This week we saw a slew of mobile phone launches. Though mobile phones dominated the week, we had a few launches from Internet companies and telecom operator. While Facebook launched video calling, Airtel launched free voice calling packs for its broadband users. Click next to know what other launches made news this week:
Lumia 430: Microsoft eyes the budget smartphone segment
Budget smartphones are selling in India like hot cake, however this segment is no longer looked down as the pile of poor quality devices. Thanks to the likes of Motorola, Xiaomi and Lenovo, we have a lot of high spec'd smartphones at affordable price. Microsoft had been missing on this segment for a long time, but of late the company has launched a few budget smartphones under Rs. 10,000. Latest is the Lumia 430. Priced at Rs. 5,299, the phone features 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor coupled with 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of built-in storage, expandable up to 128 GB via microSD card slot. Check out our First Impressions of the Lumia 430
LG G4 debuts
LG's much awaited flagship phone was finally unveiled this week. The LG G4 comes with a slew of new features – leather back, improved camera, QHD display and Snapdragon 808 SoC. The phone looks to be a good upgrade over the predecessor and definitely has an attractive design. Will the LG G4 be the best flagship phone of the year? Well, that time will tell. Meanwhile read : The new LG G4: What it brings to the table BTW, don't forget to check out the Twitter banter between Motorola and LG on the leather design.
LG Magna
LG Magna is a LTE smartphone featuring 5-inch HD display, LTE connectivity and Android 5.0. Main highlight of the phone is the 'gently curved design' distinguished by a subtle 3000 mm radius curve. Read our coverage for more on LG Magna
Micromax Canvas Laptab
Micromax has forayed into the PC segment with the launch of the new Micromax Canvas Laptab. The 'Laptab' features a 10.1-inch tablet that can be attached with a keyboard dock. Micromax has priced the device at Rs. 14,999. The new Canvas Laptab will be available via Amazon.in starting May 6. Read more about the new LapTab here.
Asus' ZenBook Pro takes on Apple's MacBook Pro
Asus this week introduced a Windows 8.1-powered Zenbook Pro UX501 laptop with its signature "spun-metal" lid and brushed-metal surfaces. The sleek and powerful device takes on the 15 inch Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display. Read more about the Asus' ZenBook Pro here.
Google's new tool saves you from phishing
Google's new Chrome extension called Password Alert is aimed at serving as an early warning system against phishing attacks. Users can download the extension from the Chrome Web Store for free. Learn more about Google's Password Alert chrome extension here.
Facebook Video Calling
Facebook is now bring video calling feature to its Messenger platform – move that will help the company compete with the likes of Viber and Google's Hangouts. It hasn't launched in India as yet but is already rolling out in countries like Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay. Find out more about Facebook video calling feature here.
Airtel launches free voice packs for its broadband customers
Bharti Airtel has launched free voice calling packs for its broadband customers. The telecom giant is offering two packs ( Rs. 49 and Rs. 99) that allows broadband customers to make free voice calls to any network in the country. Learn more about the new Airtel plan here.
Spice Stellar 519 4G smartphone launched in India at Rs. 8499
Spice eyes the budget 4G smartphone segment with its new Stellar 519. Priced at Rs. 8499, the phone comes with Android KitKat and Quad-core processor. It has 5-inch display with 480 x 854 pixels resolution, which we believe should have been a better one that could have helped make it stand out in the crowd. Check out our coverage on Spice Stellar 519 here.