While the battle of Windows 8 hybrids continues, Sony is taking its stand with its next generation of Hybrid Ultrabook PC- VAIO Duo 11. The ultrabook that turns into a touchscreen tablet with a slide, comes with a 128 GB solid-state drive (SSD), 4GB RAM and a third-generation Intel Core processor. With a 11.6 inch Full HD touch panel, the surf slider enables the user to switch the tablet into ultrabook mode just by sliding out the keyboard. The HD OptiContrast Panel and an array of connectivity options differentiates it from other Duos of same nature. Out of all the ports such as USB 3.0, HDMI, Ethernet and VGA video ports, USB Sleep Charge port capacitates the user to charge any connected phone even when the device is in sleep mode or shut down. "Sony is known to come out with elegant, sleek and portable products and Sony VAIO Duo 11 to follows the same philosophy." Says Shoji Ohama, product manager VAIO, Sony India. Quick Boot with RapidWake + Eco feature enables the user to get started within 2 seconds. Optional Sheet-type battery extends the battery life of the device. It comes with Digital noise cancelling feature supported with xLoud and ClearPhase enhances the quality of sound output of the device. Optional accessories include a screen protection cover and carrying case. VAIO™ Duo 11 hybrid Ultrabook PC will be available in India across Sony Centers, VAIO flagship stores and other major electronic and IT stores in the end of December' 2012, priced at Rs 89,990/-. Sony India is one of the most recognized consumer electronics brand in the country that comprises of over 10,400 dealers and distributors, 270 exclusive Sony outlets and 23 direct branch locations. Sony India also has a strong service presence across the country with 255 service outlets.
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The new iPad, the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the Nokia Pureview 808, the iPhone 5, a dizzying array of Smart TVs and ultrabooks, not to forget the retina MacBook Pros — if you thought the year so far has been a bumper year for gadgetistas, you ain't seen nothing yet! There's just so much good stuff expected in the coming months that it's time we all start saving up! Here's my pick of the hottest stuff due to hit Indian shores soon. Lumia 920: It's been a long time coming, but with the worldwide launch of Windows Phone 8, the prospect of seeing this gorgeous device is now fast becoming a reality. From its high-quality construction to its dazzling glove-friendly display and innovative camera and wireless charging base, the 920 has checked off the buzz words to make it the most anticipated gadget this season. Moreover, Nokia helps fill in Windows Phone OS gaps with a few missing features; making it arguably the most feature-packed Windows Phone yet. That said, this device has the dual burden of revitalising Nokia and serving as a flagship Windows Phone 8, but if the early hands-on I've had is any indication, Nokia's got a winner on their hands. Just price it right, Nokia? Nintendo WiiU: The Wii U does much more than take Nintendo's much loved gaming console into the HD age. Its triple-core CPU and graphics processing lands it square in between the current generation consoles and next year's next gen-consoles, but as is classic Nintendo, the focus really is on gameplay and sheer enjoyment. Out of the box, it may not look any different than the existing Wii, even down to the same Wii-style sensor bar that made possible all those hours of motion-based game play. The headline, of course, is the Wii U's tablet-like GamePad, which packs in a 854-by-480-pixel, 6.2-inch touchscreen and physical d-pad, face buttons and left/right thumb-sticks, not to mention motion control sensors, haptic feedback, dual speakers, a microphone, an infrared sensor, near-field communication support, a front-facing camera and a rechargeable battery! In short, this thing is loaded, and is expected to deliver whole new gameplay experiences. Even so, I truly believe the Wii U's real killer app will be Miiverse, the game console's social network. Apple iPad mini: An oversized iPhone or an undersized iPad? Even before we can truly answer this question, the new iPad mini is flying off the shelves faster than Apple can make them! I mean, you already know how to use an iPad, and this one is just a tad smaller. Smaller doesn't necessarily mean less capable though, in fact, I fully anticipate the smaller size may well increase the utility for many people - it's way more portable than the current generation iPad and slips in easily into a moderate sized jacket pocket. Now, much has been written about the lack of a Retina display on the mini, but in the short time I had with the mini, it's not something you notice at most times, and even when you do, the difference doesn't really hinder the experience that much. Expect an early December release. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: Kindle e-readers have had a strong fan following for as long as the device has been around, but the Paperwhite is the first Kindle to solve two of e-ink's biggest problems - poor contrast and lack of backlit displays - while still maintaining the e-reader's biggest strengths - readability and an insanely great battery life at an unbeatable price! Can't wait to get my hands on one of these! Microsoft Surface: Windows 8 will be upon us, yet I personally am waiting with bated breath for one particular Windows 8 hardware - Microsoft's own Surface tablet. Sporting a 10-inch Gorilla Glass clad display and a full version of the Windows 8 operating system, Surface will come in two variants — an Intel-powered Surface Pro and the Surface RT, which is powered with an ARM chip that runs Windows RT, a version of Windows 8. Having seen Windows 8 on a tablet, I can say this much — if Microsoft manages enough Windows 8 apps on its Store by the time Surface lands, this is one tablet that can take the fight to the iPad. LG Nexus 4: After HTC and Samsung's Nexus devices, it's LG's turn to produce a device that will be bestowed the hallowed Google Nexus name and run a pure Android experience. It packs in a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, capacious 2 gigabytes of memory, NFC and wireless charging out of the box, and will be the first handset to sport Google's upcoming Android 4.2 version. Think about it — the Nexus series has come a long way, from its humble beginnings as a developer device to test applications on pure Android, to one so packed with features and priced attractively enough for it to be a viable contender to Samsung. Bring it to India soon, LG? Microsoft Surface Phone: And from the really-likely-but-yet-to-see-the-light-of-day department come a strong rumor — a Microsoft "Surface" branded Windows Phone 8 phone, which is meant to show OEMs the vision of Windows Phone 8 in much the same way as the Surface tablet did, and hopefully, goad them into better products as a result. technocool at kanwar dot nettwitter@2shar
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Thirty-six-year-old Vivek Malhotra, a senior executive in a leading MNC, enjoys a steam bath and shower at the end of a long and tiring day. The steam helps relieve muscle stiffness and hydrates and tones his skin. On most days he follows it up with a hot shower, while on others he indulges himself by soaking in the Jacuzzi where multiple water jets help massage his body and relax the muscles. Malhotra doesn’t stop over at the nearest spa on his way home to pamper himself; instead, he heads straight to the bathroom — his very own private paradise. Malhotra isn’t the only one replicating spa-like facilities at home. Akhil Sharma, an IT consultant in Gurgaon, recently got a Jacuzzi fitted in his bathroom. “When we were doing up our house, I decided to install a Jacuzzi. It is one of the best ways to unwind after a tiring day,” says 29-year-old Sharma. “A Jacuzzi helps improve the blood circulation, relaxes the muscles and leads to detoxification,” says Kannan Nettath, the gym and spa manager and consultant at Taj Land’s End in Mumbai. He recommends using a Jacuzzi daily for 8-15 minutes as it reduces stress and helps you sleep better.On the other hand, if you suffer from respiratory problems such as bronchitis, sinutisis or a common cold, spending 8-10 minutes in a steam cubicle may help you breathe more peacefully.Staying in the warm, humid mist opens up nasal passages — much like a vaporiser. What’s more, it’s great for your skin — a relaxing way to get rid of acne and blemishes. The high temperature of almost 45 degrees Celsius results in a lot of sweating that opens the pores of your skin and gets rid of grime, chemicals and dead follicles. MAKING A SPLASH: A chromo shower (right) can be calming; (below) a sauna can fit into your bathroom (Courtesy: Duravit and Tribhuwan Sharma)A sauna too has similar benefits. “A sauna works on the principle of generating abundant sweat to detoxify the body and relax the mind. It improves circulation and actually leads to more positive thoughts,” says Nettath. In cold weather, especially during winters in Delhi, spending 5-10 minutes in a sauna can result in increased blood flow and glowing skin. Regular sauna sessions are also supposed to improve your body’s immunity. Since the temperature in a sauna is maintained at 75-80 degrees Celsius, it leads to high body temperature creating an artificial fever state. This stimulates the body’s natural healing process, producing more white blood cells and antibodies. “A sauna increases the heart rate, improves blood circulation and is effective in relieving stress. It is extremely beneficial for post-workout recovery,” says a spokesperson for the Jiva spas at the Taj Group of hotels. Little wonder that more people are now looking at having a sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi in their bathrooms. Going to a spa daily may not be easy, but having a soak at home after a long day at work sounds perfect. “Consumers are looking at private wellness in a big way. Nearly 75 per cent of sales in this category come from individuals and not institutions,” says V. Krishnamurthy, vice-president of