Pratik Ghone, Author at Exhibit Tech

In Conversations With – Vinay Sinha, AMD

Q1. Describe yourself in three sentences.

I am a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences to grow and develop. A results-driven and analytical individual, able to make data-informed decisions and execute them effectively. As a huge sports enthusiast, I firmly believe that individual talent honed with teamwork is a prime constituent for aspirations.

Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

I believe it is the ability to adapt to change. It is crucial for a leader to navigate the constantly evolving business landscape, to be able to pivot when needed and identify new opportunities. A leader who can lead and manage change effectively will be able to steer their team and organization through difficult situations and come out stronger on the other side. Another key trait that aspiring leaders should acquire is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. A leader with high emotional intelligence can create a positive and productive work environment, build strong relationships, and handle conflicts effectively.

Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.

One thing that is essential for the sustained growth of any business is a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This means fostering an environment where employees are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and learn from their mistakes. It also means providing opportunities for professional development and offering feedback that is both constructive and actionable. The leadership of the organization should be open to making changes to succeed in rapidly evolving business environments. This culture of continuous learning and improvement allows organizations to stay competitive, effect change positively, and ultimately achieve sustained growth.

Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?

I love reading biographies as they give me very real and distinct narratives of individual journeys, I feel this impacts me as a reader differently. One of my personal favourites is ‘Never Give Up’ by Bear Grylls. Moreover, having had the opportunity to meet him at one of AMD’s global events, his impact has multiplied! For the future, I have bookmarked a detailed read on the Upanishads and Vedic Literature as this is something I have been wanting to do for a long time.

Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you

Though there are many quotes that have left lasting impressions, the one I relate to the most is a famous quote by Mark Twain. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”. Another philosophy and belief that I strive to implement is based on a very matter-of-fact and profound quote by Ralph Emerson. “Life is a journey and not a destination: so make the most of it while you are on it!”

Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?

As the Managing Director of Sales in India for one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, I get this question often, especially in the advent of the pandemic. It’s important to remember that work-life balance looks different for everyone and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s a continuous effort to find the balance that works for you. My own way of maintaining a work-life balance is by setting clear boundaries and priorities. I also prioritize self-care through activities like meditation, exercise and spending time with loved ones. Having specific goals and targets for both your professional and personal life, and regularly reviewing and adjusting them as needed helps immensely.

Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?

The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way I think. I have realised it is very important to focus on yourself, be mindful and live in the moment. As you wade through stressful and uncertain situations, ensuring your own mental and emotional well-being, and prioritizing self-care are key.

Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life.

The efficiency of smartphones and laptops has never been more critical to the way we work, and we have some truly amazing devices available in the market. I also use a variety of productivity apps and technologies on a daily basis. I’d say Outlook, Gmail, Zoom, MS Teams and Google Docs are apps I rely on while on the go.

Q9. What is your technology detox?

I do feel strongly that this is most required as it does help in recharge and reset. As a habit, I try to take short breaks from work by going on 3-4 day long staycations with family and friends – often to reserves/ hills where the mobile signal itself is elusive (though it is getting stronger with passing time). It helps me and my family to stay closer to nature and get in bouts of fresh air.

Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?

In the current era where we see evolution in tech and automobile going hand-in-hand, I aspire to own an Electric SUV as soon as the infrastructure and technology have been cemented across in the country. It’s a perfect blend of the latest technology advancements and automobiles.

In Conversations With – Mr Yeshudas Pillai, Country Head, Garmin India

Q1. Describe yourself in three sentences

A self-motivated leader and a passionate professional ready to take up challenges with a pragmatic approach

An enterprising leader with great people management skills leading towards the accomplishment of common goals & objectives

guided by my life mantras – to be a student for life, to be open to learning from one and all

Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?

Leaders need to learn that leadership is no longer about the title(s) or designation(s). It fundamentally revolves around influence, impact, inspiration, ideology and integrity

Influence: doing or getting things done in line with larger organizational goals
Impact: how your internal & external stakeholders perceive you
Inspiration: how your superiors and subordinates always look up to you
Ideology: the right exposure, experience and understanding that you have gained over the years
Integrity: your love, passion & commitment towards your job/organization/team/society at large, even when no one is watching

Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth

I believe in maintaining relationships, whether it’s old customers or making new ones. The effort in building a new relationship is 10 times the cost of maintaining an existing one for sustained growth.

Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?

To be honest, there are quite a few, but IKIGAI & “Wings of Fire” – The autobiography of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is my absolute favourite.

Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you.

“Be the player who runs for the GOAL and not a referee who looks for FAULTS.”
“If you want to change the FRUITS, you will first have to change the ROOTS. If you want to change the VISIBLE, you must first change the INVISIBLE.”

Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?

The key is to avoid carrying workplace baggage back home and personal baggage to the workplace. Always find substantial time for a workout to maintain a healthy mind and body.

Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?

In the past few years, we have witnessed a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour, and it has become significant for brands to adapt their strategies, prioritize them and eventually deliver the right product or message to the new-age consumers.

Q8. To cite a few must-haves Marketing Strategies:

Trust is built on privacy
The omnichannel offering is appreciated
Revisit / Rework / Reconsider your messaging to Consumers
Flexible & empathetic customer service, along with state-of-the-art products and competitive pricing, is the key
Tangible benefits lead to brand loyalty
Keep innovating

Q9. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?

My must-haves are MS Teams, Dropbox, OneNote, etc., and of course, a smartphone.

Q10. What is your technology detox?

I like to indulge in activities like running, road travel, photography, reading, cooking etc.

Q11. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?

I am happy with what I have, but if I must choose one thing if money was not a bar, I would preferably be a Philanthropist.

