Nokia has dominated the smartphone market ever since its 1996 launch of the Communicator model, but competition from its two nearest rivals and a slump in its own sales sent it straight from first to third place in the three months to June as growth in the sector starts to slow.Apple sold a record 20.3 million iPhones in the quarter despite the fact that its iPhone 4 model is now more than a year old. Usually success of smartphone models does not last so long.Apple unveiled its sales last week, but on Friday analysts also estimated Samsung sold 19 million smartphones in the quarter, well ahead of Nokia's 16.7 million as it was able to benefit from booming demand with smartphones using Google's Android software."Samsung's Galaxy portfolio has proven popular, especially the high-tier S2 Android model," said Neil Mawston, analyst at Strategy Analytics."Strategy Analytics estimated smartphone market volume grew 76 per cent from a year ago in the second quarter. ABI Research was somewhat more cautious estimating market grew 62 per cent.Slowdown WorriesGrowth on the overall cellphone market slowed too in the April-June period, as sales of basic phone models dropped for the first time in seven quarters due to consumers reining in spending, research firm IDC said on Friday.IDC said strong smartphone demand boosted the market to still grow 11.3 per cent from a year ago to 365.4 million phones, but this was a clear slowdown from the 16.8 per cent growth seen in the previous quarter.Strategy Analytics estimated the total market at 361 million cellphones in the quarter.In a Reuters poll, 29 analysts' average forecast for the total market stood at 374 million phones.IDC said sales of simpler so-called feature phones fell 4 per cent from a year ago due to conservative spending and continued shift to smartphones, most visible in developed markets, such as the United States, Japan and Western Europe.The shrinking feature phone market is having the greatest impact on some of the world's largest suppliers of mobile phones," analyst Kevin Restivo said in a statement.Stalwarts such as Nokia are losing share in the feature phone category to low-cost suppliers such as Micromax, TCL-Alcatel and Huawei."Struggling Nokia, still the world's largest phone maker by volume, saw its phone sales shrinking 20 per cent from a year ago. This helped Samsung to close the gap to the Finnish firm in the overall cellphone market to the lowest level ever.Some analysts already forecast for Samsung to become the world's largest cellphone vendor next year.(Reuters)
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Well, it's rumour time again. While the world's tech companies fall over themselves to get their PR right, Apple just does it by keeping mum. They won't comment, they won't answer questions, and they won't engage all warm and fuzzy with you on the social networks. And that, of course, turns out to be the perfect way to keep the world talking. Over time, this seems to have spawned off an entire Apple-rumour industry. It's made up of the tech media, "sources" who make components that go into Apple devices, and just plain avid Apple-watchers. So, what they're saying is that the iPhone 5 is coming soon. But is it the iPhone 5, really?What Is It?One school of speculation has it that the next iPhone to launch will be in September, and it will be called the iPhone 4S. Rather than going for any makeover, the smartphone will have enhancements, including a better camera (perhaps 8 megapixel) a dual-core A5 processor, and support for HSPA+ connectivity. There may also be a cheaper and smaller version of the iPhone, called the iPhone Mini, by those talking about it. There are certainly some noises from Apple about reaching out to emerging markets - I suppose that includes us. Other news sources, like The Guardian, Bloomberg and the Boy Genius Report say that while some developers have had Apple access to an improved iPhone that be considered the iPhone 4S, it's the iPhone 5 that will launch. When Is It?Bets are on the iPhone 5 releasing in September (a specific date, the 7th, is floating around) though some even say August. Apple holds an annual developers' conference in September. It's thought that Apple will change its release and selling cycle to take advantage of holiday sales in the US. Most people agree that it wouldn't be a good idea for Apple to wait any longer to launch the iPhone 5, and certainly not as late as January 2012 because this would give plenty of time to Android and other competition phones to consolidate and increase their reach.What Will It Look Like?Most intriguing of all is the rumour that the iPhone 5 will be in a new "teardrop" shape, a sloped and curved like the MacBook Air. The rumour mill calls it "radical". The 8 megapixel rear camera will sport an LED flash. There will be better-than-before resolution and sensitivity to touch. What size, is not clear.Obviously the device will run on iOS 5 and will be more powerful and make for a better experience. Tasks like messaging are said to be enhanced. Cloud based sharing will probably become quite intrinsic to the device, seeing Apple's focus on cloud services and its recent