india

India is now the third biggest smartphone market in the world.

During the first quarter of 2013, smartphone sales in India jumped by 163 percent over the prior year's quarter, Strategy Analytics said on Wednesday. In comparison, smartphone volume over the same period rose by 86 percent in China, 24 percent in Japan, and 19 percent in the United States. The global average came in at 39 percent.

India's surge in smartphone use helped it swipe the third spot from Japan for the first time ever. It now ranks behind the U.S. in first place and China … Read more

Apple lost market share to Android in Western Europe, according to market researcher IDC.

Market trends in Western Europe are not looking good for Apple's iPhone. "Apple's iOS continues to lose ground as market share declined to 20% from 25% in 1Q12 [first quarter 2012]," IDC said Tuesday.

Android, meanwhile, is gaining operating system market share, up 14 percent year-to-year in the first quarter. "Android continues to dominate the smartphone landscape," according to IDC.

In the quarter, Google's OS shipped 21.9 million units and market share increased to 69 percent in the … Read more

Amazon on Tuesday quietly launched an online marketplace in India that allows users to list and sell their products directly to consumers.

The site, Amazon.in, lists more than 7 million print books, as well as 12,000 movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray. It plans to introduce mobile phones and cameras in the coming weeks, the company said in a statement.

"Our vision, at Amazon, is to be Earth's most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover virtually anything they want to buy online," Greg Greeley, … Read more

The Indian government is launching a investigation over Huawei and ZTE equipment, following increased scrutiny on China's alleged involvement in cyberspying.

Sina Tech reported this on Thursday, citing an official from India's Department of Telecommunications. The official said the ministry knows about the concerns of Indian intelligence agencies and os expediting the developing of systems for testing the networking equipment of foreign manufacturers, which could also include the likes of Cisco Systems and Alcatel.

A lab reportedly will be set up in Bangalore, where the gear will be tested.

Read more of "Huawei, ZTE under probe by Indian government&… Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Greenheart Games takes ironic aim at pirates.

- Samsung Galaxy S4 India launch weirdly tries "Gangnam Style."

- Original iPhone reportedly to be "obsolete" on June 11.

Bathroom break video: News reporter gets owned.… Read more

Comedic spoofs on popular songs can sometimes work, but what about if they're earnest remakes?

It appears that Samsung is testing those waters. At the launch party for its Galaxy S4 smartphone in India, one of the country's Bollywood actors, Ranveer Singh, performed "Gangnam Style" as "Samsung Style" (imagine pronouncing Samsung like Gangnam).

A video posted to YouTube shows the entire spectacle of Singh rapping and attempting the signature "Gangnam Style" dance backed by men and women in sequined outfits. But it's the lyrics that are the real kicker to the … Read more

Violence against women in India has come under the worldwide spotlight following the emergence of high-profile cases such as the gang-rape of a young woman in December. She later died from her injuries. In an effort to stem the violence, the Indian government is working on developing a wristwatch that would send out alerts for help. Three Indian engineering students also have joined the cause, creating an anti-rape undergarment that could provide a layer of protection for women.

Manisha Mohan, Niladri Basu Bal, and Rimpi Tripathi attend SRM University in Chennai. Their project is called SHE (Society Harnessing Equipment). The device is like a slip, to be worn under clothes. It has sensors and an electric shock circuit board built into it. The circuit is attached near the bosom and is designed to deliver an electric shock when an assailant comes into contact with it.… Read more

Nokia confirmed today it has been slapped with a demand for back taxes by Indian tax authorities.

According to Reuters, the Finnish phone maker was hit with a demand for income taxes 20.8 billion rupees ($383 million) going back five fiscal years.

It comes only a month after one of Nokia's factories in India was raided by the country's tax authorities.

The tax demand was issued on March 15. A stay has been placed on the demand, though, allowing Nokia to appeal the decision.

Nokia responded to Reuters' request for comment with a statement that "it … Read more

Could a wristwatch help deter sexual violence?

That's what Indian officials hope. The government has proposed a watch that can alert family members and authorities, and also start filming, when the wearer feels threatened.

Kapil Sibal, India's information technology minister, unveiled early plans for the device at a briefing last week. He said the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, a unit of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, is already working on a prototype.

The watch would send a text message to the nearest police station and preselected family members at the press of a button, as well as relay GPS coordinates. Built-in video capabilities could produce 30 minutes of footage. … Read more