Exhibit Magazine India Archives - Page 3 of 37

Android vs iOS. Who Outperforms Who?

At least once in your life, you have run into a conversation that poses a comparison between Android and iOS. While we are all aware that Google’s Android offers a more open platform, choice, versatility, and customization, there must be something that keeps the users hooked to the iOS devices. The fight between Android vs iOS will never have a real winner. However, we might help you find your pick.

The latest versions of both the operating systems – iOS 15 and Android 12, are pretty excellent but in different ways. Many of the features, such as swiping, and zooming in and out, overlap, but both have a different design, except for the basic touch-screen layout. You need to know the strength of both these operating systems to get a clear picture of which smartphone to invest in. Currently, the flagship smartphones of both these OS are Google Pixel 6 and iPhone 13.

Android 12 vs iOS 15

Both Android and iOS are unique, with similar features and layouts. We will list them all on some parameters, and the OS that ticks more boxes becomes the winner.

Personalization

With its design and layout, Google has taken this one right off the bat. From layout to wallpaper changes, Android 12 adapts to everything, from wallpaper changes to layout, and the notification panel, which can be customized to make the phone your own.

iOS, on the other hand, gets some degree of customizability but gets outperformed by Android 12. You can not have a blank home screen on an iPhone, and it’s a little disappointing.

I think Apple does excellently by giving notifications a needed facelift in iOS 15, with bigger app icons and contact photos for conversation notifications.

Fluidity

Both the operating systems are quite fluid and stable as far as the overall performance is concerned. With Android 12, the calculator looks updated with new angles, new Google apps, and standard apps like Settings, Privacy, and Games.

With iOS 15, the flagship browser Safari has been redesigned with the address bar at the bottom, closer to the keyboard, refined notifications, and App Library. All the apps have well-rounded corners and a pie-chart-like display of various stats. The apps on iOS 15 seem to work on a similar template and come with a certain level of polish.

Google is trying to catch up on a similar level of consistency with Android, but iOS wins the race for now.

Updates

Apple is known for its better update timeline since iOS rolls out updates on the same date for every device without discrimination. Whether it is the iPhone 6 or iPhone 13, all the phones will get the same update simultaneously.

On the contrary, Android smartphone makers schedule updates according to their priorities and do not sync with Google. This is because most smartphone brands put their flavours to the Android version and are tweaked for the next update.

While iOS 15 rolled the updates for all the devices at once, Android 12 makes you wait for the OEM to provide the update, and that can take months. iOS is a clear winner here.

Gaming

Android 12 has come up with some exciting features for gamers. The ‘play as you download’ feature lets the user play games while other assets are being downloaded in the background. Also, there are added features like quick toggles in its Game Dashboard that let you take screenshots and toggle DND. Android devices have a larger collection of games as compared to iOS.

On iOS 15, everything revolves around the App Store and Apple Arcade. You get a dedicated Focus Mode for games and a game centre for the multiplayer experience; however, there are no console-quality games despite the powerful chipset that iPhone comes with.

Bloatware

Apple has the upper hand because Google doesn’t decide on pre-loaded apps on every Android phone. While the Pixel lineup and a few other high-end smartphones have decent pre-loaded apps, it is not the same for every Android smartphone, for they are loaded with bloatware.

iOS 15 lets you delete whatever you want from your smartphone, but Android 12 wouldn’t let you do the same. Few apps can be a potential privacy threat to your data.

Conclusion

iOS and Android are the two most popular mobile operating systems around the world. What makes iOS different from Android is that you can get a lot of variations of Android depending upon the OEMs, but there’s only one version of iOS throughout every iPhone lineup. Apple excels in consistency.

It isn’t easy to judge both these operating systems and pick out the best but let’s say that while Android beats iOS in customizability, iOS covers the road of longevity more than Android.

iPhone 14 to get the biggest front-facing camera hardware upgrade in years?

The upcoming iPhone 14 has gathered the world’s attention with its leaked refreshing new design on the front, although there is not much to be expected of the back. Apple is finally moving on from its longstanding notched display design, at least for the highest-end Pro variants.

However, recent leaks and developments have revealed what to expect on the inside of this new ‘i’ shaped design. Earlier in the year, the new iPhones were reported to be getting major camera improvements on the front and back modules. These reports are now further corroborated by reliable supply chain insider Ming-Chi Kuo, who states that Apple has gathered all of its suppliers for the new line-up of iPhones. Long story short, Apple has completely omitted Chinese camera manufacturers from their supply chain due to substandard quality by their metrics.

