Nimish Dubey Writes

This is me nattering about books, tech, music, sport and whateever comes to mind.  Contibutor to Indian Express, ABP, 91Mobiles, TechPP and The Mobile Indian.

[nimishdubeywrites]

With all the drama happening on Twitter, am back here. Yes, I did give Mastodon a try, but it just seems extremely counter intuitive.

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Six reasons to pick up an iPhone 5s...even now!

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus might be hogging all the headlines with speculation being rife about their possible prices (we know from reasonably reliable sources that these might well in excess of Rs 60,000 for the base models), but they are by no means the only options available for those wanting a taste of the device many call the Godphone. In fact, if the thought of shelling out the approximate price of a MacBook Air for a phone is not your cup of tea, then fear not - you can still sample some iPhone goodness, via the iPhone 5s, which is officially priced in the vicinity of Rs 35,0000. And before you accuse us of trying to persuade you to purchase an old device (well, it was released in 2013, after all), do consider the following points. For while the iPhone 5s might be a trifle long in the tooth in tech terms, but it still packs quite a punch:

1. The size

It might not be bulked up with the latest hardware, but hey, the iPhone 5S is perhaps the last iPhone that was made for people with normal-sized hands. It is incredibly compact and easy to use with one hand - the entire phone is a mere 4.87 inches long, which is actually shorter than just the display of the iPhone 6 Plus  and 6s Plus . We are not going to claim that the 5s will outpace the likes of the iPhone 6 and its successors in terms of performance, but in a world that is getting increasingly populated by hefty phones, its size makes it a joy to use. And at 112 grammes, it will slip easily into most pockets and bags.  

2. The looks 

A two year old phone that still looks very good? The iPhone 5s remains a a very good looking device even to this day, with its blend of glass and metal, and at 7.6 mm is still impressively slim. No matter, which model you opt for, this is a phone that still has major flaunt value - there are many who insist that it looks even better than the new iPhones. 

3. The hardware 

There might be some who will turn their noses up at a display that is “not even 720p,” but the 5s’ 4.0-inch 1136 x 640 has an impressive pixel density of 326 ppi, putting it right in the retina display category. Text, images and video still look very good on it.  The A7 64-bit chip is quite adept at handling most routine tasks, the 8.0-megapixel iSight camera still takes fantastic pictures and was the first on the iPhone to support slow-motion video,  and hey, this was the first iPhone to come with a fingerprint scanner and a M7 motion co-processor. No, we are not going to claim - like some do - that this is cutting edge hardware, but if what you are looking for is a very iPhone experience, this is more than adequate. 

4. The  OS and apps

The iPhone 5s runs iOS 9, the latest version of iOS, and the same version that is found on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. And it runs it very smoothly indeed. The iOS interface remains one of the easiest to use and well, then there is the little matter of a staggering number of apps, most of which run very well on the iPhone 5s and many (like Infinity Blade) that are the not found on other platforms. 

5. Performance

No, it might not be packing in the kind of hardware muscle that its successors possess, but the iPhone 5S still is a smooth operator. As long as you do not push it too hard into heavy 3D gaming, the phone remains a brilliant performer and on par with many devices in the market even today - it can run games like Infinity Blade 3 and the Asphalt series very well even now. Siri, Apple’s virtual digital assistant, remains the best we have seen on a phone (it is easier to chat with than Google Now) and well, even the iffy battery life got a boost with iOS 9.

6. Longevity

Yes, you read that right - given Apple’s history of supporting devices with new software, the iPhone 5s is likely to be around for at least another two years. If that sounds hard to believe, just consider the fact that the company still supports the iPhone 4S, which also received the iOS 9 update and managed to handle it decently too. 

All said and done, we think the iPhone 5s remains a very good option to anyone wanting an iPhone experience without busting a hole in their bank balance of the size that would be created if they purchased its successors. No, we are not going to be naive enough to say that it actually outperforms the newer iPhones but for many people, it remains a much easier phone to use because of its compact form factor. And while it might not boast the kind of specs that some similarly priced Android devices do, well, neither do the new iPhones - the iPhones were never about specs, but about experience. And the iPhone 5s delivers that in spades. 

[nimishdubeywrites]

Paper books or E-books? Answering the bookworm’s eternal query!

Amazon’s high-profile “we are the readers” electronic media campaign has triggered off another round of exchanges in the paper book vs e-book debate. On the one hand are the  “traditionalists” who insist that nothing electronic can ever match the feel of a “real”(read “paper”) book. And on the other you have the e-book pundits who stress on the sheer convenience an e-book offers and of course, insist that it is the future.

