Gadgets & Gizmos

March 2012 / `50 / www.gadgetsngizmos.
in
THE ULTRABOOK IS HERE!
MUST READ! YOUR MOBILE IS A MONEY MACHINE, P28
The bulky laptop sheds kilos and gains brain cells. (It's even thinner than the MacBook Air!)
Slimmer, Smoother, Sexier!

DCP No. F.2(I/1) Press/2009
NEW TECH TECH DROOL-WORTHY ORTHY GADGETS AT CES 2012 FIRST LOOK ASUS TRANSFORMER PRIME 2ND GEN TABLET
TRIM THE FAT FROM YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT CONNECT YOUR CAMERA WIRELESSLY TO THE NET BUY THE BEST TV AT THE BEST PRICE
Editor-in-Chief: Aroon Purie Editor: Chaitanya Kalbag Executive Editor: Joel Rai
GG
GADGETS AND GIZMOS
www.gadgetsngizmos.in
contents
16
While the tablet has dominated the past couple of years, the buzz now is about the Ultrabook. This Intelbenchmarked computing device promises to be a slimmer, smoother, sexier avatar of the faithful laptop.
Associate Editor: Nandagopal Rajan Assistant Editor: Nidhi Singal Art Director: Vanita Arora Senior Visualiser: Santosh Kushwaha Photographer: Rajwant Rawat Production: Surinder Hastu (Chief of
Production), Harish Aggarwal, Vijay Sharma, Naveen Gupta

Chief Executive Officer: Ashish Bagga Associate Publisher(IMPACT): Anil Fernandes IMPACT TEAM SENIOR GENERAL MANAGERS (IMPACT): Sonal
Photograph by: RAJWANT RAWAT
Publishing Director: Malcolm D. Mistry
Pandey (West and South), Preeti Kohli (North), Sunil R. (Bangalore), Kaustav Chatterjee (East), V. Somasundaram (Chennai), Jitendra Lad (West)
SALES AND OPERATIONS CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER: D.V.S. Rama Rao SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER (NATIONAL): Vinod Das GENERAL MANAGER (SOUTH): Deepak Bhatt GENERAL MANAGER (WEST): Rajesh Menon REGIONAL MANAGER (EAST): V.A. Chotalia GENERAL MANAGER (OPERATIONS): Rakesh Sharma
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50
New Wallet
Banks and mobile services operators have come together to make the cell phone the new money machine. You can do everything, from banking to making payments, on the phone now.
The email inbox is often a repository of useless clutter. You can not only get rid of all antiquated stuff lying there, but also ensure the security of all mailing activity with the help of a few great aids.
Spruce up your email habits
52
Why link your camera to the PC via a data cord to download photos when you can buy some nifty cameras and camcorders that are Wi-Fi enabled?
Volume 3, Number 10, for the month March 2012-April 2012
44
The Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegal is an annual showcase of trendsetting gadgets and technologies. Here is what the 2012 expo unveiled.
Connected Cameras
Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Printed and published by Malcolm D. Mistry on behalf of Living Media India Ltd. Printed at Thomson Press India Ltd., 18-35 Milestone, Delhi Mathura Road, Faridabad-121007, (Haryana), Published at K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001. India Today does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material.
REGULARS
Launch Pad............................................9 GG Choice............................................14 Reviews ..............................................37
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The LED television has shorn its high-cost image. There are plenty out there that fit into all kinds of budgets
Picture perfect
Cover Photography: VARUN RAWAT; Hair & makeup: POONAM AND GAURAV at Vidya Tikari Studio; Model: DARA (Sara Model Management); Conceptualisation, Art Direction and Imaging: PIYUSH GARG (Creative Director, Men's Health India); ASSISTED BY: Azad Mohan; Fashion Stylist: SHAMALI SINGH; Wrap-around dress: SANCHITA(@White); Bracelet:Bgs
Gaming ..............................................62
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ZERO IN ON FOURSQUARE
Itll be of great help if you can get a story done on foursquare (one of the hottest apps in the US), gaining popularity in India and other countries. Also, it needs to be covered because its founder is an Indian. Naveen Selvadurai, co-founder of foursquare, is from Chennai. Itll be great, if you could get an interview with him. It would be a pleasure to read both these stories. I forgot to mention that I just love your column Appsolutely. It has been really helpful in finding good apps on the app stores.
@ lettersGG
WHEN WILL WE GET TO TAP?

The focus on new gadget and technologies for 2012 made for a great read. I just hope we will get to see most of these gadgets in India without much delay. Moreover, your report Just a tap away (February, 2012) gave good insight into the emerging technology of near-field communication (NFC). But, sadly, while most of the developed economies have started using the technology for financial transactions, it seems we will be tapping our phones only to transfer media content. Cant wait for the day when we will be able to pay auto fares by tapping our cell on the fare meter.
P S SANDHU, MOHALI
YUVRAJ ANEJA, ON EMAIL
If you like Appsolutely, then you must also be liking our new column on apps for tabs, Appendage.
TABLET GAMES
Ever since I got an iPad2 I have played games only on my tablet. In fact, I have uninstalled all the games on my laptop. Since you focus a lot on games can you tell us which are the best games available for laptops? I have a feeling tablets will become the more popular gaming device in the near future.
VARUN REDDY, HYDERABAD
THE MISSING GADGETS

I have often noticed that some of the products featured in the Launchpad and Review sections of the magazine are not available in smaller cities like mine. Can you also suggest where these products are available online for readers like me?
RAKESH, PALAKKAD
Varun, That is a good story idea you have given us. Watch out for it future issues of G&G.
INTERACT WITH G&G

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TIME FOR A LUCKY BREAK

Now this is ridiculousI am a regular reader of G&G and have been trying to bag something in every contest.With all your terms and conditions fulfilled, I have been crosschecking my answer in every issue and they are always correct. But I remain empty handed all the time. I suggest you improve your lottery system.
PAWAN KUMAR, ON EMAIL
to catch up on tech news, comment on, discuss and read archived G&G stories.
Mail us at
Dear Pawan, we get a lot of correct answers to our contests and we have no choice but to conduct a random lottery pick of the winners. Unfortunately, the gods havent smiled on youyet. Keep on sending in your answers. One day you will hit the jackpot.
lettersGG@intoday.com
All comments and suggestions printed on this page may be edited for length and clarity.
IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012
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@ helpGG
I have been meaning to buy a good computing machine and have determined what I would need it for. I want to buy an Intel Core i7 laptop with at least 4GB RAM and a good graphics card. My budget is ` 50,000-60,000. Please advise. Dilip P M K, on email
GG
For a good Core i7 laptop you might have to shell out a bit more. The Dell XPS 14Z on Core i7 might cost you around ` 70,000. The Core i7 option will be costlier, so make sure you actually need the extra processing power.Else settle for a Core i5 is more than enough for regular, even heavy duty, computing.
I have two questions. First, I wanted to know how to convert my wired Internet into a wireless one. I am really confused what to buy. Secondly, I want to buy a headphone which I can use while studying to reduce external noises. I dont care if they can be connected to an external device or not, but I do need pin-drop silence. Parth Gujar, on email You have many plug-and-play Wi-Fi routers these days. All you have to do is buy one and connect your Internet connection wires to it. You will then be able to access the Net using any Wi-Fi enabled device. The best routers out there are from Linksys, Cisco and Belkin. Just buy one that suits your price and requirements. Your best bet will be noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, Sennheiser or SkullCandy. All of them will kill the external noises when plugged on and you can enter a silent, private world. But they will all be expensive and cost at least ` 2,500. But these are good enough to be used by jet pilots. Or look for cheaper headphones with ear cups that effectively kill external noises. Will Samsung announce the successor of the Samsung Galaxy SII at MWC 2012? How is it expected to be different? Sambhavi, on email If rumours are to be believed, Samsung will not announce the Galaxy SIII at the Mobile World Congress. They plan to announce it later at a company-hosted event, but that could be as late as June. There are reports that this will be the slimmest smartphone ever. Other reports claim that the Galaxy SIII will come with Android Ice-Cream Sandwich on a quad-core processor, HDMI port, LTE support and a 3D camera.
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My dad has given me me two optionseither to buy a Sony PlayStation 3 or a Windows XP desktop with a Pentium II processor. Please suggest which one to buy and why? Sayak Sarkar , on email We think the choice if simple. Just buy the PC. You can play a wide range of games on a PC, but cannot open a word document on a PS3. But then if you are never going to open a word document, then don't bother about the PC. An XP on Pentium II these days is like buying an Ambassador car when you can buy a Nissan Micra. Actually, you will find it hard to buy a Windows XP with Pentium 2 now. Go for a new Windows 7 Home edition on a Core i3 processor, if you want to explore the lower end of the PC segment. I want to buy a laptop with the following specs: 2 GB graphics card, Intel Core i5 processor 1.9 Ghz, 4 GB RAM and, if possible, three USB ports. Can you suggest a desktop with the above mentioned specs within a price range of ` 40,000? Please also mention the other best desktops at this price point. Rohit Vahule, on email Dells Inspiron 620s desktop will be available with the specs for under ` 30,000, that is without the monitor and other accessories. You can go to the Dell India website and customise the CPU to your specifications. Online you will also get EMI options. HPs Pavillion series of desktops have lots of options, but exact prices will depend on the specific configuration you need.
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Should I buy the iPad2 or wait to see what Apple will come out with next? Anubhuti There are lot of rumours about the so-called iPad 3, but no one can predict what Apple will finally launch. Latest rumours suggest the new iPad will have Retina Display, like the iPhone 4S, and a more powerful A6 processor. If you can, wait for a few months to see if there will indeed be a new, better iPad. If not, just buy the iPad 2. Apple might also be looking at improving the camera.
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Having trouble with your laptop? Would like to boost your cell phones capabilities? Want advice on what camera is best for your needs? Write to us with all your queries and we will have experts answering them.
HELP AT HAND
Email us at helpGG@intoday.com
BitRate
A FLOW OF GLOBAL NEWS IN PACY BITS

APPLE BITES EVERYONE
THE TOILET ZONE

When once they grabbed a magazine when nature called, it seems that people these days run into the loo with a smartphone in hand. Yes, eerily enough, the toilet is a favoured texting zone for a lot of people. A survey of 1,000 people in Londonearlier surveys also revealed the same results in Australia and the USsays that three quarters of the respondent said they had texted, emailed, played with apps or used the Internet while sitting on the toilet. Over 90 per cent of the respondents added that they had returned calls while relieving themselves, some even admitting that they had participated in conference calls. Oh, and by the way, among the toilet communicators, those who like to multi-task, by doing a number of things while using a range of apps, were likely to be Android owners. No-nonsense Blackberry users tended to take and make calls. Those with iPhones were more like to be playing with apps in the comfort station.
After becoming the biggest smartphone seller, putting Samsung in the shade, Apple is now the worlds largest PC manufacturer. But wait, PC means desktops, netbooks, notebooks and tablets. Analyst firm Canalys says in this segment, Apple sold 20 million units (15 million iPads, 5 million Macs) in 2011, representing an all-leading 17 per cent share. Apple is followed by Lenovo, Dell and Acer.
THE OLD ON TV, YOUNG ON A TABLET

The Super Bowl broadcast on February 5 seemed to be in line with findings that the American youth watch programmes more on devices than on television. The Super Bowl between New York Giants and New England Patriots in Indianapolis had about 2.1 million users watching the live stream, while about 111.3 million people watched it on television. It was, by most calculations, the most watched sports event on US television. Most of those who watched the live stream on devices like the iPad and phones were young people.
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The amount Sony loses on every LCD television set it sells. The Japanese company has predicted losses of 2.2 billion Euros and exited from a LCD panel making joint venture with Samsung.
CAR THAT FOLDS UP

Foldable things are so easy to handle. But whoever thought that one day they would come up with an actual car that folds into a smaller avatar for parking? The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has produced one called the Hiriko and a consortium of technology companies in Spain plan to produce it. European Commission President Jos Manuel Durao Barroso said the car was an answer to the crisis of parking in Europes congested urban centres. When parked, the rear wheels slide toward the front and the two-person passenger compartment tilts up and forward, making it less than two-thirds its original length. Three of these can fit into one normal parking spot. Passengers exit through a single clamshell door on the front of the vehicle. Hiriko has a 75-mile range and a top speed of 56 mph. Several websites reported that the car would be priced at $16,233.
Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012
Bit Rate
CLEARING THE INBOX

The dismay with which mail users log on to find their inboxes crammed with spam might be a thing of the past soon. Majors like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have come together to develop a technical specification called DMARC, which stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance. This will ease email-based abuse by solving a couple of long-standing operational, deployment and reporting issues related to email authentication protocols. By standardising such protocols, senders will experience consistent authentication results for their messages at AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! and any other email receiver implementing DMARC.
NO PAIN, YES GAME

What has gaming to do with the horrors of burn injuries? While there seems to be no link, the University of Washingtons VR Analgesia Research Center has established that playing a game called SnowWorld seems to bring relief for burn victims. SnowWorld is a first-person shooter game in which the patient uses snow balls to hit something while a soothing song plays in the background. Immersive gaming apparently helps patients take their mind off the pain. Time spent thinking about pain, which is an inextricable contributor to actual pain, dropped from 76 per cent without SnowWorld to 22 per cent with SnowWorld.
58
The loss to the American economy due to piracy, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. The figure factors piracys impact on related industries like florists, restaurants and trucking firms.
HARD WORK ON DISPLAY
FROM THE MOUTH OF CEOS

Truth be told, there are a lot of lies bandied about in corporate rooms. And since company honchos cannot be subjected to Sach ka Saamna tests, scandals lie hidden until manual scrutiny detects the cooked books. Now researchers at Duke University and the University of Illinois say a technique called Layered Voice Analysis can expose the falsities emanating from the mouths of CEOs. They took cases of established fraud and listened to the CEOs talking. Helped by an Israeli company called Nemesysco, they noticed vocal dissonance in the CEOs speeches at precisely the point when they were lying. Nemecyscos technology, which involves electronically analysing minute changes in peoples voices to look for tells that they are lying, is aimed at law enforcement and airport security, but the tech could save billions in investor calls if it could pinpoint that a CEO isnt telling the truth.
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Seems multitasking is the order of day. Else how do you explain the disparity between 179 million monitors sold last year against only 130 million desktop computers? Obviously people are using different monitors for different tasks at the same time. According to research firm IHS iSuppli, people also prefer bigger monitor screens21 inchesup from 18 inches five years ago.
BILLION
NIKONS MEGA SHOOTER

Imagine what you would do with 36 megapixels on a camera sensor! With the unveiling of the highly anticipated D800 HD by Nikon, photographers are already anticipating what they can achieve with Nikons highest rated sensor to date. Nikon itself says the camera affords flexibility and astonishing image quality whether shooting high fashion, weddings or multimedia content. The Nikon D800 has an FX-format CMOS sensor, a 91,000-pixel RGB Matrix Metering System, Advanced Scene Recognition System and many other intuitive features such as full manual control, uncompressed HDMI output, and incredible low-light video capability. The new devices is driven by Nikons latest EXPEED 3 image processing engine.
LaunchPad
A MONTHLY WINDOW TO THE MOST RECENT LAUNCHES
COOLER MASTER XORNET

Storm Xornet, the new gaming mouse aimed at casual gamers, has an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to use for long gaming sessions. It is lined with a special sweat-proof rubber due to which the movements of the mouse are more precise and tactical. Moreover, users can change the sensor sensitivity with there being options for 500, 1000 and 2000 dpi.
Price: ` 2,499
HP PAVILION DM4 AND MINI 210

HP is going strong with its ultraportable consumer notebook PC portfolio, introducing the new HP Pavilion dm4 and redesigned HP Mini 210. Weighing around 2 kg and offering up to seven hours of life, the HP Pavilion dm4 features the latest Intel Core processors with optional AMD Radeon HD discrete graphics. The dm4 comes with two two subwoofers and Beats Audio, offering a superior audio experience. The redesigned HPMini 210 also features Beats Audio now and weighs under 1.4 kg with a battery promising up to 9.5 hours.
Price: ` 54,990 & ` 19,990
Launch Pad
STELLAR PHOENIX MAC DATA RECOVERY 5

Stellar Data Recovery's all new Phoenix Mac Data Recovery 5 is updated with an advanced and much faster scan engine and is the worlds first and only software that can recover original file names of recently deleted files. It helps recover lost, missing or deleted files and folders from any scenario of data Loss. Stellar Mac Data Recovery5 is available in India from February.
Price: $99
SENNHEISER CX 215
CX 215 earphones from Sennheiser Electronics India are stylish ear-canal phones which come in five trendy colours. They feature an innovative finger-contoured housing design which enables for easy adjustment and optimal wearing comfort. The CX 215 also blocks outside noise effectively and delivers a powerful bass-driven sound experience.
Price: ` 1,990
LG HOM-BOT
No need to break sweat cleaning your home any more. Just relax and let the LG Hom-Bot clean your floors while you busy yourself with something else. With cameras on both the top and bottom, and a slim 90-mm design, the Hom-Bot never misses a dark spot thanks to its side brushes for clean corners and microfiber mop for hard floors. The bot can also be scheduled to clean when you want and even returns to the base to recharge itself when necessary.
Price: ` 43,990
10 IT Gadgets & Gizmos

March 2012
Launch Pad
DISH TRU HD+

Dish TV has introduced the Dish truHD+, a set-top box with digital video recorder. Unlike other DVRs, this doesnt come with an internal memory but supports external pen drives and hard drives for recording through the USB port. At the base price, it comes with a 4GB USB drive along with one-month truHD+ subscription.
Price: ` 2,690
TECHNOGYM VARIO
Technogyms Vario is unique for wide spectrum of exercises that can be performed with it. With Vario users can perform a complete workout or just concentrate on the upper or lower body. Vario provides a unique cardiovascular workout by offering the user the opportunity to determine the movement, the stride, length and shape from a vertical step to a simple walk.
Price: TBA
SAMSUNG CHAMP DELUXE DUOS

The new offering from Samsung mobility is a dual-SIM touchscreen phone, named the Champ Deluxe Duos. It features a 2.8-inch touch display loaded with Samsungs TouchWiz user interface. The phone also has a virtual QWERTY keypad that supports Hindi language input. Social networking applications include Facebook and Twitter whereas messenger includes Yahoo, MSN and GTalk. There is also a 1.3 MP camera, FM Radio and MP3 player on board.
Price: `4,790
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Launch Pad
BRAVIA HX925 LED TV

Sony India has launched its biggest screen size yet, the 65 Bravia HX925 LED TV powered by X-Reality PRO Engine, Intelligent Peak LED and Motionflow technology. X-Reality PRO, the new picture engine from Sony, analyses each scene pixel-by-pixel and uses sophisticated pattern to optimise the picture. This monolithic LED TV has sleek lines and highquality finishing making it a head turner on its own. The TV comes bundled with a skype camera and two pairs of 3D glasses.
Price: ` 3,59,900
ASUS VS197D LED MONITOR

