Telecom service provider MTS India
on Monday slashed the price of mobile data dongles by 35 percent at a
time when Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, etc. have increased mobile
Internet tariffs.
The company has reduced the price of MBlaze Ultra Wi-Fi dongle to Rs
999 from Rs 1,499 for new postpaid customers. Its rivals are offering
this package at almost double the price.
MTS India (Sistema Shyam TeleServices) has decreased the price of
MBlaze Ultra Wi-Fi for the new prepaid customers to Rs 1,749 from Rs
2,299 along with 10 GB data.
MTS postpaid customers can opt for 40 GB data pack for Rs 999, 14 GB for Rs 700 and 10GB for Rs 550.
MTS prepaid data plans include 3GB for Rs 399, 5 GB for Rs 499, 7GB for Rs 699 and 20GB for Rs 999, with 30 day validity.
However, MTS India data service is present in only 9 circles: Delhi,
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, West Bengal
and UP West.
You need to remember that MTS data service is not promising
seamless data connection in all its telecom circles. The telecom
operator says it offers 9.8 Mbps on its 3GPlus telecom network. This is
the maximum speed it offers. You will experience significantly lower
speed as well. This will depend on number of users on the network during
a particular time frame.
Leonid Musatov, chief marketing & brand officer, MTS India, said:
“We lowered the price barrier for first time data customers with as
much as 33 percent reduction in dongle prices. We have also rolled out a
range of monthly data plans to suit the needs of customers across
categories.”
On Sunday, PTI reported that telecom operators have raised mobile Internet rates up to 100 percent in June-September period.Bharti Airtel increased mobile Internet rates by up to 33 percent
while Vodafone and Idea Cellular have started gradually implementing the
increased mobile internet rates from June.
The three companies jointly hold around 57 per cent mobile services market share.
Vodafone India changed the base tariff of 2G for 1GB pack from Rs 155 to Rs 175.
Airtel and Idea Cellular increased the rate of 1GB 2G mobile Internet pack to around Rs 175 from about Rs 155 GB.
Vodafone and Idea Cellular increased rack rate, charged without any
offer or scheme, by up to 100 per cent from 2 paise per 10 kb of data
usage to 4 paise per 10 kb.
This means on Vodafone and Idea network 1 GB of 2G or 3G mobile
internet will cost over Rs 4,000 (from Rs 2,000) which these companies
under scheme are selling for around Rs 175.
Airtel started increasing mobile internet rates around first week of
September. The company is now at par with Vodafone and Idea in terms of
rack rate which is 4 paise per 10 kb. However, the increase is only of
33 per cent because the company was already charging 3 paise per 10 kb
earlier.
The 2G data pack rate of Airtel is highest among the three at 10
paise per 10 kb which means cost of 1GB mobile internet usage without
any scheme or offer for a subscriber is over Rs 10,000 which company is
now selling for Rs 176
Microsoft Windows has seen nine major versions since its first release in 1985. Over 29 years later, Windows looks very different but somehow familiar with elements that have survived the test of time, increases in computing power and – most recently – a shift from the keyboard and mouse to the touchscreen.
Here’s a brief look at the history of Windows, from its birth at the hands of Bill Gates with Windows 1 to the latest arrival under new Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella.
Windows 1
The first version of Windows.Photograph: Wikipedia
This is where it all started for Windows. The original Windows 1 was released in November 1985 and was Microsoft’s first true attempt at a graphical user interface in 16-bit.
Development was spearheaded by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and ran on top of MS-DOS, which relied on command-line input.
It was notable because it relied heavily on use of a mouse before the mouse was a common computer input device. To help users become familiar with this odd input system, Microsoft included a game, Reversi (visible in the screenshot) that relied on mouse control, not the keyboard, to get people used to moving the mouse around and clicking onscreen elements.
