Small And Powerful

Really? You Need Me To Tell You Who Made This Iconic Car?

What comes to your mind when you read the words “Supercars”? Not very difficult to figure that, is it? I can guess that in your head you already have the pictures of Lamborghini or Ferrari or Bugatti amongst the list of several other mega brands. Have you ever thought to yourself WHY? Again, going in your head are words like Top speed, Acceleration or the looks. If you’re really into these, you will think of deeper stuff, like its Torque or the heavy tech that those beauties pack. It’s only natural to desire them so. All that power right under your bonnet just waiting to be unleashed by just a slight movement of your right foot. That adrenalin rush that you would feel when you would go from zero to hundred in just over 3 seconds….sure as hell makes me drool.

EVERYBODY wants a supercar. If you think those names up there were too much, then you would probably settle for names like Porsche or Audi. But tell me this, and this is going to sound look weird being even in the same post as the above names, but what have thought of having a Volkswagen or a VW as people like to call it, for a fast car in your city. What if I told you that VW makes pretty fast cars for city driving? Sure, a Lamborghini will fart in its face and Ferrari will make it look like a wart on somebody’s bottom, but let us be practical for a second here. Where in the city are you going to get a chance to let loose the horses under these cars? How bloody irritating will it be to almost stop to a dead still at a speed breaker just to go over it?

Ferrari!!!

Now I know Supercars aren’t the most practical of the lot. In fact, with them, the word “Practicality” is just a small speck in the rear view mirror. They are meant to be respected for the super powerful machines that they are. Sure, they drink up fuel like crazy and you’d be worried about the fact that somebody might ding your car worth crores while you’re sipping a cup of coffee, but there is much more to them. Now as I was saying earlier, what if I told you that a Fiat or a VW or Renault, that you could actually buy would dish out as much fun on the road as much as those big names on the top?

The Renault Megane Sport R26.R

Check out these names for example; the Renault Megane sport R26.R is a car by Renault and can go from 0 to 100kmph in just 6 seconds! Yes, a Gallardo can do that in less than 4 seconds, but a Lamborghini will set you back quite a bit. The Renault on the other hand is at least four times cheaper than the Lamborghini or the Ferraris. Do the math. You take just about 2 seconds longer to accelerate to the hundred and you save more than a crore on the thing. Sounds like a sweet deal. From what I read about the car, it’s pretty peppy too. Small. Can be driven in cities with ease and gives you a nice average to boot. And it doesn’t look all that bad. Sure it isn’t the same as a super car, but you have to admit it does have something in its look which says FAST!

Another one then. Heard of the FORD Focus ST? May not be as fast as the Renault, but this thing is good. It’s damn fast and can apparently do 0 to 100 in 6.5 seconds, and it’s priced as good as he Renault. Plus it seats 5 people. And has a nice boot.   

The VW Sirocco

Now this one particularly interests me. It’s the VW Sirocco. And the best part, it may be up for an Indian release in some time!! And this car looks good! I heard that it will be priced at near about 14 lakh and it’s quite a looker. Yes, you can stereotype the fact that all of them are essentially just expensive and fast hatchbacks, but that’s the point. They are machines which can do your daily chores like dropping your kids to school and it can act like a fast car on track. So do you really need a car with the likes of the Italian sports or the English Aston Martins or Jags?

The point I’m trying to make here is this. People are whimsical about the fact that they would  love to own a fast car but can't cause of the equally super high price. Gone are those times when you would have to be millionaire to afford that kind of action on the street. Now you can get a fast car for much lesser. You might just call these things really expensive hatchbacks, but that's just cause they are. That is also why they are worth their price, because they give you one thing most supercars won't. Practicality. So yeah, if you do have about enough money to buy an expensive saloon but just not enough for a exorbiant supercar, maybe you can give these things a shot. Don't just shrug them off cause they are hatchs and don't have that pricy brand badge. You'd be surprised how many can give those bigboys a run for their money on the roads you actually have to drive on. David does matchup to Goliath here. Oh yes!!