OnePlus 11R – The OnePlus redemption

OnePlus track record aside, the OnePlus 11 series, with the launch of the flagship OnePlus 11 first, followed by the OnePlus 11R, is a mighty impressive product range. The OnePlus 10R was, for better or for worse forgettable. The design was a straight-up copy, and the software was a nightmare. This year OnePlus is back to redeem itself among global users. Let’s take a look at the OnePlus 11R, the budget OnePlus flagship product, second to the OnePlus 11 in command. We shall take a look at the OnePlus 11R, arguably the most refined iteration of any OnePlus product in its history. At INR 39,999/- this phone is a flagship killer, and the one it kills is none other than the OnePlus 11 5G.

Big boy design

The OnePlus 11R looks almost identical to the OnePlus 11, and that in itself is impressive. From afar, it is practically impossible to identify the 11 from its 11R variant. Unlike the OnePlus 11, the 11R features a matte sandstone polycarbonate texture at its rear with glossy plastic sides designed to look impressive and feel lighter. The most impressive part of the design is the inclusion of a neatly curved 6.74-inch S-AMOLED adaptive 120Hz panel with FHD+ resolution. More on that later. Alert slider and IR sensor appeal to an exciting flagship design. Despite being priced in the upper midrange segment, this phone visually appeals as an entry-level flagship device from OnePlus.

Wow, display with powerful stereo sound.

The OnePlus 11R features a brighter 6.74-inch FHD+ adaptive refresh rate (40-120Hz) Super AMOLED HDR 10+ panel with more brightness than the OnePlus 11 5G at 1450nits. It also features 100% DCI-P3 colour reproduction and good sunlight visibility compared to the flagship OnePlus 11. Viewing content and playing multimedia on this phone is nothing short of a flagship experience. This is quite surprising for the price and coupled with the stereo speakers where the earpiece doubles up as a channel for stereo output, the display and sound are top-tier grades to say the least. OnePlus 11R makes no compromises on the display and sound features offering more than one can expect for the price.

Flagship performance

Powered by the updated Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and up to 16GB LPDDRX5 RAM on fast UFS 128GB or 256GB storage, the OnePlus 11R breezes through day-to-day tasks. Demanding gaming titles are no stress for this SoC. This is much better than the usual Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which has issues like overheating, throttling and other performance hurdles. The phone stays relatively cooler than most other phones in its category despite hours of gameplay, downloads, video playback and recording. Couple that with an excellent HDR-rich display, and OnePlus has a winner on their side this time around. Consider this the second-best chip after the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 featured in the OnePlus 11 5G and other top-tier flagship phones. Something as demanding as Genshin Impact was smooth for hours with graphic settings at high and 60fps. Mesmerising flagship performance at an affordable price. Call and data quality was at par with the flagship devices of the realm despite missing out on Wifi-7, IP ratings and wireless charging capabilities.

Color OS made for OnePlus = Oxygen OS

The OnePlus 11R features Oxygen OS based on Android 13. OnePlus commits to 3-year updates on the 11R compared to 4 years on the OnePlus 11. There are tonnes of customizations for making this phone unique to each user, while many other technical features seem overly simplified! Camera app, for instance, does not allow for any megapixel or resolution customizations, while the IR blaster comes in handy when required. Split screen, flexible windows and smart sidebar allow improved gesture-operated functionality on a large gorgeous display. Quick launch allows quick app access from a long press on the fast in-display fingerprint sensor. The UI is snappy and loaded with themes for fonts, sounds, and many other customizations. App performance is at par with the flagships of this era. Haptic feedback is satisfactory and customisable, while the games app brings consolidated support for all games installed. Performance enhancements include 4D vibrations, smart network switching and enhanced multi-touch response.

A much improved but lackluster camera setup

The primary sensor on the OnePlus 11R is similar to the primary sensor on the OnePlus 11 – 50MP OIS IMX890. Although it misses the Hasselblad text, the performance is identical, thanks to the shared algorithms. Colors, saturation, and details are retained in both day and low light. The hi-Res mode allows for 50MP shots with good detail capture. While the main sensor allows 4K 60fps recording, the 8MP Ultrawide is below average and limited to 1080p 60fps shooting. The 2MP macro sensor is meh, and nothing impressive here. The front 16MP fixed focus camera is decent in the day and low light with AI enhancements and auto HDR on all the camera modes. Overall, the OIS and EIS-enabled primary sensor is worth considering for multiple lighting conditions. This is not a camera-centric phone, but the latest Sony IMX890 sensor is excellent as a primary camera on the OnePlus 11R.

Sprinter running a marathon.

The 5000mAh battery and the efficient yet powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 bring good battery life to the OnePlus 11R. It easily suffices hours of high-fidelity gameplay, content viewing and camera usage. What’s insane is the inclusion of a Supervooc S charger inside the box enabling 100W charge speeds. This is precisely similar to the elder sibling, the OnePlus 11 5G. The OnePlus 11R features a brighter but FHD+ resolution on the SAMOLED panel but an efficient chipset and lesser resolution than the 2K displays of the realm; the OnePlus 11R enjoys good battery life and innate peace of mind with super fast charging speeds.

This is the OnePlus that kills flagships.

OnePlus 11R is the prime example for everyone who missed the OnePlus flagship-killer moniker. Priced at less than INR 40K for the base model and slightly more for the 16GB RAM variant, the OnePlus 11R is a quintessential example of the OnePlus smartphones of the past. The design retains all the flagship features with arguably more durable materials and miles of improvement from its predecessor. If you are someone who wants flagship performance and design but at a sensible price, there is nothing like the OnePlus 11R as of now.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 – An engineering retro-modern marvel

One look around, and we see tonnes of metal on wheel designs aiding human existence. The difference between the future and the present moment could be as low as a second or as creatively engineered as the Hyundai IONIQ 5. A car awaited in India since its global debut. Electric, check; something unique, check; performance, let’s check.

