Windows and me go back a long way. We’ve been friends, enemies, and everything in between as we’ve navigated along the journey of the growth of technology together. We’ve worked hard, goofed around when the boss wasn’t looking, and we’ve torn our hair in frustration with each other — though that was mostly me, as I recall. As this ubiquitous operating system went from version to version, bringing new features and capabilities, it essentially remained the same at heart, sticking to its philosophy and its guns. And then one day, it became unrecognisable. Gone was the old familiar look and we moved from an age of banging on the Enter key and double-clicking a tortured mouse to butter-smooth swipes, taps, flicks and flips. What the guys at Microsoft love to call “fast and fluid” any time they get a chance. But today, an even bigger change is in the philosophy of Windows, which has gone from being an OS to a people-centric ecosystem. It has to if it wants to take a sizeable bite out of the mobile market. Earlier, you, the user, had to adjust to Windows, with all its complexities, blue screens of death, clashes and crashes, and clunkiness. Looking back, dealing with all this was also a great way to learn about technology at a time when it was just beginning to be part of our everyday lives. With Windows 8, it’s the operating system that’s trying to adjust to you. It’s not there yet, but this is only the first iteration of a new generation of Windows. So much of this change in orientation is evident in the catchy ads created by some genius of an agency for various countries. These speak the language of foot-tapping music and are filled with energy, vibrancy, youth and wholesome outdoor fun, no matter what you happen to be doing. A number of subliminal messages targets your emotions, aspirations and sensibilities. In these ads, life with Windows 8 is one big party-and sometimes you work. But that’s fun too. Hence the message: “I wanna be everything at once”, which applies to the user wanting the maximum out of life and Windows wanting to be part of it all. There are many questions on the several confusing aspects of the Windows 8 family. Why are there two variants of Windows, with one of them being scaled down, for example? Microsoft’s Surface tablet runs this more “limited” version or Windows RT. Laptops will run the regular Windows 8 and Pro. Users are quite likely to wonder what they will get with each variant and what will they miss out. Another common question is whether Windows 8 needs special devices to run. Actually it runs on older devices as well, but it’s on a touch device that it comes into its own. Questions don’t end there. Some apps work on the full Windows 8 and not on RT — this too isn’t particularly clear to potential users. From what devices are they buyable and do they need to be purchased separately for different devices? And why are there two apparent layers to the OS, the desktop mode and the modern and touch-friendly tile mode once known as Metro? There even seem to be two versions of Internet Explorer. Microsoft is really trying not to alienate users who are completely accustomed to doing things in a certain way, but it also should do all it can to dispel confusion and keep up the momentum of the interest it has generated in Windows 8. All the older, more familiar parts of Windows are still there, including the command prompt, but the touch friendly interface is what sits on top and needs a little exploring and familiarisation. There are videos to help but, of course, users need to take the trouble to see them. Right after it finished with the main Windows launch, Microsoft went on to launch the Windows Phone 8 system. Those who have been using the Lumia phones will find greater personalisation with enhancements to the new Windows for phones. The lock screen, for example, can turn into a picture frame showing Facebook photos and statuses. Or the user can use information from other apps to come up on the screen. A user can also create “Rooms”, which are designated shareable contextual collections of things. The interface is also more customisable and should become more interesting as third party apps increase. Skype is integrated through the whole system and is always on without taking up resources. The Windows Phone 8 system is, of course, meant to integrate seamlessly with whatever laptop, hybrid or tablet you use, but how well and how easily this happens will only be known when users begin to take it up and get right into the system. Typically, it will happen more readily when users get new devices. mala(at)pobox.com, (at)malabhargava on Twitter (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 12-11-2012)
