The iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, which are set to be available in India
from Friday, will be sold under a direct carrier subsidy model in the Indian
market, according to a report.
Telecom operator Reliance Communication(RCom) will be offering the new
iPhones at upfront costs as low as zero, with fixed monthly charges, under a
2-year contract, as per a report by The Hindu BusinessLine.
Under the subsidy scheme, the 16GB version of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c
would be available at zero upfront cost, with a monthly fee of Rs.2,500 for the
iPhone 5c and Rs. 2,800 for the iPhone 5s, in lieu of which consumers will get
unlimited voice calls, SMS and 3G data. It's not clear if a fair usage policy
would be applicable. Consumers would be locked-in into a 24 month long contract
and would not be able to switch their telecom operator before that, according to
the report. The non-contract costs for the 16GB iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are Rs.
53,500 and Rs. 41,900 respectively.
The report adds that the 32GB and 54GB versions of the iPhones would come
at an upfront cost of Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 18,000 respectively, with the monthly
payment being the same.
RCom will reportedly offer the subsidy scheme to credit card users and has
tied up with banks, including ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank for the same to ensure
that consumers don't dishonour the contract.
A major reason for the success of Apple's iPhone in first world markets is
the operator subsidy model that allows customers to pay a small (or no) upfront
cost for the phone and pay a fixed monthly amount in exchange for services,
under a contract that ties them up with the operator for a fixed period.
Operators have always been hesitant to offer subsidy schemes as India is majorly
a pre-paid subscriber market and it's hard to ensure that people will honour
contracts due to a lack of a centralised credit check system.
It's worth mentioning that Apple is launching the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c
in India, today.
The iPhone 5s will be available for Rs. 53,500 for the 16GB model, Rs.
62,500 for the 32GB model and Rs. 71,500 for the 64GB model. iPhone 5c will be
available for Rs. 41,900 for the 16GB model and Rs. 53,500 for the 32GB model.
All prices are inclusive of all taxes.
iPhone 5s comes with the Apple-designed A7 64-bit chip, all-new 8 megapixel
iSight camera with True Tone flash and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. iPhone 5c
features an all-new design, comes in multiple colours and packs internals almost
identical to the iPhone 5.
2013年10月31日星期四
At most effective the adjustments created
Subsequent week, on October 18, Microsoft will release Windows 8.1, a
fairly massive update that Microsoft hopes will lastly give it relevance within
the tablet space, and in the identical time make Windows 8 less abhorrent for
desktop and laptop users. Microsoft is deluding itself, even though: Windows
eight.1 certainly improves upon the horrid state of affairs which has persisted
because the initial public preview more than two years ago, but there’s no way
that it is going to unseat iOS or Android within the mobile arena. At most
effective, the adjustments created to Windows 8.1 will let the OS to continue
along the extremely gradual incline treaded by Windows eight. Next year, even
though, when Windows 9 is released across each and every kind element and
unifies the app ecosystem across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, then
Microsoft basically stands a chance against Google and Apple.
Ever since Windows Telephone 7 limped out the gate in 2010, after which the lackluster launch of Windows eight a year later, it has been clear that Microsoft has been moving to merge the touch, mobile, and desktop ecosystems. From an early date, Microsoft was speaking up how Windows 8′s Metro apps were just about compatible with Windows Telephone 7 - and after that, just a little later, Microsoft created a great deal of noise about how Windows Telephone eight would make use of the identical kernel and also other low-level libraries as Windows 8. Most not too long ago, with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft will edge yet closer to cross-platform compatibility using a shared app retailer.
More than the years, it appears virtually each and every Microsoft vice president has discussed how Windows and Windows Phone apps are virtually compatible - but, as evidenced by the slow development of Windows 8, Windows Telephone, and their respective ecosystems, virtually compatible just isn’t very good enough. The factor is, every person knows how great comprehensive cross-platform compatibility will be. Everybody knows that it could be the magic bullet that would instantaneously give Microsoft a chance at competing against Apple and Google. This is why Microsoft keeps teasing us, keeps spinning a yarn, to assure everybody - customers, developers, and tech pundits - that it knows how crucial a unified ecosystem is.
