Sabeer Bhatia launches free SMS app Jaxtr

Sabeer Bhatia, the founder of Hotmail.com, on Tuesday launched JaxtrSMS, a mobile application that lets users send unlimited free text messages to any other phone anywhere in the world.

He claimed JaxtrSMS is the world's first mobile-based application for sending SMS that is completely open as the recipients do not need to have the app installed.

It is already available as a free download for all major mobile operating systems - iOS, Android, Blackberry and J2ME. In fact, users in 197 countries have already downloaded the app within a few weeks since the soft launch, said Bhatia, who is CEO & co-founded Jaxtr with Yogesh Patel in US.

JaxtrSMS is unique in that a mobile user can send a text SMS to any mobile phone in the world without requiring the receiver to have the JaxtrSMS application installed on her phone. This "open" facet of JaxtrSMS distinguishes it from other free mobile messaging applications such as Whatsapp where messages can only be sent within a closed network to people who also have the same app installed. JaxtrSMS retains the number of the user and no new number is required while signing up for the JaxtrSMS service.

"15 years ago, we gave you Hotmail.com, the world's first webmail service that freed up e-mail from the confines of the desktop and aided the creation of a global communications network which was completely open and free for users. Today, we present JaxtrSMS which does to SMS what Hotmail did for e-mail.
Now, mobile users can leverage our free and open application to send messages to their contacts anywhere across the world without having to pay anything," said Bhatia.

"JaxtrSMS was completely developed in India. I am proud to showcase this as an example of Indian innovation and ingenuity," said Yogesh Patel, president & co-founder.

India's $35 Android tablet reportedly on track for January launch

 

It seemed like a bit of a stretch from the beginning, but it looks like India's $35 Android tablet is intent on proving the skeptics wrong -- the Indian government has just announced that it's awarded the manufacturing contract to HCL Technologies (makers of the once world's cheapest laptop), and that the first batch of tablets are slated to be available by January 10th. That initial run will reportedly only include the 7-inch model that we've been seeing all along, but there's also apparently 5-inch and 9-inch versions planned for launch at a later date. We also presume that the tablet is still hanging onto that $35 price tag (for university students, at least), but that key detail is curiously absent from this latest announcement.

Android 2.2 on Droid : Video

Android-based Sony Ericsson X8 announced

Today Sony Ericsson announced its new Android-powered X8 smartphone. The device is a lower cost and spec handset than the X10, Sony Ericsson’s first Android smartphone, and as such features a 600MHz processor and 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera.

The X8 also offers user the same “four corner” interface found on Sony Ericsson’s X10 mini and X10 mini pro. Of course you’ll also fine Timescape and Mediascape on the X8.

Sony Ericsson says that the device was designed to work with the Android 1.6 OS, but that certain builds of the phone for specific carriers might come with Android 2.1. Might, mind you.

Sony Ericsson says that the phone will be available for sale in the third quarter in select markets. Available color schemes are white, darkblue and white, aqua blue and white, pink and white, and silver and white.
You’ll find the spec sheet and additional photos after the jump.

Camera	3.2 MP camera Direct picture upload to Facebook(TM) Geo tagging Sony Ericsson Album application Video recording
Music	Bluetooth(TM) stereo (A2DP) PlayNow(TM) Sony Ericsson Music Player TrackID(TM)
Web	Bookmarks Pan and zoom WebKit web browser
Communication	Facebook(TM) application Sony Ericsson Timescape(TM)
Messaging	Push email Instant messaging Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support with Dataviz(TM) RoadSync(TM) Picture messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Text messaging (SMS)
Design	Auto rotate Picture wallpaper Capacitive touchscreen
Entertainment	Infinite button Sony Ericsson FM radio Video streaming Video viewing
Organiser	Calendar Flight mode Phone book with dialer Sony Ericsson Home with Widget Notes
Location-based services	A-GPS Google Maps(TM) Wisepilot(TM) turn-by-turn navigation* (free trial version) *The service may not be available in every market. For more information, go to www.sonyericsson.wisepilot.com
Connectivity	3.5 mm audio jack Bluetooth(TM) technology Micro USB connector NeoReader® barcode scanning app Sony Ericsson Sync USB mass storage USB support Wi-Fi(TM)
Google(TM) services	Android Market(TM) Client Gmail(TM) Google Calendar(TM) Google LatitudeTM Google Maps(TM) with Street View Google search widget Google Talk(TM) YouTube(TM)
Screen	16,777,216 colour TFT touchscreen Capacitive touchscreen 3- inches 320 x 480 pixels (HVGA) Scratch-resistant (min. pencil hardness 6H)
Accessories	In-Box: XPERIA(TM) X8 Battery 1200mAh Stereo portable handsfree 2 GB microSD(TM) card Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer User documentation Optional: Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600 Portable Stereo Speakers MS450 Hi-Fi Headset with Remote MH810
Facts 1)2)	Size: 99 x 54 x 15 mm Weight: 104g Phone memory: Up to 128 MB Memory card support: microSD(TM) up to 16GB Memory card included: 2 GB Operating system: Google(TM) Android Donut, version 1.6 Processor: 600MHz
Availability and versions	Networks UMTS HSPA 900/2100 GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS HSPA 800/1900/2100 GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 Available in selected markets from Q3 2010
Colour	White Dark Blue/White Aqua Blue/White Pink/White Silver/White

Source: androidauthority

Altek Leo - 14MP cameraphone with HD video and optical zoom

Altek announced the first 14 megapixel cameraphone capable of HD video recording and equipped with 3x optical zoom lens. Both Xenon and LED flashes are onboard and the best bit is that Leo will launch within a month.

Altek Leo uses 14 megapixel CCD sensor and has all goodies a true cameraphone geek may want - HD video recording, Xenon flash, video LED flash and 3x optical zoom.

The touch-driven Leo also packs Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity with HSPDA support, and these complete the known specs. Altek presented the Leo as a smartphone but failed to mention the OS it is running. Yet, judging by the selection of buttons below the display we guess it will be packing some version of the Android OS.

Altek promises to present and launch Leo during the CommunicAsia 2010 event in June.
And don't worry if you haven't heard of Altek until today. The company is a digital camera OEM and their products are usually rebranded so they remain relatively unkown to the end-users.