Windows 2
Windows 2 with overlapping windows.Photograph: Wikipedia
Two years after the release of Windows 1, Microsoft’s Windows 2 replaced it in December 1987. The big innovation for Windows 2 was that windows could overlap each other, and it also introduced the ability to minimise or maximise windows instead of “iconising” or “zooming”.
The control panel, where various system settings and configuration options were collected together in one place, was introduced in Windows 2 and survives to this day.
Microsoft Word and Excel also made their first appearances running on Windows 2.
Windows 3
Windows 3.0 got colourful.
The first Windows that required a hard drive launched in 1990. Windows 3 was the first version to see more widespread success and be considered a challenger to Apple’s Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga graphical user interfaces, coming pre-installed on computers from PC-compatible manufacturers including Zenith Data Systems.
Windows 3 introduced the ability to run MS-DOS programmes in windows, which brought multitasking to legacy programmes, and supported 256 colours bringing a more modern, colourful look to the interface.
More important - at least to the sum total of human time wasted - it introduced the card-moving timesink (and mouse use trainer) Solitaire.
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 with Minesweeper.Photograph: Wikipedia
Windows 1 and 2 both had point release updates, but Windows 3.1 released in 1992 is notable because it introduced TrueType fonts making Windows a viable publishing platform for the first time.
Minesweeper also made its first appearance. Windows 3.1 required 1MB of RAM to run and allowed supported MS-DOS programs to be controlled with a mouse for the first time. Windows 3.1 was also the first Windows to be distributed on a CD-ROM, although once installed on a hard drive it only took up 10 to 15MB (a CD can typically store up to 700MB).
Windows 95
Windows 95: oh hello Start menu.
As the name implies, Windows 95 arrived in August 1995 and with it brought the first ever Start button and Start menu (launched with a gigantic advertising campaign that used the Rolling Stones’ Start Me Up, and a couple of months later Friends stars Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry. Could it be any more up-to-date?)
It also introduced the concept of “plug and play” – connect a peripheral and the operating system finds the appropriate drivers for it and makes it work. That was the idea; it didn’t always work in practice.
Windows 95 also introduced a 32-bit environment, the task bar and focused on multitasking. MS-DOS still played an important role for Windows 95, which required it to run some programmes and elements.
Internet Explorer also made its debut on Windows 95, but was not installed by default requiring the Windows 95 Plus! pack. Later revisions of Windows 95 included IE by default, as Netscape Navigator and NCSA Mosaic were popular at the time.
Windows 98
Windows 98, the last great DOS-based Windows.Photograph: Wikipedia
Released in June 1998, Windows 98 built on Windows 95 and brought with it IE 4, Outlook Express, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Chat and NetShow Player, which was replaced by Windows Media Player 6.2 in Windows 98 Second Edition in 1999.
Windows 98 introduced the back and forward navigation buttons and the address bar in Windows Explorer, among other things. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of the Windows Driver Model for computer components and accessories – one driver to support all future versions of Windows.
USB support was much improved in Windows 98 and led to its widespread adoption, including USB hubs and USB mice.
Windows ME
Windows ME was one to skip.Photograph: Wikipedia
Considered a low point in the Windows series by many – at least, until they saw Windows Vista – Windows Millennium Edition was the last Windows to be based on MS-DOS, and the last in the Windows 9x line.
Released in September 2000, it was the consumer-aimed operating system twined with Windows 2000 aimed at the enterprise market. It introduced some important concepts to consumers, including more automated system recovery tools.
IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time. Autocomplete also appeared in Windows Explorer, but the operating system was notorious for being buggy, failing to install properly and being generally poor.
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 was ME’s enterprise twin.Photograph: Wikipedia
The enterprise twin of ME, Windows 2000 was released in February 2000 and was based on Microsoft’s business-orientated system Windows NT and later became the basis for Windows XP.
Microsoft’s automatic updating played an important role in Windows 2000 and became the first Windows to support hibernation.
