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10 best mobile phones in the world today

10: HTC one mini 2

Before you get confused, no, that's not the HTC One M8, despite how it looks. It's a bit smaller. But no, it's not the HTC One M8 mini either, despite the way it looks.

This is the HTC One Mini 2 that, for all intents and purposes, is the HTC One M8 Mini. But as it doesn't have the Duo Camera, HTC has decided that it should be seen as the direct successor to the HTC One Mini instead. Caught up? Good.

The main wins here are design and price. It's obviously lower cost than its bigger brother, but the curved metal chassis of the One Mini 2 looks and feels wonderfully premium and the clever engineering of the plastic frame makes it easy to miss.

The inclusion of a microSD slot is another big plus point over last year's offering, making the One Mini 2 a far stronger media machine.

9: iPhone 5s

Never has a company polarised opinion in the smartphone world like Apple - and with the iPhone 5S, so many are quick to decry it while others know it to be the smartphone they've been waiting for.

And let's make no bones about it: this is a stunning phone, with a gorgeous two-tone finish, a high-res screen with good colour reproduction, a 64-bit chip and that all-powerful TouchID sensor that lets you unlock your phone with a simple fingerprint.

The iOS 7 update is one that we sorely, sorely needed and does bring a lot more power and control - as shown by the impressive and pervasive Control Center.

We really like TouchID, the 64-bit processor might be a little useless now but definitely brings a touch more zip to things, and the M7 chip gives developers something to play with in terms of fitness, with the likes of FitBit taking advantage already.

You'd have to be desperate to buy one right now though, as the iPhone 6is so nearly here that it would be a much better idea to wait and see if you want the new one, or if not, hang on until the cost of the iPhone 5S drops

8. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Hey Sony...what's this? A phone without a 1080p screen? A smaller battery? Are you MAD?

Wait, we get it. This is the mildly-nonplussing Xperia Z1 shoved into a smaller frame, with almost nothing compromised (the above two points aside).

With a 4.3-inch screen it's one of the most easy to use devices in the hand, coming in next to the iPhone 5S, but it does it with a much lower cost and a great battery life to boot.

On top of that it's waterproof and has expandable memory, plus a superb screen. It's been usurped in some ways by the Xperia Z2 insofar that if you want that Bravia-powered IPS screen, the G Lens camera or just general access to Sony's tight band of media apps, this is no longer the best Sony phone on the market and has dropped a few places as a result.

However, if you're more about size then this is still the best of the mid-range players... check it out if you want to save a bit of cash over the bigger brother flagship too.

7. Nokia Lumia 930

Hey Nokia, good to see you back in the top 10. Although we won't see you for much longer (thanks to the Microsoft buyout) it's great that the Lumia line is still pushing the power of Windows Phone.

The Lumia 930 does lack compared to the competition, but only in a couple of areas. Windows Phone is still a sub-par operating system for most people, thanks to the poorer apps and lower amount of control. But then again, for a lot of people the improved Office functionality and simple interface is a boon.

The Lumia 930 is a strong phone in both design and power, although a little last-gen on the latter element, and coupled with a very capable camera, is a phone that's easy to recommend to those looking for something different.

6. Google Nexus 5

So we've updated our review with the new phone software, and thankfully things are a lot better now. The battery is improved, the camera a little more stable, and the low cost is still in place.

You already know we like Android 4.4, the clever implementation and the £299 price tag. We love the high power CPU, the quality screen; even the rubberised outer shell.

You can get the LG G2 for around the same price now though, and that offers a far superior camera, better battery life and a huge slew of extra features - it really depends if you're a fan of the stripped-down experience

5. Samsung Galaxy S5

2014 is turning out to be a stellar year for the prospective smartphone user, as the HTC One (M8) was joined by the Samsung Galaxy S5 in our 'best smartphone' list, and with the Xperia Z2, LG G3 and more entering the fray things just keep getting better.

There was a lot of hype around the new Galaxy, and rightly so: it's by far the best phone Samsung has ever produced, with a blazing fast core, a strong result in the benchmarks and a larger 5.1-inch screen.

Then there's the fact that with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU theGalaxy S5 is one of the best phones on the market when it comes to battery life, besting the already impressive One M8 in the power stakes.

Samsung has also dropped the 'innovation' of the air gestures from last year (well, they are in there but not the main focus) and improved the hardware with a better camera, fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor too.

