Facebook Inc plans to scale up its service to offer free basic Internet on mobile phones, an executive said, after introducing the application in 17 developing countries over the past year. In a blog post released to mark the first year of the initiative, Facebook said it will open a portal allowing any mobile operator to offer the service under its Internet.org platform. Facebook currently partners with specific operators to launch the service in different countries. Internet.org has brought over 9 million people online over the past year, Chris Daniels, vice president of product for Internet.org, told Reuters on Monday. Facebook developed the platform with six technology partners to bring an estimated 4.5 billion unconnected people online, mainly in Latin America, Asia and Africa. It offers pared-down web services for free to users, along with access to Facebook's own social network and messaging services. Facebook's blog post said that over the past year, the service had bought new users onto mobile networks on average over 50 per cent faster and that more than half the people using Internet.org are paying for data to access the wider Internet within 30 days. "This is really a customer acquisition tool for mobile operators where the benefit to them of offering a very light amount of free data is to bring on more paying subscribers to their networks," Daniels said, speaking over phone from Nairobi, where he is attending a summit. Facebook was not paying for any of the data being used to access the service, he said. The Internet.org application, launched in India in February in partnership with Reliance Communications, faced backlash with a number of leading technology and Internet firms pulling out of the service after activists claimed it violated the principles of a neutral Internet. "I would say India is unique in that respect and very much an outlier. In other markets, Internet.org has been embraced as a pro-connectivity initiative that has garnered a lot of support," Daniels said. A committee of the telecoms ministry set up to examine the issue of net neutrality earlier this month recommended that collaborations between mobile operators and content providers that enable "gatekeeping" roles should be discouraged.(Reuters)
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Panasonic India has launched its new Love T10 smartphone priced at Rs 3690. The company has confirmed that Smartphone Panasonic LOVE T10 will be available to consumers in India from the last week of July, 2015 in White & Black colors.The Panasonic LOVE T10 is the first offering of the LOVE series of smartphones dedicated to the youth segment with complete connectivity suite covering Dual SIM 3G HSPA, Bluetooth™ 4.0 A2DP, Wi-Fi Hotspot at an attractive price. LOVE T10 is 8.89cm (3.5) LCD Display & weighs only 100 grams.The device is powered by 1GHz Dual Core processor and runs on Android™ 4.4.2(Kitkat) with 4GB internal memory support. The smart gadget sports 2MP camera & houses a battery capacity of 1400mAh. LOVE T10 supports 21 Indian regional languages for the diverse Indian consumers; the supported languages are Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Assamese, Marathi, Nepali, Bodo, Dogri, Konkani, Urdu, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Sindhi & Santali.Pankaj Rana, Business Head – Mobility Division, Panasonic India, said, “Smartphones today have overtaken personal computers and tablets to become the ultimate gateway for those who want to connect to the internet on-the-go. Due to a surge in mobile internet users outpacing the growth in the Indian market, we have an introduced this device which not only meets the affordability aspect but also supports vernacular languages for our consumers. Catering to the needs of masses as well as the classes, the LOVE T10 is a perfect device that offers a blend of technology and design making it a smart utility product.”(BW Online Bureau)
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Google had announced the Android One program last year where it promised to deliver full software support to device manufacturers who could make affordable Android smartphones with the latest updates. Moreover, Google had mentioned that these Android One smartphones will be one of the first to receive the new Android updates and there would be no data charges when one would update their smartphone in India.At the time of launch Google had announced three similar smartphones, all from Indian manufacturers, and other partnerships with a variety of manufacturers that had pledged to make Android One smartphones. Sadly the program has not been very successful because firstly the upgrade from Android 4.4 to Android 5.1 was delayed by almost two months and secondly the first gen devices were overshadowed by much more powerful and better feature packed smartphones.Today a new Indian manufacturer has officially joined the Android One bandwagon by releasing their first Android One smartphone. The Lava Pixel V1 is a late entrant but comes with better hardware than the smartphones that were announced by Karbonn, Spice and Micromax last year. The Pixel V1 is the first handset from the second generation of Android One smartphones featuring the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop update, a 5.5-inch HD display with Asahi Dragon-Trail protective glass, a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB internal memory along with a microSD card expansion slot. There is also a 13MP rear and 8PM front camera combo, dual-SIM card slots and a 2,590mAh battery. The smartphone is priced at Rs. 11,349 which is again higher than the first which was priced at Rs. 6,399 lot simply because of the better hardware.The first lot of devices were a bit of a disappointment but the Pixel V1 is a slight but decent bump in terms of hardware when compared to the first generation. But there are a lot of questions here now, like can just an update to the hardware be enough to sell this device? Will this new smartphone from Lava receive timely updates from Google this time?
