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  • Vuclip acquires assets of mobile video streaming firm Jigsee

    Vuclip acquires assets of mobile video streaming firm Jigsee

    MUMBAI: Vuclip, world‘s leading mobile video and media company, has acquired the core assets of Jigsee, a mobile video streaming company, for an undisclosed sum.

    Vuclip‘s vision is to provide mobile video for consumers worldwide, regardless of device type or network quality, and by extension, deliver value to strategic business partners such as content providers, advertisers and carriers. To further this vision, these core assets will bring to Vuclip considerable mobile app development talent, as well as additional proprietary video streaming technologies.

    Consumers will now benefit from more ways to discover and experience mobile video content. Vuclip plans to offer new apps to complement its browser strategy, particularly in India, the Middle East and South East Asia.

    “Jigsee saw the same huge opportunity that we did. Consumers in emerging markets are more often than not using low-cost smartphones, such as the Asha Series from Nokia or Android devices from Samsung, on constrained networks. This is a huge audience for the mobile ecosystem to reach — but requires creative problem-solving to ensure a quality user experience,” said Vuclip CEO Nickhil Jakatdar.

    “Vuclip tackles this problem with unique technology innovation on the browser side, while Jigsee approached it primarily with an application-based approach. The combination of these two will now deliver optimal value to consumers — on both feature phones and low-cost smartphones — as well as business partners in a way that no one else has done before and will accelerate our reach into new markets.”

    “It is inspiring to see Vuclip deliver on its ‘All Things Video‘ strategy so aggressively and quickly,” said SingTel Innov8 MD Jeff Karras. “With more than 45 million monthly unique users, a viable monetization strategy and strong leadership, Vuclip is positioned to capitalize on the massive growth in mobile video.”

    SingTel Innov8 is one of Vuclip‘s investors.

  • Gaana.com pumps up music content via YRF, Magnasound and Unisys

    Gaana.com pumps up music content via YRF, Magnasound and Unisys

    MUMBAI: Gaana.com, Times Internet Limited‘s (TIL) digital music platform, has partnered Yash Raj Films, Magnasound, and Unisys Infosolutions to bolster its music library.

    The three partnerships will together add over 50,000 songs across categories, from major blockbuster movies like Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Ek Tha Tiger, to a variety of Punjabi hits like Aak Chak, Gal Sun and Tusi Bewafa, to the best of 1990s Indipop like Daler Mehndi and Baba Sehgal.

    Gaana.com head Avinash Mudaliar claimed that Gaana.com app has seen 200,000 downloads two weeks since it was launched on iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Nokia/Samsung phones.

    “On iPhone, we had 58,153 downloads. On Android, 69,456 downloads. On Nokia and Samsung phones, we had 69,674 downloads. On Blackberry devices, we had 5,115 downloads,” he disclosed.

    Mudaliar said that the company is working towards improving the stability of apps and adding new features.

    “On iPhone, the latest version (awaiting approval) will have AirPlay enabled, so you can stream music from your phone to your home devices. And on Android, the latest release adds a lot of stability, and some other incremental features,” he added.

  • Nokia remains the most trusted for third consecutive year

    MUMBAI: Nokia, Samsung and Sony have emerged as India‘s three most trusted brands, according to The Brand Trust Report, India Study 2013.

    Nokia leads for the third consecutive year, while Samsung and Sony have both moved up two ranks from last year to occupy the second and third slots.

    BMW has climb twenty ranks to become India‘s fourth most trusted brand, as per the Brand Trust Report while Tata slips three positions as India‘s fifth most trusted brand after being in second slot in the previous two years.

    Godrej is India‘s sixth most trusted brand and has moved up five ranks from last year and Reliance ranks seventh having gained three positions over 2012.

    Meanwhile, Bajaj slips to eighth rank moving one down from the previous year, Airtel maintains its position at ninth and LG is India‘s tenth Most Trusted brand, losing seven ranks from last year.

    The Brand Trust Report, India Study 2013 is the third in its series and this year the report lists India‘s 1100 Most Trusted Brands from 211 categories.

    The report is a result of a primary research based on 61 attributes called the Brand Trust Matrix. The research conducted among 2505 influencer-respondents from 16 cities, generated more than 3 million data points from 13000 hours of research, the company said in a statement.

