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.

Shikhar Dhawan New Cricketer for India

Shikhar Dhawan is an Indian international cricketer. He is a left-handed opening batsman and occasional right-arm offbreak bowler.

Shikhar made his debut in international against Australia in 2010 and after 3 years he made his Test debut in the third Test against Australia on 14th March 2013 at PCA Stadium, Mohali and scored the fastest century on Test debut.

He played for Delhi in domestic cricket and also plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (previously Deccan Chargers) franchise in the Indian Premier League ( IPL).

Dhawan played for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and made 4 half centuries. He was also the third highest scorer of the Delhi Daredevils team.

Shikhar Dhawan's Fastest 100 in Test Video:
Highlights of Mohali Test

An awe-inspiring Shikhar Dhawan made the day his own by bludgeoning his way to an unbeaten 187 -- the fastest-ever Test century by a debutant, as a dominant India left Australia bruised and battered in the third match of the series here today. 

The hosts finished the day on a commanding 283 for no loss with Murali Vijay giving Dhawan company on a well-made 83 off 181 deliveries after Australia were bowled out for a competitive 408 in the first session.

The 27-year-old Dhawan was on a record-breaking spree as he raced to his century off a mere 85 balls, and was going strong, when the stumps were drawn on the third day of the penultimate Test, with the hosts still trailing by 125 runs The Delhi left-hander surpassed the record of earlier fastest hundred on debut, which was in the name of West Indian Dwayne Smith, who reached his ton in 93 balls in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2004. 

In the process, Dhawan also became the highest individual scorer for India on debut, beating the previous record held by Gundappa Vishwanath (137) against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 1969-70.

It was a breathtaking assault by Dhawan who unleashed a flurry of strokes on both sides of the wicket to leave the visitors in a daze as the Indians scored at a brisk run rate of 4.87.

Dhawan slammed 33 fours and two sixes during his blistering innings, during which he did not leave a single corner at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium (PCA) untouched.

The rollicking Dhawan-Vijay association was also the highest for the first wicket at this ground, and the best for India against Australia.

Navneet Kaur Dhillon wins Misss India 2013

Navneet Kaur Dhillon was crowned Femina Miss India 2013 in a star studded grand finale of the 50th edition of the beauty pageant.The first and second runners-up were Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz respectively. The trio was selected from 23 finalists from across the country.

Actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra added Bollywood glamour to the ceremony, which was judged by filmmaker Karan Johar, choreographer Shiamak Dawar, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, fashion designer Ritu Kumar, actors John Abraham, Asin Thottumkal and Chitrangda Singh. Pics: Behind-the-scenes - Ash at Miss India

The evening began with an entertaining performance by the star cast of Indra Kumar's Grand Masti - Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi who were there to promote the film.

It was followed by dazzling performances by Aishwarya and Priyanka.

Singer Sonu Nigam too enthralled the viewers when he sang some heart touching numbers.

The event marked Aishwarya's comeback on stage post her pregnancy. The actress had not signed up any major projects after she became pregnant in 2011.

Ace choreographer Shiamak Davar confirmed the news. He tweeted, "Rehearsing with Aishwarya for Femina Miss India. Memories from when I choreographed her for Miss World. Don't miss it today."

The beauty pageant completed its 50 years and so the organisers made it a pan India event in the true sense by taking extra care in selecting girls from every corner of India. Auditions were held at Pune, Goa, Indore, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Delhi. 

The 10 semi-finalists were Anukriti Gusain, Apurva Lonkar, Gail Nicole Da Silva, Navneet Kaur Dhillon, Sagarika Chhetri, Sobhita Dhulipala, Srishti Rana, Swati Kain, Vijaya Sharma and Zoya Afroz.

Sobhita was crowned Femina Miss Itimes Digital Diva by Karan Johar. She also won the cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.