iCrazy about iPhones

GIZMOGEEK

Sanjay Soni, managing director of Logix, is a geek who would rather wait for second-generation gadgets instead of rushing to buy the latest in the market. He made an exception when he gave in to the temptation of buying the swank new Apple MacBook Air. At 22, Soni received an award from the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for the computer science books he wrote, and today he secretly nurtures the hope of creating a gadget that would help him locate empty parking slots.

Have your gadgets ever come to your rescue?

Once when my flight was cancelled at the last minute, I wanted to find out which other flights were available, without rushing to the other terminal. It was then that my mobile phone, which comes with an excellent browser, allowed me to go online and get the necessary flight details.

What gadgets do you like to show off with?

My MacBook Air. It's really slim and light and no one believes that it is a fully loaded notebook. Needless to say, it attracts a lot of attention wherever I open it.

What is the geekiest thing you've ever done?

Written books on computer science and received an award from the Indian Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi when I was 22 years old.

How do you get the maximum juice out of your gadgets?

With my Apple iPhone I use the installer to download lots of applications which make it much more versatile. Result: my iPhone works as a dictionary, spirit level, flashlight, among many other things.

Name an expensive gadget that you have bought or want to buy.

I bought the Sony PlayStation 3 in November 2006 just after it was launched in the US by paying a bomb on eBay. But I think I probably was among the first people to get this into India. And that is gratifying.

Is there one technology you have been personally interested in? Why?

Mobile computing, because I travel a lot. Advancements in this can reduce the burden on my shoulders.

Tell us about one gadget or application that you had fun experimenting with.

There is this really cool application called iPhysics on the iPhone that lets you do some crazy stuff.

Can you unwind with the help of your gadgets?

Positively. My iPhone has 1,200 songs that keep me occupied while waiting for flights. I have fun playing on my PS3 on weekends with a bunch of kids from my building.