Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra represents the best of the Korean tech giant. But is it the best one overall? In this detailed review, we finally tell you our verdict of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the answer burning question on everyone’s mind, “is it worth its high price tag?”
Tag: Tech update Online
Taking things forward
January without a holy trip to Las Vegas is something that I am not used to for the last 14 years. Holy because of CES and for a tech addict like me, there can’t be a better pilgrimage than to be at CES – the hotbed of all innovation. The city of Las Vegas is just the cherry on the “Prasada”. But we all know the world has changed and 2020 has been a catastrophic year taking away all the sunshine. The clouds are now beginning to break and with 2021 we can see that ray of sunlight in the shape of the vaccine. Vaccine or no vaccine, life has resumed. Covid-19 has already pushed the human race to the wall and it is bound to rebound. There is no other way but to move forward and swapping places with Covid and plastering it to the wall now.
This is our Exhibit Tech Awards 2020 special. Again, we could not host all the stakeholders of the Indian Consumer Tech Industry, but we followed the process of public voting and for the first time had a virtual jury meet where Rakesh Biyani joined from London, Siddharth Sharma joined from Toronto and rest of us including Mr Brian Bade, Dj Aqueel, Nucelya, Avinash Gowarikar all through their screens “zoomed” in and together we picked the winners that you can meet in the following pages. Just to add some flamboyance in the Exhibit way, we booked the 38th-floor lounge of St Regis and laid out all the winning gadgets against the beaming Mumbai skyline and
a pompous setup and did a walkaround video that is now live on our Youtube channel. Next year hopefully, we will revert to the meeting, greeting and awarding in person and have perhaps a high decibel gala awards night as always.
It’s the start of 2021 and already from the automotive industry, invitations are trickling in for launch events and hopefully, the tech industry will follow suit and we will all get back to business as usual, perhaps with the masks on. Did you know that the face mask market is projected to grow from USD 737 million in 2019 to a whopping USD 22143 million in 2021 [Source: markets and markets research Pvt ltd]? No one could have anticipated that. We are waiting to see some interesting tech innovations coming for the masks and sanitization market, which will become a way of life even after the pandemic is gone. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who has visited Japan anytime in 2019 or earlier, and they will tell you that people with masks on was a common sight in Japan even then and it just got more layered up in 2020.
There is plenty of anticipation and expectation from the year ahead, but don’t forget to take away all the learnings from 2020 which is to survive you need basics and we have to be there for each other because we are all in this together.
First Impressions | Oppo Enco X Is it Airpods Pro killer?
Today we will unbox the Oppo Enco X, the upcoming True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earbuds. We will also compare them to the top-spec Apple Airpods Pro and the Realme Buds to see which one comes out on top in our first impression.
3 simple steps to switch from Android to Apple | Exhibit tech
Saregama Carvaan Karaoke | Exclusive Review
*Special Announcement by the end of the video*
The Carvaan Karaoke is the perfect choice for someone who either belongs to the golden era of Bollywood music or loves those days gone by. It has 100s of songs to let you bring out your inner Kishore Kumar or Lata Mangeshkar. Find out everything you need to know about Saregama Carvaan Karaoke and if you’d like to purchase it, stay tuned for the big launch.
Leadership Series | Jitendra Chouksey – Founder, FITTR
In today’s episode, we are in conversation with someone who considers himself an Accidental Entrepreneur. From giving fitness tips to his colleagues in a small WhatsApp group, he has blossomed to be at the helm of a global fitness community. We are talking about Jitendra Chouksey, founder of the world’s largest online fitness & nutrition community, FITTR.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE reviewed
Flagship smartphones are often looked at as super desirable, super tech-laden, and super expensive technological marvels that only a few are fortunate enough to own. But with the launch of the Galaxy S20 FE, Korean smartphone giant Samsung seems keen on changing that perception. Essentially an affordable version of the company’s flagship S20, here is what we experienced with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.
First impressions:
To begin with, Samsung could not have made its intention of manufacturing the S20 FE clearer. I mean, the “FE” stands for Fan Edition. Of course, it is made for Samsung fans! Not just that, it also acts as a gateway to the premium range of Samsung smartphones. So smartphone enthusiasts, let loose!
The S20 FE is practically a Galaxy S20 which has been remodeled to cut down its price. It gets all the bells and whistles that the S20 has to offer, albeit in a budget-friendly avatar. It has a high-quality plastic back rather than the conventional glass panel, which increases its durability and damage resistance considerably. However, don’t let that mislead you into thinking that it is a cheaper phone to handle. It feels as crisp and premium to operate as its pricier siblings. Add to that support for Wireless PowerShare and IP68 water-resistance rating and you will begin to wonder if it really is a budget-friendly alternative.
What it offers and what it doesn’t:
Sticking to its minimalistic design, Samsung has just added two physical buttons; a volume rocker and a power button, which doubles up as quick Bixby access. The phone does not get a 3.5mm headphone jack, though its absence is not missed due to a pair of USB-C earbuds that come along in the box. But if you, like me, are an old-fashioned person, you would want a dedicated headphone jack. The SIM and microSD cards enter the phone from the top, while the back sports a rectangular camera array.
