<div>It's difficult to stop looking at the screen on this tablet. Some call it over-saturated, some eye-popping, but either way it’s a vibrant feast of colour and contrasts that makes everything on it look gorgeous. And clear. In a moment, you forget Samsung’s usual design, somewhat tweaked. Anyway, if you buy a case for the Galaxy Tab S, as you will undoubtedly need to, it’s the case that will dominate — not that the design is bad, just unremarkable. The version I reviewed is the 10.5 inch white and it has a gold-ish metal trim all around and looks fine. On the back is the dimpled non-slippery panel that you may have seen on the Galaxy S5 smartphone. <br /><br />Samsung knows well enough that the killer feature on the Tab S is that sizzler of a screen, so it’s positioned the tablet (available in two sizes: 8.4 and 10.5) as a consumption device. The iPad’s Retina screen seems to literally pale in comparison, though, of course, the same can’t be said of its elegant build and that universe of fine apps. In fact, it’s well to keep in mind that apps optimised for Android tablets are few and far between even after all these years of Android growth. Still, the Tab S is considered one of the strongest rivals to the iPad yet. Even minus Android tablet-specific apps, there’s plenty to do on the device. <br /><br />While the Tab S may not have the design and finessed build of the iPad, it certainly has good ergonomics, specially for a landscape-oriented device of that size. I’ve never liked those wide tablets — without their keyboards — but in this case, Samsung has managed to make it so thin and light — lighter than the iPad Air — that it isn’t a strain to hold, and I quickly got comfortable with it in either direction. <br /><br />Unfortunately, there wasn’t a chance to test it out with any of its optional accessories such as the flip case-stand and keyboard case.<br /><br />It doesn’t take too long to discover that an HD movie, a video on YouTube, a nicely designed website, or visually fantastic apps like Flipboard, are a pleasure on this screen. So is reading, flipping through photographs, and also doing two things at the same time because you can split the screen and put two apps on it.<br /><br />Pity, but the sound on the tablet doesn’t match the screen. There are stereo speakers and they’re fine, but not unusual and extraordinary. <br /><br />The Tab S, apart from that wonder of a screen, has plenty of hardware and software chops. There’s an 8MP camera which has got to be useful when you’re scanning things or taking a quick pic. There’s an IR blaster to use as a remote for your TV, and a fingerprint scanner, which while it isn’t a joy to use, is an option. The battery gives you a day. Power saving and bringing down the brightness helps.<br /><br />As for software, Samsung has always laid it on thick. If you’re familiar with the S5, the company’s current flagship, all that is on this tablet in bigger form. Incidentally, you can SideSync your S5 so that it can be controlled from the tablet, including receiving calls. <br /><br />Not having an S5 handy I wasn’t able to try this, but reports are that the feature works well enough. There are also other Samsung favourites such as the My Magazine app, smart gesture controls, etc.<br /><br />Check out both sizes of the Tab S as the larger will give you more real estate to enjoy movies and pictures on, while the smaller will add portability and even mode lightness to the experience. <br /> </div><table width="600" cellspacing="6" cellpadding="6" border="2"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Asus Zenfone 5</strong></td></tr><tr><td><img width="200" height="200" align="right" src="/image/image_gallery?uuid=0614c0fe-706c-4428-8601-5d53bdde3c3e&groupId=222861&t=1408529983525" alt="" />The batch of smartphones that have been coming into the market of late make everyone wonder what right other phones have to be costing upward of Rs 40,000. Devices that cost one fourth that amount are rich in looks and features and make for quite a value proposition. Among these is the ZenFone 5, available in different colours including a striking cherry red. The back is a clean matte finish that doesn't attract fingerprints and anyway wipes easily.<br /><br />The ZenFone 5 costs Rs 9,999 for the 8GB version and Rs 12,999 for the 16GB variant. A micro SD card slot adds to data storage.<br /><br />Unlike other phones that typically have a Qualcomm or Mediatek processor, the ZenFone 5 has an Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core processor running at 1.6GHz with 2GB RAM. Benchmark tests don't peg this phone as being a powerhouse but all things considered, performance isn't bad and quite lag-free. The device doesn't heat up and wears its Android 4.3 well enough. The battery is a 2110mAh but you'll need one of those portable chargers.<br /><br />The ZenFone 5's screen is a 5-inch 720x1280 IPS display with pretty good colours and viewing angles.The primary camera is an 8MP and does a nice job of low-light shots. The camera app has a ton of features including a faster burst mode.<br />On the software front, Asus' ZenUI interface is flat and neat and has some nice features like a task and notification manager, Do it Later. <br /> </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 08-09-2014)</div>
BW Reporters
Mala Bhargava has been writing on technology well before the advent of internet in Indians and before CDs made their way into computers. Mala writes on technology, social media, startups and fitness. A trained psychologist, she claims that her understanding of psychology helps her understand the human side of technology.