launch of iCloud.Who Wants It?Despite the amount of noise made over the iPhone, it is by no means everyone's first choice. Android devices have the larger market share, in part because so many companies are involved. Despite the troubles of RIM and Nokia, their phones shouldn't be written off either, especially in India. But die-hard Apple fans are chomping at the bit and have a wish list ready - not that it matters. A spot survey by T3 about two months ago showed iPhone fans wanted at least an 8 megapixel camera, TV streaming, flash - and Flash, Facetime that works with other phones, and NFC or Near Field Communication. Others say a bigger edge-to-edge screen and a new design wouldn't be bad either. Little is known and much is said. But that's Apple's fans for you.Mala Bhargava is a personal technology writer and media professional. Contact her at mala@pobox.com and @malabhargava on Twitter
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Nokia Chief Executive Stephen Elop unveiled a new smartphone on Tuesday that uses software the firm plans to ditch, a move analysts said would do little to halt the Finnish firm's slide in market share for handsets.Nokia, once the ubiquitous name in hand phones, has lost ground in the smartphone market to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android devices, and in the low end of the market to Asian rivals such as ZTE and Micromax.At a telecoms conference in Singapore, Elop reiterated that Nokia would launch its first smartphone using Microsoft's Windows platform later this year, even as he unveiled the new N9 smartphone, which uses a platform called MeeGo."Our primary smartphone strategy is to focus on the Windows phone," said Elop, who moved to Nokia from Microsoft last year."I have increased confidence that we will launch our first device based on the Windows platform later this year and we will ship our product in volume in 2012," Elop said.Analysts said the firm's strategy would condemn the all-screen N9 to being a niche product.The model -- Nokia's first and last to use MeeGo -- can be navigated by a single finger swipe and comes in black, cyan and magenta colours in a polycarbonate design."The N9 comes too close to the expected launch of Nokia's Windows Phone device to have any impact on its current smartphone woes," said Ben Wood, head of research at London-based mobile consultancy CCS Insight."The strength of rival ecosystems leaves little room for MeeGo powered devices. It's difficult to see the N9 being anything more than a niche device ... the N9 will be a tough sell."The MeeGo platform -- a newcomer in the market dominated by Google Inc and Apple Inc <AAPL.O> -- was born in February 2010 when Nokia and Intel unveiled a merger of Nokia's Linux Maemo software platform with Intel's Moblin, which is also based on Linux open-source software.After Nokia pulled back from the project four months ago, other vendors have become more interested in the technology as Nokia's dominant role in the project had held back others from adopting it.Nokia has thrown in its lot with Microsoft, with whom it will co-develop its next generation of smartphones. It hopes to get the kind of attention Apple and Google have attracted from software developers who enrich their devices.Little Update On StrategyElop's speech in Singapore was billed by Nokia as "an update on progress in our new strategy", but he provided few details on how he planned to tackle the company's troubles.Last month, Nokia said it had abandoned hope of meeting key targets just weeks after setting them, raising questions over whether Elop can deliver on a turnaround he promised in February.Nokia's market value has plunged by more than half since February, after the leak of a memo from Elop that compared the company's market position to a man standing on a burning oil platform.The company said it plans to launch up to 10 new smartphones using its own Symbian operating system. It introduced three affordable handsets which features dual sim-card, years after its Asian rivals put that feature into their phones."Any new products by Nokia will be a stop-gap ... until its first Microsoft phone is out in the market," said Seo Won-seok, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities in Seoul."It won't be easy for Nokia to aggressively market these products and even new product lineups will be limited given that it is spending heavy resources in developing Windows phones. Under such circumstances, I'm quite doubtful whether they'll get a strong response from customers."The partnership with Windows may not be a panacea for Nokia's troubles since rivals including Taiwan's HTC and China's ZTE will bring out devices based on Microsoft's software.Some phone users said the N9 held no appeal versus its rivals."It will be too much of a hassle to switch all of my applications to some other device, so I'd need a lot of convincing to switch to a new type of device like the N9," said Mark Fox, managing director of NetEvents International."I'd rather take the easier life and stick with the Apple, which I am happy with. With the iPhone, it's the user interface and the ease of use, how easy they've made it to use the different types of apps."In a research note this month, Nomura said Samsung Electronics would become the world's largest smartphone maker this quarter and Apple would take the number two spot next quarter, pushing Nokia to third place.Nokia had led the market since 1996 when it launched the Communicator, a smartphone that is popular in the business community for its ability to browse the internet as well as to receive and send emails, data and fax.(Reuters)
