Latest Touchscreen Car Stereo AVH-X8890BT from Pioneer India

Pioneer India Electronics, the first in-car entertainment systems company to launch Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for Aftermarket in India, today launched its latest touchscreen car stereo AVH-X8890BT as a part of its 2016-17 lineup.

Priced at Rs. 39,990, AVH-X8890BT revolutionizes the driver’s smartphone experience by bringing both Android Auto (for android phone users) and Apple CarPlay (for iPhone users) into a single car stereo. AVH-X8890BTgives its users the best of both the worlds. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay allow users to access their phones from the stereo’s Touchscreen and use apps in a safe way while driving.

Commenting on the launch, Gaurav Kulshrestha, Manager - Marketing & Product Planning, Pioneer India Electronics said, “All the features in AVH-X8890BT are designed with one goal at hand — minimizing the use of the phone, and keeping the person safe behind the wheel. The touchscreen interface of AVH-X8890BT is optimized for glance ability and readability while driving. Android Auto organizes required information into simple cards whereas Apple CarPlay features big icons with a plain background for better readability. To ensure safety special emphasis is given to voice commands. With the use of Google talk in Android Auto and Siri in Apple Car Play, users get to use the best-in-class speech technology for controlling everything with voice. Users can attend calls, send and receive messages all through voice commands with the help of the Bluetooth wired mic that comes along with AVH-X8890BT.”

With Android Auto, users can access Google Maps, listen to smartphone’s music, Manage calls, Listen and reply to messages and WhatsApp. Whereas with Apple CarPlay, users can access Apple Music, Manage calls, messages and listen to Audiobooks and podcasts. The interface of CarPlay and Android Auto is purpose built for driving with simple voice

Commands to control the above features.   Various third-party apps are also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay depending on the region.

Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is devilishly simple to use. One just needs to plug the phone into the Pioneer’s receiver through the phone’s charging cable and it’s ready to use. For Android Auto one must have the android auto app installed on his android phone whereas CarPlay app is preinstalled on the latest iPhones.

The stereo is also compatible with AppRadio Mode- iPhone/Android. This application gives users the ultimate solution to all their needs during commute by combining the services they want into a single, easy-to-use design. Offline navigation apps like Navmii and Navitel, media, news information and the events calendar are all within reach with its smooth and intuitive interface.

AVH-X8890BT is also loaded with other features like steering wheel control, Dual Zone Audio Video, Bluetooth, 13 Band EQ, Time alignment, HDMI interface, multi-color LED display, Dual USB, and Mixtrax.

Ashish Gaikwad Appointed New MD of Honeywell India from October 1

Honeywell Automation India Limited has announced that Ashish Gaikwad has been appointed as its managing director effective October 1, 2016. Gaikwad succeeds Vikas Chadha, who was recently named president, Honeywell India.

Speaking about the appointment, Suresh Senapaty, chairman, HAIL, said, “HAIL has a 25-year legacy in India, in developing and manufacturing technologies that serve a diverse and extensive customer base across verticals including oil and gas, power, metals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, mining, infrastructure, IT/ITeS, telecom, banking, healthcare, hospitality, automobiles, defense, aerospace, transportation, and the residential sector. With more than 25 years of experience in automation, control, and advanced software applications in the process industry, Ashish will strategically lead HAIL to continued growth in the region, and strengthen the brand and its equity with customers and other key stakeholders.”

Vikas Chadha, president, Honeywell India, said, “This appointment is a testimony of the maturity and depth of Honeywell’s leadership pipeline and focus on building talent from within. Ashish has successfully driven the growth of the Advanced Solutions business for the Asia Pacific region. With his hands-on knowledge of the latest in automation and control solutions, including software solutions, digital transformation, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and his understanding of the Indian market, I am confident Ashish will take HAIL to new heights.”

Gaikwad joined Honeywell in 1992 and has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as general manager for the Advanced Solutions business for the Asia Pacific region within Honeywell Process Solutions. He brings to the role a successful track record from a career spanning more than 26 years with a mix of operations, strategic marketing, and general management. Gaikwad has a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. 

