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MOTOROLA EXPANDS YUVA PORTFOLIO WITH SLEW OF MOBILE PHONES

Thesynergyonline Corporate Bureau

NEW DELHI, INDIA , SEPTEMBER 27 :
MOTOROLA , a global player in wireless communications, has further strengthened its YUVA portfolio with the launch of a slew of exciting, new, stylish and affordable mobile phones -- MOTOYUVA W388, MOTOYUVA A810, and MOTOYUVA ZN200. With these new offerings, Motorola offers a wider range of form factors to the aspirational Indian consumer.

"Our YUVA range of mobile phones offers Indian consumers a diverse range of affordable options," said Lloyd Mathias, senior director and head of Sales and Distribution, India and South West Asia, Motorola Mobile Devices. "The YUVA W388 is a multimedia candybar phone, YUVA A810 is a touch screen phone, and the YUVA ZN200 is a slider imaging phone. There's a YUVA phone to suit everyone's style this festive season."

MOTOYUVA W388
MOTOYUVA W388 is a complete multimedia mobile phone at a good value. It comes with a dedicated music button, an enhanced MP3 player, MusicID1 application for song recognition, and an FM radio with radio data system (RDS)1 functionality, which shows the name of the artist and the song and the type of music playing on the radio. Favourite songs can be stored using optional microSD removable memory card, up to 2GB2. The user can transfer music easily from a PC using Microsoft® Windows Media Player, as well as organize and locate music through playlists.

The exciting MOTOYUVA W388 assures privacy as it enables users to block unwanted callers. Other innovative functions on the YUVA W388 let users record excerpts of songs from the FM radio, set an FM alarm, and listen to music via earphones or speaker phone. It features Motorola's pioneering CrystalTalk technology for better voice clarity on calls through noise cancellation. The YUVA W388 offers 750 SMS storage and 1,000 phone book entries2. The simple keyboard of the YUVA W388 makes messaging easy. In addition, it offers an integrated VGA camera that supports 4x zoom and Java capabilities that enable users to download Java games1.

MOTOYUVA A810
The MOTOYUVA A810 is a stylish yet affordable touch screen phone available in two colors - white or black. The MOTOYUVA A810 offers easy menu navigation, user editable shortcuts on the home screen, advanced handwriting recognition, copy-paste for messages and numbers. Its large screen allows for easy browsing1 and email1 as well as enabling artistic pastimes like sketching, drawing and doodling on the mobile phone. The photoeditor capability in the new YUVA A810 helps users edit photographs taken with the 2 megapixel camera and add some exciting fun elements like cool hairstyles, crazy belts, etc. Once edited, these can be shared using Bluetooth3, MMS1 or simply save on to the computer. Consumers can also enjoy video playback with the inbuilt video player that supports videos encoded at rates up to 30fps (frames per second).

The MOTOYUVA A810 has an inbuilt MP3 player with multiple visualizers to choose from while listening to music. It offers up to 2GB memory2 with an optional MicroSD card and, multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth3, GPRS with EDGE1 support and USB 2.0 data transmission for quick and easy transfers and downloads of music and other content to complete the music experience. The new exciting YUVA A810 also has FM radio1.

The MOTOYUVA A810 comes with exciting applications. For the cricket lover, the MOTOYUVA A810 features live cricket text commentary1, cricket masala news1, wallpapers1 and cricket video downloads1. The YUVA A810 also comes preloaded with three exciting cricket games. To be updated while-on-the-go, consumers can get news on the mobile phone with access to the WAP version1 of printed publications including Hindustan Times, Financial Express, Indian Express, and Deccan Chronicle via the 'Daily News' link. The MOTOYUVA A810 also comes with a specially designed WAP link1 that allows users to plan and book flight tickets or railway tickets directly from the mobile. As an introductory offer, consumers get Rs. 250/- off on each of the first two tickets booked from the YUVA A810.

MOTOYUVA ZN200

The MOTOYUVA ZN200, the latest addition to Motorola's family of media-optimized devices, is targeted for people who want to be entertained on the go while creating content to entertain friends and family. A sleek combination of style and fun, the YUVA ZN200 is a fashionable slider handset offering best-in-class audio while letting consumers hear and be heard - even in noisy environments. The YUVA ZN200's 2 megapixel camera is also able to record video, to easily capture the moment when on the go2. The colorful 1.9" display screen should be great for showing off your pictures and videos, Motorola's CrystalTalk technology promises great call quality as well.

