THOSE LOOKING FOR SMARTPHONES that can hold two connections have had very few options to choose from.
This is what makes the Motorola Milestone XT800, the first dual SIM Android phone, so special. The phone lets you use a CDMA and GSM connection with dual standby mode. The package that comes with this double connectivity also makes the XT800 stand out from the crowd.
The XT800 has rounded off corners (unlike the sharpish edges of the original Milestone and the XT720) giving it an oval look. While it does have a metal band running around it, it is mainly built of plastic, although this does not detract from its looks. It fits easily into one's hands and at 137 grams, is relatively light for a device with such a large display. Speaking of the display, it is by far the most striking feature of the phone, with the same resolution and size seen on the original Milestone and the multimediaheavy XT720 — 3.7 inches and 854x480 pixels. There are three touch buttons beneath it, for menu, home and back, and in case you are looking for a search button, well, it is right on top of the device, next to the power/standby button —a case of curious positioning that takes some getting used to.
Specs wise, the XT800 does not do too badly either. There is a 5MP camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, the option to expand memory to up to 32GB (a 2GB card comes bundled with the handset), and usual connectivity options like Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth, as well as a suprise package—HDMI connectivity which lets you connect the phone to an HD display and watch video in 720p HD (the phone's camera, however, does not record HD video). The addition of an HDMI cable is a welcome bonus. And wrapped around this is Android, with its usual mailing, social networking, multi-tasking and Web browsing muscle, along with thousands of apps to try out. The XT800 is every inch a smartphone, and we had no complaints with it as a dual SIM phone either, be it in calling, texting or handling the Internet.
The dual SIM connectivity however takes a very heavy toll of the device's battery. Android phones as a rule require a recharge a day and the XT800 when running two SIMS, required two recharges, especially when one was keeping mails, widgets and social networks in push mode. At one stage, we were almost wishing that Motorola had bundled a spare battery or a portable charger rather than an HDMI cable with the device. While on the matter of wishes, while the phone worked smoothly most of the time, it would have been better if it ran on Android 2.2, rather than the ageing 2.1.
Top that off with a rather ordinary camera, and the Rs 31,999 price tag seems on the steep side. That said, it is by far the best dual SIM smartphone in the country at the moment. Lets hope that it inspires the competition!
FEATURES
3.7-inch, 480 x 854 pixel capacitive touchscreen 550Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, Android 2.1 5MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM, 137 grams PROs Large, responsive touchscreen, Dual SIM CONs Stiff price tag, weak battery, Android 2.1 Price in India : 31,999
Tech Queries
I want to buy a gaming console. Should I go for a Sony PlayStation 3 with the Move bundle, an Xbox 360 with the Kinect bundle or should I settle for a PSP or an iPod Touch?
First, you need to decide whether you want something portable or not. The iPod Touch offers the maximum portability followed by the Sony PSP. The PS3 and Xbox 360 are for home use only. Then, you need to understand that each system has its share of pros and cons, and each one suits different people. For example, many of the games on the iPod Touch are free and many excellent games cost only $0.99. Plus the latest iPod Touch has cameras and can double up as a music/video player and personal organiser as well. The PSP is preferable if you like actual buttons for playing games rather than a touchscreen. Kinect games on the Xbox 360 appeal more to a family, while the PS3 has a Blu-Ray player and Move offers more precise control over your actions, appealing to more serious gamers who want motion control.
I have a Sony PSP 3000 and want to see movies on it. I know that I have to convert videos first, so I tried to convert what I had to MP4 format but that didn't work. Maybe I didn't put them into the right folder?
Movies look great on the PSP when properly formatted to fit the screen. Simply download and use a free software called PSPvideo9 (www.pspvideo9.com) to convert the videos. It also takes care of transferring the videos to the appropriate folder on the Memory Stick if you connect the PSP to the PC.
New gadget in the market, prices and reviews
DELL LATITUDE 2120
Dell has launched the Latitude 2120; their first dual core Intel Atom-based netbook for the Indian market. Designed for emerging markets, the Latitude 2120 is available in black or blue, has a 10.1-inch display, rubberised outer casing and tamper-resistant keyboard. Users also have the option of configuring it with a multi-touch 1366 x 768 pixel screen instead of the regular 1024 x 600 pixel LCD. Prices start at 19,000 but can go up to 36,000 for machines configured with the Intel Atom N550 processor, Windows 7 Professional, 2GB RAM and 250GB HDD.
19,000 onwards
JVC GX-PX1
Still not an official announcement, but the JVC GX-PX1 looks like the most complete and extensive merger of a still camera and camcorder to date. Rather than just being a still camera that records video, or a camcorder that takes stills, this JVC actually looks like it merges two different devices. It has a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, 32GB of internal memory and a 3-inch flip-out LCD. Most of the controls like mode adjustment, exposure, power button and all ports are located on the large lens barrel while the main camera body is ultra-slim. Not only can it shoot full HD 1080p video at 60 fps, but it can also take 5 Megapixel still images at 60 frames per second. No price or release date is available yet.
PACK FREE FOR iOS
Avoid confusion on trips with this app that helps you pack your bags. Pack Free displays the items you want to pack in each bag you carry. All you have to do is create a trip and start typing in what you need to pack. Apart from the packing list, the app also includes a to-do and notes section. It can also suggest how many units you need of a particular item based on the duration of your trip. A paid version of the app (simply called PackTM, available for $1.99) adds the ability to store multiple trips.
ZTYPE
Ztype is a quick, easy and addictive little online game which can help improve your typing skills. Just head to www.phoboslab.org/ztype and the small game loads instantly. It follows the style of a space shooter where you have to shoot down enemy spacecraft, except that the spacecrafts are words and your weapons are letters. To shoot down a word, you have to quickly type it out. Naturally, it starts off easy with a few short words, but as you move through the levels, the words increase in number, get longer and tougher to spell.
Dell has launched the Latitude 2120; their first dual core Intel Atom-based netbook for the Indian market. Designed for emerging markets, the Latitude 2120 is available in black or blue, has a 10.1-inch display, rubberised outer casing and tamper-resistant keyboard. Users also have the option of configuring it with a multi-touch 1366 x 768 pixel screen instead of the regular 1024 x 600 pixel LCD. Prices start at 19,000 but can go up to 36,000 for machines configured with the Intel Atom N550 processor, Windows 7 Professional, 2GB RAM and 250GB HDD.
19,000 onwards
JVC GX-PX1
Still not an official announcement, but the JVC GX-PX1 looks like the most complete and extensive merger of a still camera and camcorder to date. Rather than just being a still camera that records video, or a camcorder that takes stills, this JVC actually looks like it merges two different devices. It has a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, 32GB of internal memory and a 3-inch flip-out LCD. Most of the controls like mode adjustment, exposure, power button and all ports are located on the large lens barrel while the main camera body is ultra-slim. Not only can it shoot full HD 1080p video at 60 fps, but it can also take 5 Megapixel still images at 60 frames per second. No price or release date is available yet.
PACK FREE FOR iOS
Avoid confusion on trips with this app that helps you pack your bags. Pack Free displays the items you want to pack in each bag you carry. All you have to do is create a trip and start typing in what you need to pack. Apart from the packing list, the app also includes a to-do and notes section. It can also suggest how many units you need of a particular item based on the duration of your trip. A paid version of the app (simply called PackTM, available for $1.99) adds the ability to store multiple trips.
ZTYPE
Ztype is a quick, easy and addictive little online game which can help improve your typing skills. Just head to www.phoboslab.org/ztype and the small game loads instantly. It follows the style of a space shooter where you have to shoot down enemy spacecraft, except that the spacecrafts are words and your weapons are letters. To shoot down a word, you have to quickly type it out. Naturally, it starts off easy with a few short words, but as you move through the levels, the words increase in number, get longer and tougher to spell.
Google's new Art Project
Whether art is an obsession or just a budding interest, Google's Art Project will entice you with easy access to the treasures of 17 amazing museums across the world
Google's Art Project is very much a work in progress, but it is already a mesmerising, world-expanding tool for selfeducation. You can spend hours exploring it, examining paintings from far off and close up, and poke around some of the world's great museums all on your computer.
On the virtual tour of the Uffizi in Florence, you can look at Botticelli's Birth of Venus almost inch by inch. It's nothing like standing before the real thing, but you can pore over the surface with an adjustable magnifying rectangle. This feels like an eerie approximation, at a clinical, digital remove, of the kind of intimacy usually granted only to the artist and his assistants, or conservators and preparators.
There are high-resolution images of more than 1,000 artworks in the Art Project (www.googleartproject.com) and virtual tours of several hundred galleries and other spaces inside the 17 participating institutions. In addition each museum has selected a single, usually canonical work—like Botticelli's Venus—for star treatment. These works have been painstakingly photographed for superhigh resolution.
The Museum of Modern Art selected Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and you can see not only the individual colors in each stroke, but also how much of the canvas he left bare. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's star painting is Bruegel's 'Harvesters' with its sloping slab of yellow wheat and peasants lunching in the foreground.
In the case of Van Gogh's famous 'Bedroom', the star painting chosen by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I was able to scrutinize the five framed artworks depicted on the chamber's walls: two portraits, one still life and two works, possibly on paper, that are so cursory they look like contemporary abstractions.
Google maintains that, beyond details you may not have noticed before, you can see things not normally visible to the human eye. The most unusual aspects of the experience are time, quiet and stasis: you can look from a seated position in the comfort of your own home or office cubicle, for as long as you want, without being jostled or blocked by other art lovers.
At the same time the chance to look closely at paintings, especially, as made things, really to study the way artists construct an image on a flat surface, is amazing, and great practice for looking at actual works.
Another innovation of the Art Project is Google's adaptation of its Street View program for indoor use. This makes it possible, for example, to navigate through several of the spacious salons at Versailles gazing at ceiling murals—thanks to the 360-degree navigation—or to get a sharper, more immediate sense than any guidebook can provide of the light, layout and ambience of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Keep in mind that usually only a few of the many, many works encountered on a virtual tour are available for high-res or super-high-res viewing. The Art Project has been hailed as a great leap forward in terms of the online art experience, which seems debatable, since most museums have spent at least the last decade—and quite a bit of money—developing Web access to works in their collections. On the site of the National Gallery, for example, you can examine the lush surface of Velázquez's 'Rokeby Venus' with a zoom similar to the Art Project's. Still, Google offers a distinct and extraordinary benefit in its United Nations-like gathering of different collections under one technological umbrella, enabling easy online travel among them.
When you view a work by one artist at one museum, clicking on the link 'More works by this artist' will produce a list of all the others in the Art Project system. But some fine-tuning is needed here. Sometimes the link is missing, and sometimes it links only to other works in that museum. Other tweaks to consider: including the dates of the works on all pull-down lists, and providing measurements in inches as well as centimeters.
Despite the roster of world-class museums, there are notable omissions: titans like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Prado in Madrid and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, not to mention most major American museums, starting with the National Gallery in Washington. Without specifying who turned it down, Google says that many museums were approached, that 17 signed on, and that it hopes to add more as the project develops.
This implies an understandable wait-and-see attitude from many institutions, including some of the participants. The Museum of Modern Art, for example, has made only one large gallery available—the large room of French Post-Impressionist works that kicks off its permanent collection displays—along with 17 paintings that are all, again, examples of 19th-century Post-Impressionism. (Oh, and you can wander around the lobby.)
On first glance this seems both unmodern in focus and a tad miserly, given that several museums offer more than 100 works and at least 15 galleries. But the Museum of Modern Art is being pragmatic. According to Kim Mitchell, the museum's chief communications officer, the 17 paintings "are among the few in our collection that do not raise the copyright-related issues that affect so many works of modern and contemporary art." In other words, if and when the Art Project is a clear success, the Modern will decide if it wants to spend the time and money to secure permission for Picasso's "Demoiselles d'Avignon" and the like to appear on it.
This might also hold true for the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, which owns Picasso's "Guernica," but has so far limited its participation primarily to 13 paintings by the Cubist Juan Gris and 35 photographs from the Spanish Civil War.
In many ways this new Google venture is simply the latest phase of simulation that began with the invention of photography, which is when artworks first acquired second lives as images and in a sense, started going viral. Needless to say, Google's Art Project looks like a bandwagon everyone should jump on. It makes visual knowledge more accessible, which benefits us all.
Taking a walk through 17 world-famous museums is as simple as typing in a URL. At www.googleartproject.com,
Google has used a technology similar to Street View to allow you to ‘virtually’ visit these institutions. As a virtual visitor, you can walk the halls using on-screen arrows or quickly jump to a closer view of a particular artwork. Currently, a total of 385 gallery rooms and more than 1000 high resolution works by 486 different artists is available for viewing. Below: As demonstrated with Botticelli's Birth of Venus (displayed at the Uffizi in Florence), Google’s Art Project allows you to zoom in to less than a square inch of the artwork with certain selected pieces (using Google’s Gigapixel photo capturing technology) so that you can see every brush stroke, every speck of dust and every imperfection. This level of detail would normally only be available to the artist, his assistants, conservators or preparators.
Google's Art Project is very much a work in progress, but it is already a mesmerising, world-expanding tool for selfeducation. You can spend hours exploring it, examining paintings from far off and close up, and poke around some of the world's great museums all on your computer.
On the virtual tour of the Uffizi in Florence, you can look at Botticelli's Birth of Venus almost inch by inch. It's nothing like standing before the real thing, but you can pore over the surface with an adjustable magnifying rectangle. This feels like an eerie approximation, at a clinical, digital remove, of the kind of intimacy usually granted only to the artist and his assistants, or conservators and preparators.
There are high-resolution images of more than 1,000 artworks in the Art Project (www.googleartproject.com) and virtual tours of several hundred galleries and other spaces inside the 17 participating institutions. In addition each museum has selected a single, usually canonical work—like Botticelli's Venus—for star treatment. These works have been painstakingly photographed for superhigh resolution.
The Museum of Modern Art selected Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and you can see not only the individual colors in each stroke, but also how much of the canvas he left bare. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's star painting is Bruegel's 'Harvesters' with its sloping slab of yellow wheat and peasants lunching in the foreground.
In the case of Van Gogh's famous 'Bedroom', the star painting chosen by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I was able to scrutinize the five framed artworks depicted on the chamber's walls: two portraits, one still life and two works, possibly on paper, that are so cursory they look like contemporary abstractions.
Google maintains that, beyond details you may not have noticed before, you can see things not normally visible to the human eye. The most unusual aspects of the experience are time, quiet and stasis: you can look from a seated position in the comfort of your own home or office cubicle, for as long as you want, without being jostled or blocked by other art lovers.
At the same time the chance to look closely at paintings, especially, as made things, really to study the way artists construct an image on a flat surface, is amazing, and great practice for looking at actual works.
Another innovation of the Art Project is Google's adaptation of its Street View program for indoor use. This makes it possible, for example, to navigate through several of the spacious salons at Versailles gazing at ceiling murals—thanks to the 360-degree navigation—or to get a sharper, more immediate sense than any guidebook can provide of the light, layout and ambience of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Keep in mind that usually only a few of the many, many works encountered on a virtual tour are available for high-res or super-high-res viewing. The Art Project has been hailed as a great leap forward in terms of the online art experience, which seems debatable, since most museums have spent at least the last decade—and quite a bit of money—developing Web access to works in their collections. On the site of the National Gallery, for example, you can examine the lush surface of Velázquez's 'Rokeby Venus' with a zoom similar to the Art Project's. Still, Google offers a distinct and extraordinary benefit in its United Nations-like gathering of different collections under one technological umbrella, enabling easy online travel among them.
When you view a work by one artist at one museum, clicking on the link 'More works by this artist' will produce a list of all the others in the Art Project system. But some fine-tuning is needed here. Sometimes the link is missing, and sometimes it links only to other works in that museum. Other tweaks to consider: including the dates of the works on all pull-down lists, and providing measurements in inches as well as centimeters.
Despite the roster of world-class museums, there are notable omissions: titans like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Prado in Madrid and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, not to mention most major American museums, starting with the National Gallery in Washington. Without specifying who turned it down, Google says that many museums were approached, that 17 signed on, and that it hopes to add more as the project develops.
This implies an understandable wait-and-see attitude from many institutions, including some of the participants. The Museum of Modern Art, for example, has made only one large gallery available—the large room of French Post-Impressionist works that kicks off its permanent collection displays—along with 17 paintings that are all, again, examples of 19th-century Post-Impressionism. (Oh, and you can wander around the lobby.)
On first glance this seems both unmodern in focus and a tad miserly, given that several museums offer more than 100 works and at least 15 galleries. But the Museum of Modern Art is being pragmatic. According to Kim Mitchell, the museum's chief communications officer, the 17 paintings "are among the few in our collection that do not raise the copyright-related issues that affect so many works of modern and contemporary art." In other words, if and when the Art Project is a clear success, the Modern will decide if it wants to spend the time and money to secure permission for Picasso's "Demoiselles d'Avignon" and the like to appear on it.
This might also hold true for the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, which owns Picasso's "Guernica," but has so far limited its participation primarily to 13 paintings by the Cubist Juan Gris and 35 photographs from the Spanish Civil War.
In many ways this new Google venture is simply the latest phase of simulation that began with the invention of photography, which is when artworks first acquired second lives as images and in a sense, started going viral. Needless to say, Google's Art Project looks like a bandwagon everyone should jump on. It makes visual knowledge more accessible, which benefits us all.
Taking a walk through 17 world-famous museums is as simple as typing in a URL. At www.googleartproject.com,
Google has used a technology similar to Street View to allow you to ‘virtually’ visit these institutions. As a virtual visitor, you can walk the halls using on-screen arrows or quickly jump to a closer view of a particular artwork. Currently, a total of 385 gallery rooms and more than 1000 high resolution works by 486 different artists is available for viewing. Below: As demonstrated with Botticelli's Birth of Venus (displayed at the Uffizi in Florence), Google’s Art Project allows you to zoom in to less than a square inch of the artwork with certain selected pieces (using Google’s Gigapixel photo capturing technology) so that you can see every brush stroke, every speck of dust and every imperfection. This level of detail would normally only be available to the artist, his assistants, conservators or preparators.
LG’s 3D Brigade
Betting heavily on handheld 3D-capable products, LG showcased the Optimus Pad tablet and the Optimus 3D smartphone at MWC. Both of them have dual cameras for 3D video creation while the Optimus 3D even has a glasses-free 3D display. The 3D effect on the phone can be turned on or off and the handset has to be held at a particular angle for it to work, but it’s a world’s first nonetheless. The Optimus Pad has a 8.9-inch 1280 x 720 pixel display, choosing to take the middle path between the 7-inch and 10-inch crowd. At this size, the Pad can still be held with one hand, but offers a larger screen than the regular 7-inch tablets. Hardware includes a 1Ghz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, enabling 1080p video recording and playback. Like the other new tablets, it has the tablet-specific Android 3.0. The Optimus 3D phone has a 4.3-inch display, dual 5MP cameras and a 1500mAh battery, but the party trick is the ability to record 3D video and playback directly on a 3D-capable TV set using HDMI.
Tech queries
I recently bought aSeagate Goflex portable 500gb hard disk and had a few queries.