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Ask just about anyone what they use to search for information on the internet, and pat comes the reply. Google. Type "search engine" into Google, and you might land up at Bing, Dogpile or Yahoo. But did you know that there are several other ways to search for information and news, some arguably even offering you a more efficient and innovative experience than Google? Here's my pick of the hidden gems for search, including one you probably know already but don't associate with search.DuckDuckGo: At first, you'd probably mistake DuckDuckGo for Google. That is, if you didn't notice the comical duck with a bowtie in its logo! Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo spells out their biggest draw right on the front page - they don't track you (or your search history) and serve up less 'spammy' results in the bargain. Also unique to DuckDuckGo is their zero-click info, a quick snippet style description of what you're searching for without even navigating away from DuckDuckGo. It also offers disambiguation prompts, which helps clarify what question you are really asking. Are you feeling ducky?Blekko: Search for anything online these days, and a ton of what you see first is sites that are filled with keywords meant solely to capture traffic without providing too much new information. Blekko uses what it calls "slashtags" to group results into several categories and deliver results that are relevant, and you can use the existing slashtags, typically of the form '/India', to say filter only for results that have to do with India (you can even create your own slashtags to help improve the service). Yippy: Meta search engines are those that grab and consolidate results from several other search services, and while they may be waning in popularity, you should try Yippy if you want a meta search engine that does not track or monitor your searches (much like DuckDuckGo).Qwiki: Unlike Wikipedia, which requires you to read whole screenfuls of information to get an overview on a subject, Qwiki lets you search among more than 2 million 'Qwikis' that each tell a story about the subject, in the form of a neatly put together slideshow of images and text accompanied by a computer generated voiceover. It's been called a "movie highlight reel of Wikipedia pages", and that's pretty much what it is. Warning: can lead to a lot of Qwiki-surfing and loss of productivity!Truveo: Specialised video search that spans the most popular video sharing and news sites. Enough said. Also, try Blinkx for more of the same.Isohunt: A Bit Torrent search engine, Isohunt does not host files - it only helps you find files, and therefore is a completely legal service to hopefully help you find legal Bit Torrrent download files. FoodieView: For all those times when you're wondering what to cook for dinner, FoodieView to the rescue. As the name suggests, it is a recipe search engine searching over 175,000 recipes from numerous sources, including AllRecipes.com, The Food Network, Martha Stewart Recipes, and many more. It's also extremely easy to find good recipes on FoodieView that are actually relevant to what your search query is such as if you are looking for a recipe using only certain ingredients.Healthline: No, you do not need an MBBS degree to venture onto Healthline, a medical information search engine. Perfect for the little reading up that you should do to be a more informed patient. Twitter: Wait a minute, isn't twitter for sending and interacting with byte-sized updates? Head over to search.twitter.com and you'll realise it's a great way to find out about the news and interesting links people are talking about right now! Impressive Progeny A successor to the popular Sony NEX line of ultra-compact mirror-less cameras can only be a good thing, and the NEX-C3 lives up to the family name. Packing in 16.2 megapixels in a camera body smaller than the current-gen NEX-5, this is the smallest camera body to sport a full size digital SLR sensor without forsaking performance - this baby shoots at a maximum 5.5 frames per second! URL: http://bit.ly/kVmZ3bPrice: $649 break-page-breakForces To Reckon With With the recent announcement of the PlayStation Vita at E3 recently, there is bound to be renewed interest in the hitherto ageing PlayStation Portable. I've been playing two new games on the console - Patapon 3 and Cart Kings and here's what I think of them.In Patapon 3, you are, much like the previous Patapon games, a warrior deity worshipped by a tribe of tiny warriors, and since it's a musical role-playing game, you end up feeling like the beat-master on your own galley. You use the four face buttons on the PSP to pound out drumbeats