HSIL, a leading name in bathroom products. Under its sub-brand Queo, HSIL has the chromo shower for around Rs 3 lakh. Standing under the shower, which dispenses almost 40 litres of water per minute, is like getting drenched in the rain. “It’s a combination of air and water so that when the water hits the body it falls softly like rain,” explains Krishnamurthy. Plus, the lights attached to the shower head change colour from green to blue to red to yellow to orange. As per Ayurveda, these colours are related to the seven chakras of the body — orange is supposed to be calming and relaxing while green affects emotions such as love and compassion. If it’s the sauna that has taken your fancy, check out the ‘Inipi’ range of saunas from German company Duravit. These are free-standing units that can be accommodated in your bathroom. These are available for a single person as well as for a couple. The single one has a footprint of 120x120 cm and is meant for smaller city bathrooms. These are easy to assemble and disassemble and do not need a separate water line. The larger one is 240x120 cm and can accommodate two people wanting to enjoy a sauna lying down. The ‘Inipi’ range starts at Rs 15 lakh. For Jacuzzis and massage tubs, check out the range from Oyster Bath. It’s Discovery range of whirlpools come not only with massage jets, whirlpool jets, bubble jets and online heater but also surround sound speakers with relaxing music which not only help you relax but also mask the external sounds. Price: over Rs 2.7 lakh. If you are willing to splurge, your bathroom can turn into your very own wellness and indulgence zone. Go soak.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 17-12-2012)
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It’s 6 pm and you’re still working on a particularly tricky presentation. Your stomach grumbles. The wholewheat, non-mayo, low-calorie sandwich you had for lunch seems a distant memory, almost from another lifetime. You find yourself reaching for that packet of crisps or biscuits along with a cup of coffee. Sounds familiar? What’s even more familiar is your surprise at the end of the month when the needle on the weighing scale swings sharply to the right. You have been eating a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner and yet you have piled on the pounds. “A healthy diet is not only about the main meals, but all the little ones we have in between. It’s all about what you munch on in office or while watching television,” says Karuna Chaturvedi, chief dietician at Apollo Hospital. There is no disputing the fact that the healthiest things are natural. “Eat fruits such as guava, strawberries, apples, oranges and papaya, or a green salad for those mid-meal hunger pangs,” recommends Chaturvedi. However, there is no denying that most of us prefer to keep a packet of comfort food in our office drawer. And somehow a bowl of wafers works better than an apple while watching a movie on television.It’s better to eat a regular cookie once in a while than one that is sugar-free.The market is full of products that claim to be healthy, even suitable for those on a diet. But what should you look out for when picking up a snack from the rows of products available? First, sodium content should be as close to zero as possible. “Research says we should not consume more than 5 grams of salt a day. A packet of crisps contains more than that,” says Shikha Sharma, a leading nutritionist and wellness specialist. Second, sugar should be as low as possible. Third, trans fats should be zero. “They are very harmful and block your arteries.” Fourth, fibre should be high — at least 5-10 per cent per serving. Even if this requires you to do some mental math, do calculate the fibre content. And lastly, it’s the energy value or calorie content. The lower it is, the healthier is the food. Generally 20-22 calories per serving size is okay. For instance, if something has 400 kcal per 100 grams and has 20 portions, then each serving has only 20 calories, which is fine. “In most natural products, the calorie content is very low except in the case of nuts which, though high in energy value, are still healthy,” says Sharma. She says the exception to the rule is diet cola, which though low in calories is unhealthy because of the added chemicals. If a box of snacks, say tortilla puffs, weighs 100-150 grams, it should have 1-2 grams of salt, less than 5 grams of sugar, no trans fats, 5-10 per cent fibre and 375-400 kcal. This will be a healthy snack if you don’t have the whole packet. “Moderation is essential,” says Sharma. Baked snacks that meet the above criteria are a good option. As are roasted chana with skin, seeds such as those of sunflower and flax, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Sharma also recommends muesli, but warns that it’s meant only for people who exercise; else the rich food would lead to weight gain. Walk into a grocery store and you are often tempted by goodies such as chocolates, cookies, cake mixes and gulab jamuns, all claiming to be sugar-free and hence healthy. Sharma disputes