“Not only is India among our top high growth regions globally, it is expected to contribute significantly to Honeywell’s global growth for years to come. With seven state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and five technology development centers, a lot of Honeywell’s software engineering and product development capabilities are also right here. So, it is a great time for me to take on this responsibility in India, especially as Honeywell continues its evolution as a cyber-industrial company. I’m looking forward to driving HAIL forward, and to serving our customers with some of the world’s leading technologies, said Gaikwad.”  

Shramona Chakraborty from Kolkata Winner of IET South Asia PAWT Competition 2016

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has announced Shramona Chakraborty from MCKV Institute of Engineering, Kolkata as the winner of the IET South Asia 'Present round the World (PATW) 2016 finals in a ceremony that took place at the Hotel Hindustan International, Kolkata today. PATW is a global presentation competition for students, graduates and young professionals aged 18-30 years and aims to provide a platform to showcase and explore their talent and innovative thinking.

Shramona Chakraborty’s winning presentation focused on the topic “Wheelchair on POWER: A revolutionary discover for the physically challenged.” She was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 36,000 and will now compete in the global finals to  be held in London in November this year for a cash prize of £1,000 (approx. Rs. 100,000/-). Vanky Kenny Kataria, student of KK Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research was declared runner up for his presentation on the topic “Football Science and Technology”was awarded with the cash prize of Rs. 27,000.

The competition encourages engineers to use their technical know how to solve a social problem, thereby inculcating a culture of application of their academic knowledge by developing their communication skills during the process. As part of the competition, the individual competitors give a presentation for 10 minutes on a subject related to engineering and technology and answer questions for a further five minutes.

This year, the competition witnessed participation from engineers across India and Sri Lanka vying for the top honors. The jury included Prof (Dr)Anish Deb, Professor, Department of Applied Physics, University College of Technology, University of Calcutta, Mr Sankar Nath Mukhopadhyay, DGM, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Ltd and Prof (Dr) Amitava Chatterjee, Dept of electrical engineering, Jadhavpur University.

On the side lines of the event, Shekhar Sanyal, Country Head and Director, IET India said "Historically, academia, students and parents have largely focused on developing their technical skills, ignoring a critical component - soft skills. There are multiple surveys that mention engineering students have been increasingly rendered unemployed because of the lack of their communications skills. We at the IET believe that a competition like PATW helps provide a unique platform for students and young professionals to showcase their presentation skills and in turn contribute to their holistic development. It is integral to their rounded growth as professionals and we are thrilled to see the tremendous response from the student ecosystem for this competition series over the years and wish the winner all the best for the global final.”

NSIC Loan Applications for MSMEs to Ease with Rubique’s New Online Platform

Rubique, an online marketplace for financial products for micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), signed an MoU with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) on Tuesday, for providing easy credit facilities. 

NSIC, a miniratna enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, will provide SMEs registered with them, easy credit access via the Rubique platform. "The tie-up between NSIC-Rubique will bring in the technology interface, by way of the online platform to strengthen NSIC's endeavour to give credit access and support MSMEs in their growth," said Ravindra Nath, NSIC.

He said that NSIC has already tied up arrangements with 33 public and private sector banks, and financial institutions. "Besides easy access to credit, this tie-up will help MSMEs save their time and without any additional cost. It would help us improve their competitiveness in the country," he adds.

Rubique CEO and Founder Manavjeet Singh said the company's matchmaking algorithm would bring more certainty in the process of getting financial help.

"We can check the qualification of the application by matching borrowers eligibility with financial institutions' lending criteria on the website itself. Rubique has tied up with 60-plus financial institutions," he said.

The Mumbai-based company offers a range of financial products and services including personal, car, home and business loan among other services.

Rs 400 Cr Spent By Gionee On Marketing & Branding Activities in India

Chinese handset maker Gionee will spend around Rs 400 crore on marketing and branding activities over the next few months to capitalise on the festive season demand.

