BW Communities

A Redefined View

BW Online Bureau Nov 08, 2014

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[One often wonders if the hype around 3D is justified. I mean, apart from the movies (and it's not like all 3D movies get it right either), consumers aren't exactly biting the 3D bait. So when HTC launched the Evo 3D — their first glasses-free 3D phone — a part of me balked at the idea. How then does the Evo 3D fare, and does adding the gloss of 3D-cool to the imaging and gaming department really work? Let's find out! Specs wise, the device is packed to the gills with all the bells and whistles, including the latest Android Gingerbread OS, a massive 4.3-inch screen running an impressive 960×540 pixel resolution, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of memory. Pity that the third dimension the phone adds to its specs list shows on its waistline as well – this thing is bulky! Start it up and the Evo 3D is a darn good 2D phone – the display is sharp and the Sense user interface common to HTC phones is a pleasure to use, as always. Performance is zippy, though I do lament that the poor battery life and that you'll have to add additional storage pretty much out of the box – the Evo 3D ships with 1 GB of storage to begin with. Of course, the headline feature are the two 5-megapixel cameras around the back of this baby, which combined with the auto-stereoscopic screen, produces an image for each of your eyes and if you get the angle just right, show you glorious 3D without those nerdy glasses. Much like the Nintendo 3DS, the viewing angle to see the 3D effect ‘pop' out at you is rather slim. Also, rule of thumb while shooting, the farther away from the subject you're shooting, the better the image will turn out. Having a variety of subjects in both foreground and background helps as well. Now since the screen employs the ‘parallax barrier' method to achieve 3D, the 3D effect flickers in and out as you move your head (or the phone), which makes it at times disconcerting and downright nauseating at other times. Thankfully, there is a switch to turn 3D off, but I'd much have preferred a slider (a la the 3DS) to adjust the 3D-ness. In summary, 3D on the Evo 3D works, but is more gimmicky than something I'd use on an ongoing basis. At this price, there are many options you can consider (for far less, too!) if you're not hankering for 3D. Rating: 7/10 Price: Rs 35,990 URL: http://bit.ly/qwo90G <table style="width: 250px;" border="0" cellspacing="7" cellpadding="7" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img src="/businessworld/system/files/logitech-tablet-android-mdm.jpg" width="250" height="190" style="float: left; margin: 5px;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Logitech'sBluetooth tablet keyboard for Android</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Key To Innovation No matter which side of the tablet platform wars you agree with, you will agree that typing on tablets isn't quite natural, for many. Logitech's recently shipped out Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad and Android 3.0+ tablets, and I put them through their paces. With the keyboard case for the iPad, you get a real keyboard, with keys that feel natural to use, although it has to be said that by keeping the case to the dimensions of the iPad, the keys do feel a tad too shrunk for my taste. Once you're done typing, you can fold the iPad into it screen-down for travel. The matte aluminum finish of the case matches that of the iPad 2, and holds the iPad securely while travelling. That said, there's no protection for the iPad's back, one of the most vulnerable areas for scratching. So, as a keyboard, this device scores high, but I'd think twice about employing this as a travelling case as well. The tablet keyboard for Android follows a far more practical approach - it's comfortably sized (with well separated keys), and comes with a carrying case that doubles as a stand for your Android tablet. It's powered by 4 AAA batteries, which is good and bad – easy to replace but you'll probably have to pick up rechargeables if you plan to use this often. Rating: 8/10 Price: Rs 4,595 (for iPad), Rs 3,595 (for Android 3.0+ tablets) URL: http://bit.ly/qDSiLT technocool at kanwar dot net twitter@2shar