Niponwave – Personal Blog of Nipon Haque

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  • 2018 iPad 6th Gen 9.7 inch Review

    As the person who has built his own powerful desktop PC, I was never sold on the idea of a tab but once I decided I needed it, in order to solve Pastest and read PDF books on a bigger screen, the 2018 iPad (6th generation) was an obvious choice. The iPad is simply the best tab available in the market and the Android tab experience comes nowhere closer. Among the current models, the 2018 iPad (6th gen) has the right balance between pricing and features. I bought the iPad (32 GB, WiFi) and the Apple Pencil from the iStore on Elgin Road; I did get a ₹1,000 discount on the iPad but I left the store without any other accessory as they had nothing good to offer.

    Apple iPad 2018 and Apple Pencil
    Apple iPad 2018 and Apple Pencil

    First Impressions

    The iPad 6th gen boasts of a stunning 9.7 inch display and slim design. Weighing just a pound, the 2018 iPad is a delight to hold. It is slightly thicker than the more polished iPad Pro though. In fact, design wise this slate hasn’t seen much change from the days of the iPad Air. The large bezels still exist which, being black on my space grey iPad, offer an immersive experience though. I was relieved to find the headphone jack however, which has been phased out from all other iOS devices.

    2018 iPad (6th gen) WiFi 32 GB: Amazon ₹28,000

    The iPad and the Pencil
    Sitting on my desk: The iPad with the Pencil

    Multitasking

    The state-of-the-art multitasking features on the iOS allow the iPad to be used almost like a computer. Check the photo below to find out how I can scribble notes in the Apple Notes app while solving MCQs, keeping two apps laid out side by side – a feature which Apple calls Split View. This is just a peek into the array of multitasking features the iPad is armed with. With the right iOS gesture, you can invoke Split View, Slide Over, multi-touch Drag and Drop, a customizable Dock that is accessible from any screen and holds upto 13 user-defined apps and 2 recently used apps, App Switcher, App Spaces and Video Picture in Picture. Pair the iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard to enhance the capability of the device further.

    Split View in iOS
    Split View in iOS has two apps laid out side by side
    I can have an app Slide Over and float on top of the main fullscreen app.
    I can have an app Slide Over and float on top of the main fullscreen app.
    App Switcher on iOS
    App Switcher on iOS, invoked by a four finger gesture, has App Spaces – app thumbnails along with Split View instances – intact.
    The iOS Dock can be accessed from any screen
    The iOS Dock can be accessed from any screen
    iOS gestures: I can actually drag the screen with four fingers to the left or right to quickly switch between the open apps.

    Performance

    While the iPad 2018 has retained the same chassis from yesteryear, it has seen a significant upgrade in the horsepower. Using the iPad feels very snappy, thanks to the impressive A10 Fusion CPU. In my experience, it ran fluidly and handled heavy-duty editing apps with ease. The fast enough iPad has enough battery juice to keep you occupied during a ten hour long flight.

    Apple Pencil

    If the iPad is a glorified piece of paper, it sure needs a fancy pencil to go with. Support for the Apple Pencil, so far limited to the iPad Pro models, has been a major USP of the iPad 6th gen. The Pencil offers smooth writing on the iPad without any lag. Full support for tilt and pressure sensitivity makes the pencil the most desirable accessory for the iPad.

    Apple Pencil 1st gen: Amazon ₹7600

    Display

    The diehard graphic designer will complain that there is a slight gap between the tip of the pencil and the stroke generated on the iPad 6 screen due to its non-laminated display but it won’t matter to most users like me. Internet joke: if you buy the iPad in space grey (like mine), you may not even notice the gap. The lack of an anti-reflective glass will make reading difficult on the iPad on a sunny day at the beach but as long as I am indoors, the Retina display on the iPad sixth generation is absolutely brilliant.

    Comparison with iPad Pro

    The all-new iPad Pro sure has a ton of exciting features like USB-C, smart connector (supports Apple Smart Keyboard), better display (laminated display, True Tone display, anti-reflective glass), quad speakers, Face ID, faster processor, more RAM, thinner bezels and all that but it costs a whopping 2.5 times more than the iPad. With the extra goodies like Apple Pencil 2, Smart Keyboard, the total cost would be close to ₹1 lakh. I didn’t want to invest that much into the iOS ecosystem already as my desktop / laptop will continue to run Windows (no Mac) in the foreseeable future and my phone is still an Android.

    Apps

    MCQ: One of the main reasons why I bought the iPad was to solve multiple choice questions on a bigger screen. The paid subscription apps like Pastest are a great resource for studying for exams like the MRCP. Reading the explanatory answers on the iPad is much easier than that on the cramped phone screen.

    PDF: Most textbooks have their PDF available but reading them on the PC was always a cumbersome experience while the phone screen was too cramped for comfort. The 9.7 inch display offers a pleasant reading experience and I use the Apple Pencil to annotate PDF books while reading them on the iPad. The best free app suited to the purpose is PDF Viewer. As you can see in the picture below, I can underline, highlight and note down my own words while reading a PDF.

    Reading text books on the iPad with the Pencil
    The paperless desk! Late night reading at home on the iPad with the Pencil.

    Image Annotation: For annotating images (mostly screenshots) I use the in-built iOS tool called Markup that comes adequately feature-packed for my needs.

    Medical Apps: The App Store has a rich collection of medical apps e.g. MDCalc, an indispensable tool in the hospital. Discussing each of the medical apps I use is beyond the scope of this article. I plan to review them soon separately.

    Notes: Despite existing for more than ten years, Evernote still feels like an incomplete product which led me to try a lot of other apps like Bear Notes, but I have remained stuck to Evernote for general note taking because it is cross-platform and has an excellent web clipper tool. I finally got tired of Evernote, which hasn’t evolved enough with time and looks dated, and moved to Bear notes. I am also using Day One for journal writing. Most of my ideas, memos, snippets of useful information, web pages go to Bear while I will write a travelogue in Day One.