    Trust Research Advisory CEO N. Chandramouli said, “Brand Trust has become an universal and vital proxy for all the different experiences that a brand generates, making it possible for brands to accurately allocate resources and measure results.”

    After being ranked second in the aerated Soft Drinks Category for two years in a row, Coca-Cola has taken the first position, albeit with only a 2 per cent lead over the second ranked Pepsi.

    Nano is the most trusted car brand and among consumer products category. Meanwhile, Tide has overtaken Surf Excel as the most trusted detergent brand while Nirma surges ahead of Hindustan Unilever as the latter slips significantly.

    HCC is India‘s Most Trusted Infrastructure brand, DLF leads in Real Estate and, in education, IIT is more trusted than Oxford University and IIM. In F&B, Parle-G is the Most Trusted biscuit brand and Cadbury‘s Dairy Milk ranks highest among Chocolate Bars in which seven brands are listed.

    World Health Organisation (WHO) leads in trust among Global Bodies followed by YMCA, UNICEF and Red Cross. Dabur, the Ayurveda leader, also leads the Healthcare Super Category of 36 brands. The mosquito repellent, All Out, has been a leader three consecutive years and has lead of 120 per cent over the next ranked, Good Knight.

    The category of Internet has 25 brands this year and though Google leads Facebook this year also, it is only by a miniscule 3 per cent margin.

    Anna Hazare is the Most Trusted Personality in India. In the same list, Aamir Khan ranks second (up from his fifth rank last year) and Salman Khan slips to third, within a small 2 per cent gap of each other.

    Salman Khan‘s NGO Being Human maintains its rank as the Most Trusted NGO in India.

    Most brands in the Technology Category have gained trust ranks this year with Apple being listed as the Most Trusted Technology brand.

    Indigo Airlines is this year‘s Most Trusted Airline as Air India slips to second position.

  • Dentsu Digital launches iButterfly in India

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Digital has launched its mobile marketing platform ‘iButterfly‘ in the Indian market to help marketers to connect with their consumers on mobile.

    Originally developed by Dentsu Inc., iButterfly was first launched in Japan in 2010 as a “Coupon Entertainment” platform. After Japan, iButterfly has been launched across the Asian region by many Dentsu network agencies. The markets include Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Thailand.

    According to the agency, brands like Samsung, Reebok, Starbucks and Dove have used iButterfly to connect to the consumer.

    This mobile application works through a combination of three technologies: Augmented Reality, Motion Sensing and GPS. It creates a virtual environment where marketers can push branded messages or promotional information to their target audience by transforming simple content into “colorful”, “eye-catching” virtual butterflies that can be caught on mobile devices and stored through a swipe action.

    Once these butterflies are caught they can be collected and redeemed or traded for offers. These virtual butterflies can also be exchanged amongst friends and family. iButterfly is also integrated into social media -Face book where consumers can keep track of new offers and information on various brands by signing up and following the iButterfly conversation.

    Dentsu India Group chairman Rohit Ohri said, “iButterfly – is a truly transformational platform that will help brands in India create massive differentiation. In a highly fragmented media environment today, brands need to connect with consumers in a disruptive yet simple way. And iButterfly does exactly that by putting the experience right into the hands of the customers. iButterfly brings alive Dentsu‘s India communication philosophy – ‘currency is the only currency‘ which seeks to build constant relevance for brands in the NOW. For customers today, it‘s all about the power of immediacy and instant gratification”.

  • Samsung launches Galaxy Grand smartphone

    Samsung launches Galaxy Grand smartphone

    MUMBAI: In order to push its smartphone business, Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Grand, a smartphone that aims to redefine Smartphone experience for consumers. One of the company’s aims this year is to have smartphones contribute 40 per cent of Samsung Mobile’s business.

    Samsung Galaxy Grand is powered by Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system and runs on a 1.2 GHz Dual Core processor.

    The company said that even though the product has a five inch screen with WVGA TFT display powered with mDNIe technology, the device is slim and is comfortable to hold. The display provides an expansive viewing experience rendering messaging, multimedia and Web content in colour and clarity. The device also sports the Multi Window feature that allows seamless multitasking and running of multiple applications simultaneously without having to switch screens.

    A multimedia campaign to support the product will launch in a few weeks time. The theme will revolve around the product looking to redefine Smartphone experience for consumers. The product is a Dual Sim smartphone. The Smart Dual SIM feature provides total communication flexibility, allowing users to manage two phone numbers from a single phone.