The Chinese company, which plans to launch four new smartphones by mid-October, also aims to expand its market share in India to 7-10 per cent by next March.

"We had earmarked a budget of Rs 600 crore this year and we have utilised one-third of it till now. About Rs 200 crore will be pumped in the festive season and the remaining amount will be used in the latter part of the fiscal towards various marketing and branding efforts," Gionee India MD and CEO Arvind Vohra told this media.

He added that the company will also launch 4 smartphones, priced between Rs 9,999 and Rs 24,999 by mid-October.

Gionee India has also signed up Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt as its brand ambassador.

"We are in discussions for signing up another brand ambassador but that is yet to be finalised," he said.

The company today launched its S6s, priced at Rs 17,999.

The 5.5-inch handset features 1.3 Ghz octacore processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal memory (expandable up to 128GB), 13MP rear and 8MP front camera and 3,150 mAh battery.

Asked about sales, he said Gionee India has now crossed half million units sales per month.

"All supply constraints have been sorted. About 60 per cent of our devices are now being manufactured here. We are expecting a robust growth this year in terms of revenues," he said.

Vohra added that Gionee India aims to expand its market share from around 5 per cent to 7-10 per cent by March next year.

In India, Gionee has partnerships with Foxconn and Dixon to assemble its smartphones.

He said the company plans to set up its own manufacturing unit in the next few years to enable 100 per cent local manufacturing. 

Largest Share of Technology Startup in Bengaluru, Says Assocham Report

Bengaluru is host to the largest share of technology-driven startups, followed by Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, while Hyderabad and Chennai are also quite popular among those techies who are budding entrepreneurs, according to a study by Assocham.

The study done in association with the ‘Thought Arbitrage’ found that in the technology-driven startups, India has moved up to the third position, with the US occupying the top position, with more than 47,000, and the UK with over 4,500 startups. India’s tech startups number around 4,200 up to 2015. 

In terms of total number of startups, comprising tech and non-tech areas, India again figured among the five largest hosts in the world along with China. The number of startups in both India and China was 10,000 each. The US is at the number one position among the overall list of 83,000 budding entrepreneurs. 

Of the Indian startups, riding on technology, IT hub Bengaluru was host of 26%, followed by NCR with 23%, and Mumbai with 17%.  In the ‘catching up’ category fell Hyderabad with 8%, and Chennai and Pune with 6% each.

Schneider Electric’s New Lithium-ion batteries Optimize Energy Storage for UPS’s in India

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, has introduced a Lithium-ion battery solution for UPS operations. The new lithium-ion battery solution for three-phase uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), brings compact, lightweight, long-lasting and sophisticated energy storage protection to data centers, industrial process, or critical infrastructure.

“It is important for companies to choose the right energy storage solution for their data centers, industrial processes, or critical infrastructure. The backup storage solution must maintain or even increase availability and manageability while reducing UPS footprint”, says Nikhil Pathak, Vice President and Country General Manager - IT Business India and SAARC, Schneider Electric India. In addition, there is a challenge to manage TCO (total cost of ownership), cooling costs, maintenance overheads and other operating expenses, in addition to minimizing the upfront capital cost.

“The traditional valve regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries have been the mainstay of energy storage systems with advantages like low costs, mature technology and relatively stable performance. However, its shortcomings, which are sensitivity to elevated temperatures, large footprint, heavyweight and short lifespan has created a new set of customers shifting to Li-ion batteries (LIB)”, says Pathak. Reduced battery footprint, maintenance, weight, total cost of ownership (TCO) and cooling requirements, improved backup storage predictability and double the life cycle, is making LIBs the preferred energy storage solution.

The LIB system from Schneider comes as a complete package comprising a standard cabinet / rack which houses the battery modules, the SMPS which powers the BMS and the protection switchgear. This solution is currently supported by Schneider Electric’s Symmetra MW, Galaxy 7000, Galaxy VM, and Galaxy VX UPSs.