Maruti Suzuki Financial Results Q2 (Jul-Sept) and H1 2017-18

New Delhi, October 27, 2017: The Board of Directors of Maruti Suzuki India Limited today approved the financial results for the period July-September 2017-18 (Q2) and April-September 2017-18 (H1).

Highlights: Quarter II (July-September 2017-18)

The Company sold a total of 492,118 vehicles during the Quarter, a growth of 17.6 percent over the same period of the previous year. Sales in the domestic market stood at 457,401 units, a growth of 19.4 percent. Exports were at 34,717 units.

During the Quarter, the Company registered Net Sales of Rs. 214,381 million, up 21.8 percent over the same period, previous year.

Net Profit was Rs 24,843 million, a growth of 3.4 percent over the same period previous year.

The operating profit increased by 24 percent while the net profit increased by 3.4 percent due to lower non-operating income as the yields on investments were lower compared to last year, and some impact of commodities and advertisement expenses, and increase in effective tax rates

Highlights: H1 (April-September 2017-18)

The Company sold a total of 886,689 vehicles in H1 a growth of 15.6 percent. Sales in the domestic market stood at 825,832 units a growth of 17.1 percent. Exports were at 60,857 units.

The Company’s net sales stood at Rs 385,705 million in April-September 2017-18, a growth of 19.5 percent over the same period last year.

Net profit stood at Rs 40,407 million, up 3.8 percent.

The operating profit increased by 16 percent while the net profit increased by 3.8 percent due to lower non-operating income as the yields on investments were lower compared to last year, and some impact of commodities and advertisement expenses, and increase in effective tax rates.

Source: Maruti Suzuki

Mahindra Holidays Wins the Coveted Golden Peacock Award for Sustainability 2017

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL, Club Mahindra), India's leading leisure hospitality provider, and a part of the US$ 19 billion Mahindra Group has been bestowed with the prestigious Golden Peacock Award for Sustainability 2017. The award was received by Mr. Arun Nanda, Chairman, Mahindra Holidays at a glittering ceremony in London.

Since its inception, Mahindra Holidays has focussed on driving sustainability across the business. The Company has implemented a robust sustainability practice across its network of 50 resorts in India and abroad. Some of the key areas that the Company has been working include carbon footprint measurement, conservation of biodiversity and assessment, environment, energy, water and community development.

On receiving the award, Mr. Arun Nanda, Chairman – Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (India) Ltd., stated, "It is a proud moment for all of us to be recognized for achieving economic growth while preserving the natural resources and ecosystem for future generations. At Mahindra Holidays, we recognize the importance of Sustainable development and are committed to conserving the ecological integrity of the locations we operate in."

To reiterate its pledge to sustainability and conservation, Mahindra Holidays joined EP100, making the commitment to double its energy productivity by 2030 and became the first global hospitality company to take on a leadership role in energy productivity and actively supporting India's national commitments to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The Company has taken several initiatives such as the use of solar power plants and provisioning of newer technologies & energy efficient machines at new projects. Besides, measures are taken to further conserve power, water, and deployment of biogas plants and compost machines for recycling dry and wet garbage respectively. The Company has also invested in equipment upgrades, such as switching to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, highly-efficient heat pumps and variable frequency drives at its various resorts.

Mahindra Holidays actively participates in the Mahindra Group's initiative for Corporate Sustainability Reporting. The 'Sustainability Report' of the Group is prepared in accordance with the internationally accepted framework specified by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This framework sets out the principles and indicators that should be used to measure and report economic, environmental, and social performance.

