Indian brand XOLO has launched today XOLO 8X-1000 smartphone which will be running on its proprietary Hive customised UI, which is based on Android KitKat 4.4.2 OS. XOLO 8X-1000 with HIVE UI is priced at Rs. 13,999 and will be available across XOLO authorized retail outlets across India, next week onwards.
HIVE proprietary user interface platform has been developed to differentiate the Xolo smartphones from the other Android devices. The most popular Android smartphones like Samsung,HTC, Gionee, Oppo and Xiaomi etc, also have their own customised UI’s on top of the Android OS. Hive features customisable UI elements which include a new launcher, designer themes,widgets, new features for system apps such as the music player and the camera.
According to Xolo, ” HIVE has been built post extensive consumer research and usage patterns study across India. Each feature of HIVE has been designed to provide ease of use and flexibility. HIVE will allow the users to join in and become a part of development team by sharing their ideas.It gives users the power to CONNECT online with the software development team, share new ideas, and collaborate with like-minded technology enthusiasts. The best ideas that are voted up by the community are chosen by the development team, which then are rolled out as OTA updates. CONNECT feature under HIVE also allows users to report bugs and find service centers. To make this process a rewarding and enriching experience, every interaction offers exclusive Credits that can be redeemed for exciting digital content and other cool merchandise”.
The other core feature of the HIVE is Edge platform, which has been created exclusively for the emerging artists in various genres to design exclusive content as themes, ringtones and wallpapers. XOLO has partnered with the reputed Indian designers to create a range of themes for consumers to choose from. Whether it is the lock screen, the apps, its icons, colors, system wide controls, widgets, or even the experience within individual apps, HIVE has a range of wholesome Themes that blend themselves perfectly to the minutest detail.
Vishal Sehgal, Co-founder & Director, LAVA International, said “We are excited to announce HIVE to our XOLO customers. Built on an Android core, HIVE is a “Made in India, Made for India” platform designed by our Software Design Centre at Bangalore. With user empowerment at its core, HIVE enables users to contribute creatively to the platform, taking smartphone personalization to The Next Level”
The Xolo 8X-1000 is the first smartphone, which will come with Hive UI. This smartphone sports s a 5-inch HD display (720×1280 pixels with 294 ppi) with protection of a ASAHI Dragontrail glass in front and a CORNING Gorilla Glass 3 for the back. Xolo 8X-1000 is powered by a 1.4GHz MediaTek MT6592M octa-core processor, paired with 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM expandable to 32GB via microSD card. This smartphone is equipped with an 8MP rear camera with Sony’s Exmor R sensor and a 2MP front camera for selfies.
In terms of connectivity, the phone supports 3G, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth 4.0, and Wi-Fi Direct. This phone is packed with a 1920mAh battery, which is claimed to delivers up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 352 hours of standby time on 2G networks.
The Xolo 8X-1000 will face direct competition from the recenly launched Xiaomi Mi3 in India, which interestingly has the same price tag.