With Windows 9, I bet that Bill Gates’ 1980s dream of Windows Everywhere will ultimately come to fruition. Barring another civil war, I strongly anticipate that Windows 9 will run on smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and everything else in among, and developers is going to be capable to create a single Windows app and have it run across each kind issue.
Hopefully, Windows 9′s unified ecosystem will resemble iOS: You check out the new app retailer (presumably being debuted in Windows eight.1), and then you are only shown the apps that will operate well on the kind element of your present device. Developers will have the decision of having the ability to write one app that scales to distinct screen sizes/resolutions, or 1 app with multiple views/layouts that are optimized for every screen size/resolution - however the key issue is that precisely the same code will operate on any Windows 9 device, due to the fact the underlying kernel/libraries/abstraction layers will be the identical.
In a single fell swoop, as an alternative to becoming coerced and cajoled by Microsoft into publishing apps for its distant-third platforms, the combined user bases and ecosystems will actually make Windows 9 a desirable platform that can compete with iOS and Android when it comes to reach and money-making potential.
But what about game consoles? Properly, with regards to sheer numbers, consoles are still tiny fry; more than their entire seven-year span, Microsoft and Sony have only sold around 160 million Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles combined. By comparison, analysts estimate that 700 million smartphones and around 400 million PCs have been shipped in 2012 alone. Still, even though the absolute numbers are pretty modest, Microsoft knows complete nicely that the usefulness and desirability of a computer software ecosystem grows exponentially with the addition of new form aspects and use situations. Visualize in the event you could invest in a single app on your Windows 9 smartphone, and after that have it automatically installed on your Windows 9 desktop and Windows 9 game console, or have your gameplay videos automatically sync from your console to your smartphone and Computer - that’d be fairly awesome, suitable?
The great news is that the Xbox One already appears to become compatible with Windows eight apps, by virtue of running a cut-down version of Windows eight for apps, alongside the Xbox OS for games. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that you will have the ability to run Windows 8 apps straight around the Xbox A single, but we’d be surprised if that wasn’t the case. At the extremely least, there will in all probability be an update towards the Xbox 1 - maybe around the identical time as the unified Windows eight and WP8 app shop is launched - that brings Windows 8 apps towards the Xbox A single. Then, by the time Windows 9 rolls about for smartphones/tablets/PCs, we really should have apps that run across the whole gamut of devices, like consoles.
If Microsoft had unified its mobile device, Pc, and console operating systems last year, together with the release of Windows eight, then I think the consumer computing landscape will be quite, extremely diverse. Microsoft would most likely be on top and calling the shots, as opposed to trailing behind the massive boys, squeaking tremulously for interest and not receiving it. Because of prevarication, internal strife, gutless equivocation, and likely a slew of other reasons that we’ll under no circumstances get to the bottom of, Microsoft has had three of its weakest OS releases in history: Windows Phone 7 and 8, and Windows eight.
If Windows 9 is released next year, Microsoft might stand a likelihood, specifically if Windows eight.1 as well as the acquisition of Nokia can bolster its mobile efforts inside the meantime. No matter if such a utopian unified platform can unseat iOS and Android, although, remains to become seen. Apple and Google aren’t standing still, and continue to solidify their market share in spite of Microsoft’s very best efforts to stay relevant. If Windows 9 does not come out in the next 12 months, or if Microsoft doesn’t have some other super-secret strategy up its sleeve, the company’s future will creep ever closer towards comprehensive untenability.
