Review: Raspberry Pi 2

Geek Amok Projects with the Raspberry Pi 2

Product Info
The Raspberry Pi 2 is the latest mini computer for only $35 and features the following:

• A 900MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU
• 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM
• VideoCore IV 3D Graphics Core
• Micro SD Slot
• Full HDMI Out
• Combined 3.5mm audio jack and composite video
• (4) USB Ports
• Ethernet Jack
• 40 GPIO pins
• Camera interface (CSI)
• Display interface (DSI)

Since it has an ARMv7 processor, it can run the full range of ARM GNU/Linux distributions, including Snappy Ubuntu Core, as well as Microsoft Windows 10 currently in development.

However, the price is so cheap because it does NOT come with a power cord, SD Card loaded with a compatible OS or a video cable. Basically everything else you need, besides a case, to get it up and running. Think of it as a motherboard/processor/memory combo.

I picked up the Vilros Complete Starter Package which included the missing items as well as a WiFi adapter and (2) heat sinks on Amazon for roughly $70.00.

After receiving everything I did notice that there is another onboard chip that you can place a heat sink on. It seems to be warmer and have more heat surrounding it due to laying down on the bottom. There are packages and separate items that includes all three heat sinks after a quick search on Amazon for it.

Assembly and Setup
The assembly of the Raspberry Pi was painless and simple. The board just snaps in the bottom of the case. Applying the heat sinks were just as easy by removing the cover of some adhesive patches and pushing them down on the relative chips. The top of the case just snaps to the bottom of the case. Finally all that was left was plugging in the HDMI cable to the Pi and then the TV and plugging in the power cord ONLY to the Pi. I purposely did not mention plugging the power cord into the wall or installing the SD Card. The entire process with unboxing was less than 10 mins. Very user friendly and quick. Beats building a Full PC. Another hiccup in the testing process, there is no Power button. This is not really an issue, but for testing multiple images it does require to unplug the power cord from either end and plugging it back in after switching out the micro SD card. There are multiple solutions to implement a Power Button as well as using a Powered USB Hub that applies power to the Pi through USB. This is referred to as a Back/Backwards Powered USB Hub.

Flashing The Micro SD Card
Before you can plug in or supply power to the Pi you need to create an micro SD card (4GB or higher) and slide it into the micro SD slot on the pi. There are many different types of flashable premade images using something similar to Win32DiskImager. I have downloaded roughly 8 different ones, but will only focus on the Media and Gaming aspect of it for now.

Another recommendation is to buy additional 4GB or higher micro SD cards to place different images on to quickly switch between and to determine which image you like the best or just to be able to switch to for different needs at anytime. This way you never loose your configurations on those images due to reflashing a micro SD card. I picked up a (10) 8GB Micro SD pack with SD Card Adapters, cases and a USB SD/Micro SD Card Reader stick for under $40. Otherwise you can just format and reimage the card as needed, but again you will lose your configurations or any modifications to it.

Once you have your micro SD card flashed and ready, just insert it in and power on the unit to enjoy. Next we will discuss the different images I have tested to date. This article will be updated every time I test one as well as to include the Linux Based OS's and when available the Microsoft Windows 10 edition which is the one I am personally waiting for.

The Many Flavors of Pi
To start this off, I will only be listing the first (4) flavors of Pi that I have downloaded and will be trying out. The outcome and my opinions of them will be served later on this week. They are as follows:

• PiPlay: A pre built Raspberry Pi OS made for gaming and emulation.
• RasPlex: The Plex Home Theater port for the Raspberry Pi mini computer
• RasXBMC, soon to be OSMC: A minimal Linux distribution based on Debian that brings XBMC to your Raspberry Pi.
• RetroPie: A collection of works that all have the overall goal to turn the Raspberry Pi into a dedicated retro-gaming console

Outro
Overall this is a decent mini computer for the HOBBYIST and DIY'ers. I know you can just as easily setup a Google Chromecast, Roku device, Apple TV, Amazon Fire device, Playstation TV or just about any other Streaming device that will be simpler and just as effective, but what those devices do not offer is the ability to run an ARM GNU/Linux based Operating System on. In my opinion this is an more effective solution than any other device out there, excluding the Arduino, Beagleboard and similar DIY mini PC's. Stay Tuned and keep this article bookmarked for future updates as I taste the other flavors of Pi available.

