www.mymobileindia.comwww.mymobileindia.com september 2017 Rs 100 ®
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Tested Asus ZenFone AR, BlackBerry Acche Din Keyone, Samsung On Max, Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro and now P55 Max, Moto Z2 Play, Mafe Shine For M820, Xolo Era 1x Pro and more... Smartphone Market Face to Face Kenichiro Hibi Web Series Managing Director, Redefining Sony India Entertainment
phone of the month Honor 8 Pro
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espite prolonged Indo-China border stand-off at Doklam and attempts by some misguided groups to call for the boycott of Chinese goods EDITORIAL including mobile handsets, Indian consumers D Pankaj Mohindroo | Editor-in-Chief have shown remarkable maturity by generally not
heeding to such calls. This in itself should awaken Shelley Vishwajeet | Editor Chinese leadership to view India and Indian people in a Ramesh Kumar Raja | Assistant Editor new light and, should be reflective of the inherent good Haider Ali Khan | Senior Correspondent naturedness of we the Indians while encouraging it to explore a peaceful and amicable solution to the border Nijhum Rudra | Correspondent
disputes rather than engaging in bullying tactics or encouraging a section Vanshika Malhotra | Reporter of its state-owned media to fuel battle cries.
Editorpage Today, China is India’s biggest trading partner with BoP tilted heavily DESIGN in favour of the former. Despite deep rooted suspicions about China Ajit Kumar Parashar | Sr. Graphic Designer in Indian establishment’s psyche worsened by its open support to Pakistan’s nefarious activities, we have not let these factors come in MARKETING the way of successful Indo-China trade engagement or growing people to people contacts. China and India have more to gain by economic and Puja Mohindroo | Manager - Business trade engagement and much to lose by fueling hostilities. I do hope that Sandeep Kumar | Sr. Manager – Marketing good sense will prevail and both nations will march together to realize its ambitious and social economic transformational journey. OPERATIONS Good news is here for the smartphone market. A series of unexpected K. Rajagopalan | Advisor-Legal, Accounts & policy moves such as the ill-conceived demonetisation last November Administration closely followed by GST migration, which though have long term benefits Deepak Kohli | Manager – Accounts
for trade and economy, brought disruption in the market impacting Varun Lama | Sr. Manager – Human Resources handset sales. Nonetheless, oncoming festive season is going to bring B. G. Mathur | Manager- Production lots of cheers to handset makers. Historically, the third quarter have been the months when sales are highest be it for high value items such CIRCULATION gold or cars or essentials like mobile handset. This is because the long Bhupender Singh Bisht | Manager – Circulation festive season starting with the first day of Navratri and coming after prolonged hot and humid months usher a happy feel among people ADVISORY BOARD which translates into good times for everyone - from sellers to consumers. Bejon Misra Be assured, we are going to see a good upswing in handset sales soon. Rajan Mathews My Mobile continues to be the market leader in terms of content, S.D. Saxena circulation and readership. This should be laurels enough to celebrate Subhash Chandra for an average publishing house but not for us. What cheers us more Sunil Dutt when more and more celebrated corporate leaders, thought leaders come Sonu Bhasin forward to exclusively share their views on our platform. This reflects the Uvaraj Natarajan respect that our magazine commands and we are deeply humbled. You will read the enlightened views of many business and thought leaders in this issue too. GET IN TOUCH Editorial : [email protected] Happy Reading! Marketing : [email protected] Circulation : [email protected] Phone : 011—46206161 Fax : 011—41520637
Edited, published, printed and owned by Pankaj Mohindroo, Published from Flat No. 25, First Floor, Shankar Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Printed at HT Media Ltd. B-2, Sector 63, Noida. The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in this publication, however caused. Pankaj Mohindroo The opinions and the views contained in this publication are not editor-in-chief necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to Follow Us: seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in Facebook this publication, which is provided for general use and may not facebook.com/mymobilemag be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. Twitter twitter.com/MyMobileMag Volume XII, Issue IX, september 2017 04 | september 2017 MYMOBILE
contents 46 56
50
Style Notes 58 Asim Warsi – Senior Vice 82 Tech Enabled Learning - The President, Mobile Business, 10 letters Game Changer – Manak Gulati, Samsung India Founder & CEO, Notesgen 12 Cell Speak 87 Ambarish Gupta – CEO & 90 Artificial Intelligence: How 14 rumor Mill Founder, Knowlarity automation is rewriting the Communications 16 NEWS rules of the travel industry – 89 Shekhar Rao – Director, 20 big NEWS Rajnish Kumar, CTO & Co- HGD India 109 my Guide founder, ixigo 92 Max Grabmayr – CEO and CSO, B2X India 94 CRM - The Coming of Age – 28 just in 96 Manish Prasad – Business Limesh Parekh, CEO, Enjay IT Get a close look at new mobile Development Director, South Solutions Ltd devices now in the market Asia and South East Asia, Avenir Telecom 46 Lead Story Market Insight 98 Piyush Kumar – Founder & Acche Din for Smartphone 52 World is getting ready to CEO, Rooter Market Soon: After bumpy embrace 5G but remains rides in the past two quarters, 138 Vinod Pandit – Business Head, confused about its exact the approaching festive season Lephone India nature, benefits or even its should cheer up the Indian rollout readiness date smartphone market By Invitation – Where 54 Increased security incidents business leaders share their thoughts and evolving regulations Face to Face: Interviews with 80 Dismantling hierarchy for new to drive worldwide spending business/industry leaders age organizations and culture – on information security to Kenichiro Hibi – Managing 50 Vivek Zhang, Chief Marketing USD 86.4 Billion in Director, Sony India Officer, Vivo India 2017
06 | september 2017 MYMOBILE
contents
56 Consumer Insight 74 Panasonic P55 Max special Feature Mobile ad fraud is highest 76 Mafe Shine M820 100 Web series giving amusement in India pursuits an altogether new 77 Xolo Era 1X Pro dimension 104 Consumer Campaign 78 Bazaar Bargain 132 iPhone 8 is gonna be special Civilizing Careless Chatterers: Four phones which are smart 134 Top gaming laptops for hardcore Samsung joins ‘Safe India buy today gamers Campaign’ with its powerful video campaign 84 tech Trends 139 Add Ons A look at megatrends that will The latest and the best of The Burntest drive digital business into the gadgets and accessories, from next decade Bluetooth speakers to next 62 Asus ZenFone AR generation laptops 64 Blackberry Keyone
What's Inside What's 86 app World 66 Honor 8 Pro VuLiv: An app that bridges the 148 Vantage Point 68 Samsung Galaxy gap between online and offline Real Time Bidding- The Future on Max content consumption of digital and mobile advertising– Nitin Gupta, Founder & CEO, 70 Panasonic Eluga Xapads Media a3 Pro 88 personality Andy Rubin – The Android Man 72 Moto Z2 Play and Much More 84 109
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Total number of pages = 150
06 | AUGUST 2017 MYMOBILE
letters
www.mymobileindia.com AUGUST 2017 Rs 100 ® aware of the whole insight gadgets, mobiles and apps selfie phones are the hot
FOR A CONNECTED LIFESTYLE about any latest mobile or more often in the magazine favorite now. The burn tests, FLEXI technology but what we get rather than going to any chief speak and games you PHONES Hype vs Reality Inbox from it, which is very helpful website. The main source of did were pretty good. It has FACE TO FACE Amit Boni Vice President, Sales and and deep. I am a regular our tech content comes been my guide to all the Marketing, Smartron Tested reader of your magazine and from My Mobile magazine. tech queries and hence Sony Xperia XZ Premium, Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, YU Yureka Black, InFocus Turbo 5, Ziox Astra Colors 4G, Tecno i5 Pro, I also recommend it to my The unmatched quality of developing my knowledge as Intex Elyt E7, OnePlus 5, UE Wonderboom Speaker and more... friends and family. It is a the product keeps it in a a consumer. I want you to Smartwatch The Luxury Infusion must have for those who different league altogether. include more gadgets and
PHONE OF THE MONTH HTC U11 want to get useful and Just-ins, Consumer and mobiles in your Burn Test correct information. Industry Insights always section. My trust and passion of —Ashwini, Allahabad come handy. An ideal tech —Arun Dayal, Delhi reading My Mobile keeps on magazine should follow your increasing as the topics My Mobile has been footsteps. The best way to get which you have been associated with me since I —Girija Sawant, Mumbai knowledge about all the covering these days are was in my college and has available mobile devices wonderful like the last issue been a part of my growing My Mobile has been my and their prices is My of August (Flexi Phones) has up. I am very fond of this boredom buster during long Mobile. The kind of been very informative, well unique and informative trips and journeys. We get collective information timed and properly magazine present in the all the information about the available in My Guide researched one. All the country. Since I am a apps and new features section of the magazine is major mobile players have dedicated reader since my running onto our handsets. very helpful, especially for a been included in this young age, I have been You guys always do in- customer and reader like coverage. While the Big admired as the one who depthstory. Waiting for your me. We get all the brands, News and Consumer knows everything in my next issue. their specifications and Insights are wholesome friends and neighbors about —Saurabh, Bengaluru price range at the same informative, the Bazaar mobile and technology. I place. Rather than flipping Bargain helps us to know want to thank the whole The August issue’s editorial through the entire the latest price of the team of My Mobile for their was well elaborated and very magazine, one would get the already launched products continuous support. timely as people had this idea about any particular on which we could get the —Tarun Singh, Amritsar tendency to keeping away mobile. best bargain. My best from the selfie phones in the —Muskan, Pune n wishes to My Mobile team. We, as the regular reader market but not the case —Nitin Bansal, New Delhi and subscriber of My anymore. The Mobile, love to read the Dear My Mobile team, it gives me an immense knowledge of mobile
ecosystem which you guys deliver through the Are you crazy about cellphones and have the magazine and it’s simply potential to pen a few lines? brilliant. I would also Do you have a nose for news and can also key in a dream suggest you to add few more headline? Do you crave to lay your hands on the latest devices and gadgets like you gizmos and tell the world about them? If you think you have it in you, we are looking for you. Rush your CV to did of HTC U11in your burn [email protected] to see your name in My Mobile, tests. Majority of readers or India’s best mobile magazine. the users might not be
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India Address : A-55, Sector-64, Noida (UP) China Address : No.150, Tianwan Road, Tianliao Gaungming , New District Shenzhen, China 12 | s eptember 2017 Quotes cell market for us” to maketheminIndia, which isakey strategic market shareby theyearend” offline focus, we now aim to get 5% campaign coupledwithonlineand new launches and the marketing market share, andwithaslewof “Last year, we were at 1.8% ongoing process. All over the world, it’s a sure that all our systems are secure. It’s an “If weareinadigitalworld, wehavetomake Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India, in an interaction Business Head - Mobility Division, Panasonic India, on the speak a rapid pace” challenge, but we are moving at Former Chairman, UIDAI, speaking at an Former Chairman,UIDAI,speakingatan sidelines ofalauncheventinNewDelhi investments and continue and we’ve made huge present in many countries conglomerate and we are “We’re a large global been 183percentjump” crore in2016-17. Intermsofvalue, therehas in 2014-15 has reached an estimated 22 mobile phoneswhich wasonlysixcroreunits mobile phonemarket. Manufacturing of “India hascomeupwellinthedomestic Union MinisterforElectronicsandIT, inaninterviewtoDNA with abusinessdaily
— NandanNilkeni, event inBengaluru — SudhinMathur, — Pankaj Rana,
— RaviShankarPrasad, hardware one” especially the infrastructure, of creating first layer so well in the have not done However, we and services. applications of creating middle layer, very wellinthe we have done point ofview, “From a broad addressing an event Chairman, TRAI, Chairman, TRAI, R S Sharma, — RSSharma, in NewDelhi MY MOBILE
Rumour Mill in Tech Talk Corners
Vodafone promotes key Microsoft Surface Phone The next Apple watch people ahead of Idea to take on biggies will reportedly have LTE merger Undeterred by its fall in Surface PC line to make calls Vodafone is reportedly restructuring and Windows phones revenues, Microsoft Apple Inc reportedly plans to release a its commercial team in India, promot- is aiming for new devices called “Surface version of its smartwatch later this year ing some key people and changing the Phones” and has made its patent pub- that can connect directly to cellular net- reporting structure, ahead of its proposed lic. As per a recent report in Forbes, works. According to reports citing people merger with Idea Cellular. According Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has con- familiar with the development, some of to reports quoting a person close to firmed that the tech giant will “make the new models for the Apple Watch will the developments, the objective of this more phones, but they will not look like be equipped with LTE chips and be able move is to give significant roles to those phones that are there today.” It must to perform many tasks without needing Vodafone believes are people that must be noted that Nadella, earlier this year, an iPhone to be in range, the report said. be retained after Idea merger. People declared that 2017 would see Microsoft It must be noted that the Apple Watch have also been given promotions, keep- launch the ultimate mobile device say- currently needs to be connected to an ing in mind their Idea counterparts, ing, “We will continue to be in the iPhone to send messages, get directions the source was quoted as saying. The phone market not as defined by today’s from maps and stream music. Intel Corp country’s second largest mobile operator, market leaders, but by what it is that will reportedly supply the LTE modems however, has not found a replacement for we can uniquely do in what is the most for the new watch. Although Apple and former chief commercial officer Sandeep ultimate mobile device.” Titled ‘Wireless Intel did not respond anything over the Kataria, who has joined Bata India as Communications Device’, the patent matter, the iPhone maker is already in chief executive. Instead it has promoted talks about a bendable smartphone with talks with carriers in the United States some team members who will now report antenna, battery, SIM card holders and and Europe about offering the cellular directly to chief operating office Balesh screen connectors split over a hinge to version of the watch. n Sharma. create a dual-winged device. [email protected]
14 | september 2017 MYMOBILE
newsbits
Apple pays $2 billion to Nokia to avoid roof. The first batch of Moto Hub stores controversy recently opened at two places in Noida and one in Indirapuram, in Uttar Pradesh, and three in Mumbai, Maharashtra. By the end of this financial year, Motorola is set to open 50 Moto Hubs across the top tier towns at locations with significant traffic. Moto Hub stores will be a key destination for consumers to experience the latest Motorola technology and get a hands-on demo of the entire product portfolio, in a fun, easy to access
What’s Up What’s Technology major Apple settled their set-up that is conveniently located at existing issues over patents with Nokia by consumer hangout areas. making a payment of USD two billion, indicating the iPhone maker’s urge to avoid Idea working with handset-makers for a controversy. The terms of the licensing cheaper mobile phones Sushant Singh Rajput as its brand endorser. deal, however, have not been revealed by “Sushant Singh Rajput is a fine addition to any of the companies. “We got upfront cash the Ziox Mobiles family. This association payment of EUR 1.7 billion from Apple, will further boost the legacy of Ziox Mobiles strengthening further our cash position. As as the actor resonates to the brand promise: said earlier, our plan is to provide more Quality that Speaks,” the company said in details on the intended use of cash in a statement. Ziox Mobiles has chalked out conjunction with our Q3 earnings,” reads a detailed expansion plan and a roadmap the official transcript of Nokia’s quarterly for FY18. The brand aims to establish a earnings call with investors as reported by stronger foothold in the Indian market with The Verge. The legal dispute started when an investment of over Rs 200 crore. Ziox Apple was charged with violating over a Faced with the latest challenge of ultra- Mobiles announced its plan to set up two dozen patents of Nokia and its subsidiaries. cheap 4G feature phone from Mukesh new manufacturing units (in Sikkim and Even though Apple has a licensing deal with Ambani’s Reliance Jio, Idea Cellular is Noida) and R&D facilities apart from the Nokia since 2011, the issue began when working with handset makers to bring down existing New Delhi unit, with a holding Apple refused to sign a new deal and blamed the cost of handsets. However, the Aditya capacity of around 1 million units per Nokia for requesting unjust conditions for Birla Group company which is set to be month. With the induction of Rajput as its renewal. merged with bigger rival Vodafone, made it brand ambassador and an investment of Rs clear that it will not subsidise handsets. 100 crore this fiscal, Ziox aims to achieve Motorola starts its new retail chain, the “The practical solution that we are working estimated revenue of Rs 1,000 crore and a “Moto Hub” on is to work with the handset industry and sale of 10 million product units. work with them to be able to bring down cost of handsets by bringing down the bill of Hitech Mobiles begins manufacturing 4G material, so that the gap of the announced smartphones in Kolkata price of Jio feature phone versus a smartphone can be brought down to reasonable levels,” said reports quoting its Managing Director Himanshu Kapania. Kapania reportedly said the ideal price point for a handset will be Rs 2,500. In the Domestic company Hitech Mobiles has past, the telecom operators had worked started manufacturing low-cost 4G LTE with handset makers when they were smartphones at its handset production With customer experience as the top priority, challenged by the then Reliance Infocomm’s facility near Kolkata, said reports quoting a Motorola took a step further to get close to cheaper handsets, Kapania was quoted as top company executive recently. The local its audiences with the inauguration of its saying. handset maker will manufacture 3 million experiential retail stores in India. With a 4G VoLTE smartphones a year. “Hitech’s 4G unique open layout, the “Moto Hub” will Sushant Singh Rajput is the new brand VoLTE smartphones will be dual SIM allow users to experience and purchase the ambassador for Ziox Mobiles devices that will be priced under Rs 5,000,” full portfolio of Motorola products under one Ziox Mobiles has roped in Bollywood actor the company’s managing director Mohd
16 | september 2017 MYMOBILE newsbits
Gyasuddin said. Hitech, he said, would Five years later, we are introducing India’s leverage its existing technology sharing pact first affordable virtual reality and a new with Chinese OEM partner, Shenzhen interface for users to consume content. All Yiheyuan Tech. “Our Chinese technology it takes today is Swipe ELITE VR bundled partner is offering its expertise in 4G with VR lens,” Swipe Founder and CEO technology to suitably train our 500-plus Shripal Gandhi said. He said the company workforce to manufacture the VoLTE will launch 10 new devices this year to handsets in Kolkata,” said Gyasuddin. The strengthen its product portfolio. Hitech Mobiles chief executive said the company has sourced low-cost LTE chipsets Spice brand brings 1 year replacement from Shanghai-based Spreadtrum warranty on mobile phones What’s Up What’s Communications, which would enable it to crore, approximately 12% of total Enterprise price the 4G smartphones below Rs communication market for the financial 5,000. year 2017-18. The enterprise communication segment, comprises A2P MyJio crosses 100 million downloads on (Application to person) SMS, OBD/IVR Google Playstore (Outbound dialer/Interactive Voice response), and other cloud based solutions including Missed call and short/long-code solutions. Widely used by BFSI (Banking, Financial services and Insurance), E-Commerce, Retail, Media & entertainment, Post the joint venture between Transsion tourism, Wellness, Educational and Govt Holdings and Spice Mobility, the all new sector etc for both transactional and Spice brand is offering its customers an promotional messages for their customers. industry first brand promise of 1 year Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio’s MyJio app With approximately Rs 1,400 crore, which replacement warranty across its newly downloads have crossed 100 million on is 82% of the market size, the Enterprise launched product portfolio, including Google Playstore, said reports quoting a communication market is dominated by smartphones and feature phones. In light of company official With this, the telco claims A2P SMS. This old, yet effective tool in the the new stylishly designed and aesthetically to have become the only telecom brand to mobile telephony still stands strong despite created youthful product portfolio, Spice is cross this number for a self-care app. the fast evolution of technology from 2G to offering high quality products loaded with MyAirtel app which was launched in 3G to 4G. The A2P SMS market is projected unique features which will surpass their September 2012 has between 10 million to be over 180 billion SMS in the year which aspirations. This will help them to create to 50 million downloads in Google Playstore. is a 6% growth over last year. The new entrant’s other apps including Jio and share quality moments of joy. The recently launched portfolio comprises eight TV, Jio Cinema and Jio Music are reportedly Swipe to launch 10 smartphones this year seeing rapid uptake with JioTV moving to mobile devices, including three smartphones 9th position and other apps being amongst and five feature phones and was made the most downloaded apps on Google available in the markets starting 11th July. Playstore. Recently Google said that app The product portfolio will be available across downloads grew by 150% over the last 12 offline channels. months in India. Much of this growth came from the games and entertainment category, Airtel Payments Bank, HPCL join hands for with video streaming apps like Hotstar and digital payments JioPlay leading it. MyJio, WhatsApp, Facebook and its Messenger app, and Looking to strengthen its presence in the SHAREit are the top mobile apps in terms hypercompetitive Indian smartphone of downloads on the Google Play Store. market, homegrown handset maker Swipe Technologies will launch 10 new devices Videocon Edge eyes 12% market share in this year. The company rolled out two new FY 17-18 devices recently – Elite VR and Konnect Videocon Edge, the Smart Solutions & Star 2017 – priced at Rs 4,499 and Rs Airtel Payments Bank has entered into a Enterprise Communication service provider 3,333, respectively. “It was Swipe who strategic partnership with Hindustan has set a topline revenue target of 195 introduced India’s first 3D Tablet in 2012.
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 17 newsbits
Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), to Vodafone Play adds 12 Dis this feature, users can send a direct payment give further boost to digital payments in the covery channels request to a fellow Truecaller user, via country and to add to customer convenience. Android notifications. The receiver of the All 14,000 HPCL fuel stations will act as request can just click the notification and banking points for Airtel Payments Bank. make payments after entering their All Airtel Payments Bank customers would registered MPIN in the app when prompted. be able to access a range of convenient Truecaller users can also create shareable banking services at these 14,000 fuel payment links which can be sent via SMS, stations e.g., open new accounts, make email, instant messaging platforms or can cash deposits and withdrawals facility, and even post it on a website to receive transfer money. This will add to the depth payments. When clicked, the link would
What’s Up What’s and reach of Airtel Payments Bank’s retail directly open the Truecaller app where the based network that leverages over 300,000 Expanding its infotainment content portfolio receiver can complete the payment. This Airtel retail outlets as banking points. Airtel for its subscribers across genres, Vodafone makes it extremely useful for small Payments Bank customers will also be able Play has entered into a strategic partnership businesses to make transactions and to make secure and convenient digital with Discovery Communications. The video payments simple, secure and direct to bank payments for fuel purchases across 14,000 streaming app of telecom major Vodafone using just a mobile phone and the Truecaller HPCL fuel stations by using their mobile will offer a bouquet of 12 channels from app. phones. Discovery Communications India portfolio on its platform. From science to traveling, Indus Towers appoints Shankar BSNL launches digital wallet powered by Vodafone Play users have a wide choice of Iyer as CSMO MobiKwik viewing channels like Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery HD World, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Kids, Investigation Discovery (ID), Animal Planet HD World, TLC HD World, Discovery Tamil and a sports channel DSPORT. “Vodafone Play is a single window offering content across genres and languages and this association with Discovery strengthens our infotainment category. All consumers, including the Velvet Rope Generation, can now watch Indus Towers, the country’s largest telecom Moving forward with Prime Minister what they want, when they want and how tower company, announced the appointment Narendra Modi’s digital India mission, they want,” said Dipankar Ghoshal, National of Shankar Iyer as the Chief Sales & State-run BSNL has gone digital by Head – VAS, and Content, Vodafone India. Marketing Officer (CSMO). With over 24 launching a bespoke mobile wallet years of experience in diverse industries, that would enable its existing 100 million Truecaller adds ‘Request Money’ feature to Shankar holds in-depth business customers to make bill payments and Truecaller Pay understanding of international and domestic transact on e-commerce platforms. telecom and tower industry. Shankar joins Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha launched Indus Towers from Sixth Energy Technologies this wallet, developed and issued by and has previously been associated with MobiKwik on behalf of BSNL. With over 1.5 Indus Towers as a founding Employee million merchants on the network, the Member and Regional Director. In the past, BSNL Wallet is India’s largest wallet by any Shankar has also been associated with Titan telecom company. “With this co-branded Industries, Diageo, Coca-Cola, Hutchison wallet, the ease of payment will be extended Essar (Vodafone), Bharti Infratel, and to all the customers while equally Quippo Telecom (SREI Group) in various strengthening financial inclusion in the Strengthening its endeavour to foster a one- capacities. Shankar is a graduate in rural hinterlands, which often get neglected. stop communication platform, Truecaller Economics with Post-Graduation in Going digital is the need of an hour for both recently introduced ‘Request Money’ Marketing and Advanced Management urban and rural areas, and this partnership feature as a part of Truecaller Pay. The new Program. He is an Alumnus of IIM – is definitely a step in right direction,” said feature saves users from awkward situations Bangalore and Wharton School, University Sinha. of asking for money from someone. With of Pennsylvania.
