Lamborghini’s journey over the last half-century has been nothing less than legendary. Lamborghini has produced some genuinely gorgeous masterpieces, from being taunted by a pride-filled Modenan for the lack of knowledge of luxury cars to being one of the best luxury carmakers in the world. Although its first model was the 350 GT, the Countach propelled Lamborghini into its current star status. The distinctively contemporary lines of the Lamborghini Countach, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, shaped the design of all subsequent Lamborghinis even up to today’s models, including the Aventador, Huracán, Sián, as well as the Urus.
Lamborghini Design DNA
It made its first public appearance on March 11, 1971, at the Geneva Motor Show. Draped in yellow, The Countach project was unveiled in Carrozzeria Bertone’s space. The Lamborghini stand also featured the Miura SV, while the Countach had the internal code number LP112. LP stands for the rear longitudinal position (“Longitudinale Posteriore” in Italian) of the 12-cylinder engine, which stemmed from Ferruccio Lamborghini’s desire to maintain the image of a company at the forefront of style and technology following the Miura.
“There are works of art that always remain relevant, and the form of the Countach is one of them.” These are the words that Mitja Borkert, Head of Design at Lamborghini, uses to describe the style of this automotive icon. “Its design,” adds Borkert, “is comprised of perfect proportions, characterized by a very pure and essential approach. Its distinctive feature is the single longitudinal line that visually connects the front and rear parts. From a stylistic point of view, it’s a perfect inspiration because, even when the rest is modified, the line is an element of visual continuity between past and present. It’s the epitome of the DNA in all Lamborghini design, the tradition of the stylistic language from the origins to the present day.”
Mitja Borkert – Head of Design Lamborghini
Low and wide, the front view of the Countach is characterised by diagonal lines on the hood, which are also repeated on the engine compartment, making it immediately recognisable even from a distance. The shape of the passenger compartment, low and squared, combined with the typical slope of the windscreen, influenced the design of the various models that have followed the Countach. It is precisely these shapes that have remained unchanged over the years, along with the particular and characteristic cut of the side windows, which make a Lamborghini easily identifiable at first glance.
The Countach LP400
The Countach introduced a futuristic style ahead of its time during the 1970s, an era of explosive creativity and one of the most significant moments for design. These were years of critical social achievements reflected in significant changes that would inspire designers and creatives worldwide. The space race; the advent of high tech with the development of modern computers; the trends in fashion linked to geometric patterns, extravagant choices, and the explosion of bright colours; the advent of individualism and the Jet Age; are all elements that influenced the stylistic choices of the Countach’s designer, Marcello Gandini. The Countach is also due to the vision of Ferruccio Lamborghini, who believed right from the start in the revolutionary project that today is still influencing the style of future Lamborghini models.
Recently BMW India brought in the BMW X7 M50d ‘Dark Shadow’ as a completely built-up unit. Naturally, only limited units are available. While it claims a staggering price tag of Rs 2.02 crores, what’s even more astonishing is its long list of features. That said, while you drool over its images, here are some fascinating facts about the car:
The most striking feature is the BMW Individual special paint finish in Frozen Arctic Grey metallic. This body finish is being used for the first time in a BMW X model.
The new BMW Laserlight makes a striking impression and distributes light perfectly. Another exclusive feature is the 22-inch M light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design with a Jet-Black matt finish and fitted with mixed tyres.
The driver and front passenger enjoy electrically adjustable comfort seats with memory function. Active seat ventilation in front seats reduces stiffness and fatigue by continuously adjusting the seat surface.
The BMW Individual Merino Full Leather upholstery comes in ‘night blue/black’ two-tone with contrasting seams, as does the BMW Individual roof liner in night blue with Alcantara finish.
The upper part of the instrument panel and door armrests are covered with Nappa leather in night blue. Black Merino Leather is used in the lower section of the instrument panel and on the front backrests.
The centre console’s unique design is underscored by BMW Individual interior trim finishers in Piano Black finish bearing an edition logo.
The highlight in the interior is ‘Crafted Clarity’, a host of operational features crafted in exquisite glass that embellish the insert of the gear selector, the iDrive control wheel, the audio control button and the start/stop button.