in rhythmic four-beat patterns based on whether you want to march, attack, defend, jump, retreat and so on. Do it well, and your warriors are a well-oiled synchronized machine. Slip up and lose the beat, and your army falls into disarray and gets pounded by the enemy instead. There's much to like about this seemingly simple game. I love the shadow-theatre styling to the whole game, with patapons and their foes assuming black silhouettes with little splashes of colour set against gloriously detailed backgrounds. The musical score suits the game to a tee as well. And while the beats and movement become instinctive after a while, using the skills and weapons is a complex activity, so you'd be well advised to take this game slow and read up online before you get too far into the game. This game is as much preparing for the warfare (armor, weapons) as it is about the actual fight, and being prepared is the difference between victory and becoming a dragon's lunch.Additional variety comes with the obstacle races and the tower defence modes, and an impressive list of multiplayer options that are playable both locally and online. Either solo or multiplayer, Patapon 3 delights at pretty much every turn, and the heady mix of the soundtrack, gameplay and the visuals makes this worth much more than the money you pay for the game. Cart Kings is the other extreme. It takes popular characters from Indian comic-lore, such as Shikari Shambhu, Supandi and Tantri the Mantri and puts them into bullock carts in this simple arcade style racing game. It's all Indian - you get to race in locales like Bollywood, Delhi and Tiger land, and the power-ups and weapons include chilly powder, soda bottles, and cow dung! Graphically and visually, the game is very dated and can appeal only to really young children who associate with the characters and don't demand much of a storyline from their games. Rating: Cart Kings: 7/10, Patapon 3: 9/10Price: Rs 699 (CK), Rs 999(P3)URL: http://bit.ly/mGcs5Qtechnocool at kanwar dot nettwitter@2shar
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Gaming is no longer for kids. Computer manufacturers are coming up with gaming machines that eclipse the power and performance of your meticulously assembled home and office PCs. And the advocates of the fun and advantages of console gaming have to agree that the visual and aural images that a cross-platform game evokes on a gaming PC are far superior to those on a console.Made for pros, gaming PCs are awe-inspiring monsters that feature only the most powerful and branded components. From the unique exterior down to the inside cabling, they look awesome and cater to a niche but growing number of enthusiasts. We list five such PCs that are custom-built and wow with their lightning fast performance. Expectedly, these are expensive — in fact, more expensive than the average fancy laptop. Courtesy: Digital Storm Digital Storm Assassin"Powerful is an understatement," proudly proclaims the digital storm website. And indeed, the handsome Digital Storm Assassin is more than a powerful gaming machine: the build quality of the system and the manufacturer's dedicated customer service make it a recommended buy for those who can afford $1,627 (Rs 72,978). Featuring 8-GB DDR3 memory and an Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz processor, the Assassin also sports a much-needed 1-TB Western Digital Caviar hard disk drive, while a 1-GB NVIDIA GeForce graphics card makes gaming a visual delight on the black machine. However, the ASUS motherboard with Intel P67 Chipset does not support Scalable Link Interface (SLI), a technology that's meant to increase the processing power available for graphics. Courtesy: Dell Alienware Aurora The science-fiction-inspired designs of the alienware brand of pcs from Dell have always been a big hit, even with those who don't play games. The Alienware Aurora, for example, sports a case that reminds one of an alien's head. Apart from boasting an 8-GB RAM (upgradable to 16-GB!), it also comes equipped with a whopping 2-TB hard drive. The capable Intel Core i5 processor and the 1-GB AMD Radeon high-definition video card give the alien monster all the power it needs to run heavy, graphics-intensive games, be it The Witcher 2 or your old favourite Tomb Raider: Legend. However, the Aurora's processor boosting limit is clocked at 3.3GHz, which, when compared with some of its rivals, looks insufficient. Some of the Aurora's other standard features include integrated 7.1-channel audio, Alienware High-Performance Liquid Cooling and AlienFX lighting. So, if you are game, get ready to shell out $1,299 (Rs 58,097) to catch this powerful monster of a gaming PC. Courtesy: Maingear Maingear ShiftThe sturdy-looking chassis with advanced vertical heat Dissipation of the Maingear Shift is more than a façade. The brushed black aluminium exterior houses a CPU that boasts the power of an Intel Core i5 processor and 8-GB Crucial DDR3 memory. The system also comes equipped with a 64-GB solid-state drive, a 1-TB Samsung hard drive and a decent cooler. However, adding extra hard drives is a big problem, courtesy the pre-wired layouts in the two