1) I heard that if the portable disk falls from a safe height, it will still work. Is this true? If yes, then what is the safe height? 2) When I first connected the drive to my pc there some files already on it. What will happen if I do a full format of the portable disk? Will the drive work even without these files? What are they? 3) The box says that the drive can be upgraded to USB 3,0. How can this be done? Do I need to buy anything extra? 4) I also have a large external 1TB hard disk from Seagate. Do the above questions apply to this too?
1) Hard drives have moving parts and are therefore subject to failure (especially over time). While in use, the hard drive should not be moved, much less dropped. The chances of failure are much higher when the drive is dropped while in usage. There is no such thing as a safe height. If your drive is going to be handled roughly, its best to get a rugged casing (Hitachi, Transcend and A-Data make rugged casings).
2) The files present on the drive when you get it are usually some programs (some for backup of documents, hard drive diagnostics, user manuals etc.). If you don't want to keep these on the hard drive, you can just copy them to your computers hard drive. But it's best to keep a backup of these files and programs in case you need them later.
3) Seagate GoFlex drives are indeed upgradeable. If you look at the drive closely, you'll see that the cable (with an included mini dock) is detachable. A USB 2.0 cable is supplied, but you can just purchase the USB 3.0 upgrade kit to upgrade the drive. The kit costs 6,000 and includes a USB 3.0 cable for the hard drive and an express card to USB 3.0 adapter. Most laptops today have an express card slot, so with this adapter, you can instantly add a USB 3.0 port.
4) Seagate 1TB drive - if it is part of the GoFlex series then it is upgradeable.
How often should I run a complete virus scan of my PC?
First, make sure that your anti-virus software is getting properly updated. Complete scans should be done regularly, and usually about once in 2 to 3 weeks is fine. You should do more frequent scans if you regularly connect unknown USB flash drives and hard drives to copy data. You can also choose to scan specific folders .
Tech queries
I recently bought aSeagate Goflex portable 500gb hard disk and had a few queries.
1) I heard that if the portable disk falls from a safe height, it will still work. Is this true? If yes, then what is the safe height? 2) When I first connected the drive to my pc there some files already on it. What will happen if I do a full format of the portable disk? Will the drive work even without these files? What are they? 3) The box says that the drive can be upgraded to USB 3,0. How can this be done? Do I need to buy anything extra? 4) I also have a large external 1TB hard disk from Seagate. Do the above questions apply to this too?
1) Hard drives have moving parts and are therefore subject to failure (especially over time). While in use, the hard drive should not be moved, much less dropped. The chances of failure are much higher when the drive is dropped while in usage. There is no such thing as a safe height. If your drive is going to be handled roughly, its best to get a rugged casing (Hitachi, Transcend and A-Data make rugged casings).
2) The files present on the drive when you get it are usually some programs (some for backup of documents, hard drive diagnostics, user manuals etc.). If you don't want to keep these on the hard drive, you can just copy them to your computers hard drive. But it's best to keep a backup of these files and programs in case you need them later.
3) Seagate GoFlex drives are indeed upgradeable. If you look at the drive closely, you'll see that the cable (with an included mini dock) is detachable. A USB 2.0 cable is supplied, but you can just purchase the USB 3.0 upgrade kit to upgrade the drive. The kit costs 6,000 and includes a USB 3.0 cable for the hard drive and an express card to USB 3.0 adapter. Most laptops today have an express card slot, so with this adapter, you can instantly add a USB 3.0 port.
4) Seagate 1TB drive - if it is part of the GoFlex series then it is upgradeable.
How often should I run a complete virus scan of my PC?
First, make sure that your anti-virus software is getting properly updated. Complete scans should be done regularly, and usually about once in 2 to 3 weeks is fine. You should do more frequent scans if you regularly connect unknown USB flash drives and hard drives to copy data. You can also choose to scan specific folders .
New gadgets and the prices in India
Casio GenNext Keyboards
Casio India has launched a new series of GenNext keyboards that promise affordability and professional-level features. The models introduced include the CTK 6000, CTK 7000, WK 7500 and WK 6500 (pictured here: WK 7500, priced at 24,995). Prices start at 16,995 and go up to 33,995. They all feature realistic tones and rich sound, reproduced thanks to the 2-way bass reflex 4-speaker system. They also offer features like pitch bending, piano-style keys with touch response, vibrato effects and a variety of input and output terminals.
PRICE: 16,995 - 33,995
ViewSonic VA 1938w LED monitor
Inspan Infotech has launched the Viewsonic VA 1938w LED monitor. Priced quite affordably at 7,900, this 18.5-inch monitor has a native 1366 x 768 pixel panel resolution, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m² brightness and support for 16.7 million colours. Connectivity is via a DVI port, but you can also connect an HDMI source with the help of a simple DVI to HDMI adapter. The monitor also has a special eco mode that reduces brightness & cuts power usage by 70%. PRICE: 7,900
Smycalendar for iPad review
Free for a limited time only, Smycalendar is an iPad-specific calendar, reminder and scheduling app. You start by putting in your date of birth and it reminds you of the number of days you’ve lived. Then, you can add anniversaries, holiday lists, schedules, appointments and get reminded of them with push notifications. It works in both landscape and portrait modes, while you have the option to switch between month, year or detail views. It also includes a 'D' day countdown; set the date for something you are looking forward to and it will count the days down. Backgrounds for the calendar can also be customized; choose between the various built in colours & photographs or simply select your own from saved photos on the iPad.
The HDD Sounds of Failure
Hard disk drives don't last indefinitely, and you've probably heard horror stories of how huge amounts of data was lost when a drive crashed. To prevent this, multiple backups of essential data are a must of course. But data recovery specialists Datacent have put up a very handy list of warning sounds that you can listen for, depending on the make and model of hard drive that you use. All popular brands including Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi, Samsung, Toshiba and Fujitsu are covered. These sounds usually signal impending failure, so if something sounds familiar, you have enough time to back up all your data. To hear all the sounds, head to http://datacent.com and click on ‘sounds’.
Casio India has launched a new series of GenNext keyboards that promise affordability and professional-level features. The models introduced include the CTK 6000, CTK 7000, WK 7500 and WK 6500 (pictured here: WK 7500, priced at 24,995). Prices start at 16,995 and go up to 33,995. They all feature realistic tones and rich sound, reproduced thanks to the 2-way bass reflex 4-speaker system. They also offer features like pitch bending, piano-style keys with touch response, vibrato effects and a variety of input and output terminals.
PRICE: 16,995 - 33,995
ViewSonic VA 1938w LED monitor
Inspan Infotech has launched the Viewsonic VA 1938w LED monitor. Priced quite affordably at 7,900, this 18.5-inch monitor has a native 1366 x 768 pixel panel resolution, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m² brightness and support for 16.7 million colours. Connectivity is via a DVI port, but you can also connect an HDMI source with the help of a simple DVI to HDMI adapter. The monitor also has a special eco mode that reduces brightness & cuts power usage by 70%. PRICE: 7,900
Smycalendar for iPad review
Free for a limited time only, Smycalendar is an iPad-specific calendar, reminder and scheduling app. You start by putting in your date of birth and it reminds you of the number of days you’ve lived. Then, you can add anniversaries, holiday lists, schedules, appointments and get reminded of them with push notifications. It works in both landscape and portrait modes, while you have the option to switch between month, year or detail views. It also includes a 'D' day countdown; set the date for something you are looking forward to and it will count the days down. Backgrounds for the calendar can also be customized; choose between the various built in colours & photographs or simply select your own from saved photos on the iPad.
The HDD Sounds of Failure
Hard disk drives don't last indefinitely, and you've probably heard horror stories of how huge amounts of data was lost when a drive crashed. To prevent this, multiple backups of essential data are a must of course. But data recovery specialists Datacent have put up a very handy list of warning sounds that you can listen for, depending on the make and model of hard drive that you use. All popular brands including Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi, Samsung, Toshiba and Fujitsu are covered. These sounds usually signal impending failure, so if something sounds familiar, you have enough time to back up all your data. To hear all the sounds, head to http://datacent.com and click on ‘sounds’.
MWC’s Bounty of Gadgets
With the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2011 drawing to a close, geeks everywhere are rubbing their hands in anticipation of the hot new hardware. Hitesh Raj Bhagat rounds up some of the more exciting launches
1 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 2 Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo 3 Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro 4 Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Army
First up is the Xperia Play – an Android phone with PSP-style gamepad buttons. It’s the world’s first phone with a Playstationcertified controller built in. It runs Android 2.3, has a 4-inch 854 x 480 pixel capacitive screen, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and all high-end smartphone features. Hardware is a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor with embedded Adreno GPU for 3D graphics. It weights 175 grams; only slightly more than the average smartphone.
Next, we have the Xperia Neo which has a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen with Sony’s Bravia display engine, 1Ghz processor and 8MP camera.
The Xperia Pro is a touchscreen Android phone with side slider QWERTY keypad. Like the Xperia Neo, it has a 3.7-inch touchscreen capacitive display (which uses Sony’s Bravia display technology), 1 Ghz Qualcomm processor, Android 2.3, 2MP front and 8MP rear camera. Both the Pro and the Neo have HDMI output and Sony’s Exmor R (for mobile) image sensor, borrowing technology from Sony’s CyberShot range of cameras.
Finally, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, also seen doing the rounds at CES earlier this year. The striking curved design, powerful hardware (1Ghz Snapdragon cpu + Adreno graphics engine) and large 4.2-inch 480 x 854 pixel capacitive touchscreen set it apart from the rest. It’s also unbelievably thin at just 8.7mm.
1 Samsung Galaxy S II 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Samsung’s Powerful Sequels
After several teaser videos and leaks, the next version of the Galaxy Tab was unveiled at MWC. Contrary to rumors, it's not called the Galaxy Tab 2 but the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (referring to the 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 screen). It has the powerful 1Ghz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb; designed specifically for tablets), 16 or 32GB internal memory, 2MP front and 8MP rear camera, 1080p video recording and playback and Wi-Fi N — all encased in a 599 gram shell (just a shade under the iPad's 680 grams). Meanwhile, the Galaxy S II is the flagship smartphone and lays claim to the title of world’s thinnest smartphone at just 8.5mm. It may be thin, but it still has a 1Ghz dual core processor, 1GB RAM and 4.3-inch 800 x 480 pixel Super AMOLED Plus display. Samsung also showcased the Wi-Fi 4.0 and 5.0; 4 & 5-inch
Android media players with built in Wi-Fi.
1 HP TouchPad 2 HP Pre3
HP Bets Big on WebOS
Even since HP’s acquisition of Palm in 2010, speculation was rife that HP would use the WebOS operating system in upcoming devices. The HP TouchPad has a very similar size to the iPad (with the same 9.7-inch screen size) and is the first tablet to be powered by WebOS. It has a 1.2Ghz dual core Qualcomm processor, 16 or 32Gb internal memory, GPS and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. Next up is the Pre3, successor to the Palm Pre, with suitably bumped up hardware. WebOS’ primary mainstay is the excellent multi-tasking, which shows all running applications as ‘cards’ which you can flip through.
1 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 2 Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo 3 Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro 4 Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Army
First up is the Xperia Play – an Android phone with PSP-style gamepad buttons. It’s the world’s first phone with a Playstationcertified controller built in. It runs Android 2.3, has a 4-inch 854 x 480 pixel capacitive screen, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and all high-end smartphone features. Hardware is a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor with embedded Adreno GPU for 3D graphics. It weights 175 grams; only slightly more than the average smartphone.
Next, we have the Xperia Neo which has a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen with Sony’s Bravia display engine, 1Ghz processor and 8MP camera.
The Xperia Pro is a touchscreen Android phone with side slider QWERTY keypad. Like the Xperia Neo, it has a 3.7-inch touchscreen capacitive display (which uses Sony’s Bravia display technology), 1 Ghz Qualcomm processor, Android 2.3, 2MP front and 8MP rear camera. Both the Pro and the Neo have HDMI output and Sony’s Exmor R (for mobile) image sensor, borrowing technology from Sony’s CyberShot range of cameras.
Finally, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, also seen doing the rounds at CES earlier this year. The striking curved design, powerful hardware (1Ghz Snapdragon cpu + Adreno graphics engine) and large 4.2-inch 480 x 854 pixel capacitive touchscreen set it apart from the rest. It’s also unbelievably thin at just 8.7mm.
1 Samsung Galaxy S II 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Samsung’s Powerful Sequels
After several teaser videos and leaks, the next version of the Galaxy Tab was unveiled at MWC. Contrary to rumors, it's not called the Galaxy Tab 2 but the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (referring to the 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 screen). It has the powerful 1Ghz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb; designed specifically for tablets), 16 or 32GB internal memory, 2MP front and 8MP rear camera, 1080p video recording and playback and Wi-Fi N — all encased in a 599 gram shell (just a shade under the iPad's 680 grams). Meanwhile, the Galaxy S II is the flagship smartphone and lays claim to the title of world’s thinnest smartphone at just 8.5mm. It may be thin, but it still has a 1Ghz dual core processor, 1GB RAM and 4.3-inch 800 x 480 pixel Super AMOLED Plus display. Samsung also showcased the Wi-Fi 4.0 and 5.0; 4 & 5-inch
Android media players with built in Wi-Fi.
1 HP TouchPad 2 HP Pre3
HP Bets Big on WebOS
Even since HP’s acquisition of Palm in 2010, speculation was rife that HP would use the WebOS operating system in upcoming devices. The HP TouchPad has a very similar size to the iPad (with the same 9.7-inch screen size) and is the first tablet to be powered by WebOS. It has a 1.2Ghz dual core Qualcomm processor, 16 or 32Gb internal memory, GPS and a 1.3MP front-facing camera. Next up is the Pre3, successor to the Palm Pre, with suitably bumped up hardware. WebOS’ primary mainstay is the excellent multi-tasking, which shows all running applications as ‘cards’ which you can flip through.
MOTOROLA DEFY - FEATURES
Android 2.1, 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen 5MP camera with LED flash, Wi-Fi, GPS, FM 800Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, 118 grams PROs Rugged yet beautiful, fast operation CONs Runs Android 2.1, average camera quality,Price:18,990
MENTION THE WORD ’RUGGED’ AND the first thing that comes to most people's minds is something that is incredibly tough but not very pretty. So when we heard of the Motorola Defy, a ‘durable Android phone’, we expected to see something that matched Arnold Schwarzenegger in strength, bulk and appearance.
To say that we were surprised is an understatement. The Motorola Defy looks more than presentable. At 13.4 mm, it is not pencil thin, but neither is it bulky — in fact, it is less wide and shorter than the iPhone 3GS and the HTC Mozart, even though it packs in a 3.7-inch display. The front has a Gorilla Glass scratch-proof screen and four soft touch keys (menu, home, back, search) below it. It is only when you turn the device over and inspect its sides that the ‘tough’ element comes to the fore with the tightly covered mini-USB port, the metallic screws that hold the two sides of the phone together as well as the airtight backcover lock. All in all, it is very comfortable to hold and at around 117 grams, not too heavy either.
It packs in some very good specs too. At 800 MHz, it has the fastest processor on a Motorola phone in India, and its display has the same resolution as the famous Milestone — 480 x 854. It has 512 MB RAM, a 5.0-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash and comes with a 2GB memory card. The one sour note is that in spite of these impressive innards, it runs Android 2.1 rather than 2.2. Motorola has attempted to redeem things to an extent by providing a software to create a 3G hotspot. However, those accustomed to Android 2.2's zippy interface and the option to save applications to expansion cards will be disappointed.
That apart, there is little to fault in the Defy. It works very briskly and features Android's typical icon and widget driven interface with excellent web browsing and social networking connectivity, with Motorola adding some resizable widgets for calendars, contacts and messaging for good measure. The battery was a pleasant surprise, lasting comfortably for a day, even with push mail and Facebook updates turned on. We were not too impressed with the camera which threw up relatively dull images, but the presence of Kodak Perfect Touch allowed us to improve pictures with just a touch. And of course, there is the famous toughness — our favourite trick over the past few days has been to walk over to a friend, and casually drop the Defy into their glass of water with an ‘oops!’, wait for them to stop shrieking, fish it out and start using it calmly.
Beauty, brains, brawn — this is one phone that has it all. And at Rs 18,990 we think it is a terrific deal not just for those who are not known to be gentle with their devices, but for anyone looking for a smartphone with very good build quality.
Q1>I have Sony DSC-H10 digital camera. It does not zoom while recording a video. What is the solution? Can I buy an additional zoom lens?
Unfortunately, certain digital cameras do not offer optical zoom while shooting video. This is intentionally done, because of several reasons:
1 - The microphone in the camera may be very close to the lens.
2 - The zoom motor in the lens may be very loud (and therefore, highly audible).
3 - Sound created by the zoom motor while recording will most likely overpower the ambient sound or your subjects voice in a video. There are some teleconverter lenses that can attach to the front of the camera — and these will change the overall focal length — but you still cannot zoom while recording a video.
Q2>I would like to print 20 or 25 photographs on a single sheet using a standard printer. In Windows 7, there is an option to print multiple photographs — but it only has options for 4, 9 or 35 photographs on a page. They all have to be the same size too. How can I get the freedom to arrange and resize photographs while printing?
With Windows 7 — you are restricted to those 4, 9 or 35 pre-set options. The best way to print multiple photos on a single A4 page would be to use an image editing program (or page layout software) like Adobe Photoshop, Pagemaker, InDesign or Quark Express — then you can set the number of images, resize them all individually and then print. If you want a free program that can handle the same, you can get the Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard from www.photopos.com. This will get the job done faster, but it does not give complete freedom with layout. Even the reverse is possible; you can print a large poster by splitting up a photograph into various smaller parts, each of which can be printed on a single A4 sheet. This can be done with the help of a free software called Posteriza (www.posteriza.com). The program can automatically split up an image into a size of your choosing. Then you just print and assemble the various sheets to get your poster.
MENTION THE WORD ’RUGGED’ AND the first thing that comes to most people's minds is something that is incredibly tough but not very pretty. So when we heard of the Motorola Defy, a ‘durable Android phone’, we expected to see something that matched Arnold Schwarzenegger in strength, bulk and appearance.
To say that we were surprised is an understatement. The Motorola Defy looks more than presentable. At 13.4 mm, it is not pencil thin, but neither is it bulky — in fact, it is less wide and shorter than the iPhone 3GS and the HTC Mozart, even though it packs in a 3.7-inch display. The front has a Gorilla Glass scratch-proof screen and four soft touch keys (menu, home, back, search) below it. It is only when you turn the device over and inspect its sides that the ‘tough’ element comes to the fore with the tightly covered mini-USB port, the metallic screws that hold the two sides of the phone together as well as the airtight backcover lock. All in all, it is very comfortable to hold and at around 117 grams, not too heavy either.
It packs in some very good specs too. At 800 MHz, it has the fastest processor on a Motorola phone in India, and its display has the same resolution as the famous Milestone — 480 x 854. It has 512 MB RAM, a 5.0-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash and comes with a 2GB memory card. The one sour note is that in spite of these impressive innards, it runs Android 2.1 rather than 2.2. Motorola has attempted to redeem things to an extent by providing a software to create a 3G hotspot. However, those accustomed to Android 2.2's zippy interface and the option to save applications to expansion cards will be disappointed.
