Reliance Jio may announce an extension of its free services on Dhirubhai Ambani’s birthday

Reliance Jio started its journey on Dhirubhai Ambani’s birthday, 28th December last year when it opened its network for all of its employees. And there has never been a dull moment ever since including a massive war of words with the telecom operators to announcing free services through its ‘Welcome Offer’ for a year for all subscribers on the day of the commercial launch on 5th September 2016. Jio’s welcome offer was supposed to end on December 31, 2016. 

We are hearing from sources that Reliance Jio has big plans to announce the extension of free services for another three months on the birthday of the founder of Reliance Industries and father of Mukesh Ambani, Dhirubhai Ambani. This announcement could mean that Jio subscribers can continue to use Jio services for free till March 2017 and the telecom operator can continue to add more subscribers with the extension of free services. 

While it will be good news for the Jio customers but in the recent past,Jio subscribers have complained about the data speed deteriorating and calls failing . Reliance Jio has blamed the telecom operators for calls failing on Jio’s network, Jio has been in a major spat with telecom operators over the issue of ‘points of interconnection’ that essentially connects calls from one network to the other. Jio has complained about Airtel, Vodafone, Idea not complying with their licence agreement by not providing enough PoIs to Jio which is causing the huge amount of call failures on Jio network. As for the data speed it has seen a massive dip since the time of the commercial launch as the network has been loaded with a huge amount of subscribers hoping to use free services. 

The telecom operators in the country already have an issue with the long running trial testing service of Jio , even the telecom regulator of India, TRAI has specified a limitation on the number of days a trial offer can be offered, which is 90days. While it will be difficult for Jio to continue to offer free services to consumers but Jio has also said in the past that it would not be fair to charge customer if the services are not up to the mark. 

Symantec agrees to acquire LifeLock for $2.3 billion

Symantec has agreed to acquire LifeLock, a consumer identity-theft protect service for $2.3 billion. The acquisition of LifeLock will make Symantec the world's largest digital safety platform for consumers and families.

The deal has been approved by board of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2017. Symantec says it will finance the transaction with cash on the balance sheet and raise $750 million of new debt. LifeLock is believed to have over 4.4 million customers. This acquisition will create the world's largest consumer security business with annual revenues of over $2.3 billion.

"As we all know, consumer cybercrime has reached crisis levels. LifeLock is a leading provider of identity and fraud protection services, with over 4.4 million highly-satisfied members and growing.  With the combination of Norton and LifeLock, we will be able to deliver comprehensive cyber defense for consumers," said Greg Clark, Symantec’s CEO. "This acquisition marks the transformation of the consumer security industry from malware protection to the broader category of Digital Safety for consumers."

Symantec says people's identity and data are a prime targets of cybercrime and the security industry must step up its services in order to defend the users. "With the acquisition of LifeLock, Symantec adds a new dimension to its protection capabilities to address the expanding needs of the consumer marketplace," said Dan Schulman, Symantec’s Chairman of the Board.

"After a thorough review of a broad range of alternatives, our board of directors unanimously concluded that Symantec is the ideal strategic partner for LifeLock and offers our shareholders a significant premium for their investment, at closing," said Hilary Schneider, CEO of LifeLock. "Together with Symantec we can deploy enhanced technology and analytics to provide our customers with unparalleled information and identity protection services. We are very pleased to have reached an outcome that serves the best interests of all LifeLock stakeholders."

LifeLock turned into a public company in October 2012. ZDNet reports LifeLock's shares have gained roughly 40 percent this year and has a market cap of $1.95 billion. LifeLock has 855 employees and is based in Tempe, Arizona.

BSNL offers 3G data for Rs 56 per GB with one year validity

NEW DELHI: State-run BSNL is now offering 80 GB of 3G data for Rs 4498, valid for one year, according to a report by RTN Asia. The plan ultimately breaks down to Rs 56 per GB with one year validity.

BSNL’s data plan is similar to the long term data plans offered by other telcos like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular where with an upfront and subsequent payments one can get 3G/4G data for as less as Rs 54 per GB.

However, Airtel’s scheme would cost Rs 5770 for 80 GB of data which is 30% more than BSNL’s plan. Also, Idea’s plan for 80 GB would cost Rs 5500 per year. However, private telcos allow customers to choose their consumption of data, hence a lower amount with minimal consumption.

Also, with private operators, subscribers can get both 3G and 4G data, while BSNL is offering only 3G at the moment. BSNL is running the schemes only till Nov 30, after which rates and plans are likely to change.