additional hard drive bays. When it comes to graphics, the Maingear Shift features the staggering 1-GB power of an NVIDIA GeForce GPU. Considering the full specifications, the fact remains that a retail price of $2,040 (Rs 91,239) makes the Shift slightly overpriced as many of its less expensive rivals also deliver similar — and better — performance.CyberPower Black PearlThe Cyberpower Black Pearl is an object d'art in its own right. The machine flaunts a beautiful Azza Hurrican 2000 Full Tower Gaming Case that houses an Intel Core i7 processor and a motherboard featuring an Asus Sabertooth X58 chipset complementing the CPU. The staggering capacity of 12-GB onboard memory and a 1-TB SATA hard drive add to the joys of the dedicated gamer. It also boasts a 1-GB AMD Radeon HD video card and Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System, while 7.1 HD audio comes standard with the system. But with the base model itself having a starting price of $1,299 (Rs 58,097), it is no wonder that the Black Pearl will make a sizeable hole in your pocket. Courtesy: Velocity Micro Velocity Raptor Signature EditionIt turns out that the raptor signature Edition from Velocity Micro is one of the most expensive gaming PCs in the market. Its scary price of $4,549 (Rs 2,03,454) aside, it is also one of fastest gaming monsters — the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processor and the Intel motherboard with X58 chipset are apt to handle multitasking while the SLI-ready NVIDIA GeForce video card renders high-end graphics. However, given its price and the Signature Edition tag (the system comes with the signature of Velocity Micro's founder and CEO Randy Copeland), the 6-GB memory looks paltry and the loud cooling hardware is something of a downer. Thankfully, it comes equipped with a 2-TB hard drive and a Blu-ray reader. Also, a premium Razer gaming keyboard is supplied with the machine. (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 27-06-2011)
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Renault is tight-lipped about its new D-segment car Fluence's prices, but it is almost certain that once launched, the French auto major will take on Toyota Corolla Altis, Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze. Given the sad experience of its first car in India — Logan — the company is making an all-out effort to make sure that nothing goes wrong this time. Renault made the Fluence available to BW for a long drive along the sea coast from Chennai to Puducherry and back. Here are our first impressions.The Fluence has several pluses. Its long wheelbase translates into generous legroom up front and at the back, making long journeys tireless. The petrol variant comes with special features such as sun blinds and air-conditioning vents for rear passengers, which take it a step ahead of rivals. Fluence can claim to be somewhat more comfortable and spacious than its peers in this segment.Rear seat comfort, key for cars above Rs 10 lakh (which we assume Fluence will be), is enhanced by voluminous head and shoulder room, height-adjustable head rests, large glass areas allowing plenty of light when sun blinds are tucked away, centre armrest housing cola can holders, and door-mounted speakers. In the second round of variants, Renault is interested in exploring more premium options. For chauffeur-driven customers, LCD screens embedded on the headrests, a remote control for the audio system and bigger map pockets on the seat backs can be considered for the upgraded model. Even without these accessories, the rear seat comfort of the petrol model is the best in its segment. TOP GEAR: Those looking forward to Renault's announcement of the Fluence's prices will have to wait till 23 May The 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel mill is a tried-and-tested machine. Generating 106PS power and 240Nm torque, Fluence benefits from its excellent fuel efficiency and drivability. Delivering almost 22 kmpl (according to ARAI data), it puts Fluence at the top of the fuel efficiency table. The stiff suspension setup enables the car to remain fairly stable around bends even at three-digit speeds. In terms of handling, though, it has some way to go to beat the Skoda Laura.The car's 530-litre boot can shift homes. Storage volume inside the cabin, barring the glovebox, is ample. It offers 23 litres of storage space through cup holders, cubby holes, map pockets and other tiny compartments.In terms of safety, ABS, ESP and ASR come standard along with driver and passenger airbags, while side chest-level airbags are also present on the petrol variant but not available on most rival cars.Now for the cons. The Fluence comes in only two variants — one petrol and one diesel. Those looking for a petrol engine with manual transmission will have to settle for automatic transmission or opt for the diesel variant.However, compared to the petrol model, the diesel-powered Fluence is plain and basic. It lacks two airbags, rear air-conditioning vents, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and upmarket interiors. Noise levels in the cabin were consistently elevated throughout the drive, making the cabin noisier