Bharti Airtel launches 3G services in Maharashtra & Goa

Bharti Airtel, announced the availability of its 3Ghigh speed mobile internet services in Maharashtra and Goa from 4th of August midnight onwards. Airtel has operations in 19 countries including Asia and Africa. Now, Airtel customers in Maharashtra and Goa will be able to experience the world class Airtel 3G on the move.
With Airtel 3G you will be able to enjoy a host of exciting capabilities including Mobile TVWatch your favorite channels on the move!, video callsNow SEE and hear your loved ones!, live streaming of videosYouTube on the move! and social networkingFacebook, Orkut, Google+, LinkedIn, MySpace etc. on the go – all at speeds never experienced before.
Airtel also offers high speed USB data cards that provide customers with 3G access on laptops. Airtel 3G services will be available in Maharashtra and Goa starting midnight on 4th August 2011.

Airtel 3G services are now available across all major parts in the region which include,

• Pune
• Nashik city
• Nagpur city
• Goa state

Airtel is already sending SMS to customers in Maharashtra and Goa to inform them about the launch of 3G services in their area. Here are few messages I got from Airtel,

With Airtel 3G SEE and hear your loved ones when you call them. Make a video call (5p/sec) today with front camera phone.(Options>call>video call).SMS 3G to 121 or call 12134

Special 3g offer!Go 3G now & get the launch offer of 60 mins FREE MobileTV on your 3G enabled phone. Just sms 3G to 121 and choose your plan. Then click
http://10.2.216.230:8080/tv/RomFree.jsp

Experience 3G now, Go to Tools>Settings>Network>Select Automatic mode>Select UMTS or 3G>3G netowrk will be selected automatically. After 3G Network Selection move to DUAL mode (2G &3G). For assistance call 12134.

To know more or join Airtel 3G services – customers can visit Airtel 3G or call 12134 (toll free) or SMS ‘3G’ to 121 to GO 3G now!

iPad 2 Launching In India Next Week ?

Tired of waiting for Apple products to arrive in India???
Not any more, OnlyGizmos reports that the Apple iPad 2 might be launching in India as soon as next week.
This is good news for all those people wanting to get their hand on this smoking hot device!!

Apple iPad2 will be priced Rs. 27,999 for the 16GB WiFi model.
The top end 64GB, 3G + WiFi model is expected to cost Rs 44,999.

Apple has decided to price the iPad2 same as the original iPad, and acquire the tablet space in India!!
This move from Apple will be welcomed by all the gadget lovers in India!!

The tablet will be available via Vijay Stores, Chroma and Reliance iStores.

Will you be getting one???

[ODIN] Installing 2.2 Froyo DDJP2 on Samsung Galaxy 3

Lots of people are facing issues updating their Galaxy 3 GT-I5801 (Apollo) via Kies.
I’m providing the instructions for flashing I5801DDJP2 on your Samsung Galaxy 3 via ODIN.

For installing any firmware on Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801(Apollo) you need the following prerequisites:

1. You need to have the Samsung drivers for your Samsung Galaxy 3 installed on the desktop. (To do so simply install Samsung Kies from here, after installing get the latest drivers for your Samsung device by going to Tools Menu -> Install Drivers)
2. Make sure you have charged your battery, 50% or higher is preferable. (To be on a safer side charge your mobile to 100%)
3. Make sure you have download mode working. (Turn off your mobile by pressing the power button, once switched off press and hold “power button + menu button + vol down button” simultaneously.)
4. The next important point is to download the I5801DDJP2 firmware from here.
5. Next you need to have ODIN-MultiUploader-v4.252.
6. You also need to have the Galaxy Apollo .OPS file
7. Make sure you back up all your data, contacts and other information before flashing 2.2 DDJP2 on your Galaxy 3 GT-I5801

Once you have all the things mentioned above you can now flash DDJP2 on your Samsung Galaxy 3 in a few minutes…

Extract I5801DDJP2.rar file with the password “samfirmware.com”.

Kindly follow the instructions mentioned below:

1. Enter Download Mode by pressing power button + menu button + vol down button simultaneously.
2. Open ODIN and then plug in the USB cable.
3. Ensure that you see something written in ID:COM after connecting your device.
4. Flashing Steps:
   1. In ODIN Multi Downloader, there is an option “One Package” you need to have that ticked.
   2. The next step is the select the OPS and One Package files
      1. Select the “apollo_0531.ops” file in OPS.
      2. Select the “I5801DDJP2.tar” file by clicking One Package button at the bottom.
   3. Click on Start wait till you see pass in ODIN before you unplug your phone.
   