Developed around powerful cameras, bright screens, easy connectivity, and simple, intuitive interfaces, this device provides the most enjoyable and complete mobile entertainment experience available today.

In fact, Motorola has made sure that everything about the new handset is easy and quick to use. For example, on the top lip of the YUVA ZN200 are a series of status LED icons that light up to give users a quick visual reference of the status of missed calls, new messages, and Bluetooth activity3. Users do not even need to take their phone out anymore to make sure that they are always connected.

The YUVA ZN200 allows capture and share of spontaneous moments with unforgettable still and video images. Users can press the dedicated camera key to launch the phone's imaging mode and only the keys they need are illuminated, making it easy and fun to capture video clips and still images with the YUVA ZN200's 2 megapixel camera.

The YUVA ZN200 supports both landscape and portrait view modes for capturing images and features 8X digital zoom. Video can be captured at 15-20 FPS and then viewed on the 1.9" color screen (TFT 262k, 176 x 220). With up to 2GB2 external memory, in addition to 30MB2 of internal memory, users can be as snap happy as they wish. Bluetooth® wireless technology3 and MMS1 allow users to share images and video instantly.

Each of the mobile phones - MOTOYUVA W388, MOTOYUVA A810 and MOTOYUVA ZN200 - provides users access to MOTOMUSIC1, a combined Web1 and WAP1 service. The entire range comes with a MOTOMUSIC scratch card inbox with 10 free ringtone downloads.

MOTOMUSIC allows consumers to download full songs1&2, ringtones1&2, music video clips1&2 and wallpapers1&2 to both their PC and mobile at the same time.

The new exciting range of MOTOYUVA mobile phones will be available at MOTOSTORE and MOTOSTORE Lite, modern trade retail chains, and other retail outlets. MOTOYUVA A810 at an MRP of Rs 8,119 and the MOTOYUVA ZN200 at an MRP of Rs 6,719 will be available from the first week of October 2008. The MOTOYUVA W388 priced at an MRP of Rs 3,640 is available in the country.

iPHONE 3G TECHNOLOGY EXPLORED IN DEPTH

Umesh Sharma, Product Head, authorSTREAM.com

NEW DELHI, AUG 08 :
WITH 3G technology, iPhone makes Internet and email access mush faster with different cellular networks around the world. iPhone 3G uses a technology protocol called HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) to download data fast over UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) networks.

As per the figures, internet content, be it web-pages or mail attachments, load twice as fast on 3G networks than on 2G EDGE networks. And what's more, iPhone 3G is intelligent enough to seamlessly switch between EDGE, 3G, and even Wi-Fi to ensure that you remain connected no matter where you are.

It is the cleverness with which iPhone engineers have integrated just two antennas with totally unexpected places: the metal ring around the camera, the audio jack, the metal screen bezel, and the phone circuitry itself.Also, intelligent iPhone power management technology gives you up to 5 hours of talk time over 3G networks, which is one of the best available.

All at your finger tips iPhone lets you control everything using only your fingers, be it typing using the keyboard, gliding through albums with Cover Flow, scrolling through photos with a flick, or zooming in and out on a section of a web page. It does all this with the help of its large Multi-Touch display and innovative software.

The technology works like this, the display layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields. It then transmits that information to the LCD screen below it. And the iPhone software enables the flick, tap, and pinch.

With iPhone 3G, iPhone software and GPS have come together to create a new dimension in mobile phone mapping. This would help you track your progress as you go, identify your location and of course use applications that take advantage of GPS navigation features.

The A-GPS (Assisted GPS) solution on iPhone 3G uses a unique approach to find the closest satellites and more quickly identify your position. That gives you a faster fix on your location than with regular GPS. In addition, iPhone 3G uses signals from GPS satellites, Wi-Fi hot spots, and cellular towers to get the most accurate location fast. If GPS is available, iPhone displays a blue GPS indicator. But if you are somewhere, without a clear line of sight to a GPS satellite...iPhone finds you via Wi-Fi. And in the absence of WiFi, iPhone finds you using cellular towers.

How does it flip the video when I rotate my iPhone?

