Hoganekkal

Bekkal Fort

High-end Android smartphones in India:

LG Optimus 2X: This is the only dual core Android smartphone available in Indian market right now, although Samsung has announced that Galaxy S2 , but still Optimus 2X is one of your best bet. With company’s confirmation regarding the Gingerbread update for the device, this dual core beauty is a must have if you are looking for a performance giant.
Optimus 2X features a 4 inch display, 1 GHz dual core nVIDIA Tegra 2 processor,  Android 2.2, 8 MP camera, 512 MB RAM, 8GB internal storage & Expandable external storage of upto 32GB.
MRP: INR 30,000

HTC Desire S: HTC recently started selling Desire S in Indian Market, powered by Gingerbread it is one of the few devices with Android’s latest smartphone OS version in the country. Although it does not possess the rocking specs as Optimus 2X, it does come with some pretty decent internals at its price.
HTC Desire S features HTC Sense, 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8255 processor, dual front and back cameras, and 3.7-inch WVGA display.
MRP: INR 25,490

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc: It is an absolute beauty, by far the best Android smartphone in term of the looks. Don’t worry, it’s not just the looks, it does come with solid internals to give you nice performance.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc features 4.2 inch multi-touch screen, 8.1 MP camera with HD video recording, Android 2.3, 1500mAh battery, and 1 Ghz Qualcomm processor.
MRP: INR 30,000

Screen

- 854x480 pixels
- 4.2" 16,777,216 colour TFT

Memory

- Internal phone storage: 1GB (up to 320MB free)
- RAM: 512MB
- Memory card slot: microSD™, up to 32GB * Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration.

Networks

- GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
- UMTS/HSPA 800/850/1900/2100
- UMTS/HSPA 900/2100

Available colours

- Midnight Blue - Misty Silver Possible limited market availability.

Sizes

- 125.0 x 63.0 x 8.7 mm
- 4.9 x 2.5 x 0.3 inches

Weight

- 117.0 gr
- 4.1 oz


Nexus S: Manufactured by Samsung in partnership with Google, Nexus S is a great device for anyone who wants to experience true Android. Its software aspects are all as per Google’s instructions, so it will always be the first device to receive Android update until the next Nexus phone launches in the market.
Nexus S features Android 2.3, NFC hardware, 1 GHz processor, 5MP rear camera with front VGA cam, 512 MB RAM, 16GB internal memory
MRP: INR 30,400




Samsung Galaxy SL: A variant of popular Galaxy S, Galaxy SL leaves out Super AMOLED to sport Super Clear LCD. While the specs are pretty much in line with original Galaxy S, SL comes at a much lower price and is a solid device for anyone looking for best Android smartphone below 20K.
Galaxy SL features TI-OMAP 1GHz processor, 4GB internal memory, 4 inch display, Android 2.2 and 5MP camera.
MRP: INR 19000

Acer Liquid Metal: This Android beauty from Acer is a good value for money and a great option for anyone looking to combine style and performance.
It  features 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 processor, which is also in HTC Desire Z, 5-megapixel autofocus camera with flash, 720p HD video recording,  3.6-inch display, Dolby Surround sound support, Android  2.2 and DLNA/UPnP media streaming.
MRP: INR 20,000

Samsung Galaxy Ace: Part of recent additions to Samsung’s Galaxy series, Galaxy Ace is a decent mid-range Android smartphone. It features Android 2.2 Froyo, 3.5-inch HVGA TFT display, 800MHz processor, 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, and 1350 mAh battery.
MRP: INR 15,000
Other devices in the category include HTC Wildfire, HTC Legend, Motorola Milestone, Motorola Flipout, Motorola Backflip, and Acer Liquid.

