Product Review - Asus Zenpad 7.0 Z370CG

   Asus is a brand which needs no introduction. It has earned a reputation of being a reliable brand and has excelled in making computer hardware and electronics right from the time of its inception in 1989. Asus recently introduced their range of tablets, ZenPads in the Indian markets in three variants - ZenPad 8.0, ZenPad 7.0 and ZenPad C 7.0 each of which are available with interchangeable rear elements which allow adding a longer lasting battery or an integrated speaker within a protective tablet cover. I recently got my hands on the ZenPad 7.0 Z370CG, which also happens to be my first tablet and will be reviewing the same here today.

   Product Specifications:
 

 

   Price: Rs. 15,499/- with audio cover.

                 Rs. 12,499/- without audio cover.

   Availability: Asus exclusive stores.
                              Flipkart.
 

   Packaging: 
   The Asus ZenPad 7.0 Z370CG with the audio cover comes packed in a white cardboard box with the pictorial depiction of the products on its front side. On opening the outer packaging, the ZenPad and the audio cover can be seen packaged separately in smaller boxes. The one with the ZenPad also contains a charger, a USB cable, the warranty card and the user guide while the other contains the audio cover with the charging device. Each product is covered with a protective layer of cellophane to protect it from dust and scratches.
 

   Design:

   The Asus ZenPad 7.0 measures 189 x 110.9 x 8.9 mm in dimensions and weighs a measly 272 grams. It has the company name embossed on its lower side and is provided with an interchangeable back cover having clean lines and elegant leather pattern. The ZenPad 7.0 has rounded edges and a metallic frame which adds to its looks and elegant design. It is available in 3 different colors - Leather black, pearl white and aurora metallic to suit everyone's taste. The tablets can be styled by adding the Asus Zen Clutch or Zen Cases and are easy to carry, light enough to hold for long periods with the leather patterning providing a firm grip.

   Display Screen:

   It has a 17.7 cm 1280 x 800 HD display with a screen to body ratio of 72% and a viewing angle of 178 degrees. The display screen is made out of super anti-scratch corning gorilla glass which is provided with an anti-fingerprint coating. The display screen responds effectively to light touch to complete commands given to it. The HD screen brings pictures and videos to life thanks to various visual enhancement technologies.

   Processor:
   The ZenPad 7.0 features a 64-bit 1.2 GHz Intel Atom x3-C3230 Quad Core processor and 2 GB RAM.
 This makes sure that all my applications - Movies, songs and games run smoothly without hanging or becoming unresponsive. It also makes streaming videos and loading webpages possible at fast speeds. The only negative here being, that the ZenPad at times does become quite heated on continued use.

   Battery: 
   It is provided with 3450 mAh Lithium polymer non removable battery. It took me about two and a half hour to fully charge the device which keeps the tablet running for two to three days with minimal usage. Asus guarantees 8 hours of battery life with continuous usage which can be further extended to a total of 14 hours by using the Asus protective power case. This long battery life is one of the biggest strength of the ZenPad 7.0 and comes in very handy for people like me who are addicted to the internet.

   Storage:
   It has an internal storage space of 16 GB which can be expanded to a whooping 64 GB. Apart from this it also provided with a 5 GB life time Asus web storage space and 100 GB of google space for 2 years. This vast storage space means that one can easily store an arsenal of movies, sitcoms, images, songs, games and much more with no worry of the space running out! To kickstart things, Asus provides the users with a number of pre-installed applications to help them better manage their lives and entertain themselves.

   Connectivity and Networks:
   The Asus ZenPad 7.0 can be fitted with a single micro SIM and can be used to take over all the functions of a smart phone. It provides internet connectivity, supporting 2G and 3G networks and is also wifi enabled. Other connectivity options include bluetooth support and that through a micro USB cable.

   Audio:
   The Asus ZenPad 7.0 has built in DTS-HD premium sound and SonicMaster technology in the device itself which provides crystal clear loud volume making for a great audio experience when compared to other devices. Also, the concurrent use of the audio cover enhances the experience of watching movies and listening to songs by leaps and bounds.