Source: Mahindra

Honda Announcements at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show - Automobiles

Automobiles

• Honda Sports EV Concept:
  Honda exhibited the world premiere of the Honda Sports EV Concept, a concept model which combines EV performance and AI (artificial intelligence) inside a compact body with the aim to realize the joy of driving the user can feel a sense of unity with the car.
• Honda Urban EV Concept:
  Built on a newly-developed dedicated EV platform, the Honda Urban EV Concept is a concept model which indicates the technology and design directions for Honda’s future mass-production EV models. A new model based on this concept will go on sale first in Europe, and then in Japan in 2020.
• Honda NeuV:
  The Honda NeuV is an EV concept model that explores the potential of mobility products which will be further expanded by automated driving technologies and AI. NeuV makes judgments about the driver’s state of stress based on facial expressions and/or tone of voice and provides assistance to the driver to support safe driving, and by learning the driver’s lifestyle and preferences, provides suggestions to the particular driver, realizing communication between driver and mobility.
• Honda CR-V:
  The Honda CR-V is an SUV model enjoyed by customers in more than 160 countries around the world. The lineup of this all-new CR-V includes a series-first hybrid model equipped with Honda’s original “SPORTS HYBRID i-MMD” two-motor hybrid system, which will be available in front-wheel drive and 4WD variants. A 3-row seating type will be added to the lineup of the gasoline model. The all-new CR-V is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in 2018.
• Clarity PHEV:
  Based on Honda Sports Hybrid i-MMD, the output and capacity of the battery were increased, and the EV range of more than 100 km was made possible. The Clarity PHEV, a new-generation plug-in hybrid model, features an exterior form with low vehicle height, spacious cabin that seats 5 adults and a large-capacity cargo area. The Clarity PHEV is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in summer 2018.
• Honda RoboCas Concept:
  The Honda RoboCas Concept is a small-sized electric mobility product created to make people’s dreams and ideas come true. Different types of carrying space with a canopy can be freely combined with a compact-sized vehicle body base which has a driving function.

Source: Honda

Honda Announcements at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show - Motorcycles

Motorcycles

• Honda Riding Assist-e:
  The Honda Riding Assist-e is an experimental motorcycle model Honda developed by applying proprietary balance control technologies Honda amassed through its research in the field of robotics. Honda’s aim for this model is to offer motorcycle riders greater peace of mind and make life with motorcycles more fun for people by mitigating the risk of a fall.
• Neo Sports Café Concept:
  Honda exhibited the world premiere of the Neo Sports Café Concept, which is a concept model for a naked sports model that combines the fun and beauty of a sports bike with a new-generation motorcycle package.
• Super Cub 110, a commemorative model recognizing the 100 million-unit milestone:
  The Super Cub 110 is a special model Honda produced exclusively for the Tokyo Motor Show to commemorate the achievement of the 100 million-unit global production milestone this year and the 60th anniversary next year for the Super Cub series.
• Super Cub C125:
  The Super Cub C125 inherited and evolved the attractive design and functionality as a personal commuter from the first-generation Super Cub (C100). This new 125cc model features the latest equipment such as a smart key and electric seat opener and yet realizes ample power for a comfortable riding experience.
• Monkey 125:
  A 125cc horizontal, single-cylinder engine was installed to the signature body of the Honda Monkey with a sense of intentional deformation which comes from the short & tall body proportion unique to the Monkey series. Adopting unique features such as LED lights and digital meters, the Monkey 125 explores the new appeal of the Honda Monkey model.
• GOLD WING TOUR / GOLD WING:
  Honda exhibited the Japan premiere of the Honda Gold Wing grand touring model, which has been evolving as a flagship motorcycle model of Honda and will undergo a full model change. The all-new Gold Wing features new technologies including a newly-developed horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder engine, 7-speed DCT and Honda’s original double wishbone suspension. The Gold Wing is planned to go on sale through Honda’s new “Honda Dream” sales channel to be launched in April 2018.
• PCX ELECTRIC:
  The PCX Electric is an electric scooter equipped with a high-output motor developed independently by Honda as well as the Honda Mobile Power Pack, a detachable mobile battery pack. Honda PCX Electric is scheduled to go on sale in 2018 in the Asia region including Japan.
• PCX HYBRID:
  Honda newly-developed an original hybrid system designed for motorcycles. This compact hybrid system employs a high-output battery and ACG starter to assist the engine and enables PCX Hybrid to realize a “torqueful” riding performance. Honda PCX Hybrid is scheduled to go on sale in 2018 in the Asia region including Japan.
• CROSS CUB 110:
  Featuring a crossover style which will look good for both urban area riding and outdoor activities, the Cross Cub 110 proposes a new value of Honda Cub motorcycles. As a model oriented toward recreational use, the “tough” image is being emphasized with the adoption of a leg shield and wider tires.