The 18.5-inch Asus VS197D LED Monitor comes with 1366x768 resolution and quick response time. The monitors sturdy stand and slim profile promise stability and durability. The VS197D also features 50,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio which dynamically enhances the displays contrast by adjusting the luminance of the backlight to achieve the darkest black and brightest white delivering life-like images.
Price: ` 5,000
LG INVERTER V AIR-CONDITIONER
Inverter V, the new range of air-conditioners from LG Electronics India, is equipped with the unique BLDC compressor technology and skew fan design which gives it the worlds lowest noise level of 19 decibels. LG claims its Inverter V compressor is faster and more powerful than conventional ACs. The compressors speed adjusts constantly to even temperature fluctuations in the room, thus maintaining desired temperature levels at all times. LGs Plasmaster Ionizer sterilises the air up to 99.9 per cent from bacteria and other harmful substances. The technology used in the ACs is highly energy efficient and saves up to 66 per cent on energy consumption.
Price: ` 42,990 onwards
March 2012
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GGChoice
THE BEST OF THE MONTH
ASUS TRANSFORMER PRIME

Price: ` 49,999
Specs:
10.1-inch display; Android 4.0; 1GB RAM; 64GB internal memory; 8.3 mm thin; 8 MP auto focus; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB (with dock); Weight: 586 gm (pad), 537 gm (dock).
WHY WE FELL FOR IT

Innovative and powerful. Quad-core processor and Android 4.0 . If only the pricing strategy had also been innovative!
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ASUS Transformer Prime
TRANSFORMING
TABLET
THE FIRST QUAD-CORE TABLET UPGRADED TO ANDROIDS ICE-CREAM SANDWICH THAT CONVERTS ITSELF INTO A POWERFUL NETBOOK BY SLIDING IN A KEYBOARD DOCK.
TEXT BY NIDHI SINGAL & PHOTOGRAPH BY RAJWANT RAWAT
ince its launch in 2010, Apples iPad has virtually dominated the tablet market. Now, with its ability to transform into a netbook, the Asus Transformer Prime tries its best to be more than a tablet, and hence could be a serious Android challenger for the iPads top position. Taking a cue from the iPad 2, the Prime features a 10.1-inch display with a slight curve at the edges. Asus has managed to achieve a 8.3-mm thickness despite having microSD and mini HD ports. The front bezel has a 1.2 MP camera, while the rear has a 8MP one that can capture full 1080p videos. At the bottom is a 40-pin connector port that connects the tablet to the charger or the keyboard dock. Theres nothing to complain about as far as the design or the performance are concerned. We were greeted by Androids latest Ice-Cream Sandwich operating system, which looks like Hthe oneyComb platform, but with a host of improvements. The notification bar at the bottom has been revamped. The main application launcher, meanwhile, is divided into applications and widgetsit bore a striking resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. From scrolling through the menu and widgets to launching applications and playing games, everything ran smoothly. However,
for browsing, email and downloading applications we had to go hunting for a Wi-Fi hotspot as the Transformer Prime doesnt have a SIM slot for data connectivity, a problem when on the move. The graphics were vibrant and made watching movies and videos a delight. The native video player failed to play most of formats and we had to download a free video player from the Android Market to do the job. Along with the support for playing full HD video, this tablet can also capture videos in 1080p resolution. Despite its form factor, the Prime packs in a quad-core processor paired with 1 GB RAM. We ran a series of benchmark performance tests and the Prime scored in the upper end of the scale. The unique feature here is the dock accompanying the Prime, with its full QWERTY keyboard, a control shortcut and a numeric row at the top. It also has an additional USB port and an SD card slot on the right. With the dock weighing 537 gm, the combined weight comes to 1.12 kgstill lighter than most netbooks. Since both the dock and the tablet have individual batteries, we got close to 15 hours of power on a single charge. Plugged into the dock, the Prime first consumed the extra charge before turning to its own battery. If it has a little charge left, the tablet will easily work on the docks battery, and even charge itself in the process.
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ULTRABOOKS
ULTRA
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COOL
SUPER SLIM, SPEEDIER, SMOOTHER, SEXIERTHE LAPTOP IN ITS NEW AVATAR IS AN AMAZING MACHINE.
aced with an onslaught from tablets, which have, for the past couple of years, been eating into the netbook pie whilst successfully wooing a sizeable chunk of mid-level laptop buyers too, PC makers are looking at ways to reinvent their products. Their best bet to sustain consumer interest in laptops is the new range of sleek, slim and superfast Ultrabooks which have started appearing in stores around the world. r
TEXT BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN & PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAJWANT RAWAT
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ULTRABOOKS
not actually technology, but a trademark r The Ultrabook isthe protocolsafor this new segment. Intel of Intel, which created specifies that these devices should be super thin, have ultra-fast start-up, extended battery life and must be security enabled. Most importantly, the devices must have a price tag around $1,000. Since it is a trademark, to be called an Ultrabook these devices will also need to have the new low-power CULV processors from Intel as well as 2nd Generation Intel iCore processors. They will have integrated graphics, solid-state drives and unibody designs to hold larger batteries. They will be different from netbooks for they will be largerat least 13 inchesand have much better processing power and storage. But like netbooks these too will have no optical or slot drives, and may also be lacking in many ports common in regular laptops. However, they will be a better bet than netbooks, though not a cheaper bet. These smart and sleek, ultra-thin devices will increasingly deliver full performance, built-in security and will be ultraresponsive to the needs of the individual. Thanks to their thin, light and sexy designs, they can be welcome lifestyle accessories. With substantially longer battery life and offered at mainstream price points, Intel expects Ultrabook devices to be as transformational for mobile computing especially as the Intel Centrino Mobile technology was more than eight years ago, says Sandeep Aurora, Director, Marketing, Intel South Asia. It is a bit too early to write off the netbook, especially since the entry level Ultrabooks will cost almost double that of a high-end netbook. But many companies have already announced that they will start focusing on Ultrabooks in the coming months. But then you dont need Ultrabooks to kill the netbooks, that task is being done efficiently by the tablets. While they will try to offer a replacement for mid- and high-end laptops, especially the new affordable MacBook Air, Ultrabooks will have tablets too in their crosshairs. To this effect, the second generation of these sleek devices are expected to sport touchscreens and gesture controls. Intel says that during a research study on the use of touch-enabled applications on an Ultrabook, users found the use of touch on a clamshell design, and the seamless transition between the use of touch applications and the keyboard to be compelling and natural. The addition of the touch experience will also fuel innovation in the design and shape of future Ultrabook systems, from clamshells and hybrids, to convertibles and other styles likely not yet imagined, says Aurora. At least four companies have already brought in their Ultrabooks into the Indian market, with a handful more expected to be available by the middle of this year. Acer was among the first to enter India with its S3, while Lenovo and HP followed with the U300s and Folio 13 respectively. Asus too came in with its Zenbook soon after. The prices range from around ` 48,000 for the S3 to ` 89,999 for the Zenbook. But some say it is wrong to call the Ultrabooks a different segment since none of the manufacturers are strictly sticking to the Intel benchmarks. Experts highlight the fact that while some of these machines have a battery life at the lower end of the scale, others can give up to 10 hours of juice. The price too is pretty much all over the place. Still the chances are that if you go to buy a laptop this year, you will return home with an Ultrabook.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A LAPTOP?

Processing Laptops are still looking for a processor standard, but Ultrabooks will feature only second generation Intel Core i5 and i7. They will also have integrated graphics unlike the dedicated graphics in laptopsthis might not make it very popular among gamers.
Size Laptops have no restrictions of size, but Ultrabooks will be mostly 13 inches and at least half the thickness of a regular laptop. So, naturally, they will also weigh less, under 1.5 kg compared to the average 2 kg of regular laptops. On the flipside, you will have no Ultrabook options if you are looking for a 17-inch laptop.
INTELS ULTRABOOK STAND

Thin and light design
An Ultrabook has to be less than 2 cm in thickness, most are much thinner. (The MacBook Air is 1.7 cm thick.)
Security
The units will have features like Identify Protection tech to provide a more secure online experience and will use chiplevel authentication, considered more secure than softwareonly authentication. Intel is working with authentication partners to solutions for Ultrabooks and work with the ecosystemincluding online banking, gaming, ecommerce and social media sites. There will also be Intels Anti-Theft technology which will disable the unit if it gets stolen.
Price
They will need to be in a price range of $1,000.
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Design
Ultrabooks have unibody designs to hold their larger batteries, but very few laptops have adopted this model.
Battery Ultrabooks might be thin and light, but they still have more juice than bigger laptops. Even at the lower end, Ultrabooks promise at least five hours on a single charge, while most laptops give up in three.
THE FUTURE
In the coming months you will hear a lot about Ultrabooks as companies start focusing on this new segment. While now you have just a handful of devices to choose from, we are pretty sure that things will be much different by June. As far as technology goes, Ultrabooks are likely to become larger by breaking the 13-inch ceiling. Since the smaller size is putting off many buyers, Intel, as well as the manufacturers, will try to bring in 14-inch and 15-inch options. You could also see touch being incorporated in future models. In fact, at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel showcased prototypes capable of handling touch. Once Windows 8 is launched, you will see touch becoming a necessity instead of a luxury in mobile computing devices. There will also be a push to bring down prices further so that the new segment captures around 40 per cent of the market by the end of this year. Another path in which Ultrabooks could evolve was also on show at the CES in the form of the Lenovo Yoga. This Ultrabook hopes to end all confusion for people who cant choose between a laptop and tablet. Yes, the Yoga is a Ultrabook which be able to contort itself to become a tablet. The keypad of the unit can be folded backwards so that the screen becomes the primary interface. But Lenovo is unlikely to bring the product to the market before the Windows 8 launch, as the Yoga will make sense only if it runs an OS which is meant to respond to touch.
Ports A regular Ultrabook will be missing ports common to regular laptops. As of now Ultrabooks have just a couple of USB drives and an HDMI port. It does not have space for a VGA or Ethernet port.
Storage Ultrabooks will have solid-state drives for storage, which will also be essential to make it slim. The SSDs will also help them to have quick start capabilities.
ARD
Ultra-fast start-up
Intel is developing and bringing to market capabilities like the Rapid Start Technology that gets a system up and running within seven seconds, even from a state of hibernation.
Processor
Ultrabooks will be powered by the second generation Intel iCore Processor family.
Extended battery life
Ultrabook devices offer at least five hours of battery life, many even eight hours or more.
Cool and green Ultrabooks, unlike the power guzzling laptops, will try and use as little energy as needed. They also have designs that keep them cooler than regular laptops.
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ULTRABOOKS
COMING SOON
THE ULTRABOOKS THAT WE HAVE IN THE MARKET NOW ARE JUST THE FIRST LOT. THE REAL GAME CHANGERS WILL ACTUALLY HIT THE SHELVES ONLY BY THE MIDDLE OF 2012. HERES WHAT IS LINED UP.
LG X-NOTE Z330/430
Some call these the super ultrabooks, maybe because at 1.2 kg the Z330 is lighter than the rest of the pack by at least 100 gm. LG has managed to get the 13-inch display into a compact 12-inch chassis and a 1.47 cm thickness all across with no tapered edges. The Z430 will be among the first 14-inch Ultrabooks available, but it will be heavier at 1.5 kg. The larger one will also have both SSD and HDD, meaning storage capacities of up to 500GB and also a bigger price tag.
ACER ASPIRE S5 SAMSUNG SERIES 5

In the next wave of Ultrabooks to hit Indian store shelves will be the Samsung Series 5. While there will be 13.3-inch and 14-inch versions of this thin and lightweight models, the latter will be the first to feature a DVD drive in the ULtrabook category. The Ultrabooks promise a 20-second boot-up and wakes up in just two seconds. Web browsing is twice as fast as the previous generation of notebook PCs. The 14-inch version will also feature 500GB storage with the ExpressCache technology. If you thought the MacBook Air is thin, you havent seen the Acer S5. The S5 is just 1.5 cm at girth and weighs 1.35 kg. The full-metal magnesium-aluminum alloy body of the 13.3-inch S5 impressed all those spotted it at CES 2012. In fact, some expressed apprehension that the body was so thin you could cut yourself with it. The device is expected to be among the first devices to run the Intel Ivy Bridge 1.70GHz processor and will have the Intel HD4000 graphics. Along with HDMI, the S5 will have two USB 3.0 ports as well as a ThunderBolt. Reports suggest that the S5 will have just 5 hours of battery life and could cost well over $1,000.
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HP ENVY 14 SPECTRE
The HP Envy 14 Spectre must be the most awaited Ultrabook at the moment. Along with its promise of stunning performance, this device has also captured attention for its unprecedented use of glass. The Spectre uses lightweight, scratch-resistant glass on the lid, display, palmrest and HPImagePad. It also sports a full 14-inch screen inside a 13.3-inch body and the HD Radiance Display offering top of the range resolution and the richest colours. The HP Spectre is fast running on the latest Intel Core processors and still boasts up to nine hours of battery life. The 2-cm-thin HP Spectre weighs just above 1.5 kg and includes up to 256 GB storage. Despite being an Ultrabook, the HP Spectre has a full array of advanced input and output options, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, HDMI and Mini DisplayPort. The HP Envy 14 Spectre is expected to be available in the US in February with a starting price of $1,399.
SAMSUNG SERIES 9
The Series 9 Ultrabooks will come with an duralumin enclosure with arching curves and remarkable durability. Despite being twice as strong as aluminum, duralumin is lighter and hence these devices will weigh just 1.3 kg with the battery. The Series 9 also includes backlit keyboard, brilliant LCD display screen and a large multi-touch clickpad. Pushing the limits of Ultrabooks, the Series 9 promises a 3-second start-up and a battery life of at least seven hours.
DELL XPS 13
Those who have seen and used it term it the best device Dell has made in years, and the chances are they could be right. This Ultrabook will be the latest in Dells high-performance XPS segment and will weigh just 1.4 kg with a maximum thickness of 1.8 cmits thinnest point is just 6 mm. The device reportedly gives about eight hours on a single charge and sticks to Intels quick start standards. The starting model is expected to run an Intel Core i3 with a 128GB SSD and cost $999, while the fully loaded version with a Core i7 and a 256GB SSD will cost $1,499.
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ULTRABOOKS
ON THE SHELVES
SIMPLE PLEASURES
Acer never shies away from new technology and as a result it is often the first company to launch a new type of product in the market. So it was no surprise that Acer was first off the block in the Ultrabook race in India, coming up with its Aspire S3 as early as November 2011. The S3 is one of the thinnest Ultrabook models out there and bears a striking resemblance to the MacBook Air. It weighs 1.38 kg. With a full metal unibody design that will certainly ensure some eyeballs, the S3 aspires to be right there among the frontrunners. It is not a top draw Ultrabook as is obvious by the price. But then Acer has the S5 lined up for the big fight. But that doesnt mean the S3 is weak in anyway. It has a great processing power thanks to its 1.6GHz Core i5 processor and 4GB RAM, and will certainly rise up to most tasks that you will throw at it. The keypad, placed in a recess, is well spaced out and responsive. There is enough travel to let you know that you have pressed a key, unlike some of its competition. The touchpad is at the centre, just below the keys. Though it is quite large, there is no multi-touch here. It is even a bit clickety-clack towards the bottom. The power button is actually on the hinge just below the bezel and can even be access from outside when the flap is closedbut we are not sure this was intentional. The 1366x768 screen is good enough to watch HD movies on and the professionally tunes Dolby Home Theater speakers ensure you have audio good enough to go with the picture. You will, however, need to get the viewing angle right for perfect picture. Similarly, the sound gets better when you plug in a good pair of headphone, though you wont need it at all times. The S3 has two USB and one HDMI port at back, on the hinge. But it also has a MicroSD slot at the side, something you wont find in all Ultrabooks. However, a drawback will be the battery life of just about five hours on full charge. Not bad when compared with laptops, but at the bottom end of the Ultrabook pile where devices boast of up to 10 hours of juice. But then this is an entry level Ultrabook and the only option if you are looking to upgrade from you old laptop without paying more than what you paid for the old model.
ACER ASPIRE S3
Price: ` 48,000
13.3-inch LED screen; 13 mm thick; Core i5; 4GB RAM; 128GB SSD; 1.3 MP webcam, Intel HD 3000 Graphics; USB 3.0, Wi-FI, 1.38 kg. VERDICT: Best option if you are price conscious
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IT Gadgets & Gizmos March, 2012
ALL BEEFED UP
It is not always that you get a laptop delivered to you in a large envelope. But HPs Folio 13 came to us in one, and we were impressed. The package could have easily passed off for documents from a bank for a house loanno one had an inkling that it, in fact, held an Ultrabook, a rather large one at that. Yes, the Folio 13 is slim and sleek, but not as much as some of the other Ultrabooks we have tested. That is not because this is a bulky deviceat 1.5 kg it is, however, a few grams heavier than the rest. In fact, the Folio 13 tries to be true to itself by keeping its thickness constant throughout with no thinner or sleeker edges. The slightly stocky build also means this device has something which the other Ultrabooks dont, an RJ-45 Ethernet port. To make space, the fan grill is placed beneath, unlike the others which have it on the side. The 13.3-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD BrightView is good, though something bright would have really sexed up the device. More so, because below the screen, on the hinge, is a speaker strip which really adds some oomph to this Ultrabook with the Dolby Advanced Stereo really standing out to be heard loud. The full-sized, spill-resistant, backlit chiclet keyboard comes with UV coating and is very easy to type on. Plus, the touchpad come with gestures support, a feature which we thought most of the others missed out on. Another real good feature is the on/off key (f5) for the backlit keyboard, a good way to save power. And the Folio 13 does save some power, for it can run up to nine hours on a single charge. The Folio 13 comes with three USB ports, one of them USB 3.0, and a HDMI port. Another good touch is the LED indicator to show if the webcam is on. The Folio 13 retails abroad for around $900, but in India it carries a price tag of ` 69,990, which might put off some buyers. But still the Folio 13 has features which can make it a good option for corporate buyers.
HP FOLIO 13
Price: ` 69,990
13.3 LED screen; 17 mm thick; Intel Core i5; 4 GB RAM; up to 128 GB SSD; Intel HD 3000 Graphics; 1SODIMM memory slot; USB 3.0; 1.5 kg weight. VERDICT: Thicker than the rest, but with many unique features
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ULTRABOOKS
KEEPING THE EDGE