The last addition is pretty pointless... but hey, it's fun for down the pub.

4. OnePlus One

You've probably never heard of OnePlus... but if you have, you'll know why this unknown brand is suddenly sitting at number four of our list of best smartphones in the world.

The reason is simple: it's a phone that has all the power, specs and functionality of the top dogs, adds in super-customisable software and does it at nearly half the price. We're talking big savings on cost (£229 for the 16GB version and £269 for the 64GB variant) without much in the way of compromise.

In fact, the only things it's really missing are a microSD slot and removable battery, and those are elements more for the purists that absolutely necessary.

If we're being super picky, it's not got the greatest camera set up and the design is a bit... efficient, but at this price point it really doesn't matter. And given the target audience is those that care about raw power over style, it makes sense that this is where the costs could be saved.

3. Sony Xperia Z2

Sony has something of a slump last year, following up the impressiveXperia Z with the lacklustre Xperia Z1 just a few months later.

The camera, which was supposed to be the headline feature, didn't impress as much as we'd hoped, and the screen was still lacking the IPS clout that the Xperia Z Ultra managed - meaning muted colours and poor viewing angles.

Anyway, enough about last year - Sony's back in 2014 and comes with an excellent phone in the shape of the Xperia Z2. Tipped to be the third of the stellar smartphone triumverate, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8) we were intrigued to see how it shaped up.

And the good news is it's impressive. Really impressive. The industrial design is a little chunky but oozes premium quality in a way that Samsung's plastic shell doesn't, and it's a little more robust than its Galactical rival thanks to being IP58 rated.

Great battery life, strong power and a good camera all are present and correct with most phones in this list, but Sony stays in the top three simply by being a great all-rounder.

It doesn't have the polish of the HTC One M8, nor the more functional UI, but it does what's asked with top-end specs. That's what we like.

2. LG G3

The LG G3 needed to be good, as it was based on the hard work of the G2, which was a strong, well-made phone that didn't cost a huge amount of money.

So what does LG do with the G3? Goes and sticks the world's sharpest display on there. It's a QHD screen, which means it's got four times the pixels of some phones on this list, and it also comes with a number of other enhancements too.

Laser-based auto-focus? Check. Improved design? Check. Overhauled and simplified UI? Double check. It's going to be a little bit too big for some hands, as it's packing in a 5.5-inch screen, so we're verging on phablet territory.

But don't let that take away from a terrific phone, one that has a sleek, refined air about it and adds in fan favourite features like a removable battery and memory card slot, where both were missing on the predecessor.

1. HTC One M8

What to say about the HTC One M8? They often say the second album is the hardest, but the follow up to the all-conquering HTC One takes the best of that phone and yet still re-invents things enough to make it a massive recommendation over the old model.

We love the speed of the camera, the Duo Camera is smart as a tack, the Boomsound upgrade is impressive and the design... well, you have to hold it.

The Snapdragon 801 processor has boosted battery dramatically compared to the 600 of last year, and that means that photos also process much more quickly as well - even the front-facing camera is much better.

Gaming, movies, photography, browsing all work really well, and in a phone that that's easily going to destroy whatever anyone else can design. LG ran it close with the G3, and unless Apple has got some dark sorcery up its sleeves when the iPhone 6 appears later in the year, HTC has got 2014 sewn up.

Flipkart Digiflip Pro XT 712: Quick-read review

The Digiflip Pro XT 712 is the best tablet currently under Rs 10,000.

It has been over four years since the first iPad made its appearance. We are past the “I must have a tablet!” phase and into the “Do I really need a tablet?” phase. If you have limited uses for a slate, then you should spend as little as possible for a good enough experience. And that’s what Flipkart is offering with the Digiflip Pro XT 712.

Specs: 7-inch IPS screen (1280×800 pixels, 216 ppi) | 1.3GHz quad-core Cortex A7 CPU | 1GB RAM | 16GB internal memory, microSD slot (up to 32GB) | 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB | 3000mAh battery | Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Price: Rs. 9,999

Specifications only tell one part of the story though, and tablets are extensively used only in a few scenarios. So with that in mind, let’s see how the XT 712 does in common tablet uses:

Reading Articles, Books and Comics

The XT 712 is heavier than other 7-inch tablets I have used. Although it’s still not uncomfortable to hold for a long period, you’ll be happier if you rest it somewhere. The screen is dull, so reading comics or colourful articles lacks the punch you would want. Still, it’s good enough for e-books.