The BMW X7 M50d Dark Shadow Edition is powered by a 2993 cc three-litre six-cylinder diesel engine.
It produces 400 hp and a maximum torque of 760 Nm at 2,000 – 3,000 rpm, giving the car a 0 -100 km/hr time of just 5.4 seconds.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission. The new BMW X7 M50d Dark Shadow Edition comes as standard with the M Sport differential and a model-specific chassis set-up.
It also gets Electronically controlled ‘Automatic Differential Brakes/Locks’ (ADB-X), extended ‘Dynamic Traction Control’ (DTC), Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control.
It is the first-ever BMW X7 to be equipped with Park Distance Control (PDC), including sensors at both the front and rear.
The Adaptive 2-Axle Air Suspension enables the raising and lowering of the vehicle at the touch of a button and automatically adjusts the car’s height to suit any given driving situation.
Its safety features include six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobiliser, etc.
BMW has produced yet another masterpiece. It will only make 500 models worldwide, and customers can purchase them via the company’s official global website.
There must be hardly anyone unfamiliar with TVS motorcycles. Not just in India, but these motorcycles have caused uproar even in international markets. Built with quality, endurance, and performance in mind, TVS motorcycles have been used by Indian commuters for generations. But how did it reach its current standards? What went behind creating one of the best Indian two-wheeler manufacturers? Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of TVS’s journey:
Beginning:
TVS stands for Thirukkurungudi Vengaram Sundaram. T.V. Sundaram Iyengar established the company as a bus service in Delhi. Called Sundaram Iyengar and Sons Limited, it was the first bus service provider in Delhi. The year 1962 saw the inception of Sundaram Clayton. This company was invented by the collaboration of Sundaram company and Clayton Dewandre Holdings of the United Kingdom. They manufactured spares such as bike brakes, compressors, and other automotive products. In 1978, they set up their first automobile manufacturing plant at Hosur Tamil Nadu. In 1980, they launched India’s first two-seater model named TVS 50. 1982 was when Sundaram Clayton Ltd collaborated with the Suzuki Motor Corporation and thus began the era of TVS-Suzuki.
TVS-Suzuki Era:
TVS launched most of the products under the name of Suzuki to have a better position in the market. Suzuki Supra, Suzuki Samurai, Suzuki Shogun, and Suzuki Shaolin were some of the models launched by the joint venture of TVS Suzuki. This collaboration took the market by storm for about 19 years, when it ended in 2001. The end of the partnership of these two giants significantly impacted the country’s automobile market. It turned out to be a wild attack on the market as this end of the collaboration resulted in the departure of Suzuki Ltd from the Indian market for about 30 months.
As per the agreement, Suzuki could not enter the Indian market for the next 30 months in any form if it is a collaboration or a self-producing company. After the end of the partnership, this company got its present title TVS Motors. This title also turned out to be a good sign for the company. After that, all the models launched by the company ruled the market for a long time. The company brought its hands significantly impacted all kinds of automobiles, including mileage specific bikes, sports bikes, scooters, and three-wheelers.
Solo standings:
This company also holds the title of “first” in many things in the Indian automobile industry. It gave us the first indigenous scooter, the TVS Scooty. It also gave us the first motorcycle with Digital Ignition technology, the TVS Champ. Victor, which is India’s first fully indigenous motorcycle, is also a model of this company. The first motorcycle in India with ABS was Apache RTR, and the first scooter with Body Balance technology was TVS Wego.
Early 2015 was when the company achieved new heights. Its racing division, aptly named TVS Racing, became the first Indian factory team to participate in the Dakar Rally, the world’s longest and most dangerous rally. It partnered with French motorcycle manufacturer Sherco to form Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team. The Indian racing team has also won accolades in the Raid-de-Himalaya and the FOX Hill Super Cross rallies in Sri Lanka. In the thirty years of its racing history, TVS Racing has won over 90 per cent of the races it has participated in.
On 17th April 2020, the company officially announced that it had acquired Britain’s most iconic sporting motorcycle, “Norton”, in an all-cash deal of GBP16 million (roughly Rs 165 crores). This unlocked new heights for TVS, which has since become deeply rooted in the international automobile scene.
