Month: November 2013

Categories
Tech

Review: Sony Xperia Z1

What does the Xperia Z1 have that the earlier Xperia Z doesn’t? We do some checking and look for answers.
by Manik Kakra

Sony has been trying to get its phone division better converged with its music and camera divisions in order to get ahead in the smartphone battle. Its Xperia Z left a bitter taste in some people’s mouths, and the company aims to find its mojo back with the Xperia Z1. So, let’s check out this new Android smartphone from Sony.

Hardware and design

Sony Xperia Z1Sony’s Xperia Z1 (C6902) follows the same rectangular slap design that we have seen with the Xperia Z, and ZR. Handling one for the first time, you may realise that it’s a bit bigger than the Z, but isn’t different from it when it comes to looks.

The phone sports a 5-inch full HD screen, which also carries the three onscreen keys. On top are placed the usual speakers with LED fitted underneath the grills inside. Just below the screen, even though there is nothing placed, the bezel space is noticeable and pretty big for a space having no real estate.

On the left sidepanel, you have the microUSB port, memory card slot and two-pin charging points for charging using a dock. On the right side, there’s the SIM slot and the familiar circular metallic Power button – looks nice to me – and plastic volume rockers. All these slots are flapped and, though the Z1 is water-proof, these flaps, which seem quite fragile, have to be put on Sony Xperia Z1when you are trying some water adventures while carrying the device. On the back sits the 20.7 MP camera with an LED flash. The back is made up of thick plastic material with coating, which fits quite well in the hand, but both front and back are dust and fingerprint magnets. It becomes a bit frustrating seeing dust all over the screen after pulling the phone out from your pocket.

The top gets the 3.5mm headset jack. The loudspeakers, like the iPhone 5’s, are at the bottom. Round edges, aluminium-mixed front.

Screen

Talking about the phone’s 5-inch 1080p screen, Sony’s Z was mainly looked down for its ordinary screen quality, but did the Z1 come out winning? The Z1’s seemed much better to me than the Z. Colours look nowhere as washed out as on the Z, and it is crisp. But when you use it after seeing the LG G2 or even the HTC One, it does rank below those two. Sony mentions the use of BRAVIS Engine for the display, but while there is certainly a lot of improvement from what it was like on the Z, there is still some work needed when it comes to viewing angles and contrast.

Sony Xperia Z1Camera

The Xperia Z1 boasts a 20.7 MP f/2.0 (mainly 20) MP camera with BIONZ image processor. The trick here is that the camera does oversampling, giving out 8 MP images. I tried the camera a bit, and was pretty satisfied with it. Sony’s camera UI is neat, straightforward and doesn’t require too many adjustments for every shot. On the down side, I did notice some over-processing from the software. You take a shot expecting something, but the result you view later seems a bit different, usually sharper than how it should have been. The camera performed well in decent conditions, but there’s definitely a lot of noise once you try it in a dark room or under such difficult conditions. See sample shots here.

Audio

Let’s now talk a bit about the audio quality. It’s Sony, so you expect a good audio experience, and that’s exactly the case here. In-ear sound is clear, quite loud and you shouldn’t be hesitating to use your favourite headphones with the phone. Loudspeakers are also loud and usually don’t distort when played on high volume. I was quite happy with their performance while gaming, barring muffling them with my hand while holding the phone when in landscape mode. Also, Sony’s music player is really nice. It has got some beautiful colours for backgrounds and works smoothly, too.

The call quality on the Xperia Z1 is top notch, and there’s no network reception issues any time during my usage.

Software and peformance

The Xperia runs on Android 4.2.2 with Sony’s UXT UI on top. Overall, there are hardly changes here from we have seen and used on the Xperia Z. Under the hood, there is a quad-core Sony Xperia Z12.2 GHz (Krait 400) Snapdragon 800 SoC, along with 2 GB of RAM. The whole look and feel is identical. The phone hardly ever lagged during my usage, and was mostly smooth, responsive and didn’t do any random reboots on its own. You can play full HD videos, go back and forth, and won’t notice any major performance issues. Having five home screens by default, four icons – Sony LIV, Mucis, Messaging and phone in dock, and below sit the on-screen buttons –Back, Home and Multi App View.

Thanks to the placement of on-screen buttons, you lose some screen estate to them in most of the apps you will use. The UXT UI gives you similar app launcher as other OEMs do. Here, you also get a different screen, when swiped from left, to uninstall apps, go to the Play Store, Sony’s app store, and arrange apps in various orders.

I usually got around 21 hours of battery life from, the phone’s 3,000 mAh battery, on a single charge – auto sync on, half an hour of gaming, some music and lots of Twitter and Web surfing.