Arguably one of the best Windows versions, Windows XP was released in October 2001 and brought Microsoft’s enterprise line and consumer line of operating systems under one roof.
It was based on Windows NT like Windows 2000, but brought the consumer-friendly elements from Windows ME. The Start menu and task bar got a visual overhaul, bringing the familiar green Start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along with various shadow and other visual effects.
ClearType, which was designed to make text easier to read on LCD screens, was introduced, as were built-in CD burning, autoplay from CDs and other media, plus various automated update and recovery tools, that unlike Windows ME actually worked.
Windows XP was the longest running Microsoft operating system, seeing three major updates and support up until April 2014 – 13 years from its original release date. Windows XP was still used on an estimated 430m PCs when it was discontinued.
Its biggest problem was security: though it had a firewall built in, it was turned off by default. Windows XP’s huge popularity turned out to be a boon for hackers and criminals, who exploited its flaws, especially in Internet Explorer, mercilessly - leading Bill Gates to initiate a“Trustworthy Computing” initiative and the subsequent issuance of to Service Pack updates that hardened XP against attack substantially.
Windows Vista
Windows Vista, arguably worse than Windows ME.Photograph: Microsoft
Windows XP stayed the course for close to six years before being replaced by Windows Vista in January 2007. Vista updated the look and feel of Windows with more focus on transparent elements, search and security. Its development, under the codename “Longhorn”, was troubled, with ambitious elements abandoned in order to get it into production.
It was buggy, burdened the user with hundreds of requests for app permissions under “User Account Control” - the outcome of the Trustworthy Computing initiative which now meant that users had to approve or disapprove attempts by programs to make various changes. The problem with UAC was that it led to complacency, with people clicking “yes” to almost anything - taking security back to the pre-UAC state. It also ran slowly on older computers despite them being deemed as “Vista Ready” - a labelling that saw it sued because not all versions of Vista could run on PCs with that label.
PC gamers saw a boost from Vista’s inclusion of Microsoft’s DirectX 10 technology.
Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender an anti-spyware programme. Vista also included speech recognition, Windows DVD Maker and Photo Gallery, as well as being the first Windows to be distributed on DVD. Later a version of Windows Vista without Windows Media Player was created in response to anti-trust investigations.
Windows 7
Windows 7 was everything Windows Vista should have been.Photograph: Wikipedia
Considered by many as what Windows Vista should have been, Windows 7 was first released in October 2009. It was intended to fix all the problems and criticism faced by Vista, with slight tweaks to its appearance and a concentration on user-friendly features and less “dialogue box overload”.
It was faster, more stable and easier to use, becoming the operating system most users and business would upgrade to from Windows XP, forgoing Vista entirely.
Handwriting recognition debuted in 7, as did the ability to “snap” windows to the tops or sides of the screen, allowing faster more automatic window resizing.
Windows 7 saw Microsoft hit in Europe with antitrust investigations over the pre-installing of IE, which led to a browser ballot screen being shown to new users allowing them to choose, which browser to install on first boot.
Windows 8
Windows 8 focused more on touch than a keyboard and mouse.
Released in October 2012, Windows 8 was Microsoft’s most radical overhaul of the Windows interface, ditching the Start button and Start menu in favour of a more touch-friendly Start screen.
The new tiled interface saw programme icons and live tiles, which displayed at-a-glance information normally associated with “widgets”, replace the lists of programmes and icons. A desktop was still included, which resembled Windows 7.
Windows 8 was faster than previous versions of Windows and included support for the new, much faster USB 3.0 devices. The Windows Store, which offers universal Windows apps that run in a full-screen mode only, was introduced. Programs could still be installed from third-parties like other iterations of Windows, but they could only access the traditional desktop interface of Windows.