Peace out my Ninjas and remember to Geek Out With Your Tech Out!

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Review: OnePlus One Smartphone

OnePlus has a motto, "Never Settle", that is a represtation of the company's goal to build a perfect smartphone that everyone can purchase it for less than the name brands are selling for off contract. If the LG G3, Google Nexus 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S5 (forget Apple, they are always outdated) were priced at $299 to buy outright, off contract and unlocked, would you consider purchasing it instead of signing a 2 year contract or paying $29 a month for 18 - 24 months? I would. Unfortunately the off contract price of these high end phones are the cost of a decent PC these days. OnePlus is changing that and is offering the same technology for half the price of it's competitors. Their first phone, called the One for obvious reasons, is a self proclaimed 2014's Flagship Killer. Believe me when I say this, it is!
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Review: My TIME With The Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

Did you catch the pun in the title. Get it...TIME.

The next set of "smart" devices are here and I was able to snag a Samsung Galaxy Gear 1 Watch for under $90. My time with the watch was fun at first, but 30+ days in things are not going as smoothly.

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MSI GS 70 Stealth 17.3" Notebook Review

  The evil geniuses at MSI have released a Gaming Notebook to complete with the Razorback Razor Blade.  I get in depth with my new toy the GS70 Stealth 17.3 Notebook.  I'll give some info on whether my money was well spend or a complete mistake.  Stay Tuned! 

Read more »

Sony launches on-the-go functionality USB drives which can be used with your Android smart phones and tablets

Circa 2013, the only way to use a USB drive (Pen drive) on your computer would be through the PC application, through a paid App or by rooting your smart phone or tablet.  Circa 2014 Sony's new release will mean that you can now use the USB drive (Pen drive) directly with your smart phone. So no more worries if you are not into rooting and/or your smart phone/tablet has a limited memory, Sony mobile USBs will now solve almost all storage problems.

Yes Sony, today announced the release new pen drives with 8GB, 16GB and 32GB storage that are compatible with smartphones and tablets.  They will be bringing USB on-the-go functionality to your Android smart phones and tablets.  This gamechanger devices will have twin options "2-in-1 devices"  You can either use them as USB 2.0 or with microUSB connectors which essentially means that you can connect them with your smart phones and tablets and also your PCs and Laptops.  

Viviano Cantu, director of consumer media marketing, Sony Electronics, while announcing the release said, 

"These new drives combine convenience, peace of mind and performance and are perfect for mobile multi-tasking."

If you are worried that this will cost a bomb dont worry they are relatively costlier then the normal USB drives but not that expensive.  A 8GB version will cost around $19.99 (approx. Rs 1240.00) while the 16GB one will be at $29.99 (approx. Rs 1860.00) and the 32GB version will set you back by $62.99 (approx. Rs 3906.00). 

This new Sony mobile USB drives can be used with Android devices running on Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean but as of now not on Android 4.4 KITKAT.  Sony said that it is working to bring support for devices running on the newest Android KitKat version. You can use this pen drives  to copy data between devices or as additional or temporary storage for your smartphones and tablets.  As per Sony, these drives are pretty strong and will come with locking caps to avoid any kind of damage and the body can withstand everyday knocks and pocket bumps.

These pen drives are expected to release globally in January 2014. Just hope that the drives are available at the quoted price in India.

Android 4.4 KITKAT powered 16GB Nexus 5 to be available in India on 25th November, 2013 for Rs.29990.00, 32GB version to be released later

The latest buzz in the smart phone world, the Nexus 5 made by LG of South Korea is to be released in India on Monday, 25th November, 2013.  

Sadly only the 16GB version will be available as of now for the Indians.  Though the Google Play list the price of the 16GB Black Nexus 5 at Rs.28,999.00 it will be sold in the physical shops and online portals for Rs.29990.00.  You can buy the 16GB Nexus 5 in LG Shoppes or LG branded stores starting Monday and it will be available elsewhere after 2 to 3 days.  The Google Play sale will also go live on Monday but the delivery will be a big issue.  

The Google Nexus 5 manufactured by LG is the most innovative smart phone to be launched in recent times after the Moto X.  The Nexus 5 boasts of the Googles latest operating system, the Android 4.4 KITKAT aboard it.  Specwise it is a masterpiece for the price announced by Google.  The Nexus 5 boasts of a 4.95 inch full HD display with LG patented in-cell touch technology.  The Nexus 5 will run on a quad core Snapdragon 800 processor clocking a speed of 2.3GHz and runs on  2GB of RAM.