Exterior to drool

This car is a stunner even when those gorgeous 20-inch wheels are not moving. In fact, this car looks like it was designed by a racing game designer more than any car designer. The engineers at Hyundai have hit the ball right out of the park regarding the overall stance, parametric pixel design on those gorgeous DRLs and LED lightings, parametric pixel design on the 20-inch alloys and beautiful sharp creases throughout the exterior design. Wheel arches, too, carry a subtle design for aerodynamic and visual pleasures. Winner of several awards, including the world car design award for 2022, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 carries a hatchback design with SUV proportions and is visually stunning enough to turn passengers’ heads in luxury cars on Indian roads. Flush door handles, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and many other things add subtlety to the overall beautiful silhouette. This car will definitely become an Icon for people to consider in the near future. Hats off to the overall design team and engineers at Hyundai.

Built on the E-GMP (Electric global modular platform), with intelligent features like shifting the AC setup to the engine bay, a flat floor with an 8-point 72.6kwh battery mounted for a better centre of gravity, and 5-link suspensions at the rear liberate a mind-bending 3000mm of wheelbase. The IONIQ 5 design cleverly camouflages its dimensions and plays a visual trick on normal simpletons appearing gorgeously balanced in its profile. Offered in three colours, the IONIQ 5 looks great in them all but looks like a proper modern-day mafia car in midnight black pearl. Despite the electric platform, the 163mm ground clearance offers innate peace of mind while driving on Indian terrains. This is arguably the highest ground clearance in Hyundai’s India line-up yet.

Interiors like living space

Let’s start from the top. A panoramic sunroof that opens from the middle brings a more spacious feel to the ivory-clad interiors. The feature list is so immense narrating it would make this video a short film about the car. The interiors exude opulence with a massive wheelbase, made from sustainable materials like dyeing leather with flaxseed oil, recycled bottles, and paper-feel materials from corn, sugarcane and flower extracts. V2L, vehicle to load, allows users to power their appliances in and outside the IONIQ 5 in a unique blend of utility, function and style. The digital cockpit includes two massive 12.3-inch screens wrapped in sustainable components matching the car’s interior space alongside a magnet on the RHS for sticking lightweight metal essentials. The engineers also went bonkers inside by including a slidable handrest storage unit that liberates up-front and rear space when used accordingly. The cooled glove box also has a unique drawer design that liberates more space than most glove boxes in the market today.

The flat bottom steering unit features a Mercedes AMG-inspired drive selector and drive modes. It is lightweight in Eco mode and weighs apt for Normal and Sport modes. Along with the heated and ventilated seats, the car also features heated ORVMs and VESS, a virtual engine sound system notifying people around you about this relatively calm beast. The IONIQ 5 also features home-to-car connectivity with Alexa, and Google Assistant alongwith a plethora of Hyundai Bluelink features, including OTA updates on the map with charge station info, battery status, auto crash notifications and many more. A perfect icing on this retro-modern white chocolate cake is the inclusion of 21 features on the Hyundai Smartsense level 2 ADAS. Customisable ambient lights, passenger walk-in functionality on all rear seats, 8-Bose speakers with a sub-woofer, 6 airbags, Hill-start/stop assist, EPB, TPMS, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and dozens of other electronic aids with adaptive air flaps ensure that Hyundai has thrown the kitchen sink at customers who barely would be able to recollect the robust feature list on this car.

Drives – Comfortably fast

Hyundai ride quality is eminent in the IONIQ 5. We barely drove this beauty on wheels through south Goa, India. In the dozen or odd kilometres, the car maintained its composure at relatively higher speeds on straights and some enthusiasts driving on a few twisties encountered. The 5-link suspension and the overall centre of gravity, alongwith the 20-inch tyres, offer good grip on most road conditions. The NVH levels are well maintained despite this car’s huge tyre and overall dimensions. On the move, it’s like the car balance comes alive. The PSM primarily produces 217PS of power and 350Nm torque at its rear wheels. The power delivery is linear on all the modes, and the torque curve is well spread throughout the initial acceleration figures. Even in Eco mode, the acceleration is linear yet satisfactory enough to overtake anything going slower than 185 km/h, as the car is electronically locked at this speed.

Four levels of regenerative braking can be accessed through the paddle shifters. It’s a relatively more straightforward car to drive and handles confidently. The 163mm ground clearance allows the car to tackle any obstacle our roads offer. The overall technology with level 2 ADAS further aid drivers, and Hyundai brings a nice balance of linear performance in comfortable ride quality. The electric range could not be tested in a few kilometres of drive; hence, we shall reserve our thoughts, but a realistic figure of anywhere between 390 Km – 460 km is easily achievable.

There is nothing in the realm of automobiles in India that matches the wow factor of the Hyundai IONIQ 5. It looks a million times better than its asking price, features enough to print a booklet on its name and offers one of the most spacious, innovative driving pleasures designed for daily infatuations with a car made possible by creative engineers at Hyundai. There are other cool-looking cars like the KIA EV6 and BYD Atto3. Still, nothing in the segment feels as technologically valuable, retro-modern, spacious, and proportionally sassy as the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

2023 Android Flagship Battle – Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs OnePlus 11 vs Google Pixel 7Pro

2023 has begun with a bang. Most major android manufacturers have launched their top-tier flagships at the start of the year. Let’s look at three quintessential brands popular among android phone users. Starting off with the newest handheld machines on the block, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, a refined iteration of the beloved Galaxy S22 Ultra with a similar camera design for the entire line-up. OnePlus 11, the latest and greatest from OnePlus, adheres to all last year’s issues and updates hardware and software to match their potential buyers outside China. The Google Pixel 7Pro is also known as the smartest android phone money can buy, making its software reign over hardware.