The radical overhaul was not welcomed by many. Microsoft attempted to tread a fine line between touchscreen support and desktop users, but ultimately desktop users wanting to control Windows with a traditional mouse and keyboard and not a touchscreen felt Windows 8 was a step back. There were also too few touchscreens in use, or on offer, to make its touch-oriented interface useful or even necessary - despite the parallel rise of tablets such as the iPad, and smartphones, which had begun outselling PCs by the end of 2010.
Windows RT, which runs on ARM-based processors traditionally found in smartphones and non-PC tablets, was introduced at the same time as Windows 8 with the Microsoft Surface tablet. It looked and felt like Windows 8, but could not run traditional Windows applications, instead solely relying on the Windows Store for third-party apps.
Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 and the great reappearance of the Start button.
A free point release to Windows 8 introduced in October 2013, Windows 8.1 marked a shift towards yearly software updates from Microsoft and included the first step in Microsoft’s U-turn around its new visual interface.
Windows 8.1 re-introduced the Start button, which brought up the Start screen from the desktop view of Windows 8.1. Users could also choose to boot directly into the desktop of Windows 8.1, which was more suitable for those using a desktop computer with a mouse and keyboard than the touch-focused Start screen.
Windows 10
Windows 10 brings back the Start menu
Announced on 30 September 2014, Windows 10 has only been released as a test version for keen users to try. The “technical preview” is very much still a work in progress.
Windows 10 represents another step in Microsoft’s U-turn, bringing back the Start menu and more balance to traditional desktop computer users.
Some interesting features include the ability to switch between a keyboard and mouse mode and a tablet mode, for those computers like the Surface Pro 3 with a detachable keyboard.
Windows 10 – despite being the ninth version of Windows – is designed to unify all Windows platforms across multiple devices, including Windows Phone and tablets, with universal apps that can be downloaded from the Windows Store and run on all Windows devices.
It won’t be available until 2015, likely after Microsoft’s Build developer conference in April, so for now Windows 8.1 is the latest version of Windows.
Studio Dream Games, an Indian mobile gaming company announces
‘Rama Force’, the Next Generation of
Indian Mythology based Fantasy Real
Time Strategy Game for iPhone, iPad,
Android phones and Android Tabs released in end of August 2014. (waiting for game to go live on IOS).
Rama Force
is an innovative and imaginary but pure strategy driven game, delivering the
features and novelties that gamers demand, and will be available on mobile
devices and other interactive media across the globe. The enthralling story of Ramayana, with elements of
strategic moves makes ‘Rama Force’ a fun loop for the casual gamers.
This is
the first time ever an Indian gaming company is launching Global content with Local
flavours for the mobile gamers. This will also be the first time ever in gaming
fraternity that Indian Mythology as a strategy game will be brought to the
world of mobile gaming. In ‘Rama Force’ players farm, and build a fantasy kingdom,
assemble armies and wage war against the evil forces of Ravana.
The game
starts with the Aranya Kanda
in the story of Ramayana, which shows Lord spending time in forest and mother Sita being abducted by
Ravana. Both Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman set out in forest in search of Sita.
The game progresses with the help of guide Shabri, who helps the player, move
forward each step. From time to time players will see helpful tips being
spelled out from Shabri in the game. The second level of game also covers bit
of Kishkindha Kanda and goes onto Yudh Kanda in the next 4 levels.
The first
version of ‘Rama Force’ comes with 6 levels in which the first 2 levels involve
farming and next 4 levels involve combating the wicked army of Bali and Ravana
in power packed game of tower defence .This game includes a deep, evolving farming
campaign and other activities like pottery, cow’s milk preparation, blanket
making, horse purchasing, Crops & fruits cultivation.