Camera and lenses:
As mentioned above, the rear has a rectangular camera array consisting of three cameras. The first is a 12MP wide-angle camera, followed by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom. Selfie lovers will absolutely swoon over the 32MP front camera! The camera also offers to 30x zoom, though it is only appreciable up to 10x. Post that, massive quality drop alert!
Display and core:
A 6.5-inch, 2K super AMOLED display greets you every time you boot up the phone. Samsung knows its audience to be a fan of large screens and well, this one is the “Fan Edition”, remember? It also gets a new 120Hz refresh rate mode that just makes everything smoother than it already is. And I mean really, really smooth! As an anecdote, the recently launched iPhone 12 also only gets a refresh rate of 60Hz. (In case you have an argument about Samsung vs Apple!)
The display shows content processed by an Exynos 990 processor, lifted directly from the Galaxy S20 Ultra! That, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage meant I could load the phone as much as I wanted, and it still had space for more! These configurations ensure that the phone does not slow down or lag whatsoever unless special efforts are taken to make it so. That said, it is definitely not a perfect phone, and the battery is one of its biggest shortcomings!
Battery backup:
Now, I might be a demanding user, but I like to explore a product fully before forming an opinion. The Galaxy S20 FE does pack a massive 4500mAh battery, but it failed to keep me company throughout the day. It could probably be because I was using it to the fullest, but it should still have lasted more than it did. Adding to that was the standard 15W charger that came in the box, which completely shattered my hopes of getting a fast charge. Even borrowing my friends’ 18W or 22W fast chargers did not help much!
Verdict:
Priced at Rs 49,999, the Galaxy S20 FE is the perfect choice for someone looking for the best of both worlds; the worlds being performance and price. For fans of long-lasting battery life, however, this one might be a close cut. Nevertheless, Samsung has ensured that a “budget flagship” is possible. Well done, Samsung!
Tarun Garg | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Tarun: You can play straight and still win. Every time.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn
Tarun: How to be an effective communicator.
Ex: One thing you believe is necessary for sustained growth?
Tarun: Pro-activeness and Resilience.
Ex: One book you keep coming back to.
Tarun: ‘Difficult conversations’ by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone and Sheela Hein.
Ex: When will you say you have fulfilled all your goals?
Tarun: Goal setting and Goal fulfilment is a never-ending process. Only the types of goals keep changing.
Ex: When have you failed and how did you overcome it?
Tarun: Failure is an integral part of your personal and professional life. Resilience helps you get over it.
Ex: How difficult is it to maintain a work-life balance?
Tarun: It is not so difficult if you have clarity of thought.
Ex: What has been your biggest learning in the pandemic?
Tarun: Be resilient, never give up. There is always a way out.
Ex: One futuristic feature that you can’t wait to introduce in your vehicle.
Tarun: Ability to fly in the air.
Ex: Which old-school car/bike design inspired you the most?
Tarun: While growing up I was fascinated by the ‘Contessa’. It looked like a ‘Dream Car’ to own back then.
Ex: After the Hyundai Kona, which EV is coming to India next?
Tarun: There is so much fun is waiting!
Ex: What are the chances of Hyundai N being introduced to India soon?
Tarun: At Hyundai India, we closely study all kinds of market trends and opportunities. We are fortunate to have a very strong parent in Hyundai Motor Company that gives us so many choices to introduce new models, concepts, features, and technologies in India. We will inform the market as and when we decide to introduce new concepts and technologies. We saw a huge upsurge in engagements and marriages during this lockdown period. When people logged on to shaadi.com, they realized it is not just a matrimonial site, but a platform for planned marriages and lifetime commitments. So that worked significantly in our favor.
Charles Frump | Top Leaders In Tech & Auto
Ex: What is one truth you believe in that most people disagree with you on?
Charles: These are the best of times! In these days of social media and headline news, it is easy to get caught up in the challenges we are facing. This is particularly true in 2020 when we are under a constant barrage of bad news. However, if we step back and look at the long-term statistics, we see a very different picture. We are richer, living longer, and better educated than previous generations. There is less crime, war deaths, and hunger than ever before. Certainly, there is massive room for improvement, but we should be very grateful to live in these times.
Ex: What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn
Charles: Communication. In these days of constantly shifting information, it is critical to be simple, clear, and consistent in our message to all stakeholders. I often see people with the right ideas and plans but everything falls apart because of poor communication. That is why I would encourage all aspiring leaders to spend much more time and energy on honing their communication skills.
Ex: One thing you believe is absolutely necessary for sustained growth.
Charles: A strong company culture of positivity, learning, and innovation. Business challenges come and go, but a company culture that encourages innovation remains optimistic and forgives mistakes is vital to success in this ever-changing world.
Ex: One book you keep coming back to. Charles: The Lean Startup by Eric Reis- This book gives you the tools to foster continuous innovation in this world of extreme uncertainty.
Ex: When have you failed and how did you overcome it?
Charles: I fail all the time. If you are not failing, you are not trying enough new ideas. The trick is to fail small, learn, and adjust. I don’t lose a moment of sleep
thinking about failure. Failure excites me and shows me an opportunity.