In recent times, TVS has collaborated with BMW to launch its trifecta of motorcycles. These include the TVS Apache RR310, the BMW G310R and the BMW G310GS. All these motorcycles share many similarities, the most significant being a common engine.
A meme is universally recognized as a reason to smile. Mere images posed in funny angles or clever snippets of film dialogues inserted in correct situations can turn any situation comical. In the times that we are currently living in, it is difficult to find reasons to be happy. With sadness and despair running rampant, we can safely say that the world needs a laugh. Luckily for us, we have some entrepreneurial geniuses who are keen on pushing away the fog of gloom and opening up to sunny skies. One such entrepreneur is Kyle Fernandes, the CEO of MemeChat. In an exclusive interview with Exhibit Magazine, he revealed some of his efforts from the beginning and some of his plans for the future.
What is one truth you believe that most people disagree with you on?
Memes will eventually become powerful enough to sway the opinions and judgments of Gen Zs and millennials. Memes are what they relate to, and it’s going to be a potent tool.
How has the journey of MemeChat been so far?
The journey of MemeChat has been very empowering in terms of our learning because we’ve been able to take an app from 0 to a million monthly active users despite a small team and limited resources. It’s a learning process that I would imagine very few people can access since it requires a lot of money to reach a million monthly active users.
One thing you believe is necessary for sustained growth.
The only thing necessary for growth is constantly evolving your app or your product based on what people want to use and see while removing features that fail to meet the test of functionality and usability. Creating relatable, trendy, and newsworthy content is a significant factor for growth in our industry.
How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?
There is no work-life balance; life is work. It is work if you are thinking of it as a means to reach a number or a goal, but that’s not how we feel about it. We have fun doing what we are doing: it’s fun to analyse user insights, data insights, and growth strategies. So for us, work is life, and life is work.
How does meme marketing help on a commercial level?
Companies are skillfully leveraging meme marketing because Gen Z and millennials trust a brand associated with memes. That gives you higher sales, higher conversions, leading to organic growth. Meme marketing will become an even bigger tool for companies in the future.
How does the meme world pose as a vocational aspect for youngsters?
If AI doesn’t take over, businesses will get creative professionals to make memes for their companies. We will see more copywriters and meme creators who will be creating content for a company’s social media handles and various other outlets because that will be the language of the future. As a meme platform, we are also paying creators to make memes.
How do you plan to take things ahead in the coming years?
In the coming years, we are going to push the social networking elements of a meme. We will use it to bring that entire viral effect and widen our network. We are excited to see our plans come into effect. We are currently growing at a pretty good pace, but we will see something incredibly new and exciting when our strong network kicks in.
Riding a two-wheeler is a considerably different experience than driving a car. Along with complete exposure to the natural elements, a biker is also subjected to a lot more risks and dangers than the occupants of a vehicle. While a two-wheeler might seem pretty mainstream, following these tips can indeed extend your lifespan and decrease the chances of accidents considerably!
Although this has been repeatedly emphasised for ages, helmets are surprisingly still overlooked when riding. Helmets help protect the rider in an accident, but they also improve the riding experience. The visor present on a good helmet eliminates any air, dust or other small particles from entering the eyes, thus letting the rider see clearer and farther than while riding without a helmet.
Not just in India, but helmet safety is a global concern. Luckily for us, we have an indigenous brand keen on improving helmet awareness and coping with the lack of helmets in developing countries, Steelbird. Steelbird is credited with being one of Asia’s largest helmet manufacturers and an Indian brand supplying worldwide. Due to its expansive worldwide distribution network, manufacturing capacity, high quality, and affordable range of helmets, the Indian manufacturer and the FIA have collaborated for its global road safety programme. With the support of the FIA Member Clubs’ worldwide network, the programme aims to provide high-quality helmets meeting United Nations Regulation 22.05 in those territories that have faced problems with low-quality helmets in their local market.
In an exclusive interview with Exhibit Magazine, Steelbird’s Managing Director, Rajeev Kapoor, shared some insights about the company’s plan. Among the top priority was providing sturdy, attractive and durable half-face helmets to countries like Uganda, post which its distribution will spread throughout Africa. The company also plans to improve helmet standards in India by increasing its already considerable array of helmet options. Apart from being the managing director of Steelbird, Mr Kapoor is also the President of the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association in India. He confirmed that the helmet standards would get stricter by the year, and the quality offered to the consumers will drastically improve, leading to more incentives for wearing helmets.
