VARINDIA IT MAGAZINE

In line with its strategy to introduce best technology products at affordable prices, Spice Mobility has unveiled Spice Stellar 431. It combines a range of exciting and category leading features with a fantastic price. The dual-SIM smartphone is 3G enabled and equipped with category leading features such as Wi-Fi tethering, 1,500mAh battery, amongst others. Prashant Bindal, CEO, Spice Mobility Ltd, said, “The Spice Stellar 431 is a budget-friendly fully loaded smartphone, combining best-in-class technological innovations and superior looks targeted at our younger consumers. Keeping in mind their need to be always connected, we have designed the phone to support an impeccable internet experience at a very pocket-friendly price.” Spice Stellar 431, powered by a 1.0 GHz Dual-Core processor and Android KitKat 4.4 is equipped with a large 10.16cm (4-inch) capacitive touch screen with a 480 X 800 resolution. Equipped with a powerful 1,500mAh battery, 512MB RAM and 4GB ROM expand...

R&M in its Data Center Manual explains how SDN approach makes network infrastructure flexible. Dynamic load distribution to virtual servers, transfers to other hosts and more – a classic data center network is too static and inflexible for these tasks. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) could help in these cases by offering a new model of control and data distribution. The new Data Center Manual from R&M provides basic principles for planning. Thomas Wellinger, Market Manager – Data Center, R&M, said, “One advantage of Software- Defined Networking is that it enables companies to adjust the network infrastructure better than before to the special requirements of applications.”  He cited in particular the allocation of required bandwidths and quality-of-service parameters to guarantee the desired performance. This flexibility is important especially in complex networks such as private or public clouds. An important feature of SDN is the separation of the control ...

Cisco has announced that Videocon d2h will deploy advanced video solutions from the Cisco Videoscape product portfolio to enable it to deliver an innovative, high-quality television viewing experience to its customers. Cisco will collaborate with Videocon d2h to create an infrastructure that supports advanced services like 4K, OTT (Over the Top), VOD (Video on Demand), multi-screen video and multi-room DVR (Digital Video Recorder), on a high-definition platform. Sue Taylor, Vice-President – Sales, Asia-Pacific, Cisco Service Provider Video Software Solutions, said, “Our mission is to continuously partner with operators who value innovation and strive to offer a wide range of differentiated and superior video experiences to their subscribers. Our expertise in the successful rollout of high-end features and services will enable Videocon d2h to deliver video in more exciting, more engaging and more impactful ways.” Saurabh Dhoot, Director, Videocon d2h, said, “We pride ourselves i...

ZTE Corporation has announced the launch of its new Unified Communication & Collaboration solution (UC&C), a transformative software-based video conferencing technology designed to help enterprises harness the power of mobility. ZTE’s UC&C is an end-to-end solution that delivers cloud-based video conferencing and collaboration services for end-users anywhere, anytime, supporting different devices and endpoints including software-based MCU (multipoint control units), ET series endpoints, mobile applications and desktop clients. The next-generation UC&C solution, designed for enterprises and operators, was debuted by ZTE at the Integrated Systems Europe 2015 (ISE) exposition in Amsterdam. The Cloud Conferencing Manager (CCM1000) is a software-based MCU that delivers high-definition and large capacity video conferencing capabilities, enabling fast and flexible distributed deployment and providing support for virtualized platforms. With the CCM1000, customers re...

ASUS has announced its latest Zenfone C – ZC451CG with India as one of the first wave countries for the launch. The device is built on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system with ASUS Exclusive Zen UI, which makes it a super-efficient device. The brand new phone from the Zenfone series has a 4.5” display and a 5MP camera with PixelMaster technology and a high-capacity 2100mAh removable battery for nearly 30 hours of 3G talk-time and over 10 days of standby. It is endowed with a dual-SIM and dual standby with high-performance Intel Atom CPU. ASUS launches Zenfone C – ZC451CG Peter Chang, Regional Head, South Asia & Country Manager, System Business Group, ASUS India, affirms, “Redefining the smartphone experience for consumers at affordable price points is the new Zenfone C. It incorporates the strategic features of the range like a sublime interface and seamless functionality that has already captured a sizeable portion of the tech-savvy market. Combining finely crafted d...

