Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 - Gadget Review

Rating: 8.1/10

‘Xiaomi’ is known for providing smart phones which are value for money. Before purchasing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, I was using the Xiaomi Mi 3 and that too had an amazing battery life and was reasonably priced. I bought Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 for Rs. 11,999/-. Had I bought it during the Snapdeal Unbox Diwali Sale, I could have got it for Rs. 1000/- off and also got 32GB SD Card absolutely free! Unfortunately, I missed that opportunity due to my own stupidity. Anyways, let’s review this bad boy!

Pros:

Ø The Great Battery life is easily the best feature of this phone. Even on heavy to usage it can work for a day or day and a half. It also charges quickly.

Ø Functions smoothly and does not lag.

Ø It has an excellent and easy-to-use interface. The options to clean the phone, delete files, cache, app data, etc. and manage app permissions are quick to access.

Ø Fingerprint sensor works well.

Ø The phone is value for money.

Cons:

Ø Camera does not work great in low light. One can easily can see the noise in pictures.

Ø No tempered or toughened glass.

Conclusion:

If a good camera is really important to you, this isn’t the mobile phone for you. Also, unlike the Xiaomi Mi3, this device does not have Gorilla Glass. I, personally, hate using covers or scratch guards since they ruin the look of the phone. The phone is also more delicate than Xiaomi Mi3.

Battery charges quickly and lasts long. All other features are good. Plus, using a Fingerprint scanner feels pretty James Bond-ish doesn’t it?

Xiaomi also has several service centres at Mumbai and these centres are really responsive and approachable. That’s the reason I chose this phone over the AsusZenphone Max.

So, is the phone worth the price? Definitely!

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Mobile phone Review, Xiaomi Mi 3, Smart phones, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, Gadget Review, 

The Force is Strong in this Notebook

Awesome Red Backlit Keys

I’m joining the dark side, only because they have the coolest notebook in the Universe. And for a lawyer like me there is no better side than the dark-side. If I had the HP Star Wars^TM Special Edition notebook I would make my enemies shiver with terror with the dark-side graphics which decorate the notebook and the scary glowing red backlit keys, which would also enable me to use the dark-side’s notebook even in the dark.

The Notebook comes with a “Command Centre” containing over 1,100 images. I would go crazy with the Command Centre where I would get the option to choose among several customized Themes and Wallpapers (Wall papers can be either a Single Image or even a Customizable Slideshow). The Notebook also comes with three Star Wars Screen Savers. What makes this ‘Special Edition’ Notebook even more special is the fact that it contains almost 40 years of Star Wars history, including illustrations created before the films were made, were used to design the sets of the movies and also contains several behind-the-scenes images.

Visuals aside, I would also replace the standard windows notification sound with iconic Star Wars sounds such as R2-D2’s beeps and the swoosh lightsabers.

My days of English would be over. The HP Star Wars^TM Special Edition notebook also has Aurebesh font loaded in the font library. I could send to my clients e-mails which would look like they came from the Imperial Senate.

You know how in the movie Darth Vader chokes a guy using the force, simply by clasping his finger while standing several feet away? Well, that’s how I’m going to feel when I use the optional Touch Screen Feature. I’m sure I would have all other lawyers under my thumb, once they see me using my notebook like a maestro.

I would entertain all my friends with the pre-loaded Star Wars book excerpts and movie trailers and also all the handpicked collection of independent films from Fandor, to which I would have a free one-year membership. They would, no doubt, enjoy reading/watching these on the extra wide 15-inch diagonal FHD display, and would also take pleasure listening to them because of the fantastic Audio by B&O PLAY.

Apart from the above, I would also impress chicks with the HP Star Wars^TM Special Edition notebook which comes with Windows 10, 12 GB RAM, 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor, up to 1TB of additional storage space and NVIDIA GeForce Graphics.

Life in the court room is tough and I often have to rush through the hustle and bustle of lawyers. The padded sleeve fit would protect my Star Wars^TM Special Edition notebook and all the important data contained therein.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the Star Wars^TM Special Edition notebook so that I can become the coolest lawyer in the entire galaxy! You should get one too if you want to #AwakenYourForce

Why You Need 4G

It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. If you want to survive you have to move quickly and swiftly. Also, you have to keep your cool at all times. I remember I was checking stock quotes while travelling in the train one day. I noticed that the price of one scrip had fallen down drastically by 10 points. I knew that the price of those shares would go back to normal in a matter of few seconds. I tried to purchase a thousand shares as quickly as I could. Alas, my mobile data speed betrayed me. By the time I was about to place the order the price of the shares was already back to normal. That day I was so frustrated that there was little I could do to prevent myself from throwing my mobile phone out the window.

