Advait Berde, Author at Exhibit Tech

Want a laptop as good as a Macbook? Check these out!

Apple’s MacBook has set some definitions in the world of laptops. Nevertheless, major tech giants around the world have risen to the challenge and have produced some of the best laptops in the market. If you are looking for a quality laptop but don’t want to opt for a MacBook, check out these alternatives:

1. Dell XPS 13

Dell wanted to create a laptop that will not only match the MacBook’s aesthetics, but pose a serious competition with its performance. Enter the XPS 13. It is based on tenth-gen Core i5 and i7 processors, unlike the MacBook Pro. It also gets a lighter screen than the MacBook, with the same 13.3-inch resolution. Hardware includes 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage. It also gets features that MacBook misses on, such as two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. However, it carries a suitable price tag of Rs 1 lakh+, while offering a weight of 1.2 kg.

2. ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers more than the MacBook Pro as it comes with a larger screen than the current 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and is available in seven set configurations. Buyers can choose from eighth and tenth generation Intel CPUs combined with IPS screens with Full HD, QHD or UHD resolutions. Compared to that, the MacBook Pro offers a maximum resolution of 2880×1800 pixels. Its price depends on the model selected also falls in the Rs 1 lakh+ range.

3. Asus VivoBook 14

Asus has created one of the most affordable alternatives to the MacBook, with the VivoBook 14. It is priced under Rs 50,000 and offers an ultra-thin 14-inch display. It is powered by an 8th gen Intel Core i5 procesor and gets 8GB of ram and 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD). It also gets a microSD card reader, a USB Type C connector, two full-size USB ports, and one HDMI.

4. HP Envy 13

The HP Envy 13 has a 1.5cm thickness and a weight of just 1.2 kg, making it a considerable alternative to the sleek MacBook. The Envy 13 gets Intel’s 8th gen Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. It is also equipped with three full-size USB connectors, one USB Type C connector, a microSD card slot, and a micro SD card reader. HP has priced the Envy 13 at a reasonable Rs 70,000 price range.

5. Surface Laptop 2

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 2 is probably the most potent competitor to the Apple MacBook. It is exquisitely designed with unique colours and gets a premium Alcantara textile finish around the keyboard and trackpad. It gets a 13.5-inch display that has a resolution of 2256×1504. The display also has a 10-point multi-touch input options, giving it a significant upper hand over the MacBook. The laptop runs on an Intel 8th gen Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage and is priced around Rs 75,000.

This is how robotics will influence future medicine.

It is no secret that robots are being extensively researched upon and their influence in our daily life is increasing considerably. What were earlier mere objects of humour and ridicule are now full-fledged artificially intelligent entities. While robotics is a vast subject, its knowledge is applied across various other branches of science.

Among those branches is medicine. It has seen the increased involvement of robotics both on the macro and micro scale. While there are sophisticated machines that perform complex surgeries without mistakes, there are also nanorobots that can be embedded in a body for certain enhancement. While that sounds a little fantasy-like, there is no denying that robotics is fast becoming an integral part of medicine.

As mentioned earlier, micro- and nanorobots are being developed to be used as a faster treatment method. As per sciencemag, Micro- and nanorobots are small, motile devices that convert chemical or/and physical energy into mechanical actuation and have the potential to enable minimally invasive treatment and targeted drug/cell delivery with high precision. For active drug delivery strategies, these machines can locally concentrate therapeutic payload around pathological sites to reduce the dose of administrated drugs and their systemic side effects. Simply put, they intelligently target the affected area and deliver the dose without side effects.

Another kind of robots used in medicine are called ‘telepresence’ robots. These robots emulate the presence of a doctor or surgeon, who is on call via the robot. He can the remotely answer questions and help share his knowledge and experience with others. There are also surgical robots that can be controlled remotely via a console to help the surgeon perform even better.

