Idea unveils Aurus with dual-SIM, video calling

Idea has expanded its 3G devices portfolio with the addition of a new dual-SIM smartphone called ‘Aurus’. Idea’s latest offering, Aurus, is an Android-based handset and will be amongst the most affordable smartphones in the market to offer video calling facility. The fourth phone in the Idea 3G Smartphone portfolio, the Idea Aurus also offers Android v2.3 (Gingerbread) OS, 800MHz processor, superior 3.5-inch multi-touch screen display, and cloud backup functionality. With its large, bright screen, it can be used for watching movies and playing games, and the built-in music player with supplied in-ear headphones offer excellent sound quality. The handset packs a 5 megapixel primary camera (using software interpolation), along with a front camera to support video calls allowing users to not only talk but see the person live in real-time. The Idea Aurus Android- based smartphone According to Sashi Shankar, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular, “3G is becoming an enabler in smaller towns which don’t have good broadband access. Deep rooted mobile network and availability of affordable smartphones are making acceptance and adoption of 3G services faster in Tier 2 & 3 towns. The new Aurus will offer key 3G features like Video calling which will be a new experience for users of all age groups, especially the youth and working professionals, who want to own high-end, feature rich smartphones but find them unaffordable.” Facebook and Youtube are some of the most used applications. Keeping these insights in mind, Idea has launched Aurus, which comes pre-loaded with Idea TV, Idea Mall and a host of applications such as ‘Gravity sensor’, built in social media Apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, Youtube, GPS, Wi-Fi, Games, Music and Video player, etc. The phone also has a 4GB external memory card.  Idea Aurus is priced at Rs 7,190 and will be available across all major mobile retail stores and Idea outlets across the country. Idea users who recharge with Rs 259 will get 3G benefits worth Rs 2,340 with the smartphone. So, the end cost translates to Rs 5,109.   The Idea 3G smartphones portfolio includes: Idea Aurus: Front and back cameras with video calling, Android v2.3.6 (Gingerbread) OS, Dual-SIM, 800MHz powerful processor, 4GB Micro SD card included (expandable to 32GB), 3.5-inch capacitive Multi touch screen, 5MP camera (using software interpolation), Cloud Backup, Social Networking apps, and RSS feed support. Price: Rs 7,190. ID 918: Dual SIM, Android v2.2 (Froyo), 3.2MP Camera, 3.2-inch Capacitive (Multi Touch) screen, microSD support up to 32GB, Geo-tagging, GPS Navigator software, FM radio and MP3 Player, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Social Media Apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, and pre-loaded Google and YouTube, besides a range of other high-end smartphone features and Idea TV. Price: Rs 5,994 Idea Blade: Android v2.2 (Froyo) with 3.5-inch full touchscreen, Powerful battery, 3.2MP camera, Capacitive touch, G Sensor, Wi-Fi and GPS. Price: Rs 7,992 Idea ID 280: Android v2.2 (Froyo), Qualcomm processor, Capacitive touch, Powerful battery, G Sensor, Wi-Fi, GPS and 3.2MP camera. Price: Rs 5,850