    Photo storage & editing: Photos look gorgeous on the Retina display screen. The stock Photos app has slightly better editing options but I use Google Photos as all my photos are stored on Google.

    Drawing: For the artists, there are a good many apps like Paper, Procreate, which take advantage of the unique features of the Apple Pencil like pressure sensitivity. Of the two, Paper is free to download with some features reserved for paid users whereas Procreate is a fully paid app.

    My friend Dr. Chandradeep trying to capture a dank cold morning in the rainy winter of Kolkata
    My friend Dr. Chandradeep borrowed my iPad to capture a cold damp morning in the rainy winter of Kolkata. Follow me on Instagram to see the finished painting.

    Read it Later: I have installed Pocket on my iPad, as it is also my favourite read-it-later app on Windows and Android.

    Handwriting: I have purchased the app Goodnotes to write down some lines with the Apple Pencil.

    Guitar: My guitar learning app Yousician look terrifics on the iPad screen.

    Yousician on iPad
    Practice session with Yousician

    Video Editing: I have looked no further than the robust and user friendly stock app iMovies. For advanced users, there is always Luma Fusion.

    File Manager: The stock Files app has my iPad sorted.

    To Do list: Apple Reminders does the job.

    Others: The latest version of iOS allows you to uninstall stock apps. I was quick to uninstall the Mail app and install Gmail. Similarly, I installed Google Maps, Google Drive, Google News (Apple News isn’t available in India), Google Chrome, although iOS doesn’t let you uninstall Safari, and AccuWeather.

    Google Chrome on iPad
    Coffee time! Reading an older blog post on Google Chrome.

    Accessories

    Keyboard: I considered buying the popular Logitech Slim Folio keyboard case as the iPad 6 doesn’t support the Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple’s own product that elevates the iPad Pro to another dimension, but cancelled the idea when I read that the Logitech Slim Folio is not as slim as the branding may suggest. I decided to get the Logitech K380 bluetooth keyboard, once I figured that I would require a physical keyboard for the iPad not on most days but only on those rare occasions, like writing this blog post on a whim, for which a separate keyboard would make more sense. A small form factor, a sleek design and a textured matte finish make the K380 a suitable iPad keyboard. The springy keys provide a very satisfying typing experience and the build quality feels solid. The keyboard specific iOS shortcuts (a list of which can be accessed from any screen by long-pressing cmd key) are a major boost to productivity but I like Logitech’s own shortcut for capturing screenshots (fn + tab) the most. I got this keyboard from iBhejo.com for ₹951 during their Christmas clearance sale.

    Logitech K380: Amazon ₹2,895

    My iPad desk setup
    My iPad desk setup

    Case: The original Apple Smart Cover is not sold at Apple Stores in India and I was offered an ordinary case at the iStore. I wanted something better and decided to buy the Moko iPad case, an imported product from US, for which I ended up paying nearly three times the actual price of $12. However, I am not complaining as it is still cheaper than the case I was offered at the store. The Moko case is a snug fit on the iPad, with cutouts in the right places for the ports. The lid closes fully, leaving no gap, and tightly, thanks to the magnetic action. The auto wake / sleep function is flawless. It doesn’t add much bulk and the iPad still feels good to hold. Despite being lightweight, the case feels sturdy and durable, one that is built to last. The cover provides a strong footing to the iPad when used as a stand and offers two view angles.

    Moko Case for iPad 9.7 inch: Amazon $12

    Tempered glass: Although I don’t install tempered glass on my phones, I decided to put one on my new iPad as I didn’t want scratches on the screen. As none of the products available in India seemed good enough to me, I zeroed in on the amFilm screen protector, an US product priced at $10. The installation was actually fun: it was thrilling to watch the screen protector adhere itself as the point of contact spread across the iPad screen surface on its own! I am highly impressed by the quality of the tempered glass. The stunning display of the iPad is not compromised and the Apple Pencil glides smoothly as ever. The screen protector is hardly discernible, it is almost not there! It feels like glass, without any plasticky feel, and isn’t a fingerprint magnet. For those who want a better writing or drawing experience on their iPad, they can go for the much acclaimed PaperLike which comes with a matte finish, reducing the screen clarity only slightly but offering just the right amount of friction between the Pencil and the iPad, as well as providing some much needed anti-reflection to the iPad 6 and shipping free of cost to India.

    iPad 2018 with amFilm screen protector
    Hardly there! The amFilm screen protector is nearly invisible on the iPad 2018.

    amFilm screen protector for iPad 9.7 inch: Amazon $10

  • ব্যোমকেশ গোত্র রিভিউ

    অজিতের বর্তমান চরিত্রায়ন হাস্যকর এবং অসহ্য। কি করে পরিচালক তাঁর তৃতীয় ছবিতে লালমোহনের সাথে অজিতকে গুলিয়ে ফেললেন এটা বোধগম্য হলো না। শুধু তাই নয়। সত্যবতী আর অজিতের পাল্লা দিয়ে ন্যাকামি খুবই বিরক্তিকর। এ বলে আমায় দেখ, ও বলে আমায় দেখ। শরদিন্দুর ব্যোমকেশের বজ্রমুষ্টির কথা কারোর অজানা নয়। কিন্তু অরিন্দম শীল ব্যোমকেশ কে বন্ডের স্তরে নামিয়ে ছবিতে অজস্র মারপিটের অংক ঢুকিয়েছেন। এমনকি গল্পের গরু গাছে চড়িয়ে ইংরেজি গান সমেত একটি চটুল আইটেম নাম্বার পেশ করেছেন। তবে এত বিরক্তির মাঝেও মূল কাহিনী মোটামুটি অটুট রয়েছে আর মুসৌরির প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্য এক প্রাপ্তি।

  • Best Budget Android Phone in India: Moto G6

    The original Moto G was a game changer that paved the way to budget smartphones. It was a stellar phone at that time. After Lenovo took over from Google, the good things like fast Android updates became a thing of the past. The build quality also went down a bit. Luckily Lenovo didn’t mess with the stock Android while they also managed to improve the camera.