The truth, we think, lies between those two utter extremes. Both paper and digital have their strong points. But if you are among those wondering whether it actually makes sense to invest in a e-book reader like the Kindle or switch to reading books in digital format, well, here is a simple comparison between reading paper books and e-books to help you make up your mind:

Appearance

One area where paper books have their digital counterparts for lunch is in the matter of appearance. Paper books are better designed and well, actually have a better “feel”as they are independent entities and not something within a computer. You have more colourful covers, more information about the book on the back cover. As one of our bookloving friends told us, “With a paper book, at least people see what you are reading. With a Kindle, you could be reading anything.”That is not to say that the Kindles, especially the high-end Voyage, do not look good - they cut very natty figures indeeds, but they do not look like books. So if you are the type that does not just like to read but also likes to be SEEN reading, you can stick to paper.

Reading experience

Which of course brings us to the little matter of reading itself. A couple of years ago, the paper book would have wiped the floor with the Kindle in this department. Cut to today and the battle is surprisingly tight. With the emergence of the Paperwhite and the Voyage, the Kindle not only provides a near paper-like reading experience, but also comes with the advantage of working in the dark, thanks to its front-lit mechanism. Yes, there will be those who will talk of the “feel of a book and better page turns” but on the flip side, most e-book readers are lighter and less bulky than bestsellers and handle things like bookmarks and notes much better.And while you are stuck with what you get in a print book, a Kindle lets you change font size allowing you to see larger or smaller letters depending on your requirements. Yes, paper is still much the better medium to look at graphic novels and photographs, but in terms of text, we really think e-books have caught up.

Book availability

This is a massive issue, and once again, one where paper books were far ahead of e-books a few years ago. In 2011, getting e-book editions was a problem, and sites like Amazon and Flipkart had limited e-book titles. Today, however, that has changed and it is not rare to see e-book editions of high-profile titles become available online much before they hit bookstores - Terry Pratchett’s “The Shepherd’s Crown’ and Lee Child’s ‘Make Me’are prime examples. There is also the little matter of the fact that e-books are available for sale ‘round the clock and irrespective of your location. We have to concede that with the diminishing number of quality bookstores in recent times, it is easier to get e-editions of most recent books as compared to their paper avatars.

Convenience

This is pretty much a one-way street. When it comes to sheer convenience of ease and storage, e-books are well ahead of their paper counterparts. You can carry over a thousand e-books in a single Kindle - no book racks or boxes needed. Compare that with the unfortunate burden that paper books tend to place on their owners and a Kindle almost seems a Godsend - you do not have to pick or choose which books you wish to take along on a short trip. Round that off with the fact that e-books can be read even in pitch darkness on a Kindle Paperwhite or a phone or tablet and you can see why so many people are getting swayed by the digital versions of books.

Cost and price

Another area where e-books have caught up with their paper counterparts is in terms of cost. A few years ago, buying an e-book was an expensive process with prices generally in the vicinity of Rs 500. However, the years that have followed have seen this price difference drop to the extent that in many cases, e-book editions are much more affordable than their paper counterparts, especially in hardcover and large format. And most e-book dealers also offer “read as much as you can” options for a fixed monthly payment such as Kindle Unlimited. Yes, logically e-books should be a whole lot cheaper than their paper counterparts when you consider the fact that there is no paper, no printing and no delivery logistics involved, but even then, as of now, the cost differential between a paper book and an e-book is marginal. And while an e-book reader like the Kindle does cost money, well, so do bookcases and racks.

Conclusion

So, should you stick with paper or go digital when it comes to reading. Well, honestly, we think that the case for switching to e-books is far stronger than it was a few years ago - they are more easily available, better priced and e-book readers too are serving up a better reading experience. Yes, we know that there is a certain magic about the touch and feel of paper and yes, a ‘real’ book looks so much more tempting than a digital one. But if what you are really concerned about is reading and are sick of lugging books around (they can be heavy), then perhaps it is time to go digital. Simply for the convenience. At the end of the day, it is about reading and not what one is reading on, isn’t it?

[nimishdubeywrites]

Tight budget? Six super phones for less than Rs 6,000 each!