Apart from helmets, there are also some other tips that you can follow to improve your riding skills or stay safe in general. Not every person is a born racer; even professional racers have their share of crashes and broken bones. Hence, it is most important to understand your limits! More than having the financial capacity to ride a particular motorcycle, ask yourself if you have the mental ability to do so. Being overwhelmed and intimidated by your bike can lead to disastrous consequences, as displayed multiple times by crashing videos available on YouTube. These videos also serve as a makeshift premonition, so thou hast been warned!
Batman might look cool on his jet-black motorcycle, clad in jet-black armour. But he is Batman, and he can do whatever he feels like. However, for us, regular folks, that is one of the most disastrous ideas one can come up with. As a biker, night riding is incredibly challenging as the visibility is drastically reduced, and the risk is consequently higher. Even during the day, outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) of cars have certain blind spots that drivers can look at. Riding in one of these blind spots can be hazardous, as the driver is unaware of your presence and can manoeuvre to your disadvantage. Hence, always stay visible!
Often motorcyclists develop a personal bond with their machines, sometimes even giving them names. While it might seem silly, it is, in fact, a valuable practice. Taking care of your motorcycle and keeping it in prime running condition is of utmost importance. This prevents any major mechanical problems and drastically reduces the risk of faulty mechanics leading to a significant accident. These tips might not make you the best rider in the world, but they will keep you alive!
As the worldwide grip of Covid loosens, the citizens of Earth breathe a sigh of relief. However, the situation is yet to die down in India, where the cases are on an ever-rising curve. Even with all doctors running on full steam and state-of-the-art medical equipment, the sheer number of cases has become overwhelming.
Luckily, India has a bright silver lining behind this dark cloud. Global technology giants are coming together to do their bit for the recovery and stability of our motherland. Be it Google or Ethereum, these companies contribute massive amounts of money to help India get out of Covid’s web. Here are some of the feats that they have achieved so far.
Swiss computer accessory expert Logitech recently announced its contribution to India. In a press statement, the company confirmed that it was the largest one-time donation in its history, of two million dollars (roughly Rs 14 crores), supporting Oxygen for India. Oxygen for India is working with the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP), United Airlines, Tech Mahindra, and others to provide oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators to help those in need.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also stepped in to help India in its crisis. In a tweet, he announced Rs 135 crore in funding for medical supplies, organisations supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information. Yet another American tech giant is Microsoft, whose CEO Satya Nadella also announced in a tweet that the company would support the country by using its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts and help purchase critical oxygen concentration devices.
Apple, too, has announced its support for India. Its CEO Tim Cook confirmed on Twitter that the American tech giant would be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has also confirmed that the company is working with UNICEF to raise ten million dollars (roughly Rs 73 crores) towards India’s emergency response efforts. Samsung has pledged USD 5 million (INR 37 Crores) to contribute to India’s fight against the current surge of Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals as part of its citizenship initiatives. Samsung will donate USD 3 million to the Centre and the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Samsung has pledged USD 5 million (INR 37 Crores) to contribute to India’s fight against the current surge of Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals as part of its citizenship initiatives.
Yet another smartphone giant, Oppo, has also stepped in. It has pledged to donate 1000 oxygenators and 500 breathing machines worth Rs 4.3 crore to the Indian Red Cross Society and the Government of Uttar Pradesh to help in the fight against Covid. They are also donating 5000 units of OPPO Band Style worth INR 1.5 Crore to front-line warriors of the Delhi Police and Greater Noida Authority to help them monitor their health as they serve others.
Another industry giant that is helping India as much as it can is Amazon US. Joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Task Force, Amazon US is working with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). As part of this, critical life-saving equipment, including 82 anaesthesia ventilators, 1238 BiPAP machines and 60 ventilators, have already reached India. Amazon US will distribute medical equipment to its on-the-ground community partners such as the American India Foundation, ACT Grants and Swasth, who will distribute it to verified hospitals and nonprofit organisations across the country to ensure it reaches the communities it needs most.