Watching Movies and Photos

Like comics, videos and photos also suffer from the dull screen. Add to this, the speaker volume is too low to drown out noises around you. You’ll need to wear a good pair of earphones. The bigger problem is 1080p MKV videos. If you are skipping forward or rewinding, or if there is a fast-paced high-action scene, the XT 712 can’t handle it. This is not how we wanted to watch The Avengers. Still, it’s not a 1080p screen, so if you are running 720p videos (like you should be), then it’s perfectly fine.

Browsing Internet

Most websites work fine in portrait mode, and the XT 712 is a solid experience. You can also add two SIM cards to browse the Internet on-the-go, although this guzzles the battery too.

Writing Emails and Documents

A 7-inch tablet almost forces you to use it in portrait mode rather than landscape, because in landscape mode, the keyboard takes up most of the screen. So it’s essentially a slightly larger version of the keyboard you find on your phone. I don’t know about you, but that has never been a big enough difference for me to recommend writing 500 words or more

 Future Vehicle Technologies

The average new car is packed with features we take for granted, yet things like self-parking and sat-nav were just radical theories or movie effects a generation ago. And even when electric cars like the T.27, billed as the "most efficient in the world," are introduced, you have to wonder what will be available when our kids shop for their rides. Concealed machine guns and oil slicks will probably never reach options lists, but vertical lift-off and teleportation would be handy and less lethal. Who knows?  

To get a better idea of future vehicle tech in development -- at least the ideas being openly and officially discussed by manufacturers -- we’re looking at innovations making the rounds on the auto show circuit today and forecasting when they might be available in the near- and not-too-distant future. Bear in mind that innovations are always subject to change, and the cars housing them may never reach production as shown, if at all. Still, showing off future vehicle technologies in stylish automotive packages is far more appealing than a display of scattered components and circuit boards.

Road Test and Review: Hyundai Elite i20

The dictionary defines the word elite as ‘someone who is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of the society.’ Well, in that sense, Hyundai’s premium hatchback i20 has been an elite car since its inception in 2008. With its impressive fluidic design, interior quality and avant-garde features, the i20 redefined the benchmark in the segment. Now, in its second generation, the i20 has been justifiably christened the Elite i20 and let’s find out what makes an already good car even better. 

Design

The Elite i20’s exterior represents the latest iteration of what Hyundai calls Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. However, Hyundai has ditched the rounded fluidic edges for a bold design with sharper character lines. Dominating the front is the signature hexagonal grille, but this time with honeycomb mesh surrounded by chrome accents. The lower bumper is adorned by a plastic mesh strip that neatly connects the fog lamps. The striking design of the swept-back headlamps yields an elegant as well as wider stance at the first glance.

If you thought the LED daytime running lights on the outgoing i20 is a premium feature, you might not be impressed by the fact that the Elite i20 doesn’t offer DRLs. 

Side view is more exciting with a rising waistline and sloping roof converging at a matt-finish black c-pillar. The Elite i20’s dynamic appearance is further exaggerated at the rear, thanks to the elongated, wraparound taillights that remind us of some German luxury brands. The dual-tone rear bumper with black insert adds to the sporty appeal and the car will certainly bowl you over with the rear three-quarters view.

Interior

Sharp lines and symmetric cut-outs create a sophisticated European look inside, too. The dual-tone dashboard oozes great quality and elegance with clear and stylish instruments. The multi-info display has been shifted from the top of the dashboard to the centre console. AC vents too have been redesigned to accord with the rest of the design. The instrument cluster now gets white backlight and its brightness can be adjusted using a knob. The rest of the displays are bright blue and could be distracting at night. Minor but interesting touches such as the piano black finish around the ORVM controls and chrome gearshift surround show how much attention to detail Hyundai has paid to enhance the premiumness of the car.  

Space, Comfort and Convenience

The Elite i20 comes with keyless entry and once you approach the car, it unfolds the mirrors and it’s a feel good factor. The wheelbase has been stretched by 45mm and it is felt once you are inside the cabin. Interior space was adequate in the earlier i20s and things have only got better with the latest edition. While a low transmission tunnel ensures there’s enough space for the third occupant, rear AC vents enhance comfort in the second row. Front seats are supportive and driver seat height adjustable, moreover, tilt and telescopic steering column ensures a healthy driving posture.