A year ago, the thought of getting relatively smooth-working - leave alone good - smartphone for less than Rs 10,000 was considered a bit of a pipe dream. “You want to play? You got to pay!” was pretty much the theme of the smartphone market at that time. However, the last year has seen all that change with the arrival of devices like the Moto E, Redmi 1S and the Asus Zenfone 4 which suddenly made good smartphones accessible at relatively low prices.  And this was no flash in the pan - the trend of phones that deliver a good performance without bombing your wallet has continued to the extent that today you can get a very decent smartphone for as low as Rs 6,000 and in some cases, even lesser. Sounds too good to be true? Go right ahead and check out the following six options then:

Xiaomi Redmi 2 (Rs 5,999)

The successor to the very successful Redmi 1S remains one of the best budget smartphones around, delivering a lovely 4.7 inch 720p display and an excellent 8.0-megapixel rear camera. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor (the same seen on the new Moto G) and comes with 1 GB RAM onboard, and 8 GB storage. It is sleekly designed and runs on Android 4.4, but with Xiaomi’s innovative and colourful MIUI on top of it. 

Moto E 3G (second generation) (Rs 5,999)

The original Moto E was perhaps the phone that triggered off the “very good and very affordable” smartphone era, and while its second generation was not a massive upgrade over the first, it remains a very good proposition at its price. Some might turn their noses up at its relatively modest 4.5 inch 960 x 540 resolution display and 5.0-megapixel camera, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor with 1 GB RAM delivers a very smooth performance. And this being a Moto, you get pure Android and the latest version too - Android L. 

Coolpad Dazen 1 (Rs 5,999)

Whoever said that you needed to spend close to Rs 10,000 to get a decent gaming performance on a smartphone, clearly had not tried the Coolpad Dazen 1. Its routine design masks some very good hardware - a  5.0-inch HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, 2 GB RAM, and an 8.0-megapixel rear camera as well as a 5.0-megapixel front facing one.  yes, it does run on a slightly older version of Android (4.4) but its performance - especially in gaming and multitasking where that 2 GB of RAM makes its presence felt - more than compensates. 

Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 (Rs 5,999)

Want a decent camera phone for a relatively low price? The Micromax Canvas Xpress 2 is one of the better options out there, sporting a 13.0-megapixel shooter at the rear with a five-piece Largan lens, delivering very good results, especially in daylight. It is backed up by an octa core MediaTek processor, 1 GB RAM, and a 5.0-inch HD display.  It runs on Android 4.4, but Micromax has talked of its getting updated to Lollipop soon. Even if does not, it is a star performer for its price. 

Karbonn Titanium Mach Five (Rs 5,999)

It might not always be in the smartphone spotlight, but Karbonn remains a formidable proposition in the value for money smartphones category, and the Titanium MachFive is proof of this. For that price, the device offers a 5.0-inch display, quad core processor with 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage (rare at this price), an 8.0-megapixel rear and 5.0-megapixel front camera, and even an infra red port for controlling everything from your air conditioner to your television. It runs on Android L (a rarity at this price point again) andoh yes, it looks rather snazzy too and comes with a gold option. 

InFocus M2 (Rs 4,999)

A great selfie phone for less than Rs 6,000? Or hang on, make that ‘less than Rs 5,000′  for the InFocus M2 delivers two very good 8.0-megapixel cameras at a surprisingly low price - and oh yes, both have flashes as well! The rest of the phone is impressively specced too - a 4.2 inch HD display ensures a very high pixel density, and a quad core processor with 1 GB RAM delivers a decent turn of speed. Some might complain about Android 4.4, but hey, Android 5.0 is relatively rare at this price point and those cameras more than compensate! 

[nimishdubeywrites]

Yu Yureka Plus or Lenovo K3 Note? The sub-Rs 10,000 phone question

They are both offering what seems to be incredibly good hardware and software for a remarkably reasonable price - full HD displays, 2 GB RAM, powerful octa core processors, 13.0-megapixel cameras, Android L, and a lot more for less than Rs 10,000  (the prices occasionally change depending on which “offer” is making the rounds, but at the time of writing, the Lenovo K3 Note is retailing for Rs 9,999 and the YU Yureka Plus for Rs 8,999). Small wonder then that both the YU Yureka Plus and the Lenovo K3 Note are getting sold out within seconds of going on sale online. 

