Major Chunk of Indians can’t live without their Gizmos

Love for Smart Devices

New Delhi, 11^th December, 2014: It seems we Indians are getting too addicted to our smartphones. As per a global survey by B2X Care Solutions, a provider of customer care for smartphones, 57% of Indians said they can’t live without their smartphones. As if this was not enough, it was discovered that 98% Indians sleep with their smartphones and 83% keep it on their body or within reach throughout the day. The survey on mobile device usage, consumer behaviour and service expectations polled more than 2,500 smartphone and tablet users from the United States, Germany, Brazil, India and China, the top five smartphone regions globally.

Incidentally, Americans, Chinese and Indians would be less likely than Germans to hand over their smartphone, even if they were given $100 a day or $500 a week to go without it; they’d be much more willing in the case of tablets. In all countries respondents said they would give up their TV before their phone. In the US they were willing to forgo a best friend while Brazilians suggest they don’t mind saying bye to their spouse or partner to retain their phone. Thankfully, in India and China the trade-off ended with the car.

A Dynamic Platform of Smart Devices

A third of the Indians surveyed and more than half the Chinese had used a repair or exchange service for a device, more often than not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Repairs in India, China and the USA were covered by an extended warranty than it was the case for other countries. The top 3 smartphone pain points were listed as software problems, damage to the display and faulty batteries, while for tablets this was battery, software and screen freezes. While new companies in India vouch by the existence of a hotline for customer support, it was identified as the least used channel as most go to the store where they purchased the device. While 15% of devices are not fixed correctly the first time, India has the least efficiency with this number dropping to 22%. China is most efficient with just 8% incorrect repairs. While a high 24% Indian respondents said they need customer support at least once a month, 39% of them had no idea where to get help if they need support.

Brazilians are the global leaders when it comes to smartphone usage and 63% spend more than 3 hours per day on the phone. India is number two with 42%, well ahead of USA at 26%. 

Delhi High Court Banned Xiaomi Phones

New Delhi, 11^th December, 2014: The Delhi High Court in an interim order has restrained Xiaomi as well as online e-commerce site Flipkart from selling in India handsets of the Chinese mobile maker that run on the technology patented by Ericsson.

The court has also restrained Xiaomi or its agents from making, assembling, importing or offering for sale its devices which are infringing the mobile phone technology patented by Ericsson.

Justice G P Mittal directed the customs authorities to prevent import of Xiaomi phones that are infringing the patents of Ericsson and if any consignment is imported, the same be informed to Ericsson and its objections be decided as per the Intellectual Property Rules.

“I am satisfied that plaintiff (Ericsson) has made out a prima facie case for grant of ad interim injunction in its favour. The balance of convenience also lies in favour of plaintiff and in the absence of an injunction order, plaintiff will suffer irreparable loss and injury,” the court said.

It also issued summons and notice to Xiaomi and Flipkart and directed them to file an affidavit disclosing the number of devices – that are AMR, EDGE and 3G compliant – sold by them in India till date. They have to also indicate in the affidavit the revenue earned by selling these devices till date.

Xiaomi Phones on display

The court has also appointed three local commissioners to visit the premises of Xiaomi and Flipkart where the devices are stored in order to inspect and collect documents as well as seal the infringing mobiles.

The total fees of the local commissioners, amounting to Rs. 3.5 lakh shall be borne by Ericsson apart from travel and stay expenses, it said. The local commissioners have to submit their report within four weeks, it also said.

The order was passed on the plea of Ericsson that Xiaomi has been violating its eight patents pertaining to AMR, EDGE and 3G technologies in the field of telecommunication.

Ericsson has said that it had invited Xiaomi to use its patented technology by obtaining a licence, but instead of doing so, the Chinese manufacturer launched its devices in India in July 2014.

Tata Nano is now Cheaper than an Auto Rickshaw

Bengaluru, 10^th December, 2014: Last month the OLA added Tata Nano in its armada of cabs, and now TaxiForSure - a Bengaluru based cab service provider - has launched its NanoCab armada. Though TaxiForSure is currently present in 26 cities across India, NanoCabs will first be made obtainable only in Bengaluru from the first week of December. Folks in Bengaluru can also book a NanoCab via the TaxiForSure mobile app.

