Of Apples and Berrys

GIZMOGEEK

Raju Vaziraney, COO, Radico Khaitan, finds the BlackBerry Storm overrated and the Apple MacBook Air, overpriced. But there are a host of other products that have caught his fancy.

Name a gadget that you found to be a revelation.
I am fond of the BlackBerry Curve 8310. Its metallic finish, clean lines and soft edges makes it one of the smallest and lightest BlackBerrys in the Indian market. This smartphone comes with full QWERTY keyboard. It’s a complete set with features that include camera, media player, built-in GPS, expandable memory, voice dialling, BlackBerry Maps and trackball navigation. The regular features of email, text and instant messaging and the Web browser are also there.

Which product in technology is overpriced for its functions?
In terms of its limitations and what it offers, the Apple MacBook Air is overpriced.

Who is your one-stop gizmo guru?
There’s no one specific I turn to.

Is there a gadget that you’ve been waiting to buy?
I was interested in buying Apple iPhone 3G. With fast 3G wireless technology, GPS mapping, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, iPhone 3G will be useful when one is in a business meeting. Like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one — a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and a desktop-class web browser.

Where do you like shopping for gizmos?
I usually shop at authorised dealer stores.

Name a gadget that you think is highly overrated.
The BlackBerry Storm claimed that it was the first clickable touch screen phone. It’s a common feature in other mobiles too.

What is the best technological gadget of 2008.
It has to be the BlackBerry Curve 8310.

What gadget would be a better companion than an iPod?
A high-end mobile can be a strong contender for an iPod.

How much of gadget literature do you read?
Whenever I buy a new product, a mobile, for instance, I read the literature that comes along with it completely.

Name a product that you think should be banned.
Every gadget has its own features and all buyers have their own needs and requirements from gizmos. I don’t think I would suggest banning any product.

Which was the first gadget you bought, and do you still use it?
I’m not very sure, but I think it was the Nokia 3110 classic. However, I don’t use it anymore.