Internet of Humans

I have blogged a lot before, on topics ranging from personal, political and even gibberish. But never ventured into anything which our life has become today. The online world. That internet has now transformed into a 'right' for every human is almost a given. But imagining humans as mere ‘things’ is beginning to increasingly take shape.

A few years back it used to be common to see rickshaw wallahs flaunting and speaking on feature phones. Now the transformation is complete with smartphone prices plummeting. With the advent of ultra affordable data plans in India, the world as also India is truly transforming into a data munching machine. But wait ..

Something odd just struck me. There are many places in India where there is no water or electricity. But data thrives. The looming water wars don't seem to worry or bother anyone. Can internet or mobile data replace water? Several times in our apartment the water tankers wouldn't show up and the taps would be dry. But internet is still accessible.

Are we in a world where the priorities of life are misplaced? The focus is more on tapping zillions of bytes of data for our new age businesses. And no one is spared from this, not even that newborn whose photo gets uploaded within seconds of birth.

The fact is, humans are increasingly becoming bots. Our needs are being analysed and automatically fulfilled faster and faster. What would be left of our so called emotions, if the machines predict everything for us. Sometimes I dream of mobile borne humans as mere bots who can be tracked by multinationals - to predict their next buy, to predict their next destination and in future even suggest what to emote!

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Media Sedation, not Kanhaiya Sedition

The more the news around Kanhaiya Kumar spreads, less inclined I am towards believing in anybody, let alone his own version. Among all this drama and confusion, the one source which keeps escaping scotfree, is the media. On the one hand the media reports of instances of intolerance, on the other hand, they want the freedom to continue reporting incidents and blowing them into such major proportions, there is no one who knows what the truth is. And then what happens? The so called anti national gets the sympathy of many, courtesy the media and no one now is willing to even know what the truth is.

The reporting media has become so powerful and opportunistic today, that an entire nation is held ransom to its opinions and views. It is quite appalling for the media to report incidents of intolerance when they themselves demand so much of tolerance. If I were given an opportunity, their wings should be clipped, not to subdue their reporting, but the constant debating and putting words in the mouths of politicians or students, you name them. It is disturbing to air debates which are fruitless given the media's reach and clouded views.

Freedom of speech is something which every Indian is proud to have. But does it give anyone and everyone to air their opinions and generate anti national sentiment? No. But hey, counter question would be - is there proof to show there were anti national slogans at JNU? But do we have proof to prove otherwise? No. But when you see news channels, Kanhaiya Kumar has become the victim. Irrespective of whether he is in the wrong or not, media will report he is the victim, and track him for 6 months and more.

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Snapped-deal - naps on a dil ki deal

Bought this product from snapdeal - Sony Alpha SLT A58M. Of course its currently sold out. But the order was supposed to come with a combo kit as advertised. Screenshot below:

While the camera arrived, the combo kit never did. And the I had to follow up with a ticket to make the seller send the combo kit via DTDC. The sellet though, showed no remorse in trying to bargain with me into sending whatever tripod or SDHC card or screen guard he had at his disposal which I promptly refused, Talk about customer insensitivity! 

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2015 Ke Beach Beach Mein

I had planned the trip to Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari (Dec. 27- Dec. 30), almost 4 months back. More so to get good enough discounts because New Year eve can be very expensive. Since the time I  tied the knot (Some might call it 'dreaded'. My reference here is open to interpretation for all about my own personal take ...) more than 5 years back, the number of blog posts have plummeted. This will be an earnest effort from my part to change that pattern. Fingers and toes crossed.

The plan was to board the Nagercoil express train from Salem (my better half's native), to Nagercoil and then visit places around including Kanyakumari (20 odd kms from Nagercoil) by bus. Two days in Nagercoil and then on to Thiruvananthapuram. I normally mix and match my trips to cover one day in a good resort and the other day or two in a normal hotel. This keeps the trip on the economical side (or so I believe :)). Getting big discounts from sites like Yatra (45%), Makemytrip (50%) or Goibibo is a big bonus too. This time it was Sahana castle in Nagercoil and Over the hill resort in Poovar.

I was asked multiple times what I would do for two days in Nagercoil. I only had a plan for one day to go to Kanyakumari. So I had to find a plan for the other day. I have always believed, a trip is about enjoyment and fun without the stress and pressure of having to cover all the historic places. My belief is, in the hurry to cover all the places, one just mounts unnecessary tension on oneself and sacrifices the whole purpose of the trip. So I am always very happy to choose off beat locations which are sparsely crowded.

