Jio Prime Free for Another 12 Months for All Existing Users

Jio Prime Free for Another 12 Months for All Existing Users...

Jio Prime subscription will be provided for another year on complimentary basis to the customers who have already paid the Rs. 99 membership fee before March 31, 2018. This essentially means any Jio user who has paid for Prime does not have to buy it again, and will receive the benefits associated with it free of cost. However, those who join the Jio network and opt for Prime after April 1 will have to pay Rs. 99 as the membership cost. As before, the Prime benefits will be provided to customers for a period of 12 months, i.e. March 2019. However, existing users will have to go through an opt-in process to avail the free service for another year.
The ongoing Jio Prime subscription ends for all customers tomorrow, March 31, regardless of whether they purchased it in March or August or January. All existing Prime users are eligible to avail the complimentary membership for 12 months. Users will find the option to avail the service for another year in the MyJio app. And as mentioned previously, new users will have to pay the Rs. 99 price.
Jio said in a statement, “The continued availability of the Jio Prime membership to new subscribers reiterates Jio’s commitment to deliver a differentiated Digital Life experience to Indians, and will propel this into the world’s largest loyalty programme.”
Notably, the company in the statement revealed it now has 175 million users across the country, up from 160 million in December 2017. It also claimed it will provide "20-50 percent more value to Jio Prime users, always."
The Prime subscription was announced in February last year as the company went from a free service and adopted the paid model. Priced at Rs. 99 for the whole year, the subscription comes to an end tomorrow, March 31. Prime users were to be given additional data at the same prices compared to non-Prime members. While it was an opt-in service initially, the Prime membership fee was later automatically added to the recharge cost when a user tried to purchase a pack, thus making it effectively mandatory.

Jio Prime subscription is essential if you want to benefit from the offers the company provides from time to time, such as the Rs. 50 discounts on recharge packs with daily data allocations. Similarly, the Jio promise to offer data tariffs 20 percent lower than the nearest competitor works out for Prime users only. Moreover, the access to content apps, which the operator values at Rs. 10,000 for the whole year, comes only with plans for which Prime subscription is a pre-requisite. Jio's suite of apps includes Jio TV, Jio Music, Jio News, etc. However, despite the membership, customers are still required to purchase separate recharge packs with validities to use the network. 

                                                                                                  Source: gadgets.ndtv...

Continue Reading

Airtel offers 1GB data for 28 days at Rs. 65

Airtel offers 1GB data for 28 days at Rs. 65

Bharti Airtel has been introducing several new plans for its subscribers in order to compete with Reliance Jio. While many of those plans were offering 4G data, the latest plan is aimed at the 3G subscribers. Well, Airtel has come up with a prepaid plan priced at Rs. 65 offering 1GB 3G or 2G data to the users. However, it looks like it is available only for select users for now.

The Rs. 65 plan will have a validity of 28 days and offer 1GB data for the whole period. This is more beneficial than the previous prepaid plan priced at Rs. 49 with a validity of just one or two days. Notably, Airtel is also offering a tariff plan costing Rs. 98 offering 2GB of 4G/3G data to the prepaid users. Some fortunate users of Airtel have also received a new Rs. 98 tariff plan, which offers 5GB of data.

Airtel previously came up with 1GB of 4G data at just Rs. 49 for select subscribers but with different validity periods. Some users had a validity of 1 day while some others have 2 days of validity with this plan. Apart from the new Rs. 65 and Rs. 98 prepaid plans, Airtel also offers a slew of data add-on packs priced at Rs. 49, Rs. 98 and Rs. 193 for the prepaid subscribers.

After the entry of Reliance Jio, Airtel started offering many combo plans with unlimited voice calls and SMS along with 1GB data per day. Following the revision of Jio tariff plans, Airtel also revised its plans to offer 1.4GB of data per day instead of just 1GB per day despite having the same pricing.

Airtel carries the credits for being the one telecom operator, which does not have any FUP associated with its unlimited voice calling plans. The telco does not impose any daily limit on the minutes per day or per week as the other telecom operators. This way, it is beneficial for the subscribers as well. The long-term tariff plans for the prepaid users of Airtel range from 28 days to 91 days of validity.

Continue Reading

Types of Medical Treatment Loans...

What is a medical loan?

A medical loan can cover the costs of both elective and necessary medical requirements and procedures. Covering medical costs can be expensive, and even with private health insurance you may have to pay an excess, or worse, your procedure might not be covered at all. If you don’t have the ready money you can take out one of these loans to cover your medical costs.

What types of personal loans can cover medical expenses?

You can consider a few different types of financing if you require medical treatment: 
Unsecured personal loan. You can use unsecured personal loans for any purposes, including medical expenses. You can usually borrow between $3,000 and $50,000 depending on what you can afford to repay, and interest rates vary between 8-20% p.a.
Specialised medical loan. Providers such as Mac Credit and ACA Loans provide financing for specific medical procedures, including cosmetic surgery and dental work. 
Short term loan. If you only require a small amount and are not eligible for a standard personal loan, you can consider a short term loan. You can apply for a loan from $100 and have it repaid within a few months. Keep in mind interest rates and fees will be much higher with short term loans. 
Credit card. If you have a credit card or are eligible to apply for one, this is another financing option to consider. A credit card can be good if you don't know how much money you'll need to borrow or if you want to take advantage of interest-free periods. Make sure you check your surgery will be eligible as an interest-free purchase and that you have the means to repay the credit you use.

How should I compare my medical loan options?

