Asus Fonepad 7 Review: Affordable and Capable

In the past two years, Asus has released at least four different versions of the Fonepad 7. We saw a Fonepad 7 (3G) release last year, followed by the Fonepad 7 Dual SIM and the Fonepad 7 (FE375CG) in the first quarter of this year. On top of that, the Fonepad 7 (FE170CG) launched just recently, and we have it with us for review.
This Fonepad 7 is Asus's attempt at creating a low-cost tablet for the masses. While the spec sheet may not be impressive, Asus's intended target audience might approve of the Dual-SIM functionality and voice calling features. 

 Look and feel
The refreshed Fonepad 7 doesn't look too different from the Fonepad 7 we reviewed last year but it looks like Asus has tweaked the design slightly to make it better. Gone is the plain slippery back, which is now replaced by a nice textured finish. This aids in gripping the device. The entire body is made of good quality plastic and feels sturdy in everyday use. Moreover, Asus has shaved 28g from the previous iteration and the weight of the new Fonepad 7 is 290g. This reduction is immediately noticeable since the device is easier to use with one hand. We received the black version for review but the tablet is also available in red, blue and white.
















Asus has decided to replace the dual front-firing speakers with a single one on top of the screen. Below the speaker is a front-facing camera. The 7-inch screen is surrounded on all sides by fairly wide bezels. The edges curve inwards and on the right are the volume rocker and power button. The left edge has a flap that houses two slots for Micro-SIM cards and a slot for a microSD card. A 3.5mm jack and a Micro-USB port are on the top of the Asus Fonepad 7. The primary camera is on the rear along with a metallic Asus logo.
Specifications, software and cameraThe Asus Fonepad 7 SoC is an Intel Atom Z2520 dual-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz with an integrated PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU. The device also has 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage space, which can be further expanded by 64GB using a microSD card. Asus also bundles 5GB of space on Web Storage, its very own cloud platform, which is valid for life. You also get an additional 11GB of space for the first year. There is a 2-megapixel primary camera and a 0.3-megapixel front camera.
With respect to cellular connectivity, this voice-calling tablet can connect to the 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHz frequency bands. There is Bluetooth v4.0 and Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity as well. The battery specification is not mentioned anywhere but Asus claims that it can play videos for 10hrs. We shall test this claim in our performance section. 














The 7-inch screen has a resolution of 1024x600. Asus' specification sheet states that the screen has an anti-fingerprint coating. We think this is a cruel joke since the screen attracts fingerprints like Ryan Gosling attracts women. Also if you ever need to set your hair, the screen can work as a mirror. Under sunlight, even the slightest tilt makes the screen not viewable. Now we know where Asus cut corners to keep the cost of the tablet down.
The tablet runs Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with no word on an update yet. The moment we fired it up and connected it to the Internet, it started downloading a number of updates including the Google Services Framework. Post this, things started getting weird. The launcher would not work properly and every time we restarted the tablet, it tried to install more updates and crashed. We think this has something to do with ZenUI and the new updates not talking to each other properly. We continued without updating the framework and everything worked fine.  













For first-time users, ZenUI takes a little getting used to. The lockscreen has direct-access icons for the Camera, Phone and Messaging apps. Asus has something called What's Next which lines up nicely beside these icons on the lockscreen and is a unique take on literally displaying what's next on the user's schedule.
The colourful icons and subtle screen turn animations make ZenUI look much better than a lot of other custom skins on top Android do. Just like what we saw in the Asus Zenfone 5 (and Zenfone 4 and Zenfone 6), Asus bundles a few third-party apps and some proprietary apps including AudioWizard, Omlet, Power Saver, SuperNote, Web Storage and Splendid. All the apps are quite useful in some form or other. However, if for some reason you want to uninstall these apps Asus doesn't allow that. Other than an extra row of number keys on the default keyboad, Asus hasn't made much use of the greater screen real estate to allow apps to run in split-screen mode or any similar feature that some other tablets have. 











The 2-megapixel primary camera and 0.3-megapixel front-camera tried really heard to take good pictures but failed. In all testing conditions, we found that the rear camera is mostly pointless. We think Asus could have skipped the cameras on this Fonepad 7 and spent a little more on a better quality screen. In any case, it is not a patch on the 5-megapixel camera we used on the Asus Fonepad 7 Dual-SIM.
Performance
Apart from the initial software hiccup that we mentioned, the Asus Fonepad 7 didn't present any problems in use. It's smooth and works like a charm for most part. Even a few high-end games like Asphalt 8 worked well.














In the AnTuTu and Quadrant benchmark tests, this tablet scored 18,029 and 6,800, respectively. We also ran our graphics benchmarks and the Asus Fonepad 7 scored 13.1fps in the GFXbench test and 5,148 in the more intensive 3DMark Ice Storm sequence. The tablet also played all our test videos. Our heavily encoded 40mbps 1080p video file also didn't trouble it too much. The decision to move to a single speaker on this year's Fonepad 7 does not affect sound quality - sound is adequately loud and clear as well.
Asus' claim about battery performance seems to be true since in our test it lasted us around 10 hours, 22 minutes, which is actually on the high side. There is a fairly powerful Power Saver function that works really well too. 














