A smartphone priced below Rs 2000

A smartphone priced below Rs 2000

FPJ BureauUpdated: Saturday, June 01, 2019, 09:06 AM IST
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It’s called the Intex Cloud FX. One headline put it thus: “Intex Cloud FX cheapest Firefox OS smartphone launched in India.” Hardly had it entered India with its sub-Rs 2000 price that this phone is getting noticed.  Mozilla has partnered phone manufacturers Intex and Spice to launch Firefox smartphones in our part of the world.

The list of Firefox OS devices is growing. Firefox OS is an operating system for mobile devices.  It now is being adapted to Smartphones, tablet computers, smart TVs and even single-board computers.

In the Smartphone space, Firefox OS is teaming up with a range of others to create their own software-hardware combination devices.  For instance, it’s working with Alcatel, GeeksPhone, the Chinese Huawei, LG, Polytron, ZTE and T2Mobile.

From an India perspective, its Intex Cloud FX link up is interesting. Recently, Spice managed to announce it Firefox smartphone first. But Intex actually went ahead and launched Asia’s first Firefox OS.  Early reviews point to the mobile’s small 3.5 inch screen, a superior quality build, a missing front shooter, and other factors.

But to get a Smartphone at a rupee less than Rs 2000 is itself quite an achievement.  Let’s wait for more detailed reviews.

CycleAT, for tyre

pressure and more

Can you beat that? A Bluetooth tyre sensor for motorcycles (and bicycles), that offers you a real-time tyre temp, pressure, lean angle, map rides, and more.

So how does it work? CycleAT comes as a pair of easy-to-install tire sensor that provide motorcyclists and bicyclists with a way to monitor a range of important safety information with their smartphone. Including: Tyre pressure, Temperature, Movement/motion data, Speed, Detailed ride mapping.

So, CycleAT provides intuitive visual and audio cues to users if their tyres stray out of safe ranges, improving ride safety and efficiency. It calls itself a “sleek yet intuitive” smartphone app, which makes it easy to monitor your cycle safety.  Prototypes have been tested at high speed.  But it needs some more funding before it becomes a reality….  Check it out.

http://bit.ly/CycleAT2

Missing a typewriter?

It’s called a Hanx writer, and is specially meant for those who miss their good ole typewriters.  It’s actually a typewriter simulator for the iPad!

If you belong to that generation of typewriter users, you might miss the sound of keys shashing.  The computer offers nothing of that kind.  Actor Tom Hanks, who also happens to be a typewriter collector, wanted something to bring back the feeling.  So he got the Hanx Writer created.

A description: “The Hanx Writer replicates all the noises associated with the typewriter, from the clicking of keys to the chiming as you reach the end of a line.  Like all typewriters, this word processor app comes with a single font, although you can unlock more typefaces and other typewriter feature with in-app purchases.” Go for it.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hanx-writer/id868326899?mt=8

A car organiser

Toys “R” Us has come out with a car seat organiser for babies.  It works.  Attaching it to the back of the driver’s seat, means whoever is riding in the passenger seat has easy access to a fresh supply of toys, bottles, soothers or snacks. As the child grows, the utility shifts to holding headphones, electronics and even bigger snacks.

With baby in the car seat, you have all else that you need close by. Variations are also available from other companies besides Toys “R” Us. It is inexpensive and has two sturdy straps to hold it tight to the front seat. Time we had something of that kind for India too? Price overseas is US$14.99.

Age for a phone?

At what age should you be giving your kid a phone? Arthur Goldstuck writes: “There are two general age levels where this need seems to kick in: at age 10, when children typically move out of the junior grades at school, and involvement in sport and cultural activities begins to take off; and at age 12, when their social lives become a complex maze of events, activities and negotiations.

“From 12 onward, the pressure is on to get a decent smartphone, particularly to use chat apps that allow children to coordinate their social lives.  No matter the sophistication of the phone, also provide a cheap basic phone as a standby to take along to parties, field trips and other outings where there is a high chance of a phone being lost.”

Blasphemy, hate

This is what MediaNama reminds all us social media users, rather grimly: “Because India has no blasphemy laws, any material that could offend someone’s religious beliefs is prosecuted as hate speech, and that includes uploading, forwarding, sharing, liking and re-tweeting something.  We hate to be cynical, but we can’t imagine it’ll be long before the first dissenting voice gets thrown in jail to protect the feelings of the government [previous word cancelled out!] general population.”

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