Friday, July 26, 2013

Largest Nokia Lumia phone yet – the Lumia 625 gets launched



So after a lot of leaks and predictions Nokia eventually unveils Lumia 625 in a recent event. Here are the specifications:



Specifications
  • Dimensions
    • Height: 133.2 mm
    • Width: 72.2 mm
    • Thickness2: 9.2 mm
    • Weight: 159 g
    • Volume: 87.6 cm³
  • Display and User Interface
    • Display size: 4.7 ''
    • Display resolution: WVGA (800 x 480) 
    • Display features: Brightness control, Curved display, High brightness mode, Color boosting, Refresh rate 60 Hz, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2, Lumia Color profile, Wide viewing angle, Sunlight readability enhancements
    • Display colors: TrueColor (24-bit/16M) 
    • Aspect ratio: 15:9 
    • Pixel density: 201 ppi
    • Display technology: IPS LCD 
    • Touch screen technology: Super sensitive touch 
    • Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor
  • FM Radio
  • Photography
    • Main camera sensor: 5 MP 
    • Flash type: LED flash 
    • Main camera focus type: Auto focus with two-stage capture key 
    • Camera digital zoom: 4 x
    • Secondary Camera
  • Video
    • 1080p (Full HD, 1920 x 1080) @ 30 fps
  • Power management
    • Battery capacity: 2000 mAh
    • Maximum 2G talk time: 23.9 h
    • Maximum 3G talk time: 15.2 h
    • Music playback time: 90 h
    • Maximum Wi-Fi network browsing time: 8.7 h
  • Processor
    • Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4 
    • Processor type: Dual-core 1.2Ghz 
  • Memory
    • User data storage: In device, Memory card, SkyDrive cloud storage
    • RAM: 512 MB 
    • Mass memory: 8 GB 
    • Expandable memory card type: MicroSD 
    • Maximum memory card size: 64 GB 
    • Free cloud storage: 7 GB
Powered by the latest version of Windows Phone 8 and including the Nokia Lumia Amber update, the Nokia Lumia 625 delivers a richer and easier to use smartphone experience at a competitive price. Live Tiles update direct to the home screen, and People Hub makes it easy to stay connected with friends and family. Windows Phone 8 also includes Xbox Live, Microsoft Office, and 7GB of online SkyDrive storage to simply make life easier.

The Nokia Lumia 625 also provides many innovations found in the recently announced flagship Nokia Lumia 1020. These include a range of integrated camera applications like Nokia Smart Camera, offering handy features like removing unwanted objects from pictures, and Nokia Cinemagraph, which turns photos into living memories with added movement.

The Nokia Lumia 625 will be available in a range of colours including orange, yellow, bright green, white and black with an array of changeable shells enabling easy personalisation. With an estimated retail price of 220 Euros before taxes and subsidies, the Nokia Lumia 625 is planned to begin selling in China, Europe, Asia Pacific, India, Middle East, Africa and Latin America in Q3 2013.

These specs do look impressive. However, in a market like India, pricing is going to be critical. Whether this gets prices lower than Nokia 820 and higher than 720 will determine its success as a phone in India. Your turn Nokia, we are watching.

About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in mobile communications whose products have become an integral part of the lives of people around the world. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people use their Nokia to capture and share experiences, access information, find their way or simply to speak to one another. Nokia's technological and design innovations have made its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Nokia Teases “Big” Announcement for Tomorrow 23rd July 2013



This is as per the “Nokia Conversations” link which says “Something BIG landing here tomorrow”.

Source: Nokia


Speculations are rife that it may be a Nokia phablet. However, nothing can be said for sure. Some speculate it may be an ‘Asha’ range of breakthrough device, while others hope it is a revolutionary app, still others point to the possibility of a product roadmap.



The image on Nokia’s website is ‘Orange’ in color. Is it something to be launched together with ‘Orange Telecom’?  Let us wait and watch this space and see what Nokia wants to create the buzz for.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Reviewed-Citizen ProMaster Navihawk World Time Chronograph # JN0040-58L




Practical, Precious & Smart

This is my newest Citizen and newest watch – added to my collection on 20th July 2013, lovingly presented to me by my wife. Please note that this watch is part of the Citizen collection and goes by the name “Citizen ProMaster Navihawk World Time Chronograph # JN0040-58L”. This is part of the Eco Drive watch series of Citizen and is the only NaviHawk series of watches that have been launched officially in India. It can be found on Citizen watches India website. Also, please note that this is the 1st generation Navihawk. It is no longer offered in stores/websites apart from in India and some select countries I guess. This watch series is now in its 3rd generation with several advanced features and are in the INR 35,000 plus range.

Some of the official ads for this series of watches are following: 

I own about few other watches from brands including, Timex, Casio, Fossil, Espirit, Skagen and this watch is the best that I like. There is no one reason that I choose to make this as my main watch. There are several, listed some of them below. Before I go there, some pics of the watch:

(The packing)

 (The Backside)

Some of the features that stood out and made the deal for me are:
      1)      Professional Blue Angels Pilots Watch
      2)      Flight Time and distance calculation
      3)      Time and Calendar in 22 Time Zones (30 Cities)
      4)      Digital Display (must for me)
      5)      One-Touch Interchangeable Analog/Digital Times
      6)      Luminous Hands and Markers for increased night and dive  visibility
      7)      Movement Made In Japan
      8)      Hand retracting system to ensure clear view of digital display
      9)      Selectable zone setting to reduce number of displayed cities
     10)   Easy setting/removal of daylight saving adjustment
     11)   3 Separate Alarms
     12)   Eco-Drive (recharged by any light source, no need to change battery)
     13)   Over charge protection
     14)   Calendar programmed from 1994 to 2099
     15)   Usual suspects – chrono, timer, etc
     16)   Warranty Official Citizen 1 Year International 
     17)      Dimensions - 42mm Diameter, 12mm Thickness (small not too big, so can look good on any wrist)


The good thing about this watch apart from the fact that it looks brilliant is that it is not too large and can look good on small-medium wrists men. It is a combination of practicality; good looks (drop dead gorgeous) and compactness that made me go for the same even though it is 1stgen. 

Flipkart shipped it quite fact infact and I had my watch within 3 days of ordering. However, the downer was that the warranty card was not stamped. As usual, you try and you decide. My 5 on 5 for this watch.


There are a lot of good models available in the market. What you choose is going to be your personal flavor, the functions you covet, and the depth of your pocket.