Source: Honda

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8.0”) to Keep the Whole Family Entertained

Created for the entire family, the Galaxy Tab A comes with an expansive offering of entertainment media and kids content:

• Kids Mode features exciting games, videos and content from partners including 5,000 videos and games from The LEGO Group as well as a social network themed LEGO® Life app with exclusive sticker content. The Galaxy Tab A also comes with a new native block coding app called Crocro Adventure; with this app, kids will be able to learn about block coding and programming through fun games teaching valuable logical thinking skills. Kids Mode now also features Value Pack options so users can download highly popular apps like LEGO® Batman: Beyond Gotham, LEGO® Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin, Toca Hair Salon 3 and BRIO World – Railway at no cost.⁴
• Optimized for gameplay with Game Launcher, the Galaxy Tab A provides an enhanced user interface and personalized gaming experience with more gaming tools, as well as a Call and Notification Prevention Mode so users can focus on their games without interruption.
• Galaxy Tab A provides entertainment for everyone with three months of YouTube Red⁵free trial with purchase. YouTube Red provides an uninterrupted viewing experience free of commercials and advertisements, Offline Mode capabilities to watch and download videos and access to exclusive content such as YouTube Red Original movies and series.

Source: Samsung

Samsung Introduces the New Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8.0”) an Everyday Tablet Designed for the Whole Family

Samsung Electronics today announced a new addition to the Galaxy tablet portfolio, the Galaxy Tab A (8.0’’), an everyday, versatile tablet designed for the entire family. The Galaxy Tab A builds on the Galaxy design legacy, featuring a refined look and feel with a sleek, metal body and smooth rounded edges making it comfortable to hold. It offers long-lasting battery, a beautiful display that looks good in any light, and increased onboard memory with expandable storage.

“At Samsung, we continue to work towards meaningful innovation that delights our customers and meets their unique needs,” said Sangsuk Roh, Vice President of Tablet Product Strategy, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “The Galaxy Tab A is designed for both parents and kids. It’s the tablet that’s just as easy to take on the go or curl up with on the couch, with long-lasting battery life to get the entire family through the day.”

Enhanced Performance for Uninterrupted Fun

To improve everyday usability and performance, the Galaxy Tab A is equipped with a bright and immersive display for watching your favorite TV shows, playing games or browsing the web on a screen that looks good even under bright sunlight. It also has an optional blue light filter to balance the brightness and reduce eye strain, making it easier to view content at night and in dim lighting settings.

The long-lasting battery (5,000mAh) of the Galaxy Tab A lets users power through movies, games, emails and more, all from a single charge that lasts up to 14 hours.¹ With 16GB of built-in storage and expandable memory (up to 256GB²) for additional files, the Galaxy Tab A allows the user to store more apps and content whether at-home or on-the-go.

Convenient Features to Benefit the Whole Family 

Daily family life can get hectic, so the Galaxy Tab A strives to add convenience with the new Home Mode, which can be configured to show up to three displays, providing a quick glance at information like the time, family calendar, whether or photos even while the device is charging. Each family member can have their own login with Multi-User Mode to securely save their favorite settings and apps. With Parental Controls, parents can set limits on usage and customize available content to create a fun and safe environment for younger users. Also, users can easily view their favorite apps and content on personalized Bixby³ Home screens.

The Galaxy Tab A captures amazing photos even in low-light conditions with enhanced 5MP F2.2 front and 8MP F1.9 rear cameras, as well as a new flash for clearer and brighter photos. Never miss another sharable moment with the Galaxy Tab A’s improved and intuitive camera interface, making it easier than ever to capture great photos from any angle and switch between camera and video modes.