Congratulations!! You have successfully flashed 2.2 Froyo-DDJP2 firmware on your Samsung Galaxy 3.

You can now upgrade your phone via Kies, the instructions for upgrading Galaxy 3 GT-I5801 via Kies to 2.2 Froyo-DDJP2.

You can now get Swype working on DDJP2!
Here is the link for detailed instructions Swype-DDJP2!.

[Official]Upgrading Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801 to 2.2 [DDJP2-India] via Kies

Samsung India just pushed their 2.2 Froyo upgrade for I5801 Galaxy 3 users via Kies.

All Galaxy 3 users in India get to taste the Froyo version of Android OS officially!
The official Froyo update is I5801DDJP2.
To update to this version of Froyo you need to install Samsung Kies version 2.0.0.11032_12_9, this software can be downloaded from here.
This software can be installed on Windows XP/Vista/7.

Prerequisites:

1. For being eligible for getting this upgrade you must be running Samsung’s 2.1 DDJG6 firmware.
   If you have installed any other version then you need to first flash 2.1 DDJG6 and then upgrade to 2.2 Froyo DDJP2.
   To install 2.1 DDJG6 follow instructions from here.
2. Your Galaxy 3 must be charged at least 50%. I recommend charging it to 100%.
3. Make sure you have a fast internet connection. Your entire firmware will be downloaded first and then flashed.
4. Make sure you sync all your contacts and backup all your data before upgrading.

Once you install Samsung Kies, connect your Galaxy 3 to your computer and follow the on screen instructions…

I’ll go through the entire process here.

1. As soon as you connect your Galaxy 3, Samsung Kies will prompt you for a firmware upgrade for your device.

2. Now click on update to begin the process.
3. Read the instructions carefully and tick the checkbox that says I have read all the above information.
4. Now click on Start upgrade button to actually begin the upgrade process, make sure you have read all the instructions before starting the upgrade process.


5. PLEASE DO NOT DISCONNECT THE CABLE CONNECTED TO THE PC.
6. It will now prepare to upgrade your GT-I5801.

7. After that it will download the actual firmware for flashing your GT-I5801. This step might take some time, depending on the speed of your internet connection.

8. Once the firmware is downloaded, it will start to actually install the downloaded firmware on your Galaxy 3 GT-I5801.

9. Once the installation is completed, you will get “Firmware upgrade complete” message and the description of the upgrade as seen below,

10. Your phone will restart, it will take some time to start for the first time, and you will be stuck on black screen with Samsung written at the center.
11. Once your phone starts you can now remove and plug in the USB cable and click on GT-I5801 you will see the message “This is the latest firmware” on your screen.

12. Congratulations you have successfully upgraded your Galaxy 3 GT-I5801(Apollo) to 2.2 DDJP2 Froyo!!!

Here are some screenshots of the new DDJP2 Froyo build from Samsung for Galaxy 3 GT-I5801(Apollo),

Have you upgraded your Galaxy 3 to the latest 2.2 Froyo Official from Samsung India????

Update(18-04-2011):

You can now get Swype working on DDJP2!

Here is the link for detailed instructions Swype-DDJP2!.

Note: All those who want to flash 2.2 Froyo-DDJP2 on their Galaxy 3 without using Kies can follow instructions from [ODIN] Installing 2.2 Froyo DDJP2 on Samsung Galaxy 3.

Downgrading Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801 to 2.1 (DDJG6-INDIA)

A lot of people wanted to know how to downgrade I5801 from 2.2 to 2.1.
If you wish to revert back to 2.1 once you get the official update from Samsung, here is how you can do it…

You need to flash the 2.1 firmware on top of any firmware.

Here I’m going to show how to flash the 2.1 firmware (DDJG6-INDIA) on your Galaxy3.

For installing any firmware on Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801(Apollo) you need the following prerequisites:

1. You need to have the Samsung drivers for your Samsung Galaxy 3 installed on the desktop. (To do so simply install Samsung Kies from Samsung’s official website)
2. Make sure you have charged your battery, 50% or higher is preferable. (To be on a safer side charge your mobile to 100%)
3. Make sure you have download mode working. (Turn off your mobile by pressing the power button, once switched off press and hold “power button + menu button + vol down button” simultaneously
4. The next important point is to download the I5801DDJG6_Complete_Package.

Once you have all the things mentioned above you can now install DDJG6 on your Samsung Galaxy 3 in a few minutes.