Design & Specs

Samsung Galaxy S23 Series

Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and the S23 Ultra are iterative updates to their predecessors. We know these are flagship units from each manufacturer and hence are priced accordingly. Considering flagships from all the companies, let’s compare the top-tier Samsung S23 Ultra, arguably a better Note series from Samsung. Maybe the Note name is kindly reserved for something that matches the name? The Ultra now has a redesigned chassis with a more rounded rectangle design that fits the hands confidently and brings significant camera improvements. On the other hand, the Galaxy lower S23 series is more like a refreshed update bringing Ultra design to the Galaxy S23 and the S23+.

The design is clean overall, and the display is curved upfront while looking symmetrically beautiful at the rear. The camera housing for individual sensors is carried on with the entire line-up this year. The outer glass is now industry-leading Gorilla Glass Vitcus 2 on both ends, with armour-grade aluminium for the chassis for better fall protection. Overall the changes on the outside are minor, but there’s better hardware this time around. Newer to the device is the new Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor, slightly overclocked for Samsung devices with a brighter 6.8-inch Dynamic SAMOLED 2K 120hz panel with HDR10+ supporting 1750nits of brightness in scenarios necessary. It still retains all the good parts like an IP68 rating, 45W charging with a 5000mAh battery, standard and reverse wireless charging, WiFi 6E, BT 5.3 and one of the fastest in-display fingerprint sensors. This is an apt design for someone who wants a sophisticated, premium, and functional flagship phone. The S-Pen is retained with all the necessary sensors. Pen hardware and software are still crisp and work as well as the earlier editions. Samsung One UI 5.1 brings goodies of Android 13, S-Pen features and updated apps like Samsung Pay with a multitude of features. Improved 200MP OIS primary wide with 10MP OIS (10X) periscopic zoom, 10MP OIS (3x) optical zoom, and 12MP EIS Ultrawide cameras complete the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera setup. The new 16MP front camera, as opposed to the 40MP earlier, has better AI algorithms (that may take some OTA updates to get better) for better colour tones and 4K capabilities. At the same time, the rear can shoot 8K 30FPS, but the file size would require Galaxy-level storage.

OnePlus 11

The OnePlus 11 was launched in China many months ago and has finally landed in India with Oxygen OS 13 based on Android 13. The most considerable improvements include a newer Hasselblad camera design with improved AI and hardware. Exterior design improvements bring back the alert slider and retain the matte finish sandstone rear glass. Like most phones on the market, this is a large phone with a nice balance, but it feels dense despite its slim circumference. Unlike the newer Samsung Galaxy S23 series glass, the OnePlus 11 features gen 1 Gorilla glass Victus upfront and Gorilla glass 5 at its rear.

Hasselblad computation has improved on the 50MP OIS primary camera sensor with 32MP (2x) telephoto lens, 48MP ultrawide sensor and an improved 16MP autofocus front camera. Despite the lower pixel counts upfront, the algorithm has improved. A new LTPO3 E4 2K AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300nits max HDR 10+ brings software support for Dolby Vision, 8K 24FPS capabilities limiting FHD for the front camera, BT 5.3, WiFi 7 are welcome generational update.

Google Pixel 7Pro

The Pixel design by Google is exciting and flagship-grade, to say the least. It includes a similar glass setup to the OnePlus 11 and was launched last year, but it is safely the most intuitive android phone to use. This is authentic vanilla android as cooked by Google. The software is the main king compared to the hardware. Hardware is no slouch at 6.7-inch LTPO 2K AMOLED 1500nits max bright panel with excellent touch response. The Tensor SOC is no match to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 of the others, but this time around is much more balanced for all the multitasking expected out of a flagship device.

It gets an IP68 rating for water and dust protection like Samsung and Apple devices with similar wireless and reverses wireless charging despite no charger in the retail box. This is the only phone among the lot with low UFS 3.1 storage compared to UFS 4.0 on others despite LDDR5 RAM on all of the contenders. The most impressive feature on Pixel devices, apart from the fantastic ML AI algorithms throughout the UI, must be the 50MP OIS primary camera, 48MP OIS (5x) telephoto and 12MP ultrawide camera with an autofocusing 4K recording 10.8MP front camera. The battery on the Pixel 7Pro is 5000mAh, and WiFi 6E makes it apt for heavy users.

Display

We consumed some media, and honestly, there is nothing as impressive as a Samsung display. No wonder iPhones get their displays from Samsung. Isolated, the OnePlus and Pixel 7Pro bring a large, crisp, colour-rich display viewing experience. Outdoor viewing was never an issue on any phone while being the best on the S23 Ultra. The colour balance in dim conditions showed some flaws on the OnePlus 11 and Pixel 7Pro. No such issues with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Camera

The camera setup on all the phones is interesting and different in their own hardware and algorithms. Here are some camera samples clicked in auto from the same distance as the other phones. 10X samples, ultrawide, front camera samples and more for your perusal. The Ultra wins hands down in the portrait department with a clean cut out on my hair. The Pixel algorithm has a mind of its own at times and selects colours it likes that are far from reality. Samsung and Pixel perform great at video stabilisation, while the OnePlus 11 struggles to maintain stability. Night photography is more than satisfactory on all the phones, with the Galaxy S23 Ultra and OnePlus 11 being marginally better than the Pixel 7Pro.