Ever since Windows Telephone 7 limped out the gate in 2010, after which the lackluster launch of Windows eight a year later, it has been clear that Microsoft has been moving to merge the touch, mobile, and desktop ecosystems. From an early date, Microsoft was speaking up how Windows 8′s Metro apps were just about compatible with Windows Telephone 7 - and after that, just a little later, Microsoft created a great deal of noise about how Windows Telephone eight would make use of the identical kernel and also other low-level libraries as Windows 8. Most not too long ago, with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft will edge yet closer to cross-platform compatibility using a shared app retailer.
More than the years, it appears virtually each and every Microsoft vice president has discussed how Windows and Windows Phone apps are virtually compatible - but, as evidenced by the slow development of Windows 8, Windows Telephone, and their respective ecosystems, virtually compatible just isn’t very good enough. The factor is, every person knows how great comprehensive cross-platform compatibility will be. Everybody knows that it could be the magic bullet that would instantaneously give Microsoft a chance at competing against Apple and Google. This is why Microsoft keeps teasing us, keeps spinning a yarn, to assure everybody - customers, developers, and tech pundits - that it knows how crucial a unified ecosystem is.
With Windows 9, I bet that Bill Gates’ 1980s dream of Windows Everywhere will ultimately come to fruition. Barring another civil war, I strongly anticipate that Windows 9 will run on smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and everything else in among, and developers is going to be capable to create a single Windows app and have it run across each kind issue.
Hopefully, Windows 9′s unified ecosystem will resemble iOS: You check out the new app retailer (presumably being debuted in Windows eight.1), and then you are only shown the apps that will operate well on the kind element of your present device. Developers will have the decision of having the ability to write one app that scales to distinct screen sizes/resolutions, or 1 app with multiple views/layouts that are optimized for every screen size/resolution - however the key issue is that precisely the same code will operate on any Windows 9 device, due to the fact the underlying kernel/libraries/abstraction layers will be the identical.
In a single fell swoop, as an alternative to becoming coerced and cajoled by Microsoft into publishing apps for its distant-third platforms, the combined user bases and ecosystems will actually make Windows 9 a desirable platform that can compete with iOS and Android when it comes to reach and money-making potential.
But what about game consoles? Properly, with regards to sheer numbers, consoles are still tiny fry; more than their entire seven-year span, Microsoft and Sony have only sold around 160 million Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles combined. By comparison, analysts estimate that 700 million smartphones and around 400 million PCs have been shipped in 2012 alone. Still, even though the absolute numbers are pretty modest, Microsoft knows complete nicely that the usefulness and desirability of a computer software ecosystem grows exponentially with the addition of new form aspects and use situations. Visualize in the event you could invest in a single app on your Windows 9 smartphone, and after that have it automatically installed on your Windows 9 desktop and Windows 9 game console, or have your gameplay videos automatically sync from your console to your smartphone and Computer - that’d be fairly awesome, suitable?
The great news is that the Xbox One already appears to become compatible with Windows eight apps, by virtue of running a cut-down version of Windows eight for apps, alongside the Xbox OS for games. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed that you will have the ability to run Windows 8 apps straight around the Xbox A single, but we’d be surprised if that wasn’t the case. At the extremely least, there will in all probability be an update towards the Xbox 1 - maybe around the identical time as the unified Windows eight and WP8 app shop is launched - that brings Windows 8 apps towards the Xbox A single. Then, by the time Windows 9 rolls about for smartphones/tablets/PCs, we really should have apps that run across the whole gamut of devices, like consoles.
If Microsoft had unified its mobile device, Pc, and console operating systems last year, together with the release of Windows eight, then I think the consumer computing landscape will be quite, extremely diverse. Microsoft would most likely be on top and calling the shots, as opposed to trailing behind the massive boys, squeaking tremulously for interest and not receiving it. Because of prevarication, internal strife, gutless equivocation, and likely a slew of other reasons that we’ll under no circumstances get to the bottom of, Microsoft has had three of its weakest OS releases in history: Windows Phone 7 and 8, and Windows eight.