According to Kuo, the new front camera technology will be a massive leap from the previous generations, seeing the new specifications. First, Kuo predicts that the new front-facing shooters will finally ship with auto-focus, which was unavailable on the fixed-focus cameras used today. This will improve sharpness in photos and videos and low-light performance for the less well-lit situations.

The new module will also sport a 5-element lens versus the current 4-element arrangement, which would improve sharpness and clarity in photos and videos. Furthermore, the aperture will be wider, at f/1.9, compared to the f/2.2 aperture on the last three generations of iPhone.

Latest leaks and rumours on the iPhone 14

The Pro line-up for the 2022 range of iPhones has previously been tipped to finally move on from the 12-megapixel efforts on iPhones since the iPhone X to a 48-megapixel shooter, enabling the iPhone to finally shoot 8k video, keeping up with its modern Android rivals.

Contrary to the existing line-up of phones: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, the new range seems to be ditching the mini completely, in favour of a non-pro Max variant, i.e. the iPhone 14 Max, sporting the same tech as the vanilla 14, but with a larger size due to the disappointing outcomes of the 13 mini.

Some not-so-great news is that the vanilla 14 models (14 and 14 Max) will feature not the new and upcoming A16 but the existing A15 bionic SoC at the helm of the current generation of flagship iPhones, along with the iPhone SE and iPad mini. As powerful as the A15 is, it would be slightly upsetting to see the last generation SoC for a second year running.

Everything new in iPadOS 16

The iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Pro are Apple’s three iPad product lines. For tech products to thrive in the market, updates and changes are very important. Apple has done precisely that.

In the recent update, Apple Inc. introduced an entirely new multitasking experience with the Stage manager and full external display support, bringing in new ways to collaborate via the Messages app, significant updates to Mail and Safari, new apps and more.

Updates to Messages

The Messages application now has new capabilities that make it simple to collaborate and manage shared material across Apple-based applications like Files, Keynote, Pages, Notes, Reminders, Safari and other third-party applications. The document, spreadsheet, or project is automatically shared with all the members of the thread/group when users submit a collaboration invitation via Messages. Everyone will also be able to see live updates to a shared file right at the top of the Messages thread when someone modifies.

In addition to the improved collaboration, messages will also allow users to have a better messaging experience by enabling users to edit sent messages and recover recently deleted messages.

New Application: Freeform

Apple is introducing a collaboration application called Freeform during the iPadOS 16 updates. With this application, you can view, share, and collaborate all in one location without worrying about layouts or page sizes. Coming to iPadOS 16 later this year, Freeform will permit users to view others’ contributions as they add content or make edits while enjoying a real-time collaboration space by starting FaceTime sessions and getting updates from others on Messages.

New Application: Weather

In the new update, the long-awaited weather app is being added to the iPad. Users may access essential weather information with only a swipe or browse maps to check precipitation, air quality, and temperature. Users will also receive notifications when a severe weather alert is issued in their location and monitor the air quality using a colour-coded scale.

Updates to ‘Live text’ and ‘Visual look up.’

Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Live Text identifies text in photos. This functionality has been extended to videos, allowing the reader to interact with stopped video frames. Users can now use this feature to convert currencies, translate different languages, or copy the text in a live video!

Updates to Safari & Mail

Shared Tab Groups allow users to collaborate on a set of tabs with friends and see updates instantly while they work together, share tabs and bookmarks, and start a conversation right from Safari.

Passkeys, a quicker and safer sign-in technique meant to replace passwords on the web and in applications, make browsing in Safari even more secure. Passkeys are stored on the iPad and are unique to the sites they were created for. Hackers can’t leak passkeys or fool users into providing them since they’re special digital keys that stay on the device and are never saved on a web server.

Mail introduces new smart tools; some are options to cancel the delivery of a message before it reaches a recipient’s inbox, schedule emails to be sent at the perfect moment and more.

New Feature: Powerful Multitasking

Stage Manager is a brand-new multitasking experience that organises programmes and windows for you, making switching between jobs a breeze. Users may now construct overlapping windows of various sizes in a single view, drag and drop windows from the side, or start applications from the Dock to build groups of apps for quicker, more flexible multitasking on the iPad for the first time.

Final Conclusion

These are the most significant updates coming to the new iPadOS 16. These changes will positively impact the user experience of iPads because additional features for multitasking were much needed, which now have been implemented to the iPadOS.