But if you had Rs 10,000 to spend and one phone to pick, which of these two would you opt for? Well, let’s just compare the two worthies and see if we can give you an answer:

Appearance, looks and build

Let’s be honest - neither of these worthies will ever win a beauty contest. They are both relatively plain Janes with fronts dominated by 5.5 inch displays and plastic backs. The Yureka Plus has a metal rim to give it more solidity, but on the flip side, the K3 Note is far more compact (152.6 mm against 154.8 mm in length, 76.2 mm against 78 mm in breadth and 8 mm in thickness as against 8.5 mm). Add to this, the yellow colour option (limited, though) and the K3 Note has a greater chance of standing out in a crowd as compared to the Yureka Plus. On the other hand, the Yureka Plus comes with Gorilla Glass protection and that metal rim, making it a hardier customer. If you like solidity, we think you will prefer the Yureka Plus, but if it is sheer head-turning quotient that matters, then the K3 Note edges it out. It is a very close call, but we are scoring this one for the K3 Note. 

Hardware

Going below the surface, the two devices are very closely in terms of hardware. Both have 5.5 inch full HD displays, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage (expandable by 32 GB using a memory), 13.0-megapixel rear cameras and 5.0-megapixel front facing front cameras, 4G support and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. There are differences, though - the YU Yureka comes with a 64-bit oca core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, which is considered superior to the octa core MediaTek MT6752 processor on the K3 Note, But the K3 Note scores in the battery department, with a 3000 mAh battery against a 2500 mAh one on the Yureka Plus. In terms of sheer specs, we think the processor gives the Yureka Plus the edge here.

Software

Both devices run on Android L, but there the similarity ends. While the K3 Note runs on  Android with Lenovo’s Vibe UI layer over it, the Yureka Plus runs on the Cyanogen OS, which is a very heavily customisable build of Android. The routine consumer might find themselves more at home with the more colourful UI of the K3 Note, but if you really want to change the user experience your device, right from the launch animations to icons, then the Yureka Plus wins easily. Thanks to Micromax’s tie-up with Cyanogen, users of Yureka Plus will also be assured of regular OS updates for two years (Lenovo’s record in the OS update section is a trifle more inconsistent). And that really wins the round for the Yureka Plus. 

Multimedia - camera, video and sound

When it comes to multimedia, we see the Lenovo K3 Note pulling away from the Yureka Plus. Both devices have full HD displays but we found that of the K3 Note to be a bit sharper and brighter, making it a better proposition for viewing videos and Web pages. And even though both phones have similar megapixel counts on their cameras, the K3 Note’s performed consistently better in terms of colour reproduction and detail. Round that off with the K3 Note’s support for Dolby Atmos in the sound department and this round goes solidly to the K3 Note, even though the Yureka Plus is a very solid performer.

Gaming

When it comes to casual games - Stick Cricket, Angry Birds and the like - the two devices are very closely matched. Up the ante and get into the territory of “heavier” games like Asphalt 8 and Hitman, and the Yureka Plus’ Snapdragon 615 processor starts to make its presence felt, even though it does heat up slightly too. If you are into heavy duty gaming, we think the Yureka Plus would be a better option, but if you are into routine casual games, then both devices are pretty much on equal terms. We are giving this one to the Yureka Plus again. 

General performance

But how do these devices behave as, well, ‘regular’ phones, smartness aside? Well, once again, it is an incredibly close battle. We found the Yureka Plus generally working more smoothly, which we think can be attributed to Cyanogen which is known to make relatively lesser system demands. That said, call quality was better on the K3 Note, and that bigger battery meant that the K3 Note easily saw off a day of heavy use, while the Yureka Plus generally needed a recharge towards the evening. It is very tough call here and we are calling this a tie - the smartphone crowd will like the smoothness of the Yureka Plus, but the more general phone users will like the better battery life and call quality on the K3 Note, 

Conclusion

So where does all that leave us? Well, if one were to look statistically, the Yureka Plus wins on three parameters (hardware, software and gaming) and for many people, scoring on hardware and software would pretty much decide the matter. That said, what cannot be denied is that the K3 Note scores on design, wins on multimedia (especially the camera and sound) and comes with significantly better battery life.  It is really going to boil down - as in so many things - to what one’s needs are. We can see those wanting a better camera and good battery life preferring the K3 Note, while gaming freaks and the geek crowd that want regular OS updates and control over their device’s interface will love the Yureka Plus. Which are you? Either way, you have got a great device for less than Rs 10,000! 

[nimishdubeywrites]

Looking for a fitness band? Seven reasons to pick the Fitbit Surge

It is the best of times for those who like fitness bands in India - those gizmos that you strap on to a part of your body (generally your wrist) and then monitor information such as distance covered, calories burnt and so on. While there are a number of such gizmos in the Indian market, thanks to the new wearable rage, if we had to pick one for fitness fanatics, we would go with the newly-launched (in India) Fitbit Surge. Yes, at Rs 19,999, it is a bit on the expensive, but on the flip side, it does deliver a fair bit of bang for those many bucks.  

