Hey Google Glass, are you recording me?

The Glass display is on when in record mode, but it's not easy to detect from a distance or if you are unaware that someone with strange glasses is staring at you.

Google Glass display shows cards with information customized for each user. (Credit: Google)

Google's Glass is officially in the wild. There are sightings of Glass explorers -- a few thousand people who are paying $1,500 to be among the first to put Glass through its paces -- beyond Google's campus. The initial in-depth reviews are trickling in, assessing the new wearable computer as innovative, functionally limited and pricey.

The Google Glass display is visibly on when recording video or taking pictures.

While Google Glass has a cool factor, it may make some people on the other side of the lens uncomfortable. They could be concerned about being recorded without some indication that Glass has them in its sights. There is no tiny red LED light flashing when Glass is in recording mode. However, the Glass display is on when recording, and people in close proximity on the other side of the lens can see the tiny reverse image of what's on the display. But the act of recording video or picture taking may not be that obvious from a distance or to the uninitiated. It's clearly less obvious than someone pointing a phone in your direction.

Noble Ackerson, a business strategist and software developer in Washington, D.C., has been using Glass daily for the last ten days, and believes the privacy concerns related to surreptitious recording are overblown. "In my experience more people take a picture or video of me than anyone asking me if I am recording them. The privacy concerns are based around people not having the device in hand yet and not understanding the social signals."
At this juncture, however, Glass is more of a curiosity item than a well understood technology with established social norms.

Nobel Ackerson

In an interview with the BBC Eric Schmidt, Google's executive chairman, noted the privacy concerns.
"The fact of the matter is we'll have to develop some new social etiquette. It's obviously not appropriate to wear these glasses in situations where recording is not correct, and indeed you have this problem already with phones," Schmidt said.
Ackerson doesn't think that Glass will be of any use to those who want to play spy.
"It's a horrible snooping device. In order for me to record a person across the room I would have to be staring at them, which is very awkward," he said. "If you wanted to do something convertly, you could find a better device. People generally don't want to invade peoples' privacy, and there are better tools like CCTV cameras or Memoto life-logging camera."
Tech guru and Glass fan Robert Scoble shares Ackerson's view that privacy concerns are misplaced. In a post he wrote, "The privacy advocates have overplayed their hand and as more and more of you get Glass you'll see just how. Their fears of the future have led them down a bad path....if I really wanted to capture you, I'd just rent a 600mm lens and a parabolic microphone (which is what NFL Football does to make those cool movies where you can listen to the quarterback). I'd just sit across the street."
What's clear, no matter what rules of Glass etiquette evolve, is that the future will be recorded exponentially more than the past, and it will be increasingly difficult to stay out of the picture.

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Apple remains tablet king, but Samsung climbs

Apple comes in at No. 1 in the world's tablet market, but the share of No. 2 device maker Samsung grows quickly.

 

The tablet market has grown by more than 140 percent over the course of a year, with Apple continuing to reign as the No. 1 provider of tablets, according to a report published Wednesday by IDC.
That means Apple shipped 19.5 million of the 49.2 million tablets shipped worldwide during this past three-month quarter. Samsung, in comparison, shipped 8.8 million tablets, but it's a figure that's grown more than 280 percent since last year. Asus shipped 2.7 million tablets, thanks to the Nexus 7, and Kindle maker Amazon shipped 1.8 million tablets. Microsoft landed among the top five tablet vendors for the first time with its Surface PT and Surface Pro tablets. It shipped a total of 900,000 tablets.
IDC analysts attribute the growth of the tablet market overall to consumers' fondness for smaller screens.
"Sustained demand for the iPad Mini and increasingly strong commercial shipments led to a better-than-expected first quarter for Apple," Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at IDC, said in a statement. "In addition, by moving the iPad launch to the fourth quarter of 2012, Apple seems to have avoided the typical first-quarter slowdown that traditionally occurred when consumers held off buying in January and February in anticipation of a new product launch in March."

Top Five Tablet Vendors, Shipments, and Market Share, First Quarter 2013 (Shipments in millions)

Vendor	1Q13 Unit Shipments	1Q13 Market Share	1Q12 Unit Shipments	1Q12 Market Share	Year-over-Year Growth
1. Apple	19.5	39.6%	11.8	58.1%	65.3%
2. Samsung	8.8	17.9%	2.3	11.3%	282.6%
3. ASUS	2.7	5.5%	0.6	3.1%	350.0%
4. Amazon.com Inc.	1.8	3.7%	0.7	3.6%	157.1%
5. Microsoft	0.9	1.8%	0.0	N/A	N/A
Others	15.5	31.5%	4.9	24.1%	216.3%
Total	49.2	100.0%	20.3	100.0%	142.4%

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Today`S QuoTes

“It's better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone.”

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7 solid reasons you're not losing weight