That's Accelerometers! When you rotate iPhone from portrait to landscape, the accelerometer detects the movement and changes the display accordingly. So you immediately see the entire width of stuff which you were having problems watching in portrait mode, like a movie or a picture. And how does it work? A set of silicon springs measure the position of silicon mass inside iPhone using the electrical current. Rotating iPhone causes a fluctuation in the electrical current passing through the silicon springs. The accelerometer registers these fluctuations and tells iPhone to adjust the display accordingly.

Intelligent Sensors to save battery!

The ambient light sensor in iPhone automatically brightens the display when you're in sunlight or a bright room and dims it in darker places. Proximity sensor works in a different way, for example when you lift iPhone to your ear, the proximity sensor immediately turns off the display to save power and prevent inadvertent touches. Both of these help save battery as and when they can.

Intelligent Typing

The intelligent, software-based iPhone keyboard does more than a physical keyboard ever could. It's there only when you need it, it adapts to any application, and it changes its keys to support typing in 21 languages. iPhone analyzes keystrokes to suggest words as you type and also corrects the text. It also learns the words you type most often.

The keyboard gives you keys for every number and symbol with just a few taps. It speeds up typing by suggesting common contractions such as "can't," "don't," or "let's." And it lets you insert special characters and accents quickly: Just tap and hold a letter to see all of its possible forms. Slide your finger to the right one, and you're done.

You've got Mail!

Email on iPhone looks and works just like email on your computer. It has support for popular email servers and providers including Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail etc and MobileMe, a new service from Apple which delivers new mails to you iPhone automatically and you will never miss any of your important messages. This works with your existing mail managers like MS Outlook or iCal on Mac. You can have your MAC at home, PC at office or iPhone with you on Vacation, MobileMe will keep mails at all these places in sync for you. (npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

TIMEX LAUNCHES 'CONVERSATION STARTERS' CAMPAIGN

Thesynergyonline Corporate Bureau

NEW DELHI, JULY 29 :
TIMEX Group India (TIMEX), has unnveiled new brand campaign "Conversation Starters from TIMEX" at a function in the Capital on Monday. On this occasion, TIMEX also unveiled its new collection in the presence of Aussie speed king and TIMEX brand ambassador, Brett Lee, who especially flew in to the country for this event. Also present at the event was Mr. Kapil Kapoor, Sr. Vice President - Asia Pacific & Managing Director-Timex Group India .

The event was hosted by sports commentator and media personality, Mandira Bedi. The launch event was thematically inspired by the campaign concept and saw TIMEX brand ambassador Brett Lee at his theatrical best as he enacted an interesting skit to convey the message.

The new campaign from TIMEX draws its essence from a well-researched and strong consumer insight that a great looking watch can often act as an ice-breaker between two unknown people even in the most uncommon of situations! You are always bound to attract attention and be complimented with a "Hey! Nice watch" when you sport a cool TIMEX on your wrist. The new campaign from TIMEX presents the new look and feel of the brand, while re-emphasizing the core TIMEX values of international, sporty, techie and fashionable as it creates a lifestyle connect with the "new age Indian".

The Conversation Starters brand campaign is being promoted with an aggressive 360-degree marketing plan; the most notable element being the new hip, cool, stylized TV commercial that has been directed by Good Morning Films. The campaign will further be enhanced by an innovative Online campaign, select print advertising, eye-catching point of sale material, promotions and other consumer initiatives to complete the 360-degree approach to this new look campaign.

The new Conversation Starters Collection launched by TIMEX consists of 21 exciting new styles for men, with incredible features and eye-catching designs. All watches in the collection are conversation starters in their own right and have an exciting story to tell; be it the highly differentiated E-Tide-Temp-Compass, the unique 30-city World Time or the trendy 12-hour Chronograph with Tachymeter or the Retrogrades. The collection is priced from Rs 3000/- to Rs 10,000/- and is available at all Time Factory stores and key multi brand watch outlets across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kapil Kapoor, Sr. Vice President-Asia Pacific & Managing Director-Timex Group India Ltd., said," We are extremely delighted to have launched the new TIMEX Conversation Starters Campaign and Collection today, in the presence of our brand ambassador Brett Lee. Our campaign concept is deeply rooted in a well researched consumer insight and we believe that every Timex watch, with its stylized looks and innovative technology is a conversation starter in its own right. The new collection is an eclectic mix of differentiated watches like the E-Tide-Temp-Compass and the 30-city World Time, which I am confident will appeal to the fashion conscious, tech savvy new age Indian consumer. The new conversation starters campaign will be supported with a high decibel 360-degree media campaign."