    Speaking at the launch Samsung Mobile, VP Asim Warsi stated, "Bigger screen phones are gaining acceptance. Our aim is to drive smartphone acceptance in the country. In three years we have sold over 10 million smartphone devices. We have a 40 per cent share in the mobile handset category and a 45 per cent share in the smartphone category in the country.

    “This year our aim is to consolidate our leadership. The Galaxy Grand is revolutionary not only in terms of the great Smartphone experience that it provides but also in terms of its value proposition. I feel the Galaxy Grand will further fuel the growth of the Smartphone market in India and will especially delight consumers looking for a great Smart Dual SIM phone. The Galaxy Grand best meets the growing consumer preference for a large screen device that gives them a great multimedia experience and superior performance."

    The product is priced at Rs. 21,500. As a special introductory offer, the device comes with a Flip Cover in the box and users can download music and movies through ‘My Services‘ worth Rs 8000 free along with 50GB Dropbox space. Vodafone users also get 2GB data download free per month for two months.

    “We aim to make the smartphone more mass. But success in this space is not just about price. It is also things like the after sales service network, quality of experience. Samsung also offers Smartphone Cafes. The aim is to give consumers the best possible experience. Another key to success is to have products that are locally relevant through content services, apps,” said Warsi.

    The Galaxy Grand comes with various intuitive features that enable the consumers to seamlessly engage with the device. The Smart Stay uses the front camera to prevent the device from going into standby mode while it detects a user in front of the device. Direct Call feature enables users to automatically dial a call by raising the device up to the ear. Smart Alert shows missed events such as missed calls and new messages just by picking up the phone. Popup Play enables the users to watch video in a pop-up window anywhere on the screen while running other tasks. The S Voice feature helps the user to control the phone using their voice. The device also features a unique Face & Voice Unlock that enables the users to lock and unlock their device with face or voice recognition, providing greater security and convenience.

    The Galaxy Grand comes pre-loaded with ChatOn, which is Samsung‘s cross-platform communication service that enables the users to socialise with friends and to do more than just instant messaging. ChatOn allows users to freely share multimedia content, do group chatting with friends and create personalized animated messages. The device also comes pre-loaded with a host of other applications including ‘Games Hub‘ and ‘My Services‘ that includes a bouquet of services like myMovies, myMusic , myMobileTV , myStation , myReader and myEducation which allows them to enjoy and personalize their device. While myMovies gives users access to thousands of Indian movies, trailers and film songs, myMusic allows them to download and listen to English and Bollywood numbers from a song collection that totals more than 250,000.

    myReader allows Galaxy Grand users to access Indian newspapers, magazines, over 30,000 books and for the first time, even audio books. MyMobileTV allows consumers to watch 100+ Live TV channels on the device while myStation gives them an opportunity to watch Live Concerts and performances on their device. The All Share Play enables easy sharing and playing of contents across Samsung digital devices, anywhere anytime.

    The device sports an 8MP camera (with flash) and a 2MP front camera which supports zero shutter-lag and ultra-quick camera start-up. It includes a backside illumination sensor to ensure clear shots even in dark conditions, as well as Full HD video recording. The GALAXY Grand comes with a 2,100mAh battery and an internal memory of 8GB (user memory of 4GB and expandable up to 64GB). The device is available in Elegant White and Metallic Blue color options.

    With the launch of this device, Samsung now offers a range of six Dual Sim Smartphones and 14 Smartphone models priced in the range between Rs 6990 and Rs 39900.

    Badminton champion Saina Nehwal was present at the launch. She noted that the big screen allows her to watch her matches as well as movies.

  • LiveAsia launches WatchIndia.TV app for Samsung users

    LiveAsia launches WatchIndia.TV app for Samsung users

    MUMBAI: LiveAsia, the leading developer and operator of a proprietary Over the Top Video solution for streaming live/linear and On-demand video content, has launched their latest App WatchIndia.TV, that will enable Samsung Smart TV viewers to access over 70 HD quality Indian channels.

    Samsung users who will join the WatchIndia.TV and WatchPhilippines.TV services will be able to enjoy their Indian and Filipino content on their 2012 Samsung Smart TVs, Tablets and Smartphones. All that the users have to do is follow a quick two step pairing process.