If Windows 9 is released next year, Microsoft might stand a likelihood, specifically if Windows eight.1 as well as the acquisition of Nokia can bolster its mobile efforts inside the meantime. No matter if such a utopian unified platform can unseat iOS and Android, although, remains to become seen. Apple and Google aren’t standing still, and continue to solidify their market share in spite of Microsoft’s very best efforts to stay relevant. If Windows 9 does not come out in the next 12 months, or if Microsoft doesn’t have some other super-secret strategy up its sleeve, the company’s future will creep ever closer towards comprehensive untenability.
2013年10月14日星期一
KitKat screenshots: A first look at Android 4.4?
When Google's Android chief Sundar Pichai announced the upcoming release of
Android 4.4 with an image of a giant KitKat-themed Android, it seemed that
Nestle's chocolate snack would provide the next Android OS name, and replace the
previous 4.4 codename Key Lime Pie.
A recent leak of one early version of Android 4.4, believed to predate Pichai's 3 September announcement, showed a slice of lime and no hint of KitKat.
So far, the drip feed of information on the yet-to-launch-OS suggests new features includingbetter support for wireless printing from Android devices and possibly native NFC payment options, rather than only third-party enabled capabilities.
This latest set of leaked images from another release of KeyLimePie/KitKat suggest these features and more are likely to arrive in Android 4.4.
The image above is of the Android build running on the Nexus 7 2013 model.
The overall assessment is that 4.4 seems to be a more polished version of the Android platform than has been seen in the past, with a feature set that more closely resembles iOS devices out of the box. As Google has said previously, with KitKat it's aiming for the mainstream and this may be its best shot yet shot at tempting loyal iOS users to give it a go.
A recent leak of one early version of Android 4.4, believed to predate Pichai's 3 September announcement, showed a slice of lime and no hint of KitKat.
So far, the drip feed of information on the yet-to-launch-OS suggests new features includingbetter support for wireless printing from Android devices and possibly native NFC payment options, rather than only third-party enabled capabilities.
This latest set of leaked images from another release of KeyLimePie/KitKat suggest these features and more are likely to arrive in Android 4.4.
The image above is of the Android build running on the Nexus 7 2013 model.
The overall assessment is that 4.4 seems to be a more polished version of the Android platform than has been seen in the past, with a feature set that more closely resembles iOS devices out of the box. As Google has said previously, with KitKat it's aiming for the mainstream and this may be its best shot yet shot at tempting loyal iOS users to give it a go.
CPUs and phablets that helps maintain its spec
The optimist would say that Windows Phone's prospects have never ever been
brighter. The pessimist would disagree.
Around the bright side, Microsoft just announced Windows Phone 8 Update 3, which consists of new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that helps maintain its spec lists searching fresh. Moreover, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's greatest hardware ally completely in to the fold, all whilst BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competitors for third-largest ecosystem. All this provides the computer software giant windows 7 ultimate activation key a chance to at least double Windows Telephone growth by 2017.
Around the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, together with the OS fighting for significantly less than 10 percent of mobile's worldwide marketplace share, while Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Furthermore, Microsoft features a issue with partners. At this time it really is looking to woo back HTC to when once more expand the Windows Phone ecosystem. If that fails, Microsoft could be the only outfit producing Windows phones. That single-source method may function for Apple, but even the iPhone is having a difficult time standing as much as Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and once again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in finding its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the latest update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones as well as the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
This really is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that these are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Nevertheless, Windows Telephone buyers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a private assistant, improved storage help for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. Lots of of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have lengthy existed on Android and iOS.
Then there is Skype, the other enterprise that Microsoft purchased in 2011 (and for 1.three billion more than Nokia), however the company has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime and also Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone eight Skype users can location calls in the People today hub, just after 1st downloading the app. What I am speaking about is making this an out-of-the-box feature.
