Ibibo’s CEO ASHISH KASHYAP is not just another Nintendo Wii fan. He’s a savvy father who taught his five-year-old daughter to boot the laptop and log on to his social networking portal, Ibibo, to watch videos and socialise. While he’s still looking for someone to gift him a programmable robot, Kashyap maintains that his gadgets are not for showing off, they’re just for him.
Have your gadgets ever come to your rescue?
My Nokia N95 was handy enough to help me find my way as I tried to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Its mapping feature was fabulous and even better for countries where the meta-data for the maps is available in plenty.
Is there any funky gadget that you like to fool around with?
The Nintendo Wii gaming console is the latest gadget that I am fooling around with. It is a great way to meet real people playing games around the world. Plus, it’s also a very nice way to spend some time with my five-year-old daughter during weekends.
What was your first true gadget? Do you still have it?
It was a Sinclair ZX Spectrum, a home computer that I got when I was 10. I remember connecting it with my tape recorder to load software and games. I broke it a couple of years ago.
What is the geekiest thing you have ever done?
Interconnected my PC with the security system, DVD recorder, the lighting system of one room and my telephone, thereby enabling me to remotely set the time for video-recording, see the room temperature, switch on and off the lighting/air-conditioning and also keep an eye on the security system. This worked for a few weeks and then the system developed some bugs. I did not get much time to maintain it, but I found it exciting.
What’s your favourite function in your favourite gadget?
On the Nintendo, the Wii remote and the Nunchuk are the high points. They are extremely intuitive as they are based on real movements.
Have you ever taught someone how to use a gadget of theirs?
I taught my daughter to boot my Sony Vaio laptop, access ibibo.com and view videos and photos.
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Have you ever fixed a broken gadget yourself?
I enjoy every opportunity to fix broken gadgets. Of late, I fixed a camera-based pen that had an issue with its lens. I have also fixed many other gadgets such as remote-control toys, cordless bells and security systems.
Which of your gadgets do you most like to show off with?
I don’t like to show off my gadgets. I like to use them as utilities that increase efficiency or make life more interesting and exciting.
What is the most expensive gadget you have bought recently?
I recently bought the iPhone, and it is expensive for what it has to offer. As a phone it did not fly for me, so I switched to the Nokia N95.