GADGET SPECIAL..WHEN TO BUY?

Get better deals on the not-so-new gadgets

Are you tempted to buy the latest tablet, MP3 player or Notebook? It may be more prudent to wait for a few months and get the same gadget with better software—for a lesser price.

    The launch of a new, high profile gadget is inevitably followed by a frenzy of prebooking and long queues outside stores to grab a unit. While it’s difficult to prevent a technophile from buying a gadget soon after its launch, those who want to put their money to better use might find it beneficial to wait. Forget the hype and hoopla because more often than not, doing so helps you bag a much better deal. This is true not just in terms of money but also the goodies that come with the device. Here’s a look at how patience can pay.

Better software

In the case of most high-profile products, the software running on the device is being constantly improved. So, if you have bought a smartphone or a computer, there is a fair chance that its manufacturer will release a better version of the software within a few months, often adding a variety of features and functions. When the iconic iPad was launched, it was criticised for not being good at multi-tasking and for its lack of a notification bar. Within months of its release, Apple had fixed these issues. Similarly, Nokia upgraded the software for both its N8 and E7 devices, adding more customisable homescreens and improving the icons.

Bugs and other fixes

One of the problems with the highly competitive nature of technology is that most devices are rushed to the market with a few niggles. These are inevitably sorted out, but after some time. A prime example of this is Nokia Lumia 800, some of whose units had battery life problems—an issue that the company has just fixed via a software update. The iPhone 4 had call reception issues, which Apple addressed by issuing free bumpers to those who had bought the handset. So, a device that has been around for a while is likely to have fewer problems.

More applications

The longer a device stays in the market, the higher the number of software applications you are likely to find for it. For instance, when Motorola Xoom and BlackBerry PlayBook were launched, one of the problems was that there were not enough applications designed to run specifically on these. However, as time passes and the number of users increases, software developers start producing applications that can run on them. The result is that a slightly older (not obsolete) device will inevitably have more apps than a new one. The new iPad might be grabbing the headlines today, but it has fewer applications that can run on it compared with those that can be used in its predecessors.

More accessories

It is very rare for a product to arrive in the market accompanied by a flood of accessories. Most accessory manufacturers tend to wait and watch before making products that can work with gadgets. Once the gadget has spent some time in the market, you are more likely to get a bigger range of accessories that work with it. Early purchasers of Nokia N8 could not find an appropriate case for it because the back jutted out slightly. Today, they can choose from several cases with a variety of shades, sizes and material.

Better support

In the automobile industry, it’s a wellknown fact that one can easily get spare parts for an older car than for a spanking new one. The same applies in the world of tech. One can find it relatively difficult to get a new device repaired if things go wrong simply because the service and support centres do not have enough parts to go around. However, the scenario changes dramatically within a few months, and in many cases, even third-party support providers manage to fix a fault plaguing the device. A classic case is that of HTC Hero, some of whose units suffered display problems. This took weeks to replace simply because there was a paucity at support centres, while the same problem with older models was easily rectified within a day.

Lower price

Finally, and most significantly, consider the price of a device. In most cases, barring currency devaluations, the price of a gadget declines over a period of time. Though the hardware remains the same, the software is likely to improve and the price may fall significantly—sometimes within a few months of the launch of the device. Consider Nokia Lumia 800, which hit the Indian stores towards the end of 2011 at a price of almost Rs.28,000 and is now available for Rs.23,790.

    All good things come to those who wait and the adage works well in the tech world too. If you want to make the most of your money, go for a gadget after a cooling off period—it will make for a hotter buy.

Gadgets that were worth the wait

Dell Streak

The first high-profile device to combine a phone and a tablet faced withering scorn for running on an old version of Android and for being priced at 35,000 when it was launched in October 2010. Today, you can get it with an updated Android version for less than 20,000.

HTC Flyer

This was the first Android tablet to sport a stylus when it was introduced in June 2011. However, it was undone by a hefty price tag of 37,000. Now, you can get it for under 25,000. It’s also in line to get the latest version of Android OS.

Motorola Xoom

Heavily criticised for its price ( 32,990 onwards) and limited software applications when it was released in June 2011, the Xoom is a much better proposition now thanks to a couple of software upgrades and a big price cut. Currently, it is available for 19,990.

iPhone 3GS

It came to the Indian market with a price tag of nearly 30,000. Today, one can get it for 20,000 with the same software that runs on the far more expensive iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Nokia N8

When it was released in October 2010, the N8 was criticised for its interface. Today, the Nokia smartphone, with a 12-megapixel camera, comes with a much improved Symbian Belle OS and a lower price tag of 22,000 compared with its launch price of 27,000.

BlackBerry PlayBook

It took a hammering for not having its own e-mail client, not enough software and a high price ( 27,990 onwards) when it arrived in June 2011. Today, it is available for less than 15,000, has its own e-mail client and runs Android apps due to a software update.

NIMISH DUBEY ETW 120312