Twitter India reminded its users of many features such as Twitter Advanced Search, Twitter Near You and the Latest Tweet to direct people’s searches towards Covid related information in India. LinkedIn has partnered with GiveIndia to raise funds for critical medical supplies.
Among the leading global financial services, Mastercard announced ten million dollars to cover all vaccine-related costs for its India-based employees and immediate family members. It also confirmed that it would allocate funds for additional shipments of 1,000 oxygen generators as part of its CSR effort.
Pledging its support towards India’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Canon India has provided essential food and sanitation items across the villages. Canon employees PAN India are enthusiastically coming together and contributing to the PM CARES Fund as well. As part of the support, Canon India is providing 3000 food packets in its adopted villages. In addition to this, to provide sanitation support to children of SOS Children’s Villages of Faridabad, Hyderabad, Canon India has distributed essential items such as sanitisers, liquid soap, cotton masks, etc. other home cleaning products.
Pledging its support towards India’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Canon India has provided essential food and sanitation items across the villages.
Mi India has also pledged to donate over Rs 3 crore to procure thousands of oxygen concentrators. They also confirmed they have partnered with GiveIndia to raise Rs 1 crore to support frontline Covid fighters across the country. Amazon India has also collaborated with multiple organisations to import more than eight thousand oxygen concentrators and five hundred bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines from Singapore.
OnePlus is also doing its bit to help the country. In a recent blog post, its CEO Pete Lau confirmed that the smartphone giant would donate 400 oxygenators to India to help meet the immediate need for oxygen in several parts. The company also promised to add up to Rs 1 crore to public donations towards the Covid battle.
India’s tech giant and one of the worldwide leaders, Infosys, installed Covid-19 care centres in Pune and Bengaluru for its employees and their families. It will also educate children, expand bed capacity in hospitals, and assist the government in spreading awareness. Tech Mahindra has also announced its Covid-19 vaccination drive for its associates and dependent family members. It confirmed that it would cover all the incurred expenses. Similarly, TCS also announced that it would provide the Covid-19 vaccine to all its employees and family members, starting from May 1, 2021.
IBM India called out to its employees to come together in this crisis. Its chairman and CEO, Arvind Krishna, wrote to his employees to support the cause. This resulted in the donation of funds for 2500 oxygen cylinders and is continuing to grow.
Paytm, a popular digital payment platform, successfully raised Rs 1 crore through public donations and added the same amount from its end, which doubled the donations to source oxygen concentrators. Now, the company aims to raise Rs 10 crore! CRED founder Kunal Shah tweeted about the company’s plans to raise funds for procuring one billion litres of oxygen. It also encourages CRED users to donate the CRED coins that are present in their accounts.
Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal confirmed that the company’s not-for-profit organisation, Zomato Feeding India, has kickstarted the “Help Save My India” project in collaboration with Delhivery. It aims to raise Rs 50 crore to source oxygen concentrators and related supplies to help hospitals and families in India.
Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin also confirmed via Twitter his donation of Rs 4.5 crore. Naturally, he donated 100 ETH and 100 MKR, whose proof he shared on Twitter. The co-founder of Sun Microsystem, Vinod Khosla, also announced his wish to fund hospitals in India for importing oxygen and other supplies in India. Following that, he received many requests from non-profit organisations, non-government organisations, and private initiatives such as Manjinder Singh Sirsa (President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee), the Cancer Aid Society, and Hemkunt Foundation to fund hospitals needing medical supplies to fight Covid, which he gladly received.
Apart from the significant organisations and global tech leaders, there are also many Indian companies working hard to save the country. Among such is Oxicare, which aims to help as many blue collared technicians as possible. The company hires technicians who can repair oxygen concentrators. The efforts were further emphasised on LinkedIn by Rajesh Bansal, who stated that they were on a mission to train 1000 technicians across India.
These companies have proven that despite being divided by the market, they are united by a single cause; the cause of saving lives!
Asus is a brand synonymous with extravagance. Be it smartphones or laptops; the brand always offers something extra. But is it always good? We got a chance to answer that question when we reviewed the Asus VivoBook 17 M712. Here’s how it went:
First impressions:
With a 17.3-inch Full HD NanoEdge display, the laptop ensures an immersive and crystal clear visual experience. That, coupled with SonicMaster audio technology, translates to a theatre-like experience in a closed room. It also has an 85 per cent screen-to-body ratio that could have been better, but it looks good.