than other cars in its class. The engine is tuned for fuel economy and, as a result, takes away driving pleasure. There is a noticeable lag while accelerating from low speeds. The petrol engine is mated to a 6-speed CVT (automatic transmission), killing the enthusiasm of the 137-PS 2.0-litre motor. The transmission limits access to the spirited engine and learning the art of overtaking takes time. The CVT needs improvements as it fails to understand the intention of the driver, especially in the Automatic Drive mode.Overall, in the Fluence, despite the two-way adjustable steering and height-adjustable seat, tall drivers have to work hard to find the right driving position. Rear seat experience, though, is greatly enhanced with a couple of special features discussed above, but the absence of a flat floor means this strictly is a four-seater.Then, there's competition. The Corolla Altis, with its 1.4-litre diesel engine, is aimed clearly at the chauffeured customer, while Skoda Laura's high-displacement turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, and Chevrolet Cruze's 150-bhp diesel engine are meant for driving enthusiasts. The Fluence will try and deliver a combination of both with a longer wheelbase and a sizeable two-litre 137-PS petrol engine. By pairing it to a manual transmission, Renault can get closer to striking the right balance.Despite its shortcomings, the Fluence is a good (re)launch pad for the company. Renault will have to quickly gauge customer preferences and supplement suitable variants both above and below the initial offerings. As for you, wait for the price announcement on 23 May before thinking about buying the car.The author is managing editor of IndianAutosBlog(dot)com(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 23-05-2011)
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The age of the 'monster-phones' is here. Packed to the gills with large high-resolution displays and dual-core processors, the HTC Sensation and the Samsung Galaxy SII may not have been first off the blocks but they've certainly captured the public imagination the most I've seen in recent times. So much so that the question I've most heard from all of you is - which out of the two should I buy? There's only one way to find out - I pit them against each other in a battle to the finish! May the best dual-core monster-phone win! Touch-n-Feel: You're going to either love the SII or hate it. At 8.5mm and 116g, it is by far slimmer and lighter than the Sensation (11.3mm, 148g) but there is a tangible 'budget' feel to the flimsy plastic used in the SII. I personally prefer the heft and the plastic-aluminum unibody design of the Sensation, but this parameter, more than any other, is a matter of personal preference. Both come with Gorilla Glass for the front panel, so the touchscreens are built to take some wear and tear. User Interface: Both phones run Android 2.3.3 rather snappily, but each ships with a custom user interface layer, with the Sensation packing in the 3D Sense 3.0 overlay and the SII the TouchWiz 4.0 UI. To me, there is no doubt that Sense has been the UI of choice on Android phones, and this iteration makes it even better. No competition here. That said, the TouchWiz UI is marginally snappier on most occasions, but only to the most performance hungry folks out there. Display: While HTC may have packed in a qHD (960×540 pixel) resolution Super LCD display which allows for sharper display than the SII's Super AMOLED Plus (800x480 pixel) display, the SII's display blows you away with its color reproduction and brightness, even in the sunniest of conditions. The Super LCD isn't a pushover by any measure, but the SII's display is in a class of its own right now.Media Playback: Both phones pack in the usual complement of media playback features - FM radio, varied music and video file format playback options, with the SII handling DivX file playback in addition to the regular Xvid/MP4/WMV files that the Sensation supports. But if I had to call one winner, it would be the SII - the media management and playback capabilities of the SII are a shade better than the Sensation, with slightly better movie format support and a better built-in media player. Music sounds a tad better too on the SII. Not to mention that drool-worthy display… A Longer Life Wasn't the purpose of buying a netbook to cut the cord from the desk? Leave the adapter behind with the Samsung's Solar-Powered Netbook, the NC215S. This sweet little number features bog-standard netbook specs but with a lid with solar cells built-in, which Samsung claims, should get you an hour of battery life for every two hours of charging time. URL: http://bit.ly/lvtv1yPrice: $399 break-page-breakCamera: An even fight here - both the phones pack in 8MP shooters, although specs wise you could favor the Sensation with a dual, rather than single, LED flash. Looking at the images, the SII's camera displays a knack for capturing greater dynamic range and more natural colors. Both cameras also record video in full-HD 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, so really, there's very little to call here. Storage: The Sensation features 768 