Smartphone like Freedom 251 would cost ₹2,300, finds telecom ministry

With questions being raised over the promised price of ₹251 for a 3G smartphone by new entrant Ringing Bells, the telecom ministry has found that a device with such specifications would cost about ₹2,300.

With questions being raised over the promised price of ₹251 for a 3G smartphone by new entrant Ringing Bells, the telecom ministry has found that a device with such specifications would cost about ₹2,300.

"The ministry has analysed the issue and it feels that such a device can be manufactured for about ₹2,300," sources said.

However, they refused to say if any action will be taken against the company in the matter.

Earlier this week, Noida-based firm Ringing Bells launched the world's cheapest phone -- Freedom 251 -- priced at ₹251, hogging limelight globally.

Indian Cellular Association, which represents the handset makers industry in India and has members like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Lava and Micromax, had also written to telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The body said the bill of material value for a product like this when sourced from the cheapest supply chain cost approximately $40 (₹2,700).

When translated into retail price after addition of applicable duties, taxes and distribution and retail margins, the cost of the product would be at least ₹4,100, it added.

ICA requested the minister to get into the depth of the issue, saying the price could not be below ₹3,500 even after a subsidised sale.

WhatsApp's latest update now prevents others from adding users to groups without their permission. WhatsApp's group invitation feature was first spotted on beta, and it is now available for all users. WhatsApp has started rolling out the update for some users starting today, and it will be available for all globally within the next few weeks. You can manually check if you've received the feature by updating WhatsApp to the latest version. WhatsApp gives users three days to accept the request, after which it will expire.

WhatsApp's latest update now prevents others from adding users to groups without their permission. WhatsApp's group invitation feature was first spotted on beta, and it is now available for all users. WhatsApp has started rolling out the update for some users starting today, and it will be available for all globally within the next few weeks. You can manually check if you've received the feature by updating WhatsApp to the latest version. WhatsApp gives users three days to accept the request, after which it will expire.

The HP Spectre x360 has a lot going for its small size. It also packs an eighth generation Intel i7 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, 512 GB SSD for superfast internal storage and 16 gigs of DDR3 RAM. It's also got so much bling, that it looks straight out of a Two Chains video. It comes with its own set of quirks as well. It comes with a lot of accessories that don't let you miss out on connectivity options. It also has facial unlocking and fingerprint scanning. It has an interesting privacy feature, called privacy screen, which masks out the display to a white screen to anyone looking at it beyond a 70 degree angle. The asking price of Rs 1,57,000 might raise a few eyebrows, but the things it brings with itself for that price justify everything.

The HP Spectre x360 has a lot going for its small size. It also packs an eighth generation Intel i7 processor clocked at 2.5GHz, 512 GB SSD for superfast internal storage and 16 gigs of DDR3 RAM. It's also got so much bling, that it looks straight out of a Two Chains video. It comes with its own set of quirks as well. It comes with a lot of accessories that don't let you miss out on connectivity options. It also has facial unlocking and fingerprint scanning. It has an interesting privacy feature, called privacy screen, which masks out the display to a white screen to anyone looking at it beyond a 70 degree angle. The asking price of Rs 1,57,000 might raise a few eyebrows, but the things it brings with itself for that price justify everything.

Despite the controversies, the device has continued to grab attention from consumers. Following a heavy demand, Ringing Bells suspended bookings for 24 hours on Thursday. It resumed bookings on Friday.

Full Coverage: All about Freedom 251