Bigger and Better? The new Moto G has a lot to live up to

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For many people, the original Moto G was the device that actually started the trend of devices that delivered excellent performance without costing the earth. Does its successor do the same?

MotoroLa Moto g (2nd gen)
teCh SpeCS
size | 141.5x70.7x10.99 mm
Weight | 149 grams
Memory | 16GB, microsD
os | android os v4.4
screen size | 5.0-inch, capacitive
Battery |  li-Ion 2,070 mah
Talktime/standby | -/
Gprs/3G/BT/Wifi | yes/yes/yes/yes
camera | 8.0-megapixel
others | Dual sIM, Gorilla Glass 3, Motorola Migrate
Looking very...usual

The first thing that might strike you about the Moto G (2nd Gen) is well, the fact that it does not seem too extraordinary in terms of appearance. Unlike the original Moto G, the new one is not exactly compact. And that is because the display of the device is bigger and adheres to the current trend of big displays - while its predecessor sported a 4.5 inch display, the new Moto G has a 5.0-inch one. It also looks discernibly bigger  - while the original Moto G was 129.9 mm long, the new one is 141.5 mm, and while the original was 65.9 mm wide, the new one is 70.7 mm. Yes, at around 11 mm, the new Moto G is marginally thinner than its 11.6 mm thick predecessor, but there is no getting away from the fact that this is a large-ish phone, even though Motorola is to be commended at keeping the weight down to 149 grammes, a mere 6 grammes more than the original Moto G. In terms of appearance, the phone seems a bit more run of the mill, to be brutally honest. The display is flanked by twin speakers, which juts out a bit, and the volume rocker and power/ display buttons are on the right of the device, the micro USB port at the base, and the 3.5 mm audio jack bang on top. The back is smooth plastic (we got the white model) in which is lodged an 8.0-megapixel camera with single LED flash. There is also a front-facing 2.0-megapixel camera. We would not call this as compact and as palm-friendly as the oroiginal Moto G, but the Moto G (2nd Gen) does feel reassuringly solid to hold.

getting a spec boost 
The second generation Moto G comes with slightly better specs than its predecessor, but just how much the spec bump up matters to you depends on what you value. The display has got bigger, but has the same resolution (1280 x 720) as the first Moto G. Honestly, we still think it is a very high-class display with good viewing angles, but there is a drop in pixel density (from an iPhone 5S-like 326 ppi to 294 ppi). Similarly, the processor and RAM combination remains the same - a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 affair and 1GB. Connectivity options also remain more or less similar - 3G, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The most discernible change, apart from the display size is in cameras - the new Moto G sports a 8.0-megapixel camera at the back and a 2.0-megapixel camera in front. One of the main complaints about the original Moto G has also been addressed - although like its predecessor, the new Moto G comes with storage of 8GB and 16GB, you can now expand it using a memory card. There are also twin speakers now, instead of just one, in front (one of the reasons why the phone seems longer). And of course, when it comes to software, you still get the latest version of Android - KitKat.

Still a brilliant performer
When we had reviewed the original Moto G, we had come away impressed with its buttery smooth performance, and well, that is one aspect of the device that has not changed a bit. The Moto G (2nd Gen) is every bit as brilliant a performer as the first. What’s more, it brings considerable improvements in the two departments where the first was seen to lag - the camera and the sound. The 8.0-megapixel camera is not really the best at this price point (we think it is bettered significantly the slightly more expensive Xiaomi Mi3 and is matched by the lower priced Asus ZenFone 5), but is a significant step forward from the rather routine 5.0megapixel affair on the original. And yes, sound on those front-facing twin speakers is very good indeed. That apart, the large display is great for viewing videos and Web pages, and well, although some devices at this price point might
come with 2GB RAM, as compared to the 1GB on the new Moto G, the latter more than holds its own when it comes to handling high-definition games and hefty content. The fact that it runs plain Android makes it a very smooth performer indeed.

