VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

Vodafone has confirmed the rollout of its VoLTE services beginning January 2018. In the first phase, Vodafone VoLTE service will be available in Mumbai, Gujarat, Delhi, Karnataka, and Kolkata and will be extended across the country in a short time. Vodafone’s VoLTE services will allow Vodafone SuperNet 4G customers to experience HD quality crystal-clear voice with super call connect time. Vodafone 4G customers will experience VoLTE at no additional charges. All they need is a handset supporting Vodafone VoLTE and a 4G SIM. Announcing Vodafone VoLTE service, Sunil Sood, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone India, said, “Vodafone is getting Future Ready with the advent of newer technologies and digital services. The introduction of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) will enhance customer experience with HD quality calling and offer our customers newer possibilities. Vodafone VoLTE is an important step towards introducing futuristic technology enhancing our Data S...

Post the raise on import duty on smartphones, the price of almost every iPhone model that Apple sells in India has gone up by Rs.3,720. The move to increase customs duty was announced to promote domestic manufacturers and give an impetus to Modi government's ambitious “Make-in-India” initiative. From the earlier 10 per cent, the government had increased import taxes on smartphones to 15 per cent. Other electronic items to get a tax hike included television sets, projectors, and water heaters which saw 5-10 per cent increase in basic customs duty. Apple was expected to increase the prices of iPhones in India soon after the customs duty hike, as it imports them for sale in India. According to updated prices on Apple India's website, the 256GB version of iPhone X has been raised by Rs.3,720 to Rs.1,05,720. Similarly, consumers will have to shell out Rs.88,750 for the 256GB variant of iPhone 8 Plus after an increase.... Read More

Wipro has announced an investment of $2.05 million in a US-based data management software startup, Imanis Data (formerly Talena). It is reported that the company has made a strategic investment of $2.05 million in this tranche, taking the total investment to$4.05 million. The transaction has been done through cash and note conversation, the company said in a stock-exchange disclosure. Wipro released that it has acquired minority stake of less than 20% on a fully diluted basis. Imanis was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Delaware, US.... Read More

The founder of debt-laden tech conglomerate LeEco is facing yet another setback and this time from the China Securities Regulatory Commission Beijing branch. Jia Yueting has been ordered by the Security Commission to return to the country by the end of this month and deal with the company’s debts. The CSRC in its letter on Monday said that its failure to repay debts is “a serious violation of the legal rights and interests of listed companies and the interests of investors, with an extremely negative social impact”.  Shares of LeEco’s parent company, Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corp., were traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange until April, but trading soon halted allowing the company to review a restructuring plan.  Leshi was launched in 2004 by Jia as a video streaming service. In 2016, it embarked on an ambitious expansion plan under the LeEco brand, which included an agreement to buy American TV maker Vizio for $2 billion, the launch of smartphones...

As part of the initiatives under the Digital India programme of the Central government, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has launched a high-speed broadband internet service in the state. People from Jammu, Srinagar, Ladakh, and Katra would now be able to avail the benefits of the service. During the launch, Singh said, "By improving digital connectivity and improving digital literacy in the country, we will be able to promote inclusive growth that covers electronic services, products, devices and job opportunities." According to the minister, the launch of the service would assist in achieving the goal of the Digital India programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.... Read More

Strengthening its probe into bitcoin investments and trade, the Income Tax (IT) department is set to send notices to 4 to 5 lakh high net worth individuals (HNI) who were trading on this unregulated virtual currency across the country. The Bengaluru wing of the tax department had conducted surveys at nine such exchanges last week to check instances of tax evasion. Official sources said that the department has found that out of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, about 4 to 5 lakh were "operational" and indulging in transactions and investments. The investigation team has now dispatched the information of the individuals and entities found on these exchanges to eight other such wings across the country for a detailed probe.... Read More

Founder of Iris Computers, Sanjiv Krishen has taken over the company from Dragon Singapore, a John Sculley company. Dragon Singapore had acquired controlling stake in Iris Computers through InflexionPoint.  Iris showed consistent business growth for more than 20 years reaching a turnover of Rs 2,600 crores. Requiring fresh investment for further expansion of the company Iris Computers tied up with Dragon, Singapore 4 years ago for additional limits. However in September last year Dragon closed down in Singapore unable to fulfil its further obligations. Sanjiv Krishen acquired the company from them for a few compelling reasons: 1. To ensure that the jobs of the company's employees - the Iris family - remained secure. 2. To maintain the continuous flow and running of the business between vendors and Iris resellers. 3. To reinfuse the original ‘Iris responsiveness’ and enthusiasm that the partners and customers missed. The original management team of Kamini Talwar, Som Arya...