Extract I5801DDJG6_Complete_Package.rar file with the password “techgom.blogspot.com”.

On extraction, you will find a folder named “I5801DDJG6_Complete_Package” inside that folder there will be 1 folder(“I5801DDJG6”) and 2 files(“apollo_0531.ops”, “I5800_Odin_Multi_Downloader_v4.252.exe”).

Inside the I5801DDJG6 folder there will be a single file by the name of “I5801DDJG6.tar”, this is file we are interested in and is the actual firmware which we will be using later during flashing.

Kindly follow the instructions mentioned below:

1. Enter Download Mode by pressing power button + menu button + vol down button simultaneously.

2. Open ODIN and then plug in the USB cable.
3. Ensure that you see something written in ID:COM after connecting your device.
4. Flashing Steps:
1. In ODIN Multi Downloader, there is an option “One Package” you need to have that ticked.
2. The next step is the select the OPS and One Package files
   1. Select the “apollo_0531.ops” file in OPS.
   2. Select the “I5801DDJG6.tar” file by clicking One Package button at the bottom.

3. Click on Start wait till you see pass in ODIN before you unplug your phone.

Congratulations!! You have successfully installed 2.1 DDJG6 firmware on your Samsung Galaxy 3.You can now upgrade your phone via Kies once the update is available.

Idea launches 3G services

Idea Cellular have launched Idea 3G in Maharashtra and Goa after launching their 3G services in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh(West), Madhya Pradesh, Harayana and Himachal Pradesh.
Idea 3G has currently started services in the following cities:

If your city is mentioned in the above image then you can activate 3G on your 3G enabled handset / device.

Tariff Plans

(HP)	Himachal Pradesh
(MP)	Madhya Pradesh
(GJ)	Gujarat
(UP)	Uttar Pradesh
(M&G)	Maharashtra & Goa
(HR)	Haryana

1. Sachet Based

FEATURES:

• Applicable only for prepaid
• Short Validity Products
• Less Upfront commitment
• Best Suited as Trial Packs

table.sample { border-width: thin; border-spacing: 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: black; border-collapse: separate; background-color: white; width:100%;}table.sample th { border-width: thin; padding: 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: gray; background-color: white; -moz-border-radius: ;}table.sample td { border-width: thin; padding: 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: gray; background-color: white; -moz-border-radius: ; text-align:center;}

MRP (In Rs.)						Free Data (In MB)	Validity (In days)	Overage
8	9	9	7	8	7	10	1	10p/10KB
49	54	55	49	49	51	50	3	10p/10KB




2. Usage Based

FEATURES:

• Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
• Easy and simple
• For all types of users

Prepaid
MRP (In Rs.)						Free Data (In MB)	Overage
97	105	105	103	103	103	100	10p/10KB
198	205	205	200	199	198	250	10p/10KB
449	450	455	450	450	450	600	10p/10KB
649	650	655	650	650	649	1280	10p/10KB
748	755	745	750	750	749	2048	10p/10KB
1750	1755	1745	1745	1750	1750	5120	10p/10KB




Postpaid (M&G, HR, GJ, HP)
MRP (In Rs.)	Free Data (In MB)	Overage
100	100	10p/10KB
200	250	10p/10KB
450	600	10p/10KB
650	1280	10p/10KB
750	2048	10p/10KB




Postpaid (UP, MP)
MRP (In Rs.)	Free Data (In MB)	Overage
100	100	10p/10KB
200	250	10p/10KB
450	600	10p/10KB
650	1280	10p/10KB
750	2048	10p/10KB
1750	5120	10p/10KB




3. Time Based

FEATURES:

• Applicable for prepaid
• Easy to Understand
• Best suited for Downloads/Uploads

MRP(In Rs.)						Free Data (In MB)	Validity (In days)	Overage
44	47	45	43	45	46	30	1	Rs 3/min
79	80	85	83	77	79	60	3	Rs 3/min
148	145	155	145	145	148	120	7	Rs 3/min




4. Data Rate Cutter

FEATURES:

• Applicable for prepaid and postpaid
• Best Suited for Heavy Users

Prepaid
MRP (In Rs.)						Rate	Validity (In days)
53	56	65	56	56	55	1p/10KB	30




Postpaid
MRP (In Rs.)	Rate	Validity (In days)
55	1p/10KB	30

Why Idea 3G???