7 solid reasons why you're not losing weight

Trying to lose weight, but cannot? Here are 7 reasons that could be getting in the way
Do you keep piling on the kilos, no matter how many diets you try? The problem may have more to do with your general health than with your food. Here are simple solutions that can help you beat the bulge.
Need more sleep
If you don't sleep well, then the body's hormone axis don't work properly. They affect metabolism and eventually lead to weight gain. Doctors say if you aren't sleeping, your body won't be digesting food normally either. Besides, people suffering from insomnia often snack through the night or drink coffee, which makes the problem worse.
Fix it: Get into a routine by going to bed at regular times and waking up at the same time, even during the weekends. Steer clear of caffeine after 4 pm and try to avoid iPhones or watching TV in your bedroom. Instead, unwind by reading before going to bed.
You're depressed
The problem here is twofold. Most people share an emotional relationship with food. So when depressed, they tend to eat more. However, antidepressants can also stimulate the appetite as, when people feel happier, thanks to the medication, they overeat.
Fix it: It's important not to use an increase in appetite as an excuse to eat the wrong foods. Instead, make sure you always have healthy snacks, such as fruit, nuts and seeds, on hand to stave off those pangs of hunger. If you feel your medication is to blame for your weight gain, then see your GP who might be able to prescribe alternatives.
You're stressed
When adrenaline (the stress hormone) kicks in, the body produces more cortisol, which in turn causes hunger. When you're stressed it's tempting to turn to unhealthy ready meals, high-calorie snacks or alcohol. Stress can also make you feel lethargic. All of these factors take their toll on the waistline.
Fix it: Even in times of stress, eat regular, healthy meals. People who are stressed at work tend to laze around in bed on weekends, but that makes matters worse. Unless you eat within half an hour of waking up, the body will go into fasting mode and store up the last meal in case you don't eat.
Thyroid to blame
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, slows down the metabolism; many people find they put on weight while it goes undiagnosed. With treatment, the hormones will balance out and weight will soon return to normal.
Fix it: Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold. If you experience any of these, see your GP for a blood test.
PCOS syndrome
Many overweight women suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. They have a resistance to insulin, just like people with diabetes, which in the case of PCOS makes it difficult for them to convert the male hormone testosterone in the ovaries into the female hormone oestrogen.
Higher levels of testosterone in the body will make sufferers put on weight and the insulin resistance does the same thing because the body can't utilise the calories it is taking in.
Fix it: Patients are treated with metformin (the same medication given to type 2 diabetics). It reduces the insulin resistance, which rectifies the hormone balance. They are also encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well and exercising regularly. Other symptoms of PCOS include excessive body hair, irregular periods, infertility, hair loss and acne.
Eating late at night
Studies have shown that people who consume the same calories as others, but eat them an hour or two before going to bed will put on more weight than those who eat earlier. This is because the body is aware that you are not being active, so it stores the calories by turning them into fat. It takes the body longer to convert this stored fat into energy again.
Fix it: Eat your main meal at lunchtime and then have a smaller, lighter meal in the evening, at least three hours before going to bed. The body's ability to digest food reduces as the sun sets.
You've cut out carbs
We all know you need a balanced diet to be healthy but for many of us, cutting out carbs is a sure-fire way to reduce a few kilos quickly. However, when you eliminate something from your diet, the body starts to crave it. Carbs are important building blocks for the body to turn into energy.
Fix it: Eat healthy carbs, such as wholemeal breads, rotis, and brown rice. Avoid diets that ban them.

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Samsung launches 7-inch tablet with voice calling

Samsung has announced a new tablet with 7-inch screen, called the Galaxy Tab 3.

NEW DELHI: Samsung has announced a new tablet with 7-inch screen, called the Galaxy Tab 3. This new device will be available in Wi-Fi only as well as Wi-Fi+3G variants that will roll out in May and June this year, respectively.

The all-new Galaxy Tab 3 features a TFT screen with 1024x600p resolution and 169ppi pixel density and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). This device is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, though the company has not specified which chipset it has used. It comes in 8 and 16GB variants, supports microSD card expansion and offers 1GB RAM.
Connectivity options in the device include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB 2.0; the other variant also supports 2G and 3G-based voice calls, internet connectivity and messaging. On the back is a 3MP camera, while a 1.3MP unit is used in the front. This tablet measures 9.9mm along the waistline and has a 4,000mAh battery.

In the Indian market, this device will compete against the recently-unveiled Asus FonePad.

Key specs:

Display: 7-inch TFT screen with 1024x600p resolution, 169ppi pixel density;
Operating system: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean);
Processor and RAM: 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM;
Connectivity: 2G/3G (optional), WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, microUSB 2.0;
Storage: 8/16GB internal storage, microSD slot (up to 64GB);
Camera: 3MP primary camera, 1.3MP secondary unit; and
Battery: 4,000mAh

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Bendable smartphones coming soon

Researchers, including an Indian origin scientist, have developed prototypes for gen-next shape-shifting smartphones and mobile devices that can change form on-demand.

LONDON: Imagine a cellphone that bends to block a snooping bystander from reading your private messages!

Researchers, including an Indian origin scientist, have developed prototypes for gen-next shape-shifting smartphones and mobile devices that can change form on-demand.

The research introduces the term 'shape resolution' and its ten features, to describe the resolution of an interactive device, in addition to display and touch resolution.

The research, led by Dr Anne Roudaut and Professor Sriram Subramanian, from the University of Bristol's Department of Computer Science, have used 'shape resolution' to compare the resolution of six prototypes the team have built using the latest technologies in shape changing material, such as shape memory alloy and electro active polymer.

One example of a device is the team's concept of Morphees, self-actuated flexible mobile devices that can change shape on-demand to better fit the many services they are likely to support.

The team believes Morphees will be the next generation of mobile devices, where users can download applications that embed a dedicated form factor, for instance the "stress ball app" that collapses the device in on itself or the "game app" that makes it adopt a console-like shape.

"The interesting thing about our work is that we are a step towards enabling our mobile devices to change shape on-demand," Roudaut, Research Assistant in the Department of Computer Science's Bristol Interaction and Graphics group, said.

"Imagine downloading a game application on the app-store and that the mobile phone would shape-shift into a console-like shape in order to help the device to be grasped properly.

"The device could also transform into a sphere to serve as a stress ball, or bend itself to hide the screen when a password is being typed so passers-by can't see private information," said Roudaut.

By comparing the shape resolution of their prototypes, the researchers have created insights to help designers towards creating high shape resolution Morphees.

In future, the team hopes to build higher shape resolution Morphees by investigating the flexibility of materials.

They are also interested in exploring other kinds of deformations that the prototypes did not explore, such as porosity and stretchability.

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IT CEOs: Stress level in IT industry no different

Captains of IT industry are guarded in their response to anecdotal evidence of a spike in reported cases of depression among workers in the sector.

BANGALORE/ NEW DELHI: Captains of IT industry are guarded in their response to anecdotal evidence of a spike in reported cases of depression among workers in the sector, as reported by ET last week. Even as they emphasised the need to be sensitive to the welfare of their 3-million workforce, especially when the industry was facing headwinds, the general feeling was that stress levels in IT companies were similar to those in other sectors, but drew greater attention because of the sector's growth, status and affluence.
"I doubt, statistically, if stress-related cases from IT are any more than other sectors, unless there is data to prove otherwise," says Jerry Rao, entrepreneur, and founder of software firm MphasiS. "Every industry goes through these times, especially when there is consolidation of growth. We get worked up whenever there is any economic uncertainty."

According to Senapathy 'Kris' Gopalakrishnan, executive co-chairman of Infosys, today, every industry faces competitive pressures, and expectations of faster career advances add to this pressure. "These are somewhat unique to the IT industry since this is the first truly 21st century global industry that we have in India," says Gopalakrishnan, who is also the president of CII.

