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Wednesday 29 February 2012

Galaxy Nexus review: The Galaxy Nexus is by far and away the best Android phone ever

 
After months of rumours, a delayed unveiling out of respect for Steve Jobs, and a launch that could be best described as chaotic, Google and Samsung have finally released the Galaxy Nexus — the first smartphone to run the latest 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" version of Android. The Galaxy Nexus successfully combines a superb screen, great software and excellent hardware to produce what we think is the best Android phone ever.


Galaxy Nexus: Design and display

There are a few reasons why we think the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone on the market, but the most apparent is its strikingly large 4.65in Super AMOLED HD display. The HD denotes a high definition resolution of 1280x720, and the Galaxy Nexus displays an ultra sharp and crisp image. Its bright, vivid and clear and text is crisp and smooth with minimal visible aberrations: if we were being picky we'd say that the iPhone 4S still displays slightly crisper text, but the difference is very small and won't be immediately noticeable to a casual user.

The large size of the screen naturally makes the Galaxy Nexus great for video playback but Web browsing is the main beneficiary — the clarity of the screen makes reading Web pages and books an impressive experience. Our only complaint involves the automatic brightness feature: its often erratic and most of the time is either set a little too bright, or too dim. We suspect this is an issue that could and should be corrected by a software update.
The Galaxy Nexus is a large phone but the big screen doesn't make it uncomfortably large to handle. The unit has on-screen controls rather than capacitive keys that were previously standard on Android phones, so the Galaxy Nexus isn't too much bigger than the popular Samsung Galaxy S II. Aiding the look and feel is a curved screen and a body that has a teardrop profile — this means the Galaxy Nexus is thicker at the top and slightly wider towards the bottom. The curvature makes the Galaxy Nexus feel natural to hold and therefore comfortable to use.

 Unfortunately, the Galaxy Nexus' battery cover is way too fiddly and difficult to put back on once its removed. It's only a minor issue but the fit and finish is a step behind many of its rivals including the iPhone 4S and the HTC Sensation XE — the plastic feels durable but it doesn't look or feel as sturdy as a premium device should. We also dropped our review unit and it left a noticeable chip and multiple scuffs on the plastic surface, while there is a small spot on the edge of the cover that moves when you press it, suggesting its not clicked into place properly. We love the teardrop design and the the non-slip grip that the back of the Galaxy Nexus provides, but we wish Samsung paid more attention to detail.
Two more minor issues — we hate the headphone jack on the bottom of phones and the Galaxy Nexus is no exception. It feels out of place and requires you to turn the phone around when you pull it out of your pocket. We also found the volume buttons on the Galaxy Nexus too easy to accidentally press when the phone is in your pocket, which is annoying when you're listening to music.
  
Galaxy Nexus: Ice Cream Sandwich UI

The hardware of the Galaxy Nexus is only half of the story. Google's latest Android software, Ice Cream Sandwich, is the real star of the Galaxy Nexus show and the changes are both exhaustive and impressive.
Right from the moment you switch on the Galaxy Nexus for the first time, it's clear that the entire user experience has been improved. The interface has been refreshed to create a more uniform look and feel. There's a new typeface called Roboto. The software is faster and slicker than any previous versions of Android and is an improvement over any manufacturer UI skin that we've seen on any other device. The Galaxy Nexus feels consistent and is easier to use than any other Android phone we've ever tested.
There are too many changes to list, but there are a few key elements that make the Galaxy Nexus a pleasure to use. The first is consistency. Google has changed almost every part of the interface and the result is a phone that is easier to use. Android 4.0 still isn't as simple as iOS or as elegant as Windows Phone 7.5, but its fast, effective and easier on the eye than any previous versions of the software. In a full week of use, the Galaxy Nexus did not crash or stutter: performance is consistently excellent.