MB RAM and a 1 GB internal phone storage with support for microSD cards up to 32GB (an 8 GB card is included in the box). Compare that with the 16 GB storage on board, 1 GB RAM and microSD expansion, and we have a clear winner in this category: the SII. Connectivity: Both phones are more than capably equipped on the connectivity front, with HDMI-output through the microUSB slot (no cable supplied though), Bluetooth 3.0 on board, and capability to stream media over the DLNA protocol to your HDTV. Where the SII nosed its way ahead was the inclusion of USB On The Go, where you can plug a USB stick into the phone using an adaptor (again, not supplied). (note: Some HTC Sensation units displayed a Wi-Fi reception issue if the top of the phone was covered by your hands. Caveat emptor.) Battery: Android phones are fast gaining notoriety as major battery guzzlers, and while both phones pack in capable batteries (a 1650 mAh battery in the SII vs the 1540mAh in the Sensation), they last just over a day of heavy email, Wi-Fi and some amount of media playback. I'd have to pick the SII for its higher battery rating, but when it comes down to it, both have to be charged at the end of a busy phone day. Pricing and Verdict: Priced more or less alike, there's little in this department to tell these two beauties apart. So which one will it be? While I personally prefer the user interface and the build on the HTC, one cannot deny that the SII edges ahead, if only by the slightest of margins, on account of the awesome display, storage and multimedia features. HTC SensationRating: 8/10Price: Rs 32700URL: http://bit.ly/iTdWZcSamsung Galaxy SIIRating: 8/10Price: Rs 30,999URL: http://bit.ly/l9G2Q1 Searching For Love? If you looked past the din of the Google+ launch, you'd find a nice little service that Google quietly rolled out. Called WDYL (for What Do You Love), it presents the results of searches across 20 different Google products on one page. Type in any keyword for yourself and see the results - videos, books, alerts, discussions, news - all on one page. URL: http://bit.ly/mEVb5bPrice: Free technocool at kanwar dot nettwitter@2shar
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It's a return to the roots. Minimalist construction and pristine conservation define eco resorts across the country. While they are designed for comfort, these retreats have a calming influence on holidayers as they bask in nature's glory.At Our Native Village, a holistic health eco retreat in Bangalore, nothing is left to chance. The retreat, designed by Chitra Vishwanath, generates electricity through solar panels and a wind mill. It's hard to move around the 4.5-acre property without acknowledging its commitment to nature. The place has been kept open and airy. The construction is minimalist and doesn't go beyond the basic wood-stone-brick concept. The soil excavated from the construction site was used to make hand-pressed, sun-dried bricks. Alternatively and more realistically, these bricks function as room insulators, in the absence of air conditioners. Most of the water is rainwater gathered from the roofs and stored in an 84,000-litre underground tank. The swimming pool operates on the principle of a village pond, with fresh underground water instead of a chlorinated pool.While this is a way of life for C.B. Ramkumar, a former ad professional who envisioned it, it offers a cheerful abandon for its guests. "Our Native Village is the first of its kind in India and I love the concept. In an era of computers and technology, children should know what simple living is. The resort has done a great job in trying to bring out the best in children and adults alike," says Preethi Kini, a tourist from Mumbai. At daybreak, the retreat comes alive with farming activities. As geese gaggle in the background, visitors can try their hand at milking the cows or wait patiently as the hens lay eggs. The agrarian experience also includes a laidback bullock-cart ride. And on weekends, a potter helps people craft a pot, while a kite-flying session and a game of catapult keep children engaged. Among life's other small wonders, hero stones or veeragallus, popular in local history, form part of a rock garden. The restaurant at the Wildernest Nature Resort in Goa All these blend in with the rustic setting. Since it is in Hessarghatta, the last 2.5-km approach to the retreat is a flat land and attracts migratory birds. Apart from birdwatching, nature lovers can soak in the rolling uplands of the Arkavathy river, while the culturally and religiously inclined can head out to an ancient Hanuman temple.The retreat has moved with the times at its own pace. "This year, Bangalore's Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions planted a few hundred species of medicinal plants that we use for common ailments such as cough and cold. We also have an Ayurvedic treatment centre, where healing programmes integrate ancient and new-age therapies such as Ayurveda, yoga, diet, meditation and acupressure, among others," says Ambika Ramakrishnan, the retreat's executive chef and farm manager.While it's difficult to imagine drinking magic herbal potions to heal oneself at a