In its edition dated April 25, ET had reported that the percentage of IT workers visiting NIMHANS Bangalore, one of India's largest psychiatric and counselling centres, was on course to increase from about one-third two years ago to half. "Earlier, when the sector was booming, IT executives suffered stress," P Satish Chandra, director, NIMHANS, told ET. "But they are showing signs of depression now."

It might also be because IT workers are more open to the idea of seeking medical help, feels Krishnakumar Natarajan, chairman of Nasscom, the leading IT industry grouping. "They have global exposure and disposable income. So, they take professional help when they need," says Natarajan, who is also the MD and CEO of MindTree. "For example, if you do a survey of gyms in Bangalore, a large chunk of people will be from the IT sector. This does not mean only employees of this sector are interested in their physical health. It means they have a higher disposable income to go to gyms."

Depression is an issue across society, but is seen in IT because the industry is so output-driven, argues Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education and a former Infosys board member. "It is probably the most focused sector, where individuals are driven and face peer pressure. There are so many of them in the same spot and that is why it gets highlighted." Nasscom forecasts show the industry will hire 50,000 fewer people in 2013-14 compared with last year because of a tepid global economy. "Engineering students might feel stressed if they don't get job offers," says Raman Roy, CMD of Quatrro BPO.

Those employed could also face a squeeze if companies recalibrate costs to a scenario of lower growth and an emerging model that seeks greater creativity and productivity from workers. Salary is the main cost head for the $110-billion industry, and any cost-cutting tends to start with employees, most of whom are below the age of 40 and have significant loan repayment liabilities.

Another concern relates to initial signs of overseas clients wanting to create more jobs in home countries, rather than shipping the work to India. Recently, the request for proposal (RFP) of a large US-based bank sought that 90% of the jobs be created in America.

However, Roy doesn't think "it's a 2008 type of situation" — the last time the world economy contracted and IT faced a severe squeeze — as yet. "We are crying wolf too soon if we say the current situation is leading to stress," he says, adding that companies in the business process outsourcing sector are facing a shortage of people, typified by the high attrition rates.

That said, almost all leaders said both companies and employees needed to be proactive to manage stress at work. "Since technology allows us to be always connected, we need to learn to manage our personal time better and separate it from our professional lives," says Gopalakrishnan, adding that his company had introduced some stress-management programmes.

"It is important people take centre stage in all our debates as they are a lot more important than GDP growth rates and quarterly results," said Vineet Nayar, vice-chairman & joint MD, HCL Technologies.

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BCCI nominates Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli

Kohli, who won the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award last September, is the only choice and unsurprisingly so, having evolved from his early days where he was dubbed an ODI specialist.

BANGALORE: Virat Kohli is the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) choice for Arjuna award. The middle-order batsman, who has gradually evolved into a vital cog in India's batting wheel after the exit of the big guns, is the only nominee from the Board in this category. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is BCCI's choice for the Dhyanchand award (lifetime achievement).

After a brush with the sports ministry last year where a war of words erupted after BCCI alleged that it had not received the nomination forms in time, the Board was rather prompt in despatching the nominations to the ministry's offices in New Delhi, sources told TOI. The last date for receiving nominations for the Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyanchand awards is Tuesday.

Kohli, who won the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award last September, is the only choice and unsurprisingly so, having evolved from his early days where he was dubbed an ODI specialist. His century against Australia in the Adelaide Test in January last year, the productive run against New Zealand in the subsequent months, and his elevation as vice-captain for the Asia Cup have apparently contributed to his nomination.

The two nominations received as on Monday for the Khel Ratna award were that of para athlete HN Girisha and hockey player Sandeep Singh. Girisha's silver medal-winning effort in high jump at the London Paralympics, which fetched him the Padma Shri earlier this year, is likely to lead him to the Khel Ratna too.

With the months post Olympics being rather dull, a majority of the nominations received this time were repeats from those who failed to make any headway last year, it is learnt.

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Lava to launch Android 4.2 tablet for under Rs. 10,000

Lava is all set to launch what it claims to be India's first Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) tablet. This tablet will be available from the first week of May and will cost less than Rs. 10,000, the company said via a statement.Lava is already offering a few tablets under its E-Tab range and this tablet is expected to join that league. As far as the specifications go, the new tablet will pack in 1.5-GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot.
For camera, there is a 2-megapixel rear shooter and a VGA one on the front. This tablet will be only a Wi-Fi only tablet and will not have a SIM card support. It will come with a HDMI port. The tablet will also come with a 3,700 mAh battery.
In the past three-four months, Lava has been quite aggressive in the tablet space and has launched a couple of interesting options. About a month back, Lava had launched E-Tab Connect 3G tablet.
Lava E-Tab Connect 3G features a 7-inch screen with WVGA resolution. The tablet runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and supports 3G voice calling.

Priced at Rs.9,499, Lava E-Tab Connect 3G comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that clocks speed of 1GHz. Other specifications for this tablet are 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. For camera, there is 2-megapixel rear camera and a VGA shooter as the front camera.

The tablet packs in a 3,000 mAh battery and comes with pre-installed apps from Hungama, Bigflix, Edukart, Meritnation, Diamond Comics and Readwhere. Apart from that, Lava has also partnered with Meritnation to offer free Vedic maths content. The company is also offering a discount of Rs. 750 on any of Meritnation.com packages with the purchase of the tablet.

