Amkette
{{Short description|Indian multinational technology company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Amkette
|logo = Amkette_logo.png
|logo_size = 280px
|type = Private
|foundation = {{start date and age|1986|01}}
|founder = Rajiv Bapna
|location = New Delhi, India
|area_served = Worldwide
|key_people = Rajiv Bapna (CEO)
|industry = {{plainlist|
|products = {{hlist|
Wireless products |Speakers | Peripherals | Game controller}}
|num_employees = 1,000 (2012)
|homepage = {{URL|http://www.amkette.com/}}
}}
Amkette is a multinational technology company and manufacturer of computer hardware and consumer electronics, headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company launched a smart TV product called EvoTV in 2012.
The company's manufacturing facility is in China while the software team is based in Bangalore, India.{{cite web|url= http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/technology-change-drives-amkette-to-eject-the-floppy-finally/article4397498.ece |title= Technology change drives Amkette to eject the floppy, finally |publisher= Abhishel Law, The Hindu Business Line |date=9 February 2013|accessdate=18 March 2013}}
History
Amkette was started by Rajiv Bapna in 1984. It became one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of floppy diskettes from India, selling to Russia and other countries in Europe.{{cite web|url= http://www.smeworld.org/story/interviews/innovation-for-complete-digital-experience.php |title= Incessant Innovation for the Complete Digital Experience|publisher=smeworld.org |date=October 2011|accessdate=20 September 2012}} The plant manufactured 8", 5.25" and 3.5" diskettes. At its peak it had a production capacity of 30 million floppies daily. The plant was shut down in Jan 2013 and completely converted into a R&D center.{{cite web|url= http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/technology-change-drives-amkette-to-eject-the-floppy-finally/article4397498.ece |title= Technology change drives Amkette to eject the floppy, finally|publisher= Abhishel Law, The Hindu Business Line |date=9 February 2013|accessdate=18 March 2013}}
In November 2014, the company launched a headphone with a sharing jack, Trubeats Tango, that allows listeners to connect additional listening devices to the headphone.{{cite web|url = http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gadgets/amkette-trubeats-tango-headphone-review-this-one-can-take-two/|title = Amkette Trubeats Tango headphone review: This one can take two |date = 19 November 2014|accessdate = 20 November 2014|website = The Indian Express|publisher = Indian Express|last = Rajan|first = Nandagopal}}
In December 2016, the company launched the successor of its flagship product Evo TV 2 4k capable of playing 4k content.{{cite web|url= https://gadgets.ndtv.com/tv/reviews/amkette-evotv-2-4k-review-1648047/|title = Amkette EvoTV 2 4K Review|date = 12 January 2017|accessdate = 21 December 2021}} In the subsequent year, the company launched the next generation of Evo TV, the Evo TV 3 4K with an upgraded 2GB of RAM.{{cite web|url= https://gadgets.ndtv.com/tv/news/amkette-evo-tv-3-4k-media-streaming-box-price-india-launch-1767080|title = Amkette Evo TV 3 4K Box With 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Launched: Price, Specifications |date = 25 October 2017|accessdate = 21 December 2021| website = Gagdtes360}}
After a decade of the launch of Amkette TV Box which converted normal TVs into smart TVs, In 2021, the company introduced its flagship product, EvoFox Game box in the Indian market.{{Cite web|title=Amkette launches budget 4K gaming console EvoFox Game Box; comes preloaded with over 100 games|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/launch/story/amkette-launches-budget-4k-gaming-console-evofox-game-box-283738-2021-01-07|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Business Today|date=7 January 2021 |language=en}}
=Timeline=
Projects
- Android Gaming Evo Gamepad - bluetooth controller that allows console style gaming on mobile phones combined with the Android Evo Gaming app.{{cite web|url = http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/reviews/amkette-evo-gamepad-pro-review-hit-and-miss-732845|title = Amkette Evo Gamepad Pro Review: Hit and Miss|date = 27 August 2015|website = gadgets.ndtv.com|first = Gopal|last = Sathe}}
- Apple certified Mfi cable - launched in December 2014, certified with Apple in two variations, 8 pin (for iPhone 5/5c/5s/6/6Plus) and 32 pin (for 3g/4/4s)
- Trubeats Tango - launched in November 2014,{{cite web|url = http://techone3.in/amkette-trubeats-tango-foldable-headphones-launched-in-india-2450/|title = Amkette launches Trubeats Tango|date = 19 November 2014|accessdate = 20 November 2014|website = Techone3|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042900/http://techone3.in/amkette-trubeats-tango-foldable-headphones-launched-in-india-2450/|archive-date = 29 November 2014|url-status = dead}} a headphone with a sharing jack (aux out)