On the lock screen, you can swipe right to get to the home screen or left to jump straight into the camera. You can now access notifications from the lock screen and you can swipe individual notifications away rather than having to clear all notifications. You can also quickly access the settings menu from the notification drop down, create folders on the home screen by dragging one app on top of another, and access widgets by swiping through the app draw. We also liked the link to the Android Market in the top right corner of the app draw — a small but very appreciated touch — along with the fact that the Google search widget is now a permanent fixture at the top of every home screen. It can not only be used to search the Web, but can perform a phone-wide search, too.


As previously mentioned, Ice Cream Sandwich no longer uses hardware shortcut keys. Instead, three on-screen buttons appear (back, home, multitasking) on most screens. In some apps, further settings can be accessed when three small dots appear in the lower right hand corner of the screen. This can be a little confusing and its often easy to accidentally bump the home or back buttons, but the navigation is something we quickly got used to. We also found multitasking quite intuitive: pressing the multitasking buttons brings up a vertical, scrolling list of your most recently used apps. Tapping on an app will switch to it, while swiping an app off the screen will close it. Its the same multitasking method used on Google's Honeycomb software for tablets, but it feels far more natural and intuitive on a phone.

Galaxy Nexus: Keyboard, Browser and more

Perhaps the best feature of Ice Cream Sandwich is the on-screen keyboard: it's the best we've ever used on an Android phone, with accurate word correction and an excellent layout. If you're coming from an iPhone, you should have no problems adjusting to the Galaxy Nexus, as the keyboard is easily on par with iOS.
The Browser on the Galaxy Nexus is also superb. It's the fastest browser we've ever used on a smartphone (yes, even slightly faster than the iPhone 4S). It's smooth to scroll and zoom and although it doesn't support Flash right now (that is coming in a future update from Adobe) it loaded most pages without an issue. Our only complaint is that when using the on screen keyboard to type in text fields, such as posting on a forum, the keyboard loses its auto correction abilities.
We love most of the changes that Google has made to Ice Cream Sandwich, but Face Unlock isn't one of them. Its largely a gimmick feature in the first place, but we found it a hit and miss affair. Sometimes it worked flawlessly, but other times the front facing camera was affected by a lack of light (especially if used it indoors) and didn't work.


We also found an annoying issue in the new People app. The interface and layout is excellent but the images the app pulls from your contacts end up looking distorted and pixelated. Though its ultimately a minor issue, this takes some gloss of what should be a great looking feature. You can get around this by replacing your contact images with ones taken with the Galaxy Nexus' camera, but even then, the image inside the contact menu is blown up and looks blurry.
We also discovered some apps in the Android Market aren't compatible with the new Ice Cream Sandwich software. Some apps like Facebook will work but are missing the ability to access the options menu due to the on-screen keys replacing the hardware buttons. Others, like RemindMe don't work at all. This is an issue that will be resolved over time as developers update their apps to support Ice Cream Sandwich, but it remains a stumbling block for early adopters.

Galaxy Nexus: Camera and other features

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus has a 5-megapixel camera with single-LED flash that also doubles as a full HD 1080p video recorder. The best feature of the camera is its speed: it takes photos with virtually zero shutter lag. You can easily capture a whole heap of images in a matter of seconds, as the picture is taken the moment you press the on-screen shutter key. The Galaxy Nexus also has a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera will handle video calls and also record 720p HD video: a nifty addition for those who like to record themselves.


While we loved the fact that there is virtually zero shutter lag on the Galaxy Nexus, it often results in images that aren't well focused. The quality of images isn't as good as some other camera phones we've reviewed this year. The Galaxy Nexus is by no means a bad camera: in many instances it produces pretty natural looking photos, and macro performance is excellent. However, images tend to lack detail and have a fair bit of noise, and shots taken in low light aren't exposed very well.
Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the Galaxy Nexus is the volume of the external speaker: its not loud enough so ring tones and notification tones can be difficult to hear when the phone is in your pocket. We tried downloading an equaliser app from the Android Market to boost the volume but even with a slight boost this still remained a significant issue. We can only hope Samsung might be able to fix this with a software update, but its likely hardware that's the issue.
The Galaxy Nexus also lacks a microSD card slot, so you'll have to be content with the 16GB of internal memory. Samsung promised a 32GB model at launch, but as yet this model hasn't been released anywhere in the world, so it may not ever see the light of day. 


