Ahead of Jeff Bezos visit, Amazon pumps in Rs 1,715 crore into India units

Fresh investment comes at a time when CCI has ordered an investigation against Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart on complaints of deep discounting practices and tie-ups with preferred sellers

Ahead of Jeff Bezos’ visit, the world’s largest online retailer Amazon.com Inc has stepped up its investment in India. The Seattle-headquartered firm has pumped in a total investment of Rs 1,715 crore into its digital payments arm Amazon Pay (India) Pvt Ltd and Amazon Wholesale (India) Pvt Ltd.

The funding is expected to help Amazon tap India’s booming digital payments market, compete with Walmart-owned PhonePe, Alibaba-backed Paytm, and Google’s mobile payment service Google Pay. The funding would also help it to take on its rival Flipkart with whom the company is in a fierce battle for dominance in India’s online retail market.

Amazon Pay (India) allotted 135.50 crore equity shares of Rs 10 each aggregating to Rs 1,355.00 crore at par on rights basis to the existing shareholders of the company, according to the regulatory documents filed by Amazon, which were sourced from business signals platform Paper.vc. Also, Amazon Wholesale (India) Pvt. Ltd., allotted 36 crore equity shares of Rs 10 each aggregating to Rs 360 crore to the same existing shareholders of the firm on rights basis. The resolution for this capital infusion was passed by the board of directors of both the entities from December 30-31, 2019..

Amazon is turning 25 – here’s a look back at how it changed the world

Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, set his sights on making it an ‘everything store’

A fourth of a century back, on July 5, 1994, an organization, which imparted a name to the world’s biggest waterway, was consolidated. It offered books to clients who got to its site through a dial-up modem. It wasn’t the main book shop to sell on the web. (Books.com propelled in 1992.) But it acted like a neighborhood store, whose businessperson realized clients by name – a chime even rang in the organization’s Seattle home office each time a request was put.

Amazon’s author, Jeff Bezos, put his focus on making it an “everything store.” The organization would proceed to end up an everything store, except an “everything organization.”

Today, after 25 years, Amazon has reshaped retailing for all time. It is one of the main three most important organizations on the planet, with a market capitalization floating around US$1 trillion, more prominent than the GDP of almost 200 nations. On the off chance that you had purchased $100 worth of its IPO partakes in 1997, it would be worth about $120,000 today.

Reclassifying retail

Amazon persistently took shopping comfort to fresher levels. Prior to 1994, customers needed to head out to stores to find and purchase things. Shopping used to be diligent work – meandering down different passageways looking for an ideal thing, managing crying and bothering children, and holding up in long checkout lines. Today, stores attempt to connect with customers anyplace, whenever and through various channels and gadgets.

After first encountering two-day free delivering from Amazon’s Prime participation program, customers began expecting no less from each online retailer. Around 100 million customers worldwide have Amazon Prime.

OnePlus 6T teaser goes live on Amazon, TV ad with Amitabh Bachchan out too

The OnePlus 6T is expected to be launching in the middle of October, with retail available shortly after the launch

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is gearing up to launch the OnePlus 6T soon. The phone teaser is now live on e-commerce platform Amazon, and a television commercial featuring Bollywood celebrity Amitabh Bachchan is out too. This is exactly how OnePlus started promoting the yesteryear flagship OnePlus 5T before the launch. With the teaser page out and television commercial featuring on different channels, it is safe to assume that the launch is now only days away.

While the teaser on Amazon India does not reveal anything, the television commercial provides some details on the design aspect of the upcoming OnePlus flagship. In the commercial, Amitabh Bachchan is seen holding the phone and his index finger resting below the rear camera module. The phone shown in the advertisement wears midnight black design (matte black edition) that was introduced with the OnePlus 6. In recent reports, the OnePlus 6Twas speculated to feature a tri-camera module on the back. In the commercial, however, the phone is shown sporting a dual camera module and Amitabh Bachchan’s index finger strategically covering rest of the space, leaving the speculation unanswered.

Speaking of other upgrades, the OnePlus 6T is confirmed to get an in-display fingerprint sensor technology, where the sensor is placed beneath the display panel. This allows a part of the screen to double up as a biometric recognition module for identifying fingerprints for the phone’s unlocking mechanism. The in-display fingerprint module will free up the space on the back of the OnePlus 6T without compromising on the overall design theme. OnePlus’ sister company, Vivo, has been offering this technology in some of its premium models, such as the Vivo X21, Vivo Nex and the Vivo V11 Pro.