Metal might be associated with brawn, but it can also be stylish, in a macho sort of way. The Asus UX31 Zenbook is all about style with a metallic edge, quite literally. The edge comes from the taper towards the front, making this ultrathin Ultrabook look even thinner. The sharp features are accentuated by the taper coming in from the bottom toothe front thickness is just 3 mm, while it is 9 mm at the rear giving this device a clamshell kind of feel. Asus says it was aiming for an angular harmony with the design, and we must agree that they have been successful. Despite the all-aluminum body, the etched concentric circles on the cover and the linear brushed deck blend into each other seamlessly. Even the keypad is embedded with the metal keys looking like they were a part of the body. There are no other buttons beyond the keypad into which even the power button has been added. The trackpad below is large and very responsive, though there is no multi-touch. You can, however, swipe through pictures. Here too, the speakers have been blended into the hinge and still give the best sound among the Ultrabooks we have seen. For this feat we have to thank Bang & Olfusen, whose ICEpower SonicMaster powers these speakers. But the real hero of this Zenbook story is just above the speakers the 13.3 450 nits HD + 1600X900 screen. No doubt this is the best screen among Ultrabooks available now, but we also doubt if even regular laptops have come up with something as good. There is hardly any glare at regular viewing angles, nor do you get the feeling that image is washed out. The unit we tested was running an Intel Core i7 2677M CPU with a Windows Home Premium 64-bit and was up to the task at all times. There was no laggardness with even high-resolution pics or HD video. The Zenbook takes just two seconds to spring back to life from sleep and really pushes the standard for its rivals. There is a Micro-SD slot and two USB ports, including a USB 3.0. The unit comes with a fabric pouch carrying HDMI and VGA adapters, which you can plug into the micro ports in the Ultrabook. Despite the superb performance the Zenbook can ensure about seven hours of juice on full performance. Sadly, the Zenbook, which is cheaper than the MacBook Air in the US, is selling in India for ` 89,999, making it one of the costliest Ultrabooks around. It is another thing that the performance and features sort of justifies the price.
ASUS UX31 ZENBOOK

Price: ` 89,000
13.3-inch LED; 3 mm at thinnest, 17 mm at thickest; Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM; 256 GB SSD; Intel HD 3000 Graphics; Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0; 1.3 kg weight. VERDICT: Superb performance, but very costly.
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SLIM FIT
Lenovo Ideapad U300s is right up there as far as Ultrabooks go. One look at the grey single-piece aluminum shell of the U300s and you know that this is cutting edge stuff. The cutting edge is a bit literal if you run your hands on the sharp lines that run on both the edges. The edges merge as the back in a smooth flow, design at its best. The U300s has a maximum thickness of just 1.49 cm, and weighs just under 1.35 kg. The 13.3-inch ultraslim 16:9 widescreen HD display is crystal clear, though we found that it was reflecting far too much light at certain angles. The sound is also top notch, and the speakers with SRS Premium Surround very good for something this small. The keypad is spacious and features the unique Breathable Keyboard, an Intel advanced cooling technology that allows air to flow in through the keyboard and out of the sides and rear hinge. Lenovo says this design removes the need for vents on the underside of the notebook, and this could be why all the U300s needs is a small vent for fan louvers on the right edge. The touchpad is big, but does not feature multi-touch. Sticking to the Ultrabook standard, this one too features Intel Core i5 with 4GB DDR3 memory and up to 128 GB of SSD storage. Do some spreadsheets or open hi-resolution pictures and you realise that this is a really mean machine. The U300s can come back to life from sleep in under five seconds thanks to Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. Lenovo has also added a one-key recovery, which is usually associated with conventional laptops. The battery life on the U300s is also better than in many of its competitors, easily giving about seven hours on a full charge. Then there is the Lenovo RapidCharge, which lets users charge the battery to 50 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes. The 1.3MP webcam can do 720p HD video and comes with an integrated YouCam software which is fun to play around with. There are two USB ports, including a Bluetooth 3.0, an HDMI port and high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi. The U300s is also enabled with the Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) Technology which lets you play content on a larger screen wirelessly. However, the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s is not exactly cheap and comes with a ` 67,990 price tag.
LENOVO IDEAPAD U300S

Price: ` 67,900
13.3-inch HD display; 14 mm thick; Intel Core i5; 4GB RAM; up to 256 GB SSD; Intel HD 3000 Graphics; Bluetooth 3.0, USB 3.0, Wi-Fi; 1.3 kg weight. VERDICT: Good if you dont mind paying more for better features
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ULTRABOOKS
SONY VAIO XPCZ227CG
Price: ` 1,59,900
13.1-inch Full HD display: 16 cm thick; Intel Core i7; 8GB RAM; 256 GB SSD; Intel HD Graphics 3000; docking port with Radeon HD 6650M 1GB graphics; LAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth, HDMI; 1.175 kg weight. VERDICT: For professionals, but still very expensive
AHEAD OF THE PACK
If you want to see how much Ultrabooks can push the limit, you should take a look at the Sony Vaio XPCZ227CG. To start with, this ultrathin Vaio is not meant for the average user who wants a sleeker computing device. The price tag of ` 1,59,000 is enough to scare away most non-serious buyers. But for those who have the capacity and willingness to pay a hefty premium for some cool features, this Vaio has more than most other Ultrabooks. Though it is not as thin as the Asus Zenbook, it does shave off over 300 gm from 1.5-kg standard set by Intel. The screen is among the best you would find in this class, with the 13.1-inch Full HD LED backlight hardly reflecting any light in most angles. Though we were not as impressed by the sound, it is decent by any standards. The 83-key backlit keyboard has more features than anything the competition has to offer. Just above it is a Wireless on/off toggle, and touch buttons to access the Web, VAIO controls and Assist. The trackpad is smaller, but comes with gesture controls and fingerprint recognition. There are also LED indicators for caps lock and number lock. Like in some other top-end laptops from Sony, there is a Vaio Gate Dock which drops down from above the screen
if you move the cursor there. The dock gives you onetouch access to most-used programmes. To add to this features if the gesture controls enabled for browsing media files. You can move to the next song or video by just swiping you hand in front of the screen just make sure you do it in such a way that it is obvious to the 1.3MP camera. The processing power of the i7-2640M Processor 2.80 GHz with Turbo Boost is obvious when you swish through the hi-resolution pictures by just waving your hand or clicking the cursor. The absolute absence of lag is too obvious to miss. The XPCZ227CG comes with 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM and 256 GB SSD storage, which explains the four-second start-up time. This Ultrabook comes with a RJ-45 network connector, mini D-sub display output connector 3D supported HDMI connector and 2 USB ports. If that doesnt satisfy you, there is a Power Media Dock in the box which while being a full Optical Blu-ray DVD drive with writer can also give an assortment of five additional ports. The dock can also be used to charge the computer. There is also a SD card slot and a Magic Gate slot for Sony memory sticks. Almost all of these are features which the other Ultrabooks lack. These features also make the Vaio XPCZ227CG more of a business Ultrabook, and explains the price to an extent.
26
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n be used bile phone ca eds, from Your mo ancial ne for all your fin ments y banking to pa
Mobiles
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YOUR NEW
WALLET
YOUR PHONE IS NOW YOUR PERSONAL TELLER MACHINE AND FINANCIAL CONSULTANT ALL ROLLED INTO ONE. HERE IS HOW YOU CAN CARRY YOUR BANK IN YOUR POCKET, QUITE LITERALLY.
TEXT BY NIDHI SINGAL & PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY VANITA ARORA
bhishek Agarwal, an engineer in Indore, wasted a lot time visiting his bank. At times, he even had to take leave from work because his bank did not open before 10 in the morning and by time he stepped out after finishing his account-related work, it would be past 1 pm. Of course, once the banking routines changed with the introduction of debit cards and ATMs, Agarwal was less hardpressed for time. These technological advancements simplified his life by giving him an easy access to cash, allowing him to check his balance, facilitating fund transfers, depositing cash and even shopping without hard cash. This transition took some time to happen. But the next step in our banking evolution has begun. The cell phone that Agarwal uses is not just good at making calls, browsing the web, clicking photos and listening to musicit is smart enough to let him access his bank account anytime, anywhere. And if thats not enough, he will now be able to make payments using his phone. With 900 million mobile phone users in the country, both phone companies and banks realised that using spectrum could take banking services to every nook and corner at all times.
BANK ON MOBILE
Irrespective of whether it is a public-sector bank or a private one, the minute you open a
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ITGadgets & Gizmos March, 2012
new bank account, your mobile number is linked to that account. Existing customers too can ask the bank to upgrade their details and include their cell numbers. There are merits in giving the bank your number. It allows you to get information in real time about any transactions related your bank account. For instance, if you are paying for petrol with your debit card and your card is swiped twice for the same amount, you will instantly receive a message from the bank and you can take necessary action against those at fault. But this is not the only advantage. If you register your number for mobile banking services you also get the freedom to access your bank balance, fetch account statement, transfer funds and do much more. With most banks offering mobile banking services, there are different ways to do the same but the basic procedure remains the same. Only savings and current account holders are eligible for mobile banking service. Such account holders first need to register their mobile numbers with the bank. Bank services can be accessed only from the registered phone number. Also, the customer has to generate a Personal Identification Number (MPIN) that acts as a security password for mobile banking. In case the wrong MPIN is entered three times during a transaction, the mobile banking service account gets deactivated for a day or two.
Cover Photograph by RAJWANT RAWAT; Cover Imaging by VANITA ARORA
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Mobiles
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APPS
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SMS banking
SMS-based mobile banking is the easiest way to transact money matters. Unlike Net banking, it doesnt require GPRS or data connectivity or a highend phone. All you need to do is send a text message with the specific keywords to a banks predefined banking number. Instantly, the bank reverts with the relevant information. Different banks offer different services but the most commonly available are balance enquiry, cheque status enquiry, cheque book request, stop cheque request and mobile-to-mobile fund transfer. Every bank has a different keyword and text number. In case the wrong keyword, account number or MPIN are entered, the service are not processed further. Here, it is always advisable to delete all messages sent and received that carry any information about the bank account. SMS is a simple way of accessing your bank account but it incurs texting charges. In case you have a smartphone and a regular data connectivity or even Wi-Fi access, you can opt for a mobile banking application that will give you access to a host of services, thus eliminating the need to visit your bank physically. The regular set of services offered by most of the banks include fund transfer within and outside the bank, interbank mobile payment service, enquiry service, cheque book request, demat enquiry service, bill payments (including utility bills, credit card, insurance premium), mobile top up and other online transactions. Some of the private banks even offer special services such as stop cheque requests, opening of fixed or recurring deposits, etc. While most public-sector banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Oriental Bank of Commerce, etc, have apps compatible with Java-enabled phones, a few private banks also have applications for smartphones, that is for the iPhone and Android devices.
Illustration by SANTOSH KUSHWAHA
Banking apps
RBI GUIDELINES ON MOBILE BANKING
1.
Banks should offer mobile-based banking service only to their own customers, be it bank account or credit card account holders.
2.
Banks should have a system of registration before commencing mobilebased payment service to a customer.
for credit or debit, status of last five transactions, and many other information providing services. The second or standard level of mobile banking services involve financial transactions such as payments, transfers and stop payments.
4.
Only Indian Rupee-based services can be provided.
3.
There can be two levels of mobile based banking servicethe first or basic level in the nature of information like balance enquiry, SMS alert
TIME TO PAY
While mobile banking eliminates the need to visit a bank, there are other
30
5.
When a bank offers mobile payments service, it may be ensured that cus-
services too that link to the bank account for clearing payments. One financial service that creates an ecosystem for secure mobile payments is called mChek. The easy-to-use service links the mobile phone to Visa or Mastercard to pay postpaid mobile bills, recharge prepaid mobile, book movie tickets, bus tickets, flight tickets, pay electricity bills, insurance premium and DTH TV bills without your having to stand in long queues. The process involves sending a message to the designated short code and downloading an application. You can also visit the mChek website to register and generate a special PIN. Then, you can register your credit card using its CVV number and you are ready to make your payments. Although the company claims the service to be operator-independent, we tried installing mChek using an Idea Cellular number and it failed. However, the service works well with Airtel. The service is secure since you have to key in your Pin for every transaction. As with MPIN, entering the mChek pin incorrectly three times leads to temporary blocking of your account. Like mChek, PayMate too links a bank account or credit card to a cell phone for instant payments. It is compatible with almost all handsets and network operators. All a user needs to do is register with the partner bank of PayMate and link the account to a mobile number. There is a list of such banks listed on PayMates website.
mChek
It includes ICICI, Dena Bank, Bank of India, HDFC Bank, SBI, IDBI, RBS, Canara, Indian Overseas Bank, and many others. The payment can be made by sharing the mobile number with the service. The user will receive an IVR call from PayMate to confirm the transaction amount and to ask for the authorisation with the PIN. As soon as the PIN has been entered the transaction is processed. Once the transaction is completed, an SMS notification is sent. The only problem with this solutions is that it is not accepted for payment everywhere. However, with time PayMates reach can be expected to increase.
BE SECURE AND SAFE

You actively rely on your cell phone for mobile banking and payments. But do you know if your phone is stolen or falls in wrong hands, all your hard-earned money can be lost in a single second? Here are a few tips that you should follow to protect mobile-banking fraud. Exercise caution. phones support numeric pass1 Most of theActivate one for your phone word lock. with a password that is difficult to crack. Dont use your birth date, or your spouses or kids, anniversary date, house number or even telephone number as passwords. These are easiest to crack. own a 2 If youthat cansmartphone, installa applications password protect particular folder and even applications. So even if your phone is stolen, the thief cannot access information stored. Every time one tries to access the protected folder, it asks for the passcode. save your one3 Nevertransaction ATM pin orinyour phonetime password the book. Even if you do, disguise it as a 10digit number by adding a few numbers that only you need know of.
CASHLESS-CARDLESS WORLD
The future of mobile payments wont revolve only around SMS or applications. Near-field communication (NFC) will enable ecommerce and contactless payments in a big way. The fundamental nature of this technology is to initiate connection between two NFC-enabled devices at a close range of 4 cm. While it is secure over mediums of contactless payments, it still requires you to be physically present to carry out the transaction. With more and more NFC-enabled phones being launched, more NFC-reading devices will be developed to allow more monetary transactions. Applications that store bank account details and other details for making payments will also be launched. As soon as the phone is tapped against an NFC tag or reader, the application will initiate a secure medium of making payment, using protected passwords.
PayMate
4 Neverasdisclose your personal information such account number, password, PAN

card number in text messages. These can be used for identity theft. keep your phones 5 Always off and dont acceptBluetooth unturned data from known sources. Virus and malware can attack phones. Also on Android smartphones, install an anti-virus. These are most vulnerable to virus attacks
tomers having mobile phones of any network operator should be in a position to request for service. Restriction, if any, to the customers of particular mobile operator(s) may be only during the pilot phase.
6.
Regarding inter-operability between banks and between their mobile payments service providers, it is recommended that banks adopt the message formats being developed by Mobile Payments Forum of India.
It is suggested that the banks issue a new mobile pin (mPIN) to users. To facilitate the mobile payments mPIN may be issued and authenticated by the bank or by a mobile payment application service provider appointed by the bank.
8.
In cases where the customer files a complaint with the bank disputing a transaction, it would be the responsibility of the service providing bank to address the customer grievance. Banks should formulate charge-back
6 Never leave your bank balance message on your phone. 7 Dont open unknown web links on your phone. your device to 8 Before handing overthe personal account others, wipe out all
information. intervals, change your account 9 At randomused for making transactions. password
7.
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Reviews
REVIEWS AND RATINGS OF PHONE PRODUCTS
SE LIVE WITH WALKMAN PLANTRONICS VOYAGER PRO HD PLANTRONICS MARQUE M155
NOKIA LUMIA 710

Price: ` 15,490
GG
3.7-inch capacitive display; 5 MP camera; 8GB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB; 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A-GPS; 130 gm; 1600 mAh battery.
Specs:
WITH CLOUT
TEXT BY NIDHI SINGAL & PHOTOGRAPH BY RAJWANT RAWAT
The second child of the Microsoft-Nokia tie-up, the Lumia 710 is targeted towards those who wish to own a super smart phone with a refreshing new operating system without hurting their wallets. The recent price cut of the Lumia 710 makes it even more desirable, making it a formidable rival to the Samsung Omnia W and HTC Radar. Dominated by a 3.7-inch capacitive touch display on the front, the phone has a slightly raised row (with back, windows and search key) below the display. The plastic back is bare except for a 5-MP camera lens at the top and speaker at the bottom. The 3.5 mm jack along with charging jack are placed on the top, with volumes keys on the right panel. Unlike the Lumia 800, the 710 doesnt have a unibody design.
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Therefore, the micro SIM slot and battery can be accessed by removing the back panel. The tile-shaped Metro UI on the homescreen looks refreshing in front of the other leading operating systems. This divides the homescreen into multiple tiles that are completely customisable. Since this is a Windows Phone, you would need your Windows Live account for downloading apps. While Windows Marketplace has a steadily rising number of apps, Nokia Recommendation apps too are there for the taking. Facebook comes integrated with contacts to make the whole orld easy to access. The device comes with 8 GB onboard storage. Where the sound output and the overall performance of the device were impressive,
the 5 MP camera and 720p video capture were a letdown. The Lumia 710 has the same hardware specifications as the Samsung Omnia W. The phone runs on Snapdragon 1.4GHz single-core processor and is paired with a 512 MB RAM. These hardware specifications work well on most of the Windows Phone and so in the Lumia 710 too, the overall performance is commendable. This smartphone gave us a days backup on a single charge with above average use.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

A refreshing operating system, fine hardware, decent pricing.
SMART COMPANIONS
A smart headset for smartphones is how Plantroics refers to its Marque M155 and Voyager Pro HD to be. With its neat design, the Marque M155 has a fresh appeal. It has been done with shades of white on the top with silver on the sides. A circular key on the front used for answering and disconnecting calls resembles the iPhones home key. It is easy to operate, and turning on the headset tells the user how much talktime he or she has. It worked well most of the time we used it and was comfortable during use. However, as with devices of its sort, prolonged use can hurt the ears. Indoors and in quieter surroundings, the sound is impressive. However, in a noisy environment, say at a market or on a road, the calling party was hardly audible. The Voyager Pro HD doesnt have anything revolutionary about its design. It has a long extension that is flexible enough to be turned around to be worn in either ear. But the thick body that hides behind the ear made it uncomfortable to wear for long durations. The excellent sound output, however, made such complaints recede. The sound was so clear at both the ends that the calling party could hardly make out whether we were talking over a handset or a Bluetooth headset. It also automatically senses whether a call needs to be transferred to the headset or the phone. While on a call, removing the headset instantly transferred it to the handset, without any lag. Compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled phones, both the headsets have some special features that one can enjoy with Apple and Android devices. When paired with the iPhone, the headsets battery indicator appeared on the top of the display. As for Android, the MyHeadset app directs you to access Vocalysta one year free subscription for listening to emails, text, update social networks, etc. The user would, of course, need to register with Vocalyst, which requires a specific registration code (wasnt available with us). While the Marque M155 gave close to five hours of talktime on a single charge, the Voayger Pro HD was active over six hours of talktime. The Marque 155s charging cable has a regular charging jack along with a USB connector for plugging in phones data cable whereas the Voyager Pro HD comes with a USB charger along with a wall charger.
PLANTRONICS VOYAGER PRO HD

Price: ` 5,290
GG
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Intelligent headset with excellent audio.
PLANTRONICS MARQUE M155