The Galaxy Nexus supports a wide range of video and music files and doesn't require software to get music and video files onto it. You can simply plug the Galaxy Nexus into a PC via a USB port and drag and drop files onto the device. On a Windows PC the Galaxy Nexus appears in the control panel as a "portable device", but on a Mac or Linux computer you will need to download the Android File Transfer application in order to move files to and from the phone.

Galaxy Nexus: Battery life and availability

The Galaxy Nexus has average battery life. For light users, it should last a full day, but heavy users will more than likely need an injection of power before the end of the day. The best we managed to squeeze out of the Galaxy Nexus was almost 19 and a half hours: this was on a day with light to moderate use.


The biggest battery killer on the Galaxy Nexus is the screen: it often accounted for over 50 per cent of battery life on a heavy day, and around 30 per cent on a light to moderate day. Unlike many other Android phones, using the Internet and synchronising applications in the background (like Gmail, Twitter and Facebook) doesn't seem to be a huge battery drain. A good example is the fact that the Browser accounted for less than 8 per cent of the battery drain in most instances.


Monday 27 February 2012

Bajaj Auto recalls the Pulsar 220DTSi to replace starter relay

Attention Pulsar 220 DTSi owners, Bajaj Auto it appears has recalled specific models of the motorcycle to replace the starter relay. The recall will involve the free replacement of the starter relay in specific Pulsar 220 DTSi motorcycle at Bajaj service centers across the nation. The recall job will take less than 20 minutes as it involves the replacement of an electronic component on the motorcycle. Bajaj dealers and service centers across India have begun sending text messages to the Pulsar 220 owners whose motorcycles are involved in this recall. This information was confirmed to Team ICB by Bajaj Auto’s largest dealer chain in Pune.


Since the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi is an electric start-only motorcycle, it would be advisable to replace the starter relay as soon as possible as the relay’s failure could leave you stranded without the starter functioning. So, if you own a Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi, it would be a good idea to pick up that phone and call your nearest Bajaj service center to find out whether your motorcycle needs a replacement of the starter relay. You will be required to give the service advisor/supervisor your Pulsar 220 DTSi’s chassis number for the service advisor to tell you whether your motorcycle is affected by this recall.


How and where can you find your Pulsar 220 DTSi’s chassis number?
One: The user manual of your motorcycle will have the chassis number printed on the cover of the book.


Two: The headstock on the frame of the motorcycle, just below the front fairing will have the chassis number etched onto it.(For simple understanding, the head stock as illustrated in the image below is the black vertical rod that sits below the handlebar)

What is the alternate if you aren’t able to locate your Pulsar 220 DTSi’s chassis number?
If you’re not able to locate your chassis number, you may simply ride down to your nearest Bajaj service center to get the service advisor to check your frame number and tell you whether the starter relay of your Pulsar 220 DTSi will need to be replaced.

BSNL Introduces Tablet Computers



BSNL has launched three tablets including two 7 inch resistive screen based tabs with Android 2.3 operating system while the third tablet comes with an 8 inch capacitive touchscreen.

Made by Noida based company - Pantel, the tablets will be sold with discounted data plans from BSNL. The three tablets are priced at Rs 3,250, Rs 10,999 and Rs 13,500.

The cheapest model is Panta Tpad IS 701r which is priced at Rs 3,250. Notably, Aakash is priced at just Rs 2500. However, Tpad has better specification than the Datawind's low cost tablet.


Panta Tpad is a WiFi only tablet with Android 2.3 operating system, it has a 1 GHz processor (ARM11 IMAP210) clubbed with 256 MB RAM. The tablet also offers HDMI port through which it can be connected to a TV. Its 7 inch resistive touch screen comes with 800x600 resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio.