Prosthesis also has a bright future in robotics. Amputees were earlier restricted to wearing fake replicas or look-alike of their limbs. However, modern medicine has allowed robotic prosthetic to be grafted to amputees, helping them to not only regain their lost abilities but enhance them considerably.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) states that there are also rehabilitation robots. These robots can be programmed to adapt to the condition of each patient as they recover from strokes, traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, or neurobehavioral or neuromuscular diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Robotics is an ever-evolving subject and it is surely going to improve the medicinal scenario significantly. It remains to be seen if robotics can be (or will be) used to enhance physical capabilities or add prosthetic limbs to the natural ones. If that day comes, it will mark the beginning of Superheroes on this planet! Come to think of it, somebody can create an exosuit like Doctor Octopus, Black Panther or even Mysterio! The possibilities of human enhancement with the help of robotics is practically endless.

Want to play free games on your steam account? Check these out!

There are many gamers (like me) who own a Steam account but are unwilling to purchase games. If you are one of those, this is the ideal list for you! This is a list of games that are free-to-play on the Steam Store. While some of these contain in-app purchases and DLCs which require real-life money, their gameplay can be fairly enjoyed, free of cost. So, here are some of the best free-to-play games on the (steam) market.

1. EVE Online

EVE Online is a sandbox Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) and puts you in charge of a fleet of spaceships. Widely considered as one of the best sandbox games to date, EVE Online is the result of 15 years of development and expansion. It allows the player to control one among many spaceships, while exploring a practically endless universe. Players can choose multiple factions, loyalties, professions and much more. The possibilities of living a space life through this game are infinite. While the game is free-to-play, some elements of it are locked behind in-app purchases.

2. DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online is another MMORPG that was released way back in 2011. Nevertheless, it has garnered a massive and loyal fanbase over the years. As the name suggests, players are plunged into the world of DC and enter the game with a customised superhero. There are multiple combinations to creating a superhero, allowing the player to personalize his pick. The game allows players to complete missions, pick sides with heroes or villains and much more. DC Universe Online is free to download but has multiple DLCs and expansion packs that can be purchased separately.

3. Counter Strike: Global Offensive

Among the most recognized and beloved games around the world, Counter Strike: Global Offensive is the latest and current iteration in the Counter Strike series. Popularly called CSGO, the game involves two teams of five players each engaging in a death battle. The two teams are called Terrorists and Counter-terrorists respectively and must fulfill their roles accordingly. While terrorists must plant a bomb at a specified place, the counter-terrorists must prevent that. CSGO can be downloaded for free and does not have any special in-app purchases, except a premium pass.

4. DOTA 2

Undoubtedly one of the most famous games in the world, DOTA 2 is also a profession for many. A 5V5 online MOBA game, it is one of the oldest surviving games and has a fan-following matched only by few other games in the world. It involves players choosing one of 100+ heroes and battling it out to destroy the other team’s base. DOTA 2 is also free to download but has in-app purchases that give the player access to special skins, effects and aesthetics.

Got a gaming smartphone? Here’s how you can make the best use of it

Mobile phones have come a long way from being clunky pieces of metal and plastic to being the symbol cutting-edge technology and electronic performance. While almost every modern mobile phone share certain qualities, there are some who stand head and shoulders above the rest. These are smartphones that, apart from performing the usual functions, also double up as a portable console. Gone are the days when an avid gamer had to have multiple devices to play games to his heart’s content. So, if you are a gamer by heart, here’s how you can make the best use of your gaming smartphone.

1. Use the Gaming Mode

This one should be a no-brainer if you have purchased a gaming smartphone. While most phones have private modes to customize your notifications, the Gaming Mode does much more. It not only minimizes your notifications, but also optimizes your RAM and memory support. This gives a huge performance boost to your game and it can be played in a better resolution.

2. Keep your phone up-to-date

Smartphones are notorious for getting slow over time. However, companies keep sending over-the-air (OTA) updates to improve the phone and provide patches for your software. Though the phone notifies you in case of a new system update, it is always good to manually scroll through the settings and check for any system updates. This helps the gaming smartphone stay at the top of the game and offer the best performance.