Sony also provides users with music downloading and streaming service – SonyJive. You et free downloading and streaming for first six months. Don’t get excited. The app is very sluggish, full of bugs, the service has average collection and you get DRM protected content. Yup, it is really bad. I would rather have no such service than having one which may give such an awful experience – definitely the worst part of the whole device.  LIV is a service that allows you to stream content from various Sony channels, without any extra cost. There is also Big Flix app from which you can stream Bollywood movies – pretty decent collection this time. And you also get six movies free (can only be watched on the device itself) six movies from Priviledge, just wish they had given HD qulaity, too.

Summing up

The Xperia Z1 is definitely Sony’s best offering right now. Great performance, coupled with decent camera and looks, the phone does seem a good choice. There is no doubt Sony still needs some work on the display side, and maybe just put (or leave it out completely) a better music streaming service for Indian users. All in all, the phone shows that the company might well be on the right path.

Categories
Tech

Just in: Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) available on Indian Play Store

Our tech writer previews and reviews the specs on the new Nexus phones – the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 7.
by Manik Kakra

Here they are, folks. The Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) are now officially available in India.

Nexus 5Announced about three weeks back, the Nexus 5 (in pic on left) marks the launch of Android’s latest version – 4.4 (KitKat). The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chipset, along with 2 GB of RAM. On the back, it sports an 8 MP (AF) camera (plus LED flash) with optical image stabilisation feature; while the front has a 1.3 MP camera.

Boasting a 4.95-inch full HD screen, the Nexus 5 comes in black and white colour options – with 16 GB and 32 GB variant. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, microUSB (+ Slim port), and LTE (may not support Indian telecom bands). While the 16 GB variant is priced at Rs 28,999, the 32 GB is available for Rs 32,999. The Play Store also lists the official Nexus 5 bumper for Rs 2,999.

Coming to the Nexus 7 (2013, see main image above), the tablet features a 7-inch full HD screen, and comes in 16 GB and 32 GB storage variants. On the back, there is a 5 MP (AF) camera; and the front has a 1.2 MP camera. Under the hood, there is a Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, along with 2 GB of RAM. This Android 4.3 (4.4 is out) features WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, LTE (depends on the model), and microUSB (+ Slim port). The Nexus 7 starts from Rs 20,999 for the 16 GB WiFi-only model, and goes up to Rs 27,999 for the 32 GB WiFi + Cellular (LTE) model.

Categories
Big story

Bigger fleet taxis on Mumbai’s roads soon?

State Government okays the re-granting of 7,844 cancelled taxi permits for bigger fleet cabs in Mumbai Metropolitan Region and outside.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

We are currently counting down to General Elections 2014, and if ruling parties want to make a difference to their fortunes, the time is now. The Congress-NCP Government in Maharashtra is taking a step in this direction by tackling two problems at once – the problem of congestion on the city’s roads, and that of cabs having a carrying capacity of just four passengers.

Today, the State Government decided to reissue 7,844 of the taxi permits it cancelled for phone fleet taxis. From last year, the Government had cancelled 19,687 permits in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and nearby areas. However, the Government has recently been mulling the idea of radio cab operators adding vehicles that have a passenger carrying capacity of five or six passengers, plus a driver. The need for a larger vehicle has long been felt, it feels, with some families having to hire two cabs when going out because of the present low carrying capacity of taxis. Hence, by hiring one vehicle instead of two, the congestion on the city’s roads may be reduced.

There is already a draft notification in place that proposes that the operator of a radio cab service ensures that at least 10 per cent of its cabs have a seating capacity of five or six passengers, plus the driver. Today, the Government also emphasised that the operator must have at least 1,000 permits in the MMR. As on October 2010, the Government had decided to grant at least 4,000 licenses to phone fleet taxis. By amending the rules, the Government is also looking to restrict the number of permits given to a single operator so that more operators can put their vehicles on the road and prevent any one company from monopolising the market.

However, there is no clarity on how much a ride in a fleet taxi will cost.

(Picture courtesy www.thehindubusinessline.com)

Categories
Hum log

Comic capers with Abhijeet Kini

This Santacruz resident and self-taught cartoonist feels that the city and the country provide great, constant material for all cartoonists.
by Salil Jayakar

I’ve known Abhijeet Kini (30) for well over a decade now, which makes it surprising that I’ve never ever interviewed him in all these years. More so since, as a journalist I have done stories on offbeat careers and his career choice would have been a perfect fit – ‘full-time freelancer cartoonist.’ But as they say, better late than never…

Angry MavshiAbhijeet’s love affair with the world of cartoons and comic books started as a four-year-old, browsing through newspaper comics every day, even if he could not make much sense of them back then. “I always loved the visual medium, drawn, panel by panel,” the Santacruz resident says. It helped that his parents encouraged him from an early age, never saying ‘no’ to his demands for comics and not Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys. Aged seven, he was gifted Tintin’s Blue Lotus issue (which he still has in mint condition) and there was no looking back. He started collecting comics – from Tintin and Asterix to Tinkle, DC and Marvel. That in itself was a huge inspiration for him to take up the pencil and start sketching.