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AAP - Always Attacks PM

The last post of the year, and I have been itching to write about this for the past many weeks. A CM who refuses to cow down to the centre and insists his fight is always with the PM of the country. At least that is what Kejriwal wants the nation to believe. From the time he (in)famously staged a protest on the eve of Republic Day when he himself was the Delhi CM to plummeting to shameful lows of calling the prime minister of his own nation a psychopath, I have never felt so irritated, annoyed, with any other human being, than with Kejriwal.

It is quite sad that Delhi didn't have a real choice after the Congress, and BJP didn't really make the cut for them. Delhi believed in Kejriwal's apology for having run away from Chief Ministership in his first stint, and now is badly stuck with the most irritating politician of India today IMHO. Irritating not just as a CM, but also just as a human being. He towers among the most self proclaimed self righteous humans, who believes - if anyone in the country is not on his side, they are all corrupt.

I don't even need to get into the politics of it really. No one really does. If anything goes wrong in Delhi, it is only because the state machinery is not in his control. Tomorrow if the Kejriwal's toilet clogs, he might blame that the centre wants to sabotage his drainage system. Much like how the ongoing revolt against suspension of 2 senior officers ahead of the odd-even driving rule in Delhi is being blamed as an attempt to make the odd even rule fail. This is the most hilarious and amusing statements one could ever think of.

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No Stealth For Health

What an irony, that smartwatches which are built for tracking health information, are still so far away from the complicated structure that the human body is. Apple confirmed that Apple watch doesn't track heart rate if there is a tattoo on the wrist. It's actually funny and amusing that such a simple yet deceptive use case escaped Apple, the most valuable company in the world.

Smart watches seem to be just a fad, just like how tablets flooded the market and are being overtaken by phablets. The only thing smatwatches may do is drive humans become paranoid about their health and woes, or in other cases gloat about their health quotient. Of course the argument could be the fact that it can track potential risks or sudden episodes of an attack or so on. But such is the complexity of the human body, that there is only so much that a smart watch can do.

Add to it the fact that even a tattoo can resist a smart watch being fully functional, questions the  device of its authenticity of the readings. What if a developer witfully manipulates heart rate readings or such using an app he hosts on a smartwatch. It is enough to drive the user nuts and have nightmares. That alone might actually cause issues to the end user, forget the watch itself.

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Long Pending, now (I)mpending

Though I have always disliked Apple because of the suffocating ecosystem, there is no doubt that Jobs and Apple revolutionized the mobile phone market. Jobs took it to the next level by convinvcing the world of another must have device in the form of the iPad. By calling it magical and with his marketing abilities it became a runaway hit and was garnering over 80% market share in the year after its launch. Fast forward 3 years after Jobs' passing away, and Apple has not introduced anything revolutionary. Unless a fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5S qualifies as revolutionary.

Honestly, there hasn't been much innovation even from Samsung which pioneered the Android ecosystem to the beast it is today. Android commands over 80%  of the smartphone market, and most of the credit is due to Samsung leading the efforts and giving customers a cost effective alternative to the oh so expensive iPhone. Even Samsung's Android tweaks have been more gimmicky than revolutionary. Of course some of the features like split screen and the stylus are certainly worthy of mention. While Samsung pulled away from iPhone in terms of smartphone shipments, Apple probably resisted being pulled into the rat race of competing low cost phones.

Samsung introduced the phablet concept via the Note, and the past year phablets have picked up massive adoption at the cost of tablets. So tablet shipments and sales are now on the vane. Apple could not have ignored customer needs when large sized phones in the range of 4.7 - 6 inch began flooding the market. Maybe Apple did not want to be an also ran company when it came to smartphone competition. Probably devoid of ideas, Apple finally seems to have succumbed to the pressure from its hundreds of Android rivals.

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Android One - A late Google Bugle?

Is Google late into the party? At a time when local players like Micromax, Lava and Karbonn are redefining budget smartphones in India, Google wants to enter the rat race with Android One. Announced in June, Android One is Google's initiative to give a pure Google experience to millions of customers wanting to switch to a smartphone from a feature phone. While the whole intent is to give the pure android and google experience, the end objective is to bring as many users into the Google's internet web. A perfect strategy, but one which could fall flat if local market sentiments are not given due respect.

India is too cost conscious for Google to bring out smartphones priced at over $100. Though on average disposable income is on the rise, the average Indian customer is still very picky when it comes to pricing. Firefox has already made an aggressive entry with phones priced at $30-$40 which is probably more than enough for first timers or those who are from the lower income strata. And then there is the middle class which is equally cost conscious and since the days of Moto G, the choices in the $100 market are abundant. Options range from Windows phones running on the latest 8.1 to the explosive new entrant, Xiaomi. Xiaomi's Redmi 1S phone with its hardware specs and pricing easily beats all local players to dust. Of course, its unique and times frustrating strategy could also backfire.