Conclusion:
worthy successor? And yes, the price of the Moto G remains unchanged - it comes at Rs 12,999 for the 16GB model. However, what has changed is the market. When the original Moto G was released at this price earlier this year in India, there had been gasps of surprise. However, the period since has seen users being flooded with devices that come with good hardware at relatively low prices. So while the original Moto G had mainly to contend with the likes of the Lumia 525 and 630, the new one faces a very formidable challenge - most notably from the trio of the Asus ZenFone 5,  also has an 8.0-megapixel camera and 5.0-inch display and is powered by a 64-bit Intel processor; the Micromax Canvas Nitro, has a 5.0-inch display, a 13.0-megapixel camera and is powered by an octa core processor; and most notably, the difficult to find Xiaomi Mi 3, which costs slightly more but packs in a full HD display, a quad core Snapdragon 800 processor and a 13.0-megapixel camera. The original Moto G was in a league of its own, the new one has competition. But yes, if you are looking for a solid performing smartphone in the subcategory, the Moto G (2nd generation) is definitely one of the prime options

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THe n1 Oppo tries to bottle the N1 magic in a smaller package

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While most of the Chinese brands in the country have been fighting on price, Oppo has been treading a distinctly different path, focusing instead on high-end features, often accompanied by a relatively high price tag. The N1 Mini is another example of this approach. But does it offer enough bang for the price it charges?


oppo n1 mini
Tech Specs

size | 148.4 x 72.2 x 9.2 mm

Weight | 150 grams

memory | 16GB, microsD

Os | android Os v4.3

screen size | 5.0-inch, capacitive

Battery | li-Ion 2,140 mah

Talktime/standby | -/

Gprs/3G/BT/Wifi | yes/yes/yes/yes

camera | 13.0-megapixel

Others | color Os 1.4, rotating camera
Looks stylish...again
Oppo has been forging a reputation for itself as a manufacturer of phones that have a premium look and feel. The N1 was a prime example of this - some found it to be a bit large and bulky, but we loved its solid feel and the use of premium materials. The N1 Mini, as its name indicates, is a smaller version of the flagship. The ‘smaller’ however is only in comparative terms, for seen on its own, the N1 Mini is hardly a small phone. It is almost half a foot long and tips the scales at a very healthy 150 grammes. The front is dominated by a 5.0-inch display (the N1 had a 5.9 inch one, remember?), and unlike most of the other devices in the market, the upper and lower parts of the device are slightly curved in a convex shape, making it stand out from the routine rectangular shapes we see in other phones. But what is really likely to mark it out as different is the rotating camera on top of the display, which can turn on its hinge to act as both a front facing as well as a rear camera, depending on your inclination. There are three touch buttons beneath the display for Menu, Back and Home. In a slightly unusual arrangement, the left side of the phone houses the power/display key, while the right has the volume rocker, which takes some getting used to. The top is bare, while the base houses the micro USB slot and the 3.5 mm audio jack. The SIM card tray is right next to the volume rocker. The back is plain and made of smooth plastic, and there are metal accents on the side and on the rotating camera. All in all, the phone once again feels a bit large to hold, but has a good feel to it, once one gets used to the power and volume key arrangement. It hardly looks like a ‘mini’ edition, though.

Innovative camera, but routine hardware 
The most striking feature of the N1 Mini is without doubt the 13.0-megapixel rotating camera, which as in the N1, turns in a very good performance, in terms of colour and detail. However, the other specifications of the device are more routine than exceptional. The 5.0-inch display looks good in terms of brightness and colour but is actually a 720p one, and powering the device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, backed up by 2GB RAM. Memory stands at 16GB and is non-expandable. Connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, and also with the device is the remote that lets you click selfies from a distance. The phone runs an older version of Android (4.3), although you would be hardpressed to spot it as it runs below Oppo’s own ColorOS skin. In terms of performance, the N1 Mini walks the middle path. It is not going to set benchmarks on fire but handled most games and high-end applications without much trouble. The camera is the highlight of the device, taking some very sharp images and shooting decent video. We would have preferred better sound quality though, both in general and on call (something we experienced on the N1 too). The remote is a handy addition for those who like to control the camera from a distance, but honestly, we think it becomes another thing to carry, and therefore, to lose - we are not too convinced by the value it delivers.

Conclusion 
it is a solid performer with a very innovative camera, but all said and done, one cannot help but feel that  the Oppo N1 Mini is a bit of an expensive proposition, especially in a market that is getting used to devices that offer high-end specs at relatively lower prices. There will be people who will point out that the Nexus 5 comes with a better processor, albeit with an inferior camera, at a slightly higher price, while another Chinese manufacturer, Gionee, offers its flagship Elife E7 at an almost similar price with a superior 16.0-megapixel camera and far superior hardware (Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor). Gionee in fact also offers the Elife E7 Mini, with a twist around camera similar to that seen on the N1 Mini, and with an octa core processor  And then there is the Lumia 830 which sports a PureView camera and a very solid finish and costs only slightly more. All of which makes the Oppo N1 Mini seem a slightly overpriced proposition. It is a good device, yes, and we love the build and the camera especially, but honestly, for that kind of price, we expected a lot more.