   Camera:
   The ZenPad 7.0 is provided with a 8MP rear camera and a front camera of 2MP. Both the cameras are provided with many interesting and useful still image and video capturing and editing options. I am still discovering the various modes available and having quite fun in doing so. On the downside, the option of flash is not provided and the quality of pictures taken by the cameras could have been better.

   Pros:
- Comes elegantly packed in a cardboard box.
- Provided with an attractive look.
- Light weight.
- Anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint display screen.
- Clarity and colors of display screen.
- Easy to use interface.
- No hanging/unresponsive issues.
- Long battery life.
- Vast storage space.
- Allows voice calls.
- 2G, 3G and wifi enabled.
- Great audio quality.
- Various image/video captures modes available.
- Appropriately priced.
- Easily available across the nation.
- The audio cover/power case provides better sound and battery life.

   Cons:
- Tablet becomes heated on prolonged use.
- No flash option provided.
- Quality of pictures captured not upto the mark.

   Verdict: 4/5. The bold features of the Asus Zenpad 7.0, especially the easy to use interface, long battery life, vast storage space, superior quality of audio and various image capturing and editing options, make this versatile tablet a must have for the internet savvy blogger in me!

Here it is! The Nature’s Co. ULTIMATE WINTER BEAUTY FESTIVAL!

   Winter’s hottest beauty buys have arrived at The Nature’s Co. from the most awaited 50% off sale to winter special new launches and the exciting January Beauty Wish Box - this new year time TNC has got it all. Below are listed all what’s there which is definitely going to make it to your to-buy list 2016! :)

   1) FLAT 50% OFF – ALL DAY LONG on 1.1.2016

   Fancy your year-start not only to be rocking but naturally beautiful at the same time? The Nature’s Co. knows just how to make it special and get your dream to come to life. They are here with an awe-inspiring range of luscious and natural body, hair and skin care beauty products, now All at FLAT 50% off - All day long though the 1st of January 2015 – All across their website on www.thenaturesco.com. So this time, start 2016 with a dash of fresh ingredients directly from the lap of Mother Nature to nurture yourself and feel the vibe all year long!

   2) The Nature’s Co – #NEWYEAR SPECIAL “AFTER-PARTY” JANUARY BEAUTYWISH BOX

   This is the season of celebrations and parties. Just thinking about celebrations conjures up a whirlwind sensory overload, with images of frothy, overflowing champagne, crackling fireworks and happy times with those we love. However, sometimes, partying so hard means starting the next day feeling less than fresh. Not only can we be left tired and depleted, but our big night out also takes a toll on our skin, hair and bodies. Post-party comes with its share of headache, dehydration, dark circles and puffy eyes - the consequences of late nights spent in good company. And after hours of partying, eating appetizers and standing in heels, it’s not just you who’s tired. If your skin, hair & body could scream, it would.
   To avoid this, The Nature’s Co. has summed up a special January bauble box to help you stay gorgeous and feeling as renewed as your resolutions, despite the late night and fast times – It’s the season's special “Post-Party” fix BeautyWish Box. A complete recovery mode ensemble with SIX (1 full sized and 5 deluxe sized) detoxifying beauty products to rejuvenate your skin and hair after a night of festivities.  The beautifully packaged box along with 35% discount vouchers, complimentary goodies and cash on delivery option available, is priced at Rs. 595/- only.
   So here’s disclosing how to bring a healthy glow to your face despite lack of sleep and overindulging - http://bit.ly/1t243wj - Subscribe now!

