Dual-SIM Android smartphone 'Micromax A52' launches at Rs. 5,999

Micromax has expanded its Supefone series with the launch of yet another Android-based budget smartphone, called “A52”. Powered by 1GHz processor, the Micromax A52 comes for Rs. 5,999.

The new Micromax A52 has a dual-SIM slot and comes with the company's voice recognition assistant, AISHA. The device runs on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread operating system and features a 3.2-inch multi-touch screen and a 2MP camera. It has 256MB RAM. For connectivity, the A52 supports 3G, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi. The device comes pre-loaded with Google Play store and various other applications. The A52 has a 1,280 mAh battery, which is rated to deliver 5 hours of talk time and 182 hours of standby time.

The device is available in three colours – yellow, white and black. The device is already up for pre-order at various online shopping sites. The Mobile Store is offering the phone for Rs 5,699. Check out full specifications of the Micromax A52 here.

Micromax recently launched under its Ninja series, 45 Punk. The device also runs on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread operating system and features voice recognition app, AISHA . The Micromax A45 Punk is priced at Rs. 5,499.

The Micromax A45 Punk sports a 3.5-inch multi-touch capacitive touch screen. The A45 Punk is powered by a 650MHz processor. To know more, read our previous coverage.

There are plenty of Android-based budget smartphones in the market. Karbonn recently launched its dual-SIM Android-based smartphone, Karbonn A9, at Rs. 8,999. Micromax's own A50 Ninja, featuring a dual-SIM slot, AISHA and 3G, comes for Rs. 4,999.

Sony rolls out Android 4.0 ICS update for Xperia Mini Pro

Sony has started rolling out the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to its Xperia Mini Pro devices.

Sony has also announced that it will soon release the ICS update for Xperia Mini, Xperia Active and Live with Walkman. Sony has also provided links with which users can keep track of the update roll out. They are as follows : Xperia mini, Xperia active, Live with Walkman.

In a recent blog post, Sony announced that it will not be rolling out the ICS update to its Xperia Play smartphone. Sony said its decision – not to upgrade the device – was taken after it received similar feedback from the developer community and game content providers.

Other Sony smartphones that will be upgraded with the ICS are Xperia NXT series (Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U). The Xperia S is the first device to get the update. The Xperia P will also be updated soon, while the Xperia U is scheduled to get the update in Q3.

Sony, however, hasn't yet revealed what new features the ICS update will bring to the Xperia Mini Pro, though it's being speculated that user interface will be revised. Also, the update may feature a faster web browser and Wi-Fi direct functionality.

Facebook officially launches App Center

Facebook has officially launched its App Center, featuring 600 social apps including Nike+ GPS, Ubisoft Ghost Recon Commander, Stitcher Radio, Draw Something, and Pinterest.

Facebook last month revealed its plans to launch its own app store to promote high-quality social apps that run on its platform. On Thursday at a press conference in San Francisco, Facebook provided a brief demo of the app store. The App Center will appear on the left hand navigation menu on users' Facebook landing pages. The store will also have personalised app recommendations, which will be based on users' interests and activities on the social network. The apps can be browsed via categories such as “games” and “lifestyle”.

The App Center also has ratings for the apps, making it easier for users to decide whether they should download a given app or not. Features such as descriptions and screen shots are also there. With a “send to mobile” button for each app, users can directly download the app to their mobile phone.

Twitter notches up 400 million tweets a day, gets new logo

According to Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, the micro-blogging site sends more than 400 million tweets every day! Costolo also revealed that both mobile usage and revenue were surpassing desktops.

In an interview at the Economist's Ideas Economy: Information 2012 conference, Costolo said that majority of Twitter users accessed the website via mobile, and were far more active than desktop users. Explaining why Twitter is more successful on mobile, the CEO said, “"because tweets are 140 characters, and born of mobile and constrained that way, when we designed the ad platform our ads would go everywhere tweets go, and the only way is if the ads are tweets.”

Costolo added that Twitter's mobile advertising was doing really well, but didn't shared any figures. He said that the company had already launched an ad platform on web, but mobile revenues have been higher than non-mobile platform. On speculations of Twitter IPO, Costolo said that he is not focussing on it and that he accorded high priority to the company and the product right now.

