It’s time to break those Fixed Deposits, destroy those Piggy Banks and start brushing up on your credit card swiping skills because it’s the season to be celebratory and spend, spend, spend! It’s the time of the year when buying stuff for others is not just something that makes you feel good but is also considered auspicious. The offers are breaking loose and as soon as the Diwali sales end the Christmas sales will begin. What we’ve got for you here is a list of the top 5 products that you ought to consider for this festive season; price no bar. Take a look at our list and should you feel the need to add any more options, please go right ahead and do so via our comments section below.
Nexus 6P –Rs. 40,000 upward:
Google’s eighth Nexus smartphone has been designed to be more than just a top of the line handset and follow in the footsteps of its forerunners that set certain standards in the industry. The Nexus 6P, built by first-timers for the series, Huawei, takes the Nexus line to a new level, positioning it firmly in the high-end category in terms of specs and price tag. This may not be to public’s liking seeing as the Nexus line has always been a more affordable range to choose from, but from the mere looks of the product, it’s nestled in quite well with the other players.
On the specifications front, the Nexus 6P is a powerhouse featuring the new Snapdragon 810 2GHz Octa-core Qualcomm SoC and the Adreno 430 GPU to keep your games and other graphics looking sharp. With 3GB of RAM, rest assured, running high-end games or playing HD videos on the large 5.7-inch AMOLED display with its 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution and an almost negligible bezel, this is not going to be a sluggish device. The impressively sized 3450 mAh battery (sealed) is another feather in this handset’s cap .Perhaps the only real issue one would take up with the Nexus 6P is the fact that it bears no support for additional memory although the handset will be available in 32 and 64GB editions; that and the 12MP primary camera in a day and age when we’re ready to surpass the 21 megapixel range. Nonetheless, the company promises that the camera will be just as good as any other if not better. The 8MP “selfie” camera up front should compensate though. Other features of this Marshmallow (Android 6.0) running handset include the well positioned fingerprint sensor at the rear, Dual LED flash and Active Noise cancellation.
The Nexus 6P’s price in India ranges from Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB version to Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB edition. It’s available in Aluminum, Graphite and Frost variants.
Apple Watch – Rs. 30,900 upward:
Finally, Apple’s latest accessory for their devices has made it to the Indian market. It’s a bold statement for smartwatches and the technology and has been crafted to be more than just an accessory to your smartphone. The Apple watch is capable of doing so much more than just letting you view your messages or mails and social network updates on its small but clear 1.65-inch (390 x 312 pixels) AMOLED display. With features like a built in Heart Monitor and plenty of fitness apps available on the dedicated app store, the watch is also more than just a fitness band; it measures your activity throughout the day and is even designed to help you stay motivated to keep moving and stay healthy.
The Apple Watch is IPX7 certified (water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes) meaning its ready to go swimming with you, at least for a little while. It acts as a remote for your music player on the phone, gives you access to Siri thanks to the built in microphone, provides updates via the Wallet and Passbook app and also lets you respond to messages without ever needing to whip out your handset. The display is also protected by Ion-X strengthened glass to keep those pesky scratches and smudges at bay and the lightweight aluminum design ensures that it doesn’t feel heavy on your wrist. The battery is said to provide up to 48 hours as is, 6.5 hours for audio playback, 3 hours of talk time and up to 6.5 hours of workout time.
The Apple Watch is available in three series, the standard edition, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition which is the luxury model designed with an 18-Carat Yellow Gold Case with Bright Red strap and Modern Buckle. The devices price in India ranges from Rs. 30,000 for the Apple Watch Sports edition, to somewhere in the range of Rs. 6,50,000 for the 18-Carat gold Edition model; so if you’re ready to make an investment in Gold this festive season, look no further.
B&O BeoPlay A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Rs. 22, 500 upward:
Everyone loves a good portable speaker that they can wirelessly and tirelessly hook up to their mobile handsets; and when it comes to top notch quality, Bang & Olufsen are the guys who specialize in high-end acoustics irrespective of the size of the device. Their B&O BeoPlay A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker may not seem like much but is in fact, one of the best audio accessories out there at the moment.
Designed by Cecilie Manz, the flat design is made from extruded aluminum and features a premium full-grain leather strap. The B&O BeoPlay A2 speaker weighs in at a mere 1.1kg and is built and designed to be easy to carry around. Speaking of the strap, the company has also designed it to be interchangeable allowing you to add a longer version to carry it cross-ways. The straps are available in three color options - Natural, Cognac, and Black. Thanks to its dual channel speakers on either side and what Bang & Olufsen call Power Response Enhancement, designed to provide you with True360 sound, the BeoPlay A2 will give you a solid stereo experience. The massive battery is said to be capable of delivering about 24 hours of non-stop audio playback at normal volume. The A2 also offers Wireless Stereo Pairing so you can connect more than one speak at a time.
Available in four trendy colors – Natural, Green, Black and Gray, the BeoPlay A2 portable speaker carry’s an Indian price tag of Rs. 22,570 and goes up to Rs. 22,990 depending on your choice of color.