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Many photo effect apps will let you place text on a picture. But none will do it as beautifully as TypeDrawing. In fact, you can make a whole work of art of text on an image. This $1.99 app for iOS is wonderful, not just for what it does, but how it does it: every setting and feature you’re likely to need has been put in, including the ability to save high resolution images of up to 5MB or even more. TypeDrawing gives you either a blank page (which you can set a background colour to) or lets you import a photo from your camera roll. Once you’ve got it placed on the page or have fitted it to the whole page, it’s time to get to the enjoyable part — the text. A whole set of tools is at your disposal. You type in the text in a dialog box and fix your settings, of which there are an unbelievable number — without making the app in the least complex. To get the text on the page, all you do is swipe your finger on the page where you want it. You can set font, size, direction, free flowing text, colours, rotation, outlines, shadows, and opacity. This app can do much more. Here are some of the more unusual things this app can do:Take text in any direction or curve including backwards, in which case it turns upside downCreate text with random size letters and coloursTake a setting that lets you increase or decrease size depending on speed of finger-slideUse an eye-dropper to set text colour to match the colours of your image.These aren’t capabilities you’d easily find in a little app and that too with the final result being printable. If you’re good at creating backgrounds in other apps, you can really create beautiful text art. The images save in a gallery and you can duplicate them, clear the photo and bring in another without disturbing the text, or just clear and start all over again. A Feast Of Five LayersAs the name doesn’t, in fact, suggest, Layover is an app that lets you play with image layers. It isn’t meant for pros at designing, who will have other high-end tools at their disposal and will be handling full-size files, but for casual photo effect enthusiasts. Worth $0.99 on the App Store, Layover is one of many apps that blend and superimpose photographs — it’s just that each has a slightly different way of going about it. Layover is not exactly intuitive and may need a little exploring before one figures out what to do. And then, creativity must take over because this isn’t an app that does stuff for you. You have five possible images or layers to play with. Get them from the camera roll on your iPad or iPhone or shoot them on the spot. You can choose to work with fewer layers, of course — even a single layer with an adjustable colour background. You can also choose to resize and focus on parts of an image. Once you select an image, a row of blend possibilities will come up at the bottom of the screen and you must use the slider to see the effect of each on your layer mix. To blend the images better, you can use the masking tool to erase and paint in between layers. The only other tool you have aside from the blend and mask features is a crop tool. It takes an eye for design and imagery to get results out of this app, but if you have that, the look can be stunningly artistic. Almost anything can be made to look infinitely more interesting.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 12-11-2012)
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One can’t help wonder why companies compromise on one thing to give you another. Logitech’s Solar Keyboard Folio for the iPad gives you a better typing experience than its cousin, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. But it doesn’t look as good — and it doesn’t seem tough enough to last long. The Solar Folio, which pairs automatically with the iPad, uses sunlight to charge. But you don’t have to hang it out with the clothes. Charge it for six hours using daylight every four to six months and it’s good to go. How we wish other gadgets did something similar. However, I couldn’t test that as it has nothing to show how much it’s charged. For some reason, the solar panels are placed at the bottom of the case; it would have been better if they were exposed, as this would allow it to charge when you type in a well-lit place. But oh well. The Solar Folio is made of a soft, plastic-rubber kind of material, perfect for travelling. The keys are well spaced for a smaller-than-normal keyboard which is something very rare. You have a choice of two angles on this keyboard: a regular typing one, and when the top slips across the keyboard but settles in just before the first row of keys. This isn’t an all-situations keyboard. You might have to buy another case for using the iPad to read, draw, play games and take pictures or if you use it heavily for typing. That’s quite a problem as the Solar Folio costs a staggering Rs 8,990. You could buy a whole low-cost tablet for that amount. Smooth-Backed BeautyLet’s talk design. Because that may be the best thing about the Sony Xperia Ion. You’ll first notice this handset’s back — gorgeous, much like some smooth-skinned model wearing a practically backless dress. It’s curved and silky to the touch and rounds nicely at the edges. Not the model, the phone. The back is a brushed aluminum satin red. A subtle, soft rubber section opens to let in the micro Sim and memory card. On the curved edges of the phone are the finessed buttons — including a camera-dedicated button and a pull-out flap that takes the cables. Now flip over the phone and you see a contrasting