Price: ` 2,290 BAG IT OR JUNK IT?
Feature rich, affordable, but lacks noise cancellation.
GG
TEXT BY NIDHI SINGAL AND PICTURE BY RAJWANT RAWAT

33
Mobiles
TRENDS
REVIEWS
APPS
LISTINGS
A MUSICAL DATE
Soon your dear Sony Ericsson will only be Sony. Sony has bought Swedish giant Ericssons shares in the joint venture. But before Sony sheds the name Ericsson, here is one of the last smartphones bearing the brandLive with Walkman. It has the legendary Walkman as part of its name, but it isnt the first Android Walkman smartphone. That was Sony Ericsson Walkman W8. What it lackedan equaliseris now corrected. This Walkman, therefore, impresses with its superb sound and additional utility features. The Walkman key added at the top, next to the 3.5mm jack, launches the Walkman player. The icon on the top segregates the tracks under artist, albums, tracks and playlists. The infinite icon in the middle allows access to options related to finding music videos on YouTube, searching for artist info on Wikipedia, searching for lyrics on Google, searching for Karaoke videos on YouTube, etc. The options touch key below the display gives access to some hidden features such as xLoud and Equalizer. The xLoud feature enhances the speaker volume significantly, ideal for songs with low sound level. The equaliser mode has various presets, including flat, folk, heavy metal, hip hop, jazz, pop, rock, dance, classic and normal. While playing music, tyhe user can also enable a light effect. It shows up on the top bezel as an orange that pulsates with the music beats. Music & Videos is a special application that connects to Facebook and allows user to update and share their music and videos on the social networking site. The clear and loud sound over the headset and loudspeaker makes it an ideal smartphone for music lovers. While Live with Walkman doesnt belong to the Xperia lineup, it still runs on the Android operating system. With Android v2.3.4 onboard, the company claims it is upgradable to Ice Cream Sandwich when available. Also onboard are a few pre-installed apps, including Facebook, Evernote, FourSquare, Office Suite, McAfee Security, WhatsApp, etc. while more can be downloaded from Android Marketplace. While most things were impressive about this smartphone, we didnt really like the same old Xperia design. Even typing over the 3.2-inch display didnt prove as smooth an experience and we often ended up keying the wrong alphabets. The 1200mAh barely lasted a day with constant music and internet access along with a couple of hours of voice calls.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

A great music phone with smartphone functionality.
SONY ERICSSON LIVE WITH WALKMAN

Price: ` 14,549
GG
3.2-inch display; 5 MP camera; 1GHz processor; 320 MB internal storage , expandable up to 32GB; EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; 115 grams; 1200 mAh battery.
Specs:
34
APPSOLUTELY
YOUR MONTHLY UPDATE ON MOBILE PHONE APPS Colorblind?
Symbian OS This is a basic test to find out if you or someone else is suffering from colour blindness. This free app takes one through four-five different sheets of paper where one has to read the number and match it to the two options given beneath it. At the end of the test, if all the answers are correct, you are assumed to have no problem. Wrong numbers, however, indicate that you may be having problems identifying colours. This is a basic DIY test before you run to a doctor. This app is a food guide as well as a restaurant guide. Reading the current location of the user, the app fetches information about the nearest restaurants and the most popular dishes served there. Among its various tabs, the first is Explore to browse through the most popular dishesboth vegetarian and non-vegetarian along with desserts. Every image has a name, place and distance mentioned at the bottom. There is also a cross and star on each corners that you can use for hiding the dish or indicate I want, I tried and I loved the dish. If you dont want to browse through dishes, you can hit the next tab for Places which lists all eating joints, including the distance, in the locality. This application can link through the Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Flickr account for updating what you had or loved at any of the restaurants.
FoodSpotting
iOS, Android, Windows Phone
How to Make Origami

iOS We have all tried our hand at the art of folding paper while we were kids. Now there is a special application related to this. Coming from Japan and equally popular in rest of the world, the How to Make Origami app gives lessons on how to go about with creating paper creations. There is a list of the most commonly made, interesting origami figures listed in the application. These include crane, rabbit, pigeon, giraffe, penguin, stingray, car, swan, butterfly, boat, etc. The number of steps is also listed below every figure in the list itself to let you choose, depending upon the availability of time and level of difficulty. Once selected, the app gives step by step direction on how to fold the sheet of paper to get the desired figure. Kids will definitely love this app.
Snapdeal
Windows Phone The Indian website offering daily deals and discounts is now available on Windows Phone. Listed free of cost, the application lets you choose your city from among Agra, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi-NCR, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jammu, etc. Once done, it takes you to Todays Dealpage where the deals for the day are listed. Scrolling right reveals deals closest at hand, e.g. at Connaught Place. From the app itself, you can book an order and get the voucher delivered at the desired location. There is also an option of cash on delivery for which you dont have to pay upright over the phone.
LIC
Symbian OS There is now an LIC application that updates clients about the latest certificates and policies in the market. Available on Ovi Store, the application requires data connectivity to fetch the latest information. Each scheme explains in the detail what it offer and how you can go about buying it. It also mentions if the policy is eligible for income tax investment or not.
NIDHI SINGAL
35
Mobiles
TRENDS
REVIEWS
APPS
LISTINGS
TOP1 0 SMARTPHONES
1. SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE
(` 32,199)
Top Affordable Phones
Specs: Android v2.3; 4.3-inch display; 1.2GHz

dual core processor; 1GB MB RAM; 16GB expandable. Plus: Fast, features Minus: Almost none.
1. NOKIA X2-01
Price: ` 3,500
2. SAMSUNG CHAT 355

Price: ` 5,080
3. ZEN M111
Price: ` 3,999
2. SAMSUNG GALAXY SII
(` 29,500)
Specs: Android v2.3, 4.3-inch display; 1.2GHz

dual core processor; 16GB, 32 GB expandable. Pros:Dual-core processor Cons: NA
Specs: 2.4-inch display; QWERTY keypad; VGA camera; 1020 mAh battery Pros: Good performance Cons: Poor VGA camera
Specs: 2.4-inch display; QWERTY keypad; 2 MP camera; 1000 mAh battery Pros: Great looks, Wi-Fi Cons: Price on the higher side
Specs: 2.4-inch display; triple SIM GSM; 1.3 MP camera; 1500 mAh battery Pros: Triple SIM GSM, good display Cons: Average camera
Top CDMA Phones
3. APPLE i PHONE 4 (` 35,500)
Specs: iOS; 16GB; 5MP camera; App Store Plus: Touch Interface; applications for download Minus: NA
1. MOTOROLA XT 800 4. SAMSUNG OMNIA W
(` 19,990) Price: ` 15,000
2. SAMSUNG CORBY SPEED

Price: ` 7,500
3. LG 6160
Price: ` 2,649
Specs: Windows Phone 7.5; 3.7-inch display;

1.4GHz processor;8GB onboad memory Plus: OS Minus: Looks
Specs: GSM/CDMA; 5 MP
camera; Android v2.1; 1GB memory, expandable up to 32GB. Pros: Dual SIM CDMA/GSM Cons: NA
Specs: 2.8-inch touch display; CDMA; 80MB memory, expandable up to 8GB; 960 mAh battery Pros: Mobile TV
5. SONY ERICSSON XPERIA ARC S (`
27,000)
Specs: Android v2.3; 4.2-inch display; 8 MP

camera; 8.7 mm thickness Plus: Slim built; Camera Minus: NA
Specs: FM player; Torch light; 5 MB memory, expandable to 4 GB; No camera Pros: Basic CDMA Cons: No camera
Top Feature Phones
6. BLACKBERRY 9360
(` 19,990)
Specs: BlcckBerry OS 7; 2.4-inch display;

800MHz processor; 512 MB internal storage Plus: Bright display Minus: 1000 mAh battery
1.NOKIA N8
Price: ` 22,500
2. SAMSUNG WAVE 3
Price: ` 19,900
3. SONY ERICSSON WALKMAN LIVE

Price: ` 14,549
7. BLACKBERRY 9900
(` 32,490)
Specs: BlackBerry OS 7; 1.2GHz; 8GB;

2.8-inch display Plus: Capacitive display, QWERTY keypad; Minus: NA
Specs: Symbian 3; 3.5-inch display, 16 GB, 32GB expandable; 12 MP camera. Pros: Good images, music Cons: Symbian 3 OS
Specs: Bada OS; 4GB, 32 GB expandable; 5 MP camera. Pros:Bright display, nice build Cons: Bada OS
Specs: 3.2 inch display, Android v2.3, Speakers; 2GB memory card included Pros: Music phone on Android Cons: keypad
8. HTC RADAR (` 23,990)
Specs: Windows Phone 7.5; 1 GHz processor; 3.8 inch display; 8GB onboard storage Plus: Touch with QWERTY Minus: Touch
9. NOKIA LUMIA 710
(` 13,500)
Top New Entries
Specs: Windows Phone 7.5; 1.4 GHz processor;

3.7 inch display; 8GB onboard storage Plus: Compact Minus:None
1. SAMSUNG DUOS
Price: ` 4,790
2. SAMSUNG GALAXY NEXUS 3. LG OPTIMUS SOL

Price: NA Price: ` 19,000
10. APPLE iPHONE 3G S
(` 29,990 )
Specs: iOS; 3.5 inch display; 3 MP camera; 8GB storage Plus: Touch interface; Minus: Is Old
36
Specs:2.8-inch display; 1.3 MP camera; Dual SIM Pros: Touch Screen Cons: Camera
Specs: 4.65-inch display; 5 MP camera; 16GB onboard, 1.2GHz dual core processor Pros: IceCream Sandwich OS Cons: NA
Specs: 3.8 inch display; 1.4 GHz processor 5 MP camera Pros: Design Cons: NA
TestBench
REVIEWS AND RATINGS OF PRODUCTS
BOOGIE BOARD RIP CANON POWERSHOT S100 TABPLUS RIO BOSE OE2
3MM
GG
Price: ` 29,900
800 x 600 resolution, LCoS engine resolution, 4:3 aspect ration, 200:1 rated contrast ration, 32ANSI Lumens brightness, Analog VGA
Specs:
THE POCKET PROJECTOR FROM 3M HAS SO MANY FEATURES, AT TIMES YOU FEEL IT IS TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH
FEATURE STAR
TEXT BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN & PHOTOGRAPH BY RAJWANT RAWAT
Pico projectors have been around for a while, but only recently have they started doing things beyond basic projection. The MP180 from 3M is a pocket projector which stands out from the other small projectors on the sheer number of features available. The projector is the size of a torch with a length of 5.9 inches and a weight of around 350 gm. The unit has a LCD resistive touchscreen, using which you can choose from a wide range of sources. While you can plug the projector to a VGA cable to connect it to a PC, it is the MicroUSB slot and the inbuilt 4GB storage that will be of more use to the target audience for this device. The touchscreen can be used to access the video (.mov & .mp4) and picture files and the same can be played directly using the device. It can also open and project a range of documents from Word files to PDF and Excel sheets. The unit has Bluetooth and Wi-FI connectivity and saving files on to the device is a hassle-free exercise. However, getting the PIN set up for Bluetooth pairing can be a bit of a pain. An added feature is the ability of the device to use the Wi-Fi network to access the Internet directly. Users can click the web icon in the menu and open
pages using the touchscreen keyboard. But this is a tough task as it is really difficult to click the keys you want on the small screen. It took us a couple of minutes to just write google.com. But this is still a unique feature and will come in handy if you are on the move. Despite all these features, the MP180 falls short in one basic aspect: its projection. Yes, it a pocket projector and cannot be compared to larger units, but the 32 ANSI lumens really leaves you wanting more. Though the throw area is much smaller than for other projectors this size, once you start blowing up the picture beyond 20 inches, you start to see something amiss. And there are no picture modes to adjust the image, maybe make it a bit brighter. Adjustments are limited to the focus wheel just below the bulb. If you are looking for a projector to impress your clients with presentations, then look no further. But if you were planning to buy the MP180 to rig up a home theatre, then maybe you should search for other options. But then you dont also get a projector with so many features for `29,900.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Good pocket projector, but picture could be better.
37
Test Bench
GG
BOOGIE BOARD RIP

Price: ` 6,200
9.5-inch LCD; stylus; 8 MB storage; seven-day battery backup on average use, 325 gm.
Specs:
THE SCRIBBLE PAD

Most of us now associate tablets with devices that can fetch emails, browse the web or download apps. But the original tablets were what the dictionary terms as a flat slab or plaque suited for or bearing an inscription. And that is the sort of tablet the Boogie Board RIP tries to be. It might not have an operating system, but the LCD writing tablet can store what you scribble on its surface. So you wont be wrong in calling it an electronic scribble pad. The board comes with a stylus that can be used to sketch or scribble on the surface. Once done, the content can be saved by pressing the save key on the top. This is stored in the internal memory in the form of a PDF file. But the same can be accessed for review only through a PC and not from the board. Pressing the erase key clears the surface for the next document. The biggest drawback is that the erase key wipes out the surface completely and there is only partly erase something. With an internal memory of 8MB, the board is capable of saving up to 200 documents. The companion software, which can be downloaded, launches a similar window on the PC to view action on the board in real-time. It even lets one email the PDF directly. Light weight, the board is easy to carry around. The natural pen paper interface makes it intuitive to use and can come in handy for note taking or even for designing. On an average use, a single charge lasts close to a week.
OBJECT IMAGER
The term portable scanner reminds of us the Portronics Scanny seriesa portable and independent scanning device. Now, iBall has also come up with a portable scanner, though with a different concept. Unlike the Scanny, this isnt a pen-like device. Instead, it looks more like a plastic table lamp. The scanner has a 2 MP camera placed on the corner of the movable hand that captures whatever comes in its range. But it doesnt have any hardware key for capturing the image to scan. In fact, it has to be connected to a PC and the scanner can be operated only using the accompanied software which takes ages to instal. Launching the software automatically displays the documents or objects placed below the camera that can be later scanned. The scan results are saved in JPEG format at 96 dpi resolution horizontally and vertically. Capable of scanning only A4 documents, a black cloth has been added to the box that can be used for the exact placement and clear scanning. The scanned results were not impressive for A4 documents as the ambient light came into play. However, it did a fairly neat job while scanning objects. The company claims it can used as a copier for printing and as a video recorder for demonstrations.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Good for scanning objects with about average result.
GG
IBALL CLICK SCAN

Price: ` 6,500
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Great interactive board but is highly overpriced in India. BY NIDHI SINGAL AND PICTURES BY RAJWANT RAWAT
38
ITGadgets & Gizmos March 2012
BY NIDHI SINGAL
Reviews
A FINE PICTURE
The Fujifilm Finepix S2950 looks and feels like a high-end digital camera. That is one misconception that will be cleared as soon as you open the battery flap. Instead of a rechargeable battery pack which has sort of become the standard with digital cameras now, the S2950 has space for four AA type alkaline batteries. That is the end of high-end for you. But except for that initial disappointment, this camera turned out to be a surprise package. Starting with a grip you would loved to have even in a DSLR, the S2950 feels like its made for better things that just point and shoot. Yes, you can do your focus and click on full auto, but then there is also an auto mode with Scene Recognition. The 3-inch LCD screen is larger than what you would find in other cameras of this price range. But the real hero here is the Fujinon lens combined with the 18x optical zoom. Often you find that the picture pixelates a bit at the higher end of the optical zoom, but we had no such problems with this camera. The lens is also on show when you shift to the 1280p fullHD mode. Overall, the S2950 is a good option for people who would like to advance a bit with their digital photography.
FUJIFILM FINEPIX S2950

Price: ` 10,999
GG
14 MP, 1/2.3-inch CCD image sensor; Fujinon 18x optical zoom lens; SR AUTO; Instant zoom, Face Detection and versatile playback functions.
Specs:
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Good mid-level option, but no rechargeble battery pack.
TOP GUN
CANON POWERSHOT S100

Price: ` 26,999
GG
12.1 MP; 3-inch LCD; DIGIC 5 imaging processor; ISO 80-6400; 15 1/2000 sec shutter speed; JPEG, RAW CR2, GPS logger.
Specs:
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Great features and build quality, but priced like a DSLR.
The build quality of the Canon Powershot S100 is so good it seems like it was made in a Smith & Wesson factory. But then the S100 is no regular camera. It comes with a ring control for zooming, unheard of in point-and-shoot cameras of our times. There is a zoom toggle on top with the click button, but you will hardly need to use it with the ring taking most of the workload. The S100 is 12.1MP camera, but the new HS System improves image quality drastically, especially in low light situations. If the light is still not good enough, there is a periscope-like flash that pops out of the top, but you wouldnt need it except maybe during the night. The
macro end of the lens is crystal clear, while the 5x optical zoom combines with a 4x digital zoom to give a 20x combined zoom. The image stabiliser also ensures that unnecessary blur and distortions are removed. There is a dial around the function buttons too. This is a handy feature to flip through the menu and settings, especially since there is a lot to choose from. Along with the regular modes, there is also a built-in HDR mode. In the video mode, the S100 can shoot fullHD video at 1920x1080p. Despite issues with low light, the super slow motion option seemed like an interesting feature.
BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN
39
Test Bench
A NEW STAR IN THE GALAXY?