The OnePlus 6T is also reported to get a new screen format, with a tiny notch on top. Though the notch area in the OnePlus 6 is among the smallest when compared with other notch screen-based smartphones, it would be trimmed even more and reduced to a size of a big dot, enough to accommodate just the front camera. The Vivo V11 Pro or the Oppo F9 Pro are two smartphones that currently boast similar screen format design.

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Also Read : Apple leads global premium phone market; OnePlus enters top 5: Counterpoint

Also Read : Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 review: Slate will impress multimedia enthusiasts

Xiaomi Mi A2 to go on sale at 12 PM on Amazon, Mi Store: First impression

The Mi A2 features a new design, better hardware, upgraded camera modules and stock Google Android Oreo, which would be upgraded to Android Pie soon, according to company’s claim

Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, is gearing up for the sale of its second-generation Google One platform smartphone – the Xiaomi Mi A2. Priced at Rs 16,999, the smartphone will go on sale today i.e. August 16 at 12 noon on Amazon and Mi online store. The successor of the Xiaomi Mi A1, the Mi A2 features a new design, better hardware, upgraded camera modules and stock Google Android Oreo, which would be upgraded to Android Pie soon, according to company’s claim.Technology News 

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is a midrange smartphone built on the blueprints of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. It features an identical design language of the Note 5 Pro with an aluminium body and Glass on the front. However, it is slim and weighs less than the Note 5 Pro, which makes it easy to hold and operate. A 5.99-inch LTPS IPS LCD screen covers the phone’s front. It is of fullHD+ resolution and stretches in an 18:9 aspect ratio. The screen is colourful and has good contrast to it. It is covered with curved Gorilla Glass 5 on top, which makes it less prone to scratches and smudges.

Xiaomi Mi A2 : In terms of performance, the phone seemed stable in first impressions.

Key features of Mi A2:

Screen: 5.99-inch fullHD

Camera: Rear: 12MP+20MP | Front: 20MP

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi A2 seems to be a power-packed proposition in the midrange segment with no real competitor that could offer similar features, specifications and performance in same price band. However, the phone lacks 3.5mm audio output jack and relies on USB type-C charging and data transfer port that also doubles up as audio output port. The phone also let go the micro SD card expansion slot that may not go well with some users. On the bright side, the phone would also get a 128GB internal storage and 6GB variant soon.

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OnePlus 6 Red edition announced at Rs 39,999; sale starts from July 16

The OnePlus 6 Red edition will be available only in 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage configuration. It will go on sale on Amazon India starting from July 16

 

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus on June 2 introduced the OnePlus 6 red colour edition. Although, the phone comes in three RAM and storage configurations – 6GB/64GB, 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB – the red edition will be available only in 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage configuration. Priced at Rs 39,999, the phone will go on sale at Amazon India from July 16.

“We believe power and attitude can be both elegant and humble, and we have strived to achieve this with the OnePlus 6 Red Edition. We worked to avoid an overly bright red colour, while still capturing a sense of self-confidence and positivity. Achieving the amber-like effect took several months to refine and perfect,” said OnePlus CEO Pete Lau in a statement.

The OnePlus 6 sports a 6.28-inch 19:9 aspect ratio notch-based screen. Just like its predecessor, the phone’s screen is of AMOLED breed with fullHD+ resolution. The phone boots Android Oreo-based OxygenOS 5.1 operating system, which also supports gesture-based on-screen navigation. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip (SoC), which is an octacore processor paired with Adreno graphic processing unit.

In terms of imaging, the phone sports dual camera set-up on the back featuring a 16-megapixel primary sensor, paired with 20MP sensors. The primary sensor is assisted with optical image stabilisation and electronic image stabilisation. Both the sensors feature bright f/1.7 aperture for low-light photography.

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Amazon now has customers in 100% serviceable pin-codes in India: Jeff Bezos

If things fall in place, then a deal with a major offline retailer might happen by the end of this year, according to a source

 

Amazon.in might be the most visited shopping site in India, but for Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of the technology giant, it is still Day 1 in what may be the second-most important market for the firm outside the US.

Bezos, in a letter to customers, said that Amazon now has customers in 100 per cent serviceable pin-codes in the country and is shipping packages from more than 50 fulfillment locations in 13 states.