front — all clean-cut sharp lines and glossy glass (and yes, that part loves fingerprints) in an interesting mix. It is a good looking, slim phone with just the right amount of heaviness. I found the 4.55-inch screen display too white and the colours not vivid enough. Text is clear, but not as pleasing as it is on, say, the HTC One X or S. Resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels and it has got Sony’s Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, which is what is supposed to enhance the display. The Ion was shipped with Android 2.3 when it was launched but now has 4.0.4. The camera is a 12MP one with LED flash, 16x digital zoom and autofocus but no stabilisation. The camera does 1080p HD video recording. The face-facing one is 1.3MP. The soft keys for navigation are annoying; they are awkwardly placed, don’t light up helpfully and are on top where you’d think to press. The Ion runs on a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Dual Core processor with 1GB RAM, and 16GB of onboard storage. Running some tests on it, I found it doesn’t perform badly, but not that brilliantly too for Rs 36,999; at that price you can get get a Galaxy S3 or HTC One X. The Ion, however, isn’t in the same league, with less powerful specs all around. A Sleek SpectreAh, the glint of metal. It can win me over any time just as much as delicate floaty lace can. When you take the HP Envy SpectreXT out of its packaging, you can’t help stopping for a moment to admire its looks. It’s all brushed and textured metal with rounded corners and skirting that sparkle just enough to tantalise. Unlike the first HP Spectre, which was all gloss and glass, this 13.5-inch Ultrabook is metal with a sensuality. It has one of the best keyboards I’ve used recently. It is backlit. The touchpad, which you can turn off, is good and depresses with a good click, leaving you in no doubt that you pressed it, unlike others on some laptops where there isn’t enough feedback. There are HDMI, Ethernet, and USB ports in the usual places. What doesn’t feel so good is the framing around the 13.3-inch screen. It feels plasticky and ill-fitted. The screen is bright, and has good colours. The SpectreXT boasts of Beats audio and the sound is loud though a little treble-ish. It runs on a dual-core 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U processor, with 4GB of memory, 128GB of storage and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. Battery life is about seven hours. For Rs 64,990 and so premium a look and nothing particularly wrong with it, it’s good value for money.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 12-11-2012)
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HTC isn’t sitting quietly on the sidelines at a time when many new phones and tablets are exploding into the mobile devices market. At a media event at the Ion Sky in Singapore, the Taiwanese handset manufacturer has just launched a beautifully designed set of phones on both Windows and Android platforms. There’s also a special phone for India. To begin with, HTC now has a flagship Windows 8 phone — the HTC 8X. This handset isn’t just one of the first to be based on Microsoft’s Windows 8 OS, but is very carefully designed as well. It’s slim — and looks slimmer than it is — it’s light, and comes in gorgeous colours to match the Windows 8 themes. All these colours won’t be immediately available in India, unfortunately, but the black and blue versions will be. The 8X has a beautiful 4.3 inch LCD-2 screen of 1280 x 720 pixels resolution. There’s an 8 megapixel camera and the phone runs on a 1.5GHz Qualcomm with 16GB of internal memory, 1GB RAM, and a 1,800 mAh battery. The 8X will cost Rs 35,023 in India. Another, more affordable Windows phone is the HTC 8S which has a 4-inch 800x480 pixel screen. Other specs are lower than the 8X such as a 5 megapixel camera, The 8S will cost Rs 19,260. Another addition to the lineup, this time on Android, is an amped version of the HTC One X. Called the One X + and to be available at Rs 40,190, the handset adds a faster processor and newer version of Android (Jelly Bean) to its popular predecessor. It runs on a 1.7Ghz Tegra 3 quad core processor and 1GB of RAM. The much admired S-LCD 2 screen of the One X+ is 4.7-inches. Internal memory is 64GB with additional memory expandable through a micro SD card. A phone specially meant for India — one of HTC’s most important markets — and which packs the features the company assesses to be the most desired by Indian customers, the HTC Desire SV comes in a a very attractive orange colour. It has GSM-GSM dual sim capability, loud music, and a 4.3 inch WVGA screen. Other specs include a 1GHz processor, 768MB of RAM 1 GB internal storage and a 5 megapixel camera. This youthful phone has a whole lot of personality and runs on Android’s Ice Cream Sandwich, upgradeable to Jelly Bean in the near future. Despite poor Q3 results, HTC is optimistic about the strength of its smartphones and their sales and rounded off its event with a sizzling fashion show, emphasising a message of different personalities, all of them very much in vogue.