As the world waits for the quad core tablets to be announced at the Mobile World Congress 2012, Samsung has come out with a tablet featuring a dualcore processor. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 620 is the best looking among the 7-inchers available in the market, due mainly to its sleek 9.9mm body which has been accentuated by curved and rounded edges. Plus, the tablet weighs just 345 gm and doesnt become a pain if you hold it for long periods. Controls and connectors are evenly spread along the four edges. The left panel has the SIM card and the memory card slots. Although the two are hot swappable, the tab still restarts when the SIM card is removed or inserted. Switched on, the tablet greeted us with the same old Android interface. The tab had a Google Search icon on the top left with the
apps launcher on the right top. Being a Honeycomb tablet, there are no physical keys. Instead, the touch keys at the bottom are dominated by the back, home and multitasking keys. There was also an up arrow which opened a tray with some apps like messaging, task manager, pen memo, calendar, music player, calculator and world clock. Unlike Android phones, the notification icon here is at the bottom instead of the top. There was a noticeable lag while launching the application launcher. Along with the regular Google Services like Gmail, GTalk, Search, Market and the browser, Samsung has added a few apps of its own like Social Hub, Samsung Apps, Polaris Office, Photo editor, Pulse, memo and AllShare. It neatly handled our emails and was sprightly while surfing the net. Typing was a breeze in the portrait mode.
FL HIGH YING
Tablets are not just the reserve of the rich. After the Reliance Tab, many affordable, sub-` 10,000 tablets have come into the Indian market. The latest in this breed is the one from Digital Waves. The TabPlus Rio is an Android tablet featuring a 7-inch capacitive LCD display with HD video playback. The user interface looks similar to the one on phones, but has been slightly tweaked. The home icon has been moved to the top. Even the physical keys for back and options have been neatly replaced by touch keys on the display itself. However, the tablet impresses most with its connectivity options. Along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the tab had an HDMI, micro USB and USB ports at the bottom. As the
40
tablet doesnt have a SIM slot, the USB port can be used for plugging in a 3G dongle. We tried to play some HD videos via the USB port. At first, the device froze. However, when reinserted, we were able to play the movie from the file browser on the main menu. The video clarity was good, but only when the screen was at its brightest. Unlike other tablets, this tablet only has a front-facing camera that cannot be put to much use. With a 1GHz processor and 512 MB RAM, it managed to score 1306 on the Quadrant test, slightly above the Samsung Galaxy S. Our only complaint was the 3000 mAh battery, which drained out in just four hours of continuous usage.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

One of the best tablets at this price point.
GG
TABPLUS RIO
Price: ` 9,990
7.0 inch touch display; front facing camera; Wi-Fi, USB port, HDMI port, Micro USB, 1GHz processor ; 4GB internal memory.
Specs:
Reviews
The Tab 620 performs well in the media department as the onboard video player eliminates the need of downloading a third-party application. It can also play Full HD (1080p) videos. The tablet is not fully up there for still imaging though since it can capture photos at a maximum of just 3.2 MP resolution. Powered using 1.2 GHz dual core processor the overall performance wasnt anything revolutionary. It performed decently with a battery backup of close to a day with average Internet usage. The battery drained much faster when the tablet was used for playing full HD videos.
AN EARFUL AND MORE

Last year, the Bose AE2 set new benchmarks in high-end headphones. This year Bose wants to recreate the magic with the OE2. Though much more compact than its predecessor, the OE2 does not in any way limit itself as far as the music quality is concerned. We did not find anything that actually pushes up the quality of the audioanyway a tough ask with the kind of standards Bose sets itselfbut the ear cups are definitely softer and smaller. While the OE2 does not cover your ears, the memory foam cushion on the cups cut out all external noise. So with the cups on, you see people talking in mute even though you havent switched on the music. The headband is adjustable and fits perfectly without your feeling a halo on your scalp. The fold-flat design of the headset makes it easy to pack and carry around. As always the sound is superb and you can actually make out the difference that Boses TriPort Technology brings to the headset when you try it with any other high-end competitor. Bose lets you hear notes which you never knew existed and for that it does not matter if you are travelling in a metro or having your morning cuppa at home. But then you have to earn every note you hear on a Bose for the small little OE2 costs ` 8,100. Certainly not music to most ears.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Feature packed, but it comes at a time when new tablets with better specs are about to be announced.
GG
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Everything is great except for the typical Bose pricing. TEXT BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN AND PICTURES BY RAJWANT RAWAT
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 620

Price: ` 26,499
7-inch capacitive display; 3.2 MP camera; 16GB onboard storage, expandable to 32 GB; 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; 345 gm; 4000 mAh battery.
Specs:
BOSE OE2
GG
Price: ` 8,100
NIDHI SINGAL
41
Test Bench
SOUND & STURDY

If you are the type who has to spend long hours chatting with friends or clients on your computer, then the Genius HS-400A headset could be the thing for you. With adjustable ear cups and head band as well as a rotating microphone, this headset lets users customise it to their most comfortable position. The striped design coupled with the green band running around it makes the leatherette ear cups funky. The sound is good too and the ear cups keep most of the external noises out. However, the ear cups do heat up a bit after about an hour of usage, despite the best efforts of the company to keep the temperatures down. But things dont get bad enough for you to take off the headset. Usually the microphone, especially the rotating types, tend to be flimsy with the wire connection giving away after a few rotations. The HS-400A, however, has a sturdy looking, and feeling, microphone stick which gives the impression that it will last as long as the rest of the headphone. The headband is all-plastic, but not in a plasticky kind of way, and feels robust too. Thankfully, there is an extra long cord with in-line volume controls so that you can lie back and enjoy the music if you decide to take a break.
GENIUS HS-400A
Price: `895
GG
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

A good option if you are not after bigger brands.
BIG AND BRIGHT

The Philips Professional 273P3 LED is all about real estate. At 27 inches there are not many other monitors out there that give you more space. Even if they did, you would not be able to handle anything bigger on your desktop. The dimensions are so vast that you can easily open a word file, watch a movie and keep an eye on the stock ticker while still leaving aside some space for another window you might want to open. Still, this monitor does not believe in being a power guzzler. The intelligent PowerSensor built into the front of the screen knows when there is no one in front of it and automatically switches to a low consumption mode, saving up to 80 per cent power. The touch sensitive control panel activates the SmartImage utility which lets you choose the best mode. The monitor came out in flying colours every time we threw a 1920x1080 pixel HD image at it. Then there are inbuilt speakers good enough for you to get rid of the headphones or extra table top speakers. It is easy to adjust the height and inclination, but this also means the settings change if someone keeps their hand on it.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

Buy it you are willing to pay a big premium for going green.
PHILIPS PROFESSIONAL 273P3 LED

Price: ` 23,999
GG
27-inch W-LED; 20,000,000:1 Smart Contrast; 1 ms response time, 16:9 aspect ration with optimum resolution of 1920 x 1080; VGA/DVI/DP input.
NANDAGOPAL RAJAN
42
Specs:
InTouchwithStyle
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LivingTech
TELEVISION, HOME ENTERTAINMENT, AUDIO, ETC.
BACKSTAGE
very year, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, defines the coming year in terms of new products and new technologies. Like tablets last year, the 2012 event read the future as being dominated by new televisions (OLED and 4K, which has a resolution four times that of HD), Ultrabooks (superslim Intel-led laptops), quad-core chips for tablets and smartphones and Microsofts new Windows 8 operating system for PCs and laptops. But beyond these regulars, we also espied a melange of innovative, funky, cool yet utility-driven gadgets ranging from apps to wrist watches and from wireless charging to robots. Here are a few that caught our attention.
BEAUTIES
E
BY NIDHI SINGAL IN LAS VEGAS
THE ANNUAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IS NOT JUST ABOUT MAINSTREAM GADGETS. IT ALSO UNVEILS INNOVATIONS, QUIRKY DEVICES AND PERIPHERALS.
LENOVO IDEAPAD YOGA

A super thin notebook that flips over and turns into a touchscreen tablet describes the Lenovo Yoga the best. The Yogas screen swings 360 degree so it can either be used as an ebook reader or be placed on a flat surface to look like an all-in-one desktop. Running on the Windows 8 platform, the Yoga is 0.67 inches thin and has a 13.3 inches screen. It also has a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM onboard. Is the thin line differentiating a notebook from a tablet diminishing with the Yoga?
PROJECT FIONA
Razor, a major gaming peripherals player, was in the limelight at CES 2012 with its showcasing of Project Fiona. Aimed at hard core gamers, Project Fiona is a tablet with twin gaming controllers on either side. The fixed controllers (at the moment non-detachable), if awkward in terms of design, however, enables great gaming on this Windows-powered tablet. With the 10.1-inch bright capacitive touch display, the gaming tablet will have Intels upcoming Ivy Bridge-based core i7 processor. Still a prototype, it will be released in Q4 this year and should be priced under $1,000.
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LENOVO K91
This year, the flat panel TV segment witnessed a lot of action at CES. Apart from OLED and 4K TVs, Lenovo announced the worlds most advanced TV. The K91 has a 55-inch panel that runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich and is powered by Qualcomms 1.5GHz Snapdragon Processor. Voice recognition algorithms along with a 5.0 MP camera for facial recognition will be onboard for enhanced usability. The flicker free backlit LED panel has a refresh rate of 240Hz. Other features include Wi-Fi, 8GB onboard storage, SD card support and access to Android Market.
VUFORIA BY QUALCOMM
Taking augmented reality to the next level, Vuforia, an augmented reality platform, will allow user to access more information by pointing their device at a real world object. Qualcomm, along with Sesame Workshop, has developed and displayed a prototype playset for kids that makes the traditional board game much more interactive and entertaining. Using Sesame Street charactersCookie Monster, Bert and Erniethe stories come alive with these lovable protagonists transforming them into interactive experiences. This is achieved by pointing the tablets (with Vuforia AR) camera towards the characters.
CANON POWERSHOT G1 X
Canon announced a new entrant in its popular G series, the Canon G1 X. Boasting a bigger sensor, which is normally spotted in mirrorless and fullsized DSLR cameras, this pont and shoot features a new 1.5-inch, 14.3 megapixel CMOS sensor. The sensor is combined with the Digic 5 image processor that manages to give beautiful blur, lower noise, and extraordinary resolution in low-light shooting and can also shoot at ISO of up to 12800. It comes with 4x optical zoom, RAW image support and captures 1080p videos. Expected to be released in February, the camera will be launched for $799.
45
Living Tech
MIMO MICRO USB MICROSD CARD READER

One cool stuff that caught our eye at the biggest tech show of the year was the MimoMicro USB MicroSD card reader from Mimoco. The company has come up with tiny figures of popular characters like Darth Vader, C-3PO, Yoda, Batman and Superman that hold a microSD reader at the back. This has a cap free design where the USB plug flips out from the back. This acts as a 3-in-1 device: along with USB card reader it can be used as an instant flash drive and as an easy way of carrying data when placed in devices. It will be available in the international market for $12.95 from March onwards.
VICTORINOX SSD
Its not only the flat panel TVs that are becoming slim and trim. Victorinox, the famed maker of the Swiss Army Knife, showed one equipped with a solid-state drive (SSD), claiming it to be the worlds smallest high-capacity SSD drive. This pocket knife and thumb drive combo can connect to both eSATA and USB using a single connector while featuring a monochrome graphic display to show whats stored within. The SSD has read and write speeds of 220mbps and 150mps respectively, as well as security software onboard. Fitting in neatly alongside a knife blade, scissors, nail file, the storage device will be available in capacities of 64,128, 256GBand a massive 1TB.
CASIO GB 6900
Smartphone compatible, the new G-Shock watch from Casio can do much more than just display time, incoming calls, missed events or SMSes. Paired over Bluetooth 4.0, the low-energy Bluetooth technology, to Android smartphones that also feature the same technology, this watch can activate the alarm or vibration on the phone with a touch on the display of its face. A handy feature in case you misplace the smartphone. The G-Shock GB6900 has a bright LED backlit glossy paint with a classic back and will be available in three colours in March 2012.
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SAMSUNG TRANSPARENT DISPLAY

Alongside the OLED TV and 4K TVs on show, there was also Samsungs transparent LCD on display. This new transparent display doesnt have back-lit units and it instead utilises ambient light. This allows you to see right through the display. Intelligently designed, there are special transparent backlighting units that act as the light source in a dark environment. Unlike traditional LCDs, where backlighting consumes most of the power, this transparent display doesnt consume much energy and is, therefore, environment friendly. However, it is aimed at commercial use, and not for the home user.
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4
Last year, the smartphone industry upgraded to dualcore processors from single-cores. In rapid succession, the year 2012 is all set to be dominated by the smartphones and tablets running on quad-core processors. All chipmakers are betting high on their new chips supporting quad-core CPUs, among them Qualcomm. From the System 1 that was meant for mass market smartphones to S2 and S3 for high performance smartphones/tablets and multitasking and advance gaming, Qualcomm has now introduced the all-new Snapdragon S4 chipset. The Snapdragon S4 is a powerful chip meant to do much more for next generation devices. The S4 means the introduction of Qualcomms second generation CPU named the Krait. This new micro-architecture increases the performance by 60 per cent over the existing Scorpion processor. The S4 processor family also includes the Adreno 225 GPU that delivers 50 per cent greater graphics processing power over the existing Adreno 220 and can go up to Adreno 320. In simple terms, the Snapdragon S4 family will offer chips in future with single, dual and quad core CPUs with Krait architecture that can be clocked at a speed of up to 2.5GHz. Like the S3 chipsets, even the S4 will be capable of capturing full HD video (1080p resolution). Interestingly, the new chip supports up to three cameras with up to 20 megapixel along with a stereoscopic kit that enables 3D video playback, 2D to 3D conversion and 3D content capture. Along with the superior speeds, the devices powered by S4 are likely to offer superb gaming experience and graphic interface. The S4 chip also integrates the 4G/LTE mode. This new processor has been manufactured using 28 nanometer process technology instead of the 45 nanomater used in the earlier chips. The net result is that the same work is now being handled by a much smaller chip that will inherit advantages in frequency scaling, power consumption and size reduction. Dr Paul Jacobs, Chairman and CEO, Qualcomm, said at Las Vegas, There are already 300 devices using Snapdragon and another 350 in development. Snapdragon processors are all about doing more and charging less. Also, the Snapdragon processors are not just restricted to smartphones and tablets anymore. The chipsets are all set to power Wi-Fi displays and Smart TVs as well.
SPHERO
Taking gaming to the next level will be Sphero who introduced a robotic ball that can be controlled from a smartphone. Operative only with the dedicated application available for Apple iOS 4 onwards and Android v2.2 onwards devices, close to five different apps are available for download. The ball is controlled wirelessly over Bluetooth and comes with an operative range of 50 ft. The box contains an inductive charging base.
GLASS KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

Ask about computer peripherals and we have something innovative to talk about the wireless, multi-touch glass keyboard and mouse by Jason Giddings. Made of quality tempered glass, a solid metal base along with finest components, the glass works on a touchscreen technology known as Frustrated Total Internal Reflection. There are basically infrared LEDs placed at the edge of the glass, hidden inside holes where the glass is mounted to the metal base, says the company. Because of the low angle at which the light impacts the internal glass surface, it is bounced around inside the glass, much like looking through a tube to see the reflections on the inside walls. When the glass is touched it frustrates the reflection and the IR light is diffused downward, out of the glass, allowing the camera to see it. Software then determines the location and sends the appropriate information to your computer. The software that controls this device will be open source.
47
Living Tech
DISCOROBO
Tosy Robotics, a Vietnamese robotic firm, had two interesting robots at the display during Digital Experience at CES. The more interesting of the two, the DiscoRobo, is a hi-tech toy that can feel the beat and dance to the music. Still in the early developing stage, the company claims it is a smart combination of entertainment and technology. In the future, the DiscoRobo will be able to change its dance moves with a change in the music/beats. It will also have living emotions, something that kids will love to play with and show off. The other Robot was the SketRobo that is designed to capture the moment and then sketch it. It will be capable of sketching portraits and can even give lessons to children on how to draw by connecting the dots.
Wi-Fi 802.11AC
On the connectivity front, Broadcom look a leap forward by announcing the next generation of Wi-Fi standards802.11ac. The new Wi-Fi capability will improve coverage area and eliminate dead spots. As this technology uses 5GHz spectrum, it is also known as the 5G Wi-Fi. Since it offers higher data transfer speeds, users can seamlessly download HD videos using the new transfer technology. It also allows more devices to be connected simultaneously on the same network. Broadcoms initial partnersMotorola, Microsoft, Netgear, Huawei, Lenovo, Belkin, LG, etcare already at work to deploy the standards in their upcoming products.
POWER BAG
Power Bag by RFA Brands was the winner of CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award. This innovation has brought in the ultimate charging power to a bag by adding built-in, lightweight batteries with 3000, 6000 or 9000 mAh capacities. The batteries are charged by connecting an AC adapter to the charger, and they then store the charge until needed to recharge four mobile devices at a time, using the pre-routed connectors for a micro, mini, 30 pin Apple and one USB connector.
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QUALCOMM AT 2012 CES
HTC TITAN 2
Unlike last year, only a few smartphones were launched at CES this year, with nothing much revolutionary about them.With manufacturers waiting for the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HTC Titan 2 was one of the few phones that caught our attention. Running on Windows Phone Mango, the Titan 2 has an unbelievably amazing 16MP camera with an F2.6 aperture that capture good images in low light conditions.
Snapdragon S4 Windows 8 Tablet Dr Paul Jacobs showcased the Windows 8 ARM tablet running on Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 processor during the keynote at CES 2012, Las Vegas. The tablet boasted LTE along with Metro UI with the highlight that the Snapdragon processor stack did not need fans to cool down.
Qualcomms mirasol Display Technology Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, a subsidy of Qualcomm Incorporated announced Hanvon C18, the thinnest and lightest ebook reader that incorporates mirasol display technology. The touch display will have bright colour even in bright sunlight and will offer great reading experience. It is mainly meant for the Chinese market.
Lenovo Idea Tab S2 We got a glimpse of Lenovos S2 tablet that runs Qualcomms 1.5GHz dual core Snapdragon 8960 processor. This 10-inch tablet will have Android v4.0 onboard.
QUALCOMM HALO
Looking beyond the regular plug-in modes of charging electric and hybrid vehicles, specially at the street level, Qualcomm has demonstrated an easy and wireless way of recharging electronic vehicles. Deployable in all geographic areas, the Halo uses the fundamentals of inductive power transfer. Using magnetic resonance to couple power from Base Charging Unit on/under the ground to the Vehicle Charging Unit on the vehicle, the power is transferred to the VCU pad through magnetic coupling and this energy is then used to charge the vehicle battery.
Skifta Media Shifting Platform For entertainment-driven consumer electronics, Qualcom Atheros announced the Skifta Media Shifting Platform. Devices powered by this platform will create a framework for a wireless platform that can be used for streaming digital music, photos and videos around the home.
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Living Tech
ive where you work and work where you livequite the dream for most of us, isnt it? Imagine the benefits: no daily hour-long commutes, no dress code, no office disturbances, and the liberty to wake up late! But its no longer an impossibility. To round off the work-fromhome experience, theres some great tech out therestuff you should serious consider as investments if youre planning to set up shop at home.
GOING HO
YES, YOU CAN AFFORD NOT TO LEAVE HOME FOR WORK THERE ARE TECHNOLOGIES THAT HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF DOMESTIC BLISS.
BY TUSHAR KANWAR
NO PAIN, ALL GAIN

Working from home invariably means extended phone-callsand cradling the phone against your ear is just a pain in the neck. Invest in a good stereo hands-free solution, such as the Sennheiser MM100 or the Plantronics Backbeat 903+, which not only give you super comfortable hands-free use for several hours but can also pipe stereo music from your laptop in between calls.
THE HEAT IS ON
You do know that prolonged exposure to overheating laptops tends to fry more than just your laptops internals, dont you? If you work from the couch more often than the desk, pick up a laptop cooling pad from among many options available from Belkin and Logitech. The Laptop Cooling Hub from Belkin, for instance, not only cools the laptop via an in-built fan for correct air circulation, but also provides four USB 2.0 ports to plug your external devices like an external mouse or a flash drive. Or take the Logitech N700. It throws in integrated stereo speakers so you dont have to suffer crappy audio via the laptop speakers again.
CHOOSE THE CLOUD