The centre console also houses a multi-information display showing service intervals, digital speedometer, temperature, odo etc, however, it’s a surprise that there’s no average fuel consumption or distance to empty figures available on the screen. The 2-Din audio system with Bluetooth and1GB internal memory offers 8 speakers but the sound quality is not exceptional. 

Two power sockets on the centre console help you charge multiple devices at the same time. There are many cup/bottle holders and storage options including an armrest with storage box. The non-sliding armrest is not always useful and rear seat doesn’t have armrest at all. 

The only grouse with the Elite i20’s interior is the lack of a larger infotainment system. The small blue display on the centre console is totally out of place in a premium car, especially when cheaper models these days offer hi-tech infotainment systems with touch screen. 

Performance

Not much has changed under the hood, however, both the 1.2 L VTVT petrol and 1.4L CRDI appear more refined now. Although the petrol engine has improved low and mid-range response and remains more refined than the diesel, the 89bhp U2 CRDI is going to be the buyer’s favourite as before. 220Nm of peak torque makes the diesel variant more fun to drive on highways and minimal turbolag along with linear power delivery makes it easy around town as well.  The 1.2L petrol, too, provides an adequate, if not scintillating, performance both in city and highway but you need to wind it up to make swift progress.

The transmissions have been carried over from the outgoing model – 6-speed for diesel and 5-speed for petrol. Soft clutch coupled with butter-smooth gear shifting makes both variants effortless to drive in traffic and long distances alike. Automatic transmission is not available yet. Diesel boasts of an ARAI-certified mileage of 22.54kmpl as against petrol’s 18.6 kmpl.

Ride and Handling

Hyundai has burnt the midnight oil working on the suspension and it is seen in the way the Elite i20 handles. Although not up with the best in class, it now offers a comfortable ride with good body control and plenty of grip around corners. The suspension also absorbs the worst of surfaces with serenity. Noise insulation is certainly praiseworthy, as the car keeps wind and road noise at bay, and the suspension stays quiet over bumps. The brakes feel positive, with good pedal feel and the steering has weight to it at high speed. 

Bottom-line

Hyundai i20 has always been a tad pricier than its direct competitors. However, that didn’t stop anyone from falling in love with the styling, cabin quality, ride comfort and the features it offered. As the Elite i20 kicks up all these qualities a notch further without much difference in price, it will be greeted with long lines outside dealerships.

iPhone 6 Leaked in New Images; Tipped to Feature 828x1472 Resolution Display

As the expected release of the next-generation iPhone nears, we are seeing more and more leaks each day. On Tuesday, new images of the alleged front and rear panels of the iPhone 6 (which is widely expected to come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions) appeared online, while a report pointed to lines of SDK code that indicated a new 828x1472 pixel resolution.

Click here for New Images of iPhone 6.

The alleged front and rear panel iPhone 6 images were posted by Feld & Volk, which makes customised luxury variants of the iPhone and iPad devices.

First spotted by MacRumors, the alleged front and rear panel iPhone 6 images of the anticipated 4.7-inch variant are in-line with what has been widely expected based on earlier leaks, with rounded corners and buttons indicating the iPhone 6 will take design cues from Apple's current generation iPod touch.

Further, the alleged iPhone 6 images again show the power button positioned on the right panel of the device, instead of on the top panel seen on existing iPhone models. Also seen are the new speaker holes at the bottom of the phone, alongside the Lightning port and 3.5mm audio jack. MacRumors also refers to an unlisted Feld & Volk image of the rear shell depicting the a 'round True Tone flash', and 'embedded Apple logo'.

A new screen resolution of 828x1472 pixels for the next-generation iPhone 6 has been tipped via iOS 8 files inside both the Xcode 6 beta 5 and the latest Xcode 6 beta 6 SDKs.

9to5mac notes the mention of a screen resolution of 414x736 pixels (16:9) was found inside the iOS 8's Springboard app, which refers to the iPhone home screen.

This particular file outlines for the system where icons, by default, will be placed on an iPhone's Home screen. This particular file, which was added in Xcode 6 beta 5 earlier this month and still exists in yesterday's Xcode 6 beta 6, is optimized for an iPhone with a resolution of 414 (width) x 736 (height). The iPhone SDK parses hardware resolutions via "point values," so the actual "Retina" resolution is in fact double (or potentially triple) whatever numbers the SDK presents.