    Despite Lenovo’s shortcomings and losses, Moto G line of phones remains the best budget phones today. WireCutter, the only gadget reviews website I read nowadays, lists the Moto G6 as the second best budget Android phone in their current review. I have already written why I decided to buy a budget phone after much consideration. Also, the Motorola service centre in Kolkata (Salt Lake) is really an example of how a phone service centre should be run – courteous and prompt. This service centre experience was one major reason behind me sticking to Moto. This time, I upgraded from a Moto G4 Plus phone to the G6.

    Reason behind Phone Upgrade

    My previous phone Moto G4 plus, purchased in October 2016, needed an upgrade. The battery was no longer reliable, requiring 3 to 4 charges a day. The power button has a design flaw in the phone. It got loose on and fell off last year – when I had to get a new power switch installed at Moto service centre. When the power button broke again a week ago, I decided to get a new phone.

    Premium Design

    The all new Moto G6 boasts of stunning looks. The 18:9 aspect ratio body is a delight to hold. The phone looks very premium with its narrow bezels and a beautifully finished glass back which is black with a tinge of blue. However, the rear glass is so glossy that it can slip off your hand easily. Also noteworthy is the logo on the phone. Lenovo has ditched the ‘Moto’ moniker and re-embraced the original ‘Motorola’ in the logo.

    Good Battery Performance

    The Moto G6 battery gets charged really fast, via a USB-C cable. With heavy usage, it needs to be fully charged twice a day. On moderate use, a full charge lasted me more than 24 hours on a working day. I will have to be careful and maintain good battery habits to make the battery last long.

    Camera Loaded with Features

    I didn’t get much time to toy with the camera and cannot give an honest opinion about it. The Moto camera app is loaded with latest features like time lapse, slow motion, face filters, active photos, group selfie and so on. The selfie camera has a flash this time.

    Nipon Haque
    The Moto G6 captures great selfies.

    Solid Hardware

    Calling, 4G and WiFi work flawlessly – no complaints there. NFC is still missing though. (The European / US iteration of Moto G6 gets NFC.)

    4 GB RAM and a capable processor make this phone really snappy. There is absolutely no lag. I have not faced any heating issue, as reported by some, in the four days I have been using it. I installed Max Payne and finished playing the entire Part 1. The game ran smoothly without any hiccup.

    64 GB internal memory will run out soon if I do justice to the great camera and shoot many photos and videos. It is a good thing that the phone comes with expandable memory. No need to spend on cloud storage.

    The display is of top quality, in keeping with the quality associated with the Moto G series. I am enjoying my Netflix even more on the wider 18:9 display. The touch and scrolling is smooth like any premium phone.

    The fingerprint sensor is integrated in the home button. By enabling the ‘Moto one button navigation‘ feature, which takes a while getting used to, I have got rid of the on screen buttons and thus claimed even more of the screen area.

    The single speaker (Moto G2 had two speakers) is loud enough and better than my previous phone. The phone also comes with Dolby Audio. I am yet to tinker with the various modes in the app. This time an in-ear headphone has been supplied which is a significant improvement from its predecessors.

    Software: Near Stock Android

    The software on the Moto G6 is nearly stock Android. It comes with Android Oreo out of the box. Some useful additions by Moto make the Android experience even better. For example, Moto Face Unlock, Moto Actions, Moto notifications, etc. The Moto app identified six apps (some payment and banking apps, Uber, etc.) hogging battery by running in the background and prodded me to put those in sleep mode.

    The Moto launcher is a replica of the now discontinued Google Now launcher. Desperate to get rid of the look of stock Android, I have installed Microsoft launcher and I am quite happy with its iPhone like feed.

    Missing: Cast Support in Moto G6

    It’s true that the Moto G6 doesn’t have in-built Cast support. Cast support has been disabled in the phone at software level because the hardware capability of the phone isn’t enough to give a smooth cast experience. You will need to buy a Chromecast to cast.

    Vibration feedback: A sore point

    I have one complaint about the Moto G6. The vibration motor isn’t upto the mark. It feels cheap. The vibration on the G4 Plus was more deep and boomy. I was able to disable all vibration feedbacks except one: for locking/unlocking with the fingerprint reader, which is enabled by default by the manufacturer.

    Exchange Offer: Great Value for Money

    By exchanging an ancient Moto E phone during Independence Day sale, I availed a discount on SBI card and got a very sweet deal in the end, paying 12000 on this stellar piece of hardware. I also saved money on tempered glass, a must for expensive phones!

    Accessories: Spigen Back Cover

    I had to slap a Spigen back cover on the phone sacrificing the sleek look of the phone. The cover offers a good grip and is supposed to have the so called air pockets to absorb impact in case of a fall. It will also protect the camera bump, which has now become a standard feature in all phones.

    In front, the cover has its edge raised around the screen to protect it in case of a fall flat on face. This sort of screen protection, albeit not full proof, was mandatory since I am averse to tempered glass screen protectors.

    Despite having a great fit on the phone, this made in Korea back cover makes my phone heavier and bulkier but its Spartan look has gradually grown on me. I also like the tactile feedback of the power and volume buttons after putting the cover on.

  • Thoughts on Buying a New Phone in India

    iPhone vs Android

    When I had decided initially to buy a high end smartphone this time, I considered buying an iPhone at length. Here are the key reasons why I stuck to Android:

    • I rely on swipe gestures heavily while typing on phone and the Gboard on Android works flawlessly. Typing in the stock keyboard on iPhone is not as good. Even using the Gboard on the iPhone isn’t a smooth experience as word suggestions are fetched from the cloud instead of being stored locally.
    • Android handles notifications much better than the iPhone.
    • Apple Maps is a joke in India. While Google Maps is available on iPhone, it is not built natively. That means Siri can’t access Google Maps search results. Google Maps is miles ahead in the maps department and I rely on it heavily while driving – which brings us to the next point.
    • Google Maps is yet to be available on Apple CarPlay and you are stuck with Apple Maps, which doesn’t offer turn by turn navigation in India! I would be lost in my own city if I were to use an iPhone.
    • I need to upgrade to a new head unit if I want to use Apple CarPlay in my car. On the other hand, the power of Android Auto can be harnessed straight from the phone in case the head unit isn’t compatible. Since I don’t intend to replace the stock HU on my car anytime soon, an iPhone isn’t the phone for me.
    • The much famed Apple Support is not as great in India as it is in Europe or US. It’ll also prove costly after 1st year, even with AppleCare.
    • I am equally concerned about the bricking issues. Remember #batterygate?

