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Tech

Kobo enters the Indian market with four devices

Global eBooks company launches three E-ink readers and an Android tablet to mark its first foray into India. A preview.
by Manik Kakra

Kobo, the global eBooks company, has launched three E-ink reader and one Android tablet to mark their entrance into India. The company has tied up with Croma for retail, and Crossword and WHSmith for content. Let’s take a look at the devices launched:

Kobo Touch (in featured image above): This is the low-end eBook reader from Kobo that has a 6-inch E-Ink equipped touchscreen, and has got 2 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card. The screen has got no glare, and it adjusts to brightness on its own, without providing to the user any brightness settings to choose from. The Kobo Touch has been launched at a price of Rs 6,999.

Kobo ArcKobo Arc (in pic on left): This is an Android 4.1 tablet with Kobo’s own Arc UI on top. It has got the Kobo app pre-loaded for reading your content on the device. Powered by TI’s 4470 SoC, along with 1 GB of RAM, this tablet has got a 7-inch (1280 x 800) screen. It is available for Rs 9,999.

Kobo Glo: The Glo is an eBook reader with a 6-inch E-Ink powered touchscreen that has got light to read in dark, without having to worry about lights around you. The company claims that its battery can provide a backup of up to two months. This reader is available for Rs 10,999.

Kobo Aura HD: This is the only HD eBook reader from the company. It has a 6.8-inch (1440 x 1080) touchscreen. Powered by a 1 GHz Freescale chipet, along with 2 GB of RAM, this one also comes with expandable storage of up to 32 GB. This device is launched at a price point of Rs 13,999.

All the devices are equipped with WiFi a/b/g/n, nd have microSD card slot, plus microUSB for connectivity. The first three E-Ink readers have got Kobo’s proprietary eBook software, while the Arc comes with Arc on top of Android 4.1.

All these readers are available from today, and come with five free eBooks, available for reading for first few weeks, to buyers. You can also get a cover for your device, available from the same stores. The Kobo app is available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS, and allows you to sync your Kobo library across your devices.

Categories
Read

How well do you know our Raj Bhavans?

Two coffee table books on State’s three Raj Bhavans to be launched; will be uploaded on the Raj Bhavan website.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

The most enviable private residence in Mumbai is, without doubt, the Maharashtra State Governor’s home, the Raj Bhavan. The Governor has three Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra – Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune – and a summer residence at Mahabaleshwar.

But since these are closed off to the general public and are open only to visiting heads of countries and occasionally the members of the Press, not many are aware of just how stunning these official residences really are. Now, everyone has a chance to feast their eyes on the palatial Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra; the State’s CM Prithviraj Chavan will formally launch two coffee table books on Raj Bhavan on Thursday, October 17. The books, one in English and the other in Marathi, document the heritage, architecture, flora and fauna and other interesting aspects of all the Raj Bhavans in Maharashtra through a series of stunning photographs. The English book is titled Raj Bhavans of Maharashtra: Witness to Glory and the Marathi one is titled Maharashtrateel Rajbhavaney: Vaibhavshali Itihasachi Saakshidaar.

The books will be presented as souvenirs to national and international dignitaries visiting Raj Bhavan, and will be shortly uploaded on the Raj Bhavan website.

See some of the pictures from the books:

(Pictures courtesy Sudharak Olwe)

Categories
Film

‘I kept thinking: I’m shooting with Bakhtavar’

Former model and actor Shiv Pandit talks about his new film ‘Boss’ which hits theatres today, among other Bollywoody things.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Shiv Pandit He made a smashing debut with the gritty Shaitan, even garnering a Filmfare nomination for his role as Dash in the film. However, former model, RJ and popular advertisement face Shiv Pandit didn’t follow up his first film role with a slew of films. He says he prefers to lie low, choosing his films and directors with care.

As Shiv’s newest film Boss (starring Akshay Kumar and Mithun Chakraborty, among others) releases today, the actor talks to The Metrognome about his journey in films, why he doesn’t like the ‘struggler’ word and why Akshay is a cool co-star.

You used to be an RJ and TV host before your foray into films. What prompted you to take up films?

Films were always on my mind. I was just waiting for the right opportunity. Shaitan (his debut film) was one such film that I couldn’t refuse because of its script and my role. Hence I took it up. From there on I wanted to concentrate completely on my film career.

What was it like, working in Shaitan? How did you get the chance to work in this film?