Nodia Authority is planning to set up Wi-Fi spots on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway by March 15, which will offer free Wi-Fi connectivity to the Expressway commuters. Infrastructure that is installed for the Intelligent Traffic Management System will be used to roll out the public Wi-Fi on the 23.6km Expressway. It will be part of a pilot project. If the project becomes successful, then it will be extended to other locations across Noida. The facility will allow people to browse the internet and download data while commuting on the Expressway. Foreign tourists using the Expressway to travel to Agra via the Yamuna Expressway will also stay connected. It will ease the traffic burden on telecom networks.  See more at: http://www.varindia.com/noida-expressway-commuters-to-enjoy-free-wi-fi-soon/

Along with the alarming growth of the user base for Android-run handsets around the globe, it has also become the most vulnerable mobile OS. This is evident from the fact that many popular apps such as Dropbox, Snapchat and Uber have been hacked in recent times, according to Wegilant. The open nature of Android OS has given rise to Android Security Bugs, Loopholes and Vulnerabilities. Although Android has security features built into the operating system that significantly reduce the frequency and impact of application security issues, it still is a prime target for hackers. It has, today, grown so significant that many applications continue to face challenges pertaining to security. Recently, Google also stopped providing security updates for devices running on Android 4.3 Jellybean and earlier. Toshendra Sharma, Founder & CEO, Wegilant ,  commented,  “ There are around one billion Android users in the world and Android has targeted to take this figure to 1...

Reliance Communications has announced that its partnership with Facebook will together offer free data access to useful websites to Reliance customers through Internet.org. Internet.org provides access to popular websites and services with zero data charges in order to make it easier for people to access the Internet, across both the 2G & 3G platforms.  Customers will now enjoy access to popular websites with zero data charges, including Facebook. These services will be available for Reliance customers in the telecom Circles of Mumbai, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The goal is to extend the services to the rest of the country in a phased manner and gradually add more services and websites. Gurdeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Business, Reliance Communications, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of Internet.org services in India. Through this partnership with Facebook, we aim to increase Internet inclusion a...

ICICI bank has introduced new digital wallet app ‘Pockets’. The App which on installation generates a virtual visa card that can be used for payments with any online merchant. This card allows its acceptance with any online merchant as it works on the existing card-based payment platform. With this product, ICICI Bank hopes to take on private non-bank issuers of digital wallets. Non-bank digital wallet providers PayTM, Citrus Pay, Mobikwik and PayU have been enrolling lakhs of users by offering high discounts with merchants. However, the limitation of nonbank wallets is that the issuer has to tie up with each merchant for acceptance of payment. Although opening the Pocket pre-paid account is instant and customers can use this account for most transactions, the customer does not automatically become a bank accountholder. The bank offers a separate `zero balance’ account within 24 hours of the request after `know-your-customer’ documents are handed to a bank representative. ...

Red Hat and NEC Corporation have announced collaboration to develop network functions virtualization (NFV) features in OpenStack in order to deliver carrier-grade NFV solutions with Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform. NEC and Red Hat have collaborated for more than a decade on joint open-source software development. In recent years, the companies have focussed their efforts on NFV system integration with OpenStack, leveraging NEC’s extensive knowledge of telecom networks. This enables the acceleration of NFV features in OpenStack and the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) in order to achieve carrier-grade and carrier-scale systems, including data plane acceleration through the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK). Moreover, these efforts are being contributed to the upstream OpenStack community, to enable Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack Platform to emerge as a leading cloud platform for NFV. Several of the NFV features resulting directly from this collaboration were incl...

