…ting ting ting and my Nokia battery dried up!

…ting ting ting and my Nokia battery dried up. I forgot to charge my cellphone the other day and did not carry charger with me.

The moment I heard the dying sound of my cell, I knew I was in trouble. I was hesitant to ask for a charger since I already knew the responses I would get. If you don’t have an iPhone or a Samsung high-end phone, you are considered as outdated. Reluctantly, I did ask office colleagues only to confirm that my thoughts were correct.

“Buddy we belong to Apple family now!” with some chuckle came most of the replies.

That took me back to those days, not too long ago, may be a 4 years back when you never had to worry about carrying a charger if you had Nokia phones. It was a universal handset for communicating with people around the world. The acceptance and usage was so much so that you would find a Nokia charger hanging perpetually in every room of a house belonging to each member of that house. Even while traveling on train, only first person had to put a charger in plug and then only the handsets use to get changed turn by turn.

Nokia truly connected people. Especially in India, it has taught people how to communicate on mobile phones. It came with a standard Menu Options and varieties of phones at different price points. It was a common saying that if you bought a Nokia phone, you never had to buy another one. Throw it from table, give it to kids to play, nothing would happen. That was the kind of sturdy display and durable handset Nokia use to offer. It worked in its favor and people opted for Nokia for its simple to use and longitivity it offered. Back then mobile phone was primarily used for talking, sending sms messages, listening Radio and finding Cricket scores from the service providers. Few high ends had radio, 2-3 Megapixel camera and limited music space.

Samsung was one of the key competitors in Indian markets but was always second to Nokia in all respect. It came with a black coloured rectangular box kind of bulky handset. LG, Sony Ericson and other did exist but were not among the preferred ones. Apple iPhone was perceived as a ‘very costly’ phone and meant only for the so called rich class.

In 2007, Steve Jobs showed the world what a cell phone could do beyond talking. And the world never remained the same.  Samsung was quick enough to realize the market trend and re-aligned its portfolio. Samsung created handsets with iPhone-like features and flooded market with variety of them at every price point. Google introduced Android, sophisticated, Open source mobile operating system. USP for mobile phones was shifting from hardware to software. It mattered more as to what the phone was carrying inside the small rectangular box.

Social behavior was responsive creating a new trend. The world no longer looked for longitivity or durability in a handset. Consumers wanted to swipe on the screen with their fingers and unlock phones instead of pressing ‘Unlock + *’. ‘Touch screen’, ‘High resolution camera’, sharing and connecting with ‘Facebook’, easy access to Twitter, GPS became new minimal to-have features for a phone. ‘App’ (Applications) became new buzz word. It simplified life of people drastically. From being a personal device, mobile phones became a medium for social connect.

The world of technology changes so rapidly that between the time I thought writing this post to the time actually putting it on paper, Nokia as a handset company seizes to exist. It will henceforth be recognized as Microsoft Mobiles.

Companies need to be more innovative and cannot depend on its existing products forever. Innovation is at the heart of technology, rewriting the history each day.  If companies cannot innovate from scratch, it should at least try for what we call in marketing parlance – ‘a second movers advantage’.

Blame Steve Jobs for changing the rules of the game or Nokia’s inability to embrace the new trend of App world, the company which dominated the handset market with a very high brand recall, no longer exist and all this in a matter of 4-5 years.

The once abundantly found Nokia chargers no more hang in drawing rooms of house. I must admit that I take out my handset from pocket only when it rings, when in public. 9.5 people out of 10 are found with an Apple or a Samsung product including school going kids. Despite this fact, I am happy with my phone because I don’t spend much time using it, only as required. It offers camera, wassup, sms and I can make and receive calls. O yes, it is a touch screen phone with a QWERTY keypad. This helps me spending more time with my kid and family rather than hooked to phone with virtual people.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Use product and love people and not vice-versa. I know few of my colleagues who don’t use mobile phones at all, I would say that is the best way to live!

Windows 8 - Will this leap of faith really work?

I am really not a tech geek, reviewing the latest gadgets. I try to keep them in minimum number. For me it is clearly a means for comfort in life and not life itself. More than the technology I appreciate the minds behind them.

The very first book that I read distantly connected with technology business was by the name Odyssey: Pepsi to Apple, an autobiography by John Sculley, former Apple CEO. I found the book fascinating and Steve Jobs got introduced to me. I googled more on Jobs and then the Stanford Commencement Speech that he delivered in 2005 became my favorite. I played the video in loops and almost learned the speech by-heart. I had enough material and information about Steve Jobs to show off while I conversed with my friends. By this time my answer to the question, "Who is your role model?" became 'Steve Jobs'. The answer looked correct and choice - intelligent.