retreat, the wellness extends to the culinary fare. About 80 per cent of the pulses, grains, vegetables and fruit are from the resort's organic farm. "Our food can be described as ‘compassionate' fare, as we are compassionate towards both the ingredients used for cooking and diners who consume the food. The spread is vegan and we avoid all four whites like sugar, polished rice, maida and milk," says Ramakrishnan. Garnishes include calcium-rich gingili seeds and flak seeds, a source of omega-3 fatty acids.Going beyond the vegan spread, several eco resorts dotting the country's landscape score with their clever use of natural resources, combined with rural flavours, which make these great places to unwind. No doubt, eco initiatives offer regional cuisines, but they rely on organic farm produce because travel-worn produce never tastes the same as veggies from a herb garden. BACK TO BASICS: Our Native Village in Bangalore is a holistic eco health resort (Pic: Our Native Village) break-page-breakWith its sprawling patios and pastoral charm, the Wildernest Nature Resort in Goa offers a compelling sense of seclusion. While many resorts in Goa are packaged as beach destinations, what probably makes Wildernest different is that it is located in the Chorla Ghat. The resort is nestled in the Swapnagandha Valley amidst lush greenery. Sudhir Naik, director of the resort, says: "I chose to set up Wildernest because I felt if the place was not protected, it would probably end up in the hands of the mining and timber lobby sometime. I wanted to create a sustainable venture that would conserve the forest and biodiversity of the region."Wildernest has created the elegance of a rustic getaway through eco-friendly materials such as grass, black mud tiles, bamboo and acacia, a social forestry wood. The huts are styled in the village module and built amidst the forest cover. Besides, the resort has come up with a 100 per cent employment policy for the neighbouring villagers.Naik also has a conservation plan. "The Mahdei Research Centre is dedicated to the conservation of the local natural and cultural heritage. The centre works with individual researchers and organisations, local communities and students to address various issues that concern the ecological and cultural diversity of the region," he says. The Chorla Ghat, where Wildernest is located, lies in the north-eastern side of where the Goa-Karnataka-Maharashtra boundaries meet. Being a part of the Western Ghats and the Sahyadris, Chorla Ghat is home to deciduous forests. Given its location, the resort manages to attract people all round the year. Come May and the south-west monsoon brings forth gushing waterfalls that keep photographers engrossed. As rains cease in September, they leave behind a carpet of greenery and gentle streams. Flowers and fruits are in full bloom in winter, while summer encourages nature lovers to set out on trails and walks. BACK TO BASICS: Pepper Green Village in Kerala boasts 200 trees and flowering bushes (Pic: Pepper Green Village) Open balconies, tree houses with the flora and fauna for company seem like whimsical eccentricity, but eco resorts are making informed choices as they put together these elements in an artistic and sensitive manner. It required a group of nature lovers to create what nature lovers would describe as a utopian village. The concept morphed into Pepper Green Village in Wayanad, Kerala, which brings under its umbrella 200 trees and flowering bushes, vines of pepper and the scent of spices. Here wood and bamboo cottages are built on the concept of a tree house. Besides the rustling of wind and the flow of the Kabini river close by, retreat seekers are treated to the occasional sound of the drum beats from the tribal villages. Cottages are connected through tree-top walkways raised on stilts that offer a full view of the paddy fields and forest canopy on either side. "We try to avoid using plastic in our premises and aim to make our resorts 100 per cent plastic free in the near future. In sync with our philosophy, a sewage treatment plant reuses the water for plantation," says Captain T.S. Saju, director of Pepper Green Village.The silence is surreal and activities at the resort are languid. Life is chalked out here, as nature lovers can walk down to the river bank to fish or swim. At night, a camp-fire and barbecue by the riverside completes the experience. A boat ride takes birdwatchers to the Kuruva Island. This uninhabited, wooded island is home to innumerable varieties of local and migratory birds.A river bank, forest fringe, magical world of birds, spices and a place to relax can send the most reluctant traveller into instant vacation mode. Sanctuary seekers can look forward to a hidden oasis among trees. Even the laptop-wielding, jargon-speaking corporate professionals turn into sanctuary lovers, as these eco resorts take them back to the basics — back to where life began — in a setting that blends greenery with a countryside lifestyle.The author is a freelance feature writer based out of Bangalore(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 20-06-2011)
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