MobiGyaan

Make Stories and Win Virgin vJazz

Want to win Virgin vJazz mobile? Virgin mobile has come up with "Make your stories" contest. Virgin Mobile has started this contest to promote it new Plan called Bak-Bak Plan. To get a chance to win a Virgin vJazz you have to visit Virgin Contest Page. There are four character around whom you can build your story. They are Pebo, Stonya, Rocky and Chip. When you choose a character around whom you want to build your story, a new page will open.  This page is the place where you have to construct your story from the available slides.You have to make a story by choosing any 5 slides.

Is this an indication to bring universal mobile chargers sooner than expected?

I’ve come across custom made chargers similar to the picture in most of my friend’s place where around 3 or 4 guys stay in an apartment. What’s interesting is that even if they buy a new phone, they are not using the original charger since its easy to use this custom made multiple charger! They feel its painful to search for multiple chargers when they are in hurry! They want to find a charger where they just need to plug it and charge not to search for their charger! It just cost Rs. 75! ($1.5)

Even though global mobile sales dropped by 9.4 percent for Q1, still 269 million units have been sold globally.It’s a HUGE number. Most of the time, users will upgrade their mobile with the same brand (Nokia to nokia) they might not need an additional charger. 

When universal charger becomes mandatory, its easy for both consumers and manufactures. For consumers it’s a convenient way to be connected without worrying on the battery back up and for manufacturers it’s a cost saving exercise and reduction in carbon emissions. The GSMA calculates a reduction in greenhouse gases from manufacturing and transporting replacement chargers of 13.6 to 21.8 million tons a year. Cast-off chargers currently generate more than 51,000 tons of waste a year!

So far, 17 companies have agreed to the pact including 3 Group, AT&T, KTF, LG, mobilkom austria, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor, Telstra, T-Mobile and Vodafone.

Airtel introduces "Special 5" Add-on Pack

Airtel has announced a new add-on feature called Special 5 for all its 100 million customers. The 'Special 5' feature empowers Airtel customers to select any five Airtel mobile numbers and stay in touch with them at low rates of 20 paise per minute on local calls and 50 paise per minute on STD calls. This feature is available as an add-on to the customer’s current tariff plans in prepaid.

The 'Special 5' feature gives the customer the flexibility to choose any five numbers of his/her choice across both local and STD.Hence a customer could have three of his local friends and two of his friends outside his state as his Special 5. The customer needs to register the five numbers and enjoy the benefits over and above the current tariff benefits enjoyed. In post paid, it will be available as exclusive 'Special 5' plan.

Prepaid customers can enjoy this benefit by dialling 12141 and registering their special 5 numbers online through the automated IVR. Post paid customers can send a message 'FIVE' to 121 and register on Special 5 plan.

There would be a daily rental component for each number (Re 1 for STD and 50 paise for local Airtel to Airtel mobiles).

Now Learn English Through Tata Indicom Mobile

Tata Indicom has launched a new service called English Seekho. The service is aimed at teaching situational, spoken English through a simple interactive voice call by dialling 129222. Through this initiative, Tata Indicom has given its portfolio of VAS offerings a new dimension by empowering India with its mobile learning offerings.

Spice launched C-5300

Spice Mobile has added another CDMA phone to their kitty with the launch of C-5300 dubbed as a complete entertainment phone for specially CDMA connection users. The C-5300 finally gives a choice to CDMA connection users to chose the handset of their choice and not be restricted to the feature deprived handsets that come bundled with operators. Not only you can choose the handset but the user will feel very liberated with the huge number of features that he is finally getting. Something that was completely missing in the bundled handsets available currently.

• A large phonebook with upto 1000phone numbers can be stored.
• An 1.8” screen with 65k color for bigger and brighter display.
• A 1000 mAh battery. Common problem of CDMA users that Battery backup is not good in CDMA handsets. Keeping this in mind, Spice has incorporated 1000 mAh battery which will give really good experience to user for talk time or listening to MP3 player / FM for long time.
• A VGA camera.
• Smart Desktop which has the option to modify the default home screen to make it more jazzy and attracting.
• Expandable memory upto 1 GB for carrying music along with the go.
• Mobile Tracker so that you don’t loose your phone.
• MP3 player and FM Recording feature.

Aircel introduces new Rate Cutters for Kolkata circle

Aircel has introduced new Rate Cutter for Kolkata circle. Now they are expanding their new idea of Telescopic Rate Cutters soon after their introduction in other parts of India. With this new Rate Cutter they plan to reach among the customers and help them stay connected with their loved ones. The Rate Cutter is available for Rs.47. The plan is as follows :

Along with this they have also introduced three more Rate Cutters which come in denominations like Rs.600, Rs.900 and Rs.999.

• Rs.600 – 2000 minutes to all local mobiles and landlines & is valid for 30 days.
• Rs.900 – 4000 minutes to all local mobiles and landlines & is valid for 30 days.
• Rs.999 – 3000 minutes to all local mobiles & landlines + Aircel STD & is valid for 30 days.

Will the new Google voice idea going to change the face of telecom operators?

Just few mins back, I’ve seen the demo video of Google voice service (Search for Google Voice in Youtube).To summarize the concept of Google v oice “They will have the face of the telephony” just like they did to Internet!

When you register with Google voice, you will get your unique “Google Voice number”. You can connect all your phone connections (Office/home/mobile) to this Google number. You can divert the callers to the phone based on your convenience. For instance, if you are at a party you can divert them to your mobile, or when you are in office, you can divert the callers to your office number.

Now, callers don’t know where you are. But they will call your Google Voice number. Based on your settings, the call will be diverted to you! If you don’t want to wish to talk to some one, you can divert them to Google voice mail, and even you can receive the voicemail message in text format delivered to your mobile!

The best part is even when you change your mobile number; you just need to assign your new number to the Google Voice number which will be unchanged (like your gmail id).

It will help consumers for sure. But, for the mobile operators?

Mobile numbers are being the face of telecom companies. Imagine when more people go with Google number it will affect the brand equity of the carrier! Imagine if Google comes up with a mobile search (Already launched in Hyderabad, India) and it diverts users to their voice search engine! Revenue lost to carriers. 

What’s amazing in Google’ strategy is that when they have Interface to the callers they can get enormous database of customers mobile nunber! They can even use the numbers to send text alerts by tracking them through GPS and enable a location based advertising using Google maps, Google latitude etc!

Google might change the face of telecom carriers beginning today.

It’s too scary to imagine one company to be the face of Both Internet and telecom!

Details of TATA DoCoMo VAS Services (Call Me Tunes)

Call me tunes service that lets you play music for people who call you. Dial 543211 to choose your favorite Call me tunes.

Call anywhere in India at 49 paise with MTS Msaver 149

With aggressive marketing strategy and offering the cheapest call tariffs it seems MTS is going good in the Indian market. With the launch of Rs.499 MCard which offers 10,00,000 minutes free for life MTS has broken the barriers of giving the cheapest offering to their customers and now has come up with Rs.149 MSaver which offers STD and Local calling at 49paise/min for life.It gives the freedom of calling to any mobile anywhere in India. Customers have to e-recharge their phone for Rs.149 and they will be able to enjoy the reduced tariffs for life. It is a one time recharge which will benefit the customers to enjoy calling reduced rates for lifelong calling. Currently the offer is available in Tamil Nadu and Kerala circles. Customers also have the freedom to recharge with other MSaver cards also.