Moto G82 5G Launched in India

Motorola has made its mark in the Indian market hot on the heels of releases such as the Motorola Edge 30, G52, and Edge 30 Pro. The OEM recently announced the Motorola G82 for India, sporting the Snapdragon 695 5G and a 120hz display in the mid-range segment.

The build and design of the phone are fairly basic, with a PMMA Thermoplastic material on the back panel, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front. The phone comes in two finishes – Meteorite Gray and White Lily. All this is topped off by a water and dust resistance rating of IP52.

The display is a 6.6 inch 120hz 10-bit pOLED panel delivering inky blacks and vibrant colours. With a 360hz touch sampling rate, gaming and general usage are more responsive to touch input, providing a snappier experience.

The G82 comes with 6 or 8GB of DDR4X memory, and 128GB of uMCP storage, with up to 1 TB expandable storage through the microSD card slot available on the sim tray.

The phone contains a 5000mAh cell, with an included charger for 33W “Turbo Power” fast charging, as the company calls it.

Moving on to the cameras, the triple camera setup on the back is a 50+8+2 MP effort for the Main, Ultra-wide, and Macro cameras respectively. The 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture supports OIS, a rare addition in this competitive segment, but definitely great for both stable video and improved Night Mode shots. Furthermore, video is capped to 1080p 60fps on the main lens. Towards the front, is a 16MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture with the ability to capture up to 1080p 30fps.

The Moto G82 will be shipping with Android 12 with a light skin over an otherwise close-to-stock android experience, delivering a bloatware-free, smooth and unified experience powered by Google products. The phone will be available for purchase on Flipkart from the 14th of June.

Specs:

SoC: Snapdragon 695 5G [Octa-core]
Display: 120hz pOLED 6.6 inches FHD+
- 360hz Touch Sampling
- 700 nits (1000 nits peak)
- 10-bit colour, covering the DCI-P3 colour gamut
RAM: 6GB/8GB RAM LPDDR4X
Storage: 128GB + 1TB Expandable – uMCP
Battery: 5000mAh + 33W “Turbo Power” Fast Charging
Operating System: Android 12 My UX

Back Cameras:

50 MP f/1.8, Wide Angle, Primary Camera with OIS up to 1080p 60fps
8 MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera
2 MP f/2.4, Macro Camera

Front Cameras:

16 MP f/2.2, Wide Angle, Primary Camera

Build and Design

PMMA Thermoplastic
IP52 Water and Dust Resistance
Stereo Speakers
Gorilla Glass 3 Protection
Headphone jack

BMW X4 MSport x30d-A supercool SUV Coupe

BMW has been on an update spree like most other manufacturers in the year 2022. This time around, it’s the X4’s turn to receive a stealthy yet worthy Shadow edition update, a limited edition! This vehicle is also offered in a standard edition, but the M Sport package amplifies the overall appeal as expected no matter which you choose. On a sunny afternoon, we drove a limited edition BMW X4 Shadow edition wrapped in a nardo grey suit, one of the best colours on automobiles. Rev along.

BMW X4 MSport x30d-Wiser and meaner with time

Launched back in 2014, BMW last updated the BMW X4 in 2019. This year, the BMW X4 gets an updated, versatile chassis shared with older and younger X siblings from the family. The shadow edition accentuates this car’s appearance with all black and nardo grey contrast. BMW equips the X4 in x30i or x30d configurations, both standard in the M Sport package. Visually, both are identical, with sharper fascia and slim M Sport BMW adaptive LED lights front and rear. While the X6 is the original SUV Coupe beauty, the X4 symbolises this design in the midsize SUV Coupe silhouette making it one of the most handsome SUVs for its asking price.

Standing on M Sport dual spoke M light run-flat 20-inch tyres and adaptive suspensions, the X4 looks stunning in proportion. Shadow edition masks all the chrome elements of the standard car in gloss and matte black combinations. First seen on the M4, the adaptive air intakes sit neatly behind the more proportionate BMW grille. Sharper angles make this update feel modern and apt for this year and the future. M Sport batches all around the car, red M Sport brake callipers and wider tyres with 245 section up front and 275 at rear heighten the car’s road presence compared to its predecessor. This time in sharp geometric shapes, the rear black diffuser and M Sport dual exhausts add a sense of sporty appeal to the overall X4 package.