Toshiba Digital Media Network Taiwan Corporation (TDMT) has announced slim, 7mm MQ01ABF solid-state hybrid drive (SSHD) series. Equipped with Toshiba’s NAND flash and available in 500GB1 and 320GB capacities, the MQ01ABFH series is the first Toshiba SSHD drive family in 7mm. The series continues Toshiba’s legacy of providing world-class storage products, and offers customers a complete lineup of 2.5-inch solid-state hybrid drives with the previously announced 1TB and 750GB MQ01ABDH series 9.5mm SSHDs for ultrathin and thin and light notebook PCs, multimedia and gaming applications, and traditional laptop PCs. “The MQ01ABFH series fulfils users’ desire for thin and light notebook PCs with fast response times that can keep up with their demanding gaming and multimedia applications,” said Kashiwabara, Senior Manager of Marketing Sec., Toshiba Digital Media Network Taiwan Corporation. “This addition to our SSHD lineup demonstrates Toshiba’s continued focus on delivering a wide range ...

Canon has launched two new DSLRs EOS 760D and EOS 750D, equipped with advanced features catered to amateur photographers looking to improve and refine their photography skills. Canon is also expanding the PowerShot and IXUS range in addition to introducing the most compact lens in the EF-M range, the pancake EF-M22mm f/2 STM in silver. The 24.2-megapixel EOS 760D is a premium entry-level camera for photography hobbyists who enjoy self-expression through images and take serious interest in exploring greater depth in digital photography. The EOS 750D also shares a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, and is specifically designed for casual photographers who prize excellent image quality and a simple, user-friendly interface. Raising the bar for photographers venturing into the realm of DSLRs, the EOS 760D and EOS 750D are the first cameras to offer the highest pixel count of 24.2 megapixels in the Canon EOS entry lineup. Paired with the latest Canon DIGIC 6 image processor, users of thes...

Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V. has announced  that it has reached a licence agreement with Nasdaq to leverage SMARTS, the market surveillance platform offered by Nasdaq. Bolsa Mexicana de Valores will migrate its current real-time proprietary surveillance system to SMARTS for real-time capital market monitoring. With this upgrade, the role of surveillance at Bolsa is strengthened, with new international standards built into all of the monitoring processes, allowing for seamless consolidation of supervisory duties and making these duties more efficient and effective across the board. “The SMARTS solution fortifies the capacities of reviewing operations that are traded in our market, enhancing Bolsa’s abilities for detecting patterns of behaviour internationally recognized as contrary to good market practices. With the adoption of this technology and according to its strategic lines, Bolsa remains at the forefront in terms of the services offered to the general publi...

Vodafone has announced that Naveen Chopra, Director –Vodafone Business Services (VBS) will succeed Sunil Sood as Chief Operating Officer for Vodafone India with effect from  April 1, 2015 . This follows the earlier announcement of Sunil Sood to succeed Marten Pieters as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from  April 1, 2015 . Naveen has, over the last five years ably led VBS into significant growth and expansion into new customer & product segments, to contribute substantially to Vodafone India’s business success. He has built carefully a strong VBS team across corporate and circles, and leaves the portfolio in a strong shape, to build on further. Naveen joined Vodafone in 2004 as Vice President – Corporate Marketing, and over the last ten years, has done stints as CMO and subsequently led successfully Mumbai and Rajasthan Circles as Business Head, before joining the Executive Committee as the Director – VBS. Naveen’s successor as Directo...

STMicroelectronics has boosted its STM32F0 Value Line ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller series, adding USB connectivity and larger Flash options to enhance support for cost-sensitive consumer, smart-energy, communication-gateway, and Internet-of-Things (IoT)applications. Six new devices now join the entry-level 32-bit STM32F0 Value Line to address the 8-bit and 16-bit applications. These extend developers’ flexibility to use the same microcontroller architecture fora wide range of needs, and allow the customer to introduce new products to market quickly and efficiently. The new devices open access to the wider STM32 portfolio, with over 600 part numbers leveraging the full spectrum of ARM Cortex-M cores and extensive development support. The new STM32F030CC and STM32F030RCValue Line devices feature 256KB program Flash in 48-pin or 64-pin LQFP packages. Moreover, USB 2.0 Full Speed interface is now available in four new STM32F070 Value Line devices compliant with Battery Charger Detec...

