Get over laptops, smart phones, flash drives and camera. Have a look at what other cool gadgets the students are looking at as they start college
Get over laptops, smart phones, flash drives and camera. Have a look at what other cool gadgets the students are looking at as they start college
"Don't tell me you are going to use 'that' phone in college. If you are, make sure you stand a feet away from me while using it," said my 17-year-old cousin to her friend, as I sat witnessing their conversation. To my surprise, the friend gave into the condescending comment. 
This got me thinking ufffd is there more to a gadget than just its utility quotient? Is the nature of learning changing in today's world? Is convergent technology fundamental for Gen Y or does it only satisfy their inflated ego? The tossed coin balances itself on the edge! As the colleges reopen and fucchas make last minute preparations to live up to the DU standards, the electronics market is flooded with students adding fancy gadgets to their backpack. We bring you the top five picks which will not only attract eyeballs but also make your academic session fun and blotch-free.
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The geek in you
Every student agrees that he/she can never get enough of reference material for projects and those 20kg books are simply too heavy to carry. That's why the Kindle is a good addition to the backpack of any university student. K Vaitheeswaran, Founder and CEO of Indiaplaza.com, the first e-commerce site of the country, says: "It lets you replace 10 books with one device. In the past three months we have sold more than 700 pieces of the Kindle and students form a large chunk of the customers. Priced at Rs 8,500, it is affordable and meets the everyday academic need of a student." The Kindle Book Store has plenty of relevant educational and reference titles such as business, science and medical and even material for preparation for tests such as GRE.
iBall Take Note A414 has also caught attention of many students. This digital notepad allows you to quickly scribble down notes during a class or draw flowcharts and diagrams. Being a dual-purpose device, you can use regular paper on top of it and voila! You have a handwritten copy as well as a digital copy that is stored on memory cards in the device. These notes can be easily edited, organised and shared using Windows.
Towards convergence
Ranjit Yadav, Country Head, Mobile and IT, Samsung India believes that a convergent device is the answer to all the demands of the youth. "A tablet device will change the way students connect with their peers, spend their time at home and carry their world with them. Weighing only 350 grams, Galaxy tablet supports high speed data upload and download, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is great for web browsing including online videos (such as in virtual classrooms). It can be operated with a single hand, ideal when students travel. Its unique e-reading application called Readers Hub provides easy access to a vast digital library. When it comes to music, students will be able to access over 100,000 Indian songs," he said.
The device also has a camera on the back to take pictures and another in the front for video conferencing, making it a desirable feature for outstation students (and for those in long-distance relationships!). The device can access the internet independently if you put in a SIM card, without the need to hunt for WiFi. Priced at Rs 29,000, the device has got thumbs up from many.
Aalap Ghag, technology expert and former host of tech-show on a national TV, however, puts dibs on iPad. "iPad 2 isn't my pick because of its splattering new features but because it's quickly becoming the convention for the future of education. Schools and colleges the world over have begun to provide the use of an iPad by the students. This is even catching on in India now. The selection of apps for the iPad and the fact that every iPad in the world is nearly identical ensures that students using an older iPad in India are getting the exact same experience as students in the US using the latest iPad. This kind of consistency is what is making schools pick the iPad over other gadgets."
Idiosyncratic
A universal charger will come to your and your friend's rescue every time you go out and forget to keep your charging devices. A great pick for those who do regular sleepovers. Lastly, how about starting your day with a quirky alarm clock waking you up? Disconnect the wiring in the bomb alarm clock or if you are the quieter soul, let the ambilight alarm clock wake you up with light as its intensity changes. Whoever said geeks weren't cool? Go grab your pick!
I use iMap, PSP and a smart phone. Flaunting gadgets has become a convention. Cool gadgets attract attention towards you. This practice is unhealthy, but then that's the trend.
- Parth Arora, 1st year student, Trinity College, IP University
Gadgets have changed the way of learning. Being a literature student, I have downloaded many books on my Kindle and read them while traveling or when bored. I think technology is a necessary evil!u00a0
- Meetu Gupta, 2nd year student, Laxmi Bai College, DU
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