   3) The Launch – THE NATURE’S CO. THERAPEAUTIC RANGE comprising of the Relaxing Deep Tissue Massage Balm & Healing Liquid Balm

   Fast paced life’s and busy daily schedules, burdened with work – home – family – children – and so many more binds of responsibilities… Doesn’t this sound exactly like our lives? Sometimes these hectic days tend to dull our spirit and make us go through, stress, tension, strain, anxiety and what not, also not leaving behind the physical strain and muscles aches we seldom may experience. Keeping this in mind, the Nature’s Co. experts have launched their brand new Therapeutic Range. It’s a beautifully packaged, divine-smelling, edited collection of sophisticated and indulgent natural beauty products that truly appeals to all the senses thanks to both aroma-therapeutic and skin benefits. Here is all you need to know about them:

   (i) RELAXING DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE BALM

   This unique destress formula has the power to takes care of sore muscles, aches and pain. The deep tissue relaxant ‪cream based massage balm not only restores fatigued muscles but at the same time hydrates and softens the skin. Not only that, the invigorating Lemongrass relieves stress and restores sleep. This new massage product has been perfectly blended with skin nurturing ingredients and pure therapeutic essential oils to deliver rich massage mediums that are semi-solid at room temperature. They are designed to melt in the hand, giving the slippage of a traditional massage oil, but with added control for deep tissue work. The massage balm is easy to apply and work with, with the added benefit of no spills, and leave the skin feeling nourished, soft, smooth and non-greasy. The best part you don’t need to bath after you take a massage… as it’s a CREAM! Definitely a bang on product to possess after all that partying this season!

   You can order it now: http://bit.ly/1J1L9cM  

   (ii) NATURAL HEALING LIQUID BALM

   This intensive rescue formula quietens the mind and uplifts your spirit, soothing you down like a walk in the forest, thanks to the pleasantly pungent smell of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Menthol. This powerful and curative liquid balm soaks away the day’s stress with an aroma-therapeutic blend of lavender oil and wintergreen oil too. This all healing natural-base give you instant relief from sinus, headache, congestion and cold and even migraine. This pocket sized, easy to use, rollerball applicator definitely works like magic! 
   You can order it now: http://bit.ly/1miujlj

    4) The Nature’s Co. good-old BODY BUTTERS – Now Get Better!

   Defining a perfect winter-tide time, the Nature’s Co. revamps their cold season requisites - Body Butters to make this merry time even merrier. The Nature’s Co. provides can extra 35% (by the way, at the same ol’ price) in every renewed pack, which now also carries an illustrious fresh look of the essences of the products and a brilliant “Made in India and Natural” stamp to add to it. A little bird tells us the "Made in India" mention is a little special and timely with our government's #MakeInIndia initiative, as TNC clearly shares the thought of reaching beyond and catering to people not only in the country's boundaries but even creating a mark abroad. These body butters come in 11 different exquisite variants like Irish Moss, Nori, Rose, Mango, Lavender Ylang-Ylang, Bitter Almond, Chocolate Mint, Orange, Mixed Berry, White Peach and Passion Fruit to suit all our different skins, choices and mood. These all are moisturizing, rejuvenating, restoring, protective, soothing, nourishing, refreshing, luxurious, sensuous, and we can go on… Absolutely a beauty fundamental to add to your dressing tables this season.  

   Get hold of one right here, right now: http://bit.ly/1kt7Lwe

   Website: www.thenaturesco.com

   Customer Care: 022 - 24226528

   International Shipping also Available (Partnered with Bluedart and FedEx)
   We are Social!

   Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thenaturesco
   Twitter Page: twitter.com/Thenaturesco
   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-natures-co
   Pinterest: pinterest.com/thenaturesco/
   Instagram: www.instagram.com/thenaturesco

#FlipkartKids IndiBlogger Meet

   Flipkart in collaboration with IndiBlogger organized a bloggers meet in Mumbai on 19th December, 2015 at Blue Frog, Lower Parel to announce the launch of the Flipkart Li’l Stars – India’s Biggest Online Kids Store. The meet was open to all Mumbai bloggers irrespective of whether they were parents or not and a email informing us about the same was sent to our respective IDs which took us to the registration page on IndiBlogger.com. I was initially a bit skeptical about enrolling for this meet as I already had confirmed my attendance for another event which was scheduled to happen on the same day. But luckily my stars aligned and I found out that both the events were actually taking place in close vicinity of each other and at different times, which made me enroll for the #FlipkartKids right away!

