Xiaomi is one of the fastest growing smartphone brands in Nepal. It officially entered Nepal in October 2018, and has been seeing unprecedented growth ever since. Sujeeta Pradhan of Republica talked to Sourabh Kohtari, country general manager of Xiaomi Nepal, to know more about the brand and its future plans.

MUMBAI, Sept 26: Samsung Electronics is to provide finance to potential smartphone buyers, a company executive said on Thursday, in a bid to boost smartphone sales in India where it faces fierce competition from rivals such as China’s Xiaomi.

SEOUL/NEW YORK, Aug 8: Samsung unveiled a new version of the Galaxy Note smartphone on Wednesday with fast 5G network connection and improved camera features, hoping the premium model helps it revive slumping profit and widen the gap with struggling rival Huawei.

A new android smartphone you purchase operates fast initially. Nevertheless, you recognize that the phone is likely to slow down after usage of a few months.

China’s largest technology company, Huawei Technologies Co., is working on contingency plans, operating 24 hours a day, after U.S. President Trump put the telecom equipment and smartphone manufacturer on a trade blacklist, citing national security concerns.

The other day I read a Facebook post which said “I saw a guy at Starbucks.  He had no smartphone, tablet or laptop. He just sat there drinking his coffee like a psychopath.”  This really threw me back. Actually, I was troubled and shocked at the thought of someone who did not know the reality of the situation.  It made me think twice what this world had come to.  Not more than 30 years ago and even now in some parts of our country that’s exactly what people do in a coffee shop—sit and enjoy a cup of coffee without the distraction of modern-day gadgets.

The other day while waiting to board Qatar airlines I noticed a family rushing in to meet the boarding time with a toddler in tow. They were sitting just a few seats away from me. I was not paying much attention to them, but something caught my ears.  The toddler was repeatedly saying something that to me sounded like iPad.

KATHMANDU, Feb 21: The services being provided by the Department of Consular Services (DCS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to the general public will now be available in their cell phones.

KATHMANDU, Oct 15: Huawei has brought a festive offer for its customers. Under the offer, customers buying Huawei hones can win Nova 3i, Y9 2019, P20 Pro and Mate Book via lucky draw.

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE, Aug 1: China’s Huawei Technologies overtook Apple Inc (AAPL.O) to become the world’s second-biggest smartphone seller in the June quarter, data from market research firms showed, as it gained ground in Europe and expanded its lead back home.

Smartphones have become an important aspect of everyday life, not only in terms of staying connected with family and friends but also in getting work done, staying up to date with important schedules and even buying groceries or clothes online. It’s become almost impossible to do without one in today’s tech-driven world, so much so that most of us have a phone in our hands for the most part of the day.

KATHMANDU, May 3: Samsung Electronics has introduced Galaxy J7 Duo smartphone in the Nepali market.

KATHMANDU, April 4: Vivo has introduced its new smartphone, Vivo V9, in the Nepali market. The new model features full-view display and 90 percent screen-to-body ratio, according to the company.

Smartphones are by far the most common form of camera used today, and it’s easy to see why: they’re compact, most people have one with them at all times, and many can take photos that rival standalone point and shoot cameras.

Humans are addicted to continuous social interaction, and not to their smartphone devices, a study of dysfunctional use of smart technology has found.

BARCELONA, Feb 27: China’s Huawei used the artificial intelligence capabilities of its flagship Mate 10 Pro phone to drive a sports car as the Mobile World Congress got under way in Barcelona on Feb 26, in what it said was a world first.

With cases of sexual harassment and violence at an all time high in our society, we must do whatever we can to make sure we are safeguarded against crimes like these at all times. A simple way to do that could be by turning your smartphone into your personal bodyguard. All you need to do is download and install the ‘NiDARR’ app from the Google Play Store.

Nov 8: An Israeli startup has sued Apple Inc, accusing the iPhone maker of copying its patented smartphone camera technology.

Mobile photography seems to be growing these days, because smartphones tend to come equipped with pretty decent cameras. The portability aspect of a smartphone also makes it ideal for mobile photography since the device tends to be with us most of the time. But even with various different kinds of camera in smartphones, there are certain tips and tricks that can help you make your smartphone photos stand-out.

Nowadays, smartphones have turned into a necessity. From vegetable vendors to small kids, everyone is swiping on their phones following their Facebook feed, texting and playing games. One must wonder where these phone shops are located and how people can get their hands on one so easily.