3. Purchase a wireless controller

Modern games have evolved from 2D side-scrolling platformers to ultra-realistic 3D open worlds. Similarly, mobile gaming has also seen the shift from arcade games like Subway Surfer and Fruit Ninja to full-blown simulators and console ports. While almost all games can be played flawlessly using the touchscreen, the essence of some games is in the controller. Games like simulators, FPS or even some arcades perform much better and offer greater fun when played with a wireless controller. This controller can be connected to the gaming smartphone via Bluetooth and can be used to play multiple games. Some games offer inbuilt controller support, while others require an external key mapping software.

4. Consider using emulators

If you are an old-school gamer you might miss the days of Sony’s Playstation or Nintendo’s DS entertainment systems. Well, lucky for you, gaming smartphones have evolved to double up as your choice of console. No, you cannot insert your console’s disk in the phone, but you can play those games in another way. There are many emulators available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store that offer console quality gaming on your smartphone. You can either opt for free ones like PPSSPP or go for paid ones like DraStic. The former one allows you to play any Playstation Portable (PSP) while the latter one runs Nintendo DS games. Emulators also let you play games that are otherwise unavailable on gaming smartphones, such as console exclusives.

Thus, you can make the best use of your gaming smartphone and optimize your gaming experience.

Love playing games on your smartphone? A wireless controller works best with these!

Mobile gaming has a loyal fan following around the world and many gamers are exclusively dedicated to their smartphones. While most games offer a seamless experience when played using the touchscreen, there are many that perform best when played with a wireless controller. Following is a list of games that maximize their performance with a wireless controller.

1. Grid Autosport

Grid Autosport is probably one of the best games on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It not only offers console quality graphics on your smartphone, but also offers a realistic racecar driving experience. As the name suggests, the game revolves around racing cars around close-circuit tracks around the world. It features over a hundred licensed cars and tracks, making it a must-have for racing sim enthusiasts as well as automobile fanatics. Grid Autosport offers the most realistic driving feeling possible on a smartphone and works best when played with its inbuilt controller support. It is a paid app, though the first purchase unlocks all content, including some bonus DLCs.

2. Real Racing 3

If you wish to play a racing game with your wireless controller but are unwilling to shell out money, Real Racing 3 is a free alternative. It too offers console quality racing experience and features hundreds of licensed cars and racetracks. However, Real Racing 3 has certain in-app purchases that you can make to progress faster in the game, while its racing dynamics is not as on point as Grid Autosport. Still, its online multiplayer feature allows you to race against your friends and compete for the fastest time, making it a worthwhile app to pass time with.

3. Shadowgun Legends

Fans of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre will be overjoyed by playing Shadowgun Legends with their wireless controller. Set in a futuristic and fictional world, the game revolves around the player hunting down aliens and “bashing some skulls.” A free-to-play app, it can be played with up to three other players and offers complete controller support. Shadowgun Legends is a must try for gamers who have played Virtua Cop 2, CounterStrike or Quake in the past.

4. Minecraft

Minecraft has been around for a long time and has garnered a massive global fanbase. Its pocket edition for the smartphone offers the same joy of Minecraft with the pleasure of having it in your pocket! Players can roam around a vast universe; building, breaking, hunting, running and laughing along the way.’

5. Infinite Flight

Infinite Flight is an authentic aircraft simulator that lets you live your dream of becoming a pilot. Available as free-to-play, the game offers a realistic flying experience, that is further enhanced with a wireless controller. Players can select their choice of airport to take off from and land on, though its full features are locked behind in-app purchases. The full version of the game offers multiple weather conditions, global airports, Air Traffic Control (ATC) mode and a lot more.

Miss the good old days of console gaming? Here’s how you can bring back!

Old-school gamers know the pleasure of coming back from school, hastily eating lunch and booting up their gaming console. While most gamers have shifted from console gaming to mobile gaming, the essence of consoles remains unchanged. If you love to reminisce on those days and wish to play some of those games again, here’s how you can enjoy console games on your smartphone.

1. Download an emulator

Almost every console that ruled the market in the 90s has been replicated digitally. These are called emulators and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. PPSSPP is a free emulator that plays Playstation Portable (PSP) games while DraStic is a paid one that supports Nintendo DS games. There are many others as well that support games from Nintento Gameboy, Microsoft Xbox, Sony Playstation 2 and so on.