For creativity it comes with a 8MP rear camera with OIS, LED Flash, Auto Focus and the front shoot is a 1.3MP affair.  For connectivity the Nexus 5 has all the necessary options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and expansion slot for MicroSD card.  The Nexus 5 will come in 16 and 32GB versions with 16GB available as of now.

For my money, Google Nexus 5 will change the price equation in the mobile market.  Its very competitive pricing and nice specs will lead to a churning among the major players like Samsung, Apple, Sony and HTC.  As of today, the high end smart phones cost anywhere between Rs.35000.00 and above.  With Google Nexus 5 entering the fray at sub Rs.30000.00 and Motorola announcing plans to launch Moto g in India soon, the Indian buyer may indeed have a very happy ending to the otherwise very dull year.

A chance to own a iPhone 5c or iPhone 4s, Apple to launch a buyback scheme in India in exchange for smartphones by other mobile manufacturers

Apple is tightening its pants in the prospect of further competition which is heralded by the launch of Google Nexus 5 and upcoming launch of Moto g smart phone in India.  If you remember upto now Apple had been advertising a buyback scheme for buyers wishing to buy iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c but you could only exchange your old iPhones to avail the offer and the discount allowed is Rs.12000.00.

As said above, due to the increasing competition from Samsung as well as our own Micromax and impending launches from LG and Motorola have made Apple rethink its buyback policy.  And at the end of a brainstorming session the marketing strategists at Apple HQ are ready to unleash a new buyback scheme specially for India.

Apple has already despatched the emails regarding this new scheme to its dealers.  As per the new buyback scheme, the phones which will be allowed under exchange are BlackBerry Z10, Q10, iPhone 4 8GB, 16GB, Nokia Lumia 925, HTC Desire 500, Desire 600, One Mini, One Dual SIM, Samsung Galaxy Mega (5.8 and 6.3 inch both), S4 Mini, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 2, Note 3 and Sony's  Xperia C, Xperia ZR, Xperia Z, Xperia Z1 and Xperia Ultra. The terms and conditions will include that the phone has to be in working condition and preferably with all accessories. 

Apple will give a maximum discount of up to Rs 13,000 in exchange of a any of the above smartphone. To give the dealers an incentive to push forward this scheme, they will earn a commission of Rs 2,000 per device under the scheme.

In exchange for the above said phones you can buy a new iPhone 5c or iPhone 4s less Rs.13000.00.  The only problem is who will want to buy a new iPhone 5c or 4s if they have any of working flagship phones listed above.  I would not bet my life on exchanging my Samsung S 4 for a iPhone 5c or 4s for a paltry 13000.00 when I can get a good Rs.25K plus in the seconds market.

Anyways, for your information, the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants of the iPhone 5s are priced at Rs 53,500, Rs 62,500 and Rs 71,500 respectively. The 16GB and 32GB iPhone 5c is priced at Rs 41,900 and Rs 53,500 respectively.  After all the choice is yours.

Lenovo's new Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean powered tablets Yoga 8 for Rs.22999.00 and Yoga 10 for Rs.28999.00

Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo is shifting the gears with amazing speed.  The worlds largest PC maker (erstwhile IBM) which knows that the future growth in the computing business is to be driven by smart phones and tablets, betting big on tablets.  Hence it has come out with not one but two tablet releases : Yoga 8 and Yoga 10 for Indian buyers.

Both the tablets will run on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and have practically the same specs except for the screen size.   The Yoga 8 has a 8 incher display while the Yoga 10 will sport a 10 inch one but both will offer a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

Other than that, both the Yoga tablets will be available in 16 GB versions with Wi-Fi and 3G for connectivity options.  The Yoga available overseas has LTE on it.  Both the Yoga's are powered by  quad-core MediaTek processors.  The Wi-Fi variants have MediaTek MT8125 processor and 3G variants have MediaTek MT8389 processor.   The  Yoga 8 and Yoga 10 run 1GB of RAM and have a 5MP rear camera with auto focus capabilities while the front camera will be a VGA affair.  The buyers will have a option to buy a 32GB version which will cost you more.  There is also a MicroSD expansion slot in case you require that extra bit of memory.