- EvoTV - launched mid-2012; a range of connected TV devices that converge web and multimedia features onto a TV{{cite web |url= http://tech2.in.com/reviews/hd-media-players/amkette-evotv-review/323422 |title= Amkette EvoTV Review |publisher= tech2.in.com |accessdate= 9 July 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120712161933/http://tech2.in.com/reviews/hd-media-players/amkette-evotv-review/323422 |archive-date= 12 July 2012 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}
- Amkette Acoustix - a lab within the Amkette R&D wing {{cite web|url= http://www.deccanherald.com/content/320593/amkette-bets-big-audio-segment.html |title= Amkette bets big on audio segment, to launch 12 products|publisher= Shayan Ghosh, DHNS|accessdate=1 March 2013}} focussing on developing new sound drivers for headphones and headsets{{cite web|url= http://beta.techherald.in/products-gadgets/speakers/2013/3/1/amkette-launches-trubeats-air,-for-a-truly-wireless-music-experience.aspx#.UUmaFRzJVTg |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130430103840/http://beta.techherald.in/products-gadgets/speakers/2013/3/1/amkette-launches-trubeats-air,-for-a-truly-wireless-music-experience.aspx%23.UUmaFRzJVTg |archive-date= 30 April 2013 |url-status= dead|title= Amkette launches Trubeats Air, for a truly wireless music experience |publisher= beta.techherald.in |accessdate=21 March 2013}}{{cite web|url = http://www.digit.in/audio-video/interview-amkette-s-transformation-to-a-lifestyle-tech-brand-and-its-focus-on-innovation-for-the-ind-20509.html|title = Amkette's transformation to a lifestyle tech brand and its focus on innovation for the Indian market |date = 15 Apr 2014|accessdate = |website = Digit|last = Raninga|first = Soham}}
- EvoFox Gaming - Amkette introduced the EvoFox Gaming Accessories with the launch of the EvoFox Fireblade TKL gaming keyboard in 2020. Amkette's flagship product Evo Game Box TV{{Cite web|date=2021-02-02|title=Amkette Evo Fox Game Box Review: Game On, Without Burning A Hole In Your Pocket|url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/amkette-evo-fox-game-box-review-game-on-without-burning-a-hole-in-your-pocket-3374465.html|access-date=2021-12-21|website=News18|language=en}} and Evo Gamepad Pro 4 falls under the same category.
Products
=Peripherals=
The company manufactures computer peripherals such as keyboards and mice, USB hubs, card readers, and HDMI cables. In early 2010, the company entered the wireless segment, comprising keyboards and mice that run on either bluetooth or wireless spectrum technology.{{cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/amkette-launches-smartboard-qwerty-bluetooth-keyboard_738618.html|title= Amkette launches SmartBoard QWERTY Bluetooth keyboard |publisher= tech2.com |date=1 August 2012|accessdate=11 September 2019}}
=Audio=
The company makes headphones and headsets that run on Bluetooth and wireless spectrum technology such as Air Budz and Urban{{Cite web|date=2017-09-30|title=Amkette Urban headphones review: Sounds good, feels light|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-reviews/amkette-urban-headphones-review-price-in-india-features-specifications-sale-4868035/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} series.
= Accessories =
Amkette also makes smartphone accessories.
=Multimedia devices=
The company manufactures multimedia devices that work on Android platforms and can be connected to a TV. Amkette began development and marketing of media players in late 2009, by introducing the Flash TV 720p{{cite web |url= http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=107344&cat_id=893 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130204204541/http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=107344&cat_id=893 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 4 February 2013 |title= Amkette Launches Flash TV HD Media Player |publisher= Techtree News Staff |date= 6 November 2011 |accessdate= 20 September 2012 }} media player. In early 2011 the company launched FlashTV HD 1080p,{{cite web|url=http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=115087&cat_id=893|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203223853/http://archive.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/article.jsp?article_id=115087&cat_id=893|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|title=Amkette Launches Flash TV HD Media Player|publisher=Nachiket Mhatre|date=13 April 2011|accessdate=20 September 2012}} which was a Full HD media player. In mid-2012, the company launched a new media player called Amkette EvoTV,{{cite web|url=http://www.thinkdigit.com/TVs/Amkette-launches-Android-based-EvoTV-smart-box-for_9816.html |title= Amkette launches Android-based Amkette EvoTV smart box, for Rs. 10,000 |work= Thinkdigit |publisher= Digit NewsDesk|date=13 June 2012|accessdate=20 September 2012}} which was again a Full HD mediapPlayer powered by Android.