Master solesman

GIZMOGEEK

If cars are his first love, gadgets come a close second - and understated is how Raja Natesan likes them. At present in Singapore as regional manager (South-east Asia) with Kingfisher Airlines, he finds his 802.11 wireless network card very useful, and swears by the very first digital voice recorder he bought.

What’s the best gadget to buy this season?
The iPhone is overrated, but it has enough to amaze you. For music lovers, the Bose Wave radio with its surround effect is mind-blowing. Also, the iRobot — a fully automatic robotic vacuuming device.

What gizmo would you find embarrassing to own?
A gold-plated mobile phone with a loud ringtone.

What one gadget is, according to you, among the best all-in-one gizmos in the market today?
The 3G iPhone — in countries where you can really experience 3G speeds. It has video streaming, iPod, Net, camera, social blogging, IM, recorders, a host of other things and a huge memory.

Name an early gadget you bought that you still use.
A digital voice recorder. In the corporate world, often statements are made and then retracted. It is nice to put the recorder on the table as you begin an official discussion.

Tell us about one gizmo you would love to gift, to whom and why.
A sleep-inducer that uses soothing sounds from nature (like the lapping of waves or a gentle waterfall) to lull you to sleep. I would like to gift it to a friend or older relative who has a problem getting sleep.

If you could, what kind of gizmo would you invent?
A shoe with interchangeable soles that can be used for running, tennis, basketball, trekking, soccer or cricket by just changing the sole.

Is there a gadget you lost and still feel sorry about?
My Psion 5. My son, then aged four, decided to check whether it was shock-proof and threw it on the floor. I had not taken a back-up!

What one buy do you regret spending so much money on?
The BlackBerry in its early days. It was the one with the flywheel and the Qwerty keyboard, and soon I realised I had a painful right thumb.

What underrated gadget has been a revelation?
The wireless network card (802.11). The mobile revolution, especially in music, would have been impossible without this card.

Who’s your one-stop gadget guru?
The company 3M, which to me symbolises creativity and innovation. Secondly, Steve Jobs — one of the most visionary and creative CEOs in the world.