In addition to high speed internet connectivity you also get a lot of other cool features like

• Video call in addition to normal calls.
• Updates on social networking sites like twitter, Facebook, buzz, Orkut etc.
• Upload and download heavy files at blazing speeds.
• Live TV on your mobile.
• Video on demand.
• 30,000 apps + games at Idea Mall.

3G Vs 2G

3G is almost 20 times faster than 2G! The below image will help you understand this better,

Video Calling Charges???

Video calling with Idea 3G is 5p/sec i.e. Rs 3/min irrespective of local, home circle, roaming, on-net, off-net. Pretty Nice!


How to Activate Idea 3G???
If Idea 3G is currently available for your city you can activate it now.
To activate Idea 3G you simply need to send an SMS ACT3G to 12345 (toll free)

Vodafone 3G speedtest result outdoors

Did a speedtest for Vodafone 3G outdoors in Kothrud-Pune area and was completely blown away with the result each time I did the speedtest I got a consistent 5Mbps+ download speed and the highest upload speed I got was 3.3Mbps.

As you must have read in my previous post about Vodafone 3G, the speed was around 3Mbps – 4Mbps but that was indoors with less range. Outdoors with full range getting amazing speed. If Vodafone manages to provide the same service indoors like they are providing outdoors they sure will attract a lot more customers.

Its time all operators start improving their indoor range as well! Tata Docomo are you listening???

Vodafone 3G goes live in Pune Maharashtra India

Finally after days of struggle to get Vodafone 3G on my Samsung Galaxy S, I have finally managed to get hold of a 3G signal in Pune(Thanks to Pradeep Neela). Although the signal strength seems to be poor at the moment, it will surely be better once they complete their testing and launch commercially from next month.

To experience 3G you need to activate a 2G plan with a special recharge of Rs.95 which will give you 2GB worth of data access. You can enjoy 3G speeds on your 2G plan with no additional costs till 10th of April by simply sending an SMS “ACT 3G” to 144/111 this is a toll free no so you wont be charged for the SMS.

The speed I’m getting at the moment is around 3Mbps to 4Mbps which is very good considering the fact that I’m not yet getting full signal strength. The upload speed is variable from 1Mbps to 2.8Mbps. The speed will only go on increasing this point forward Vodafone India will offer 3G speeds up to 21Mbps.

Note: Keep in mind Vodafone 3G is still under testing so you might not get 3G signals indoors.

We still have no official confirmation on plans, tariffs for 3G & Video Calling etc. from Vodafone yet. This will be on their official site once they launch commercially.

IPAD2 launching this month end in India???

There are rumors that Ipad2 which launched in the US on 11 March will be making an entry to Indian market officially by the end of this month.

Apple has always been slow in bringing new products in India even after knowing that there is great demand for Apple products here. Any Apple product that launches in US comes to India only after 6-7 months.

Is this going to change now???With Motorola Xoom the first honeycomb tablet running android 3.0 launching officially in India around first week of April, Apple now seems to have got its act right and are trying to push Ipad2 before Xoom hits Indian markets.

It will not be wrong to say both devices will sell like hot cakes in India. Apple products are already popular and Android’s popularity is increasing everyday with so many manufacturers launching android products here.

This is a win-win situation for consumers in India. Both Xoom and Ipad2 have great specifications. Apple products are well built and the finish is the best in the market. Hardware wise both devices are similar:

• Both have 1GHz dual core processors, Xoom has a Tegra2 processor and the Ipad2 has a custom made A5 processor.
• Both devices have 10.1 inches screen, Ipad2 has a led display vs lcd display of Xoom.
• Xoom has more RAM than Ipad2 1GB vs 512MB but that doesn’t mean the Ipad2 is slower than Xoom.
• Both the devices support multitasking.
• Both devices have 2 cameras front facing cam for video chat on Xoom/facetime on Ipad2 and rear cameras for high quality video recording, Xoom has a flash at rear for capturing pictures even in low lit conditions.
• Both devices are weighing almost the same, Xoom is marginally heavier than Ipad2.
• Ipad 2 is just 8.8mm thin and is the thinnest tablet in the market, its even slimmer than Iphone4.
• Ipad2 comes in 3 variants 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Xoom comes in 32GB variant and an SD-card slot for increasing your storage capacity.
• Ipad2 comes in 2 colors black and white, Xoom comes only in black color.

Both the products have positives and negatives. The competition is very stiff and only time will tell if Apple with the introduction of Ipad2 in India before Xoom is able to spoil Motorola’s party this time!

Update(22-04-2011):
iPad2 to be launched in India as early as this weekend!
More Details!