Samsung and Amazon partner for 'Kindle for Samsung' ebook service

South Korean electronics giant Samsung in a deal with Amazon has launched a custom-built ebook service, called 'Kindle for Samsung', for its Galaxy devices. The service will offer bestselling books, newspapers and magazines with over 500,000 titles exclusive to the Kindle Store.

Initially the 'Kindle for Samsung' service is exclusively for the Samsung Galaxy S5 users, but the app is available to download via Samsung Apps for Galaxy devices running Android 4.0 or higher. Samsungsaid that the store will launch across 90 countries within this month.

Also as a part of the service, Samsung and Amazon will launch Samsung Book Deals, which will be available to all customers using the service. It will provide 12 free ebooks a year to all Galaxysmartphones and tablet users.

"We are delighted to be able to deepen our long-standing relationship with Amazon and offer Kindle for Samsung as the perfect app for reading on a smart device. With this service we demonstrate our commitment to creating and broadening key content partnerships that deliver rich and personalized experiences for our customers," said Lee Epting, Vice President, Samsung's Media Solution Center Europe.

"We're thrilled that Samsung has chosen Kindle as their eBook provider. With Kindle for Samsung, people around the world will have instant access to the best digital bookstore and reading experience, including more than half a million titles that are only available from the Kindle Store, and innovative features like Whispersync, Time to Read and much more," said Jorrit Van der Meulen, Vice President, EU Kindle.

Previously in March, Samsung had launched a free music service for its Galaxy smartphone users, similar to services like Pandora, Spotify and Apple's iTunes. The service, dubbed "Milk Music", offers some 200 ad-free radio stations to US customers with Samsung Galaxy devices.

Milk Music is powered by the radio service Slacker. It has 200 genre-based and curated stations and over 13 million songs, and like other service will allow 6 song skips per hour per station.

Samsung Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit compatible with 20 Galaxy devices

Samsung has announced the device compatibility list for its latest Gear wearables - the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit. The new wearables will support 20 Galaxy devices, which includes 12 Galaxy smartphones and 8 Galaxy tablets.

Samsung had first launched the Galaxy Gear smartwatch with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in September last year. The Galaxy Gear was compatible with only three Galaxy devices initially, and company had later updated the compatibility to include more devices.

Similarly Samsung has updated the list of devices that will be compatible with Samsung Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear fit devices. These devices are - Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S III,Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, Samsung Galaxy Note II, Samsung Galaxy Grand 2, Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8. Additionally they will be compatible with Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A and the Galaxy Round, specifically for Korea.

Other than Galaxy smartphones, the three new wearables from Samsung will also work with a list of Galaxy tablets - Samsung Galaxy Tab4 series (Samsung Galaxy Tab4 10.1, Galaxy Tab4 8.0 andGalaxy Tab4 7.0), Samsung Galaxy TabPRO series (Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 12.1, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1 and the Galaxy TabPRO 8.4), Samsung Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.

According to 9to5google, its team have found a way around to make the Samsung Gear Fit wearable work with other Android devices to its full potential. So far it could only test it with devices such as theGoogle Nexus 5 and HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7). Reportedly it worked fine with Gear, but the similar method did not work with the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo.

Lava Iris 504Q+ with 10-megapixel rear camera launched at Rs. 13,990

Lava has expanded its Iris smartphone family and introduced the successor to the Iris 504Q, called the 504Q+ at Rs. 13,990.

The domestic handset maker has announced that the Lava Iris 504Q+ follows its predecessor and features gesture controls. The gesture motion feature on the Lava Iris 504Q+ allows users to interact with the phone with just a swipe of the hand in the air for clicking pictures using the voice command feature, changing tracks on the music player and video player, switching between screens, tuning FM channels and browsing entertainment gallery on the smartphone.

The company notes that the Iris 504Q+ comes with a free bundled flip cover in the box. Perhaps the highlight of the device is a 10-megapixel autofocus rear camera, which features an Exmor R sensor with sensor size of 1/3.2 inch and 5P lens module, along with a 1.4 micron pixel size. It also packs a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Lava Iris 504Q+ is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device with dual standby. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box. It comes with a 5-inch (720x1280 pixels) HD IPS OGS (One Glass Solution) display and offers a pixel density of 294ppi.

Much like the Iris 504Q, the Iris 504Q+ is also powered by a quad-core processor (unspecified chipset) though it clocks at a higher speed of 1.3GHz alongside Mali 400 MP2 and 1GB of RAM. The Iris 504Q+ comes with 8GB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable up to 32GB via microSD.

