Mobility Review
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 P3100 – The Majestic Touch Pros:
Cons:
•Looks •Built •Price
•Low brightness display
W
hen it comes to tablets the 7 inch display size is preferred most amongst customers today. This is simply because the bigger display unlocks many potential uses for the device while keeping it portable enough so as not to make it cumbersome. Today users can buy a tablet with bare minimum functionality and hardware specifications for as low as Rs 5,000 or even less, while with features the price can also go up to as much as Rs 30,000. This tablet is the first ever budget offering from Samsung as far as the tablet category goes. But even though the tablet comes at a bargain price it has enough muscle to glide through daily tasks with great ease. So here is the Galaxy Tab 2 P3100, and how it fairs in the real world. One would say that Samsung has
actually taken the older device, changed a few bits here and there, repacked it, and started selling it again in the market. Samsung had a challenge this time to create a cheaper yet equally functional tablet and it has managed brilliantly. Despite the price cut the build quality and finish of the device has not suffered at all. The device has a flush front with thick borders surrounding the display and on the upper side is the ear piece which makes communication easier but a little awkward due to the big size of the tablet. The display utilizes capacitive touch technology and therefore there is no recession in the screen bevel and the front of the device gets a flush and even finish. All the speaker and connectivity ports have been placed right at the bottom of the device so that its looks are not spoilt. Samsung uses a proprietary charging and data port so users will have to carry the cable with them at all times.
Plantronics Voyager – Sense and Simplicity Pros:
Cons:
• Sound Quality • Excellent connectivity • Battery backup
• Old Design
I
n the world of Bluetooth accessories, Plantronics like Jabra is a well known name and so far we have seen some pretty exciting products coming from this brand. This new Bluetooth headset, called as Voyager Pro UC, has some elements of the older Plantronics Voyager Bluetooth headset. Voyager Pro UC, as we said earlier, brings back all the nostalgia with an improvised behind-the-ear design. This mono Bluetooth headset comes with a non-retractable but adjustable swivel boom microphone that makes conversation easier and clearer. The headset has a big lumpy portion that holds the battery and the antennas while all other electronics are hidden behind the ear, balancing the headset evenly for comfort. The boom is constructed of hard plastic that makes it sturdy but lightweight. The whole headset weighs just about 17 grams which when coupled with the comfy behind ear design makes it a pleasure to leave on for the whole day. he connector between the earpiece and the rear part of the headset is quite made up of soft yet very strong rubber based polymer that does not pinch or even hurt the ear and adds grip to the headset as well. MOBILITY
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October 2012 | 27
Mobility Review
Pros:
Nokia Play 360 – King of Sound W
• Great Sound • Up to 20 hours battery life • Stereo pairing
Cons:
• NFC Does not work with non Nokia devices
e now have Nokia's Bluetooth invention, the Play 360 speaker, with for review. Play 360 marks the use of NFC (Near Field Communication) in portable speakers for the first time. While the whole world debates on the proper use of NFC, Nokia fans should be happy that Nokia is utilising the technology in creating devices around it and is not just debating its potential. So let's get back to the Nokia Play 360 speakers that offer a choice of exciting colours as well as features. The best part is that if you get two of these you can connect them together and get a true stereo sound effect. Nokia is known for its simple yet appealing designs, which till now have been the biggest selling point for its devices. Same is the case with the new Nokia Play 360 speaker as well. The speaker is simple and yet it has so many minute and unique details. The design of the speaker is what gives it the name '360'. Play 360 has a top mounted speaker firing towards the roof to make the sound omni-directional. The base of the speaker has been constructed of sturdy impact resistant plastic. The pairing key is encircled with the power/connection indicator that glows blue while the device is connected. Just beneath it is the charging indicator that lights up while charging and turns off when charging completes. The back houses the charging port, power key and a 3.5 mm key used for connectivity with non Bluetooth supporting devices using wires.
Edimax wireless 3G router Pros:
Cons:
• Supports dongles as well as wired broadband •Offers load balancing between dongle and wired connection
• Is costly at `5,400
E
dimax 3G wireless Router has been in the market for more than a year now, but still has some unique capabilities. Most of the operators offering 3G services in India are also offering routers, which have a 3G SIM slot. However, none of these routers offer the kind of features offered by Edimax 3G router (3G-6218n), especially the option to connect a wired broadband connection through an RJ45 jack. The router has a small box like design and is easily pocketable. There are three ports-one full USB port for a dongle, one RJ45 port to connect wired broadband, and a mini USB port for recharging the battery. The quality of the router is decent and it has a glossy white finish. There are three switches on the device-a power switch, WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) switch and a LAN/WAN switch. This is the only router that offers the option of connecting a dongle as well as wired broadband through an RJ45 jack. The router also has an 1880 mAh battery that supports it for more than four hours of use. The router uses green Ethernet technology, which basically means it consumes energy based on the load, thus reducing power consumption.
28 | October 2012
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