Medical loans offer many of the same features as other personal loans, but some of the features are also more particular: 
Fees:
Most loans come with fees, and medical loans are no different. Depending on the lender you go with you may have to pay loan establishment fees or monthly fees, as well as some fees such as early repayment fees or redraw fees, if these features are available. 
Repayments:
Lenders may differ in how flexible they are with their repayments, also. Most lenders will offer you the options of making your repayments weekly, fortnightly or monthly, but they also may allow you to make additional repayments to help save you money. 
Loan amount:
As medical costs can be quite steep, medical loans are usually for higher amounts than other loans. Some medical loans have quite high minimum loan amounts, some around $10,000, so make sure you won’t have to borrow more than you need. 
Loan terms:
As the loan amount is generally higher with medical loans, the lender may offer you a longer period to pay it back, as well. Check to see if you will be able to manage the repayments with the loan terms that the lender sets.

Continue Reading

Indian government offers loan for small and medium business persons..

Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd. [MUDRA] is an NBFC supporting development of micro enterprise sector in the country. MUDRA provides refinance support to Banks / MFIs for lending to micro units having loan requirement upto 10 lakh. MUDRA provides refinance to micro business under the Scheme of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana. The other products are for development support to the sector. The bouquet of offerings of MUDRA is depicted below. The offerings are being targeted across the spectrum of beneficiary segments.

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), MUDRA has created products / schemes. The interventions have been named 'Shishu', 'Kishor' and 'Tarun' to signify the stage of growth / development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit / entrepreneur and also provide a reference point for the next phase of graduation / growth to look forward to :

• Shishu : covering loans upto 50,000/-
• Kishor : covering loans above 50,000/- and upto 5 lakh
• Tarun : covering loans above 5 lakh and upto 10 lakh

It would be ensured that more focus is given to Shishu Category Units and then Kishor and Tarun Categories.

Within the framework and overall objective of development and growth of micro enterprises sector under Shishu, Kishor and Tarun, the products being offered by MUDRA are so designed, to meet requirements of different sectors / business activities as well as business / entrepreneur segments.

The funding support from MUDRA are of four types :

• Micro Credit Scheme (MCS) for loans upto 1 lakh finance through MFIs.
• Refinance Scheme for Commercial Banks / Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) / Scheduled Co-operative Banks
• Women Enterprise programme
• Securitization of loan portfolio

 

Micro Credit Scheme :

Micro Credit Scheme is offered mainly through Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), which deliver the credit upto Rs.1 lakh, for various micro enterprise activities. Although, the mode of delivery may be through groups like SHGs/JLGs, the loans are given to the individuals for specific income generating micro enterprise activity. The MFIs for availing financial support need to enroll with MUDRA by complying to some of the requirements as notified by MUDRA, from time to time.

Refinance Scheme for Banks

Different banks like Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Cooperative Banks are eligible to avail of refinance support from MUDRA for financing micro enterprise activities. The refinance is available for term loan and working capital loans, upto an amount of 10 lakh per unit. The eligible banks, who have enrolled with MUDRA by complying to the requirements as notified, can avail of refinance from MUDRA for the loan issued under Shishu, Kishor and Tarun categories.

Women Enterprise Programme

In order to encourage women entrepreneurs the financing banks / MFIs may consider extending additional facilities, including interest reduction on their loan. At present, MUDRA extends a reduction of 25bps in its interest rates to MFIs / NBFCs, who are providing loans to women entrepreneurs.

Securitization of loan portfolio

MUDRA also supports Banks / NBFCs / MFIs for raising funds for financing micro enterprises by participating in securitization of their loan assets against micro enterprise portfolio, by providing second loss default guarantee, for credit enhancement and also participating in investment of Pass Through Certificate (PTCs) either as Senior or Junior investor.

Purpose of MUDRA loan

Mudra loan is extended for a variety of purposes which provide income generation and employment creation. The loans are extended mainly for :

• Business loan for Vendors, Traders, Shopkeepers and other Service Sector activities
• Working capital loan through MUDRA Cards
• Equipment Finance for Micro Units
• Transport Vehicle loans

Following is an illustrative list of the activities that can be covered under MUDRA loans:

Transport Vehicle Purchase of transport vehicles for goods and personal transport such as auto rickshaw, small goods transport vehicle, 3 wheelers, e-rickshaw, passenger cars, taxis, etc.
Community, Social & Personal Service Activities Saloons, beauty parlours, gymnasium, boutiques, tailoring shops, dry cleaning, cycle and motorcycle repair shop, DTP and Photocopying Facilities, Medicine Shops, Courier Agents, etc.
Food Products Sector Activities such as papad making, achaar making, jam / jelly making, agricultural produce preservation at rural level, sweet shops, small service food stalls and day to day catering / canteen services, cold chain vehicles, cold storages, ice making units, ice cream making units, biscuit, bread and bun making, etc.
Textile Products Sector / Activity Handloom, powerloom, khadi activity, chikan work, zari and zardozi work, traditional embroidery and hand work, traditional dyeing and printing, apparel design, knitting, cotton ginning, computerized embroidery, stitching and other textile non garment products such as bags, vehicle accessories, furnishing accessories, etc.
Business loans for Traders and Shopkeepers Financial support for on lending to individuals for running their shops / trading & business activities / service enterprises and non-farm income generating activities with beneficiary loan size of upto 10 lakh per enterprise / borrower.
Equipment Finance Scheme for Micro Units Setting up micro enterprises by purchasing necessary machinery / equipments with per beneficiary loan size of upto 10 lakh.
Activities allied to agriculture 'Activities allied to agriculture', e.g. pisciculture, bee keeping, poultry, livestock, rearing, grading, sorting, aggregation agro industries, diary, fishery, agriclinics and agribusiness centres, food & agro-processing, etc.(excluding crop loans, land improvement such as canal, irrigation and wells) and services supporting these, which promote livelihood or are income generating shall be eligible for coverage under PMMY in 2016-17.

Continue Reading

Huawei Smartphone With 6GB RAM, 512GB Inbuilt Storage Listed Online

Huawei Smartphone With 6GB RAM, 512GB Inbuilt Storage Listed Online.

