Silicon Power USB 3.0 series of portable hard drives now available in 1TB version

Keeping in mind the demand for high performance drives and huge storage capacities, Silicon Power unveils the latest addition to its USB 3.0 series of portable hard drives with a 1TB model.
The claimed ‘ultra-high capacity’ version is said to meet the requirements of even the most demanding computer gamer. Along with the 320GB, 500GB, 640GB and 750GB models, the 1TB edition is said to complete the company’s series of USB 3.0 portable drives.
Fitted with an LED indicator, users can identify whether the drives are running or transferring data. The company offers enhanced storage in three series namely SP Armor, SP Stream and Diamond. Equipped with shock-resistance and high read-write speeds, the Armor series is also claimed to achieve U.S. military drop and waterproof standards.
Designed with a race car form factor, the SP streams series comprises the S10 and S20 models and is said to allow users to access photos in a matter of seconds. Its elegant protective case creates a stylish look for the device. Whereas, the Diamond range features the classic checkerhead design. With its sleek and compact look, the product is stated to be a stylish option. Equipped with an exclusive SP Widget toolkit, the drives are promoted as perfect consumer-friendly data transmission and storage devices.
To make the series eco-friendly, a power saver mode is also available. Along with Norton Antivirus 2011, the SP Widget also features several back-up and security tools which are available as free download.
The price and availability for the Silicon Power USB 3.0 1TB series of portable hard drives is not mentioned by the company.

Viewsonic To Launch 2 New Android Phones In India

 Viewsonic has plans to launch two Android phones in India in the near future. According to some credible sources, the new phones are--the V350, which includes support for dual-SIM and the ViewPad4 sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and a new Viewsonic UI. Sources claim that these phones will be officially launched in the next week. The company refrains from revealing anything officially on this.

The Viewsonic V350 is slated to be an active dual-SIM phone having a 8.9-cm (3.5”) TFT capacitive touchscreen, a 600MHz Qualcomm processor, 512 MB RAM and a 5MP camera with autofocus. The phone is rumoured to be running the Android Froyo OS, which is outdated now. 
These current launches seem to be an upgrade from the earlier ViewPad7 and ViewPad10 tablets, launched in December last year.

On the other hand, the ViewPad4 will run the Gingerbread OS; it sports a 10.4-cm (4.1-inch) WVGA capacitive touch screen, 1GHz Qualcomm MSM 8255 processor and a 5MP camera with the ability to record 720p video. Earlier reports suggested that it would be a tablet but it seems, Viewsonic has reworked their strategy and are launching it as a device that will offer both phone and tablet functionalities. 

No updates about the prices of the two phones could be gathered as of now. 

Om Nanotech Launches 6GB And 10GB Pendrives

Om Nanotech has launched its 6GB and 10 GB pendrives with its flagship brand Zipmem.

The drives are high speed USB 2.0 interface compliant and are supported by operating systems including Vista, XP, Win 2000, 98SE, Linux 2.4.

The CE and FCC certified USB drives come with a maximum and minimum data read transfer rate of 18.5 Mbps and 6.5 Mbps respectively. They can be customized with advanced features like multi-partition. For example a four partition can contain one Read-only Partition designated for auto run feature, two read-write partitions and one hidden partition. The private zone is password protected.

“With our manufacturing plants present in India, we can make modifications in our products on the basis of consumer specific demands and requirements. This innovation is based on extensive market study and research and we hope to satisfy the requirements of our valued customers through these USB drives,”said Atul Khosla, Director, Om Nanotech.

The 6 GB USB is priced at Rs 400 while the 10 GB USB is available for Rs 600 with LS Industries and comes with three-year warranty.

WD Appoints Ingram Micro As National Distributor in India

Western Digital, a leader in hard drives and home entertainment products, today announced the appointment of Ingram Micro as a national distributor to sell WD’s full range of products in India. With this tie-up, WD will further expand its market reach through Ingram Micro’s extensive network of over 10,000 channel partners in India.