2. Search for ROMs

The next step after downloading an emulator is to download the games for it. The easiest way to do so is to is via the emulator itself, though you can even look them up on Google. These are digitized versions of the same games that are played on their respective consoles, so you need to worry about system requirements. However, it is advisable to use a good gaming smartphone to optimize the gaming experience.

3. Opt for a controller

While emulators offer controls on the touchscreen, their gameplay is better suited for physical buttons. As they are basically console ports, the games that they play also work well with a controller. Hence, opting for a wireless controller can significantly enhance your gaming experience.

4. Connect to a Smart TV

Although this is strictly for the hardcore, many emulators also allow you to broadcast your gameplay. If not, there is always the option of mirroring your smartphone’s screen to your Smart TV. In this way, you can practically relive the moments of old school console gaming without the hassle of repairing old consoles!

Thus there are many ways to bring back the old days of console gaming, integrated with modern technology!

Lamborghini surfing the waves? That’s what the Tecnomar 63 is about!

If you are the proud owner of a Lamborghini, there are probably very less things you could wish for. However, if you have felt like riding your Italian stallion across the ocean, I have good news for you. The Italian luxury carmaker has recently collaborated with The Italian Sea Group to present the worldwide premiere of ‘Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63’, the Tecnomar fleet’s new motor yacht available in a limited edition in reference to Lamborghini’s 1963 foundation.

The motor yacht sticks to the foundation of Lamborghini and offers performance, driving pleasure, attention to quality and details. This motor yacht project, developed by The Italian Sea Group, started with several collaborative sessions with the contribution of Lamborghini’s Centro Stile and inspiration from the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37: the hybrid super sports car incorporating benchmarking new supercapacitor and materials science technologies, that anticipates the future with an unmistakable design and completely customizable colour and details.

Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said: ”This yacht represents the significance of creating a valuable partnership, at its best: our co-operation allows the essence of both organisations’ style and expertise to be transferred to different worlds, sharing in their diversity to interpret and add value to the final product in a new environment. If I had to imagine a Lamborghini on water, this would be my vision. I’m delighted to celebrate this successful collaboration.

Giovanni Costantino, CEO of The Italian Sea Group said, “We announced this partnership in May, and today we present Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, a motor yacht which will became as futuristic an icon as the car she is inspired by,”

Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is not just an exercise in style and design; it represents the vanguard in luxury speed boats. Inspired by Lamborghini super sports cars’ performance, the most significant innovative features at the heart of the concept are speed and the dynamism of lightweight engineering.

Lamborghini has equipped the Tecnomar with two MAN V12 engines that pump out a massive 2000 BHP! This propels the motor yacht to 60 knots, making it the fastest of the Tecnomar fleet. Lamborghini has also generously used carbon fibre in the motor yacht. It puts this motor yacht firmly in the ultra-lightweight boat classification, with its 63 feet length weighing in at just 24 tons.

The exterior design is characterized by a sporty silhouette, giving it a futuristic look but sticking to its nautical appearance. The hull and the superstructure are created from a high-performance shell, developed by naval engineers specializing in hydrodynamic sciences.

The hard top is inspired by Lamborghini roadsters: providing sun and wind protection while guaranteeing an outstanding aerodynamic performance. The bow lights are an homage to the Lamborghini concept car Terzo Millennio and to the Sián FKP 37, both distinctive for their Y-shaped front lights.

The interiors of Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 borrow Lamborghini’s iconic clean lines, hexagon shapes, Y-motif and materials and are clearly incorporated into the design, together with the fully customizable colours and materials in the manner of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme. Clients can choose from extensive exterior colours and livery options, while the interior is offered in two versions choosing from an extensive combination of materials.

The motor yacht’s instrument panel interprets the car cockpit in a nautical style, completely integrating all navigation and control systems. As in Lamborghini super sports cars, details are finished in carbon fibre, with Lamborghini’s Carbon Skin used in the sports seats and on the helm, styled as the super sports car’s steering wheel. The unmistakable start/stop button, (two, one for each engine) are exactly the same used to start a Lamborghini engine.