Considering that iOS devices currently renders texts, images and other elements at '2X' the resolution in the SDK, the report speculates that Apple might debut the new iPhone 6 with 828x1472 pixels screen resolution.

If true, this resolution on the expected 4.7-inch display would give a pixel density of 359ppi, and on the expected 5.5-inch display a pixel density of 307ppi. As 9to5Mac notes, this fits in with Apple's 300ppi Retina threshold, first mentioned by Steve Jobs at the iPhone 4 launch. It would also mean more real estate, which as the report notes, translates to roughly two additional rows and 1 additional column at current iOS icon sizes.

A '3X' 'pixel-tripling' resolution, while previously considered possible, is now being considered unlikely to be implemented on the iPhone 6 - as it would indicate what's being called an unfeasible 1242x2208 pixel resolution in terms of battery life and developer adoption.

Further, the report notes the 2X Retina 'pixel-doubling' resolution implementation by Apple in previous generation iPhone devices, and the corresponding SDK values. The iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s - all sport 4-inch (640x1136 pixel) displays, however, the SDK files only presented the half value - 320x568 pixels.

Previously, it was said that the Cupertino-based company was testing a higher screen resolution of 960x1704 pixels on at least one of the two iPhone models. This may still be implemented in the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 variant, and is in line with the current 16:9 aspect ratio (as is the newly-rumoured 828x1472 pixel resolution).

Of course, all such leaks must be taken with a pinch of salt, from alleged iPhone 6 component images to extrapolations from lines of SDK code, and much will become clear once Apple officially unveils its next iPhone. The Cupertino giant is expected to do so at a September 9 event.

Intex Set to Launch Firefox OS Smartphone Under Rs. 2,000 on August 25

Intex, as promised a couple of months ago, seems all set to finally launch its first Firefox OS-based smartphone, the Cloud FX this month.

The company has started sending media invites for an event scheduled on August 25. Intex is touting that the event will see the launch of "India's lowest priced smartphone."

Intex has already revealed that the company's first Firefox OS smartphone will be called Cloud FX and will be priced under Rs. 2,000.

There's no doubt that the launch of Firefox-OS based smartphones will offer Indian consumers more options in the entry-level segment than just the dominating Android OS platform.

(Also see: Android KitKat Now Running on Over 20 Percent of Android Devices: Google)

The Indian smartphone market has lately seen some major Android handset makers, such as Micromax, Motorola, and Samsung, pushing their smartphones into the sub-Rs. 10,000 category. The launch of a new Firefox OS smartphone will definitely increase competition in the budget smartphone segment for domestic as well as global handset manufacturers.

The company had also announced some of specifications of the Intex Cloud FX smartphone, which will include a 3.5-inch display (resolution unspecified), and will be powered by a 1GHz processor (number of cores unspecified).

Other features detailed by Intex for its Cloud FX smartphone running Firefox OS include a 2-megapixel rear camera, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Notably, the specifications detailed by Intex were noticeably similar to the reference $25 Firefox OS smartphone platform unveiled by Mozilla and Spreadtrum at MWC.

The reference $25 (roughly Rs. 1,500) Firefox OS smartphone is based on the Spreadtrum SC6821 chipset, which supports 3.5-inch HVGA (320x480 pixels) touchscreens, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio and camera functions, and access to HTML 5 apps. We can expect the Intex Cloud FX to sport the same display resolution and connectivity features mentioned by Spreadtrum.

Apart from Intex, Mozilla had named Spice as another Firefox OS smartphone partner for the Indian market.

Unfortunately, we are yet to hear any official word from Spice on the launch of its first Firefox OS smartphone. An earlier report had claimed a July timeframe for the launch of Spice's first Firefox OS smartphone; however, that never happened.

