Creative is a brand that is best known for speakers for PCs and laptops. The firm-like so many others from different walks of life-has entered the tablets market, which is already booming with many major and minor brands. Creative has dived in head first with a brand new 7-inchtablet called Ziio.
CREATIVE ZIIO 7: Entry-Level Entertainer
Price: Rs 17,999
Specs: 7-inch touch screen;1 Ghz processor, 512 MB RAM; 8 GB memory; Front camera; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI;Android 2.2 OS
BAG IT OR JUNK IT? Represents an excellent maiden tablet.
The LooksThis tablet is a good looker. In a world of size-zero figures, Ziio does not mind flaunting its curves. Not that it is fat, but its thinness is setoff by its curvy edges. The build quality is sturdy, and the pearl white exteriors work wonders for this slate. The power and volume key sare located on the side and are very solid. Unlike some other tablets in the same bracket, Ziio has better-built keys.
The MusclePowered by Android 2.2 operating system, this tablet has a resistive touch screen. This means besides your finger you can use your nail or tablet pen as well to navigate. However, history has shown us that resistive types lose responsiveness occasionally. The Ziio suffers the same. Though it's not bad enough for you to throw a fit, you still feel out of power when playing games like Angry Birds. Combined with a 1 GHz processor, 8 GB memory and 512 MB RAM, the Ziio 7 performs well. The applications open up quickly without a hitch. HD movies play nicely and the sound does not break at any point. A few games and some useful applications come pre-loaded. But what catches the attention the most is the bright screen. It can play HD movies with ease and can also connect to any HD Ready TV with its mini HDMI port.
Final WordsCreative is on a strong footing with Ziio. Users who do not want to spend a lot but want to experience the full potential of a tablet can buy this. Ziio 7 has neat features, including a front camera for video chats and a micro SD slot for media storage. All in all, a well-built tablet at a good price.
SLINGBOX PRO HD: Slinging That Song
Price: Rs 14,999
Specs: Full HD streaming; Composite, Component, Ethernet, USB; Coaxial; IR remote
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Enjoy TV channels from around the world.
A new device has become available for the Indian consumers who love to watch TV and cannot stay away from it for a second. Slingbox is a company that uses advanced receivers to transmitlive TV channels to devices such as a laptop or mobile phone. It has brought the Slingbox Pro-HD to India and we grabbed the first opportunity to test this moving pictures transmitter. The looks are quite nice and the outer shell has a very rich feel. Turn it around and one will find numerous attachment ports that can be used to send out HD as well as regular signals. Ethernet, component and composite are available. So in case you have an HD set top box you can easily connect it to this device and enjoy HD feed anywhere around the world. However, it is limited by low bandwidth penetration in our country. To enjoy HD content you need at least a 2-4 Mbps connection at both ends. The initial setting up takes a little bit of time, but once it is organised, you are ready to enjoy good TV. Overall, the concept seems nice and should pick up, the only hurdle in its success being the Internet bandwidth availability.
GODREJ GAME LCD: View And PlayPrice: Rs 40,000
Specs: 32-inch LCD; Full HD resolution; 25 games on board; 2.4 GHz motion joystick; 2 HDMI, USB 2.0; 1 GB memory for games.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Nice, except for the placement of the rear ports.
Godrej is a brand well known for locks, steel almirahs and fridges. In the past few months, it has shifted focus. So it has sent us its first 32-inch Game LCD. A good concept-it gives the viewer a chance to try out 25 pre-loaded games on the set. It comes with a motion-sensing remote controller which can also turn into an analogue joypad.
There are games such as bowling and table tennis. These do not have the best of graphics, but are fine for casual gaming. There are enough TV connectivity ports at the back which are placed facing down. Not a good thing as there is a struggle when one wants to connect more devices. The picture quality is not bad at all, neither is the sound. Viewers can also play movies, music and images through the USB port. Overall a good television set that has neat features. However, at this price one can get a larger TV set from most other companies. Only, those wouldn't have gesture gaming.
PHILIPS FIDELIO IPOD DOCKING STATION: Too Much of an Effort
Price: Rs 4,990
Specs: iPhone, iPod compatible; Clock function; Fedelio iOS app; USB charging point; 1 kg weight
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? If you can walk to the dock every time you want to change a song, then buy this.
iPods are by far the bestselling portable media players. This is why we see so many attachments, accessories and docks specifically for iPods. Another one to attach itself to the iPod Fidelio docking speaker- a different type of iPod dock that does not have a number of speakers embedded. Instead this docking station is built on one large speaker driver. The result: it produces really loud resonance. The front sports an LED clock that isn't the brightest out there.
In fact, it washes out a bit under direct light. But it does get automatically updated according to the time that has been set on the docked iPod. Another set of LED illuminates the bottom of the dock that can be accessed via the brightness button on the dock. The volume keys and clock brightness keys are also placed well on top. But amazingly there is no remote supplied with the dock to manage these and other iPod functions. As for the sound, it is really nice. A good feature, or rather a component, that Philips has smartly included is a powerful USB port behind the dock to charge USB-powered devices. But we still can't get past why there isn't a remote with this dock.