 (Courtesy: http://www.micromaxinfo.com)

Now you all know that you want 4G, but let me tell me why you NEED 4G. Firstly, the number of operations that can be performed on smartphones is exponentially increasing. With the advance in technology, our capabilities have also widened. Smartphones aren’t just for listening to music and taking pictures anymore. Tasks which could earlier only be performed on computers can now also be performed on smartphones. When your phone becomes your all-in-one device, its only natural that you use it more. What’s more is that you want to share game scores, update your apps and download the latest movies/sons, all at the same time. We all know that waiting for stuff to load can be frustrating. Of course, a mobile data speed is meaningless without a good processor. That’s why you need the a 4G LTE enabled Android smartphone (Yes, I’m an Andriod man. No other OS can possibly compare to the Android) which also has an Octacore processor,  like a Micromax Canvas Nitro 4G or Micromax Canvas Knight 2.

I don’t have to tell you how much time gets wasted in asking questions like ‘Hello? Can you hear me?’ during voice calls. Ladies and gentlemen, gone are those days. Introducing <drum roll> HD Voice calling! Nedless to say that HD voice calling is of no use unless you have 4G.

Imagine video chatting with a loved one after a long time, and the screen keeps freezing. Or imagine playing a multi-player video game and losing simply because of the lag. Well, with 4G you can say hello to seamless movie streaming, online video conferences, and video calling.

Sharing is caring, remember? Most smartphones can be used as a Wi-Fi router. However, can you really create a hot spot to be used actively by two or more persons with ordinary 2G or 3G? Of course, not. If you want to expand your friend circle and become Mr./Ms. Popular, you need 4G. Try the Micromax Canvas Sliver 5 which is 4G LTE enabled.

Also, keep in mind that if you get done with all your internet-reliant tasks faster, you have more time to party and chill out with friends. So what are you waiting for? If you don’t have a 4G LTE enabled Android smartphone with the super-fast Octacore processor, buy one here.

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Transferkar- Ab Toh Sab Kar Rahe Hai

What’s your favourite TV show? Let me guess, its Game of Thrones. How do I know? No, I’m not psychic. I just know that, that’s the answer 90% of today’s urban youth would give. We live in a golden age of television. Shows are becoming high budget. In fact, each episode of Game of Thrones is like a short movie. So, obviously, you would want to watch these shows as per your convenience and on the device which suits you best.

But here comes the dilemma – Mom and/or Dad’s show airs at the same time. Therefore, Pappu can’t watch his show, right? Wrong. Gone are those days where mummy and papa’s shows would come in the way of us watching our favourite TV shows. Tata Sky brings you the Tata Sky+ Transfer set top box. The Tata Sky+ Transfer is a  Personal Video Recorder ( or “PVR” as they call it), which, among other things, allows the user to recorded content and transfer that content to other devices like smart phones and tablets via WiFi. 

I travel almost for 2 hours from my home to Churchgate. It generally takes me 45 minutes in bus from my home to Andheri station and 1 hour from Andheri to Churchgate station. I used to think of ways to convert my commuting time into entertainment time. 

For that purpose one of my colleagues suggested to go for Tata Sky+ Transfer, as he also records his favorite show through Tata Sky+ Transfer and transfer his favourite show  to his mobile device and enjoys unlimited entertainment during his travelling. 

I too recorded my favourite television  show  i.e."Games of thrones", and now even I watch it on my mobile phone while commuting.  This is the simplest way through which Tata Sky Trasfer+ satisfies my entertainment needs during my travelling hours and  allows me to utilize my precious time. 

Transfer feature is available on iOS and Android devices (and after all, if don’t have an Android or iOS device, you might as well be living under a rock).

The Tata Sky+ Transfer has a 500 GB hard disk that can record up to approximately 625 hours of content. Its capable of recording at 1080i high definition picture quality and delivers a Dolby Digital Plus (with up to 7.1 channels of premium quality Surround Sound). Not only that, the user also has the power to Pause and Rewind Live TV. What more do you need?