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Indiantity Crisis

Looks like the new BJP government has made all other political parties introspect their true identity. Though polarisation is often associated with BJP and the RSS, it looks more a case of refusal to come out of the English colonial role. As much as I am proud of my religious beliefs and traditions, it is inappropriate to force these upon anyone. And though there have been instances quoted and reported in the media, India as a nation has a unique national fabric of whole hearted acceptance. And that makes me feel immensely proud.

What BJP has done, increasingly so with a majority mandate now, is forcing everyone to introspect. Honestly, it does make me feel upset and sad that the political parties still fight over minorities who are well under 20% of India's population. It almost seems as if the remaining 80% have been sidelined and taken for granted all these years. If we are being told that we are a Hindu nation, going by majority it is probably a true statement. Being tolerant doesn't mean that India should continue doling out freebies and overtures to the minorities till eternity.

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Uniquely Universal

Univercell launched a unique mobile store experience last year. It meant to go out of the way to woo customers to the store via dedicated consumer focussed services, and not just mobile and accessory sales. Today I had the opportunity to visit the Univercell Sync at Indiranagar as part of the Indiblogger contest. The marketing manager for Univercell passionately walked us bloggers through the store explaining the uniqueness of the whole experience.

With the sync experience, it is a simplification of the multitude of choices in the mobile world. Many bloggers and tech enthusiasts probably know the different Mobile OS systems and the ecosystems surrounding them. So explaining choices and helping with buying decisions for a mobile is much easier to such an audience. That is not the case for those who are not tech savvy or who are mostly in the late 40s and the elderly.

Just like how internet has been a revolution, the mobile revolution has already taken the world by storm. And so much of technology at one's fingertips can be overwhelming for those without the knowledge. Univercell Sync offers the perfect platform to make the transition from a feature phone to a mobile phone easier, comfortable and secure for those seeking for a switch.  This audience will not know whether brand is more important, or the processor speed. Or is it the mobile ecosystem? Or do they prefer a longer battery life? Or a budget friendly device? The choices are so vast, it is a niche mobile market Univercell is aiming to tap into.

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My Mi

I can't be far away from the next gadget, can I ? For all the waves that Xiaomi has been creating across the globe one can't resist the temptation of wanting to own a gadget from Mi. When Xiaomi was still unknown to India in May, I set about researching for my next new gadget to tamper with. My Sony Xperia live with walkman was getting outdated software and hardware wise. But tweaking and rooting it had made it exceptionally functional and snappy.

So I went about another budget friendly gadget, for my wife. My Huawei Ideos is still going strong on the Dronix ROM. But we need to move forward with latest in technology - is the reason I gave for getting permission for my new gadget. Armed with a new 3G data plan which made sense with a CUG connection, it was but a formality that I would purchase a new gadget. I stumbled upon Xiaomi through cnet.com and the review it carried for Redmi was impressive. Although Redmi is the original Mediatek version with 4GB ROM.

The updated hardware at the same price is the Redmi 1S. Powered by a quad core snapdragon processor and 8GB ROM it was a good step up from the original Redmi. Since it wasn't yet available in India, I started hunting for Chinese sites from where I could reliably order. spemall.com turned out to be the perfect one for me, though price wise it is a little expensive. I  bought it for around 170$ from spemall, almost 3 months back, which is now being launched in India for just 7000! So I paid a premium for the gadget. But I don't regret it much.

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Coastal Course near Chidambaram

A tonsuring tour for my 30 month old daughter. Initially we had planned to do it in Tirupathi, but logistics and the fact that our daughter is growing up hastened the next possible place. Vacation plans always hinged around Hampi for the August 15th weekend. However, the tonsuring plan coupled with unfamiliar territory around Hampi meant we were looking for alternatives. Vaitheeswaran Koil was the immediate choice for the tonsuring. But what would a trip be without an element of fun mixed with a pilgrimage in camouflage.

Vaitheeswaran koil was ideal in many respects. Close enough to Chidambaram to explore the seashore beside it. Also providing visit to the famous Chidambaram temple, Sirgazhi temple among others. The distance from Bangalore is around 400 kms which can be done in one go. But with a toddler beside, things can get tricky, especially when driving during daytime. Fortunately we had strategic halting places in Salem and Mecheri. While my maternal aunt stays at Salem, my in laws are in Mecheri, which is also part of Salem.