Completely self taught, with no art training, Abhijeet says he always wanted to be a cartoonist. The decision wasn’t difficult because of his supportive parents who never pressurised him into taking up engineering or medicine. When he was 12 (or 13), Abhijeet’s mom took him to meet Ram Mohan and Bhimsen, the pioneers of Indian animation. He carried his artworks to show them and remembers them saying nice things about his work. Naturally, it instilled confidence in his young impressionable mind. “Then in 1997, when I was 15, mom took me to meet the great Anant Pai, editor of Tinkle comics. I always wanted to meet him and eventually draw for the comic, and I am fortunate that I am doing that since 2004.”

Working as a cartoonist

At Abhijeet’s insistence, I shamelessly take some credit for his ‘big break’ with Mid Day Multimedia in 1999. I was freelancing with Mid Day (which was launching chalomumbai.com) and they were looking out for freelance illustrators. I recommended Abhijeet, and the rest is history.

Remembers Abhijeet, “I gave it a shot and my work was liked. Before Mid Day, I freelanced for a few youth magazines and did some comic 2commission based art for a book. This was when I was fresh out of high school and in junior college. But Mid Day added a lot of weight to my portfolio and other magazines followed based on that.”

Abhijeet idolises certain national and international artists and believes some of their styles and techniques have heavily influenced him as a youngster. Sanjeev Waeerkar’s work in Tinkle in the early 90s and Sergio Aragones of Mad magazine being the most prominent ones. “Mad has had a huge influence on me and my sense of humour but Sergio’s work was something else,” he reveals. Other favourites include Ram Waeerkar, Don Martin, Mario Miranda and Jim Lee. In his current work, Abhijeet uses different styles from comic to comic. So while his merchandise line is more slapstick, his Tinkle style is more children friendly, there is a cartoon-violence/young adult style for ‘Angry Maushi’ and a serious style showcased in ‘Milk & Quickies’.

Delhi BilliAccording to Abhijeet, comics such as Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha are going very strong today, too. To him, these are the comics which represent India, just like Manga is for Japan. Other comic book titles range from mythology to superhero storylines. In that sense, yes, the evolution is evident when it comes to the new genres coming up. But he believes there should be more of a social angle in all these. “I do not mean a ‘preachy’ or ‘socially correct/social cause’ kind of theme. Take Mumbai city as an example. If one was to make a comic on Mumbai, imagine the range of topics one has to pick and choose from… and I’m talking humour as a genre,” he explains. Which is why Abhijeet’s ‘Angry Maushi’ series is heavily Mumbai-based. It is about an angry Mumbai lady waging war against corrupt politicians, robots and zombies in the funniest violent way possible.

Money matters

So much money does a “full-time freelance cartoonist” like Abhijeet make? He laughs. “In my field, there’s always a disclaimer (in not so fine print) saying ‘Money may or may not come’. People like me are suckers for creative satisfaction or doing what we love to do, loving what we do to live. Sure, money does come, but maybe in bursts, or trickles. I am thankful that India today has Comic Cons going. My wife Diksha and I participate in Comic Cons all over the country and our merchandise products are quite a hit. Many of my characters today, like ‘Angry Maushi’ and ‘Delhi Billi’, were created for the merchandise first, and comics later.”

For those who want to make a career as a cartoonist, Abhijeet says, “I have learnt that it doesn’t matter what people think about what you do. If you are confident of your work and comic 4have a strong art portfolio, even if you are self-taught like me, you have a strong chance to make it. The industry is very young in India but it’s a great place to be, especially if you are able to convert your ideas to reality. Oh, and if you have big dollar dreams, please leave the room quietly right now!”

 

(Pictures courtesy Abhijeet Kini)

 

Categories
Wellness

Aching back? Here’s how you set it right

Backaches have a detrimental effect on our work and leisure hours. Treat the problem before it develops into something serious.
by Sharad Panjwani

A backache can make you miserable, rendering daily routines difficult to achieve and a constant reminder that something’s not right. But though back pain may slow you down, there’s no reason you can’t erase it from your life for ever.

Shruti Khopkar (31) was active before her wedding two years ago – she would exercise every day, be on the move even at work, run errands and get at least seven hours of sleep. “But I had to quit my job after the wedding, and soon, there was a lot of work at home. Within months, I developed a persistent backache that just would not go away.”

The answer came after two visits to a specialist. “My posture had changed because I was constantly at home, either cooking or tending to the home. I developed this habit of slouching in my couch and reading or watching TV. When I had been exercising with my trainer, he had ensured that my posture was perfect.” Shruti went back to functional training, and with proper workouts for her back and core, she does not feel an ache in her back any more.