18 | september 2017 MYMOBILE newsbits
ShopClues eyes explosive growth with ‘send’. Users can add texts or anything extra background activities much faster. It comes industry-first category for refurbished and to sparkle up the reply. Furthermore, users with the new Autofill feature which allows unboxed gadgets can send split-screen replies by clicking on users to fill in all the necessary details on its the sticker. The updated Instagram, version own, making access to the apps way easier. 10.34 is now available on Google Play Store The Picture-in-Picture feature lets users and the App Store. use various apps simultaneously. Android 8.0 has an improved notification channel Online marketplace ShopClues shared the VoxWeb brings new visual designs, which contains notifications dots, clicking growth story of Re-New gadgets, a dedicated innovative features on its apps which will access the various notifications category for refurbished and unboxed and swiping them will clear them. Users can electronic devices, including laptops, now get directed to any app from the smartphones and tablets. The Re-New browser, dismissing the need for Up What’s Gadgets category is all set to re-model the installations. Google has also introduced landscape of electronics in e-commerce, the Google Play Protect and the addition of making ShopClues the first e-commerce battery saver with the introduction of the player to address this largely unstructured VoxWeb, the social networking app new operating system. Android 8.0 Oreo market opportunity. The sub-categories developed around “speaking-pics” or will soon be hitting the Nexus and Pixel included in Re-New gadgets are Unboxed voice-augmented photos, recently rolled devices, and eventually reach out to other gadgets (brand and expert certified) and out new designs and features on its Android smartphones. Refurbished gadgets (expert certified). and iOS apps. The most significant of Radhika Aggarwal, Co-Founder and Chief the new features - introduced after heavy China opens first cyber court in Business Officer, ShopClues.com, said, user demand - is the “Embed Voxie” option e-commerce hub “Extensive primary research has informed which allows users to embed a us that there is a huge need gap when it voice-augmented photo to their blogs and comes to consumers buying unboxed and other websites/webpages. In addition to refurbished gadgets, especially with this, users can now store the newly created awareness, availability, and quality voice-augmented pic to their device without assurance. We are delighted to be the first the compulsion of sharing or sending. e-commerce player to solve this massive Users can also create a private Voxie problem for our customers via Re-New collection by leveraging this feature. Also, Gadgets.” in a major policy shift, VoxWeb disabled the likes and comments count on other users’ Now reply with a sticker on Instagram DM content to remove the ‘performance anxiety’ Amid a spike in the number of online friction and thus encouraging users to post disputes, China recently launched its frequent updates without worrying about first cyber court specialising in handling the number of likes they get on the post internet-related cases in the e-commerce publicly. hub of Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Internet Court in Hangzhou, capital of east Android 8.0 is officially Oreo China’s Zhejiang Province will handle cases such as online trade disputes and copyright lawsuits. The cases handled by the court will be tried online, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The In order to make chatting and posting fun, Hangzhou municipal legislature has Instagram has been adding various features appointed the president, vice presidents to its app. Now, the newly updated Instagram and judges of the court. Hangzhou is allows users to reply with a sticker via direct home to many Internet companies, message. In addition to the earlier capability The new version of Google’s operating including e-commerce giant Alibaba. The to reply to a particular message be it a system, known as Android 8.0 has been latest report from the China Internet photo, video or reshared post with a made official. This time too, the sweet Network Information Center showed that message, the users’ reply will now be tradition continues and the OS has been China had about 751 million netizens and converted into a sticker of what the post is officially named Oreo via a live streaming 724 million mobile Internet users as of the all about. This can be done by tapping the event held recently in New York. Android end of June. n ‘reply’ option, taking a picture and entering Oreo is two times faster and minimizes the [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 19 bignews Spreadtrum launches platforms for global mainstream consumer market “Spreadtrum’s LTE SoC platforms include the SC9853l, which is built on Intel Custom Foundry’s 14nm platform, using their highly-efficient What’s Up What’s computing capabilities and advanced technologies, and we are confident this will help our customers design more competitive smart terminal products” – Dr Leo Li, Chairman and CEO of Spreadtrum
preadtrum, the leading fabless semiconductor company recently “Spreadtrum fully utilized all the advantages of Intel Custom Foundry’s Shosted its 2017 Global Partners Conference, “Infinite Chip, 14nm platform and as a result, the SC9853l offers excellent Infinite Intelligence”, in Shenzhen, China. The event wintnessed performance and efficient power management which enhance the more than 1,000 Spreadtrum global partners including Intel, smartphone experience for global users.” Reliance, Google, Mircomax, OPPO, VIVO, Gionee, Huawei, ZTE, Spreadtrum SC9850 series is designed for overall entry and mid- Intex, Lava, China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, Vodafone, level markets globally. It is equipped with a built-in Quad-core ARM Orange, Telefonica, TRUE, Smartfren, Karbonn Alcatel and Dialog. Cortex-A7 application processor, as well as ARM Mali 820 integrated During the conference, Spreadtrum unveiled two complete series of 3D graphics accelerator. The SC9850 series supports five-mode high-performance but differentiated LTE SoC platforms: SC9853I communication standard (TD-LTE/FDD-LTE/TD-SCDMA/ WCDMA/ and SC9850. In addition, Spreadtrum shared its 2017 marketing GSM). It is also equipped with two-way carrier aggregation : Cat-7 strategy and provided details on their latest products to the global Downlink (up to 300 Mbps) and Cat-13 Uplink (up to 150 Mpbs), audience in attendance. Spreadtrum also presented its innovative 1080P HD video playback, 18:9 HD+ (720*1440) screen display solutions on mobile communication and IoT (automotive terminal, and dual cameras up to 13 megapixels. broadband communication and financial security). Meanwhile, both SC9853I and SC9850 series emphasize Built on Intel’s 14nm foundry platform, Spreadtrum SC9853I is enhancing dual-camera processing capability. Both include a built-in targeting the global mid and high-level smartphone market. It features 3DNR to boost night shooting, and features like refocusing, real-time 1.8GHz Octa-core 64-bit Intel Airmont architecture based processor, face beauty, 3D modeling and AR. With Spreadtrum’s exclusive which enables SC9853I to offer a high-performance mobile computing EverMuLTETM technology, these products are able to offer dual-SIM, ability coupled with ultra-low power. The SC9853I supports LTE Cat-7 dual-4G, dual-VoLTE functionalities to enhance call experience. Both downlink and Cat-13 uplink for 5-mode communication standard series support urban NFC payment application, and are integrated (TD-LTE/FDD-LTE/TD-SCDMA/WCDMA/GSM), which can reach with sensor control centers to provide a total solution that can enhance downlink speeds of 300Mbps and uplink speeds of up to 150Mpbs users’ experience. to achieve a true 4G+ on-line surfing experience. It also supports Dr Leo Li, Chairman and CEO of Spreadtrum, commented, 1080P HD video playback, 18:9 FHD+ (1080*2160) screen display, “Spreadtrum’s LTE SoC platforms include the SC9853l, which is built and 16-megapixel resolution dual-cameras.“Our first joint product on Intel Custom Foundry’s 14nm platform, using their highly-efficient was launched at Mobile World Congress earlier this year and we are computing capabilities and advanced technologies, and we are pleased to continue our partnership with the release of Spreadtrum’s confident this will help our customers design more competitive smart SC9853I SoC. The Intel Custom Foundry 14nm platform delivers terminal products. These platforms can offer better performance to industry leading PPA and offers turnkey foundry services and support. meet the growing demand in the global LTE market. Additionally, It is ideal for mainstream mobile designs that need high performance these differentiated types of LTE chip solutions enable our customers and low leakage,” said Dr Zane Ball, Intel’s Vice President, Technology to address multiple market segments when they develop their end and Manufacturing Group, General Manager, Intel Custom Foundry. products.” n
20 | september 2017 MYMOBILE bignews
India’s first AI powered IoT platform unveiled
martron, the India’s first global technology OEM and IoT Sbrand recently launched ‘tronX’ – an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered IoT platform that would help make users’ daily life easier and smarter. Terming it as one of the first global technologies being developed in India, the company said ‘tronX’ is an intelligent ecosystem that helps connect a range of devices. Built on the world of ‘Internet of Trons’, the ecosystem allows instant access
to profile, data, content, services, Cloud, care, community and Up What’s other IoT devices whether you are at home, in the car or at the entertainment, travel, shopping, financial, health, event, office. “Smartron has been working for more than two years on communication and collaboration experiences across devices creating a new connected ecosystem fuelled by AI-powered ‘IoT’ and contexts. With ‘tronX Health’, the system monitors and and ‘tronX’ is at the core of this brave new world,” said Mahesh manages medical history, insurance data and offers intuitive and Lingareddy, Founder and Chairman, Smarton. Lingareddy added preventive solutions from a range of partners who are already on that the company was excited to unveil ‘tronX’ that is a kind of board. ‘tronX Home’ helps control locking mechanisms, security next-generation operating system designed to run seamlessly updates, home appliances, services like water, electricity and across devices. payment modules for these services, all available through a Voice To begin with, Smartron announced four verticals that are in Activated Assistant. ‘tronX Infra’ is Smartron’s B2B vertical, the works at its R&D facility and already have built in capabilities offering an AI-assisted system that covers a range of monitoring that integrate in our lives: ‘tronX Personal’, ‘tronX Health’, ‘tronX and management services, thus increasing productivity and Home’ and ‘tronX Infra’. ‘tronX Personal’ offers personalised security for enterprises. n
Contract manufacturer Dixon plans Rs 700-crore IPO lighting products for a number of brands including Panasonic, Phillips, Intex and Gionee, will channel the funds towards setting up a new plant for LED televisions and LED bulbs at Tirupati, paying off debt and getting into new businesses. According to reports, Sunil Vachani, Chairman and Managing Director, Dixon, said, “We will get into backward integration for LED televisions with capacity of 1million a year, and LED lighting with capacity of 5 million a month including tubelights at the Tirupati plant, which will be used for exports.” Vachani further said, “With the new plant, we will be the third largest manufacturers of LED bulbs globally with capacity of 10 million a month.” Dixon will also enter into security systems, cameras, recorders and digital video recorders. Tirupati will be the company’s seventh plant after three facilities each in Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Dehradun in Uttarakhand. The company, omegrown contract manufacturer Dixon Technologies plans which got an approval from the Securities Exchange Board of Sto hit the capital markets in the first week of September for India (Sebi) recently, will raise fresh equity of Rs 60 crore raising nearly Rs 700 crore through a public offer, which will through the offer. While its long time investor, private equity firm make the company the first Indian mobile phone producer to Motilal Oswal, will exit partially as it will sell 24% from its 30% be listed since the launch of the ‘Make in India’ programme. stake, by selling 2.64 million shares, promoters will sell 1.11 The Noida-based company, which makes consumer electronics, million shares, taking the total shares on offer to 3.75 million. home appliances, washing machines, mobile phones and Motilal Oswal had invested Rs 40 crore in 2008. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 21 bignews
Smartphone business growing at over 100 per cent for us, claims Amazon India -commerce giant Amazon expects further acceleration in its in tier II and 600 per cent in tier III cities. Esmartphones business in India that has been witnessing over 100 As per industry watchers, there were many brands that made per cent growth. The global e-tailer, which is locked in an intense their foray into India and launched their offerings exclusively through battle for market leadership with Flipkart in India, has so far seen Flipkart. These include the likes of Motorola and Xiaomi. However, 140 handset models being Amazon has emerged as a launched on its platform strong competitor and many exclusively. Amazon India brands now also looking at Category Leader (Consumer Amazon to introduce their What’s Up What’s Electronics) Arun Srinivasan devices. “We have brands recently said, “We have seen across clusters. There are the 100 per cent growth in our likes of OnePlus that continue smartphone business. This is to remain with us. There are driven by strong uptake of players like Samsung that premium products and demand from tier II and III cities.” He added have a strong offline presence and have strengthened their online that in the coming two weeks, four handset brands are launching play selling through our platform,” he said. Srinivasan said Amazon their handsets exclusively on Amazon’s platform. Srinivasan said is already gearing up for the festive season and ensuring the logistics while the overall smartphone category has grown 100 per cent, sale operations run smoothly. It is also putting in place finance options of premium devices in tier I has jumped 310 per cent, 460 per cent and buyback offers to reach out to a larger base of customers. n
COAI says network performance is beyond telco’s control esponding to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s recent be environmental. He Ramendment of Quality of Services (QoS) which will be effective highlighted these factors from October 1 this year, Cellular Operators Association of India being “the number of users DG Rajan S Mathews said that the quality of service provided by accessing the network at that a network is beyond the absolute control of a network service time, the area covered by the provider. He said the quality of service available from a network is BTS, whether the customer is indoors or outdoors, application dependent on a number of extraneous factors which may not only being used by the customer, peak/off-peak time”. He also mentioned more intricate factors like the kind of device the customer is using, and “additional external interference as well as the quantum of spectrum available”. He further added that “the slightest variations in these parameters can cause major changes in the QoS”. In terms of better and wider coverage, Mathews blamed the misinformation being spread about EMF emission which often prohibits telcos from installing towers at crucial sites. On the new methodology of measuring call drops, he said, “As there are a lot of technicalities involved in call drops, if and when they occur they do in pockets.” He added, “This amendment has made the benchmarks more stringent with a shift in methodology towards a cellwise measurement system.” Considering TRAI’s seriousness in its latest amendment of QoS, Mathews urged that the government seek a “collaborative approach with operators to allay their genuine concerns and work with the industry to help resolve these issues.” TRAI recently got tough on call drops and slapped a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh per circle in a quarter on operators for failing to meet voice quality benchmarks. n
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Vodafone launches cloud-based Mobile Workforce Essentials odafone Business Services (VBS), the enterprise arm of Vodafone VIndia has introduced Mobile Workforce Essentials, a cloud- based business application suite that empowers enterprises to get the most out of their field force. Mobile Workforce Essentials is a brand new addition to Vodafone’s robust CloudStore portfolio that includes Collaboration Productivity and CRM among other cloud- based offerings. Vodafone Mobile Workforce Essentials is uniquely designed to suit the needs of all enterprises – SMEs, large corporates and global companies. It is a simple, self-service, web-based setup which ensures easy manageability, dedicated account management and a seamless onboarding experience, said the company in a statement. With workplace dynamics changing, organizations are witnessing and added smart features like Photo Capture, Digital Signature, a substantial increase in their mobile workforce. Almost every Calculations and Emails for digital receipts. enterprise today relies more than ever on its field force. Mobile One of the early customers of Mobile Workforce Essentials is a Workforce Essentials helps enterprises manage their mobile major state’s election commission which deployed the solution workforce better to increase productivity, gain efficiency, improve during a recently concluded state assembly elections. Vodafone has accountability and reduce costs. Employees can remotely manage partnered with Actsoft, a leading field-force management application their attendance from their mobile app as well as receive and vendor, to launch Mobile Workforce Essentials in the Indian market. dispatch work orders while on the field. Employers, on the other The service is available on the Vodafone CloudStore (www.cloud. hand, can monitor workforce routes through the GPS Tracking vodafone.in) – a completely online automated marketplace that feature. The flexible platform also allows for replacement of manual, features the full range of Vodafone’s cloud-based business paper-based forms with 200-plus pre-built industry specific forms applications. n
Google adds 8 more Indian languages to Voice Search echnology major Google has added voice search capability for through the Google App,” said Google Technical Program Manager Teight additional Indian languages, including Bengali, Malayalam Daan van Esch. He added that in order to perform a voice-based and Tamil to help users search for content online by simply speaking search, users will need to set their language in the voice settings into their Android phones. The voice search feature is currently menu in the Google app. The update will require the user to just tap available in English and Hindi in India. The other languages which the microphone icon (usually on the homescreen of Android were recently added are Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu and smartphones) to start voice search. Urdu. “Speakers of these languages will be able to use their voice Google has been ramping support for Indian languages across to dictate queries -- both in Gboard on Android as well as in Search its various products like Maps and Search as a large number of the new users coming online are Indic language users. Esch explained that Google has worked with native speakers to collect speech samples. Machine learning models were trained to understand the various sounds and words, thus translating words from sound to text in the process. According to a Google-KPMG report, an estimated 536 million Indians are expected to use regional languages while online by 2021 as compared to about 199 million users who are expected to access the web in English. This growth is driven by increasing affordability of devices and data charges as well as availability of more local content, the report had said. Voice search in these new languages will be available in Google Search on iOS as well. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 23 bignews
NSDC, Google to introduce mobile app development programme
he National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has joined Thands with Google India to create an Android skill development programme. Under the partnership, both entities will work together to offer mobile development training on Android OS and web platform to enhance the quality of mobile app development ecosystem in India. The NSDC is a public-private partnership enterprise under the Ministry of Skill Development &
What’s Up What’s Entrepreneurship. “Under the initiative, NSDC will introduce a specific course with the scope to train developers to create applications for the mobile platform that can be used on smartphone and tablets running on the Android operating system. “The 100- hour duration course is designed to be delivered by NSDC’s partner agencies, outside the formal education system. NSDC and Google India will also work together to focus on up-skilling Android trainers are and will come online on the mobile platform,” Peter Lubbers, under the programme,” the NSDC said in a statement. Head of Google Developer Training said. According to a study NSDC MD & CEO Manish Kumar said the collaboration aims conducted by IMaCS (the management consulting arm of rating to accelerate mobile skill training and create opportunities for agency ICRA) on behalf of NSDC, India is likely to have an youth in the country. “We believe India is uniquely placed to incremental requirement of 24.4 crore skilled people by 2022 in innovate and shape the internet experience of billions of users who 21 high growth sectors. n
eMudhra surpasses 20 million eSigns within two years Mudhra, a market leader in the esecure digital Identity and transaction management space, claims that it has surpassed the issuance of over 20 million eSigns. The firm launched eSign services in July 2015 and has achieved this number within a span of two years. The firm announced issuance of 2.5 million eSigns at the end of the year 2016. eSign is eMudhra’s flagship service, which allows any Aadhaar holder to digitally sign a document. This is a new and innovative way to sign any document electronically vision. We have always laid the importance on customer without going through the hassle of signing a document physically convenience and substantial cost advantages to customers through or with a dongle based digital signature. The signature service is our eSign services,” said V. Srinivasan, Founder Chairman, facilitated by authenticating the Aadhaar holder via the Aadhaar- eMudhra. While ERP, CRM, etc. address the flow of data, the last based e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) service and an OTP mile problem of document flow with signatures is perennially sent to the registered mobile number so the customer does not present which results in printing, signing, couriering, scanning, have to be physically present for verifying identity. eSign is legally storage of documents adding to costs and turnaround times. eSign valid under the Information Technology Act of India. eMudhra helps organizations sign the document digitally without the need issues 150,000 eSigns on an average per day and expects to for printing it. This reduces the time, money, and efforts lost in achieve 50-75 million eSigns in the next 12 months. doing paperwork. eMudhra’s eSign service has been widely adopted “From the start, our endeavor is to enable paperless by several large organizations including banks, government transformation and support the Government of India’s Digital India agencies across the country. n
24 | september 2017 MYMOBILE bignews
TCS iON to launch GST Shiksha hub for MSMEs
CS iON, a strategic unit of IT major Tata Consultancy Services, Thas tied up with Laghu Udyog Bharati, an association of small and micro industrial units, to launch GST related content that can help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to be current in their understanding of GST. The GST Shiksha hub will aim to TCS iON Digital Learning HUB, an online Content Market Place that provide relevant information on GST to all MSMEs on a real-time aims to connect professional organizations and publishers offering basis and helping MSMEs across India to be updated on any GST- rich content with individuals and institutions who want to learn and
linked development. The partnership will benefit MSMEs in upgrade their skills. Laghu Udyog Bharati’s National President, Om Up What’s facilitating self-learning, with anywhere anytime access to study Prakash Mittal said, “The partnership with TCS iON to drive multi material enabling them to create a technology supported collaborative modal learning content in GST Shiksha hub will help our members work place. upgrade their GST knowledge anytime, anywhere, any device. We TCS iON will also work to integrate Laghu Udyog Bharati’s are confident that this service will be tremendously useful to all our existing GST learning content into a digital medium, providing members.” V. Ramaswamy, Global Head, TCS iON, said, “The GST MSMEs an online alternative to upgrade their GST knowledge. With Shiksha hub with digital content from multiple publishers will help the availability of digital learning content, Laghu Bharati Udyog will MSMEs to be up-to-date by getting access to the best GST experts. be able to reach MSMEs in remote areas, ensuring availability of the We are confident that all MSMEs will benefit from the rich content latest GST information. The GST Shiksha hub is being hosted on available on the platform.” n
Tech being developed to check mobile information leak of government officials
ingerprint sensor enabled smartphones are very common these mobiles, the government is developing a solution to prevent Fdays and Apple is the first company to introduce this technology unauthorised access to communications of government officials.” on its most profitable handset, the iPhone 5s. Currently, hardly The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in Hyderabad there are any smartphones without Touch ID technology. A survey has been working on the technology and expects to complete the report from Strategy Analytics reported that as of now, over 55 per project soon. cent of smartphone brands are furnished with this technology. The Cyber security researchers at Indian Infosec Consortium in report further showed that of all the devices, which uses fingerprint November 2015 came up with a report saying phones of the Army sensor technology, 90 per cent of them place the Touch ID sensor personnel who had downloaded some mobile news application on the front, while fewer had been compromised by Pakistan-based hackers. The same was put it at the back. Only 3 confirmed by a senior Army officer, clarifying that immediate per cent of smartphones action was taken and things were brought under control. The had this technology back technology will reportedly act like a layer between the operating in 2013, which escalated system of a mobile phone and communication of officials. “The to 10% in 2014, 23% in technology is being developed keeping in mind need of critical 2015 and 40% in 2016. communications of security personnel. It will be largely limited to This technology has a government officer. There has been no thinking on opening it for turned out to be the most general masses as of now,” the official was quoted as saying. The important feature in the technology, as per him, aims to check unauthorised access of smartphone for the past microphone, SMS, storage and the like of a mobile phone by four to five years that ensures to offer enhanced security. applications installed in it. “Most of the applications seek The government is developing technology to eliminate chances permission to access microphone, call record, SMS etc in a mobile of communication leakage of officials from mobile phones. phone. Users often fail to download a mobile application when According to reports quoting an official from the Ministry of they deny permit to access microphone etc. The new technology Electronics and IT, “Gadgets have become a source from where will prevent such downloaded application on the phone from chances of espionage have increased. Mobile phones are most accessing security sensitive parts of a mobile phone,” the official vulnerable and even set-top-boxes can be compromised. For added. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 25 bignews
Trai directs telcos to block pesky text messages on stock tips