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Three out of every four smartphones sold in the third quarter featured Google Inc's Android mobile operating system, as the gap between Google and Apple Inc-based phones widened further, according to a new research report.Shipments of Android-based smartphones made by Samsung, HTC and other vendors nearly doubled in the third quarter, reaching 136 million units, according to industry research firm IDC. The strong sales boosted Android's share of the worldwide smartphone market to 75 percent, from 57.5 percent in the year-ago period.Apple's share of the market increased to 14.9 per cent during the third quarter, from 13.8 per cent a year earlier. Apple's iPhone uses the company's iOS mobile software.While Android pulled further ahead of Apple's iOS, its gains have come mainly at the expense of rival operating systems Blackberry and Symbian, with shipments of phones running those systems declining significantly.IDC analyst Kevin Restivo cited Android's close "tie-ins" to Google's broad array of online services, which include online search and maps, as an important asset that has helped Android grow."Google has a thriving, multi-faceted product portfolio. Many of its competitors, with weaker tie-ins to the mobile OS, do not," Restivo said in the IDC report, which was released on Thursday.Google offers its Android operating system free to phone manufacturers, and primarily makes money from online advertising when consumers access its services on the devices.Research in Motion's Blackberry operating system had 7.7 per cent share in the third quarter, compared with 9.5 per cent a year earlier.Symbian, which had 14.6 per cent share a year ago, had a 4.1 per cent share in the third quarter. Smartphone maker Nokia still offers the Symbian software in some of its phones, but the company has largely shifted to Microsoft Corp's software.Mobile versions of Microsoft's software accounted for 3.6 per cent of the smartphone market in the third quarter. But IDC said that the recent launch of the new Microsoft Phone 8 operating system could improve its position in the fast-growing market.(Reuters)
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Belkin India, a leading provider of inter-connectivity solutions across computing and consumer electronic devices, unveiled a range of accessories designed for the new iPhone 5. The innovative collection includes trend-inspired cases, armbands and screen protectors. The range of accessories start at an incredibly affordable price of Rs 349 and will be available across all leading technology stores from November in conjunction with the launch of iPhone 5 in India.Belkin’s stylish cases for iPhone 5 include multiple series of distinct products that cater to various moods and preferences of consumers. Belkin has launched Grip Series, Micra Series, Shield Series, Leather Series and Armband Series.Mohit Anand, MD, Belkin India sub-continent said, “We are the first brand to introduce accessories for the iPhone 5. Belkin’s wide range of accessories has been designed keeping in mind the product and the consumer requirements. We constantly innovate to fill that space with our People Inspired Products.”The accessories are designed to add convenience and safety to the iPhone 5. Ranging from being fun and sleek to bright and sporty, the collection offers a wide choice to consumers in India. The Belkin accessories for the iPhone 5 are inspired by the needs of the people and aim at taking product usage to the next level.
