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GIZMOGEEK

R Subramanian, managing director of Subhiksha, has decided to wait for cellular operators to roll out 3G networks in India before he replaces his present phone with a "next-generation" device. On the other hand, he'd rather let his gadgets disappear and catch up on his sleep than fret over their loss.

How often do you change your gadgets?
Whenever there is a compelling reason to change. For instance, I have been using a tablet PC for almost a year and half and have no intention of replacing it yet, as I find it great for sending handwritten notes and sketches.

Which of your gadgets was a complete waste of money?
A digital voice recorder that could convert voice records to text. But I was too lazy to train the system to recognise my voice so that it could easily convert my dictation.

If you could build, what kind of dream gadget would you go for?
I would never want to build a gadget "" buying is far safer. A dream gadget, however, would be a mobile phone cum high-speed internet device and a rich multimedia player. Nothing too complex, as we do not have the high-speed wireless network to support high-end gizmos.

If you had to survive a day without your gadgets, what would you do?
I guess, get some sleep.

Name a wacky gadget that you had fun with.
The Sony Vaio UX, an ultraportable PC. It weighs only 600 gm and yet runs a full-fledged Windows XP operating system. A 4.5-inch screen augments video viewing.

If you could, whose computer would you hack?
My wife's.

What's your favourite gadget?
My Palm Treo 680 "" a mobile phone with mail and internet. Once India gets 3G networks, I hope to graduate to an EVDO or HSDPA-enabled phone with a full QWERTY keyboard.