elecom regulator TRAI, at the instance of the Securities & TExchange Board of India (SEBI), has asked phone companies to block unsolicited and misleading bulk text messages relating to investment tips in the securities market to protect unsuspecting mobile users-cum-investors. “Sebi has expressed concern about only from SEBI-registered investment advisors, stock-brokers, misleading and unsolicited text messages to investors in the portfolio managers and merchant bankers are allowed transmission securities market by unauthorised persons,” TRAI said in a through the mobile network SMS channel. Such text messages statement recently. The capital market regulator, it said, “had from SEBI-registered investment advisors, it said, shall only be sent What’s Up What’s brought to the Trai’s notice that “unscrupulous persons or entities, “as a transactional message either directly or through a registered masquerading as SEBI-registered investment advisors are sending telemarketer”. The telecom regulator also said such text messages bulk text messages relating to investment tips to telecom users for must “not be promotional” in nature. Text messages “relating to financial gains by manipulating the securities market”. Accordingly, investment advice sent by a telemarketer not registered with TRAI the telecom regulator has asked phone companies to block such shall be filtered and blocked,” the sector regulator added. Reports text messages sent by telemarketers that are in the nature of of rogue market operators and fraudsters taking ignorant mobile investment tips containing key words relating to securities such as users for a ride with unsolicited text messages offers promising “sell, hold, accumulate, target, followed by scrip name/code huge financial gains has lately galvanised the capital market provided by any stock exchange”. regulator to explore closer coordination with the Reserve Bank of TRAI has, in fact, directed telcos to ensure that investment tips India and TRAI. n
Battery-less smartphone could soon be a reality
Talla told Reuters. The phone is a first prototype and its operation is basic - at first glance it looks little more than a circuit board with a few parts attached and the caller must wear headphones and press a button to switch between talking and listening. But researchers say there are plans to develop further prototypes, featuring a low-power screen for texting and even a basic camera. They also plan a version of n an initiative seeking to improve the way that mobile technology the battery-free phone that uses a tiny solar cell to provide Iis powered, researchers in the United States have unveiled a power. The researchers plan to release a product in eight to nine prototype of a battery-free mobile phone, using technology they months time, though they would not give further details. One team hope will eventually come to be integrated into mass-market member however, was prepared to give a glimpse of how their products. According to a Reuters report, the phone is the work of a work will impact the future of cellphone technology. “In the future group of researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle and every smartphone will come with a battery-free mode where works by harvesting tiny amounts of power from radio signals, you can at least make a voice call when your battery’s dead.” In known as radio frequency or ‘RF’ waves. “Ambient RF waves are all another development, researchers at the Universities of Bristol and around us so, as an example, your FM station broadcasts radio Surrey in Britain, are developing supercapacitors, which they waves, your AM stations do that, your TV stations, your cellphone believe will eventually allow devices to charge in a period of a few towers. They all are transmitting RF waves,” team member Vamsi minutes. n
26 | september 2017 MYMOBILE bignews
Numeric rolls out Keor series UPS PS manufacturer Numeric has come up with highly efficient, Ueasy to deploy, compact new Keor series of three phase UPS - Keor HP and Keor HPE. With flexible operating modes for large facilities, datacenters and business-critical applications, the new range allows users flexibility of extending its range from 60 kVA to 4.8 MVA. Keor HP and Keor HPE by Numeric are designed with advanced technologies and latest generation components. These intend to satisfy both user and installers by providing ease of maintenance and safety; capital preservation and reducing operating expenses. It has a three-level IGBT inverter design that helps to improve the inverter efficiency and overall efficiency thus reducing Up What’s the operational expenses. High input power factor and low THDi reduces the cost of electrical infrastructure. Multi DSP controller in the products helps the UPS to respond faster. The uniqueness of the UPS lies in its flexibility to offer with or without an inbuilt transformer thereby giving full flexibility to the customer to design his solutions. “UPS remains a key element in any electrical infrastructure, be it SOHO, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, datacenters, IT/ITeS, BFSI, hotels etc. Building on Numeric’s longstanding history and industry expertise, we are pleased to announce the launch of Keor three phase UPS, Keor HP and Keor HPE,” said Palash Nandy, Chief Commercial Officer, Numeric, at the launch event in New Delhi. ownership (TCO) and enable them to continuously maintain, “The key considerations in choosing the backup solution like UPS, operate, monitor and optimize the datacenter throughout its life especially for data centers is basis their reliability, efficiency, cycle. Depending on the power demand, Keor series of UPS will maintenance, and return on investment. These Keor series three enable our customers to connect to parallel operation, thus phase UPS will allow data center operators lower the total cost of increasing the utility as per demand,” Nandy added. n
Cyber experts welcome ban on Blue Whale challenge
yber experts have welcomed the government’s direction to appropriate time. It is a right step in the right direction. It has been Cinternet majors Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, good beginning but the government needs to come up with more Microsoft and Yahoo to immediately remove links of the dangerous innovative strategies to deal with these self harm games. The GOI online game Blue Whale Challenge. They said that the government could come up with rules and regulation under Section 79 of needs to come up with more innovative strategies to deal with such Information and technology to ensure there is no propagation of such self harm games. Cyber expert Pawan Duggal said it is a right step negative and self harm games,” Duggal said. in the right direction. “The recent move of the GOI comes in at an Another cyber expert Prashant Mali said the direction came late but it is definitely a “good step”. “This should be welcomed with a good head. It came late but it is a good step by the government of India. I want to suggest that India should have a gaming regulator so that they can stop where they are instigating the gamer to do things like raping a person, or killing itself,” Mali said. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, taking a strict measure against the deadly online game, Blue Whale Challenge, has asked the social media giants to immediately remove all the links relating to the game. The deadly online Blue Whale Challenge is reportedly a suicide game that challenges players for over 50 days, wherein demanding them to complete tasks given by an anonymous controller. n [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 27 justin
Gionee A1 Lite A selfie king First Look First
hinese phone maker Gionee has come up with a new is equipped with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage Csmartphone in it’s A series, dubbed the Gionee A1 Lite in which can be further expanded up to 256GB with the use of a India. The highlight of the Gionee A1 Lite is its extraordinary memory card. selfie camera, and capacious battery. The Gionee A1 Lite is backed by a 4000mAh battery and Speaking of the technical specifications, the Gionee A1 Lite runs the company’s Amigo 4.0 OS based on Android 7.0 comes with a 5.3-inch HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass Nougat. The device houses dual SIM card slots and is stacked 3 for protection. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core with connectivity options such as 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 MediaTek MT6753V processor clocked at 1.3GHz. The device b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0, GPS, and USB OTG. In terms of optics, the smartphone comes with a 20- megapixel front camera featuring soft flash. At the back, lies a 13-megapixel camera with LED flash. Priced at Rs 14,999, the Gionee A1 Lite is available in Gold and Black colour options.n
28 | september 2017 MYMOBILE justin
Lenovo K8 Note A new budget option with dual rear camera
ech major Lenovo recently unveiled a new member in its 3GB RAM/32GB ROM (for Rs 12,999) and 4GB RAM/64GB TK Note series, dubbed the K8 Note at an event in (for Rs 13,999) internal storage, which can be further India. expanded up to 128GB with the use of a dedicated memory Among many of its highlights is the inclusion of a dual card slot. camera setup at the back rated at 13-megapixel and The Lenovo K8 Note is backed by a 4000mAh battery
5-megapixel each, which makes it the company’s first to and comes with a 15W Turbo charge for fast charging, and Look First come with one. The smartphone comes with a 13-megapixel is topped with various connectivity options such as 4G front camera, featuring front flash. Other highlights include VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS/ A-GPS, the smartphone running stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat, a Micro-USB, and 3.5mm audio jack. Additionally, it comes 2.3GHz deca-core Helio X23 processor, and Dolby Atmos with dual SIM card slots, and a fingerprint scanner at the audio system for enhanced audio experience. back. In terms of other specifications, the K8 Note comes with The Lenovo K8 Note comes in Venom Black and Fine a 5.5-inch full HD display protected with a layer of Corning Gold colour options, and is an Amazon exclusive. n Gorilla Glass. It comes in two RAM/ROM configurations-
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 29 justin First Look First LG Q6 Beautiful, but not expensive
front-facing camera with wide-angle sensor. It offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal storage which can be expanded further by adding a microSD card. It is backed by a 3000mAh battery and outh Korean technology major LG has launched its first Q offer 4G, LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, FM Sseries smartphone, dubbed Q6 in India. The smartphone was Radio and a USB Type-B 2.0 port as connectivity options. launched in South Korea in July this year and offers features like Measuring 142.5x69.3x8.1mm, the smartphone weighs 149 18:9 wide screen, facial recognition and military grade grams. durability. In terms of optics, the LG Q6 sports a 13MP rear camera and The LG Q6 comes with the company’s flagship extended a 5MP front shooter with 10-degree wide angle. Users can take ‘FullVision’ display with 18:9 aspect ratio. It features a 5.5-inch selfies to instantly share them on social media as well as ‘FullVision’ display with full HD+ (2160x1080 pixels) resolution friends. and pixel density of 442ppi. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon The device comes with a price tag of Rs 14,990 and is 435 processor, it runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box along available in Astro Black, Ice Platinum, Mystic White and Terra with the LG UX 6.0 skin on top. Gold colour options. The smartphone will be exclusively available The smartphone comes with a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP on Amazon India. n
30 | september 2017 MYMOBILE justin
itel PowerPro P41 A powerhouse
tel Mobile, a part of Chinese mobile manufacturer iTranssion Holdings, has launched P41, the newest offering from its PowerPro series. What sets P41 apart from its competition is 5000 mAh
Li-Polymer battery which offers up to 95 hours Look First of music playback time, a standby time of up to 35 days, up to 18.2 hours of uninterrupted video playback, and an exceptional talk time of up to 51 hours and the device is complemented with the power bank support. The latest product launch marks another exciting addition to the brand’s stellar and constantly increasing 4G smartphone portfolio – which comprises Wish A41, Wish A21, and Wish A41Plus as well as it1518 and it1520 from the impressive SelfiePro series – and underlines its commitment to become the most preferred 4G-enabler with state-of-the-art features for entry- to mid-level smartphone users in India. Powered by the latest Android 7.0 Nougat and 1.3 GHz quad core processor, the PowerPro P41 comes equipped with 1GB RAM that enables a power-packed performance, offering best-in-class multitasking capabilities and superfast processing speeds for booting and app navigation. The VoLTE/ViLTE-enabled 4G smartphone allows users access to high-speed data browsing with faster downloading and improved voice quality. Its 8GB storage space, expandable to 32GB, also ensures that user never run out of storage. Priced at Rs 5,999, the PowerPro P41 is available in Graphite, Silver Grey, and Champagne colour variants n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 31 32 | september 2017 First Look just C processor. It comes with 2G poweredisand by a 5.0-inch Full HD display with 1280 x 720 pixels of resolution in India. first phone from the company to come with Android 7.1 Nougat that’s expandable up to 64GB via microSD card. T On the camera front, the Coolpad Note 5 Lite C comes with smartphone in India. oolpadrecently launched the Note 5 Lite C, a budget alking about the technical specs, the smartphone sports in Features metal body with budget specs budget with body metal Features Coolpad Note 5 Lite C Lite 5 Note Coolpad S napdragon210,quadGHz1.1core T he Coolpad Note 5 Lite C is also the B
R A M and 16G B internal memory VoL options, the Note 5 Lite C is compatiblelight with sensors2G, 3G andand 4G proximity the sensors.phone, placed below the rear Comingcamera. to the connectivity claims can power the phone for 240 hours during standby. smartphone is backed by a 2500mAh8 battery which company in Grey and Gold colour variants. MP T T TE he Coolpad Note 5 Lite C costs here is a finger print scanner mounted on the back side of rear camera and 5 and camera rear , WLAN 802.11 b/g/n,
MP B front camera. Further, the the Further, camera. front luetooth 4.0. n R s 7,777 and is available The sensors include MY MOBILE justin
Karbonn Aura Note Play A device for photo crazy people
ome-bred handset manufacturer Karbonn Mobiles has 8-megapixel primary shooter with LED flash, while the Hlaunched a new smartphone in its Aura series, known front facing shooter stands at 5-megapixel. The Aura as the Karbonn Aura Note Play in India. The main highlight Note Play comes with various camera features such of the smartphone is the implementation of Vistoso app, as Panorama shot, continuous shot, smile shot, face
which helps the users to apply filters on the photos and detection, auto focus, self-timer, and Geo tagging with Look First create illustrations out of the pictures. a Night Mode Pro. In terms of the hardware specs, the Aura Note Play The handset gets its power to run from a 3300mAh sports a 6-inch full HD IPS display and is powered by a battery and runs Android 7.0 Nougat. The dual-SIM quad-core processor clocked at 1.3GHz. The smartphone smartphone comes with several connectivity options such comes with 2GB of RAM and is equipped with 16GB of as 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, OTG support, and FM internal storage which can be further expanded up to 32GB radio. It is also accompanied by a fingerprint at the back. with the use of a microSD card. The Karbonn Aura Note Play costs Rs 7,590 and is In the camera department, the device houses an available in Black and Champagne colour options. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 33 justin
Micromax Selfie 2 More than a selfie phone
ome-grown technology major Micromax has launched Ha new selfie-centric smartphone, theM icromax Selfie 2 in India. Starting with the highlight of the Selfie 2, the smartphone houses a 13-megapixel primary snapper featuring LED flash First Look First with the front camera rated at 8-megapixel with soft front flash.T he device comes with various camera features such as Bokeh effect, Auto Scene Detection which displays settings according to the shooting conditions, Super Pixel tech, and Gallery 4.0 which searches media in the gallery using facial recognition. Talking about the specifications of the smartphone, the Selfie 2 sports a 5.2-inch HD display covered with a layer of 2.5D curved glass. The device is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT6737 processor, coupled with 3GB of RAM. It comes equipped with 32GB of inbuilt storage which can be further expanded up to 64GB with the use of a microSD card. The Micromax Selfie 2 is backed by a 3000mAh battery and runs Android 7.0 Nougat, and supports 4G VoLTE and dual SIM card slots. It is also accompanied by a fingerprint sensor at the back. The smartphone comes with a price tag of Rs 9,999 and is available via offline stores.n
34 | september 2017 MYMOBILE justin
Kult Beyond A feature-packed budget phone
ome-grown company Kult recently launched a smartphone, The smartphone runs on a 1.25 GHz quad-core 64 bit Hknown as Beyond. The 4G VoLTE enabled smartphone processor and the latest Android Nougat 7.0 OS ensuring allows users to do more by offering multi-purpose fingerprint seamless and smooth performance. It also comes loaded with sensor. 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM that is expandable up to additional The Kult Beyond comes with a 5.2 inch HD screen and an 32 GB (supports 3 Slots: 2 SIM both micro + 1 Micro SD) HD IPS on-cell display. Complemented with a 13MP rear AF Backed by a 3000mAh battery, the Kult Beyond allows users
camera with Dual Tone LED flash and 13MP selfie camera with to talk up to 25 hours. The fingerprint sensor can unlock the Look First Dual LED flash, the KultB eyond enables users to take better device and open select applications, answer calls, play and and sharper pictures. pause music and movies, turn off the alarm and scroll home page. In addition to the key features, the device comes with a pre- installed Amazon app, Amazon Prime Videos, Opera mini, Go2pay to recharge/Pay mobile bill, Xender applications, and many other integrated games. Priced at Rs 6,999, the device is exclusively available on Amazon India. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 35 justin
First Look First ong Kong-based smartphone maker Infinix Note 4, Hot 4 Pro HInfinix has arrived to the Indian shores with the launch of two budget smartphones, Promising new budget smartphone the Infinix Note 4 and Infinix Hot P4 ro. Starting with the Infinix Note 4, the smartphone features a 5.7-inch full HD display and is powered by an octa-core Mediatek MT6753 processor ticking at 1.3GHz. It comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage which is expandable up to 128GB using a memory card. On the camera front, the smartphone comprises a 13-megapixel primary shooter with LED flash, with the front facing camera rated at 8-megapixel. The dual-SIM smartphone is backed by a huge 4300mAh battery and runs Android 7.0 Nougat. It is also accompanied by a fingerprint scanner.T he smartphone comes in Ice Blue, Champagne Gold and Milan Black colour variants. The Infinix Hot 4 Pro, on the other hand, sports a 5.5-inch HD display and is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT6737 SoC. It has 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 128GB via a memory card. Camera-wise, the device houses a 13- megapixel rear and a 5-megapixel front camera, both the sensors coming with LED flash. It is backed by a smaller 4000mAh battery and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Hot 4 Pro is available in Bordeaux Red, Quartz Black and Magic Gold variants. The Infinix Note 4 and the Hot 4 Pro are priced at Rs 8,999 and Rs 7,499 respectively, and are available exclusively on Flipkart. n
36 | september 2017 MYMOBILE justin
Asus ZenFone Zoom S A camera-centric device
aiwanese tech giant Asus has launched ZenFone Zoom Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for photos and 4K TS, the world’s slimmest and lightest 5.5-inch videos. The ZenFone Zoom S houses 5000mAh battery smartphone with a 2.3X Optical and 12 X Digital Zoom, and is paired with Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 14nm Dual Camera setup that focuses on photographic processor.
perfection. It is fitted into a 7.9mm full-metal chassis that only Look First The ZenFone Zoom S consists of two cameras: A main weighs 170 grams, making it the world’s thinnest and camera with an f/1.7-aperture, 25mm wide-angle main lightest 5.5-inch smartphone sporting a Dual Camera setup lens paired to a 12MP SONY IMX362 sensor with large with 5000mAh battery, claims Asus. 1.4µm pixels (1/2.55in sensor size); and a dedicated The ZenFone Zoom S is Flipkart exclusive and is priced 59mm, 12MP zoom camera with an instant 2.3X true at Rs 26,999. It comes in Navy Black and Glacier Silver optical zoom and 12X of total zoom. colour options. n The smartphone also has the first Asus SuperPixel camera that enables it to shoot photos quickly and clearly in night-time or in low-light environments. The ZenFone Zoom S also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 37 38 | september 2017 First Look just D micro anexpandable storage slot that can accommodate a processor, has 1G resolution with 2.5D pixels Dragontrail480 x 854 with display protection.IPS FWVGA 5-inch time. offer 11 hours of talk time and 216 hours of standby TE in Z4G comes with a 2400mAh battery which claims to T omestic handset maker TEZ4G smartphone in India. he smartphone is powered by 1.3 GHz quad core S D cardD ofupto32G B
R A M Yetphone affordable another , 8G M B B - of internal storage, and T capacity. ech has launched the The M-tech TEZ4G TEZ4G M-tech Z4G features a TEZ4G features a T he M -tech comes in Gold and Flipkart, Amazon, like sites e-commerce various across the country at 20,000 retail stores and online via A-GPS, with dual with L system based smartphone has a 5-megapixel rear camera P On the connectivity front, the esides, this Android 6.0 Android this Besides, ricedat E D flash and a 2-megapixel front camera. Micro-USB, G PRS/ SIM, 4G VoL S hopclues, R s4,999, the phone is available offline
Black colour variants.n TE, P aytm etc.aytm Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, EDG. arshmallow operating operating Marshmallow M T -tech he M TE -tech Z4G comes Snapdeal, TE Z4G MY MOBILE justin
Mafe Shine M810 Comes with a host of useful features
omegrown handset maker Mafe Mobile has
Hlaunched its latest 4G VoLTE smartphone – the Look First Shine M810. The phone offers super fast internet connectivity and superior voice call quality at an affordable price. In terms of the technical specifications, theS hine M810 sports a 12.7cm (5 inch), (480 x 854pixels) FWVGA display. The device is powered by a 1.3 Ghz quad core Spreadtrum processor, 1GB RAM and Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS. It offers internal memory storage of 16GB expandable up to 64GB. The smartphone is powered by a 2800mAh Li-ion battery which claims to have 8 hours of talk time and 200 hours of standby time. On the camera front, the Shine M810 features a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front camera with selfie flash. The smartphone weighs 170 grams and measures 8.5mm in thickness. Additionally, the 4G VoLTE smartphone comes with a host of useful features like GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi with tethering, proximity sensor and FM radio. The device costs Rs 4,599 and comes in Gold and Black colour options. The product is available at 14,000+ retail points and leading e-commerce sites. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 39 justin
Comio S1, P1 & C1 Three to tango
First Look First omio, the Topwise communication backed mobile brand, has Cbecome the latest entrant into the Indian market with the launch of its flagship handsetsS 1 and P1 along with the third smartphone, C1, targeting the Tier 2 cities. The Comio S1 sports a metal unibody with curved edges and is available in two colour variants - Royal Black and Sunrise Gold. It comes with a 13MP Auto focus with flash rear camera and an Mellow Gold and Space Black colour variants and comes with 8MP selfie camera that accentuates every intricate detail, paired 32GB internal memory, 5-inch HD IPS display and an 8MP with a 5.2-inch HD IPS display, front finger print sensor, 2GB autofocus with flash rear camera with a MP5 selfie camera. It RAM and a 2700mAh battery. It costs Rs 8,999. costs Rs 5,999. The Comio P1 is packed with a 5000mAh battery in Metal All the three smartphones run on quad-core 64 bit Grey and Sunrise Gold colour variants. It comes in a metal body Mediatek chipset, with 32GB internal memory and are 4G VoLTE with a dual-SIM phone offering, 5.5-inch HD IPS display screen, enabled. The devices are also embedded with the Freezer and finger print sensor, 3GB RAM, 13MP Autofocus with flash rear Clone Application. Comio smartphones come with anti-theft camera and an 8MP selfie camera with screen flash. It’s priced feature preloaded in all handsets. In case of any suspicious at Rs 9,999. activity, SIM based alerts are shared with the registered mobile The Comio C1 sporting a metal frame will be available in number. n
40 | september 2017 MYMOBILE justin First Look First
Coolpad Cool Play 6 Another addition to the dual-camera smartphone bandwagon
oolpad has announced its rumoured smartphone, dubbed the along with Adreno 510 GPU. The device comes equipped with CCool Play 6 in India. The smartphone is another addition to 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage which can be further the dual-camera smartphone bandwagon. It will be available to expanded with the use of a microSD card. The smartphone buy exclusively via Amazon India, starting September 4, priced sources power from a 4000mAh battery and runs the latest at Rs 14,999. Android 7.1.1 Nougat, which is expected to receive an update to The main highlight of the smartphone is its camera department the forthcoming Android 8.0 by December. which consists of a dual camera setup at the back. The dual The Cool Play 6 houses dual SIM card slots, and is stacked cameras are rated at 13-megapixel each, featuring PDAF and with several connectivity options such as 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 dual-tone LED flash, while there is an 8-megapixel camera sensor ac/a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, and USB Type-C port. It is also at the front. accompanied by a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The Cool Play 6 sports a 5.5-inch full HD display and is The Coolpad Cool Play 6 comes in Black and Gold colour powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 processor options. n
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 41 42 | september 2017 First Look just V and thinner memory of 16G attributes. enhances visual quality of display by altering various‘MiraVision’, picturewhich works on an advanced algorithm model and experience. It comes with a pre-embedded technologycamera called with L a 13 Android 7.0 (Nougat). comes packed with 2G with packed comes and metal back body. back metal and which sports a premium look with sleek performance superior and design captivating of combination stunning A Metal Pro Metal 2 Videocon Adding more to the platter, the T smartphone, dubbed smartphone, new a with up come has ideocon he 4G VoL MP rear camera and a 3.2 in M E etal TE D flash for a perfect selfie B which is expandable up to 128G smartphone features P ro 2 with a 5 inch display easily fits your he new device device new The B Metal
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lead story Acche Din for Smartphone Limelight Market Soon! After bumpy rides in the past two quarters, the approaching festive season should cheer up the Indian smartphone market By Shelley Vishwajeet
he first day ofS harad or Maha Navratri has traditionally Historically, the sales during festive seasons have also been heralded the onset of festive season in India with highest. And this festive season should prove to be slightly more major festivals popping up one after another till Holi welcoming for companies, especially phone makers which have (Basant Panchami). And since the festive dates follow had a bumpy ride this year for various reasons. Ta lunar cycle, they keep changing each year (though they remain For the first two quarters, the potential demand for the same according to lunar calendar). This year, Navratri begins on 21st September. smartphone in India didn’t really translate into sales as like many other consumer durable segments it got hit hard by a series of Festive season is also the time when people indulge in unexpected events such as demonetization and GST rollout, generous shopping, especially await to purchase the big which created liquidity crunch in the hands of consumers ticket items like car and jewelries with market peaking up leading to slump in the market. A recent Canalys report around Deepawali. This is also the time when general mood states that the Indian smartphone industry witnessed a remains elevated helped generously by the cool weather after negative growth for the first time in history as there was a exasperatingly prolonged hot and considerable decline in the sales of smartphones across leading rainy season which also makes brands in the country in Q2 2017 – the reason cited by it was it the best time for companies the GST effect. The year-on-year decline was pegged at 4 percent to promote their products.