We do know, at the least, that Microsoft is challenging at perform on a private assistant of its personal named Cortana, which understands all-natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's next update need to be a significant a single that contains this private assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the quite least. Just after the Nokia acquisition is total (assuming it gets shareholder and regulatory approval), Windows Phone ought to swiftly incorporate Nokia-designed software tools, like its camera add-ons, in to the native OS experience.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's biggest asset -- and challenge -- would be to take the major dangers that make a company stand out as a player worth paying interest to. Soon after the transition, the Windows Phone team should really not only use, but push Nokia's venerable design and style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft really should waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and materials (like continuing its work on graphene), publish a few wacky proofs of idea (like this one particular from 2011, also below), and perhaps make a high-end luxury phone of its personal.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Telephone project has spent its lifetime being reactionary, looking to catch up to Apple and Google without having definitely managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter design and options which can be just very good enough.
Around the bright side, Microsoft just announced Windows Phone 8 Update 3, which consists of new support for quad-core CPUs and phablets that helps maintain its spec lists searching fresh. Moreover, the buyout of Nokia's smartphone arm will bring Redmond's greatest hardware ally completely in to the fold, all whilst BlackBerry's apparent demise topples the competitors for third-largest ecosystem. All this provides the computer software giant windows 7 ultimate activation key a chance to at least double Windows Telephone growth by 2017.
Around the other hand, Windows Phone adoption has been slow, together with the OS fighting for significantly less than 10 percent of mobile's worldwide marketplace share, while Android and iOS gobble up the overwhelming majority.
Furthermore, Microsoft features a issue with partners. At this time it really is looking to woo back HTC to when once more expand the Windows Phone ecosystem. If that fails, Microsoft could be the only outfit producing Windows phones. That single-source method may function for Apple, but even the iPhone is having a difficult time standing as much as Android's diverse and seemingly inexhaustible players.
Back in 2010, and once again in 2011, Microsoft pleaded for patience in finding its Windows Phone off the ground. But this year, the latest update's most visible enhancements are a modified interface for extra-large phones as well as the capability to close apps in multitasking mode. You also can customize text tones by make contact with.
This really is hardly hearty fare, but Microsoft points out that these are the most-wanted additions requested by fans.
Nevertheless, Windows Telephone buyers also clamor to get a notification center, a file manager, a private assistant, improved storage help for microSD cards, and indicator lights that signal missed calls and alerts. Lots of of these have been requested because the OS debuted and have lengthy existed on Android and iOS.
Then there is Skype, the other enterprise that Microsoft purchased in 2011 (and for 1.three billion more than Nokia), however the company has however to integrate it into Windows smartphones by default to counter Apple's FaceTime and also Google Plus Hangouts. Yes, Windows Telephone eight Skype users can location calls in the People today hub, just after 1st downloading the app. What I am speaking about is making this an out-of-the-box feature.
We do know, at the least, that Microsoft is challenging at perform on a private assistant of its personal named Cortana, which understands all-natural language and will replace the legacy TellMe voice input currently in use.
Microsoft's next update need to be a significant a single that contains this private assistant, notification center, and Skype integration in the quite least. Just after the Nokia acquisition is total (assuming it gets shareholder and regulatory approval), Windows Phone ought to swiftly incorporate Nokia-designed software tools, like its camera add-ons, in to the native OS experience.
From exactly where I sit, Microsoft's biggest asset -- and challenge -- would be to take the major dangers that make a company stand out as a player worth paying interest to. Soon after the transition, the Windows Phone team should really not only use, but push Nokia's venerable design and style philosophy into edgier territory.
Microsoft really should waste no time funding projects that explore and apply new finishes and materials (like continuing its work on graphene), publish a few wacky proofs of idea (like this one particular from 2011, also below), and perhaps make a high-end luxury phone of its personal.
Why? Microsoft's Windows Telephone project has spent its lifetime being reactionary, looking to catch up to Apple and Google without having definitely managing to help keep pace. This is not the time for you to be conservative with cookie-cutter design and options which can be just very good enough.
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