(Also see: Lava Iris 504Q+ vs. Lava Iris 504Q)

On the connectivity front, the Iris 504Q+ includes 3G, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB, and Bluetooth options. It packs a 2000mAh battery, which is rated to deliver up to 732 hours of standby time, with no word on talk time. The Iris 504Q+ smartphone comes with dimensions 146.7x72.5x7.9mm and weighs 149 grams. It will be available in Grey and Silver colours.

Commenting on the launch Hari Om Rai, Chairman and Managing Director, Lava International Ltd, said, "Iris 504Q+ was developed with an insight based understanding that we got from our consumers after the launch of our popular smartphone Iris 504Q mid last year. We have enhanced the highly popular gesture motion functionality of Iris 504Q by bringing in advanced voice and command control apart from major upgrades in internal memory and camera. Bringing one of the most popular mobile messaging services BBM on our smartphones is yet another effort to expand the ambit of messaging services for our consumers to connect and communicate seamlessly with their loved ones."

Lava Iris 504Q+

• KEY SPECS

Display

5.00-inch

Processor

1.3GHz

Front Camera

2-megapixel

Resolution

720x1280 pixels

RAM

1GB

OS

Android 4.2

Storage

8GB

Rear Camera

10-megapixel

Battery capacity

2000mAh

iPhone 5c 8GB variant launched in additional countries

Apple has rolled out its iPhone 5c 8GB to more countries

Apple's online stores in Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and Norway are now selling the iPhone 5c8GB. Notably, the iPhone 5c 8GB is available in Netherlands at EUR 549, while the 16GB model is retailing at EUR 599, so the 8GB variant is just EUR 50 cheaper. In terms of price, the new 8GBiPhone 5c slots in halfway between the iPhone 4s and 16GB iPhone 5c (unlocked pricing).

The Apple iPhone 5c 8GB variant was officially launched in March and was initially available UK, France, Germany, Australia, and China.

(Also see: The 8GB iPhone 5c is proof that Apple cannot admit defeat)

As we've reported earlier, the 8GB variant of the iPhone 5c is unlikely to come to Indian shoresanytime soon.

For those unaware, the Apple iPhone 5c comes in multiple colours (Blue, Green, Pink, White and Yellow) and packs internals almost identical to the iPhone 5. The Apple iPhone 5c features a 4-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD display with a resolution of 640x1136 pixels and a 326ppi pixel density. It is powered by the Apple A6 chipset, also seen on the iPhone 5.

(Also see: How to improve battery life on iOS 7.1)

The Apple iPhone 5c features a hard-coated polycarbonate body and is a bit thicker and heavier than the iPhone 5. It sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and also includes a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera.

Apple launched both the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s in India in November 2013, starting at Rs. 41,900 and Rs. 53,500 for the 16GB models, respectively. Both the smartphones were globally unveiled in September 2013.

Apple iPhone 5c

Rs. 41900

• REVIEW
• 
  

• Design
• Display
• Software
• Performance
• Battery life
• Camera
• Value for money

• Good
• Solid in all departments
• iOS ecosystem remains unrivaled

• Bad
• Not as future-proof as the 5s
• Questionable value for mone

Oppo Find 7 with Quad-HD display to be launched in India by mid-2014

Chinese manufacturer Oppo has announced that the company will launch its latest flagship Find 7 in India in mid-2014. Oppo had recently unveiled the smartphone in China alongside the its lite-variant, the Oppo Find 7a.

In a media statement, Oppo Mobiles India's CEO Tom Lu said the company has plans to expand its India portfolio to 10 smartphones by the end of this year, by releasing five more devices.

"India is emerging as the fastest growing smartphone market in the world. As such, we're very optimistic about the growth of the Oppo brand, which is known globally for its superior technology and innovative products. The Oppo N1 marked our entry into the Indian market and our forthcoming products including the soon-to-be-launched Oppo Find 7 will enable us to replicate our global success story here. We are also aggressively focusing on steady market expansion and after-sales service network in order to enhance our customer outreach and satisfaction" added Lu.

So far, the Oppo Find 7 has been priced only for the Chinese market at CNY 3,498 (Rs. 34,500 approximately), and is scheduled to hit retail shelves in May or June.

The world's first smartphone to sport a QHD display, the Oppo Find 7's 5.5-inch screen offers a resolution of 1440x2560 pixels and boasts of an impressive 538ppi pixel density. The smartphone runs a customised Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS, which the company dubs Color OS 1.2.

The Find 7 is powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC) processor, clubbed with 3GB of RAM and 32GB inbuilt storage with expandable storage support.