Lenovo on its part is doing its best to promote the Yoga 8 and Yoga 10 launch.  Those who buy the tablet by November 24 can take home an accessory bundle worth Rs 4,000 hamper for the Yoga 8 and Rs 5,000 for the Yoga 10. This includes a sleeve cover, a screen protector and a pair of earphones.

The only problem is that with the impending launch of Nexus 5 with superlative features and Android 4.4 KITKAT aboard it, the future of these tablets sure looks bleak considering the price Lenovo is asking for them.   If you are interested in buying either of the two, do consider buying it before 24th November, 2013 to avail the freebies Lenovo is shipping with them.  The Yoga 8 and Yoga 10 are available in all Electronics/mobiles/Malls as well as on online portals.

Microsoft Xbox One gaming console available for Rs.40000.00 for Indians, place your pre-orders for Rs.1900.00 only

With almost all major smart phone manufacturers have done their model launches for the year 2013, now it is the time of the Gaming Consoles.  PlayStation 4 which was released in the United States has met with a unprecedented response from the buyers and was sold out within hours.  The Indian launch date of PlayStation 4 is still awaited from Sony.  It should become available in India by March 2013.

Now all eyes are fixed on the other big release which happen on 22nd November, 2103.  The Microsoft's latest gaming console Xbox One will come to the United States users on Friday and officially the Xbox One is supposed to be released in December 2013 which is prety good for Microsoft to get the first mover advantage.  The listing of Xbox One on the website snapdeal.com points towards the same.  Snapdeal has even given the price of the Xbox One at Rs.40000.00 with EMI options while it is available in the US markets for $499.00 (Rs.31000.00).  Though the premium of Rs.10000.00 looks a bit unjustified.  The pre-order booking price is Rs.1900.00 and the balance Rs.38001.00 can be paid when Snapdeal confirms the delivery.

A look at the specifications of Xbox One :

Feature	Xbox One
Optical Drive	Blu-Ray and DVD Player
Game DVR	Yes, Upload Studio
HDCP Encryption	No for games
RAM	8GB DDR3 + 32MB eSRAM embedded memory
Flash Memory	8GB Flash Memory
CPU	8 Core AMD custom CPU Frequency: 1.75 GHz
GPU Clock Speed	853 MHz GPU
Storage	500 GB Hard Drive, External Hard Drive
Second Screen	SmartGlass App on Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Windows 8
Cloud Storage	Yes, Free Unlimited
Mandatory Game Installs	No
Required Internet Connection	After Day One patch, No
Used Game Fee	No
Backwards Compatibility	None
Cross Game Chat	Skype, Party Chat
Motion Control	Kinect 2
Voice Commands	Yes
Subscription Service	Xbox Live @ $59.99 (Rs.3650.00) a year Required for Online Play
USB	USB 3.0
Live Streaming	Yes, With Twitch.TV
Reputation Preservation	Achievements will be ported
Web Connection	Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi
Wifi Direct	Built-in (A/B/G/N dual-band at 2.4ghz and 5ghz)
A/V Hookups	HDMI input and output (4K support)
API	DirectX 11.2
Mouse and Keyboard Support	Not Supported
	www.comboupdates.com

If you are interested in buying the Xbox One you may visit the Snapdeal website here.  The EMI offering from Snapdeal is given in the image :

Things to remember once you unbox your newly acquired new Play Station 4 (PS4), tips and tricks for Play Station 4

Everybody is eagerly awaiting to get their hands on the Sony's latest gaming console, the Play Station 4.  The first shipments are to be made last week of November in the US and the world thereafter. However the Play Station 4 is quite unlike the previous 3 Play Stations.  There are some things you should note down once you receive your PS 4.  

1. As soon as you unbox the PlayStation 4 be sure to get a patch for it.  The patch bumps the version number to 1.50 and is 300MB in size.  According to the Sony Blog the patch is necessary to unlock many of the console's most talked-about features, such as the ability to share games online, stream content to a PlayStation Vita and download games in the background.  The patch also enables you to play DVD's and Blu-rays on the PS 4.  Without the patch you cant run the media players.  If you dont want to use your internet for the patch, you can call up the Sony guys for a disc to install the patch for DVD and Blu-Ray functionality.  