Verdict
The Asus Fonepad 7 is available for as little as Rs. 7,299 on e-commerce platforms, which is a really good price for a tablet that performs so well. Yes, the software was slightly iffy in the beginning, but that could have been a problem with our review unit. The screen is not too great and the camera is a joke, but the cost had to be managed somehow.
There are other options in the form of Flipkart's own Digiflip Pro ET701, which has a similar set of specs and is priced much lower than the Fonepad 7. It is missing the voice-calling capability though. The Digiflip Pro XT801 on the other hand has much better specifications but once again doesn't have voice calling features. At this price, the Fonepad 7 hits the sweet spot by offering voice-calling. Just make sure you always carry a cloth to wipe fingerprints with.

Hobbit Fans Step Into "Shadow of Mordor" Video Game

 

Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment on Tuesday released a "Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor" video game that plays out between "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings."
The action game crafted as a new chapter in the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien saga launched a few days ahead of schedule in the United States and Canada for play on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles as well as on computers powered by Windows software.

Players take on the role of Gondorian ranger Talion, who has wraith-like powers and is driven by vengeance to battle dark forces of Mordor and its ruler, Sauron.

Game developers at Monolith Productions built into the game a "nemesis system" to generate enemies unique to each player, and who can be manipulated or corrupted into becoming allies.

"Monolith's goal with the Nemesis System is to push the action genre forward with a unique game play mechanic that allows the player to experience Middle-Earth in a way that is deeply personal," said Warner Brothers Interactive president Martin Tremblay.

 

"The team and technology powering the Nemesis System helped us develop an emotional investment between each player and their enemies, which creates a truly memorable gaming experience unlike anything that's been done before."

The story in the game was tailored to fit with the well-known Middle Earth books, but sidestep direct comparison by being set between the end of "The Hobbit" and the start of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

The game is priced at $60 for consoles, and a "season pass" available for $25 provides extra content including new story missions.

 

 

Vodafone Partners With IRCTC for Booking Rail Tickets via M-Pesa

 

Vodafone India on Monday announced a strategic partnership with IRCTC to facilitate online booking of railway tickets through its mobile phone payment system Vodafone M-Pesa. The company has also tied up with Bharat BPO (BBPO) to make the transaction safe and secure.

The telecom operator says that the customers will have to download the "139 Railways Reservation" mobile application once and after that the app does not require any data connection for registration or booking of tickets. Vodafone Customers will need to send an SMS writing "TICKET" to 111 to download the application.

Vodafone M-Pesa customers will be able to send in their booking details through the "139 Railways Reservation" app and only have to enter their M-PIN to authorise the transaction. The operator says that the SMS based booking on 139 is available for all feature phones, while the applicable will work with Android and J2ME handsets. Exact details of the process are not clear at this point.
In case of cancellations, the refund will be credited to the customer's Vodafone M-Pesa wallet. Refund information, PNR status, seat availability and more can also be accessed through the mobile application.

Speaking on this initiative, Suresh Sethi, Business Head, M-Pesa, Vodafone India said, "This new app based offering empowers our customers to book railway e-tickets, seek PNR status, cancel tickets, get refunds, all at their own convenience, through their mobile handset. We are extending a highly safe and secure technology platform that works even for customers who do not have an Internet connection."

IRCTC's Director, Tourism & Marketing, A. K. Brar, said, "We are delighted that Vodafone M-Pesa has partnered BBPO to facilitate railway e-ticket bookings on the go. We are confident that this association will play a transformational role in both, providing a never before holistic service proposition even for the unbanked sections of society and simultaneously be a lifestyle enhancer since it does away with waiting in queues at railway stations to book tickets."

Create a music App with touch, stylus & keyboard control for Windows 8 tablets

Here's a guide that will teach you how to create and build a music Application for Windows platform that incorporates touch, stylus and keyboard inputs.

 

Introduction

When Dmitriy Golonanov, the CEO of the international company, Maestro Music Software, learned that many musicians would rather use a lightweight tablet than carry a laptop to gigs or a classroom, he decided to enlist a small team of developers, which included Sergey Samokhin, to create music notation software that would run on Microsoft Windows* 8 tablets or Ultrabook™ 2 in 1s running Windows 8.1. The result of this inspiration is One Touch Composer for Microsoft Word*, which gives composers, music educators, and musicians of all levels the ability to create and share great-looking sheet music (Figure 1). Originally Submitted under the name One Touch Notation, One Touch Composer was the winning entry in the Tablets category of the Intel App Innovation Contest 2013 (AIC 2013). During the contest Dmitriy used resources from the Intel®Developer Zone.
 