Huawei is set to launch its P20 lineup of smartphones next week, a new report from China has suggested that the company will launch a handset with a massive 512GB inbuilt storage. The Chinese mobile maker will launch a trio of smartphones – Huawei P20, P20 Lite, and P20 Pro – on March 27 but it is not clear whether the 512GB handset will be a variant of one of the above models, or an entirely new phone.

As per a listing on TENAA, a Huawei smartphone with model number NEO-AL00 has will come with 6GB of RAM and 512GB of inbuilt storage. The detail was edited after the first certification, indicating that it may not be a typo. Interestingly, Huawei still does not have its own android mobile storage production plants nor does it have the technology to manufacture 512GB memory chips, and that leads to the question whether the company is set to also announce the technology. It is also possible that Samsung might supply the chips, since last year Samsung had announced to begin the mass production a new 512GB embedded universal flash storage solution.

At the moment, just two smartphones from Huawei boast of 256GB storage – the Mate 9 Porsche Design and the Mate 10 Porsche Design. According to an earlier report, the Huawei P20 Pro has been said to be launched in a 6GB RAM/ 128GB storage variant. It remains to be seen whether the company will launch a “Porsche Design” variant of the handset with 512GB.

Meanwhile, as per earlier reports, the Huawei P20 Pro is expected to sport a three-camera setup with a 40-megapixel sensor, feature a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 1080×2240 resolution with 19:9 aspect ratio and a notch, powered by a Kirin 920 processor, and run Android 8.1 Oreo.

Continue Reading

How will GST Impact your Motor Insurance Premium?

How will GST Impact your Motor Insurance Premium? | The GST bill, which rolled out from July 1st, 2017 can be counted as the single biggest financial reform the nation has seen since its indian Independence. The changes are made in tax structure in the state and center. GST seeks to improvise on VAT and remove the effect of double taxation from the goods and services price below the value chain.

The latest GST under the updated GST structure is 18% on indian insurance policies. Well, but this is not good news for policy holders. In the GST regime, motor, health, life insurance would be more expensive, as taxes are increased.


How the motor insurance industry is impacted by GST?

The motor insurance industry has been impacted by GST. The industry had earlier attracted a service tax of 15%. This has increased to 18% from July 2017. The GST makes purchasing of insurance a bit expensive.

This also calls for an adjustment from the insuramce holder end so that compliance can be met at all times with regards to financial accounting, getting GST registration, updating book keeping, and knowing about the nitty-gritty such as input tax credit. For a car owner the GST impact on car insurance is marginal and will entail an increase of 3% on taxes for the policy purchased.

On a positive note, the cross border double taxation and compliance issues has been ironed out as a nation-wide one tax regime making things simpler on an operational level for the insurance companies.

The GST impact on third party insurance premium has seen a rise of 3% in-line with the change in indian taxation system for overall general insurance. This is a cost that will be borne by the final customers in the form of an increased in premium amount.

How GST impacts the customers?

he Indian insurance industry is currently going through a temporary phase of adjusting to the GST impact on car insurance. Earlier, the policyholder used to pay service tax on the premium. This has been replaced by a GST of 18%.

For Example, Mohan was paying a premium of Rs. 10,000 with a service tax of Rs. 1,500 earlier he was paying in total Rs. 11,500. Under the new regime, Mohan is now paying Rs. 11,800 – an impact of Rs. 300 more.

However this marginal increase in taxes shouldn’t be a deterrent for a car owner to not take coverage. The value car insurance offers, out weighs the costs or increase in taxes. Hence, it still remains mandatory for vehicle owners to go for life insurance policy coverage.

Continue Reading

Lava Z50 Android Oreo (Go Edition) Smartphone Launched at Effective Price of Rs. 2,400

Lava Z50 Android Oreo (Go Edition) Smartphone Launched at Effective Price of Rs. 2,400

After much anticipation, Lava Z50 has formally been launched as India’s first Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphone. The smartphone comes with an effective price of Rs. 2,400 under the ‘Mera Pehla Smartphone’ programme by Airtel and is available for purchase through over 100,000 retail stores as well as online channels, including Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal, Lava said. It comes in Black and Gold colour options. The MOP (market operating price) of the Lava Z50 is set at Rs. 4,400. However, Airtel is offering a cashback worth Rs. 2,000 that effectively brings down the price to Rs. 2,400.

Customers availing the Rs. 2,000 cashback will need to recharge their Airtel accounts with a minimum amount of Rs. 3,500 for the first 18 months, and another Rs. 3,500 for the period of 19-36 months from the purchase. The Lava Z50 is available with the 2-year warranty. Lava is additionally offering a free one-time screen replacement with the smartphone that is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Lava Z50 specifications

Unveiled at MWC 2018 in Barcelona last month, the dual-SIM Lava Z50 runs Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) and features a 4.5-inch display with FWVGA (480×854 pixels) resolution and 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass. The smartphone has a quad-core 1.1GHz MediaTek MT6737m SoC, coupled with 1GB of RAM. It sports 5-megapixel rear and front camera sensors with LED flash support. Both camera sensors also support Bokeh Mode to blur the background to highlight objects. Furthermore, there are camera features, including Face beauty, Funny Cam, HDR, Super Night, Video Beauty, Filter, Template, Panorama, GIF Mode, Intelligent Selfie, Sound Picture, and Child Mode.

Lava has provided 8GB of onboard storage on the Z50 that is expandable via microSD card. The smartphone has FM radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, and Micro-USB and packs a 2000mAh battery with Super Power Saver Mode. Besides, it measures 135×66.6×9.7mm and weighs 140 grams.

“We are delighted to announce the availability of Z50 for our customers, making it India’s first Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphone to be available in the market. With the cashback offer from Airtel, Lava Z50 is effectively available for Rs. 2400, making it a great option for smartphone buyers, looking for best technology at the most competitive price,” said Gaurav Nigam, Head – Product, Lava International, in a statement.