46 | september 2017 MYMOBILE lead story Limelight
“The sentiment is indeed positive in the market. All the ambiguities have cleared now, and vendors are gearing up for the upcoming festival season to for the second quarter. last year, the implementation of the Goods IDC has a slightly more positive take on and Services Tax (GST) in the country from recover from the slow the market impact. The latest International July 2017 meant weak sell-in shipments start in the first half of Data Corporation’s (IDC) Quarterly Mobile in the second quarter as the focus was on Phone Tracker reports that 28 million clearing the existing inventory. However, this year” smartphones were shipped to India in vendors’ proactive steps on absorbing the – Jaipal Singh, Q2 2017, which is a modest 3.7 percent impact of GST helped to stabilise the sell-in Senior Analyst, IDC Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) growth and a for the month of June. meager 1.6 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) Good news is that though the third Indiaweb series and growth. Nonetheless, it also points out that quarter of the year started slowly as the talent acquisition just as the market had started to recover sales channels adjusted to from the impact of demonetisation from late the new taxation system but
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 47 lead story
they quickly recovered within a few weeks. The Indian smartphone market is now Top Five Smartphone Companies in India preparing for the biggest quarter so far; Market Share, Q22017 offline channels have already cleared the old stocks, eTailers are getting ready for mega online festivals, and vendors are set Others, 24% to launch new models in the Diwali festive Others, 31% period. “The sentiment is indeed positive in the market. All the ambiguities have cleared Xiaomi, 17% Limelight now, and vendors are gearing up for the Others, 7% upcoming festival season to recover from Others, 8% the slow start in the first half of this year,” Vivo, 13% says Jaipal Singh, Senior Analyst, IDC India. Indeed as companies gearing up to announce lucrative offers to attract buyers. Notes: The leader Samsung has already announced n The “Company” represents the current parent company (or holding company) for all brands owned and operated as subsidiary n Lenovo Group includes all three brands, namely Lenovo, Motorola and ZUK price cuts on its bestselling models Source: IDC Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, August 16, 2017
‘Galaxy A5 and A7 smartphones ahead “Indian vendors have shown an early of the festive season in India. Others are sign of recovery and now when most of them expected to follow suit soon. Last year all are ready with their 4G product portfolio, a major brands such as Panasonic, vivo, new set of China-based competitors have Oppo, Xioami, Micromax, Lenovo had entered in the sub-USD150 segment” says rolled out mega festive offers to push Upasana Joshi, Senior Analyst, IDC India. up sales. “Indian vendors are putting all their efforts Recovery is also expected this and second half of year will be crucial, festive season for Indian brands either it will see a revival of Indian vendors which had been reeling under the or emergence of new dominance in the sub- dual impact of domestic turbulence $150 segment from China based vendors,” as well as onslaught from Chinese adds Joshi. vendors. Top Vendors Samsung retained its leadership position with a marginal decline of 4 percent from the same period of last year. Samsung is already facing pressure from China-based vendors in the mid-tier segment and competition has intensified even more for the vendor as the online-focused vendors have started to strengthen their grip in the offline segment. Xiaomi secured second place with a healthy 25 percent QoQ growth in Q22017. The vendor continues to expand its offline presence with the opening of Mi homes, Mi authorised stores and partnering with the key large format retail stores. This helped
MYMOBILE lead story Limelight
Xiaomi to triple its offline shipments in the “Recovery is also quarter for feature phones as most of the second quarter of the year. Also, Xiaomi’s purchases happen during the festival time Redmi Note 4 with over 2 million expected this festive and vendors start filling the channel in shipments in Q22017 has become season for Indian brands preparation. Feature phone market the highest shipped smartphone in a is going through a transformation as single quarter in the history of Indian which had been reeling much awaited Reliance’s 4G feature smartphone. under the dual impact of phone is expected to hit the market in vivo remained in third place with the Q3 2017. 26 percent QoQ growth and captured domestic turbulence as well “Reliance’s 4G Jio Phone has 13 percent market share in Q22017 – as onslaught from Chinese created an excitement both in the channel a significant jump from a mere 4 percent and consumer front. This may stabilise market share in the same period last year. vendors” the declining feature phone market in New launches coupled with aggressive the short term and year 2017 is expected investments on above-the-line marketing to end with a similar volume as last year,” activities and in-shop promotions were the contributed by a couple of new launches says Navkendar Singh, Sr Research key driving factors. at the end of quarter. Manager, IDC India. “Experience of OPPO climbed up to the fourth place, Overall mobile phone market shipments early adopters will be crucial for the 4G though shipments declined by 13 percent saw a modest 6.5 percent QoQ growth after feature phones in the 2G dominated QoQ. OPPO has strengthened its portfolio declining consecutively for two quarters. categories. Network connectivity, battery in the US$200-US$300 segment and 34 million units of feature phones were performance, and internet enabled aggressively positioning itself as a strong shipped in the Q22017 with 8.9 percent multimedia experience will carve the path competitor in this segment. growth from the previous quarter but to the next phase for this category,” adds Lenovo (including Motorola) slipped to remained flat as compared to the same Singh. fifth place as its shipments declined 25 period last year. Acche din for smartphone companies percent QoQ. However, its Motorola brand The Forecast: Historically, the third are indeed around! n saw a healthy 17 Percent QoQ growth quarter of the year is also the biggest [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 49 face to face
“Sony will continue to drive its presence with a strong focus on premium smartphone segment”
Sony has been constantly evolving itself in design, research and innovations to stay ahead as a premium dominant player in the highly competitive and cluttered Indian market. Kenichiro Hibi, Managing Director, Sony India interacted with Haider Ali Khan of My Mobile stressing that Sony is not wary of the competition as it keeps on delivering the futuristic products with premium technology to the customers. Excerpts…
Where does Sony India stand in the market segment with unique features and quality presence with a strong focus on premium today as far as mobile handset segment is being incorporated in every offering. smartphone segment and would like to offer concerned and how are you looking at the Sony today stands as one of the leading smartphones focused on experiencing the future potential? Sony has for long been brands to produce technologically superior uniqueness of Sony Technologies in the committed to the Indian market, offering smartphones and provide newer experiences areas of Camera, Display, Battery life and the finest products to the country across its for the customers. We are focused towards the User Interface. We aim to enhance our categories. With a wide range of innovative building a powerful presence in the loyalists by introducing more consumer- and premium products, we always strive smartphone segment and expecting even friendly products in the coming future. We to deliver best in class services to our bigger and better results in future. are happy with our sales performance and customers. expecting sales as per the internal targets. We have recently expanded our portfolio How has been response to the premium Our aim is to be recognized as one of the with multiple additions of futuristic products smartphones launched recently by Sony? premium smartphone brand in the country like XZ premium, XZs, XA1 and XA1 Ultra With incorporation of industry-leading and through our advanced smartphone under both premium and mid segment. Our technology in our new age smartphones, we range, we achieve a higher level of customer latest smartphone in the premium segment, have once again been successful in winning satisfaction. the XZ Premium, boasts the world’s first 4K the heart of our customers. All our recently HDR display and 960 frames per second introduced smartphones have received a Earlier Sony used to dominate the sub-20K of slow motion video recording that no very positive response from our customers market in India but now you’re almost absent other smartphone offers. We are also the including our latest flagship, the Xperia XZ in this segment? What has been the reason? first brand to launch a smartphone with Premium, which has been awarded as the Currently in India, a large chunk of the Snapdragon 835 processor in India. ‘Best new Smartphone’ for 2017 by the market is between Rs 10,000 -20,000. The smartphone sector has witnessed GSMA. Entry level smartphone market has become an evolution in both the mid and premium Sony will continue to drive its extremely competitive in the last two years
50 | september 2017 MYMOBILE face to face
and many foreign brands have started “Sony & Audio technology. pushing inventory in India. We have established ourselves as a would like to offer Sony’s core strength in India has been “Premium” brand player in the country. smartphones focused on the TV panels. How do you see the growth By premium, we mean that the focus experiencing the uniqueness potentials and how can you leverage that is to offer cutting edge-technology and into smartphone business? We at Sony innovation that only Sony could offer to of Sony Technologies in the always believe in offering unique product its customers. areas of Camera, Display, proposition to our customers in India. Our With an aim to alleviate the mid- Battery life and the User TV segment has been the backbone of range smartphone scenario in India, we our business and is doing extremely well have recently introduced two budget Interface” currently. smartphones XA1 and XA1 Ultra priced at Sony is a leader in the 4K HDR Rs 19,990 and 29,990 respectively that customer satisfaction. Such an objective technology and we aim to redefine the features beautiful borderless design, two cannot be met if we were to operate in the premium 4K TV segment. Sony is the great cameras that are worthy of high-end volume business unlike other brands. first one to introduce 4K HDR TVs in premium status and octa-core processor. India which promise to deliver the most We will continue to strengthen this What could be the next big thing form superior picture and sound quality. We segment with more innovative and pocket the technology giant Sony when it comes continue to add value proposition through friendly smartphones packed with latest to innovation? Sony is known for its our products that will provide customers In Conversation In technologies. ever-evolving product offerings across with a new value. We have recently segments. We aim to provide consumer introduced our new flagship smartphone, What do you feel that Japanese companies products emphasizing on experiencing like Sony, which has a strong legacy, does the uniqueness of Sony Technologies with in order to protect themselves from the distinctive features. “Sony is not wary of onslaught of the Chinese and Korean OEMs? Talking about our latest offering, we competition as we have Sony is not wary of competition as we have have recently introduced the much- our own unique strategy in the country. We awaited premium flagship line-up of our own unique strategy are our own competitors as no other brand BRAVIA OLED TVs aimed at redefining in the country. We are can boast of the technology and innovation the future of home entertainment. With our own competitors as that we bring to our products. cutting-edge TV technology, optimal We are consistent in fueling the market brightness levels and stunning visual no other brand can boast with the most innovative and premium experience, these televisions are designed of the technology and products, which is backed by very strong with focus on the lifestyle TV concept sales, marketing and customer sales for our customers. In terms of latest innovation that we bring service. Therefore, the focus is not to innovations, BRAVIA OLED packs a unique to our products” compete with the foreign and local brands sound technology with Acoustic Woofers, but to retain and enhance loyal Sony users thereby being the world’s first large by communicating product benefits which screen TV producing powerful sound from the XZ Premium, which is the world’s first only Sony can offer. the screen itself. Further, in our Digital smartphone with a 4K HDR Display. Sony Our smartphones are being developed in Imaging category, we have recently has made it possible for its customer to collaboration with all units of Sony in order launched the most technologically bring TV like viewing experience in its to get the best of Sony technologies. In advanced, innovative digital camera, the smartphone by using Sony’s native BRAVIA India, Sony stands ahead of competition by new a9, that offers a level of imaging TV technology. We are always excited to introducing industry leading technologies performance through high-speed, bring new experiences to our customers such as 4K HDR screen, 960 fps slow blackout-free continuous shooting, shutter by introducing technologically superior motion recording, 835 Snapdragon speed of up to 1/32,000 second and much products and newer experiences. Our chipset in its smartphones. We also have more. futuristic approach helps us garner prime an R&D unit that invests in developing new We will continue to establish ourselves growth potentials through our brilliant technology which we are putting in our as a premium brand player, focusing on products across categories. n smartphones to achieve a higher level of Sony’s key strengths like Camera, Display [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 51 market insight An Enigma Called 5G
Study World is getting ready to embrace 5G but remains confused about its exact nature, benefits or even its rollout readiness date
lobally the 4G rollout is yet its exact nature has been sorely missing. those in other industries,” said Sylvain to cover more than 50% of Nonetheless, the encouraging aspect Fabre, Research Director at Gartner. “End- the geographies. Though for the 5G enthusiasts is that businesses user organisations in the manufacturing, it has seen impressive and and people around the world are prepared services and government sectors, for Gfast rollout in countries in South Korea, to pay more for 5G if they see substantial example, are less likely to be willing to pay Japan, USA, Singapore, Australia, the fact benefits over the present regime.T his has a premium for 5G than telecom companies, remains that even in advanced economies been validated by a recent global Gartner which are willing to pay a 5G premium for such as UK, France, Russia or emerging survey which revealed that 75 percent of their internal use.” economies like India, China, Brazil which end-user organizations would be willing to In addition to offering better prices have been enthusiastic about 4G rollout pay more for 5G mobile capabilities. Only for industries in which users are less for various reasons, the rollout has barely 24 percent of the survey’s respondents convinced of the business benefits of 5G, covered 50% of the area served. But this would be unwilling to pay more for 5G communications service providers (CSPs) has not stopped the world to be eager about than for 4G. must create value propositions that entice 5G rollout despite the fact that clarity “Those in the telecom industry are more customers to start 5G migration projects regarding its rollout readiness, benefits or likely to be prepared to pay more than sooner.
52 | september 2017 MYMOBILE market insight
For 5G, organizations will be willing to pay... 8% 14% Study 22% 30% or 20% to up to higher than 31% 10% to up to 30% higher 4G 20% higher than 4G than 4G Up to 10% 26% higher than 4G 75% expect their organizations The Same would be willing to pay more for 5G Cost as 4G
Although most of the respondents think 5G won’t be ready to support massive “Even once fully their organizations would be prepared to machine-type communications, or ultra- pay more for 5G, few (8 percent) expect 5G reliable and low-latency communications, implemented, 5G will to deliver cost savings or increase revenues. until early 2020.” suit only a narrow 5G is seen principally as a network evolution (59 percent), and only secondarily as an Confusions about subset of IoT use enabler of digital business (37 percent). applicability cases that require a The survey also found that respondents This finding may also be a sign of confusion from the telecom sector are less persuaded about 5G’s applicability, as many proven combination of very than those in other industries that 5G will and less expensive alternatives already high data rates and be a revenue enhancer. “They tend to see exist for wireless IoT connectivity — use of 5G migration as a matter of gradual and Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth, for example, very low latency. In inevitable infrastructural change, rather would avoid the cost and complexity addition, 5G won’t than as an opportunity to generate new associated with cellular communications. revenue,” said Mr Fabre. A degree of misunderstanding is be ready to support probably also apparent in the expressed IoT seen as numero uno use belief by a large majority of the respondents massive machine- case for 5G (84 percent) that 5G will be widely available type communications, The survey found that almost half the by 2020. By contrast, CSPs’ plans indicate respondents intend to use 5G to access that wide availability may not be achieved or ultra-reliable videos and fixed wireless capabilities. before 2022. and low-latency More interestingly, though, the majority Gartner predicts that, by 2020, respondents (57 percent) believe that only 3 percent of the world’s network- communications, until their organization’s main intention is to owning mobile CSPs will have launched early 2020” use 5G to drive Internet of Things (IoT) 5G networks commercially. “Although communication. standards-compliant commercial network – Sylvain Fabre, “This finding is surprising, as the number equipment could be available by 2019, of deployed ‘things’ that need cellular commercial rollouts of 5G networks and Research Director at connectivity won’t exceed the capacity of services by CSPs before 2019 are likely Gartner existing cellular IoT technologies before to use prestandard equipment,” added Mr 2023 in most regions,” said Mr. Fabre. Fabre. They also need to publish clear 5G rollout “And even once fully implemented, 5G will CSPs’ marketing organizations need plans for the years 2019 to 2021 to help suit only a narrow subset of IoT use cases realistic roadmaps for 5G coverage innovators understand when and where 5G that require a combination of very high and typical performance, so that they will be available for IoT applications. n data rates and very low latency. In addition, communicate with customers accurately. [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 53 54 | september 2017 Study market W to Spike to Security Spending Global Information Information Global dr Increased securityncdentsandevolving regulat ions to 86.4 Billonn2017 $93 billion in 2018, according2016, withto spendingthe expectedlatest to grow to in2017, anincrease percentof7 over i ve worldw will reach $86.4 billion will reach$86.4billion services and products security information on spending orldwide insight i de spend testingas part of DevOps. growing demands for application security base) due to continued data breachessecurity and testing market (albeit segment,from a smallGartner forecasts fast growth in the forecast from Gartner, Inc. i ng on Within the infrastructure protection protection infrastructure the Within i nformat S pendingon i on secur seily I especially segment, growing fastest the be to of this segment through 2021. testing (IA particularly interactive applicationemerging security application security testing tools, S ecurity services will continue continue will services ecurity ST i ), will contribute to the growth ty to T outsourcing, consulting consulting outsourcing, USD
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and implementation services. However, just about spending on new hardware support services will see growth technologies. As seen in the “China’s recently slowing, due to the adoption of virtual recent spate of global approved cyber security appliances, public cloud and software security incidents, as a service (SaaS) editions of security doing the basics right law will contribute to further solutions, which reduces the need for has never been displacement of US -manufactured Study attached hardware support overall. more important. “Rising awareness among CEOs and Organizations network security products with local boards of directors about the business can improve their impact of security incidents and an security posture Chinese vendors. By 2021, more than evolving regulatory landscape have led to significantly just 80 percent of large businesses in continued spending on security products by addressing and services,” said Sid Deshpande, basic security and China will deploy network security Principal Research Analyst at Gartner. risk related hygiene equipment from a “However, improving security is not elements like threat centric vulnerability local vendor” management, centralized log management, internal network building and operating a mature security segmentation, backups and system program in a short space of time, many hardening,” added Mr Deshpande. large organizations are looking to security The Drivers consulting and ITO providers that offer The EU General Data Protection Regulation customizable delivery components that (GDPR) has created renewed interest, are sold with the MSS. As ITO providers and will drive 65 percent of data loss and security consulting firms improve the prevention buying decisions today through maturity of the MSS they offer, customers 2018. The EU General Data Protection will have a much broader range of bundling “Rising awareness Regulation (GDPR) has caused an overall and service packaging options through among CEOs and panic and unease among organizations in which to consume MSS offerings. The Europe, but will also have a global effect large contract sizes associated with ITO boards of directors since multinationals will also need to and security outsourcing deals will drive adhere to the new law. While organizations significant growth for the MSS market about the business are working toward strengthening their through 2020. impact of security knowledge of the regulation, those with The study says that by 2021, more than some form of data loss prevention (DLP) 80 percent of large businesses in China incidents and an already implemented are determining what will deploy network security equipment additional capabilities they need to invest from a local vendor. In addition, China’s evolving regulatory in (specifically, integrated DLP such as recently approved cyber security law will landscape have led to data classification, data masking and data contribute to further displacement of US discovery). In addition, organizations that -manufactured network security products continued spending on do not already have strong DLP in place are with local Chinese vendors. Despite an security products and looking to increase their capabilities. increase of 24 percent in 2016, Gartner Gartner believes that by 2020, 40 expects end-user spending growth in services” percent of all managed security service Asia/Pacific to return to single-digit yearly (MSS) contracts will be bundled with growth from 2018 onward, as a result of a decline in average selling prices (ASPs), – Sid Deshpande, other security services and broader IT outsourcing (ITO) projects, up from 20 due to the more competitive pricing of Principal Research n percent today. Chinese solutions. Analyst at Gartner To deal with the complexity of designing, [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 55 Consumer insight Indians Most Vulnerable to Ad-Fraud Trendz
study has found that ad fraud that mobile ad fraud in India is not only in 2016 was 71 percent higher than in in India is highest in the world. 50% higher than the global average but 2015 – and our data shows that segments This is based on the analysis also 2.4 times higher as rest of the world. like mobile gaming in India will double of a study done by TUNE, App Install Fraud: On the mobile app Athe global leader in mobile marketing installs front too, India is amongst the top solutions. From January to June 2017, 10 countries with the highest app install TUNE, TUNE studied 24.3 billion clicks frauds. TUNE’s analysis of 437 million via 702 ad networks and 437 million mobile app installs from 131 countries mobile app installs across 131 countries revealed that Guatemala has the highest utilizing TUNE’s anti-fraud technology, to degree of mobile app install fraud of track mobile ad fraud trends across the 23.65% (sample size: 497,652 installs) globe and more so for the India market. while Poland has the lowest app install Click Fraud: According to the TUNE fraud with only 1.57% fraud on a sample mobile ad fraud report, click fraud across size of 921,653. On the other hand, India the mapped ad networks stood at 15.17% with a massive sample size of over 100 of which 35 ad networks experienced million installs witnessed 16.2% app 50% or more cases of ad frauds. In terms install fraud cases. “The rise of startups of mobile app installs, 10% witnessed a John Koetsier, TUNE’s mobile economist scenario of ad fraud. said, “The rise of startups in India and the in India and the The report further states that ad fraud accompanying influx of funds from venture accompanying influx in the Indian subcontinent alone stands capitalists are driving entrepreneurs to much higher at approximately 32% and if build mobile apps and solutions in an effort of funds from venture not curtailed could cost Indian marketers a to capture new market share. As such, the capitalists are driving whopping USD $350 million. This implies pace at which Indians downloaded apps entrepreneurs to build mobile apps and solutions in an effort to capture new market share. But the growth of the mobile economy in India comes with a sizable amount of ad fraud” – John Koetsier, TUNE’s Mobile Economist
56 | september 2017 MYMOBILE app-install mobile ad fraud, including: In addition, there are multiple kinds of non Indian market: installfrauds that can also be seen in the However, there are three basic types of app sizable amount of ad fraud.” mobileeconomy Indiaincomes with a revenues by 2019. Targeting/compliance • Bot • Viewability • Compliance • Install • Click • www.mymobileindia.com Ad fraud exists in many different forms. not viewable marketer wants to real people, but not the audience a profile/etc. genuine user, wrongusergeography/
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Consumer Consumer T especially to resulting sub-publishers exploit the system. re- Insomecases, he report he brokering happensmore thanonce in poor quality traffic, poor-quality cracks for fraudsters to find and industry practices that create and re-brokering are the two clicks, app installs, views or average. industry the up bring ad-networks 35 the higher percentages of fraud in about have less than 5% fraud cases. However, that havesignificanttractionandtraffic, straight-up fraud” “Sub-publishers n [email protected] insight insight
september 2017 |
57 Study 58 | september 2017 In Conversation face competitve andfast movingmoblehandetandaccessorepace. terms ofinnovat ion, mndshareandmarketnthehghly to findouthowtheCompany planstotay ahead ofthepac k in into manufacturing as well as as well as manufacturing into India journey began in 1995.and Itfive ventured Company has two manufacturing plants andcontribute tosocial prosperity. people’slives enrich that designs and through innovative technologies, products is to inspire the world and valuecreate to thethe livesfuture of consumers. Ourinnovations, visionoffering products thatadd has always been at the helm of meaningful products? related and handsets Samsung, especially when it comesHow importantto mobiledoes India market remain for portfolio, has been a tru sted name Samsung, India’ s biggetmoblebrandntermof sale and that enhance consumers’ lives” creating products and services “At Samsung, we believe in chips, flash drives or the smartphones are are smartphones the or drives flash chips, memory as far as strategy sales and tryingtoachieve synergy inmarketing product portfolio, how is the company of spread large a has Samsung As expansion of our Noida plant. India. We recently announced the to Wecommitted 1996. remain in F and diverseneed.HaiderAliKhanof to cater toadiverseetofconumeracrossvar ious prcepont South Koreanelectronicsgantofferproductacrosscategor ies Asim Warsi, rom ba R &D facilities in India. to si c feature phone
face ss ine s u B Mobile ident, s Pre Vice Senior S S amsung’s R amsung &D &D T he established its credibility in India. established itscredibility inIndia. needs, whichare someof thekey It has imbibed Indian conditions, factors thathave contributed to understood Indian consumers’ across categories and work hard to create across categoriesandworkhardtocreate products offer We offerings. product out to every consumer through meaningfulleader, it is our constant endeavorenhance consumers’ tolives. As reacha technology on creating great devices and services that more hereinIndia? At focusing be company the will line product which on time, same the At concerned? s 22 years, Samsung has 22 years, Samsung has Samsung’s success in to ab “Over the last “Over thelast the country” s olutely prem since 22 years of S amsung, we focus
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i le by brandanalyticsby firm ranked India’s services we offer, which have and beenproducts consumer-centric the crucialto place intheCompany. Thisislargelydue well as globally is the trust thathallmarks consumers of up yoursharetoohereinIndia? One of the do you feel Chinese handsets market/ brands share. Doescan the trendeat worry you and the upswing in India and gobbling up increasing Lately, Chinese handset brands have been on users. valued our for innovations meaningful in the country.the in in retaining and expanding our consumer have contributed to s base. Over the last 22 years, which are some of the key factors that understood Indian consumers’ needs, understood Indianconsumers’needs, conditions, Indian imbibed has It India. in credibility its established has i martphone nteracted w ndia, I ung ms Sa , ence here. its presence here. S amsung’s success in India as M ost S amsung was recently was amsung T
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“Samsung Samsung India was ranked number one time, we welcome healthy competition. It in the Mobile Handsets/Tablets and believes in providing keeps us going. Consumer Durables categories in the meaningful innovations that ‘Most Trusted Brands 2016’ annual disrupt the market with the best Samsung recently launched Galaxy Tab survey, conducted by The Economic S3. Do you still feel that there’s potential Times – Brand Equity and research of products. By making consumers in this segment and where exactly does firm Nielsen.T hese awards reiterate aware of the many possible uses Samsung stand today in this particular the trust and credibility Samsung genre? Samsung believes in providing enjoys in the country. of Galaxy Tab, we aim to meaningful innovations that disrupt the initiate growth in the market with the best of products. By making There is a feeling that Samsung may have Tab market” consumers aware of the many possible uses been rolling out just too many products without of Galaxy Tab, we aim to initiate growth in creating enough product differentiation the Tab market. Besides B2C, Samsung is and that could be confusing for consumers/ derived over past two decades of doing also determined to create value addition for buyers. What’s your view on this? We believe business in India. customers through enterprise business. in creating products that add value to the lives of our consumers. Samsung offers Also as Samsung competes a lot with Apple in The Samsung Galaxy S8 has created a huge a wide array of products and its portfolio terms of specs and prices, is that somewhere disruption in the premium segment market. Are has offerings that cater to a diverse set an impediment in enlarging your customer you satisfied with the response it’s getting? We of consumers across price points and base or even price competiveness? At are pleased that the Galaxy S8 has been specific requirements.E ach product is the Samsung, we compete with ourselves. We hugely popular with our consumers. A result of our deep understanding of Indian believe in creating products and services recent ‘Smartphone of the Year’ award consumers and their needs, which we have that enhance consumers’ lives. At the same acknowledges our success. Galaxy S8 and
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 59 face to face
Galaxy S8+ stand out in every aspect, be it What are your expectations from the forefront of what we do. With 4G adoption design, a fast processor or an exceptionally investment of Rs 4,915 cr at the Noida facility? on the rise, increase in smartphone sales superior front and back camera. We are The investment of INR 4,915 crore in bundled with affordable data services will confident that Galaxy S8 and S8+ will India has been made to add fresh capacity unleash a new wave of connected Indians continue our success story. at our Noida plant, where smartphones, who use mobile phones as the primary refrigerators and flat-panel televisions are source of viewing/browsing and accessing There has been an issue of fragility with manufactured. Expansion of the Noida content. We believe multiple channels Samsung S8. How far is it true and how do you facility reaffirmsS amsung’s commitment can exist simultaneously and it is all about plan to overcome it? The flagship GalaxyS 8 to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for India’ understanding market trends and consumer and S8+ come with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 as well as to the state of Uttar Pradesh, preferences. on both the front and back, which provides where Samsung’s first plant in India was durability and a high-quality finish to these built in 1996. Today, on the back of the How do you see the prospect of Samsung Pay smartphones. Digital India movement led by millions of in India? Since its launch, Samsung Pay young Indians, we are witnessing a rise has redefined cashless transactions with You have recently launched the new J-series in adoption of electronic devices, smart its simple, secure and almost-everywhere (Pro and Max) which has been one of your appliances and mobile phones. A bigger proposition. It is an example of how In Conversation In most selling phones in India. How do you plan manufacturing plant will help cater to the Samsung continues to push the boundaries to further leverage it? The Galaxy J series has growing demand for Samsung products to create devices and services to improve been accepted well by consumers in India. across the country. how consumers connect, share, organize One of every 4 smartphones sold in India is With this new investment, Samsung and get more out of life. Samsung Pay is a Galaxy J. The devices have “changed the will double the production capacity of both a great leap forward towards ensuring a Indian smartphone landscape”, especially mobile phones and refrigerators from this cashless economy and resonates with the with Samsung’s own localized ‘Make for plant, further consolidating its leadership in Government’s Digital India initiative. India’ features such as Ultra Data Saving these segments. Additionally, the expansion In India, Samsung Pay works on 2.5 mode, S bike mode and S Power Planning, will act as a catalyst for the development million Point of Sale (PoS) card machines which offer faster Internet, safer solutions of a robust electronics manufacturing across the country through Samsung’s for bikers and better power planning. ecosystem and is expected to generate patented Magnetic Secure Transmission Other ‘Make for India’ features such as thousands of new jobs, both direct and (MST) technology as well as with Near Field ‘S Secure’ and ‘Turbo Speed Technology’ indirect, across the country. Communication (NFC). Since a majority of help consumers secure their apps, files and PoS terminals in India are MST enabled, data, while improving critical smartphone What would remain the cornerstone of they will work seamlessly with Samsung Pay. performance metrics. These features, Samsung’s brand strategy (especially when Apart from allowing users in India to simply especially built for Indian consumers, it comes to mobile handsets) in India in the tap and ‘pay on the go’ using their registered reiterate our commitment towards coming years? Consumer insights and cards, Samsung Pay has integrated digital meaningful innovations. preferences will continue to be at the wallet Paytm as well as the government’s UnifiedP ayments Interface (UPI) into its app. The integration of Samsung Pay with local payments solutions is in line with Samsung’s ‘Make for India’ commitment. Samsung recently introduced Samsung Pay Mini, which is designed to cater to the unique requirements of Indian mid- segment consumers. Samsung Pay Mini provides a comprehensive platform for UPI and e-wallets. Samsung Pay Mini has been launched first on Galaxy J7M ax and will be made available on select existing J series devices shortly. n [email protected]
50 | august 2017 MYMOBILE
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Asus ZenFone AR A Tango with Daydream!