Brett Lee, Australian Speed King and TIMEX's Brand Ambassador, remarked, "I am delighted to have launched the new Conversation Starters Campaign and Collection as the brand ambassador of Timex. I find the new campaign concept extremely cool and relatable, and the new collection to be very exciting as the watches in it have some amazing features that are sure to start a conversation! The new collection embodies the Timex values of fashion & technology, and is definitely an iconic style statement." (npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

LG ELECTRONICS LAUNCHES TOP LOADING WASHING MACHINES

· Thesynergyonline Corporoate Bureau

NEW DELHI, JULY 24 :
LG Electronics, the pioneer of impressive technology in Home Appliances has today unveiled its best Top Loading Washing Machine for the Indian market. The companyhas launched the Top Loader machine with a Turbo Drum in the machine which increases the washing performance by 24 per cent.

The company aims at a 30 per cent market share in washing machine category in India by the year- end . The positioning of the new Top Loader has been clearly defined as per the needs of the consumers based on the extensive study done by LG on consumer segments and usage patterns. Through this extravaganza, LG aim's at bringing global innovations in the washing machine segment to India.

On this occasion Mr. V Ramachandran, Director – Sales and marketing, LGEILsaid, "Acknowledging the fact that the Indian Market is dynamic in nature we aim at bringing the best and most successful international products to the country. This is a growing market and the consumer is looking out for better options. The positioning of the Washing machines will be defined keeping in
mind the requirements and demands of the consumers. Through this launch, we aim at a 30 per cent market share in washing machine category in India by year end."

Mr Amitabh Tiwari, Business Group Head, Consumer Durables and Kitchen Appliances said," This launch will strengthen our endeavour of deluging the Indian market with innovative, user-friendly and latest technology in the kitchen appliances division. The top oading
machine has stunning aesthetics and superior technology to cater to the needs of the Indian consumer. The launch of this new model is yet another initiative to address the needs of our Indian customers." . ( npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

ASTROLOGY ALL SET TO REVIVE YOUR SHOES NOW ; SWATIMODO UNVEILS NEW RANGE OF ZONDIAC, ASTRO SHOES

NEW DELHI, JULY 20 :
CREATIVITY for this recently turned 23 year old fashion footwear designer has no end. The pioneer in customized designer shoes Swati Mehrotra is all set to take the world on a new trip of fantasies. After conceptualizing milestones for the fashion footwear Industry like customized shoes, shoe laundry and pet shoes; here comes another fancy.

SWATIMODO unveiled SERENDIPITY a unique concept range of Zodiac and Astro Shoes on July 16, 2008, at Headquarters, Samrat Hotel. One can now get a pair of shoes based on their Zodiac and Astrology Science.

"Astrology is all about our thought process and feet are the best way of depicting the present state of mind, which is how we relate feet n astrology together to bring first time ever SERENDIPITY – a range of Zodiac and Astro shoes ," says Swati about this untouched concept. The shoes have been developed under the supervision of a panel of seven astrologers in the team and are a result of thorough research and study.

Jyotish Acharya Dr. Sumit Kumar Hinduja says"Feet are ruled by Pisces which is guided by planet guru (Jupiter), the planets increase or decrease our physical and mental abilities in life. Our feet are also ruled by Saturn which governs our entire life. That is why it is said that our feet are the foundation of our body and they help us carry our personality everywhere. We relate this whole concept of Zodiac and Astro shoes to a peaceful and happy life….

The range SERENDIPITY is bifurcated into two segments Zodiac Shoes and Astro Shoes.

The Zodiac shoes – a retail collection, are based on the twelve Sun signs and are developed on the basis chromopathy -Healing with Color. The collection comprises of 24 pairs shoes – twelve each for men and women according to the specific sun sign. The shoes are done in synthetic instead of leather which was ruled out for this specific concept since leathers are inauspicious. The Zodiac shoes are based on two important elements – colours and wood.

The Astro shoes – made to order, are primed according to the astrological background of the 'jaatak' (person in question). They are based and made keeping elements like precious stones and metals besides color and wood. The same will be made in non – leathers like fabrics.