Source: Samsung

Racing its way to glory! TAMO’s RACEMO bags the German Design Award 2018

Making its first public appearance at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show, the RACEMO has made headway in the global automotive industry. Designed at the Tata Motors Design Studio in Turin, Italy, the RACEMO has been bestowed with the German Design Award (GDA) in the Gold category for International Excellence in "Exceptional Product Design". The RACEMO combines strong expressions of Tata Motors’ IMPACT DESIGN elements i.e. Humanity Line, Slingshot Line and Diamond DLO, giving the car instant recognizability.

Commenting on the occasion, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said, "Winning the prestigious German Design Council’s Gold Award for Automotive Design is a proud moment for us and , and is testament to the skill and passion of the Global Tata Motors Design team. A perfect blend of Italian sensuality and Indian ingenuity, the RACEMO is the first innovation from our sub-brand TAMO and our emotional, unexpected leap to the future. The RACEMO connects with the aspiring customers of India, making it a perfect extension of our customer’s personality. We hope to continue on this path towards innovation and disruption in product design and technology."

Adding to this, Pratap Bose, Head of Design, Tata Motors, said, "With the RACEMO winning the award for International Design Excellence, within a few months from its first global showcase, marks a very important milestone for Tata Motors Design Team. The RACEMO was the result of the intense collaboration between the design and engineering team at Tata Motors. What started off as a design study, today stands strong as a production-ready two-seater sports coupe, specially designed for the global Indian audience. All of us at Tata Motors is very proud and excited about bringing the car to India."

The RACEMO has been built on an innovative MO-Flex platform, a structural technology, enabling greater freedom in surface design, efficient large-scale part integration leading to modularity and faster time to market.

RACEMO is India’s first globally developed ‘phygital’ car, merging the physical and digital worlds. Meant for the risk-taking, adventure loving, digitally native, mobile first technophiles of India, the RACEMO is also India’s first connected car. Powered by Microsoft, RACEMO will bring alive connected technologies such as cloud computing, analytics, geospatial and mapping, and increased human-machine interface, creating a new benchmark in the industry for connected vehicles. The RACEMO, which is the first Indian sports car available on Microsoft’s gaming platform Forza has already in just 8 months, over 2.2 million users experiencing this design.

Source: Tata Motors

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 smartphone was launched in October 2017. The phone comes with a 5.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. Google Pixel 2 price in India starts from Rs. 61,000. 

The Google Pixel 2 is powered by 1.9GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and it comes with 4GB of RAM. The phone packs 32GB of internal storage that cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Google Pixel 2 packs a 12.2-megapixel primary camera on the rear and an 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.

The Google Pixel 2 runs Android 8.0.0 and is powered by a 2700mAh non-removable battery. It measures 145.70 x 69.70 x 7.80 (height x width x thickness) and weigh 143.00 grams.

The Google Pixel 2 is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope, and Barometer.

With thanks: NDTV

Alpine A110 Cup: a genuine race car made for Europe’s greatest racetracks

World Rally Champion in 1973, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 and World Champion in the LMP2 class in last season's FIA WEC, Alpine's success in motorsport has earned it a special place in the heart of racing fans. The Brand has also spawned interest and enthusiasm in many amateur drivers, keen to enjoy themselves behind the wheel of attractive, light and agile cars. It is very much in this spirit and in respecting this tradition that Alpine decided to create the A110 Cup, which will make its track debut in 2018.

To ensure this new adventure is a success, Alpine entrusted Signatech with the design, development, production, and sales of the A110 Cup. The organization headed by Philippe Sinault, which is responsible for operating the Alpine A470s in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), also has extensive experience in the development of customer racing products.

In conjunction with the engineers who devised the production car, Signatech designed the racing version with a primary target: provide the drivers with as much enjoyment as possible, whether they are beginners or experienced.