I watched movie 'Pirates of Silicon Valley'. The more I came to know about Steve Jobs, the less I thought I knew about him. The first Apple product that I possessed was a smart, sexy and beautiful iPod. It was gifted by my foreign return sister. I was in awe of this genius! Today when I am online, among the favorite pass times is to watch his product launch and interview videos on youtube. Fascinating is the word I would want to use for him. The simplicity and thoughtfulness behind his design is worth getting inspired for. He always knew what people wanted but were not aware of. From his Stanford speech,

"... And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary..."

are the words, that keep ringing in my head. His demise was sad and an era ended with that event. I grabbed Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson book in the first week of its launch and I was done with it pretty soon. His personality comes out very well in that book. By this time I started working on MacBook on a daily basis and the pleasure that comes out right from looking at the artistic logo on the lid, opening it and then the start up chime is tremendous.

Now, the origin of my thoughts was actually a new machine which came loaded with Windows 8 Operating system that was recently bought for my parents. First time I booted and it looked jazzy with new User interface. I thought of spending time with new machine since my parents would be using it and I end up explaining the navigation and buttons from a long distance over phone, imagining the screens. I have spent some 10+ years using a windows machine and I was sure it would all be same with some more features added.

The so much reliable 'Start' button and menu was disappearing. I thought it might have been moved to some other place in some other look-and-feel. I found myself googling and my reaction was, what the heck! There was no way that I could explain navigations and actions to my dad if I was not infront of Windows 8 OS. The last time I was pissed off with a Microsoft product was when they did not have MSOffice 2003 and 2007 integration. There was no way you could open a MSOffice 2007 file in a system with 2003 version.

For creating a 'User' for access, so much of information is required! An email account is must and most of the things point towards Microsoft Outlook and related products. I am sure Microsoft has taken a lesson or two from Apple for Software integration but without keeping usability in mind.

After spending more than 40 mins, I was convinced that it was a better idea to uninstall Windows 8 and replace it with Windows 7 or XP which is still my favorite out of all MS OS. StartIsBack came to my rescue and I was relieved that there was still a way out. I have now configured the system which looks more or less like Windows 7 from UI point of view.

Feature wise I think the product is incomplete and launched in haste. Something like, 'lets go to the market and feedbacks will tell what to do next!' Windows is a mass product and such a drastic change in Interface can backfire the sales, or has it already!

fOoD fOr thOuGhT: Beauty in a product lies in its usability and comfort. There is a place for everyone and everything. If you try to emulate somebody else, you would loose your own ground and capturing competitor's may not necessarily result in net gains!

Click, Share and Comment!

 

We had a Yashica camera which use to come out of almirah only on special events, occasions and with prior permission from dad. It was one of the priced possessions in those days and access to play with it was difficult. Technically speaking it cannot be compared with what we have these days in every house, yet it was fun using it. It use to come with manual focus and camera rolls with capacity to store 36 images in one roll.

For a birthday party, typically we would click few selected ‘moments’ and ensure that the whole event was capture with minimum possible clicks. There was no retake, no adjustments once the posers were ready, no multiple (read n number of photos) photos of same frame – Just ‘Smile’, click and done. The photo sessions were brief. If the event was small, 6-8 images were enough and rolls could last for as much as three months or so. That essentially meant 36 photos in three months. After the camera roll was completely consumed, it use to go to camera parlor to develop photos.

Now the most exciting period use to begin. Putting 36 photos in an album. It use to involve multiple discussions as to which pic will be the opening one and what should be the order of other photos. I have spent many afternoons putting them in order and convincing my sister why my pics should be put the way I wanted, back then. We use to be occupied with it for almost a week or so after the actual pics use to land in our hands.

After the album was ready for viewing, the possible comments were that of either it was a good photo and a bad photo due to improper light. Since there was no real time viewing of what was getting clicked, every family member had to wait for photos to be developed and shared. Each person in the photo would review how he/ she was looking in it and appreciate their beauty if the pic would be good or try to find the photographer for spoiling it.

Obviously terms like ‘Out of focus’, ‘Negative area’, bad composition, depth, cropping where not known commonly. The simple process was to adjust the rays of light, look into the small view and click, only to find the actual results after photos are developed. Sometimes we also had to ensure to slip in the photos clicked without permission so that we could escape scoldings. The access to album was only limited to family members, close guests or relatives who use to visit our place. And then the unlimited session discussing the moments use to begin.

Today cameras have changed and the way albums are discussed is different. There is a click, share and comment – all real time. And in two minutes 20 likes, 10 comments – ‘nice saree’, ‘Awww so sweet..’, ‘Awesome click’, ‘Best every!’ so on and so forth with 90 updates in your account. People become judgmental at the face of the photo. There is no ‘discussion' as such, it just a one-way communication.