On the inside, our shadow edition featured all-black interiors with red stitching on good quality leather finishes and soft-touch leather on the dash, doors and centre consoles. Nothing much has changed since its last update in 2019, apart from the 12.3 BMW live cockpit touch infotainment system featuring wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and gesture controls with M Sport animated dials to display gravitational acceleration, lean angles and more. M Sport three-spoke steering feels sturdy and acts sharp, making this SUV coupe feel more like a typical coupe than a midsize SUV. There are some misses, like the lack of wireless charging and 360-degree cameras, especially in a day and age when affordable cars are loaded with such sensors and more. The quality of leather and fit-finish levels are one of the best in the premium segment, and everything feels tactile. Being an SUV Coupe, the X4 packs a healthy electric-operated boot space of 525L with a space saver tyre.

BMW X4 MSport x30d-M Sport package as standard

The X4 is offered in twin-turbo combos of a 4-cylinder 252 bhp and 350 Nm petrol x30i engine, and our review (absolute) unit is provided in 6-cylinder 262 bhp and 620 Nm diesel x30d engine. BMW has got rid of other xDrive offerings. We test the better of the two – x30d, and its various drive modes include Eco, Eco Pro, Comfort, Comfort what-not, Sport and Sport Plus, with individual configurations for all settings. Truth be told, our dials were usually red with the Sport plus mode activated for most of our drive. What was surprising was the sheer opulent drive in comfort modes. The diesel engine is engineer-aged like a fine wine and feels refined, and the gearbox is smooth, mated to sophisticated NVH levels on a chassis developed for the X7!

Despite the larger shoes with 20-inch wheels, the adaptive suspension, brilliant chassis with minimal to no body roll, refined diesel engine and class-leading NVH levels give the BMW X4 a duality. It can be calm in comfort modes, and when you are in the mood for some paddle shifting fun, this bimmer can surprise you. A 0-100kmph sprint is achievable in 5.8s! This car is quick, considering the size and volume. To put it in perspective, this midsize mammoth is almost as fast as the newly launched BMW i4, and that is an all-electric sedan! Different modes aside, this car can perform a wheel spin on ECO mode if demanded. SPORT plus modes aggrandise the power, steering feel, suspension feedback and overall responsiveness of the BMW X4. BMW M sport package amplifies this car’s appeal by many folds. In an era dominated by midsize SUVs, this brilliant SUV Coupe does not just stand out with its design but also its mean twin-turbo M spec power.

The BMW X4 does feel like an SUV in all its elements. Still, it drives like a sedan thanks to an enthusiastic engine coupled with a smooth 8-speed Steptronic transmission, sharp steering inputs and M sport black magic on the limited shadow edition. Interiors, too, are sumptuous and accommodating despite the M sport seats with ample lumbar support. The adaptive suspension has made a world of difference to the overall drive quality of the updated BMW X4. There is almost no body roll despite the sheer size of this SUV, and high-speed stability has to be one of the best ammunition in its arsenal, coupled with solid but progressive braking.

BMW X4 MSport x30d- The sporty SUV styled as a Coupe

We drove spiritedly all day long in a limited Shadow edition BMW X4 x30d, and not many will be available in India. The black treatment on the exterior and interior with subtle M Sport badges makes the BMW X4 a handsome car. Newer details make the X4 look sharp and modern, ready to age with poise. Limited editions not just age with grace but sometimes appreciate with time. This beautiful monstrosity is a worthy set of wheels in your garage if you are tired of the ordinary-looking SUVs on our roads. Not only is it sporty in its drive appeal, but also composed in a way. BMW X4 has matured into a stunning midsize SUV Coupe update from BMW.

Design elements and specifications

BMW X4 shadow edition Specs

Price – 71.90 lakh onwards (Ex-Showroom)

Length (mm)	4751
Width (mm)	2138
Height (mm)	1621
Wheel Base (mm)	2864

Displacement (cc)	2993
Max Power	261.49bhp@4000rpm
Max Torque	620Nm@2000-2500rpm
No. of cylinder	6
Turbo Charger	twin
TransmissionType	Automatic
Gear Box	8-speed
Drive Type	4WD

How Big is IPL?

The game of cricket has the power to unite people, at least in our country. We have been worshipping cricketers for a long time, and looking at the current craze of the game, we will continue to do so in the future. A huge credit for the same goes to the IPL – Indian Premier League, which turned the gentleman’s game into a spine chilling thriller.