The first boat will be available at the beginning of 2021 and selected owners around the world will own not only the fastest Tecnomar motor yacht in the fleet, but a Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 masterpiece. Lamborghini seems to be adamant on pushing the limits of performance, as it recently also launched the Squadra Corse SCV12, a thoroughbred racing machine.

Marvel Super War: A gateway to the Marvel Universe!

Did you ever wish to see Iron Man go against Spiderman? Have you regretted Thor not aiming for the head of Thanos? Were you angry when Starlord disturbed Mantis’s spell and ruined their chance? Well, here’s your chance for redemption. Comic book giant Marvel recently collaborated with game published Netease to launch “Marvel Super War.”

The game is based in the fictional marvel universe and falls in the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre. Older gamers who were associated with Valve’s Dota2 will find themselves at home with Marvel Super War. You get to pick one among multiple Marvel superheroes, each with their unique role and skillset. The players then duke it out 5V5 on the same map, with an objective of destroying the other team’s base tower.

Marvel Super War can be played against the setting of Wakanda, which is Black Panther’s country. The map is divided in three lanes for each team and every player is assigned a lane. The superheroes are divided into five individual classes, though some heroes share their characteristics with other classes. These include Fighter, Energy, Assassin, Marksman and Support.

As the names suggest, each category has its unique advantages and drawbacks. The essence of the game is to make the perfect team and win the battle. Of the five players, three are given the job of handling enemies on their lane, while one enters the “jungle” to level up. The jungle is a neutral area spread across the map, which has neutral creeps. These creeps offer additional buffs and are usually killed by assassin heroes, who are also known as “junglers.” The fifth hero, which falls under the Support category, can roam around the map and support any team mate stuck in a difficult situation.

Each hero has either three or four skills, depending upon the hero selected and begins the game at level one. As the game progresses, the player can level up his respective hero by collecting gold and by gaining experience. Each hero upgrades up to level 18, while improving all his skills along the way. Gold can be collected by killing enemies, enemy minions, neutral creeps or destroying the guard turrets that protect the enemy base. The game also has a shop of inventories, of which any six can be purchased by each player to further enhance the hero abilities.

Marvel Super War also features Surtur that can be killed by any member of any team, following which that player’s team will be aided by Surtur. It then becomes the job of the opposing team to kill Surtur again before it does any serious damage.

Marvel Super War includes several popular superheroes such as Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Thanos, Iron Man, Spiderman and Hawkeye, among others. It also includes members of the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Players have the liberty of choosing one of all these characters, giving the player a wide range of options. The game is also expanding continually and is adding new heroes every month.

Fans of the Marvel Universe can bring their wildest fantasies to reality with this game. You can pit Rocket Racoon against Groot, you can make Ronan help Starlord defeat Thanos or you can even make Thanos fight alongside Iron Man! The possibilities are endless, letting the player enjoy hours upon hours of gameplay without boredom.

Marvel Super War was released in December 2019 and I have been playing it since then. It has seasonal updates like any other online multiplayer and it is currently preparing to launch the third season. There are close to 60 heroes, with more coming in. My personal choice is mostly among the Energy or the Marksman heroes. Energy heroes include Mysterio, Magneto, Storm, Human Torch and Iron Man, among others. Marksman heroes allow you to choose from Hawkeye, Angel, Vision, Rocket Racoon and Starlord.

While the Energy heroes do not do much damage with basic attacks, they are extremely powerful spellcasters and can change the course of the game at any moment. Marksman heroes on the other hand give much higher damage with their basic attacks, but their skills offer limited boost. My other choices are also among Tank heroes, that include Hulk, Ronan, Cull Obsidian and The Thing, among others. These heroes are extremely damage resistant and prove a major blow absorber for the team.

As mentioned earlier, the essence of the game is to form the correct team and gain a tactical advantage over the enemy team. Friends can even team up to play in a custom room and form their own teams to fight each other. Finally, every Marvel fan can realize his dream of seeing The Avengers battle the X-Men, or the Fantastic Four go against the Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel Super War is currently exclusive for the Android platform and is free-to-play. Its next update is scheduled for July 9, 2020 and will add “Adam Warlock” as a new hero.