2. Subscribe to PlayStation Plus, the PlayStation Network's annual membership service which offers you games for free or lower prices.  The subscription may cost you $50.00 per year but is necessary if you wish to play games online with your friends.    In addition, subscription to PlayStation Plus service grants you ability to automatically download the game updates while the console is suspended.  You will also get access to free 1GB cloud space which could be pretty useful to save your game data.  

You can watch streaming services like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime without subscribing to the PlayStation Plus.  In addition you'll also be able to stream your games live to Ustream and Twitch, and share video to Facebook without PlayStation Plus.  But if you want to play online games with your friends, the PlayStation Plus is absolutely necessary.

3. Storage space : The PlayStation 4 comes with a builtin storage of a 500GB hard drive which at first glance looks like a awful amount of storage space.  But going by the trend the next generation games are bound to be at least 30 to 40GB in size and a 10 of the games should take away your 500GB within minutes.  Combine to that, the PS 4 doesnt support external hard drives so you have to be your own mechanic and install a internal SATA II HD which meets Sony's specifications or you can get your friendly neighbourhood mechanic or technician to do the same.  

4. Sony also requires games to be installed via disc. The Sony Blog specifically mentions that all PS4 Blu-ray Disc games must be cached to the hard drive to ensure a smooth gaming experience. However, certain titles may not require you to wait for the game data to be fully cached before starting gameplay.

6. The Play Station 4 does not support audio CDs, MP3 and DNLA  a device classless media server.  So if you want support for them you have to wait until Sony releases a patch for that.  Till that time you might as well get used to a PS without music playback support. 

7. The PlayStation 4 offers innovative options to share game moments with your friends.  In a first, the PS 4 controller  includes a Share button that lets users easily access sharing functions in the heat of gameplay.    The console will include a feature called "Game DVR" that continuously captures the last 15 minutes of gameplay. You can grab screenshots of that video at any point, and even edit the video using the console's tools and share them on Facebook.  You can share the screenshots both on Twitter as well as Facebook.  You can also share your gameplay live with friends via streaming services Ustream and Twitch. But other than above options there is no sharing or exporting your videos to your own PC, YouTube etc.

8. As of now only 23  games will be available for the PlayStation 4 on Nov. 15 as per Sony.  You will get 5 free Indie games if you subscribe to PlayStation Plus.  For more games you did have to wait many a moons.

Remember your unboxed Play Station 4 should contain the following :

1. Power Cable

2. HDMI Cable.  This is the only form of communication between your TV and PS 4. 

3. Dual Shock Controller.  

4. A micro-USB cable to charge the Dual Shock Controller

5. A mono headset which you can use to voice chat.

Enjoy you new Play Station 4.

New SD card, the Ultra High Speed (UHS) Class 3 (U3) to support the latest 4K Ultra HD recording feature in latest smart phones announced

Acer has already launched, Samsung has announced the launch.  I am talking about the latest feature of smart phones which 4K Ultra HD recording.  Acer had launched the first 4K ultra HD recording phone in September 2013 called Liquid S2 while Samsung says it has smart phones supporting 4K Ultra HD recording in pipeline. Thats all very good but how do you save this resource hungry format on your SD card.  The SD cards available now do not support this feature which means that the recordings are saved on your mobile phone's internal memory.  

The SD Association has announced the creation of a new SD card called Ultra High Speed (UHS) Class 3 (U3).  This UHS SD card will support 4K Ultra HD video recording.  The SD association has said that the release has been done to coincide with the release of large number of devices supporting the 4K Ultra recording.  

Readers may recall that many of the new Televisions being launched are supporting the 4K Ultra HD standard including the Samsung's UHD TV.  The good news is that all new devices that will support the new UHS Speed Class 3 will also be backwards compatible and will work with existing SD memory cards. 

This is specially true because 4K Ultra HD recording is limited to a chosen few and pro photographers.  The SD Association has not given a confirmed date for the release of the UHS SD card but indications are that it should be available by early next year.

Price comparison between Google Nexux 5, LG G2, Samsung Note 3, Samsung Galaxy S 4, Sony Xperia Z1, Nokia Lumia 1020 and iPhone 5c

Finally after all the brouhaha both the Android 4.4 KIT KAT and the first smart phone running on it is out.  The Google Nexus 5 running on Android 4.4 KIT KAT is available on Google Play India. The prices are as follows 

1. Nexus 5 16GB Black/White > Rs.28999.00

2. Nexus 5 32GB Black/White > Rs.32999.00

Though the Google Play says that both the versions are 'Coming Soon' I would advise buyers to wait for the Google Nexus 5 before buying any other smart phones.  Why?