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Lenovo K900 launching in India May 10 carrying a sub-Rs. 25,000 price tag

Lenovo K900, the 5.5-inch phablet with Intel's dual-core Clover Trail+ processor inside, is set to launch in India on May 10 at a "very aggressive price", NDTV Gadgets has learnt from its sources.
The India launch will be accompanied by a huge marketing push by the company, likely a TV campaign for the K900 corresponding with the final stages of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). While the exact launch price isn't known yet, our sources have revealed that K900 is likely to be priced in the sub-Rs. 25,000 (~$460) category, making it an excellent value for money proposition given the power it packs under the hood.
Lenovo K900 was first showcased at CES earlier this year. The K900 packs in Intel's dual-core Clover Trail+ platform, specifically the Intel Atom Z2580 dual-core processor clocking in at 2GHz. The device features a full-HD display, 2GB RAM and is expected to come with 16GB of internal storage.
The phablet comes with 13-megapixel rear camera with a new Sony Exmor BSI sensor and a 2-megapixel front camera. It is expected to ship with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.
Earlier this month, benchmarks featuring the device surfaced online, which showed the Lenovo K900 rubbing shoulders with the Samsung Galaxy S4 as far as pure benchmarks are concerned.
Having this much power at 50-60% of the cost of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will surely excite prospective customers, though Lenovo will have to address issues like brand image and dealer network, for the device to gain traction in the India market.
Lenovo K900 key specifications

• 5.5-inch 1080p IPS capacitive touch display
• Intel Atom Z2580 2GHz dual-core processor (Clover Trail+)
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal storage
• 13-megapixel camera with Sony's Exmor BSI sensor
• 2-megapixel front camera
• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean

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Chat apps now more popular than SMS worldwide

According to new data, 19 billion chat messages were sent each day last year, compared to 17.6 billion SMS messages.

 

A handful of popular chat applications have already found a way to outpace SMS, according to new data.
Research firm Informa announced today that six of the most popular mobile chat applications, including WhatsApp, BlackBerry Messenger, Viber, Nimbuzz, Apple's iMessage, and KakaoTalk, averaged nearly 19 billion messages sent and received worldwide each day in 2012. The company estimates that 17.6 billion SMS messages were sent each day, as well.
According to GigaOm, which earlier reported on Informa's data, which was commissioned by the Financial Times, nearly 50 billion messages will be sent next year over mobile applications, compared to 21 billion text messages.
Although fewer text messages will blunt data costs on carriers, the apps themselves aren't necessarily helping them out on the revenue front, either. According to a study released Monday by research firm Ovum, social-messaging apps will cost global mobile operators $32.6 billion of lost revenue in 2013, and that figure will jump to over $86 billion in 2020.
SMS messaging has been an easy way for carriers to generate some additional revenue. However, with many plans now featuring unlimited messaging, the incremental revenue gains are not as high. Couple that with more non-SMS messaging, and carriers are losing money in the process.

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Five Android apps that prolong your smartphone's battery life

This collection of apps will not only extend the life of your handset, but could also improve its overall performance.

Even the Samsung Galaxy S4's 2,600mAh battery could use a little help.

Have you found yourself wishing that your Android's battery would last longer? Don't answer that, I already know. Be it poor app design, ever-larger display sizes, or our constant desire to play mobile games, we're eating up battery life faster than we'd like.

As a platform, Android has improved with each iteration and task management, and multitasking keeps getting smarter.
With that said, one of the first complaints from new smartphone users is that the battery doesn't seem to live up to expectations. Sure, the 2013 crop of flagship phones seems promising, but not everyone wants a Samsung Galaxy S4 or an HTC One. What's more, not everyone wants to go to Verizon for a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD.
Thankfully, Android developers have been looking for ways to improve the life of a smartphone's battery. The early days of Android saw the rise of task killers and app managers that would shut down apps and free up memory. Over time, however, Android would become more efficient and handle the processes at a platform level. Many handsets now have custom touches built in that will adjust settings based on remaining battery life in an effort to squeeze out just a few more minutes. Unfortunately, things are still far from perfect.
I have spent time exploring a number of battery apps over the years, and I have become quite fond of some of them. Here's a list of five of my favorite apps for prolonging the life of your Android's battery. To be clear, there are a few settings that will be found on more than one app. Keeping that in mind, I tried to highlight some of the better options for each title.

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Juice Defender is available in three versions with various features to suit your needs.

Juice Defender
Packed with seemingly endless options, Juice Defender is perhaps my favorite app on this list. The free client lets you manage common connections, such as mobile data as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Multiple preset modes, like "aggressive" and "balanced," allow for toggling and scheduling, background synchronization, and choosing which apps can keep your screen on.
Aside from the free app, Juice Defender also comes in Plus ($1.99) and Ultimate ($4.99) versions. Depending on what level of control you are looking for, one might be better suited for your needs. The Plus version, for instance, adds "extreme" and "customized" profiles as well as location-aware Wi-Fi, as well as scheduling for night hours. The Ultimate app also boasts peak hours and weekend settings, autosync, and deeper GPS controls.
Indeed, I definitely recommend the free client as a starting point, but have no qualms about endorsing the paid apps.
Standout features: Multiple versions to suit needs; user profiles; scheduling; and location-aware features.

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Battery Defender provides quick access to a number of options.

Battery Defender
One of the more feature-rich free clients I've encountered, Battery Defender offers plenty of options at no cost. It might sound trivial, but I like having the exact battery percentage listed in my notification bar. Far more accurate than what the stock experience usually gives you, it's a simple pleasure.
Battery Defender provides quick and painless access to toggling your common connections such as GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth. I like being able to hop in and turn off the stuff I'm not using -- every little bit helps. While this sort of thing is built into many of today's top Android phones, older or less popular models aren't so fortunate.
Another feature that users will appreciate is Genius Scan, which allows sync to occur every 15 minutes. The adjustable "quiet sleeping" option disables Wi-Fi and data connections at night, a helpful feature for those who do not sleep next to their phones.
Standout features: Easy connections toggling; sleeping mode; staggered sync; and battery percentage in notification bar.

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Go Power Master Battery Saver is but one of Go Launcher EX's great apps.

Go Power Master Battery Saver
Designed by the Go Dev Team, this one is as gorgeous as it is flexible. A simple tap of the screen lets you toggle preset modes, making it easy to go from reading and relaxing to online gaming. For those who don't like the standard modes, there are two other slots available for creating custom experiences.
Go Power Master Battery Saver keeps an eye on your apps to determine which are eating up battery more than others. By assigning a score to your battery, the app is able to determine which features you can enable or disable to extend the life. Tapping the optimize button, in essence, cleans everything up and tacks on some extra expected life. Doing this alone can provide an extra hour or more.
While the free app is stocked with options and settings, the premium pack brings about another dozen features. Available through in-app purchase for $4.99, this upgraded bundle removes ads and tosses in scheduled settings, more control over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and CPU, and a third "extreme" mode.
The app provides quick access to a number of settings with two home screen widgets. Should you go with the premium option, there are three more widgets to choose from. A number of skins or themes are available for Go Dev's own widgets, and you can also adjust how items appear in the notification bar.
Standout features: Handy widgets; multiple user modes; very clean interface; a steady stream of development updates.