 

 Figure 1: One Touch Composer for Microsoft Word* leverages the Lenovo ThinkPad* Tablet 2's multi-touch
screen and supports input from touch, stylus, and keyboards.

To accomplish their goal, Golonanov's team faced a number of challenges, including having to design a user experience that was both intuitive and practical for professional and amateur musicians, music teachers, and students. Music notation, after all, consists of a complex collection of specialized 2D symbols, and even a relatively simple song can span many pages. Displaying and interacting with that complexity on a small tablet screen challenged the team on a variety of levels, from programming a UI that could handle input from touch, stylus, and two kinds of virtual keyboards to making efficient use of computing resources.

Introduction
When Dmitriy Golonanov, the CEO of the international company, Maestro Music Software, learned that many musicians would rather use a lightweight tablet than carry a laptop to gigs or a classroom, he decided to enlist a small team of developers, which included Sergey Samokhin, to create music notation software that would run on Microsoft Windows* 8 tablets or Ultrabook™ 2 in 1s running Windows 8.1. The result of this inspiration is One Touch Composer for Microsoft Word*, which gives composers, music educators, and musicians of all levels the ability to create and share great-looking sheet music (Figure 1). Originally Submitted under the name One Touch Notation, One Touch Composer was the winning entry in the Tablets category of the Intel App Innovation Contest 2013 (AIC 2013). During the contest Dmitriy used resources from the Intel®Developer Zone.
- See more at: http://www.digit.in/apps/how-to-create-a-music-app-with-touch-stylus-keyboard-control-for-windows-8-tablets-24002.html#sthash.7uGkzyB4.dpuf

Approach

To meet the six-week development cycle that the AIC 2013 rules specified, Golonanov and his team knew their app wouldn't be able to meet the needs of all users. So rather than create a program that combined music notation with extensive audio playback capabilities via MIDI* and sound fonts-an approach that's common in desktop PC music-notation programs-they restricted audio playback to built-in sounds and focused on giving users the ability to easily create and share digital sheet music.

In doing so, Golonanov and his team encountered their biggest challenge-changing their design philosophy from giving users as many powerful tools as they could pack into a desktop app to providing a simplified, intuitive touch-driven experience for a mobile device.

Golonanov and Samokhin worked with Alexey Bagenov, a music notation expert and conductor of the National Wind Orchestra of the Ukraine, who literally drew the UI on a piece of graph paper during a Microsoft BizSpark* UX Tour workshop (Figure 2).

 

Figure 2:Alexey Bagenov's sketch of One Touch Composer's UI positioned key functions around the perimeter of a touch screen.

Bagenov's solution provided access to all the app's functions from a single screen, without traditional menus. Instead, contextual submenus provide access to features such as selecting clefs or entering text.  

Figure 2:Alexey Bagenov's sketch of One Touch Composer's UI positioned key functions around the perimeter of a touch sc - See more at: http://www.digit.in/apps/how-to-create-a-music-app-with-touch-stylus-keyboard-control-for-windows-8-tablets-24002.html#sthash.7uGkzyB4.dpuf

Figure 3: Most common UI functions are positioned along the sides and top of the screen for easy access

The UI positions the most commonly accessed functions on the left and right sides as well as along the top of the screen (Figure 3). Notes can be input from a virtual touch-screen music keyboard positioned across the bottom, and if the device has a physical keyboard, it can be used to name files and enter text (Figure 4). If no keyboard is present (Figure 5), the user can select a virtual touch-screen keyboard. If a MIDI keyboard is attached to the device over a USB, the program uses a timed function to determine whether a keyboard is present and automatically connects to it. 

Figure 4: The combination of a physical keyboard, stylus, and touch input help give users the ability to interact intuitively with the software.

The Windows 8 Touch API provided all the necessary functions for implementing multiple input technologies. During early usability tests, the team learned that Microsoft's recommended minimum of 23x23 pixels for touchable areas was too small for the buttons they wanted to use. Instead, they set 40x40 as the default size for buttons and gave users the ability to change the defaults and customize the interface. Stylus input, the team learned, proved very helpful for handling small UI elements such as staff lines, notes, and dynamics symbols. Finger-based touch interaction is best for simple commands such as scaling, zooming, and scrolling. To avoid unresponsive behavior caused by gaps between touch-targets, they avoided gaps larger than 5 pixels. The team was also careful to make UI elements positioned around the edge of the touch screen large enough to tap easily with a fingertip.

Figure 5: If no keyboard is detected, a virtual keyboard can be used to input text (left). The multi-touch screen allows users to interact with the software using touch and a stylus at the same time (right).
Migrating Legacy Code

Some aspects of One Touch Composer were written in Delphi*. Other aspects, such as performance-critical components, were written using Assembler-the inline assembler for writing x86 machine code directly within Delphi programs. Assembler supports Intel® MMX™ technology and Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions. Golonanov's team borrowed heavily from existing resources, which played a large role in being able to create the app in the allotted six weeks. For example, One Touch Composer makes use of Maestro Music Software's extensive, proprietary vector graphics music notation library, which the app accesses using the Delphi GDI+ API. This high-level, easy-to-use API is modeled after the .NET system. Drawing namespace and provides the ability to both display and print 2D graphics and formatted text.