That apart, there is little to fault in the Defy. It works very briskly and features Android's typical icon and widget driven interface with excellent web browsing and social networking connectivity, with Motorola adding some resizable widgets for calendars, contacts and messaging for good measure. The battery was a pleasant surprise, lasting comfortably for a day, even with push mail and Facebook updates turned on. We were not too impressed with the camera which threw up relatively dull images, but the presence of Kodak Perfect Touch allowed us to improve pictures with just a touch. And of course, there is the famous toughness — our favourite trick over the past few days has been to walk over to a friend, and casually drop the Defy into their glass of water with an ‘oops!’, wait for them to stop shrieking, fish it out and start using it calmly.
Beauty, brains, brawn — this is one phone that has it all. And at Rs 18,990 we think it is a terrific deal not just for those who are not known to be gentle with their devices, but for anyone looking for a smartphone with very good build quality.
Q1>I have Sony DSC-H10 digital camera. It does not zoom while recording a video. What is the solution? Can I buy an additional zoom lens?
Unfortunately, certain digital cameras do not offer optical zoom while shooting video. This is intentionally done, because of several reasons:
1 - The microphone in the camera may be very close to the lens.
2 - The zoom motor in the lens may be very loud (and therefore, highly audible).
3 - Sound created by the zoom motor while recording will most likely overpower the ambient sound or your subjects voice in a video. There are some teleconverter lenses that can attach to the front of the camera — and these will change the overall focal length — but you still cannot zoom while recording a video.
Q2>I would like to print 20 or 25 photographs on a single sheet using a standard printer. In Windows 7, there is an option to print multiple photographs — but it only has options for 4, 9 or 35 photographs on a page. They all have to be the same size too. How can I get the freedom to arrange and resize photographs while printing?
With Windows 7 — you are restricted to those 4, 9 or 35 pre-set options. The best way to print multiple photos on a single A4 page would be to use an image editing program (or page layout software) like Adobe Photoshop, Pagemaker, InDesign or Quark Express — then you can set the number of images, resize them all individually and then print. If you want a free program that can handle the same, you can get the Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard from www.photopos.com. This will get the job done faster, but it does not give complete freedom with layout. Even the reverse is possible; you can print a large poster by splitting up a photograph into various smaller parts, each of which can be printed on a single A4 sheet. This can be done with the help of a free software called Posteriza (www.posteriza.com). The program can automatically split up an image into a size of your choosing. Then you just print and assemble the various sheets to get your poster.
New gadgets price, review and tips
IOMEGA SUPERHERO
Iomega’s SuperHero is an iPhone dock with a built in backup function. This is for people who never sync their device with iTunes, but only charge it from a wall plug. The dock works with a free app that you download from the app store and a 4GB SD card in the package. It charges and automatically backs up contacts and photos. The card is upgradeable if you need more capacity. In case your phone is lost or stolen, you can dock a new phone in and restore contacts and photos from it. The only downside is that it does not backup music, videos or calendar entries. However, it works with the iPhone 4, 3G, 3GS, and the latest iPod Touch as well (4th Gen). Price:4,499
OLYMPUS XZ-1
It looks suspiciously like any other point-and-shoot camera, but closer inspection will reveal a host of high-end features in the Olympus XZ-1. It has many features that appeal to even professional photographers; a fast lens from the acclaimed manufacturer Zuiko with a wide maximum aperture of 1.8, a much larger sensor than a regular compact camera, a fast image processor that helps with noise reduction, a 3-inch OLED LCD for framing and the ability to add any flash unit via a hot shoe.It also includes RAW shooting, a lens control dial with manual exposure control and 720p HD movie recording with HDMI output. It is priced at US$499.
REVIEW
SPLICE FOR iOS
Unlike Apple’s own iMovie which costs $4.99, Splice is a free (ad-supported) video editor app. If you like, you can purchase the ad-free version for $2. Like iMovie, it has an easy-to-use and intuitive interface to quickly edit and put together videos that you shoot on the device itself. But it also offers some features that iMovie does not, such as the ability to add audio and video effects (apart from the ones included, you can add more effects using an in-app purchase). Another advantage is that iMovie only works on newer devices (iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4th Gen) while Splice works on older devices like the iPhone 3GS.
TIP
HOW TO THWART INTERNET BLOCKS
In case of an Egypt-style, nation-wide internet block, there is still something you can do to get online — good ‘ol dial up internet.The internet gets blocked because the internet service providers have been given an order by the govt. to stop services, but phones normally still stay in operation. Right now, French ISP FDN is currently offering free dial-up internet for users in Egypt.All they have to do is use a dialup modem and dial the number +33172890150 (username and password are both ‘toto’). Sure, you still have to pay international call rates, but it’ll work.
Iomega’s SuperHero is an iPhone dock with a built in backup function. This is for people who never sync their device with iTunes, but only charge it from a wall plug. The dock works with a free app that you download from the app store and a 4GB SD card in the package. It charges and automatically backs up contacts and photos. The card is upgradeable if you need more capacity. In case your phone is lost or stolen, you can dock a new phone in and restore contacts and photos from it. The only downside is that it does not backup music, videos or calendar entries. However, it works with the iPhone 4, 3G, 3GS, and the latest iPod Touch as well (4th Gen). Price:4,499
OLYMPUS XZ-1
It looks suspiciously like any other point-and-shoot camera, but closer inspection will reveal a host of high-end features in the Olympus XZ-1. It has many features that appeal to even professional photographers; a fast lens from the acclaimed manufacturer Zuiko with a wide maximum aperture of 1.8, a much larger sensor than a regular compact camera, a fast image processor that helps with noise reduction, a 3-inch OLED LCD for framing and the ability to add any flash unit via a hot shoe.It also includes RAW shooting, a lens control dial with manual exposure control and 720p HD movie recording with HDMI output. It is priced at US$499.
REVIEW
SPLICE FOR iOS
Unlike Apple’s own iMovie which costs $4.99, Splice is a free (ad-supported) video editor app. If you like, you can purchase the ad-free version for $2. Like iMovie, it has an easy-to-use and intuitive interface to quickly edit and put together videos that you shoot on the device itself. But it also offers some features that iMovie does not, such as the ability to add audio and video effects (apart from the ones included, you can add more effects using an in-app purchase). Another advantage is that iMovie only works on newer devices (iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4th Gen) while Splice works on older devices like the iPhone 3GS.
TIP
HOW TO THWART INTERNET BLOCKS
In case of an Egypt-style, nation-wide internet block, there is still something you can do to get online — good ‘ol dial up internet.The internet gets blocked because the internet service providers have been given an order by the govt. to stop services, but phones normally still stay in operation. Right now, French ISP FDN is currently offering free dial-up internet for users in Egypt.All they have to do is use a dialup modem and dial the number +33172890150 (username and password are both ‘toto’). Sure, you still have to pay international call rates, but it’ll work.
iPad comparision
To iPad or not to iPad
The iPad is finally here, but is it still worth investing in? We explores some of the forthcoming competition for the iPad and whether they are worth waiting for.
NINE MONTHS is a long time in technology. So when the Apple iPad finally made its official appearance in the Indian market, there were, apart from the usual squeals of delight from Apple fans, a few frowns in the tech community about whether the tablet had in fact taken too long to come to India. For, in the period since its launch (US availability started April 2010), a number of manufacturers have announced products that seem just as promising, if not more, than Apple's über tablet, which some claim is showing signs of growing long in the tooth. So, given all the goodies that could be coming your way later this year, does it still make sense to go for the iPad? Here’s our look at the competition and how it stacks up against Apple’s tablet.
THE iPAD ADVANTAGE
Hundreds & thousands of apps that work perfectly and add tons of functionality to the device Staggering battery life in excess of ten hours on Wi-Fi Excellent browser and e-book reading software A price point that is in netbook territory Ability to pair with a Bluetooth keyboard with minimum fuss A higher resolution display than most of the major tablets available in the Indian market Incredibly smooth and intuitive interface
CURRENT COMPETITION
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB
A price cut might have finally brought it below the 30,000 level, but many consider it as too little too late. The Tab remains a great option for those who love Android and need a tablet that can double up as a phone and a camera, but those looking for a pure tablet experience will go for the iPad.
OLIVEPAD
The Galaxy Tab's price cut and the low entry price of the iPad would have come as a blow to this sturdy rather than spectacular tablet whose biggest strength was its value for money proposition. As nearly 23,000 now it is too close to the price points of both the lower-end iPads and the Galaxy Tab to be considered a serious challenger. Barring a price cut, its day might have passed.
DELL STREAK
The tablet that seemed more of a smartphone finds itself in the unenviable position of being the most expensive tablet in the country. Yes it does have some very good specs to back up that price, but we cannot see people lining up for it, now that both the Galaxy Tab and the entry level editions of the iPad cost lesser than it does.
MOTOROLA XOOM
It came, it saw and it conquered all at CES 2011. Boasting a powerful dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, dual cameras, a magnificent 10 inch display and most importantly, the first version of Android (3.0) that has been designed for tablets rather than smartphones, the Xoom is being seen by many as major competitor to the iPad. Its biggest strength, however, is also its biggest challenge — Android 3.0 is by no means a finished product, so one does not really know how well it will perform. There is also the question of how many apps it will come with, as indications are that the apps in the existing Android Market will not work perfectly with it. Vs the iPad: Well, it is on paper one of the iPad's most formidable challengers and has Motorola's great design on its side. The only place where it could lag behind are the OS and the apps.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 2
Its first edition has been widely acknowledged by many to be the best tablet in the market this side of the iPad. And the second edition of Samsung's Galaxy Tab is likely to be even more muscular in the specs department. According to sources, it will pack in a dual core NVIDIA Tegra processor and even though its screen is expected to remain at its current seven inch size, its resolution could be almost doubled to 2048 x 1200 with a Super AMOLED display to boot. Round that off with an 8.0-megapixel shooter on the rear and this could be a multimedia behemoth that fits into your coat pocket. And yes, it should be running Android 3.0 as well. Vs the iPad: If it does live up to its rumoured specs, this could be one of the most powerful tablets in the world, and one of the most portable too. The challenge is likely to be in the pricing, and of course, the fact that it is, as of now, still unconfirmed.
BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK
It might have been a while since it was announced, but the BlackBerry PlayBook remains for many corporate warriors the tablet worth waiting for. On paper, it packs a formidable punch with a powerful dual core processor,
a seven inch display, dual cameras, support for Flash and HTML browsing, phenomenal multi-tasking ability, and of course, complete compatibility with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the ability to pair easily with BlackBerry handsets. A whole new interface based on the QNX OS should make it fun to use as well. Vs the iPad:We cannot see it winning in the apps department, honestly, but enterprise users might like its compact form and the good old RIM security factor. And if it can run Android apps too (as is being rumoured), even the apps might not be that much of an issue. The price tag however, is expected to be stiff.
MOTOROLA ATRIX
We can hear the howls of protest go up, saying the Atrix is not a tablet but actually a smartphone. Fair point, but we think it does enough to be considered a threat to the iPad, not just because of its extremely powerful specs which include a four inch touchscreen and a dual core processor, but also because of the fact that it can actually be connected to a notebook-like dock, letting you work on a larger screen with a full keyboard and a proper Firefox browser to boot. So one actually ends up getting the best of all worlds - phone, notebook and touchscreen. The fact that it runs Android 2.2 is a bit of a downer, but an upgrade is expected. Vs the iPad: No, it is not a tablet, but is perfect for the productivity types, although it does involve carrying the notebook dock along for best results. Just how many apps will run on the notebook dock is going to be interesting.
SAMSUNG SLIDING PC 7
Carrying the Windows standard in this slew of gadgets is the Samsung Sliding PC 7. It might not be grabbing as much attention as the Galaxy Tab, but there can be no doubting its potential for those who want to stay in the familiar Windows environment. Powered by the Intel Atom Z760 chip, it features a 10 inch touchscreen, dual cameras, the ability to support USB devices and solid state storage. But the party trick is the full keyboard which slides out and transforms it from a tablet into a netbook. It is not the lightest device around being just more than a kilogram, but netbook lovers longing for a touch experience will adore it. Vs the iPad: The perfect device if you want to have a tablet without giving up your notebook. The keyboard helps. Forget about a different experience from your routine Windows, though.
RAZER SWITCHBLADE
Once again, not really a tablet, but the Switchblade wowed enough people at CES 2011 to make it a device worthy of being compared with any portable gadget. It features a 7 inch touchscreen and a keyboard whose keys change according to the function for which it is being used. It runs an Intel Atom processor, and is is being seen mainly as a gaming device. But it could well have uses as it runs Windows 7 and therefore should be capable of handling routine computing tasks (web browsing, document editing, presentations). It is still in the prototype state, but could turn out to be one of the gadgets of the year, if released. Vs the iPad: The Switchblade is the only device in this list that can go toe to toe and outslug the iPad in gaming. However, details remain sketchy on other fronts and it is unlikely to match the iPad when it comes to apps.
IPAD 2
Apple has not confirmed its existence and we do not even know for sure whether it will be called the iPad 2, but for many people, the expected successor of the iPad is the best reason not to invest in the current one. Details of it are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, with speculation rife about a retina display, dual cameras (for Apple's Face Time video calling) and a much faster processor. The biggest problem is that absolutely none of this has been confirmed. What one can be reasonably sure of is the fact that Apple's successor to the iPad is unlikely to change too much from the current one, as that would mean alienating almost 15 million users. Vs the iPad:The cameras and faster processor might be worth waiting for, but most of the thousands of apps will work just as well on the current one.
The iPad is finally here, but is it still worth investing in? We explores some of the forthcoming competition for the iPad and whether they are worth waiting for.
NINE MONTHS is a long time in technology. So when the Apple iPad finally made its official appearance in the Indian market, there were, apart from the usual squeals of delight from Apple fans, a few frowns in the tech community about whether the tablet had in fact taken too long to come to India. For, in the period since its launch (US availability started April 2010), a number of manufacturers have announced products that seem just as promising, if not more, than Apple's über tablet, which some claim is showing signs of growing long in the tooth. So, given all the goodies that could be coming your way later this year, does it still make sense to go for the iPad? Here’s our look at the competition and how it stacks up against Apple’s tablet.
THE iPAD ADVANTAGE
Hundreds & thousands of apps that work perfectly and add tons of functionality to the device Staggering battery life in excess of ten hours on Wi-Fi Excellent browser and e-book reading software A price point that is in netbook territory Ability to pair with a Bluetooth keyboard with minimum fuss A higher resolution display than most of the major tablets available in the Indian market Incredibly smooth and intuitive interface
CURRENT COMPETITION
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB
A price cut might have finally brought it below the 30,000 level, but many consider it as too little too late. The Tab remains a great option for those who love Android and need a tablet that can double up as a phone and a camera, but those looking for a pure tablet experience will go for the iPad.
OLIVEPAD
The Galaxy Tab's price cut and the low entry price of the iPad would have come as a blow to this sturdy rather than spectacular tablet whose biggest strength was its value for money proposition. As nearly 23,000 now it is too close to the price points of both the lower-end iPads and the Galaxy Tab to be considered a serious challenger. Barring a price cut, its day might have passed.
DELL STREAK
The tablet that seemed more of a smartphone finds itself in the unenviable position of being the most expensive tablet in the country. Yes it does have some very good specs to back up that price, but we cannot see people lining up for it, now that both the Galaxy Tab and the entry level editions of the iPad cost lesser than it does.
MOTOROLA XOOM
It came, it saw and it conquered all at CES 2011. Boasting a powerful dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, dual cameras, a magnificent 10 inch display and most importantly, the first version of Android (3.0) that has been designed for tablets rather than smartphones, the Xoom is being seen by many as major competitor to the iPad. Its biggest strength, however, is also its biggest challenge — Android 3.0 is by no means a finished product, so one does not really know how well it will perform. There is also the question of how many apps it will come with, as indications are that the apps in the existing Android Market will not work perfectly with it. Vs the iPad: Well, it is on paper one of the iPad's most formidable challengers and has Motorola's great design on its side. The only place where it could lag behind are the OS and the apps.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 2
Its first edition has been widely acknowledged by many to be the best tablet in the market this side of the iPad. And the second edition of Samsung's Galaxy Tab is likely to be even more muscular in the specs department. According to sources, it will pack in a dual core NVIDIA Tegra processor and even though its screen is expected to remain at its current seven inch size, its resolution could be almost doubled to 2048 x 1200 with a Super AMOLED display to boot. Round that off with an 8.0-megapixel shooter on the rear and this could be a multimedia behemoth that fits into your coat pocket. And yes, it should be running Android 3.0 as well. Vs the iPad: If it does live up to its rumoured specs, this could be one of the most powerful tablets in the world, and one of the most portable too. The challenge is likely to be in the pricing, and of course, the fact that it is, as of now, still unconfirmed.
BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK
It might have been a while since it was announced, but the BlackBerry PlayBook remains for many corporate warriors the tablet worth waiting for. On paper, it packs a formidable punch with a powerful dual core processor,
a seven inch display, dual cameras, support for Flash and HTML browsing, phenomenal multi-tasking ability, and of course, complete compatibility with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the ability to pair easily with BlackBerry handsets. A whole new interface based on the QNX OS should make it fun to use as well. Vs the iPad:We cannot see it winning in the apps department, honestly, but enterprise users might like its compact form and the good old RIM security factor. And if it can run Android apps too (as is being rumoured), even the apps might not be that much of an issue. The price tag however, is expected to be stiff.
MOTOROLA ATRIX
We can hear the howls of protest go up, saying the Atrix is not a tablet but actually a smartphone. Fair point, but we think it does enough to be considered a threat to the iPad, not just because of its extremely powerful specs which include a four inch touchscreen and a dual core processor, but also because of the fact that it can actually be connected to a notebook-like dock, letting you work on a larger screen with a full keyboard and a proper Firefox browser to boot. So one actually ends up getting the best of all worlds - phone, notebook and touchscreen. The fact that it runs Android 2.2 is a bit of a downer, but an upgrade is expected. Vs the iPad: No, it is not a tablet, but is perfect for the productivity types, although it does involve carrying the notebook dock along for best results. Just how many apps will run on the notebook dock is going to be interesting.
SAMSUNG SLIDING PC 7
Carrying the Windows standard in this slew of gadgets is the Samsung Sliding PC 7. It might not be grabbing as much attention as the Galaxy Tab, but there can be no doubting its potential for those who want to stay in the familiar Windows environment. Powered by the Intel Atom Z760 chip, it features a 10 inch touchscreen, dual cameras, the ability to support USB devices and solid state storage. But the party trick is the full keyboard which slides out and transforms it from a tablet into a netbook. It is not the lightest device around being just more than a kilogram, but netbook lovers longing for a touch experience will adore it. Vs the iPad: The perfect device if you want to have a tablet without giving up your notebook. The keyboard helps. Forget about a different experience from your routine Windows, though.
RAZER SWITCHBLADE
Once again, not really a tablet, but the Switchblade wowed enough people at CES 2011 to make it a device worthy of being compared with any portable gadget. It features a 7 inch touchscreen and a keyboard whose keys change according to the function for which it is being used. It runs an Intel Atom processor, and is is being seen mainly as a gaming device. But it could well have uses as it runs Windows 7 and therefore should be capable of handling routine computing tasks (web browsing, document editing, presentations). It is still in the prototype state, but could turn out to be one of the gadgets of the year, if released. Vs the iPad: The Switchblade is the only device in this list that can go toe to toe and outslug the iPad in gaming. However, details remain sketchy on other fronts and it is unlikely to match the iPad when it comes to apps.