So if budget is not an issue, here are our six reasons for opting for the Fitbit Surge

GPS and sensors

The presence of GPS we think is a massive factor in favour of the Surge. It considerably increases the accuracy of its tracking and its ability to work out just how much distance you have covered. No, it is not as amazingly accurate as some would have you believe but it is still a lot better than having a gadget that tries to gauge distance by your movement alone. That apart, the Surge also comes with accelerometers, a gyroscope, a compass, altimeter and light sensor - basically, it has enough to sense almost all of your movement. 

Always-on heart rate monitor

Yes, we know the jury is out on heart rate sensors on fitness bands and the level of their (in)accuracy. That said, having even a rough idea of your heart rate throughout the day is by no means a bad notion. And our experience of the Surge showed its PurePulse heart rate monitor doing a decent job. What we also like about it is the fact that it does not have to be switched on or off but is constantly running, so your heart rate is being tracked right throughout the day - you can check the results on graphs and the like if you wish. 

Support for different activities

The Surge comes with support not just for walking and running, but also for other exercises, including weights, spinning and Yoga. Yes, it does mean fiddling with the settings to set the activity, but in the end, one does get a fuller picture of the results of one's workout. 

Hey, it's a smartwatch too

Apart from the host of fitness-related sensors, the Surge can also double up as a smartwatch. No, it might not deliver quite as much as some of the "classic smartwatches" (the Apple Watch and the Android Wear crowd, for instance), but if all you are looking for is the option to get alerts about calls and text messages, the option to even read text messages, and fiddle with music on your wrist, then the Surge delivers in spades. Nope, no e-mail and social network alerts and no option to view images and videos either, but honestly we think (like many) that they just tend to crowd up one's wrist. And yes, it can tell the time too, with different watch faces if you like fiddling with them.

Battery life

With all those sensors buzzing, connectivity to your phone, notifications and even a real display (even though it is not a colour one), you would have thought the Surge would play havoc with the battery. However, that is not the case – normal user will be able to see through close to five days on a single charge while those who really hit the gym will also at the most need two recharges a week. That is staggeringly good for a device that serves up call and text notifications, monitors heart rate constantly and has a real display!

Toughness

We have been using the Surge for a couple of weeks now, and it is very resilient. The strap is soft and comfortable (it is made of anm elastomer material that many sportswatches use) and the buckle is made of surgical grade steel. And yes, it is sweat, rain and splash proof, so you can wear it to the gym and go running in the rain without fear – just don't go swimming with it!

Cross platform

Fitbit's apps and devices run comfortably on most platforms, so that means that you can go ahead and pick one up without wondering whether it will play nice with your tablet, computer or phone. When we last checked, it worked fine with iOS, Android, Windows Phone and even Windows. 

[nimishdubeywrites]

OnePlus 2: Seven Things That Are New!

OnePlus has released the successor to its extremely popular OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 (which it has dubbed “the flagship killer”). And it not only comes with a new, more compact and metal-oriented design and predictably better hardware (a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 4 GB RAM in some models) than its predecessor, but also a stack of new features.  Seven of the most notable of these are:

Oxygen OS

After the controversy with Cyanogen (which is now partnering Micromax in India), OnePlus decided to come out with a new OS for its devices, which it called Oxygen. While users of the OnePlus One can update their devices to this OS, the OnePlus 2 comes preloaded with it, delivering a new Android experience, based on Android 5.1, with features such as gestures, dark mode and 

Fingerprint scanner

The first OnePlus had no physical buttons beneath the display, but the OnePlus has one and it is not just for Home, but also a fingerprint scanner, adding another layer of security to the device. It can store up to five finger prints and it is fast too - it will unlock your device in less than half a second. 

Camera with OIS and laser-assisted focus

Yes, the rear camera on the OnePlus 2 might have the same megapixel count as the OnePlus One - 13 - but it comes with optical image stabilisation which should result in better low light and action shots and laser assisted focus, which we are told, allows the camera to focus in 0.33 milliseconds. In short, same megapixels, but much better photography. 

Colorful back covers, courtesy removable back

The back of the OnePlus 2 is actually removable - you need to remove it to be able to insert your SIM card into the phone, although the battery cannot be removed. And thanks to this, you also have the option of changing the look of your device with a number of colourful back covers. Before you ask, yes, there is a wooden one too (bamboo). Other options include black apricot, rosewood and yes, even a kevlar one. Of course, there is the “signature” sandstone black too for those who loved the feel of the OnePlus One. 