Buddh Eyes: Tablet Buyer's Guide: Fall 2012 Edition

Three months is a long time in tablet-land, it seems. Since we last brought you a buyer's guide, a few things have changed. In fact, this is probably the biggest shake-up yet, with not only the long-rumored iPad mini making an appearance, but also new offerings from two other big guns -- Microsoft and Google. Oh, and that means there's a whole new species of device altogether. With Windows RT finally shipping, there's new hardware to go with it, and we expect to see more popping up on the list in the months to come. This is all good news for you prospective tablet owners, as more competition can only mean more choice. With more options, though, comes more confusion. That's where we come in, armed with a few notable picks. Read on to find out what made the cut this season.

10-inch tablets

No, it's not the new iPad. It's the newest iPad. Or, to avoid any confusion, the fourth-generation iPad. Whatever you want to call it, it was a pleasant -- and wholly unexpected -- surprise to see the still relatively young Retina tablet get a refresh. What's new? Well, mainly that A6X processor, which blew our socks off when we tested it, but there's also an improved front-facing camera, and that tiny little Lightning 2 port. Battery life is longer than before, to boot. Fortunately, this fourth-gen iPad costs the same as the previous iteration. That's great news -- unless you just bought the old "new iPad," that is.
When Microsoft announced the Surface for Windows RT tablet, Windows fans took a collective gasp of excitement. In addition to this version of Windows, tailored for ARM-powered devices, prospective buyers will enjoy a minimum of 32GB of storage, an optically bonded, 10.6-inch, 1,366 x 768 display and some solid in / out options (full USB, SD card reader, HD video out). The apps available might not reach the same levels of the competition just yet, but with most of Microsoft's big hitters (Word, Excel,SkyDrive, Internet Explorer) pre-installed, and with more and more big titles coming to the platform every week, this won't be an issue for long. In fact, if you're already on board with Surface for Windows RT, the biggest problem is likely what color Touch Cover keyboard you might want to treat yourself to.
The third big name to launch a new slate in almost as many weeks? That'd be our friends at Mountain View. If there is a tablet-making rulebook, please don't ever send one to Google. What does the new Nexus 10 have to say for itself? New OS? Check, 1.7GHz processor? Yup. Mind-melting 2,560 x 1,600 resolution -- oh lordy. It's real, and it's here. Well, almost. You'll have to wait just a few more days until the official November 13th release, but once that date rolls around, you can get yourself a whole lotta tablet for a not-unreasonable amount of money.
ASUS clearly created a winning formula with its Transformer Pad series of dockable tablets, with at least one making an appearance in every tablet buyer's guide we've published. The TF700 stands on the shoulders of its predecessor, jacking up all the key specs. The quad-core Tegra 3 chip now purrs along at 1.6GHz (and up to 1.7GHz with single-core performance); the resolution jumps from 1,280 x 800 to 1,920 x 1,200; and a little design tweaking promises to sidestep any antenna issues. So, good news all-round? Definitely. So much so that it remains one of the top Android slates out there.

7-inch tablets

When Google rolls into tablet town, you know the rest of the market takes a collective inward-breath. The Nexus 7 made a splashy debut at the company's opening I/O keynote, setting nerds' hearts aflutter the world over. The Nexus 7 has been a huge success, and the family continues to grow. With the 8GB version banished, you can snap up this 32GB varient for the same price as the original 16GB edition. With a 1.2GHz quad-core Tegra 3 chip, 1GB of RAM and that 32GB of storage, this isn't all that different from some of its larger and more expensive competitors. Add in the latest version of Jelly Bean with all its buttery-smooth performance and Google Now goodness, and you've got one formidable package.
Apple was a long time coming to the 7-inch(ish) party, that's for sure. However, when it finally showed up, naturally it did so in its own inimitable style. That means an extra 0.9 inches on the screen size of its peers, front and rear cameras (a relative rarity on tablets this price) and 16- 3- and 64GB storage options. That 7.9-inch display has a 1,024 x 768 resolution and, while the chipset isn't quad-core as on the Nexus 7, that dual-core A5 SoC still delivers smooth performance. A new size also means a new price point and, as you might expect, it's not the cheapest in its class. But if you fancy iOS, or just don't need any additional screen real estate, you can get in on the game from $329.
Barnes & Noble lost its place in the 7-inch tablet section when certain other big players entered the market, but new hardware means another bite of the cherry. The Nook HD is definitely new, and in almost every regard. Taking a quick tour of its feature list, you'll find a new design, a 1,440 x 900 display, a faster processor (1.3GHz, dual-core TI OMAP) and a fresher operating system, based on Android 4.0. Even better, it has a new, lower price: $199 for 8GB, and $229 for the 16GB model. If you're looking for a tablet with a design language that stands out from the much of the Android / iOS crowd the Nook HD offers individuality in spades.
The OG Kindle Fire had been a mainstay in our tablet buyer's guide, greedily hogging not one, but two spots in total. And while that unbroken spell comes to an end this time around, it's only due to being replaced by newer members of Amazon's tablet lineup. The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD sports an improved display (now 1,280 x 800), thinner form factor, HDMI output and 16GB of storage all for a Nexus 7-bothering $200. As before, one of the main selling points here is access to media, but the tradeoff means committing to Amazon's interpretation of Android. If the walled app garden doesn't put you off, then this is a close contender for king of the hill among its contemporaries.