“Penetrating newer geographies and making our products available in smaller markets is one of our key focus areas in India in 2011. Ingram Micro, with its pan India network and capabilities will help us enhance our channel pull and drive growth in the Indian market. We are delighted to have Ingram Micro as our distributor, and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship” said Sushil Bandi, WD’s country manager – India.
Commenting on the association, Jaishankar Krishnan, Managing Director, Ingram Micro said: “Partnering with a global leader like WD presents an excellent business opportunity for our large reseller base. Our partners can diversify their portfolio through addition of innovative and market-leading WD products. I am confident that our extensive distribution infrastructure in India will help realize mutual business potential for WD and Ingram.”

“Demand for digital content is growing steadily in India. This presents a huge business potential for a brand like WD whose innovative offerings have dominated the storage market for over two decades. This partnership will assist us to meet high expectations of the fast-growing market for storage, and Ingram Micro, with their expertise, will help us tap this opportunity.” said Khwaja Saifuddin, WD’s senior sales director – Middle East & South Asia. 

Micromax A70 debuts in India

Micromax has released Android powered A70 in India today. Micromax A70 is a budget Android smartphone with pretty decent specifications.  It features Android 2.2, 600 MHz processor and 3.2 inch display. Price has not been officially announced,

Apple Now Third Largest PC Vendor in the US, HP and Dell Still On Top

Latest data from Gartner says Apple has surged past Acer and Toshiba, becoming the third largest PC vendor in the USA. With a market share of 10.7%, Apple comes behind Dell, with 22.6 market share while HP remains on top with 26.9% share of the PC market. While IDC places Apple third in the US ranking, it also notes that the company has the biggest growth among the top 5 PC vendors with 14.7% in 2nd Quarter of 2011.

Apple Files A Fresh Lawsuit Against HTC

Apple had recently filed a lawsuit against Samsung, which led to both the companies pointing fingers at each other. However, the Korean conglomerate withdrew one of the lawsuits against the iPhone maker just a few days ago, even though the company still continues to fight the legal battle. It should be noted that Apple had also filed a lawsuit againstHTC in March 2010, accusing the company of patent infringement. The Cupertino-based company went to the ITC(International Trade Commission), asking them to ban the selling of HTC products in the U.S. However, the ITC ruled in favour of HTC in April. Apple has now filed another fresh complaint against HTC with the Trade Commission, seeking compensation in the same dispute.

Not long ago, Apple was simultaneously fighting another legal battle with Nokia, which ended in the court handing the verdict in favour of the Finnish mobile maker. This resulted in Apple being ordered to pay a huge sum of money with royalties for each iPhone sold. That being said, Nokia is better equipped in the patent wars unlike HTC, which does not hold as many patents as Nokia does.

The ITC usually gives the verdict in about a month's time and hence companies prefer this over normal courts which usually take longer. As far as Apple's second patent is concerned, it seems like a desperate second attempt to prove its point. However, a final verdict on the first case will be given on the 5th of August, where the judges could side by Apple. Interestingly, HTC acquired the S3 firm last week, which could bring some patents to their kitty. Apple's list of HTC devices that infringe on its patents include the HTC Desire, Hero, Aria, Wildfire, and other U.S. exclusive handsets plus the HTC Flyer. All eyes would be focussed on Apple and HTC on the 5th of next month to learn about the latest developments in the patent wars.

Vodafone, Airtel, Idea in pact to offer pan-India 3G services

Vodafone India has announced that it has signed agreements with Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular Ltd. for sharing of 3G services in regions where they do not have the bandwidth licenses.

The  agreement also covers areas where Vodafone-Essar has 3G bandwidth which will help the company provide 3G services through out the country.

As of now Vodafone has 3G permissions for nine telecom sectors out of the twenty two. Previously, Vodafone won the bandwidth for Rs 116.18 billion in the 3G auctions last year.  

Airtel currently operates 3G services in thirteen regions and Idea operates 3G services in eleven regions. This sharing agreement will bring all the three major players on an even keel, in terms of 3G service coverage.

Service providers have been trying to 3G attract customers, but the combination of high 3G charges and poor coverage have proven to be huge disadvantages. This agreement may go long way in rectifying coverage issues.