these claims. “Sugar-free means they have used some other sweetener which actually makes them unhealthy.” It’s better to binge on a regular chocolate or cookie once in a while rather than eat the sugar-free ones. If you wish to have a chilled drink, try plain or flavoured soya milk. It’s high in protein and helps lower cholesterol. “Often it contains cane sugar which isn’t that healthy. So try finding one without it.” Green tea should be the hot beverage of choice. It has antioxidants that help in maintaining good health. With more people now becoming conscious of what they eat, stores such as Godrej Nature’s Basket have set up a whole section on health foods. “While people don’t openly ask for health food, they pick it up when they see it,” says Mohit Khattar, its managing director. He adds that while big brands haven’t launched many options, there’s a whole range of healthy snacks available from smaller entrepreneurs. So the next time you are at a grocery store and reach for the nearest packet of a tempting snack, do read the nutritional information on the packet. And, if still in doubt, pick up some fresh fruit or vegetables instead. smita(dot)tripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 17-12-2012)
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Touch being the trend for this generation, Logitech has been working on the touch technology platform for the past three years and has added a new dimension to the already tactile mouse — horizontal navigation.Keeping this touch platform in mind, Logitech, the market leader in computer peripherals, has launched a lineup of products designed for easy and intuitive navigation of Windows 8.Subrotah Biswas, Country Manager, Logitech India and South West Asia, said: "We have realised that the consumer preference is shifting towards the touch and as leaders of peripherals it's our responsibility to ensure there is smooth transition. We are offering a mouse with horizontal navigation".The products include Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650, Touch Mouse T620, Zone Touch Mouse T400, Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 and Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400R will be available in the end of November with three years replacement warranty."Logitech believes in providing improved consumer experience aimed towards assisting efficiency and helping consumers to enjoy being absorbed in the digital world. Our new family of products takes the traditional way you use the mouse and equips it for the navigation experience offered by Windows 8. While our new mice and touchpad replicate the touch-screen experience that you’ve grown accustomed to on smartphones and tablets, our newest keyboards are designed to make your Windows 8 experience comfortable and effortless.”According to Biswas , products should be placed where consumer can touch and feel the products. We are going to look at the retail stores which have that kind of capability. The product will be available in all the retail stores for the demonstration so people can actually feel the product and take the decision. Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650- available in market priced at Rs 4,995Logitech Touch Mouse T620- available in market priced at Rs 4,295Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400- available in market priced at Rs 2,895Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810- available in the market priced at Rs 8,295Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400R- available in market priced at Rs 2,995
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Full-frame SLRs are often viewed by photo enthusiasts as the holy grail of photography, thanks to large sensors that match the size of traditional 35mm film and make budget SLR sensors look practically tiny in comparison! Armed with pro-grade reliability and downright knock-your-socks-off-level image quality, most of us end up just dreaming about buying one of these, thanks to their prohibitive pricing. Well, dreams have just gotten a little more real with the arrival of the D600, Nikon's first stab at a "budget" full-frame digital SLR. The big question is — is there too much of a compromise made? In design, the D600 is a interesting mix of pro and enthusiast cameras — the use of magnesium alloy and polycarbonate panels and an overall smaller chassis makes it incredibly light as a full-frame camera, yet it doesn't make you doubt the quality of construction. If you carry your camera around for hours shooting birds or wildlife, your shoulders will thank you for the massive drop in weight! Dive inside, and the D600 checks off some essentials — a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, with 5.5 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting capabilities and a 39-point autofocus system — the latter being a step down from the 51-point AF system offered on the serious high-end Nikon pro cameras, one that trips up the D600 only when you're focusing in truly poor light conditions or in fast-paced sports shooting. Folks upgrading from current