Last month, Twitter's vice president of products, Satya Patel, revealed that the company was churning out 340 million tweets a day and aiming to expand global user base to two billion users.

Separately, Twitter rolled out a new “Twitter Bird”, which will be the new trademark symbol for the micro-blogging site. 

 “Our new bird grows out of love for ornithology, design within creative constraints, and simple geometry. This bird is crafted purely from three sets of overlapping circles — similar to how your networks, interests and ideas connect and intersect with peers and friends,” Twitter says in a blog post.To learn more about the new trademark, visit the Twitter brand resources page.

Toshiba India launches Ivy Bridge-based Satellite laptops and ultrabook

Toshiba India has launched four new laptops in the country, apart from a new ultrabook, all part of the Satellite Series, and powered by 3rd Generation Intel Core processors (Ivy Bridge).

These are namely C Series (C840 & C850) laptops, L Series (L850) laptop, M Series (M840) laptop, and the new Satellite U840 ultrabook. According to Toshiba, the new range of laptops offer outstanding performance, superior HD entertainment and contemporary styling. All five devices will be hit retail shelves in India by the 3rd week of June.

Commenting at the launch of the 2012 Satellite series range, Mr. Sivakumar N., Vice President – Strategic Marketing, Product Management and Services - DS Division, Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. said:

“Speed, Style, Performance, Superior Sound and HD integration, are some of the features that are on top of the purchase consideration parameters for the young laptop consumer today. Our new range of laptops offers a perfect amalgamation of these cutting edge features with exquisite form factor. With thinner and lighter profile and high-quality durable design, the new Satellite series is a testimony to our strong heritage of leading innovation. The new range offers faster, more powerful and smarter laptops, powered by latest 3rd Generation Intel Core processors, and is perfect for youthful consumers looking for more of everything.”

The new Satellite series range is equipped with Toshiba’s special BIOS technology which helps the devices boot roughly 30% faster than normal. In addition, the entire range features the Intel 7 series chipsets and integrates USB 3.0 for 10X faster data transfers, along with Bluetooth 4.0 for longer distance connectivity up to 50 meters.

To enhance the digital entertainment user experience, the entire range boasts of ‘Clear Super View’ display technology which delivers an enhanced picture quality display, well complimented by Toshiba’s Audio Enhancement option in the Satellite C series, SRS premium Sound HD™ in the Satellite L, M series and SRS Premium Sound 3D™ in Satellite U series. While the Toshiba Audio Enhancement option dynamically changes the sound equalizer to reduce distortion, the SRS premium Sound HD delivers immersive surround sound and a deep rich bass, ideal for listening to music, watching videos or playing games.

To up the users’ digital entertainment experience, the entire range comes equipped with a standard HDMI port, to effortlessly connect to a larger HD Televisions or to other HD devices. The new range also features High Definition webcam for more immersive and clear video and image sharing experience, adding a whole new dimension to the video sharing experience.

The new Satellite L, M and U series laptops also feature a USB Sleep-and-Charge port, which can charge users’ smart phone, MP3 player or other portable electronics integrating a USB port, even when the laptop is powered down.

Satellite U840: The Game Changer – Premium performance at Smart price

Designed in an aluminium and reinforced fibre glass chassis, the U840 consumer Ultrabook offers exquisite design and stylish exterior. The Toshiba U840 employs the hybrid drive technology with the integrated 32GB SSD coupled with a 500GB HDD. The hybrid technology dynamically improves the application response time and offers a powerful performance, along with faster system boot.

The U840, powered by latest 3rd Generation Intel core i5 processor, comes equipped with tile keyboards with LED backlighting, a large and easier-to-use ClickPad and USB 3.0 port for faster data transfers. Additional standard features include the SRS Premium Sound 3D sound enhancements, an HDMI port and a Lithium Polymer battery for a longer battery life. Dressed in an all-new, elegantly etched aluminium body in Ultra Silver color, this stylish and durable, Toshiba Satellite U840 is priced at Rs. 53,500.