IPAD 2
Apple has not confirmed its existence and we do not even know for sure whether it will be called the iPad 2, but for many people, the expected successor of the iPad is the best reason not to invest in the current one. Details of it are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, with speculation rife about a retina display, dual cameras (for Apple's Face Time video calling) and a much faster processor. The biggest problem is that absolutely none of this has been confirmed. What one can be reasonably sure of is the fact that Apple's successor to the iPad is unlikely to change too much from the current one, as that would mean alienating almost 15 million users. Vs the iPad:The cameras and faster processor might be worth waiting for, but most of the thousands of apps will work just as well on the current one.
VIEWSONIC VIEWPAD 7 Price and Review
FEATURES
7-inch capacitive multitouch LCD, 800x480 pixels 600Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB storage 3MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, GPS Quadband GSM, Android 2.2, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth PROs Good build quality, bundled case CONs More expensive than identical Olive Pad. Price : 32,000
THE VIEWPAD 7 IS YET ANOTHER tablet from display major ViewSonic. If you think it looks familiar, you’re right, because it is identical to the previously launched Olive Pad. Save for the branding and a few colour differences, both devices are identical, right down to the placement of ports, functionality and specs.
There’s no doubt that the ViewPad (and Olive Pad) are miles ahead of the ‘basic’ Android tablet in terms of build quality and appearance. As compared to the numerous unnamed Chinese contenders, the ViewPad has a sturdy frame, solid construction and a reassuring feel. It can work as a regular GSM phone as soon as you insert a SIM card, though you can only make/receive calls using the speakerphone or a headset.
Android 2.2 (Froyo) is the OS of choice, and ViewPad will presumably be allowing an update to Android 2.3 sometime next year. For the time being though, 2.2 works just fine and you also get some cool extras, like the ability to share your GPRS/3G data connection over Wi-Fi with other nearby devices.
The interface is basic Android, without any embellishments or customizations by ViewSonic. Of course, you can choose to add home screen launchers and themes from the Android App Market, but you have to understand that Android was never initially meant for tablet use. View-Sonic should have added a few features specific to the screen size of the ViewPad.
Performance is acceptable for all normal needs like multimedia, web browsing, games and phone calls. But it is rather easy to find the limits of the 600Mhz processor; run a few intensive apps simultaneously or try to play an HD video and the device struggles. Battery life is an acceptable 4 to 5 hours with normal usage and a few calls thrown in.
So what else does the ViewPad 7 get to the table that the Olive Pad already hasn’t? In a word: nothing! In fact, the ViewPad does not include GPS software and maps whereas the Olive Pad has lifetime MapmyIndia maps bundled. And things don’t look too good for the View-Pad 7 because it’s been launched at a price of 32,000, a fair bit more than the 24,000 Olive Pad. One wonders why the ViewPad has been priced so high, considering that the US price currently hovers around the $450 mark.
ViewSonic is also selling the ViewPad 10 ( 38,000), a larger device with an Intel Atom processor that can dual boot Android 1.6 and Windows 7. A far more interesting and unique proposition as compared to the ‘me-too’ ViewPad 7, we think.
If you’re still looking to buy a 7-inch tablet and have some cash to spare, the Samsung Galaxy Tab (now at a market price of about 33,000) is a far better proposition. It has a faster 1Ghz processor, a higher quality and higher resolution ‘super’ LCD, TV-out, amazing preloaded software and customizations and overall better performance. Or you could wait for the official launch of the iPad.
FAQ's
I’m using an old HP laptop and the hard drive has now crashed. I need to get a new drive, but can’t seem to find a replacement drive in the local markets. Is it possible to use an external 4 or 8GB USB pen drive as a hard disk?
While it is possible to load up a Live version of an operating system on a USB flash drive and boot your computer from it, this doesn’t work well as a long term solution. Plus, you have no additional storage. The reason you’re probably not getting a replacement drive is that your laptop uses the older type of IDE hard drives, rather than the newer SATA type. While difficult to find, it’s not impossible. You can buy a 2.5-inch (laptop size) internal IDE drive online. Check here: http://goo.gl/kdkiu. The only disadvantage of IDE is that they are rare to find, and therefore quite a bit more expensive than SATA hard drives. For example, 3,000 will get you an internal 500GB laptop SATA drive or a 160GB laptop IDE drive.
I have a Dell laptop with Windows XP and Outlook Express. For the last few days, I keep getting a message that says ‘To free up disc space, Outlook Express can compact messages. This may take up to a few minutes.’ If I let it continue, it starts compacting all folders of Outlook express. However the message reappears again.
What is the significance of this message? Is it harmful to the laptop? Can I ignore it? How can I stop the message from reappearing?
You can let Outlook Express do the compacting - this is nothing but a cleanup of old or deleted emails that happens periodically. It is not harmful to the laptop, but depending on the size of your Outlook Express email folder, it may take a while. You may also find that the program stops responding while the compacting is taking place. Once you complete the compacting of messages a few times (and it is successfully completed) — the message will go away. It’s important that you don’t interrupt the process though.
Also note that the speed of Outlook Express is impacted by the size of the PST (data) file. Over time, with all your mails and attachments, collected over years, the file can become very heavy. Do a complete maintenance of your Outlook email folder by deleting old mails (and clearing deleted items folde too).
7-inch capacitive multitouch LCD, 800x480 pixels 600Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB storage 3MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera, GPS Quadband GSM, Android 2.2, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth PROs Good build quality, bundled case CONs More expensive than identical Olive Pad. Price : 32,000
THE VIEWPAD 7 IS YET ANOTHER tablet from display major ViewSonic. If you think it looks familiar, you’re right, because it is identical to the previously launched Olive Pad. Save for the branding and a few colour differences, both devices are identical, right down to the placement of ports, functionality and specs.
There’s no doubt that the ViewPad (and Olive Pad) are miles ahead of the ‘basic’ Android tablet in terms of build quality and appearance. As compared to the numerous unnamed Chinese contenders, the ViewPad has a sturdy frame, solid construction and a reassuring feel. It can work as a regular GSM phone as soon as you insert a SIM card, though you can only make/receive calls using the speakerphone or a headset.
Android 2.2 (Froyo) is the OS of choice, and ViewPad will presumably be allowing an update to Android 2.3 sometime next year. For the time being though, 2.2 works just fine and you also get some cool extras, like the ability to share your GPRS/3G data connection over Wi-Fi with other nearby devices.
The interface is basic Android, without any embellishments or customizations by ViewSonic. Of course, you can choose to add home screen launchers and themes from the Android App Market, but you have to understand that Android was never initially meant for tablet use. View-Sonic should have added a few features specific to the screen size of the ViewPad.
Performance is acceptable for all normal needs like multimedia, web browsing, games and phone calls. But it is rather easy to find the limits of the 600Mhz processor; run a few intensive apps simultaneously or try to play an HD video and the device struggles. Battery life is an acceptable 4 to 5 hours with normal usage and a few calls thrown in.
So what else does the ViewPad 7 get to the table that the Olive Pad already hasn’t? In a word: nothing! In fact, the ViewPad does not include GPS software and maps whereas the Olive Pad has lifetime MapmyIndia maps bundled. And things don’t look too good for the View-Pad 7 because it’s been launched at a price of 32,000, a fair bit more than the 24,000 Olive Pad. One wonders why the ViewPad has been priced so high, considering that the US price currently hovers around the $450 mark.
ViewSonic is also selling the ViewPad 10 ( 38,000), a larger device with an Intel Atom processor that can dual boot Android 1.6 and Windows 7. A far more interesting and unique proposition as compared to the ‘me-too’ ViewPad 7, we think.
If you’re still looking to buy a 7-inch tablet and have some cash to spare, the Samsung Galaxy Tab (now at a market price of about 33,000) is a far better proposition. It has a faster 1Ghz processor, a higher quality and higher resolution ‘super’ LCD, TV-out, amazing preloaded software and customizations and overall better performance. Or you could wait for the official launch of the iPad.
FAQ's
I’m using an old HP laptop and the hard drive has now crashed. I need to get a new drive, but can’t seem to find a replacement drive in the local markets. Is it possible to use an external 4 or 8GB USB pen drive as a hard disk?
While it is possible to load up a Live version of an operating system on a USB flash drive and boot your computer from it, this doesn’t work well as a long term solution. Plus, you have no additional storage. The reason you’re probably not getting a replacement drive is that your laptop uses the older type of IDE hard drives, rather than the newer SATA type. While difficult to find, it’s not impossible. You can buy a 2.5-inch (laptop size) internal IDE drive online. Check here: http://goo.gl/kdkiu. The only disadvantage of IDE is that they are rare to find, and therefore quite a bit more expensive than SATA hard drives. For example, 3,000 will get you an internal 500GB laptop SATA drive or a 160GB laptop IDE drive.
I have a Dell laptop with Windows XP and Outlook Express. For the last few days, I keep getting a message that says ‘To free up disc space, Outlook Express can compact messages. This may take up to a few minutes.’ If I let it continue, it starts compacting all folders of Outlook express. However the message reappears again.
What is the significance of this message? Is it harmful to the laptop? Can I ignore it? How can I stop the message from reappearing?
You can let Outlook Express do the compacting - this is nothing but a cleanup of old or deleted emails that happens periodically. It is not harmful to the laptop, but depending on the size of your Outlook Express email folder, it may take a while. You may also find that the program stops responding while the compacting is taking place. Once you complete the compacting of messages a few times (and it is successfully completed) — the message will go away. It’s important that you don’t interrupt the process though.
Also note that the speed of Outlook Express is impacted by the size of the PST (data) file. Over time, with all your mails and attachments, collected over years, the file can become very heavy. Do a complete maintenance of your Outlook email folder by deleting old mails (and clearing deleted items folde too).
New gadgets prices, reviews and tips
LËKKI PHONES
Mobile phone design has changed drastically over the past decade or so. But if you’re still in love with older designs, French company Lekki can help out.With a completely apt tagline of ‘Back to Basics’, Lëkki sells completely refurbished versions of Motorola’s iconic StarTac and Nokia’s sturdy 3210. You can opt for an original finish, one of the multi-coloured designs or even create your own design by mixing and matching various coloured panels. Even the battery is a new (compatible) unit, guaranteed to give you battery life like a fresh unit. Prices start at € 85 for the 3210 and € 130 for the StarTac.
LG E90 LED MONITOR
LG has launched the E90 LED monitor, boasting of an ultraslim (just 7.2mm) metallic design. With a panel size of 21.5-inches, LG’s E90 has a full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), 250cd/m2 brightness, 2ms response time and multiple inputs including HDMI, DVI and VGA. The power supply socket and video inputs are on the back of the table stand in an effort to reduce cable clutter. LG also claims that the E90 reduces energy consumption by as much as 40 percent as compared to a CCFL-backlit LCD monitor of the same size. The E90 is available immediately. Price: 16,900
ROHOS MINI DRIVE
USB flash drives are handy to carry around but also easy to lose. Which is why you should secure your personal data on the drive with strong encryption. Rohos Mini Drive (www.rohos.com) is a free utility that creates an encrypted partition on a USB drive which you can password protect. Encryption of your data is automatically done with AES 256 bit key length, making it extremely difficult to access by hacking. The free edition has a limit of a 2GB virtual disk size (but you can use it with USB drives of larger capacity; just the encrypted partition is capped at 2GB). Rohos Mini Drive has full functionality, but the paid version offers a few extras. Rohos Disk Encryption is the full version of the software, which can be purchased for $35.
ELIXIR FOR ANDROID
Elixir is a system information utility for Android devices. Various bits of information are available to you in the form of widgets, that you can place as you normally do on the device’s multiple homescreens. The widget size can be customised to your preference. Some of the detailed information available to you is CPU usage, battery life, memory usage, internal and external storage (MicroSD capacity), display brightness, Wi-Fi connection and signal strength, mobile network strength, GPS status, Bluetooth and information from various sensors. Elixir is available for free from the Android App Market.
Mobile phone design has changed drastically over the past decade or so. But if you’re still in love with older designs, French company Lekki can help out.With a completely apt tagline of ‘Back to Basics’, Lëkki sells completely refurbished versions of Motorola’s iconic StarTac and Nokia’s sturdy 3210. You can opt for an original finish, one of the multi-coloured designs or even create your own design by mixing and matching various coloured panels. Even the battery is a new (compatible) unit, guaranteed to give you battery life like a fresh unit. Prices start at € 85 for the 3210 and € 130 for the StarTac.
LG E90 LED MONITOR
LG has launched the E90 LED monitor, boasting of an ultraslim (just 7.2mm) metallic design. With a panel size of 21.5-inches, LG’s E90 has a full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), 250cd/m2 brightness, 2ms response time and multiple inputs including HDMI, DVI and VGA. The power supply socket and video inputs are on the back of the table stand in an effort to reduce cable clutter. LG also claims that the E90 reduces energy consumption by as much as 40 percent as compared to a CCFL-backlit LCD monitor of the same size. The E90 is available immediately. Price: 16,900
ROHOS MINI DRIVE
USB flash drives are handy to carry around but also easy to lose. Which is why you should secure your personal data on the drive with strong encryption. Rohos Mini Drive (www.rohos.com) is a free utility that creates an encrypted partition on a USB drive which you can password protect. Encryption of your data is automatically done with AES 256 bit key length, making it extremely difficult to access by hacking. The free edition has a limit of a 2GB virtual disk size (but you can use it with USB drives of larger capacity; just the encrypted partition is capped at 2GB). Rohos Mini Drive has full functionality, but the paid version offers a few extras. Rohos Disk Encryption is the full version of the software, which can be purchased for $35.
ELIXIR FOR ANDROID
Elixir is a system information utility for Android devices. Various bits of information are available to you in the form of widgets, that you can place as you normally do on the device’s multiple homescreens. The widget size can be customised to your preference. Some of the detailed information available to you is CPU usage, battery life, memory usage, internal and external storage (MicroSD capacity), display brightness, Wi-Fi connection and signal strength, mobile network strength, GPS status, Bluetooth and information from various sensors. Elixir is available for free from the Android App Market.
The 2010 year technology
A lot happened in 2010 as far as new technology was concerned says Vishal Mathur. The new developments make it difficult to imagine how we used to survive in the pre-2010 age.
2010 WAS BIG IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY. The mobile application became king, upstaging mobile hardware. Google's Android went from strength to strength, even unsettling the mighty iPhone. The tablet was completely reinvented as a handheld device. People started to read books on electronic devices. Cloud storage became a viable data backup destination. And throwing round birds at smug pigs became the favorite pastime of over 50 million people!
In what was a very vibrant year, these are some of the biggest developments when it came to technology, and the best gadgets launched.
Smartphones became Smarter
• Apple iPhone 4
It came, it saw and it conquered. Such is Apple's following that people actually began to wonder if they had been holding a phone wrong all these years. The iPhone 4 arrived with a completely redone look as well as the new iOS4 operating system. Even though it has not officially arrived on our shores yet, that has not stopped people from buying it at hefty premiums from the grey market.
• Google Nexus S
Android is big now. A lot of Android phones which were expecting to be crowned the 'phone of the year'. But, in the nick of time, Google launched the Nexus S- the first phone with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Also, since this is Google's baby, there are no OEM customizations to the OS, no skins and no pre-installed apps. Not available in India officially, but you can still get it for about 32000.
• Blackberry Torch
The combination of a touchscreen, QWERTY keypad and new OS6 is supposed to lead Blackberry's fight back against the soarbing popularity of iPhone and Android. The second handset with OS6 (BlackBerry Bold 3) has already launched at a price of 27,990.
• HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z
The Desire HD is a serious upgrade to the Desire while the Desire Z brings a QWERTY to complement the touch experience.
The Mobile OS Battle
The battle for mobile OS supremacy has been an interesting one. No one left a stone unturned to offer the best experience to the users. Apple rolled out iOS4 (in sync with the iPhone4 launch), which was followed with the arrival of the first Symbian^3 phone? the Nokia N8. Blackberry rolled out the revamped OS6 with more social features. Google, meanwhile, was the most active with Android. They went from Android 2.1 to 2.2 with several few features including the ability to share a data connection via Wi-Fi. Android 2.3 was launched with the Nexus S, and we're already hearing about Android 3.0, which arrives next year.
The Tablets have landed
If 2009 was the year of the netbook, 2010 belongs to the tablet. Not only did the poor netbook not progress as much as expected, but came up against a new enemy - the tablet. Apple pulled out the form factor from obscurity, gave it some new functionality, added some powerful apps and took the tech world by storm with the iPad. Seeing the rocketing popularity, everyone jumped onto the tablet bangwagon, including Samsung, Dell, BlackBerry, Motorola, ViewSonic and hundreds of unnamed Chinese manufacturers. Safe to assume, 2010 was the 'Year of the Tablet'.
• Apple iPad
As of this writing, Apple has sold between 8 to 9 million iPads since launch in 2010. The rate of adoption has been the fastest ever in tech circles, surpassing even that of the original iPhone in 2007. Though not officially launched in India, those who wanted to own the product found ways to get it from abroad or the grey market.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab
The Samsung Galaxy Tab arrived this year to grab a piece of tablet pie. Seen as the first real competitor to the iPad, the Galaxy Tab is no slouch. Importantly, India was one of the major launch markets for the Tab. Originally priced at 38,000, market prices have already dropped to 32,000 with further drops likely before the iPad hits officially.
• Dell Streak
Somewhere between a phone and a tablet, this device has carved out a sub category for itself. We like of think of it more like a mini-tablet. It has a 5-inch screen and Android 2.2. But exclusivity is not cheap; you'll have to pay 36,000 for the mini-tablet/mega-phone device. And you'll be certain to turn a few heads when you have this pressed against your ear while on a call!
• Olive Olivepad
Striking the best balance between usability and value, the Olive Pas has Android 2.2 at a price of less than 25000. Like the Galaxy Tab, it can double up as a phone, but lacks the firepower and glamour.
• ViewsonicViewPad 7 and 10
The ViewPad 7 has a 7-inch screen and bears more than a passing resemblance to the Olive Pad. Android 2.2, all the same features and identical design for 32,000. The ViewPad 10 meanwhile, has a 10 inch screen, is powered by Intel's Pine Trail processor and dual boots between Android 1.6 and Windows 7. Even Aero works well in Windows 7! Costs 38000.
Cloud Computing & Cloud OS
Imagine a scenario when your PC isn't a PC. You can still access all your files, folders and documents which you traditionally store on hard drives. You can still run all the programs that you're used to, play multimedia files, browse the web. The PC boot up times will be a few seconds. All your files will be stored virtually, accessible wherever you go, without you having to physically carry a machine around. This is the operating system of the future. Google recently showed off Chrome OS to the world, and the idea doesn't seem so outlandish anymore! It will take time to catch on, with the broadband penetration (or the lack of it) being a problem in most developing countries. But 2011 will witness further tweaks to this concept.
Advanced Motion Gaming
The Nintendo Wii introduced us to it in 2005. But 2010 is where the big guns came out in the form of the Sony PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect. Motion gaming not only adds a new dimension to how we play games, but can also add that little dose of good health and family fun to the experience! Microsoft's Kinect has been the real eye-opener here, introducing advanced hardware at down-to-earth prices. With the numerous Kinect hacks doing the rounds in the latter part of 2010, it's no wonder that gaming is turning out to be the precursor for advanced graphical interfaces. It could mean the beginning of the end of the computer mouse.