sus has taken future of mobility. aluminium frame combined display is a slightly recessed a step ahead with the leather back give the metal earpiece and next to Tested towards Design phone a premium feels. that there is a notification democratising Then new ZenFone AR has The display of the ZenFone LED, an ambient light sensor, Atechnology and for that it come up with something AR is of 5.7 inch and the a proximity sensor, and the 8 & has partnered with Google to different which is not following display is protected by pre megapixel front camera. The bring Tango and Daydream the trend of metal back side. applied glass protector. The metal frame of the phone has in its most professional It is standing on its own capacitive back and overview antenna bands at the top and smartphone till date known different style which is the new buttons are placed on either bottom. The volume rockers as Asus ZenFone AR. Priced ZenFone AR has burnished side of a physical button and the power button is on the nearly around half a lakh, the leather back. The phone is not which is having an integrated right side of the device. At the
Tried Tried ZenFone AR takes you into the slippery at all and its gunmetal fingerprint scanner. Above the bottom there is a USB Type-C
72 | september 2017 MYMOBILE burntest
port, 3.5mm headphone of the ZenFOne AR has been 60fps as well. camera. There are other VR socket, primary microphone made thicker to help the SoC apps as well like iStagging, AR and speaker. On the top of the dissipate heat faster. Performance Pets. The ZenFone AR with phone there is a secondary The RAM of the device is doing The Asus ZenFone is capable of its augmented reality is giving microphone for noise justice with the power of the augmented reality and it comes a realistic feel; one can see cancellation. The SIM tray is phone which is 8GB. With with couple of pre-loaded virtual objects responding to on the left of the device. On the such RAM when combined AR apps. The phone also has hand movements. The Asus Tested back there is camera module with the processor of the phone BMW i-Visualiser projects ZenFone AR also works with which looks well matched with can handle any task of the the BMW i8 or i3 in whatever Google’s Daydream platform for
the leather back. It houses device mostly without losing a space you have, letting the virtual reality. & TriCam system consisting sweat meaning the workload is users to examine it from all of a 23 megapixel camera, handled with ease. The ROM angles and even peer inside Battery plus there is separate motion of the device is of 128GB by just moving the phone ZenFone ARis backed by the sensing and depth sensing meaning it can store anything around as if you were looking power of its 3,300mAhbattery cameras and all these three are without having the issue of the at real world object through its with a stepped design to make protracted by sapphire glass. device getting full, you can the most of the space available Tried Tried There could be seen laser store as many apps, videos and inside its body. The charging autofocus window and triple games as you want. The storage is handled by rapid charger LED flash. can further be expanded up to which charges the device with 200GB using the hybrid dual Display SIM slot. Asus ZenFone AR is ZenFone AR is having 5.7 running on Android 7.0 Nougat inch Super AMOLED display with ZenUI 3.5. with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 with a screen resolution of Camera 1440x2560 pixels (QHD) The ZenFone AR is having resulting in a density of an impressive 23 megapixel 515ppi. The high resolution camera and has laser autofocus verdict of the phone helps the VR along with phase and contrast Looks 09 /10 experience. For the review detection to help the phone Very evenly poised a rapid speed. There is support of this phone VR device was lock focus in different for Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, Wi-Fi Cameras 09 /10 provided. The phone gives situations. The camera is Amazes every bit 802.11ac, and NFC. The USB you thrilling experience while having several modes like Type C port is capable of USB Performance 09 /10 using the VR function with the Panorma, HDR and Filter there Above par, always 2.0 speeds and also Display phone. are Super Resolution, low light, Port output over USB. Both Battery 08 /10 depth of fiels, slow motion Needed more the SIM slots support 4G and Platform and other modes as well. The VoLTE. Value For Money 09 /10 ZenFone AR is powered by rear camera allows you to take A Pro device Qualcomn Snapdragon 821 pictures in any condition; the Conclusion quad core processor with two low light mode of the camera OVERALL 88% The Asus ZenFone AR clearly cores clocked at 2.34GHz enables you to take pictures takes us into a different world and the other two clocked even in dim light situations. dominated by AR and VR. The at 1.6GHz. The sensors There is 8 megapixel selfie smartphone has a staggering on the ZenFone AR have camera with beautification 8GB of RAM which was PROS Cons higher polling frequency modes, HDR Pro, Slow motion, RAM, Could be needed to support the kind of than usual, which helps the Selfie panorama and low light Camera the battery technology it has to offer. It can device to capture motion modes as well. The ZenFone be your professional assistant (For detailed specifications, moreaccurately. In addition AR can record video at 4K and please refer to My Guide) as well. n to vapour cooling, the chassis there is an option for full HD at [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 63 burntest
BlackBerry KEYone The Classic QWERTY in New Avataar!
Tested lackBerry is the all capacitive and are placed latest to make a between the screen and comeback after a keyboard. The KEYone long haul into the also exciting the users & BIndian marketafter Nokia. The with its design like Canadian brand is now being it is rounded on the marketed by the Delhi-based bottom and flat on top. Optiemus Infracom Limited The glass of the device in India and has recently is not rounded like most of launched the limited edition the smartphones; the glass in
Tried Tried of its latest smartphone called front is subtly bevelled on the much difference the BlackBerry KEYone. And sides. The entire rear is made when doing things that do yes, they have retained its of a rubberised plastic which not involve gaming and video iconic QWERTY keypad for the is to provide a better grip for playback. uni SIM functional device, BlackBerry fans. We have got the users. The main camera taking away the tag of Dual the device for you. and its flash are designed Platform SIM smartphone. prominently into the upper KEYone possess an octa BlackBerry KEYone has the Design left corner of the rear. The core Qualcomm Snapdragon latest version of the Android The main attraction of top of the phone is having a 625 processor which is little upgrade which is Android 7.1. BlackBerry KEYone is its 3.5mm audio socket. The older when it comes about The device has the ability to physical keyboard which power button is on the left of having processor in a limited swipe on home screen icons to the company has retained the device, the volume rockers edition phone. The device is show widgets associated with making the actual screen could be seen on the right side having 4GB of RAM which their apps, and a huge number shorter. The company is one of the device. There is a USB is powerful enough to let the of direct shortcuts. The users of the only major Android Type-C port on the bottom device function in an effective can choose a dark UI theme manufacturers to experiments flanked by two speaker grilles. manner handling the task of and swap the default Android with keyboards. The company The display size is the device. The ROM of the icons for classic BlackBerry has made some exciting compromised because of the device is of 64GB which is ones. The BlackBerry Hub changes with thekeyboard; it keyboard. It has thickness of quite an immense space to replaces a simple SMS app has integrated a fingerprint 9.4mm and weighing almost store any application or to and shows all your messages sensor into the spacebar. You 180g. The box of the phone is keep any file in it whether and emails across accounts can slide across it to scroll having a compact charger, a be its big sized game or any and services. It somewhat up, down, left or right. While USB Type-C cable, a headset movie. The RAM combined duplicates the Android typing one can hold Shift with two additional pairs of with processor is powerful notifications pane, but the down and swipe around to rubber ear tips in different enough to let users play any advantage is that you see only select text. The other catchy sizes and a SIM eject tool. high graphic games with less communications from people feature of KEYone is its pressure on the device. The here, not app alerts. The ability to bind shortcuts to the Display internal storage can further device is having DTEK security keyboard. One can short press The screen of the BlackBerry be expanded up to 2TB with app which is a dashboard that or long press each of the letter KEYone is having 1080x1620 the help of microSD card, claims to show you a security keys and choose to trigger resolution and 3:2 aspect but this expansion of storage overview of your phone. The an app, toggle a setting, or ratio because of the keyboard. comes with a price that it will one really useful feature is that a call a specific contact.The The screen is quite crisp at occupy one slot of the SIM DTEK can track whether apps Android navigation buttons are 434ppi and it’s hard to notice tray making the smartphone are trying to modify the OS,
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verdict Looks Iconic Design 09 /10
Cameras Impress you always 09 /10
Performance 09 /10 Fluidic Tested Battery 09 /10 Drains less
Value For Money 09 /10 Fan-tastic & OVERALL 90%
PROS Cons Tried QWERTY It could the Keypad screen
(For detailed specifications, please refer to My Guide)
and will alert you to any such app offers a slow-motion video immense battery power Conclusion attempts. and several combinations of which is 3,505mAh. The The limited edition BlackBerry resolutions and framerates. battery power is enough to KEYone has a nostalgia The users can record videos make you use the device Camera attached to it which could BlackBerry KEYone is up to 4K/30fps. For the selfie throughout the day with no transpires into the sales featuring two cameras; the rear lovers there is 8 megapixel worries of the battery number for the Optiemus. The camera is of 12 megapixels front camera giving clear and getting low easily. The charger smartphone packs a punch which takes clear images in crisp images. There are several of the phone is Qualcomm’s with good processor, cameras most of the conditions. The beautification modes to Quick Charger 3.0 which and battery being the highlight autofocus locks quickly and choose for clicking the images. charges the device at a rapid apart from the iconic logo. It details are generally quite Both the cameras will satisfy rate. could have added some more good. The images taken in dim the photog in you for sure. The device is also having RAM in the phone as available conditions are also quite good Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth in most smartphones at this giving you clear images. The 4.2, NFC, and even FM Battery price. n BlackBerry KEYone camera The phone is packed with an radio. [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 65 burntest
Honor 8 Pro A Flagship Killer! Tested
onor, the
& sub brand of Huawei,was like waiting for the Hmoment to launch Honor 8 Pro, the moment which was created by another Chinese player in the market, OnePlus, with the launch Tried Tried of its newflagship smartphone OnePlus 5 in two variants (6GB and 8GB). The company’slast phone Honor 8 Lite was quite impressive as well,delivering great power and performance, itdoes not seem to stop surprising the smartphone lovers this time also. The company have come up with another fine work in their smartphone portfolio called the Honor 8 Pro. The new flagship Honor 8 Pro is all set to surprise users with its 6 GB RAM, which is the latest trend in the smartphone industry. With the impressive RAM the company have packed the device with great display, incredible battery life and specs that are impressive for virtual reality enthusiasts.
Design Honor 8 Pro is a good looking phone, with full aluminium matte finish. The phone has a 5.7 inch Quad HD display giving
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a screen big enough to users taking pictures. can be expanded with the help has Quick charge functionality to experience any play in the of microSD card. as well which enables the phone on a bigger screen. Platform Honor 8 Pro has the newer device to charge in short span The body of the phone is slim Honor 8 Pro is powered by version of latest EMUI 5.1 of time. which makes it easy to hold its own Huawei’s processor which is newer version than The software of Honor Tested and operate the thickness of which is Kirin 960 SoC. It has the previous launch of the 8 Pro has battery saving the device is just 6.97mm an octa-core processor with company which was Honor options as well. There is a
and the sides are curved as four cortex A73 cores running 8 Lite. The UI is based on power saving mode which & well. The volume rockers and at 2.3GHz plus four cortex Android 7.0 Nougat and it limits background apps and the power button is situated A53 cores at 1.8GHz. The also has June security update disables auto-sync, as well as on the right side. On the left Honor 8 Pro has 6 GB RAM installed. All this features an Ultra Power Saving mode side of the device there is the which is one of the attractive makes the device to load any which switches everything off hybrid dual SIM slot which aspects of the phone. With app and games with ease. allowing connectivity only to means either the users can such processor combined with apps you select. Tried Tried use the dual SIM function RAM the device is all set to Camera or can choose to use one deliver a great performance in Honor 8 Pro has dual 12 Performance SIM and use microSD card. every field and to handle any megapixel rear cameras and The Honor 8 Pro has voice The flush panel has LTPS process without any issue. these two cameras are used control feature built in which IPS LCD display which is The ROM of the device is 128 as independent RGB and responds to the phrase ‘Dear protected by Corning Gorilla GB giving enough space for monochrome sensors which Honor’. In case you can’t find Glass 3. The selfie camera is storage and further the storage can absorb more light which your phone, you can loudly above the display and on top results in giving you more ask the device where it is and there is also earpiece, while verdict detail plus Honor has built its it will respond by playing a the Honor branding is at the own camera app that offers loud tune and triggering the Looks bottom. The top of the device Well designed 09 /10 multiple modes to choose flashlight. has a secondary mic and an from. The camera delivers Honor 8 Pro also include an Cameras 10 /10 IR blaster in the centre, the Amazes most of clear and crisp images in IR blaster which is extremely 3.5mm headphone jack, USB the time almost any condition. The useful as it can be used Type-C port and speaker grille 09 /10 front camera is of 8 megapixel to control multiple home Performance are at the bottom. It’s a dual Very smooth and the selfies taken are appliances. It has Bluetooth SIM phone with two Nano SIM 10 /10 smoothen by the camera. Both 4.2, Wi-Fi ac, and NFC Battery slots. Lasts longer the cameras of the device andsupport for 4G, VoLTE. One of the exciting aspects give clear and sharp images Value For Money 10 /10 of Honor 8 Pro is that it’s dual Evenly justified in most of the conditions. The Conclusion rear camera setup, which Honor 8 Pro can record video The new Honor 8 Pro is sits flush with the rear panel OVERALL 96% at 4K. in direct competition with and doesn’t protrude. The OnePlus 5 and in our opinion LED flash can be seen next Battery it does score well over the to the cameras, while the Honor 8 Pro is packed with later. The phone is loaded fingerprint sensor can be seen 4,000mAh battery which with latest features and in the centre of the phone delivers non-stop hour of capable processor on top of PROS Cons which is similar to Honor 8. entertainment. The battery is it. Priced at Rs 29,999, this Camera, FM Radio The fingerprint sensor on Battery made to last for long period. phone clearly emerges as the the Honor 8 Pro can also be The battery life is enhanced winner right at the start of the configured to perform tasks (For detailed specifications, with the processor and the premium segment bracket. n such as answering calls and please refer to My Guide) RAM of the device. The phone [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 67 burntest
SAMSUNG GALAXY ON MAX Max You Could Get at this Price! amsung recent such as Galaxy S8 Plus. The
Tested launches of recent launch, Samsung On smartphones Max, shows that the company witnessed some is well aware about its mid Shighly power packed devices ranging smartphones and & which arefocused on delivering wants to dominate it even astonishing performance further after the success of their most selling smartphone J7 (the company claims), read interview.
Tried Tried Design The Galaxy On Max is featured in 5.7 inch display with slim borders on the sides of the display. It is having signature oval Samsung home button at the front which has silver lining and an integrated fingerprint scanner, and there are capacitive back and overview buttons on the either side. The 3.5mm audio jack and Micro-USB port are on the bottom.The device has a full HD screen which can be used in different conditions with ease. It has good brightness and the colours of the screen re punchy as well. The display can get really bright and really dim which is great for use at night.
Platform The performance of Galaxy On Max is powered by 4GB RAM, which means that the Galaxy OnMax is perfectly good device that will get you through your everyday tasks with ease. The UI is fast working letting the apps open
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quickly. The internal storage the dark. The phone supports background unless whitelisted is of 32GB which gives you up to 1080p video recording by the user. The device has immense space to store any which works well. Samsung Pay Mini as well file or any applications and which was launched in India can further be expanded upto Performance in June with the Samsung
256GB. The device has an Samsung has also included Galaxy J7 Pro and Galaxy Tested octa-core MediaTekHelio P25 face recognition which verdict J7 Max. The Samsung Pay (MT6757V) processor with makes it the only device in mini app is preloaded on the four cores clocked at 2.39GHz its segment to support such a Looks 09 /10 device. It enables you to make
Refined & and four cores clocked at feature. The device also has UPI payments and integrates 1.69Ghz. The processor and apps like S.Secure, Samsung Cameras 09 /10 mobile wallets. Best at work the RAM combination do not Health, Galaxy Apps, Samsung The Galaxy On Max allow the device to get heated Themes, and Samsung Notes. Performance 09 /10 supports all Nougat specific Very smooth up easily. The fingerprint sensor features such as split screen on the Galaxy On Max is Battery 08 /10 multitasking, quick toggles, a Will not let you Camera impressive as well, the sensor down new Setting app, and bundled Tried The phone has 13 megapixel is consistently reliable and notifications, to name a few. Value For Money 10 /10 rear camera which performs quick, allowing the users to Best buy smoothly in various situations. unlock the phone fast and Battery The company have focussed access the apps instantly. For OVERALL 90% The Galaxy On Max sports a on the camera section which connectivity, the Galaxy On 3,300mAhnon-removable isevident with the performance Max has 4G with VoLTE, Wi-Fi, battery delivering a long of the camera. The focussing Bluetooth, a 3.5mm audio lasting usage of the device of the rear camera is really jack, and a micro-USB port. whether you are indulged in quick and works flawlessly. The device also possess PROS Cons a game or movie. The battery Colours were vibrant and one handed mode that shrinks Cameras, You can’t power is enough to enable Processor ask for exposure levels were spot on. the display area which allows the device to last throughout more Macro and landscape shots the users to use the device with just single charging once captured during daylight also in more convenient manner (For detailed specifications, a day. It is also packed with please refer to My Guide) showed good amount of detail. especially to those users various power saving modes The rear camera has an f/1.7 who finds that the 5.7 inch as well like Reserve battery for aperture lens; the company display screen is big to use users to set up two accounts calls which makes sure that have also improved low light one handed. This mode can simultaneously on the same there is enough power left to results. The camera also be enabled from the setting device. Other features likes make a few calls. performed very well at nights app, after which a swipe up Secure folder have also made as well. diagonally from either lower it to the Galaxy On Max. Conclusion The front camera of the corner of the screen or a triple The secure folder basically The new Samsung Galaxy device is of 13 megapixel click of the Home button will blocks unauthorised access to On Max fits perfectly into the which does a good job of toggle it. photos, notes, and even apps pocket of mid-range buyers at capturing selfies in different There is also a Dual on the phone. There are also Rs 16,900. It clearly justifies situations. The camera messenger feature some neat shortcuts like the the price tag with the kind of app provides options to automatically shows up ability to double tap the home specifications it has to offer. change skin tone, make for supported apps like button to launch the camera On Max will further boost faces slimmer, and enlarge WhatsApp, telegram, anytime, which came in handy the positioning of the India’s eyes. The front flash is also Facebook, Instagram and for quick shots. The Ultra largest mobile maker and functional in illuminating Gmail among others. The Data saving mode prevents seller, Samsung. n faces when selfies are taken in Galaxy On Max also lets apps from using data in the [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 69 burntest
anasonic has growth the Japanese brand, Panasonic been aggressively which will be completing a pushing itself century of operations this Eluga A3 in the entry month, launched two new Psegment smartphone market smartphones; A3 and A3
Tested to have a good market Pro and also introduced its Pro share. In pursuit of that new face, Bollywood actress Pro user! TaapseePannu. We’ve the A3 Pro for you. So, let’s begin & our task of testing it on our parameters.
Design Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro is attracting the users with a
Tried Tried powerful 4,000 mAh battery which is packed in slim and light metal unibody.Eluga A3 Pro has a metal design, with a single camera setup at the back, and antenna bands at the top and bottom edges. At front there is a home button where the fingerprint sensor is residing, the micro USB port is seen at the bottom of the device. The volume rockers and power buttons are on the right side, while the 3.5mm audio jack is on the top edge of the handsets. The phone is available in Mocha Gold, Gold, and Grey colour variants.
Display Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro comes with a 5.2 inch touch screen display which has a resolution of 720 pixels by 1280 pixels. The display size of Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro with its screen resolution provides you a nice experience in case of viewing any documents or watching any video on the phone. It has Asahi Dragon Trail Glass as well providing the protection
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verdict
Looks 08 /10 Tested to the screen Compact, metallic from any scratch or Cameras 08 /10 minor damage. The size of Good show & the phone is easy to hold and The Panasonic Performance 08 /10 operate and feels sturdy when Eluga A3 Pro possess the Always in command you hold it. latest Android version which 09 /10 means it runs on Android 7.0 Propossesses an impressive Battery Takes you Platform nougat making the phone to battery power. It is powered anywhere The Panasonic Eluga A3 pro is be available in recent version by 4,000 mAh battery giving 08 /10 Value For Money powered by 1.3GHz quad core of the android. the phone a high dosage of A good buy Tried MediaTek 6753SoC processor power. The battery power of paired with Mali- T720 GPU Camera the device is quite impressive OVERALL 82% which is meant to deal with The Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro allowing the users to use the the running applications and has two cameras to click good phone throughout the day other tasks of the phone with pictures. It has 8 MP front without having the thought less pressure and making the camera with LED and screen of battery getting low easily device to run smoothly. The flash which means that you or charging the device on PROS Cons processor is good enough to do not have to worry about regular occasions. It gives you Design, C????? Battery get away with the tasks with the condition or about the non- stop hour of enjoyment ease. The device carries a 3 lighting of the environment in whether you are playing game (For detailed specifications, GB RAM which is capable which you are clicking selfie or you are enjoying movies. please refer to My Guide) of dealing with any process because the LED screen flash With such battery backup the reducing the pressure amount always let’s you to take a clear worry of charging on regular supports Indian 4G band on the processor and as well and crispy image no matter span of time also goes down. network. The connectivity as on the battery life of the what the conditions are. So The charging of the device is options include Wi-Fi, GPS, device. The 3 GB of RAM for selfie lovers it is quite an powered by a rapid charger Bluetooth, as well. The phone is quite good enough to let attracting feature. The rear which has the capability to also included headphones of you have a good gaming camera is of 13 megapixel charge the device in short 3.5mm. experience plus the big screen with LED Flash so you can span of time. size supports and enhance shoot amazing pictures at day the gaming experience. The and even at night as well. The Connectivity Conclusion The Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro A3 Pro has 32 GB of ROM cameras are quite good giving The Panasonic Eluga A3 Pro is clicks all the basic which is quite enough to store you clear images even in the capable of carrying dual SIM parameters of being agood large files and videos and dim lightings. The camera cards both being GSM. budget segment phone, that’s not all, the storage can app features a face beauty It accepts Nano SIM card in whether its storage, cameras further be expanded 128 GB mode and you can adjust the its one SIM slot and one and huge battery life. Though with the help of microSD card exposure, white balance, and micro SIM card slot is also it has its task cut out against giving you enough space to anti shake in the setting. It there which can be used to some Chinese players in store anything you wish for. It also has PDAF feature as well. place microSD card in it. the market like Xiaomi and also has the functionality of Panasonic Eluga A3 Lenovo. n Panasonic’s AI, Arbo as well to Battery supports 4G in both the [email protected] help you out. Panasonic Eluga A3 SIMs and both the SIMs
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 71 burntest
otorola playing with the Mods and thus Moto Z2 launched Moto gives an extra bit of functionality Z2 Play, a with its smartphones over the Play successor of others. Mthe Moto Z Play which got quite A lot to Play with!