Continue Reading

Mark Zuckerberg apologises for Facebook's 'mistakes' over Cambridge Analytica

Following days of silence, CEO announces Facebook will change how it shares data with third-party apps and admits ‘we made mistakes’

Facebook is changing the way it shares data with third-party applications, Mark Zuckerberg announced on Wednesday in his first public statement since the Observer reported that the personal data of about 50 million Americans had been harvested and improperly shared with a political consultancy.

The Facebook CEO broke his five-day silence on the scandal that has enveloped his company this week in a Facebook post acknowledging that the policies that allowed the misuse of data were “a breach of trust between Facebook and the people who share their data with us and expect us to protect it”.

“We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can’t then we don’t deserve to serve you,” Zuckerberg wrote. He noted that the company has already changed some of the rules that enabled the breach, but added: “We also made mistakes, there’s more to do, and we need to step up and do it.” 

Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, shared Zuckerberg’s post and added her own comment: “We know that this was a major violation of people’s trust, and I deeply regret that we didn’t do enough to deal with it.”

Zuckerberg also spoke to a handful of media outlets on Wednesday, including a televised interview with CNN in which he apologized for the “breach of trust”, saying: “I’m really sorry that this happened.” In similar conversations with the New York Times, Wired and the tech website Recode, Zuckerberg expressed qualified openness to testifying before Congress and said that he was not entirely opposed to Facebook being subject to more regulations.

The crisis stems from Facebook policies that allowed third-party app developers to extract personal data about users and their friends from 2007 to 2014. Facebook greatly reduced the amount of data that was available to third parties in 2014, but not before a Cambridge University researcher named Aleksandr Kogan had used an app to extract the information of more than 50 million people, and then transferred it to Cambridge Analytica for commercial and political use.

On Saturday, Facebook’s deputy general counsel, Paul Grewal, appeared to defend the lax policies that allowed data harvesting from unwitting friends, writing in a statement: “Aleksandr Kogan requested and gained access to information from users who chose to sign up to his app, and everyone involved gave their consent.”

But after five days of outrage from the public, and calls for investigations and regulation from lawmakers in the US and UK, the company appears to be acknowledging that blaming users for not understanding its byzantine terms of service will not suffice.

Continue Reading

What Are the Requirements for Car Insurance in California?

What Are the Requirements for Car Insurance in California? | Drivers are required by California law to have car insurance coverage, but how do you know if the law applies to you? And what are the requirements for automobile insurance in California?
Strap in and sit back, because you’re about to get a crash course in California car insurance requirements.

Every Driver Must Have Liability Insurance Coverage
The state of California mandates that every driver and vehicle owner must have a state minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. Even drivers with an out-of-state license or no license at all still have to abide by the financial responsibility (insurance) requirements while driving in the state.

A liability insurance policy covers the cost of damage to properly and/or bodily injury if you’re found to be at fault for a motor vehicle accident. The minimum amount of California liability coverage required for private passenger vehicles is:

    $5,000 for property damage
    $15,000 for injury/death to a single person
    $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person

You can also fulfill the financial responsibility requirements without holding an insurance policy. This can be done by:

    Making a deposit of $35,000 with the DMV.
    Receiving a self-insurance certificate from the DMV.
    Holding a $35,000 surety bond from a company licensed to do business in California.

The DMV Financial Responsibility Unit at (916) 657-6520 can provide additional information on self-insurance certificates and making a cash deposit.

Other types auto insurance that aren’t required by law but you may want to consider include: 
Collision insurance (Collision coverage)
    Comprehensive coverage
    Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
    No-fault insurance

*If you have an auto loan your lender may require that you have comprehensive and/or collision coverage.
Drivers Must Have Proof of Insurance at All Times

Drivers are required to keep proof of insurance with them any time they’re behind the wheel. Fortunately, this is much easier today since the California Vehicle Code allows for the use of electronic documents on a smartphone for proof of insurance.
To prove insurance exists your documentation must show the:

    Car insurance company name
    Insurance company address
    Period of coverage
    Auto insurance policy number

If you’re stopped for a traffic violation or involved in a car accident and you can’t prove you have car insurance the police officer can write you a ticket. Fines are typically in the amount of:

    $100 – $200 for the first offense
    $200 – $500 for each subsequent offense within 3 years of the first

Those who honestly did have automobile insurance at the time will have to go through the trouble of submitting documentation to the court to get the fine removed.
Requirements If You’re Caught Driving Without Insurance
Drivers who were in fact uninsured at the time they were stopped or involved in a car accident have to face other consequences in addition to fines. Until you show proof of having the state minimum required amount of liability insurance:

    The court could impound your vehicle.
    Your vehicle registration could be suspended.
    Your driver license could be suspended.

An uninsured motorist will also likely be required to carry an SR form. An SR22 is a special document that a person must obtain if their license was suspended for driving without insurance. The document verifies that you do in fact have automobile insurance.
Requirements for Car Insurance Assistance Programs & Discounts

Cheap car insurance can sometimes be difficult to find in California. Your car insurance rate can vary based on a number of factors including the zip code where you live, the car you drive and your driving record. Even age can play a role in how much you pay for auto insurance coverage.

Because coverage is mandated by the state, California has implemented a number of programs to help low-income drivers afford their monthly insurance premium. The state also passed Proposition 103 in 1988 to prevent insurance companies from price gouging California drivers. The regulations within Prop 103 influence how rates are determined in California and established the Good Driver Discount Policy.
Good Driver Discount Policy
The Good Driver Discount policy allows many drivers to get 20% off their auto insurance policy. To qualify for the discount you must:

    Have a valid license for at least three years.
    Not receive more than one point on your driving record within the last three years.
    Not be involved in an at-fault accident that caused injury or death in the last three years.
    Not take traffic school for a violation more than once in the last three years. 

California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program
The California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) provides financial assistance for drivers that meet certain eligibility requirements. To be eligible for CLCA benefits you must:

    Be at least 19 years old.
    Have a valid California driver’s license.
    Own a car that’s valued at less than $25,000.
    Meet financial requirements.