First and foremost Google and LG have got the pricing absolutely perfect on this one.  A brief look at the specifications of Google Nexus 5 > 

• Processor: Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 with 2.30GHz Quad-Core Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU
• Operating System: Android 4.4, KitKat
• Display: 4.95-inch Full HD IPS at a resolutions of 1920 x 1080 pixels(~445 ppi pixel density)
• Network: CDMA/1xRTT/EVDO, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WCDMA/HSPA+, LTE
• Memory: 32GB / 16GB (your choice)
• RAM: 2GB
• Camera: Rear 8.0MP at 3264 x 2448 pixels resolution and 1080p video output @30fps with OIS / Front 1.3MP HD
• Battery: 2,300mAh Li-Polymer (embedded)
• Size: 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59mm
• Weight: 130g
• Others: Wireless charging, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi hotspot, microUSB (SlimPort) v2.0

If you check out the specs they are the best of the lot and let me tell you why you should wait for Google Nexus 5 to arrive before you splurge any thing on buying a new phone.  All the other smart phones having similar specs are available for more than Rs.35000.00 and feature the old Android 4.2 OS with some running on the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. 

The nearest competition to Google Nexus 5 is LG G2 and is priced closest to the Nexus 5 at Rs 41,500.00 for a 16 GB version, while a 32 GB version of the smartphone is Rs 44,500.   You can get both the versions cheaper online with Flipkart giving 16GB at Rs.37999.00 and 32GB one at 40490.00.  

But that still makes the LG G2 around Rs.10000.00 dearer than the Google Nexus 5.  LG G2 has a bigger 5.2-inch screen with a better 13 megapixel camera but remember it still runs on Android 4.2.2 with LG’s Optimus 3.0 user interface on top.  So you are getting a little high speced smart phone with a older OS by paying Rs.10K more.  

The next one is the list is Samsung Galaxy Note 3.  Like LG G2, the Samsung Note 3 also has a bigger screen than Google Nexus 5, 5.7 inches to be precise with a 13MP camera.  It also has 3GB RAM while the Google Nexus 16/32GB will have 2GB RAM.  The Samsung Note 3 is available on Flipkart for Rs.46899.00 which Samsung website lists it at Rs.47900.00.  This makes the Samsung Note 3 (comparing 32GB versions) about Rs.13000.00 dearer than the Google Nexus 5, 32GB version.  

Again the Samsung Note 3 runs on Android 4.3 and the only thing that is exciting about Samsung Note 3 is the 'S Pen' it bundles and the seamless connectivity with Samsung Gear smart watch (for which you have to spend another Rs.20K)

The other flagship offering from Samsung which is close to Google Nexus 5 is the Samsung Galaxy S 4.  The Samsung Galaxy S 4 is priced at Rs 40,690 on Samsung’s website and is retailing for the same price on Flipkart and at RS.39999.00 on another ecommerce portal Infibeam.

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 has a almost similar size 5-inch full HD screen but with a 13 megapixel camera and an Octa-core processor(which is almost double power over Nexus 5 in geekspeak). But then this device won’t support 4G in India and only has 16 GB memory.  So are you interested in paying Rs.13000.00(against Google Nexus 16GB version) extra for the processor speed and 13MP camera for a smart phone which also runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (Samsung will be updating it)

Sony is another worthy competition to Google Nexus 5.  Its latest flagshop launch, Xperia Z1 comes with a whopper of a camera at 20.7MP.  In addition the Xperia Z1 is all kinds of proof (water/dust).  Sony Xperia Z1 is retailing online for Rs 42,990.00. If you compare the Xperia Z1 and Google Nexus 5, the biggest differential is the camera but you get it for almost Rs.14000.00 extra over Google Nexus 5 16GB version. 

If you are a photography aficionado you might as well learn about the massive 41MP camera smart phone from Nokia.  The Nokia Lumia 1020 running on Windows Phone 8 has a 41MP camera but sadly does not have a full HD screen or a quad core processor like Google Nexus 5.  The smartphone’s official price is a huge Rs 49,999.00 while it is available on Flipkart for Rs 47,222.00.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is a great offering for those who are real photography buffs but the sore points like it running on Windows Phone 8 without many Apps and the others pointed above, you did wish you go for Google Nexus 5. 