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Autorun Manager lets users decide which apps start upon bootup of the Android handset.

Autorun Manager
Perhaps the most "risky" app on this list, Autorun Manager lets you determine which apps start running when your phone boots up. Like the aforementioned apps, this one comes in two modes: basic and advanced. Apps selected in basic mode are terminated immediately when the phone boots, though some will pop back up and start running. My advice here is to leave those alone and let system settings take over. As for the advanced mode, you will find more control over things such as widgets and receivers, and system-wide actions.
The free version of Autorun Manager is supported by ads, but you can purchase a Pro key for $3.99. Doing so will also keeps apps from autorestarting in basic mode, as well as block more than 10 receivers in advanced mode. Just for good measure, you also get "Chuck Norris mode," which lets you kill apps in a more aggressive manner. Please note that if you are on the fence over this app, err on the side of judgment and pass. For those of you who demand more control and a have firm grasp on Android's core functions, however, this might be right up your alley.
Standout features: Stops pesky apps from starting up; two user modes; clear insight into what runs immediately at bootup; awesome Chuck Norris reference.

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Tasker provides users with a myriad of automation options.

Tasker
Of all the apps listed here, Tasker is the one that provides more than just battery extension and task-killing. In fact, I would recommend this one to anyone who wants to help automate the Android experience.
In the area of battery life, I like Tasker; it allows me to set times for sleeping and disabling of connections. While I generally tend to plug my phone in overnight, Tasker has proven handy in cases where I do not. Besides time of day, other triggers include day and location; both are useful for people with set work schedules.
I also appreciate the way Tasker lets me set my phone to handle media, texting, phone calls, and other Android functions. It might take a while to fully grasp the capabilities, but at $2.99 this one is a true set-it-and-forget-it app.
Standout features: Automated settings based on time, day, and location; automatic settings for text and calls; clean and clutter-free interface.

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The best way to search on Android

The good: Google Search is powerful, fast, and is great at understanding natural language queries.

The bad: Google Now cards try to predict what you want to search for, but it isn't always on the mark. Google Now features are only available to users with Android Jelly Bean and higher.

The bottom line: With voice and text input options and Google Now, the Google Search app is the best way to conduct a search on Android.

Google Search comes preinstalled on every Android device, so whether you want it or not, you have it. The good news is, the app is powerful, fast, and makes all the smarts of Google's incredible search engine easily accessible from your mobile device.
For those with devices running Android version Jelly Bean, the app is a lot more robust and comes loaded with the popular Google Now set of features. For this reason, I'll be focusing on this latest version of Google Search for Android.

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Meanwhile, for the unfortunate majority whose devices run Android version Ice Cream Sandwich or lower, the Search app is straightforward and relatively one-dimensional. Essentially, it is the Google Search bar packed into its own standalone app. You can use it to search with text or voice, and it does its best to autocomplete your searches based on your search history and other factors. It offers the same smart results that we are all used to from Google, and that's about it.
Search
The easiest way to access Google Search is through a search bar widget on your Home screen. From here, you can tap the bar to open up the full Google Search interface, or you can tap the microphone icon and start speaking your search query out loud. Either way, the app does a great job of getting to the bottom of your search query and returning relevant results.
When you're conducting a search using text, Google Search returns search results just like you're used to, with links to relevant sources of information on the Web. And if you're searching for a notable place or person, like Michael Jordan, for example, the Knowledge Graph feature conveniently kicks in and displays all of his vitals and related information up top, before the Web links.
Along the bottom of the Google Search interface is a toolbar that lets you quickly switch among images, places, news, videos, and other types of search results. With these options, the search experience is very much like it is in a full Web browser.
Google Now
One of the best things about Google Search is Google Now. Often misunderstood as a standalone Siri-style app, Google Now is actually a set of intelligent personal assistant features that are built right into the Google Search app. As I mentioned, these features are only available to users with Android Jelly Bean and higher. Meanwhile, on iOS, Google Now is available to essentially all users (iOS 5 and higher).

It's important to know that Google Now is meant to understand natural language queries. This means you can fire up the microphone (by tapping the button or saying "Google" while your Search app is active) and simply ask the app who won the Lakers game last night or what the weather will be like in New York this weekend. In either case, thanks to Google Now, the Google Search app should understand your question and be able to return an acceptable answer. From the Settings screen, you can elect to have the app respond only with text on the screen, or audibly with speech output.
When using these sorts of natural language queries, the search experience using the app is really impressive. Because the app takes into account things like your location and search history (with permission, of course), it does a really good job at pulling up search results that are most relevant to you.

Google Now's cards try to predict what you need to know before you search. They serve up information related to previous searches, your calendar, and more.

The other big part of Google Now is its predictive ability. If you give it permission, Google Now can learn from your search patterns, calendar, e-mail, and more, in order to preemptively serve up "cards" with what it deems to be important information. These cards show up on the Search app's main interface, and as of now they come in about two dozen varieties. For instance, if you routinely search for Golden State Warriors information, Google Now will create a card for the latest game scores when they become available. It can also keep you apprised of your upcoming appointments, flight information, traffic, stocks, and more. I searched for winery here in San Francisco, and later noticed a card pop up with directions there from my current location. While I didn't necessarily need that information at that moment, I liked the idea that Google was thinking ahead in that way.
All that said, Google Now's cards do take some getting used to. Because they're a more or less passive experience and you can't program them, they can seem a little random at times. Unavoidably, you will encounter cards that Google thinks are relevant to you, when in fact they aren't. Just the same, you'll probably find yourself wanting a particular card to show up, and it won't.
While my colleague Jason Parker considers Google Now cards "neat" but not particularly useful for iOS, I choose to give more weight to the instances when they do get their predictions right. Also, I am excited by the fact that these "smart" cards only get better the more I use the Google Search app. So, while Google Now may not be integral to the Android experience just yet, I am fully expecting them to reach that level very soon.
As an interface for conducting a Google Search, the official Google Search app for Android is unbeatable. But more than that, the app offers personal assistant features that can understand natural language and predictive features in the form of Google Now cards. These make the app a lot more than just a way to search.