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Do office politics makes you feel like you’re compromising your values in order to get things done? Studies show the answer you give to that question may depend on your gender.Researchers from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) have found that many women managers view office politics as “evil.” They see it as achieving advantages at the expense of others and contrary to the interests of the broader organisation. For women who have this negative view of office politics, it can be difficult – even painful — to engage in political behaviour.Studies show that men, on the other hand, tend to be more involved in political processes and regard them as a natural and normal part of organisational life.Through our work with organisations around the globe, we’ve come to believe that the guys have it right. Politics is a natural part of life in virtually any organisation. Being politically savvy doesn’t have to mean you want someone else to lose in order for you to win, and it isn’t about being false and inauthentic. Instead, it involves the sincere use of your skills, behaviours and qualities in order to be more effective, and to serve your organisation. How women view and respond to office politics have a bearing on how they feel about their organisation and coworkers, and how well they do their job. If they learn to accept that organisational politics is a neutral, natural part of the workplace, they can build their capacity to lead and can influence and persuade others in a sincere, authentic way. But how do women (or those men who find politics distasteful) learn to play the game in a way that feels authentic? In some organisations it may be difficult to discuss workplace politics, much less ask for help in developing political savvy. So you may be left on your own when it comes to developing the skills and behaviours you need. But there are four simple approaches we recommend for becoming more effective in any political environment. NetworkThe most effective networking is strategic. It helps you build and enhance a diverse support group that can impact both your success and that of your team. By connecting with individuals who are themselves influential, you’ll have a voice where you might not have been heard otherwise. More importantly, you will gain access to information held by key insiders.Matters of power and influence often take place in informal settings and involve peers and others over whom you have no direct authority. You will need to learn to influence these individuals in order to lead effectively and accomplish your organisation’s work. Identify people in your organisation who are particularly effective at influencing and getting things done. Notice how they behave and carry themselves and which individuals belong to their network. Observation and modeling can help you become more influential. Take things a step further and look for mentors who can introduce you to the political ways of the organisation and to their own networks. Also, be proactive in telling your boss what is going on. Ask for feedback and coaching that can support the changes you want to make.A word of caution: As you develop your networking skills, don’t get sidetracked. Remember that you need to develop and manage your direct reports. CCL’s research shows careers can be derailed when leaders spend so much time “managing up” to achieve influence that they overlook conflict within their own team. Being able to manage and motivate subordinates and head off conflict in a team is a necessary competency for any politically savvy leader.Scan Your EnvironmentObservation and information gathering can help you build your political skills and use them more effectively. Be in the moment. Pay special attention to posture and other non-verbal clues about what’s going on beneath the surface. Politically savvy managers are perceptive observers who can adapt their behavior to reflect changing conditions.As you observe, carefully reflect. Think about how others must be feeling in a situation, what is happening and what circumstances are bringing you together. Pay attention to your own feelings and reactions as well. Look for ways to validate your perceptions. Try asking others you trust about their own perceptions and compare what you hear to your own observations.While listening and observing are important, remember that too much of a good thing can lead to inaction. So strike the right balance. Take in the information and then use it appropriately.Think Before You ActMany a career has been damaged by telling an inappropriate joke, sharing information that should have been kept private, treating others cavalierly, or exploding when mistakes are made. To succeed at organisational politics, you must control your impulses and think before you act. It’s the only way you can build your network and put people at ease.When somebody or some situation triggers a reaction in you, take a deep breath and step back. Take the time to think through what will happen if you behave a certain way. Explore alternatives and think through the responses each is likely to evoke.Also explore why you do what you do. You might even consider taking a personality assessment. It may help you understand how your personality preferences influence your behaviour in various situations and around certain people. You can identify skills and behaviors that contribute to your political savvy and see what you are doing that prevents or undermines your effectiveness. If you have unproductive behaviours that are deeply ingrained, consider working with a coach. You’ll benefit from someone who can help you identify your hot buttons and practice more effective ways to respond. Don’t overcorrect by avoiding all conflict or constantly trying to smooth things over, though.There are competing interests, goals and emotions in every situation. Politically savvy leaders work for a win-win outcome.Inspire TrustWhat kind of impression do you make on others? Do they consider you trustworthy? This is essential. Politically astute managers have learnt that power comes with inspiring trust and