Working outside an organisation has its downsidestheres no IT staff to summon when your hardware goes belly-up. Fortunately, with cloudbased productivity suites, such as those from Microsoft, ZOHO and Google, and storage options like SkyDrive and Dropbox, you can now work for free or by paying, at most, low monthly subscriptions. An added benefit with most cloud-based suites is that collaboration with other participants and sharing content are inherent to their DNA. Plus, if you tag them along with a wireless broadband connection, theyre available to you on the road as well, across one or all of your devices.
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Working from Home
ME TO OFFICE
STAY FIT
No time to exercise? Working from home shouldnt mean that you wont be able to stay fit. Apart from taking ergonomic precautions, what if you could actually work out while working? The Mini Home Exercise Cycle lets you do your cardio duties while you work at your desk. And its priced rather reasonably, so it fits both your budget and under the table (http://bit.ly/gjXSWM). Plus, for the health conscious, the Fitbit Ultra device is a perfect buyit tracks your every move, letting you keep on top of how many calories youve burned, how well you slept, etc, and uploads the data to your iPhone or to the web for you to analyse where you can improve.
TAKE NOTES
If your work involves long phone calls and taking notes, try out the Livescribe series of smart pens. These nifty pens record everything you hear, say and write and links your audio recordings with your notes. Pull up important information anytime by just tapping on what you wrote, and the software plays back the related audio. How cool is that!
BUY A TABLET/SMARTPHONE
Blindingly obvious as it may be, a tablet is a great asset for the work-from-home-folks. Why? You cant really lug a laptop when you want to run an errand or drop by at the local supermarket, can you? And when you pick up your tablet of choice, also ensure you lug home the Luxa2 H4 stand, which secures an iPad or a Kindle or any other tablet/e-reader to your desk. You can then use the tablet to keep an eye on alerts like email and stocks, and with the right app, you can even extend your desktop applications onto the tablet.
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Photo Illustration by SANTOSH KUSHWAHA
DigitalLife
THE NET, SOCIAL MEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC.
C NN
SONY BLOGGIE LIVE
Sonys latest pocket camcorder comes with an interesting twist. As the name Bloggie Live suggests, this camera is meant for bloggers who can now upload the videos they capture directly on to their sites without bothering about transferring the content to a PC first. With live video streaming using the Wi-Fi connectivity of the camcorder, users can now directly upload videos online. The camera is capable of capturing videos at 1080p resolution, but the streaming supports resolution of only up to 480x270. It comes with an onboard storage of 8GB.
KODAK EASYSHARE M750

Kodak added social network connectivity to its cameras some time ago, but with the Easy Share M750 it has taken the feature to a new level. Earlier, the images were uploaded to the web when the camera was plugged in to an Internet-connected PC. The addition of Wi-Fi connectivity lets user share images directly through Facebook, email and Kodak gallery. When not in a Wi-Fi enabled zone, the camera can transfer images to another Wi-Fi-enabled device using Kodak EasyShare application meant for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices. The camera features 16.4 MP sensor with 5x optical zoom.
POLAROID SC1630
In a bold move, Polaroid has blended the features of a smartphone with a camera by announcing the Polaroid SC 1630 smart camera. Running the Android 4.0 operating system, it has a 3.2-inch touch display. This camera packs in a highdefinition 16 MP camera with 3x optical zoom. Other features include automatic face and smile detection, red eye removal, colour correction, etc. One can also download photo editing and photo sharing applications from Android Market and use them for uploading pictures online through Wi-Fi. It also comes with a micro SIM slot.

March, 2012
Wi-Fi Cameras
NO MORE TANGLE OF WIRES, WI-FI LETS YOU TRANSFER PHOTOS DIRECTLY TO THE COMPUTER OR SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE.
BY NIDHI SINGAL
ECTED CAMERAS
CANON
Spurred on by the host of companies announcing Wi-Fi enabled cameras, Canon has also announced its intention to add the feature to its Vixia camcorders. The two Wi-Fi enabled camcorders come with direct upload options for Facebook and YouTube. There is also a movie uploader app available for iPhone and iPad. Both camcorders capture full HD quality videos using CMOS Pro Image sensor and has 3 touch display. The Vixia HF M52 can capture 12 hours of HD video and store it in the 32 GB onboard memory. The Vixia HF 50 has 8 GB internal storage capable of storing 3 hours of video.
igital Photography has always been fettered by the wired data transfer ecosystem. But things are all set to change . CES 2012 in Las Vega saw Wi-Fi becoming a mainstream feature in many cameras and camcorders. Although cameras with Wi-Fi connectivity have been around for a while, it is only now that the technology is being put to full use. This technology eliminates the need of data cables and memory card readers; you can upload content directly on the web or transfer it to the PC. With close to 10 Wi-FI cameras and camcorders already announced, we can expect many more this year to be equipped for the connected world.
SAMSUNG
At CES 2012, Samsung announced a wide range of cameras and camcorders with built-in Wi-Fi so Samsung users can now upload pictures directly to social networking sites, email and even sync and share images with smart devices like TVs, phones and tablets. Of the three cameras announced, WB 150F has 14.2 MP with 18x optical zoom, ISO levels of up to 3200 as well as auto and manual focus. WB 850F will be equipped with GPS and Live Landmark feature that enables map downloads. This one has a 16.2 MP lens with 21x optical zoom. The ST200F is low on specs with 12 MP sensor and 10x zoom.
Camera without Wi-Fi? No probs, there is Eye-Fi.

Wi-Fi is gradually becoming a part of point-and-shoot cameras, but not DSLRs. If you wish to add the feature to your existing camera, just buy a Eye-Fi card. These are nothing but SD cards with a built-in Wi-Fi antenna. But a Wi-Fi enabled Eye-Fi card has to be paired with a computer first. Once done, it directly upload images on the web. The only drawback with such an additional accessory is that as it is not embedded in the camera and the display doesnt show the Wi-Fi connectivity option.
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Digital Life
SAFE MAIL
NO MAIL LOST IN THE CLUTTER, NO PASSWORD THEFTS, EASY TO SEARCHYOUR EMAIL CAN BE ALL THESE.
BY ASHISH BHATIA
KEEPING YOUR MAIL ORGANISED AND MANAGEABLE

Just as many of us have this tendency to dump all our files in My Documents or the desktop, we mostly keep all our mail in the Inbox. Over time, the mail accumulates and we forget where we saved what. To avoid this mess, learn to find a specific, obviouslynamed and logically locatable folder for all the files on your system. Create folders systematically and label them according to the appropriate subject, topic or sub-topic. This will not only make it simpler and quicker to locate files in a jiffy even after several weeks or months, but also help you backup folders without any confusion. Similarly for e-mail. Keep only actionable mail in your Inbox. Move what you have already taken action, or would need later, to an appropriately named folder or subfolder. Definitely filter those chuckle forwards out of the Inbox and keep them in a separate folder. And positively delete what you dont need. You dont need us to tell you how unimportant trivia accumulates and starts swamping the vital and the necessary. Ever heard of Email Stripper? Wipe that leery grin off your face. Email Stripper (www.papercut.com/emailStripper.htm) does not reveal any scantily clad forms of the female persuasion whatsoever. Yes, it may come with an overly suggestive Strip It button too, but it somberly removes just those ugly series of greater-than signs (>) and similar formatting characters from the emails you forward and reply to. So when you next receive a messy looking e-mail littered with a string of >>>>>> signs that you want to forward to someone else, run it through Email Stripper first to clear the clutter. The program also deletes the gaping breaks between lines. This means that you hardly have to do any formatting yourself to make the forward look tidy. Apart from e-mail forwards, you will find it invaluable for cleaning out lengthy and threaded e-mail conversations which can get rather tedious to scroll through sometimes.
March 2012
TRIMMING FA T FROM YOUR GMAIL ACCOUNT

The smartphone aside, Gmail has become the hub of our communications universe. Well, for most of us at least. And never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that one day we would accumulate close to 7.5GB of mail and be squeezed for space. Now, as your collection hovers near the brim at 95 per cent, the You are almost out of space for your Gmail account is both galling and worrisome. To trim the fat in your account, heres what you should do:
1
Obviously, the large e-mail attachmentsvideo clips, photos, audio files, PPTs, etcmust be killed first to free up space. A simple `has:attachment string in the search box in your Gmail will show you all the attachment-loaded e-mails you have sent or received. But we need to delete attachments selectively. Since the most expendable attachments are those frivolous videos, fire a filename:wmv query. This will ferret out all e-mails with Windows Media Video file attachments. Keep what you need and knock off the rest. For MOV files, type: filename:mov. A search for filename:mp3 will sift out mails with MP3 attachments and filename:pdf will fetch PDFs. A subject:fwd will list mail forwards friends and colleagues have been sending you.
Email Management
COPY-PASTING ON STEROIDS
Windows versions come and go but its clipboard service continues to be pathetically spastic and limited with little flexibility and no intelligence. Clipboard Help+Spell (http://is.gd/e9Nlo) is a deft clipboard utility that extends the ability of the clipboard store to every scrap of alphanumeric data that you Ctrl-Cfor easy viewing, modification, search and use subsequently. You can use it for storing and organising hierarchical notes searching, sorting, filtering by text, modification date, last view date, etcat will. You can also type/edit text directly into the Clipboard program screen. A built-in spellcheck ensures that typos are contained.
CAREFUL A T CYBER CAFE

Never be nonchalant about using a cyber cafe just because you have a complicated password. Or have chosen a corner seat where no snoopy slimeball can peek at your login information. The machine could have a keylogger, a clipboard logger or similar spyware installed to capture and save whatever you type in. Always avoid any sort of financial transactions on a public terminal. For cyber cafes and public Internet locations, carry a USB pen drive which has Neos SafeKeys (www.aplin.com.au) on it. This mousebased keyboard program stalls keyloggers by allowing you to mouse-click your password on an on-screen keyboard instead of typing it out on keyboardthus stalling a keystroke trapper from recording your login details. Your password with SafeKeys keyboard appears within a ***** mask. You simply select the ***** and drag-drop it onto the password box of your online login form. Another good option is Anti Keylogger Shield (http://is.gd/Ae7EUE) Ensure youve logged out of all your accounts, and clear the browsers history and cache. Also, before you login always keep your eyes peeled for checkboxes that say Remember my password or Remember my email address. It will take only a second to uncheck these but could save you lifetime of grief.
2
You can automate the whole process of finding the biggest attachments too if youre willing to trust a third party service with your account. A free tool like Find Big Mail (www.findbigmail.com) does a superb job of sorting the attachments in your Gmail by size (over 10MB, over 5MB, etc.) and categorising them under easily understood labels. It does this through a temporary OAuth token and claims to store only your message sizes on its server.
3
If you want to see e-mails with attachments that you sent and received before a certain date, fire a before:2009/05/25 in:sent has:attachment search, replacing the date mentioned here (2009/05/25) with whatever is appropriate for you.
55
BestBuys
PRICE-PERFORMANCE EQUATION OF THE MONTH
THE PRICE OF
QUALITY
SMART LED TVs NO LONGER COST THE EARTH, MOST HAVE FEATURES THAT JUSTIFY THEIR PRICE TAGS
BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN
TVs aspire to be full entertainment hubs and much more. The best large screen TVs are LED, have Internet connectivity, 3D options and HD quality sound that lives up to the expectations of the high-definition pictures they produce. While once they cost an arm and a leg, today the prices have descended to mortal levels. We look at some value-formoney propositions.
LG 32LV3500
Price: ` 34,890
((32 INCHES)) Samsung UA32D5000PRMXL

Price: ` 39,899
This TV from LG too gives a brilliant picture thanks to the LED backlit display. On the 1920 x 1080p resolution, the IPS-enabled LED panel negates lag and gives a smooth picture. The TV comes with low/very low/the lowest power consumption modes, enabling you to cut down greatly on unnecessary electricity usage. The Infinite Surround system is good enough for you to not need extra speakers. The TV is capable of playing DiVX video through the USB ports.
As they say, this Samsung TV is all about practicality and you can play most movie formats using the USB ports. If you have Full HD content to play, the TV is up to the task with the 1080P Ultra Clear Panel which absorbs external light and eliminates reflection. This not only gives natural colour but also recreates a theatre effect. Then there is the SRS Theatre Sound to augment this effect. The TV also features Anynet+ technology to control Samsung devices.
Sony Bravia KDL-32EX520

Price: ` 44,899
Among 32-inch LED televisions, Sonys KDL-32EX520 stands out for its picture quality and some unique features. This Full HD TV comes with slim edge LED backlight, while the new X-Reality engine ensures crisp pictures and vivid colours. The TV is Internet-ready and users can log on to the Net to access websites and video through a Wireless LAN or the Wi-Fi Direct adaptor. For video chats using Skype read, you will require an additional camera. The 20W S-Force Front Surround 3D speakers put the Dolby Digital sound technology to good use. Photo TV HD lets you create slide shows directly from Sony cameras in hi-def.
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LED TVs
Samsung UA40D5500RR
Price: ` 61,660
This Smart TV from Samsung tries its best to be your entertainment hub with Internet connectivity and apps that almost make it a large computer. Samsungs new filter and ultra clear panel construction eliminates layered images and gives crystal-clear pictures from all angles. Then there is Wide Colour Enhancer Plus and Clear Motion Rate technologies to make the picture even better. Users can download various apps to search for TV content, surf the web and also do social networking. The ConnectShare Movie features gives playing video using the USB the ease of plug-and-play.
((40 INCHES))
Sony Bravia KDL-40EX520

Price: ` 64,899
This Full HD LED TV comes with Net connectivity, which makes it better than the KLV-40NX520, which however is much cheaper. The X-Reality Engine ensures the best-in- range picture by enhancing the content and ensuring that you will enjoy everything in HD whatever the source. The TV can be connected to VAIO laptops for seamless navigation. This feature is also handy since you will be accessing a lot of content online. The S-Force Front Surround 3D speakers provide great audio. It also comes with surround mode.
Samsung UA46D6000SR
Price: ` 91,110
If you like your neighbours and wouldnt mind then getting a sneak peek at what you are watching on TV, get this 46-inch Smart LED TV from Samsung. Yes, this one comes with 3D too so the neighbours get good value for your money. Jokes apart, the 3D experience is one of the best available for home users now, thanks to added 3D Auto-Contrast and 3D Audio features. Being a real smart TV, there is also a Social TV feature that lets you blog and chat.
((40+INCHES)) Panasonic VIERA TH-L42D25

Price: ` 88,000
Panasonic sells only 32-inch and 42-inch LEDs in India and it certainly has one of the best devices in the latter. With a Dynamic Contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 and IPS panel, the TH-L42D25 promises images that do not fade when viewed from an angle. Despite the slim design, the colours are very true and even fast moving images appear crisp. VIERA CAST with Skype lets users enjoy Internet content right on the TV and the web interface is easy to use.
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Computing
LAPTOPS, DESKTOPS, SOFTWARE, PRINTERS
MICRO SIZE, MA
USB FLASH DRIVES ARE BECOMING SMALLER AND SMALLER IN FORM, BUT THEY ARE ALSO BECOMING AMAZINGLY LARGER AT HEART. decade ago, while struggling with floppy drives that never seemed to have enough memory to store files, we would never have foreseen a time when a device smaller than a thumb could hold over 10,000 songs or a hundred hi-def movies. But then none of us are good at predicting the twists and turns technology takes. USB drives have always been small, but now they are becoming even smaller. But that doesnt mean they are becoming costlier or have lesser storage than earlier. In fact, things are moving in exactly the opposite direction. The latest USB flash drives might be small, but they now have more storage capacity than ever before and are more affordable. Strontium Technology, one of the largest manufacturers of flash drives, says earlier the devices were larger as the controller and flash used to be soldered separately. Now, a single piece, called the COB, has both the controller and flash memory chip built in, thus drastically reducing the sizes and prices. So, while a 2GB USB drive would have cost you ` 500 a couple of years ago, now you will get a 16GB drive for the same outlay. A top-draw 64GB drive could cost you under ` 5,000. Another factor behind the reduced prices of USB flash drives is the fall in flash wafer costs due to
BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN
technology advancements. But USB flash drives tend to be slow as most cheaper ones run on low performance NAND flash with just a couple of channels. This is why it takes ages to copy a large file to a flash drive. Most new USB drives, especially the ones with capacities of 32GB or more, use SSD with high performance multiple-channel NAND. These drives also have better memory controllers and most of them now feature the latest USB 3.0.
Bufallo, RUF2-PS Series

2GB TO 16GB
Super compact, protruding only 5 mm and featuring high-speed data transfers through TurboPC and TurboCopy. Includes Secure Lock Mobile for encrypting data with password authentication.
THE WEIGHTLIFTERS
At CES 2012, Victorinox showcased its SSD and Slim 3.0 USB drives with storage capacities between 64GB and 1TB. The company claims their thumb drivesized SSD is the smallest high-storage SSD around and the first to include a connector for both USB and eSATA. Last year, Transcend touted a similar sized USB 3.0 flash drive with 2 TB storage. While the storage capacities of the USB drives keep increasing, the push for the smallest size seems to have hit a dead end since Dutch manufacturer Deonet came out with the smallest USB-stick in the world. Based on revolutionary Micro UDP-chip memory, it is half the size of a classic USB-memory chip: 19.5 x 14.5 mm with a 2.9-mm thickness. Despite its size, it can store between 4 and 16 GB of data. No wonder, no one has made a USB drive smaller than this.
Kingston,
DataTraveler 108 DataTraveler 109 DataTraveler Micro
4GB, 8GB, 16GB

Comes with aluminum cover and includes a built-in Photo Viewer and MP3 player plus a 2GB online backup account to keep your important files secure on the cloud.
4GB, 8GB, 16GB

The capless design makes it ideal for notebooks and tablets. Comes preloaded with urDrive4 software to organise files, Photo Viewer, MP3 player plus and cloud backup.
8GB, 16GB
One of the worlds smallest USB Flash drives, the DataTraveler Micro is designed in an ultra-small form factor that can be left on the device while youre on the move.
58
Micro Drives
CRO MEMORY
Strontium
4 G B K E Y U S B : `325 8 G B K E Y U S B : `490 SPIN 16G: HULK 128GB: `1,999 `19,999
Transcend, Ultraspeed
6 4 G B : `10,850
HP
V 1 6 5 - W 4 G B : `302 V 1 6 5 - W 8 G B : `450 V 1 6 5 - W 1 6 G B : `881 V 1 6 5 - W 3 2 G B : `2035 H P V 2 1 0 - W 4 G B : `319 H P V 2 1 0 - W 8 G B : `457 H P V - 2 5 0 W 4 G B : `348 H P V - 2 5 0 W 8 G B : ` 498 H P V - 2 5 0 W 1 6 G B : `993
SanDisk, Cruzer Fit USB

4 G B : ` 249 1 6 G B : ` 749
59
Computing
APPENDAGE
OUR MONTHLY PICK OF APPS FOR TABLETS
With a tablet in your hand you dont need any other device to play your music. That is because it is also an extra-large music player, with an ease-of-use and sound reproduction second to none. But we do get bored of our music collections. This is where music discovery apps come to the rescue.
Aweditorium (Free)
iOS It is very easy to be awed by this app and hence the name is more than justified. The app powers up like a mosaic of pictures depicting artists and bands. Click on a random tile and it starts playing a song by the artist or group. Double tap and the tile goes full-screen to show you more about the artist. Swipe and tap around the mosaic and you will find yourself discovering music you had no idea existed. Like a song? Just tap on the heart sign below to buy the same from iTunes. Users can also share the songs.
Planetary (Free)
iOS This app gives an other-worldly touch to your music collection, quite literally. The app feels like browsing through a galaxy of music with artistes showing as stars and albums as planets specific tracks appear as moons around an artiste. To filter songs, users just have to click the alphabet search button and look for the track they want. This is a handy feature, for the galaxy can get quite intimidating if you have an extra large music collection.
Music Hunter (Free)

iOS Music Hunter opens with a two slide-bars which you can use to select the genre and the kind of music (fast, loud, high energy) you want to hear. Once you click play, the apps shows tiles of songs/albums that fit your need. While the first song plays randomly, you can tap the tiles to change songs. Users can hear more songs from an artist or album if you like whats playing.
Raaga (Free)
iOS, Android This one is for lovers of Indian music. The Raaga app is not ideal for big tablet screens, but then we just want to listen to good music and this app gives you plenty of options. From the latest movie songs to the best of Hindustani and Carnatic classical, the app gives you all the best songs on a platter.
Shazam (Free)
iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Ever heard a song on the road and didnt know who was singing or which album the track was from? Well, Shazam is for the music curious among us. Just open the app and play the track that you want identified, Shazam will use the Web to locate the song and give you details, even the lyrics, within seconds. The app plays short clips of the song, but this feature doesnt work smoothly at all times. Users can also see which songs others are tagging at the time and listen in.
NANDAGOPAL RAJAN

March, 2012
COSMOPOLITAN now available on iPad, iPhone, Android, Kindle, PC and Mac.
Fun at your fingertips

DOWNLOAD NOW!
App Store
Available on the
www.cosmopolitan.in/digitalmagazine
Insight thats ahead of its time

Business Today now available on iPad, iPhone, Android and PC.