Lenovo Yoga 500 – Rs. 55, 300:
Lenovo has been making portable computing solutions for a long time and is, some might say, still working their way up to their peak. Their Yoga line of touchscreen laptops are as fascinating as they are high on specifications and have made quite a comfortable niche for themselves even in the Indian market.
The Lenovo Yoga 500’s 360 degree Flip-and-Fold design makes it a versatile device that easily converts from a standard looking laptop to a compact stand for the display, should you not require the keyboard and to a fully fledged tablet PC for Microsoft Windows 10. Its specification sheet includes the likes of a 5th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with an NVIDIA GeForce 940M 2G GFX graphics card and up to 8GB of DDR3L RAM to give you a speedy performance irrespective of what you’re using it for. It also comes with a 1TB HDD or a SSHD. The 14 and 15 inch editions feature a full HD display (1920 x 1020) and offer battery lives that can go from 6 hours to 5.5 depending on the option and the supported model. Lenovo has also thrown in a microphone, forward facing 0.3M camera, and Stereo speakers with Dolby Home Theater sound capabilities. The weight starts at just 1.8kg depending on the model, making it quite a lightweight option in this category. The company has also included a few extra features like Lenovo Harmony that share device stats and makes app recommendations, a free trial of McAfee LiveSafe and mobile friendly options like Lenovo’s Doit Apps that include SHAREit and SYNCit that’s also available for smartphones.
The slim, sleek and highly ‘flexible’ Lenovo Yoga 500 Touchscreen Laptop features an Indian price that starts from Rs. 55,000.
Sphero BB-8 Remote Controlled Droid:
Sphero has been developing Bluetooth controlled toys for some time now and have adapted their Robotic Ball to look like the new droid BB-8 that also works using your smartphone as a remote control unit. The 8.8-inch high robot can be linked to your smartdevice via Bluetooth and once it’s paired, the app-enabled droid is yours to control. What makes this little ‘toy’ so very interesting, other than the fact that it’s a likeness of a seemingly pivotal Star Wars character, is that the BB-8 Bluetooth robot is also designed to be autonomous to an extent and even respond to voice commands. The intuitive software works by also exploring it’s interactions with you and then adapt it’s “persona” to them by making sounds and or ‘perking-up’ to certain commands. This little guy can also capture video (short clips). It may not be as good a companion as its movie counterpart, but I’m sure the hours of adventure you can have with this toy will be worth it nonetheless.
The Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid is priced at Rs. 21,249 and is shipped directly from the US and may also be available in some brick and mortar stores.
So there you have it, our list of top 5 high-end gadgets and gizmos to consider for this festive season; we’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy Diwali!
By: Shayne Rana
Nexus 6P –Rs. 40,000 upward:
Google’s eighth Nexus smartphone has been designed to be more than just a top of the line handset and follow in the footsteps of its forerunners that set certain standards in the industry. The Nexus 6P, built by first-timers for the series, Huawei, takes the Nexus line to a new level, positioning it firmly in the high-end category in terms of specs and price tag. This may not be to public’s liking seeing as the Nexus line has always been a more affordable range to choose from, but from the mere looks of the product, it’s nestled in quite well with the other players.
On the specifications front, the Nexus 6P is a powerhouse featuring the new Snapdragon 810 2GHz Octa-core Qualcomm SoC and the Adreno 430 GPU to keep your games and other graphics looking sharp. With 3GB of RAM, rest assured, running high-end games or playing HD videos on the large 5.7-inch AMOLED display with its 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution and an almost negligible bezel, this is not going to be a sluggish device. The impressively sized 3450 mAh battery (sealed) is another feather in this handset’s cap .Perhaps the only real issue one would take up with the Nexus 6P is the fact that it bears no support for additional memory although the handset will be available in 32 and 64GB editions; that and the 12MP primary camera in a day and age when we’re ready to surpass the 21 megapixel range. Nonetheless, the company promises that the camera will be just as good as any other if not better. The 8MP “selfie” camera up front should compensate though. Other features of this Marshmallow (Android 6.0) running handset include the well positioned fingerprint sensor at the rear, Dual LED flash and Active Noise cancellation.
The Nexus 6P’s price in India ranges from Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB version to Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB edition. It’s available in Aluminum, Graphite and Frost variants.
Apple Watch – Rs. 30,900 upward:
Finally, Apple’s latest accessory for their devices has made it to the Indian market. It’s a bold statement for smartwatches and the technology and has been crafted to be more than just an accessory to your smartphone. The Apple watch is capable of doing so much more than just letting you view your messages or mails and social network updates on its small but clear 1.65-inch (390 x 312 pixels) AMOLED display. With features like a built in Heart Monitor and plenty of fitness apps available on the dedicated app store, the watch is also more than just a fitness band; it measures your activity throughout the day and is even designed to help you stay motivated to keep moving and stay healthy.