Alert Slider

This is a feature that we have not seen in any other smartphone. On its left, the OnePlus 2 has a slider, which you can move, not to adjust volume (there is a volume rocker on the right, incidentally) but to control your notifications. You can go into a No Disturb mode with no notifications allowed to disturb, allow a select number of notifications or simply open the door to all notifications. 

USB-C port

The OnePlus 2 is the first notable Android device to come with a USB-C charging port, which assures faster data transfer and charging. And it is reversible too. Actually, not many have talked about it, but OnePlus has also gone and made the normal USB side of the cable with the box (the USB A) reversible too. Now, that’s innovation for you. 

Dual SIM connectivity

No, it has no expandable memory even now, but a huge addition to the OnePlus 2 is the presence of a second SIM card slot. This makes it a more viable option for those who travel or have two mobile connections. It is in particular a much sought-after option in India. 

And one thing that has NOT changed...

Well, it is the staggering value for money proposition of the device. The OnePlus 2 comes with very good hardware and design at a price of Rs 24,999!

[nimishdubeywrites]

The Selfie Seven: 7 selfie phones that cost less than Rs 10,000 each!

Clicking selfies is a rage right now. And given the penchant of manufacturers to cash in on trends (literally!), is not expensive either. There was a time when getting a phone with a good front facing camera (anything above 2.0 megapixels, we would say) was a right royal pain to the old bank account. Today, you can get phones with front facing cameras that are as powerful as the rear ones on phones three years ago for surprisingly low price tags. If that sounds a trifle hard to digest, then we just you sample the front camera muscle of the following seven devices that cost less than Rs 10,000 each, but deliver selfies that will delight the digitally vain:

Infocus M350

Rs 7,999

Yes, we can hear some people going “Infocus who?’ as the brands is a relatively new one. But it has pretty much carved a niche for itself in the budget cameraphone category, and is particularly good in the selfie camera department. It comes with a 8.0-megapixel front camera and has autofocus too, for some really sharp selfies. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G

Rs 7,999

Xiaomi has been known for its  very good cameras, and the 5.0-megapixel front facing camera on the Redmi Note 4G is no slouch. Yes, the colours do seem a bit oversaturated at times, but there is a very interesting beauty mode and well, the camera also tries to guess your age and gender every time you switch to it. Neat. 

Lenovo K3 Note

Rs 9,999

Its biggest highlight is its 5.5-inch full HD display, but Lenovo has a history of devices with very good front facing cameras (the Vibe X and Vibe Z series) and the one of the K3 Note’s 5.0-megapixel front shooter can take its place among them. The colours could have been better but the detail captured is very impressive indeed. 

YU Yuphoria

Rs 6,999

It has made more news for its Cyanogen OS, metal frame and stylish looks, but  the second phone in the YU series is one of the few that actually has a better front facing camera than a rear one. While the 8.0-megapixel camera on the back takes decent shots, the 5.0-megapixel front facing takes excellent selfies. And this being a 5.0-inch display device, it is easier to handle one-handed too for those extended hand selfie snaps. 

Honor 4X

Rs 9,999

Huawei (yes, Honor is its brand) might have talked more of the 13.0-megapixel camera on the rear of the Honor 4X, which it hailed as the world’s best dual SIM  4G camera phone at the time of its launch, but its front facing 5.0-megapixel shooter packs quite a punch too. Yes, it can smooth out rough spots and make colours appear a bit brighter than they actually are, but then no one minds looking better, do they?

Microsoft Lumia 540

Rs 9,999

Its other specs (5.0-inch 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1 GB RAM) might not really stand up to the competition at this price point, but the Lumia 540′s 5.0-megapixel selfie camera can pretty much go toe to toe against the other devices mentioned here. It might not have all the interface bells and whistles that some of the other Android devices do (hey, Windows Phone can be a relatively plain interface), but it definitely scores in terms of performance. 

Phicomm Passion 660

Rs 10,999

All right, this one costs a bit more than Rs 10,000, but such is its front camera performance that we decided to just nudge it into the group - and it does get price cuts on special occasions, taking it into four figure territory. It might not exactly be a household name in India, but Phicomm’s first phone comes with not just impressive specs (a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2 GB RAM, full HD display, 4G support), but a very good front facing 5.0-megapixel shooter. It delivered some terrific selfies and comes with gesture support too. 