Armed with a precise chassis, a 270hp engine for a weight of 1,050kg (3.9kg/hp), uncompromising safety features and the kind of onboard electronics commonly seen an Endurance prototype, the Alpine A110 Cup promises to deliver effectiveness and performance.

On sale at a price of €100,000 excl. tax, the Alpine A110 Cup will be taking part in a competition combining rigor and professionalism with a friendly, warm approach. Organised by Signatech over six rounds in 2018, the Alpine Europa Cup will visit six of the greatest racetracks in Europe. This FIA international series recalls the Europa Cup held between 1985 and 1988 with the Alpine GTA V6 Turbo.

Drivers keen to take part in the Alpine Europa Cup should express their interest soon since production will be limited to little more than twenty cars for the first season.

Source: Renault

Nissan tests fully autonomous prototype technology on the streets of Tokyo

Nissan today demonstrated a prototype of its most advanced autonomous driving technology, planned for real-world use from 2020, on public roads in Tokyo.

Nissan Motor Corp. tested the next-generation ProPILOT technology on a modified INFINITI Q50 sports sedan. The technology enables the vehicle to operate autonomously on urban roads and freeways, beginning when the driver selects a destination using the navigation system, until arrival.

The prototype’s artificial intelligence uses input from 12 sonars, 12 cameras, nine millimeter-wave radars, six laser scanners and a high-definition map to analyze complex scenarios in real time and navigate smoothly through challenging city conditions – such as crossing busy intersections. These hardware upgrades, along with software improvements, also ensure smooth transitions when encountering obstacles in the road. This results in a human-like driving feel that gives passengers peace of mind.

“Ingenuity is at the heart of everything we do at Nissan,” said Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president in charge of research and advanced engineering. “Our next-generation ProPILOT prototype showcases technology that will be available for real-world use from 2020. Today’s demonstration is another example of our successful work toward creating an autonomous driving future for all.”

The demonstration follows the recent launch of the new, zero-emission Nissan LEAF, equipped with ProPILOT technology that enables single-lane autonomous driving on highways. Nissan’s growing lineup of models with ProPILOT also includes the Nissan Serena, X-Trail, and Rogue and will be joined by the Qashqai in 2018.

Source: Nissan

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Vodafone launches Unlimited Calls to any network and loads of data at just Rs.69 for a week

Vodafone India today announced the SuperWeek plan, offering unlimited calling and loads of data at a never before price of Rs. 69. With Vodafone SuperWeek, customers can make unlimited local and STD calls to any network bundled with 500 MB data at just Rs. 69* for a week. What’s more, customers can make every week a SuperWeek with the option of unlimited repeat purchases of the pack. Inviting customers to enjoy the Vodafone SuperNet^TM experience, Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director – Consumer Business, Vodafone India said, “We, at Vodafone, believe in providing the best network, service experience and value to our customers. With SuperWeek, the key objective is to offer a pocket-friendly and affordable unlimited plan that will appeal to all prepaid consumers. This plan will further enable our customers to remain confidently connected and enjoy a worry-free Vodafone SuperNet^TM4G experience on our best network ever.

Nissan unveils IMx zero-emission concept at Tokyo Motor Show

The Nissan IMx, an all-electric crossover concept vehicle offering fully autonomous operation and a driving range of more than 600 kilometers, was unveiled today at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The innovative concept vehicle provides a glimpse into the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, Nissan’s approach to changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated with society. It’s designed to strengthen the link between car and driver as a close, reliable partner that delivers a safer, more convenient and more enjoyable drive.

By offering unprecedented enjoyment in motion and the ability to control the vehicle’s drive mode, the Nissan IMx aims to transform the everyday life of drivers.

“The IMx zero-emission crossover concept vehicle embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility,” said Daniele Schillaci, executive vice president of global marketing and sales, zero-emission vehicles, and the battery business. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, Nissan is committed to changing the way people and cars communicate, as well as how cars interact with society in the near future and beyond.”