The app also drew on two existing Maestro Music Software products, Maestro Book* and Maestro Book Online*, to provide the ability to publish, print, and share ebook versions of the music created in One Touch Composer.
Efficiency and Multi-Threading

GDI+ is by no means the fastest way to display 2D graphics on a screen, but it helped ensure that One Touch Composer would run on what Golonanov calls "classic computers" (older x86 systems).

The developers also took care to ensure that One Touch Composer would run on a minimum of 1 GB RAM. The AIC development system, a Lenovo ThinkPad* Tablet 2 with an Intel® Atom™ processor inside, featured 2 GB RAM, which was more than enough to give users the ability to handle musical scores longer than 20 pages.

One Touch Composer's code was parallelized and multi-threading was used to enable simultaneous play back and printing of digital sheet music (for example), while a user reads RSS news feeds and so on.
Lessons Learned

By far the biggest challenge in creating One Touch Composer for Word on Windows 8 tablets was simplifying a very complicated application. Golonanov stressed the importance of considering the needs of the audience-in his case, musicians, composers, and educators-in determining the core features of a mobile app.

Golonanov also advises developers to embrace all available input technologies-in this case, touch, stylus, and keyboards-utilizing each for their best-suited functions. He also suggests that developers avoid locking their users into defaults that may not suit the size of their fingers or be the preferred way of interacting with a device or software.

Golonanov's team continually analyzes the needs of musicians, eliciting and listening to their feedback to improve their applications. Golonanov also continues to participate in the Habrahabra developer community to get ideas from other professionals and to keep pace with platform developments.
Community Help

According to Golonanov, the Habrahabra developer community, one of four international developer communities that participated in AIC 2013, helped his team refine One Touch Composer by providing guidance in the form of written articles about developing software for musicians. The Intel Developer Zone forums were another invaluable resource in providing expert insights.
About the Developer

Dmitriy Golonanov's interest in music led him to develop music notation software. In 2003, he started at MagicScore Music and in 2013 became CEO of Maestro Music Software.
Helpful Resources

Intel Developer Zone offers tools and how-to information for cross-platform app development, platform and technology information, code samples, and peer expertise to help developers innovate and succeed. Join our communities for the Internet of Things, Android*, Intel® RealSense™ technology and Windows* to download tools; access dev kits; share ideas with like-minded developers; and participate in hackathons, contests, roadshows, and local events.

Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Atom, Intel Core, Intel RealSense, and MMX are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Copyright © 2014 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Figure 5: If no keyboard is detected, a virtual keyboard can be used to input text (left). The multi-touch screen allows users to interact with the software using touch and a stylus at the same time (right).

Migrating Legacy Code

Some aspects of One Touch Composer were written in Delphi*. Other aspects, such as performance-critical components, were written using Assembler-the inline assembler for writing x86 machine code directly within Delphi programs. Assembler supports Intel® MMX™ technology and Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions. Golonanov's team borrowed heavily from existing resources, which played a large role in being able to create the app in the allotted six weeks. For example, One Touch Composer makes use of Maestro Music Software's extensive, proprietary vector graphics music notation library, which the app accesses using the Delphi GDI+ API. This high-level, easy-to-use API is modeled after the .NET system. Drawing namespace and provides the ability to both display and print 2D graphics and formatted text.
To draw musical symbols on-screen, Golonanov and Samokhin used the DrawString method, shown here:
- See more at: http://www.digit.in/apps/how-to-create-a-music-app-with-touch-stylus-keyboard-control-for-windows-8-tablets-24002.html#sthash.7uGkzyB4.dpuf

Figure 5: If no keyboard is detected, a virtual keyboard can be used to input text (left). The multi-touch screen allows users to interact with the software using touch and a stylus at the same time (right).

Migrating Legacy Code

Some aspects of One Touch Composer were written in Delphi*. Other aspects, such as performance-critical components, were written using Assembler-the inline assembler for writing x86 machine code directly within Delphi programs. Assembler supports Intel® MMX™ technology and Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions. Golonanov's team borrowed heavily from existing resources, which played a large role in being able to create the app in the allotted six weeks. For example, One Touch Composer makes use of Maestro Music Software's extensive, proprietary vector graphics music notation library, which the app accesses using the Delphi GDI+ API. This high-level, easy-to-use API is modeled after the .NET system. Drawing namespace and provides the ability to both display and print 2D graphics and formatted text.
To draw musical symbols on-screen, Golonanov and Samokhin used the DrawString method, shown here:
- See more at: http://www.digit.in/apps/how-to-create-a-music-app-with-touch-stylus-keyboard-control-for-windows-8-tablets-24002.html#sthash.7uGkzyB4.dpuf