Call 1-866-602-8861 for additional information on the current financial requirements.

Continue Reading

iPhone X Successor With 5.85-Inch OLED Display Will Be the Cheapest 2018 Model: Report

5.85-inch iPhone may be the cheapest handset Apple will launch in 2018

Like every year, Apple will be launching its new iPhone models in fall 2018. As per previous reports, the Cupertino giant is expected to launch three iPhone variants this year - a 6.5-inch OLED model, a 6.1-inch LCD model, and a 5.8-inch OLED model. According to new information, the 5.8-inch variant of the 2018 iPhone will be cheaper to manufacture, despite the OLED display. This could be an indication for Apple fans to expect a price drop from the massive $999 price point of the iPhone X that was launched last year.
Digitimes Research analyst Luke Lin said in a research note, the new 5.8-inch model of the iPhone will have a total bill of materials (MBOM) over 10 percent lower than the iPhone X had when it was initially launched. Lin says in the report that the iPhone X MBOM was more than $400 in 2017. Due to this cost reduction, the report says, "Apple may position the new 5.85-inch device as the cheapest model of all three next-generation iPhone models."
Interestingly, Lin says Apple had previously planned to bring another LCD version of the 5.85-inch iPhone. However, the project was suspended "mid-February and may be eventually terminated." The company was reportedly planning to launch the LCD version of the handset "due to MBOM concerns."
The report also added that, due to a weak demand of the iPhone X, Apple took fewer OLED panels from Samsung Display, which resulted in "more bargaining chips" for the latter in negotiations for the manufacturing of 2018 iPhone. While this could have led to price increments, the report claims that Apple has already reached an agreement with Samsung Display "with satisfactory terms."
Lin believes that the 5.85-inch OLED iPhone can be launched as the cheapest of the three new models. He says that engineering samples have shown that this particular model has adopted components with lower specs than in the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. Interestingly, LPDDR memory (RAM) will be one of the biggest differences, the report claimed.
                                                                                                  Source: Gadgets...

Continue Reading

Lenovo S5 teased to have AI features ahead of launch

Lenovo S5 teased to have AI features ahead of launch

Lenovo S5 will be unveiled on March 20 in China. While we are a day away from the announcement of this smartphone, the company has started coming up with teasers revealing some of its details. The latest teaser, which has been posted by the company’s Vice President Chang Cheng on his Weibo page tips that the smartphone will arrive with AI-related features and the capabilities of its OS as well.

According to the teaser, Lenovo S5 is claimed to come with Artificial Intelligence and its operating system integrated with AI is touted to be as fluent as Apple’s iOS. Previously, Chang revealed that the Lenovo S5 would run ZUI 3.5 OS based on Android 8.0 Oreo. Google’s Android Oreo provides improved system speed, performance and fluency. And, we are yet to know the features those will be added to Oreo by Lenovo’s ZUI.

Lenovo S5 key features

One of the recent teasers posted by Chang on Weibo revealed the key features of the Lenovo S5. Going by the same, the smartphone is believed to feature a full metallic chassis, a full-screen design, an 18:9 bezel-less display, and an AI smart engine to click impressive selfie shots. It is also touted to feature facial recognition, secure payment and a long-lasting battery life.

Meant to rival Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

The Xiaomi CEO had earlier teased the launch of the Redmi Note 5 in the Chinese market taking to Weibo to reveal its key specifications. Soon after the same, the VP of Lenovo Group took to the micro-blogging platform to reveal that the Lenovo S5 could offer a better performance than the Redmi Note 5.

Lenovo K520

Lenovo S5 is believed to be the Lenovo K520, which was spotted recently on the TENAA database. The K520 is said to feature a FHD+ display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and 18:9 aspect ratio. Under its hood, the smartphone could make use of 2GHz octa-core processor paired with 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage space. It is said to flaunt a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and 8MP dual cameras. The selfie camera is also believed to be an 8MP sensor and the device could be powered by a 3000mAh battery.

Continue Reading

Flipkart Offers on Mobile Phones Include Buyback Guarantees, No-Cost EMIs and More in Super Value Week

Flipkart Offers on Mobile Phones Include Buyback Guarantees, No-Cost EMIs and More in Super Value Week.

The Flipkart Super Value Week has started, giving customers the “best value” for their next mobile phone purchase. The new offer, which will run until March 24, offers buyback guarantee at Rs. 49 (down from Rs. 149), and no-cost EMI option via Bajaj Finserv. Also, there are exchange offers on various handsets and extended warranties on a large number of TVs and home appliances. Mobile phones that are a part of the new Flipkart offer include iPhone X, Redmi Note 5, Redmi Note 5 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Google Pixel 2 XL, Honor 9 Lite, Moto X4, Oppo F5, Vivo V7 Plus, and Lenovo K8 Plus among others.
Under the Super Value Week, Flipkart is offering up to 50 percent of buyback guarantee to give customers a guaranteed future value of their handsets and make it easy to upgrade to their next phone. The list of models that are available with up to 50 percent buyback value includes the Google Pixel 2 XL, Vivo V7+, Mi MIX 2S, Moto X4 64GB, and the Galaxy S8. However, the buyback value for the iPhone X is set at up to Rs. 50,000. Customers buying the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus can also avail a buyback value of up to Rs. 24,500, while the Google Pixel 2 comes with a buyback value of up to Rs. 22,000. Similarly, there is buyback guarantee for handsets, including Moto X4, Redmi Note 5 Pro, Vivo V7, iPhone 8, Oppo F5, Lenovo K8 Plus, iPhone 7, Honor 9 Lite, and the Redmi Note 5.
It is worth noting here that the buyback value can only be claimed on Flipkart on the purchase of a new smartphone. A nominal charge may be applicable for picking up the old model.
Along with the buyback guarantee, Flipkart is offering exchange offers on various mobile phones to provide you with an instant discount on your new purchase. There are exchange offers of up to Rs. 5,000 on models such as Karbonn Titanium Jumbo, Micromax Spark 4G, Micromax Canvas 5 Lite Q462, Xolo ERA 1X-4G with VoLTE, and iVoomi Me3 among various others. You can also avail exchange discount up to Rs. 10,000 on the purchase of a new Lenovo K8 Plus, Moto C Plus, Infinix Hot S3, Infinix Hot 4 Pro, Moto E4 Plus, Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro, Samsung Galaxy On5, Smartron t.phone P, iVoomi i1, Asus ZenFone 3s Max, Panasonic Eluga Ray 700, Panasonic P55 Max, Micromax Canvas 6, or Meizu M5. Further, there is exchange discount up to Rs. 20,000 on the purchase of an Oppo F3, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7, Xiaomi Mi Max 2, Oppo F3 Plus, Google Pixel 2 XL, Apple iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, Moto X4, and Vivo V7 among others.
It is important to note here that the old phone needs to be in working condition. You can even get a higher value for your old device by running the phone checkup test. This is available on selected models.
The Flipkart Super Value Week offer also brings extended warranty plans to give an additional one-year of warranty on select mobile phone models. Titled Flipkart Protect, the extended warranty plans are claimed to offer seven-day repair/ refund guarantee, savings on repair cost, hassle-free claim and active process, and free doorstep pickup and drop support. Models that are eligible for Flipkart Protect include the Redmi Note 5 Pro, Lenovo K8 Plus, and Redmi 5A among various others. Moreover, extended warranty plans by the e-commerce site are also available for select TV models and home appliances.