Panta Tpad IS 701R

CPU
IMAP210 1GHz
O/S
Android 2.3
RAM
DDR2 256 MB
FLASH
2GB
Wifi
802.11b/g/n
LCD Resolution
7” TFT, 16:9, 800*600
Touch screen
resistive touch screen
G-Sensor
Rotator screen, 3D games
Camera
0.3MP
USB
USB*1
BATTERY
Li-ion 3000mah 5V2A
VIDEO
Max.1280*720 MKV(H.264 HP) AVI RM/RMVB FLV WMV9 MP4
FLASH SUPPORT
Adode Flash 10.3
EMAIL
Send/receive email online
AUDIO
 
MP3/WMA/APE/FLAC/AAC/OGG/AC3/WAV




















 
 WS704C 
OS Version
Android 2.3/ 4.0
Processor
1GHz
LCD
7"7" Capacitive Multi Touch Screen 800 x 600
RAM
512MB DDRIII
ROM (Storage)
e-MMC NAND Flash 4GB
External Memory
T Flash (upto 32GB)
Battery
Polymer 4000mAH
USB Ports
Mini-USB Ports / Regular USB Port
HDMI
1080P & 720P
Earphones
3.5mm stereo phone jack
Wi-Fi
IEEE 802.11B/G
AC/DC Jack
Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz Output: 9V/2A
Camera
0.3Mp Front + 2.0 Mp Rear
Bluetooth
2.1+ EDR 
G-sensor
Yes
GPS
Built-in
3G Connectivity
Built-in CDMA/EVDO+GSM


The tablet has a 3000 mAh battery and 2 GB internal memory which can be expanded through micro SD card. The tablet also has a VGA front facing camera for video calling. While Panta Tpad IS 701r has the BSNL branding, the other two tablets images do not have. 


The second tablet is named 'Panta Tpad_ws704c'. It has the same specification as its cheapest cousin (701r) but offers added 3G connectivity which supports both CDMA/EVDO and GSM, inbuilt A-GPS, Accelerometer and Bluetooth. It also comes with a 2 megapixel rear camera and also has bigger 512 MB RAM for faster performance.
 
 
Penta TPAD WS804c
OS Version
Android O.S 2.3
Processor
Cortex A8 1.2 GHz
LCD
8" Capacitive Multi Touch Screen 800 x 600
RAM
512MB DDRIII
ROM (Storage)
e-MMC NAND Flash 4gb
External Memory
T Flash (upto 32GB)
Battery
Polymer 4000mAH
USB Ports
Mini-USB Ports / Regular USB Port
HDMI
1080P & 720P
Earphones
3.5mm stereo phone jack
Wi-Fi
IEEE 802.11B/G
AC/DC Jack
Input: 100-240V, 50-60Hz Output: 9V/2A
Camera
0.3Mp Front + 2.0 Mp Rear
Bluetooth
2.1+ EDR 
G-sensor
Yes
GPS
Built-in
3G Connectivity
Built-in WCDMA/ EVDO 3G

The costliest amongst the three is the Tpad WS802C which has an 8 inch capacitive screen. It comes with a faster 1.2 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM. The internal memory is also bigger at 4 GB. Rest of the features like GPS, camera and Bluetooth are same as the 704C. 

Friday 24 February 2012

New Suzuki Swift Sport 2012


Suzuki is a big brand and has been selling its cars in major countries for a decades now. A while back the global major unveiled a sports model of the much successful 2011 Maruti Swift which was acclaimed by many. Now Suzuki Australia has launched a five-door version of the same in Japan and Australia. As being reported the car offers more power, more torque, improved driving dynamics, better fuel efficiency and enhanced safety. More than the technical changes, the visual changes brought also add to the appeal of the car.