Smartphone addiction tightens its global grip

OPPO launched its latest offering -- Selfie Expert F3 -- amid a function in Kathmandu on Friday. According to the company, the F3 is targeted at ‘Group Selfie’ generation. The smartphone has features like 5.5-inch screen, 13 MP rear camera, 16 MP front camera, 4GB RAM, 64 GB ROM and 3,200 mAh battery, among others.

The United Nations helped launch a smartphone app Tuesday that allows users to “walk a mile in a refugee’s shoes” by simulating the daily struggles of a fictional Rohingya Muslim who was forced to flee her home.

NEW YORK, March 18: Researchers are keen to examine if there is any link between the increasing usage of smartphones with the decreasing consumption of drugs in teenagers, the New York Times (NYT) reported.

KATHMANDU, March 6: Oppo’s ‘5X Dual Camera Zoom Technology’, unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC), has received various awards.

Coolpad, a Chinese telecommunications company, entered the Nepali market on Monday. The company has been manufacturing telecommunication devices for the past 24 years. Coolpad has already been already launched in North America, South East Asia, South Asia and Europe. Ashim Neupane of Republica talked to Du Jinbiao, CEO of Coolpad Global Sales and Service, and Executive Vice President of Coolpad Group, to know more about the company and its business plans for Nepal. Excerpts:

KATHMANDU, Jan 30: CG Mobiles Pvt Ltd has announced the launch of CG Blaze 4G smartphone in the Nepali market.

KATHMANDU, Jan 28: NiDARR, a smartphone application designed to provide individuals a secure and private platform to stay connected to their contact circles, report gender based violence, and maximizes their safety to prevent violence before it happens has been launched.

Researchers from Northwestern University in the United States found that 13 speedy mini-apps called 'IntelliCare' significantly reduced 50 percent depression and anxiety in participants, who used the apps on their smartphones up to four times a day using psychotherapy or with antidepressant medication.

KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat launched a mobile phone application named 'Nepal Passport' that allows service seekers to file passport application Tuesday.

Scientists have developed a ‘virtual breathalyser’ app – using smart devices to measure if someone is too drunk to drive.

KATHMANDU, Dec 10: IMS SMart, which has 21 Samsung Authorized exclusive showrooms across Nepal, said it had re-opened its Samsung Smartphone Café at Pako, New Road, in Kathmandu, on Thursday.

Don’t count on smartphone health apps in an emergency. A review shows many don’t warn when you’re in danger.

KATHMANDU, Dec 2: Oppo has won the Emerging Brand Award at World Marketing Congress Global Brand Excellence Awards 2016.

Nokia is planning to re-enter the smartphone business in 2017, a slide from Nokia's capital markets day 2016 has revealed.

Potterheads, rejoice! You can now step into the world of Harry Potter and try your hand at magic using just your smartphone, thanks to new features by Google.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 1: Japanese car maker Toyota has developed an app called Smart Key Box that lets people use smartphones to access and start up a car.

Samsung maintained its lead in the global smartphone market in the third quarter despite a massive recall that has tarnished the South Korean giant’s image.

Parents may please take note that it is just not all right to hand your child a smartphone to calm him/her down at home even if it helps keep peace in the house, according to the new guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Friday.

KATHMANDU, Oct 5: Apex Digital -- a part of Apex Group Pvt Ltd -- has started a multibrand smartphone retail chain in Nepal.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 20: Google late Monday sent out invitations to an October 4 event, hinting that the Internet titan will show off a new smartphone powered by its Android mobile software.

WASHINGTON, Sept 9: U.S. aviation safety officials took the extraordinary step late Thursday of warning airline passengers not to turn on or charge a new-model Samsung smartphone during flights following numerous reports of the devices catching fire.

KATHMANDU, Sept 7: Colors Mobile has introduced P20 under its Pride series. The P20 has 4-inch screen with an unrivaled slim design.

A smartphone attached to a balloon took to the skies on Monday in an attempt to set a record for the highest livestream from such a device.

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: Intex Technologies has launched Intex Aqua Pride smartphone in the Nepali market.

A group of Ph.D. students from the MIT Media Lab and researchers from Microsoft Research have come up with a temporary tattoo with which you can control your smartphone.

KATHMANDU, Aug 3: ZTE Corporation -- the manufacturer of ZTE brand of mobile phones -- has entered Nepal, appointing Evolution Enterprise Pvt Ltd as its sole authorized distributor.

Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry on Wednesday announced its second Android-based smartphone DTEK50 that combines BlackBerry’s security, privacy and productivity with the Android 6.0 Marshmallow experience.

LOS ANGELES, June 30: A man in the US has taken his love for smartphones to a whole new level - by marrying it in a Las Vegas ceremony, media reports said.