TRANSCEND MP860 4GB: Basic Audio
Price: Rs 3,525
Specs: 4 GB memory; 2.4-inch screen; MP3, WAV playback; Video playback; Voice recorder; FM radio; E-book reader.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? If plain looks don't matter, you can get the PMP.
Transcend has been quite dominant in the entry-level MP3 players category. Its players are inexpensive but carry some good features. However, when one enters the video category with a PMP, people like to own something snazzier. Transcend's MP860, a 2.4-inch PMP, has the right tunes but a scruffy outlook. The screen is nice and bright, good if you do not mind watching videos on mobile-like screens.
And yet the casing does not match up. It is very basic and the keys are nothing great either. But what goes in favour of this player is its ability to transmit excellent sound waves to the ears. The supplied headphones are quite nice. But we did find them uncomfortable for long use, as they do not carry cushions around the ear plugs. Other features include FM player, voice recorder and movie playback. Users can also read e-books and view images on the player. The MP860 is a basic player with decent features. Only if you can look past the outer skin would you see the inner beauty.
PHILIPS GO PURE CARAIR PURIFIER: Motor Freshener
Price: Rs 12,000
Specs: 2 Speed levels; LED Indicator Normal air: Dark Purple; Cleaner air: Light Purple; Very Clean air: Blue
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Breathe in fresh air. Get it.
Even with emission control and green fuels in place, there is lot of pollution on roads that enters our cars (even when the windows are rolled up). Philips has just come up with a solution that lets you breathe easy. The company has launched an air purifier for cars and we gave it a go. At first, we were a little sceptical about the whole car air purification system with such a small system. Then when we tested it out, it really got us rah-rahing.
It has two levels of purifications, a quick one and a slow version. These absorb all the suspended air particles, smells and etc, while blasting fresh air into the car. To test it out, we followed a car that was belching smoke. As soon as we turned on the system, within seconds it cleaned out the smoky air in our car. Also to indicate the level of fresh air in the car, GoPure displays different colours. Dark purple is for normal or polluted air, light purples for cleaner air and Blue for very clean air. Amazingly the system even takes out the dirty stench your driver leaves behind in the car. Just for that this is a system worth having in chauffeur driven cars.
PANASONIC SDR H101: Telescopic Zoom
Price: Rs 19,999- Specs:80 GB HDD; 78X optical zoom;0.8 MP image sensor; 2.7 inch LCD; SD card slot; 720 x 576 video resolution.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Light and compact hard-drive video camera.
When you first unpack the Panasonic SDR H101 camcorder, you might be confused. You might think, "Where's the rest of it?" It is so tiny that you'd think it is meant to be a toy for teenagers. It definitely isn't. Even when you attach the large battery at its back, it still remains small. So it boggled us further to find a sticker at the top that said that this recorder sported a 78X optical zoom. Yes, that's right. It does have a very powerful zoom, though at its highest, there is a lot of shake-as if you were running from an avalanche-leaving you with very little video that is watchable. But keep it under 10X and you are safe. For anything more than that we recommend you use a tripod. This camcorder sports an 80 GB hard drive to store your videos on. If you run out of that space, then you can also add an SD card in the camera. The H101 also has 33 mm wide lens that captures bigger angles of view. Thevideos are recorded at 720 x 576 resolution. It is not quite comparable with HD camcorder results, but the video isadequately acceptable. The H101 can well be a good first camcorder.
PANASONIC S3: Basic Yet Stylish
Price: Rs 7,990
Specs: 14.1 MP sensor; 3X optical zoom; 2.7-inch LCD; 1600 ISO;
HD movie recording; 117 gm
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? A stylish entry-level camera with a lot of colour choices.
First timers can look forward to a stylish camera from Panasonic. Adding to the already populated sub `10,000 cameras, the S3 is a force to reckon with. Panasonic has made it well. The upper crust is sturdy even if the keys at the back look a bit crass in front of the superior glossy frame. Unlike most in the category that sport a tiny shutter release button, the Panasonic S3 sports a much larger button. At the back, you will find a bright 2.7-inch LCD. There are four primary modes in this camera: Intelligent Auto, Normal picture, Video recording and Scene mode, where sub modes like portrait, scenery, night, etc are placed. With 14.1 MP on board and 3X optical zoom lens, this camera can click some good shots. A bit of noise can be seen at full optical zoom which vanishes once you zoom out. Macro shots come out really well. ISO levels of up to 1600 is supported for low light shots. The S3 also has HD movie recording. Taken as a whole, this Panasonic is a very neat entry-level camera.
CANON POWERSHOT SX230 HS: A Worthy Shot
Price: Rs 20,995
Specs: 12.1 MP; 3-inch LCD; 14X optical zoom; Full HD video recording; 3200 ISO; 16:9 aspect ratio; 223 gm.
BAG IT OR JUNK IT? Like to push the limits? You can get more out of this compact camera.