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LevelUp
GAMES, GAMING GEAR, REVIEWS
RETURN OF THE
SPAWNED BY THE GAME THAT NERDS LOVEROGUEAN EXTREMELY HARDCORE AND CULTISH GENRE IS NOW ALMOST MAINSTREAM. ong after the rest of the videogame world emerged out of their dark, hidden corners and embraced the blinding lights of show business, one kind of game remained reclusive. While shooters, adventures, strategy games and sports games started appearing in book and toy store shelves, mainstream advertising and even Hollywood films during the 1980s and 90s, there was one genre that remained the preserve of the nerd, the geek, the hardcore. It was the oddly named Roguelikea role-playing subgenre in which players braved near-impossible odds to enter endless dangerous dungeons filled with fabulous treasure guarded by vicious beasts and deadly traps. A genre where (gasp!) graphics were less important than gameplay, where difficulty was welcome and n00bs were not. It was the nerds own genreborn of the unholy union of Gary Gygaxs legendary Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game and the ultimate geek activity: computer programming. A spoonful of C++, a dash of die-rolling, some stats and numbers to add a little crunch, some monsters here, some heroes there, and some high fantasy sauce to add the flavoura recipe for hours of entertainment. And thus, Rogue was born. Rogue was a game in which you entered a dungeon, with the single point objective of recovering the Amulet of Yendor (which ostensibly lay somewhere within its depths) and escaping. This, however, was next to impossible, thanks to slimes, trolls, goblins, bats, dragons and all other man62 IT Gadgets & Gizmos
March 2012
ROGUELIKE
L
BY ANAND RAMACHANDRAN
ner of beasts that lived in said dungeon. Not to mention booby-trapped doors, chests that blew up and other such devious devices of infinite devilry. Then why would you even bother? Because the dungeon was randomly generated and different every time you played. Because it was filled with treasures and loot. Because it was fun to kill things. Because, as you progressed through the dungeon, you constantly grew more powerful, gaining more skills and better weapons. And because the game recorded how well you didso you had a high score to aspire to beat every time. These four simple design principles worked so well, and Rogue ended up being so much fun that it birthed an entire genre of games that hardcore gamers loved (and still love) to play. Rogue inspired .hack, which in turn inspired the immortal NetHack, and there was no turning back. In many ways, NetHack remains the consummate Roguelike. It is so complex and challenging that it takes even the most hardcore players years to master it completely. Yet it is so much fun that it offers an amazing experience even for new players. It has no graphics to speak ofeverything in the game is represented by some ASCII character (although a program called Falcons Eye attempted to give it a rudimentary graphical presentation). The randomness of the dungeons makes sure that no two playthroughs are the same and are usually remarkably different. Its a thing of unadulterated geekcore beauty; Salon magazine called it one of the greatest experiences in all of gaming, and it is regularly featured in greatest game of all
Hardcore Genre
63
Level Up
time top lists. Yet it is completely inaccessible to less hardcore players, such as those who play Counter-Strike or Call of Duty (that felt good!). And the game nerds and geeks who love it were perfectly happy that way; it was their own little secret treasure that nobody else could have. However, the mainstreaming of the genre was inevitable, really. The core design principles and structure of Roguelike games are so rock-solid that applying them to more accessible games with eye candy and better controls was bound to make for compelling games. Perhaps the first game that successfully made the transition was Blizzards classic hack and slash RPG Diablo. Although nowhere close to the depth and complexity of NetHack, Diablo featured a near perfect implementation of classic Roguelike design randomly generated dungeons, interesting character classes, spells and weapons, a superby paced loot and levelup cycle and terrifying enemies that were satisying to kill. This mix made Diablo one of the most successful game titles of all timeand brought the enjoyment of Roguelikes to a mass market. Mainstream franchises soon caught on to the idea. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and Chocobo Dungeon were hugely successful Roguelike spin-offs from major RPG franchises (Pokemon and Final Fantasy respectively). They sold millions of copies and proved the fundamental strength of Roguelike design principles. More recently, the rise of Indie game development (thanks to the emergence of digital distribution platforms like Steam, XBox Live and mobile App stores) has seen a surge in Roguelike games available on the market. The excellent Dungeons of
March 2012
Dredmor from Gaslamp games is perhaps the closest modern equivalent of NetHackand has even been called its spiritual sucessor. It features all the classic elements of Nethack devious difficulty, enormous number of options, interesting enemies and traps, lootand wraps it up in a humorous style (you can summon a disembodied moustache to fight for you, get killed by flying cutlery, and find coke machines in the depths of the dungeon) that makes for one of the most unique gaming experiences in years. The addictive and compelling Desktop Dungeons takes the Roguelike formula and gives it a twist: it is made for short, 10-minute play sessions. Perfect for playing at work, or while waiting for your blood-test reports. And its not just role-playing games that have found the Roguelike formula to be useful. Spelunky, a game in which you play an Indiana Jones type adventurer looking for treasure in caves, is a Roguelike platform game (it reminds me of the old PC platform classic, Dangerous Dave). The utterly bizarre and wonderful Binding of Isaac applies Roguelike principles to what is essentially a top-down shooter. It is a game in which you play a small boy on the run from his murderous mother, who needs to kill enemies such as turdcentipedes, disembodied hands and bees. She has to kill them using projectile tears. Dont ask. When fundamentally sound design principles meet talented game developers and easy distribution systems, it can mean only one thing lots of awesome Roguelike games. If you havent played a Roguelike before, now is a good time to begin. Just stay away from NetHackunless you are really brave. Oh, and did I mention NetHack is free? [Signs off with evil laugh].
HARRY GRADUATES WITH HONOURS

The young magician is back in his Lego avatar in the final instalment based on J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter books 5-7. This childrens game captures Hogsmead village, Privit Drive, Diagon Alley to Gringotts in absolute perfection, if in Lego form. Adding to the realism are scenes from some iconic battleslike the final showdown between the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort.
There are 24 game levels and after completing the mission you return to Hogwarts to attend 16 lessons on spells, advance duelling skills, etc. Undoubtedly duelling is one of the best additions to the game. To win, players must quickly select the right spell (based on the colour of the enemy's half-circle) and engage in a back-and-forth spell collision. This is fun, but also overused. Speaking of new abilities, there is Weasleys Wizard Wheezes boxes, of use to Weasley family members only. These usually contain barrier-destroying fireworks
Reviews
GRAPPLE FEASTMAYBE NOT

WWE 12 is easily the best game in wrestling as far as graphics are concerned. And then just as you have stated this, you are shocked by the sloppy graphics accompanying the wrestlers entrance. The letdown leaves you scarred. But putting that aside, this game has over 60 wrestlers starting from the legendary Randy Orton to the popular The Rock. There are amazing customisation options to create your own wrestleryou get to decide his gender, physique, facial features, ring attire, audience reaction and even create storylines and entrance videos. Your players can have their signature moves too. The match schedule too is highly flexible, from quick one-off matches to multiplayer modes against artificial intelligence. But beware: the AI is a bit frustrating because your opponent either becomes a helpless punching bag or a player who anticipates your every move. One of the best additions is that you must beat your opponent for some time in order to unlock powerful moves. As soon as your opponent has weakened, you get free access to unleash your powerful moves to completely knock them out cold. The game play feels solid and gives a
meaning to your fightplus a bit of strategy comes into place as well. The Road to Wrestlemania has been tweaked. Unlike previous editions, in this single-player mode you are not allowed to choose your superstar. In WWE 12, you play three assigned superstars: the villain, the outsider and the hero. It has three lengthy chapters which ensure you end up gaming for 10-12 hours. You can avoid the various chapters, including the first that has Sheamus as the villain, and stick to the WWE Universe game. WWE 12 has acquired the bling factor or sorts with the number of star wrestlers added but when it comes to playing the game, well, it is fairly predictable and ultimately quite ordinary.
GAME LAUNCHES FOR WINDOWS PHONES
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (` 260):

Feel the rush of the escape and the thrill of the takedown! Outrun the law as a Racer in supercars such as the Pagani Zonda Cinque or stop racers cold as a Cop in high-speed police interceptors such as the Lamborghini Reventon. Enabled for Xbox LIVE, experience pulse-pounding action as you make the escape or make the bust with Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit on Windows Phone. Drive up to 20 precision-performance cars in adrenaline-fueled showdown across 24 day-andnight tracks. Take it to the limit in 48 total Cop and Racer Career Events, collect bounty, and rise to the top of the ranks.
BulletAsylum (` 160)
Do you like bullets? How about explosions? Are you tired of having to wait entire seconds between seeing bullets explode things? Annihilate invaders with a wall of firepower in this insane arcade shooter. BulletAsylum delivers over-the-top action, melding classic gameplay with next-generation visuals and mechanics. With an insane amount of firepower at your fingertips, vibrant graphics and an all-you-can-shoot buffet of alien hordes to destroy.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

While engaging, it is ultimately the same old game.
Chickens Cant Fly (` 160)

Join the ranks of our scientists and see what chickens are capable of. Conduct experiments in four laboratories and answer questions such as: Is there life after the butcher? Are chickens afraid of ghosts? Does a frozen chicken get dizzy? Countless hours of fun await you: fall down an experimental pit, avoid obstacles, use powerups and power-downs, gather corn, and make it through to the end. Use the skills you learn to get a high score in Survival Mode and show off to your friends on the Xbox LIVE and global leaderboards.
GG
WWE 12
FOR PS3
Price: ` 2,699
GAME REVIEWS BY ARUP DAS
Tom Clancys Splinter Cell Conviction (` 260)

The benchmark of action stealth games on console is available for the first time on Windows Phone. Unleash the ferocious skills of renegade agent Sam Fisher, a highly skilled Special Forces operative, and fight a corrupted secret agency to get your daughter back. Follow a trail of intrigue that leads from Iraq to a high-security building in Washington, D.C. Run, jump, fight and shoot using a handgun, a shotgun, an AK-47 assault rifle and a bazooka, or maintain stealth by improvising with nearby objects. As a renegade spy agent. you dont follow orders except for your own rules of engagement.
or suction-cup shoes to allow players to walk up walls. A new Aguamenti spell allows gamers to shoot water from their wand to put out fires. There are six co-op friendly stages, allowing gamers to play out moments from the Potter films. In between missions, you are free to explore Hogwarts and the surrounding grounds. including the Forbidden Forest.Initially you will not be able to access a lot of areas but to complete the game, you have to revisit the stages with additional characters
and spells to unlock the secrets. The soundtrack has been brilliantly transferred from the movies to the game. The audio effects are perfect and emphasise the magical atmosphere. The weak link of this game, if any, is the graphics. As a Lego game, it combines pre-rendered backdrops with polygonal Lego set dressing, making it look a bit old and jaded but it still manages to work.
Toy Soldiers: Boot Camp (`160)
LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7

FOR XBOX 360
Price: ` 1,999
GG
BAG IT OR JUNK IT?

The kids should have a lot of fun with magic.
Wage war on a tiny scale in Toy Soldiers: Boot Camp, which brings the fun and addictive shooting gallery mini-games from Toy Soldiers: Cold War for Xbox 360 to your Windows Phone. Defend house and home against swarms of houseflies when a flyswatter puts you in the role of a pint-sized anti-aircraft gunner. Thread the needle in the super-addicting game where you simply try to guide your missile through rotating holes. In addition, earn bragging rights in Toy Soldiers: Cold War for Xbox 360 through an integrated mobile leaderboard.
65
KnowTech
INFORMATION, TIPS AND TRICKS, TOP 10 LISTING
LIGHT IMPRESSION
HOW A BEAM OF LIGHT CREATES CRISP TEXT AND IMAGES IN A LASER PRINTER
TEXT AND GRAPHICS BY SANTOSH KUSHWAHA
A laser printer is a computer printer that quickly produces good quality text and graphics on blank paper. As with digital photocopiers and multifunction printers (MFPs), laser printers employ a xerographic printing process, but differ from analog photocopiers in that the image is produced by the direct scanning of a laser beam across the printers photoreceptor.
1 2 3
PC sends command to printer for a print job. Controller circuitry (inside printer) queue up and translate printing data; a raster image processor (RIP) converts images and text into a virtual matrix of tiny dots. Controller circuitry applies a positive electrical charge to the drum unit. Afterwards, the laser system writes the page image onto the drum with a negative charge, creating an electric virtual negative of the image The drum unit rotates, and as the image is written on it, it picks up the toner, the laser printer equivalent of ink. The toner is positively charged, and so it sticks to the image that the laser drew. The paper presses against the drum, and receives the toner image.
LASER PRINTERS VS INKJET PRINTER

Laser printer advantages: Speed: A laser printer can turn out pages faster than an inkjet printer. Low cost: Over time, toner costs for a laser printer will total far less per page than refilling/replacing inkjet printer cartridges. Quiet operation: A laser printer is generally quieter than low-cost inkjet printers. Best-quality text: No inkjet printerno matter how much you pay for itwill ever turn out black text and line graphics as crisp as a laser printer. Inkjet printer advantages: Versatility: A colour inkjet can print on many types of media, including craft paper, T-shirt transfers and even printable CD/DVD discs. Smaller size: This saves you space on your desktop. Larger paper sizes: If you spend more, you can add a large-format inkjet printer to your system that can print 11-x-17-inch or larger items.
PRINTERS PAST 1938

Chester Carlson invents a dry printing process called electrophotography, now called xerography.
March 2012
1953
The first highspeed printer is developed by RemingtonRand.
1969
The original laser printer, called EARS, developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.
1976
The inkjet printer is invented.
1992
Hewlett-Packard releases the popular LaserJet 4, the first 600 x 600 dots per inch resolution laser printer.
Laser Printer
4
The fuser Photoconducting drum Developer roller
When the paper first picks up the toner, the image is not set. The toner is a dry, dusty material, and the electric charge cannot hold it strongly to the paper. In order to make the image permanent, the paper runs through the fuser, which heats it, and melts the toner onto the page. The paper exits the printer, and you have your print out.
Paper
A laser beam
A laser beam Charging roller
2
The fuser
3
Toner hopper Developer roller Roller assembly A cleaning blade Charging wire
Paper tray
1
Controller circuitry Photoconducting drum
67
G&G Top Ten LISTINGS

THE BEST GADGETS IN THE MARKET AS RANKED BY G&G
CONS SOUND DYNAMIC CONTRAST RATIO PRICE PROS
SIZE
RESPONSE TIME
LCD TELEVISIONS
10W+10W 20W 185W 20W 20W 700W 205W 30W 2 x 12W
PANEL SOUND (WATTS) PRICE PROS
2 LG 42LE7500 10,00,000:1 50,000:1 1,00,000:1 1,50,000:1 5,000:1 30,000:1 ` 3,37,500 Great images
CONS
42-inch ` 72,110 ` 70,000 ` 1,27,000 ` 68,000 ` 76,990 ` 49,999 ` 1,04,000 Good response time, sound Price Price Picture, sound Design Sound, contrasts Price Design, contrasts None Picture quality Weight, price Internet-ready, price Response time Style, sound Price
2.4ms
5,00,000:1
` 87,000
Design, brilliant resolution
Sound
3 Samsung UA40B6000VR
40-inch
4ms
1. SAMSUNG UA55D8000YR
4 VU LED-40T28GP
40-inch
6ms
Price: ` 2,18,499
5 Samsung LA46A650A1
46-inch
4 ms
Specs:
6 LG 42LH70YR Scarlet 2.0
42-inch
2.4 ms
7 LG Jazz Theatre LH60
42-inch
2 ms
55-inch 3D LED panel; 1080p Full HD; 10 W x 2 speakers; Mega dynamic contrast ratio; 4 HDMI; 2 USB ports; 18.6 kg
8 BenQ SQ4231
42-inch
6.5ms
9 Phillips 42PFL9703 / 98
42-inch
2 ms
10 Philips Cinema 21:9
56 -inch
SIZE
RESOLUTION
1. LG 42 LW 6500
Price: ` 86,160
None None None None Not smart
LED TELEVISIONS
Ultra clear panel Motion Picture Pro Ultra clear panel X-Reality Picture Engine 20 Edge LED X-Reality Picture Engine 20 X-Reality Picture Engine 20 SRVe Engine X-Reality Pro
CONNECTIVITY PRICE
2 Samsung UA40D5500RR 20 20 ` 44,899 ` 34,890 ` 64,899 ` 1,59,900 ` 29,999 ` 3,59,900

PROS
40-inch ` 88,000 ` 91,100 Smart TV Picture and contrast Picture Picture Picture Price 3D Internet
1920 x 1080 pixels
20
` 61,660
App support
Specs:
3 Panasonic VIERA TH-L42D25
42-inch
1920 x 1080 pixels
4 Samsung UA46D6000SR
46-inch
1920 x 1080 pixels
42 inch LED TV; Full HD passive 3D; HDMI, Component, Composite ports, smart functions; 20W RMS sound; Motion-sensing remote; 140W power consumption
5 Sony Bravia KDL-32EX520 20
32-inch
1920 x 1080 pixels
6 LG 32LV3500
32-inch
1920x1080 pixels
7 Sony Bravia KDL-40EX520
40-inch
1920x1080 pixels
None None None Price