I got a call from the director Bejoy’s (Nambiar) office post which I auditioned with Kalki Koechlin. The experience was brilliant. I connected well with the cast, especially with Bejoy. He is young, intelligent and an extremely stylish filmmaker.

Tell us about Boss. What is your role in the film like and how was the experience working on this character?

Boss is an out-and-out commercial masala entertainer. Post Shaitan, I wanted to do a different genre and reach out to the masses. The producer Ashvini Warde had seen Shaitan and liked my work. The entire experience has been superb. I was working with great stalwarts from the industry, like Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty and Danny Dengzongpa. On the sets I would often have fan boy moments. I couldn’t believe I was working with the same people who I had grown up watching on screen.

What is Akshay Kumar like as an actor and co-star?

Akshay Kumar is just brilliant on screen. He is an extremely supportive co-star, too. He gives his co-stars the space they need to perform, which only enhances the shot or scene. He is Shiv Pandit so focussed and full of energy, which always inspires his co-stars to give their best shot.

Was there an interesting incident that occurred during the making of Boss?

There have been many interesting incidents. One such incident occurred when I was shooting with Danny Denzongpa. This was the first time I was giving a shot with him. And in my head, I kept thinking, “I am giving a shot with Bakhtavar,” (Danny played Bakhtavar in the film Hum)

Can you say you have been a struggler who got a very good break?

I don’t like the word ‘struggler’ per se. I am extremely optimistic and patient as a person. I have patiently waited for the right opportunity. I believe in myself and know that I have what it takes. My filmography may not be bursting with a lot of films. But I have taken my time to choose the right kind of film that I wanted to be a part of.

What is the one role you want to do?

As clichéd as it may sound, I want to portray all kinds of roles in various genres. Pin pointing any one will be difficult.

Is there a contemporary actor who you feel will be the next big thing?

There’s been a surge of amazing talent in the industry in the last few years. Pinpointing any one will be difficult.

Categories
Tech

Just in: Pinnacle Stylus smartphone

Spice launched the new smartphone today. Among other things, you get a year’s Evernote premium subscription free with this phone.
by Manik Kakra

Spice launched its new Pinnacle Stylus smartphone today. The phone runs on Android 4.2, along with Spice’s proprietary UI on top. Boasting a 5.5-inch 720p screen, this phone is powered by a 1.2 GHz chipset as well as 1 GB of RAM. This dual-SIM (GSM + CDMA) smartphone is equipped with 8 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32 GB), FM radio and 2,500 mAh battery.

Pinnacle StylusOne of the things worth noting is that you get a year’s Evernote premium subscription free with this phone. That’s a nice new touch, especially considering how popular Evernote is getting today for mobile devices.

As the device’s name suggests, you also get a stylus with the phone. Using Skitch, you can draw, annotate, and take tiny notes with the Stylus. The phone features an 8 MP (AF) camera on the back, which can do HD videos at 30 FPS; while the front has got a 2 MP camera. Connectivity-wise, the Pinnacle Stylus has got Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi tethering, A-GPS, and microUSB.

“This phone is powered with Evernote and Skitch, which makes the phone even more interesting and allows users to visually communicate more effectively than ever. The phone also comes pre-bundled with Evernote, which helps individuals save their thoughts, ideas and all they want to remember, thereby making them more organised and productive. With the new smartphone, we aim to satiate the consumer needs with the best-in-class technological innovations,” said the company’s CEO,  TM Ramakrishnan.

The phone has been launched at a price of about Rs 15,990, and comes with a leather case. Looking at Spice’s recent activities, it’s clear that they are getting more serious about their Android line-up. It won’t be easy with so many OEMs in this range, but there is definitely a lot to which could be done to get a very good smartphone at this price point.

Categories
Do

Walking for tigers, from Tadoba to Mumbai

The Tiger Cyclo-Walk, an initiative to create awareness about the Bengal Tiger and a respectful nature-human relationship, is inviting participants.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

We all talk of conserving the environment and we feel especially terrible about the dwindling numbers of our national animal, the Tiger, but how about walking the talk? Literally?

Come December 14, 2013, you could be part of a unique ‘Tiger Cyclowalk’ that winds its way from the highlands of Tadoba and lands in Mumbai by February 10, 2014. The walk will traverse a distance of about 1,200 kilometres and will travel through major cities and towns such as Chandrapur, Igatpuri, Malegaon and Thane before ending at the Arabian Sea.