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The new Moto X: Great specs, great performance

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It is bigger and packs in some of the most powerful hardware seen in a Motorola device, but does the new Moto X retain the magic that made the original stand out from the crowd?



Motorola moto X
(2Nd GeN) teCh speCs
Size | 140.8x72.4x9.97 mm
Weight | 144 grams
Memory | 16GB, microSD
OS | Android OS v4.4
Screen Size | 5.2-inch, Capacitive
Battery | Li-Ion 2,300 mAh
Talktime/Standby | Up to 24 hours/
GPRS/3G/BT/WiFi | Yes/Yes/Yes/Yes
Camera | 13.0-megapixel
Others | AMOLED display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Looks awesome...at the back Motorola had stunned the world when it had released the original Moto X in 2013. At a time when most manufacturers were going for phones with larger displays and high-end technical specifications, the original Moto X stuck to a  4.7-inch display and was powered by a dual core processor. And it still churned out a brilliant performance and won rave reviews for its compact design. The Moto X (2nd Gen) however, treads the path set by others. In fact, many who saw it from the front even thought it was a Samsung - the plethora of sensors around the 5.0-inch display flanked by the metal speakers reminding them of some of the devices in the Galaxy series. Turn the device around, however, and the Moto magic kicks in. We got the wooden edition of the phone and it certainly was a head turner, with the 13.0megapixel camera with a ringed dual LED flash and a metallic Motorola logo on the upper side. Speaking of metal, the sides of the device are all metal, giving it a very solid feel, with the volume rocker and display/power button on the right, the 3.5 mm audio jack and SIM card slot on top and the micro USB port at the base. The left side is totally bare. Yes, the phone is significantly larger than the original Moto X, a fact that can be put down to its 5.2-inch display, but it still feels comfortable to hold for its size. That said, at 140.8 mm length and 72.4 mm width, it is hardly a compact device. In fact, it seemed almost the same size as the Galaxy S5, which is marginally longer and wider, but which is much thinner at 8.1 mm, as compared to the slightly thicker Moto X (2nd Gen), which is 10 mm in that department. That wooden back and metallic logo will, however, turn heads we assure you!

Great specs, great performance
The Moto X (2nd Gen.) comes with specs right out of the Android flagship department. The 5.2-inch display is AMOLED and like its predecessor, is brilliant and bright. Unlike its predecessor, it is also a full HD one. And there is no dual core processor this time - the
Moto X (2nd Gen) is powered by a 2.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, similar to the one seen in most Android flagships in the market. This is backed up by 2GB RAM, and storage that stands at 16GB or 32GB, depending on your version. As in the original, you cannot expand it. The camera has been bumped up to 13.0-megapixels and now comes with a dual LED flash, while the front facing camera remains a 2.0-megapixel affair. Connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and Bluetooth. And the Moto X delivers a performance worthy of its specs as well. As in the case of the original, it comes with plain, uncluttered Android and we found playing games and browsing the Web an utter delight. Sound quality was excellent from the dual speakers, and while camera performance was a notch above that seen in the original Moto X, we would not call this a great camera phone yet - do remember to check your pictures on a proper display as the AMOLED one on the Moto X tends to saturate colours. Battery life was not exceptional but was more than decent - the phone easily saw off a day of hefty use.

Conclusion 
Yes, it has much better hardware than its predecessor, and it still looks wonderful, but the new Moto X is a step away from the philosophy of the original which revolved around a relatively smaller form factor and a stress on experience rather than hardware. And while there is no doubting the hardware muscle and performance of the new Moto X, it does face some stiff competition at its price tag Perhaps the most significant comes from the just-released Lenovo Vibe Z2 Pro,  but comes with a larger 6.0-inch quad HD display and a 16.0-megapixel camera, and 3GB RAM even though it too is powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor. There is also the little matter of the Nexus 5 and for many remains the Holy Grail of Android with its 4.95-inch full HD display backed by a quad core processor, and well, looming above just about every high-end device is the Xiaomi Mi 3, which comes with a 5.0-inch full HD display, a quad core processor and a 13.0-megapixel camera,  The new Moto X is a fantastic phone, no doubt, but it is not as unique as its predecessor, and that is where its biggest challenge lies. If you

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Basic shopping guide for online shopaholics

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Addicted to shopping online? We don’t blame you, given the kind of deals and products that are becoming available. A bit of caution, however, is needed to ensure that you are not swindled. Here’s our basic shopping guide for online shopaholics.