The plan was to visit Chidambaram on day 1, Pichavaram and Tharangambadi on day 2 and Vaitheeswaran Koil on day 3. We stayed on 12th night at Salem, packed food for onward journey to Chidambaram and checked into Nataraja Residency. The visit to the Natarja temple in Chidambaram on the same evening was peaceful. The next day we were off to Pichavaram, which was always the highlight in my mind to be covered during the trip.

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Bharat Ratna - A wasted Ratna?

The highest civilian award in India has become a free for all - almost. And looking at the current candidate list for the award, it looks like an exercise of politics in retrospect than in genuine deservedness. No sooner had BJP started suggesting names of Subhas Chandra Bose and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the almost non-existent Congress party at the Centre demanded the award for Kanshi Ram.

With all due respect and admiration to all the potential candidates, it is truly embarrassing that there is a political slugfest to give th ris distinguished honour. Admittedly Bose was an exception leader whose contributions to Indian independence were probably never given its due. But to give an award inetrospect after more than 60 years, is a little puzzling.

As for Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it almost seems BJP wants its due from awarding it for a BJP leader. He may truly deserve it (and I am just expressing personal opinions here), but the BJP and Congress should introspect and think if they are being fair to the award itself. Maybe there is true merit in Vajpayee or even Kanshi Ram for the award. But it is the process and the credentials that need to be awarded. Not the political backing.

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Live to Post AND Post to Live?

Today we live in a world where privacy is all about status updates. The private life one lives is available not only for your friends or relatives, but for the general public. Be it delivery of a child, or a muffin you eat - half way in your mouth; they deserve to be posted on social platforms. It is not just a private moment. It is a social tool for others to see who you are. Your true self. Yet, when it comes to privacy protection, everyone is up in arms. Facebook should not mess with emotions, apps should not access your contacts or call logs. But is there anything left called as privacy anymore? I guess not.

The internet and now mobile explosion has blurred the line between private and public life. As much as I want to follow technology, a complete invasion of private space is a total no-no. Yes, the argument goes that you can stay in touch with friends of yore, relatives unknown and colleagues who matter. But surely, you don't want to know how your friend eats, or how a new born looks. Why not send a mail to those who really matter, or call up. But no, if you don't have facebook or whatsapp you don't deserve to be in the know-how. Oh, did I just reveal my discomfort at this Facebook life we live in? Probably yes, but it also matters what we share. Or do we intend to share because we want to force others to feel us as important?

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Swiss Bliss

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Isle Mainau on Lake Constance

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Eltz Burg

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With Nexus in U.S.

I did not know what marriage life would look like. I definitely did not know how it would be after a child is born. On the one side its fun and reassuring to have family and kid, while your interests and hobbies take a backseat. Is that a good ROI? I want to believe so. But being away from family gives one the private space needed, but one tends to miss them too in the long run. Pretty much what I am going through while I am in the U.S of A. So what do I bargain with my wife to rid me of my loneliness? A new gadget! And I have gotten away with this the 3rd time.

I had got my Archos 70 for company when I was in U.S in the new year of 2011. I had my Cowon Z2 for company when I was in U.S last year during May. Over the past year or so, I have realised that owning a high end, top notch hardware/software combination is necessary to feel the pace of technology advances. But I was never one to pay a high premium for it. That gives me the liberty to root my devices with my Ideos U8150, Archos 70, Cowon Z2, Sony Live With Walkman WT19i - all of which are Android and I rightly did root'em all. All of these were indeed modest amongst their own Android peers. But that can't be the case with the new Nexus 7, 2013 edition (Nexus 7 FHD?) HD model. This thing is top notch, and at an astoundingly reasonable price starting at $229. So, my friends, I welcomed this to my android family (wife and child excluded).

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Birds' Word

If he were born to a traditional Indian Tam family, Dickie Bird would be busy for his Sathabhishekam. In English you are entering the Octogenarian phase. At this age, it is difficult to raise eyebrows, let alone other details of anatomical significance. But the famed cricket umpire has supposedly dared to declare his all time cricketing XI without modern greats including Sachin Tendulkar.

One knows the heights of joblessness when either media thinks these are newsworthy items to even be discussed, OR I have enough time on hand to even blog about this. Either ways it is one's own discretion to choose their own cricketing XI. Dickie chose his own, but why it warrants media debate is beyond me.

As for omitting Tendulkar, which is what India's national debate will be, the way Sachin is prolonging his career, it is no surprise he got omitted by Dickie. In fact, with the Indian selectors' mindset, Sachin himself maybe having his Sathabhishekam on a cricket field, battling the quicks in Proteas' land. And India will still cheer him on for another run to help him reach his 101st international century.

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Cauvery Delights

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