Nikon cameras will love the DX mode that lets you use non full-frame Nikon lenses with the D600 as well, albeit with a drop in resolution. Now, I've been shooting with the D600 over a variety of shooting conditions, and no matter what you throw at it, the results are high on detail and noise levels are low all the way up to ISO sensitivity levels of ISO 6400. Choose to shoot in the uncompressed RAW mode, and you'll be rewarded with greater control and results worth taking to the bank. Apart from the AF system and the minor button compromises that the streamlined design necessitates, there's little to fault with the D600. You have to be a serious photographer to spend this much on any camera, but suddenly with the D600, there's a middle ground for people like you whose budgets can't stretch all the way into pro-level prices. Rating: 9/10Price: Rs 1,35,950 (Body only)URL: http://bit.ly/TLNmQt Powered By The SunAs good as the iPad's on-screen keyboard is, a lot of folks find that using a proper keyboard makes typing long emails and documents on the iPad a lot less cumbersome… and almost enjoyable! Logitech's Solar Keyboard Folio goes one further, by combining a solar-powered Bluetooth keyboard with a case. You slip the iPad (2nd, 3rd or 4th generation) into the holder and it folds flat against the keys when not in use - I'd advise against putting too much pressure on the back so that the keys stay away from the screen. Seems like a bit of a design flaw, as does the lack of a lock to close the case, due to which the Folio has a tendency to open up when inside a bag. If you like the Folio to a dinner jacket - meant to look smart, not meant to be rough-and-tumbled - you'll be okay using it. The keyboard by itself is excellent, with keys providing a satisfying amount of travel. Add to it the solar charging capabilities, and you'll never have to carry extra cables or chargers. But like most things solar, the price is a major downer, and I suspect most of us would just settle for a slightly sturdier keyboard case. Rating: 7/10Price: Rs 8,999URL: http://bit.ly/W9FB6V In The Firing LineThere are moments of brilliance in Medal of Honor Warfighter, Electronic Arts' response to the much loved Call of Duty series, such as a mid-game stealth/driving mission and a good multiplayer setup, but what troubles you about the game is that it has no identity of its own - if you've played a military style first person shooter in the past couple of years, you've already done everything you'll hope to do in this game. A number of clichéd characters and war situations do not make for a satisfying whole - only recommended for the undiscerning war-game junkie who needs to play it all. URL: http://bit.ly/U20ByFPrice: Rs 2,999technocool at kanwar dot nettwitter@2shar
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The Japan-based electronics major Panasonic has gone rugged and launched the toughpad FZ-A1 tablet, and a convertible Windows 8 Pro Ultrabook CF-AX2 in India. Both are part of the Toughbook series that includes Toughbook C1, U1, D1 etc. Panasonic ultrabook CF-AX2 is an Android device that comes with an 11.6-inch LCD HD screen and a resolution of 1366 x 768-pixels. With a flip over design of the screen made of magnesium alloy, the ultrabook serves as a perfect tablet that supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth and possesses two USB ports, one HDMI port, SD card slot and optional smart card slot. It rotational design makes it ideal for mobile sales workforce, merchandisers and executives. The product will be available in stores from February' 2013, priced at Rs 1.3 lakh. Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A1 is also an Android-powered tablet, designed with enterprise-class security, long product life, and advanced device management in mind. With a 10.1-inch TFT display and 1024x768-pixel resolution, it mainly caters the healthcare sector, pharma, construction companies, aviation and military sectors with its rugged functioning and high security features. It is already available in the Indian markets priced at Rs. 75,000. "With a wide product portfolio, the year-on-year average growth rate for Panasonic's system sales division has been 40 per cent. We are expecting this growth to cross 100 per cent by this fiscal end and close with a turnover of Rs. 655 crore. Our Toughbook division contributes increasingly to the SSD revenue and has some phenomenal products in their portfolio for the Indian market," says Toru Hasegawa, MD- system sales division, Panasonic India "India is a huge potential market for us and we hope that our solutions will contribute immensely to the critical applications related to development in such emerging nations", says Hide Harada, Director of IT products business unit, Panasonic corporation. Panasonic makes available in India its wide range of consumer electronics and home appliances like LCD & Plasma TVs, DVD players, home theatre systems, cameras, camcorders, car audio systems, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, automatic cookers, vacuum cleaners and the like.