3G / 4G tablets

For those of you who want a slate coupled with always-on internet, a 3G or 4G option might be worth the investment. Though tablets used to be sold subsidized on two-year contracts, just like phones, we're increasingly seeing them offered without contracts. For instance, many are available on month-to-month, no-strings-attached terms. In some cases, it's also possible to add a tablet to your current smartphone plan for a small fee per month, with the option of sharing data between the two devices. It should go without saying, but be sure to read your carrier's fine print before taking the plunge.
One charge that can never be levied against Apple is that it takes its sweet time to bring its cellular models up to date. As soon as there's a refresh, it's available in all colors and memory configurations. This means that with the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad, those with 4G data requirements got a new tablet to consider. Fortunately for you, there's not all that much to think about: same great Retina display, a swanky new processor, a better front-facing camera and a new, smaller connection port. It seems the only thing to consider is which network to go with -- Sprint, AT&T and Verizon will all happily take your monthly subscription fees.
Now that Apple's portfolio of tablets has been augmented, you lucky folk get another WiFi + cellular tablet option. Needless to say, if you've eyed-up the fourth generation iPad as a possible option, this might be on your radar too, especially with support for the same networks (Sprint, Verizon, AT&T). While it might not pack the same processing punch as its bigger brother, you're still getting a whole lot of (little) tablet, all in Apple's now familiar range of options. Want to ride the airwaves on the good ship Cupertino, but not a fan of the larger form factor? This guy's got your back.
Apple's intention to take a bite out of Google's (and everyone else's) 7-inch pie was well-known in advance. What was kept a little more under wraps, though, was Mountain View's debut into the WiFi and cellular tablet world. The Nexus 7 gets an HSPA+ refresh, and 32GB of memory along with it. It's more of the same Nexus magic that we've come to know and love, but now with data-anywhere smarts. If you're into the idea, but not ready to commit to a cellular plan just yet, this is ideal, as Google will sell you one without having to sign on any dotted lines. How much for a table at the BYOS (Bring Your Own SIM) diner? That'll be $299.
While Samsung's smaller tablets might be playing catch up with the competition, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is still worth a look if you fancy some of Big Red's LTE on the go. While the specification isn't horribly dated, the price is still a little high, even having recently dropped by $150. That said, we're still amazed that Verizon's 4G service doesn't put a dent in its impossibly long runtime. Previously, Verizon wanted two years of your life and a data fee paid on time each month, now, however you get a monthly plan, but no subsidy on the hardware. There's also a global HSPA+ version for use on other networks, if you don't mind paying an extra 200 smackers or so for the privilege.

