India's cheapest Android phone coming from Intex

Intex is joining the Android bandwagon by releasing its first Android smartphone in February 2011. And this is not just the end of news. The smartphone from Intex will also be the cheapest Android phone to be available in the Indian market at 5,500.

Due to launch in the first week of February next year, the phone will be running on Android 2.2 (Froyo), complete with a 3.2MP camera, 2.8 inch resistive full-touch screen, Wi-Fi and GPS.

It should be noted that the Intex phone will be in competition with Micromax's Andro A60, launched earlier in the month. The Andro A60 however costs more at 6,999 and runs on Android 2.1. This will give an edge to the Intex phone when it releases.

While we don't have the full specs of the Intex phone at present, we will get all of that when the phone releases. We have to wait for the phone to release to see how the market reacts to it.

What's in store for the mobile market in 2011?

The mobile market is spiralling toward growth with each year. So with the new year approaching fast, here are the top 10 mobile market trend predictions by the Mobile Marketing Association for the year 2011 in the Asia Pacific region.

1. With evolving mobile technology, the messages on mobile marketing will turn more personalized. Introduction of regulations in the mobile marketing sphere can lead to greater business-to-consumer transactions, eliminating the spams involved in mobile advertising.

2. Over-the-top services will bring in revenues for value added services. Operators need to focus more on converged devices like tablets.

3. Applications allowing free SMS, video and phone calls will enter the market. Few like WhatsApp and Viber are already doing so. With more such applications, basic mobile features will be available for free, irrespective of the devices used.

4. With the introduction of the Windows 7, the focus is moving toward strict hardware specifications, along with Research In Motion (RIM) and Apple. This means that ads on these platforms will be counted as more credible, helping the cause of mobile marketing.

5. New apps are showing the way to mobile ads. The presence of an app without even a data connection, with high usability levels are making the cases of these kind of ads stronger. However, since apps are device specific, avenues for experimentation will be limited. This may lead to waning out of the popularity of apps itself.

6. The increase in GPS and digital compasses has led to a number of location based Augmented Reality (AR) software platforms and apps. The combination of location based services and AR allow for graphic content to be made in relation to the user's position. This case is a classic example of specific targeting in the ad world scenario promising to increase ad spend and transactions.

7. Mobiles becoming a means for payment of bills gives the advantage of quick transaction. It also ensures customers can purchase while on the go without the need of cash in hand. This promises a bright future for mobiles in future as a mode of transaction.

8. Mobiles are fast becoming replacements for computers, as they are turning more feature rich. With introduction of converged devices like tablets, consumers now have greater speed and battery life. These devices are fast becoming the choice of medium for writers/ bloggers, allowing them to edit and upload contents in various formats even while travelling.

9. Increasing number of handsets ship with browsing capabilities letting people to access Web on their mobiles. This paves a way for business-to-consumer applications to be delivered via phones. Smartphones are allowing consumers to view richer content on their mobile devices helping the marketers.

10. With 3D technology sweeping the mobile arena too, it will create space for innovation in mobile ads. The technology is definitely shape the future of mobile ad contents.

Skype launches Wi-Fi, 3G video calling to iPhone app

Skype is offering a new video calling application which will run on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The video calling works over both Wi-Fi and 3G.

With this new Skype 3.0 will enable free video calling to the Apple devices and the users will be able to use both Wi-Fi and AT&T's 3G cellular network. With this, users can activate any video chats from their contacts by turning on the video feature.

The app is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs, and the 4G iPod Touch with iOS 4.0 and above. It also offers free services such as voice or video calls to other Skype users. Users need to pay to make calls from a PC to a landline or cell phone.

As earlier, Skype remains to offer instant messaging, text messaging, audio-only chats, and the ability to call landlines and mobile phones at low rates.

It should be noted that Skype for iPhone is free and video calling needs iOS 4.0 or above. The application can be run on any device with at least iOS 3.0.

Tracking of lost laptops made easier with new tech

Quick Heal, an Internet security tools provider, has introduced a new technology called Laptop Tracker that helps to track and recover lost laptops. The technology works on the premise that every laptop or PC has a Media Access Control ID (MAC ID) - the physical address of the device. When the stolen devices are connected to the Internet, its IP location can be found using the physical address number.

To use the services of the Laptop Tracker technology, one needs to register into its website known as www.trackmylaptop.net. All one needs to do there is key in the physical address number of the laptop or PC.

The solution from the Pune-based company is open for everyone. However those of who are using its anti-virus solution do not have to fill the MAC IDs. The technology would help the cyber crime departments and law enforcement departments of the country and the company is in talks with them to deploy the technology.