The Oppo Find 7 sports a 13-megapixel Sony Exmor IMX214 sensor rear camera with LED flash, and also houses a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with BSI sensor. It packs a 3000mAh battery, which the company says can charge up to 75 percent in 30-minutes of charging thanks to the Rapid Charge technology. Connectivity options on the smartphone include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, USB OTG (on-the-go), 3G and 4G LTE.

For now, Oppo has not detailed if the lite-variant Find 7a will be launched in India as well, and we'll have to wait and see which devices Oppo plans to bring to the country.

Oppo Find 7

• KEY SPECS
• NEWS

Display

5.50-inch

Processor

2.5GHz

Front Camera

5-megapixel

Resolution

1440x2560 pixels

RAM

3GB

OS

Android 4.3

Storage

32GB

Rear Camera

13-megapixel

Battery capacity

3000mAh

LG G3 will reportedly launch in late June or early July

LG seems to be planning an early release for the LG G2's successor, the LG G3. The Korean tech firm was previously said to be planning an August launch for its flagship smartphone, however it is now being said the handset might arrive sometime in late June or early July this year.

The news comes from a senior LG official (via ZDNet Korea), according to whom, the August release of LG G3 might prove to be too late based on the current market conditions.

On Monday we saw the LG G3's alleged user agent profile and Antutu Benchmark results, both of which revealed a bunch of features for the smartphone. Furthermore, LG also confirmed the inclusion of a Quad-HD resolution (1440x2560 pixel) display on the smartphone, without confirming screen size or the device's name.

Previous rumours had indicated a 5.5-inch display, which would give the LG G3's display a pixel density of roughly 530ppi. The AnTuTu benchmark also points out some additional specifications such as Adreno 330 GPU, OpenGL ES 3.0, and multi-touch support. The Sprint user agent profile additionally shows the handset will run on Android 4.4.2 KitKat along with a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of built-in storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 64GB).

Reports from last month suggest the LG G2 successor will be water-resistant like several of the new flagships (Sony Xperia Z2 and Samsung Galaxy S5) seen these days. It was also mentioned that while Samsung had teamed up with a Korean firm using the Liquid Silicon Moulding method to make its Samsung Galaxy S5 water-resistant, LG might go ahead with its own native technologies in the LG G3.

Maxx AX411 Duo with 4-inch IPS display launched at Rs. 3,999

Maxx Mobile has launched its latest smartphone, the AX411 Duo, at Rs. 3,999 for the Indian market.

The Maxx AX411 Duo is an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean-based smartphone and offers dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) support. The budget Android smartphone features a 4-inch IPS display with a WVGA (480x800 pixel) resolution. A dual-core MediaTek (MT6572E) processor powers the device, clocked at 1.2GHz, coupled with 512MB of RAM.

The smartphone sports a 2-megapixel rear camera, while there is a 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera as well. The AX411 Duo handset comes with 4GB of inbuilt storage that can be expanded via microSD card (up to 32GB).

The AX411 Duo supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, Micro-USB, AGPS and EDGE/GPRS connectivity. It is backed by a 1200mAh battery, which according to the company delivers up to 5 hours of talktime and up to 200 hours of standby time.

The Maxx AX411 Duo comes preloaded with some apps such as Maxx World, Maxx life Box, Hungama, Google Search, Maps, Office Suite, Spuul, and Temple run.

Earlier, Maxx Mobile launched 26 cellphones, on the occasion of Republic Day. Of the 26 mobiles launch, 19 were feature phones, and seven were budget Android smartphones. The devices were priced between Rs. 1,100 and Rs. 7,777.

Maxx Mobile in December last year launched a feature phone called the Maxx MX100 Leader, at Rs. 1,932. The Maxx MX100 Leader's USP was its 4400mAh battery, and the fact it could be used to as a power bank to charge other phones. Further, the Maxx MX100 Leader is a dual-SIM phone and also includes GPRS connectivity option.

Maxx Mobile AX411 Duo

• KEY SPECS

Display

4.00-inch

Processor

1.2GHz

Front Camera

0.3-megapixel

Resolution

480x800 pixels

RAM

512MB

OS

Android 4.2

Storage

4GB

Rear Camera

2-megapixel

Battery capacity

1200mAh

iPhone 6 interest at record levels thanks to 'large screen' rumours: Survey

Thanks to the rumours that Apple will release two large screen iPhone variants in September, the iPhone 6 seems to be already generating a huge level of consumer interest.