In night photography, the OnePlus Hasselblad setup works wonders, followed by S23 Ultra, and then the Pixel makes things appear as it wants. Pixel photos look great outdoors, but the OnePlus and Samsung somehow manage better details in photos and videos. Let us know in the comments which would be your phone of choice for capturing memorable moments.

Performance and Processors

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is finally catching up with Apple’s processing power. Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the OnePlus 11 eat up any task thrown at them. Gaming at the highest fidelity is no problem for both phones, but the Pixel 7Pro struggles on max settings. We noticed considerable frame drops, and while most games play flawlessly on all three devices, demanding titles will struggle on the Pixel 7Pro. We set a tie for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the OnePlus 11 regarding sheer flagship performance. Regular tasks and straining downloads were not an issue on either device. Speaking of performance, the software cannot be ignored. While the Samsung and OnePlus devices make a strong case on paper, the Pixel 7Pro is a software king among the lot. The purest form of android with all permissions running flawlessly and ML AI built inside, like most iPhones, the Pixel 7Pro flies miles above any other android device when it comes to phone UI and app usage. This year, Samsung has a trick up its sleeve with social media platforms, especially Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok (where it’s still not banned). The collaboration allows these apps to use the Samsung camera algorithms inside their apps, allowing them to shoot at full fidelity offered by the improved Samsung Galaxy S23 series camera setup. Battery life on all these phones is more than adequate for a typical work day and then some with all sporting ultra battering saving modes.

Which one should you buy?

This is a tricky question, especially with such amazing products from all the brands. All the phones are amazing packages. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra brings unique functionality to people who want the S-Pen along with hardware and software that surpass most spec sheets on any smartphone. The OnePlus 11 is a tough competition, but the hardware and software package cuts corners, acceptable for the price. Speaking of which, the Google flagship Pixel 7Pro still proves to be the best software package with amazing AI and ML capabilities on the hardware and HDR-rich images. One cannot go wrong with either phone, and all the phone manufacturers make the Android phone market better than ever. If the price was not a bar, there is nothing in a clamshell design that matches the sheer functionality, self-charging S-Pen, premium experience and a well-rounded flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. If money does a concern, the S23 series, OnePlus 11 and, to some extent, even the Pixel 7Pro are great options. All offer ad-free user experience and flagship-grade performance in daily use. Our winner among these Android flagships is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. OnePlus 11 offers good functionality but misses out on some essential features that make flagship phones desirable, but the cameras are much better than predecessors. Google’s Pixel 7Pro is up for an update, but the overall Android UI with intelligent features like whispering “stop” to stop an alarm make it the smartest Android phone in the Indian market.

Hyundai Tucson | Global bestseller? But why?

A road trip with Hyundai Tucson answers the question – Why is this car Hyundai’s global bestseller?

Hyundai has become a popular brand among automobile lovers. When one thinks of Hyundai, they unanimously agree on an impressive feature list, the absolute unit of value propositions on roads and a reliable customer service network. Let’s not forget the era demands larger, sassier-looking cars that meet not just one’s demand but eventually everyone connected with the one. Adhering to modern automotive demands, Hyundai’s global best-selling product is now available in India – Hyundai Tucson. A question arises, what makes this product an international bestseller? What other way to find out than driving this beauty on a road trip? Where are we headed? We’re heading towards the answers.

Is it the bold, premium and sporty design?

Hyundai designers were briefed to make Tucson an iconic and bold design. Thanks to the brief, Tucson now feels angular, humongous and beautiful. The front fascia feels like a sizeable smiling grille. Kudos to the clever engineering covering the five-point dark chrome parametric DRLs with nickel metal coating. Turn them on, and Tucson gets a distinct identity like no other car on Indian roads. Sharp creases on the body neatly camouflage the enormous length of the Tucson and bring a contemporary design language familiar to supercar manufacturers making a large vehicle. If that was not enough, the tail section is a piece of art with connected LED taillamps finished in mesmerising lit textures and a neatly hidden rear wiper underneath the spoiler. Complementing the design are 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, purpose-built for tackling any road. Overall the new Tucson feels refreshing and eye-pleasing from the outside.

The ivory-clad interior and plush ventilated seats with unique metal accents add a sense of space and splendour, coupled with a voice-enabled panoramic sunroof. The lines inside the cabin flow in a minimalistic design, adding to the definition of opulence. The LWB enables oodles of legroom and headroom with deep recline angles for the rear passengers and a boss mode found in premium sedans a segment or two above Tucson’s asking price. The interior of the Tucson makes it a comfortable, spacious abode with a focus on comfort, the luxury of a serene driving experience and class-leading safety features, including ADAS level 2 aided by front and rear radars with a front camera. This makes Tucson one of the safest cars available in India.

Is it the features, performance, luxury, safety or something else?

Available in multiple engine options – a 2L petrol (156PS and 192Nm) and a 2L diesel (186PS and 415Nm) with an AWD variant featuring multi-terrain modes (snow, mud and sand), the Tucson offers versatility. The transmission options include a 6-speed automatic on the petrol, while the diesel variants have a sleek shifting 8-speed automatic. The engines and transmission options offer linear, smooth power delivery, with the diesel tickling the enthusiast’s senses. The NVH levels are so darn impressive; they’re unlike any Hyundai we’ve experienced. Couple that with the ivory-clad spacious interiors, customisable seat positions on the front row and deep recline angles on the rear along with passenger walk-in mode, amplifying the sense of sumptuousness, unlike most competitors. With 4 disc brakes on all 4 tyres, level 2 ADAS with 19 class-leading features safeguard you, pedestrians, other cars and the precious Tucson from any nuances on the road. The braking performance is also linear despite all discs on all tyres and adds to the overall experience of plushness.