    Commenting on the launch of the latest App, Samsung Electronics America VP of Content and Product Solutions Eric Anderson said, "Samsung Smart TV is at the front line of changing the way we consume TV. Our vision is to bring a complete and unique high quality TV directly to our viewers. LiveAsia.TV corresponds to this strategy with 70 Indian channels and total of over 100 live and on demand Asian channels you can enjoy on our TV‘s and on the go."

    WatchIndia.TV VP Commercial Yaron Shilat said, "Samsung is known for its superb services and market leading in every electronics goods market and especially for the TV market. We believe the market is shifting from traditional TV to new experience of pay TV. Customers who value high quality content at maximum convenience remain our primary market."

  • Samsung invites people to discover the world of possibilities at CES 2013

    Samsung invites people to discover the world of possibilities at CES 2013

    MUMBAI: Samsung Electronics has unveiled new products and services that define its vision for the consumer electronics industry.

    Presenting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013 in Las Vegas, Samsung revealed its goal of creating new experiences for all, through its deep understanding of consumers‘ lives and its relentless pursuit of discovery.

    Samsung‘s Consumer Electronics Division president BK Yoon said, "From motion and voice control in TVs, to 10-point multi-touch screens on tablets and smartphones, we have created new, more human ways for people and devices to interact. This year, our goal is to help people discover a world of possibilities. We aim to delight them, bringing not just what they expect, but what they‘d never dreamed was possible."

    Delivering on this promise, Samsung unveiled a new paradigm in television, smart appliances, connected cameras and mobile devices. Sharing innovations from different areas of its business, Samsung has reinvigorated the consumer electronics market with seamless navigation, intuitive control and personalized user experiences.

    Understanding that consumers want TVs that can stay current with the latest features, Samsung also announced its 2013 Evolution Kit, an innovative way of having the latest Smart TV offerings without having to buy a whole new set.

    Creating the Ultimate Lean Back Experience: Samsung adds that it opened a new world of possibilities in home entertainment this year, introducing a full line up of larger screen TVs, including its first 85-inch Ultra High Definition TV (UHD TV) and its flagship Smart TV, the F8000 LED TV. Building on its already extensive content offering and Smart TV platform leadership, Samsung also introduced the most personalized TV viewing experience ever created: S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction technologies.

    For the first time at CES, Samsung unveiled its new UHD TV with a large screen size. Blending technology and craftsmanship to create a ‘Timeless Gallery Design,‘ Samsung‘s UHD TV offers four times the pixels available on existing 1080p resolution, to deliver greater detail, unmatched clarity and an immersive, vivid picture quality. It also provides an audio experience to match its screen excellence; 120-watt array speakers are seamlessly built into the frame of the television.

    Offering a whole new world of viewing experience, using content available today, the UHD TV features an up-scaling algorithm that is capable of up-converting HD and Full HD content to UHD resolution.

    Samsung also introduced its new flagship F8000 LED TV, the first Samsung television to feature a quad-core processor. Available in sizes up to 75-inches, the F8000 features an ultra-thin profile, a quarter-inch thick bezel and a half-moon shaped Arc stand.

    Samsung is the first TV brand to offer support for the new high compression video codec, HEVC, which delivers double the video quality over the same bandwidth.

    Introducing the next Evolution in Televisions: Each of Samsung‘s newest televisions provides a whole new world of possibilities in search, navigation and control. Samsung‘s S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction technology is a personal guide to discovering new and preferred content on Samsung Smart TVs.

    Analysing a user‘s viewing history and the popularity and release dates of TV programs, S-Recommendation will create a personalized menu of on-air, on-demand and app content for each viewer.

    Samsung‘s improved Voice Interaction technology will change what people think is possible from a television; it is now capable of understanding full sentences and natural language. Coupled with S-Recommendation, viewers can ask the Smart TV for movie and TV show suggestions or request films that feature specific actors or actresses. Searches aggregate relevant results from all available on-air, on-demand or app services.

    This advanced user experience has been expanded to smartphones and tablets, thanks to Samsung‘s leadership in connectivity. Viewers can search and schedule content on a tablet, view content remotely or mirror the Smart TV on a tablet to take the content with them around the home.

    Samsung‘s new Smart Hub organises a viewer‘s content into clear, intuitive menu pages. Drawing on Samsung‘s mobile leadership, the navigation experience is reminiscent of that found on its smartphones. The five pages include: On TV; Movies & TV Shows; Photos, Videos & Music; Social; Apps.