First look: Amitabh Bachchan with Dhanush and Akshara Haasan in 'Shamitabh'

The ‘Shamitabh’ trio: A picture of the cast of R. Balki’s ‘Shamitabh’ has finally been released. While Amitabh Bachchcan sports a long grey hair and a full beard, Dhanush looks sharp in a black coat and dark glasses. Kamal Haasan’s daughter Akshara who marks her debut with ‘Shamitabh’ is pictured looking pretty in a light coloured sleevless dress. The film is slated to hit screens by February 6, next year. (Source: Twitter)

Amitabh Bachchan has previously worked with R. Balki in films like ‘Cheeni Kum’ and ‘Paa’. Both performances saw the actor experimenting with his looks. (Source: Amitabh Bachchan’s blog)

Pictured here, Amitabh Bachchan looks dark and deadly. (Source: Amitabh Bachchan’s blog)

Sony launches bass-rich headphone, sporty earphone at starting price of 790/-

Continuing with its focus on capturing the Indian audio market, Sony India has announced two new headphones in the bass rich MDR-XB range and a earphone for the active audiophile.

The MDR-XB450 headphone is for those who enjoy listening to music with extra bass and has a frequency response of 5Hz-22000Hz. It also has a 30mm dynamic driver unit. The new metallic MDR-XB450 will be available in black, white, red, blue and yellow. The headphone also features a  slim, swivel folding style allowing for convenient storage. Price: Rs 2,190.

MDR-XB250 is also for those who listen to their music with rich bass and comes with the same 30mm dynamic driver unit as the MDR-X450 despite being cheaper. This one also has a flat serrated cord allowing a tangle-free experience. Price: rs 1,490.

The MDR-AS200 earphone is for who listen to music while engaging in sports. With a 13.5mm high sensitivity driver, the earphone comes at a very competitive price and is water resistant and sweat proof. It also comes with an adjustable ear loop and a flat serrated cord. Rs 790.

Sony Xperia T3 review: The Z2 goes slimmer and cheaper

Powered by a 2500 mAh battery, the Xperia T3 can last for 36 hours.

I have used the Sony Xperia Z2 for a few weeks and felt that it is among the best flagship phones in the market at the moment, primarily due to its camera and battery. But there is no denying the fact that the Z2 is not for everyone. This is where the new mid-range Sony Xperia T3 is going to make an impact. Is this actually the Z2 on a budget?

 Specs: 5.3-inch Triluminous (1280x720p) display | Qualcomm 1.4 GHz Snapdragon 400  | 1GB RAM | 8GB internal memory + 32GB external | Micro SIM | 8MP rear camera with Sony Exmor sensor, 1.1MP front camera | 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4, NFC | 2500mAh battery | Android 4.4 KItkat

Price: Rs. 27,990 (including Sony SmartBand SWR10 worth Rs 5,990 and premium case worth Rs 2,490)

Design: I have not used the Gionee Elife S5.5, so for me this is the thinnest smarthone around. The phone is just 0.26 inches thick (S5.5 is 0.22 inches) and this gives the phones a great head turner value. It also has a stylish design with a stainless steel frame on both sides and a unique matte finish rear flap. The buttons are made of metal too. The SIM and SD cards go inside a flap that is neatly concealed under the metal frame.

 Screen: As always Sony’s HD screen is impressive. With a stunning wallpaper people  would think this is a full HD screen. The phone has good speakers too and combined with the display it will is a good experience watching videos on this one.

 Performance: On paper the phone has mid-range specs by today’s standards. However, the phone is by no means a pushover. In fact, in the week I used the phone it did not crash or stall even one. There is no noticeable lag on any of the apps or why playing games. It is also cool that the phone does not heat up at all.

Camera: The 8MP camera is good, but there is no way you can compare it with the Z2 which is much superior on all counts. To its credit the camera does decently in low light and has a powerful flash too. However, it seems to be a bit slow at times and you have to wait for the click to go through. The camera packs some of the apps that were first featured in the Z2 clicker.

Storage: This is one pain point with the phone, especially gives its price. A lot of users might feel the 8GB storage short of their requirements and will need to buy an SD card if they choose this phone. Out of the 8GB users have 4.5GB free and even a lot of that will be used up by the first download of apps.

Software: The UI is very similar to that of the Z2 and means a minor tweak of the stock KitKat to showcase Sony’s Walkman and camera widgets. The only issue here is the contact app, which like on the Z2 seems to have a major bug. There has been a software update for the Z2 to fix and hopefully the T3 will get one too.

 Battery: This is among the biggest assets of the this phone. It seems Sony has cracked the formula of running a 2500mAh battery for 36 hours. Yes, you heard me right. The battery last me well into the second day on a full charge with full use. For example, if you leave the phone at night with 35% battery, you will wake up in the morning to see that it is still at 33%. That is because, the phone shuts of updates when the screen is locked and pulls in stuff only when it has been woken up.

