Samsung ChatON to offer voice, video calls

Samsung Electronics, on Wednesday, announced the availability of features such as video calling and ability to share a file of up to 1GB in size, on its instant messaging application ‘ChatON’. The application will be available for free across all major mobile platforms, including Google’s Android operating system, Apple’s iOS, Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS and Blackberry OS. The new version introduces a local language translation feature for incoming messages, which supports 14 Indian languages. “With ChatON Version 3.5, we have simplified mobile instant messaging while adding innovative features. One of the most exciting new features is message translation, which makes it possible for people speaking different languages to chat with ease,” Tarun Malik, Director of Media Solutions Centre-South West Asia, Samsung Electronics, said. According to Samsung, the ChatON application has 200 million subscribers globally. 

Airtel launches unlimited-usage packs

NEW DELHI: Telecom major Bharti Airtel has launched multiple unlimited-usage service packs, starting from Rs 7, for prepaid customers. "Bharti Airtel today introduced its Night Store — a first of its kind store that will enable customers to buy value-for-money offers on their prepaid mobile for internet usage and local calling at night, 12 midnight to 6am," the company said in a statement. Airtel has made access to Facebook free during night hours, which users can activate by dialing 129. Under one of the night service offers, Airtel prepaid customers can make unlimited calls to local Airtel numbers for Rs 7, unlimited 2G mobile internet for Rs 8 and combination of both these services for Rs 15. The company is also offering 500 MB of 3G service for Rs 29 and 1GB of 3G for Rs 49 during night in service areas where it has 3G spectrum. The offers come in the same month when the company has reduced benefit on mobile calls and internet under some schemes. 

Asus Fonepad 7 phablet has dual-SIM, lower Rs 12999 price tag

Asus has upgraded its Fonepad 7 phablet with a dual-SIM version aimed specially at emerging markets like India. The 7-inch HD tablet with 3G calling and data is powered by an Intel Atom Z2520 1.2GHz dual core processor. Peter Chang, Regional Head (South Asia & Country Manager – System Business Group) ASUS India said the new model comes after the success of the earlier version. “We felt the need for a daul SIM version and also reduced the price point considerably,” he said.The Asus Fonepad 7 features a 1280×800 HD IPS display with 178-degree viewing angles. The device has a has a rear camera that can shoot 100 frames in a go in the burst mode. The phablet also features floating apps that lets users switch between apps without having to close the previous one. This is the third generation of the Fonepad 7. The first generation launched last year was a 7-inch tablet with phone functions, while the second generation gave it 3G functionality too. The latest model brings in dual-SIM features. The Asus Fonepad 7 ME175CG Dual Sim will be available in India for Rs 12,999.