    Additionally, Samsung delivered on its 2012 CES promise of bringing the next evolution of TVs with the introduction of its 2013 Evolution Kit. By simply adding the Evolution Kit to a Samsung Smart TV, users can have access to the latest Samsung Smart TV offerings. Owners of compatible TVs will be able to benefit from S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction, the new Smart Hub, as well as the quad core support of the 2013 range.

  • 2013 would be a year of sequels in Hollywood

    2013 would be a year of sequels in Hollywood

    MUMBAI: Hollywood is preparing to dish out sequels of Iron Man, Die Hard, The Hunger Games, Thor and The Fast and the Furious in 2013.

    Robert Downey Jr starrer Iron Man has already released two sequels while Bruce the Willis starrer Die Hard has four. The new film titled A Good Day to Die Hard will see Willis reprise his famous cop role of John McClane.

    The Hunger Games, based on American writer Suzanne Collins trilogy novel was widely appreciated by the audience after its release this year. Next movie is novel‘s second part The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

    The Fast and the Furious, an action film which has six films in its franchise will release its seventh part with Vin Diesel.

    American superhero film Thor starring Chris Hemsworth is returning to the screens again with Thor: The Dark World.

    Other the follow-up movies like Despicable Me, Monsters Inc and The Smurfs are also lined up for release this year.

  • Shubhodip Pal replaces Pratik Seal as CMO at Micromax

    MUMBAI: Mobile handset manufacturer Micromax has appointed Shubhodip Pal as its new chief marketing officer.

    Pal replaces Pratik Seal, who has moved to Life OK as marketing head of the channel. Pal will lead marketing and brand communication of Micromax globally.

    Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma said “Our endeavor is to surprise consumers with mobile phone innovations or on any new businesses we enter. Our campaigns have successfully communicated the same in the past and we have taken the market by storm with many First‘s. Shubhodip brings with him a great track record as a marketer; tremendous level of energy; experience and enthusiasm that will help the Micromax brand reach newer heights of success.”

    Talking about his new role Pal said, “It is quite exciting to be at Micromax at a time when the company is experiencing such an amazing period of growth/transformation and is gearing up to move to the next phase. We intend to take the brand to newer heights with the right mix of products for our consumers coupled with right media mix to reach out to them, with relevant TG centric associations and by building long term properties along the way.”

    Pal brings with him 16 years of experience. He has worked in the consumer space, in the areas of strategising and implementing new and innovative campaigns.

    In his last role, Pal was heading mobile messaging company Blyk India as country manager and director. At Blyk, he is credited to launching mobile magazine catering to the Youth.

    Prior to joining Blyk, Pal had also worked with brands like Samsung, ABN AMRO and HP.

  • AdNear raises Rs 350 mn from Sequoia and Canaan Partners

    MUMBAI: Location-based mobile advertising platform AdNear raised Rs 350 million ($6.3 million) from Sequoia Capital and Canaan Partners in the first round of early-stage venture funding. The company leverages real-time geo-location, combined with consumer behaviour, to target relevant users.

    The company intends to utilise the funds raised towards expanding its operations in the Asia Pacific region. AdNear is also looking at expanding its team. Currently, the company services clients across the Asia Pacific region including Australia apart from India and Singapore. AdNear has offices in Singapore and Bangalore.

    AdNear was set up in 2009 by Anil Mathews and has offices in Singapore and Bengaluru. It was earlier called Imere Technologies. AdNear‘s ad platform is built on proprietary hybrid geo-location platform, which helps provide location awareness on mobile phones without GPS or operator assistance. Its clients include brands like Titan, Ford, Toyota, Pizza Hut, Samsung, Airtel and Nokia.

    By leveraging real-time geo-location and combining it with consumer behaviour, the platform allows brands to target relevant users within a geo-fence. This allows them to reach out to a larger audience making the communication more geographically relevant for the advertiser and the consumer. The ad platform is available on smart phones and feature phones.

    Canaan‘s current technology investments in India include Naaptol, BharatMatrimony and UnitedLex and Sequoia has invested in companies like Café Coffee Day, Idea Cellular, Just Dial, Manappuram Finance, Paras, Quick Heal, Micromax, Mu Sigma and Vasan Health Care.