Huawei 6.1-inch Ascend Mate launched in India at Rs 24,900

Available in crystal black and pure white, the phone is available through online channels like Flipkart, Infibeam, Snapdeal, HomeShop 18, retail stores like Croma, Ezone, and multi-brand stores across India. 

Huawei launched the Ascend Mate smartphone with a 6.1-inch 720p display in India. The phone has a Gorilla Glass display for scratch resistance. 
Running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, the Huawei Ascend Mate is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM. 
                              
It supports 1080p video recording and playback. 
One of the highlights of the phone is its 4050 mAh battery. The smartphone is claimed to provide two days of normal usage on a single charge. 
A fully charged Ascend Mate is claimed to offer 12 hours of continuous video playback.At 198g, the phone is light, but the oversized smartphone does not comfortably fit into a front pocket of jeans.
Besides, the gargantuan battery allows the phone to become a power bank. In other words, the phone can be used to charge other devices.
                               
I found the screen-size to be a tad bigger for a smartphone. Viewing angles are great and the touchscreen is highly responsive. The camera captures quality images. 
The Huawei Ascend Mate supports a micro SIM card and comes with an 8 GB of internal storage (of which 4.56 is user-accessible). The phone has a microSD card slot, which allows you to expand its memory. 
                               
It has an 8 megapixel rear camera with an LED flash and a 1 megapixel HD front facing camera. Its connectivity options include WiFi, WiFi Direct and Bluetooth 4.0 LE. 

China builds world's fastest supercomputer

Beijing: China Monday announced that it has built the world's fastest supercomputer which is capable of performing 33.86 quadrillion operations per second, surpassing the US Titan supercomputer.

The Tianhe-2 has a peak performance speed of 54.9 quadrillion operations per second, according to the National University of Defence Technology, which built the computer, reported Xinhua.

The computer's predecessor, the Tianhe-1A, was the world's fastest supercomputer from November 2010 to June 2011, when it was surpassed by Japan's K computer.

Micromax, Karbonn or someone else: Who will be India's enduring smartphone brand?

By now you might have seen the Micromax Canvas 4 teasers. And it looks like the Gurgaon-based company is stepping up to the next level in terms of design and positioning of its phones. 

Till now, we had expected good specs in a Micromax phone and a low price, but all that could change now that Micromax Canvas 4 is set to launch for around Rs 25,000. Micromax is playing the smart game by moving up the rungs one device at a time. No doubt the fast pace of mobile hardware development and the low production cost of mass manufacturing has helped Micromax launch products with more regularity and thus helped it climb the positioning ladder faster.

But Micromax isn’t the only runner in the race to the top for Indian manufacturers. The likes of Lava, Xolo and Karbonn are top contenders too, not to mention others like Maxx, iBall and Intex, who are also in the running but are trailing the pacesetters. Each of these has big ambitions, given the size of the smartphone pie and the growth potential of the market. Intex wants to sell 2 million phones this year and Lava is aiming for 1.5 million handsets sold by the Diwali season. This indicates that Micromax is going to start feeling the heat as other manufacturers play the same game. It also means it’s going to take more than just releasing a high-spec’d phone at a low price to win, because seemingly, more than two can play at that game.

All Indian companies have to face at least one common complaint. The lack of quality after-sales service is a big sore point for Indian consumers who have chosen domestic manufacturers for smartphones and tablets. Even with Micromax, which is the leading Indian smartphone maker, the one major complaint from consumers is the lack of a good service centre network. It just takes a cursory look at the comments on a news story of a Micromax launch or announcement to understand the bad sentiment among consumers. The company has listed all the service centres on its website, but that still pales in comparison to the network that Samsung, Nokia or Sony boast. Micromax is still a rookie when compared to those stalwarts, but its devices have still generated a whole lot of buzz and the Canvas range of smartphones have sold in excess of a million units. While we are seeing a small step-up in terms of its products, we have not seen the same maturity in the after-sales service. Micromax’s competitors are no better, and finding an authorised service centre for Karbonn or Lava phone can be quite difficult, too. 

Secondly, a major obstacle for seasoned smartphone users who would like to switch over to a Micromax or Karbonn phone is the lack of OTA updates. Micromax recently issued an Android 4.2 update for its Canvas HD smartphone, which, among other things, brought support for future updates to come OTA. This is a hurdle cleared by Micromax, as earlier users had to take their phone to the service centre to be given the update. So it’s not like Micromax isn’t trying at all to fix some of these issues. We can’t say the same about Lava or Karbonn, though, where OTA updates are an enigma. Android updates may not be top priority for first-time users, who still make a chunk of sales for Indian companies; those already accustomed to smartphones will expect them nonetheless.