Hyundai Tucson is one of the safest cars on Indian roads. The level 2 ADAS makes it almost impossible to collide the car with anything on the road. There are tonnes of customisations to customise the ADAS aids as per personal preference. Here’s a list of all the advanced driving-assistance system safety features for your reference. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist + Junction Turning, Front collision warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & GO (SCC with S&G), Lane Following Assist (LFA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) and Surround View Monitor (SVM). The 360-degree cameras offer high resolution and enable dynamic parking assist lines for added convenience. The considerable safety net with numerous features cocooned in luxury makes this car seem much more valuable than its asking price.

Why is Tucson Hyundai’s global bestseller?

We scouted out with the Tucson, searching for answers to why it is Hyundai’s global bestseller. Tucson’s unaccountable features, extensive safety net with the best-in-class package, and plush feel of the ivory-clad interiors make it a fantastic premium SUV for anyone looking to upgrade their driving experience into grandeur daily drives. Hyundai designers and engineers have hit the ball right out of the park regarding the new Tucson. No wonder this car is a global bestseller featured in blockbuster cinemas and is now available as a blockbuster in our daily drives.

2.0L Nu Petrol – 156PS | 192Nm | 6-speed AT

2.0L R Diesel – 186PS | 415Nm | 8-speed AT

ADAS level 2 – 19 safety features

360-degree cameras

60+ Bluelink features

3 years unlimited warranty

The Social Media Fiasco – View, like or dislike, they benefit

Hey, social media fanatics, welcome to our channel. Let’s discuss the Social Media Fiasco. What’s happening to the most consumed form of media across the globe? It’s 2023, and social media is more ingrained in our daily lives than ever! Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc., if you are familiar with any of these social media platforms, you are at the right place. As it’s popularly known – The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has changed how we communicate, shares information, and consume news. The role of social media in society is both positive and negative.

On the positive side, social media has allowed individuals to connect with people worldwide. It has also made it easier for people to stay in touch with friends and family living far away. Social media has also played a crucial role in the spread of information, particularly during times of crisis. For example, social media has been used during natural disasters to disseminate important information to affected communities.

However, there are also negative aspects of social media. The constant use of social media has been linked to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Additionally, the spread of misinformation on social media can have serious consequences. For example, false information about COVID-19 has led to confusion and mistrust among government officials and health experts. Another concern is the impact of social media on privacy. Many social media platforms collect user data, which could be sold to third parties for advertising or other purposes. This has raised concerns about protecting personal information and the potential for data misuse.

The impact of social media on society is complex and multifaceted. While it has brought many benefits, it has also created new challenges. It is essential for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and to use social media responsibly. Society must be critical of social media’s role in their lives and ensure they know the potential negative impacts. It’s also important to use the platform responsibly and to be mindful of the potential risks, such as spreading misinformation and protecting personal information. But as we scroll through our feeds, we’re increasingly confronted with a dark side to these social media platforms. From the misuse of user data to the proliferation of misinformation, nudity and inappropriate social influence, a series of scandals question the role of social media in our society.

Let’s start with Instagram, the once-photo-sharing platform owned by Facebook, which has been at the centre of several controversies. Humans are getting better at tricking AI. There’s borderline nudity when you scroll and wide-spread video categories for people of different interests to flood something that matches their psychological and emotional consciousness. Researchers have found that this is, in fact, the most commonly used drug-like service which gives you short doses of dopamine. Mind you, we do not have an unlimited source of dopamine in our brains. Think of it like your energy. Every on your screen that makes you smile or feel something good or disastrously wrong consumes your daily power. Result – The more you scroll, the more you crave. The more you scroll, the more you are depleted from your brain’s happy hormones. This is a significant concern in viewers of all age categories resulting in widespread anxiety, depression and loneliness. AI algorithms are well-defined to be user-specific while also being addictive. Instagram has also been criticised for its role in promoting unrealistic and harmful beauty standards. The platform has been accused of promoting a culture of perfectionism, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and negative body image.

The most common form of addiction is repetition. Did you find yourself getting bored, instantly reaching out to your phone for some information, and then noticing minutes passed as you scrolled your favourite channels or random videos? In recent years, the platform has been criticised for not doing enough to combat nudity, hate speech and online harassment. Many users have reported feeling unsafe and unwelcome on the platform, and there have been calls for Instagram to do more to combat this addiction. Additionally, Instagram has been scrutinised for not doing enough to protect the well-being of its younger users, who risk developing mental health issues due to the pressure of maintaining a perfect online persona. Twitter, another popular social media platform, has faced its fair share of controversies. The platform has been criticised for not doing enough to combat misinformation. The CEO has a funny bone and particularly in the USA’s Presidential elections blunder. False and misleading information was spread through Twitter, which led to confusion and mistrust among the electorate.

YouTube is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users. However, the platform has been plagued by several controversies in recent years, leading many to question whether it is a viable and safe place for users. One of the most significant issues with YouTube is the proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories on the platform. A report from the New York Times found that YouTube’s algorithm tends to promote sensational or controversial videos, regardless of their accuracy. This has led to spreading misinformation on the platform, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Limiting 4K content and thousands of ads, sometimes larger than the actual video, do Youtube a fantastic free service with its idiosyncratic elements. The platform has been criticised for not doing enough to remove hate speech and harmful content. YouTube’s advertising problem is also worth mentioning. The platform has been criticised for allowing ads to run on videos that contain hate speech or other offensive content. This has led to several major brands pulling their advertising from the platform, causing a significant loss of revenue for YouTube. In addition to these issues, YouTube has also been criticised for handling children’s content on the forum. The company has faced several legal challenges over collecting data on children and the inappropriate content found on the platform.