    Android: Flagship vs Budget

    After deciding to stick to Android, I realized I will ultimately settle for a high end flagship phone or swallow a budget phone in the end. I zeroed in on the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Google Pixel 2.

    Google Pixel 2: Unreliable after sales service

    My friends who have used the Google Pixel 2 swear by its impressive camera. According to the WireCutter, Google Pixel 2 is the best Android phone in the market today. While reading more about the phone on the web, I realized that Google doesn’t have a good service presence in India. The internet is rife with horror stories about poor after sales service from Google. In India, the Google phones are presently serviced by a German firm called B2X, who collects the phone from your doorstep and delivers it after repair, but the service is both slow and expensive. The parts are seldom available and have to be imported. Bottomline: Google phones are best bought if you live in the US or Europe, where the after sales service is reliable.

    Samsung Galaxy S9: Slow Android Updates

    Among Android phone makers, Samsung usually has a reliable service network in India. Earlier I was weary about the bloatware that came with Samsung phones but Galaxy S8 onwards, you can uninstall the bloatware. The latest flagship Galaxy s9 is a stellar phone. However, Samsung is painfully slow when it comes to pushing out Android updates on time. The Oreo update came to Samsung flagship phones seven months after it started rolling out to Pixel and Nexus devices. Now that is a compromise I am not willing to make after spending a large chunk of money on a phone.

    Best Budget Android phone: Moto G6

    Finally, I decided to stick to a budget Android phone. Among the budget phones. I chose the Moto G6 because the Moto G line of phones consistently features on WireCutter, in their reviews covering the best budget android phones. In their recent review, the WireCutter lists the Nokia 6.1 as the best budget Android phone and Moto G6 as the runner-up. However, the Nokia 6.1 looks boxy and outdated, sporting a 16:9 aspect ratio, and the restructured Nokia is yet to sort out their service network in India. I stuck to Motorola particularly because I am impressed by the Motorola service centre in Kolkata (Salt Lake). I have reviewed the all new Moto G6 in a separate article.

  • REVIEW: Men’s Grooming Products in India

    Until recently, there existed a vacuum in the Indian market – while the market was flooded with grooming products for the fairer sex, there was a strange paucity of men’s grooming products! Not anymore, thanks to a number of start-ups that have sprung up online in last two to three years. Each of them has a strong presence on the social media with catchy slogans and promotions on their Instagram and Facebook pages. They all swear by natural ingredients in their products and sell online via well designed, search engine optimized websites. Enter Ustraa, The Man Company, Bombay Shaving Company and the likes, a new generation of Indian companies catering to a niche segment – men’s grooming products. I have been using these products for the last one or two years and it is time I wrote down my thoughts on them.

    Disclaimer

    This review is to be taken as an end user experience, based entirely on my personal preferences, and not as medical opinion. For expert opinion on skin-related queries, a dermatologist must be consulted. Also, the scope of this article is limited to aforementioned three companies. Finally, this is not a sponsored post and purely my unbiased review.

    Summer ready with the right grooming products!
    Ugly no more! Summer ready with the right grooming products.

    The Bombay Shaving Company

    I was looking for a good quality traditional single-blade double-edged safety razor for quite some time because I think that nothing cuts better than the old-school single blade. While there are reputed safety razor brands, e.g. Merkur, I chose the Bombay Shaving Company safety razor because the razor handle came with my initials engraved on it. The razor is indeed a piece of fine craftsmanship. Devoid of any ornamentation, the chrome finish on the razor looks simple yet elegant. According to a communication I had with the Bombay Shaving Company customer care via email, the razor is made of Zamac, one of the best alloys, which makes it strong and sturdy. The razor feels good to hold, not too light or too heavy.

    The Bombay Shaving Company double edge single blade safety razor
    The Bombay Shaving Company double edge single blade safety razor

    Interestingly, the razor comes with two clamps – standard and aggressive – giving you more control on how close a shave you want. The aggressive clamp, which gives a closer and more efficient shave, is surely not for the weak in the heart. I had switched to the aggressive clamp after shaving with the standard clamp for a few days. The imported Feather blades, supplied with the razor, are coated with platinum and claimed to be the sharpest blades. What I like most about these blades is the disposal chamber the blade box comes with. This is important because unless disposed off properly, blades carry the risk of injuring human waste-sorters (a real issue in India) and innocent animals. The latest addition to their product range is the razor sheath, a protective plastic cap for the razor; I ordered this toy right after launch. I must say Bombay Shaving Company has done a commendable job in putting the emphasis on traditional single-blade double-edged safety razors. The mainstream market has been misleading us towards so called multi-blade cartridge-based razors which prove to be costly in the long run and are actually an overkill. A man needs just one blade, not more, to cut his beard right.

    The Bombay Shaving Company double edge single blade safety razor
    A close look at the safety razor

    I use the Bombay Shaving Company shaving brush which came with the shaving kit. I didn’t expect a plastic handle at this price. The bristles are artificial badger hair which is fair as I am against killing of innocent badgers. It works up a good lather and the bristles feel new even after months of use. The shaving brushes from Ustraa and TMC come with wooden handles. Of the two, I particularly wish to acquire the natural brown shaving brush from The Man Company which looks very classy. Not anytime soon, as I am content using my current one.

    My shaving regimen starts with a warm pre-soak using the Bombay Shaving Company shaving towel. I am quite happy with the Bombay Shaving Company shaving cream, a concoction of tea tree leaf oil and Aloe extract, which creates a nice lather and smells good. I am also sticking to the Bombay Shaving Company post-shave balm which has a good soothing effect and adds a healthy glow to skin. It contains no alcohol (denatured alcohol used in after shave is no good for skin) and comes with Aloe Vera Extract, Carica papaya Extract, Vitamin E acetate, Citrus lemon extract, among other things, to make me date ready!

