Breakthrough: Simple phones can now access smartphone technology

An Israeli technology company has developed a method where old or outdated phones can run apps available only on smartphones.

The system developed by the VascoDe company allows users to obtain apps with the firm’s cloud-based system that requires no downloads and uses the text-based Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), similar to the Short Message Service (SMS), Xinhua reported.

Customers will be able to use many apps available until now for smartphone users only.

However, the only difference is that they will see the apps in black and white.

The USSD system does not allow access to the internet, but rather it uses the API (Application Programming Interfaces) from pages like Facebook, Gmail, and the like, according to technology and health website Israel21c.

VascoDe CEO Doron Mottes said 83 percent of cellphones in the world are simple and do not connect to the internet, which means that almost four billion people in the world cannot check their email on the go.

He said the difference between being able to check emails and respond to them, can make a whole difference in a world so hung up on the internet, because it can give you the possibility to respond to job offers, for example.

VascoDe’s main markets are developing countries like Brazil, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, where most of the population cannot afford internet connection or a computer, and has to rely on expensive internet shops to log on their accounts.

2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class launched at Rs. 41.5 Lakh

German premium car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz’s Indian arm has launched the all-new 2014 E-Class in India at Rs. 41.5 lakh  (ex-showroom, Delhi).

After performing exceptionally well in first quarter of the year Mercedes-Benz India is using an aggressive strategy and the 2013 E-Class has been the company’s third successive launch for the buyers, as the manufacturer has already launched the new GL-Class SUV and A-Class premium hatchback.

The E-Class has been launched in three different variants including the E200 CGI tagged at Rs. 41.5 lakh, the E250 CDI priced at Rs. 44.8 lakh and a limited edition E250 CDI for Rs. 49.90 lakh. (All the prices are ex-showroom Delhi.)

The new E-Class got a mid-life facelift and comes largely with the cosmetic upgrades. It is the same car, which was unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show. Amidst of all other changes, the new bumper and headlamps, as the split headlamp assembly is now wrapped in a single form with LED elements for the low beam and DRLs (daytime running lamps) are most evident.

The front fascia of the new E-Class gets a new grille, redesigned headlights with LED daytime running lamps, making it look more aggressive than before. The rear end of the new E-Class adorns a revamped tail lamp cluster and exhaust tips.

On the inside, the new E-Class gets some design upgrades, and adorns a revamped dashboard, new multi-function steering wheel with gear-shift paddles (standard), redesigned aircon vents and control knobs. The command system has a new screen and gets a satellite navigation and a DVD player as well. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets two engine options – a petrol and a diesel.

The E200, the petrol variant comes equipped with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine that produces 184bhp @ 5500rpm and 300Nm of top torque. The E250 CDI, the diesel model is powered by a 2.1-litre, 4-cylinder engine that churns out 204bhp @ 4200Nm and 500Nm of top torque at 1600-1800rpm. Both the engines are mated to the Mercedes’s 7G-tronic automatic transmission. The company has removed the top end E350 CDI model from its lineup. The car offers an excellent fuel economy of 18.6kmpl and 22kmpl for both petrol and diesel model, respectively.

Mr. Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented on the launch of the new E-Class, “The new E-Class with its blend of stunning new design idiom, pioneering Intelligence Assistance Systems, exemplary safety and comfort features, luxurious appointments and best in class modern range of infotainment systems, creates a whole new benchmark in the luxury full-size segment.

With more than 2000 parts and components used, the new E-Class undoubtedly is the ‘Best E-Class ever’ and reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s prowess as the pioneers of technical innovations towards safety, design, performance and comfort. Its new emotive design reinforced with the Intelligence Assistance Systems, reaffirms the E-Class’ position as the most sought after luxury sedan in its segment. The new E-Class is a completely high-tech package–and a very attractively packaged one at that”.

List of Features in all-new 2014 E-Class: 

2000 new components and parts

All LED headlights

LED backlights

Intelligent assistance system

Active park assistance

Intelligent lights system, changes according to the driving conditions

Eco Start/stop

Attention assist

Command online navigation system

8-Airbags

Brake assist with ESP, and ASR

Active bonnet

3 ambient lightning system- Open Pore ash wood trim, Napa leather upholstery, Panoramic sunroof

Fuel tank capacity of 80-litres, 1100km run with petrol and 1300km run with diesel.