Suzuki Swift Sport 2012 Video View From All Angles

Suzuki Swift Sport 2012 Specifications and Features

The changes made to the exteriors of the hatchback include:
  • An all new body kit with wider wheel track
  • Big 17-inch alloys
  • New and deeper front grille
  • Bi-xenon headlamps
  • Black A and B pillars
  • New Extra-wide dual exhaust tips
  • New Rear Diffuser

The interiors of the car have also been retouched and now it comes with the following:
  • Heavily strengthened sportier front seats
  • Soft leather wrapped steering wheel
  • Engine Start-Stop button
  • Sportier alloy pedals
  • Sporty gear shifter
  • Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
  • 6 speaker audio system with USB connectivity
  • Climate control air conditioning
  • 6 speaker audio system with USB connectivity
  • 7 airbags
  • ABS
  • EBD
  • ESP

Under the hood the Swift Sport features a 1.6 litre MPFI petrol engine that generates 134 BHP of maximum power and 160 Nm of peak torque. These figures are 11 BHP and 12 Nm more than what the previous generation offered. The engine is coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission which drives the front wheels. This complete setup delivers 6.5 l/100 km which calculates to 16 KMPL approximately. If you opt for the CVT the fuel consumption reduces to 6.1 l/100 km. The car sprints from 0 – 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.

Suzuki Swift Sport Prices

The Swift Sport is priced at $ 23,990(Rs. 12.62 lakhs) for the manual variant and $25,990(Rs. 13.66 lakhs) for the CVT version. There are no signs of Maruti Suzuki launching anything close to Swift Sport in India in near future. Swift Sport is more of an aspirational vehicle which does not see any considerable market in India, so the same has been kept away from the Indian shores. Also at present, there is too much pressure on Maruti Suzuki for the production of Maruti Swift 2011 as there are many pending deliveries of the cars for the customers who have been bearing long waiting period.

9,600 Indian Made Nissan Micra Cars Recalled

Nissan Micra is one of least entertained small cars in the hatchback segment and Nissan would have never expected this. To make the project more profitable the company started exporting Micra to other markets but lately the same has attracted attention for the wrong reason.
The Japanese major has recalled 249,522 cars globally including 7 models of which 9,600 units are of India made Micras. The company has recalled diesel engine models only as the fault lies in the fuel rail of these direct injection units and the faulty sensor. The problem, which could rise in extreme cases, is of fuel leakage through the rail which the company is addressing to via the recall.
One of the Nissan Motors spokesperson said,
“This global recall includes about 9,600 units of India-built Micras that were sold in Europe. There are no issues in other units. The recall programme won’t have any impact on Micras sold in India as the specifications are totally different for export markets.”
In the year 2010, Nissan recalled Micra for the first time for a minor technical issue related to noise arising at the time of starting the engine in extreme cold weather. This is the second time Micra has been recalled but this is to keep in mind that it is for the betterment of the brand. As of last month, the company has exported 136,000 units of Micra to international markets like Africa, Europe, and West Asia.

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Best 13-inch laptops


The 13-inch laptop has gone on leaps and bounds recently, thanks massively to Intel's Ultrabook specifications.
At the moment, all Ultrabooks feature 13-inch screens, with 14 and 15-inch models incoming later this year.
In many ways, a 13-inch laptop is the perfect size for a portable PC; they're not as fiddly and squint-inducing as netbooks, but not as heavy and awkward as a full-on notebook.
  
1. HP Envy 13  

 HP's Envy cost a whopping £1499 when we reviewed it, and we rightly criticised it for being far too expensive. Now that price has dropped to under £1000, making it a worthy competitor to Apple's 13-inch MacBook. Like the MacBook, it sports a quality build, lozenge-type keys, a lovely screen and a dedicated graphics card. Unfortunately, battery life isn't that great, but if you fancy buying something of Apple's inscrutable quality without the Apple branding, look no further.