    I have used face wash products from all the three companies. For now, I am sticking to the Bombay Shaving Company face wash not only because it feels and smells good, but I like the fact that there is salicylic acid in it – which is appropriate for my skin type. The spearmint + menthol flavour of the Ustraa facewash is a bit too strong for my liking. The Charcoal Ylang Yang face wash from The Man Company is definitely a good product, but I am not a big fan of charcoal per se.

    True to their name, Bombay Shaving Company maintain an almost complete collection of shaving essentials for the modern man. I would like to see some more additions to their product range like shaving bowls, trimming scissors, etc. With time, they have also added beard and skin care products to their collection.

    Flaunting minimal design and beautiful typography, the Bombay Shaving Company website is the best designed website by far. To keep things neat, the ingredients are not mentioned on the product pages. You have to go to the FAQ section to read about the ingredients which is a bit of a task. Their blog titled ‘Aftershave‘ is worth taking a look at. Bombay Shaving Company churns out good video campaigns from time to time. The Video section on their Facebook page is worth checking out. Recently, they posted this track called #BombayBeardBeat and got celebrities to groove to it. They also have a very responsive customer care. I had written to all the three companies enquiring if they used microplastics / microbeads in their face wash / scrub products. Bombay Shaving Company promptly replied clarifying that they don’t, while Ustraa and The Man Company didn’t bother to reply at all.

    Bombay Shaving Company shaving kit
    The minimal design concept is carried on to the product packaging too. A lot of thought went into the design of their shaving kit box, which is truly functional and can be used to store the shaving kit for years.

    Ustraa

    I had been planning to make my own DIY beard oil for quite some time but I wasn’t able to procure the essential oils locally. Ustraa got my attention with their ‘4×4 Mooch and Beard oil‘, a heady concoction of Argan oil, Sunflower Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Lemon essential oil. I am sold on its earthly smell and it keeps my whiskers shiny, soft and itch-free throughout the day. The beard oil has found many takers among my friends after they saw me using it. Ustraa has probably the most complete product line-up among the three companies. Their beard care product range is by far the most complete. It has everything – beard wash, beard softener and beard wax. The beard comb collection is a collection of three beard combs, each suited to a different purpose, which my grizzly friends have found extremely useful. Just like Ustraa, The Man Company has a huge arsenal of products aimed at beard maintenance but Ustraa has a superior advertisement strategy. In the shaving department, Ustraa sells an apothecary style shaving mug, although I’d prefer a shaving bowl instead.

    A man needs to exfoliate once in a while (once a week for me). The face scrubs offered by all three companies offer both physical + chemical exfoliation combined in one pack. To make an educated choice, one should consider each ingredient carefully and find out what is best suited for him. I choose the Ustraa face scrub because it contains glycolic acid (supposed to have anti-ageing property) among its ingredients. The Bombay Shaving Company face scrub, which is also shipped with their shaving kit, feels a bit too coarse on my skin.

    Ustraa won my allegiance with their winter care products
    Ustraa won my allegiance with their winter care products

    Ustraa has won my allegiance with their range of winter care products. I have always been averse to moisturizing creams but, let’s face it, moisturization is important. As a result, I looked dull and dry during the whole winter. That was until I came across the Moisturizing Cream from Ustraa! Made of natural ingredients, it kept my skin well moisturized without feeling sticky! The Ustraa body lotion took care of my dry extremities without feeling greasy. I was glad that it has no feminine fragrance, just a mild scent – a manly one that lasts throughout the day. The dispensing bottle makes it easy to use actually. Finally, the men’s lip balm, one of their most popular products, took care of my chapped lips throughout the winter and beyond. Ustraa is also the only among the three companies selling a sun-screen.

    My favourite shampoo for daily use is the Ustraa Anti-dandruff Hair Shampoo which comes armed with tea tree oil and ginger extract. From its foaming ability to its very convenient click-top bottle packaging, there is much to like about this product.

    Ustraa has a unique approach to product packaging. All their products come in jars stored inside old school tin cans! The tin not only looks manly and rustic, but it keeps the products well protected from the elements of weather.

    The Ustraa website is fairly user-friendly and it is easy to find out the products, with easy to read information about them. Ustraa’s ad campaign dwells heavily on stereotyped male chauvinistic jokes. Now that feels really dated.

    Last year, The Bombay Shaving Company posted the following series of posts (scroll right to see all of them) on Instagram, as a rebuttal to Ustraa’s ad campaign that was high on male chauvinism:

    The Man Company

    The Man Company has a large product catalog which can be overwhelming at first. Many of their products, popular ones at that, are out of stock, while they keep adding new line of products. Of late though, it seems they have consolidated their product line by pruning out some of the offerings and sticking to the bestsellers in each segment. They also seem to be fixated with charcoal! Almost all the new products launched have charcoal in them, in keeping with the global trend. The Man Company positions itself as a premium brand and usually prices their products a notch higher.

    The Man Company’s Argan and Almond hair oil is currently my staple hair oil. It is too early to comment on how it lives up to its claim of promoting hair growth but I like how light it sits on my hair and doesn’t feel sticky at all. I also use one of their Neem wood hair combs. I am yet to try out the newly launched hair gels and pomades.

    In an age of shower gels, I still swear by the old school soap bar. The Man Company’s Neem and Tulsi soap bar is my soap of choice for daily bathing. It does a thorough cleaning job and the bar lasts like forever. It has put an end to the problem of occasional acne breakout in the seborrheic areas of my trunk.

    The only place where I use a shower gel is the gym locker room shower and in this case the product of my choice is The Man Company Vetiver Hair & Body Wash Roadies Edition.

    The Man Company has the most elaborately designed reward system. I not only bought their leather toiletry bag at a huge discount (paid ₹599 instead of ₹2599) by redeeming my reward points accumulated on the website, but got a free perfume with it as well.