Tested appreciable response for being Design affordable and ingenuous. With Moto Z Play which was the the latest launch the company previous launch of the company has made some changes in was little bulky but the new & the new model which has an Moto Z2 Play possess a sleek updated SoC. The modular body and it is thinner having smartphone Z2 Play would just thickness of 5.99mm. further strengthen the position The back of Moto Z2 play is of of Lenovo-owned Company metal instead of glass makes in the Indian market. Moto is it look quite premium. To
Tried Tried the only player in the market ensure support for last year’s Moto Mods the Moto has retained the 16 pin connector at the back and these pins are made up of 23 Karat gold to prevent corrosion and these pins are scratch resistant to some extent. To fit the Mods the height, width and shape of the phone remain unchanged. The Moto Z2 Play is available in two colour variants, Lunar Grey and Fine Gold. Motorola has used a unique antenna design that runs around the back of the phone and this makes the device looks good. The rear camera bumps little bit out which adds little bit of thickness to the phone. The camera lens is protected from scratches with a metal ring. The bump of the device contains the camera itself, dual tone flash, and laser autofocus emitter. The display of the device is of 5.5 inch Super AMOLED display and below the display is the fingerprint sensor and a microphone used for primarily for calls. There is option to set the display to Standard or Vivid
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output. There is also a night mode which can be configured to activate based on sunrise and sunset, or to kick in at specific time.On the top of
the device is the front camera Tested along with proximity, ambient light sensor, a recessed earpiece and a dual tone front & facing flash. The frame of the Moto Z2 Play is metal and so are the power buttons and volume rockers as well. The volume rockers and power Platform big file games and gives you 30fps or 60fps, and 4K at buttons are on the right side better experience when using 30fps. The front camera is of The new Moto Z2 Play has of the device. The top of the the device. The ROM of the 5 megapixel along with dual Tried Snapdragon 626 SoC which device there is SIM tray along device is of 64 GB which is tone LED flash. The selfie is the updated version of the with a second microphone, quite impressive as it can store lovers will like this feature as Snapdragon 625 in last year’s while the USB Type-C port immense amount of apps and it is quite helpful in taking model of the devices and the and 3.5mm audio socket any files. TheR OM can further selfies in low light. There is a processor is clocked at 2.2 are located at the bottom of be expanded upto 2TB with beautification mode as well to GHz. There is 4GB of RAM the device. In the Moto Z2 the help of microSD card. improve the skin tone. embedded in the device to Play there is no speaker grille The Moto Z2 Play is a dual make it deal with heavy tasks but this is compensated by SIM smartphone with support with ease. The RAM supports Battery earpiece which doubles up as for 4G and VoLTE. There is The new Moto Z2 play has a loudspeaker. verdict Bluetooth 4.2 along with dual 3,000mAh cell which is quite The new Moto Z2 Play band Wi-Fi and NFC. sufficient to give non-stop is compatible with all Moto Looks hours of entertainment, a Clean and 09 /10 Mods launched till date and compact Camera day at least. The battery life in addition to previous Moto The Moto Z2 Play has a 12 is further enhanced with the Cameras 08 /10 Mods there are new ones now Pretty good megapixel rear camera with processor which reduces as well. The JBL Soundboost dual pixel autofocus, phase the workload of the device. Performance 09 /10 mod launched last year has Very smooth detection autofocus, laser The phone has 15W power gotten an update in the form of autofocus and a dual tone LED charger giving the boost while Battery 08 /10 the JBL Soundboost 2, which Enough for a day flash. The camera also has charging. It charges the device us thicker and little heavier f/1.7 aperture which help to in short span of time. Value For Money 09 /10 as well. The Turbo Power Mod A worthy buy take good photos in low light can also be charged quickly as well. The lens can take Conclusion using the Turbo charger OVERALL 86% shots of moving objects with The Moto Z2 Play has a lot supplied with the phone. the multiple focusing ability to play with. The experience Users can also choose from it has. The Moto Z2 Play has would further get enhanced new Style Shells, some of an auto night mode which is by the modules, if you like to which now have wireless PROS Cons triggered in low light. Overall experiment but that’s going charging receivers in them. Processor, Could be the camera performed quite cost you extra. The mid-ranger With a new shell attached to Camera the battery well with its various modes smartphone is a good mix the Moto Z2 Play, users can of capturing pictures in any of capable processor, good (For detailed specifications, just drop it ono a Qi or PMA please refer to My Guide) condition. The users can cameras and lighter design. n pad to charge it. record videos in full HD at [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 73 burntest
he budget segment check out how it fared on our Panasonic smartphone from parameters. the Japanese P55 Max electronics giant Design TPanasonic is aimed at ever The phone looks nice in your The Power House
Tested expanding smartphone market hands because of the neat in India, especially the Tier 2 design and it fits really well and Tier 3 towns and cities. The into the palm. The metallic mammoth size of the battery design of the phone makes it & in this phone clearly indicates sturdy. There is nothing on the the target audience which left of the device whereas it Panasonic would be targeting has power button and volume with its smartphone P55 Max. rocker on the right panel of the The smartphone is priced at smartphone. The USB port Rs 8,499. We’ve got the Matte and the audio output is on top
Tried Tried Black P55 Max for you, so let’s and the speaker grille and the
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microphone is at the bottom which can be extended as powerhouse for the device. of the device. The home icon upto 128TB via microSD, It can easily last upto 2 days is right below the display on the P55 Max could be your without a worry. The product the front while the camera partner in photography mainly features on the battery and the LED flash isat the session with ample amount to gain some inroads in the
back of it. The logo of the of storage space. Though market. It can go a long Tested company is also placed on the it might not support some way with you while you are back of the phone. The phone of the high graphics game verdict roaming, surfing the internet weighs around 182 grams because of its dated processor or playing games. it does not & andthe dimensions of P55 but it can easily manage Looks disappoint you in the long run Decent 08 /10 Max are 179X171X35mm. various tasks properly. The either. The kind of audience The fingerprint sensor is multitasking can be easily Cameras 08 /10 this smartphone would be Good show overall absent in this device which done with this device. The targeting needs a longer many among you would not makers could have added Performance 08 /10 battery life and it does not Works fine like given the point that most some more power to it to disappoint them. of the smartphones comes make it a game changer for Battery 10 /10 The other connectivity Tried Giant equipped with this feature. them in the segment. The includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, The size of the device is quite gamers might not have the Value For Money GPS and 4G/3G/2G A good package 08 /10 manageable which easily fits kind of experience they were bands. It also supports into the palm. expecting but decent enough 4G VoLTE feature which is to run some of the prevalent OVERALL 84% predominantly in demand. Display games in the town today. The smartphone can The new Panasonic P55 accommodate two SIM at a Maxhas a screen of 13.97cm Camera time. It also supports OTG (on which translates into 5.5 Panasonic P55 Max sports the go). inch. It’s a HD IPS display a 13MP rear and 5MP selfie PROS Cons Battery Fingerprint with adaptive brightness and camera. The rear camera sensor Conclusion the MiraVision technology is auto-focused which can The new Panasonic P55 Max which helps in enhancing easily identify the object in (For detailed specifications, has all the capacity to give please refer to My Guide) the displayed picture on the frame and focuses on it. a tough competition to its the screen. The display You can choose between the Chinese and Korean peers comes with 2.5D Oncell full normal, panorama and the other phones in the market in this price category. The lamination protection layer to face beauty option while using in this price segment. it smartphone loaded with some protect it from scratch. the front lens. The images will let you click some good decent specs especially the The screen is good enough are good if not great with the pictures in the proper lighting huge battery life will be able to to watch videos and play 13MP rear camera. It has also condition but fails miserably sustain the demands of games with ease. The screen got the LED to enhance your in low and dim lighting the audiences from the Tier 2 works smoothly without any images in low or dim lighting condition, though there’s and 3 cities who loves to bloatware. condition. The video recording some light available from the listen to music and surf the supports the flash light too. display itself if you clicks on internet. It’s a nicely built Platform The selfie camera using the lighting option. sturdy phone with metallic The phone runs on Android 5MP lens is decent enough body which can be your long 7.0 Nougat with 1.25GHz using the three modes; Battery term companion without Quad-core processor in it. normal, HDR and face beauty. The battery of the P55 Max hurting too much on to your Coupled with 3GB of RAM The selfie camera isn’t that is its USP. The mammoth pocket.n and 16GB internal memory great you could see on the 5,000mAh battery could act [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 75 burntest XOLO Era 1X Pro Nothing pro about it
OLO - the off button, while the left side Indigenous is bare. Top end comprises Tested smartphone a micro-USB and a 3.5mm maker has been audio jack with the bottom Xin the mobile game, coming end left blank. Overall, we nature, with a pixel density of verdict & up with budget smartphones can’t really give it to the design 294ppi. The display has been Looks 07 /10 since 2012. Although the department, and we wish it adequately bright, with the Not so impressive company lacks the yesteryears’ was more impressive than we colours appearing fine. During Cameras 07 /10 Average features charm it had, the company has thought. our usage, we didn’t encounter Performance 07 /10 been adding some good mid- any problems with the display Didn’t really rangers, one of them being Cameras: Just as such. The display also has stutter Battery 07 /10 Tried Tried the latest Era 1X Pro in its average! the Night mode which adjusts Above average Era series. The device, being In terms of the camera, the brightness in accordance Value For Money 08 /10 a member of the affordable the smartphone sports an with the darkness surrounded. For such a specs sheet, can be segment, comes with an 8-megapixel rear shooter There is also a Daydream opted arguably good specs sheet. featuring LED flash and a mode which displays the OVERALL 72% However, is it tough enough to 5-megapixel front facing clock, colours, Photos when be able to feature in our wish camera with dual-tone LED the device is sleeping. This list? Read on to find out. flash. While the dual-tone front can be activated by heading to facing LED flash is deemed the Display Settings. PROS Cons the USP of the smartphone, it Design: Nothing so Ease of Cameras impressive somewhat fails to impress with Hardware Specs and usage and battery Starting with the looks of the the output it produced. The Performance (For detailed specifications, XOLO Era 1X Pro, we can’t selfies taken were just average, Talking about the technical please refer to My Guide) really give it a full ten in the with the details missing from specifications, the XOLOE ra department. The smartphone them. The pictures produced 1X Pro is powered by a quad- and lasted almost a day. The has nothing so out-of-the-box were on the warmer side, core Spreadtrum SC9832A smartphone runs Android 6.0 or impressive in terms of the looking not-so-good. Images processor clocked at 1.5GHz. Marshmallow, which is a bit design. However, the outdated, clicked from the rear camera It comes with a combination outdated and we would loved squared design left aside, we were average too, and the lack of 2GB of RAM and 16GB the presence of the current have a lightweight smartphone, of intricate details could be of internal storage, which is Android 7.0 Nougat. Among easy to use and comfortable spotted in this case too. Low- open to expandability up to all this, the audio quality was to hold. The rough back of light photography was average 32GB using a microSD card. fine too. the smartphone consists of a too. The only word that comes Throughout the testing period, primary camera sensor along to our mind for the cameras the smartphone did well Conclusion with LED flash on the top is- average. and the touch was fine too. The XOLO Era 1X Pro, with its left corner with the ‘XOLO’ So, the conclusion for both The smartphone was usually percentage of hits and misses, branding beneath it, followed the cameras is that they are stutter-free, and the overall has been fine throughout its by speaker grille at the bottom. not too good a camera module usage was above average. review period. For a price tag At the front, we find the usually and performed averagely. Playing games, using the of Rs 5,777, the device can placed three capacitive buttons social media apps has been be added to the cart. However, at the bottom and front camera Display: Good good throughout. stands against the likes of combined with dual-tone LED enough The device extracts its power Xiaomi Redmi 4A with a bigger flash.T he right side features a The display of the Era 1X Pro from a 2,500mAh battery battery. n volume rocker and power on/ spans 5-inch and is HD IPS in which charged fine enough, [email protected]
76 | september 2017 MYMOBILE A price space? competition within the same takes to face some formidable However, does it have all it the various other contenders. is here to compete against competitive specifications, tag of The smartphone, with a price the power on/off button, while houses the volume rocker and hand side of the smartphone the micro-USB port. placed the speaker grille and while at the bottom end are is the 3.5mm audio jack, sensors. At the top end, there an assortment of the usual front camera, front flash and buttons, and on top there is a the bottom lies the capacitive company’s logo. Upfront, at Down the rear side, there is the missing the dual cameras. the iPhone 7 mirroring the one found on Plus, with the camera module resemblance with the iPhone 7 smartphone bears some glass rear. aesthetics, and comes with features decent design the budget smartphone, dubbed Pvt. Ltd., recently unveiled its owned by called another home-grown company, The enough! Design: Decent A competentphone Mafe ShinM820 www.mymobileindia.com Mafe Mafe Rs 6,499, along with Mafe Shine Shine Saawariya Impex The back of the Mobile which is smartphones, smartphones, list of budget increasing dding to the Plus, however, M820 in India. 820 M820 The right bit heavy while we use it. decent-looking, however, is a totality, the smartphone is the left side is left blank. In Rs 6,499, both the cameras was average. At a price tag of images. exposure in the resultant could find hints of over were good enough, but we shooter, the selfies produced processed the pictures. HDR mode, however, slightly above average pictures. all shooting conditions, and got details. We shot the in mostly produced lacked intricate pictures, however, the output sensor produced some good the rear camera, the camera by a selfie flash. 5-megapixel, accompanied facing snapper stands at LED flash, while the front rated at 8-megapixel with get to see a primary shooter In the camera department, we averagely Cameras: Clicked good too. and the usage experience was Overall, it was above average however was slightly reflective. viewing angles were fine too, decent enough to use. amount of colours, and was the display produced sufficient While using the smartphone, coming with HD resolution. 5-inch screen size with it The smartphone sports a decent element Display: Another Coming to the front facing The shutter speed Starting with he The he The
performed decently. have been above average and to 32G B via a memory card. can be further expanded up of internal storage, which and stores data using 16GB with the help of 2GB of at 1.3GHz. It performs tasks MediaT is powered by a quad-core The 4G-enabled smartphone Specs Performance and please refer to My Guide) My to refer please (For detailed specifications, specifications, detailed (For OVERALL 72% OVERALL an option can beconsidered Value ForMoney Average Battery Worked fine Performance consumer Fine foranormal Cameras Average looking Looks Hardware PROS verdict ek processor, clicking
Cameras Cons 08 /10 08 /10 07 07 /10 07 /10 07 07 /10 07 , RAM,
such as the has some competition to face average specs sheet. However, option to consider, with above its pros and cons, is a decent chipsets and batteries. Xiaomi battery, Xiaomi Plus with a bigger 4,000mAh smartphone. smartphone. smooth enough to run the operating system, which was is the Android 7.0 Nougat highlight of the smartphone lasted almost a day. 2,500mAh battery which unresponsive. points the touch got a bit pretty fine, however, at some the smartphone. It worked were decently performed by any generic person performs, Various kinds of tasks, which The Conclusion burn It gets fuel from a Mafe [email protected] Redmi 4A with better Shine Motorola Redmi 4 and M820, with test The main Moto C september 2017 | n
77 Tried & Tested mobilesensex bazaar bargain Lenovo P2 (3GB RAM)
The Lenovo P2 adorns a 5.5-inch FHD 1080p Super AMOLED display and makes use of an Great Deals Great octa-core Snapdragon 625 SoC. There is a front- facing fingerprint scanner that is embedded into the physical home button. Based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Lenovo P2 flaunts a 13MP main snapper at its rear with a Sony IMX258 sensor and a 5MP selfie camera at the front. It has 32GB of storage space that can be further expanded up to 128GB with the help of a microSD card. The USP of the device is its capacious 5100mAh battery. n
Launched at: Rs 51,990 Current Price: Rs 37,000
LG G6 The LG G6 features a 5.7-inch 18:9 QHD+ FullVision display with a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor. It comes with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB on internal storage, which can be further expanded up to 2TB via MicroSD card. It runs on Android 7.0 Nougat OS and is backed by a 3300mAh battery. It has Dual rear camera setup with a combination of 13MP Launched at: Rs 16,999 Wide (F2.4 / 125°) and 13MP Standard OIS 2.0 Current Price: Rs 13,499 (F1.8 / 71°) sensor with LED flash. On the front, it has a 5MP Wide (F2.2 / 100°) selfie camera. n
78 | september 2017 MYMOBILE mobilesensex
Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (4GB RAM, 32GB ROM) The highlight of the Galaxy A9 Pro is its large 6-inch display and 5000mAh battery. The dual-SIM (Nano) smartphone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, sports a 6-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Super-Amoled display, and is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone bears a 16MP rear camera with Deals Great LED flash, an f/1.9 aperture, and optical image stabilisation (OIS), apart from an 8MP front camera that also bears an f/1.9 aperture. It comes with 32GB of inbuilt storage that can be expanded up to 256GB. n
Launched at: Rs 51,990 Current Price: Rs 39,990
Sony Xperia XZ The biggest highlight of the Xperia XZ is its three rear camera sensors. The smartphone has a 5.2- inch FHD display and is powered by the 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor clubbed with 3GB RAM. With IP rating 65/68, the smartphone is water-resistant as well. The dual- SIM smartphone packs 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 256GB with microSD support. The battery is rated at 2900mAh with quick-charge 3.0 support and Qnovo adaptive charging. It has a 23MP primary camera which intelligently tracks moving objects, whereas the front camera includes a 13MP sensor for taking selfies. n
Launched at: Rs 32,490 [email protected] Current Price: Rs 22,900
(Note: Prices are those available at prominent dealers, online and/or offline. They may not reflect official price reductions)
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 79 by Invitation
Dismantling hierarchy for new age organizations and culture
By Vivek Zhang Guest Column Guest
ismantling Hierarchy is one responsibility and authority. Although, In today’s scenario, teams across the of the most difficult exercises some prefer to downplay authority, yet it is organization are required to work closely that an organization sets difficult not to focus on who is leading the and deal with different situations with out to put into motion. The team. Hence, responsibility also lies with realistic and a clear approach, it becomes Dbenefits of this are multi-fold and have led those who have authority, so the notion of paramount that hierarchy should not create to a more productive environment for future dismantling hierarchy is a travesty. However, any impediments. leaders. This will only happen when any unnecessary hierarchy creates roadblocks, Psychologically, if you would analyze, large or small company decisively takes up a red tape and slows the speed of work. The hierarchy gives people a certain level of flat route in managing its employees.T hus, virtuous and pseudo-hierarchy also plays a power and authority along with designations. Human Resources have one of the most big spoiler in the whole eco-system of an Along with this arises the possibility of people vital roles in any organization. Their jobs are behaving over-authoritative and egotistical. difficult and need focus.S ome of the things This type of power creates bottlenecks in which are key HR areas of operation are “Psychologically, achieving crucial organizational goals. building and managing teams to handle if you would analyze, Such people are examples of misguided failure and loss of corporate value and authority, and considering this there is dealing with any major organizational hierarchy gives people a certain a major need to dispel the concept crisis. The building blocks of an level of power and authority of hierarchy and create a culture organization is a team of strong of equal teams without any one professionals, who are harnessed along with designations. Along person who is responsible for to achieve the best results. There with this arises the possibility team goals. In view of this, new are many corporate jargons usually of people behaving over- age organizations, start-ups, follow used in an organization’s philosophy, a minimalistic hierarchy, their what makes one organization stand out authoritative and goals are ambitious and have a slight in comparison to others, is how well they egotistical” flexibility to fail. deliver their vision and mission statements Dismantling the culture of hierarchy in to their employees. a traditional setup is the most difficult task. This is an HR term ‘Hierarchy’ However, leadership in these organizations commonly used across organizations in organization and can be detrimental to the plays a crucial role in minimizing the ill the world. It defines team structures and business. effects of hierarchy. The culture of a flat chalks out who are responsible for the There is a growing discussion on organization and reverse mentoring are business and employees. The higher the dismantling hierarchy, flat organizations some of the tools that traditional and big designation in any hierarchy means more and concepts like reverse mentoring. organizations are adopting to minimize
80 | september 2017 MYMOBILE by invitation
“Zero-Hierarchy aims at harmonizing Column Guest employee relationships, promoting transparency and encourages knowledge sharing in a seamless manner. In the case of reverse mentoring, a recruit is hierarchy related given the opportunity to train adapting own set of advantages, inclusive of this, it issues. The a senior member of the to an also creates a side effect. An organization complete removal open and taking the route to dismantling hierarchy of this system might organization” equal status of must analyze, prepare and plan the possible not be practical in the working, by following outcome of such an initiative. structure of certain large multi- instructions from juniors/ Over the decades, organizations that national organizations. But such concepts new hires. This is an ingenious method to have dismantled hierarchy and called for play a crucial role in building a conducive introduce zero-hierarchy, thus, putting into a flat organizational order have benefited ecosystem. There are growing instances motion a breakthrough in the ecosystem of immensely with positive outcomes and where new age organizations, mainly, an organization. Hence, resetting the rules efficient employees. There is a host of start-ups, are adopting a zero-hierarchy and stating that knowledge can come from examples where top leaders have taken model, where everyone is an equal any level and everyone should be eager to special initiatives to dismantle hierarchy team player, assigned specific roles and learn, including the top management. and become more accessible to employees. responsibilities. Dismantling hierarchy should be a This has worked at various levels as top Zero-Hierarchy aims at harmonizing conscious decision by any management leaders became aware of problems and employee relationships, promoting and needs critical planning. Ideally, it needs understood the actual strengths of their transparency and encourages knowledge to be aligned with the overall philosophy of colleagues. This provides the leader with sharing in a seamless manner. In the case the organization, and it should not come as a reality check about the organization’s of reverse mentoring, a recruit is given the an imposed measure to address short-term strength and weaknesses which help a opportunity to train a senior member of the goals. The process of dismantling hierarchy great deal in making long term decisions organization. His task simple; a training takes up time depending on the adaptability and building super effective teams. n about digital media and facilitate them to of an organization and should be part of adopt it in their work life, a relevant example the overall vision. It’s a gradual process The author is Chief Marketing Officer, of dismantling hierarchy. If one were to and should be executed in an organized Vivo India observe closely, this is the latest method for manner. Most new initiatives have their
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 81 by Invitation Tech Enabled Learning The Game Changer By Manak Gulati
Guest Column Guest any students, both current student participation, engagement, between these two extremes and teach at an and previous, will agree that motivation, communication skills, as well average learning speed. This one-size-fits- understanding a concept as productivity. Above all, it is known to all approach, however, is detrimental. While becomes easier when it is increase self-discipline and foster self- top students have to slow down the pace of Mexplained by a friend than when it explained organisation within the student, an attribute their learning, dramatically reducing their by the teacher in a classroom. Have you ever which is clearly difficult to inculcate using ability to swiftly cover the syllabus and have wondered why that actually happens? the traditionalclassroom setup. multiple focussed revisions, it also hampers There’s a bit of science at play over here. the learning experience of low-performing Your friend, also a student, would have The Traditional Classroom studentswho require more time and in- similar conceptual shortcomings as you do Challenge depth explanations, especially for difficult to an extent. Learning something new would Every student has different academic topics. require him or her to devise an approach that requirements, with learning speedsvarying But the collective classroom problem would break the concept down into smaller, significantly across various student is beyond this very basic difficulty. Some more consumable bits that are connected buckets; top-performing studentsoften students are more analytical and face to each other. When the same concept is have a quicker and more intuitive grasp of challenges in the theory-intensive portions, explained to you using this approach, you concepts than low-performing students. whereas some students find conceptual are able to grasp it better. On the other With most of the other students in the topics easier to comprehend and need hand, a teacher – with greater knowledge of classroom falling somewhere in between, extensive practise for the analytical the subject in question – considers certain educators often choose to strike a balance segments. These factors pose a major aspects to be universally understood, challenge for educators and limit their ability whether they are or not, and might not be “The advent of to offer higher degree of personalisation to able to recognise your particular knowledge every student. gap while explaining the same concept. technology is actively There is also considerable disparity This is precisely why peer learning, or extending the benefits of peer within the quality of education in peer-to-peer (P2P) learning, has time and urban, tier-II, and tier-III cities. This again been proven to be a very effective learning and channelling it problem intensifies further as we practice. Students in a group developtheir directly to the students cutting move towards more remote locations individual learning mechanisms across geographical barrier and rural areas, which have limited and assist each other to amplify their resources and relatively lower teacher collective learning. This builds an active and resulting in considerable deployment. As a consequence, and cooperative learning environment saving in time and students hailing from these regions have which a student can leverage to achieve resources” to invest a substantial amount of time and his or her academic goal. It also increases money in their daily commutesif they want
82 | september 2017 MYMOBILE by invitation
to acquire a better quality of education. best students from around the world makes but also eliminates the need to spend crucial peer-2-peer education an unmatched time in long daily commutes. Apart from Tech-Enabled P2P Learning – The offering at very high scale. this, it increases the students’ exposure Game Changer in Education Using machine learning, the peer-2- to the digital realm, which further widens The advent of technology is actively peer platforms can facilitate more effective the scope of opportunities available to extending the benefits of peer learning data modelling, which can enable the them. It also provides the desired academic and channelling it directly to the students. system to identify more efficient methods atmosphere to the student with unmatched One Indian startup, Notesgen, is at the and teaching frameworks through historic personalisation, something which is clearly forefront of promoting peer-2-peer learning student data as well as eventual outcomes. not possible in an average classroom. thru its notes exchange platform. Using Once assessed, a student’s progress can Notesgen app, students can connect with be tracked and the academic training can Challenges other students irrespective of where they be dynamically altered to impart evolved There are certain challenges that also need to be addressed by such technologies. The digital infrastructure, though rapidly evolving, is still to an extent in an embryonic state in
the country, especially when compared to Column Guest its more developed counterparts. In order to enable such services, efforts should be focussed towards making essential digital infrastructure available within the target geography. Also, online P2P learning by and large mandates that the involved individuals must be online at the same time and display favourable self-organisational skills. This can be inculcated through gamification as well as incentivization of the educational resources. The advent of online P2P learning, along with digital technology and smartphones in India, has led to the dawn of a new era in the country. It is bringing about a sizeable transformation in the field of education and is imparting superior knowledge to students. It is ensuring that student leverage state-of- are based, and leverage their smartphones, knowledge according to the progress made the-art learning methodologies to achieve tablet and laptops to acquire high-quality by the student. academic excellence, without being educational content for enhanced learning. Primarily, tech-based P2P learning encumbered by geographical boundaries This is leading to a proactive exchange of extends quality education to a person across or learning challenges. We hope that many information as well as evolved learning geographical barrier. This not merely enables EdTech startups will embrace peer-2-peer techniquesto enable students to circumvent a student to acquire superlative knowledge, technologies like Notesgen is doing. n the prevalent infrastructural challenges. Both parties benefit as some notes are free The author is Founder & CEO of Notesgen which is a global peer-to-peer learning and some are available for small fees. platform that serves as a real knowledge repository for students. Through its mobile The next frontier is to connect students and web platforms, students, educators, institutions and other professionals can share their self-prepared notes, typed notes, assignments, presentations, directly using digital infrastructure for one- case-studies, and research materials, and offer them as unbundled, on-demand to-one consultations, group discussions and educational content to others. Notesgen’s superior services are tapped by over collaboration using video and audio calling. 600,000 users from more than 130 countries across the globe. This ability to connect weak students to the
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 83 tech Trendz The Digital Business Propellers A look at megatrends that will drive digital business into the next decade
rtificial intelligence (AI) on technology innovation must evaluate investment decisions.” everywhere, transparently these high-level trends and the featured The Hype Cycle for Emerging immersive experiences and technologies, as well as the potential impact Technologies report is the longest-running digital platforms are the three on their businesses,” said Mike J Walker, annual Gartner Hype Cycle, providing Atech megatrends that will propel the new Research Director at Gartner. “In addition a cross-industry perspective on the Digital Security Digital digital business ecosystems in the coming to the potential impact on businesses, these technologies and trends that business decade by providing unrivaled intelligence, trends provide a significant opportunity for strategists, chief innovation officers,R &D creating profoundly new experiences enterprise architecture leaders to help leaders, entrepreneurs, global market and offering new platforms. This is the senior business and IT leaders respond to developers and emerging-technology teams conclusion of Gartner’s “Hype Cycle for digital business opportunities and threats should consider in developing emerging- Emerging Technologies, 2017” study. by creating signature-ready actionable technology portfolios. “Enterprise architects who are focused and diagnostic deliverables that guide The Emerging Technologies Hype Cycle is unique among most Gartner Hype Cycles because it garners insights from more than 2,000 technologies into a succinct set of compelling emerging technologies and trends. This Hype Cycle specifically focuses on the set of technologies that is showing promise in delivering a high degree of competitive advantage over the next five to 10 years (see Figure 1).