 Connectivity: No issues with connectivity.

 Verdict: The Sony Xperia T3 is a good phone for the regular user, if you overlook the fact that it could have used 16GB storage considering its price. There is also the impending threat from the new much cheaper mid-range phones, which makes the T3 seem too pricey. But Sony has thankfully softened the blow by bundling its Smartband and a case with the phone. It seems like a reasonable deal if you look at the overall package.

LG launches X-BOOM PRO sound system at Rs 1,24,000

LG claims that the X-Boom Pro CM9940 can provide a club experience at home.

LG has introduced its X-Boom Pro CM9940 sound system at a priced of  Rs. 1,24,000. LG claims that the X-Boom Pro CM9940 can provide a club experience at home. It has a output of  3200W RMS/35000W PMPO and comes with two-way front 18-inch sub-woofers.

The sound system has a built-in DJ sound effect called the Smart DJ that mixes music together by using various sound and playback effects when transitioning from one track to the other. It includes the click wheel on the DJ pad that supports search and access to music on USB flash drives and smartphones.

On connectivity front, it supports music play through Bluetooth, NFC,  CD, Tuner, Aux In, USB Host and Portable In function. The X-Boom comes with Treble Bass, Cluster2 EQ, Pop, Classic, Rock, Jazz, Bypass Auto EQ, Bass Blast, Loudness, MP3 Optimizer, Football equalizer for sound settings.

Other features like the Juke Box, DJ Effect, Auto DJ and DJ Pro allow users to mix in a few preloaded sound effects. The system is available at all LG brand shops.

Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 review + video: Innovative ‘watch phone’ but impractical smart watch

Buy this if you want to impress kids in a schools or girls in a college, but not to tout yourself as a geek.

Device: The Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 looks like a watch and is worn as one. But the toughest thing to do on the device is to check time. You need to use your other hand to press the power button on the left of the screen to bring it to life.  The 4-CM LCD screen has the three — options, home and back — button under it. There is something that looks like a camera and an LED flash on the right, but no way to access it on the device itself. The best thing about the watch is the micro-USB port on the left, which means you can charge this directly and do not need an extra piece like in the Samsung Gear or special chargers like in the Pebble.

Click to see video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IHdwXIhfEM

Features: 4 cm screen, 420 mAh battery, audio and video player, Dual Sim (2G+2G), expandable memory upto 8GB, FM Radio, Bluetooth, WAP/GPRS/EDGE

Performance: I told you this one is not a great watch. It is also not such a great phone. Of course, it can make and receive calls, not from one, but two SIMs inside. But you need really tiny, pointy, fingers to be able to dial the numbers. Some of my friends were really successful, but not me. The device does not have voice control to make life easy, so you might need to have multiple entries for contacts so that wherever you click on the screen, the call goes to the same person. Even receiving  a call can be a pain, because there is no guarantee you will be able to unlock the screen before the guy on the other end gets frustrated and hangs up. But there is good call clarity when you do get connected.

Verdict: In my book the  Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 is a “watch phone” that reminds me of the mid-1980s. Buy this if you want to impress kids in a schools or girls in a college, but not to tout yourself as a geek. Geeks will take a time machine rather than be caught dead with this timepiece. The best thing about the watch is its Rs. 3,999 price tag which makes this a good toy to buy for your teenager.

Now, the Google Nexus 360 concept is a phone you wouldn’t mind owning

Over the years we have seen hundreds of concept phones, and some have even made it to the production line. Now, here is a concept phone from 91 mobiles that tries to add every thing you need in a single device.

So this Google Nexus 360 concept is a 5-inch smartphone that can bend over backwards to become a smart watch. Great feature, though we are not sure how practical it would be to have a 5-inch screen on your wrist.
Another interesting feature in this concept is a side panel e-ink display for notifications. The other side houses a slim Bluetooth device that resembles a stylus. Very ambitious, but definitely drool worthy. The phone also has a slightly convex shape to make it easier for the user.
Other suggested features include: Flexible polymer OLED display, integrated fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor, tube camera for the wrist and IP 67-certification for all weather use. Now, who wouldn't want this phone.

SUMMARY

The obvious effort is to try and find a single solution to all you mobile related problems.