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Free public internet access still seems like a far-fetched dream for a country like India mainly because there isn’t a strong infrastructure and the definition of broadband internet is still stuck to 512Kbps. 3G is still relentlessly slow and yes, 4G has finally started to roll in, but still feels inaccessible due to limited availability and high prices. There have also been small initiatives from private restaurant and shop owners and even the government to provide free internet to the public, but the numbers are very less or limited to certain restrictions with terrible internet speeds. For instance the free internet hotspots at Connaught Place in New Delhi, has a time limit and well is a bit inconsistent. Amazon.in, the online shopping portal, is the newest name which is said to be providing free unlimited wireless internet access to residents of Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad via select bus shelters. The free Wi-Fi hotpots will be available at four locations in Chennai includingSanthome High Road, Egmore High Road, Dr. Nair Road and Velacherry High Road; three locations in Hyderabad which includeSecunderabad Bus junction, Dilshukhnagar and Ameerpet and four locations in Pune which are at East Street Road, M.G.Road, Bund Garden Road and JM Road. The internet access will be unlimited and will not have any restrictions meaning that users can browse anything on the web. Unfortunately, Amazon has not provided any details regarding what kind of speeds one can look forward to, which is a major concern for internet users today especially in India. Amazon hopes that by providing free internet access they will manage to bring more user aboard their online shopping portal as internet access is still difficult for a large range of smartphone and PC users in India. “We have been relentlessly innovating to deliver a great customer experience in India. In line with this, we have innovated on the Out of Home front to launch 24x7 free Wi-Fi hotspots in high footfall locations across Chennai so that local residents can enjoy seamless online shopping” says Manish Kalra, Director Integrated Marketing, Amazon India.
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It came out of nowhere, a powerful all-Android smartphone with the minimalistic name of OnePlus One – and it stayed. Lovers of technology were delighted that it would have a version of Android, CyanogenMod 11s, which would allow for more user-custmisation than regular Android phones and certainly more than some of the flagships that heavily “skin” their interfaces with stylization and tricks to differentiate from others. The OnePlus seemed like a secret project from a Chinese company, Oppo, less known for its own branded but very well-built and innovative phones. When it finally launched, after some delays that only fed the curiosity further, it was with a complex invite system so you definitely couldn’t just walk into a store and get it or buy it online straight. Frustrating as this was, it created a huge buzz and everyone wanted one – at least the young and tech savvy did. Many were disappointed at not being able to get their hands on one, but the company just didn’t have the means to fulfil the orders. OnePlus One is only one invite-less for Rs 21,998 for the 64GB version on Amazon.in and even less in a few other places. The lure of the OnePlus wasn’t just its software but the tough but slim and solid build. It looked crafted, tapering elegantly off to the sides. A large 5.5-inch beast, the OnePlus was choc full of high-end specifications. There was certainly a smattering of problems with the device here and there but nothing more than the usual and it maintained the anti-flagship cult following it was born with. And now, the OnePlus 2 is about to arrive. Everywhere, details have been leaking on what the successor to the phone that gave a lot for relatively little would hve this time. This time anyone can participate in the launch, using their app – a cool new way to do things. What’s more, if one were to acquire a Cardboard (also available online) they could watch the event in VR, scanning around the area for some promised surprises. This time, the much-awaited phone will be smaller but more premium, in metal. It may continue the design language of the OnePlus One, but may have a new home button to house a fast fingerprint scanner. People are betting the OnePlus 2 will have a Quad-HD and the rumour is that it will be water-resistant. For power, the OnePlus 2 will have the Snapdragon 810 processor, equivalent of the top flagships. Also Adrena 430 graphics processor with a whole 4GB of RAM. It will run on Oxygen OS on Android 5.0.2. The battery (non-removeable) will step up to 3,300mAh. The main camera will be 13MP and will have improved optics to almost match Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and the LG G4’s cameras. The front camera is 8MP and both will apparently shoot 4k video. The phone will also have the USB Type-C port which is easier to plug into. Nothing on the Indian price yet, but there’s not long to go to find out.