Approach

To meet the six-week development cycle that the AIC 2013 rules specified, Golonanov and his team knew their app wouldn't be able to meet the needs of all users. So rather than create a program that combined music notation with extensive audio playback capabilities via MIDI* and sound fonts-an approach that's common in desktop PC music-notation programs-they restricted audio playback to built-in sounds and focused on giving users the ability to easily create and share digital sheet music.
In doing so, Golonanov and his team encountered their biggest challenge-changing their design philosophy from giving users as many powerful tools as they could pack into a desktop app to providing a simplified, intuitive touch-driven experience for a mobile device.
Golonanov and Samokhin worked with Alexey Bagenov, a music notation expert and conductor of the National Wind Orchestra of the Ukraine, who literally drew the UI on a piece of graph paper during a Microsoft BizSpark* UX Tour workshop (Figure 2).
- See more at: http://www.digit.in/apps/how-to-create-a-music-app-with-touch-stylus-keyboard-control-for-windows-8-tablets-24002.html#sthash.7uGkzyB4.dpuf

Best premium point and shoot digital cameras in india 

List of best point and shoot digital cameras in India with excellent image quality. This list contains the best cameras picked from enthusiasts, travel-zoom and bridge camera categories. 

Fujifilm X100S

The Fujifilm X100 was a redefining camera for the point and shoot segment, but sadly, it shipped with many flaws. However, the X100s feels like a camera made by a company that listens to its customers. Not only does the new camera inherit no flaws from the X100, but it also brings with it a set of new features that are sure to win many over. But the price on the X100S can be a deterrent for a few along with its fixed focal length lens. 

PROS

  

    Speedy startup and AF times
    Excellent image quality even at high ISO
    Q button for quick access to all important features

CONS

    Slightly pricey
    Lens cap is easy to lose
    Fixed focal length lens might not be for everyone

Our Verdict
The Fujifilm X100 was a redefining camera for the point and shoot segment, but sadly, it shipped with many flaws. However, the X100s feels like a camera made by a company that listens to its customers. Not only does the new camera inherit no flaws from the X100, but it also brings with it a set of new features that are sure to win many over. But the price on the X100S can be a deterrent for a few along with its fixed focal length lens.  

Sony DSC RX100 II

The RX100 offers amazing performance, speed and image quality for a point and shoot camera. Its large 1-inch sensor and fast lens combine to give you excellent results. All of this in a pocketable form factor.

Sony India has today officially launched the RX100 II, a much awaited update to the already very popular RX100. The camera brings about a bucket full of changes, though they may not be so apparent on first glance.

The RX100 II has a 20.9 megapixel sensor, same as the RX100 with an effective resolution of 20.2 megapixels, same as the RX100. So may would be inclined to think that the sensor in the two cameras is the same, but Sony claims that is not the case. It is possible that the micro-lens array has received some tweaking, which does result in noticeable changes in image quality, especially with BSI-CMOS sensors.

The lens on the RX100 II is also identical to the one of the RX100, a Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 with optical image stabilization. While we’d have appreciated a bigger aperture at the telephoto, but given the large BSI sensor, it may be easy to get away with low light shots at the telephoto end, though we’d be skeptical.

What actually has changed, and is possibly the most noticeable thing about the RX100 II is the multi-accessory hot-shoe you will see on top of the camera. This new avatar of the RX100 II also incorporates a tiltable screen. Speaking on the screen, it has a 1.2 million dot resolution, but instead of just having RGB pixels, Sony has infused it with an extra white pixel. Four dots (RGBW) make up one pixel on the display, which permits it to display images in great clarity even under harsh sunlight.

The other much needed change comes to the video mode, which can record Full HD video at 24p and 25p.Other refinements include a step zoom function that’s accessible via the camera’s customisation menu, allowing the user to choose from five popular focal lengths using the control ring – 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm or 100mm.
f you are eager to get your hands on the new camera, it is available right away across Sony Stores for Rs. 42,990.

Fujifilm X20

Best For: Photography enthusiasts, superb lens quality, good low-light shooting, tank-like build.
The X20 boasts to be a lot more than its predecessor claimed to be, packing a brand spankin' new BSI sensor and image processor. It addressed the many shortcomings the previous model had, including making that optical viewfinder useful by putting a digital information overlay in there. But does it seriously outperform its predecessor? But more importantly, does it justify spending the extra money over its competitors? We find out. 

PROS

    Sharp images thanks to no optical low pass filter
    Fast f/2.0-2.8 lens
    Speedy and accurate AF
    Short startup times

CONS

    ISO 3200 and higher images are not so great at handling noise
    Movie mode has no manual control
    Audio recording barely average

Our Verdict
The X20 boasts to be a lot more than its predecessor claimed to be, packing a brand spankin' new BSI sensor and image processor. It addressed the many shortcomings the previous model had, including making that optical viewfinder useful by putting a digital information overlay in there. But does it seriously outperform its predecessor? But more importantly, does it justify spending the extra money over its competitors? We find out.
 