So, picture this – ‘Wrestlemania’ is about to start. But you have to go for some boring family function. What do you do? Simple, you use your Tata Sky+ Transfer to record the event. When you come back home, you can watch Randy Orton give an RKO or Undertaker give a  Tombstone.  That’s right. You don’t have to miss a single move. Also, you can transfer it to your tablet or smart phone and watch it while traveling. Don’t you just love it when the other commuters of bus or train look at you with envy, when you are watching something awesome, which they are missing out on? Well, it may be bad to say so, but I’ll admit it nevertheless- It feels good.

The Tata Sky+ Transfer ensures that you don’t miss a single second of your TV shows or movies. I urge all readers to get it ASAP. To know more about the Tata Sky+ Transfer go here: http://www.tatasky.com/transfer/

Also, check out these hilarious videos:

My Airtel, My App...

In my previous blog post I emphasized the fact that when you have an awesome app, you don’t have to market it. The same goes for the My Airtel App. The app is successful, not just because it’s the App of the best telecommunication company, but because it is easy to use, fast and has some unique and incredible features. Here are some of the features of the My Airtel App (http://www.airtel.in/myairtel) that I have fallen in love with:

1) Awesome Offers, With Just a Shake: Imagine getting fantastic offers, and to get them all one has to do is ‘shake’. That’s right. All I have to do is shake your phone and the app magically gives me exclusive offers. And after I see the offers, I dance with my phone, only to find that I've got even more exclusive offers.

2) I Want To: In today’s world, we all need shortcuts. The efficiency of an app is defined by the number of ‘clicks’ it takes to do your task. The lesser the number of clicks, the better. Like all other young people, I too am impatient. Because of my busy lifestyle I like to do things quickly and without hassle. The My Airtel App allows me to create shortcuts to my favourite or most frequently used tasks on the home screen, under an ‘I want to’ tab. Shortcuts can be made for several tasks such as viewing balance, making bill payments, check data consumed, etc.

3) Make Safe and Secured Payments: Don’t you get frustrated when you run out of balance at crucial times? Has it ever happened that you wandered the streets in search for a place to get recharge? This has happened to me far too often. But not anymore. The app allows me to recharge my mobile or DTH with the greatest of ease. For all you post-paid users out, you too can use the app to make bill payments within a minute, while at home, or while travelling. I can’t tell you the number of times this feature has saved me.

Lastly, I just want to say that apart from all the aforementioned features, the app is also easy to browse and has a neat and clean appearance. The various pages and tabs load quickly. I have absolutely no complaints. Maybe my words do not do the app justice, in which case I urge you to download the app, and check it out yourself.

I advise all you Airtel users to start using this app and save a lot of time and energy. And for all you who are not using Airtel, whenever you get tired tired of the poor service and high rates of your respective service providers, do switch to Airtel and download the App.

The app can be downloaded from here: http://www.airtel.in/myairtel

Why Awesome Apps Don't Have to be Marketed

The best way to market a good product, is to be honest about it. Take Myntra for instance. Myntra does not need any ingenious scheme to market their App. All Myntra has to do is 'tell it as it is'. Remember :-  K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). You have an amazing App, why even spend a rupee on marketing? When something is this amazing people will market it for you.

(Image  from here.)

When I think of the App, I don't even have to think of some wacky or catchy phrase. It comees naturally: "Download the Myntra App, Become a Fashion Icon in a <Snap>!" Look, guys, help me out here. I'm going to tell you everything about this App, and you please tell me in the comments, if it requires to be marketed at all, or if you are going to download it and recommend it to all you friends all by yourself.

 Whenever somebody mentions ‘online shopping’ one of the first websites to come to our mind is myntra.com. For all you fashionistas out there, I have bad news and super-good news. First the bad news- Myntra is shutting down its website from 15^th May 2015!!!! Calm down. I know what you’re thinking. “Is there still any reason to live?” The answer is yes. And that’s what the super-good news is about. Myntra is going app-only!

(Image taken from here.)

That’s right. Myntra is one of the first online fashion retailers who have realized that you need your fashion assistant readily available in your pocket at all times! No more browsing websites. It’s the time to simply ‘swipe’ and ‘touch’. With the Myntra App you can add products to your wishlist with a single touch. You can filter your search and browse products with ease.

