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Tech

What went down at the Nokia World event

As many as six new devices came out of the recent Nokia event, Abu Dhabi. Here’s a look at each.
by Manik Kakra

The last Nokia World event, from Abu Dhabi, was recently concluded and we saw as many as six new devices from the company. Nokia announced three new Asha phones, two new Lumia smartphones, and one, its first, Windows 8 RT tablet.

Let’s take a look at the new launches.

Asha 500: This phone has a 2.80-inch QVGA touchscreen, and a 2 MP rear camera. Supporting a microSD card of up to 32 GB, it is equipped with Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi, microUSB, and comes in single SIM and dual-SIM options. It’s priced at $69 (before tax).

Asha 502: This dual-SIM phone boasts a 3-inch QVGA touchscreen and 64 MB of RAM. On the back, there’s a 5 MP camera (with LED flash). Other features include Bluetooth, WiFi and microUSB. It’s priced at $89 (before tax).

Asha 503: This is an Asha device with 3-inch touchscreen along with Gorilla Glass on top. Available in dual-SIM and single SIM options, the phone sports a 5 MP rear camera and expandable storage up to 32 GB. It’s priced at $99 (before tax).

It was also announced that WhatsApp is soon coming to the existing Asha devices.

Lumia 1320Lumia 1320: The Lumia 1320 (in pic on left) features a 6-inch 720p screen with Gorilla Glass 3 on top, and is powered by 1.7 GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 chipset and 1 GB of RAM. Running Windows Phone 8 with Nokia’s own apps available on it, the phone sports a 5 Mp rear camera, which can do 1080p videos; and a VGA front-facing camera. Connectivity-wise, there’s Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, and microUSB 2.0. Equipped with 3,400 mAh battery, the Lumia 1320 supports microSD card of up to 64 GB. It comes in red, yellow, white and black colours.

Lumia 1520: This is Nokia’s first Windows Phone device that boasts a full HD screen (in featured image above). It has a 6-inch 1080p screen with Nokia’s ClearBlack technology. It is powered by Qualcomm’s 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, along with 2 GB of RAM. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, microUSB 2.0. The phone packs 3,400 mAh battery, and also supports wireless charging. Another USP of this phone is its 20 MP camera that has Nokia’s popular PureView technology. On the front, there’s a 1.3 MP camera, too. Colour options include red, yellow, white and black.

Nokia-Lumia-2520 and keyboardLumia 2520: This is a big one – literally and figuratively. Nokia’s Lumia 2520 (in pic on right) is the company’s first Windows 8.1 RT tablet, and it follows their Fabula design. The tablet has a10.1-inch full HD screen, a 6.7 MP rear camera, and a 2 MP front-facing camera. With 32 GB of internal storage, and expandable option through microSD, there’s a lot of storage space for its users. Under the hood, there’s 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, along with 2 GB of RAM. Connectivity-wise, there’s Bluetooth 4.0, LTE, microUSB, NFC and WiFi. The Lumia 1520 comes in white, black, red and blue colour options.

Nokia also mentioned that Instagram, Vine are coming to Windows Phone pretty soon, while Flipboard is now available for Windows 8 RT.

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Read

‘Writing isn’t easy…’

14-year-old student Maulik Jain releases debut book, says he writes as a response to what he experiences in the world.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

One can do something for years, but one needs just one brilliant second for a great little idea to strike. That is exactly what happened in Juhu resident Maulik Jain’s case – he was sitting at the dinner table one night and had a sudden flash of inspiration.

Maulik JainA little over a month later, after he’d let inspiration take over him completely, Maulik (14) was ready with his first book, Imagination Unplugged, a collection of personal essays and short stories. “I had always been writing, and my essays used to be read out by teachers in class,” says the Grade 10 student of Jamnabai Narsee School. “I have been writing a diary for the longest time, and so the habit of penning down my thoughts is an old one.”

This habit held Maulik in good stead, because, as he admits, most of the material for his book was already present in his jottings. “But for the book, I had to revisit a lot of the essays I had written, restructure the thoughts I had previously put down, because I found that what I had thought a few years or months ago, was not what I thought now. I sat down and went through the material, selected the writings I wanted to include in the book, then fine-tuned them,” he explains.

The entire process of coming out with the book took about eight months, with Maulik and his parents being an integral part of the decision-making process. “There was a lot to learn from the overall process. I got to know about the various parts of book publishing, took decisions on typeset and jacket designs, sat down for editing discussions. It was a great learning experience for me,” he says. The biggest learning, however, came from the ‘writing’ part of it. “I realised writing is really not that easy, especially writing a book,” he grins.