The ease and comfort of buying goods without stepping into a crowded retail store, or waiting for the right colour and right product to arrive, and  (most importantly) getting discounts in the bargain, are some of the key factors that draws more and more people to online shopping. But, this remarkable and comforting mode of shopping can be a nightmare if a buyer is not aware of the various nuances of the online business. Yes, it is easy but it is definitely not free from  deception and deceit. However, one can ensure that one is not tricked by keeping an eye on a few points.


Pay attention to every detail 
One of the most common tricks played on buyers in online stores is presenting  lookalikes of certain products with brand names that appear similar. A brand that sounds like a major brand or an imitation of a
high profile device from a high profile brand would be presented in such a way that a buyer would mistake it for the real thing. So, the first rule of online shopping is to pay attention to every detail, examining every aspect carefully, reading the terms and conditions, no matter how long they might be. And yes, a rule of thumb is that if a deal seems too good to be true, then there probably is something fishy involved.

Credit cards are safer
When it comes to payment, cash on delivery is the most popular mode of transaction in India. But, COD is not available everywhere and many buyers don’t mind paying ahead of delivery. Users paying through a card must understand that the risk is higher when one is paying through a debit card than on a credit card. A credit card offers more protection to a buyer. In case of a fraud or transaction gone awry, a user can refuse to pay and the onus is on the banks to settle the matter with the retailer. The user won’t lose his or her peace of mind over it as they might in case of purchase made through a debit card where the actual deposit would be debited at once and the process of recovery could be long and arduous.

The dilemma of warranty
Warranty on products is often shrouded in mystery. Often it covers only a certain part and applies only to specific damages. A user must be aware of what all is covered in the warranty or whether the device on the e-store is backed by manufacturer warranty.  For instance, some time ago, Lenovo announced that e-commerce sites like Amazon, Snapdeal and Flipkart, are not its authorized sellers and asked users to check the warranty entitlements before buying any Lenovo products from these portals. Users must check these aspects before buying a device. Also, one must find out if the brand has a service centre in the city they live in. This is important because a number of popular online bestsellers do not have service centres beyond major urban locations.


The online store should be a credible one 
The last few years has seen a significant increase in the number of online stores,  and they all offer discounts and deals. One might visit many sites but when it comes to buying a product, users should stick to a few trusted online stores. A user can also call up or send mails to the merchant mentioned on the site to verify and find out more details
about the product.


The importance of right
security protocol Sometimes online shopping can be a very risky business if the site in question does not have a secure encryption protocol in place. Sites that use HTTPS (Secure Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) for encryption provide a higher level of data security, especially personal data like passwords and card details used during online transactions. The benefit of HTTPS over HTTP is that it uses another security protocol called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), which is used by a lot of e-commerce sites across the globe to protect customers  and keep online transactions confidential. Sites using the HTTPS carry a green address bar in the browser URL and start with ‘https.’

Saving passwords must be avoided
Most sites during purchase ask users to save their card details like passwords, card number, etc., for future transactions. They appear as selected by default and a user must take care to deselect these before moving further. Yes, it does seem more convenient to shop by saving all your card details online but take our word for it, entering the card data every time is far more secure.

Not all EMIs are same 
Almost all e-commerce sites give you the option of making payments through EMIs. However, one should remember that every bank applies different interest rates on EMIs. A buyer should check them thoroughly before agreeing to them. For instance, some banks like SBI charge up to 15 percent EMI while some banks like ICICI offer 12 per cent interest rates on EMI. Interest rates also vary depending on the tenure of the EMI, irrespective of the bank. The higher the tenure, the more the interest rate will be.

The cost of shipping
Last but not the least is to make sure the product is delivered without sustaining avoidable expense in shipping. Most e-commerce stores  keep a classification of regions for shipment. If the buyer is based in a remote and rural area, the online store is likely to charge something for shipping. If the delivery has to be made in a major urban centre, the shipping cost would be nominal or nothing. In case of cash on delivery, a small amount is also charged for transporting cash.

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Battle of world’s tallest waterfall

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Which is the world’s tallest waterfall? 

There are two contenders for the title of world’s tallest waterfall. Angel Falls is found in Venezuela and Tugela Falls in South Africa, but which one claims the title depends on the criteria. The debate is whether to award the title to the tallest single drop or to the tallest sequence of falls. 

   Angel Falls easily wins the tallest drop contest with a breathtaking 807-metre (2,648-foot) cascade. 

