5 reason why you don't need a Smartphone!

Thoughts expressed here are original in totality. This blog do not have any copied material except for the image from web. 

Before starting, I would like to thank my friends Gaurav Sharma and Shoaib Qureshi. It is earlier discussions with them how I am able to write this blog. So if you do not find reasons convincing enough, its three of us whom you should be catching!! :-)

As some tech enthusiasts put it, its a smarter time our society living in, so everything from being human to what we do and how we do should also be reflection of belonging here and a smartphone is what it takes to begin with. Its does not mean that all those who do not have a smartphone are not smart and are not part of smarter society.

Ultimately its one's personal point of view how he/she look at things surrounding him/her, so if next time you find yourself at a place where everyone is pushing you to jump into smartphone arena, these are the top 5 reason you should throw and get rid of them.

Reason #1: I don't like being connected 24*7

Welcome to smartphone timezone, whether you like it or not, once you own a smartphone you are connected to the world 24*7. You can ping anyone anytime and so they can! Thanks to App thing now you can you do whatever stuff you like from your phone, what you can do from a regular PC but not from a basic phone.

Reason #2: I don't like complexities in phone

I think simple, I act simple, I look simple... so why should I carry something which will make me feel complex? A question worth thinking and defending! In short, complexity is not my cup of tea. If this is how you are, definitely you are not looking for a smartphone. Because in smartphone, everything from answering a call to using Facebook, from browsing web (data plans) to powering your phone on... they all look and feel hell complex!!

Reason #3: I don't use phone for other than calling or messaging

Hmnn... a solid reason to say no to all those smartphone discussions. Since I don't use or require email, banking, bookings, payment, maps, etc. on move, I don't see any point for using smartphone. My basic phone do the job of calling and messaging as I say it. I don't see any other utility to be part of my mobile life.

Reason #4: I don't believe in being a show-off 

You got the point. Everyone pick a smartphone for show-off, they hardly use even calender function it. You say this and you are in safe zone already!

Reason #5: I don't feel like changing my phone

The baap of any reason around, since I don't feel like changing my phone now, why the whole world is behind me? Are you going to pay for the smartphone you are talking about? If yes, I want a Mahindra XUV 500 first!!

Being yourself.

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Will Android ever succeed in the tablet market?

It rules the smartphone market, but several factors prevent Android from going mainstream in the tablet market.

It is pretty clear that Android is the market leader in mobile operating systems when it comes to smartphones. A recent report from Gartner suggests that Android owns as much as 52.5 percent of the growing worldwide smartphone market, followed by Symbian at 16.9 percent and Apple’s iOS at 15.0 percent.

On top of that, its momentum seems unstoppable. Even with Apple’s law suits and the entry of Nokia’s Windows Phones, there is no stopping Android’s march to the peak of the smartphone mountain.

The same, however, cannot be said for Android in the tablet market. In fact, Android tablets have been met with only minimal market acceptance to date and signs suggest that it may never become a powerhouse for tablets like it is for smartphones. For one thing, Google has various versions of its OS for tablets on the market and no consistency of releases. It often releases a new tablet OS with only one "hero" vendor so that other licensees don’t get that version for as long as six months.

There are at least two other key reasons that the mainstream version of Android for tablets may never reach its full potential. First, Amazon's Kindle Fire uses Android, as does Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet. In both cases, the companies have taken the base version of Android and completely customized it. 

In a sense, they have hijacked Android for their own purposes. The process has caused a serious splintering, or forking, of Android for tablets. Especially true in Amazon’s case, software developers have to adapt their Android apps for tablet use and to be sold through Amazon's Appstore for Android. Amazon does not include Google's Apps Marketplace since it wants to curate the apps that go into its stores to make sure they work as designed and assure that they are free of malware.

The second key reason is that many of the vendors who have backed Android for tablets are discouraged by Google’s handling of Android for tablets via the "hero" vendor model and the lack of consistency of tablet OS releases. Also, they are quite leery of Google’s acquisition of Motorola as they believe that Motorola will always get preferential treatment, even though Google denies such. They are no longer certain that Android, outside of Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s versions, may ever become widely accepted in consumer tablets in the future.

I am also seeing a major move by the likes of HP, Dell, Lenovo, and some other past Android supporters in tablets to switch to Windows 8 for tablets for a couple of reasons. These big companies mostly sell to businesses and enterprises. They had already seen the handwriting on the wall when it came to Android’s acceptance in enterprises. IT managers, who at first were enamored with Android in tablets for use in their businesses but were concerned that they would have to re-write their apps for Android, are now shifting their attention to Windows 8. The main reason is that it will support existing apps, with some touch UI tinkering, when Microsoft and its partners release Windows 8 tablets in quarter three of next year. Though that seems like a long time away, they are willing to wait since they no longer believe they can convince IT buyers to use Android if Microsoft’s has a solution that would work more seamlessly within the current IT programs.

Another issue also poses concern when it comes to tablets in business and enterprise. At the moment, Apple is the only game in town and by its own admission, it has either pilot programs or sell-ins of iPads in 475 of the Fortune 500 businesses. In fact, it has sold 10,000 to American Airlines and United Airlines each and another 10,000 are being deployed by SAP in the coming year. I am also aware of at least ten other enterprise accounts that are considering buying more than 5,000 iPads each for their programs. Every day I hear of new business uses for the iPad and Apple is certain to enhance its push to business for the iPad in the New Year.