Some of the key features of the game
are:
·Built
on 2.5d isometric engine, ‘Rama Force’ features deeper gameplay in the style of
classic realtime strategy games for iPhone, iPad, Android Phones and Android
Tabs. ·The
casual gamers can have 1.5 hours of non-stop fun with tactical planning. ·The
game is free to play with in app purchase only for level 4, 5 and 6. ·‘Rama
Force’ provides add free gaming experience with an absolute zero interference
of advertisement pop-ups that otherwise pose discomfort wit the users. ·The
distinctive game character of ‘Rama Force’ is where every player will do
farming in first 2 levels and rage war in the next 4 levels. ·‘Rama
Force’ features a rich and unique take on the strategy genre with a gaming
world that will reveal more content to its fans over time.
With ‘Rama Force’, Studio Dream Games intends to take
mobile gaming from India to next level where local content will be delivered
for the Global audience.
The MobileStore Ltd. – India’s largest telephony retailer introduces a complete security solution for
your mobile phone called as MobiGuard. MobiGuard has been designed to cover all aspects of security for your newly purchased smartphone at one go. This magnificent product combines Accidental Damage, Theft Insurance, Data Protection by Norton and Extended Warranty, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to your phone’s security. It is single solution which covers phone broken or liquid damage, phone getting stolen, phone information loss or misuse along with securing your phone for an extended period of 1 year post the end of manufacturer’s warranty. Consumers can avail of MobiGuard across all 800 outlets of The MobileStore in 100 plus cities, and the value of this product varies as per the price of your smartphone.
Smartphone are susceptible to a variety of threats during the course of their life cycle. These threats can range from the basic technical issues to hardware damage to theft or damage caused to the data.
Hence, it is safe and advisable to secure your phone at the time of purchase. The MobileStore has made that process even easier by the introduction of MobiGuard. Instead of buying security solutions individually, consumers now need to purchase one single solution which covers all fronts of phone security. This not only proves to be convenient but also cost effective.
The MobileStore India’s largest mobile telephony retailer provides one stop mobile solution shop that provides, multi brand handsets, tablets, accessories, connections, repairs, easy EMI solutions and VAS, across its 800 outlets in 100 plus cities, thus covering every major town in every state across India. The MobileStore launched India’s first next generation smartphone destination store ‘The MobileStore Lounge’ at Pune, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata. The MobileStore lounge - is the place that makes technology easy! It maximizes ‘live experience’ of smartphones to bring across the power of technology for everyday consumer use!
The MobileStore caters to the Indian consumer‘s choice of the widest range of mobile phones with exciting offers. The MobileStore offers complete telecom solutions right from purchase of handsets, data cards, connections to post purchase services like Theft Insurance, Extended Warranty. It also offers wide range of accessories to choose from.
ALCATEL
ONETOUCH Fire C smartphone is available for Rs. 1990 only exclusively on
Flipkart.com
Pay
Feature phone price and get True smart phone experience
New Delhi 2014: ALCATELONETOUCH and Mozilla today unveiled Fire
C2G smartphone with
Firefox OS in the entry level stylish smartphone category. Starting
immediately, the organisations will collaborate to identify and bring to market
more device options that match the smartphone users’ expectation from ALCATEL
ONETOUCH with the flexibility and customisation of Firefox OS. The phone will
be available exclusively through, Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce
marketplace exclusively priced at Rs 1,990/-
On the launch of Fire C,Mr. Praveen
Valecha, Regional Director, APAC BU Indiafor ALCATEL ONETOUCH, said, “As a
launch partner for Firefox OS, we know that our customers love its simple user
interface and smooth navigation. We see a great deal of opportunity to bring
these benefits to more consumers on a greater variety of devices at most
affordable price and we are sure of success as it’s an“innovative product
selling on Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce platform.”
Mr. Michael Chen, Marketing Director
APAC for ALCATEL ONETOUCH,
said, "We are pleased to have Mozilla as a strategic partner. With Firefox
OS, we’d bring an amazing smartphone experience to more people around the
world.We are looking at strengthening our smartphone retail with exclusive
partnerships with online and offline retail stores.”
.