Continue Reading

Ripple, Litecoin Offer Better Returns Than Bitcoin

Ripple, Litecoin Offer Better Returns Than Bitcoin

Bitcoin price rally may have lapped up the popularity charts after it jumped to near $20,000 on December 17, however, there were not-so-popular ripple and litecoin, which offered better returns (in percentage terms) against bitcoins

Bitcoin offered 1,400% or 14 times of its price on January 1 the year before. At the same time there were cryptocurrencies that gave relatively higher returns but they didn’t happen to gain popularity as the world’s most popular cryptocurrency. Ripple is priced around $2, litecoin can be bought for $231, while bitcoin is available for a whopping $13,500 on Tuesday.
However, in the beginning of 2017, the prices of bitcoin, litecoin and ripple were $1,000, $4.3 and $0.006311, respectively. This means, ripple gave 36,000% returns and litecoin gave 5,200% return in comparison to the 1,400% return earned by bitcoin investors. In the year-closing weekend, the market cap of ripple, after surging past $100 billion (on December 30, 2017), even crossed the Ethereum’s that hovers around $72 billion.

Five Key Differences Between Bitcoins Vs Ripple Vs Litecoin

1. Bitcoin and ripple prices have jumped like most other currencies and assets on some relevant triggers and also on the preponderance of investors’ interest. Ripple’s price (in the last week of 2017) surged past $2.3 since there was a news that the South Korean and Japanese banks were testing the viability of cryptocurrency’s usage in cross border payments. Similarly, bitcoin prices rose in December 2017 in run up to the bitcoin’s inclusion in the futures trading platforms that include CME Group and CBOE (Chicago Board options Exchange).

2. The processing time for a bitcoin transaction is nearly 10 minutes per block, while ripple (XRP), being the newer technology, takes mere 3 seconds. It is noteworthy to mention that each transaction adds to the block and collection of such blocks makes a chain, and hence the name blockchain. One must remember that it’s the same technology of blockchain that is used in all the digital currencies. It is said that blockchain is to bitcoin what internet is to email.

3. Bitcoin had the first mover advantage since it started in October 2008 soon after global recession roiled the world’s markets and was founded by an inventor, using the pseudonym of Satoshi Nakamoto. On the other hand, most other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum and ripple tried to replicate the success of bitcoin. The new currencies were rolled out a few years after bitcoin started gaining popularity. Ethereum started in July 2015, while ripple saw the light of the day in 2012, a good four years after bitcoin.

4. Ripple was co-founded by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb in 2012 with an aim to set up as a inter-bank payments. While bitcoin in a cryptocurrency and exchanged via a public ledger using a technology called blockchain, ripple doubles as digital payment network as well. In fact, it is believed that ripple is more popularly known for its digital payment protocol than its digital currency (called XRP, or ripple)

5. The price differential between bitcoin and ripple is so yawning, that one can buy as many as 5,696 ripple (XRP) coins and 56.7 litecoins at the price of one bitcoin. The affordability of litecoin and ripple also play a role in a rising number of investors buying XRPs and LTCs.

Continue Reading

Moto X4 Android One edition gets 8.1 Oreo update..

Moto X4 Android One edition gets 8.1 Oreo update..

Moto X4 was unveiled back in September 2017 at the IFA 2017 trade show and the Android One variant of the device also followed suit. Now, it looks like the latter has started receiving the Android 8.1 Oreo update in the US. It is said that the update will be rolled out to the users of the smartphone in phases.
According to a Reddit post via AndroidTek, the Moto X4 Android One edition has started getting the Android 8.1 Oreo update. The company had promised that the smartphone will get the update by the end of this year and it looks like the users need not wait for too long to experience the Oreo update’s features. The Moto X4 Android One edition has started getting an OTA update with the firmware number OPW28.46-3. And, it will bring features such as Picture-in-Picture mode, Notification Dots, Autofill, and other features to the device.
 It is said that the Android 8.1 Oreo update being rolled out to the Android One variant of Moto X4 smartphones will bring the March security patch. Moreover, there are claims that the standard version of the Moto X4 will receive this update soon though there is no specific time frame for the same.
Notably, the Moto X4 Android One edition is the first non-Google smartphone to join the Project-Fi network, which was exclusive only to the Pixel and Nexus devices. While announcing this smartphone, Motorola had announced that the Android One edition of the device will be among the first ones to get the Android P update.
When it comes to the specifications, the Moto X4 Android One smartphone boasts of a 5.2-inch FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels along with the Gorilla Glass protection as well. Under its hood, the smartphone makes use of a 2.2GHz octa-core Snapdragon 630 SoC coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage space.