Once the book was printed and delivered, Maulik’s parents Deepak and Pooja arranged for a grand launch for the book. “Everybody was so supportive, and we were surprised to see Bhawana Somaaya with Maulik Jain at his Book launch of Imagination Unpluggedover 300 people turn up for the launch,” says Pooja. “Bhawna Somaaya spoke to Maulik about the book, and though he was a bit nervous at first, he really held his own when he answered her questions.”

With studies taking up most of his time, Maulik hasn’t had the time to promote his book. “May be in the vacations I will,” he shrugs.

His mother says that though he hasn’t ruled out writing as a career option, he would ideally like to join his father’s construction business when he grows up. But if he does take up writing, here’s what we could expect from him next: the straight-A student loves murder mysteries and counts JK Rowling and Anthony Horowitz among writers he admires. “If I write another book, I wouldn’t write a sequel to the first one. I would like to write fiction. May be I will write a murder mystery next,” he muses.

 

 

The launch of Imagination Unplugged:

 

Imagination Unplugged is available at all major bookstores for Rs 175. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Angel Xpress Foundation.

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Tech

New iPhones coming to India on November 1

The iPhone 5C starts from Rs 41,900, and the 5S from Rs 53,500; current forex rates have pushed prices up.
by Manik Kakra

Apple is officially bringing its new iDevices — iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S — to India on the 1st of November. The phones were announced on the 10th of September, and have been available on several countries included in the company’s first and second list. Here’s the complete price list:

iPhone 5SiPhone 5S (comes in space grey, gold and silver colours):

16 GB: Rs 53,500

32 GB: Rs 62,500

64 GB: Rs 71,500

The iPhone 5C (comes in blue, pink, yellow, green, and white colours)

16 GB: Rs 41,900

32 GB: Rs 53,500

iPhone 4S (8 GB) is now priced at Rs 31,500, and the iPhone 5 has been discontinued, as mentioned by Apple at the launch event.

The official phone cases for the iPhone 5S are available in beige, black, blue, brown, yellow and red colour options, priced at Rs 3,200; while the official iPhone 5C cases come in blue, green, pink, yellow, black and white for Rs 2,300.

Yes, folks, the prices this time are pretty high, but not too surprising due to our foreign exchange rates. While Apple could have made a bit of a bargain on the highest storage models, it is hard to say if many people would buy one 64 GB model at launch.

Both these iOS 7 devices are Apple’s latest devices that are more or less among the best smartphones available today. While a lot of Indian users would be waiting for their launch, it is sort of disappointing to see so many smartphones, not just these iPhones, being priced above Rs 40,000 so often these days.

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Tech

Kobo enters the Indian market with four devices

Global eBooks company launches three E-ink readers and an Android tablet to mark its first foray into India. A preview.
by Manik Kakra

Kobo, the global eBooks company, has launched three E-ink reader and one Android tablet to mark their entrance into India. The company has tied up with Croma for retail, and Crossword and WHSmith for content. Let’s take a look at the devices launched:

Kobo Touch (in featured image above): This is the low-end eBook reader from Kobo that has a 6-inch E-Ink equipped touchscreen, and has got 2 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card. The screen has got no glare, and it adjusts to brightness on its own, without providing to the user any brightness settings to choose from. The Kobo Touch has been launched at a price of Rs 6,999.

Kobo ArcKobo Arc (in pic on left): This is an Android 4.1 tablet with Kobo’s own Arc UI on top. It has got the Kobo app pre-loaded for reading your content on the device. Powered by TI’s 4470 SoC, along with 1 GB of RAM, this tablet has got a 7-inch (1280 x 800) screen. It is available for Rs 9,999.

Kobo Glo: The Glo is an eBook reader with a 6-inch E-Ink powered touchscreen that has got light to read in dark, without having to worry about lights around you. The company claims that its battery can provide a backup of up to two months. This reader is available for Rs 10,999.

Kobo Aura HD: This is the only HD eBook reader from the company. It has a 6.8-inch (1440 x 1080) touchscreen. Powered by a 1 GHz Freescale chipet, along with 2 GB of RAM, this one also comes with expandable storage of up to 32 GB. This device is launched at a price point of Rs 13,999.

All the devices are equipped with WiFi a/b/g/n, nd have microSD card slot, plus microUSB for connectivity. The first three E-Ink readers have got Kobo’s proprietary eBook software, while the Arc comes with Arc on top of Android 4.1.

