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| Upwardly mobile: Information at your
fingertips |
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Once
upon a time-actually, only five years ago, but that can seem like
AEONS in the mobile technology world-anybody who was somebody
flaunted the same mobile handset: the Nokia 3310. Perhaps that's
why it's the best-selling handset of all times-150 million have
been sold so far. But the movers and shakers have moved on...
to shaplier gizmos packed with cutting-edge technology.
One such device in the overcrowded but ever-growing
mobile phone market is the O2 Xda IIi. It is a slim and compact
product with an integrated Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and
a mobile phone packed with a host of features. A user can surf
the Net, send e-mails, take pictures and make calls. So you can
easily access information and keep in touch when on the move.
The O2 Xda IIi has an integrated keypad that
makes texting easy; a normal keypad would have made the handset
difficult to use. The device uses the latest Windows 2003 2nd
edition software, which makes syncing the phone to your computer
a breeze; a 520-megahertz Intel processor; 128 megabytes of on-board
ram (random access memory) and storage; plus an expansion slot
where you can install up to two gigabytes of additional storage.
The big 3.5-inch screen, with 65,000-colour display, makes taking
pictures with the high-quality 1.3-megapixel camera fun.
With both GPRS (general packet radio service)
and WI-FI connectivity, you can, theoretically, surf the web,
but with GPRS operators charging 50 paise for every 10 kilobytes
downloaded, you might have second thoughts on using this bit of
technology.
However, if money is not an issue and convenience
is, then O2 Xda IIi is the phone for you, as it makes your life
easier. The device can be calibrated to download your office mail
straight into its Outlook inbox. And the 'transcriber' function
allows you to write your text in as you take notes but God help
you if your handwriting is anything like a doctor's scrawl. And
it's damn fast-the processor is the fastest offered on any PDA.
Ever!
But this is where convenience gives way to
consternation. It requires a lot of juice and needs two sets of
leads to hook up to the nearest plug point. So a masters degree
in wire disentanglement might come in handy for users. There is
an alternative, though. You can also charge the device straight
from a computer's USB port; this is a lot easier. But other than
that, there are no usability issues plaguing this device. Unless,
of course, you have too many applications running simultaneously;
then the phone might stop functioning and will need a hard boot;
that means taking the battery out, much like a regular Windows
pc.
It's expensive: Rs 45,000. For the same money
you can get a decent laptop, but then it won't fit into your pocket.
At the same time, like most Wintel PCs, there is no particularly
distinguishing factor in this device. Acer, hp and Dell offer
ditto products at ditto prices; and the Nokia Communicator and
Sony Ericsson P910i look far cooler. In sum, the O2 Xda IIi scores
well on its various attributes and features, but ultimately, it's
too expensive a toy.
-Kushan Mitra
TREADMILL
SHOE TALK
What's
the best way to choose running or jogging shoes? It can be a confusing
exercise. First, there are the big brands and their in-your-face
advertising, usually accompanied by gimmicky claims about technology
they've used. Then, of course, there's the fashion angle and the
visual appeal that seem to dominate all other aspects of choosing
the shoe. Forget all that. Focus instead on what you want from
the shoe. First, it has to fit well and should be well designed
for what you're planning to do with it. In this case, running
or jogging.
To begin with, you have to check the pronation
of your feet. Here's one way of doing it. Wet your foot and take
an impression of it on a piece of paper placed on the floor. Draw
the outline of your foot with a pen or pencil on the paper. Now,
check the impression left by your foot on the paper for the pronation
of your foot. If you are over-pronated (often called flat-footed),
the impression of the inside of your foot would be more pronounced;
if you are under-pronated, the outside of your foot would be more
pronounced in the imprint. Running shoes usually come in three
shapes: straight, curved or semi-curved. If you are over-pronated,
go for the straight shoes; if you are under-pronated, opt for
the curved shoes; and if your foot imprint is normal, settle for
the semi-curved shape. The shape, incidentally, refers to the
inside of the shoe.
Now, for other tips. Buy your shoes late
in the day, preferably in the evening after a run, because typically,
their size expands around then. Check your shoe fit by wearing
and walking around in them. You should have a half-inch space
between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. You should be
able to wriggle your toes inside the shoe but your heel should
not slip out while walking or running. Some of the better brands
(unfortunately better usually also means more expensive) have
shoes that come in different widths. So you should check for a
good width fit too. Break in a new pair of running shoes by running
short distances for the first few times that you wear them before
going for long runs. Finally, remember to wear your running shoes
only for running and keep them dry after each use.
-Muscles
Mani
write to musclesmani@intoday.com
Caveat: The physical exercises
described in Treadmill are not recommendations. Readers should
exercise caution and consult a physician before attempting to
follow any of these.
KNOW
YOUR OBESITY
You
can be fat without being obese or like comics' most popular fat
man your chest could have slipped. Seriously, obesity is surrounded
by myths. Here is a reckoner.
You are obese if you are overweight: No.
You're obese only if your weight is at least 20 per cent more
than what your height entails.
You are obese if you are big: No.
Obesity means only excess fat. You can be overweight, but not
obese, by being muscular.
Obesity can be determined using the body
mass index (BMI): Yes. According to Dr Karuna, Chief Dietician,
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, people with a BMI over
30 are considered obese.
Obesity plus a family history of heart
disease and diabetes can spell trouble: Yes. And in addition,
high blood pressure or high cholesterol or blood sugar levels
are all warning signs of obesity-induced ailments.
Obesity can lead to other health problems:
Yes. Several diseases, including cancer, can result from it.
-Roopali Joshi
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