E-book readers
Many people flirted with the idea of reading books on the PC and mobile phones. But 2010 is the year when e-book readers really gained popularity. The primary reason? The ability to buy books anytime, anywhere, thanks to connected e-book readers. And the ability to carry hundreds of books around in a device that weighs barely 300 grams. The Amazon Kindle rules the roost here, and is available direct from Amazon. Others like the Wink e-Reader and Infibeam Phi are notable contenders.
2010 WAS BIG IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY. The mobile application became king, upstaging mobile hardware. Google's Android went from strength to strength, even unsettling the mighty iPhone. The tablet was completely reinvented as a handheld device. People started to read books on electronic devices. Cloud storage became a viable data backup destination. And throwing round birds at smug pigs became the favorite pastime of over 50 million people!
In what was a very vibrant year, these are some of the biggest developments when it came to technology, and the best gadgets launched.
Smartphones became Smarter
• Apple iPhone 4
It came, it saw and it conquered. Such is Apple's following that people actually began to wonder if they had been holding a phone wrong all these years. The iPhone 4 arrived with a completely redone look as well as the new iOS4 operating system. Even though it has not officially arrived on our shores yet, that has not stopped people from buying it at hefty premiums from the grey market.
• Google Nexus S
Android is big now. A lot of Android phones which were expecting to be crowned the 'phone of the year'. But, in the nick of time, Google launched the Nexus S- the first phone with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Also, since this is Google's baby, there are no OEM customizations to the OS, no skins and no pre-installed apps. Not available in India officially, but you can still get it for about 32000.
• Blackberry Torch
The combination of a touchscreen, QWERTY keypad and new OS6 is supposed to lead Blackberry's fight back against the soarbing popularity of iPhone and Android. The second handset with OS6 (BlackBerry Bold 3) has already launched at a price of 27,990.
• HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z
The Desire HD is a serious upgrade to the Desire while the Desire Z brings a QWERTY to complement the touch experience.
The Mobile OS Battle
The battle for mobile OS supremacy has been an interesting one. No one left a stone unturned to offer the best experience to the users. Apple rolled out iOS4 (in sync with the iPhone4 launch), which was followed with the arrival of the first Symbian^3 phone? the Nokia N8. Blackberry rolled out the revamped OS6 with more social features. Google, meanwhile, was the most active with Android. They went from Android 2.1 to 2.2 with several few features including the ability to share a data connection via Wi-Fi. Android 2.3 was launched with the Nexus S, and we're already hearing about Android 3.0, which arrives next year.
The Tablets have landed
If 2009 was the year of the netbook, 2010 belongs to the tablet. Not only did the poor netbook not progress as much as expected, but came up against a new enemy - the tablet. Apple pulled out the form factor from obscurity, gave it some new functionality, added some powerful apps and took the tech world by storm with the iPad. Seeing the rocketing popularity, everyone jumped onto the tablet bangwagon, including Samsung, Dell, BlackBerry, Motorola, ViewSonic and hundreds of unnamed Chinese manufacturers. Safe to assume, 2010 was the 'Year of the Tablet'.
• Apple iPad
As of this writing, Apple has sold between 8 to 9 million iPads since launch in 2010. The rate of adoption has been the fastest ever in tech circles, surpassing even that of the original iPhone in 2007. Though not officially launched in India, those who wanted to own the product found ways to get it from abroad or the grey market.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab
The Samsung Galaxy Tab arrived this year to grab a piece of tablet pie. Seen as the first real competitor to the iPad, the Galaxy Tab is no slouch. Importantly, India was one of the major launch markets for the Tab. Originally priced at 38,000, market prices have already dropped to 32,000 with further drops likely before the iPad hits officially.
• Dell Streak
Somewhere between a phone and a tablet, this device has carved out a sub category for itself. We like of think of it more like a mini-tablet. It has a 5-inch screen and Android 2.2. But exclusivity is not cheap; you'll have to pay 36,000 for the mini-tablet/mega-phone device. And you'll be certain to turn a few heads when you have this pressed against your ear while on a call!
• Olive Olivepad
Striking the best balance between usability and value, the Olive Pas has Android 2.2 at a price of less than 25000. Like the Galaxy Tab, it can double up as a phone, but lacks the firepower and glamour.
• ViewsonicViewPad 7 and 10
The ViewPad 7 has a 7-inch screen and bears more than a passing resemblance to the Olive Pad. Android 2.2, all the same features and identical design for 32,000. The ViewPad 10 meanwhile, has a 10 inch screen, is powered by Intel's Pine Trail processor and dual boots between Android 1.6 and Windows 7. Even Aero works well in Windows 7! Costs 38000.
Cloud Computing & Cloud OS
Imagine a scenario when your PC isn't a PC. You can still access all your files, folders and documents which you traditionally store on hard drives. You can still run all the programs that you're used to, play multimedia files, browse the web. The PC boot up times will be a few seconds. All your files will be stored virtually, accessible wherever you go, without you having to physically carry a machine around. This is the operating system of the future. Google recently showed off Chrome OS to the world, and the idea doesn't seem so outlandish anymore! It will take time to catch on, with the broadband penetration (or the lack of it) being a problem in most developing countries. But 2011 will witness further tweaks to this concept.
Advanced Motion Gaming
The Nintendo Wii introduced us to it in 2005. But 2010 is where the big guns came out in the form of the Sony PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect. Motion gaming not only adds a new dimension to how we play games, but can also add that little dose of good health and family fun to the experience! Microsoft's Kinect has been the real eye-opener here, introducing advanced hardware at down-to-earth prices. With the numerous Kinect hacks doing the rounds in the latter part of 2010, it's no wonder that gaming is turning out to be the precursor for advanced graphical interfaces. It could mean the beginning of the end of the computer mouse.
E-book readers
Many people flirted with the idea of reading books on the PC and mobile phones. But 2010 is the year when e-book readers really gained popularity. The primary reason? The ability to buy books anytime, anywhere, thanks to connected e-book readers. And the ability to carry hundreds of books around in a device that weighs barely 300 grams. The Amazon Kindle rules the roost here, and is available direct from Amazon. Others like the Wink e-Reader and Infibeam Phi are notable contenders.
The Empire Strikes Back - HTC HD7
FEATURES
4.3-inch, 480 x 800 pixel capacitive display 1Ghz processor, 586MB RAM, Windows Phone 7 16GB storage, 5MP cam, Wi-Fi, GPS, 162 grams PROs Large, clear display, slick interface CONs Windows Market not working in India yet price: 29,990
THE NEW HTC HD7 SEES HTC repeat the large display formula of the HD2, only this time with Windows Phone 7 running under the hood. The huge touchscreen with 480 x 800 resolution dominates the front with three touch buttons (home, back and search) below it, while the back nurses a 5 MP camera with dual LED with a kickstand placed over it. You can flick open the kickstand and rest the phone on it in landscape mode to watch videos if you wish. Made mainly of plastic, the HTC HD7 looks sleek enough and while it does not have the drop-dead good looks of the iPhone 4, those who look at it will definitely give it more than one look (although we did find the yellow shade around the camera a tad odd). The HD7 scores heavily in the specs department too, with a 1GHz processor, 16 GB onboard storage (not expandable, alas), 576 MB RAM, a host of sensors (compass, proximity sensor, etc.) and all the connectivity options (Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi) you could ask for.
But the biggest star of the show is perhaps Windows Phone 7. The tiles and hub interface throws menus totally out of the window (pun intended), looks very good indeed, and is extremely easy to use. You can switch from the homescreen to a complete list of applications on the phone by just swiping your finger to the right. And while Android and iPhone fans might point out that the OS has just one homescreen, the fact that it scrolls down seemingly endlessly, allowing you to place as many tiles as you wish on it, compensates!
The large display is terrific for browsing the Web and the overhauled Internet Explorer now serves up tabs too. As in most mobile versions of Windows, Windows Phone 7 too comes with a stack of software goodies, including a mobile version of MS Office, seamless connectivity to Skydrive (its online storage service), excellent push mail support, Bing search and maps, and a Zune app to play and transfer videos and music. Top that off with a superb People app that gets all your Facebook and other contacts in one place and also keeps you tuned in to Facebook updates by them, a marvellous onscreen keyboard (the best we have since the iPhone), excellent sound performance and you have every reason to believe that the HD7 is one of the best phones in town.
That it fails to live up to that tag is once again the fault of its OS. There is no multitasking, beyond the option to play music in the background, no cut and paste, and while Bluetooth is present, you cannot use it to transfer files, although the option to mail them and upload them directly to Skydrive exists. You have to use Zune to transfer music and video (reminiscent of being tied down to iTunes) and a far cry from the relative openness of both Android and Symbian. Round that off with a camera that is more often than not mediocre and battery life that struggles to see through a day and the HD7 starts looking very human indeed.
There is no doubt that using Windows Phone 7 is an absolute joy, but the absence of apps, especially in a phone that costs almost Rs 30,000 is inexcusable.
FAQ's
I read about Recuva in ET Tech; the software that can help recover deleted files. But if deleted files can be recovered, what is the way to permanently delete them from the PC?
Just like Recuva helps you recover deleted files, a free (open source) software called Eraser helps you permanently delete files from a hard drive or USB flash storage. This is especially useful if you are giving away or selling an old computer to someone and don’t want your private date to be visible to anyone else. You can download Eraser from http://eraser.heidi.ie. It works by overwriting your data with random patterns. Even if someone tries to recover data after the hard drive has been completely erased, they will only get gibberish.
Is it advisable to fit resin/plastic covers on an iPod Touch? I have noticed that the device gets hot after some use and I feel that an additional cover may not allow that heat to dissipate. But not fitting a cover means that the chrome back gets scratched easily.
The iPod Touch does not have any cooling requirements, so you can go ahead and use a case or cover with it. With some usage, the device may become warm, but this is normal. You can get a case, and all you have to make sure is that the case/cover is not ill-fitting; i.e., it should be specifically made for the iPod Touch you have (The currently available iPod Touch with cameras is the 4th generation).
Is there any software available that can help increase my internet speed?
There is no specific software for this purpose, as the internet speed depends on the deal you have with your internet service provider. However, you can optimise your computer and browser for better speeds. For example, if you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, you can upgrade to the latest IE9, Opera, Firefox or Chrome browsers for an instant speed boost. These browsers render pages faster and hence make better use of your existing internet speeds. You can also install certain extensions like AD Blockers with Firefox and Chrome, which effectively block out unwanted pop-up and banner ads on certain websites — this will ensure that those pages load faster as well. Finally, certain extensions like FasterFox (on Firefox) and FastestChrome (on Chrome) can make some automatic adjustments to boost speed.
4.3-inch, 480 x 800 pixel capacitive display 1Ghz processor, 586MB RAM, Windows Phone 7 16GB storage, 5MP cam, Wi-Fi, GPS, 162 grams PROs Large, clear display, slick interface CONs Windows Market not working in India yet price: 29,990
THE NEW HTC HD7 SEES HTC repeat the large display formula of the HD2, only this time with Windows Phone 7 running under the hood. The huge touchscreen with 480 x 800 resolution dominates the front with three touch buttons (home, back and search) below it, while the back nurses a 5 MP camera with dual LED with a kickstand placed over it. You can flick open the kickstand and rest the phone on it in landscape mode to watch videos if you wish. Made mainly of plastic, the HTC HD7 looks sleek enough and while it does not have the drop-dead good looks of the iPhone 4, those who look at it will definitely give it more than one look (although we did find the yellow shade around the camera a tad odd). The HD7 scores heavily in the specs department too, with a 1GHz processor, 16 GB onboard storage (not expandable, alas), 576 MB RAM, a host of sensors (compass, proximity sensor, etc.) and all the connectivity options (Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi) you could ask for.
But the biggest star of the show is perhaps Windows Phone 7. The tiles and hub interface throws menus totally out of the window (pun intended), looks very good indeed, and is extremely easy to use. You can switch from the homescreen to a complete list of applications on the phone by just swiping your finger to the right. And while Android and iPhone fans might point out that the OS has just one homescreen, the fact that it scrolls down seemingly endlessly, allowing you to place as many tiles as you wish on it, compensates!
The large display is terrific for browsing the Web and the overhauled Internet Explorer now serves up tabs too. As in most mobile versions of Windows, Windows Phone 7 too comes with a stack of software goodies, including a mobile version of MS Office, seamless connectivity to Skydrive (its online storage service), excellent push mail support, Bing search and maps, and a Zune app to play and transfer videos and music. Top that off with a superb People app that gets all your Facebook and other contacts in one place and also keeps you tuned in to Facebook updates by them, a marvellous onscreen keyboard (the best we have since the iPhone), excellent sound performance and you have every reason to believe that the HD7 is one of the best phones in town.
That it fails to live up to that tag is once again the fault of its OS. There is no multitasking, beyond the option to play music in the background, no cut and paste, and while Bluetooth is present, you cannot use it to transfer files, although the option to mail them and upload them directly to Skydrive exists. You have to use Zune to transfer music and video (reminiscent of being tied down to iTunes) and a far cry from the relative openness of both Android and Symbian. Round that off with a camera that is more often than not mediocre and battery life that struggles to see through a day and the HD7 starts looking very human indeed.
There is no doubt that using Windows Phone 7 is an absolute joy, but the absence of apps, especially in a phone that costs almost Rs 30,000 is inexcusable.
FAQ's
I read about Recuva in ET Tech; the software that can help recover deleted files. But if deleted files can be recovered, what is the way to permanently delete them from the PC?
Just like Recuva helps you recover deleted files, a free (open source) software called Eraser helps you permanently delete files from a hard drive or USB flash storage. This is especially useful if you are giving away or selling an old computer to someone and don’t want your private date to be visible to anyone else. You can download Eraser from http://eraser.heidi.ie. It works by overwriting your data with random patterns. Even if someone tries to recover data after the hard drive has been completely erased, they will only get gibberish.
Is it advisable to fit resin/plastic covers on an iPod Touch? I have noticed that the device gets hot after some use and I feel that an additional cover may not allow that heat to dissipate. But not fitting a cover means that the chrome back gets scratched easily.
The iPod Touch does not have any cooling requirements, so you can go ahead and use a case or cover with it. With some usage, the device may become warm, but this is normal. You can get a case, and all you have to make sure is that the case/cover is not ill-fitting; i.e., it should be specifically made for the iPod Touch you have (The currently available iPod Touch with cameras is the 4th generation).
Is there any software available that can help increase my internet speed?
There is no specific software for this purpose, as the internet speed depends on the deal you have with your internet service provider. However, you can optimise your computer and browser for better speeds. For example, if you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, you can upgrade to the latest IE9, Opera, Firefox or Chrome browsers for an instant speed boost. These browsers render pages faster and hence make better use of your existing internet speeds. You can also install certain extensions like AD Blockers with Firefox and Chrome, which effectively block out unwanted pop-up and banner ads on certain websites — this will ensure that those pages load faster as well. Finally, certain extensions like FasterFox (on Firefox) and FastestChrome (on Chrome) can make some automatic adjustments to boost speed.
New gadgets prices, reviews and tips
IOMEGA SCREENPLAY TV LINK MX
The Screenplay TV Link MX is an affordable HD media player that helps playback and upscale digital content stored on a hard drive or USB flash drive. It connects to a TV via HDMI but also has the basic composite video connection for older CRT TVs. The TV Link MX supports playback of all the usual video formats like AVI, ISO, VOB, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, MP4, AVCHD, RMVB and M2TS. In addition, it also plays all the usual photo and audio files. The single front USB port supports all formats of hard drives (FAT32, HFS, NTFS) and connection of digital still cameras and video cameras. An infrared remote control, composite cable & power adapter is supplied. PRice: 4,499
MOTOROLA ATRIX
Rcently showcased at CES 2011, Motorola’a Atrix is not only one of the most powerful smartphones around, but with the help of some unique accessories, it can also replace your desktop and laptop computer. Under the hood, you’ll find a dual core 1Ghz Tegra 2 processor and 1GB RAM — enough to comfortably playback (or output) 1080p full HD video. With optional accessories like the HD Multimedia Dock, the Atrix can function like a desktop PC, powering a larger monitor, standard USB keyboard and USB
mouse. Another unique accessory is the Laptop Dock; the Atrix slots in neatly, and functions allday for basic computing (web browsing, multimedia, email and document editing) with an impressive 8-hour battery life. Prices have not been disclosed yet, but you can expect it to be about $700.
MAC APP STORE
You’ve been used to seeing the app store on your iPhone, iPod or iPad, but the App Store is now also available for the MAC platform. Available with the latest MAC OS X SNow Leopard operating system with just a simple software update, the Mac App Store lets you browse apps according to genre or simply search for something that you’re looking for. An obvious advantage here is that installation is much simpler; just enter in your iTunes password and the app will get downloaded and installed in one step (just like on the iOS devices). You also have much more choice, and the App Store keeps track of your installed apps and tells you when updates are available.
NAT GEO TV FOR iOS
Fans of the National Geographic channel should get this immediately.The app is offered for free, and keeps you updated with the latest videos and photos from the channel.You can also browse though detailed TV listings to see what’s playing and set reminders so that you don’t miss your favourite show. Works best on a broadband connection using Wi-Fi and is available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
The Screenplay TV Link MX is an affordable HD media player that helps playback and upscale digital content stored on a hard drive or USB flash drive. It connects to a TV via HDMI but also has the basic composite video connection for older CRT TVs. The TV Link MX supports playback of all the usual video formats like AVI, ISO, VOB, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, MP4, AVCHD, RMVB and M2TS. In addition, it also plays all the usual photo and audio files. The single front USB port supports all formats of hard drives (FAT32, HFS, NTFS) and connection of digital still cameras and video cameras. An infrared remote control, composite cable & power adapter is supplied. PRice: 4,499
MOTOROLA ATRIX
Rcently showcased at CES 2011, Motorola’a Atrix is not only one of the most powerful smartphones around, but with the help of some unique accessories, it can also replace your desktop and laptop computer. Under the hood, you’ll find a dual core 1Ghz Tegra 2 processor and 1GB RAM — enough to comfortably playback (or output) 1080p full HD video. With optional accessories like the HD Multimedia Dock, the Atrix can function like a desktop PC, powering a larger monitor, standard USB keyboard and USB
mouse. Another unique accessory is the Laptop Dock; the Atrix slots in neatly, and functions allday for basic computing (web browsing, multimedia, email and document editing) with an impressive 8-hour battery life. Prices have not been disclosed yet, but you can expect it to be about $700.
MAC APP STORE
You’ve been used to seeing the app store on your iPhone, iPod or iPad, but the App Store is now also available for the MAC platform. Available with the latest MAC OS X SNow Leopard operating system with just a simple software update, the Mac App Store lets you browse apps according to genre or simply search for something that you’re looking for. An obvious advantage here is that installation is much simpler; just enter in your iTunes password and the app will get downloaded and installed in one step (just like on the iOS devices). You also have much more choice, and the App Store keeps track of your installed apps and tells you when updates are available.
NAT GEO TV FOR iOS
Fans of the National Geographic channel should get this immediately.The app is offered for free, and keeps you updated with the latest videos and photos from the channel.You can also browse though detailed TV listings to see what’s playing and set reminders so that you don’t miss your favourite show. Works best on a broadband connection using Wi-Fi and is available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
2011 Tech Adventures
Buyers have become very picky in opting for the slimmest, sleekest and most intelligent tech-toys. Neenu Abraham takes a peek at what’s in store in 2011.
