Top 5 Smartphones to Buy Right this Minute

The smartphone market in India is hot like never before. Nokia is losing its sheen and Samsung and Apple are racing ahead.

Consumers have a plethora of options to choose from. This may lead to a serious brainstorming session on their part. In case, you're planning to buy a smartphone, we've made life a little easier for you by complining a list of the top 5 smartphones to buy at present.

Take a look and then take your pick:

Samsung Galaxy S II

Okay, believe it or not but the truth is that Galaxy S II has usurped iPhone 4 from the throne of the smartphone empire. In a short period of time, it has stormed ahead of iPhone, which looked invincible at some point of time. The Galaxy S II's combines a thin and light design with the flexibility of hugely popular Android. Add to this a dazzling display and the best-in-class performance. It may have some minor flaws but they can be easily ignored for the great features it offers.

Why should I Buy it?

Big on performance, excellent display, ultra thing and light design, loaded with features, great battery performance.

Price: Rs 29,999

MensXP Rating: 4.5/5

Apple iPhone 4

Well, one of the reasons you should get this baby is because it's an Apple product after all! And iPhone 4 is in many ways the best phone Apple has ever made. It's faster that its predecessor, the 3GS. The Retina Display is simply amazing and sets the new standards in cellphone displays. The FaceTime App is indeed path-breaking and redefines the entire concept of video conferencing. And then its killer looks. It feels awesome to hold the phone in your hand.

Why should I Buy it?

Revolutionary features like FaceTime and iMovie, Stunning high-res display, brilliant camera (for video and still photography), superb battery life

Price: Rs 40,900 for iPhone 4 32 GB

MensXP Rating: 4.5/5

HTC Sensation

Often peddled as HTC's answer to Samsung's Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4, this Dual Core wonder is highly likely to attract people looking for an alternative to the first two phones. And the phone is indeed giving some serious competition to them. With a weight of just 148 gm and a beautiful design, Sensation is a pure joy in the hand. The phone was a CNET Editors' Choice Award winner and they said that it is “sensational in many ways”.

Why should I Buy it?

Excellent user interface, lovely display, 1.2 GHz Dual Core processor, 8 MP camera, excellent HD video recording, remarkable battery life

Price: Rs. 28,899

MensXP Rating: 4/5

HTC Desire S

This is an evolved successor to its massively popular ancestor - HTC Desire. Unibody design, a great interface, and the inclusion of Android 2.3 are being lauded all over. It is a seriously appealing mobile phone. Although is camera is mildly disappointing, the other features, which come at a competitive price, more than make up for that. Its software is intuitive and processor powerful.

Why should I Buy it?

Fantastic Unibody design, great performance, value for money,

Price: Rs 22,399

MensXP Rating: 4/5

LG Optimus 2X

Optimus 2X from LG is fitted with a speedy processor (Dual Core Tegra 2 1GHz) that makes it insanely fast and revs up the apps and user-interface transitions. Its appearance and feel may be slightly bulky but it offers some great hardware. Multimedia features are overwhelming. Once again, a good choice for those looking for options beyond Apple and Samsung.

Why should I Buy it?

Excellent display, powerful 1GHz Dual Core processor, slick scrolling and zooming, bustling with features

Price: Rs. 25,449

MensXP Rating: 4/5 (MensXP.com)

10 brain-boosting superfoods

Berries

Berries are rich in antioxidants and are thought to help build healthy connections between brain cells. Blueberries are widely considered to be one of the healthiest foods around - these sweet little bursts of goodness are also rich in fibre, which helps improve your cardiovascular system as well as your brain.


Dark chocolate

It's true - chocolate can be good for you! Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) has plenty of brain-boosting compounds, is rich in antioxidants and has just the right amount of caffeine to keep you alert. It also sends your serotonin skyrocketing, so you can stay happy during those long, boring days in the office.

Curry

This fiery staple of Indian and Thai cuisine often contains potent spices that are known to reduce inflammation. On top of this, animal studies have shown that curcumin - curry's active ingredient - is effective at clearing away proteins called amyloid plaques, which can cause serious brain problems.

Broccoli and other green vegetables

Former U.S. president George W. Bush may have been vocal in his hatred of this much-maligned foodstuff, but it is known to increase brain power. Broccoli and other green vegetables such as kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts are filled with antioxidants like vitamin C, as well as brain-protecting plant compounds called carotenoids.