Setting up an after-sales service network and OTA infrastructure is a tough ask for most low-cost players and only those who have had sales successes can afford to establish them.  There are other teething issues as well. For example, even two months after Micromax launched the Canvas HD, there were delays with the availability of the phone. This is a typical problem, where phones are promoted and advertised on TV, but there's no sign of them in the market. Customers are getting more and more aware of what goes into a smartphone, so much so that debates about the SoCs and displays are commonplace. In this environment, OEMs have to strive for even the slightest edge. This can be anything from the software experience (like theLava Iris 504Q’s gesture navigation feature) to extras like the JBL Tempo headset packed with the Micromax Canvas Music. This is where the smaller companies and those who have just hopped on the smartphone bandwagon after the boom (Intex and iBall being prominent examples) will feel the heat.  The Indian smartphone market is, in many ways, like China’s, where a plethora of players slug it out in a specs v/s price battle. Indian manufacturers’ challenge is to rise above and beyond that melee. To a certain degree, Micromax, iBall, Intex and Karbonn are doing it by being in the limelight and creating visibility for their products through sustained advertisement campaigns (albeit with some bad ads). The smartphone race is as much about creating a brand as it is about the device itself. As is usually the case with any market, there's only room at the top for two or three major players, and we expect this to happen with Indian manufacturers as well. At the moment, Micromax, Karbonn and Lava look poised to be there at the top or thereabouts, unless an underdog takes them by surprise. The rest of the players, the ones that make the tail currently, are in danger of losing their spot in the race.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 gets a new black and white avatar

Earlier this month, Samsung launched the new Galaxy Tab 3, which came in two variants: 8-inch and 10.1-inch.  While the specifications of the tab were upgraded, the base white appearance of the Galaxy Tab 3 was left untouched.

Now it seems like the Galaxy Tab may be coming to markets with a new wardrobe, according to Techtastic. According to the report, Samsung will be releasing a black two-tone Galaxy Tab 3 later in the year. From what can be seen so far, the new colour will be seen in the 8-inch variant first.

While the exact date for the launch cannot be fixed, Samsung might be looking at its June 20 event as the ideal platform to bring in the revamped look for the Galaxy Tab 3. From the images seen so far, it looks like the Galaxy Tab 3 will be sporting a white band around the device apart from the fully black case. In addition, the new Tab 3 will be seen with a white home button.

Apart from the new look, the revamped Galaxy Tab 3 will come with exactly the same specifications as the earlier released Tab. The 8-inch variant will have a 1280 x 800 display with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor being featured under the hood. Apart from that, the Galaxy Tab 3 will come with 1.5GB of RAM and a 4450 mah battery. In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Tab 3 offers users LTE, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi.

The tab also comes with a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front camera. In terms of operating systems, Samsung has stuck to its guns by packing the Galaxy Tab 3 with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean as well as its TouchWiz UI, similar to what you see on other recently announced Galaxy devices. Be that as it may, the two-tone Galaxy Tab 3 may be a welcome change for users among the white sea of Galaxy Tabs seen so far.

Low-cost triple SIM phones in India

While the dual SIM phones have more or less become a norm for budget phones, now manufacturers are coming up with entry-level handsets with triple SIM support. Here is a list of the triple SIM phones available in India. 
LG A 290: Available for Rs 3,000, it has a 2.2-inch TFT LCD Screen and a 1.3 megapixel rear camera. It lets you expand memory up to 32GB. 
Micromax Q36: It has a 2.3-inch display and a QWERTY keyboard. It costs approx. Rs 3,900. The phone has a 0.3 megapixel rear camera. 
Vox V3100: It is available for Rs 999. The phone has a 1.8-inch TFT LCD screen. It supports a microSD card up to 8GB. 
Beetel GT 415: It has a 2-inch display and a VGA camera. 
Olive Wiz V-GC800: It supports 2GSM Sim card and 1 CDMA card. It has a 2 megapixel camera. It also has a QWERTY keyboard. It costs around Rs 5,000. 
Zen M111: The phone has a 2.4-inch display and a 1.3 megapixel camera. It is available for Rs 1,800. 
Vox V21 Triple SIM: The phone has a 2-inch display and supports a microSD card up to 8GB. 