Speaking on the launch, Michael
Adnani, VP – Retail & Head of Brand Alliances, Flipkartsaid, “We are
delighted to introduce the new ALCATEL ONETOUCH Fire C on our marketplace. With
this new device, we will be expanding our portfolio of affordable smartphones
and making it possible for every Indian to own a smartphone just at Rs.1990.”
Dr. Li Gong, President of Mozilla said “It is exciting to see the launch
of new Firefox OS device - Alcatel Fire C in India. Our partnership with
ALCATEL ONETOUCH will provide more users with comprehensive but affordable
smartphone experience.”
FIRE C2G:
feature-packed pocket-sizedsmartphone experience at an affordable price
Offering Firefox OS features at
entry-levelprice; the FIRE C is a pocket-sized smartphone that is designed to
make sharing simple. Its 3.5” HVGA screen and 1 GHZ Processoroffer smooth and
fast Firefox OS apps experience. Complete with mobile broadband and stereo FM
radio RDS, the FIRE C2G offers all of the features needed to capture, share and
enjoy content. Firefox is totally a web HTML based OS which gives best user
experience on-the-go. It constitutes marketplace and best adaptive applications
search along with rich media and social messaging apps support. A Unique
Dynamic UI will be a Big Plus for the Phone.
Key
features include:
FIRE C – 2G
·OS
version - Firefox 1.3 ·Compact,
pocket friendly design ·3.5”
HVGA display ·1.0
GHz ·1.3
camera ·Color
- BLUISH BLACK and DARK CHOCOLATE
·Multilingual
Support - English, Bangla, Tamil and Hindi languages
Rajshri’s
short form content to be available on the New MSN
Mumbai, 7th Oct, 2014: Rajshri
Entertainment Private Limited, India's leading digital entertainment studio, announces its
collaboration with New MSN, Microsoft Corp.’s information and entertainment
network. Short form digital entertainment and special interest content,
produced and aggregated by Rajshri Entertainment, will be showcased on the New
MSN in a comprehensive and powerful way across the web and application
experience. The New MSN is comprehensive and broad, bringing content from the
most well-respected and influential media sources together in one place.
Rajshri Entertainment is a digital entertainment
powerhouse, which produces content across multiple genres and languages. These
branded channels range from lifestyle to e-news and from kids to devotional.
All content produced is in High Definition. This collaboration will see a
bouquet of content from channels like Rajshri Food, Bollywood Now, Hollywood Now, Rajshri Soul and others, being featured on New MSN.
The partnership will ensure the content reaches a wider audience, across the
globe.
Speaking about the association, Inderpal Singh, General
Manager, Content Alliances, Rajshri Entertainment Private Limited, said, “We are
excited to partner with MSN for their new entertainment service. We are
producing over 150 minutes of original video content on a daily basis including
entertainment news, food shows, health and wellness, devotional amongst others.
Our videos have generated billions of views on leading digital platforms
worldwide. We are confident that the new MSN video service will help us reach a
wider audience in India and overseas.”
“Built from the ground up, the new MSN
combines comprehensive content from the world’s leading media outlets with
powerful tools to help you do more,” said Sanjay Trehan, Executive Producer, MSN India. He
added, “We’re excited to continue our relationship with Rajshri
Entertainment & continue to inspire people to discover new things about
themselves and the world around them.”
Rajshri Entertainment Private Limited is
India’s leading digital entertainment studio. It is part of the 67-year-old
Rajshri group, India’s leading film and TV studio. Rajshri Entertainment
produces, aggregates and distributes entertainment content across multiple
languages and genres to digitally connected audiences worldwide, making
entertainment available anywhere, anytime and on any device.
Established on 15th August 1947, the Rajshri
group is one of India's oldest, largest and most successful entertainment
studios. The Rajshri name is synonymous with family entertainment. Having begun
as a film production and distribution studio, the group now has a significant
presence in TV content production, music and digital entertainment, reaching
viewers across the five screens of their life - cinema, TV, PC, mobile phones
and tablet computers.
