Aakash tablet maker DataWind today partnered with Reliance 
Communications to launch three Android smartphones priced in range of Rs 1,999 to Rs 5,499. DataWind’s new range of PocketSurfer smartphones offer free unlimited Internet browsing for one year on Reliance. Users can only browse for free.
To stand ahead in the digital world Datawind partnered with Reliance Communications to offer free unlimited internet browsing for one year. Though only basic browsing will be unlimited, users can still use this opportunity at its best. These phones will allow customers to upgrade and join the digital age at no real increase or extra cost over their current expenditures on a feature phone. The smartphone’s 2G variant is priced at Rs 1,999 and and the 3G variant is priced at Rs 2,999 respectively.
The 2G4 PocketSurfer has a 8.89-cm (3.5-inch) display and is powered by a single core ARM Cortex A7 SoC clocked at 1.0GHz. It has a VGA camera on the back and has connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which admittedly is borderline obsolete.
The 3G4 on the other hand has a larger 10.16-cm (4-inch) display and runs on Android 4.4 KitKat. It is also powered by a Cortex A7 single core CPU clocked at 1.0GHz. It has a 5-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front. The company has also joined hands with Naaptol’s TV to make the sales and phones will be made available at retail outlets. Starting 24 March, the products will also be available at Sangeetha Mobiles, Spice Hotspot Retail and other key modern trade and retail partners.
Speaking on the new launch, Suneet Singh Tuli, president and CEO, DataWind said, “We are very proud to launch this affordable device under 3000. We understand the importance of Digitalisation and technolgy and keeping that in mind we have come up with another low cost device which will empowers the common man to achieve more in every conceivable way. With a creative tag line of ‘Kamaal Ki Ghanti’ the phone is powered with free internet access by India’s leading network and this will be spark for India’s movement towards achieving its grand vision of a Digital India and ‘Make in India’. We see this as a beginning of a new phase in internet revolution and we are privileged to have Reliance Communications by our side in this new transformational journey.”
Suneet Singh Tuli also announced that the company will shift 90 per cent of its manufacturing to India within 90 days. Commenting on the partnership, Gurdeep Singh, CEO, Consumer Business, Reliance Communications said, “We are delighted to partner with DataWind and offer unlimited data for 12 months on our high-speed GSM data network, which will lead to a unique user experience on the PocketSurfer Smartphones, which sport many technological breakthroughs. A product like this one will be best experienced on a seamless IP-enabled network such as RCOM’s, and will make for an unmatched data experience.”
The High Commissioner for Canada to India, Nadir Patel, said, “Canada is keen to work with India and we strongly values our relationship with India.This will definitely help in boosting Make in India including our growing trade and investment relationship in the information and communication technology space. We look forward to continue strengthening our partnership going forward as India strives to achieve its Digital India objectives.”
The new range of smartphones were unveiled by H.E. the High Commissioner for Canada to India, Nadir Patel, parliament secretary to Minister of International Trade, Canada, ParmGill, president and CEO of DataWind Suneet Singh Tuli, NK Goyal, president of CMAI and Sujith Haridas, deputy director general, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