'Fukrey' Review: Too many gags, not enough plot

Cast: Pulkit Sharma, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadda

Director: Mrigdeep Singh Lamba

Four slackers in Delhi seeking fast cash make a deal with a ruthless don. But when things go wrong, as they inevitably do, they must pay the price for it. That familiar premise gets a fresh coat of paint in 'Fukrey', with co-writer and director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba putting a new spin on some old clichés. Yet, while individual scenes inspire laughs, the film doesn't quite fly because there are too many gags and not enough plot.

Hunny (Pulkit Samrat) and Choocha (Varun Sharma) badly want to get into college so they can ditch classes and ogle girls. Lali (Manjot Singh) is fed up of working at his father's eatery, desperate to "migrate" from his correspondence course to a campus. Meanwhile, brooding musician Zafar (Ali Fazal) sports a guitar and a permanently sad face, with neither aspirations nor inspiration in sight.

They're interesting protagonists, but the makers invest too heavily in them and not enough in the story, taking almost an hour before introducing the film's most delicious character, a tough-talking crime boss in high heels, Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadda), who bankrolls the boys' harebrained plan to crack an underground lottery.

Unlike the far superior 'Delhi Belly', the writing in 'Fukrey' is never consistent. There are laughs to be had in the verbal sparring between Hunny and Choocha, and a running joke involving Lali being robbed each time he parks outside a gurdwara is sheer genius. Although many scenes work on the strength of sharp dialogue and spot-on performances, they don't always fit cohesively in the film's narrative thread. The solemn interludes with Zafar stick out like a sore thumb, and the anti-drug message in the end is just pat. Similarly, Hunny's romantic track with a simple girl from the neighborhood feels gratuitous at best.

A tighter script and more screen time for the excellent Pankaj Tripathi, as enterprising campus security guard Pandeyji, might have helped turn this moderately entertaining film into a rollicking good caper. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five.

Rating: 2.5/5

Man Of Steel Review

It has been a black eye to Hollywood that throughout this, the unending and increasingly repetitive age of the superhero blockbuster, the comics' most iconic son has eluded its grasp like a bird or, if you will, a plane.

New hopes of box-office riches and franchise serials rests on Zac Snyder's 3-D Man of Steel, the latest attempt to put Superman back into flight. But Snyder's joyless film, laden as if composed of the stuff of its hero's metallic nickname, has nothing soaring about it.

Flying men in capes is grave business in Snyder's solemn Superman.Man of Steel, an origin tale of the DC Comics hero, goes more than two hours before the slightest joke or smirk.

This is not your Superman of red tights, phone booth changes, or fortresses of solitude, but one of Christ imagery, Krypton politics and spaceships. Who would want to have fun at the movies anyway, when you could instead be taught a lesson about identity from a guy who can shoot laser beams out of his eyes?

Man of Steel opens with the pains of childbirth, as Lara Lor-Van (Ayelet Zurer) and husband Jor-El (Russell Crowe) see the birth of Kal-El, the first naturally born child in years on Krypton. The planet — a giant bronze ball of pewter, as far as I can tell — is in apocalyptic tumult (the disaster film has gone intergalactic), and General Zod (Michael Shannon) attempts to take over power, fighting in bulky costumes with Jor-El.

His coup is thwarted (though not before killing Jor-El, who continues on in the film in an Obi-Wan-like presence), and he and his followers are locked away, frozen until Krypton's implosion frees them. Baby Kal-El has been rocketed away with Krypton's precious Codex, an energy-radiating skull.

                        

Kal-El rockets to Earth, setting up not a Midwest reprieve to the lengthy Krypton fallout, but a flash-forward to more explosions. Our next glimpse of Kal-El is as a young adult Clark Kent (the beefy Brit Henry Cavill) aboard a fishing vessel on stormy seas, where he — shirtless and aflame — saves the crew of a burning oil rig.

At this point, your Codex may be spinning. Working from a script by Blade scribe David S Goyer and a story by Goyer and Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, Snyder has clearly sought to avoid some of the expected plotlines and rhythms of the familiar Superman tale. There's a constant urge to push the story to greater scale — a desperate propulsion that will surely excite some fans but tire others.

The film hops back and forth from Clark's grown-up life and his Smallville, Kansas, upbringing with Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha Kent (Diane Lane). Costner, back among the corn stalks, makes the strongest impression of the cast as a severe father urging Kent to hide his gifts.

We're meanwhile introduced to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lois Lane (Amy Adams), fresh off a stint embedded with the military for the Daily Planet. Adams, as she usually does, helps animate the film, as she plunges into a bulldog investigating of Clark and spars with her editor (Laurence Fishburne).