Canon PowerShot G1x

The 1.5-inch sensor allows the G1x to be one of the best digital cameras with respect to image quality from a point and shoot camera
At Rs. 47,995 it has a ridiculous pricing for a high end point and shoot camera. Taking the large sensor size into consideration, we just keep wondering how wonderful it would have been if the camera was an interchangeable-lens one. The PowerShot S100 is still a great camera for its price, although it comes with a smaller sensor. The Nikon V1 comes at Rs. 45,450 which is still quite high a price point but you get the option to change lenses. Canon G1X with its price clearly targets photography enthusiasts, who most likely own a DSLR or those who are comfortable with manual operational modes. T

 

PROS

    Large sensor
    Good low light performance
    Great high ISO performance
    High res LCD screen which is usable in sunlit conditions
    HDR mode and DR and shadow correction modes are impressive

CONS

    Mediocre continuous burst mode
    Very high price
    Focus hunting in macro mode

Our Verdict
At Rs. 47,995 it has a ridiculous pricing for a high end point and shoot camera. Taking the large sensor size into consideration, we just keep wondering how wonderful it would have been if the camera was an interchangeable-lens one. The PowerShot S100 is still a great camera for its price, although it comes with a smaller sensor. The Nikon V1 comes at Rs. 45,450 which is still quite high a price point but you get the option to change lenses. Canon G1X with its price clearly targets photography enthusiasts, who most likely own a DSLR or those who are comfortable with manual operational modes. The only issue we see at this price point is that it is in direct competition with some mirrorless ILCs in the market which offer you the choice to use different lenses. Just for a larger sensor we find it hard to recommend the G1X at Rs. 47,995. A pricing closer to the Rs. 40,000 mark makes this a very tempting option for enthusiasts. 

Nikon Coolpix P7700

Excellent camera for those who prefer a point and shoot with tons of dials, knobs and switches for physical controls over tinkering with menu systems

The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is a behemoth. It's huge, it's bulky and it's intimidating. But it is so deliciously feature packed that we can't seem to let go of this camera. We love the P7700 and given its price, it's probably the best camera for anyone looking to experiment with photography without having to invest in thousands more for a DSLR. Extensive manual controls, RAW shooting, great image quality and a fast aperture lens make this camera quite a desirable piece of equipment we'd love to include in our camera bag.

 

PROS

    Fast aperture lens
    Lots of dials for full manual control
    Gorgeous 3-inch fully articulated screen
    Fast shooter (8fps)

CONS

    Slow recycle time between shots
    Dynamic range slightly on the lower side
    Bulky

Our Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is a behemoth. It's huge, it's bulky and it's intimidating. But it is so deliciously feature packed that we can't seem to let go of this camera. We love the P7700 and given its price, it's probably the best camera for anyone looking to experiment with photography without having to invest in thousands more for a DSLR. Extensive manual controls, RAW shooting, great image quality and a fast aperture lens make this camera quite a desirable piece of equipment we'd love to include in our camera bag. 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Fastest available in a camera yet, the best digital camera for those wanting good optics.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7 is a little known camera simply because it didn't ship out of the house of Canon or Nikon. What is little known about this camera is that it not only sports a Leica lens, but also the fastest lens in a point and shoot camera. With a maximum aperture of f/1.4-2.3, there isn�t a situation that the LX7 technically can't handle. It also boasts of a burst speed of 11 fps and an incredible video bitrate of 28 Mbps. But do the impressive numbers translate into impressive quality? We find out.

PROS

    Fastest lens in the category
    Leica lens is exceptionally sharp for compact form factor with physical aperture dials
    Excellent video bitrate along with stereo sound

CONS

    Focusing can be a little daft at times
    Archaic menu system that is a pain to browse through

Our Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7 is a little known camera simply because it didn't ship out of the house of Canon or Nikon. What is little known about this camera is that it not only sports a Leica lens, but also the fastest lens in a point and shoot camera. With a maximum aperture of f/1.4-2.3, there isn�t a situation that the LX7 technically can't handle. It also boasts of a burst speed of 11 fps and an incredible video bitrate of 28 Mbps. But do the impressive numbers translate into impressive quality? We find out.

Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7

The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7 is a little known camera simply because it didn't ship out of the house of Canon or Nikon. What is little known about this camera is that it not only sports a Leica lens, but also the fastest lens in a point and shoot camera. With a maximum aperture of f/1.4-2.3, there isn�t a situation that the LX7 technically can't handle. It also boasts of a burst speed of 11 fps and an incredible video bitrate of 28 Mbps. But do the impressive numbers translate into impressive quality? We find out. 