Yesterday, Gujarat Titans, a debutant team, defeated Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets and 11 balls left in the final of IPL 2022. A team led by young captain Hardik Pandya was not one of the favourites at the start of the season, but throughout the last couple of months, they stood strong as a team and performed like true champions.

A quick look into the old books

In the early months of 2007, a private cricket league – ICL (Indian Cricket League), was founded, which was not controlled by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) or ICC (Indian Cricket Council). The cricket board of India wasn’t happy with it, and to prevent players from joining the ICL, the BCCI increased the prize money in the domestic tournaments but failed to fulfill the greed.

Going ahead, the board even started imposing lifetime bans on players joining the ICL but couldn’t keep the players away from it. The same year, in September 2007, India won the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup by thrillingly beating the arch-rival Pakistan. Shortly, the BCCI announced a franchise-based T20 cricket league named Indian Premier League in a high-profile ceremony.

The MASTERMIND behind the league

Even before Mr Narendra Modi led BJP came into the rule in the central, there was another MODI who was famous for his tactics and strategies, the ex-vice president of BCCI, Mr Lalit Modi. He was heavily involved in the commercial side of the BCCI and was instrumental in launching the IPL. The guy singlehandedly operated the league and played an unforgivable inning to make IPL a global sports event.

However, not all good things end well, and in 2010, the IPL mastermind was suspended from the post of chairman and commissioner. The BCCI’s disciplinary committee found him guilty on eight counts, and soon he was labelled as a fraudster, but that’s a story for another day. To be honest, nobody can do half of what he did for the IPL during his tenure, of course, skipping the bad parts.

The Format of the IPL

In the first three seasons of the IPL, matches were planned according to the round-robin format where each contestant meets every other participant, usually in turn. Later on, in 2011, two new teams were introduced, and a new structure was formed where 10 teams were divided into two virtual groups, and each team played 14 games before hitting the playoffs.

The format of the IPL keeps changing according to the number of teams. This year, in the 15th season of the league, once again, two new teams were introduced – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Due to the apprehension of the 4th wave (Covid-19), the 15th season was played entirely in the state of Maharashtra (except the final match), with Mumbai and Pune hosting the matches.

Top 3 recently added technologies in the IPL

Measuring the speed of players while running between the wickets

A player can not hit the ball out of the park at all times. When required and under pressure, they sometimes need to run quickly between the wickets to snatch that one impossible single. MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli have mastered this art long ago but nobody was aware at what speed they run between the wickets till Star Sports Network introduced new technology in the IPL 2021.

The matrix of catch conversions

We’re aware of the technology that shows us keen details of the batting and bowling, but what about fielding? The matrix system helps us summarize how many catches a fielder takes and drops and how many runs a player saves and gives both inside the 30-yard circle and the outfield. The matrix also evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a team based on fielding performances.

Fake crowds and cheers

Imagine a sports match without an audience? I know it’s hard to digest, especially when you’re into a sports-like cricket, where the audience plays a huge role by cheering for the players. However, due to the pandemic, the 13th season of the IPL kicked off with fake crowds and cheers. Unfortunately, the fans watching matches from their homes were not happy about the counterfeit cheers, but who cares!

The concept of Strategic Timeout

Now that we’ve reached almost half of the article, it’s time to take a timeout. The concept of strategic timeouts is similar in concept to timeouts in basketball. It was first introduced during the second season of the IPL (in 2009) and lasted for seven and a half minutes. However, they were shortened to two and a half minutes a year later due to their unpopularity.

Of course, they kill the momentum of the game, but according to the franchise owners, timeouts are crucial as they maintain commercial revenue streams in the league. At the moment, strategic timeouts are only exclusive to the IPL, where the bowling team must take the timeout between six and eight overs while the batting team must take it during 11 and 16 overs.

Valuation

Indian Premier League is one of the top-most and richest sports leagues in the world. If you focus on the growth rate, the IPL clubs have seen 24% growth over a decade. The total value of the IPL after the 14th season (2021) has been around ₹ 35950.53 crores. The league features 100+ sponsors in just one edition, be it a title sponsor, umpiring sponsor or tens of brands we see on the team jerseys.

Brand Value of the Teams

5-time champions Mumbai Indians is the most successful team in the Indian Premier League, but when it comes to the fan following and the brand value, 4-time winner Chennai Super Kings tops the list. The ‘yellove’ fans have been attached to the Chennai team for a long, and most of the credit goes to the rapport between the management, team players, staff and fanbase.