Seeds

Seeds such as pumpkin seeds contain lots of brilliant mind-boosting minerals like zinc and magnesium.

Wholegrain foods

Eating a diet rich in whole grain foods is proven to increase cognitive function. One recent study found that women who increased their intake of folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 (all of which are found in whole grains) were significantly better at recalling information than those who did not.

Avocado

Avocado is rich in Vitamin E - an important antioxidant for maintaining a healthy brain.
Green and black tea

Green and black tea

A fresh-brewed cup of tea is a rich source of catechines (antioxidants), which are great for boosting your brain. However, tea does of course contain caffeine, so avoid drinking more than two to three cups a day.

Water

Staying hydrated is vital as every cell in your body needs water to thrive. Studies show that people who are well hydrated score significantly better in tests of brainpower, compared with those who aren't drinking enough.

Ten things that make us happiest

A new survey has found that most of us enjoy a good giggle above any other of life’s pleasures. And it doesn’t cost a penny.In an increasingly materialistic world, it is family, friends and the beauty of nature that seem to make people the happiest.

The survey, organised by Apples to mark the start of the import season, asked more than 2,000 people from across the UK to name the simple things that make life more pleasurable. The following are the 10 pleasures:

 

 

 

"It seems that in an overly complicated and stressful world we're looking for ways to re-connect with what really matters," the Daily Express quoted Ralph Walker, head of marketing for Apples from New Zealand, as saying.

"It's the simplest things in life that do not cost us anything which seem to bring us the most happiness," he said.

Source: Based on an ANI press release

10 smart tips to manage your money!

You never know what’s in store for you! For instance, we cannot control outside events like recession. No matter what you do, it is going to affect all of us in some way or other. However some simple tips like optimum asset allocation, debt reduction, keeping emergency cash will help you tide over the rough times, without much damage.





Check your expenses and adhere to your budget
People tend to forget that good times don’t last forever. If you spend lavishly during good times and continue the trend without adapting to changes in circumstances, very soon you will land in financial trouble. Hence to ensure you lead a consistent lifestyle, always draw out a budget and ensure you stick to it religiously. E.g. if you have allocated Rs 500 per month towards your entertainment expenses, don’t spend a rupee more than Rs. 500. It will not only help you handle your finances better but will develop your willpower by delaying instant gratification.

Don’t rely on future income
Depending on future income in order to spend today, is one of the biggest mistakes we make. This has been evident during a job crisis, where youth racked up a huge credit card debt and took heavy loans. But when the salary cuts and job losses occurred, they were unable to pay off their debt. E.g. if your monthly income is Rs. 20,000 always ensure you spend well within Rs. 20,000 as pay cut or job loss may land you in trouble.

Reduce your debt
Got a bonus? Then pay off any loans that you have taken. If you have multiple loans, first pay off the loans with the highest interest rate, then the one with second highest rate and so on. E.g. if you have a credit card debt, personal loan and home loan, first clear off the credit card debt, then personal loan and finally home loan. For this you will have to plan out your debts and then go on following it systematically and steadily. It will not only save you money but will also give you mental peace.

Opt for strategic asset allocation
Though experts have consistently stated the importance of asset allocation, many investors tend to overlook this fact and invest only in the hottest asset. But remember market conditions do change and what is hot today may be out in the cold later on for a long time. So ensure you divide your portfolio amongst stocks, bonds, gold and real estate to get the maximum returns from your portfolio. Though your portfolio may under perform for some time, it will end up protecting you when the things get rough.

Keep emergency cash
You never know when a crisis can strike your family. Death, disease or job loss can end up upsetting your investments. You might be forced to sell your investments though they have not been given you any profits. Hence it is advisable to keep at least 3-6 months of your household expenses aside as emergency cash.

Sort out Your Finances
Agreed, keeping tabs on and handling your finances closely, may not sound like an interesting job, but it is a necessity. However you can reduce the boredom by putting a system in place. Once it is done, you can spend a few hours a month on this job. E.g. on Sunday, you can spend 1-2 hours to find out how your investments are performing, reading up any news concerning them or talking with your financial planner about the performance of your investments.