AI Everywhere Artificial intelligence technologies will be the most disruptive class of technologies over the next 10 years due to radical computational power, near-endless amounts of data, and unprecedented advances in deep neural networks; these will enable organizations with AI technologies to harness data in order to adapt to new situations and solve problems that no one has ever encountered previously. Enterprises that are seeking leverage in this theme should consider the following technologies: Deep Learning, Deep Reinforcement Learning, Artificial General Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles,
84 | september 2017 MYMOBILE tech Trendz
Workspace. Transparently Immersive Experiences Technology will continue to become more human-centric to the point where it will introduce transparency between people, businesses and things. This relationship will become much more entwined as the evolution of technology becomes more adaptive, contextual and fluid within the workplace, at home, and in interacting with businesses and other people. “Technology will continue Critical technologies to be considered to become more human- include: 4D Printing, Augmented centric to the point “In addition to the Reality (AR), Computer-Brain Interface, where it will introduce potential impact on Connected Home, Human Augmentation, transparency between Nanotube Electronics, Virtual Reality (VR) people, businesses and Security Digital businesses, these and Volumetric Displays. things. This relationship will become much more trends provide a entwined as the evolution of Digital Platforms technology becomes more significant opportunity Emerging technologies require adaptive, contextual and revolutionizing the enabling foundations for enterprise fluid within the workplace, architecture leaders to that provide the volume of data needed, at home, and in interacting advanced compute power, and ubiquity- with businesses and other help senior business enabling ecosystems. The shift from people” compartmentalized technical infrastructure and IT leaders respond to ecosystem-enabling platforms is laying autonomous learning and cognitive to digital business the foundations for entirely new business computing are just crossing the peak, models that are forming the bridge between which shows that they are key enablers of opportunities and humans and technology. technologies that create transparent and threats by creating Key platform-enabling technologies immersive experiences.” to track include: 5G, Digital Twin, Edge Finally, digital platforms are rapidly signature-ready Computing, Blockchain, IoT Platform, moving up the Hype Cycle, illustrating actionable and Neuromorphic Hardware, Quantum the new IT realities that are possible by Computing, Serverless PaaS and Software- providing the underlining platforms that diagnostic deliverables DefinedS ecurity. will fuel the future. Technologies such “When we view these themes together, as Quantum Computing (climbing the that guide investment we can see how the human-centric Innovation Trigger) and Blockchain (having decisions” enabling technologies within transparently passed the peak) are poised to create the immersive experiences — such as smart most transformative and dramatic impacts – Mike J Walker, workspace, connected home, augmented in the next five to 10 years. Research Director at reality, virtual reality and the growing brain- “These megatrends illustrate that Gartner computer interface — are becoming the the more organizations are able to make edge technologies that are pulling the technology an integral part of employees’,
Cognitive Computing, Commercial UAVs other trends along the Hype Cycle,” said partners’ and customers’ experiences, (Drones), Conversational User Interfaces, Mr Walker. the more they will be able to connect Enterprise Taxonomy and Ontology “AI Everywhere” emerging technologies their ecosystems to platforms in new and n Management, Machine Learning, are moving rapidly through the Hype Cycle. dynamic ways,” points out Mr Walker. [email protected] Smart Dust, Smart Robots and Smart Technologies such as deep learning,
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 85 app world
VuLiv: An app that bridges the gap between online and offline content consumption By Vanshika Malhotra
Trendz nly around 400 million of helping consumers decide relevant content the most popular publishers. The platform India’s 1.3 billion population for their needs. It is a differentiated offering not only sorts but plays all the popular file is on Internet today, as that understands the user and creates user extensions of videos, music and pictures per the recent industry with features like slide-show, equaliser, Oreports. However not all of these users are gesture controls, folder view, music widget, necessarily consuming the content online floating screen for a smoother multitasking only. There is huge consumption of content experience. that is shared and watched while a user is Says, Manoj Gupta, Founder VuLiv, “It offline and not connected to the internet. is hard to believe, but today so much of Also, there are multiple apps that channel offline, on device information exists which exclusive content for users, on their own has never been utilized by any ecosystem platforms. But there clearly lacks a platform player. We realized that from device makers that bridges the gap between offline and to OS leaders to even advertising giants, this online content, a platform that helps the genre is not being focused at, to recommend solutions of content and commerce. We believe that this on-device un-connected state information can be leveraged to build a better solution recommendation and build bigger reach and relevance. If, Internet experience is about Google and Google is about re-targeting (basis consumer online information) then the on-device experience is about VuLiv, where information available locally on the device, personal information about apps, personal music, video content etc. is utilized to engage users even in the absence of internet (in offline mode).”
VuLiv platform currently serves close to monthly 30 million minutes and on annualized basis 400 million minutes of platform usage & predominately personal videos and music. VuLiv has already seen users with content on demand, all at one profiles basis offline media and online 100 million Video Views seeing a 4X place. media searched or played. growth in online viewers and 25X growth Sensing the need gap that exists today, It is one of its kind platforms that in online views. 50 million song plays with VuLiv is a new age universal media player organises all of users’ local media 4X growth in online viewers. 25X growth in that is looking at integrating on-device (images, audio, and video) at one place online views as well. VuLiv has distribution information and assets to recommend with a convenient swipe to switch UI and arrangements in place with a cross-section solutions of content for the end user. recommends online content aligned with of OEMs and an ambition to reach the 100 Content that is delivered in an image rich user taste and profile. It also collates million mark in the next 18 months. n format and that is easy to understand - multiple genres of entertainment from [email protected]
86 | september 2017 MYMOBILE face to face “Cloud telephony is more cost-effective and efficient as compared to traditional business telephony” The cloud telephony is one of the most promising technologies of this era. The cheaper setup and effortless scalability of this technology makes it an ideal choice for every business that has to deal with its customers. there are several impediments which have hindered its adoption, especially among the small and mid- sized businesses. Ambarish Gupta, CEO & Founder, Knowlarity Communications, shared his views with Nijhum Rudra on the various challenges and opportunities that cloud telephony offers.
Cloud Telephony has been there for some Please describe some of your important time now. How has been its adoption services and solutions? Knowlarity’s products among the general consumer as well as have received a positive response from all businesses here in India? Cloud telephony our clients and they have quantitatively has received an overwhelming response analyzed the benefits received by them in India. Businesses have been eager to since the implementation of Knowlarity’s In Conversation In adopt cloud telephony services as they solutions. One of our most popular products are best suited to serve the interests of is the SuperReceptionist software. It SMEs with very little investment and with serves as a complete ‘virtual assistant’ by massive potential for scalability, efficiency attending to all the client’s calls, diverting and ease of operations. Replacing the them to the required desk and recording the clunky and confusing PBX and EPBAX requirements of the caller. Furthermore, systems with cloud telephony, businesses products such as ‘k-broadcast’ with and the general consumer has understood automated texts and voice calls, ‘Click the diverse benefits that can be availed by to Call’ for instant call connects to boost implementation of such services and have conversions and ‘virtual number’ to track the been eager to include the same in their performance of different business channels operations. have served the marketing, communication and performance evaluation requirements For any technology to be adopted or the amount of data generated by cloud- of our clients judiciously. current set of consumers to migrate to new based software can easily be utilized to technology, it has to offer substantial benefit formulate statistics-backed policies. It How does Knowlarity plan to gain mindshare over the prevailing technology. So, what are is the ability to connect more than 35 and market share amid growing competition the advantages of cloud telephony over the calls per second with equal amount of in this space? There are many businesses conventional telephony? Cloud telephony is precision and efficiency, amongst the other which are entering the cloud and virtual very much cost-effective as compared to advantages mentioned above that make communication segment. However, the traditional business telephony processes. cloud telephony a far smarter and better scale of operations, quality of products Furthermore, with all data being stored option for businesses over conventional and efficiency of services that we provide on cloud servers, organizations need not telephony. is unparalleled. Through aggressive devote much space to huge hardware expansion in the regions of South East Asia, and storage requirements. Data is easily What are some of the challenges in faster Dubai, Singapore etc., we are emerging accessible and it can instantly connect adoption of cloud technology? The imperative as the leading cloud telephony provider your business to millions of customers. challenges behind adopting cloud which ensures complete recall whenever Innovative automation has further enabled telephony is a lack of infrastructure, archaic anyone requires cloud computing services cloud telephony services to not only receive regulations regarding communications in the specific region. Gradually, we plan to and transfer the call according to specific and ensuring complete data security are bolster our stance as a globally recognized requirements, but also answer it if any agent the three main tasks ahead for every cloud solution provider for cloud computing. n or employee is not present. Furthermore, telephony service provider. [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 87 personality Andy Rubin – The Android Man and Much More
Profile A glimpse into the fascinating life of a fascinating tech icon
So how many crowns can one wear on one head in one lifetime. Well, many, if you happen to be Andy Rubin – whom the world knows as the Co-founder of the company which gave world’s most popular operating system – Android Inc. But have you ever heard a software programmer becoming a hardware idol even before a single device has been shipped. Well, this can happen if you happen to be Andy Rubin. From the world of programming, Andy has migrated seamlessly to world of hardware. The Company Essential Inc is already an Unicorn – i.e a start-up whose valuation has crossed USD 1 billion. Andy hasn’t stopped there – he is also a venture capitalist now and invests through his company called Danger Inc, which has two other co-founders. Andy is also the founder and CEO of tech startup incubator Playground Global and a partner at venture capital firm Redpoint Ventures.
n Andy co-founded Android Inc in Palo Alto, criticism. Andy had the last laugh as Android California in October 2003 along with Rich today is world’s most widely used OS.
Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. A close n One of the Andy’searly job was for – well – friend name Steve Perlman helped Andy Apple where he was nicknamed “Android” with his first $10,000 but refused to take by his coworkers due to his for robots. The up equity in the company. Perlman by this nickname eventually became the official time had already made his fortune by selling name of the Android operating system.
his venture WebTV Network (later renamed n Lady luck smiled again on Andy in 2008 MSN TV) to Microsoft in 1997 for $425 when another company he had co-founded million! - Danger, Inc – which was into hardware
n Android project initially started as a venture design, software, and services for mobile for developing advanced operating system computing devices was acquired by for digital cameras. But when Andy and Microsoft for a whopping USD 500 million.
team realized that this market was too small n essential, the new phone startup from for their dreams to be realized, they switched Android founder Andy Rubin, is now a their focus to smarter mobile devices. unicorn, though the company is yet to ship a
n Android was acquired by Google in 2005 product!
for a meager USD 50 million. At the time n essential Inc, which was lying low suddenly of acquisition, neither Andy nor Google was burst into the scene when Foxconn decided sure of the potential of Android OS. to pick up just 0.25 percent stake for a
n Google and Andy nearly gave up on Android grand USD 3 taking its valuation to around when Apple launched its first smart phone USD1.2 billion.
iPhone with its own OS. n And Andy may just be remembered for
n If one Steve (Perlman) had given a lifeline something totally unrelated to tech world – to Andy, the other more famous Steve (Jobs) for his most aesthetically designed bakery wanted him finished. SteveJ obs never had house called “Voyageur du Temps” at Los a good word to speak about Andy. Jobs never Altos, which he developed after buying out believed that Android had a future. But both an abandoned railway station. n Andy and Google survived Jobs’ fury and [email protected]
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“Because of our superb quality, more and more brands are becoming our partners” HGD India, a subsidiary of Shenzhen, China based Hong Guang De Technology Company, specializes in developing and manufacturing low energy consuming and high efficiency phone chargers, power adapters and more. HGD set up its base here just over two years back but due to its quality products quickly became the preferred OEM supplier to leading brands like Lava, Xolo, Micormax, Intex etc and has been adding more clients to its list. My Mobile interacted with Shekhar Rao, Director, HGD India to know more about company’s plans for India.
How has been your last two years since What is going to be your focus area in who have set up manufacturing units in India you started India journey? We started our terms of product offering? Currently we now. Do you feel increased competition journey in 2015 with a vision to provide are supplying power chargers. In future could slow down your growth or eat away high quality energy efficientP roducts to we are about to start Power adopters your market share? Completion has always our customers. We stepped our foot with for Router & Set Top Boxes, LED been there in market and will be & Market phone chargers, heading towards power MONITOR/TV. share depends on the market preference. adapters, LED power, LED MONITOR/TV. People are liking our products, so more Our highly motivated and hardworking In a short span of time you have become and more brands are becoming our team is one of the main reasons that preferred OEM supplier to a number of partners. Our products are becoming top we deliver more than 2 million phone well-known mobile brands such as Lava, preference of brands. chargers per month to well-known brands. Xolo, Onida, Micormax, Intex, Celkon, etc. We kept on adding new strategies within Any more addition to this list? And what Do you think there has been enough support the organization & that’s how we can say would you attribute your success to? Our from the government to boost domestic we are about to achieve 5 million supplies marketing team is highly efficient and manufacturing in your areas of interest and every month. spreading our roots in Indianmarket. what more is really needed to make ‘Make We time to time send our samples to in India’ a real success in electronics/ Please elaborate on your processes and different brands, we are about become mobile sector? We have always respected technical competence which ensures OEM partners of more market leaders. government policies, Make in India itself that you offer absolutely the best quality Our team of highly efficient people is a great initiative and we are proud to products? We have 14 assembly lines, and quality products are the main be a part of it, also looking for business our products go through 6 layers quality reason we are heading towards our vision friendly ecosystem for electronic and checks, and we have a team of highly with a high pace. We have more than 15 power supply products. experienced engineers with well-equipped brands BIS with our factory including and experienced& D department. Working/ Indian and Chinese brands. Our factory What are your future expansion plans both in assembly areas are fully radiations and is approved by Foxconn & Hi- Pad. We terms of product portfolio expansion as well dust free, our products are BIS & ISO don’t do business, we build relation that as production ramping? Currently we are certified. We have automated equipment’s stay forever producing power chargers, about to start for quality checks. The vision of our power adopters and planning to step into company is to offer high quality and value There are a number of both home-grown and LED power, LED MONITOR/TV. n for money products. foreign batteries and components suppliers [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 89 by Invitation Artificial Intelligence: How automation is rewriting the rules of the travel industry By Rajnish Kumar Guest Column Guest emember those days when an adventurous holiday to an unknown game changer for the global travel industry. planning your holiday meant destination based on nothing much but With the advent of high-speed Internet, going to the travel agent’s your friend’s recommendation? If you do, online travel agents (OTA) and companies office, looking at a bunch cherish these memories as that is what have flooded the market and travel is no Rof brochures for hours with your family they are likely to be within a few years, just longer the same. As small travel players and finally, after relentless discussions, memories. go on the verge of extinction with data and negotiations and potential arguments, Over the past decade and a half, analytics driven online travel players ruling zeroing in on a destination? Or planning information technology has been a massive the scene, we are on the verge of another massive transformation. In 2017, artificial intelligence is set to bring a paradigm shift in travel delivery, which if truly harnessed, will have some far-reaching expansive effects on the industry. It is almost impossible to fathom the entire breadth of possibilities that artificial intelligence presents at such an early stage. However, at present machine learning combined with big data and predictive analytics is leading the first wave of automation across various verticals to power major functions such as marketing and customer service. Here are a few ways AI can transform the way travel services are delivered and consumed:
Personalisation: Travel the way you want to Big data and AI together are like well-
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oiled machines that can perform multiple to help customers with pre-purchase functions simultaneously. While big data “At present, assistance, helping them with research on algorithms scan through large sets of holiday packages and offers. Running on data from the past and segregate machine learning combined Natural Language Processing (NLP), an relevant and usable information, with big data and predictive AI-based application, chatbots obtain an artificial intelligence-led relevant information from consumers algorithm such as a machine analytics is leading the first wave and combine various elements such as learning program applies of automation across various location, language and time to provide predictive analytics to identify relevant offers to customers. patterns within these data sets verticals to power major Then there are virtual assistants to draw actionable insights. This functions such as marketing that perform tasks for an individual allows travel companies to initiate on cue through voice, image or text micro-targeted efforts that have and customer service in inputs. Virtual assistants access a user’s a higher probability of generating information from multiple external sources significantR OI. travel industry” and scheduling such information with
Consumers tend to respond to offers complete efficiency, be it Amazon’s Alexa, Column Guest and content that conveys significant video by tapping into multiple sources of Apple’s Siri or Google Now. It is very well value to them. Hence, AI is probably the data, such as social media platforms. For a possibility that in the not too distant best way to inspire consumers to travel by instance, a picture they like on Facebook future, your virtual assistant would scan offering them just what they want. Unlike or Instagram or a page they follow can offer your calendar to identify events which digital advertising, which uses cookies to an airline or travel agency with valuable would require travel plans and book flights display relevant ads to consumers, artificial insight on the consumer’s preference, on its own based on your preferences and intelligence and machine learning can thereby helping marketers and customer past booking information. The impact predict which medium or which particular relationship managers to extend tailor- of technology such as this on the travel ad space would be more likely to generate made offers directly to the customer. industry will be massive, transforming better conversions. As a result, marketing AI-driven ultra-personalisation helps the role of the travel agent and becoming campaigns can become much smarter travel agents and companies enhance the a mediator between travellers and service and effective as more customers can be customer experience to increase conversion providers. engaged in ways that were not possible until rates. Moreover, AI not only helps provide In a nutshell, it can be safely assumed a few years ago. the customer with a unique pre-purchase that Artificial Intelligence is set to rewrite Personalisation of travel services and experience, but a truly distinct post- the very rules of the travel industry, bringing offers based on consumer data and insights purchase behaviour as well. For example, about an age of man-machine symbiosis is a major promise of AI, which can create an OTA can send travellers customised where AI works in tandem with human bespoke offers for customers based on suggestions during the trip for activities intelligence. The result? –Much more their preferences. A customer’s online or and experiences based on their profile, efficient, productive, and insight-driven purchase behaviour in the past can help preferences and location data. services. On the other hand, machines will travel companies take effective decisions enhance various functions like marketing on the best way to reach them in the future Virtual Assistants and to make it more streamlined, focussing on with machine learning and predictive Chatbots: The Age of individual customers rather than create analytics. For instance, a customer who Customer Service 2.0 broad campaigns with conventional regularly researches travel products and A large number of OTAs and travel methods advertising and messaging that services on his/her smartphone would platforms currently employ chatbots produces no real impact. n most likely respond to offers and messages appearing on a mobile app or browser than The author is CTO & Co-founder of ixigo. ixigo’s mission is to simplify the on other devices. lives of travellers by building apps that make their travel search and planning In addition, deep learning algorithms hassle-free and it has won several awards in its journey, including the TiE- Lumis Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and the NASSCOM Top-10 Emerge delve further to understand a customer’s Award. Today it connects over 80 million travellers with content & deals from online activities and attempt to understand over 25,000 online and offline travel and hospitality businesses. travellers based on images, audio and
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 91 58 | july 2017 In Conversation face Microsoft, SamsungMicrosoft, andXiaomi” 15 players suchasApple, Lenovo, “B2X Indiamanagesmore than network operators and retailers in m ers. IoT devicesensuringasuperiorservice experiencefortheircustomers. the capa bility tomanagetheentireaftersalesservice of mobile and outsourcin Munich, Germanyheadquartered B2XGmbHisabusinessprocess anufacturers of s to
face g
m ajor which provides custo m artphones and other electronic devices, m ore than 130 countries. B2X has Samsung, and in the mobile industry such as Apple, Microsoft,300 Xiaomi,service centers and serves more thanentity 15 tobig B2X India. players Today, B2X India manages around Solutions (TSS) India in October 2014 and renamed the quality. guidelines in order to deliver bestspecial in trainingclass toservice technicians and highaccording country.the across centers service our We and provide to manufacturer experienceviaourSMARTCARE Technology platform care customer seamless most the deliver to clients our smartphone and IoT devices to manufacturers. We help a, i Ind B2X at CSO and provider of end to end customer care solutions for for solutions care customer end to end of provider efficiencies and customer care? B2X is the leading global Howdoes B2X help mobile and IoT companies scale up with MaxGrabmayr, Haider AliKhan cau for a marketplace. Excerpts... in this fiercely co b value additions that it would rin b B2X acquired the majority stake of The Service Service The of stake majority the acquired B2X out the co m g I ndian Service Centers, 22 are Premium Centers with er service solutions for in for Lenovo. B2X India has 28 Authorized Apple m m arket and the m o pany’s plans b ile co m petitive to know g m CEO CEO ht up m panies MY o MOBILE b ile face to face
over 90% customer satisfaction rates.
How does B2X helps in delivering the best customer experience for the OEMs? B2X India runs the global IT hub providing software solutions with around 900 employees and over 500 trusted partners in 140 countries worldwide, B2X India is the premiere after- sales service provider. B2X India ensures high customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, repair avoidance when possible for OEM clients. OEMs often have to manage multiple “OEMs often dissatisfaction as such repairs can impact service partners with unreliable have to manage multiple other functions of the devices and will for performance and unclear costs. sure void any remaining manufacturer B2X resolves these issues through service partners with unreliable warranty. With devices becoming more its SMARTCARE technology performance and unclear costs. sophisticated, especially this portion for service network monitoring B2X resolves these issues through of the market will need to fight for its
with real-time data. Customer existence in the long run. Conversation In experience is actively managed with its SMARTCARE technology for generated insights while ad hoc cost service network monitoring How after sales service plays an important savings opportunities are identified with real-time data” role in buying decision? Service and repair and implemented. We handle a repair must be quick but many smartphone volume of over 1 million repairs per year brands fail to meet their customers’ and expanded the business to carriers and expectations. On a global average, people insurance providers. service in India? It is transitioning fast these find a processing time of two to three B2X India manages several Flagship days. It becomes more professional with days quite acceptable for a device repair. Service centers for Samsung, OnePlus & key players moving towards measuring Yet, according to our Smartphone and Motorola/ Lenovo in India with growth plans customer satisfaction strongly and using IoT Consumer Trends 2017 study, the outside India. And our service centers have technologies to improve processes to avoid actual repair time is two to three weeks. grown from 19 stores in 2014 to above escalations. Considering that up to three days waiting 250 B2X managed locations in 2016. Increase of available bandwidth will time is just considered “acceptable”, further digitalize service and the related excellent customer service should solve How do you see the prospects of B2X in India processes, which will make it more a problem in 24 hours or less. With the when people rely more on word of mouth important to respond to customer quickly growing emotional bond between people publicity? We are providing better repair in all available support channels. This will and their smartphones, customer care is experience and aim to make the customer put the service network under genuine becoming increasingly significant as the journey a more positive one. We are also pressure to improve further. most important influencing factor for heavily investing into capabilities to simplify The next phase is moving from walk-in satisfaction with a smartphone brand. the process for the customers India is one service to delivery & home services even for of our most important markets. Word of smaller appliances and devices to improve What has been the smartphone buying mouth plays a major role when selecting the satisfaction of consumers. Both points trend in India? As per our Smartphone one brand over other and when you need are strongly supporting the strategic and IoT Trend 2017 study, the future to visit a service center when things go direction which B2X India is captivating of smartphone buying in India looks wrong. This is where we feel that our setup in market. interesting. The study reveals that people will support a seamless customer care The alternative mode for service is are willing to pay premium amount for the experience and bring customers to us. the unstructured, grey market where latest smartphones. People will not shy repairs are performed with basic tools away from buying $500 smartphones. n What is the current state of after sales and mostly copied parts. This can lead to [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 93 by Invitation CRM The Coming of Age!
By Limesh Parekh Guest Column Guest The concept of CRM has evolved to a large extent over the last few years, especially in Indian context. Earlier it was predominantly used by large enterprises and was also limited to the basic functionality, generally customer database only. However, in recent years even SMEs have started to take leverage of CRM.