Snyder brings to the film a sure hand for overly dramatic compositions that take after comic strip panels. He has a clearly sincere reverence for the source material (originally created in 1938 by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster). He's a filmmaker who, even with his last film, the abysmal "Sucker Punch," seems to precisely make the movie he intended.

Eager fans will likely thrall to the film's many overlong action set pieces, as Superman battles with Zod and his minions. There's little creativity to the fight sequences, though, which plow across countless building facades.

But Snyder doesn't have the material or the inclination to make Man of Steel as thought-provoking as Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. Superman wrestles with his allegiance to humans or his home planet, but the quandaries of a superpowered man betwixt worlds doesn't have any real resonance. The gravity that cloaks "Man of Steel" is merely an en vogue costume.

While Snyder has succeeded in turning out a Superman that isn't silly (not a small feat) and will likely lay enough of a bedrock for further sequels, it's a missed opportunity — particularly with a bright cast of Shannon, Adams and Lane — for a more fun-loving spirit.

Cavill's performance is less memorable for his introspective brooding than for his six-pack (a fetish for Snyder, the director of 300). He's handsome and capable, but one can't help missing Christopher Reeve's twinkle. At least he smiled.

The awkward acrobatics to modernise Man of Steel are most evident with its explanation of Superman's shield. The "S'' doesn't stand for Superman, but is a Krypton glyph (an element first introduced in the original 1978 film) now defined as representing "hope." But if "S'' doesn't stand for "Superman," Man of Steel is the one with the identity issues.

Man of Steel, a Warner Bros. release, is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language. Running time: 144 minutes.

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The Dark Knight Rises: Movie Review

The Legend will never end 

Rating:  

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast & Crew: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Liam Neeson, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman

Review: It’s been 8 years since the masked vigilantly went into hiding. After taking the blame for a murder he did not commit, Batman disappeared. And with him, so did Bruce Wayne. Hiding in his mansion, like a rundown warrior. Weak, frail, ignored and that’s how he would like it. Until the appearance of another masked outlaw – BANE. A terrorist who threatens to destroy Gotham City. Another league of shadows outcast, Bane threatens to fulfill his master’s destiny. 

Will the Bat come back from hiding to save his city? It’s a superhero movie, of course he will. But this is no ordinary superhero movie. This is a Christopher Nolan film. Batman doesn’t simply fly out on his cool toys and save the day again. Batman is human. He bleeds, he hurts, he fails and he falls. Now, in here lies the brilliance of The Dark Knight Rises. It shows the more human aspect of Batman, the failures, the trials, the suffering. But what makes him a superhero, is the will to go beyond the suffering, to see past the darkness, to overcome the failure. And Nolan is a master at his art when it comes to taking human emotions to another level.   

The Dark Knight Rises in plain words is nothing but a testament to rising above failure. Yes folks, Batman fails. Under the menacing power of Bane, he fails. But the movie isn’t called The Dark Knight Rises for nothing now is it?    

The Dark Knight Rises also throws come interesting new characters in the mix, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, who slips into the role with feline efficiency. Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes a mark as Officer John Blake even with the little that he had to do and notably so Tom Hadry emotes beautifully with his eyes and body as the terrifying Bane. Michael Caine and Gary Oldman are honorable in their parts.   

Now, the big question that everybody is asking. Is it better that The Dark Knight? (A disclaimer before I answer: my apologies to all Nolanites)The answer, in brutal honestly, is NO. But it is terrifyingly close. There are places where it slows down due to the length, but when it picks up, it picks up with such vigor; you won’t know when the climax hit you.   

However, this one has many upgrades you will thoroughly enjoy as far as the firepower is concerned. The batmobile/tumbler looks like nothing compared to the cool new toys that Mr. Fox (Morgan Freeman) keeps adding to Batman’s armory. Besides that, hand to hand combat sequences have been used generously. Gotham is a city at war in The Dark Knight Rises, so Nolan has left nothing to the imagination when it comes to firepower and action in this one.   

The Dark Knight Rises in totality is a film with a lot of spirit. Especially the human spirit of endurance. A trait that has become synonyms with Batman as a character. Just like one sees in the entire series. Nolan is a magician when it comes to lifting any story and adding human spirit to it that never fails to inspire. So go discover Nolan’s mastery as he delivers yet another stellar Batman Movie that bears all his classic trademarks. Trademarks that fans seem to absolutely enjoy.   

Verdict: This seals the deal. The best superhero series on the big screen.  

The Avengers: Movie Review

Rating: 

Director: Joss Whedon

Cast: Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth , Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr. 