Sunil JoshiSo what’s it about, really? “This is an educative movement to make the masses aware about the environment and tigers,” says Sunil Joshi (in pic on left), noted trekker, mountaineer and walker and CEO of The Great Outdoors, a Thane-based manufacturer of outdoor sports gear. Sunil conceptualised the initiative; he has walked 2,560 kilometers in Norway, from North Cape (Northern tip of Norway ) to Lindesnes (Southern tip of Norway) while he represented India for ‘Walk Norway Programme’. “We wish to spread awareness and help people in and around the State’s existing forests to protect the jungles. The plantation of more and more Indian origin trees will balance the ecology. Protecting our wilderness will, in turn, protect the tiger,” Sunil explains.

Over a period of 60 days, Sunil and his team plus those who join the initiative will cycle and walk across the route and on the way, show films and slides about tigers and the environment in educational institutes and social organisations. “Apart from this, we will appeal to the local populations to accompany a lap on the cyclo-walk,” Sunil explains. “There will also be tree plantation ceremonies to boost awareness.”

The team hopes to amass a budget of about Rs 9,60,000 to include food, vehicle hire, fuel costs, communication, transport, team expenses, promotional items, educational expenses, tiger cyclo walketc. “We hope to get sponsorships and donations towards meeting our expenses,” Sunil says.

The think tank behind the initiative comprises Dr Susan Sharma, social entrepreneur, Phil Davis, founder of Tiger Awareness, Dr Sudhir Gaikwad Inamdar, wildlife enthusiast and medical practitioner, Amol Bais, social educator, Vivek Kulkarni, ecologist, Vasant Limaye, IIT engineer and educator, Shobhan Das, architect and Charuhas Joshi, Professor, Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai.

“We hope that masses will be made aware of the importance of preserving our environment and our tigers. This is just the beginning of the movement for saving tigers and forests,” Sunil asserts. “We will spread this movement in the near future by arranging five simultaneous cyclo-walks across India and Nepal.”

If you want to join the cyclo-walk, volunteer for the cause or sponsor a part of the project, contact Sunil Joshi on 9223319216/ 9869724929.

(Pictures courtesy Dr Sudhir Gaikwad Inamdar)

Categories
Event

Navi Mumbai hospital celebrates World Arthritis Day

50 former arthritis and hip, knee replacement patients played garba at a special event organised by Sai Snehdeep Hospital, Koparkhairane.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Normally, one expects a person who has undergone a hip or knee replacement surgery to lie low. The last thing you would expect such a person to do is to break into a dance.

But a group of senior citizens, all between 65 and 80 years of age and all members of the Bone and Joint Support Group of the Sai Snehdeep Hospital, Koparkhairane, proved this idea wrong. On Friday, World Arthritis Day, about 50 men and women from the group came together for a garba night organised by the hospital.

Patients play garba The hospital feels that such initiatives help patients bond together to share and learn from each other so as to lead a normal life even after undergoing complex bone and joint surgeries. Said Dr Ruchika Sood, “The objectives of the support group is to provide a bonding platform to all our rehabilitated patients. It also offers proper support and guidance to pre-operative and post-operative patients with knee and spine problems. Some of the major initiatives of these groups include physiotherapy session, special consultation, investigations and health check-ups, and regular sessions on knee and spine and related physiotherapy by experts.” 

The participation of the members was spontaneous and a great time was had by all. Said former patient Raksha Shah (82), “My knee arthritis was so bad that in spite of all conservative measures, my activity levels were restricted. I never considered surgery as an option in view of my age. Also, my relatives used to tell me that knee replacement  may not be for me. But I attended a meeting where orthopedic surgeons lectured us on specialised knee replacement techniques. Today, a few years after the operation, I have a full and active life.”

A patient of knee replacement, Menka Singh, said, “We are not a group that will sit idle even if we are post the age of 60. After my surgery, I feel motivated and fit enough to compete with teenagers in today’s garba evening.”

This initiative is aimed at creating awareness for getting back to healthy and active life post  joint surgery, with appropriate cure and rehabilitative care. Orthopedic surgeons Dr Rajesh Badiyani, Dr Sachin Kale, Dr Kuldeep Tamboli, Dr Amol Wagmere, Dr Atul Kharat and Dr Virendra Pal Singh are involved in this initiative.

 (Pictures courtesy Sai Snehdeep Hospital) 

 

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