Team	Owned by	Value
Chennai Super Kings	India Cements	₹2,700 crores
Mumbai Indians	Reliance Industries Limited	₹2,500 crore
Kolkata Knight Riders	Red Chillies Entertainment and Mehta Group	₹543 crore
Royal Challengers Bangalore	United Spirits Limited	₹536 crore
Sunrisers Hyderabad	Sun TV Network	₹442 crore
Delhi Capitals	GMR Group and JSW Group	₹370 crore
Punjab Kings	Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta, and Karan Paul	₹318 crore
Rajasthan Royals	Manoj Badale, Lachlan Murdoch	₹249 crore

Note: The brand value of the newly launched teams – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Supergiants, will be evaluated after IPL 2022.

Anunay Sood – Influencer of the Month

Exhibit: What does travelling mean to you?

Anunay Sood: Travelling in my life does not hold a specific meaning as it is impossible for me to ever fit what it means to me in words. Rather I would say travelling is what defines a major element of my existence and gives me a way ahead in life. I owe all my confidence to each and every journey that I have ever taken as a traveller.

Ex: Can you describe your worst travelling experience?

AS: Though there’s no worst experience in travelling, every journey either gives us happy memories or teaches priceless lessons. However, one experience that I can never forget is this one time when we were travelling back from Spiti in 2017 in an endeavour car. It lost control and fell into a ditch in one of the remote areas. We were lucky enough to escape and save ourselves from the devastating state of the car, and the entire experience still gives us chills down the spine.

Ex: Since you have travelled to a lot of places, what is that one place in India you wish you had visited but didn’t get enough time for?

AS: As a traveller, I haven’t honestly explored a lot of planes, most of my trips are to the mountains and hilly regions. So this year, in March, I visited Jaipur with one of my friends and was left spellbound looking at the heritage and beauty of the place. We just had 2 days there, so I wish I had enough time to explore more in Jaipur.

Ex: What is your favourite memory of a place?

AS: My favourite memory is from our trip to Iceland, as that trip was very close to my heart for multiple reasons. I had saved for almost one year to take that trip, and the entire experience was surreal.

Ex: Since places are made up of people, what is the one place you visited that had the most interesting set of people?

AS: I met the most interesting set of people in Norway. The people in Norway were so humble and welcoming that, for once I forgot that I had come to a new place for the first time.

Ex: People travel in their free time usually; what do you do in your free time or, to put it across better, what are your hobbies?

AS: I honestly don’t get free time with all the travel, work commitments and content creation, but anytime I am able to find some time, I love to play the guitar and spend some amazing time with my nephew and niece as it is a delight to see them grow.

Ex: What gadgets do you use while making a vlog?

AS: I use my Sony α7S III camera, iPhone 13 Pro and a microphone plugged into my gear.

Ex: Give us some tech tips on making content?

AS: Always record in 60fps so that the visual control of altering the content in terms of speed and transition remains in your hands while editing.

Ex: What are the apps that help you while travelling?

AS: One amazing app is Star Walk, and it helps me spot stars every time we plan to stargaze on a trip. Other than that, Google Maps with offline downloaded maps is the best travel partner on any road trip. Lastly, I love “make my trip” to make all the travel bookings hassle-free.

Ex: What are the necessary gadgets that you keep with yourself while travelling?

AS: My drone, camera with all the lenses, battery backups, mobile gimbal and shot stick.

Quickies

Beaches or mountains? – Mountains

Train or Flight – Flight

Best travel destination? – Iceland

Next place you want to go? – Antarctica

Places with the best food? – I have travelled around the world, but trust me nothing is better than Indian street food.

Longest distance you have travelled in a go? – 17 hours drive to Srinagar – in one go.

Epson Ecotank L6490-A precise functional AIO printing tool

Epson Ecotank L6490, a mainstream all in one copying, printing, scanning, and fax with ADF solution from Epson is quite impressive. Let us take a look at what were the aspects that made us conclude on the first line.

Casually professional:

Design is conventional yet modern thanks to its compact footprint and functional yet professional look. There are multiple paper inlets and outlets. Semi-transparent CMYK colour levels also give clarity to the consumption of Espon’s Durabrit 008 ink. Refillable and easy to operate. The printer also gets a bright touch panel with capacitive touch for easy operations. Epson has loaded the Ecotank L6490 with wifi and wifi direct and Epson smart panel enables a host of print options directly via your smartphone. There’s also USB, LAN, fax and line-in connectivity for robust wired connections and easy clean options with detachable compartments.