At the core of the IMx’s technological features is a future version of ProPILOT that offers fully autonomous operation. When ProPILOT drive mode is selected, the system stows the steering wheel inside the dashboard and reclines all seats, giving the driver more space and allowing the vehicle’s occupants to relax and enjoy their commute. When Manual drive mode is selected, the vehicle returns the steering wheel and seats to their original position, seamlessly transferring control back to the driver.

The Nissan IMx zero-emission concept vehicle adopts Nissan’s new EV platform, designed for maximum efficiency. It allows the floor to be completely flat, resulting in a cavernous cabin and enhanced driving dynamics. With a low center of gravity, the chassis delivers sharp handling that promises to redefine the crossover segment.

The powerful yet quiet powertrain delivers enhanced the excitement. The IMx is propelled by a pair of high-output electric motors at the front and rear, giving it all-wheel-drive capability. They combine to produce 320 kW of power and an astounding 700 Nm of torque, sourced from a high-capacity battery which has been redesigned and re-engineered for increased energy density. This new battery supports a driving range of more than 600 kilometers on a single charge, so occupants can enjoy an extended adventure without worrying about recharging.

Source: Nissan

Nissan to show LEAF NISMO Concept at Tokyo Motor Show

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will show a number of exciting concept cars and production vehicles at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, giving customers a glimpse of the company’s newest and future innovations.

A new concept model that embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility will be among the highlights of the vehicles on display. The Nissan LEAF NISMO Concept car will also debut at the show. In all, Nissan plans to display 13 vehicles.

The 45th Tokyo Motor Show, held at Tokyo Big Sight, is open to the public from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5. Press days are Oct. 25-26. The Nissan booth, in East Hall 5, will feature a “spiral” design theme symbolizing the company’s past, present and future commitment to making exciting products. It will showcase the values Nissan strives to offer, including the company’s latest electric vehicles. A simulator will let visitors experience the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

The following is an overview of some of the main display models:

LEAF NISMO Concept: Nissan’s flagship electric car meets NISMO’s driving excitement

Launched in September, the new Nissan LEAF comes with the latest iteration of Nissan’s ProPILOT single-lane autonomous driving technology. It also includes ProPILOT Park, the first technology in a Japanese-made vehicle to help drivers park by automatically controlling the accelerator, brakes, steering, shift changing and parking brake. Another feature of the new LEAF is e-Pedal, which lets the driver start, accelerate, decelerate, stop and hold the car by using only the accelerator pedal.

The NISMO Concept version of the new LEAF has a sporty new exterior designed by NISMO, Nissan’s motorsports and in-house tuning division. The application of NISMO racing technology to the car’s body results in enhanced aerodynamic performance and less lift, without sacrificing the LEAF’s excellent drag coefficient. The black interior features NISMO’s signature red accents, creating an exciting, high-performance feel.

On the road, the LEAF NISMO Concept offers a truly exciting drive. This is thanks to a sport-tuned suspension and high-performance tires, not to mention a custom-tuned computer that delivers instant acceleration at all speeds. The LEAF NISMO Concept combines the environmentally friendly character of an electric car with the exciting driving experience that’s always been a hallmark of the NISMO brand.

Source: Nissan

Airtel offers iPhone 7 at just Rs 7777

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s largest telecom services provider, announced the launch of its latest digital innovation – the Online Store [www.airtel.in/onlinestore] that will offer a range of premium smartphones with affordable down payments, instant credit verification and financing, and bundled monthly plans.

Airtel’s Online Store went LIVE today with Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus variants and the company plans to add devices from all leading brands to the store’s offerings in the near future.

The iPhone 7 (32 GB) is available at a down payment of just Rs 7777 and 24 monthly installments of Rs 2499. The monthly installments have a built-in high-end postpaid plan which offers 30 GB data, unlimited calling (local, STD, national roaming), and Airtel Secure package that covers the device against any physical damage and offers cyber protection.