WHEN RENE PENNING DE VRIES, THE chieftechnology officer of NXP Semiconductors, talked two years ago about a technology that could tell you whether the milk in your refrigerator has turned bad, many found it hard to believe. But the latest display of products and technologies of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas shows that the day is not too far off when you can actually access internet and watch YouTube on your refrigerator.
Mobile phones and computers constituted the chunk of consumer electronics devices purchased in 2010, according to this year’s edition of Accenture’s Consumer Electronics Products and Services Usage Report. In 2010, BRIC consumers have shown a higher rate of adoption of the newest technologies and a greater willingness to pay premiums for features and enhancements.
This explains why many gadgets with ultra-cool features are making their way to India. Take Samsung’s C9000 series of 3D TVs, for instance. Users can see their programmes on the remote control screen of this TV anywhere in their house.
Also, 2011 seems to be poised for a tablet war. With India being an attractive market for these gadgets, here are some exciting technologies and products to watch out for.
Tablets/Tablet-PCs
Right from the jaw-droppers — the Motorola Xoom to BlackBerry’s Playbook — a line of exciting tech toys are out. LG unveiled its first tablet, which runs on the Android version of Honyecomb. Toshiba also has been showing off its 10-inch tablet running on Honeycomb.
In India, the biggest hit last year was perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which runs on the Android Operating System 2.2. It offers PC-like web-browsing on its 7-inch display screen, and special customised applications suitable for India.
"With 3G services being rolled out, Indian consumers can download new content faster," says Ranjit Yadav, country head, Samsung Mobile and IT. “As the mobile industry gears up for the convergence era, 2011 will see a further spurt in the growth of smartphones and tablets,” he says.
As of December 2010, the global sales of Galaxy Tab have already surpassed one million units. It may not be running Honeycomb, but it may a take a long time before the Xooms and Playbooks and Asus’s Eee Slate EP121 come to India.
Meanwhile, India’s first 3G tablet PC — the Olive Pad — has also seen considerable interest among Indian users. The Olive Pad, which works on the Android open source platform, supports camera, video call, micro USB port, 3.5G net connectivity and includes features like an ebook reader and smartphone.
According to Sahil Sachdeva of Olive, a number of variants of the Olive Pad can be expected this year. Variants without the smartphone feature is also being worked upon. Olive Pad is expected to see a 10% growth this year, he says.
3D & Smart TVs
3D TVs, which were expected to catch up in a big way in 2010, surely fell short of expectations. But this hasn’t stopped analysts from projecting a 500% purchasing growth rate for 3D TVs in 2011, according to the Accenture report.
Going by what the likes of LG and Samsung are offering, it won’t be surprising to see more and more Indian consumers switching on to 3D and smart TVs. In fact, the latest smart TVs to be offered by LG runs on the ‘point, click, control, simply smarter’ concept.
Its remote has a six-button controller that resembles that of Nintendo’s Wii. If you press the button, a mouse cursor appears on the TV screen, with which you can flip through the menus and surf the Web through a built-in browser.
LG will offer Smart TV features in many of its upcoming 2011 model TVs, but its official launch date is to be announced. “A new range of Flat Panel Displays (FPDs), which include plasmas and LCDs, will be launched by May 2011,” says Rohit Pandit, business head, home entertainment, LG India.
And, there is Samsung’s C9000 premium full HD 3D LED TV, which shows off an ultraslim profile at 7.98 mm. What’s most fascinating about this TV is its remote control, which features a 3-inch touchscreen.
So, even if you are away from the television screen you can see the live feed on the remote control display through wi-fi, anywhere in your house. This is priced at 4,44,000 in India.
Consumers seem to be expecting a lot of ‘non-traditional’ activities from their televisions. According to the Accenture study, around 21% of consumers were found to search the Internet via their television, and 14% used the emailing facility. If this is a yardstick, the smart 3D series of TVs are likely to catch on in India in a big way.
USB 3.0 Flash Drives
Tablets are likely to flood the market, leading to a surge in demand for flash memory products, especially those compatible with USB 3.0 standards. SanDisk brought out their smallest USB flash drive — the Sandisk Cruzer Blade, which weighs just 2.5 grams.
The drive supports plug-and-play and is compatible with all commonly used computers. The SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB flash drive is available in capacities ranging from 2 gigabytes (GB) to16GB, ranging from 699 (2GB) to 2999 (16GB).
For the ultra-speed drives, Kingston has started shipping its HyperX MAX 3.0 from December. It has a read speed of up to 195MB/sec, and a write speed of up to 160MB/sec, when paired with a USB 3.0 compatible device.
During one of its internal testing, a 10GB movie file was transferred in just 1 minute and 12 seconds to the HyperX MAX 3.0 from a USB 3.0 system. HyperX MAX 3.0 is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities. Moving or backing up HD video, RAW images or other large project files will not be difficult at all with this flash drive.
Google’s Chrome OS
Last year, Google had announced its efforts to design an operating system that is built and optimised for the web. It’s a cloudbased operating system that works inside the Chrome browser.
By building an operating system that is essentially a browser, they can make computers faster, much simpler and more secure, according to the Google blog post. All your data would be accessible from anywhere. But the efforts are not complete. Some of the features of Chrome OS may require new hardware, according to the post. They will be launching a pilot programme where test notebooks will be given to qualified users to get feedback.
Chrome OS is designed to work across a wide range of screen sizes and form factors, enabling partners to deliver computing devices beyond notebooks.
WHEN RENE PENNING DE VRIES, THE chieftechnology officer of NXP Semiconductors, talked two years ago about a technology that could tell you whether the milk in your refrigerator has turned bad, many found it hard to believe. But the latest display of products and technologies of the future at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas shows that the day is not too far off when you can actually access internet and watch YouTube on your refrigerator.
Mobile phones and computers constituted the chunk of consumer electronics devices purchased in 2010, according to this year’s edition of Accenture’s Consumer Electronics Products and Services Usage Report. In 2010, BRIC consumers have shown a higher rate of adoption of the newest technologies and a greater willingness to pay premiums for features and enhancements.
This explains why many gadgets with ultra-cool features are making their way to India. Take Samsung’s C9000 series of 3D TVs, for instance. Users can see their programmes on the remote control screen of this TV anywhere in their house.
Also, 2011 seems to be poised for a tablet war. With India being an attractive market for these gadgets, here are some exciting technologies and products to watch out for.
Tablets/Tablet-PCs
Right from the jaw-droppers — the Motorola Xoom to BlackBerry’s Playbook — a line of exciting tech toys are out. LG unveiled its first tablet, which runs on the Android version of Honyecomb. Toshiba also has been showing off its 10-inch tablet running on Honeycomb.
In India, the biggest hit last year was perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which runs on the Android Operating System 2.2. It offers PC-like web-browsing on its 7-inch display screen, and special customised applications suitable for India.
"With 3G services being rolled out, Indian consumers can download new content faster," says Ranjit Yadav, country head, Samsung Mobile and IT. “As the mobile industry gears up for the convergence era, 2011 will see a further spurt in the growth of smartphones and tablets,” he says.
As of December 2010, the global sales of Galaxy Tab have already surpassed one million units. It may not be running Honeycomb, but it may a take a long time before the Xooms and Playbooks and Asus’s Eee Slate EP121 come to India.
Meanwhile, India’s first 3G tablet PC — the Olive Pad — has also seen considerable interest among Indian users. The Olive Pad, which works on the Android open source platform, supports camera, video call, micro USB port, 3.5G net connectivity and includes features like an ebook reader and smartphone.
According to Sahil Sachdeva of Olive, a number of variants of the Olive Pad can be expected this year. Variants without the smartphone feature is also being worked upon. Olive Pad is expected to see a 10% growth this year, he says.
3D & Smart TVs
3D TVs, which were expected to catch up in a big way in 2010, surely fell short of expectations. But this hasn’t stopped analysts from projecting a 500% purchasing growth rate for 3D TVs in 2011, according to the Accenture report.
Going by what the likes of LG and Samsung are offering, it won’t be surprising to see more and more Indian consumers switching on to 3D and smart TVs. In fact, the latest smart TVs to be offered by LG runs on the ‘point, click, control, simply smarter’ concept.
Its remote has a six-button controller that resembles that of Nintendo’s Wii. If you press the button, a mouse cursor appears on the TV screen, with which you can flip through the menus and surf the Web through a built-in browser.
LG will offer Smart TV features in many of its upcoming 2011 model TVs, but its official launch date is to be announced. “A new range of Flat Panel Displays (FPDs), which include plasmas and LCDs, will be launched by May 2011,” says Rohit Pandit, business head, home entertainment, LG India.
And, there is Samsung’s C9000 premium full HD 3D LED TV, which shows off an ultraslim profile at 7.98 mm. What’s most fascinating about this TV is its remote control, which features a 3-inch touchscreen.
So, even if you are away from the television screen you can see the live feed on the remote control display through wi-fi, anywhere in your house. This is priced at 4,44,000 in India.
Consumers seem to be expecting a lot of ‘non-traditional’ activities from their televisions. According to the Accenture study, around 21% of consumers were found to search the Internet via their television, and 14% used the emailing facility. If this is a yardstick, the smart 3D series of TVs are likely to catch on in India in a big way.
USB 3.0 Flash Drives
Tablets are likely to flood the market, leading to a surge in demand for flash memory products, especially those compatible with USB 3.0 standards. SanDisk brought out their smallest USB flash drive — the Sandisk Cruzer Blade, which weighs just 2.5 grams.
The drive supports plug-and-play and is compatible with all commonly used computers. The SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB flash drive is available in capacities ranging from 2 gigabytes (GB) to16GB, ranging from 699 (2GB) to 2999 (16GB).
For the ultra-speed drives, Kingston has started shipping its HyperX MAX 3.0 from December. It has a read speed of up to 195MB/sec, and a write speed of up to 160MB/sec, when paired with a USB 3.0 compatible device.
During one of its internal testing, a 10GB movie file was transferred in just 1 minute and 12 seconds to the HyperX MAX 3.0 from a USB 3.0 system. HyperX MAX 3.0 is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities. Moving or backing up HD video, RAW images or other large project files will not be difficult at all with this flash drive.
Google’s Chrome OS
Last year, Google had announced its efforts to design an operating system that is built and optimised for the web. It’s a cloudbased operating system that works inside the Chrome browser.
By building an operating system that is essentially a browser, they can make computers faster, much simpler and more secure, according to the Google blog post. All your data would be accessible from anywhere. But the efforts are not complete. Some of the features of Chrome OS may require new hardware, according to the post. They will be launching a pilot programme where test notebooks will be given to qualified users to get feedback.
Chrome OS is designed to work across a wide range of screen sizes and form factors, enabling partners to deliver computing devices beyond notebooks.
QWERTY Cutie, With Brain - NOKIA X5
NOKIA MAY HAVE BEEN GAINING more attention for its efforts in the newer version of the Symbian operating system (Symbian ^3), but that does not mean that it has abandoned Symbian Series 60 (3rd edition); the version that powers all the devices in its famed E series and a number of non-touch smartphones from the N series. The company has been releasing handsets on the platform aimed at those who want a smartphone experience without having to mess with a touchscreen (yes, there are a lot of people like that), and the latest in that series is the X5.
Although marketed mainly as a music and messaging phone, the X5 is in fact a full-fledged smartphone packing in the same operating system that runs devices like the Nokia E72 and the more recently released E5. However, what really marks it out is its form factor. The X5 is squareshaped, with a 2.36 inch display that hides a full and surprisingly spacious QWERTY keypad. Like the similarly shaped Motorola Flipout, it has an undeniably ‘cute’ and compact look to it. But that does not mean that it is flimsy - it is very solid and feels good to hold, even a tad heavy for something so small.
And Nokia has managed to pack in a whole lot of goodies inside this pocketfriendly device. You get all the routine Symbian S60 goodies including free push mail, Ovi Store, Ovi Music, and even a view-only version of QuickOffice. In terms of connectivity, there is support for 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth although we were a bit surprised at the absence of GPS. In best Symbian tradition, the X5 is a wiz at multi-tasking (we ran four to five apps at the same time on it, and it handled them with ease) and has a battery that will comfortably see out almost two days before screaming “recharge.”The display might be a tad on the small side, but has an accelerometer, which paves the way for some neat tricks - you can change tracks by shaking the phone, and even better, find out how many messages have come by holding down the volume key and giving it a shake at which the X5 will emit a knocking sound to show new messages (honestly, we think it is simpler to have a sound alert, but still the “shake to discover new messages” is kind of cool). And as this is a music phone, the sound quality is very good indeed, right up there with the best XpressMusic handsets.
All of which makes it a very good value for money proposition at 9,490. Yes, there will be those who will say that S60 seems so “old” compared to the likes of Android, Windows Phone and iOS, but there can be no denying the fact that it performs, albeit at a tad slower pace. We would have liked to have had a bigger and higher resolution display (320 x 240 does not make it great for Web or video), definitely a better camera (with autofocus, please) and the absence of GPS means that this is one of the few S60 phones that we cannot use to find our way around town reliably, but even with those shortcomings, the X5 is a very good device for those looking for a smartphone to get their music and messaging fix without spending five figures
FEATURES
2.36-inch, 240 x 320 display
Series 60 v3, QWERTY keypad
5MP camera with LED flash
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, FM, 129 grams
PROs Cute form factor, comfortable keypad
CONs Ordinary camera, small display, no GPS
Price: 9,490
FAQ's:
Why do many headphone manufacturers say that they can damage hearing? Is it just a case of paranoia?
Depending on how loud you listen to music and for what duration, a pair of headphones can lead to permanent hearing damage. The risk is higher with headphones than with loudspeakers because of the isolation and proximity between your eardrums and the speaker drivers. Basically, the louder the sound, the less time it takes for the damage to occur. For example, a set of powerful headphones or earphones can even produce 110db of sound pressure, equivalent to what you would find in a discotheque with large speakers. Find out if the audio source you're using has a volume limiter function and use it .
My camera can click RAW images. What is the advantage of RAW over normal JPEG images?
RAW images are uncompressed, and often used by professional photographers. JPEG files are compressed, and that’s why you’ll notice that they have a much smaller file size for the same image as compared to RAW. The advantage of JPEG is that they offer acceptable quality, wide compatibility and you can fit a lot more images onto a memory card. RAW images cannot be opened by normal image viewers, and the camera will usually include a disk with some software to view and edit RAW files. If you can’t be bothered about opening and editing images, just stick with JPEG. The main advantage of the RAW format is that it offers a higher quality image, and a lot more room for you to post process the image on a computer.
What is the easiest way to convert videos to play on the iPod Touch?
To convert video files specifically for the iPod Touch, head to www.videora.com and download the appropriate converter software. Apart from the iPod Touch, they also offer converters for other Apple devices like the iPhone (all versions), iPad, other mobile phones and game consoles. The converter offers a ‘simple’ mode, where you don’t need to be bothered with any conversion settings; just select a file to convert, select a location to save it in and click ‘convert’. Depending on the hardware of your computer, this can take time. You can also try getting the VLC Player app (by Applidium) from the App Store. You can then transfer videos without conversion to the iPod using iTunes.
Although marketed mainly as a music and messaging phone, the X5 is in fact a full-fledged smartphone packing in the same operating system that runs devices like the Nokia E72 and the more recently released E5. However, what really marks it out is its form factor. The X5 is squareshaped, with a 2.36 inch display that hides a full and surprisingly spacious QWERTY keypad. Like the similarly shaped Motorola Flipout, it has an undeniably ‘cute’ and compact look to it. But that does not mean that it is flimsy - it is very solid and feels good to hold, even a tad heavy for something so small.
And Nokia has managed to pack in a whole lot of goodies inside this pocketfriendly device. You get all the routine Symbian S60 goodies including free push mail, Ovi Store, Ovi Music, and even a view-only version of QuickOffice. In terms of connectivity, there is support for 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth although we were a bit surprised at the absence of GPS. In best Symbian tradition, the X5 is a wiz at multi-tasking (we ran four to five apps at the same time on it, and it handled them with ease) and has a battery that will comfortably see out almost two days before screaming “recharge.”The display might be a tad on the small side, but has an accelerometer, which paves the way for some neat tricks - you can change tracks by shaking the phone, and even better, find out how many messages have come by holding down the volume key and giving it a shake at which the X5 will emit a knocking sound to show new messages (honestly, we think it is simpler to have a sound alert, but still the “shake to discover new messages” is kind of cool). And as this is a music phone, the sound quality is very good indeed, right up there with the best XpressMusic handsets.
All of which makes it a very good value for money proposition at 9,490. Yes, there will be those who will say that S60 seems so “old” compared to the likes of Android, Windows Phone and iOS, but there can be no denying the fact that it performs, albeit at a tad slower pace. We would have liked to have had a bigger and higher resolution display (320 x 240 does not make it great for Web or video), definitely a better camera (with autofocus, please) and the absence of GPS means that this is one of the few S60 phones that we cannot use to find our way around town reliably, but even with those shortcomings, the X5 is a very good device for those looking for a smartphone to get their music and messaging fix without spending five figures
FEATURES
2.36-inch, 240 x 320 display
Series 60 v3, QWERTY keypad
5MP camera with LED flash
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, FM, 129 grams
PROs Cute form factor, comfortable keypad
CONs Ordinary camera, small display, no GPS
Price: 9,490
FAQ's:
Why do many headphone manufacturers say that they can damage hearing? Is it just a case of paranoia?
Depending on how loud you listen to music and for what duration, a pair of headphones can lead to permanent hearing damage. The risk is higher with headphones than with loudspeakers because of the isolation and proximity between your eardrums and the speaker drivers. Basically, the louder the sound, the less time it takes for the damage to occur. For example, a set of powerful headphones or earphones can even produce 110db of sound pressure, equivalent to what you would find in a discotheque with large speakers. Find out if the audio source you're using has a volume limiter function and use it .
My camera can click RAW images. What is the advantage of RAW over normal JPEG images?
RAW images are uncompressed, and often used by professional photographers. JPEG files are compressed, and that’s why you’ll notice that they have a much smaller file size for the same image as compared to RAW. The advantage of JPEG is that they offer acceptable quality, wide compatibility and you can fit a lot more images onto a memory card. RAW images cannot be opened by normal image viewers, and the camera will usually include a disk with some software to view and edit RAW files. If you can’t be bothered about opening and editing images, just stick with JPEG. The main advantage of the RAW format is that it offers a higher quality image, and a lot more room for you to post process the image on a computer.
What is the easiest way to convert videos to play on the iPod Touch?
To convert video files specifically for the iPod Touch, head to www.videora.com and download the appropriate converter software. Apart from the iPod Touch, they also offer converters for other Apple devices like the iPhone (all versions), iPad, other mobile phones and game consoles. The converter offers a ‘simple’ mode, where you don’t need to be bothered with any conversion settings; just select a file to convert, select a location to save it in and click ‘convert’. Depending on the hardware of your computer, this can take time. You can also try getting the VLC Player app (by Applidium) from the App Store. You can then transfer videos without conversion to the iPod using iTunes.
New Gadgets prices, reviews and tips
DELL PRINTERS
Dell has launched a range of printers for the Indian market, specifically catering to home offices, small and medium businesses and workgroups. The range includes single and multi-function printers, with both laser and cutting-edge LED technology options. Part of the new launches is the 1250C, which Dell claims is the world’s smallest single-function A4 color printer ( 17,000). Also part of the range is the affordable Dell 1130 priced at 6,500. The similar 1130n adds Ethernet networking and is priced at 16,000. The 2230dn (pictured) is the flagship model, priced at 30,000.