Tata Nano Cab is running on the road

Stimulatingly, the company claims the NanoCabs will be cheaper than hiring an auto-rickshaw. Here's how the NanoCab costs only Rs.25 for the first 2kms and Rs. 10 for every km traversed after that, whereas in the case of an auto rickshaw, the average fare includes Rs.25 for the first 1.9kms and Rs. 13/km after that.

At first, only 100 Tata Nanos will be made accessible, which the company has taken on lease. The company will increase the fleet's size once the demand goes up, and will introduce the same service in other metro cities too. The NanoCab will be available 24 hours a day, and the tariff will linger the same even during the night.

Adios to Long Queues in Kolkata Airport

A Panoramic View of Kolkata Airport

Kolkata, 9^th December, 2014:  Long queues at airport check-in desks will soon walk off into the sunset. Self-check-in kiosks, which were recently installed at the domestic departure lounge, have become a big hit with one among every four fliers using them to avoid serpentine queues. With the Airports Authority of India (AAI) planning to increase the kiosk count, airlines expect to cut down the waiting time at check-in counters by half.

Six kiosks that have been installed just beyond the entrance to the domestic departure lounge are for fliers with only cabin bags. "Nearly 25% of passengers are already using the facility. Frequent fliers are able to issue their own boarding pass in less than a minute. That's a saving of nearly 20-25 minutes during rush hours," an airport staff of a private carrier said.

Life for trader Rajesh Dwivedi, who takes the first flight out to Delhi and the last flight back the same day nearly once a week, has become easier after the kiosks were introduced last month. A resident of Tollygunge, he often had to take a cab at 3.30 AM to catch the 6.10 AM flight. Now he leaves his home an hour later, assured that it won't be an anxious touch-and-go at the end of a never-ending queue at the check-in desk.

A Passenger moving swiftly across the Kolkata Airport

"I was twice denied boarding as the system shut down 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure. The kiosks have come as a boon. At least, I get to sleep an hour more. I have been using the facility at other major airports and am glad that it's finally come to Kolkata," said Dwivedi.

According to airlines present in Kolkata, up to 60% of fliers to other metros travel with hand baggage only. For travellers to other cities, around 30% don't have checked in bags. "Most of those who travel light are on a business trip or have short stays, very often returning the same day or the next at most," an IndiGo ground staff explained.

With many passengers now preferring the kiosk route to check-in, AAI has ordered four more kiosks to ensure that passengers don't end up in queues before self-check-in machines. "By March 2015, the domestic wing will have 10 kiosks, two at each of the five entrances. Once 40% passengers begin using the kiosks, we will evaluate the need to further increase the count," airport director BP Sharma said.

Negotiating the system is fairly simple. The passenger has to first touch the logo of the airline he is travelling in. Thereafter, he is required to fill in either the PNR number or the flight number. If it is the former, the boarding card is generated and can be printed out. In case of the latter, the passenger manifest appears for selection and printing thereafter.

For business and premier-class passengers, there's double joy with CISF introducing a dedicated security portal for them. Located between portal A and B, this facility will help nearly 300 passengers who pay more for exclusivity. At the international terminal where airline staff verifies passport details before issuing boarding pass, such self-check-in facilities are unlikely. But international passengers will be glad to see the registered baggage X-ray queues disappear as inline baggage X-ray system will be commissioned in March 2015.

"We have received permission from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to install the two inline baggage X-ray systems. Smith, the company that supplied the two X-ray units, is carrying out the modification following which they will be installed," Sharma said. Delhi, Mumbai and other airports with inline baggage machines have also had to modify their system to adhere to the latest BCAS norms.

In the domestic terminal though, the inline baggage system remains on hold as BCAS is yet to clear the proposal. While the BCAS is insisting on CTX/EDS machines, it is yet to approve the systems from the two suppliers — one American and the other European. Officials are hopeful that the matter will be resolved early next year so that the tender can be floated, machines ordered and installed by the year end. But with the inline X-ray jinx plaguing Kolkata airport for more than two years now, the airport director was unwilling to commit or comment on any fresh deadline.