Set it right

Backaches are rarely very serious, unless a slipped disc or strained spinal column is rendering you immobile. Very often, small corrections in postures and habits go a long way in alleviating back pain.

sleep well– Sleep well: Most people with backache complain of stiffness when they wake up in the morning. While a small amount of stiffness if expected after hours of rest, a pain in the back is unacceptable. Your mattress could be the culprit – either too soft to support your spine as you sleep, or too firm to let your muscles rest. If not your mattress, it could be a lingering problem that you may have ignored.

Get help: Flip your mattress to distribute your weight evenly over it. Also, do a simple stretching exercise when you wake up every morning. Some people experience back pain if they don’t sleep enough. If you can, take a couple of days off from work simply to rest your back. If the pain is acute, you will need medical help.

– Don’t sleep too much: However, those with back pain would do well to not rest too much in bed. Says Dr Rahul Shringare, orthopaedic surgeon, “Too much bed rest weakens the back further. You should engage yourself in moderate activity like walking, but not run or do gardening.”

Get help: Alternate your periods of rest with periods of activity. Avoid gymming or running that will strain your back. However, do light stretching so that your back gets exercise and does not ‘freeze’.

– Exercise: Though some people give themselves a backache by overdoing their exercise routines, it is exercise that can rescue them. However, the workout you do must be approvedback pain by a certified trainer and your doctor, if you’ve consulted one.

Get help: Walking keeps the spine and back in a neutral position, so it’s a good exercise. Yoga also helps alleviate backache. Try ‘sarpasan’ for a strong back – lie down on the floor with your palms placed under your shoulders. Slowly lift your back (without lifting your feet off the ground) keeping your elbows at not more than 60 degrees angle. Hold for three seconds, then release. Repeat laps of 10 and do two sets.

– Better posture: Slouching at the computer, suddenly bending to pick up an object off the floor, even coughing while bending over, can give you painful back spasms that take days to heal. Though you will do damage even with a rigid back at all times, you must remember to sit up straight at work or at home, and to avoid putting pressure on the lower back, support your lumbar with a firm pillow when you sit.

Get help: Always bend your knees when you bend over. Keeping the knees locked and your legs straight when bending puts tremendous pressure on your spine. Every once in a while, get up from your seat and stretch, take a short walk around the office. Keep your back as straight as you can without feeling pressure in the lumbar. Your shoulders must be aligned in a straight plane, instead of rounded inwards.

– Avoid massaging a sore back: Wrong exercise or a blunt trauma can bruise and inflame your back muscles, causing swelling. Most people wrongly assume that massage creams and oils are to be applied on swollen, painful  areas of the body – these are only to be used on aching parts that are not inflamed or swollen.

Get help: If your back is swollen, apply an ice pack till the swelling goes down. After this, apply heat pads to repair the tender muscles in the painful area. Do not rub with a massage cream, it will only tear the tender muscles and tissue.

– Strengthen your abs: It seems strange, but it is true that if your ab core is weak, it will strain your back further. People with strong abs are found to experience less back pain than others.

Get help: Strong abs does not mean a six-pack, but a core that can easily do crunches or flips without spasms. Get a fitness trainer to prescribe exercises for stronger abdominal muscles. Also consider exercises for hamstrings, chest and calves.

– See a specialist: A back pain cannot be treated simply with painkillers and a bit of moderate exercise. If your problem is long-term, you might need to see a specialist.

Get help: Ask your specialist for exercises to do at home or work, and for suggested lifestyle changes. Follow his/her advice to the letter.

(Pictures courtesy www.topnews.in, www.vitality-centre.com, www.apollolife.com)

Categories
Learn

Chavan pushes for regulator in housing

The Maharashtra CM writes to the Centre asking for President’s assent for Housing Bill, citing the recent Campa Cola controversy.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The recent Campa Cola controversy – and the brickbats that the State Government got over its handling of the issue – has spurred Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to push for the Housing (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2012.

A release from Chavan’s office announced that the CM has written to Girija Vyas, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, requesting her to get President Pranab Mukherjee’s assent for the Bill – the Maharashtra State legislature has passed the Bill about 16 months ago.

Citing the recent Campa Cola issue, Chavan has said (in the release) that it is now important to have a regulator in housing and real estate, to prevent Development Control Rules being violated by builders. Chavan also feels that the Bill will go a long way in safeguarding the interests of home buyers and ensuring transparency in property deals. The biggest benefit of the Bill is that home buyers and investors can lodge complaints against builders (in cases of violations and non-compliance of agreement) to a regulatory authority, which will study the issue and pass an order within three months of the complaint being lodged.

The Bill also seeks to penalise builders and developers for not giving possession of flats at a stipulated date, for making changes in the original plan or flat design without the buyer’s consent, for not making a full disclosure about the land and the proposed project on it, among others.

(Picture courtesy www.indianexpress.com) 

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