CONS
8 Sony Bravia KDL-55EX720 20 30
55-inch
1920x1080 pixels
9 Onida LEO32NMSF100L
32-inch
1920x1080 pixels
10 Sony Bravia HX925 LED
65-inch
1365x768 pixels
DISPLAY
PROCESSOR
TABLETS
3G, Wi-Fi 3G,Wi-Fi Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3G, BT, Wi-Fi Wi-Fi, USB `26,449 ` 28,.59 `29,990 ` 12,999 ` 22,990 ` 6,999 Light weight Display, looks Stylish Design Price Affordable Extremely affordable, LCD Price Battery NA NA Less memory No 3G
2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 620
7-inch
1.2 GHz dual-core
3 Huawei Media Pad
7-inch
1.2 GHz dual-core
Price: ` 46,900
1. APPLE iPAD 2 64 GB 3G
9.7-inch display; 1GHz dual core processor; IOS 4.3; Wi-Fi, 3G, 64GB
4 Sony Tablet S
9.4 inch
1 GHz dual-core
5 Reliance 3G Tablet
7-inch
800MHz
Specs:
6 HCL ME Tablet AM7
7 inch
800 Hz
7 Binatone Homesurf 7
7-inch
667 MHz
PROCESSOR
GRAPHICS CARD
RAM
HDD
DISPLAY
PRICE
PROS
CONS
LAPTOPS
4 GB 8GB 3GB 640GB 15.6-inch ` 37,990 Multimedia Avg battery 64GB x 4SSD 13.1-inch ` 1,59,900 Super-fast Price 320GB 14-inch ` 57,000 High-end specs None
2 Sony Vaio CW16FG
Intel Centrino C2D 2.53 GHz
nVidia GT230M
3 Sony Vaio Z117
Intel i7 processor, 2.66Hz
nVidia GT330M
4 Lenovo Z570
Intel Core i3 2.1GHz
NVIDIA GT520m
1. DELL XPS 15 L501X

Price: ` 75,933
5 MacBook Air 4 GB 8GB 2GB 4GB 4GB

RAM HDD PRICE PROS CONS
Intel Core i7 1.7GHz dual core 720 GB 320GB 500GB 500GB 320 GB 13.3-inch ` 85,000 Slim, fast processing No graphic card,Price 15.6-inch ` 45,690 Storage, connectivity Heavy 15.6-inch ` 31,990 Performance Battery life 15-inch ` 1,48,800 Performance Price 11.6 inch ` 74,900 Style, performance price
Intel HD 3000
4GB
256GB flash
13.3-inch
` 89,990
Ultra Slim
None
6 SAleinware M11X
Intel Core i7 1..5 Ghz
NVIDIA GT540M
Specs:
7 Apple Mac Book Pro
Intel C2D, 2.66 GHz
NVIDIA Ge Force 9600M
15.6-inch LED display; Intel Core i7 Q740 1.73 GHz (8 cores); 4 GB RAM; 500 GB HDD; NVIDIA 2 GB GT 435 M graphics card; JBL speakers
8 Lenovo G560
Intel Pentium P6100
Onboard
9 HP Pavilion DV6
Intel Core i3, 2.1GHz
AMD 6490M
10 Lenovo thinkPad X1
Intel Core i5 2.5 ghz
Intel HD graphics
PROCESSOR
GRAPHICS CARD
DESKTOPS
4GB 2048MB 4GB 2GB 4GB 4096MB 2048MB 2GB 1GB 160 GB ` 26,999 Affordable 160GB ` 25,325 Compact size 320GB (7200rpm) ` 40,690 Design 500GB (7200rpm) ` 89,990 Performance, storage 320GB (5400rpm) ` 39,900 Super-compact 640GB (7200rpm) ` 69,500 Gesture gaming capability 1TB (7200rpm) ` 1,15,180 RAM, HDD Price RAM No monitor Price Low RAM No monitor Low performance 320GB (7200rpm) ` 46,490 Good graphics Low RAM 1TB ` 89,900 Brilliant resolution, performance Price
2 Apple iMac 27 inch
Intel C2D 3.06GHz
ATi Radeon HD4670
3 HP Elite M 9400
Intel C2D, 2.66 GHz
nVidia 9300GE
4 Apple I Mac Desktop
Intel C2D, 3.06 GHz
nVidia GT 130
5 Lenovo Idea Centre A600
Intel C2D, 2.00 GHz
ATI Radeon HD3650
6 Dell Studio Hybrid
Intel C2D
Intel GMA X3100
1. LENOVO IDEA CENTRE B520

Price: ` 71,990
7 HP Touch Smart IQ500
Intel C2D, 2.16 GHz
nVidia 9300M - GS
8 HP Pavilion Slimline
Intel C2D, 2.66 GHz
nVidia 7100
Specs:
9 Acer Revo R3600
Intel Atom, 1.6 GHz
nVidia 9400
10 BenQ nScreen i91
AMD Sempron 1.5GHz
ATi X1200
Intel Core i7 3.4GHz processor; 6GB DDR3; 1TB HDD; nVIDIA G-Force GT 55M 2 GB graphics, Blu-ray, HDMI, Wi-FI multi-touch, 3D support

LCD VIDEO RESOLUTION WEIGHT PRICE PROS CONS
STORAGE MEDIA
OPTICAL ZOOM
CAMCORDERS
2.7-inch 3-inch 2.7-inch 2 -inch 720p 93g ` 14,999 Affordable Not Full HD 720 x 576 pixels ` 17,450 Zoom No HD 1920x 1080 pixels 360g ` 55,285 Video, LCD None 1920x 1080 pixels 271 g ` 20,990 Crisp video None
2 Samsung HMX-H200
Flash memory
20x
3 Canon HF M41
Flash memory upto 32GB
10x
4 Panasonic SDR H101
80GB HDD
78x
5 Creative Vado HD
4GB
1. SONY XR550E
Price: ` 49,500
6 Sony HDR -TG 1E `39,990 ` 18,500 ` 39,990 ` 34,990 ` 22,995

PRICE PROS CONS
Memory Stick Micro 2.7-inch 2.7-inch 2.7-inch 3-inch

LCD SIZE PICTURE RESOLUTION((MAX) WEIGHT
10x 1920x1080 pixels 1920x1080 pixels 640x480 pixels 1920x1080 pixels 270g Video quality 340g Hybrid storage Resolution 330g Storage, video Price 456g Full HD Bit bulky
2.7-inch
1920x1080 pixels
240g
Compact, style
Low MP
7 Samsung VP - HMX20C
Flash Memory
10x
8 Sony XR100E
80GB HDD
10x
3.5-inch touch screen LCD; 10x optical zoom; 240GB hard drive; Full HD video recording; 500 gm
Specs:
9 Panasonic SDR - H60
60GB HDD
50x
10 Canon HFR205
SD memory
18x
MEGA PIXELS
ISO SPEED
DIGITAL SLRs
3-inch 3 inch 3-inch 3-inch 3-inch 3-inch 3-inch 2.5-inch 3-inch
LCD SIZE PICTURE RESOLUTION(MAX) WEIGHT
2 Nikon D300S 5184 x 3456 pixels 4592x3056 pixels 4288x2848 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels 4272x2848 pixels 3888x2592 pixels 353g ` 33,810
PRICE
12.3 MP 690g 755g 296g 620g 475g 433g 450g ` 22,575 ` 37,990 ` 38,795 ` 58,950 Good images Quality, video Images Price Compact, attachments
PROS CONS
6400 ` 72,850 ` 58,486 ` 24,500 Pro quality, compact Best MP Price Less MP None Pictures, ISO -
4288 x 2848 pixels
840g
` 94,950
Pro quality
Less MP
3 Nikon D7000
16.2
25,600
4 Canon 60D
18 MP
6400
5 Sony NEX 5
14.2MP
12800
1. CANON 7D
6 Nikon D90
12.3 MP
3200
Price: ` 1,28,035 with kit
7 Canon 550D
18 MP
6400
Specs:
Electronic VF Less MP, ISO
8 Sony Alpha SLT A33
14.2 MP
12,800
18 MP; 3-inch LCD; 6400 ISO Max; 1080p video; 820 gm
9 Canon EOS 1000D
10.1 MP
1600
10 Samsung NX10
14.6MP
6400
MEGA PIXELS
OPTICAL ZOOM
DIGITAL POINT & SHOOT AND PROSUMER

2.7-inch 3-inch 3-inch 3-inch 3-inch 2.8-inch 3 inch 3.3-inch 3-inch 4608 x 3456 pixels 3648 x 2746 pixels 4288 x 3216 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels 4000x3000 pixels 4000x3000 pixels 4000x3000 pixels 198g 445g 121g 355g 437g 109g 155g 4320x324 pixels 600g ` 24,245 ` 12,925 ` 26,999 ` 14,000 ` 14,250 ` 31,995 `10,999 ` 19,600 ` 12,526 Zoom, quality Zoom, quality HD video Quality, price Flip-out touchscreen Rugged body Features Features Built-in projector Weight None Price Low MP Batteries -
2 Canon PowerShot SX30IS
14MP
35x
3 Samsung WB600
12MP
15x
4 Canon Powershot S100
12.1 MP
20x
5 Samsung MV800
14MP
26x
6 Canon IXUS 310 HS
16.15 MP
5x
7 Canon PowerShot G11
10 MP
5x
1. CANON SX 40HS
Price: ` 28,995
8 Fujifilm Finepix S2950
14 MP
18X
9 Sony TX55
16.2 MP
5x
10 Nikon Coolpix S1100PJ
14.1MP
5x
12.1 MP CMOS sensor; 35x optical zoom, Full HD video; 3200 ISO, 4 aspect ratio options, 600 gm
Specs:
TOTAL RMS
SPEAKER CHANNEL SYSTEM HDMI / USB
FM TUNER
PRICE
PROS
CONS
HOME THEATRE SYSTEMS

Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes / Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes Yes / Yes
BATTERY LIFE WEIGHT PRICE PROS CONS
2 Bose Lifestyle V35 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ` 19499 Surround, USB support Heavy ` 39,250 Looks NA ` 19,990 Good for all round use None ` 29,990 Good surround Price ` 2,58,638 Very good looking Heavy ` 26,990 Good sound Price ` 59,370 Looks, performance None ` 29,990 Sound, design Price
5.1
Yes
` 2,24,888
Excellent surround
Price
3 Sony DZ810
1000W
5.1
4 Phillips HTS 9520
800W
5.1
1. PHILIPS HTS 9140 SOUNDBAR

Price: ` 71,900
5 LG HT903TA
1000 W
5.1
6 Bose Lifestyle 48 DVD Ent System
5.1
7 Sony DAV - DZ790K
1000 W
5.1
Specs:
8 Samsung HT-X725
800W
5.1
3D Blu-ray player; built-in decoders include Ambisound, Dolby Digital, DTS; 600W amplifier; Net TV; Wi-Fi upgradable; HDMI, YUV, Composite, optical and RCA
9 Samsung HT D5550
1000W
5.1
10 Sony DAV DZ390K
1000 W
5.1
SIZE
TOTAL CAPACITY
PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYERS

12 hrs audio, 6 hs video 140 g 30 hrs audio 7 hrs audio 8 hrs audio, 18 hrs audio, 8 hrs video 205g 30 hrs audio, 5 hrs video 96g 20 hours 15 hrs audio, 4 hrs video 200g 24 hrs audio, 4 hrs video 36.80g ` 8,200 ` 12,000 2g ` 2,999 ` 14,900 Looks, capacity Value for money Big screen Battery life, interface ` 9,208 Excellent screen 75g ` 7,298 Good screen 40g ` 6,058 Lightweight ` 4,741 Compact, style None Low space Battery life Weight Interface None No touch Relatively old ` 9,000 Huge screen, battery No touch
2 Viewsonic VPD400
4.3-inch
8GB
3 Sony E363
2-inch
4GB
4 Cowon iAudio 9
2-inch
4GB
5 Creative Zen X-Fi2
3-inch
8GB
1. APPLE iPOD 32GB

Price:` 19,900
6 Cowon O2
4.3-inch
32GB
7 Samsung YP P3
16GB
8 Phillips SA 2825
2GB
Specs:
9 Viewsonic VPD500
5-inch
8GB
3.5-inch touchscreen; twin cameras; HD recording; 32 GB onboard memory; Wi-Fi; 40 hrs audio playback; 115 g m
10 Apple iPod Nano 8 GB
2-inch
8GB

THROW RATIO POWER CONSUMPTION WEIGHT PRICE PROS CONS
NATIVE RESOLUTION
BRIGHTNESS
PROJECTORS
1.8 ~ 2.2:1 50 inch 30-100 inches 50-inch 280W 3.0 kg ` 74,222 Dual speakers Power consumption 180W 1.24kg ` 54,000 Compact, LED None 3.3kg ` 59,995 Bright, good resolution None 180W 2.5kg ` 58,000 3D-imaging capabilities No 3D accessories
2 NEC NP16
1024 x 768 pixels
2600 ANSI Lumens
3 Canon LV 7280
1024 x 768 pixels
2200 ANSI Lumens
4 Acer K330
1280 x 800 pixels
500 Lumens (LED)
5 Acer P5270
1024x768 pixels
3000 ANSI Lumens
1. HP NOTEBOOK PROJECTION COMPANION

Price: ` 29,990
6Casio XJ M255 1.8:1 inch 50 inch 164 inch 67 inch

ESRB Rating PUBLISHER PRICE Pros Cons
1920 x 1080 pixels 0.4W standby 2.5kg 275W 329g ` 29,900 Pocket size, features Poor picture 3 kg ` 82,665 Good throw ratio Pricey ` 48,000 Vivid and clear picture No speakers 3.9 kg ` 99,995 Short throw ratio Pricey
3000 ANSI Lumens
300 inch
285W
2.7 kg
` 50,000
Good throw ratio
Relatively small resolution
7 NEC NP 500
1024x768 pixels
3000 ANSI Lumens
100 lumens, contrast ratio of 800:1, resolution SVGA (858 x 600), screen size 15-60 inches, distance 8.5 ft
Specs:
8 Viewsonic PJD5352
1024X768 pixels
9 Acer S1200
1024x768 pixels
2,500 ANSI Lumens
10 3M MP180
720 pixels
32 ANSI Lumens
Platform
Genre
GAMES
Everyne Mature Teen Mature Mature Everyone Everyone Mature Everyone
USB PORT PRICE PROS
2 FIFA 2012 Midway games MTV Games Rockstar 2K games Microsoft Codemasters THQ Sony Computer Entertainment ` 2,499 ` 2,495 Graphics, sound Graphics, cutscenes ` 599 Graphics, Gameplay ` 2,499 Graphics ` 499 Graphics, gameplay None Game lags None Reversals None
CONS
PS3, XBox 360 ` 2,495 ` 1,990 ` 2,499 Superb graphics None Fun to play None Graphics, Fun Hard gameplay
Association Football
EA
` 2,499
Graphics, fun
none
3 Mortal Kombat
PS3, XBox360
Arcade
4 Kinect Dance Central
Xbox360
Music
5 L.A. Noire
Xbox360
Third person sAction
6 Mafia 2
PC, Xbox360, PS3
Third-person action
1. HALO: REACH
Price: ` 2,499
7 Kinect Adventures
Xbox360
Action
8 Dirt 3
PC
Racing
9 WWE All Stars
Xbox 360
Arcade Fighting
Specs:
10 Little Big Planet2
PS3
Adventure
Platform: Xbox 360; Genre : Firstperson shooter; ESRB Rating : Mature; Publisher: Microsoft
SPEAKER CHANNEL SYSTEM
VIDEO UPSCALING
DOLBY DIGITAL
DVD/BLU-RAY PLAYER
1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 ` 3,080 ` 3,110 ` 1,899 ` 10,070 ` 8,699 ` 1,950 ` 4,990 ` 1,850 One touch MP3 Ethernet, coaxial Dvix, Xvid BRAVIA Internet Video HDMI port Video CD noise reduction Scratch Error Correction ` 3d, Wi-Fi support ` 3,790 HD upscaling None None None Not FullHD None None Not HD Not HD None
2 Sony DVP - SR750HP
1080p
5.1
3 Philips DVP3608 DVD
5.1
4 Philips BDP2600/94 Blu Ray
1080p
7.1
5 LG DV622 DVD
720p
5.1
6 Sony BDP-S380 Blu Ray
1080p
5.1
1. SAMSUNG DVD - H1080

Price: ` 4,190
7 Philips DVP3886X/94 DVD
1080p
5.1
8 Panasonic DVD-S685
5.1
Specs:
9 Onida DFX-5959 DVD
10 Philips BDP5200/51 Blu Ray 1080p
7.1
Media Type: DVD, DVD -R, DVD -RW, DVD +R, DVD +RW, CD, CD -R, CD -R CD -RW, MP3; DivX compatible; Dolby Digital sound; USB port; 1 kg

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March 2012 / `50 / www.gadgetsngizmos.

THE ULTRABOOK IS HERE!

MUST READ! YOUR MOBILE IS A MONEY MACHINE, P28

Slimmer, Smoother, Sexier!

Production), Harish Aggarwal, Vijay Sharma, Naveen Gupta

Publishing Director: Malcolm D. Mistry

Spruce up your email habits

Volume 3, Number 10, for the month March 2012-April 2012

WHEN WILL WE GET TO TAP?

YUVRAJ ANEJA, ON EMAIL

THE MISSING GADGETS

INTERACT WITH G&G

TIME FOR A LUCKY BREAK

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

A FLOW OF GLOBAL NEWS IN PACY BITS

THE TOILET ZONE

THE OLD ON TV, YOUNG ON A TABLET

CAR THAT FOLDS UP

CLEARING THE INBOX

NO PAIN, YES GAME

HARD WORK ON DISPLAY

FROM THE MOUTH OF CEOS

NIKONS MEGA SHOOTER

COOLER MASTER XORNET

HP PAVILION DM4 AND MINI 210

STELLAR PHOENIX MAC DATA RECOVERY 5

10 IT Gadgets & Gizmos

DISH TRU HD+

SAMSUNG CHAMP DELUXE DUOS

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

BRAVIA HX925 LED TV

ASUS VS197D LED MONITOR

introDUctory oFFer on Digital eDition

For all other devices, visit www. menshealthindia.com/digitalmagazine

ASUS TRANSFORMER PRIME

WHY WE FELL FOR IT

ASUS Transformer Prime

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

TEXT BY NANDAGOPAL RAJAN & PHOTOGRAPHS BY RAJWANT RAWAT

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A LAPTOP?

INTELS ULTRABOOK STAND

They will need to be in a price range of $1,000.

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

Extended battery life

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

ACER ASPIRE S5 SAMSUNG SERIES 5

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March, 2012

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

KEEPING THE EDGE

ASUS UX31 ZENBOOK

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

LENOVO IDEAPAD U300S

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

AHEAD OF THE PACK

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March 2012

Touch Base with the World

Grab your Digital Edition.

Cover Photograph by RAJWANT RAWAT; Cover Imaging by VANITA ARORA

IT Gadgets & Gizmos March, 2012

Illustration by SANTOSH KUSHWAHA

Gadgets & Gizmos

Gadgets & Gizmos