Micromax to price dual-boot 'Laptab' under Rs 30,000

Las Vegas: Indian smartphone maker micromax's dual-operating system tablet Laptab will be priced under USD 500 (about Rs 30,000) and will be available in the domestic market next month.

                                                    
Its latest offering, which runs on both Windows 8 and Android 4.2.2 JellyBean, was unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show 2014 here.

"The Laptab will be priced under USD 500 for the Indian market and we expect to sell about 100,000 units in the domestic market in the first half of 2014," Micromax Co-founder Rahul Sharma said.

The Intel-powered LapTab is the first dual-boot Windows and Android tablet and is designed for multitasking across operating platforms.

Users need to reboot the device to switch from Windows to Android and vice versa, he added.

On technical specifications of the tablet, Micromax Chief Marketing Officer Shubhodip Pal said it is powered by 1.46GHz Intel Celeron processor and has a 10.1-inch IPS display.

Laptab comes with 2GB RAM, 7400 mAh battery, 2MP front camera with light sensor and wireless keyboard. With storage of 32 GB expandable up to 64 GB and supports Bluetooth v4.0 and Wi-Fi, he added.

"As Micromax looks to expand footprints across global markets, we would continue to fulfill our promise of democratising technology for people around the world by making it more affordable and accessible," Sharma said.

Micromax would be unveiling more products across international markets in next six months, he added.

According to analysts, the Laptab's specifications are not its highpoint, but the dual operating systems is.


However, Micromax is not the only company to launch a dual-OS tablet here.


Computer components maker Asus unveiled its Transformer Book Duet TD300, which also runs on Windows 8 and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system.

The 13.3-inch tablet from the Asus stable sports a quad-core Intel i7 processor, 4 GB RAM and 128 GB of internal storage.

Besides, the detachable keyboard dock has a 1 terabyte of internal memory and various ports, including HDMI, LAN, one USB 3.0, and two USB 2.0.

Samsung Galaxy S5 may be launched in March at London event

It may be two or three months before we could see a real Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung's next flagship smartphone, but the rumour mills are rife with speculation with its possible launch date and features. The latest rumour doing the rounds on the internet is that the big ticket launch from the South Korean tech giant may happen in mid-March at a London event.

Earlier, during last week's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung's top official was quoted as saying that the much-awaited device would likely be launched in April. So, talk of a mid-March London launch for the S5 could very well be nothing but rumours to keep the internet buzzing about the phone until it really comes out.

Other rumours on the internet suggest that with its possible features and specifications, the S5 is likely to compete with Apple's iPhone. The Iphone 5s is out in the market and selling like hot cakes with some striking features and improvements in terms of its specs from the previous iPhone device. The iPhone 5s is the world's first 64-bit smartphone. Soon after the launch of the iPhone5s, Samsung was said to be working on a handset based on 64-bit processor. Additionally, the Apple flagship comes with a new fingerprint identity sensor.

Now, Samsung has an uphill task to either match or provide a better handset in terms of specs and features. Recently, a Samsung executive at CES 2014 has reportedly revealed that the world's leading smartphone maker was working on an eye-scanning technology. So, the possibility of the Galaxy S5 coming with an eye-scanning technology or iris scanner, as it is said as of now, is high.

Well, before the actual launch rumours speculations will keep coming, but we can't shrug it off as Samsung is known for innovative products in mobile space and has the potential to turn all these rumours into reality.

BlackBerry sues American Idol host’s firm

TORONTO: BlackBerry said it has filed a lawsuit against a company co-founded by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest that offers a physical keyboard that can be attached to some iPhones.

The company, Typo Products, is currently taking pre-orders for the $99 keyboard, which features angled miniature keys similar to those used on many of BlackBerry's devices.

Canada's BlackBerry, a once dominant smartphone maker that has lost market share to the iPhone and other touchscreen devices, said Typo's keyboard infringes its own design.

The allegation has not been proven in court. Typo and Seacrest could not immediately be reached to comment on the legal proceedings.

"We are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, but we will not tolerate such activity without fair compensation for using our intellectual property and our technological innovations," Steve Zipperstein, BlackBerry's chief legal officer, said in a statement.

BlackBerry posted billions in losses in recent quarters as its latest devices sold poorly, but it has maintained a loyal niche of customers who prefer to type on a physical keyboard.

The BlackBerry complaint is case no. 3:14-cv-23 in the United States District Court for the northern district of California.