Leaving Android and Windows Phones smart phones available in the market we do have the Apples latest foray into budget space. iPhone 5c running on iOS 7.  But again the budget smart phone from Apple is slightly overbudget for my liking, available at Rs 41,900.00 for a 16GB version while the iPhone 5s will start at a whopping 53,500 for a 16GB version. While RCom has come with a nice contract offer where you get the iPhone 5c for Rs.2600.00 a month locked for 24 months, I dont think any other operators will come up with such kind of scheme.  

So all in all Google has come up with a real beauty both with the price as well as specifications.  You did have to wait only till end of this month to get your hands on Google Nexus 5 instead of spending around 10 to 20K extra for a nice smart phone.  

Motorola to release most cheap Moto X smart phone called Moto G on 13th November, only thing is that it run on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Motorola which has given us the highly popular Moto X had promised that it would soon deliver a low cost version of Moto X. The company is mum about the low cost phone but @evleaks has posted details about the forthcoming Moto G.

Whether this Moto G will be the low cost  Android smart phone only time will tell but by the looks of the specs posted by @evleaks it sure seems to be the one.  The specs leaks online are as follows :

4.5-inch 1280 x 720 Display

Quad-Core 1.2 Ghz CPU

Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and HSPA (LTE doubtful)

8GB/16GB of Storage

5 megapixel rear-facing camera, with 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

What @evleaks leaked, Motorola today confirmed by putting a teaser on its website for moto g.  The website says boldly states in as many languages that Moto G is coming on November 13th.

iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s super offer from Rcom for Indians; Pay 2599.00 and 2999.00 per month for 24 months

Its the wish of many ordinary Indians to own a iPhone, considered the ultimate of smart phone luxury.  It has a certain WOW factor and is also seen as a status symbol.  However paying Rs.45000.00 + for a smart phone is too far fetched for them except for the well heeled class.  With the launch of iPhone 5c, many thought that this would be the budget iPhone that would probably be their dream phone.   But the prices announced by Apple for India make owning a iPhone a pipe dream.  The unlocked versions ( usable with any service provider) are available for following prices

• iPhone 5c (16 GB) >  Rs.41,900.00
• iPhone 5c (32 GB) >  Rs.53,500.00
• iPhone 5s (16 GB) >  Rs.53,500.00
• iPhone 5s (32 GB) >  Rs.62,500.00
• iPhone 5s (64 GB) >  Rs.71,500.00

The great news is that Anil Ambani's Reliance Communciations (RCom) is offering some great bargain prices for both iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s.  RCom has come out with a 2 year contract offer where the iPhone will be available as below

Apple	16GB	32GB	64GB
iPhone 5c	No Down Payment 0 % EMI Rs.2599.00 per month Locked contract For 24 months	Rs.11600.00 Down Payment 0% EMI Rs.2599.00 per month Locked contract for 24 months	Not available
iPhone 5s	No Down Payment 0 % EMI Rs.2999.00 per month Locked contract For 24 months	Rs.10992.00 Down Payment 0% EMI Rs.2999.00 per month Locked contract for 24 months	Rs.19992.00 Down Payment 0% EMI Rs.2999.00 per month Locked contract for 24 months
www.comboupdates.com

What makes RCom's offer interesting is that it will offer unlimited calls as well as unlimited data on 3G for internet surfing.  The offer which will give users unlimited local and STD calls will even give free national roaming. This also includes incoming calls when roaming in the country. In addition, users will get TRAI-regulated 3000 free SMS per month for 24 months, with any extra local SMSes chargeable at Re 1 and STD SMSes chargeable at Rs 1.50. The important thing is that the 3G being given is unlimited which is must for any iPhone.

As per back of the hand calculation theiPhone 5c zero Down Payment and zero EMI Rs.2600.00 offer will come to Rs.62400.00 out of which if you deduct the market price of iPhone 5c i.e. Rs.41900.00.00 = 20500.00 is the balance which if divided by 24 will cost you Rs.854.00 per month.  Which in my opinion seems a great steal given that you get unlimited of pretty much everything like calling, roaming, SMS (3000) and 3G network and RCom network is also pretty good in India. 

If you are interested you can visit your nearest RCom iStore outlet or Reliance Digital Outlets in your city or town.  If you stay very place remote you can visit here and sign up for the direct contact from RCom for your iPhone 5c or 5s