In conclusion, YouTube is a social media platform plagued by many controversies in recent years. From spreading fake news and conspiracy theories to hosting hate speech and harassment, the platform has faced several challenges that have led many to question its viability and safety for users. While YouTube and others have made some efforts to address these issues, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to regain the trust of its users. Other social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and LinkedIn have also faced similar controversies. Misusing user data, spreading misinformation, artificial idols, nudity and the proliferation of hate speech in many forms, like personal attacks, are issues that affect all social media platforms.

Hope is a waking dream

The good news is that many social media companies are starting to take these issues more seriously. Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms have begun to invest in new technologies and tools to combat misinformation, and many have pledged to improve transparency and user privacy. However, more needs to be done. Social media has the power to connect us, inform us, and bring us together. But it can also be used to divide us, deceive us, and harm us. It’s time for social media companies to take responsibility for their impact on our society, for people to be more aware and for governments to step in with more robust regulations.

In conclusion, social media has become an integral part of society, but it is essential to be aware of the potential negative impacts and use it responsibly. It has the power to connect people and share information, but it’s important to be mindful of the potential risks and use it to benefit society as a whole. Ultimately, it’s up to us, the users, to be more critical and selective about the information we consume and share on social media and to push for more accountability from the companies that control these powerful platforms. We must use these platforms with caution and consciousness and demand that these companies take more responsibility for their platforms’ impact on our society. Use social media responsibly. Conscious choices will safeguard many unconscious life decisions.

17 AI tools to explore in 2023 – Time to get smarter with technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) leapt forward in 2022, reaching the masses. It’s everywhere! In 2023, a wide variety of AI tools will be available for exploration, each with unique capabilities and applications. With the right approach, these AI tools are significant for businesses and individuals. This article will look at 17 AI tools worth exploring in the upcoming year.

TensorFlow: This open-source software library is one of the most popular tools for machine learning and deep learning. It’s widely used for image recognition, natural language processing, and other tasks.

Keras: Another popular open-source library, Keras, is a high-level neural networks API that can run on top of TensorFlow. It’s easy to use and is well-suited for prototyping and experimentation.

PyTorch: This open-source machine learning library is similar to TensorFlow but is more focused on research and experimentation. It’s often used for computer vision and natural language processing tasks.

Scikit-learn: This library is built on top of NumPy and SciPy and is one of the most popular tools for traditional machine-learning tasks. It’s well-suited for regression, classification, and clustering.

OpenCV: This library focuses on computer vision and is widely used for object detection, image classification, and video analysis.

NLTK: The Natural Language Toolkit is a library for natural language processing tasks such as tokenisation, stemming, and sentiment analysis.

Gensim: This library is designed explicitly for topic modelling and document similarity analysis. It’s widely used for natural language processing tasks.

spaCy: This library is similar to NLTK but is focused on speed and efficiency. It’s often used for natural language processing tasks such as named entity recognition and part-of-speech tagging.

Hugging Face: This company provides a wide variety of pre-trained models for natural language processing tasks such as sentiment analysis and question answering.

DeepMind: This company, now a subsidiary of Alphabet (Google), is one of the leading research organisations in AI. They are known for creating AlphaGo, the AI that defeated the world champion of the Go game.

OpenAI: This company is also a leading research organisation in AI, focused on developing and promoting friendly AI. They released Chat GPT-3, one of the most powerful language models.

IBM Watson: This suite of AI tools from IBM is focused on natural language processing, computer vision, and other cognitive computing tasks.

Microsoft Azure: This cloud-based platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Amazon SageMaker: This platform is specifically designed for machine learning and provides a wide variety of data preparation, model training, and deployment tools.

Google Cloud AI: This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

Alibaba Cloud AI: This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, and is especially popular in Asia.

Baidu AI: This one is for people from China. This platform provides a wide variety of AI services, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, and is especially popular in China. China might not allow other AI tools, but Baidu AI is impressive. These are just a few of the many AI tools available today. As AI continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest tools and technologies to take full advantage of AI opportunities. By exploring these tools and others, businesses and individuals can gain a competitive edge and stay at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB – Luxury meets practicality

Meet the new Mini GLS and Mini EQS

Mercedes has been a leader in the luxury car segment in India for a long time. Challengers like BMW and Audi have always been close seconds. Despite the sales chart buzz, the only 7-seater car in Mercedes-Benz India has been the Mercedes GLS. The GLS demands and commands a presence, but its sheer size and price could be intimidating. A glimpse of Mercedes-Benz’s positive sales figures in India comes from their immense pool of over 7000 pre-orders, including a sold-out GLC.

Not only is this company successful at making luxury cars, but it also commands one of the largest fleets of premium SUVs. Adding versatility, Mercedes has launched a new platform. Bringing back the B series cars, meet the new Mercedes-Benz EQB and GLB. For the first time in India, Mercedes offers a modular 7-seater platform in three fuel types and multiple SKUs.

Mini-GLS and Mini-EQS

Mercedes-Benz does not shy away from admitting the B segment launches are highly inspired by the S series. The GLB is also globally termed as the mini-GLS for the design elements, while the EQB looks similar to the global EQS SUV. What’s missing is the sheer size of their elder sibling inspirations. Both these cars are substantial in presence, almost as long as the best-selling GLC. The front fascia might look different on both cars, giving them a unique identity. The side panels on both vehicles are more or less the same, encompassing an overall length of 4,646mm, liberating a healthy 2,829mm wheelbase. The GLB also gets an optional AMG Kit accessory allowing 19-inch AMG rims with AMG steering wheel, Alcantara goodness, metal pedals and more. Thanks to the elder siblings, the GLB and EQB look friendly and welcoming without the domineer dimensions.

