Nokia to launch mobile cycle charger for Rs 1,499

Priced at a meagre Rs 1,499, the charger works on the principle of tried and tested dynamo based mechanism that has been the de-facto standard for bicycle lights.

THE HASSLES of carrying a battery charger with a mobile phone might soon be over as mobile manufacturing giant Nokia has come up with a charging device which can be used to charge batteries during the early morning cycling routine. With the help of this charger which can be mounted on a cycle, the users can also entertain themselves by listening to songs without losing their battery count.

 

Although the announcement was made last year, the product is expected to hit the Indian markets by March 2011. Priced at a meagre Rs 1,499, the charger works on the principle of tried and tested dynamo based mechanism that has been the de-facto standard for bicycle lights. The charger being a regular charger draws power from the rotating sidewall of the front wheel.

 

If for instance, the cyclist cycles for 10 minutes at a speed ranging from 6 kmph and 50 kmph, the user will be able to use the phone for 28 minutes. The charger interface also comes with charging point, phone holder and bottle dynamo. A sales representative at Nokia said that the device is targeted at markets like India, and is bound to do excellently well.

 

The company plans to bring Bicycle accessories including the dynamo charger, by the end of February, latest by March this year.

 

Other features of the Nokia mobile cycle charger 

 

- Free and Efficient Charging from Bicycling

 

- Starts and stops charging when bicycle speed is 6 km/h and 50 km/h, respectively

 

- Reaches efficiency of a normal charger, e.g. corresponds to Nokia Compact Charger AC-3 when speed is 12 km/h

 

- Total charging time varies between devices

 

- Install and detach easily with cable ties, nuts and bolts in the sales box

 

- Blaster music from the mobile phone while bicycling and charging

 

- Check charging status from the screen of the mobile phone

 

- Nokia Bicycle Charger DC-14 resists humidity and dust with double insulation

 

- A bag protects mobile phone from humidity

 

- Bottle dynamo has a robust structure

Mobile Number Portability: How to Port Mobile Number in India, Charges & Other Details

Those who are still unaware about Mobile Number Portability (MNP), it is a  service using which a mobile  phone subscriber can migrate from one operator to another without having to change his/her mobile number. For example, you can opt to choose for Voafone services on your Airtel number or vice-versa, courtesy MNP. As posted earlier, Mobile Number Portability has already been rolled out for cellular customers at Rohtak, Haryana and will be gradually introduced to other states covering the entire nation by January 20, 2011.

Here are the info relating to Procedure of porting, porting charges and some other important FAQs related to MNP:

Procedure for Porting Mobile Number in India:

• Send an SMS: PORT<space>Mobile Number (that is to be ported) to 1900For ex. PORT 9812345678
• Your existing operator will immediately provide you with a 8 digit alpha-numeric porting code that you need to submit to the operator you wish to opt to along with relevant documents. (The unique porting code will be valid only for 24 hours)
• After consulting with your existing operator, new operator will move your number in a maximum of 4 days.

Charges for Porting Mobile Number:

As per TRAI, any telecom operator can charge a maximum of Rs. 19 towards porting charges.

FAQs related to Mobile Number Portability:

1. When will Mobile Number Portability Services be introduced pan-India?As per union minister of Telecommunications & IT, Mr. Kapil Sibal, MNP will be introduced pan-India by January 20, 2011.
2. What are the minimum and maximum time specified for porting number from one operator to another?Porting time could be anything between 24 hours to 4 days.
3. What are the charges for Porting to another operator?
   As mentioned above, service providers can charge a maximum of Rs. 19 for porting a number .
4. Who is eligible for availing mobile number portability?Any customer having a mobile number older than 90 days can migrate to another operator with the same number. He/She will have to wait for another 90 days before being able to port their number again.
5. Will my number be dead during the porting process?As per the details available, a number will remain dead for 2 hours approximately during the porting process. Fortunately, the 2 hours downtime will be between 10 PM and 5 AM IST.
6. Can I migrate my post-paid number to another operator with prepaid services or vice-versa?Yes, that can be done once you clear off all pending dues with the current operator.
7. Will my prepaid balance carry-forward to new operator?Unfortunately not. All remaining balance on your mobile will get lapsed and will not be carried-forward to the new operator. Thus, its advisable to completely use the available talk-time before moving to another operator.
8. Can I port my number from one circle (state) to another?
   Retaining same number while moving from one state to another is not possible unless MNP services are launched pan-India.
9. Can I port my CDMA number to GSM operator or vice versa?Yes, with the introduction of MNP, moving from CDMA to GSM or vice-versa is possible too, but your existing mobile will be rendered useless if you opt to move from CDMA to GSM technology.
10. Can I port my landline number to a mobile service provider?Porting a landline number to a mobile operator is possible in countries like US though, for now, Indian govt. has planned to launch MNP only for mobile phone users. India might witness landline number portability in the future.
11. Will I get any freebies from the operator I am porting my number to?
    Keeping in mind the bottle-neck competition in Indian telecom arena, you can definitely expect some freebies and goodies from your new operator. In fact, BSNL and TATA Docomo have already announced various freebies for subscribers porting to them.

Best Tips to Get the Most from Mobile Internet Browsing

While there are different types of internet connection with different speed and features there is no doubt that a mobile internet connection is one of the best forms of internet connection available. A mobile internet connection makes it easy for you to get things done on the go and you no longer have to worry about being in the confines of your home before you can have access to the internet. Even though a mobile internet connection has a lot of features and advantages it is important to know that it also has best practices. This post will be giving you some tips on getting the best from your mobile internet connection.

(Image credits: 3g.co.uk)

Know Your Limits

Many people make a very dangerous mistake of rushing to get a particular mobile package based on advertisements from their operator. Your operator don’t really care about you but themselves and no matter how much they want the best for you they have to make profits so it is highly important to do due research before going with a package. Make sure you read the terms and condition attached to a package before you go with it and make sure you’re going with what is right for you.

You should also make sure you don’t make the mistake of choosing a package because it provides you with high bandwidth; if you’re sure you can’t finish using a package then there is no point going with it but you should rather go with what is perfect for you.

It is also important to make sure you don’t just sign longer contracts with your operator/ISP except it is the best option for you. Services can change at anytime, prices can change and there will always be improvement. Going for short term mobile contract is always the best thing to do.

Make Things Easy by Using Mobile Apps

When trying to get the best from your mobile internet connection it is also highly advisable to utilize the power of mobile applications to your advantage. Gone are the days when you have to do everything you want to do with your tiny mobile browser, but rather, make sure you research and utilize the best mobile applications compatible with your mobile phone. For example, there are a lot of mobile browsers that are far better and effective than the default browser that comes with your phone. There are also great applications that make it easy for you to use your favorite IM services on your phone and this will help you get more results than trying to do everything from your mobile browser and also help you save more of your valuable bandwidth.

Make Use of Bookmarks

It can be a little bit complex trying to type in your favorite website URL into your browser every now and then and you will be better off creating a bookmark for the best websites you visit. If you think you will have the need to visit a website more than once make sure you bookmark it so that it will be easier to access it in the future.