That suggests to me that Android in enterprise is dead in the water. While Apple has a major advantage in this area now, big Android vendors who sell to IT must support Windows 8 on tablets if they hope to eat away at Apple’s market lead.

Samsung seems to be the only vendor at the moment making any real progress with mainstream Android in the consumer space; Motorola and HTC are following behind. If they see it has a chance in the consumer market, Samsung and HTC may both adopt Windows 8 at some point, as well. This could dilute their focus on making Android successful in the consumer space.

So, while it is easy to predict that Android will continue to rule the smartphone space, the tablet market has a lot of other dynamics behind it that could keep the mainstream version of Android from ever achieving a similar domination. With Apple’s iPad lead and Microsoft’s soon-to-be entrance in tablets with Windows 8, Android for tablets may never realize its full potential.

Source: Thinkdigit.com, PCMag.com

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Web Browser Grand Prix: And the winner is....

Now a days, anyone who has access to computer and internet know these names, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari... the list is long. 

As a user, since we are aware of these names, thus we are also aware of the war going on between these major web browsers to grab the maximum no. of computers running them.

Through this blog, we will understand the basic concepts governing these bunch of browsers (without talking about the technicalities) and will understand at what they are best, and which one is right for us. Let us take them one by one.

1. Windows Internet Explorer (IE)

Latest version: Windows Internet Explorer 8 

IE comes preloaded with all the versions of Microsoft Windows, that's why it is the most widely used Web browser in the world, mainly because of the users who don't care about which browser they are using, and even don't give it a thought. 

IE is good for users, who mostly do surfing (browsing) on internet. Because of it's poor add-on or plug-in support, it does not give a pleasant internet experience!  

Pros: 

• Address bar provides autocomplete
• Crash recovery
• Fast startup
• Flexible search option

Cons:

• Lacking download manager
• Heavy to load
• Lacks compatibility with modern web features like CSS, X HTML, HTML 4

2. Google Chrome

Latest Version: Google Chrome 6.0

Google Chrome is world's most famous web browser till date, not because it is widely used, but because it is from Google. Daddy Google claims it be the fastest browser ever. Well, they are right in saying so.

Depending upon your system's specifications Google Chrome really outperform its competitors when it comes to loading web pages, and rendering websites contents as well. But again, the dark side like Windows Internet Explorer is that it also disappoints as a Download Manager. Every now and then Google Chrome finds it hard to completely download the file, we ask it to.

Google Chrome is recommended for users who want to try their hands on something different from IE, and for a speedy experience of internet surfing. It surely will not disappoint you on that front.

Pros:

• Process isolated tabs and add-ons
• Neat page Search
• Excellent bookmarks management
• Drag, drop and rearrange tabs
• Excellent task manager option

Cons:

• Lack of add-ons when compared to the competitors

3. Mozilla Firefox

Latest Version: Mozilla Firefox 3.6

If you believe in rankings, Firefox ranked at no. 2 when it comes to user acceptance (my favorite as well). Firefox is one of the most flourishing open-source web browsers of all time and gives pleasant working experience.

 

Firefox offers sooner web browsing, enhanced tab handling, fresh interface tweaks and many other features. And it has really come a long way by regularly updating its features and performance!

Mozilla Firefox is a complete browser in every sense, be it browsing or downloading or plug-in(s) support. You will find thousands of add-ons available for Firefox, which in turn gives a pleasant internet experience! 

Recommended for users who go beyond browsing, and want a stable download management. Also its ocean like add-on(s) support will provide everything from your single web browser window.

Pros:

• Private browser mode
• Open video and audio
• Instant web site id
• Awesome bar
• Built-in spell checker
• Customization

Cons:

• Slow start up

4. Apple Safari

Latest version: Apple Safari 5.0 

Apple claims Safari to be world's fastest web browser. And, actually it beat all of its competitors, if and only if you are using it on Macintosh. However, if you require more than speed, Safari is not your just right choice. Safari concentrates on being trivial and non-flashy unlike other browsers that are more customizable. Hence the sleek interface is not very huge.

Recommended for your user who are using Macintosh as Operating System.

Pros:

• Spell checking for all fields
• Resizable text boxes
• New interface, Enhanced graphics

Cons:

• Lacks extension support
• Lacks smart toolbar

5. Opera 

Latest Version: Opera 10.62

Opera which ranking wise 4th in list of user acceptance, is a complete package for a internet enthusiast. Opera aims at faster browsing, better synchronization and offering modern standards to its users.

This open-source powerhouse (Opera) has all enjoyable and practical features that can make your web journey functional and fun. Further its quicker browser offers faster loading web pages and great at running your preferred web applications. Basics of Opera would include tabbed browsing, mouse-over previews, a customizable search bar, sophisticated bookmarking tools, and easy integration with e-mail and chat client, and an inbuilt torrent support (bit-torrent client) puts a full stop at your need of external application.

Recommended for users who want one set for all solution, i.e. all-in-one. 

Pros:

• Excellent security features
• Interactive voice
• Fast browsing
• Thumbnail previews
• Mouse gestures
• Customizing skins

Cons:

• non user-friendly widgets 

So, here we end at comparing web browsers. It is really difficult to say who is clear winner, because based upon your usage, the browser differs. But, if I really have to pick a winner, the position will be shared by two browsers i.e. Opera for complete offerings and Google Chrome if you want to surf internet fast, really fast!