From talking about how Alexa plays devotional songs in local Indian languages to Amazon India working closely with communities in rural areas, Bezos said that the online marketplace has now become part of the country's culture and has adapted all its services and offerings accordingly.

Stressing that Amazon India has captured the top spot for the last two years, Bezos pointed out that amazon.in is the most visited site in the country.

Amazon, which has completed five years in India, has managed to reach the top spot while taking on local favourites Snapdeal and Flipkart. Bezos, in a letter to customers, said that Amazon now has customers in 100 per cent serviceable pin-codes in the country and is shipping packages from more than 50 fulfillment locations in 13 states.

Also Read : In Second Most Important Market, It Is Still Day 1 For Amazon In India

“We’re five years into our journey, but as we say at Amazon, its Day 1, and I am energised and humbled by the opportunities ahead. Amazon.in is India ki apni dukaan,” he said in the letter.

Bezos also said that the company is working with ‘tens of thousands’ of third-party developers to increase the capabilities of its voice assistant 'Alexa'.

In the past five years, Amazon has grown from just one seller to 300,000. During the last one year itself, amazon.in expanded its network of third-party affiliates and service providers to ensure that sellers from non-metros and smaller towns get easy access and the required support to start and manage their online businesses, he added.

According to industry analysts, Amazon has pumped more than $3 billion into its Indian operations. One of its India units, Amazon Seller Services, alone has received over $1.28 billion during the financial year 2017-18 from the US parent, as per documents filed with India's corporate affairs ministry.

Bezos had committed investments of $5 billion for the Indian market. However, industry insiders believe that the number is going to increase significantly over the next few months with Walmart planning to expand Flipkart's operations. Investments have also been made in other Amazon entities in India, including Amazon Pay and its wholesale business.

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OnePlus 6, Honor 10 India launches this week: Things that you need to know

While the OnePlus 6 is set to be unveiled on May 17 and would go on sale starting May 21, exclusively on Amazon, the Honor 10 would be unveiled on May 15 and go on sale starting May 16 on Flipkart

Chinese smartphone manufacturers OnePlus and Honor are gearing up to launch their flagship smartphone – the OnePlus 6 and Honor 10 – in India this week. While the OnePlus 6 is set to be unveiled on May 17 and go on sale starting May 21, exclusively on Amazon, the Honor 10 would be unveiled on May 15 and go on sale starting May 16 on Flipkart. Both the smartphones would compete in the mid-range flagship segment.

Here are a few things that you need to know about the OnePlus 6 and Honor 10 smartphones:

OnePlus 6 screen

The OnePlus has used a 5.5-inch fullHD screen in most of its smartphones, except the OnePlus 5T, which has a 6-inch screen due to an 18:9 aspect ratio screen. The OnePlus 6, based on recent leak by Amazon Germany, is expected to have a 6.28-inch screen with fullHD+ resolution. As confirmed by the company’s co-founder earlier, the screen would sport a notch on top.

OnePlus 6 design

The OnePlus 6 will make a departure from the current trend of an aluminium build in favour of a glass body, but it would retain horizontal lines and curved design of the current generation flagship.

OnePlus 6 colours

The new glass-based design of the OnePlus 6 is confirmed to feature nanotech coating, something similar to the Huawei P20 Pro. Therefore, the phone is expected to come in multiple colour options, too. The phone is expected to come in at least three colour variants – black, white and blue.

OnePlus 6 camera

In terms of imaging, the smartphone would bring certain upgrades over the current generation. A new camera placement, vertically in the centre, with a fingerprint reader below it, is confirmed. However, the exact camera specifications have been kept under wraps, and the phone, according to a leak, is expected to sport a dual-camera set-up on its back utilising 16-megapixel and 20MP sensors placed vertically at the upper centre, instead of the horizontal set-up found in the current generation. As for the front, the selfie camera is reported to feature a 20MP sensor of f/2.0 aperture size.

As for the features, ultra-slow motion video recording is one particular feature that would be making way to the OnePlus 6, as confirmed by the company through teasers shared on various social media channels.

OnePlus 6 features and specifications

The phone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip (SoC) and have a 256GB storage variant paired with 8GB of RAM. The mid-range smartphone is also expected to have 64GB and 128GB variants, paired with 6GB of RAM. OnePlus has been teasing the features of the smartphone in the form of tweets and as part of other social media promotion activities – ingress protection (IP) rating for water and dust resistance, for example.