confidence. Rather than trying to manipulate people to achieve an outcome, they choose to behave genuinely and exhibit honesty, sincerity and trustworthiness.Align your actions, gestures and words. Pay special attention to your non-verbal behaviours and body language. If you fail to make eye contact or stare out the window when you are supposed to be listening, you may be sending signals that you don’t intend. Ask for feedback as well. Even if you think you are being sincere, a trusted friend or colleague can help you determine whether your style of interaction appears sincere. Perceptions matter. Above all, follow through and do what you say you will do. CCL’s research shows failure to do so can derail a career. Others may see your failure to keep your commitments as a betrayal of trust.Adopting an Authentic Approach to PoliticsAs you consider office politics and the approach you will take to building your skills, remember what politics is – and what it isn’t. Politics is not a zero-sum game; politically savvy individuals can use their influence in an effective, authentic manner so all parties involved get something positive out of a situation.Once you accept that office politics is a natural part of everyday life, you can develop the capacity to lead more effectivelyand to persuade others in a sincere way, remaining true to your core values. (Jean Brittain Leslie is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership. Ranked among the world’s Top 10 providers of executive education by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and the Financial Times and headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the CCL-India office is in Gurgaon)
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In what has been a hectic few days for the technology world, here’s another launch. This time it’s the Windows Phone 8 event, just happened in San Francisco. Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corp, took the stage to tell the media about the significance of Windows Phone to Microsoft, going through how it has grown through various devices, specially recently launched ones. He then dove into apps, announcing that 120,000 apps were now available for Windows Phone and this number was growing. Belfiore said that if we look at the smartphone space, interfaces had hardly evolved. With Android and iOS copying each other, phones really looked the same. "With Windows Phone we decided not to use that tired old metaphor. Our way is to put people at the centre of the experience, not icons for apps. Not focus on speeds and feeds like Android and iOS do," he said. Presenting the Windows Phone interface, with its brilliant live tiles and so markedly different from Android phones and Apple’s iPhone, he reinforced his point. He went through the strengths of Windows Phone, starting with its live tiles and the fact that they contained dynamic information relevant to real people – rather than being lifeless icons. Not just that, Windows is the only OS that has live apps to go with the tiles, he pointed out. Read: Windows 8 And Surface Tablet Launched By Mala Bhargava Microsoft has protected its Windows Phone 8 under a veil of secrecy, refusing to give journalists a glance at anything beyond the start screen and in some cases, under tight supervision, the camera. A feature that was not well known then was the new lock screen, on which developers could create apps that would personalise the phone and give the user quick access to what was important right from the moment the phone is picked up. Content from favourite apps can be displayed on the lock screen – including photos, notifications and information. Facebook statuses and photos, for example, could make up the lock screen, making the device intensely personal. Another feature is the tight integration of Skype into the phone. It is always on without taking up processing power or battery. A number of new apps, games, music and utilities were mentioned. The poor availability of apps has on Windows Phone 7 and versions – 7.5 and 7.8 has been a sore point that Microsoft is trying hard to address, encouraging developers with incentives and convincing people that apps are quickly populating the Windows Store. Compression of data during web browsing, which becomes faster as a result, fast wi-fi, control over how you use your bandwidth, and a special ‘Kids Corner’ with apps and controls just for children were also introduced – with Joe Belfiore’s own children followed by Jessica Alba coming on stage as a sweetener. To further intensify the personalisation on the phone, Microsoft has also enhanced the ‘People Hub’, the area of the phone where everything about contacts and family and friends is concentrated. There are now Rooms, a concept that is expressed with the ability to collect personal information that is contextual. The greater use of SkyDrive, Microsoft’s cloud service, the integration with Windows 8 on other devices, and of course Office for productivity and Xbox for games, were also mentioned. Steve Ballmer, Chairman Microsoft, then came up to tie up the launch of the Windows Phone into Microsoft’s Windows 8 vision, underlining the strengthis once more. Steve Balmer then demo’d the much awaited Nokia Lumia 920 with its special camera featuring image stabilisation. He also showed HTC’s 8x. Several vendors, among them Nokia, of course, but also Samsung and HTC, have Windows Phone 8 handsets ready but have held off revealing them while Microsoft put the finishing touches on the operating system. Now, these will be rolling out across the world, with briefings to the tech media having begun. Microsoft has a mere 3.1 per cent share of the smartphone market as seen over the quarter ending June, according to research firm IDC. With users not eager to buy Windows devices that were to be outdated soon, sales will have taken a futher hit. Now, Microsoft and its partners hope the situation will change and users will find the different and youthful take on the smartphone interface appealing enough to give Windows Phone a chance. mala(at)pobox(dot)com, (at)malabhargava on Twitter
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