Buyers' guide: Which Android smartphone to buy

Question: I need a good mid-level Android smartphone. I have shortlisted two options which are the LG Optimus One P500 and the Spice Mi-410. Please help.

--by Harshit Batra

Answer: Harshit, out of the two the Spice makes a better choice, simply because feature to feature you get a lot more. It records HD video, offers a higher screen resolution of 480 x 800, sports a 5MP camera, and comes with a speedy 800MHz processor.

The LG Optimus One currently sells for roughly 11,990 is priced extremely well, but if you throw in a bit more, you can get a much better phone overall in the form of Spice Mi-410 at least on paper. How it performs in the real world, is something we can tell you only after a test.

Question: Which phone would you recommend among the Samsung Galaxy Fit. Galaxy Pop, Galaxy Pro and LG Optimus One? My requirements are a good processor preferably above 600mhz a confirmed update to Android 2.3 and a good screen.

--by Rahul Ramachandran
Answer: Hi Rahul, pick the LG Optimus One if you are looking to pick a phone from the above list that offers a confirmed Android 2.3 update. But if you could skip that, the Samsung Galaxy Pop is one heck of a feature rich phone, being offered at a ridiculously low price.

Question: I am looking for a cellphone with Android 2.3. You have said earlier that the Nexus S is nicely priced at 20,000 and good but is it worth spending more for the Galaxy S2? And doesn't the Google Nexus S too have an AMOLED screen? Which other Android phones would you recommend?

--by Rohan Kapashi

Answer: The Nexus S is a great phone for the price that it is being offered at. It is true the phone does feature a Super AMOLED screen, but in some countries it was offered with the Super LCD screen due to shortage of Super AMOLED displays.

You might want to spend more on the Galaxy SII if you want a slightly larger screen and a better camera. If not, the Nexus S is the phone of choice for you.


Question: Hi, I am searching for a DSLR camera with mirrorless technology with at least 12MP sensor. It will be good if it features FullHD video recording and can shoot well in low light.

--by Aushik Chikhale

Answer: When it comes to mirror-less cameras, there is a bit of choice in the market at the moment. Unlike last year when Panasonic was the sole player, currently you can choose from the Sony NEX-5, Olympus EP-3, and the Panasonic DMC G3, which are our top picks.

If you were to put a gun to our head and ask us which one we would pick, the answer would be the Panasonic DMC G3.

Question: I am planning to buy a LED TV for my room. Since the watching distance is not much, I think a 22 inch TV would work just fine. Please suggest the best TV with good sound and picture quality. My budget is between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.

--by Vineeta R

Answer: Looks like you are in luck. The Samsung UA22D5000NRLXL (the name couldn't possibly have been more complicated) is the perfect TV for you. It is 22in in size and it offers full HD video output at an absolute bargain. All yours for 20,900. Enjoy.

Question: Hi, I have a budget of 10,000 - 15,000 and I wish to buy a good digital camera from Canon, given its amazing picture clarity and its features. I'm interested in photography and want to try my hand at it with a proper cam, since my 5MP phone camera does not suffice. Can you please suggest the best model?

--by Mayur Kapoor 

Answer: Hi Mayur, the only camera that comes to our mind is the brilliantly spec'd and priced Canon IXUS 220 HS. It sells for 10,995 and offers a 12.1MP sensor along with a 24mm ultra wide-angle lens, 5X optical zoom and can record movies in FullHD@ 24p. A great camera to begin your photography journey with.

Tendulkar's intervention led to Bell's reinstatement: Report

LONDON: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is getting the applause but it was actually Sachin Tendulkar's intervention that led to Ian Bell's reinstatement after his bizarre run-out in the just-concluded India-England second Test, a media report has claimed.

According to 'The Daily Mail', Dhoni refused to entertain England skipper Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower's request for reinstating Bell, who was run-out after leaving his crease claiming to be under the impression that tea break had been taken on the third day of the match which England won by 319 runs on Monday.

"Sachin Tendulkar has emerged as the key figure behind India's dramatic change of heart that led to them recalling Ian Bell after controversially running him out," the newspaper reported.

The Indians had appealed for Bell's dismissal and got the umpires' decision in their favour but decided to allow the batsman's reinstatement during tea break when requested by Strauss and Flower.

"Dhoni was asked three times on the field whether he was appealing and each time he said yes. Then when Flower and Strauss went to see Dhoni and Fletcher they said their captain insisted the decision would stand. Tendulkar was the voice in the dressing room that got Bell reinstated," the daily quoted a source as saying.

The newspaper said Tendulkar successfully managed to avert a major controversy.

"It is no surprise that one of the greatest players to ever grace the game would be such an influential figure in such a big decision and would be aware of the implications of the run-out standing.

"The atmosphere between the teams would have been tense for the rest of the summer while the sometimes fraught relationship between the two countries' boards would have been further stretched," the report said.

Describing Tendulkar as the "most influential person in Indian cricket", the newspaper said, "Once Tendulkar had spoken Dhoni listened and a decision that - according to the letter of the law - was perfectly fair was swiftly overturned."

"It was also one that was quickly accepted by the rest of the India side who hold their illustrious teammate in such high regard. The England team quickly emerged on their balcony to applaud the Indians as Bell ran out after tea. By then they knew that it was Tendulkar they were applauding."

Selena Gomez Sunbathing Topless Pics

Here’s 19-year-old (Seemed like a good idea to point that out.) Selena Gomez sunbathing in Orlando over the weekend and, okay, fine, looking not pregnant. And while I’m being completely honest, its time all of us stop lying to ourselves about Justin Bieber hitting this and start focusing on harvesting His power.