OnePlus 6 price

The OnePlus 6 is expected to price sub-Rs 40,000, at least for the base models with 6GB RAM and 64GB and 128GB storage options.

Honor 10 screen

Similar to the OnePlus 6, the Honor 10 would also sport a notch-based screen. However, the Honor device would sport a smaller 5.8-inch fullHD+ 19:9 aspect ratio screen compared to the 6.28-inch in the OnePlus 6.

Honor 10 design

The Honor 10 is expected to feature a glass-metal-glass sandwich design, similar to the recently launched Huawei P20-series. The phone is also expected to feature twilight coloured glass on the back, which shows different colour shades when looked at from different angles. The phone is also expected to sport a dual rear-camera unit placed horizontally on the top left corner. However, the fingerprint scanner is not visible on the back, so it is assumed to have been put on the front side below the screen.

Honor 10 camera

Being a cost-effective substitute to the premium Huawei P20-series smartphones, the Honor 10 might shed the Leica lens in favour of the company’s in-house imaging solution. The phone’s camera is also expected to feature artificial intelligence-based scene selection and other camera modes. However, the AI-based camera feature in the Honor 10 might be limited in comparison with the Huawei P20-series smartphones.

As for the features, AI-based scene selection and ultra-slow motion video recording are expected to feature in the upcoming smartphone.

Honor 10 features and specifications

The Honor devices, a cost-effective substitute to the Huawei P-series and Mate-series premium smartphones, usually feature similar technical specifications and features of the premium Huawei smartphones. The Honor 10 is expected to take inspiration from the recently launched Huawei P20 Pro, however, might miss on premium features such as Leica-tuned camera lenses, AMOLED screen, etc, which are limited to premium Huawei smartphones.

Just like the Huawei P20-series, the Honor 10 is expected to feature Kirin 970 system-on-chip (SoC), coupled with up to 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The phone is expected to feature Android Oreo-based EMUI 8.0, with system-wide AI integration for enhanced user experience.

Honor 10 Price

In terms of pricing, according to an industry source, the Honor 10 would be launched at Rs 35,000 and would rival the OnePlus 6 in the midrange flagship segment.

Click Here: Technology News

Xiaomi Redmi 4 sale begins on Amazon: All you need to know about the device

The Redmi 4 is a capable smartphone with a perfect screen size and resolution. Watch hands-on review

Xiaomi's latest budget offering, the Xiaomi Redmi 4, went on sale at 12 noon on Tuesday, exclusively on Amazon India. In the first flash sale that had taken place on May 23, the smartphone had seen a huge interest from buyers and registered a record sales number of a whopping 250,000 units within the first eight minutes.

According to Amazon.in, the Xiaomi Redmi 4 had recorded more than 10 million hits per minute on the site, after having received some 2.3 million ‘notify me’ alerts from customers since the launch announcement on May 16.

The dual-sim budget smartphone with VoLTE capabilities is the latest offering from Xiaomi and offers an all-round performance. The Xiaomi Redmi 4 smartphone is available in three storage and RAM options – 16GB/2GB, 32GB/3GB and 64GB/4GB -- which makes it a perfect smartphone option for people moving from feature phones to smartphones or those preferring budget smartphones with ample storage and RAM.

The key features that make the Xiaomi Redmi 4 a steal at its Rs 6,999 price tag:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 Octa-core processor
• 4100mAh battery that can last for 2 days under regular usage
• 13MP PDAF (phase detection autofocus) camera, 5MP, f/2.0 front with Beautify mode
• 5-inch HD display
• Metal body with fingerprint sensor. 2.5D curved glass
• Dual SIM (3-choose-2 hybrid SIM tray)
• LTE and VoLTE support
• Three variants: 2GB RAM + 16GB Flash, 3GB + 32GB, and 4GB + 64GB
• Up to 128GB microSD expandable storage
• Available in Black and Gold colours
• MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0
  Design
  The Xiaomi Redmi 4 is clearly one of the best budget smartphones in the market. The smartphone takes cues from its elder sibling – the Redmi Note 4 – and the design similarities are striking. The smartphone is light, proportionate and easy to hold. The small metal built of the Redmi 4 is what we liked the most about the phone. | READ MORE..