PROS

    Fastest lens in the category
    Leica lens is exceptionally sharp for compact form factor with physical aperture dials
    Excellent video bitrate along with stereo sound

CONS

    Focusing can be a little daft at times
    Archaic menu system that is a pain to browse through

Our Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX7 is a little known camera simply because it didn't ship out of the house of Canon or Nikon. What is little known about this camera is that it not only sports a Leica lens, but also the fastest lens in a point and shoot camera. With a maximum aperture of f/1.4-2.3, there isn�t a situation that the LX7 technically can't handle. It also boasts of a burst speed of 11 fps and an incredible video bitrate of 28 Mbps. But do the impressive numbers translate into impressive quality? We find out.
 

Top 10 PC Games

Our list of the Best PC Games that are highly recommended for their game play, graphics and experience. 

Bioshock Infinite

 

By DigitUpdated 28 - May - 2014

Our list of the Best PC Games that are highly recommended for their gameplay, graphics and experience. Click on the individual Best Top 10 PC Games winners to read detailed reviews.- See more at: http://www.digit.in/top-products/top-10-pc-games-7.html#sthash.CkKxawob.dpuf

The Best PC Game, BioShock Infinite is a must try for gamers looking for a mind-boggling experience.

PROS

    Fantastic story
    Gorgeous visuals
    Captivating sound
    Good shooting mechanics

CONS

    Carry only two guns at a time
    Too much of currency collecting

Our Verdict
Overall BioShock Infinite is a brilliant game. The story is fantastic and there is enough here for two playthroughs at the least, with the story being the biggest motivator. If you are a fan of fantastic story telling or FPS/RPG games, this is definitely one for you to try out! A must try for all gamers looking for a mind-boggling experience.  

Company of Heroes 2 

The depth of gameplay, the superb graphics and just the style and flair of the combat set Company of Heroes 2 apart.  

 

PROS

    The same old gameplay
    Great gameplay
    Russian tactics replicated pretty well
    Flamethrowers are still fun

CONS

    The same old gameplay
    Certain tactics are still too overpowered

Our Verdict

This game really is one of the best RTS games we've played in a very long time (Starcraft II does come close) and while it hasn't evolved very much from the original, the original was so good in itself that it never really demanded change anyway. The depth of gameplay, the superb graphics and just the style and flair of the combat set this game apart. This is a must play for any RTS fan and especially so for fans of the original.

Gone Home

Gone Home is a special game, a game that sticks with you long after you've finished it in the four-five hours it lasts.

 

PROS

    Brilliant story
    Amazing atmosphere
    Very good voice acting
    Good looking visuals

CONS

    Too short and expensive

Our Verdict

Gone Home is a special game, a game that sticks with you long after you've finished it in the four-five hours it lasts. By avoiding common (but popular) gameplay mechanics, the developers did take a risk but I do believe that it was a risk worth taking because the game gets the opportunity to devote all of its focus on the story and its characters.

FIFA 14

This year's changes have refined FIFA even more making it feel like an invigorating and engaging experience and one the best PC games.
 

The depth of gameplay, the superb graphics and just the style and flair of the combat set Company of Heroes 2 apart. - See more at: http://www.digit.in/top-products/top-10-pc-games-7.html#sthash.NkuTcn6r.dpuf

PROS

    No nonsense AI
    Improved ball, player physics
    Abundance of online, offline game modes
    Attractive soundtrack

CONS

    Same old commentary
    Graphics could've been even better

Our Verdict
Another version of FIFA, another great year ahead. With the dynamic approach towards improving the gameplay of an otherwise altogether amazing football game franchise, this is the best thing that could've happened to FIFA that takes the game ahead. The various small tweaks to FIFA 14 don't make it any less familiar but instead these changes refine the game even more making it feel like an invigorating and engaging experience.

Saints Row 4

Saints Row 4 feels like SR3 with God-Mode on and is a great game and definitely worth a play for open-world game fans.

PROS

    Infinite craziness
    Innovative, extreme weapons
    Superpowers!
    Insane character creator

CONS

    Too easy
    Gets repetitive after a while

Our Verdict

All in all, SR4 feels like SR3 with God-Mode on. The jokes and puns are great, as is with all Saints games, the outrageously insane and obvious story is also ridiculously hilarious. The character creator is also top-notch, but the game loses its charm because of the speed at which it begins and stops being challenging. That's about the only blip, in an otherwise memorable game. This is a great game and definitely worth a play for SR and open-world game fans alike

Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition

Mortal Kombat is a must try for all the fans of fighting games and we recommend it to gamers who are new to this category of games.

PROS

 

  So, so much gore
    Kombat is easy to learn, tough to master
    Looks great
    Challenge Tower mode is exceptional

CONS

    Story is tripe
    Simplified Kombat means it's not for Tekken fans

Our Verdict

Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition delivers an action-packed single player experience through the use of its full feature length story mode. Since this is a fighting game, some people may find it repetitive at times but it should be noted that MK with its arcade style of play should be tried in multiplayer mode as it is a lot of fun when you have your buddies along with you for some bloody good time. The game has an online multiplayer ranked match system too, it adds much more depth to the gameplay and is thus a welcome addition. This game is a must try for all the fans of fighting games and we recommend it to gamers who are new to this category of games.

