Get smart on-the-go!
Only thirty years ago, it took a room-sized machine to generate reasonable computing power. Today, at least one in two Indians carries a device that is just as powerful.
UE Roll: Bluetooth speaker for roughin’ it
We have reviewed many wireless speakers on this page — none quite like the UE Roll from Ultimate Ears, a New Jersey audio specialist and now a Logitech subsidiary. It’s not a compact or a sedan. It’s the SUV of Bluetooth speakers. From its disk-shaped, textured, fabric-covered exterior to its waterproof combo of twin 19-mm tweeters and a 5- mm woofer, it shouts jawani deewani at its target audience of young people who prefer to do their music listening in the rough outdoors.
The recessed controls are minimal: One power button, another for Bluetooth pairing plus ports for micro UAB charging and a 35 mm socket for wired connection. No speaker-phone. This is not for people who want the real world of phone calls to interrupt their fun. It weighs just under 340 grams and comes with an innovative bungee cord that lets you latch on the speaker in a variety of waves to anything from your bike to your belt. Installing the UE Roll app lets you remotely operate the speaker or pair it with another UE unit.
You may find other wireless speakers for less than the UE Roll’s asking price of Rs 8495 but none that makes such an in-your-face style statement. And the sound is no slouch either.
Mi Power bank 20,000 mAh: “Parallel processing” The smarter our hand phones get the more juice they demand. There is a price to pay for all that studio quality sound and theatre-like movie viewing — phones dying on you when needed most. Which why power banks have become must-have accessories. If your phone is more like a phablet, you need substantial recharging power. MI, the Xiaomi brand has just brought a jumbo sized 20,000 mAh power bank to India. This offers two USB charging slots effectively doing parallel processing of your charging demands. While the output voltage is standard 5V, the current is a hefty 3.6A. This means most phones will charge in a half to a third of the time that other power banks take.
For its raw charging power this is a surprisingly light device at 338 grams. The MRP is Rs 1699 but surprisingly it is selling on many online sites at a premium for around Rs 2500 possibly because these are imported units.
Intex FitRist: Affordable health band With so many health wearables on offer today, buyers have a problem of plenty. But most of them flaunt their pedigree and seem to say: “We’re the cool brand, so pay more to wear us!” But seriously, we’re not taking about something recognisable like Rolex. Health tracker bands look pretty much the same and I for one would balk at paying more just to sport a name no one can see anyway. Which is why the Intex FitRist will also seem like purse-fit for many of us whose dad is not our ATM.
Working with any version of OS that is Android 4.3 or iOS 7 or later and at least Bluetooth 4.0, FitRist offers all the standard fitness features — step monitoring, distance log, calorie counter, sleep monitoring as well as syncing with your phone to alert you to incoming calls/ SMS and accessing the music you have in store. If you have misplaced your phone, you can locate it with FitRist. Within effective Bluetooth distance the phone will ring at regular intervals till you find it.
One neat feature is the ability to click pictures on your mobile camera from your band. The battery claims to last for 12 days. The OLED display is visible even in bright ambient light. At Rs 999, this is one of the most affordable health bands with this feature set.
Kingston HyperX Cloud Drone headphones: Aimed at gamers A brand better known for storage and memory solutions, Kingston has forayed into audio with the HyperX range of headsets. The latest to reach India is the HyperX Cloud Drone which is a mite cheaper than earlier models in the series sacrificing somewhat on the driver but offering the same combo of comfort and good audio range. It works with games platforms like XBox One, PS4, WiiU as well as PC and Mac. The volume control is conveniently placed on the ear cup and you don’t have to search for it on the cable. The mike has a useful feature if you swivel it away from your face, it mutes. The Cloud Drone has an MRP of Rs 3999. But search well on the Web and you could knock off at least a thousand rupees.