SAMSUNG D8000 LED TV
If you’ve ever wondered how TV design can get better, this is it! You will probably notice the ultra-thin bezel on the new Samsung 8000 Series LED TV right away.The advantaged of the design are numerous.Apart from the obvious aesthetic advantages, this design allows for a larger screen size and a smaller footprint. For example, in the same size as a conventional 42-inch panel, you would get 43 or 44-inches of viewable screen. In commercial applications, these TVs can also easily be used for video walls, with multiple TVs making up a giant, single screen. These new TVs will be in India as early as March 2011. Prices will start at approximately 1,50,000.
CV MAKER
Don’t like the way your résumé looks? You can make a fresh, contemporary résumé in minutes at www.cvmaker.in. Right up front, they have formatted PDF résumés available to view. Or you could just head right in and start filling up your information in the pre-set text boxes. Once you've filled in all the fields, the résumé is automatically generated and you can download it immediately. Signing up does give you the benefit of saving your work online, and editing it later. The only possible downside is the limited number of templates. But it’s free, so there's no reason to complain!
GRAVITY GUY FOR iOS
This is a fun platformer game from Miniclip.com. The premise is simple; you have to make your character get away from the bad guy by running along various pathways.The character runs automatically and you can’t jump.The only control available is to reverse gravity, which you can do by tapping the screen. Various obstacles will come in your way, & you have to flip gravity & run on the ceiling to get around them.There are various checkpoints,& if you get caught, you re-start from the previous checkpoint. Get it free on the App Store or play the full version of on www.miniclip.com through your web browser.
Dell has launched a range of printers for the Indian market, specifically catering to home offices, small and medium businesses and workgroups. The range includes single and multi-function printers, with both laser and cutting-edge LED technology options. Part of the new launches is the 1250C, which Dell claims is the world’s smallest single-function A4 color printer ( 17,000). Also part of the range is the affordable Dell 1130 priced at 6,500. The similar 1130n adds Ethernet networking and is priced at 16,000. The 2230dn (pictured) is the flagship model, priced at 30,000.
SAMSUNG D8000 LED TV
If you’ve ever wondered how TV design can get better, this is it! You will probably notice the ultra-thin bezel on the new Samsung 8000 Series LED TV right away.The advantaged of the design are numerous.Apart from the obvious aesthetic advantages, this design allows for a larger screen size and a smaller footprint. For example, in the same size as a conventional 42-inch panel, you would get 43 or 44-inches of viewable screen. In commercial applications, these TVs can also easily be used for video walls, with multiple TVs making up a giant, single screen. These new TVs will be in India as early as March 2011. Prices will start at approximately 1,50,000.
CV MAKER
Don’t like the way your résumé looks? You can make a fresh, contemporary résumé in minutes at www.cvmaker.in. Right up front, they have formatted PDF résumés available to view. Or you could just head right in and start filling up your information in the pre-set text boxes. Once you've filled in all the fields, the résumé is automatically generated and you can download it immediately. Signing up does give you the benefit of saving your work online, and editing it later. The only possible downside is the limited number of templates. But it’s free, so there's no reason to complain!
GRAVITY GUY FOR iOS
This is a fun platformer game from Miniclip.com. The premise is simple; you have to make your character get away from the bad guy by running along various pathways.The character runs automatically and you can’t jump.The only control available is to reverse gravity, which you can do by tapping the screen. Various obstacles will come in your way, & you have to flip gravity & run on the ceiling to get around them.There are various checkpoints,& if you get caught, you re-start from the previous checkpoint. Get it free on the App Store or play the full version of on www.miniclip.com through your web browser.
The Mobile Appplications
The smartphone craze is getting stronger day by day & growing app stores for most mobile OS have given plenty of opportunities to professional developers to cash in on the craze, says Aral Lobo
FROM SOCIAL NETWORK APPS TO communication apps to games, the possibilities with mobile apps are just endless. The latest figures from IDC show that smartphone sales recorded a 34.2% quarter-onquarter growth and a 294.9% yearon-year growth. The Informate October 2010 track by Informate Mobile Intelligence says the number of users visiting an App store has jumped 108% in October 2010 versus the year ago period. All these factors have contributed to a large number of Indian developers jumping on to the mobile appmaking bandwagon.
Be it Nokia, iOS, Android or BlackBerry, Indian programmers are excited about the prospects of the sector. “With the rollout of 3G happening across the country, we see the market for apps going up 10 times from its present figure,”says Indiagames CEO Vishal Gondal.
Indian developers mostly create apps with local content or themes and these apps are the ones seeing a huge number of downloads on the respective app stores. “Nokia games like Cricket T20 Fever and Cricket T20 World Cup have been our constant chart toppers,” says Gondal whose company based in Navi-Mumbai has so far developed 40 games.
Since the smartphone market is still in its infancy and is still very fragmented, app-makers are forced to develop apps cross platform. Most companies like Indiagames have developed tech solutions which allow for the porting of games across different mobile operating systems so as to maximise the revenue they can earn.
Few firms have taken the specialisation route and develop apps just for a single OS. “Corporates spend million on a yearly basis, primarily to allow access to emails and enterprise data. We intent to leverage the existing BlackBerry Enterprise infrastructure that organisations already have and allow senior top executives to learn on-the-move,” says Akash Shah director and co-founder Deltecs InfoTech, whose firm primarily develops only BlackBerry apps. “As our solutions are targeted towards corporates, the security aspect is of utmost importance. No other platform (iPhone/Android) other than BlackBerry can give one such a secured communication channel,” Shah adds.
One problem that app developers in India face is that they are not properly compensated when they publish their apps on the VAS portals of mobile operators. “In the App Store, Apple keeps 30% of the revenue and the developer gets the rest. But the situation is the opposite here. The service providers keep the majority while the developer gets only a small share. We hope this situation changes soon so that more developers start making mobile apps,” says Vishal Gondal.
Despite the few pitfalls, Indian app makers have surely left an indelible mark on App markets and are sure to make their presence felt even more in the days to come. Here are just some of the apps built by Indians.
iOS
LANDMARK LOCATOR
Developer: Net Solutions, Chandigarh
Landmark Finder is an attraction, sightseeing, and historical event finding tool for any traveler. Using your location, Landmark Finder guides you to over 25,000 noteworthy landmarks in both walking and driving distance from you.
BIRDIE THIS
Developer: IndiaNIC Infotech, Ahmedabad A meditation Application with OM sounds. With this app, you can send positive energy to your friends . Type in your name and up to three email addresses, and just click send.
BlackBerry
DRONA V-CAST Developer: Deltecs InfoTech, Mumbai DRONA V-CAST is a Blackberry enterprise level application for learning and communication for corporates. It is used to deliver highly effective video-based courses to a senior executive's Blackberry device.
OFFICE YOGA
Developer: Webdunia.com India, Chennai This app provides quick and easy ways to calm down stress during your day at office desk with Office Yoga exercises.
Android
THE PLATEAU Developer: Sourcebits Technologies, Bangalore The Plateau is a 50-level game of mind twisting puzzles. Each level is generated using an advanced AI algorithm, so every game you play is unique.
ABILITA
Developer: Openxcell Technolabs, Ahmedabad
Abilita is an Italian word which means the Ability. Abilita is an App for people to share things they're willing to do for $5. Once one registers, you create a Bingo which can be used by other users to contact you if they are interested.
Symbian
CRICKET T20 FEVER
Developer: Indiagames, Navi-Mumbai
With this game, you can play in a variety of modes including tournaments, ODIs, T20 Matches and the exciting Powerplay style match.
COMICS CREATOR
Developer: Nextwave Multimedia, Chennai
Comics Creator lets you create a cartoon, comic or photo journal on your Nokia handset. One can easily add text, backgrounds and character, whether you’re an artist or not. Your finished cartoons can then be shared with your friends.
Make your own App
Inspired by the apps showcased above and want to make one yourself? Well, there are applications like the Nokia Ovi App Wizard and the Google App Inventor which allow you to do just that, even without any coding knowledge. These tools don't allow the creation of complex apps but gives non-developers a way to try their hand at app making.
Ovi App Wizard
This official application from Nokia was created with basic users in mind. The Ovi App Wizard allows users to mobilise their own content within minutes with just a few clicks and simple instruction. The wizard uses RSS feeds to generate content. RSS and Atom feeds for video, audio, text and images for blogs, YouTube, Twitter and news are all compatible with the App Wizard. This ensures that the finished app delivers fresh content to the Nokia device every time the feed is updated. The wizard supports the creation of apps for Symbian^3 and S60 devices. "The Nokia App Wizard is an excellent way for a non-technical user to showcase his or her content," says Jasmeet Gandhi, head of devices, OPM and services - marketing, Nokia India.
The Ovi App Wizard is free, and requires no registration fees. It is open to both businesses and individuals. As of now, publishers in India can’t monetise their apps with ads but Gandhi said that developers and publishers in India would get the opportunity to add ads “within the next few weeks”. Users can easily publish these apps on the Ovi Store, which are usually approved within 24 hours and then users worldwide can download the app.
“Using the Ovi App Wizard, a student created a GMAT app which provided tips to students studying for the exam. A Rajinikanth fan used the wizard to create an app which was constantly pulling RSS feeds about the Tamil superstar,” said Gandhi while explaining the possibilities of apps that could be created. Till date, over 3,500 apps have been created by more than 2,500 publishers from more than 90 countries. These apps have been downloaded in more than 180 countries across 90 different Nokia devices.
Google App Inventor
Google’s App Inventor allows anyone to create simple apps for their Android phones. The App Inventor uses a simple and intuitive webbased graphical user interface that runs on the Java platform and allows users to test the application via a connected phone running the Android operating system at any phase during the creation process.
The App Inventor has a design interface which is used to create the layout and overall appearance of the application. On the left side of the interface is a column of user controls that consist of things like text boxes, labels and buttons. There are also controls for adding media and sensor functionality. Located at the centre of the design interface is the virtual phone screen where the controls can be dragged and dropped. On the right hand side of the interface are the properties for the currently selected control. For example, if a button control is selected, you can add an image or adjust the color and size of the button. Using the App Inventor apps for Android can de developed within minutes.
AppMakr
Though not an official tool, App-Makr is one of the leading platforms for non-developers to create native iOS apps. AppMakr lets users turn existing RSS or Atom news feed quickly into an iPhone application. The RSS or Atom feeds can originate from Twitter, iTunes podcast feeds, Flickr streams, YouTube, Wordpress and many other sources. If you have multiple feeds, you can create multiple tabs within the app to represent each feed. AppMakr also provides a few options for making money off your app. You can submit the app to the App Store as either a free or paid download. A version for Android and Windows Phone devices has also recently been launched.
FROM SOCIAL NETWORK APPS TO communication apps to games, the possibilities with mobile apps are just endless. The latest figures from IDC show that smartphone sales recorded a 34.2% quarter-onquarter growth and a 294.9% yearon-year growth. The Informate October 2010 track by Informate Mobile Intelligence says the number of users visiting an App store has jumped 108% in October 2010 versus the year ago period. All these factors have contributed to a large number of Indian developers jumping on to the mobile appmaking bandwagon.
Be it Nokia, iOS, Android or BlackBerry, Indian programmers are excited about the prospects of the sector. “With the rollout of 3G happening across the country, we see the market for apps going up 10 times from its present figure,”says Indiagames CEO Vishal Gondal.
Indian developers mostly create apps with local content or themes and these apps are the ones seeing a huge number of downloads on the respective app stores. “Nokia games like Cricket T20 Fever and Cricket T20 World Cup have been our constant chart toppers,” says Gondal whose company based in Navi-Mumbai has so far developed 40 games.
Since the smartphone market is still in its infancy and is still very fragmented, app-makers are forced to develop apps cross platform. Most companies like Indiagames have developed tech solutions which allow for the porting of games across different mobile operating systems so as to maximise the revenue they can earn.
Few firms have taken the specialisation route and develop apps just for a single OS. “Corporates spend million on a yearly basis, primarily to allow access to emails and enterprise data. We intent to leverage the existing BlackBerry Enterprise infrastructure that organisations already have and allow senior top executives to learn on-the-move,” says Akash Shah director and co-founder Deltecs InfoTech, whose firm primarily develops only BlackBerry apps. “As our solutions are targeted towards corporates, the security aspect is of utmost importance. No other platform (iPhone/Android) other than BlackBerry can give one such a secured communication channel,” Shah adds.
One problem that app developers in India face is that they are not properly compensated when they publish their apps on the VAS portals of mobile operators. “In the App Store, Apple keeps 30% of the revenue and the developer gets the rest. But the situation is the opposite here. The service providers keep the majority while the developer gets only a small share. We hope this situation changes soon so that more developers start making mobile apps,” says Vishal Gondal.
Despite the few pitfalls, Indian app makers have surely left an indelible mark on App markets and are sure to make their presence felt even more in the days to come. Here are just some of the apps built by Indians.
iOS
LANDMARK LOCATOR
Developer: Net Solutions, Chandigarh
Landmark Finder is an attraction, sightseeing, and historical event finding tool for any traveler. Using your location, Landmark Finder guides you to over 25,000 noteworthy landmarks in both walking and driving distance from you.
BIRDIE THIS
Developer: IndiaNIC Infotech, Ahmedabad A meditation Application with OM sounds. With this app, you can send positive energy to your friends . Type in your name and up to three email addresses, and just click send.
BlackBerry
DRONA V-CAST Developer: Deltecs InfoTech, Mumbai DRONA V-CAST is a Blackberry enterprise level application for learning and communication for corporates. It is used to deliver highly effective video-based courses to a senior executive's Blackberry device.
OFFICE YOGA
Developer: Webdunia.com India, Chennai This app provides quick and easy ways to calm down stress during your day at office desk with Office Yoga exercises.
Android
THE PLATEAU Developer: Sourcebits Technologies, Bangalore The Plateau is a 50-level game of mind twisting puzzles. Each level is generated using an advanced AI algorithm, so every game you play is unique.
ABILITA
Developer: Openxcell Technolabs, Ahmedabad
Abilita is an Italian word which means the Ability. Abilita is an App for people to share things they're willing to do for $5. Once one registers, you create a Bingo which can be used by other users to contact you if they are interested.
Symbian
CRICKET T20 FEVER
Developer: Indiagames, Navi-Mumbai
With this game, you can play in a variety of modes including tournaments, ODIs, T20 Matches and the exciting Powerplay style match.
COMICS CREATOR
Developer: Nextwave Multimedia, Chennai
Comics Creator lets you create a cartoon, comic or photo journal on your Nokia handset. One can easily add text, backgrounds and character, whether you’re an artist or not. Your finished cartoons can then be shared with your friends.
Make your own App
Inspired by the apps showcased above and want to make one yourself? Well, there are applications like the Nokia Ovi App Wizard and the Google App Inventor which allow you to do just that, even without any coding knowledge. These tools don't allow the creation of complex apps but gives non-developers a way to try their hand at app making.
Ovi App Wizard
This official application from Nokia was created with basic users in mind. The Ovi App Wizard allows users to mobilise their own content within minutes with just a few clicks and simple instruction. The wizard uses RSS feeds to generate content. RSS and Atom feeds for video, audio, text and images for blogs, YouTube, Twitter and news are all compatible with the App Wizard. This ensures that the finished app delivers fresh content to the Nokia device every time the feed is updated. The wizard supports the creation of apps for Symbian^3 and S60 devices. "The Nokia App Wizard is an excellent way for a non-technical user to showcase his or her content," says Jasmeet Gandhi, head of devices, OPM and services - marketing, Nokia India.
The Ovi App Wizard is free, and requires no registration fees. It is open to both businesses and individuals. As of now, publishers in India can’t monetise their apps with ads but Gandhi said that developers and publishers in India would get the opportunity to add ads “within the next few weeks”. Users can easily publish these apps on the Ovi Store, which are usually approved within 24 hours and then users worldwide can download the app.
“Using the Ovi App Wizard, a student created a GMAT app which provided tips to students studying for the exam. A Rajinikanth fan used the wizard to create an app which was constantly pulling RSS feeds about the Tamil superstar,” said Gandhi while explaining the possibilities of apps that could be created. Till date, over 3,500 apps have been created by more than 2,500 publishers from more than 90 countries. These apps have been downloaded in more than 180 countries across 90 different Nokia devices.
Google App Inventor
Google’s App Inventor allows anyone to create simple apps for their Android phones. The App Inventor uses a simple and intuitive webbased graphical user interface that runs on the Java platform and allows users to test the application via a connected phone running the Android operating system at any phase during the creation process.
The App Inventor has a design interface which is used to create the layout and overall appearance of the application. On the left side of the interface is a column of user controls that consist of things like text boxes, labels and buttons. There are also controls for adding media and sensor functionality. Located at the centre of the design interface is the virtual phone screen where the controls can be dragged and dropped. On the right hand side of the interface are the properties for the currently selected control. For example, if a button control is selected, you can add an image or adjust the color and size of the button. Using the App Inventor apps for Android can de developed within minutes.
AppMakr
Though not an official tool, App-Makr is one of the leading platforms for non-developers to create native iOS apps. AppMakr lets users turn existing RSS or Atom news feed quickly into an iPhone application. The RSS or Atom feeds can originate from Twitter, iTunes podcast feeds, Flickr streams, YouTube, Wordpress and many other sources. If you have multiple feeds, you can create multiple tabs within the app to represent each feed. AppMakr also provides a few options for making money off your app. You can submit the app to the App Store as either a free or paid download. A version for Android and Windows Phone devices has also recently been launched.
Phones That Dare to Differ
WITH SMARTPHONES GETTING so much attention these days, its easy to overlook some of the other requirements that people may have. That’s why these two phones from iBall are like a breath of fresh air.
The devices pictured here are the iBall ‘Aasaan’ from the Senior series and the ‘Floater’ from the Waterproof series. Both are affordable and both cater to very specific requirements.
The ‘Aasaan’ (Simple) is exactly that; an easy-to-use phone that is specifically catered for elderly users. It has a large, monochrome display with a large font, very large keys and a simple interface.
Besides the simplicity, the added advantage is that the phone has great build quality and a very attractive design. In fact, it has also been awarded the iF Product Design Award in 2010. To make it more suitable for elderly users, it has a unique SOS feature. A large orange SOS slider switch at the back of the phone activates the SOS function of the phone. First, it sounds a siren to alert nearby people that the user may be in some trouble. Then, the phone automatically sends a distress SMS to 5 pre-defined mobile numbers. After the messages, it starts calling those numbers in quick succession till one is answered.
It also has built in FM, a 3.5mm audio out port, LED flashlight and attractive multi-color backlighting. To make it easier to operate, there are dedicated slider switches for the flashlight and to lock the keys.
The ‘Floater’ can actually float on water, although the usefulness of that feature is debatable. It has a sealed keypad, ports covered by a rubber flap and a battery cover with a waterproof seal. Because of this, it also effectively blocks out dust and rain.
The design is meant to offer superior grip, but because of the smooth plastic, the purpose is defeated somewhat. The screen quality and interface is strictly average; probably the same as you would find in hundreds of cheap, noname brand phones. Unlike the ‘Aasaan’, this only has one proprietary port, used for both charging and earphones. Thankfully, the call quality and signal strength are passable.