[nimishdubeywrites]

Five Cricket Apps to cure the Ashes fever

The most famous rivalry in cricket is set to continue at the Mecca of cricket from July 16. We don’t know if Australia can claw its way back into contention or whether England can consolidate its lead. What we do, however, know is that there are a number of apps out there that can deliver a cure to your cricketing fix. So if you are crazy about cricket, you really do need to try out the following:

ECB Cricket Live (iOS)

Not to be confused with the relatively run of the mill ECB app, the Cricket Live app is one of the most dazzling we have seen in terms of infographics and data. There is a 3D pitch and you can actually see where a ball has pitched and where it has been sent by the batsman. There are  wagon wheels, heat maps and live text commentary too. Apart from that, you will also get the regular dollop of news and statistics that is staple fare for any cricket website these days. A pro-England bias does exist in terms of coverage, but a brilliant app for the cricket fanatic. Mind you, it is only available for the iPad right now. 

ESPN Cricinfo (iOS, Android, Windows Phone)

Pretty much the one app that for many is synonymous with cricket coverage. The official app of Cricinfo, the most popular cricket website by a mile, is a rich reservoir of information and statistics as well as news and features. And yes, it handles live coverage very well too, with some excellent text commentary accompanied by detailed score cards. Yes, it can be a bit slow at times, but if it you want one app that does it all - from news to features to stats to live coverage - then this probably is it. 

CricBuzz (iOS, Android, Windows Phone)

It might not be as comprehensive as Cricinfo in terms of sheer information, but Cricbuzz more than compensates for this with a turn of speed that makes it an excellent app for those wanting to just follow a match or get the latest news from the game. It comes with a very clever notification system, which lets you get essential updates on time. Fed up of loading screens? This is perhaps the app for you. 

Yahoo Cricket (iOS, Android, Windows Phone)

You can opt to get dazzled by data and graphics, deluged by news and information...or you can simply download this handy little app which sticks to the basics, and does so in a manner that is clean and uncluttered. The real strength of the Yahoo Cricket app is the fact that it focuses mainly on the scores and the news - two bits of information that most fans need, and delivers them fast, with minimum fuss. And that makes it the perfect app for those quick news and score checks that are part and parcel of the life of every cricket fan. 

Stick Cricket 2 (iOS, Android)

All right, this is NOT a cricket news or a live coverage app. What it definitely is, however, is perhaps the single most entertaining cricket app out there, with an iconic following to boot. Stick Cricket is a cricket at its super basic best - you are the batsman, and your job is to hammer the bowlers all around the park. And unlike other games that tie you down with complicated keystroke combinations, here it is all about just tapping the side on which you want to send the ball - get it right and it will be six, get it wrong and it is timber! Graphics are a bit cartoony, but the player names are real and the gameplay is insanely addictive!

[nimishdubeywrites]

Seeking a good notebook for under Rs 20,000? Consider these four!

It’s not just smartphones that are getting more affordable. Notebooks are getting easier on the pocket too, bringing back memories of Ye Netbook Era of not so long ago. The difference of course is that now you are getting much better devices, running the latest version of Windows (remember how netbooks ran XP in the era of Windows Vista/7?) without blowing too major a hole in your wallet. if that sounds hard to believe, take an eyeful of the following four notebooks, all of which run Windows 8.1, and will hurt your bank balance by under Rs 20,000. No, we would not suggest you get into high definition video editing and gaming on them, but if what you seek are classic PC functions - word processing, presentations, browsing, social networking, spreadsheets - and connectivity, then these more than suffice:

HP Stream 11 (Rs 19,500)

If there were any prizes for standing out in a crowd, this blue coloured notebook would win it hands down. It looks very different from the black/grey notebooks out there. And while some might moan that the 11.6 inch display is not a touchscreen. the spacious keyboard and trackpad more than compensate. Throw in a very decent Intel Celeron processor, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage, proper USB ports and even 3G connectivity (oh yes, this has a SIM card slot), and you have a machine that can deliver a fair bit for the road warrior. At about 1.2 kg, it is reasonably lightweight too. 

Asus EeeBook (Rs 14,999)

Shelve those comments about its name sounding like a scream - the fact is that the company which gave us the similar sound EeePC has pulled another rabbit out of its budget notebook hat. The EeeBook comes with a very good 11.49 inch display, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB of storage and also an excellent keyboard and trackpad. Sleekly designed, it weighs less than a kilogram, and thanks to the Intel Atom processor under its hood, handles most browsing and Internet related tasks with a degree of ease. Yes, that display in not a touch one, so you will need to use the touchpad extensively, but all said and done, this is a terrific notebook at the price. 