Budget

It's really no surprise that the WiFi-only Nexus 7 has found its way into two categories of our tablet buyer's guide. While the only difference between the two versions is the choice between 16GB and (the recently launched) 32GB of storage, that sub-$200 price makes the smaller capacity model a veritable bargain. The Nexus rolls the Kindle Fire 2012 over in some key areas -- just look at those specs we've laid out above. Amazon's trump card has always been content, but with Google also gaining momentum in this exact area, Jelly Beans never tasted so good.
When the Kindle Fire first bounded into our lives, it was a simpler time. Just one model meant fewer options, but we loved it all the same. In the fall of 2012, however, it's a totally different story. There are different sizes, specifications and not to mention a totally revamped base model, which is what we're looking at here. The processor bumps from 1GHz to 1.2GHz. There's double the RAM along with boasts of better battery life and slicker performance to boot. Best of all, it'll only run you $159, which, we imagine, will have even the most cautious of pockets smiling, especially those with a keen appreciation of content.
If the 4G Galaxy Tab 7.7 whetted your Korean-tablet appetite, but the hefty price tag dampened your spirits, all is not lost. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 offers up a great ICS experience, but without the groan-inducing cost. In our review, we found the dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP chip handles the latest version of Android just fine, and the good-enough 1,024 x 600 LCD display is the same one used on the more premium Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. While this might not offer the same tightly integrated ecosystem as a Kindle Fire, or the simplistic appeal of the Nexus 7, the $250 slate is still great if what you really want is a low-cost tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich.
What's got a 9-inch screen, has a 1,920 x 1,280 resolution, runs a 1.5 GHz OMAP dual-core processor and only wants 270 of your hard-earned dollars? The Nook HD+, that's what. Keen to make sure bitter rivals fellow book sellers Amazon didn't hog all the new cheap-and-media-friendly glory, Barnes & Noble are back with this bigger, bolder stab at the tablet market, but are still very much hoping to keep fans of reading on its side. The 6,000mAh battery claims to offer 10 hours of continuous reading, while microSD and HDMI connectivity mean your storage and viewing options aren't limited. As with the Kindle Fire, you're buying into an ecosystem here, but if you're less concerned with the how (OS), and more into the what (content), then this is a lot of slate for not a lot of dollars.
While we've done our best to compare popular tablet choices, we understand you, too, may have a favorite that's not mentioned here. If so, feel free to call it out it in the comments below. Tell us why you love it and perhaps you'll see it here next time!

Nikon announces D5200 DSLR for Rs. 46,950; ships this December

The trusty D5100 and D7000 have held sway over Nikon's low-to-mid DSLR range for around 18 months now, but come December and there'll be a new option driving a wedge right between them. The D5200 will still fulfill the role of a lightweight "advanced beginner" model and physically it's the spitting image of the D5100, but at the same time it brings some fundamental and distinctly D7000-like photographic improvements to try to excuse its £720 (body-only) recommended retail price.

Nikon D5200 salient features

• High-speed, multifunctional and high-performance image-processing engine "EXPEED 3", equivalent to that of the Nikon's flagship model, D4.
• Wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 6400 (expandable to ISO 25600 equivalent) that delivers sharp images with reduced image blur even in low-lit situations or sports scenes.
• High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 5 fps that surely captures decisive moments.
• Stereo microphone employed [NEW], Full HD (1920 x 1080) D-Movie with selectable 60i/50i frame rate.
• Easy-to-understand and easy-to-operate, new GUI that effectively utilizes graphic processing. [NEW]
• Large, easy-to-view, approx. 921k-dot, wide viewing angle (170°), 7.5-cm (3-in.) horizontal-opening vari-angle LCD monitor.
• Energy-saving design that achieves approx. 500 shots* per charge (with EN-EL14, in single-frame mode). *　Based on CIPA Standards.
• Compatible with the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter (optional) that enables transmission of images to smartphone or tablet PC wirelessly.
• Compatible with the WR-R10/WR-T10 Wireless Remote Controllers (optional). Remote control is ensured even if there are obstacles in the way. [NEW]
• 16 options of Scene Modes that enable selection of the most appropriate mode according to the shooting scene or subject.
• Variety of image-editing functions that allow you to retouch images easily after shooting, such as NEF (RAW) processing, Trim and Fisheye.

Hands-On Pictures:

Who Spent More on Online Ads This Election? [INFOGRAPHIC]

The election is finally here — after tomorrow, the candidates’ online ads that have chased you around the Internet will disappear. In review of the months spent campaigning and advertising, an infographic shows exactly how much each campaign spent on online ads compared to the 2008 election. The numbers are staggering.