Batman: Arkham Origins

Yes, Batman: Arkham Origins is very similar to the previous Arkham games in many ways, but it also manages to shine thanks to an engaging and well-written story.

 PROS

    Very good story
    Great voice-acting
    Combat still the best in-class
    Plays well on the PC
    The Joker

CONS

    Very little innovation
    Open-world is not that 'open'
    Limited opportunities for stealth

Our Verdict
There's plenty that's ‘not great’ about Batman: Arkham Origins but at the end of the day, it’s still a massively enjoyable game that’s well-made, has excellent production values and very deep gameplay that’s miles away from the simplistic tripe that makes up many AAA titles. Yes, it is very similar to the previous Arkham games in many ways, but it also manages to shine all by itself thanks to an engaging and well-written story.

Battlefield 4

Battlefield 4 is a blockbuster PC game and one that, despite its many flaws, you will want to experience.

 

PROS

    An audio-visual extravaganza
    Spectacular set-pieces
    Commander mode

CONS

    Buggy
    Dull campaign

Our Verdict

Battlefield 4 is a great game in the same way that you might consider The Expendables or Rambo (IV) to be great movies. This game tries to be the greatest blockbuster that ever was and while it does fall considerably short of that lofty goal, it's a blockbuster nonetheless and one that, despite its many flaws, you will want to experience.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Splinter Cell: Blacklist isn't the best PC game, but it damn near is. The game puts the emphasis back on stealth, without making it an overtly forced style of game-play.

 

PROS

    Well designed levels
    Amazing physics and lighting design

CONS
    Overall graphics not that great
    The auto save is spread far too apart

Our Verdict
The game overall offers an rather engaging single player campaign, but dont expect miracles from the script. Its a typical "world is in peril, go save it" script, but the way you must approach each level is where the real meat of this game lies. The multi-player modes are a plenty and if the campaign mode isn't too much of a challenge for you, then the multi-player will most definitely keep you occupied for a while.  

Total War: Rome 2

If you love the Total War series, you will be able to power through Rome 2's issues and extract the vast amount of fun there is to be had.

PROS

    Addictive as hell
    Amazing visuals
    Gameplay offers tactical depth
    Interface, features more streamlined in comparison to previous games

CONS

    Requires a beast of a PC to run properly
    Numerous optimization issues
    Veteran Total War fans may find game too streamlined

Our Verdict
Total War: Rome 2 is a game made up of widely disparate parts- some of which are exceptional to an extent that you know you are playing a Total War game, and some so headscratchingly obtuse (terrible optimization, technical issues) that you wonder if you’re indeed playing a Total War game or a shoddy copy. In my opinion, if you love the Total War series, you will be able to power through the issues and extract the vast amount of fun there is to be had. However, I really won’t fault you if you do not want to invest time and money in a game that makes it so difficult to like it. I’d still say that even if you don’t buy Rome 2 right now, if you do see the game on sale sometime in the future, pick it up. You won’t regret it.

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro expected to launched in India on Sep 30

Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro with QHD display, Android 4.4 and qualcomm quad-core processor expected to be launched at the Sep 30 event in India.

Lenovo has sent out press invites for an event on September 30 in India where the tech giant is expected to launch the Vibe Z2 Pro. The invite reads "Make way for the Pro" includes an image of the Vibe Z2 Pro's rear panel with a tagline that says, "The Pro awaits you."

The Chinese handset maker has also listed the Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro on the company's India website that says 'coming soon'. Apart from the Vibe Z2 Pro, Lenovo may also launch the Lenovo Vibe X2, which was spotted on the company's official India website. The price of both the smartphones has not been revealed yet.
The Vibe Z2 Pro is a dual sim (GSM+GSM) smartphone with a 6-inch Quad-HD display with 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat with a proprietary Vibe UI 2.0 on top. It has a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 2.5 GHz 801 processor with 3GB of RAM. The Vibe Z2 Pro has a 16 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera. It has a non-expandable 32GB of inbuilt storage. It is backed by a 4000mAh battery and the smartphone will be available in Black, Gold and Titanium colours. The Lenovo Vive Z2 Pro will compete with the LG G3 and Oppo Find 7 which also come with QHD displays.
The Vibe X2 which was unveiled at the IFA event earlier this month as the 'world's first layered smartphone' by Lenovo. It has a 5-inch IPS display with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat and has a 2GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6595m processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. It has 32GB of inbuilt storage, a 13 MP autofocus rear camera and a 5MP front camera. It is backed by a 2300mAh battery. Connectivity options included in the device are 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro-USB support.

Source lenova