    While all three companies sell dopp kits for men to store the grooming essentials, The Man Company toiletry bag is the undisputed leader in this segment. Not only it is made of genuine leather, it is also more roomy, with more compartments, and an example of fine craftsmanship. (The Bombay Shaving Company kit bag, on the other hand is water-resistant, and spill-proof; while it lacks the regal touch of the exorbitantly priced TMC bag, I have found it useful as a gym dopp kit. The Ustraa toiletry bag which I had used was rather plain but now they have replaced it with a new variety which looks improved on screen.) Although I haven’t used The Man Company leather wallet, which has seen a recent price cut, it deserves a mention. At 11 x 9 cm, it is a very compact wallet, and going by the impressive quality of the leather in their kit bag, I can vouch for its quality.

    The Man Company website has some loose ends. It takes more than a few clicks to find out the accessories (wallet, toiletry kit bag) which seem somewhat hidden from plain sight. The product pages on the website are however rich with information. With ingredients mentioned and usage directions explained, it is the most informative website among the three.

    The Man Company packaging
    The Man Company ships their products in elegant wooden boxes

    The Man Company has a significant offline presence, offering premium salon services by tying up with a number of salons all over the country. In Kolkata, Head Turners salon at Gariahat is one such outlet where you can indulge yourself with The Man Company grooming products.

    Round-Up

    • Best Safety Razor: Bombay Shaving Company
    • Best Shaving Brush: The Man Company natural brown shaving brush
    • Best Shaving cream: Bombay Shaving Company
    • Best Post-shave balm: Bombay Shaving Company
    • Best Face wash: Bombay Shaving Company
    • Best Face scrub: Ustraa
    • Best Lip Balm: Ustraa
    • Best Moisturizer: Ustraa
    • Best Body Lotion: Ustraa
    • Best Sun Screen: Ustraa
    • Best Hair oil: The Man Company Argan and Almond hair oil
    • Best Shampoo: Ustraa Anti-dandruff shampoo
    • Best Hair wax: Ustraa Hair Wax
    • Best Soap bar: The Man Company
    • Best Shower gel: The Man Company
    • Best toiletry bag: The Man Company, if you can bag a good discount on it
    • Best Packaging: All three companies use plastic tubes and bottles which I don’t like so much. On this note, Beardo (although I haven’t used their products) deserves a mention for packaging their beard oils in glass bottles.
    • Best Website: The Bombay Shaving Company

    Before signing off, I would like to share this Art of Manliness video on old school shaving with a safety razor:

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Meghnadbodh Rahasya 2017

    Although the movie is set in modern times, the 70s era Naxalite movement is the central premise of the story, where Sabyasachi Chakraborty plays a former Naxalite, now an elite citizen of the society and an eminent author. While the movie does a good job in piquing the interest of the audience about the history of Naxal movement, it also makes a bold political commentary on the current political scene. The reference to Michael Madhusudan Dutta’s most acclaimed work Meghnadbodh Kabya (মেঘনাদবধ কাব্য) was interesting, to say the least. However, a few unnecessary subplots and more than a few loose ends left a lot to be desired. Yet, it is definitely worth a watch, thanks to the brilliant dialogue writing, in true Anik Dutta style, and, more importantly, the political commentary which makes the movie really stand out, elevating it above the realm of an ordinary thriller. I think it is a politically significant movie and a must watch for everybody. The movie is very fast paced which makes it difficult at times to grasp what is going on and, as I had said before, the subplots add to the mystery. The ending may not be liked by all as it doesn’t say what happened to the protagonist in the end but the observant viewer will realise that what happened to him isn’t the main angle of the story – what is far more important is the political message the movie conveys and it does that well. A bit of political awareness and a basic knowledge of the Meghnadbodh Kabya (a piece from which was there in the plus 2 syllabus of Bengal board) are recommended prerequisites for watching this movie. On a completely different note, I was surprised to see many of the dialogues in English. Some of the exchanges were fully in the queen’s language while in some at least half of the lines were spoken in English.

  • Weekend Long Drive & Adventure – Trip to Burdwan

    After getting stuck at J. B. S. Haldane Avenue (Parama flyover towards Park Circus from Science City was no entry, alas) for one and a half hour, having started from my hospital as early as quarter past four, I finally crossed the Dankuni Toll Plaza at 7 PM. I was supposed to join my friends Dr-Suvodip Chakraborty and Syamantak Basu, the former playing host to the latter, at Burdwan Medical College, and go to a wedding reception. As is the norm nowadays, it was a WhatsApp invite. It didn’t matter though, as the friend to be sacrificed at the altar of marriage is close to us.

    It was the first time I was driving on the Durgapur Expressway and I was thrilled. The well maintained four-lane national highway is in top-notch condition, a driver’s delight. Anxious that I’d be late, I drove on fast, maintaining 100 to 110 kmph, touching 120 now and then, going upto 140 once. The Bridgestone tyres chewed the roads quite well and the other cars literally ate the dust. Once I entered Burdwan town, the roads became narrow and crowded, and Google Maps ceased to be of much help. After nearly getting lost in the lanes and by-lanes, I somehow managed to reach my friend’s hostel at quarter past eight. I learnt that it had rained there heavily in the afternoon and could see small puddles in front of the hostels.

    At this point, a realization struck us. We didn’t have the address of the reception venue and our friend’s phone was unreachable. The most we knew was that he would always get down at Guskara station when we would return from college during vacations. There was no one else we could call as who would know more about him than us, his best friends? Instead we opened his Facebook profile to glean some information but found nothing useful. We spent some time debating what would be the best course of action and it was already 9 o’clock.

    We took a leap of faith and decided to drive to Guskara where we would hopefully figure out something. On the way, we stopped at a fuel pump where I filled the tank and then at a liquor store where we took a bottle of whiskey, a gift for the groom. The whiskey was nothing exclusive, as we were not sure if we would at all be able to make it to the wedding! The Suri Road was a good highway to drive on. We drove at 80-90 kmph, slowing down to 60 at some sharp turns which came along the way. After driving some 30 km, we reached Guskara, when it was ten on the clock. The stores had downed their shutters by then and not many people were on the streets.