Ex: One futuristic feature that you can’t wait to introduce in your vehicle.
Charles: Next-generation Autonomous Drive. 600 people die in traffic-related accidents in India every day. It is a myth that Autonomous Drive will not have an impact here. We have been a leader when it comes to car safety for decades. And that will never change. We have invented some of the most important features in the history of car safety. Our 3-point Safety Belt which we introduced in 1959, has been the biggest safety innovation done so far. It is more than 60 years now and every automobile player is using it as a safety feature.
Ex: Which old-school car/bike design inspired you the most?
Charles: I love Royal Enfield! I have enormous respect for the work Siddhartha Lal has done in building this historic brand.
Ex: How long till Volvo enters the self-driving car segment?
Charles: This will happen in steps, but we have already started. In India, we are the only luxury car brand providing radar-based safety features. Features like ‘City Safety’ and ‘Lane Keeping Aid’ not only keep the customers safe but also saves people around the car. This is the first step in self-driving and Volvo will lead in this area.
Tech Saves the Day – the Dash Cam
I had been looking to buy a dash cam when one showed up on my doorstep, a gift from my son. Dash cams have been around for several years and I have read several articles about the necessity to have one in countries like Russia where if you don’t have a dash cam, you will be a victim of a staged accident. Since there are many options to consider when buying a dash cam, I remained stuck, not able to finalize a decision and bite the bullet.
Now that I have had a firsthand experience, I have seen just how invaluable a dash cam is under the right circumstances. I can now appreciate why certain features are more critical than others and the ultimate importance of having one in each of one’s vehicles. My firsthand experience was an accident with our car when my wife was driving without passengers. I got the phone call just before noon from my wife that she was in a car accident.
The damage to both vehicles was to the front end and on the other vehicle the right front wheel well. On our vehicle, it was to the front end and the left wheel well. Without witnesses, considering the damage pattern of both vehicles, and both drivers saying they had green lights, it was a matter of “she said, she said” and the insurance company would not accept responsibility. That was until I submitted the dash cam video.
So what’s the takeaway? Dash cams are relatively inexpensive devices [the one that captured my wife’s accident was purchased on Amazon for under $50 US (around ₹7,496)], had excellent reviews and made by Apeman (Apeman C420) that everyone should have in each of their vehicles. Sharing a single dash cam amongst vehicles is a very bad idea because if dash cams are not fully automatic, coming on each time the car is started and staying on for the full duration of the ride and then turning off automatically, the likelihood of the dash cam working its magic in the unexpected incidents is greatly diminished. Dash cams need to be “set up, test the results by taking a ride and then reviewing the video for clarity, positioning, and automatic operation, and then forget it,” that is until you need it.
Here is my take on the critical features/options for choosing your dash cam:
- Resolution – at least 1080p, 4K is now affordable and would be a better option to catch license plate numbers, but it also requires 4 times the storage space
- Viewing angle – at least 150 degrees
- Window mounting suction cup – this is critical, the dash cam has to stay on your window, if it keeps falling off you won’t use it
- Night vision – check out YouTube videos of the dash cams you are reviewing to confirm that the captured night video is of value.
- Power plug – it must fit well into the cigarette lighter (power point) or the automatic operation of the dash cam will be hindered
- Ease of removal of the dash cam but leaving on the suction cup – this is important for theft prevention. You do not want to keep putting on and removing the suction cup from your windshield as it can be time-consuming to affix the suction cup correctly.
- Removable SD memory card storage.
Dash cams are not only helpful to car owners when they are in an accident, but they can also prove very valuable when a driver witnesses a road rage incident where they are the target or when another vehicle operator is the target. Some dash cams can be set up to monitor your vehicle when it is parked and even notify you of an incident if one occurs. Since dash cams store both video and audio a driver can read off a license plate number and car description aloud and know that it’s captured on the dash cam, so you don’t need to write it down or memorize the information.
Technological advances are often a double-edged sword, where the benefits must be weighed against the drawbacks of costs, inconvenience, and loss of privacy; dash cams are no exception. Many dash cams record all the audio (unless configured not to do so) spoken when the car is in operation, so you need to be mindful of what is said in a “dash cammed” vehicle. Dash cams will capture evidence of the cam’s owner’s own mistakes and could be used to prove the guilt of the cam owner. The vehicle operator needs to pay attention to the dash cam’s signalling indicating that the cam is in operation and when the operation has ceased or like any other technology it may stop operating and become just a useless appendage to the vehicle’s windshield. However, the benefits cannot be overstated if you need a witness and one does not come forward.
Dash cams have become a commodity product. The components used to make them are inexpensive and readily available. While there are many options that can complicate purchase decisions, the most important decision is “do I need a dash cam?” As with any product, it is important to read the reviews and make purchases from reliable companies that stand behind their products. That said, the most important decision is whether or not you need a dash cam. In my experience, the answer is a resounding “YES.” Regardless of the sophistication, options and features of the dash cam you choose, having one in your vehicle is much more important than having the “best one” in your vehicle.