There is no worry on how many clicks are taken for a same kind of frame, in-fact the more it is taken, the more satisfying it is to the people posing. There are separate shots for Facebook display pic and cover pic. Life revolves around what we will upload, how people will see, how many comments will follow and how good we might feel. The beauty of that very moment is lost. The value, emotions are not known. It can be attributed to show off directed at few people or it can be a casual update for the loved ones. It can also invite unwanted attention, unacceptable comments. As long as things are taken in positive spirit all look goods.

At the end of the day, we should not forget the very reason behind the success of Facebook – everyone is more interested in somebody else’s life, everyone wants to display what’s happening in his or her life. At times the phenomenon might be forced, societal pressure, peer pressure, out of curiosity or because of boredom.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Live. Care. Share. Laugh. Like never before.

Photo courtesy: Google

The Orkut Days!

I was jumping from one folder to another removing dust from good old files, I created once, now rest in a huge folder called 'Backup'. As I was going through the files I found lot of articles that I wrote but never posted. One article caught my attention. That article brought back sweet memories from the time spent with friends. It also reflects upon how technology is changing each day and how important it is to gauge the changing preferences and be progressive to remain relevant in dynamic competitive environment.

"April, 2009

"Yaar tera ho gaya kya, meroko bhi net use karna hai. I have some important mails to check...."
 

"...aarre mein emails check kar raha hooo, aur ek poorana friend online hai yaar...""Achacha thik hai, tera jaroori kaam ho jaye toh bol merko, I will use it then....... Jaldi kar but..."

The first guy who was supposedly doing his jaroori kaam on internet was accessing Orkut and the one who was in queue and wanted to check important mails, also wanted to access Orkut!!! Somebody might have sent him a friends request or he must have received lots of scraps. Oh his display pic has become old.

I started orkutting in 2004 for the first time. Initially I thought that it was a crap and didn't make much sense. I created my user account as my sister insisted me to do so. She took all the pains to create my account, told me what to write in 'About me', 'Interests', etc... I thank her now for introducing me this part of the world so early.  

"How can we use this instead of mails!" was my first reaction, little knowing how that site could actually be used. The term "Social Networking" was alien for me ...back then I was in graduation first year and wasn't found on nets that often. My frequency to access mails was so bad that every time I use to login...I never remembered my passwords and end up creating new email IDs..."Arre yaar koi important mails ayye honge uss ID pe toh!!!..." I use to think. Who the hell would send an email that too important one if I haven't given the address to anyone. Ignorant me!

The Orkut phenomenon was little know in my friends circle that time. I use to feel supreme amongst them. Things have changed a lot and THE Orkut has also evolved...a lot... for good, I suppose.

Today, before signing in my email account, I and probably all my friends sign in Orkut. Spending lot of time, for what pleasure I really cant explain... Creating 'Communities'. Scrapping on 'Threads' and ensuring that the once I create, remains in lime light. Counting 'Fans' and sharing pictures to get comments. Praying to get 'Testimonials' each time I logged in, after all who doesn't like to read good about themselves. "How would people stay connected with friends earlier?", I wonder. Today if I don't have Orkut access for a day, or if I get message from server 'No donuts for you', I think "Oh my God! there may be so many updates in my scrapbook! I am missing the action."

The phenomenon is very popular atleast amongst the people I know and amongst those with whom I am remotely connected without actually knowing them. My cousins, just 10th passed are found on Orkut, discussing homework via scrapping...man this is beyond explanations....

Hope the phenomenon grows and stay connected with friends as usual..."

This article was written by me in the year 2009 when I was a bachlor staying with friends, in Mumbai. We had only one laptop amongst us. We use to surf internet turn by turn. Orkut was our favorite pass time. Facebook was yet to take center stage, atleast in India and nobody remotely also thought that Orkut would become history one day.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Writing on the wall meant kids scribbling on the wall with crayons. Commenting meant passing comments. Like and share referred to emotions. Social site meant Orkut. Time has changed so much. If you are not progressive and become irrelevant, you have to make way for the newer, better and stronger competitor.

Celebrating friendship with 'Hangout'!

 

A decade ago, Dil Chahta Hai (DCH) movie was released. It took the nation by storm. Not that friendship never existed or friends never went to Goa or any other place for that matter, to have fun. But the movie highlighted the importance of Celebrating friendship! Enjoying with people whom you trust the most. So was the craze that DCH became synonymous for friendship. The youth started looking at friendship from all together different perspective!

With Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara… another fine piece of art, this time by sister Zoya Akhtar, importance of celebrating friendship is reinstated. It took the dimension of relationship to the next level. Girlfriends, adventure, foreign trip, emotions, pain, child like fight, ego, money, power and then finally friendship taking all over them. A must watch for the ones who liked DCH.

For me it will always have a special place in my heart because last year, we planned a bachelor party at Goa for one of my closest buddy… bookings were done, train ticket were done, all planning was done, money was paid and in the end...boooom! The friend for whom the party was hosted… couldn’t make it due to his work commitments (he being a surgeon). All three of us were deeply disappointed. We cancelled the trip. We showed our anger to him in his marriage and till date we bully him for that. None of us watched ZNMD movie together but each one messaged the other three when the trio in movie plans for the  bachelor party! That’s the connect. Having said that, out of four of us, two are married now, so we still have two chances to make for what we missed earlier. The thought excites me!

However, somebody has realized that the world is moving with a fast pace and people have become robots in their own life running after making good living. In doing so, they knowingly and un-wanting-ly (I christened this word) are getting drifted away from their close pals. Friends are always a call away but sometimes you want to see them, if not remove the geographical barriers. Sometimes you want to have that Maggi or a Cup of coffee with your friends all together, though at different locations.

‘Hangout’ feature of Google+ gives that option. I have been on Google+ since it created 'buzz' among the masses. People are yet to embrace the site completely. Updates happen at a snail’s place. On last weekend, I was casually surfing and then I decided to try the 'hangout’ feature. Believe me, I jumped out of my seat with my experience of this standout feature – Hangout. I asked few of my friends to come online on G+ to try the feature. I invited four of them. Two couldn’t join due to some errors but the other two joined and Vollaaaa! 

I could see, chat and talk to them - all simultaneously. The multi-chat multi-video functionality is just awesome. I was trying other features also and to my surprise I could play video from youtube site, real time, all in one screen. Jitu signed in from US. He was doing some work at that time. Sarang joined from Mumbai, he was having his lunch and I was chatting with them, simultaneously answering my cell phone. I was delighted that I could see and chat with my close buddies, enjoy watching videos - all sitting at my cozy sofa at home. And yeah not to forget all this for free.

With the fight between Facebook and G+, the users are surely going to win. Some breakthrough technology is going to treat them. The technology which is going to value relationship, personal preference and comfort would move headway towards North.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Friends are lifeline. A relation that gives meaning to life. With technology assisting us in staying connected with friends, I am sure Celebrating Friendship is going to be fun going forward!

You will google, the way you never thought…

Be it meaning, information, places, maps, etc, we google it. “Google” has become synonymous with “search” on the internet. A fantastic company founded by Sergey M. Brin and Lawrence E. Page. It is now hard to imagine world without google. Gone are the days when I use to issue 10s of books from library, photo coping few of them and taking long notes, to complete school assignments. Today, we google it! But things doesnt look encouraging for google, going forward.

It all started in 1980s. Apple computers introduced Macintosh, the first commercially successful small computer with a graphical user interface. He naively discussed the operating system with Bill Gates. And as matter of fact and in the words of Steve Jobs, “…And since Windows just copied the Mac…” It was the brain child of Jobs but Bill Gates successfully copied and marketed it with Microsoft label, making huge fortune. But still Apple is far more superior when it comes to performance, processing, experience. From Hollywood to Bollywood, film making, processing, high digital stuff, etc would not have been possible, had it not been Apple. It is the “Rolls Royce” of IT industry. Steve Jobs made a mistake of sharing knowledge. He was betrayed and Microsoft became far bigger company than Apple.

History repeats itself. Steve Jobs is betrayed again.

Apple and Google are pioneers in their ambit of offerings. One has proved marvels in computer, operating system, music and phone industry while other is leader in search engine. Their path never crossed. Their mission was to limit Bill Gates and Microsoft till PC and do not dominate the online and phone business. Steve Jobs committed same mistake again. He invited Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google, to join Apples Inc’s board. They worked together to ensure that iPhone has Google as default search engine. Google quietly built Andriod, an operating system for smart phones. Launched it on phones with HTC and Motorola, directly competing with Mac OS. Then it introduced the Nexus One, its flagship phone designed in close collaboration with HTC, which carried some of the designs and features like the patented multi-touch feature of iPhone. Google has challenged Apple Inc, by copying the very own features of iPhone. Schmidt did what Bill Gates did, two decades ago.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: I trust Steve Jobs, you will google, the way you never thought. Whenever this man has been challenged, the world has been blessed with out of box, state of the art, industry changer product. Be it ipod, iphone, itunes, ipad or the App music store. This guy will introduce an application, I am not limiting the scope by saying a search engine, an application that will change the way we search. I cannot think what it will be like but it will surely see Google scratching its head.