2. Acer Aspire S3

Acer's take on the Intel Ultrabook specifications may not be quite as skinny as half-sister company Asus' Zenbook, but the price is certainly slimmed down. Packed with a Core i7 processor and 4GB of memory, the Aspire S3 proved a capable multi-tasker able to run powerful photo and video editing software. The keyboard is impressive for such a slim machine, and we were impressed by just how quietly it ran. 149 minutes of battery life won't see you taking it on extended trips, but the price and form factor makes it an ideal first venture into the Ultrabook market.

3. Lenovo IdeaPad U300S 

 

Sitting firmly between other Ultrabooks in terms of both price and performance, Lenovo's IdeaPad still proved that Intel's specifications make for versatile and powerful little lappies. Lenovo has prioritised business use on the IdeaPad, so you'll find a comfortable keyboard and matt screen. While the latter may not be ideal for photos and movies, it's perfect for working outside or in the glare of the sun. Long battery life and low weight make it great for long business trips, and while the design is nothing special it's still head and shoulders above non-Ultrabook laptops.

4. Toshiba Satellite Z830


Toshiba's Ultrabook somehow includes a sub-woofer, an ethernet port and three USB ports in a package that weighs a mere 1.1kg and is just 16mm wide at its thickest point. The miracle of micro-engineering comes at a cost, though: it's one of the flimsier Ultrabooks we've looked at. It's not quite as powerful as other Ultrabooks we've looked at, although it proved perfectly adequate for photo editing and was quick to boot up and shut down. Battery life impressed, too, and we reckon it'll last a full day of real-world use.


5. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Late 2011)  

Intel's Ultrabooks may have Apple's 13-inch ultraportable firmly in their sights, but they still have quite a fight on their hands. The MacBook Pro's handsome looks make everything else look a little bit pathetic, and the buttonless touchpad is one of the best we've ever seen. This update includes a faster processor and larger hard drive, on top of standard Mac-centric luxuries like a backlit keyboard, an excellent screen and an HD webcam.

6. Asus Zenbook UX31

An incredible introduction to Intel's Ultrabook specification, Asus' Zenbook is a draw-droppingly well-designed piece of kit. It draws favourable comparisons to Apple's MacBook Air, with an ultra-slim form factor (just 17mm at its widest point when closed) and distinctive concentric design on the lid. Add to this powerful components, long battery life and excellent sound, and you've got an immensely capable little laptop. The fact that the biggest problem we had was with the trackpad buttons says it all here, really.

7. Dell XPS 13  

 


The Dell XPS 13 makes its debut in March and it looks like a cracker. The first thing that strikes you about the XPS 13 is how compact it is. Despite it being a 13-inch display, the 31.6 x 20.5 cm footprint is narrow and Dell makes no secret of its desire to be smaller than the 13-inch MacBook Air but with a similar screen size. It's thin, too, with a 6-18mm footprint and is a gorgeous-looking device. Our previous Ultrabook design best has to be the Asus Zenbook but the Dell XPS 13 really cuts it. It looks the part and feels it too at 1.4Kg.

 8. Samsung 9 Series 



The original Series 9 was one of the world's thinnest laptops, but Samsung has managed to shave another 4mm from its size-zero body, and the updated 13" model measures just 12.9mm when closed. The 15-inch version measures just 15mm, and one certainly gets the impression that Samsung wants to prove a point to the Ultrabook crowd. Duralumin, the tough alloy used on the original model, has been axed - possibly because it was prone to scratches - and replaced by standard aluminium, which feels much more resilient, and should stand up to contact with other items in your bag.

9. Sony VAIO Z Series

Just under £2,000 is a lot to spend on a laptop, especially one so small. But this Sony VAIO is basically a desktop in a tiny laptops' clothing, and it includes a proper desktop Core i7, 6GB of DDR3 RAM and an Nvidia GT 330M graphics chip. You needn't worry about this beefy setup draining the battery, either: we got a decent 285 minutes out of it. It's all wrapped up in VAIO's exquisite style and rugged build quality, and the screen is a sight to behold. As we said in our review, "this is easily one of the best laptops you can currently buy.

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