Airtel’s Online Store launch is part of Project Next – Airtel’s digital innovation program aimed at transforming customer experience across all of its services and touch points. Airtel plans to invest up to Rs 2000 crores under Project Nextto launch several exciting digital innovations to step change the simplicity and interactivity of the Airtel customer experience.

Airtel’s Online Store is an integrated digital platform aimed at making it easier for customers to upgrade to smartphones they always aspired for, without the constraint of high put-down prices and cumbersome financing schemes. All smartphones on the platform will come with down payments that are a fraction of the market price of the device and the convenience of easy monthly instalments with a built in postpaid plan. The postpaid plan will offer large bundles of data, unlimited calling and device protection package, allowing customers to enjoy the device to the fullest on India’s leading smartphone network.

The entire Online Store journey is digitally enabled, right from purchasing the device to instant financing and plan activations, all within a few clicks over a computer or a smartphone/tablet. The device will get delivered to the customer’s doorstep. 

Harmeen Mehta, Global CIO & Director – Engineering, Bharti Airtel said, “This is yet another exciting digital innovation from Airtel to delight customers. Not only are we making it easier for millions of customers to upgrade to devices they always wanted, we are also making the entire process seamless and simple through digital technologies. Imagine getting your dream device, instant credit to purchase it and a great plan to go with it, all available in one place with a few clicks. All this is a product of some cutting-edge digital engineering by the in-house teams at Airtel. We would also like to thank our partners for integrating their APIs seamlessly with our platform to enable a great customer experience.”

Airtel has partnered with Apple Inc., HDFC Bank, Clix Capital, Seynse Technologies, Brightstar Telecommunications and Vulcan Express to enable the digital experience on its Online Store.

Airtel’s Online Store services are currently available to customers in 21 cities across India and will be expanded to other cities and towns shortly.

How to get your favourite device on Airtel’s Online Store in four easy steps:

1. Go to www.airtel.in/onlinestore and select the device of your choice
2. Check your eligibility and get instant loan approvals
3. Make the down payment for phone
4. The device will be delivered to your preferred location/address

Source: Airtel

iPhone X available for pre-order on Friday, October 27

iPhone X, the future of the smartphone, featuring a revolutionary new design with a stunning all-screen display, wireless charging and an incredible rear camera with dual optical image stabilization, will be available to customers for pre-order on Friday, October 27.

iPhone X will be available in more than 55 countries and territories, and in Apple Stores beginning Friday, November 3. Authorised Apple Resellers will have iPhone X available for walk-in customers, who are encouraged to arrive early.

iPhone X features a gorgeous all-glass and stainless steel design with a beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display, an A11 Bionic chip with the neural engine for powerful machine learning, augmented reality and immersive 3D gaming experiences, wireless charging and Face ID, delivering an innovative and secure new way to unlock, authenticate and pay. The TrueDepth camera that enables Face ID brings Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting to the front camera for beautiful selfies with a depth-of-field effect and enables Animoji, which captures and analyses over 50 different facial muscle movements to bring emoji to life in a fun new way. A redesigned rear camera with dual optical image stabilization includes a new color filter, deeper pixels, an improved Apple-designed image signal processor and features Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting allowing customers to capture stunning photos and videos. The all-glass front and back on iPhone X feature the most durable glass ever in a smartphone in two beautiful finishes, silver and space grey.

Pricing and Availability

• iPhone X will be available in silver and space grey in 64GB and 256GB models starting at INR 89,000 MRP available through Apple Authorised Resellers and carriers.
• Customers will be able to pre-order iPhone X beginning Friday, October 27, with availability beginning Friday, November 3, in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, theUS and US Virgin Islands
• Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colors will be available starting at INR 3,500 while a new iPhone X Leather Folio will be available for INR 8,600. Lightning Docks in color-matching metallic finishes will also be available for INR4,700.

Source: Apple

Micromax and Vodafone launch India’s lowest priced 4G Smartphone for just Rs 999/-

Vodafone, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers and Micromax, the foremost Indian mobile brand, today announced the launch of India’s lowest priced 4G Smartphone with Vodafone SuperNet 4G connection for just Rs.999/-. 