Usage:
The laptop functions fantastically as a professional device. After all, with the AMD Ryzen 5 Processor and AMD’s integrated Radeon graphics equipped, it is sure to offer smooth performance. However, it is more of a generalist than a specialist and can be best used for productive multitasking, multimedia editing, or casual gaming. It gets 16GB RAM and a PCIe SSD storage that offers quite substantial storage and run speeds. Asus also provides additional storage alongside the SSD, with 1TB SATA HDD.
However, the downside of its enormous size is its keyboard. Although it is a full-size backlit keyboard, it is relatively far from the base of the laptop. Probably because the mouse tracker occupies significant space, but that pushes the keyboard further towards the screen. This makes it slightly cumbersome to use over extended periods, and prolonged usage is almost guaranteed to cause wrist pain. The keys have 1.4mm of travel, which allows feather-touch typing, but their proximity and flatness can lead to frequent mistype under speed.
Connectivity options are plentiful in the VivoBook, with one USB Type-C port, featuring an any-way-up design that makes connecting devices as easy as possible. In addition, there is one USB 3.1 Gen 1 and two USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 output, and a microSD card reader. All these options ensure that the user can opt for multiple inputs for the laptop.
Verdict:
A starting price tag of Rs 62,990 might make the user consider other options, but anybody who opts for the VivoBook 17 with a generalist approach will not be disappointed. However, it would be nice if Asus could update the keyboard design in its future models to increase the comfort level of using its laptops.
When ASUS sent the ROG Phone 5 for review, there was something that said it wasn’t a typical gaming phone. Be it its suave packaging or its sheer presence; the ROG Phone 5 enamoured us even before we booted it up. Having experienced ROG Phone 3 prior to this, we knew we were in for a treat. Nevertheless, after thoroughly examining it and testing its limits, here’s our review of the ASUS ROG Phone 5:
First impressions:
The phone reeks of performance, and it is made clear right from the get-go. It is equipped with heavy-duty machinery explicitly designed for gaming. It gets a 6.78” HDR10+, 144Hz, AMOLED display custom made for ROG Phone 5 by Samsung. It is one of the fastest displays available. The display is 23% brighter than the previous ROG Phone while allowing a minimum brightness of only five nits. The ROG Phone 5 gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform paired with up to 16GB of RAM. It is accompanied by an overclocked Adreno 660 GPU that delivers 35% better performance than the last generation of the ROG Phone.
Performance:
As if those specifications didn’t speak for themselves, the phone is a monster in gaming. It utilises an MMT design consisting of two 3000mAh batteries that allow for 65W charging while discharging will produce less heat during demanding tasks such as gaming. The 2-cell design also makes it possible to position the motherboard in the middle of the frame, creating a perfect weight balance and superior cooling solution. This ensures extended hours of gaming without the phone becoming a microwave oven!
The highlight of the phone is the AirTrigger 5 – Invisible ultrasonic buttons and Motion sensor trigger. It offers better sensitivity, better positioning (closer to edge for smaller hands) and plenty of new motion control gestures. Up to 18 specific touchpoints on the screen can be mapped (with the AeroActive Cooler 5 and ROG Phone 5 Pro or Ultimate). Owners can even use the AirTrigger 5 system outside of games to activate beneficial actions or apps with a simple squeeze motion while in portrait mode.
Verdict:
While the phone demands a respectable starting price tag of Rs 50,000, it is undoubtedly one of the best gaming devices available on the market. Although it has drawbacks such as a heavy body and an average camera, an ardent gamer would be more than happy with the performance that the ROG Phone 5 offers!
Nobody likes it when their computer stops responding or a vital document is locked behind a forgotten password. While there are some basic skills that every computer user has developed over the years, there are still a lot of things unknown to the masses. This is where the professional IT sector comes in.
Information Technology, however simple sounding, encompasses a vast array of topics. Nevertheless, there are some things that even professionals might not know. That said, here are some secrets the professionals don’t want you to know!