There are some other downsides too; the keys are small and hard to press and the build quality does not inspire much confidence. It feels too light and flimsy; hardly worthy of a ‘rugged’ tag. However, given the low price and effective waterproofing, some users may find it useful, especially those who work in the outdoors, those into adventure sports and our military and armed forces.
Overall, the ‘Aasaan’ definitely gets a thumbs up, not just for the unique features but also for the design appeal. This is a phone that many might consider as a second phone or as a gift for an elderly family member. Someone looking for a rugged device however, will be better served by Samsung’s rugged B2100, also priced under 3,000.
iBALL AASAAN
FEATURES RATING
Monochrome, large font LCD, amber backlight Ultra large keypad, SOS function, FM LED flashlight, 3.5mm audio out PROs Great design and build quality CONs Limited feature set. Price: 3,250
iBALL FLOATER
FEATURES RATING
‘Military’ rugged design, dustproof, shockproof waterproof, 1.44-inch color display FM, LED flashlight, call blacklist function PROs Rugged, floats on water CONs Poor design and build, feels flimsy. Price: 2,900
How often have you wanted to take a video of something using your smartphone, but by time you hit the record button, the fleeting moment has passed? This app called Precorder for iPhone and iPod Touch (4th Gen only) can help. Fire up the app, and unknown to you, it is constantly recording video, keeping about 10 seconds of past video available to you before you actually press the record button. So now, instead of just recording video endlessly, you just wait for something cool to happen, press the record button and wind the dial back so you start the video with the footage of the event you actually wanted to record.Very useful for YouTube addicts, and only $0.99.
FAQ's:
I have been deleting files using Shift + Delete key. How can I recover them?
If you have deleted files using the Shift+Delete method, you have essentially bypassed the recycle bin. The Shift + Delete method should be used only if you are absolutely sure you want to delete a file. You may or may not be able to get the files back — you can try a free software program called Recuva. Another free program that works well to recover photographs and with removable media (flash cards and USB drives) is Convar's PC Inspector.
I want to buy a DSLR. Should I buy the Canon SX30 IS or the Nikon P100?
DSLRs, or Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras are a very specific type — those that have interchangeable lenses, a single lens for viewing and image capture, large image sensors and a mirror in front of the image sensor that flips up while taking a photograph. DSLRs have a lot of advantages over regular cameras because of these features. The primary advantages are better quality of images, better low light sensitivity and expandability. The disadvantage is that they are typically larger and heavier than other cameras. Also, buying additional lenses and accessories is an expensive proposition. The cameras you refer to, do have a single lens for viewing and picture taking, but they do not have interchangeable lenses, large image sensors or mirrors. These cameras are also sometimes referred to as ‘prosumer’ cameras. The advantage is that they offer more features than a compact point-andshoot camera and usually have long zoom lenses built in.
Some attractive entrylevel DSLRs you can consider are the Canon EOS 1000D or the Nikon D3100 (if you want video as well). The Canon 1000D is available with an 8-55mm kit lens for as low as 22,000 while the Nikon D3100 with an 18-55mm optically stabilised lens can be bought for 32,000.
The devices pictured here are the iBall ‘Aasaan’ from the Senior series and the ‘Floater’ from the Waterproof series. Both are affordable and both cater to very specific requirements.
The ‘Aasaan’ (Simple) is exactly that; an easy-to-use phone that is specifically catered for elderly users. It has a large, monochrome display with a large font, very large keys and a simple interface.
Besides the simplicity, the added advantage is that the phone has great build quality and a very attractive design. In fact, it has also been awarded the iF Product Design Award in 2010. To make it more suitable for elderly users, it has a unique SOS feature. A large orange SOS slider switch at the back of the phone activates the SOS function of the phone. First, it sounds a siren to alert nearby people that the user may be in some trouble. Then, the phone automatically sends a distress SMS to 5 pre-defined mobile numbers. After the messages, it starts calling those numbers in quick succession till one is answered.
It also has built in FM, a 3.5mm audio out port, LED flashlight and attractive multi-color backlighting. To make it easier to operate, there are dedicated slider switches for the flashlight and to lock the keys.
The ‘Floater’ can actually float on water, although the usefulness of that feature is debatable. It has a sealed keypad, ports covered by a rubber flap and a battery cover with a waterproof seal. Because of this, it also effectively blocks out dust and rain.
The design is meant to offer superior grip, but because of the smooth plastic, the purpose is defeated somewhat. The screen quality and interface is strictly average; probably the same as you would find in hundreds of cheap, noname brand phones. Unlike the ‘Aasaan’, this only has one proprietary port, used for both charging and earphones. Thankfully, the call quality and signal strength are passable.
There are some other downsides too; the keys are small and hard to press and the build quality does not inspire much confidence. It feels too light and flimsy; hardly worthy of a ‘rugged’ tag. However, given the low price and effective waterproofing, some users may find it useful, especially those who work in the outdoors, those into adventure sports and our military and armed forces.
Overall, the ‘Aasaan’ definitely gets a thumbs up, not just for the unique features but also for the design appeal. This is a phone that many might consider as a second phone or as a gift for an elderly family member. Someone looking for a rugged device however, will be better served by Samsung’s rugged B2100, also priced under 3,000.
iBALL AASAAN
FEATURES RATING
Monochrome, large font LCD, amber backlight Ultra large keypad, SOS function, FM LED flashlight, 3.5mm audio out PROs Great design and build quality CONs Limited feature set. Price: 3,250
iBALL FLOATER
FEATURES RATING
‘Military’ rugged design, dustproof, shockproof waterproof, 1.44-inch color display FM, LED flashlight, call blacklist function PROs Rugged, floats on water CONs Poor design and build, feels flimsy. Price: 2,900
How often have you wanted to take a video of something using your smartphone, but by time you hit the record button, the fleeting moment has passed? This app called Precorder for iPhone and iPod Touch (4th Gen only) can help. Fire up the app, and unknown to you, it is constantly recording video, keeping about 10 seconds of past video available to you before you actually press the record button. So now, instead of just recording video endlessly, you just wait for something cool to happen, press the record button and wind the dial back so you start the video with the footage of the event you actually wanted to record.Very useful for YouTube addicts, and only $0.99.
FAQ's:
I have been deleting files using Shift + Delete key. How can I recover them?
If you have deleted files using the Shift+Delete method, you have essentially bypassed the recycle bin. The Shift + Delete method should be used only if you are absolutely sure you want to delete a file. You may or may not be able to get the files back — you can try a free software program called Recuva. Another free program that works well to recover photographs and with removable media (flash cards and USB drives) is Convar's PC Inspector.
I want to buy a DSLR. Should I buy the Canon SX30 IS or the Nikon P100?
DSLRs, or Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras are a very specific type — those that have interchangeable lenses, a single lens for viewing and image capture, large image sensors and a mirror in front of the image sensor that flips up while taking a photograph. DSLRs have a lot of advantages over regular cameras because of these features. The primary advantages are better quality of images, better low light sensitivity and expandability. The disadvantage is that they are typically larger and heavier than other cameras. Also, buying additional lenses and accessories is an expensive proposition. The cameras you refer to, do have a single lens for viewing and picture taking, but they do not have interchangeable lenses, large image sensors or mirrors. These cameras are also sometimes referred to as ‘prosumer’ cameras. The advantage is that they offer more features than a compact point-andshoot camera and usually have long zoom lenses built in.
Some attractive entrylevel DSLRs you can consider are the Canon EOS 1000D or the Nikon D3100 (if you want video as well). The Canon 1000D is available with an 8-55mm kit lens for as low as 22,000 while the Nikon D3100 with an 18-55mm optically stabilised lens can be bought for 32,000.
New Gadgets prices
MOTOROLA MILESTONE XT800
Motorola’s new XT 800 is India’s first CDMA + GSM dual SIM Android touchscreen phone. Both SIM cards can be active at the same time (dual standby mode). Powered by Android 2.1, the XT 800 has a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 pixel capacitive touchscreen display, 550Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, 5MP camera with dual LED flash, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, FM, GPS and 720p HD video output. A 2GB micro SD card is supplied, and the device can accept 32GB cards as well. The XT 800 has a HDMI output port, to directly connect to a flat panel TV, and an HDMI cable is also included in the box.
Price: 31,999
JTT CHOBI CAM ONE
As a maker of miniature digital cameras, Japan’s JTT has already proven itself.The new Chobi Cam One however, takes things to a new level altogether with a miniature DSLR design, complete with detachable lenses. It has a built in battery and weighs just 12 grams. Just like with a full-size DSLR, you can choose to buy an additional ‘conversion’ lens separately, or buy a kit.The lens snaps on to the front magnetically and it can take 2MP (1600 x 1200 pixel) still photographs and 640 x 480 pixel AVI videos at 30fps. Storage is via micro SD card and the camera is priced at $120.
WAYBACK MACHINE
The internet is constantly changing. Websites that you visit often may look completely different now as compared to when they first started out. If you’re a believer in the ‘old is gold’ adage, you may want to check out the Wayback Machine at http://waybackmachine.org.The Wayback Machine is an initiative by the Internet Archive (www.archive.org) and aims to put the history of the world wide web at your fingertips. Just type in any website name, and the site lists out when changes were made in a calendar format, and you can go back and see what all the previous versions looked like.
PRECORDER FOR iOS
How often have you wanted to take a video of something using your smartphone, but by time you hit the record button, the fleeting moment has passed? This app called Precorder for iPhone and iPod Touch (4th Gen only) can help. Fire up the app, and unknown to you, it is constantly recording video, keeping about 10 seconds of past video available to you before you actually press the record button. So now, instead of just recording video endlessly, you just wait for something cool to happen, press the record button and wind the dial back so you start the video with the footage of the event you actually wanted to record.Very useful for YouTube addicts, and only $0.99.
Motorola’s new XT 800 is India’s first CDMA + GSM dual SIM Android touchscreen phone. Both SIM cards can be active at the same time (dual standby mode). Powered by Android 2.1, the XT 800 has a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 pixel capacitive touchscreen display, 550Mhz processor, 512MB RAM, 5MP camera with dual LED flash, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, FM, GPS and 720p HD video output. A 2GB micro SD card is supplied, and the device can accept 32GB cards as well. The XT 800 has a HDMI output port, to directly connect to a flat panel TV, and an HDMI cable is also included in the box.
Price: 31,999
JTT CHOBI CAM ONE
As a maker of miniature digital cameras, Japan’s JTT has already proven itself.The new Chobi Cam One however, takes things to a new level altogether with a miniature DSLR design, complete with detachable lenses. It has a built in battery and weighs just 12 grams. Just like with a full-size DSLR, you can choose to buy an additional ‘conversion’ lens separately, or buy a kit.The lens snaps on to the front magnetically and it can take 2MP (1600 x 1200 pixel) still photographs and 640 x 480 pixel AVI videos at 30fps. Storage is via micro SD card and the camera is priced at $120.
WAYBACK MACHINE
The internet is constantly changing. Websites that you visit often may look completely different now as compared to when they first started out. If you’re a believer in the ‘old is gold’ adage, you may want to check out the Wayback Machine at http://waybackmachine.org.The Wayback Machine is an initiative by the Internet Archive (www.archive.org) and aims to put the history of the world wide web at your fingertips. Just type in any website name, and the site lists out when changes were made in a calendar format, and you can go back and see what all the previous versions looked like.
PRECORDER FOR iOS
How often have you wanted to take a video of something using your smartphone, but by time you hit the record button, the fleeting moment has passed? This app called Precorder for iPhone and iPod Touch (4th Gen only) can help. Fire up the app, and unknown to you, it is constantly recording video, keeping about 10 seconds of past video available to you before you actually press the record button. So now, instead of just recording video endlessly, you just wait for something cool to happen, press the record button and wind the dial back so you start the video with the footage of the event you actually wanted to record.Very useful for YouTube addicts, and only $0.99.
Camera Convergence Confusion
As a camera user, do you take more still photographs or video? The devices you choose have normally reflected that type of usage, but that’s not true anymore.
MANY of us carry multiple devices around with us. That's because each device does something really well; a function that we need in our daily lives. A cellphone is good to make calls, a laptop for computing and a tablet for media consumption.
It’s the same deal with cameras. Traditionally, video cameras (or camcorders) were always preferred to capture video. Still cameras were meant primarily for photographs, although most were also capable of video. Then came the first area of confusion; digital camcorders acquired the ability to take still photographs. Second, still cameras started to take better quality, even HD video. But these devices were never perfect. Camcorders usually have lower megapixel sensors, so you get only 1 or 2 Megapixel images. Worse still, some used digital interpolation to artificially create larger images. Digital still cameras also usually have many limitations when it comes to video - many can only record a few minutes of video at a time, some take choppy video at reduced frame rates and most do not allow the use of optical zoom while shooting video.
Now you can also get cheap HD video cameras that fit in your pocket. The confusion is further compounded by the arrival of digital SLRs that can take video. DSLRs are widely acknowledged to take the best still photographs as compared to other cameras. A DSLR is what you would use if you want images with the greatest clarity, the lowest noise and maximum sensitivity to light - to shoot images in low light. So what, then, do you choose?
Pocket-friendly HD camcorders
A new class of cameras rapidly emerging is pocket-sized HD camcorders. Roughly the size and weight of an average cellphone, these camcorders usually have fixed lenses (without an optical zoom, though an exception is Samsung’s HMX U20 which has a 3x optical zoom), a small color screen, a built in battery and flash storage memory or SD card slot. They either record 720p or 1080p video and can output the same to a larger display through a built in HDMI port. The keyword here is convenience, because you can have high-quality HD video to complement your HD TV in the palm of your hand. They are also ideal when you want to upload to video sharing websites; just a quick USB connection to drag-and-drop videos to a computer. There is also very little to adjust by way of manual controls or settings. All you have to do is point and record. Happily, they aren't too expensive either, with prices starting as low as Rs 9,000. The cheapest traditional HD camcorder still costs at least three times as much. The only downside of the pocket cameras is that most of them do not have features like image stabilization, so you do have to hold them very still to avoid getting shaky video. Check for one with a tripod socket, so that you can mount it on a small tripod for professional-looking videos. Various options available include the Creative Vado ( 9,000), Kodak Zi8 ( 10,000), JVC Picsio ( 12,000), Sanyo VPC CG-20 ( 12,000), Samsung HMXU20 ( 9,000) and Panasonic TA-1 ( 9,000).
The do-it-all DLSRs
With the advanced imaging processors and large sensors that DSLRs have, it was only natural that they would progress to recording high quality HD video. Go to any popular video sharing website and search for videos taken by a DSLR, and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in quality between that and a professional video camera. In fact, several filmmakers are now extensively using DLSRs to record video. DSLRs like Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II have been used for video in big budget Hollywood blockbusters like Iron Man 2, TV series like House and in many music videos, documentaries and short films. The advantages are simple; great quality, a small and lightweight camera which can go undetected in public, hundreds of add-on lenses for various effects and a much lower cost as compared to expensive film cameras. The cheapest DSLR that also records excellent quality full HD video is the Nikon D3100. Priced at just 32,000 with a bundled 18-55mm VR (vibration reduction) kit lens, the D3100 is unbeatable value for money. Canon is yet to launch something that records full HD video in this price bracket. Other options that can take great stills and video include the Canon EOS 550D ( 44,000 with 18-55mm IS lens), Canon EOS 60D ( 65,000 with 18-55mm IS lens) and the Nikon D7000 ( - 85,000 with 18-105mm VR lens).
So the verdict is clear; a pocket HD camcorder is good for a lark and it’s not too expensive either. But if you need the very best in both stills and video, get yourself a video-capable DSLR.
MANY of us carry multiple devices around with us. That's because each device does something really well; a function that we need in our daily lives. A cellphone is good to make calls, a laptop for computing and a tablet for media consumption.
It’s the same deal with cameras. Traditionally, video cameras (or camcorders) were always preferred to capture video. Still cameras were meant primarily for photographs, although most were also capable of video. Then came the first area of confusion; digital camcorders acquired the ability to take still photographs. Second, still cameras started to take better quality, even HD video. But these devices were never perfect. Camcorders usually have lower megapixel sensors, so you get only 1 or 2 Megapixel images. Worse still, some used digital interpolation to artificially create larger images. Digital still cameras also usually have many limitations when it comes to video - many can only record a few minutes of video at a time, some take choppy video at reduced frame rates and most do not allow the use of optical zoom while shooting video.
Now you can also get cheap HD video cameras that fit in your pocket. The confusion is further compounded by the arrival of digital SLRs that can take video. DSLRs are widely acknowledged to take the best still photographs as compared to other cameras. A DSLR is what you would use if you want images with the greatest clarity, the lowest noise and maximum sensitivity to light - to shoot images in low light. So what, then, do you choose?
Pocket-friendly HD camcorders
A new class of cameras rapidly emerging is pocket-sized HD camcorders. Roughly the size and weight of an average cellphone, these camcorders usually have fixed lenses (without an optical zoom, though an exception is Samsung’s HMX U20 which has a 3x optical zoom), a small color screen, a built in battery and flash storage memory or SD card slot. They either record 720p or 1080p video and can output the same to a larger display through a built in HDMI port. The keyword here is convenience, because you can have high-quality HD video to complement your HD TV in the palm of your hand. They are also ideal when you want to upload to video sharing websites; just a quick USB connection to drag-and-drop videos to a computer. There is also very little to adjust by way of manual controls or settings. All you have to do is point and record. Happily, they aren't too expensive either, with prices starting as low as Rs 9,000. The cheapest traditional HD camcorder still costs at least three times as much. The only downside of the pocket cameras is that most of them do not have features like image stabilization, so you do have to hold them very still to avoid getting shaky video. Check for one with a tripod socket, so that you can mount it on a small tripod for professional-looking videos. Various options available include the Creative Vado ( 9,000), Kodak Zi8 ( 10,000), JVC Picsio ( 12,000), Sanyo VPC CG-20 ( 12,000), Samsung HMXU20 ( 9,000) and Panasonic TA-1 ( 9,000).
The do-it-all DLSRs
With the advanced imaging processors and large sensors that DSLRs have, it was only natural that they would progress to recording high quality HD video. Go to any popular video sharing website and search for videos taken by a DSLR, and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in quality between that and a professional video camera. In fact, several filmmakers are now extensively using DLSRs to record video. DSLRs like Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II have been used for video in big budget Hollywood blockbusters like Iron Man 2, TV series like House and in many music videos, documentaries and short films. The advantages are simple; great quality, a small and lightweight camera which can go undetected in public, hundreds of add-on lenses for various effects and a much lower cost as compared to expensive film cameras. The cheapest DSLR that also records excellent quality full HD video is the Nikon D3100. Priced at just 32,000 with a bundled 18-55mm VR (vibration reduction) kit lens, the D3100 is unbeatable value for money. Canon is yet to launch something that records full HD video in this price bracket. Other options that can take great stills and video include the Canon EOS 550D ( 44,000 with 18-55mm IS lens), Canon EOS 60D ( 65,000 with 18-55mm IS lens) and the Nikon D7000 ( - 85,000 with 18-105mm VR lens).
So the verdict is clear; a pocket HD camcorder is good for a lark and it’s not too expensive either. But if you need the very best in both stills and video, get yourself a video-capable DSLR.
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