Moto Z2 Force Unboxing and First Impressions

The imaging aspects include a dual camera setup with 12MP and 8MP sensors and a 16MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture and LED flash. The other features of the smartphone are IP68 certification for dust and water resistance, Amazon Alexa, and a 3000mAh battery.

Continue Reading

Micromax Bharat 1 (2018) 4G feature phone to launch soon in India..

Micromax Bharat 1 (2018) 4G feature phone to launch soon in India

Micromax had launched the Bharat 1 in India in October last year. Notably, it is the first 4G-enabled feature phone from the company. The homegrown phone maker is now planning to launch the 2018 version of the Bharat 1, reports 91Mobiles. The publication claims to have obtained this information from a source in the retail chain.

The report also includes a render of the alleged Micromax Bharat 1 (2018). In the image, the phone is shown sporting a funky Red color. However, we expected there will be other color variants as well. Talking about the design, the handset looks pretty much the same as the last year’s Bharat 1. From the image, you can also see the presence of a large speaker at the phone’s back.

Coming to the specifications, the Bharat 1 (2018) is said to provide support for 22 regional languages. As stated, it will also with 4G VoLTE support. Apart from that, the phone will reportedly have a Live TV feature, a selfie camera, a color display and an LED torch light.

While it is not confirmed yet, the publication speculates that the Micromax Bharat 1 (2018) will be priced under Rs. 2,000 in India. Last year, the company had partnered with BSNL to offer some offers and benefits for the buyers of Bharat 1. So it could do the same this year as well.

To recall, the Bharat 1 is powered by an entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that supports 4G VoLTE network. Under its hood, there is a 2,000mAh battery that keeps the lights on. Besides this, the handset also carries support for more than 22 languages. In terms of optics, the “Made in India” Bharat 1 features a 2MP rear-facing camera and a VGA camera up front.

The phone has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. As such, it will allow users to access over 100 live TV channels, and tons of songs and videos. In addition, the device comes pre-installed with BHIM UPI payments app and BSNL’s wallet app. The Bharat 1 was launched in India at Rs. 2,200.

Continue Reading

Airtel – Get Free 2 GB 4G Data by dailling Number (New 4G users)...

Airtel – Get Free 2 GB 4G Data by dailling Number (New 4G users)

Airtel Free 2GB 4GB Data Loot – Get Free 2 GB 4G Data by dailling 52122 number. This offer is valid for few 4G Enabled States in India. we have seen its working fine on Andhra Pradesh & Telengana, Maharashtra, Delhi, (Kolkata) West Bengal, TamilNadu, (Bangalore) Karnataka, Kerala, Hariyana (we will add more) and so on. So Hurry up and give it a Try. How to avail this offer ? Just follow the Steps below:-

How to Get Free 1 GB 4G data from Airtel ?

1) First of all Dail a Number from your Airtel Mobile – 52122

2) You Will get a Successful message, “You got 2 GB 4G data for 10 days”.

3) Now Check Data Balance by dailling a ussd *121*2#

4) Enjoy Free Internet.

5) Thank you ! 

How to check 4G is available or not in your City or State ?

1) Visit Here for Checking Page

2) Scroll down and Enter your Mobile number.

3) click on “Check if 4G Ready”.

4) Now Scroll down and the Page show State its available or not in your Area.

5) Also you can Request for a new 4G Sim for Free (4G State or City only)

Tags- Airtel Free 2GB 4G data, Airtel free 2GB data, airtel Free internet offers, Airtel Free 2 GB 4G internet data, Airtel 2GB 4GB data Free.

Continue Reading

Vodafone Rs. 299 Pack Offers 56GB Data, Unlimited Calls for 56 Days

Vodafone Rs. 299 Pack Offers 56GB Data, Unlimited Calls for 56 Days

Vodafone has introduced a new prepaid pack that is aimed at providing unlimited data and calling to users in telecom circles where there is poor internet connectivity – most likely due to the lack of Vodafone’s 4G coverage in these circles. The new Rs. 299 pack is available for prepaid subscribers in the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh telecom circle. This pack offers unlimited local and STD calls (including roaming), 100 SMS messages per day, 1GB 2G data per day, with a validity of 56 days. Voice calls are capped at 250 minutes per day and 1,000 minutes per week.

This new pack offers similar benefits when compared to packs from Vodafone itself and other competing operators like Jio and Airtel that offer 4G data access in the same price range. There is yet another lower-priced unlimited Rs. 176 prepaid pack in the same circle that offers unlimited voice calls (daily and weekly limits), 100 SMS messages per day, and 1GB 2G data per day for a period of 28 days.

Interestingly, in the same Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh circle, Vodafone also offers Rs. 349, Rs. 409, and Rs. 459 unlimited 2G packs that provide 4G data with similar benefits in other circles where the operator has 4G connectivity.

To take on the Reliance Jio rally in India’s telecom market, Vodafone recently announced two new premium prepaid packs. The first pack, priced at Rs. 549, offers subscribers with 3.5GB data per day, unlimited calls and 100 SMS messages per day, with a validity of 28 days. On the other hand, the Rs. 799 pack provides the user with similar benefits and 4.5GB data per day for the same duration.

Vodafone, last month, expanded its 4G VoLTE coverage to major cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad telecom circles. The company also notes that VoLTE coverage for other circles will be extended in a phased manner over the next few months.