The telco is also offering 60 GB for Rs 4000, 36 GB for Rs 2800 and 18 GB for Rs 1500, valid for one year. The plans are suitable for loyal customers of BSNL who are willing to go for a lump sum payment.

BSNL is also offering unlimited broadband for first six months in Tamil Nadu circle with charges of Rs 249 each month. The download speed is 2 Mbps up to 1 GB, and up to 1 Mbps beyond.

Trump threatened 'such problems' for Amazon, but Jeff Bezos has little to worry about

Try to buy signature men's wear from Donald Trump's corporate website, and you'll be directed to Amazon.com, where a navy blue necktie will cost you $29.99 and a cashmere blue coat runs close to $110.

It's the same Amazon that Trump harshly criticized during his campaign, saying it operated a monopoly with an unfair tax shelter that's somehow propped up by CEO Jeff Bezos's ownership of The Washington Post.

"Believe me, if I become president, oh do they have problems," Trump said at a rally in February. "They're going to have such problems."

Much of his anger was directed at the Post, which assigned at least 20 reporters to investigate his life during the campaign and published particularly damaging stories about his philanthropy, or lack thereof.

But what kind of problems could a Trump presidency actually inflict on Amazon, the site that's the default marketplace for his branded men's dresswear.

Nothing in the president-elect's proposed tax policy would hurt Amazon. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

The business tax rate would be reduced to 15 percent from 35 percent today, which would likely bolster Amazon's net income now that the company actually makes money. As for sales tax, Amazon collects it on items shipped to the 29 states and the District of Columbia where it's required.

Meanwhile, any connection that Trump tries to make between Amazon's business and the Post's influence ranges from conjecture to nonsense, like when the president-elect suggested that Bezos uses the newspaper's losses as a way to lower taxes paid by Amazon. 

Bezos bought the newspaper in 2013, more than 16 years after Amazon's IPO. The e-retailer has operated at either a loss or at near breakeven from the beginning.

Reliance Jio 4G SIM will now be home delivered

Reliance Jio services are expected to come out of the beta stage in January 2017. As the date of full launch of paid services comes closer, the new kid on the block is experimenting with new ways to enroll customers. To start with the company has started a pilot programme; to get Jio SIMs home delivered for individuals. Airtel tried a similar strategy when it launched its 4G services some time back.

The Jio pilot programme will be rolled out in a phased manner and individuals will receive an invite to schedule a Jio SIM delivery at home at a time of their choice. The program is currently in beta and is being rolled out area wise in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vizag, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

In another initiative, Jio is offering housing societies and offices the option to invite a company representative to set up a desk where users can get a SIM activated instantly through their Aadhar card. Users can avail this option through Jio’s website or by giving a missed mobile call to 1-800-200-200-9 and get the invite link. Users can register their interest on jio.com/en-in/register-interest.

Reliance’s free Welcome Offer is expected to end December 31, and after the free subscription is over; users will have to buy a 4G plan as per their requirement. Jio promises the cheapest 4G plans, at Rs 50 per GB. Reliance Jio will be offering 2GB of data for Rs 299 a month, 4GB at Rs 499 per month, 10GB at Rs 999, with the highest plan of 75GB for Rs 4,999. Users will also be getting unlimited data from 2am to 5am.

MobiKwik announces parternership with BSNL

New Delhi, November 18: Mobile payments company MobiKwik on Friday announced its partnership with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for cashless payment of bills.

The tie-ups will enable BSNL’s 38 million users to pay their phone bills without standing in queues and will also enable customers to tide over the current currency shortage due to demonetisation of high-value bank notes.

“MobiKwik urges people to transact with wallets and digital money as much as possible,” said Mrinal Sinha, Chief Operating Officer, MobiKwik, in a statement.

Amazon Prime Video coming to India in December 2016

The arrival of Amazon Prime as well as Prime Video in India has been anticipated for a very long time now. Leaks and rumours regarding the same date back to a few years ago, when Amazon introduced their Fire Tablets in India, which were pretty much useless without Prime support. 

Amazon Prime 
After years of limbo, Amazon finally launched Prime in India on the 26th of June this year at a staggeringly low Rs 499 per year. Prime currently offers free one-day and two-day delivery with no minimum order size, Prime-member only deals and early access to some deals on Amazon. 

Prime Video: Game changer? 
But now, according to a report by Mashable, Amazon is all set to launch Prime Video in India and it will be included in the Prime subscription charge. This means that for just Rs 499/year or Rs 42/month, Indian users will not only get access Prime Video and its immense catalog of movies and tv shows but also benefits like free one day delivery, no minimum order size and exclusive deals. 