Notion Ink Cain 2-in-1 (Rs 19,990)

It might be the least-known of the four worthies on this list, but Notion Ink’s Cain has the twin virtues of being the most stylish and the lightest of this quartet. It sports a 10.1 inch touchscreen display, but its most attractive feature is a keyboard that is placed on a special fabric-like surface and attaches magnetically to the display, and also serves as a cover of sorts. The whole package is a mere 635 odd grammes, which is actually lighter than the first iPad. It runs Windows 8.1, is powered by an Intel Atom processor, has 2 GB RAM and 32 GB storage, which is expandable using a memory card. Pretty handy. Actually, pretty AND handy. 

Micromax Canvas Laptab (Rs 14,999)

And this one has got to be the wild card in this line up. Micromax’s first stab at a notebook is not perfect, it certainly is impressive. The device is, as its name indicates, a blend of a tablet and a notebook. It comes with a 10.1 inch touchscreen which can be attached to the keyboard with a combination of magnets and ports. We would have liked a more spacious keyboard, but the responsive touchscreen, USB ports and decent performance, courtesy an Intel Atom processor and 2GB RAM more than compensate. The fact that it offers a SIM card slot for 3G connectivity means you can actually just tote the tablet around if you wish - the entire package with the keyboard weighs only about 1.1 kg anyway. Very good value for the price!

[nimishdubeywrites]

Seven Reasons to Buy a Chromebook

Chromebooks - those light notebooks - have been around for a while now, but just got very affordable, thanks to Google’s decision to go in for Rockchip processors. Today, you can get a decent Chromebook for as little as Rs 12,999, which is about as much as a mid-segment phone. And based on my experience over the past few weeks,  well, if most of your digital life revolves around surfing the Web, social networking, e-mail and writing and editing documents (and I really think those are the functions the VAST majority of us use our notebooks for these days),  I really think you should consider picking one up.  

Still not convinced? Well, consider the following:

1. Speed We are talking of serious speed. A Chromebook can start up and shut down within fifteen seconds - I actually did that. This is because Chromebooks do not run Windows or Mac OS, but on Chrome OS, an operating system that makes their interface very similar to Google’s Chrome browser. The result is staggeringly fast performance for most tasks.

2. Browsing and apps The Chrome OS on a Chromebook is based on a browsing - the result is amazingly good Web browsing with no compromises. You don’t need apps for e-mail, Facebook or Twitter or Flickr - the websites themselves will work brilliantly here. That said, there are apps for most routine tasks, ranging from word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and image and even video editing. You can even play some very basic games like Cut The Rope. it is not a multimedia powerhouse, but hey, on the Web, it rocks. Oh, and one more thing - you do NOT need to be connected to the Internet to use a Chromebook for tasks like wordprocessing, making spreadsheets or presentations. They work fine offline too. 

3. Battery life Almost eight hours on a single charge is par for the course for a Chromebook. And this is while running multiple tabs and being connected almost all the time. Handle it a bit more carefully and you could go into double figures. Not too many notebooks can boast that sort of performance.  

4. Portability and connectivity Most Chromebooks weigh between a kilo and a kilo and a half, making them super portable. And while some might quibble about the limited storage on them (about 16 GB in most cases), they come with proper USB ports, allowing you to connect them to printers, hard drives and the like. Some even come with HDMI ports. And all have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in. Before you ask, data cards work just fine with them - you do not even need to install any software (I did not with my Tata Photon). 

5. Cloud adaptability Most Chromebooks come with almost seamless connectivity to the cloud. Yes, their onboard storage is often limited, but on the flip side, all your documents and photographs can get backed up seamlessly to Google’s online storage. The result: you can even access your information from your phone or tablet if you do not want to pull out your Chromebook all the time. 

6. Guaranteed software updates I have been using a Chromebook for about five weeks now and the software has been updated four times already, improving performance. The update process itself is smooth - the software is downloaded in the background and you are notified that restarting the Chromebook will update the OS. It literally takes seconds. Wish smartphones could do this too. 

7. Price Well, this HAD to come in at the very end. A notebook that boots up and shuts down in seconds, weighs slightly more than a kilogramme, has nearly double digit battery life and does pretty much whatever you want on the Web and in terms of an office suite and basic apps for Rs 12,999? That’s a no-brainer for me, really. The only reasons I can think of NOT buying a Chromebook is if you do a lot of gaming and high-end multimedia editing and/or dabble with stacks of Windows-based apps (Adobe Photoshop Express, Outlook and the like) and are in no mood to accept Web-based alternatives.