According to the astrologers panel every horoscope gives lucky number, auspicious color, and auspicious wood to carry. SERENDIPITY 'by'SWATIMODO will carry all this in a very astrological manner to load our feet to find the way. The shoes would be manufactured and be made in the shubh muhurta, as per the astrological parameter under strict supervision of expert
Astrologers. The material used in will be auspicious color fabrics, favorable color thread, wood, metal and stones as per astrology, required non leather goods.( npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

NEW DELHI, JULY 19 :
CONSUMER Electronic Brand Weston on Friday unvneiled Digital Video Disc (DVD) player with advanced features including Secure Digital (SD) card reader.

With the help of advanced SD memory card reader, one can view clear video and digital camera output just by inserting the SD card in the memory card reader. One can also access data including photographs and video's stored in SD card of mobile phone" said Mr Sunil Sethi, Senior Vice president, Marketing, Weston

"The sleek looking affordable DVD player, Model-2022 priced at Rs 2390 has been launched to provide economical way of viewing high definition recordings in variant of file formats including DIVX-2 and MPEG 4 . It has features like USB 2.0 input and Equalizer set up (3D)" said Mr Sethi.

In addition, the affordable Weston DVD provides USB 2.0 connector in the front panel. The Weston DVD supports most media types including USB Memory Stick, I-O Data HDD products and card reader.

With an auto-play, auto-repeat function, Weston DVD player is an ideal product for homes, offices, retail outlets with unattended displays and kiosks as well as for corporations with videos demonstrations in lobbies and for tradeshow booths. The DVD player is priced at Rs 599 with an offer of free Reebok T-Shirt . The product is available at 2500 dealer channel. (npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

In terms of both features and performance, this impressive new line-up reflects Panasonic's quest to continually improve viewing quality, networking and environmentally conscious manufacturing. All the panels are made in Japan.

According to Mr. Hidenori Aso, Chairman, Panasonic Sales & Service India Pvt. Ltd (PSIN), " The company will invest $200 million (over Rs 850 crore) in the next three years towards brand positioning and modernising our facilities.

The company has plans to set up new units. It is aiming at tripling revenue from India operations in the next three years from current $350 million (about Rs 1,500 crore). Besides this, The Japanese electronic major shall open 200 Panasonic brand stores as well."

"Panasonic is targeting 20-25 per cent growth in this fiscal. The company has one assembly facility for CRT and LCD monitors in Noida with three lakh units capacity per annum, small appliances unit in Chennai and two factories in Vadodara and Chennai for manufacturing dry batteries. The company ism also planning to increase the production capacities of CRT and LCD TVs in Noida facility. If the demand is high, it may consider setting up assembly units for plasma TVs as well in the future. However, as of now, it has to wait for that," he added.

Currently, Panasonic's provides plasma screens in the Indian market ranging from 42-inch to 103-inch . For this year, Panasonic has introduced 3 new plasma variants, namely, TH-50PV80 (50 inch HD ready), TH-42PV80 (42 inch HD ready), TH-42PV8 (42 inch HD ready). In addition Panasonic will also be introducing shortly this year, 2 full high definition models, namely, TH-50PY850 (50 inches) and TH-65PY850 [65 inches]. All the 2008 models contain the TUF (Tough Under Force) glass panel that covers the front glass of the plasma TV screen providing protection against impacts (upto 4 joules). These models also feature over 900 moving line picture resolution, dynamic contrast of 1,000,000:1; and an extended panel life of up to 100,000 hours , added Mr. Hidenori Aso.

On the other hand, the 4 new Viera LCD variants are TX-32LX800 (800 series, 32 inch), TX-37LX80 (80 series, 37 inch), TX-32LX80 (80 series, 32 inch); and TX-32LE8 (8 series, 32 inch). The Viera LCD panel incorporate IPS Alpha technology with 178º wide viewing angle, contrast ratio of 10,000:1, energy-saving backlight, and Viera link for simple networking [Ease of Use]. In addition 2 more new models are expected to be launched shortly in the 37 inch [full HD] and the 26 inch category , he said..

This year's line-up of VIERA flat-panel TVs has been strengthened with the addition of full HD plasma TVs with contrast ratio of 1000,000:1, a 100Hz double speed full HD LCD TV, SD card slot and Viera link options rounds out the line-up with high-quality images and extra versatility that draws on Panasonic's own V-real 3 and V-real PRO 3 Technology , Mr. Hidenori Aso further added..