All these readers are available from today, and come with five free eBooks, available for reading for first few weeks, to buyers. You can also get a cover for your device, available from the same stores. The Kobo app is available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS, and allows you to sync your Kobo library across your devices.

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Read

How well do you know our Raj Bhavans?

Two coffee table books on State’s three Raj Bhavans to be launched; will be uploaded on the Raj Bhavan website.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The most enviable private residence in Mumbai is, without doubt, the Maharashtra State Governor’s home, the Raj Bhavan. The Governor has three Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra – Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune – and a summer residence at Mahabaleshwar.

But since these are closed off to the general public and are open only to visiting heads of countries and occasionally the members of the Press, not many are aware of just how stunning these official residences really are. Now, everyone has a chance to feast their eyes on the palatial Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra; the State’s CM Prithviraj Chavan will formally launch two coffee table books on Raj Bhavan on Thursday, October 17. The books, one in English and the other in Marathi, document the heritage, architecture, flora and fauna and other interesting aspects of all the Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra through a series of stunning photographs. The English book is titled Raj Bhavans of Maharashtra: Witness to Glory and the Marathi one is titled Maharashtrateel Rajbhavaney: Vaibhavshali Itihasachi Saakshidaar.

The books will be presented as souvenirs to national and international dignitaries visiting Raj Bhavan, and will be shortly uploaded on the Raj Bhavan website.

See some of the pictures from the books:

(Pictures courtesy Sudharak Olwe)

Categories
Film

‘I kept thinking: I’m shooting with Bakhtavar’

Former model and actor Shiv Pandit talks about his new film ‘Boss’ which hits theatres today, among other Bollywoody things.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Shiv Pandit He made a smashing debut with the gritty Shaitan, even garnering a Filmfare nomination for his role as Dash in the film. However, former model, RJ and popular advertisement face Shiv Pandit didn’t follow up his first film role with a slew of films. He says he prefers to lie low, choosing his films and directors with care.

As Shiv’s newest film Boss (starring Akshay Kumar and Mithun Chakraborty, among others) releases today, the actor talks to The Metrognome about his journey in films, why he doesn’t like the ‘struggler’ word and why Akshay is a cool co-star.

You used to be an RJ and TV host before your foray into films. What prompted you to take up films?

Films were always on my mind. I was just waiting for the right opportunity. Shaitan (his debut film) was one such film that I couldn’t refuse because of its script and my role. Hence I took it up. From there on I wanted to concentrate completely on my film career.

What was it like, working in Shaitan? How did you get the chance to work in this film?

I got a call from the director Bejoy’s (Nambiar) office post which I auditioned with Kalki Koechlin. The experience was brilliant. I connected well with the cast, especially with Bejoy. He is young, intelligent and an extremely stylish filmmaker.

Tell us about Boss. What is your role in the film like and how was the experience working on this character?

Boss is an out-and-out commercial masala entertainer. Post Shaitan, I wanted to do a different genre and reach out to the masses. The producer Ashvini Warde had seen Shaitan and liked my work. The entire experience has been superb. I was working with great stalwarts from the industry, like Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Danny Dengzongpa. On the sets I would often have fan boy moments. I couldn’t believe I was working with the same people who I had grown up watching on screen.

What is Akshay Kumar like as an actor and co-star?

Akshay Kumar is just brilliant on screen. He is an extremely supportive co-star, too. He gives his co-stars the space they need to perform, which only enhances the shot or scene. He is Shiv Pandit so focussed and full of energy, which always inspires his co-stars to give their best shot.

Was there an interesting incident that occurred during the making of Boss?

There have been many interesting incidents. One such incident occurred when I was shooting with Danny Denzongpa. This was the first time I was giving a shot with him. And in my head, I kept thinking, “I am giving a shot with Bakhtavar,” (Danny played Bakhtavar in the film Hum)

Can you say you have been a struggler who got a very good break?

I don’t like the word ‘struggler’ per se. I am extremely optimistic and patient as a person. I have patiently waited for the right opportunity. I believe in myself and know that I have what it takes. My filmography may not be bursting with a lot of films. But I have taken my time to choose the right kind of film that I wanted to be a part of.

What is the one role you want to do?

As clichéd as it may sound, I want to portray all kinds of roles in various genres. Pin pointing any one will be difficult.

Is there a contemporary actor who you feel will be the next big thing?

There’s been a surge of amazing talent in the industry in the last few years. Pinpointing any one will be difficult.

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