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A new tool for Gmail lets you revoke access to messages whenever you want. Dmail, a new Google Chrome plugin, gives you complete control over how long your recipient can view your email. When sending an email through Gmail, users can set a specific time when the message will self-destruct, ranging anywhere from an hour to a week. And even emails without a specific self-destruct timer can still be recalled by the sender at any time, making them unviewable to the recipient. If you don't have a predetermined time frame, pick "never" as your time frame. If you need to revoke it at a later date, you can find the email in your sent folder and do so. All messages are encrypted and whenever the sender restricts the right to access, the recipient will no longer be able to see the original message. Dmail is for those times when you're sending sensitive information, like passwords or account information meant for certain eyes only, you can set an email to self-destruct within a certain time. Once the message self-destructs, recipients get a message that the email is no longer available when they try to read it. At present, Gmail allows users to revoke sent emails. Gmail's "undo send" button only works for up to 30 seconds. Dmail gives you as much time as you like. Plus, Dmail claims that they will soon unlock a feature where forwarding won't work - only the intended recipient will be able to see your message. Although you can receive Dmail messages from any email account or client, you can only send them through Gmail on Chrome. Dmail only works with Gmail now, but it's likely to expand to work with other services soon, with plans to release both an iOS and Android version this fall.
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Nasscom on Friday (24 July) said there was a need to protect the country's interests in services and technology even as WTO members ratified the need to change the 18-year old Information Technology Agreement (ITA). "These trade agreements give access to India's market to companies globally. So the question is what we are getting in return and whether our services are getting the reciprocal access," Nasscom President R Chandrasekhar said on the sidelines of a Retail Summit organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) here. According to him, restrictions and constraints are coming up outside the trade agreements like movement of technically skilled persons, or even the movement of data. India is yet to be a signatory to the new ITA. "What is happening in trade is happening, but restrictions are coming up outside the trade agreements. I think it is important that we need to ensure that protect our interests in service and technology even as these global trade agreements are reached," he added. The agreement is to update the WTO's ITA that adds more than 200 products to the list of goods covered by zero tariff and duty free trade. Some of the duty free products include computer software and software media, video game console, printer ink catridges, GPS and medical devices among others. Chandrashekhar also said the Indian information technology sector was expected to log six per cent growth in its hiring rate. The current employee strength in the sector is around 35 lakh.(PTI)
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The narrative on net neutrality and Over the Top (OTT) services has captured the imagination of a wide segment of India’s population, so much so that a consultation paper on ‘Regulatory Framework for OTT Services’ issued by TRAI on 27 March 2015 received over a million responses and comments from people. The recommendations of TRAI on this subject matter are expected soon. In a related development, a committee comprising of various stakeholders (like application providers, telecom service providers, civil society and multi - stakeholder advisory groups), constituted by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) on 19 January 2015, to examine the issue of net neutrality, recently submitted its report in mid July 2015. It is expected that DoT will now take into consideration the DoT Committee report as well as the TRAI recommendation (as and when they are released) in formulating the policy on OTT services and net neutrality. The DoT Committee report seems to have acknowledged in letter the need for net neutrality. The concept of net neutrality, at its core, implies absence of any discrimination, by the telecom operators, against or in favour of, inter alia, any internet content(s) or application service(s). The report is noteworthy for suggesting that innovation in content and application services is as critical as the need to have a robust telecom infrastructure. The DoT Committee recognized certain reasons which make traffic management necessary by telecom operators (such as in case