The 200 series of Canon's Powershot cameras has always impressed. The latest in the series is the Powershot SX230 HS. The looks of this camera have been worked upon but not so much that it does not conform to the 200 family tree. The camera has become slimmer, but the pop-out flash is still in the original placing near the left index finger which makes holding the camera a bit awkward. Thankfully you can tuck it back in and turn off the flash from the settings. The 230 HS flaunts a 3-inch screen with well-placed keys by its side. The slim form factor also hides an optical lens with a zoom power of14X-a good option for people who like to take their shots from a distance. Clicking pictures is lot of fun. The camera gives a lot of power to the users. The images are clear and sharp with minimal digital noise. We do suggest keeping the ISO under 400 to get the best results. Instead of yanking up the ISO in the dark, just turn the flash on, that will get you better results. Like its predecessors this one also carries various effects and filters. These include fish-eye, super vivid and monochrome. It also has GPS for geo-tagging your photos. All in all another good camera from Canon.
HP C310: Quality Prints
Price: Rs 14,999
Specs: Scan, print, copy; Web applications; 16 PPM draft black; 14 PPM draft colour; A4 scanner and printer; Wi-Fi, USB; 28 W power consumption.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Superb prints plus funky apps-worth its price.
HP has shown time and again why it is the undisputed leader when it comes to home printing machines. Its premium C310 can print, scan and copy. To these, a fourth function has been added. It is called Web. You probably realise that a number of applications are making their way into devices such as the mobile phone and tablet. Well, this time such apps are available on a printer. The C310 is the first to boast some zingy applications. These can be accessed using Wi-Fi and a large touch screen that is placed in front of the printer. HP has installed some of its own applications, such as Snapfish and games like Web Sudoku. Nice past time as the machine prints your documents.
Keep that aside, this printer can squirt some very beautiful prints. At the best settings it can give you sharp, lively and clear prints. There is no ink bleed or blurred edges. Scan speeds are good too. In our tests, it fared as well as a laser printer. It spun out 16 pages per minute under draft black and 14 PPM in draft colour. While its price would deter many buyers, the discerning would not mind spending on this high-end printer.
PHILIPS BLADE 21.5 INCH: Cutting Edge View
Price: Rs 9,900
Specs: Full HD resolution; 2 MS Response time; 12.9mm thin;
16:9 aspect ratio; DVI and VGA ports; 24 W power consumption
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Looking for new monitor? Your search ends here.
The Next Generation Philips monitors have made their debut in the country. The first one we review is from the ultra-thin series called Blade. It is a beautiful LED screen which is just 12.9 mm thin. Quickly unwrapping this magnificent marvel, we turned on the 21.5-inch display. Just as we expected, this monitor kept amazing us with the results on every test we ran. The colours are excellent. Blacks are deep and contrast is very nice. Both movies and games look vivacious and smooth in Full HD mode. The reason behind this is the integration of the 2 MS turbo response mode within the monitor. When turned on it automatically reduces jaggy edges from fast moving objects on the screen. And on top of everything, this monitor is great value for money too. It not only saves on initial investment but overall energy consumption as well. It only eats up 24 watts of energy when in operation, and just 0.3 watts in standby. All in all a great LED monitor for an excellent price.
KODAK Z990: Easy to operate
Price: Rs 18,000
Specs: 12 MP; 30x optical zoom; 3-inch LCD display, electronic view finder; Full HD video capture; four AA rechargeable batteries.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Good, but consider the options in the market.
Kodak's Easy Share Max Z990 has some promising specs: 12MP CMOS sensor, Schneider Kreuznach 30x optical zoom, manual control and 3-inch display. The well constructed body of the Easy Share has been designed to look like a DSLR. Done in traditional black, it is big though not bulky. Most of the controls including zoom, modes, video capture, etc are placed on the right top panel and rear panel, making it really easy to operate. The only control placed on the left is the button to switch between the electronic view finder and the LCD. The camera provided plenty of options to play around. Along with the auto mode, a casual shooter can select from the lot of regular scene modes. There is also an option of creative clicking, with night photography for moving objects, sports and portrait. Manual setting is available. This Easy Share produced some good images with rich colours. The noise levels were low, and the image stabiliser too did the job well. The only trouble we felt with this camera was the slow operation speed. As the camera uses four AA batteries to operate, a set of four rechargeable batteries and a charger are a part of the sales box.
CREATIVE WP300 WIRELESS HEADPHONES: Sound unwired
Price: Rs 7,499
Specs: On-ear headphones; Volume/playback controls; Bluetooth; 102 DB sound pressure; 107 gm
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Good for Bluetooth-ready mobile devices.
Creative has launched a pair of wireless headphones for audiophiles who would want the best audio reception from Bluetooth-ready devices. The shell is nice and comfortable to wear. A mixture of glossy black and dark grey matt finish runs all over the headphones. The right ear cup is where all the action is. It has all buttons that enable/disables it, plays/pauses music and increases/decreases volume. These are on-the-ear headphones that hug the organ well. They can't keep all the noise out but does cancel most of it. Pairing it with Bluetooth devices is not hard at all. To top it, the sound quality is out of this world. The high and low tones are clear. We were quite amazed at the bass and treble that such a small wireless headphone produced. However, for its price, one should also have got the facility to connect it to a normal player, which sadly this is not the case.
