Devices & Platforms

Asian group Axiata Berhad has launched MIFE, an Application Programme Interface (API) platform for all of its operations across Asia.

Cloud services firm acens has partnered with BaseKit to deploy the latter’s website building platform in Brazil.

Google is expanding its Android One programme into Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Established Namibian ICT provider, Paratus Telecom, has diversified its offering by launching a new mobile airtime distribution service called “Katiti”.

Chinese manufacturer Lenovo is setting up a new company in China focused on low-cost smart devices.

Jolla has launched its first smartphone in India via an exclusivity agreement with Snapdeal.com, India’s largest e-commerce marketplace.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is close to approving Apple’s iPhone 6 for sale in the country.

Xiaomi is temporarily suspending sales of its Mi3 smartphone in India in order to facilitate the smooth launch of the Redmi 1S, a Rs 5,999-smartphone that goes on sale today.

Snapdeal, India’s largest online marketplace, has partnered with Finish smartphone company Jolla to launch a smartphone running Sailfish OS, an open source operating system formerly developed by Nokia as Meego.

Micromax is launching two new smartphones running on the Windows Phone 8.1 OS, making it the first Indian smartphone provider to launch a device that uses the Microsoft platform.

Orange has launched the Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 2 smartphone across Africa and the Middle East.

Dutch electronics manufacturer Philips is set to re-enter the Indian device market with a range of smartphones and feature phones.

Former Apple CEO John Sculley is backing the launch a new range of smartphones in India. Obi Mobiles plans to invest US$20 million to enter the market during 2014.

Nokia underscored its commitment to emerging markets by releasing three new devices using the Android operating platform at the recent Mobile World Congress.

Sequans Communications and Pinyon Technologies have collaborated to build a new LTE consumer device for the Indian market.

Semiconductor provider Spreadtrum Communications has unveiled a next generation single-core smartphone platform for WCDMA, TD-SCDMA and EDGE.

Chinese budget smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi plans on doubling its 2013 sales over the next year, according to chairman and co-founder Lei Jun.

As China Mobile prepares to launch Apple’s iPhone on January 17, rival China Telecom has slashed its price for the desirable smartphone.

ZTE has introduced three new smartphones for users in Mexico, including the latest models in the bestselling Blade series, adding localised innovations and upgraded features to deliver a better user experience to Mexican consumers.

ZTE’s Grand Memo LTE is poised to become the first 4G device available for sale in China, after it became the first to be awarded a TD-LTE handset permit by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.