According to a survey from 451 Research's ChangeWave, the desire of buying the next-generationiPhone has reached new heights. For the yet-to-be-announced iPhone 6, 14 percent of the consumers are "very likely" to buy the device, while 26 percent said they were "somewhat likely" to purchase it.

The survey, which was answered by over 4,000 mostly North American respondents, asked customer if they would buy an iPhone 6 based on the speculations, such as a larger display, gesture control, an updated iOS, an even faster processor than the iPhone 5s, and a starting price of $199 (with 2-year contract).

As noted by 451 Research, the level of interest is up from the last surveys for the iPhone 5s and a March 2012 survey for the iPhone 5.

"This is the highest level of demand for an unannounced Apple model in a ChangeWave survey - stronger than we've seen in previous years for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5 models prior to their announcements," said Andy Golub of 451 Research. "Speculation over a larger screen iPhone is clearly striking a chord with consumers."

451 Research's ChangeWave surveys have been tracking consumer interest in larger-screen smartphones since 2012 - and throughout this time it has seen a growing interest. In the latest survey, nearly half (47%) of planned smartphone buyers say they're most interested in buying a 5-inch screen or larger - the highest level since the question was added to the survey.

While the survey suggests that consumers are really digging the idea of Apple's next large-screen iPhone, it is likely to catch-up to the Samsung Galaxy S5 buying interest on the release day. The same company found greater consumer interest in Galaxy S5 than any other S-series Galaxy smartphone

Samsung Gear Fit, Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo go on sale worldwide

Samsung Gear Fit fitness band and Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo smartwatches are now officially available in 125 countries, including India.

Samsung, at MWC 2014 had announced the Gear Fit, Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, alongside the flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S5, which is also now available across the globe.

Notably, the Samsung Gear Fit, Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo were officially available in India, ahead of the wearable devices' announced April 11 release date. The Samsung Gear Fit and Gear 2 Neo are priced at Rs. 15,450, while the Samsung Gear 2, which is the successor to the company's first smartwatch, is available at Rs. 21,550.

Earlier on Friday, the Samsung Galaxy S5 went official in India at Rs. 51,500; the price in India is in line with what we had reported earlier.

For those unaware, the Samsung Gear Fit is the "world's first" wearable device with a curved Super AMOLED touch display and is a fitness band. It is smaller and lighter than the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches, and is focused on health. It features a 1.84-inch Super AMOLED display with a 432x128 pixel resolution. The Gear Fit comes with a pedometer, heart rate monitor, and a sleep monitor.

A 210mAh battery powers the Samsung Gear Fit, which gives a typical usage of 3 to 4 days and up to 5 days with low usage. The device measures in at 23.4x57.4x11.95 mm (body only) and weighs 27 grams.

The Samsung Gear 2 on the other hand, features a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, a 2-megapixel autofocus camera and sports a metal body. The Gear 2 is dust and water resistant (IP67 certified). Other features include accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, IrLED and Bluetooth 4.0 LE.

The new Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo have heart rate sensor, pedometer and various tools to measure exercise, sleep and stress levels. Notably, the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are based on Tizen OS, instead of Android. The Samsung Gear 2 Neo, like the Gear 2, features a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display. It does not come with a camera.

Facebook leading women to eating disorders: Survey

Are you hooked all the time to Facebook in anticipation of another 'like'? Stop this habit as increased time on Facebook could lead women to negative body images - and possibly eating disorders later.

In a first study to link time spent on Facebook to poor body image, researchers found that more time on Facebook could lead to more negative feelings and more comparisons to bodies of friends.

Health professionals who work in the area of eating disorders and their prevention now have clear evidence of how social media relates to college women's body image and eating disorders.

"While time spent on Facebook had no relation to eating disorders, it did predict worse body image among participants," said Petya Eckler from Glasgow-based University of Strathclyde.

To understand this, the researchers surveyed 881 college women about their Facebook use, eating and exercise habits and body image.

They were able to predict how often women felt negatively about their own bodies after looking at someone else's photos or posts, and how often women compared their own bodies to those of their friends.

"The findings also showed that more time spent on Facebook was associated with more negative feelings and more comparisons to the bodies of friends," co-author Yusuf Kalyango Jr from Ohio University added.

They also found that for women who want to lose weight, more time on Facebook led to more attention being paid to physical appearance.

This included attention to one's body and clothing.

Poor body image can gradually lead to developing an unhealthy relationship with food.

The attention to physical attributes may be even more dangerous on social media than on traditional media because participants in social media are people we know, researchers cautioned.

The team is scheduled to present its findings at the 64th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association in Seattle, Washington