"Technology has taken away spontaneity"

What gadgets do you use?

My HTC One X and my Nexus 7 tablet are essential gadgets that I cannot do without. I picked the One X for its neat looks and minimalist design. But the more I use it, I realize that there’s definitely more to the device than just its looks! It offers a powerful performance, with high-speed browsing and great picture quality, thanks to the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor powering it. Similar performance is what I get from my Nexus 7 tablet. I am sure you see why these two gadgets accompany me everywhere – even on holiday!

Which is the latest gadget you picked up?

The Google tablet, Nexus 7. I like its wider screen space and intuitive design which makes accessing e-mails and documents far easier for me, particularly when I am on the move. It’s also a great entertainment device since it integrates with Google Play. Catching up on e-books, films, games and music on the Nexus 7 is a completely enjoyable experience.

What is your dream machine?

The new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is the sleekest and fastest sedan on the market. Needless to say, the BMW brand is what it is today because of its proposition of driving pleasure with the highest efficiency. But the ActiveHybrid 7 takes this idea several notches higher with a new kind of intelligent energy management – offering speed with economy. It is definitely my dream machine.

What do you not like about technology?

Technology has taken away a lot of the spontaneity that made life unpredictable, challenging and interesting. It has reduced the need for creativity and skill across a vast array of domains.

For instance, there was a time when a golfer could have a good game, going by his experience and gut feel, and playing with a natural or acquired skill. Today an array of high tech aids, including downloadable apps, help players to identify their stroke type, measure the tempo and impact angle and predict the direction of breeze. In my opinion, it takes away half the fun – and all of the challenge – in the game.

Which apps are you addicted to?

Pulse, the new mobile news reading app, helps me keep on top of things – both industry updates as well as general news. For unwinding from worklife, I also use TegraZone app which helps me locate the best android games that I can play on my Nexus 7.

LinkedIn is one of my favored tools when it comes to my professional networking requirements. Among all social media platforms, I think LinkedIn has grown into a powerful tool and a force to reckon with for the entire worldwide business community.

What’s the biggest tech disaster according to you?

I would say HD-DVD. We had two competing standards (HD-DVD and Blu-Ray) on one side, backed by several major players. And on the other side we had consumers who were happy to download HD video and reluctant to pay high prices for discs, making either format irrelevant! Today I watch HD movies either via streaming or downloaded onto my tablet and it’s so much more convenient.

One funny / nostalgic anecdote relating to tech (or the lack of it)

The whole momentum around cloud computing and mobility have been the two most amazing technology advancements of the decade. It means a smooth, seamlessly functioning world where you no longer have to hear an executive say; “Sorry, we cannot get this done for you as our manager is travelling.”

Cloud computing has been just as radical – it has given businesses a level-playing field by allowing them access to the latest technology at affordable costs and capital investments.

One instance where technology solved your problem.

Technology solves our problems every day of our lives. Today, everything from booking my flight tickets, planning my travel itinerary, making a bank transfer or paying my bills – can be done online, while I am seated right in my office. And the internet and broadband connectivity are making this possible. I think that’s the biggest convenience that technology provides me.

(As told to S. Ronendra Singh)

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