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he change has been possible are relying on social media to a great extent internet plans helped to take Mobile CRM to because of the advent of newer for their buying decisions. So sellers are using the next level. Mobile CRM has completely technologies and concepts CRM with social media capabilities to monitor changed the way CRM is thought and used in like SAAS and Social Media and influence buying patterns of buyers. India. Now it has become one of the biggest Tintegrations. Also, now the scope of CRM has With the advent of online E-commerce, productivity tools for sales and service increased from a mere customer database the importance of social media in CRM has teams. to a 360 view of customer interactions from increased many folds. Conclusion: CRM in India has made various channels including but not limited to SAAS - The Great Leveler: Initially, CRM considerable progress to its present situation telephony, chat, emails, customer portals and was affordable only to Enterprises, because and is far to proceed. Considering the mobile apps. of its enormous cost. This was because of huge and diverse market that India has, Evolution of CRM as a Concept: Initially, costly software and expensive infrastructure arrangements intended for the western CRM was used as a customer database and an required to implement CRM. But SAAS countries cannot be deployed here. Hence extension of any larger ERP implementation. changed everything. Now, the expensive it is of great significance for the Indian These were large database applications which CRM software became available as a service, market to have a CRM streamlined on the had essential enquiry management features. affordable to almost everyone. The biggest basis of Indian management principles and
The primary purpose of these CRM systems Column Guest was to give MIS reports. These were more of reporting tools than day to day productivity tools as the CRM is today. The MIS reports were merely used by marketing division to understand customer segments and target marketing efforts accordingly. Advent of Email Automation: When email became the primary tool of business communications, people started to realise the importance of email automation in their CRM strategy. Slowly the line between marketing and sales began to disappear in case of CRM definitions. Email marketing started to become the part of CRM. Inside sales: Apart from the marketing and sales department, inside sales team began to get in shape. Inside Sales is more relevant to B2B as compared to B2C. The primary role of inside sales team was to generate direct leads for sales team or do prospecting of the leads generated by marketing teams. Telephony & CRM: The integration of Telephony and CRM has led to the popularity challenge in the adoption of SAAS as the practices. What could be better than we of Call Centre or better known as Contact mainstream solution was internet access. doing it for ourselves, hence following the Centers. Initially this was accomplished by Internet - The Game Changer: With wide statement “Of the Indians, by the Indians, On Premise Telephony Servers. These are now spread usage of internet across the country for the Indians”. n being replaced by Cloud Telephony Solutions. and broadband becoming cheaper, CRM is The author is CEO of Enjay IT Solutions It has become crucial for businesses to use accessible to almost everyone and everywhere Ltd. Enjay offers CRM Consulting, telephony solutions to engage with their in India. Mobile internet revolution in India is CRM Migration, CRM Development, customers. Hence, integration of Telephony also changing the CRM landscape in India to CRM Deployment, CRM Training and with CRM is the need of the hour. an extreme level. related solutions and has helped over Social CRM: The latest buzzword in CRM Mobile CRM - Enterprise to Personal: Cheap 350 companies to retain customers in the last 10 years. space is Social CRM. Consumers and buyers smart phones with more affordable mobile
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 95 face to face
“Customers today are looking for brands with durable and quality products”
Energizer Holdings, the US-based global battery major, is spreading its presence in the Indian market by launching a slew of innovative products in association with Avenir Telecom, a global player in communication products distribution, as its licensee. Energizer-Avenir will now offer a wide range of mobile batteries and accessories such as cables, chargers, USB key, memory cards, rugged covers, screen protectors and more for the Indian market. My Mobile’s Nijhum Rudra interacted with Manish Prasad, Business Development Director, South Asia and South East Asia, Avenir Telecom to find out more details about Energizer-Avenir plans for India. Excerpts…
What do you think are some of the biggest offer are priced similarly to our goods, doing R&D on the Indian market for a long challenges customers are facing these days whereas these brands offer six months to time now, the mobile accessories market in terms of quality of products and services? year of warranty. Energizer, on the other in India is highly fragmented and there are How does Energizer-Avenir plan to fill in hand, offers two years of international hardly any organized players in the market the gap? Due to the lack of availability warranty on its products along with here. This presents a huge opportunity of quality and long lasting products in providing a counter replacement to the for a player like us. For years, Energizer the Indian accessory market, Customers customers from the store itself. Following has brought consumer focused products are left to choose from an array of low this, we have segmented our range into that power the essential devices which quality products. Because of this, they are Classic/High tech & Ultimate to ease up help people stay connected throughout left with no option but to buy the same the process of choosing the products as the time providing a complete solution products again & again, after a very short per the need and budget. Classic is the to fulfill daily lifestyle needs.E nergizer is span of time as the brands offering lower basic product segment and Ultimate is the going to continue the same legacy in India quality goods merely provide any product topnotch segment we offer. providing their customers with superior warranty. quality products, eventually increasing Today, each consumer value quality as What prompted Energizer-Avenir to enter into penetration rate in Indian market for the much as price. According to our study in the Indian phone battery and accessories technology sector. Now is the perfect the market, the goods which Indian brands market and why so late? We have been time to provide the same technology
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prowess which Energizer holds to our with, we are investing in marketing and finally reaching to a total of 48 cities by Indian customers. We are confident that promotions for accessories which usually end of the year. Energizer’s powerful accessories will take very few brands do in our country do and Honestly, in this business the brand the market by the storm. we are focusing on PR & Digital marketing needs to be present at every location to reach out to the maximum number of and to facilitate the brand connection, Mobile component and accessories market is customers in India and make the retail which is very important. Typically, it’s largely unorganized where winning customer channel be confident about us. an impulse buying and customer can loyalty is not an expensive affair but ROI also be present anywhere in that case, so our remains uncertain. In this scenario, do you You have opted for online and few large strategy is to be there in every channel and think, you will be able to carve a niche for format offline retails to reach out to make the products available for the end yourself. Customers today are looking for customers. Any particular reason behind consumers. brand with durable and quality products, this selective channel strategy? We are especially when it comes to longevity of launching Energizer’s mobile accessories The Chinese players are already dominating mobile accessories. We are confident in all channels in India so we expect steady the Asian market with high-end spec products that Energizer’s top quality products with sales from all the channels including in cheaper price. Don’t you think this delay a competitive pricing will give it a definite might bring a barrier in your firm? In this edge over other international brands scenario, can you please elucidate some of thereby creating a concrete customer base “We expect your unique business strategies, which you for itself. Our range of products is priced tremendous organic growth think, can deal with the competition? We In Conversation In between Rs.399/- and Rs.2999/- of the online market. So, we are have offered the best prices for Indian respectively. The brand provides 2 market for high quality goods and Years of warranty along with USPs launching the brand in all the the Indian consumers are accepting such as: an additional 20% cable major portals. For offline market, the brand and the price range length for the standard 1 meter exceptionally well. This immediately cable, Energizer pocket cable for I our strategy is focused on the top differentiates us from the other Phone and Android, ultra-premium 15 cities of India to make a huge players existing in the market. We stainless steel stretchable cables with impact on the Indian always believe in bringing something lifetime warranty and universal tempered new for our customers. As mentioned glasses. In Addition to this, Energizer audience” earlier, customers have been disappointed products come with major international time and again by the purchase of certifications, namely: EC , REACH, ROHS cheap branded products and there lies and Anti-Shock Case with US Military drop e-commerce where we have listed our an opportunity for the International test up to 2&3 meters. Owing to our global products on all top platforms. We expect brands which are capable of catering failure ratio which is only 0.3% and the tremendous organic growth of the online to the organized markets and capture unparallel quality, creating a niche for our market. So, we are launching the brand in that space. Energizer is committed to products would be effortless. all the major portals. For offline market, providing high end mobile accessories, our strategy is focused on the top 15 cities designed to deliver the best consumer What is going to be your marketing and of India to make a huge impact on the experience. The brand will keep innovating promotional strategy for these newly Indian audience. We have tied up with and revolutionizing. We launch new launched products? We are here for long all the major power retailers / LFR’s for a products at all the major international term business and we have lined up steady business growth. We are present exhibitions where we showcase our more product launches to fill the gap in in brick and mortar stores as well. Our products. We seek to adapt the same the market and offer the best products products will be distributed by PARAS business strategy for all our products. to the Indian consumers. We put equal group who are known for their expansive The brand is here for long term business amount of emphasis on investments in the distribution and retail presence and will be and we have lined up more product Energizer accessories business and plan made available across all the major retail launches to fill the gap in the market to take a step by step approach towards outlets in India across 15 cities. In the and offer the best products to the Indian investments in distribution, Marketing, PR next phase, the company plans venture in consumers. n & Digital marketing campaigns. To begin the next 200 towns across the country & [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 97 In Conversation face connect witheach otheronareal-time basis” platform that helpslike-mindedfansto sports “Rooter istheworld’s socialengagement sports first that co mome a sport. However,it’snotpossibleevery timetoenjoythethrillig tournamet hasitsowfu.Ibrigstoforeyourreallovefor for ourfavourite teamorsportsperson withfellowfa ns duriga Nobody enjoyswatchi ng sports alone,asshoutigadcheeri its board actor BomanIraiadtechologymajorIntexcameoitsboard across theworld,cameintopromiecerecetly whenBollywood vicinity. Thefirstofitskindapp, madeinIndiaforthesports fanatics predictions ogamesadchat withlike-mindedsports fa ns iyour feel of your ga each otheronareal-timebasis;itisvirtually possiblenowtohave a n to t i nn n ects, e a group.
face n g duri n gages, a W ith n caught as investors.RameshKumarRajacaught g a live sporti R ooter, the world’s first digital platform n up withPiyushKumar, d helps sports audie ooter, R model that makes it o E xcerpts: ess todiscussitsUSPsandbusiess n in the viability of the business. India is a sports-crazy nation was variousenough sourcesfor ofus mobile to appbelieve revenue and the fact that point of time, an uncalculated plunge to take. favourite team together ensured that it was not, at any their on cheer to desire the moreover and stats chats, to interactwitheachotheroverdollopsoftrivia,quizzes, conventional model of engaging sports fans in realRooter’srisks. non- take to motivator timea of enough was biggest passions of Indians- sports one-of-a-kindtwocombiningIndia,anda theconceptin social interaction, manage tofinancethisventure? The fact that it is indeed risky proposition from business pointinspired of viewyou toand take how a didplunge you into itSince which Rooter iscould a first have of its beenkind appa for Indian users, what g eve Although early monetization was an area of concern, the n t. Y n ou ca ce i n EO C & Founder n e of a ki teract with n make live n
d app. MY MOBILE , , face to face
Rooter is quite an attractive but an offbeat day, Rooter has gained a lot of ground name! How did you zero on this name? We generating a large and loyal user base. never wanted to name the platform using While the predominant sport that Indians the commonly used terms like Fan or Sports. follow is still cricket, a significant amount We wanted to create a unique identity. We of people are also following and regularly came across the word “root” which means interacting on other sports such as Football, support and landed on Rooter that means Tennis, Badminton, F1 and Basketball. We a supporter or fan of sports team. Rooter also plan to introduce Kabaddi in two “Primarily, we are has all inherent branding advantages like weeks. targeting sports enthusiasts in Twitter- You root for your team, how many rooters around etc. Rooter just completed Can Rooter strike success in a the 18-35 years age bracket, who its seed round of funding led by Intex country where the culture of tend to follow a variety of sports. Rooter, Technologies and from prominent angel meaningfully engaging sports however, is also equally appealing to investors like Bollywood actor Boman Irani fan has been starkly missing? and many others. Rooter will be raising its The core idea behind the newbie sports enthusiast and Series A round in next 3-6 months. Rooter, i.e. ‘nobody enjoys features such as live match prediction watching sports alone’- is What makes Rooter unique? Who are the universally applicable. While and fun trivia help us to convert
consumers that you are targeting and how admittedly, India is yet to the casual sports viewer into Conversation In is this app going engage and elevate their experience comprehensive sports an ardent fan as well” experience? Rooter is the world’s first sports fan engagement as experienced social engagement platform that helps globally, but we are hoping that Rooter will like-minded sports fans to connect with be the pioneer in that field and thus, also a user returns to an app is the initial user each other on a real-time basis. It is best enjoy the first-mover advantage. Indians experience generated by it. An interactive described as ‘Tinder’ of sports, albeit with adore anything related to sports, and a and engaging UI, diverse features, ease of a plethora of features! Rooter is essentially platform that not only connects users to usage, all these facets play an extremely a virtual bridge for like-minded sports fans sports continuously but also allows them important role in determining the user- to interact and complement each other’s to interact with others through the common retention ability of an app. Furthermore, voice to the resounding cheer and support and much loved currency of sports is Rooter being sports oriented and various for their respective teams. The Rooter app bound to enjoy unparalleled success. We sporting events being held all throughout is extremely easy and engaging to use, and are planning to formally launch Rooter in the year helps us to have a sustained has easily customizable features as well, international market in next two months. engagement with the user. thus making it popular among users. Primarily, we are targeting sports How many installs it has amassed and what Although Rooter has the first mover advantage enthusiasts in the 18-35 years age bracket, is the average daily time spent by active in its space, what is your monetization plan who tend to follow a variety of sports. Rooter, Rooter users on the app? We currently have to remain a leader? In the initial stages we however, is also equally appealing to the 2.5 lakh Rooters who have installed our are looking at enhancing our user base. newbie sports enthusiast and features such app with an average engagement of 13-15 Rooter is free to use and we are presently as live match prediction and fun trivia help minutes per day. Our user base is expanding not looking at introducing subscriptions us to convert the casual sports viewer into exponentially, and with the Wimbledon an or working out a freemium-based model. an ardent fan as well! action-packed tour schedule of the Indian A significant portion of our revenue comes team lined up and the EPL, we are expecting from mobile app advertising, and we How has been the response so far and what are our numbers to skyrocket. are also looking towards merchandising the other sports you are planning to offer apart opportunities with various clubs in different from Cricket, Football, Tennis and Basketball? Most of the apps on phones lie idle after a sports. Having names such as Boman Irani Rooter has generated an extremely positive certain period of time, only to get deleted. and Intex Technologies as our investors response so far. With more than 2.50 lakh Don’t you think it could be a challenge to get helps us to be ahead of the curve when it users on our platform and an average user the consumer back on the app consistently? comes to brand recognition. n engagement time of13-15 minutes per The most important determinant of whether [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 99 Special feature Anytime, Anywhere
Trendz Entertainment Web series are giving amusement pursuits an altogether new dimension By Ramesh Kumar Raja
atching entertainment increasingly catching up in India, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops and the shows was never so among younger generations who are drifting cheaper data, is driving the growth of the handy the way it is now. away from traditional television shows and platforms streaming web series in different From films to serials, one watching web series that they could relate episodes. Youtube, Amazon, Netflix, Wcan watch them anytime at the click of a to. For instance, if you take a look inside a Hotstar and Voot are some of the notable button, thanks to the streaming websites Delhi Metro train, youngsters will have their players offering these services. From market offering programs either free or on a headphones on and will be watching a web perspective, they are very aggressive, have subscription basis. No matter the screen is series on their smartphones. ambitious programming budgets and keen as big as a TV (one which runs on internet) The new avenue of entertainment, to stream original content to their platforms. or as small as a smartphone, the trend is piggybacking on the proliferation of Already competing in the US, arch rivals Netflix and Amazon have extended their
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battle to the Indian market, where they for live events and sports, the audience have set aside Rs 2,000 crore each for that is online is not really interested in TV acquiring content to attract subscribers. anymore. As bandwidth improves, and as Both video streaming platforms are also smartphones get cheaper, the potential spending big bucks on web series. audience base grows. A critical advantage According to Ashish Patil, Vice- that web series has over TV is that one can
President (brand partnerships and talent reach a specific audience. Trendz management) at Y-Films, the youth arm There is a very interesting story of how of YRF, “The kind of money we would the internet helps address topics that TV or be spending on an entire series, they are film doesn’t let you address in mainstream spending on an episode. Our budgets shows. “Sometimes we have heard names range from Rs 50-75 lakh while they of body parts being censored on TV. That’s spend Rs 8-10 crore across 10 episodes.” the great thing about the web medium. Interestingly, Y-Films is the creator of We get to use the very conversational tone “The kind of money we popular web series like Bang Baaja in our dialogues. It’s more free flowing would be spending on Baaraat, Man’s World and Ladies Room. and less censored, and this might be an entire series, they So what’s fueling the trend of web series one of the reasons it resonates with the in a country like India where family viewing younger crowd,” Nikhil Taneja, the head are spending on an is preferred over the personal viewing? of development of Y Films, shared this with episode. Our budgets Younger generations have long complained Firstpost in a report last year. about the lack of youth-oriented content As per experts, local contents hold range from Rs 50-75 on TV. Although traditional saas-bahu a bright future. If you look at platforms lakh while they spend dramas and reality shows are still ruling like Voot, they have their content geared Indian television, the youth are turning to towards the more regional sections. They Rs 8-10 crore across 10 the internet for alternative entertainment. have regional subtitles. Y Film’s Pappu episodes” Prithwish Barman, who heads the video & Papa is dubbed in five languages. team at ScoopWhoop Talkies, is of the Audiences in Tier II and III cities consume – Ashish Patil, view that except these contents with a great interest as Vice-President (brand they relate with the stories told in their partnerships and “The new avenue language. talent management) So how does a medium of entertainment, piggy without mainstream at Y-Films, the youth backing on the proliferation advertising afford a lavish arm of YRF on players budget to make a web like Youtube, Amazon, of smartphones, tablets, series? The answer lies in Netflix, Hotstar brand sponsorships. For laptops and the cheaper data, instance, The Viral Fever and Voot allocating is driving the growth of the (TVF) relied on sponsorship humungous budget for from Kingfisher, Pond’s, web series and talent platforms streaming web Uber for the first season ofT VF acquisition Pitchers which was produced on series” a budget of Rs 50 lakh per episode. Similarly, there is a revenue model that is a mix of sponsorship and advertising SOME POPULAR INDIAN WEB which is followed by Y Films to produce a SERIES web series. Moreover, there is monetization Permanent Roommates – The web series, from the large number of views generated created by The Viral Fever (TVF) and on YouTube. Biswapati Sarkar, revolves around a young
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 101 Special feature Trendz
couple, Tanya and Mikesh, who after has 8.8/10 ratings by 12,148 users and The first season consists of seven episodes. being in a long distance relationship for Top Rated TV #172 on IMDB. The second season premiered across Arre’s three years face the prospect of marriage. A.I.SHA: My Virtual Girlfriend – The Indian Android and iOS app, on its website and Permanent Roommates has been renewed drama-mystery, digital sci-fi thriller web its partner platforms including Facebook, for a third season, which will premiere in television series by Arre, revolves around YouTube, , YuppTV, Vodafone Play and now, 2018. It has been well received by the the story of a relationship between Sam, a even on a Jet Airways flight.T he show has internet audience. The first episode has genius app developer, and a woman. Only, also found a platform in Vodafone Play and more than 4.5 million views. The series, the woman is the first-of-its-kind Artificial Ola Play and has been translated into Tamil hosted on TVF’s official YouTube channel, Intelligence Simulated Humanoid Assistant and Telegu to reach a wider audience. has since gathered over 1 million views for (A.I.SHA). Things take a turn for the worse Bang Baaja Baarat – The web series each episode. TVF Permanent Roommates when A.I.SHA develops a mind of her own. from YRF’s Y-Films stands apart instantly
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because of the scale of its production. It is a truly contemporary rom-com that doesn’t shy away from showing the more risqué aspects of urban relationships. Starting from how the lead pair meets, (swipe right if you think you can guess
how,) to the rather explicit bachelorette Trendz party that the friends of the bride-to-be throw for her, to a particularly hilarious quasi-incestuous relationship that smacks you in your face; the show straddles the nuanced and the over-the- top surprisingly well. BBB is about the coming of age; of the Indian web series and original audio-visual content on the Internet; of the depiction of urban love and relationships; of the changing 2017. The series has been positively to come up with season two of ‘It’s Not definition of clean humour and accepting received by critics and audience. The That Simple’ and the versatile actress is that even sex can be a part of it, as long as series is an inside look behind the politics the intent is in the right place. of the game which is set in a landscape Inside Edge – This is an Indian- of conflicting interests, where selfishness American web television series based is almost a virtue, where sex, money, and on a fictionalT 20 cricket team, Mumbai power are mere means to an end. Mavericks that plays in the Powerplay Tanhaiyan – This is an Indian romantic League (based on Indian Premier web series which aired on Hotstar on League). It premiered on Amazon Video 14 February with all episodes. It stars on July 10, 2017. This is Amazon Prime Barun Sobti and Surbhi Jyoti in lead Video’s first Indian original series.T he roles. The web series includes 10 series stars Richa Chada, Tanuj Virwani, episodes of 20 minutes each. It is Vivek Oberoi and Angad Bedi in lead produced by 4 Lions Films and is roles. The first season premiered in June distributed by Star India. The series starts with a marriage backdrop where the groom Siddharth’s (Mohit Abrol) best friend is Haider Ali Khan (Barun Sobti) and the bride Avantika’s (Priya Tandon) bestfriend is Meera Kapoor (Surbhi Jyoti). Haider is a typical Casanova and Meera is a carefree non- judgmental girl and both are shown to be dealing with some kind of pain that is kept under wraps. It’s Not That Simple – The first season of the six-episode web series by Voot and starring Swara Bhaskar and directed by keen on being part of the web series that Danish Aslam (Break Ke Baad – 2010 revolved around the idea of marriage, fame) deals with marriage, loyalty, and relationships, love and extra-marital the stature of a woman in a marriage. affairs. Danish will helm the project once Considering the humongous response for again for the second season. n the first season, the makers have decided [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 103 Consumer campaign Civilizing Careless
Trendz Chatterers Despite rising incidence of fatal road accidents, Indians just can’t stop talking on phone while driving or crossing roads but Samsung hopes to make a difference by joining ‘Safe India Campaign’ with its powerful video campaign.
his is one distinction we can Reasons are aplenty for this but people’s wheeler users admit to ‘instinctively’ all live without. According to slapdash attitude towards their own safety answering their mobile phones when riding, International Road Federation is no less a contributor to their own tragedy. while 14% of Indian pedestrians admit (IRF), India accounts for Wide absence of mobile use safety and to taking selfies while crossing the road. Tmaximum number of road deaths globally comportment has added another dimension Samsung’s ‘Safe India’ campaign seeks – out of every 10 deaths on the road, one to the already aggrieved situation. to spread awareness about the dangers happens to be an Indian. And the numbers According to a new survey report by of irresponsible usage of mobile phones, have only been growing over the years. Samsung, around 60% of Indian two- including taking selfies on the road.T he
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Samsung had recently pledged its answer the phone while crossing a road, support to the Ministry of Road Transport while a further 18% said they would and Highways’ drive to reduce road immediately respond to a call from their accidents, especially those that happen superior at work, even if crossing a road. due to irresponsible usage of mobile In India, one road accident fatality phones. The ‘Safe India’ campaign was happens every four minutes, according to recently launched by Nitin Gadkari, Union government data. Not only does the country Trendz Minister of Road Transport & Highways and have the highest number of road accidents Shipping. globally, according to a report by Carnegie The survey conducted across 12 cities Mellon University, Indraprastha Institute of in India revealed that one-in-three car Information Technology, Delhi and National “Irresponsible usage drivers tend to send a text message from Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, behind the wheel if it were ‘important’. India accounts for over 50% of selfie- of mobile phones is Cavalier Crossers: Pedestrians’ attitude related fatalities in the world today. becoming one of the to safety is no different from drivers, “Irresponsible usage of mobile phones, major causes of road according to the survey. Of the pedestrians including the new trend of taking selfies who responded, 64% said they regularly on the road, is becoming one of the major accidents today. We want to bring down the annual road accident fatality which is the highest in the world, by 50%. For this we are already working on a multi-pronged strategy but need a lot of support from industry to be successful. We are glad that corporates such as Samsung are playing their part with this campaign” – Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping
‘Safe India’ campaign film has got an overwhelming response, already crossing 150 million views on YouTube by the time of going print.
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 105 Consumer campaign
industry to be successful. We are glad that says Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road corporates such as Samsung are playing Transport & Highways and Shipping. their part with this campaign. I invite all “The overwhelming response mobile manufacturers to contribute to encourages us to continue our efforts in this effort and help curb accidents due supporting the Ministry of Road Transport to irresponsible usage of mobile phones,” & Highways in its effort to make Indian Trendz
“The overwhelming response encourages us to continue our efforts in supporting the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in its effort to make Indian roads safer. At Samsung, we are happy that we have been able to contribute to creating awareness about this important issue of irresponsible usage of mobile phones on the road and people have definitely taken notice” – Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung India
causes of road accidents today. We want to bring down the annual road accident fatality figure of 1.5 lakh, which is the highest in the world, by 50%. For this we are already working on a multi-pronged strategy but need a lot of support from
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India accounts for more roads safer. At Samsung, we are happy that than 50% of the total we have been able to contribute to creating selfie deaths in the world. awareness about this important issue of irresponsible usage of mobile phones on the road and people have definitely taken notice. The ‘Safe India’ campaign video crossing 100 million views on YouTube is Trendz also a testimony of the love and trust that consumers repose in brand Samsung,” said Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Marketing Officer,S amsung India. According to the Safe India survey, 11% of two-wheeler riders would always children they have seen crossing the road road, it has also invested in developing safe answer their phone when on the road, while on the phone, while 68% admit to mobility apps for two-wheelers, cars and regardless of who was calling, 30% would seeing truck and bus drivers using their also those who are walking. These apps, part respond to calls from family while 18% of phones while behind the wheel. Around of the Company’s ‘Make for India’ initiative, the riders responded to work-related calls. 55% of respondents think mobile phone have been developed at Samsung India’s When it comes to messaging—texts or companies should employ technology to R&D centres in Bengaluru and Noida and social media updates—an alarming 23% prevent misuse of mobile phones on the are based on Indian consumer insights. of two-wheeler riders admitted to reading road. S bike mode: This feature, once and replying to texts if the message they While Samsung is creating awareness activated, notifies the rider of an urgent received was ‘important’. about the dangers of irresponsible usage incoming call while s/he’s riding her/his Among respondents, 80% say they of mobile phones through the ‘Safe India’ bike. If the call is urgent, the caller can are ‘very concerned’ about the number of campaign, including taking selfies on the press 1 and the call will get through, but not until the bike stops. It also has a Smart Reply feature, where selected contacts will Samsung Survey Summary receive an auto-SMS with an estimate of when the user is likely to be available for n Nearly 60% of Indian two-wheeler users admit to ‘instinctively’ a call. So all the rider needs to do is just answering their mobile phones while riding. simply tap the S bike icon and enjoy a
n 14% of Indian pedestrians admit to taking selfies while crossing hassle free ride. the road at least once a week. Car Mode: This feature facilitates distraction-free and safe usage of n 70% pedestrian respondents said they regularly answer the phone while crossing a road. smartphones while driving. What’s more, it reads out messages for the driver, n 18% pedestrian respondents said they would immediately respond to a call from their boss, even if in the process of crossing allowing him/her to access their favorite a road. playlists, navigation and much more through distraction-free touch and voice n 51% of pedestrian respondents admit that they would respond to interactions. It also has a ‘Do Not Disturb’ their boss by the third call, even if in the middle of the road. feature so that drivers can drive safe and n 80% of respondents describe themselves as ‘very concerned’ stay connected at the same time. about the number of children they have seen crossing the road Walk Mode: This mode is designed to while on the phone. reduce accidents when walking and using n 68% admit to seeing and also being ‘concerned’ about truck and mobile. It detects and alerts pedestrians bus drivers using their phones while behind the wheel at least when they are using their device while once per month. walking; it also offers the option of hiding n 55% of respondents think mobile phone companies should notifications and locking the screen while employ technology to prevent misuse of mobile phones on the walking. n road. [email protected]
www.mymobileindia.com september 2017 | 107 Subscription Final New gift March New offer-1.qxd 11/21/2016 5:51 PM Page 2
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