SBI Card has unveiled a newer and improved version of the SBI Card mobile App 2.0 for its customers using iOS and Android handsets. The App will soon be extended to Windows smartphones and will be launched on 15th February, 2015 for the platform. Vijay Jasuja, CEO, SBI Card, said, “It gives us great pleasure to launch the 2.0 version of the SBI Card Mobile App. We had launched the SBI Card Mobile App 1.0 on iOS with an aim to further our brand promise to ‘Make Life Simple’ for our cardholders and offer consistent service experience. The 2.0 version of the Mobile App will ensure that our cardholders not only have easy access to relevant information about their account, but also view information on all the exciting offers, rewards catalogue and payment history. The first version of the SBI Card Mobile App had witnessed tremendous response with a total downloads of one lakh. The 2.0 version has also been received remarkably well by our cardholders with more than two lakh downl...

STMicroelectronics has boosted its STM32F0 Value Line ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller series, adding USB connectivity and larger Flash options to enhance support for cost-sensitive consumer, smart-energy, communication-gateway, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. Six new devices now join the entry-level 32-bit STM32F0 Value Line to address the 8-bit and 16-bit applications. These extend developers’ flexibility to use the same microcontroller architecture for a wide range of needs, and allow the customer to introduce new products to market quickly and efficiently. The new devices open access to the wider STM32 portfolio, with over 600 part numbers leveraging the full spectrum of ARM Cortex-M cores and extensive development support. The new STM32F030CC and STM32F030RC Value Line devices feature 256KB program Flash in 48-pin or 64-pin LQFP packages. Moreover, USB 2.0 Full Speed interface is now available in four new STM32F070 Value Line devices compliant with Battery Charger De...

NETGEAR has announced the launch of ProSAFE M6100 Chassis Series. The new ProSAFE M6100 Chassis Series is a high-density chassis alternative to stackable switches for businesses. It’s an affordable and uniquely flexible chassis platform that enables high performance, highly resilient, fully redundant and future-ready switched networks from the Core to the Edge — without hurting or exhausting IT budgets. The M6100 Chassis Series comprises Gigabit access layer and 10 Gigabit distribution layer switches in a 4U footprint. With more than 1.4 tbps switching and routing capacity, passive backplane, full management and fabric nonstop forwarding redundancy, the M6100 Series delivers world-class resiliency and scalability. Its operating software and system management features take the complexity out of delivering L2/L3/L4-rich services for enterprise edge and SMB core deployments. UPOE capability extends its potential and delivers true investment protection to leverage today’s and tomorro...

HCL Learning has announced a strategic partnership with Ricoh India to support their digital smart class solution ‘ClassTech’. It is a state-of-the-art solution powered by HCL Learning’s flagship product ‘DigiSchool’, a class-leading, interactive and comprehensive content solution that enriches classroom experience across the K12 segment. ClassTech was launched by Dr. Shayama Chona, the Founder & President of Tamana Association and the former principal of Delhi Public School, R K Puram, New Delhi. ClassTech creates an interactive classroom learning experience and allows a school to manage its IT Infrastructure more effectively with Ricoh’s extensive technology expertise. Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Kumar, Executive Vice President and CEO, Ricoh said, “Indian classrooms need to go beyond traditional ways of teaching methodologies and provide quality education to students. Ricoh ClassTech powered by HCL Learning’s DigiSchool solution promises to help students in better co...

To improve IT agility and help customers migrate to New IP, Brocade has announced advancements to the Brocade VCS fabric portfolio. These solutions enable efficient, automated, scale-out network architectures with new, advanced programmability and orchestration to deliver network resources on demand. New innovations to the VCS fabric portfolio include the Brocade VDX 6940, which is designed for dynamic, scale-out data center architectures. To facilitate rapid deployment, the switch supports Zero-Touch Provisioning capabilities, enabling it to be configured and operational in less than one minute. The automated approach to Brocade VDX switch deployment and operations extends beyond native VCS capabilities. Customers can seamlessly integrate a Brocade VDX network infrastructure with the rest of their data center ecosystem through advanced programmability, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and virtualization support, cloud orchestration, and DevOps integration. “As the rise of t...