Google and Reliance partner to bundle 3G plans with all Android phones

Reliance Communication (RCom) and Google India have announced they have entered a two-year partnership, where all Google-endorsed Android phones (with the logo behind) sold in India in that period will come bundled with a 3G mobile connection from Reliance.

Consumers choosing to go ahead with the Reliance-Android bundled subscription offer, will get a data plan allowing 1GB of free downloads for the first six months. Of course, those who do not want a new connection, or a Reliance Communication connection, can always buy the device without the bundled offer.

Reliance Communication and Google will apparently be spending roughly Rs. 30-crore each on promoting the offer, with Reliance set to promote Android devices in general, and an online campaign by Google, supposed to show the green Android mascot turning Reliance Communication’s blue.

Google has had such deals in the past, in other countries, such as Telstra in Australia, and Verizon in the U.S. Of course, in India, the deal is slightly reminiscent of Apple’s tie-ups with Airtel and Aircel, or Idea and MTS offering ZTE devices – though Google is not the actual mobile manufacturer.

Industry analysts feel the RCom-Google partnership could be very beneficial for both companies, and will help give Reliance Communication more than 100,000 long-term subscribers in the two-year period. The company will also be trying to pitch itself as a premium network.

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sony smartwatch with your smartphone

What's the most useful smartwatch of them all? If you guessed Sony's, you've got reason to smile: we just got word that it's finally available here in the US of A. As expected, the SmartWatch costs $150, while those colorful (read: not black) wrist bands are priced at $20 a pop. To recap, the watch pairs with Android phones over Bluetooth, using a free app available in Google Play (if you happen to own a Sony handset, you should find that application pre-installed). Like any smartwatch worth its salt, this one lets you read emails, texts and social updates on the device. Meanwhile, the list of mini apps is approaching 60, as of this writing, and already includes biggies like Facebook and Google Maps.

After getting hands-on not once but twice, we can say the rubber strap is comfortable and the 1.3-inch OLED display responsive, though the apps are a mixed bag in terms of usefulness. Tap-to-like on Facebook? Genius. A remote for your phone's camera? Unabashed gimmickry, if you ask us. Using the watch to call someone in your contacts list? You'll need a Bluetooth headset for that feature to be truly handy. Other favorites of ours include the ability to find your lost phone (even if it's set to quiet mode), as well as stream photos and other media from your phone. You can even respond to incoming text messages with a preset reply (e.g., "I'm busy. What's up?"), though good luck using that canned response a second time when your friend gets back to you 10 seconds later. In any case, is all that worth the $150? That's a conversation you best have with your wallet -- in read-only format, naturally.

Google Currents for Android, iPhone and iPad updated to v1.1, now available worldwide

Google has updated its Currents app for Android, iPhone and iPad to version 1.1 that is now available for users worldwide. It also has new features including Instant online sync, offline images , translate and more. Google launched the Google Currents app last December for U.S users.

Features of Google Currents v1.1 for Android, iPhone and iPad

Instant online sync lets you sync automatically that uses less battery, bandwidth and storage.
Offline reading option lets you choose your favorite editions for offline images
The app is now available in 44 languages and translate option in editions in 38 languages.
Local trending stories available for US, FR, UK, DE, IT, ES, JP, AU.
The sync speed has been improved in the Android app that offers 7x better performance  performance boost. The iOS app has Google+ sharing, customize sharing options and Read it Later support.

Download Google Currents for Android from the Google Play Store and for the iPhone and iPad from Apple iTunes Store for free.

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