mobile value added services industry, and NetNames, the global leader in online brand protection and corporate domain name management have published two white papers with the view that the current restructuring of the Domain Name System (DNS), and the introduction of thousands of new domain name endings, is the biggest change to the Internet since its inception. The launch was held at the 9th India Digital Summit and also supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).</div><div> </div><div>The white papers were launched on the first day of the India Digital Summit by Ajay Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India. Present at the launch were St. John Gould, Director, UK Trade, Investment & Prosperity, British High Commission India, Govind, CEO, NIXI, David Franklin, Global Director of Brand Protection Sales and Stuart Fuller, Director of Commercial Operations at NetNames. Entitled “Staying one step ahead in the digital world” and “Internet 2020 – An analysis of how gTLD’s will transform the Internet”. The white papers will be supported by seminars which look at how to be present, protected and prosperous on the internet through the use of new gTLDs, domain name management and online brand protection.</div>