All-in-one solution in a compact footprint:

With costs per print as low as 12paise (Black) and a little more for colours, the Epson Ecotank L6490 printer is efficient. If that wasn’t enough, 1-years warranty or 100,000 pages, whichever comes first, Epson has you covered for prints of usage. The Epson Ecotank L6490 print speeds are impressive at 17-ipm for black and 9.5-ipm for colour. These might get slower based on the details, print quality and print paper of use. Epson has an intelligent Auto-Duplex printing (up to A4 size) for automatic both side print on an A4 or lower size papers. Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi Direct enable remote connectivity and the app brings a host of other intuitive learning and features adding value to the Epson printer.

Epson smart panel app has easy wireless connectivity when both the printer and your phone share the same Wi-Fi connection. The app has a smooth and innovative UI with almost all the options on the physical touch panel and more. Document scanner for example allows a phone camera to capture documents, enhance them as per the user’s liking and print them like a normal document. There are tonnes of tutorials too and community links to learn more.

Verdict:

Powered by Epson Heat-Free Technology, the printer performs consistently with minimum downtime and not more than a few seconds lag on long printing sessions. We tried printing many documents, photos and random colourful pictures shot on phones and professional cameras. The colours, quality, contrast and tones were almost spot on. The only limitation this printer brings is the size, it’s compact and can only print up to Letter Max sizes. If you do not need anything more than this size, the Epson Ecotank L6490 is a precise, functional tool that enables, scans, copies, loads of in-app functions and quality yet efficient print solutions for homes, schools and offices alike.

Rating – 4/5

Good – Compact size, efficient, detailed prints and copies

Bad – Limited by the compact size

Ugly – Competition

Specifications:

Print, Scan, Copy, Fax with ADF

Cost per print 12paise (Black)

Print speeds – 17 ipm for black and 9.5 ipm for colour

Auto-Duplex printing (up to A4 size)

Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi Direct

Epson Heat-Free Technology

TVS Apache RR310 BTO ! Build it before you buy it

Introducing TVS Built To Order (BTO)

Unique for everyone. Unprecedented for the industry.

TVS Built To Order is a first-of-its-kind customization platform and a much-needed revolution in the performance motorcycling segment. This translates into the whole process of interacting with the platform as well.

With TVS BTO, your vision for your motorcycle is brought to life with world-class engineering and state-of-the-art technologies. Every aspect of your machine is now in your control, right from the performance to your preferred aesthetic that truly represents you. The power to be unique on your own terms is now in your own hands.

The company’s BTO platform lets the customers customize their bikes as per their needs and requirements after which their unit is built directly in the factory. This time around, TVS has introduced a new, industry-first, factory built-to-order (BTO) system, where customers can specify their RR 310 as per their needs and requirements via the TVS ARIVE app or the online configurator. The BTO also allows the customers to track the journey of their bikes in real-time and finally get it delivered from their nearest TVS dealership.

The official TVS ARIVE app and web configurator can be used to select the preferred variant, package option, make a booking, and even complete the payment – all in just a few clicks. Following this, an authorized dealer from a preferred showroom will complete the delivery process.

In the highly exciting wait for their machine, one can also track and preview the machine in the ARIVE app. The bike can be visualised both in AR and a 3D model, giving one access to the even most minute details of the machine.

Be unique on your own terms.

TVS offers two customization kits with the Apache RR 310 – Dynamic and Race kits. The dynamic kit consists of a fully adjustable front fork set-up, full adjustable rear monoshock and an anti-rust brass-coated drive chain. The front fork gets 20-step compression damping and 20-step rebound damping and 15 mm of preload adjustment.

Similarly, the rear monoshock gets 20-step rebound damping and 10-step preload adjustment. Similarly, the race kit includes a new handlebar which is lowered by 8 degrees and tucked inwards by 5 degrees. It offers a more aggressive and committed riding posture. The footpegs too have been raised by 30 mm and offer increased clearance of up to 4.5 degrees. They are knurled as well, offering better grip for the riders.

Dynamic Kit

Crafted for those who race off the beaten track, Dynamic kit offers superior performance on every terrain with adjustable front suspension and rear monoshock and brass coated drive chain. Let your performance speak for itself and make a statement with the special race edition graphics.

Fully Adjustable KYB Front Suspension

Race into the unexplored, with a fully adjustable KYB suspension with 20 sets of damping and 15mm of preload in the front forks, which can be adjusted by the rider for firmness or flexibility depending upon the terrain and riding style.