V-real is the collective name for Panasonic's black-box imaging technologies, which have now evolved into the V-real 3 and V-real PRO 3 of the 2008 VIERA models. In the process, Panasonic has redesigned every V-real device. The advanced V-real technologies owes its origins to the combination of fast action relay HD camcorder technology and moviemaking technologies developed in Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory [PHL]. Image quality has been scrutinized from every angle to give VIERA its deeply moving impact ' he said..

VIERA V-real 3 /V-real PRO 3 Processor is the key device that processes the video signal it receives and outputs the same as an extremely high-quality refined signal that helps create the beautiful, high-definition images that distinguish the VIERA range of Televisions. The VIERA V-real 3 /V-real PRO 3 Driver is the high-performance driver that controls the drive power to optimize panel performance in the new VIERA range. The resulting images show every motion clearly and express each step of gradation in delicate detail, he informed.

The wide-ranging colour reproduction of the new VIERA models lends rich expression to movie colours, while their high contrast ratios create deep, life-like blacks. Picture quality at this level stirs the emotions and adds to the excitement of watching sports, breathtaking landscapes, and beautiful flora and fauna. The VIERA range also features an advanced Anti-Reflection Filter provides pure,clear, colour range and crisp images while dramatically reducing reflections from external light , he said.

A still image with 1080 lines resolution always looks brilliant when displayed on a large screen, but as soon as the picture starts to move, the picture resolution can decrease to a minimum of 300 lines. By using Intelligent Scene controller, VIERA Plasma's accomplishes over 900 lines of moving picture resolution , he said..

Additionally , VIERA models also offer ease of operation made possible by VIERA Link and the SD card slot. VIERA Link lets you operate other connected Panasonic AV components using only the VIERA TV's remote control unit. The majority of the VIERA line-up is equipped with a slot for large-capacity SDHC Cards. Remove the SD Memory Card from your digital still camera, slip it in the slot, and you can view a slideshow of your photos on VIERA's big, beautiful screen.

Panasonic Plasma TH-42PV80 (42 inch HD ready) and TH-42PV8 (42 inch HD ready) are priced at MRP Rs.74,990 & Rs.69,990 and Panasonic Viera LCD TX-32LX800 (800 series, 32 inch), TX-37LX80 (80 series, 37 inch), TX-32LX80 (80 series, 32 inch) and TX-32LE8 (8 series, 32 inch) is priced at MRP Rs.54,900, Rs.59,900, Rs.46,900 and Rs.44,900 through all authorized Panasonic channel partners in India. (npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

NEW DELHI, JUNE 23 :
IMPACTED by the Western style of living and growing desire among the urbane to bring in designer bathrooms of their liking into their homes, bath product ranges have been transformed from mere commodities to haute couture products. Century, venture of Prabhat Sanitaryware , a flush cisterns manufacturing company in India, has unvield its exclusive range of bath faucets to make bathroom decorated places in the entire house.

During the launch, Mr. L.N Aggarwal, Managing Director of Century said that "Bath products are no longer perceived as `commodities', they are now viewed as fashion products and our bath faucets are extremely unique in terms of design and quality. The quality of our products remains unparalleled to any other bath accessory in the Indian market. They are all in sync with the international quality standards and have the capability to give tough competition to Italian bath products".

He further added that "Apart from this, our designs are also incomparable to other designs present in the market. For instance, cross handle design today is made by many other similar companies, but at Century, the same design is made in a different way which makes it stand out amongst others."

The sanitaryware market in India has grown at a fast pace in the past 5-6 years, with key players enhancing their production capacities to double folds. India has come up as a major bath and sanitary ware market in the Asia-Pacific region. The organized sector forms more than half of the total market by value but in terms of volume, unorganized players hold the major share. Housing and institutional sectors are the major growth drivers. Sanitary ware demand mainly comes from new projects and replacement market. With 4 production facilities in Delhi and 2 in Kalamb, Himachal Pradesh, the company has an annual turnover of INR 400 million.

Sunil Verma, Country Head, Century said, "Understanding the needs of modern consumers and their lifestyle, we decided to launch our stylish range of bath accessories in the market. All our products are best suited to meet the requirements of advanced consumers."

"Also on the anvil is company's plan to come up with the range of stylish kitchen appliances and luxury bath tubs in the near future", he added.