To begin with the most simple fact, Google has the answer to everything. So whenever the techies run out of options, that’s who they turn to! Not that what they search for is understandable by the layman, but even general computer users can try a few alternatives suggested by Google.
Although the private or incognito mode is the go-to option for undetected and secret browsing, it does not make the user completely invisible. However, the mode promises not to store any cookies or search history, the websites that the user visits can still track the computer’s IP address and store it if required. This IP address can be accessed by legal means and can be traced back to the user. So the next time you are browsing privately, beware!
Having mentioned Google as an all-knowing Wiseman, it would be somewhat surprising that even Google can be treacherous sometimes. Although it is legally enforced in the United States of America, Google can also share its information with other governments and authorities when required. If you would like to get a shock by how much data Google has stored about you, you can have a look via the Google Dashboard. Users can also use it to control what data they choose to share with Google.
Technology has risen as a great saviour of man, controls a cardiac defibrillator, and uses and uses it to induce ventricular fibrillation, a potentially lethal condition. They can also read sensitive medical information stored on the device and change it at will.
With each purchase of a brand-new computer comes the mandatory addition of anti-virus software. However, not even the best software available in the market can save your computer from the worst online threats. The solution? Protect and encrypt your data as much as possible. It is not that anti-virus software is completely useless, but it is better to take extra precautions.
Keeping all the negativity aside, the last secret is a good one. It might even be lifesaving. Whether your mobile phone has a GPS chip or not (which is almost impossible considering modern smartphones), your device can still act as a homing beacon. The network that the phone catches comes from a nearby cell tower. These towers can be used to triangulate any device’s position within a few hundred meters. Although it does not give the exact location, even getting an idea of the proximity can prove crucial sometimes.
Now that you are armed with this information, go out and explore the world of information technology! It would be best to leave it to the professionals, don’t you think?
“If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.” Ayrton Senna’s words still spark a fire for many racing enthusiasts almost three decades after the legendary Formula 1 driver left Earth. While many veterans and aspiring drivers wish to place themselves in the same league as the brave Brazilian, not all have the potential or the resources to realise that dream.
Luckily for us, many racing simulators have cropped up that offer an almost identical racing experience, albeit without the real-world dangers or expenses involved. Among the top-runners in this segment are Slightly Mad Studios, famous for their long-running and quite beloved Project Cars series. What was once the pinnacle of simulated racing technology has morphed into a simplistic yet graphically rich smartphone arcade game. Has it carried forward the same charm and appeal as its PC counterpart? I got a chance to find out.
First impressions:
Project Cars GO announced way back in May 2018, giving enthusiasts sufficient time to build up the hype properly. However, it wasn’t until February 2021 that further details were unveiled, confirming that it would be a smartphone port for Android and iOS devices, with its launch date set for March 23, 2021.
Published by Gamevil, the game is a solid amalgamation of Project Cars’ characteristics and the accessibility of smartphones. This means that while the game can be considered good-looking, it is far from its simulation roots. The game features prominent manufacturers worldwide such as Nissan, Ferrari, and BMW, though the available glossary is sizeably reduced. This was a necessary move to keep the file size low, which would have otherwise spanned across hundreds of GB. However, downsizing has also drastically reduced the game’s feel and effect, as evidenced by its gameplay.
Gameplay
Deviating completely from its realistic controls and simulated physics, Project Cars GO instead opts for a one-touch control system, much to the chagrin of dedicated racing enthusiasts. While the game retains most of its visual intricacy, it loses out on its core gameplay mechanics. Tap to shift gears, tap and hold to brake in the specified zones, and release to accelerate. That pretty much sums up all that you can do in the game. There are no dogfights, no intentional drifting, none of the fun. Heck, you can’t even stop the car and go in the opposite direction of the track for fun. Why bother then?
Well, it seems that Gamevil has focussed on introducing the world of Project Cars to new people instead of catering to long-term enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the game will be pretty intriguing and appealing to someone who has had no previous experience with Project Cars. For veterans, however, this game might be a hit and miss.
Verdict:
The game just launched and offers plenty of gifts and prizes once the tutorial is over to add incentives for players to continue. Players can safely expect more content to be added in future updates, though its core gameplay is expected to remain unchanged. Hence, Project Cars GO is an ambitious project but with a limited audience.