It must be noted that the current price of Rs 499/year for Amazon Prime is an introductory offer which will later be increased to Rs 999/year. But even at Rs 999/year (Or Rs 84/month), Prime Video will be insanely cheaper than Netflix in India. 

Way cheaper than Netflix and HotStar 
Netflix’s Indian plans currently start at Rs 500/month and go all the way upto Rs 800. HotStar, Star Network's rival service is also more expensive at Rs 1200/ year. If this report turns out to be true, Amazon Video could be the game changer for video streaming in India. It could do for video streaming, what Jio has done for the telecom industry! 

Increasing local content library 
Amazon has been taking steps to bolster its local content library. Recently, it announced a long-term agreement with Dharma Productions that will make the catalogue of existing as well as upcoming Bollywood movies from the Karan Johar-led banner available on subscription-based streaming service Prime Video India. 

Additionally, It has entered into a similar agreement with T series and has acquired the rights for spin offs of Bollywood Hits like Bahubhali, Chota Bheem and Super Bheem. It has already announced a new animated series centred around Bahubhali. 

Amazon has also reportedly paid $10,000 to bid for the online rights of the Indian Premier League. 

Top Gear is now The Grand Tour 
After being fired from Top Gear earlier this year, Jeremy Clarkson along his two mates Richard Hammond and James May left BBC and crossed the ocean to join the folks over at Amazon Prime. 

Their new motoring show, ‘The Grand Tour’ will launch on Amazon Prime on November 18 and as things seem to be unfolding, Indian viewers will be be able to watch the trio at a very reasonable price. 

Amazon Prime: Still missing a few features 
While Video is now coming, there are a few aspects of Amazon Prime in India that are still lacking as compared to its US counterpart. We still don't have access to Prime Music, their could storage service as well Kinde Owners Lending Library. 

Lenovo Vibe K4 Note Launched...!

Lenovo has launched the Vibe K4 Note, successor to the popular K3 Note smartphone. Carrying a price tag of Rs. 11,999, the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note will be available exclusively from Amazon India in its first flash sale on January 19, with registrations beginning Tuesday.With this launch, Lenovo has clearly stated its intention to offer superior overall experience at a competitive price. The K4 Note takes multimedia experience to the next level by integrating Dolby Atmos powered dual front speakers, TheaterMax cinematic experience along with two affordable accessories- ANT VR headset and Skullcandy Ando earphones.The company also launched a Lenovo Vibe K4 Note bundle with AntVR virtual reality headset, priced at Rs. 13,299. The first few flash sales will only feature the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note VR Bundle, at a special price of Rs. 12,499. The VR headset features a stand alone price of Rs. 1,299. It will be available in its Tuxedo Black colour variant.

Lenovo Vibe K4 Note specifications

• 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS 178 degree wide-view display, with 450 Nits Brightness, 1000:1 contrast, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection

• 1.3 GHz Octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor with up to 450MHz Mali T720-MP3 GPU

• 3GB DDR3 RAM, 16GB internal storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

• Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Vibe UI

• Dual (micro) SIM

• 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, f/2.2 aperture, ISOCELL sensor

• 5MP front-facing camera

• Dimensions: 153.6 x 76.5 x 9.15~3.8mm; Weight: 158g

• Dual front-facing speakers, Dolby ATMOS, 3 microphones, Wolfson WM8281 audio codec

• 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio

• 4G LTE / 3G HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC, USB OTG

• 3300mAh (Rated) built-in battery / 3400mAh (Typical)

The company announced that a premium leather cover, as well as wood covers would be launched soon. The smartphone also sports dual-front speakers, alongside Dolby Atmos audio. One of the highlight features of the handset is its fingerprint scanner, placed below the camera module on the rear panel. Sensors include a digital compass, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor.

The company is also touting the TheaterMax technology on the Vibe K4 Note, which converts regular content to immersive VR content.

"More than 50 percent of digital content is consumed on mobile devices today, and smartphones continue to be people's' primary personal entertainment device. We expect the proportion will continue to grow in the future and the expectations of newer, more sophisticated functionalities along with it. Lenovo TheaterMax, powered by Lenovo VR, sets us apart with our commitment to design cutting-edge smartphones that meet the needs of consumers at an extremely friendly price-point," said Sudhin Mathur, Director- Smartphones, Lenovo Group.