While the GLB follows the GLS split lamp design with neat-looking DRLs similar to the GLS, the EQB is unmistakably an EQ platform from Mercedes-Benz with a connected LED design front and rear. Sharing platforms, the EQB and GLB share the interior design with subtle changes based on the model. Our first drive cars were the top-of-the-line GLB 220d 4-Matic and EQB 300 4-Matic. Featuring AMG-styled flat-bottom steering wheels, turbine-styled AC vents, an ambient lighting package, Alcantara seats with lumbar-lateral support and more, these cars are loaded to the brim considering the segment. Based on the A-series limousine platform also featured on the GLA, the GLB and EQB stand longer than most of its competitors, including the Audi Q5!

Familiarly Merc on the inside

Mercedes-Benz uses different quality materials and textures with soft-touch leather, metal accents and LED elements on hard plastic, albeit in better quality. The centre console features a floating 10.25” touch infotainment system loaded with MBUX (connected car features and voice commands – Hey Mercedes) and a 4-Matic info-clad 10.25” MID. The functional centre column also brings rollable shutters to reveal a wireless charging pad, 12V connector, USB Type-C port, drive select metal knobs, HVAC controls in see-through design, a touch panel with wrist rest and a deep powered pocket that doubles as the arm-rest. There are multiple bottle holders, and the cabin feels functional yet sumptuous, thanks to the quality materials and ambient LED treatment. The GLB gets a matte aluminium finish on the AC vents, while the EQB features a body-coloured matte finish on the front AC vents.

The middle-row and third-row seats get USB Type-C charging ports with additional recline angles and adjustments for leg space on the middle row. The middle-row armrest also houses rollable cup holders in a 40,20,40 split-seat configuration. The 50-50 third-row seats are best suited for preteens and pets when required. With all the seats up, the powered tailgate liberates 130L boot space, 500L on folding the third row and up to 1055L on folding both rear rows. Limited by space, Mercedes includes a puncture repair kit instead of a spare wheel for emergencies. Breathing more space into the interiors is a two-way panoramic sunroof.

Impressive when steady and rolling

Safety first, the entire line-up gets seven airbags, with curtain extensions for the third-row passengers. Apart from a 5-star global NCAP rating, these cars also feature TPMS, HAC, lane keep, brake and driving assists with two high-resolution cameras. Mercedes offers the GLB in 200(P), 220d(D) and 220d 4-Matic(D) + AMG Kit. The EQB 300 receives the top-tier GLB treatments as standard for the electric powertrain. The 1332cc Petrol engine churns 163HP and 250Nm mated to a 6-Speed AT in front-wheel drive. The 2.0L Diesel variants 220d and 4-Matic bring healthy 400Nm and 190HP on tap for a livelier driving experience. The GLB 220d sprints 0-100Km/h in 7.6 secs while the EQB achieves the same in 8 secs despite the battery weight gains.

Drivers can choose from Eco, Sport, Comfort and Individual settings. We prefer the Individual settings as it allows versatile setup, like setting the engine and steering response to Sport mode, while the suspensions soak bad roads in Comfort mode. The seats are positioned in a commanding position, and the split A-pillar adds a good view of the road. While the GLB offers a round steering wheel, our top-tier unit featured the AMG flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, a standard on the EQB. Shifts are precise on the GLB 220d, while the exact change between various recuperation options on the EQB. The suspensions and ground clearance of 155mm make the drive comfortable and relatively carefree in normal driving conditions.

The GLB 220d like to be ringed around, and the satisfactory performance is on tap throughout the rev bands. There is some body roll movement, but the overall rigid architecture of the chassis allows for reasonable body control. Despite the additional weight of 469 kg batteries, the EQB with single-gear ASM on the front wheels and PSM driving the rear wheels churns a healthy 229HP and 390Nm of relatively instant torque compared to the GLB. Compare this figure with a better centre of gravity due to the batteries in the floor; the EQB feels nimble.

Mercedes-Benz has bought one of their B series best NVH levels on the market. The GLB gets audible when driven enthusiastically, but the engine and cabin are satisfactorily refined. The EQB gets additional motor insulation, cabin insulation and noise-reduction tyres to make the electric cabin feel silent enough to meditate. What also helps relax are the tonnes of advanced driver assistance features on both the GLB and EQB. From lane keep assist to emergency braking and more, the driving assist feature list can easily rival cars boasting an ADAS level 2 system. The EQB’s 66.5kWh battery is rated up to 423 Km (WLTP) range. Driving the EQB through twisties and highways, it has decent regenerative capabilities, and real-world figures will easily touch upwards of 350 km. This car also supports 100kW DC and 11kW AC charging. Mercedes provide the latter as a complementary accessory for initial buyers. Mercedes claims a 10-80% charge at 100kW in 32 mins. Expect our 50kW chargers to charge this car to the same levels in about an hour. An 11kW AC charger will charge the car from 10-100% in 6 hours and 25 mins. Not bad!

Verdict

Overall, the use of materials, utility options, insulation, and driving dynamics on the 7-seater Mercedes GLB and EQB make them a surprising addition to the already populated Mercedes SUV line-up. Mercedes-Benz India provides an eight-year warranty on the batteries of EQB and the engine + transmission of the GLB series. This warranty is also transferable, and this platform, offered in petrol, diesel and electric, seems like a good filler in the 7-seater luxury car segment. Indian units will be imported from Mexico and sold as CBU. We expect pricing for the GLB and EQB to start from 65L, and despite that price tag, the GLB and EQB are unique value luxury propositions.