Fully adjustable KYB rear suspension

The enhanced KYB suspension allows for adjustment of the rear monoshock. The adjustable rear suspension features 20 sets of damping and 10 steps of preload adjustment, to adjust the level of stiffness for a race experience.

Brass coated Drive chain

With the factory fitted brass coated drive chain, you will always find an excuse to push the limits on the racetrack. The anti-rust brass coated chain delivers superior performance output from this race machine.

Race Kit

Crafted for those who aspire to clip every apex, and burn rubber on every straight, the race package features an aggressive racing stance and ergonomics. The tuck down racing handlebar, raised footrest and race footpegs make your track weapon an unforgettable force.

Racing ergonomics – Handlebar

The race ergonomics turn your race machine into a formidable force on the track. The lower set handlebars at 117.1 degrees enable a highly aggressive and committed stance, facilitating tighter corners and faster straight-line speeds. This also delivers a superior grip on the racetrack.

Race Designed footpegs

The knurling on the footpegs provides for superior grip and great stability while attacking corners.

Raised footrest assembly

The raised footrest assembly provides the rider with an aggressive and committed posture, making room for a higher lean angle to achieve higher speeds while cornering.

New Race Replica Graphics

Racing is inherent to every TVS Apache RR310 that leaves the assembly line. The glorious heritage of TVS Racing since 1982 is now etched on your race machine. The eminent TVS Racing wreath graphic imparts an exclusive identity and the TVS Racing OMC inspired livery makes your track weapon stand out. The Race Replica edition enlightens the racer within you, making for memorable podium finishes.

Personalized Race Number

The number on the machine is more than just a figure!! It is an identity that is owned by you and defines you. With the option of getting your favourite number on the visor, you can carve your own legacy through your track weapon.

OnePlus Nord Buds – Your Budget BUDdy

OnePlus has always been a rulebreaking brand that dares to take a risk. Over the last few years, the brand has launched many high-end products at affordable prices and indirectly forced other brands to lower their costs. The brand recently launched OnePlus Nord Buds alongside the Nord CE 2 Lite and the OnePlus 10R in India but are they worth it?

OnePlus has attended all the classes on how to lure customers with the attractive packaging, and with the Nord Buds, they’ve done a great job. The Nord Buds box has a cute little packaging of blue and black colour combination. Inside the box, it contains a charging case along with earbuds, brand sticker, charging cable, 4 ear tips, and a red cable welcome card.

Design & Comfort

The shape of the OnePlus Nord Buds is quite traditional and ordinary, but you can’t expect something extraordinary from a ₹2,799 earbuds. The earbuds and the case look premium at first but they are made up of cheap plastic. The buds feature connect button in the back and an indicator light in the front. The buds we received for the review were white (marble) in colour.

The boxy ergonomic case of the earbuds is prone to scratches, while the earbuds are inclined to store a little dirt in between the hubs. The outer circular layer doubles as the touch surface for controls. The buds are not the ones you carry along easily due to their shape. The buds weigh under 5 grams a piece but don’t offer the best comfort, especially during long use.

Sound Quality

The water and dust resistant earbuds don’t disappoint you when it comes to sound quality but if you’re an audiophile or into the business of music for a long time then you might not like the output. The buds are packed with 12.4mm titanium drivers, and looking at the price, they deliver a pretty decent sound. The sound of the earbuds will leak out, once you cross the 80% of the volume level.

I thoroughly enjoyed the earbuds, especially while watching the content, as the earbuds have 12.4mm Titanium audio drivers and Dolby Atmos support for deeper bass and clearer sound. The earbuds have 4 microphones for filtering out the noise while taking calls, but they only deliver an okayish calling experience. The earbuds have many software issues which the brand has to resolve in the future.

Battery

The earbuds are advertised to have about 7-hours of battery life and another 30-hours with the case, and we couldn’t agree more. The cable offers ultra-fast charging resulting in 5-hours of listening time in 10 minutes of charge. The OnePlus Nord Buds last for at least 5-hours when charged to the core and play the role of your buddy while you’re on the go.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord Buds have various rivals at the price point, but the Nord Buds stand apart as they’re a dealbreaker for people looking for TWS earbuds under 3000. I loved them while listening to the songs and watching content as I’m more into low volume decks, but if you desire the best audio experience, please invest a few more thousand and get something extraordinary.