          One of my entries for the #FlipkartKids Twitter Giveaway.

 

   Anyone who has ever registered for an IndiBlogger meet would know that their crew always makes it a point to get the bloggers involved and excited for the meet by organizing giveaways prior to the meet itself. This time around, we were supposed to tweet pictures of toys that we owned or those from the Flipkart online kids store with the hashtag #FlipkartKids, keeping with the theme of the meet. The winners for the same were announced a day after the meet via email. Sadly, I didn't end up winning this mini contest despite my enthusiastic participation. Hope I have a better luck next time! Fingers crossed!

A bloody good Bloody Mary!!

   The event started at 2:00 pm with bloggers registering themselves and settling into the signature "Blue Frog" pods catching up with their old buddies, networking and getting to know other fellow IndiBloggers. Those with a large appetite satiated their hunger with a buffet lunch while others enjoyed the tasty appetizers and the free flowing bubbly. This was followed by Anoop Johnson from the IndiBlogger team welcoming everyone and the amiable Chota Bheem making an appearance, and getting his picture clicked with one and all.
   This was followed by an all lively debate with Kalpana Behara on “Questions and debates in the mind of a parent blogger” and the Flipkart introduction, welcome and address. After this, was the panel discussion and the Q&A session with representatives from Disney, Mattel and Chhota Bheem.

Flipkart toy trends in 2015.

   The e-commerce trends that are changing the way the people shop:
   In an age, where interpersonal competition has reached to such extents that people don't even have the time to stop and smell the roses, the Flipkart online store proves to be a blessing for one and all, more so parents shopping for their little ones. The Flipkart website portal and the mobile app helps one shop from anywhere, at any time - Be it while traveling in a train, in between office hours, when insomnia just wouldn't let you sleep or while cradling your baby to sleep! The options of free delivery which many sellers offer, the express 1 day delivery promise on payment of a few extra bucks for when you need products urgently and the option of store pickup for shipments add to the benefit of shopping at Flipkart. If these options were not reason enough, the wide range of products available and the special discounts like #BigAppShoppingDays and #BigBillionShoppingDays add to the shopping experience and in reducing the expenses incurred! Also, one can be sure of the quality of products ( When it comes to their children, a parent would never settle for anything apart from the very best. ) by viewing the ratings and reading the previous buyer reviews, but in case one is not happy with the products received there as always the safety net of easy return policy to fall back! Flipkart also is great for sellers, as it provides a huge platform for people to sell their products by exposing all what that they have to offer to a nationwide audience.
 

Blunder In The Code - Unplugged!

 
   After such intense sessions it was time for everyone to have a little fun. So next came an unplugged performance from the IndiBlogger house band - Blunder in the Code. Starting from songs with soft beats, they built up the tempo as they proceeded to perform one song after the another which had us all tapping our feet and swaying to the music!

Blogger Buddies.

   An IndiBlogger meet is never finished until we play some new, fun and innovative games. We were introduced to the world of Mad Ads game for which all us bloggers were divided into groups of 10 (ish) people and each group had to conceptualize and enact a small skit/advertisement idea incorporating products from the Flipkart online kids store. Ours was the first team to perform. We based it on the backdrop of the popular television soap - Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma wherein the kids were troubling their mothers to buy them new toys for them for Christmas and the mothers obliged happily all thanks to the wide range of toys available on Flipkart. I was a bit scared to perform my part as I suffer from terrible stage fright but thankfully the entire skit went well without any awkward moments or without people forgetting their lines. The results for the same were announced a day later via email and our "IndiBlogger Ka Oolta Chashma" AKA Team 1 team along with Team 2 ended up winning the Mad Ads game.

Chota Bheem soft toy.

   After an afternoon full of interactive learning, music and fun all us IndiBloggers posed for the mandatory group pictures, for the last time in the year 2015, and bid goodbye to each other. As a surprise, each one of us was gifted a cute little "Chota Bheem" soft toy dressed in his chic, furry winter avatar to take home on the way out of Blue Frog.