9 Gadgets We Used This Month

Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus is like the Aamir Khan of cameras since it’s almost perfect and loaded with features. However, with the launch of the new SZ 31 MR digital camera, the Japanese seem to have somehow disappointed us because they don't match up to the excitement we’ve come to expect from Olympus. It's not that there is something horribly wrong with the new 16-megapixel roll out, but there is nothing in it to surprise us either. The power button is not friendly because until you don't see the red light blinking, you are not sure if the camera is switched on or not. Also, the picture quality is not that close to looking real and certain colours like red seem to lose their richness. On an upside, the metal body is appealing, and the 3D mode and panorama mode work really well. Also, even if you are clicking in the most adverse conditions, there is hardly any noticeable noise in the process of taking a photograph. Even when you click a picture on the move, the clicks are almost close to what you would like them to be, which could be the result of the dual image stabiliser. Our final verdict – decide for yourself.

Features: 24x wide optical zoom; Multi recording functions; 1080p Full HD movie and HDMI control; multi-motion Movie IS; magic filter movie; Advanced iAuto and AF Tracking; Face Detection; Super-resolution Zoom; 3D Photo Shooting Mode; Beauty Make-up Mode; Pet Detection Mode; Smart Panorama; High-Speed Continuous Shooting; Multi-Effect Slideshow

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Price: ₹21,990

F&D A570U

The 2.1 system delivers a powerful sound and aesthetic value, and we are happy about that because a gadget is much more than what it is basically meant for – utility. And since no one buys an ugly looking thing, we give full marks to this black beast. This 6500 W PMPO audio dude comes with two satellite speakers clubbed with a 30W subwoofer. However, the sound quality is average inspite of the wooden cabinet that claims to reduce distortion. The bass/treble/echo/mic knobs add to the wonder of this product, which ensures value for money.

₹8,890

Intex IT-Mega BT29

We don't know how many people actually buy Intex phones, but they do seem to roll out amazing telecom and computer peripherals along with other related products. With that in mind, when we were told we could use the first Bluetooth enabled soundbar from the company, we were pretty convinced that it would be somewhat decent. Sadly, we were not very happy using it. We used it on a Sony Bravia television set and the kind out of output that this soundbar delivered, made us want to switch back to the inbuilt speakers of the television. Our concern is that it doesn't add to the audiovisual experience, which is what you would probably like it to. The fact that it’s wireless is not enough to pass off this product as buyable though. Even the pricing is not justified and we would rather buy their mobile phones.

₹16,000

EAFT D70P

The market is flooded with cheap, umm sorry, affordable tablets and everyone is buying them too. But the problem is that they look cheap, don't have the weight that a sturdy gadget is supposed to have and somewhere while using those products, you are continuously reminded that you have not invested in the right gadget. Thankfully, the D70P is not just affordable, but also doesn't annoy you because the touch is responsive, the screen resolution is decent and adds to the gaming and entertainment features, and it has the weight that's needed to make a product feel sturdy. The 7” tablet has a built-in 3G radio, 1024x600 IPS panel HD display, 1.6GHz Cortex A9 processor, and comes with HDMI, USB, extendable memory card slot and a powerful 4000 mAH battery that helps it to go on and on and on for hours. However, they need to improve the camera quality. Everything is right on track though.

Spice Stellar Horizon MI-500

This one looks cool because it's white, sturdy and is definitely a value for money product because everything that you would want in a smartphone is packed in here. Or at least that was our first reaction when we opened the box of the Spice Stellar Horizon MI-500. The first few days when we used it, we were pretty much happy this five incher came loaded with the Android 4.0 ICS, a speedy 1 GHz Dual Core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a dedicated 300 MHz GPU to charm gamers. Unfortunately, what equally disappointed us was the quality of touch, which is not as bad as the BlackBerry Storm series, but is dull enough to annoy avid users. Plus, the screen looked dull even at full brightness. Even the 5MP auto focus camera failed to impress us, but barring that, there is nothing much we could hold against the phone. What's really amazing though is the battery life. We tried to exploit its battery in as many ways as we could, but it still comfortably sailed through the official hours and considering the kind of price point that it has been positioned at, it would be kind of brutal to expect anything more than what they promise. Our verdict – this one’s a pretty good deal.

₹12499 only

From the March 2013 issue of FHM India.