Entry-level Android smartphones in India:
Samsung Galaxy Pop: Decent performance in affordable price, comes in both GSM as well as CDMA variants. Galaxy Pop features 600 Mhz processor, Android 2.2, 3.14 inch display and 3MP camera
MRP: INR 9000
Samsung Galaxy Fit: Another budget Android smartphone from Samsung, it comes with Android 2.2, 600 MHz processor, 5MP camera and 1350 mAh battery.
MRP: 10,100
Dell XCD35: This ZTE made Android smartphone, which was launched by Dell in India has seen a huge price-drop from INR 18K to 11K today. With a great dev community, this smartphone will give you more than what you would expect.
It features 3.5 inch touchscreen, 3.2 MP camera, Android 2.1, MapmyIndia Maps pre-installed, FM Radio, HSDPA, Wifi, and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR.
MRP: INR 11,500
Huawei Ideos: Featuring a stock Android 2.2 build, this smartphone was developed with clear instructions from Google to take Android to masses. It features 2.8 inch capacitive display, 3.2 MP camera, 528 processor, and Android 2.2.
MRP: INR 8,000
LG Optimus One is another smartphone which deserves a mention here. Priced around INR 10,000, it comes with Froyo pre-installed and will get Gingerbread update soon.
This is all from us now, but do tell us about your future/present Android device in comments.

NIKON D5000

The DSLR sales in recent times are showing exponential growth. Thanks to the growing pockets of individuals and the verities of models available in the market. Companies are competing each other to bring more and more newer models for all kinds of customers. On one side they are coming with very economical models to increase the penetration. On the other side they are coming with advanced versions for existing users to upgrade and get the best photographic experience. 

DSLR  DSLR  DSLR  DSLR

Thekkady

Recently I got the D5000 to use. The Nikon D5000 is a powerful and versatile SLR camera that delivers superb still images and high-definition D-movie clips with sound. Incredibly easy to use, it boasts a range of automatic features that help capture the shots you want and an impressive 12.3 megapixel DX format image sensor that ensures exceptionally detailed results. On the surface, the arrival of the D5000 was only a matter of time. According to figures released from Nikon, sales of the entry-level D40, D40X, and D60 cameras account for roughly 80 percent of all Nikon DSLR sales. It's no wonder that Nikon was so eager to take the new high resolution sensor and video mode from their mid-grade D90 and put it into a lower-priced entry-level DSLR.

                                                            Thekkady

                                                                    Thekkady

Nikon D5000 Key Features

• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 2.7" tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• New battery with increased capacity
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

Nikon D5000 vs D60: Key Differences

The D5000 could easily be seen as a D60 with a tilting screen added, and most of a D90 stuffed into it. As such it offers quite a few feature improvements over its little brother:

• 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D60: 10.2 MP CCD)
• Tilt/swivel screen
• Live View with contrast detect AF
• Movie Mode
• Wider ISO range
• 11 point AF system with 3D tracking (D60: 3 point AF)
• Control of Active D-Lighting intensity
• Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
• Choice of JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
• Extra retouching options
• More scene modes
• Faster continuous shooting
• Exposure bracketing

ekkady Thekkady

More Pics of Munnar !!!!!!

More Pictures From Thekaddy!!!!!!

Periyar lake @ Thekaddy

Birds @ periyar.. Photo taken during the boating

Thekaddy – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Thekkady is located about 117 km from Kottayam and 20 km from Kothamangalam. It is close to the Tamil Nadu border. The nearest airport is at Madurai 140 km away and 4 hours away. Cochin the next nearest airport is 208 km and six hours away.

Periyar Lake, Periyar Wild Life Sanctury and a Bird Sanctury are the major tourist attractions. Boating in the lake is a pleasureful experience. KTDC is providing lodging facilities here. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Thekkady has immense possibilities for Adventure Tourism.

Outside the park private tour operators arrange Jeep safaris though the forest. Also there are Elephant rides offered. Kathakali and Kalari shows for the tourists are also arranged.

Location:

Part of the old Travancore State, the sanctuary and Periyar Lake are located close to the Tamil Nadu border. Kottayam is six hours away. However the nearest airport is at Madurai 140 km away and 4 hours away. Cochin the next nearest airport is 208 km and six hours away.

Climate:
Maximum temperature : 29 degrees Celsius.
Minimum temperature 18 degrees Celsius.
Annual rainfall 2,600 mm

Proper attire: Woolens in winter. Carry water with you for treks etc.