Synopsis: When an unexpected enemy emerges who threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Review: This is a broadcast from outer space: The Earth is experiencing a rare phenomenon. There is a convergence of all superpowers that is increasingly becoming a threat to our existence. – SOS: Alien powers.

‘Tis sheer bliss to see all the superpowers we have individually seen on screen through the years come together to be a part of this mega-franchise directed by Joss Whedon. Where else could you have imagined your very favourite comic heroes to first star in exclusive films and then join forces and give you an “Avengers”. Perhaps this moment was one of those impossible dreams that when devised was scoffed at as opposed to the completely different response the grand idea might bring now. 

Although, the film has been shot in 2D and then converted into a 3D, the film either ways is enjoyable. And there’s so much to look forward to! From the witty Iron Man to veteran U.S. Army Officer Captain America to Thor to Hulk, there are many more surprises, great special effects, great humour and a world to save! 

Besides, all of them are goodlooking too, so that’s a bonus point. Good-looking and superhuman – that’s a catch! Scarlett Johansson is quite a treat  playing the lithe “Black Widow” who has a major role to play in order to get all the heroes together so a common consensus can be arrived at, like a “Save The World” agenda, in every sense, Johansson aka Black Widow is a Powerpuff Girl! Add to that, Jeremy Renner’s role first as a pillar of strength to the enemy forces and then stepping over back to where he originally belongs. Thus, begins his Black Hawkish display of power! 

The story is very well-woven since it has been partially written by Whedon himself. Only a comic-book fanboy (man) can retell a superhero story that highlights all his favourite characters, and might I say it is no less than a daunting task at hand. The world is on the verge of a global threat and only an extraordinary group of superheroes can save the day. 

The story begins with how Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of S.H.I.E.L.D is cornered by Loki (Thor’s half-brother), who only wants ultimate control over the Universe while trampling whoever comes in his way during the process. Through the 135 minutes of the film’s running time, there wasn’t even one that bored me. As mentioned before, the story was the masterpiece that eventually put everything into place. All the actors/superheroes did a fab job out of contributing in the mission to save the world. The only disappointment for me perhaps was Thor, played by Chris Hemworth – one his long blonde hair might make it difficult for him to focus on the urgency of the hour (just kidding), and the second, his countenance lacked a certain conviction this time around, or he was too emotional due to his personal pain as in the film, which had to be portrayed in some way, however, it would be a definite injustice if I were to compare him with a Hollywood veteran such as Robert Downey Jr.

We all know what heroic powers each of the characters possess, so I shall refrain from delving into any of that. As a final word, I would only add that this is a film that everyone will enjoy whether or not you have followed any of the previous Marvel film franchises, or read the comic books. It’s summer holiday time, so all the kids in the family will be hyperactive to enjoy their holidays, well, you might want to treat your kids to a gala party such as this where he/she can connect with their favourite heroes.

I believe that everyone has a hero hidden inside them, all they have to do is to discover that special quality and use it. That, perhaps, was also what the writers of the comic books must have first thought. Besides, after this gala affair, shall we await another major movie phenomenon? A Marvel vs Capcom maybe someday?

Verdict: Thumbs Up to everyone’s efforts. A great watch! 

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Earthquake rocks North India...4.9 quake shakes Delhi, suburbs

Chandigarh/New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) A 4.9-magnitude temblor shook the Indian capital and its adjoining areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) Monday afternoon. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The epicentre was near Bahadurgarh town near the Haryana-Delhiborder region, just 35 km from New Delhi, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Review: Paan Singh Tomar is compelling

The tragedy of Paan Singh Tomar and Irrfan Khan's execution of the role are both compelling

Towards the middle of Tigmanshu Dhulia's new film Paan Singh Tomar(PST), Irrfan Khan, who plays the title character, stands in a corridor of an army barrack. He has just talked on the phone to his mentor, a major in the army, when a young orderly places a packet of ice cream in Tomar's hand (it will make sense upon viewing the film). Khan's Tomar is deeply moved. With the camera on his partially-lit and weathered face, he gives a wide smile, one hand wiping the tears flowing down his cheeks.  

Review: Aravaan is brilliant

One of the biggest stumbling-blocks that any period film faces is getting the feel of the period right, whatever century it takes place in. That's especially true of a film like Amma Creations' and Vendhar Movies' Aravaan, which comes with huge expectations as the latest venture from G Vasanthabalan, who delivered Veyyil and Angadi Theruto much acclaim. 

And in this instance, Aravaan, which is based on a story from this year's Sahitya Academy Award winning novel Kaaval Kottam, hits its mark perfectly.