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Yahoo rolls out six original shows and new TV partnerships

Aiming to bring users more content, the company is launching Web shows, starring Ed Helms, John Stamos, and Cheryl Hines, and debuting programming from WWE, ABC News, CNBC, and Conde Nast.

Yahoo TV.

Working to fulfill Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer's promise to make Yahoo a place where users will want to come every day, the company announced Monday that it will debut six new original Web shows in 2013.
The shows range from Ed Helms playing a miniature crime fighter to chef Megan Mitchell giving tips on outdoor grilling to actor John Stamos interviewing celebrities about losing their virginity.
"In the last year, we have more than doubled the original video programming on Yahoo! to become one of the Web's largest content publishers," Yahoo vice president and head of video Erin McPherson said in a statement. "The new shows and partnerships we're announcing at Yahoo!'s NewFront demonstrate how we are building scale, reaching more targeted audiences, and innovating with content."
Here are the descriptions of Yahoo's new Web shows:

• Tiny Commando: Ed Helms created and stars, along with Zachary Levi, Gillian Jacobs, and some of the biggest names in comedy in "Tiny Commando," an action-packed series following a four-inch-tall private investigator who uses his awesome fleet of vehicles to fight crime.
• We Need Help: In Vuguru's "We Need Help," creators, producers and stars Cheryl Hines and Rachael Harris exploit their shared personal assistant.
• Losing Your Virginity with John Stamos: John Stamos interviews celebrities about their first sexual experiences in "Losing Your Virginity with John Stamos."
• Fashion Recipe: Celebrity stylist Brett Alan Nelson shows you how to get the most from one particular article of clothing.
• Cinema & Spice: Julianna Strickland and Natasha Feldman explore food and film while teaching viewers new cooking skills and decorating ideas.
• Grill Girls (working title): A new grilling show featuring Chef Megan Mitchell sharing her grilling secrets and tips for everything from steaks, to peaches and pizza.

Yahoo also announced last week that it will be rolling out both archives and current episodes of "Saturday Night Live." The archives will be available across Yahoo sites starting in September and feature clips from 1975-2013 seasons. Since Mayer took Yahoo's helm last summer, she has been working to recast the site as more user friendly, personal, and social. With less than a year under her belt, she has already revamped sales, debuted new ad features, launched flagship products including Yahoo Mail and Flickr, and signed deals with top content providers, such as NBC Sports and Wenner Media.
In addition to launching the new original Web shows, the company also announced Monday that it is partnering with a handful of television networks to bring more current programming and archived shows to Yahoo. Those partners include WWE for wrestling shows, ABC News for in-depth news programs, CNBC for finance shows, and Conde Nast for lifestyle programming.

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Today`s Quotes

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

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Are packaged juices harmful?

Are packaged juices harmful?

Eat your fruits, drink your vegetables! That's my most essential fundamental tip. Fruits contain fructose (natural sugar).

Dear Pooja,
I have heard that fruits are better than fruit juices. How harmful is it to have packaged juices?
Shalini Nair
Eat your fruits, drink your vegetables! That's my most essential fundamental tip. Fruits contain fructose (natural sugar). When we eat them, the absorption of this sugar is gradual and thus allows the body to utilise this surge of energy for its metabolic needs. However, when you 'drink' a fruit, the rush of fructose energy is too rapid for the body to utilise or burn. Thus, the excess is stored as the one and only medium our body knows — 'fat'. Packaged juices may also have added sugars for added taste and longer shelf-life (if not along with preservatives). Some packaged juices may not be the real fruit, but only concentrates with lots of sugar. So, my advice is eat fresh, seasonal fruits daily and avoid juices.

Dear Pooja,
I am trying hard to lose weight. I am 5.2 feet tall and weigh 54 kg. I want to go back to my earlier 49 kg. I have heard that fruits also make people put on weight because of their high sugar content. Which are the fruits I should avoid?
Suhana Singha
Food is not calories, my dear friend, it's fuel. And fruits are pure essential body nourishing-food that are filled with the goodness of nature. It hurts me to read doubts like these. No food 'can make you gain weight'. NONE, not even sweet and fried — if you know when to eat and when to stop — and especially, not FRUITS. Yes, they have sugar in them — natural sugar, which is the body's source of fuel, the energy that sustains us. Please enjoy fruits — all of them — and nourish your skin, eyes, nails, hair, and each of the millions of cells in your body. Fruits are rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Dear Pooja,
I am a 27-year-old woman with Type 2 diabetes. After lunch and dinner, I have this urge to eat something sweet, to get rid of the spicy aftertaste. Is it alright if I have two dates or eight-to-ten raisins or two dried apricots?
Niladri Khursheed
All the food we eat (fruit, rice, roti, milk, dal etc) is digested and converted to glucose, which is the source of energy for all the cells in our body. Diabetes is a condition in which this glucose is not available to the cells due to a lack of its carrier, Insulin. Either oral medication or Insulin doses help diabetics deliver glucose to the cells. Post-meal additional sugar intake increases the surge of glucose in the blood. So, I'd suggest that you NOT eat anything after your meals — even if it is 'natural sugar' like raisins, dates or even fresh fruits. Alter habits that don't work for your health. It takes only two-three weeks to 'make' new habits and break old ones. You are the boss, and YOU can ignore or neglect this 'urge' if you have made up your mind to do it!

- Pooja Makhija

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Bad fans create hatred among players: Virat Kohli

The RCB skipper expressed his disbelief at the crowd's "hatred towards opposition " and went on to say that such behaviour "is creating hatred amongst the players," and that they "forgot that he also plays for India."

MUMBAI: Mumbai's cricket audience is at it again. Seven years ago, a section of the crowd booed Sachin Tendulkar after the 'God of Cricket' was dismissed early in a Test defeat to England.

In November, a spectator were ejected from the ground after he heckled Harbhajan Singh, who was again abused during an Irani Cup tie earlier this year at the same venue. On Saturday night, it was the turn of Virat Kohli to face the ire of the Wankhede public.
After leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 58-run loss against Mumbai Indians, Kohli was hurt at the manner in which the crowd jeered him after the RCB skipper effected a controversial run out of MI's Ambati Rayudu. They booed and jeered him when he came out to bat, and at the presentation ceremony, calling him a "cheat."

The RCB skipper expressed his disbelief at the crowd's "hatred towards opposition " and went on to say that such behaviour "is creating hatred amongst the players," and that they "forgot that he also plays for India."