The Apple Watch is IPX7 certified (water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes) meaning its ready to go swimming with you, at least for a little while. It acts as a remote for your music player on the phone, gives you access to Siri thanks to the built in microphone, provides updates via the Wallet and Passbook app and also lets you respond to messages without ever needing to whip out your handset. The display is also protected by Ion-X strengthened glass to keep those pesky scratches and smudges at bay and the lightweight aluminum design ensures that it doesn’t feel heavy on your wrist. The battery is said to provide up to 48 hours as is, 6.5 hours for audio playback, 3 hours of talk time and up to 6.5 hours of workout time.
The Apple Watch is available in three series, the standard edition, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition which is the luxury model designed with an 18-Carat Yellow Gold Case with Bright Red strap and Modern Buckle. The devices price in India ranges from Rs. 30,000 for the Apple Watch Sports edition, to somewhere in the range of Rs. 6,50,000 for the 18-Carat gold Edition model; so if you’re ready to make an investment in Gold this festive season, look no further.
B&O BeoPlay A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Rs. 22, 500 upward:
Everyone loves a good portable speaker that they can wirelessly and tirelessly hook up to their mobile handsets; and when it comes to top notch quality, Bang & Olufsen are the guys who specialize in high-end acoustics irrespective of the size of the device. Their B&O BeoPlay A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker may not seem like much but is in fact, one of the best audio accessories out there at the moment.
Designed by Cecilie Manz, the flat design is made from extruded aluminum and features a premium full-grain leather strap. The B&O BeoPlay A2 speaker weighs in at a mere 1.1kg and is built and designed to be easy to carry around. Speaking of the strap, the company has also designed it to be interchangeable allowing you to add a longer version to carry it cross-ways. The straps are available in three color options - Natural, Cognac, and Black. Thanks to its dual channel speakers on either side and what Bang & Olufsen call Power Response Enhancement, designed to provide you with True360 sound, the BeoPlay A2 will give you a solid stereo experience. The massive battery is said to be capable of delivering about 24 hours of non-stop audio playback at normal volume. The A2 also offers Wireless Stereo Pairing so you can connect more than one speak at a time.
Available in four trendy colors – Natural, Green, Black and Gray, the BeoPlay A2 portable speaker carry’s an Indian price tag of Rs. 22,570 and goes up to Rs. 22,990 depending on your choice of color.
Lenovo Yoga 500 – Rs. 55, 300:
Lenovo has been making portable computing solutions for a long time and is, some might say, still working their way up to their peak. Their Yoga line of touchscreen laptops are as fascinating as they are high on specifications and have made quite a comfortable niche for themselves even in the Indian market.
The Lenovo Yoga 500’s 360 degree Flip-and-Fold design makes it a versatile device that easily converts from a standard looking laptop to a compact stand for the display, should you not require the keyboard and to a fully fledged tablet PC for Microsoft Windows 10. Its specification sheet includes the likes of a 5th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with an NVIDIA GeForce 940M 2G GFX graphics card and up to 8GB of DDR3L RAM to give you a speedy performance irrespective of what you’re using it for. It also comes with a 1TB HDD or a SSHD. The 14 and 15 inch editions feature a full HD display (1920 x 1020) and offer battery lives that can go from 6 hours to 5.5 depending on the option and the supported model. Lenovo has also thrown in a microphone, forward facing 0.3M camera, and Stereo speakers with Dolby Home Theater sound capabilities. The weight starts at just 1.8kg depending on the model, making it quite a lightweight option in this category. The company has also included a few extra features like Lenovo Harmony that share device stats and makes app recommendations, a free trial of McAfee LiveSafe and mobile friendly options like Lenovo’s Doit Apps that include SHAREit and SYNCit that’s also available for smartphones.
The slim, sleek and highly ‘flexible’ Lenovo Yoga 500 Touchscreen Laptop features an Indian price that starts from Rs. 55,000.
Sphero BB-8 Remote Controlled Droid:
Sphero has been developing Bluetooth controlled toys for some time now and have adapted their Robotic Ball to look like the new droid BB-8 that also works using your smartphone as a remote control unit. The 8.8-inch high robot can be linked to your smartdevice via Bluetooth and once it’s paired, the app-enabled droid is yours to control. What makes this little ‘toy’ so very interesting, other than the fact that it’s a likeness of a seemingly pivotal Star Wars character, is that the BB-8 Bluetooth robot is also designed to be autonomous to an extent and even respond to voice commands. The intuitive software works by also exploring it’s interactions with you and then adapt it’s “persona” to them by making sounds and or ‘perking-up’ to certain commands. This little guy can also capture video (short clips). It may not be as good a companion as its movie counterpart, but I’m sure the hours of adventure you can have with this toy will be worth it nonetheless.
The Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid is priced at Rs. 21,249 and is shipped directly from the US and may also be available in some brick and mortar stores.
So there you have it, our list of top 5 high-end gadgets and gizmos to consider for this festive season; we’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy Diwali!
By: Shayne Rana
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