    It was then that a friend of mine had a revelation. He recalled that a batchmate of ours had once taken his cousin sister on a trip to our college campus. He also remembered that she happens to be a neighbour of our worthy friend whose phone, by the way, was still out of reach. Best part, he still has her phone number saved. The lady proved to particularly helpful, after all these years. It turned out that we were in the wrong place altogether. The residence of our friend would be at Debpur, about 12 km from Guskara. But she could not confirm the venue of the reception. There was a lone fruit seller, the last person to shut his stall, who directed us towards a way to Debpur.

    The sky had cleared by then and it was a moonlit night. We could clearly make out the paddy fields on either sides of the road. We could not go fast as the track wasn’t smooth all over and was riddled with potholes. The road was however absolutely empty. It went on straight ahead, not a soul in sight, painting a desolate picture. Several times, we debated going back to the hostel. We were not certain if we were on the right track. We weren’t even sure if the wedding was taking place in Debpur. We also feared that the party would be over by the time we reached and there would be no food left for us. My friends were inclined to go back and open the bottle for themselves, but I drove on.

    After five kilometres, we saw some people sitting in front of a godown who readily identified the name of the our friend’s father and confirmed that the wedding reception is indeed held at Debpur. We were filled with renewed zeal upon hearing this. The track became smooth thereafter and we zipped through the night.

    From some hundred metres away we saw the lights. Such big lightings as those usually grace Puja pandals. Nearing further, we saw a big crowd and were relieved to see that they were not leaving – most of them seemed to have just arrived. We asked a man who confirmed that we had come to the right wedding reception. We parked the car and got down, smiling contentedly.

    The well decorated corridor led us from the entrance to a large floor where scores of people were dancing to live DJ music. The mood was upbeat! The party was in full swing. Crossing the floor, we spotted a high stage where the bride was found sitting on her chair, busy posing to the camera. Our friend was nowhere to be seen and none could tell where he was. We finally saw him emerge in the middle of the crowd, when he was raised up in the air by his peers. From his high position, Abhijit Karmakar saw us and to say that he was shocked would be an understatement. He never expected us at that hour! He descended to the ground and we exchanged pleasantries (read, expletives). Apparently, the bugger had forgot where he kept his phone and it had run out of charge. The mandatory photo clicks, the customary greetings followed and the gift was delivered. There was a bar room where we said hello to Abhijit’s friends. Without further ado, we proceeded to the dinner. We were famished!

    As it was late, the buffet counter had closed and we settled for the plated table service. To begin with, the fish kebabs were very well prepared – juicy, with just the right amount of crunchiness. We took generous helpings of the salad too. The waiters had to work overtime at our table as we kept repeating our orders. Next up, it was baby nan and chilly sweet, of which the latter was particularly delectable – we couldn’t stop licking our fingers. Mutton biriyani and chicken chaap came in next. The biriyani was well done and the mutton pieces were succulent. The chicken chaap comprised only leg pieces. After having two leg pieces, I was comtemplating a third one, when Suvodip warned me not to eat much as I’d be driving back. Papad and chutney ended the grand meal on a sweet note. This was of course followed by more sweet dishes- chhanar payesh, rosogolla and pantua. We felt full and satiated. The long drive and the night adventure was well worth it.

    On the way back, we took a more direct route, as Abhijit had advised us to do. This road was definitely better than the one we had taken earlier but it was narrower and went in a sinuous trail through populated localities. That wasn’t any hindrance as there was no one on the roads at that hour; it was way past midnight. After driving 17 km, we were back on the highway called Suri Road. Once again the tarmac became a driver’s delight. We were back to the BMC campus at 1 AM but we decided to drive around a bit. We drove towards the station and Suvodip showed us around pointing out the prominent buildings and landmarks. We finally decided to return and called it a night.

    Saturday morning began with a breakfast in the BMC college canteen after which Suvodip had to go to his work at the hospital while I went to see some of my friends there. Dr. Basu and I also ventured out to get Mihidana and Sitabhog, which Burdwan is famous for, from a reputed sweet shop. Suvodip joined us for lunch at the canteen again. The food was homely and really well done. The fish preparation was proper. So were the daal and vegetable. The amraar chutney left us wanting for more.

    Post-lunch, three of us started our return journey. It was a relaxed drive on the way back. We were in no hurry and I kept speeds of 80 kmph. We stopped at Shaktigarh for tea and lyangcha. The rest of the journey was uneventful. We were glad to be back home after spending an eventful weekend.

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Byomkesh Pawrbo 2016

    Byomkesh Pawrbo was a good watch. The drama was there, the suspense could be felt, the pace of the story was just about right and the background score was much to my liking. But what sets this Byomkesh movie apart is the brilliant cinematography – it was a pure visual delight. The director also took a leaf out Ian Fleming’s James Bond and we saw the Bengali sleuth beating the hell out of his adversaries, in style. Abir looks sharp as ever. Ritwik as Ajit doesn’t fail to impress either. I am still not sure who I like more in the role of Satyabati – Ushashi or Sohini. While the movie stayed true to the original story ‘Amriter Mrityu’, it dragged at times, during those unnecessary scenes, like the day trip.

  • HOW TO: Turn the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 into a Smart Car

    The 2014 Alto K10 VXI AMT may be the best car to drive on the Kolkata roads, but it comes without the bells and whistles found on higher segment cars. With the right aftermarket accessories, I have been able to turn it into a smart car!

    Set the Time

    The Alto K10’s basic MID (multi-information display) has a digital clock which can be turned on easily. Using the MID stalk, I swapped the Odometer reading with the digital clock and then set the time. I really appreciate having the time displayed right in front of my eyes as I no longer have to look at my watch while driving.

    Install Bluetooth

    The Alto K10 VXI doesn’t come with in-built Bluetooth, a must have feature for hands-free driving. I bought a device called GoGroove SMARTmini AUX which connects to the Aux port of the car and pairs with my phone. It lets me play music and place calls via the car speakers over Bluetooth. I had purchased it on iBhejo.com for ₹2,390.