Angel Falls was named after aviator Jimmie Angel who spotted it from the air while searching for gold in the region ,Angel Falls was originally measured in 1949 

Tugela Falls is a series of five falls in quick succession, which taken together drop a total 948 metres (3,110 feet). When Angel Falls was originally measured in 1949, the American expedition included a second 30-metre (98-foot) plunge farther downstream. 

T

If you include the sloping rapids between these two falls, the total drop in elevation is 979 metres (3,212 feet).

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Most Amazing Vehicles Ever Made

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Discover the biggest, the fastest, the largest and the most deadly vehicles made in the last 100 years

The World Fastest Car
Thrust SSC
1997 Great Britain
The thrust SC was like a rocket with wheels.It was powered by two jet engines and driven by an RAF fighter pilot.it reached 763mph while racing in the Nevada desert




The World's Deadliest Helicopter
Boeing Ah-64 Apache
1986 United States of America
The apache is armed with guns and rockets and 16 HellFire missiles for blowing up tanks, it can fight enemies on the land and the air, it is so advanced that it needs two pilots to fly


The Biggest ship in the world
The Titanic
1912 Great Britain
When the Titanic was built,it was the biggest in the world,it weighted as much as 250 blue whales and could hold over 2,000 people.It was sold to be unsinkable but it sank on its first voyage when it hit an iceberg.


The Biggest plane in the sky
Antonov An-225 Mriya
1988 Ukraine
This giant plane is powered by six engines and has the worlds longest wingspan,it can carry up to 250 tons of cargo,which is the same as 50 adult elephants.


The First reusable space vehicle
Space Shuttle Columbia
1981 United States of America
The Columbia carried astronauts back and forth into space.Shuttles orbited the Earth and were used to carry out experiments,repair satellites and help build the International space station.

The Jet flies faster than the speed of light
Concorde
1976 Great Britain/France
This sleek jet fly 100 passengers from London to New York in three hours, That is a half the time of other aeroplanes, It was travelled twice the speed of sound.


Top Nuclear Attack Submarine
HMS Astute
2007 Great Britain
HMS Astute is the largest attack submarine in the royal navy at almost 100 meters long, and its nuclear reactor engine means it doesn't have to be refuelled for 25 years.

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Outlaws of the Wild West

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Real-life outlaws of the Wild West These infamous criminals lived in America in the 1800s. They robbed banks, hijacked trains and had bloody shoot-outs

Butch Cassidy

Wanted for robbing trains and bank as well as horde and cattle theft
From: Circleville,Utah
Cowboy by trade and leader of the Wild Bunch Gang,Lat spotted escaping with a sack of gold alongside his accomplice,The Sundace Kid

Billy The Kid

Wanted for the murder of 21 men,stealing horses and cattle and escaping jail
From:Lincoln City,New Mexico
With a handsome face and smart clothes this man may look friendly,but beware..he carries a pistol and is a cold blooded killer.

John Wesley Hardin

Wanted for killing 42 men
From: Bonham,Texas
This thieving outlaw is arrived with a gun and will kill anyone who stands in his way.Most wanted for shooting the town's Deputy Chief

Jesse James

Wanted for 8 banks robberies,8 train robberies and the murder of innocent citizens
From:Clay Country,Missouri
Leader of the most feared gang og outlaws the Wild West has ever known Last seen jumping from a train after robbing the passengers

Belle Starr

Wanted for horse and cattle theft harbouring outlaws and selling stolen goods
From:Carthage,Missouri
The bandit queen has made an ungodly living planning robberies and hiding criminals at her farm,Do not be fooled by her beauty

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ANCIENT ROME: The Roman chariot

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How fast was a Roman chariot? 
These horse-drawn carriages were used by the Romans for war and racing over 2,000 years ago. Racing chariots were super fast!

Experts have guessed that these racing carriages would speed around a Roman stadium at up to 50 kilometres per hour. That’s the speed that modern cars travel around town at! They were able to work this out because they know how fast horses are, how heavy the chariots were and how long the racetracks were.

The chariots soldiers used were strong and heavy. Racing chariots were built from wood and woven sticks, so they were much lighter and faster. Charioteers had to be skilled drivers, as the tracks were sandy and had tight corners. This meant that deadly crashes between contestants could happen easily.

Bigae
The Roman name for chariot pulled by two horses. Quadrigae had four horses

The riders were protected by leather helmets and shin pads. They wore coloured team tunics and held a whip and a knife.

Horses were bred especially for the races. There were two-horse chariots, like this one, and four-horse chariots, which were even faster!

Chariots were made as lightweight and agile as possible to help cornering and speed. They were built out of wood.

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