With a combined vision of accelerating the growth of data adoption, Vodafone and Micromax will work collaboratively to introduce the best consumer mobile experience. The smartphone ‘Bharat2 Ultra’ is a new smartphone under Micromax’s successful 4G smartphone ‘Bharat series’ that aims to bring a better camera, battery and display options for the new smartphone users in the most affordable category.

Under this partnership, the existing and new Vodafone customers will have to buy Micromax Bharat-2 Ultra smartphone priced at Rs.2,899/- and will have to simply do a recharge of at least Rs 150/- per month for 36 months.(The recharges can be of any denomination totaling to a minimum of Rs. 150/- per month.) At the end of 18 months, users will receive a cashback of Rs. 900/- and after another 18 months, a cashback of Rs. 1,000/- respectively, in their Vodafone M-Pesa wallets, enabling them to transact digitally or withdraw cash, as per their convenience.

Commented Mr. Rahul Sharma, Co-founder, Micromax, “The Bharat-Series, has been aimed at the acquisition of the first generation smartphone users. This partnership with Vodafone will help bring in the next phase of smartphone adoption by hand-holding consumers to upgrade them from feature phones to smartphones. We believe that greater device affordability and low-cost data packs will drive increased smartphone adoption, as there is still a huge gap. At Micromax, we want to give superior device experience in an affordable way and Bharat range is a testimony of the same, having already sold more than 2 million handsets.”

Speaking about this offer, Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director – Consumer Business, Vodafone India said, “We are delighted to partner with Micromax to democratize the 4G smartphones at a never before price of under Rs. 999/- This will help fulfill the aspirations of several million phone users across the country who desire a smartphone but couldn’t afford one. It will also encourage current non-users of 4G to upgrade and enjoy a richer user experience with Vodafone SuperNet 4G.”

About Micromax Bharat Series: Aimed at the budget conscious first-generation smartphone users in the country, Bharat Series has already seen an adoption amongst 2 million users. With better Camera, battery and display options, the series has given impeccable options to first-time smartphone users that are first in the category.

Bharat-2 Ultra features an aesthetic design, powered by Spreadtrum SC9832 1.3Ghz Quad Core processor with 512MB RAM + 4GB ROM. On display, the phone has 4” WVGA display and has the 2MP rear camera with the 0.3MP front camera. The device also comes with different camera modes like scene, frame, and burst which at the entry level of smartphones is a feature that users will enjoy. The handset runs on Android Marshmallow with 1300 mAh battery and supports full video viewing, social networking, and chat apps to give a complete smartphone experience to users.

Source: Vodafone / Micromax

Nissan announces U.S. pricing for 2018 Sentra

Nissan announced U.S. pricing for the 2018 Nissan Sentra, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. Pricing starts at $16,9901 for the Sentra S with 6-speed manual transmission – unchanged from the previous model year.

The Nissan Sentra continues to be one of the brand's top-selling and most recognized nameplates – a mainstay in the compact sedan segment for more than 35 years and seven generations. Following the addition of the new Sentra NISMO and Sentra SR Turbo models for 2017, Sentra is again offered in a full range of trim and performance levels – including two powertrains and a choice of manual or Xtronic transmissions.

For the 2018 model year, Sentra receives a number of enhancements designed to up its already strong desirability equation.

Key 2018 Sentra changes include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) now standard on all grade levels (except manual transmission-equipped and Sentra NISMO models)
• RearView Monitor and 5.0-inch color display with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® and Siri® Eyes-Free added as standard on S grade (now available on all models)
• Standard 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels added to SV grade
• Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control now standard on SV grade and above
• Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) now standard on SR 1.8L and SL grades
• Revised option package naming and content
• Previous SL Premium Tech Package content now standard on SL grade, including moonroof, Bose® Premium Audio System, and NissanConnectSM Services Powered by Sirius XM® (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately)
• Previous NISMO Tech Package content now standard on Sentra NISMO grade.

Source: Nissan