Overall funding for online ads grew 251% which speaks to the digital nature of this election. Barack Obama spent $52 million, in comparison to his opponent, Mitt Romney, who only spent $26.2 million.
See the infographic below for more and tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Double-Duty: Strange but Functional Gadgets

They're Strange but They Work

With millions of products on the market, it’s hard to stand out. But these products are sure to make you do a double take.

They're strange, but functional. They’ll wake you up, cool you down, let you tweet in some of the oddest places and charge your gadgets.

Here are a of the strangest gadgets you’ve ever seen ... that get the job done.

Tan & Jam

Product: Solar Bikini

Cost: $1,000 and Up

How it works: This multi-purpose bathing suit will not only shimmer in the sun as you strut up and down the beach, it will also ensure that your iPod never runs out of power.

According to the creator of the Solar Bikini , Andrew Schneider, the suit is powered by, “forty small photo-voltaic cells stitched together in a very specific pattern to generate enough current to mimic the output of a USB drive on a laptop and thus able to power your iPod and similar devices.”

The suits aren't mass-marketed — yet. Schneider said each suit is custom-made and can cost anywhere from $1,000 and up. Schneider also said he is working on his next wearable device called the iDrink, a male version of the solar bikini which uses solar power to cool your beer on the beach.

Catch That Clock!

Product: Flying Alarm Clock

Cost: $19.99

How it works: Are you the kind of person who hears their alarm clock beeping, rolls over, turns it off and then falls back asleep only get to work an hour late with a frantic look on your face? Well fear not unmotivated consumer, the Flying Alarm Clock , sold on ThinkGeek.com, will solve your lazy morning issues.

In order to turn your alarm off, you will have to physically get out of bed and catch the propeller of this alarm clock. The only way you can turn off the alarm is to catch the propeller and reattach it. Catch it if you can!

A Cool Breeze!

Product: The Fanbrella

Cost: $79.95

How it works: When the mercury tops 100 degrees, it can make you sweat just walking from your car to the office.

Hammacher Schlemmer has the answer — the Fanbrella . It's an umbrella with a built-in fan.

The Fanbrella opens like a normal umbrella, but has a 650-rpm rotating fan under the canopy.

Throw & Shoot!

Product: SatuGo bouncing camera

Cost: Not yet available; expected to sell for about $70

How it works: If you've ever dropped your camera or wished you were taller to get that bird's eye view, here's a camera for you: The SatuGo bouncing camera.

It clicks a picture on impact or, if you're tossing it in the air, you can set a timer to take pictures at set intervals.

The camera, which takes 3 mega pixel images, can also be used as a webcam and will come with a belt clip. It hasn't yet gone into production but more than 4,000 people have registered on the website to be notified when they become available.

The name SatuGo, incidentally, stands for See Aim Throw captUre & GO.

iPlunge Your iPhone

Product: iPlunger

Cost: $5.99

How it Works: Who thought the concept and suction of a plunger would be a strange yet useful addition to your iPhone. The iPlunger (not an official Apple accessory) is a miniature plunger that you can stick to the back of your iPhone. Attach the iPlunger vertically or horizontally to your phone and let it hold your phone up for easy, hands free access to your music and Internet.

'Like' It — or Not

Product: Actual   "Like" and "Dislike" Stamps

Cost: $7.99

How it Works: Whenever you read one of your Facebook friends status’ you can declare your appreciation for their post by clicking the “like” button.

Well, now the people at ThinkGeek have brought this button to life, literally, with an old-school, dip-it-in-ink “Like” stamp . Of course, they also made a "Dislike" stamp.

Don’t like a colleague’s work? Stamp their paper with the “dislike” stamp to let them know you are unsatisfied. Think your kid did a great job on their test? Stamp it with the “Like” button to show them you’re proud — and hip with social media.

"Like."

Eat and Tweet!

Product: Samsung WiFi Enabled Fridge

Cost: $2,699-$3,499

How it works: Ever get the urge to tweet while your fishing through your fridge for a snack? Maybe you want to tell your friends “Out of milk again! #Roughday” or “Eating that chocolate cake I told myself I wouldn’t eat! #Dietproblems.”

Samsung's WiFi-enabled fridge allows you to do all that. It has an 8-inch LCD screen loaded with apps so you can eat and tweet all day long.

It also allows users to access Pandora online radio and a Google calendar, leave digital notes and download recipes.