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As you read this, many of you are starting to have your first brush with Windows 8, Microsoft’s big bet on a unified PC and tablet experience. I’ve had some quality time playing around with the final release of Windows 8, albeit on Windows 7 hardware. The tablet I used did double duty as a PC with the addition of a keyboard and mouse, giving me the chance to take Windows 8 out for a spin in both its avatars — touch-only and as a traditional PC. Here’s what I came away with… It’s clear from the get go that Microsoft designed Windows 8 as a “touch-first environment”. Put simply, what that translates into is that to fully understand and appreciate the new user interface, you need to use it on a multi-touch device. Once you do, it starts to make sense. The picture password login options, the large touch-friendly live tiles on the bright bold Start screen, the various gestures that bring up the multitasking Switcher view, the Charms bar and the slide-up apps menus — all invite interaction via touch and there’s a lot to like once you get used to the nuances of this new touch platform. Of course, this isn’t much use to you if you’re on upgrading to Windows 8 on a traditional desktop or non-touch notebook, even if it meets the modest (and quite similar to Windows 7’s) hardware requirements. I put the device in front of tech savvy family members and gave them the keyboard and mouse to go about doing their everyday tasks. I found them constantly bypassing the Start screen to get to the Desktop, and once there, frequently looking for the Start button, which no longer exists. Here’s the thing - muscle memory will probably be your worst enemy on a Windows 8 desktop. Sure, there are keyboard shortcuts and mouse movements to achieve what you need to, but without a touchscreen, the Modern UI just feels like a cumbersome extra layer. This “two-headed beast”, as some refer to it, may prove to be quite the challenge for upgraders and many Windows old-timers. Of course, I fully expect that in the coming weeks, you will see a lot of hardware and a whole host of apps that can truly help make sense of and give context to the new user interface, and showcase Windows 8 as a productive, usable environment albeit the massively disruptive nature of its interface. Either that or Microsoft will see an outlash far worse than what happened with Vista. For the sake of innovation and the entire PC industry, I hope it’s the former. All Ears For MusicWhile fitness gadgets are literally crawling out of the woodwork these days, there’s a surprising lack of quality sports earphones, the kind that you can use in the gym or on your jogs without worrying about killing them with sweat and moisture. Bose’s SIE2i (and the SIE2, which skips the iPhone controls and is a shade less expensive) make a bright, loud splash into this segment, with bright orange or neon green color choices that’ll be quite at home in the gym but a tad loud anywhere else. Unlike a lot of in-ear earphones, Bose’s SIE2 series project sound not only into the ear canal, but also outwards, which gives the music a nice feeling of extra spatial depth. And this makes these earphones comfortable to wear for extended durations, even when it’s hot outside. On the flip side, since they don’t quite block the ear canal, you don’t get the benefit of blocking out outside noise. A choice of three sizes of ear tips, an intentionally short cable (to avoid bouncing around) and a Reebok-designed arm band for an iPod touch or an iPhone 4/4S that leaves the device protected from moisture but completely functional — round out some smart design choices.In use, the hydrophobic cloth covering the acoustic ports keeps the buds resistant to moisture, without impeding the sound quality. There’s a healthy amount of bass response, and the audio does not distort, even at high volumes. Vocals sound great as well, but the treatment of treble might leave western classical fans a tad disappointed. That’s if you listen to classical music in the gym in the first place. All in all, a pricey yet appealing set for the fitness oriented.Rating: 8/10Price: SIE2i: Rs 8,325, SIE2: Rs 6,638URL: http://bit.ly/Ptc0rLtechnocool at kanwar dot nettwitter@2shar
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