September 29, 2008
September 15, 2008
FiiO - Pocket-sized Amplifier
I got this pint sized amplifier for pairing with my Cowon D2 player. You need to hold this amplifier in your hand to feel how small it actually is. Guaranteed, when one imagines that it is powered by a AAA battery, it would indeed be small.But the pictures tell the true story.
A history on my D2 is that I lost my previously purchased 4GB Cowon D2. I lost the 8GB SDHC card, which I had in its SD card slot in the process.But I was dying to have it back, so went ahead and got another one for myself, this time 16GB one. Mind boggling is the alarming way at which electronics prices plummet as old products become fast obsolete or new technology or innovations take over. I got the 4GB D2 for 194$ last year, and a year later I got the 16GB model for 215$ from Amazon. Little on the expensive side. But, great for the bargain, what with an SD card slot for 16GB more memory (32GB when available). All Cowon players also have dedicated forums which let users and fans alike publish,share and create add-ons to the oh-so flexible line of Cowon players. There is a ton of information there.
Though I love music and listen a lot, I love gadgets too. This tiny amplifier boosts the ever impressive sound enhancements of
the D2. Though it doesn't quite boost the volume per se', it gives a warmth to the renderings. For 8.5$ it is a great buy, rather than going for something which is really costly (You also get the black version).I got it today, and I can say that it produces the same effect at a volume level 9 in my D2, which my D2 without it would have produced at a volume of, say 15-16.My advise, if you love music and like to hear the subtle nuances in a song, go get this one !
A history on my D2 is that I lost my previously purchased 4GB Cowon D2. I lost the 8GB SDHC card, which I had in its SD card slot in the process.But I was dying to have it back, so went ahead and got another one for myself, this time 16GB one. Mind boggling is the alarming way at which electronics prices plummet as old products become fast obsolete or new technology or innovations take over. I got the 4GB D2 for 194$ last year, and a year later I got the 16GB model for 215$ from Amazon. Little on the expensive side. But, great for the bargain, what with an SD card slot for 16GB more memory (32GB when available). All Cowon players also have dedicated forums which let users and fans alike publish,share and create add-ons to the oh-so flexible line of Cowon players. There is a ton of information there. Though I love music and listen a lot, I love gadgets too. This tiny amplifier boosts the ever impressive sound enhancements of
the D2. Though it doesn't quite boost the volume per se', it gives a warmth to the renderings. For 8.5$ it is a great buy, rather than going for something which is really costly (You also get the black version).I got it today, and I can say that it produces the same effect at a volume level 9 in my D2, which my D2 without it would have produced at a volume of, say 15-16.My advise, if you love music and like to hear the subtle nuances in a song, go get this one !September 11, 2008
Smil-e
As I sit and type this post, I start wondering .. how much the world of web has netted the world. A transformation complete except for the elusive physical nature of human touch. All else is there on the internet today. Has the human touch gone, due to the advent of internet ? Far from it, it has led to more awareness, and more donations and volunteering for human touch.
A world, which is fast getting revolutionised, breaking myths of conservatism and orthodoxy. People meet and acquaint through the internet, and make for successful marriages. In stark contrast to the very mode of meeting someone without a physical identity, internet has provided the tools to express the true self that everyone is. When I try to spread the gospel of Sanity Restored Is Insanity Gained, I am scoffed at. Because, as much as there is truth in what I said, the true expression of feelings are still held in wraps in the mind.
Internet has in a sense given freedom of expression. Expression through just chats, or through blogs. Of course, no one can get away from those who misuse these tools and gain mileage out of it for ulterior motives. But the greater point to be noted is that a medium such as chat, brings out the funny side of one and all. And more often than not, the vulnerable side too. For what is spoken to in person, might be with strings attached, but what is communicated through a medium without the element of physical human interaction gives unlimited freedom. Freedom to sometimes be rude and get away. Freedom to be funny and yet be serious and sad.
A world, which is fast getting revolutionised, breaking myths of conservatism and orthodoxy. People meet and acquaint through the internet, and make for successful marriages. In stark contrast to the very mode of meeting someone without a physical identity, internet has provided the tools to express the true self that everyone is. When I try to spread the gospel of Sanity Restored Is Insanity Gained, I am scoffed at. Because, as much as there is truth in what I said, the true expression of feelings are still held in wraps in the mind.
Internet has in a sense given freedom of expression. Expression through just chats, or through blogs. Of course, no one can get away from those who misuse these tools and gain mileage out of it for ulterior motives. But the greater point to be noted is that a medium such as chat, brings out the funny side of one and all. And more often than not, the vulnerable side too. For what is spoken to in person, might be with strings attached, but what is communicated through a medium without the element of physical human interaction gives unlimited freedom. Freedom to sometimes be rude and get away. Freedom to be funny and yet be serious and sad.
September 9, 2008
Fedex From The Ashes
When I decided to watch the U.S. Open final, sitting as late as 2:30 A.M IST, I wasn't quite sure how long I would have to finally remain awake. For Andy Murray, coming into his first Grand Slam final had a 2-1 head to head lead on Federer, and was hot on form after upsetting newly crowned World No.1 Rafael Nadal. I was wondering whether I will be awake through the entire morning to finally see the winner.
Well, as things turned out eventually, Federer might have thought of giving me more time to sleep and get some for himself. His 3 set demolition of Andy Murray was clinical and ruthless to say the least. He did lose break of serve during the match, but those were the moments when Andy Murray showed his true capabilities. Federer ultimately taming the Brit 6-2,7-5,6-2.
Honestly, it was precision and aggression which wrapped up the match for Federer in under 2 hours. He seemed hungry as ever, and his win over Novak Djokovic in the semi finals seemed to have done him a world of good. Coupled with the possibility of creating history to become only the second man in the history of the game since Bill Tilden in 1924 to win five consecutive U.S. Open titles.
In a press conference leading upto the finals, Andy Murray summarized the magician that Federer is, by questioning critics who doubted Federer's abilities even after reaching Semi Finals of all the Grand Slams in the year, being in the finals of French and Wimbledon. Really, what more can one ask from a professional tennis star ? True to what he referred to as having created a monster after his performances in last 4 years, that is precisely what every tennis fan wants from him. Sweeping all 4 slams of the year. Atleast Wimbledon was expected. Reaching finals is not good enough for a man like Federer.