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Business News/ Mint-lounge / Indulge/  The allure of technology
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The allure of technology

A large part of the allure of gadgets and gizmos is the sense of 'problem solution' that they provide

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The editor of your favourite men’s luxury magazine is what most people would call an unabashed gadget freak. If it has buttons, flashes lights, streams music, connects to wireless Internet for any purpose whatsoever...I must own it. This is non-negotiable.

This is why my home is often a dystopian landscape strewn with old data cables, mobile phone chargers, obsolete Mp3 players, deadbeat Bluetooth speakers and at least half a million USB pen drives.

My latest tech acquisition is a Pico Projector perched on a shelf above the bed. And when I say latest, I really mean I bought it several months ago but only just managed to find a way to actually use it. This involves using a variety of adapters to connect a Google Chromecast dongle to the projector, and then using a phone or a tablet to stream video on to my bedroom wall. So far so good. My only complaint is that the projector’s audio is unbearably teeny.

But this is being rectified. Earlier this week I ordered an HDMI audio splitter direct from an agency in China. Once this comes, I will tap the audio out of the Chromecast output and run it into a portable speaker that I will then precariously perch next to the projector.

Once everything is in place, my plan is to organize a marathon viewing of all the Die Hard films, in the bedroom with friends and family.

So why do I waste your time with this story? Because I think a large part of the allure of gadgets and gizmos is the sense of ‘‘problem solution" they give you. Even something as mundane as pairing a Bluetooth headphone with a mobile phone comes with a little spark of delight.

This issue of Indulge is full of potential for moments of such delight. We have speakers, headphones, and all the usual suspects. But also quirky kitchen gadgets, a guide for taking selfies, and cutting-edge tech from the research labs at Jaguar Land Rover. Irrespective of your budget or technological sophistication, there is something in these pages for you to play with.

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Published: 29 Aug 2014, 08:32 AM IST
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