The company's general manufacturing and production capacity is 2 tonnes per day or 50 tonnes per month. It has a total of 6 production facilities countrywide with more than 450 employees. (npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)

NEWDELHI, JUNE12 :
MOBILE and Wireless Group (MWg) on Thursday entered into the Indian market and unveiled their latest Windows Mobile handsets, the MWg Atom V and MWg Zinc II. The MWg Atom V is a full-featured, touch-screen operated device with in-built GPS (global positioning system), while the MWg Zinc II features a sliding keyboard and happens to be one of the first Windows Mobile 6.1 devices available in India.

A Singapore-based start-up the company , recently established by the former management of O2 Asia, which develops and markets premium converged devices for the global market. Since its inception in November 2007, the company has consolidated its presence in Asia with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and the Middle East as well as expanded into Europe through its UK-based office and the Americas through its US-based office. Leveraging the investment by London-listed online e-tailer eXpansys, MWg will also expand its channels to cover the online demand for its products.

"We see ourselves in a unique position of having inherited the premium heritage of a global brand and the agility and flexibility of a start-up," said Mark Billington, CEO of MWg. "As a start-up, we naturally work with like-minded and innovative partners to offer an engaging experience for our customers. Our devices are designed to complement the consumers' lifestyle needs," added he.

According to HD Gupta, Managing Director, Goldkist International (S) Pte Ltd., distributor for MWg handsets for India subcontinent, "We are excited to see MWg expand their innovative Windows Mobile phone offerings to India and look forward to compelling new hardware designs and device specs that will expand the possibilities of what people can do while on the go."

The Atom V, MWg's first exclusively designed product, is the ideal partner for navigating the city streets. Its inbuilt SiRF Star-III GPS chipset is every urban explorer's trusty companion, ensuring that users always find their way to their next destination. With MWg Atom V's host of connectivity options, users are always only a call or email away, no matter how far away from home. The high speed 3.5G HSDPA and onboard Wi-Fi lets users stay connected, available and ready anytime, anywhere.

The handset features a slim profile of 14.95mm and is bathed in a midnight blue hue. Its exclusive design features a 2.8" LCD screen that extends throughout the front face of the device. This touch screen surface combined with the scroll wheel and four buttons strike a perfect balance of form and function. When it comes to speed, the Atom V features an Intel processor running Microsoft® Windows Mobile 6 Professional® at a zippy 520 MHz.

The speedy CPU provides a responsive and intuitive user experience without being a drain on power resources. This ensures up to 3.5 hours talk time, or 150 hours standby time, depending on usage. Rounding off MWg's maiden product is a host of features such as a 2.0 mega-pixel camera with auto focus and FM radio with RDS (Radio Data System) that provides data on the station, the current track on air from a station and even traffic alerts.

The MWg Atom V will be retailed at Rs 27888.
The MWg Zinc II, an all new and stylish smart phone with integrated GPS capability, offers many of the same features of the Atom V with the addition of a semi-automatic sliding QWERTY keyboard ideal for messaging, writing mails, internet browsing and delivering presentations, a slightly more compact form factor and the incorporation of Microsoft's latest OS, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. Sleek as a bullet and equally fast, the new Zinc II more than meets the insatiable need for speed among smart phone users.

The Windows Professional 6.1 OS powered with a 500 MHz processor allows Zinc II to run multiple applications without slowing down. Additionally, displays are sharp and colorful, thanks to a bright 2.8" TFT QVGA LCD touch screen. The Zinc II will be retailed at Rs 34888.

The company offers both Atom V & Zinc II users an easy-to-use touch-driven interface called "Quick Menu". Each device has its own version of Quick Menu, which allows users to tap large graphic icons with their fingertips as well as flip between menus by dragging their finger across the screen. "Quick Menu makes it easy to navigate the device without a stylus. Additionally, users have the flexibility of customizing the icons & menus to their own needs.

All MWg handsets shall be sold in India through TouchIndia Telemarketing Pvt. Ltd., a strategic alliance and extended arm of Goldkist Singapore, and its appointed channel partners. It shall have 2-tier distribution model wherein a sub-distributor will be appointed in each of the major markets, followed by select local outlets.

Within 3 months, TouchIndia intends to distribute MWg products through 1000 sale points, and increase the number gradually. Service operations for MWg handsets shall be handled by MDR Services India Ltd., (known as UCOM earlier), a name of repute in the domain and service partner to almost all major mobile phone brands with 220 service centers across the country.(npsinha@thesynergyonline.com)