I know what you are wondering. ‘I can’t shop alone. I need inputs of ____________ (insert name of best friend/boy/girlfriend/spouse/parent/anyone else whose opinion you value)’. Well, you’ll be glad to hear that Myntra has got you covered. Sharing links to products has never been easier. Simply touch the share button and you can send the link-to-product to the concerned person using a variety of social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter or even email.

         (Image taken from here.)

The app also allows you to choose the best offers on your favourite products. You’ll also find ‘style notes’ for several products, to help you make your decision.

If safety is the issue, then I can assure you that the payment system in place is safe and secure. If you still don’t want to pay using the app, no problem. Myntra has a cash-on-delivery option, just for you.

Can’t wait to start using the app? Well, I got one more good news for you. You don’t even have to create an account. Log in simply by using your Facebook and Google account.

If you haven’t already downloaded the Myntra app, either because you just got out of prison or because you live under a rock, download it now from the Playstore by clicking on this link : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myntra.android&hl=en. What are you waiting for? Download the Myntra App, Become a Fashion Icon in a <Snap>!

So will you download the Myntra app? Tell me in the comments below.

The Smartest Smart Phone

My brother’s birthday was nearing. I wanted to get him a good gift. He needed a new mobile phone, so I thought it would be ideal to get him a new one, but I was breaking my head over which phone I should buy. They all had similar features, they all looked the same. I wanted something unique. Then my friend told me about the Asus Zenphone 2. My long search came to an end. My prayers were answered. Here’s why:

Sleek and Stylish Design

ASUS ZenFone 2 takes ‘slim’ to a whole new level. The phone isn't just thin, it is ‘ultra-thin’. The elegant Ergonomic Arc case tapers to 3.9 mm. Not just that, the phone has a beautiful brushed-metal finish which makes it convenient to hold and to use. What I love about Asus is that they take care of even the minutest of details. For example, the volume buttons and the shutter button of the phone are positioned, keeping in mind the index finger.

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

The Asus ZenFone 2 the world’s first smartphone with 4 GB RAM. This allows for three times better performance and seven times faster gaming. The ZenFone 2 is powered by an up to 2.3 GHz 64-bit Intel processor. Need I say more? 

Clearer than a Crystal

My brother is frequently on Instagram and Snapchat. So you can understand the importance he gives to good picture quality. The Asus ZenFone 2 has a 13 mega-pixel PixelMaster camera. I think most of you know that this means unbelievable picture quality. The camera is capable of capturing up to 400% brighter photos at night-time, or in places in low-light. That too, without a flash. That’s not all! The ZenFone 2 also has zero shutter lag.

Zen UI

What sets a mobile phone apart is the User Interface. A UI must be easy to use. One should be able to customize it. It should take you to the necessary apps or settings with the least number of clicks. It also has to be appealing to the eyes. The Asus ZEN UI found in the Asus Zenfone 2 exceeds he user’s expectations. It also has cool new features such as ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro™ Security and ZenUI Instant Updates.

Dual Sim, Dual Active

Above everything else, this phone is a Dual Sim, Dual Active phone phone. For somebody like my brother who has a work number and a personal number, this means no more missed calls! Switching between Sims is as easy as pie.

I could go and on, and still not be able to cover all the awesome features of the Asus ZenFOne 2. Check them yourself here: http://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/

So do you think I’ll buy this phone for my brother? Hell, no! I’m buying it for myself!

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The Asus Zenfone, My #UnconditionalLove

I had just got out of a bad relationship. I was single, but not ready to mingle.  That depressed me a little.  I was going to be single on Valentines Day.  Not that I was desperate for human contact.  But it feels good to spend time with a loved one who understands you. Someone with whom you can really connect. I pondered what I would do this February 14. I took out my Asus Zenfone from my pocket. I checked to see if there was any good movie playing. I was amused with my Zenfone. I think I never realised the ease and speed with which I was able to accomplish tasks,  with just my fingers. That's when I realized. I had found my Valentine. Yes. I was in love and I didn't even know it. This may seem strange to some of you.  But let me tell you  the reason I chose the Zenfone as my soul mate: 

Most Attractive Date

The Aus Zenfone has a stylish body. It attracts attention of everyone in the room and is always the subject of envy. Zen cases have an amazing ceramic feel. It also keeps my beloved Zenfone nicely protected. Also, they come in a variety of colours. I can change the case to match my clothes and my moods. Finally, I get to decide what my Valentine date wears. Where can I find a more attractive Valentine?