Continue Reading

Jio Offers Cashback Of Up To Rs. 700 On These Prepaid Plans

Jio Offers Cashback Of Up To Rs. 700 On These Prepaid Plans

Reliance Jio has extended its ‘More than 100% cashback’ offer until March 15 where it is offering a total cashback of up to Rs. 700 on every recharge of Rs. 398 or above. Jio’s ‘More than 100% cashback offer’ is available only for Jio Prime members, according to the official website of Jio-jio.com. Subscribers can avail a total cashback of up to Rs. 700 in two ways- Jio tariff plan recharge worth Rs. 400 and cashback via partnered digital wallets recharge up to Rs. 300. This raises the total value of the offer to up to Rs. 700 (Rs. 400+Rs. 300).

According to jio.com, the company is offering cashback vouchers worth Rs. 400 in the form of eight vouchers of Rs. 50 on every recharge of Rs. 398 or above. This is credited immediately in customers’ accounts and is visible under ‘My Vouchers’ in MyJio app.

Secondly, Jio has partnered with leading digital wallets like FreeCharge, Mobikwik, PayTM, Amazon Pay and PhonePe to bring instant cashback of up to Rs. 300. When the recharge is done through MobiKwik, users get a cashback of Rs. 300 (both new and existing Jio Prime members). Paytm is offering Rs. 80 as cashback to new customers and Rs. 50 to existing customers. Amazon Pay users get Rs. 50 cashback (both new and existing Jio Prime members). PhonePe wallet is also offering cashback where new Jio users get Rs. 90 while existing ones get Rs. 60. Freecharge is offering cashback of Rs. 75 (for new users) and Rs. 30 (for existing Jio users).

Continue Reading

Airtel Unused Data will Rollover - Get 750GB Free Data @ Rs. 999.

Airtel Unused Data will Rollover - Get 750GB Free Data @ Rs. 999.

Free 750 GB data with Airtel V-FIBER. Plans start @ Rs.999 only.

Continue Reading

BSNL now offering unlimited calls, 30GB data at Rs. 399

BSNL now offering unlimited calls, 30GB data at Rs. 399

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched a new plan for its postpaid users in India. Dubbed as ‘Holi Dhamaka’, the plan offers calling and data benefits. Under this plan, postpaid subscribers will get unlimited voice calls including local, STD and roaming at Rs. 399 for one billing cycle. Additionally, the plan provides 30GB data to customers.

As compared to other packs from private telecom operators, BSNL’s offer is better as there is no daily or monthly restrictions on data usage. On the flip side, unlike its competitors, the telco doesn’t offer 4G speeds in most regions. Do note that, currently BSNL provides 4G Internet only in Kerala. However, it recently joined hands with Nokia to roll out 4G VoLTE services in 10 telecom circles.

Speaking of the benefits of this new plan, R.K. Mittal, Director, BSNL Board, said, “this postpaid offering with unlimited calling and 30 GB data at Rs. 399 per month is one of the best in the industry. This extremely competitive and economical postpaid plan is for our existing and new customers. We are committed to provide affordable and efficient services to our customers.”

The Rs. 399 plan is available for all the BSNL postpaid customers across the country. For those who are unaware, the telco collects a security deposit of Rs. 500 when you first subscribe to the postpaid network.

BSNL’s ‘Holi Dhamaka’ plan is in direct competition with the Rs. 399 plan of Airtel and Vodafone. At Rs. 399, the companies offer unlimited calls, 100 SMSes per day and 20GB of bundled data. As stated earlier, there is a daily cap on the data usage.

Reliance Jio and Idea Cellular have similar plans as well. Jio offers unlimited calling benefits and 30GB data (no daily caps) at Rs. 409, whereas Idea Cellular offers unlimited calls and 20GB data at Rs. 389.

Last month, BSNL had launched a Rs. 1,595 plan for its postpaid users. Under this offer, customers are entitled to get unlimited voice calls and data without any daily cap. Further, the plan offers 250 SMSes per billing cycle. The Rs. 1,595 plan is also available to all BSNL postpaid subscribers in the country.

Continue Reading

Redmi Note 5 pro spotted with Android 8.1 Oreo at the ongoing MWC

Redmi Note 5 pro spotted with Android 8.1 Oreo at the ongoing MWC

Xiaomi recently upgraded its Redmi Note series by launching two new smartphones in the Indian market. Built on the success of India’s top-selling Android smartphone of the year 2017- Redmi Note 4, the newly upgraded range of smartphones does pack some interesting specs and features.

Back then Xiaomi had also introduced Note Pro variant which comes at starting price of Rs. 13,999. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the first smartphone to be powered by Snapdragon 636 CPU, which is Qualcomm’s latest 600 series chipset. The Pro variant also features a dual-lens rear camera setup, a feature you will not find in the standard Redmi Note 5 variant. However, the device had one major flaw and it seems like Xiaomi wants to correct all the mistakes made by the company.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro ships with Android 7.1 Nougat, which is topped by the company’s MIUI 9 skin. But now as per some reports from Beebom suggest that the Redmi Note 5 Pro was spotted running on the latest Android version 8.1 Oreo at the ongoing MWC 2018. The further report suggests that GizChina’s hands on the device at the MWC 2018 show floor revealed that the Note 5 Pro is running on a beta version of MIUI 9 global based on Android 8.1 Oreo.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro First Impressions

It is being reported that Xiaomi is currently recruiting Oreo beta testers for the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro; this indicates that Xiaomi might soon start pushing out the Oreo updates to its devices.

That said let’s have a look at what Redmi Note 5 Pro offers in terms of design and display.

Redmi Note 5 Pro is a new age mid-range Xiaomi device. It offers comparatively more screen-to-body ratio than company’s previous handsets in sub Rs. 18k price segment. The company has borrowed design elements from the two best handsets available today. Resultant, Redmi Note 5 Pro looks like a blend of Google Pixel 2 XL and Apple iPhone X. The 18:9 aspect ratio screen with rounded corners reminds me of Pixel 2 XL’s front fascia. As far as rear panel is concerned, the resemblance to iPhone X due to the placement of vertical dual-lens camera setup at top left corner is impossible to ignore.

Continue Reading