Google Finally Offers Devices In India - 16GB WiFi Nexus 7 Available for Rs 15,999

Google has finally added a device section to its content marketplace Google Play in India, allowing users to purchase Google branded devices – handsets and tablets – in India. This comes right after Google Chairman Eric Schmidt mentioned that they are working to fully service the market in India to provide Nexus devices. That was quick. 

 

Nexus 7: Currently, the Play Store in India offers a 16GB WiFi-only Nexus 7 for Rs 15,999. The device comes with 7 inch HD display with 1280*800 pixel resolution. Apart from that the device sports Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1.2 megapixel front facing camera, 1GB RAM, and 4325 mAH battery. It also includes WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth, microUSB port, Accelerometer, GPS, Magnetometer, and Gyroscope.

Note that while Google allows you to purchase the device, it will start shipping the device only by April 5, 2013. Users can buy the tablet through a Google Wallet account, similar to how users currently purchase paid Android apps on Google Play. Sadly, however, Google Wallet currently supports only credit cards as a payment option.

Testing the waters?

Asus, OEM for the Nexus 7 tablet, had launched the device in India in November 2012 for Rs 19,981, the tablet was available for purchase in stores such as Chroma, Homeshop18, among others. Note that the Nexus 7 isn’t exactly a new device, in fact it’s almost a year old and was launched in June 2012 during the Google I/O event. However, this could be an indication that Google is testing the Play Store device section performance in India and could possibly lead to instant Nexus device launches in India in future.

Google has typically shied away from launching its Nexus devices in India, which we believe is due to the fact that devices sold in an unsubsidized manner in India. When Google sells its Nexus devices for cheap in the US, it expects to make money from their after sales service through apps, music, ebooks, among others. However, the Indian market is still getting used to the concept of buying content. It’s no surprise that Google has opened its device section in the Play Store after launching its eBooks store last month. It makes sense for Google to launch the device when there’s more content to be purchased, and in return monetize the device.

Hopefully, we would see the recently launched Nexus 4 smartphone and other Nexus devices in the Play Store soon.

Google Play Developments

In October 2012, Google had officially announced that developers in India can sell paid applications, in-app products, and subscriptions in Google Play, with monthly payouts going to their local bank accounts. The company had also then mentioned that India was the fourth-largest market worldwide for Android app downloads and users had downloaded more apps in the last six months, than in the previous three years combined.

In February 2013, Google had finally added an e-books section to its content marketplace Google Play in India, allowing users to purchase e-books to their mobile phones and tablets.

Bill Gates' $100000 Next Generation Condom Challenge

Bill Gates Announced $100000 for who gives an idea for next genearion condom.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is offering a $100,000 grant to anyone who can develop what’s being called the next generation of condom.

The aim is to help curb unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections around the world.

The Condom of the Future 

The foundation’s Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative says it is looking for the next-generation condom that “significantly preserves or enhances pleasure, in order to improve uptake and regular use.” This could mean safe, new materials to “preserve or enhance sensation.” Most condoms are made of latex.

Other important features include making male and female condoms easier to use (perhaps with better packaging or easy-to-use designs) and attributes that “address and overcome cultural barriers.”

Condom designers will have to work hard to get their grant money. Plans need to have a concept that can be thoroughly tested and validated. Test data will need to give clear results before moving on to further testing.

Condom Facts

About 15 billion condoms are made every year and used by about 750 million people.

If used correctly, male condoms are 98% effective against pregnancy. Condoms also help protect both partners from sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Female condoms, put inside the vagina before sex, are 95% effective if used correctly.

Condom use has been traced back to ancient Egypt and even cave paintings in France.

Although condoms have been in use for centuries, Gates says there have not been many advances in condom technology in the last 50 years. 

SOURCES:Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation / Grand Challenges in Global Health.NHS 

Choices: “Condoms, Female condoms.”NHS Southampton Working Women’s Project: “History of the Condom.”