Responsive and fast

Instead of spending my dinner time talking to a girl/guy who doesn’t listen to me, I would rather enjoy time with the highly responsive Asus Zenfone. Its got an Intel Inside and is, therefore, is capable multi tasking and is quick to reply. It supports network speeds up to 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+, thus enabling me to browse through web sites and download and upload files in a fraction of a second. Yes, with the Asus Zenfone, I can be me and everything can be about me.

Lasts Longer

Yes, that’s true. Asus Zenfone has an amazing battery life. It can last all night long and can still keep going. Where else can I find somebody who can match, and even surpass, me?

Gamer

The Asus Zenfone is a gamers dream. Because of its amazing battery life the Asus Zenfone enables users to play games longer. A feature you won't find in your regular Valentine. It's Intel processors ensures a smooth gaming experience. No more lagging for me. 

Gives and Gives Without Asking Anything in Return

Ultimately, numbers and specifications cannot perfectly describe what the Asus Zenfone is capable of. It can take high quality photographs and videos. With it, I can easily share my precious moments with my friends. It’s simple and easy to use. I understand it and it understands me. With its dual sim feature, I can handle two avatars.

To know more, go here: http://www.flipkart.com/asus

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Asus v. Asus - A Difficult Choice

Being a hardcore techie I need electronic devices which are quick and strong. I expect nothing short of the best from my devices. Also, being a banker, I need devices which are not just functionally efficient, but which have a smart look. Currently, I'm in bit of a dilemma. I can't choose between two amazing devices- 

(i) the Compact and Light Weight ASUS EeeBook X205TA

and  

(ii) the Simple, Versatile and Powerful ASUS All In One PC ET2040.

Now, both these devices are manufactured by the most reputed brand in the field of electronic devices, i.e. Asus. Both devices are easy on the wallet. So lets take a look at the other factors that, which I need to take into account, before making my decision. (Man! If this was 'Sophie's Choice', it would be a much shorter movie.)

ASUS EeeBook X205TA
(Image taken from here.)

The ASUS EeeBook X205TA comes with a 2-cell battery which will ensure that I can work continuously, without having to look for a charging point every two minutes. Its full-sized chiclet keyboard is amazing, to say the least, and can endure over 10,000,000 keystrokes. 

Furthermore, Eeebook currently comes with a one year subscription to full versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Access, Publisher and OneNote. But that's not all, Asus is also offering 1 TB of online cloud storage. I would never require an external hard disk ever again. Also, the device weighs merely 1 kg. So if I was ever deciding between taking your girlfriend for a trip or taking the ASUS EeeBook X205TA, I would always choose the ASUS EeeBook X205TA, its lighter, more sleek and definitely smarter.

ASUS All In One PC ET2040
Image taken from here.

They say Superman can run faster than a speeding bullet. Well, the ASUS All In One PC ET2040  is even faster. It also features a 19.5-inch HD widescreen display with such a high resolution that you will never feel like watching videos on anything else. And you've heard the phrase 'sharing is caring' haven't you? The ASUS All-in-One PC ET2040 comes with three SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports that are capable of recharging other devices that can charge via USB much faster. Not to mention, transferring data between devices is also quicker. Worried about compatibility of the USB 3.0 with existing USB 2.0 devices? No worries. Its fully compatible.

Want to feel like Tony Stark? Want to be able to use your electronic device from a distance simply by hand gestures? Well, your prayers have been answered. With the ASUS All In One PC ET2040 you can control browse the internet, use applications and do much more from up to 5 meters away because of its Hand-Gesture Recognition Software (HGRS). If I take this device I'm going to have to start saying good bye  to my key board and mouse. In fact I can gladly wave good bye to ever having to even touch my screen. 

So which one do I choose? Well isn't it obvious. I'm taking them both!

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Check out all the features of ASUS EeeBook X205TA and ASUS All In One PC ET2040, and lets see if you can make a choice. I dare you!