Ironically, batting great Sunil Gavaskar, in his TOI column, on Saturday, had praised the Mumbai crowd for its "big heart" as it cheered even the opposition players.

Kohli though begged to differ. "I don't know what is wrong with people at this venue . It feels a bit weird because at the end of the day you play for India and you don't come here to be hated. It has happened to a few players in the past as well. I don't know why they get so worked up. This tournament is not the end of the world. They forget that the players they are booing also play for their country," Kohli fumed. "It is only creating hatred among the players. When I come back and play for India, they are going to cheer for me. It doesn't work that way."

The star bat felt the crowd behaviour was much better in RCB's home ground, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bangalore. "Whoever wins or loses, in any of the games in Bangalore, every captain is cheered, every Indian player is cheered. People appreciate good cricket," he reckoned.

And what exactly earned Kohli the Wankhede crowd's wrath? He had scored a direct hit from the covers even as Rayudu was left short of his ground after getting into a tangle with bowler Vinay Kumar, which resulted in his bat being in the air after the impact with the bowler. Kohli though vehemently defended his decision to go ahead with the appeal.

"It is very important to have knowledge of cricket. If it was any intentional interruption from the bowler, the umpire would have stopped the batsman from walking back. It is his job, not mine. The bowler and the batsmen didn't see each other, and collided . It was perfectly fine to be honest," Kohli explained.

Kohli felt Rayudu should have been more careful. "You should have that much cricket awareness to see where the bowler is coming back. He (Vinay) had to back up when there was no one behind him," Kohli said.

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Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 14 runs

Chennai Super Kings player Mike Hussey celebrates his half century during the IPL 6 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Manvinder Bisla lost the battle to Mike Hussey in the end, and revenge was served at Chepauk on Sunday, but only just.


Bisla matched the Aussie veteran stroke for stroke, as Ko l k at a Knight Riders, chasing a mammoth 201 for victory, raised visions of the miracle of 2012. But with 22 to get off 10, Hussey hit the stumps direct from mid-off to get Bisla out and that was it. KKR had to get 18 off the last over but Eoin Morgan failed to get the elevation and the defending champions went down by 14 runs, leaving themselves in a deep hole. Super Kings, on the other hand, are unstoppable and look good for a top-two finish.

The KKR chase was all about Bisla, who probably played better than the 2012 final. He swung his bat with absolute freedom and kept finding the fence. Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis helped him for a while, but when it was 100 to get off eight overs, CSK would have thought they would get there easy. Bisla fought on and got it down to 28 off two overs, but Hussey's hit finally pulled the curtains down.

Before Bisla took centrestage, it was Hussey who stamped his class yet again. The pitch was a batting beauty, the ball was coming on, and the KKR bowlers struggled to find the right length. Anything short was getting pulled, anything up was played over the top and the likes of L Balaji, Shami Ahmed and Jacques Kallis simply ran out of ideas. The openers, Hussey and Wriddhiman Saha, were frantic in their running between the wickets as well and there was not a single quiet over.

Hussey, quite clearly, was taking the lead, while Saha (39 off 23 balls) was ready to play second fiddle. But the Bengal boy, playing his first match of the tournament, showed that he is not at all a misfit in this CSK line-up that has such fantastic hitters.
Spin was introduced early on, but both Saha and Hussey gave the impression that they were reading Sunil Narine (1-35 ) pretty well. When the West Indian mystery spinner started leaking boundaries, Gautam Gambhir looked a little resigned.

The 100 came up in the 10th over and Saha knew that his job was done. He went for the big shot, holed out and allowed Raina to come in. Raina and Hussey looked even more dangerous and when the Aussie was getting tired, the Indian left-hander looked to take charge. A century would have been the icing on the cake for Hussey, but the team man that the Aussie is, he kept looking for the big shots even when he was within striking distance. He finally got out for 95, leaving Dhoni to provide the final touches.

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Today`S QuotEs

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.”

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6 breakfast cereals healthier than others

6 breakfast cereals healthier than others

Doctors, for sometime now, have debated on the permissible level of sugar in breakfast cereals, especially of the coloured and sugar-frosted varieties. While it is advisable to check the nutrition value of the breakfast cereal before buying it, one should also consciously make healthier lifestyle choices by having all cereals with skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, and avoiding to add extra sugar among others, but if you still like a bit of sweetness in your breakfast substitute white sugar with fruits (even dry fruits) like banana, dates, raisins, or any citrus fruit. A wholesome breakfast it would make for, while staving off your urge for midday snacking. Even those maintaining a workout routine can derive maximum benefit from this habit, as it also helps them get past their weight loss plateau.

Medical doctor and wellness expert, Dr Shikha Sharma helps us list breakfast cereals that are healthier than the rest.

Porridge
Porridge is the most healthy breakfast idea. It is rich in minerals and has high fibre content that keeps blood sugar under control. Use a little jaggery if you wish to sweeten it, otherwise you can top it with fresh fruits or sprinkle some raisins and almonds.

Cornflakes
Abundant in carbohydrates, iron and Vitamin B complex, cornflakes work very well for school kids and elders too. It is a particularly good breakfast in the rainy months because the body starts holding water owing to high moisture in the air.

Wheat flakes
It is a modification of wheat porridge and is a nice change from run-of-the-mill breakfast cereals. But unless fortified with extra calcium, it is not much use having just wheat flakes for breakfast.

Oatmeal
A bowl of oats in the morning is great for those suffering high cholesterol and diabetes, provided you don't add extra sugar to it. The high fibre content in oats balances the blood sugar, and relieves people prone to depression.

Muesli
Muesli is a great breakfast choice as it has raisins, almonds and four different grains. The comparatively high sugar content in muesli keeps growing children and those into sports, energetic. It can be served with both milk and yoghurt. You can creatively garnish the muesli and serve it up as a quick evening snack to kids.

Poha/rice crispies
The poha version of rice crispies is popular in Indian households, and makes for a light and healthy breakfast. But make sure your poha is only lightly sauteed.

Aside from the usual cornflakes and oats, there is a whole assortment of chocolate, honey and fruit-flavoured breakfast cereals that find takers among young kids. Just how good or bad an idea is it?