    GoGroove SMARTmini AUX Bluetooth kit: Amazon $24.99

    Install a Phone Mount

    The stock head unit of the Alto K10 doesn’t come with any screen. A good smartphone can fill the void to some extent. What you need is a good dashboard mount for the phone. This is a great product from the iOttie stable which actually stays rooted to the dashboard – solid as a rock! The phone mount has a firm grip on the phone and the phone can be turned at any angle. Unlike most, I prefer fixing the phone in a horizontal position.

    iOttie Easy Flex 2 dashboard mount: Amazon

    Get an Android Phone

    My smartphone Moto G Plus 4 is central to the smart car experience. The single device that handles calls, messaging, music, GPS navigation while driving. I recommend getting an Android phone as an iPhone doesn’t work without a compatible head unit. That is one of the reasons why I didn’t get an iPhone.

    Moto G Plus 4: Amazon

    Install Android Auto and Trigger

    • Android Auto is truly a smart innovation from Google which has been so long restricted to head units only, until this month when it became available for phones too. Android Auto, designed with safety in mind, keeps the interface simple and minimizes distractions. It will even read out WhatsApp messages and let me reply by voice. The Google Maps, which is well integrated into the Android Auto, is my guide while navigating through the city.
    • The android app Trigger automates my phone. As soon as my phone connects to my car Bluetooth, three things happen: the WiFi is disabled, volume is maxed, auto-rotation of display is enabled, GPS is turned on. Out of all this, automating the screen rotation is vital to my handsfree experience as I like my phone set horizontally on the dashboard. When I leave the car and the Bluetooth connection dies, auto-rotation is disabled but WiFi isn’t turned back on – I have set it like that.

    Buy A Car Charger

    The car charger of cheap make that the Maruti dealer had sold me (for ₹450) charged phones really slow and was an eyesore, as it came with an array of useless cables each ending in different types of pins. I was glad to get rid of it when it stopped working in less than a year and I had to make do without a car charger as I found nothing worth buying, until Amazon India started selling Aukey products. There were faster chargers available from Aukey but I settled for this particular model as it has a really small footprint, yet packs two USB ports each delivering 5 V 2.4 A current. The extra port can be handy if you you are travelling with friends. The tiny black charger goes well with the black interior of my car and is in keeping with my minimalistic approach – no more unsightly cables! I have paired it with a black USB cable that came with my phone. I had purchased it for ₹595 at the time of writing this post.

    Aukey 4.8A Flush-fit Dual Port Car Charger: Amazon ₹799

    Install Keyless Entry

    While the car came with factory-installed manual central locking, I installed Xenos Rottweiler remote locking system in the aftermarket for added convenience and peace of mind. The first thing I did after installation was disable the reverse siren which I never liked. I had to go the non-MGA route only because the dealer who sold me the car failed to keep the MGA Keyless Entry in stock despite prior reminders over phone. The Xenos is a fine product with no problems so far but looking back, I would have installed the MGA remote lock instead if I could go back in time. Not only it has a better alarm sound, but also because its flip key shell is easily available online.

    Xenos Rottweiler remote locking system: Amazon

    Install Reverse Parking Sensors with Camera

    Although I was reluctant to get a reverse parking camera, opting for it on my father’s insistence, I must say it is a good thing to have while parking in a busy area. One of the coolest gadgets in my car, it kicks off as soon as the gear is changed to reverse. The camera view comes alive in a TFT screen integrated in the IRVM which also shows the distance in feet from the nearest obstacle in real time. A speaker installed in the rear lets out a voice warning alerts me if there is any obstacle in the rear. A product from the Indian brand P8, it has worked reliably without any hiccups so far. Incidentally, the IRVM of the kit is actually anti-glare which has been a huge benefit as I am not blinded by the high beams from cars esp. trucks following me.

    P8 Reverse Parking Sensors with Camera: Amazon

  • Swirl Marks Pathology and Detailing Prescription

    Swirl Marks Pathology and Detailing Prescription
    Swirl Marks Pathology and Detailing Prescription

    Today, I will explain what causes swirl marks on your car and what you can do to prevent them. I will be brief and to the point. This post assumes that you have already read my elaborate guide to car detailing. As discussed previously on this blog, swirl marks are minute scratches, induced by our own cleaning actions (think iatrogenic, doctors) on the paint, not visible to the naked eye, that accumulate over time and criss-cross with each other.

    Causes of swirl marks

    • Letting the chauffeur / cleaner do the cleaning unsupervised.
    • Using extra pressure to remove wax.
    • Inadequate lubrication during quick detailing.
    • Dragging the drying towel across the paint.
    • Using a dirty towel for drying the car.
    • Using an old dusty duster.
    • Using duster on wet car.
    • Using duster on caked grime.
    • Using too much pressure on the wash mitt.
    • Dirty wash mitt during shampoo.

    Detailing prescription

    • Make sure your towels are always clean. Stock extra microfiber towels so that you never run out of clean towels.
    • Wax the car not more than thrice a year. Don’t apply too much pressure when are you buffing the wax.
    • Wash it weekly / fortnightly. Post wax, shampoo frequency will decrease as a waxed car can be quickly cleaned with a pressure wash. Use shampoo when the car gets more dirty.
    • Instead of applying the shampoo by hand, use the foam gun to spray shampoo on the car, not only to avoid adding inadvertent swirl marks, but also because it is more fun!
    • Be gentle with the wash mitt. Let the shampoo do the cleaning and not your force on the wash mitt!
    • After washing, it is recommended to blot dry by holding the towel against the paint instead of wiping it across.
    • Show your chauffeur this video on how to use the duster.
    • Don’t hesitate to wet the paint with your QD solution generously. Lubrication is the key! Use a fine spray instead of a stream spray to avoid product wastage.
    • Don’t put the cover on a dusty car after coming back from a drive. Get the light dust off with a duster. A car cover is best used on a waxed car to prevent swirl marks.