Plan in advance
One of the reasons many people land in financial mess is that they don’t plan their finances ahead. So it is imperative to plan your finances properly. Find out your current position, where you intend to go and set up a feasible plan to achieve your objectives. Unforeseeable events may occur and make you stray away from your plan for a short time, but ensure you get back on track at the earliest. Always remain focused and keep a watch on your progress. E.g. you are saving to buy a home and have started investing for the same. But 6 months after you started investing, you lose your job. If that happens, stop your investment, get a new job and again restart your investment.

Invest systematically and gradually
The biggest problem is that most people don’t bother saving till it is quite late. So they don’t have any money to fall back on in case of emergency. Hence it is essential to start small, but regularly and then increase the amounts later on. E.g. you can start a SIP, in which a particular sum is debited from your bank account and invested in a mutual fund. Or you can open a recurring deposit, which acts like a SIP, initiated by the bank. All this will occur automatically, so you have no excuse not to save.

Be in charge of your investments
The markets have crashed, the realty is down in dumps. What do you do? Sell off? Wrong. Unfortunately, this is what most investors do. In this situation, it is advisable to hold on to your portfolio as selling will just end up causing you financial loss. Instead increase your emergency cash reserves and periodically review your asset allocation of your portfolio.

Set a realistic outlook
The days of stocks giving a return of over 40% are over. While it is possible some of them may give you those types of returns, it is setting yourself up for disappointment if you keep your outlook very high. Instead keep a practical outlook of earning 12-15% returns from your investments.

Have a flying Car?

London, A flying car which usually finds its mention in children books or animated cartoon movies, may soon become a reality in Britain.

Aviation experts are saying a flying car could be in regular use in Britain within five years after a model was formally approved by US authorities, Daily Mail reported Monday.

The $250,000 Terrafugia Transition is a two-seater aircraft, which has a top speed of 115 mph, a range of 500 miles on a tank of fuel and requires just 20 hours training to fly.

The car, at the touch of a button, takes just 15 seconds for its wings to fold up automatically and the power to be re-routed from the propeller to the rear wheels.
It can then be driven at up to 65 mph and will comfortably fit in a standard size garage.

'It's like a little Transformer,' said Terrafugia founder Carl Dietrich, referring to the children's toys that were turned into a blockbuster movie franchise.

Although aimed primarily at buyers in the US where there are plenty of airstrips and 600 'fly-in'
communities - Boeing 707 owner John Travolta being the best-known fan - more than 20 Britons have already declared an interest in the carbon-fibre vehicle.

India's another communications satellite

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists on Friday successfully launched the GSAT-12 communications satellite which will help meet India’s increasing demand for services like tele-education, telemedicine and e-governance.

The 1410 kg satellite, which costs Rs 80 crores, was launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The PSLV-C17 rocket launched the GSAT-12 satellite into a
sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit of 284 km perigee and an apogee of 21,000 km. The satellite with Extended C-band transponders will augment communication services in the country, the ISRO said.

With this launch, the PSLV, referred to as the Indian space agency’s trusted workhorse, completed its eighteenth successful mission in a row. Two more launches of the rocket are expected later this year.

Use of Internet affecting our memory

Researchers have found that the widespread use of search engines and online databases is affecting the way people remember information.

To know whether people were more likely to remember information that could be easily retrieved from a computer, Betsy Sparrow, an assistant professor of psychology at Columbia and her collaborators, Daniel M. Wegner of Harvard and Jenny Liu of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, staged different memory experiments, reports the New York Times.

In one experiment where participants typed 40 bits of trivia, the team found that the subjects were significantly more likely to remember information if they thought they would not be able to find it later.

"Participants did not make the effort to remember when they thought they could later look up the trivia statement they had read," wrote the authors.

A second experiment was aimed at determining whether computer accessibility affects precisely what we remember.

"If asked the question whether there are any countries with only one colour in their flag, for example," the researchers wrote, "do we think about flags - or immediately think to go online to find out?"

In this case, participants were asked to remember both the trivia statement itself and which of five computer folders it was saved in. The researchers were surprised to find that people seemed better able to recall the folder.

"That kind of blew my mind," Dr. Sparrow said.

The experiment explores an aspect of what is known as transactive memory - the notion that we rely on our family, friends and co-workers as well as reference material to store information for us.

The Internet's effects on memory are still largely unexplored, Dr. Sparrow said, adding that her experiments had led her to conclude that the Internet has become our primary external storage system.

"Human memory is adapting to new communications technology."