of prioritising emergency services, to maintain security and integrity of network etc.). While blocking or throttling of online contents, applications and services for purely commercial reasons is unacceptable, it would only be reasonable to ensure that the telecom operators have sufficient flexibility to work towards providing robust and efficient network infrastructure and management. It is a known fact that the telecom operators across the world resort to internet traffic prioritisation in order to efficiently manage the network. What is critical is that these traffic management methods should not be used to derive undue advantage without justification inter alia adversely impacting the users’ internet freedom. The DoT Committee has therefore, recommended that only application agnostic management controls be permitted. The report supports the concerns of safeguarding the users’ right to access lawful content on the internet without the telecom operator having the ability to discriminate and recommends that OTT application services and OTT communication services dealing with messaging should not be interfered with. The DoT Committee has observed that the present regulatory framework does not adequately address the issue of net neutrality and till such framework is in place, a clause may be included in the license agreements to the effect that the telecom operators will adhere to the principles of net neutrality that are specified by DoT from time to time. In this regard one feels that the telecom operators would only help their cause by being transparent about their respective network management policies. The observation that not all zero rating plans are against net neutrality is interesting. The differential treatment for managed services to enterprise customers has also received a positive nod. According to the DoT Committee’s recommendation, each tariff plan (including zero rating) should be filed with TRAI for review before it is launched. This seems to be essentially intended to afford the telecom players a reasonable operational and commercial leeway after having been evaluated on the touchstone of the tangible benefits to the end users and its potential to contribute towards achieving greater internet penetration in the country, without compromising on the quality of the telecom services. The DoT Committee has recommended that domestic calls communication by telecom operators and OTT communication services may be treated similarly from a regulatory perspective. The nature of similarity and intricacies may be finally decided through public consultation and TRAI recommendation. However, in case of OTT VoIP international calling services, a liberal approach is recommended to be adopted. This recommendation to regulate only OTT calls (and not all OTT applications), seems to be a considered move, to bring about some semblance of accountability while also addressing the issue raised by the telecom operators of providing a level playing field for domestic telephony. It is unclear as of now whether the final regulations would also entail some fee implications for the OTT players. The views and recommendations of the DoT Committee are pragmatic and have been released after lot of deliberation and research. Many feel that this report is a harbinger of the much awaited regulations to govern OTT players although the haze around the exact scope and extent thereof would only clear up once the regulator comes out with the relevant policy guidelines. One feels that the proposed regulations to govern OTTs should be ‘soft’, aimed only at overcoming absolutely essential issues of quality of service, interception and monitoring in order to enhance customer experience. The objective should be to ensure that while the innovative spirit of OTT players is encouraged, telecom players should be adequately incentivized to invest in and enhance the existing telecom infrastructure. Given the clamour surrounding the issue, DoT should utilise this opportunity to move towards a regime which is technology neutral in the true sense of the word, keeping in mind the needs of all the stakeholders. A possible compromise could lie in creating a regime that encourages a fair revenue share amongst the relevant players of the internet ecosystem. Needless to say, DoT has an arduous task of striking a delicate balance between the needs of all the stakeholders viz., keep the telecom players adequately incentivised, ensuring innovative spirit of the content and application providers are intact and the larger social goal, of greater internet accessibility to the people, is achieved. The authors are Abhilekh Verma, Partner, Khaitan & Co. and Harsh Walia, Associate Partner, Khaitan & Co. Disclaimer - The views of the authors are personal, and should not be considered as those of the firm
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