Avers Dr Sharma, "Although it is best to go for natural cereals, it is alright to break free from the mundane breakfast chart once in a while. The purpose is to serve up a good mix that is both appealing to the taste buds and has nutritional value."

Next time you are at the departmental store picking breakfast cereals, don't get carried away by the glossy packaging.

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“Organisations need more technical contributors for competitive advantage”

Krishna Bhagavan, Country Head-HR, Motorola Solutions, discussed the role and prospects for individual technical contributors at the TimesJobs.com Hight Tea chat

Indian IT companies today are looking for specialists, individual technical contributors who are subject matter experts in their chosen domains and can contribute with cutting edge work in products/service offerings of the company.
Reflecting on career opportunities for individual technical contributors (ITCs), Krishna Bhagavan, Country Head-HR, Motorola Solutions, at a recent TimesJobs.com High-Tea session, said, “There will be domain-based opportunities across industries for ITCs. And, in 2013, there will be many start-ups that will require individual technical contributors in domains such as telecom, wireless, VLSI and large enterprise applications.” High-Tea is a dedicated chat platform on TimesJobs.com for candidates to ask career related queries to experts.
Elaborating on the profile and importance of individual technical contributors, Bhagavan added, ITCs are senior engineers or technorats who are the key differentiators for products, technologies and services offered by a company. They bring in innovation by focussing on the realisation of product, project goal through technology and domain expertise.
On being queried about the money and growth for ITCs, Bhagavan replied, “Today the ITCs have excellent designations: – architects, principal engineer, distinguished engineers, and fellows, etc. Their salaries are growing faster and their value in the job market is going higher.”
Do individual technical contributors rise to leadership positions? “Leadership roles come to techies more often than sales or manufacturing professionals in some industries. If the industry you are in has no scope for differentiation through products or technology then a sales person or a materials person becomes a leader. Having said that, we will see more technical persons attaining leadership roles than MBAs,” he explained.
During the session, Bhagavan also stressed that to retain and motivate ICs Indian IT companies should promote technical contributors to senior levels, create designations and job titles that indicate the value of the role and respect for the role in the organisation. They should also create a pay structure where ICs can get more salary than the manager.
According to Bhagavan, the demand of individual technical contributors will continue to grow in emerging verticals of renewable energy, system engineering, and hardware design.

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Lessons From My First Job: Dr. Santosh Bagwe, Dr. Batra’s Group

Dr. Santosh Bagwe, Head – HR for Dr Batra’s Group of Companies and COO for Dr Batra’s Aesthetic Solutions shares his first job experience with TimesJobs.com

•  My First Job was: I cleared the competitive examination for LIC of India in 1991. I bagged ‘my first job’ at 19 as an assistant. I was overjoyed, not because government jobs were a ‘boon’ then, but because I had not even appeared for my Final B.Com exam.

• My experience: When I joined LIC, it was the time when computerisation was introduced in government organisations. I was fortunate to be in the first batch to experience the transition from manual processes to computerisation. It provided me with hands-on IT experience — from core insurance operations to general management.

• Things I learnt: After basic training, I was appointed on probation. My stint at LIC provided me with diverse experience — right from managing accounts, personnel management to sales administration. I also received hands on IT insurance during the transition from manual processes to computerisation.

• Skills I Acquired: As is evident from my journey, I was always inclined and eager to learn about business operations — this was one reason I did not restrict myself to Human Resources alone. I believe a human resource professional should be a good business driver too. I believe that my thought-process to think of business and talk of business, along with people management, gave me the opportunity to take over as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Dr Batra’s Aesthetic Solutions division apart from my HR role.

• My Journey So Far:  I was with LIC for five years, following which I’ve worked in varied sectors — paints, BPOs, engineering, consumer durables and healthcare.

• Turning Point in my Career: The turning point in my career was my assignment at Dr. Batra’s of Head HR and Operations, where I was also responsible for call centre operations and resources.

• My most crucial step/assignment: As a HR Head I have initiated leadership development, competency-based HR practices and balance scorecard for effective people and performance management. When I took over as Operations Head, there were 57 clinics in India; today, we have 107 clinics.  This has resulted in positive business growth during the last two years. It has also augmented sales though transition — from 20 at our outbound service call centre to a 150-people sales call centre.  In addition, we have also taken our aesthetic clinic to the next level — providing not just hair solutions but also other state-of-the-art aesthetic office procedures.

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I know how to stop Chris Gayle, says Darren Sammy

"He has had a dip in form in the last few months, but Chris has bounced back well. But then, I know how to stop him," says Sammy.

JAIPUR: He is a happy-go-lucky cricketer. For his teammates, Darren Sammy is Captain Cool, who can go out of his way to support players' cause. In an exclusive chat with TOI, the West Indies captain spoke about various issues. Excerpts

On Sunrisers Hyderabad's good show
I think we've been playing really well as a team. If you look at Sunrisers, you will notice that the team has a never-say-die attitude, and it always work as a unit.

On Chris Gayle's fiery form
Thank God he couldn't play well against Sunrisers on both the occasions. But we all know what he is capable of. And, his innings of 175 proved he is not human; he is superhuman. He has had a dip in form in the last few months, but Chris has bounced back well. But then, I know how to stop him (Laughs).

On his success as a WI captain
It's important to know your players and I've just done that. From the day I've started playing cricket, I've put the team first. I keep on telling my boys that and allow them to take decisions. I may be the captain but this team is run by the players.

On the reincarnation of WI cricket
Guys have worked hard, and coach Ottis Gibson too brought about a few changes. There were bad patches initially. But then, we proved critics wrong by winning the T20 World Cup.

On whether cricket is losing its sheen in the Caribbean
We haven't performed well in the last two decades and that definitely didn't go down well with the fans. There was a dip in interest, but things have changed after our World T20 victory. Fans are again coming out to support us. They have always treated us like superstars, and we ought to respect that.

On whether it's disappointing to be on the SRH bench most of the time
There's absolutely no disappointment. It doesn't matter who's leading the team, at the end of the day it's all about putting up a good show as a team.

On his idol
My favourite cricketer is Jacques Kallis. Sachin, Lara, Sir Vivian will always be there in the list, but I will keep Kallis on top.

On the team's future plans
Our World T20 success is a first step towards right direction. We have to be consistent. We are off to a start, but there's still a long way to go. We have to perform well in Champions Trophy.

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