Disqus - Latest Comments for karthik_kastury

Re: On the iPhone vs Android

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:32:57 -0000

Apple surely isn't in the business of collecting PII (Personally Identifiable Information), while Google clearly is. That irks me. It surely doesn't make a difference to a lot of people, and that's totally fine.

Here's my version of what an ecosystem is. In an ecosystem all the parties stand to benefit from the players involved.

Here's how it is in the Android Ecosystem thanks to drive to compete on price.

The only OEM making profits is Samsung, and nobody else. App Developers aren't making enough money while developing quality apps on the platform, Google isn't making a ton of profit from the Android Ecosystem either. So who benefits? I am not sure if this drive for the lowest prices is the most sane approach.

An ecosystem needs to be sustainable. Nothing else can become an ecosystem that'll stay forever. Now speaking of Apple, surely having to go via iTunes is annoying at times, but most people have (legally) built up their iTunes libraries over the years, and that's a big factor obviously.

The whole Apple is expensive has become a fad now really, but that's a story for another day. Talking about Windows as an Ecosystem, MSFT is surely making some big bets with Windows8 and MetroUI Language. I for one am completely excited for Microsoft because they atleast seem to be taking the right steps to build a last ecosystem, where the end goal is not to drive prices down.

I think this is what fears me the most, with Google/Android constantly pushing the prices down, I am worried about the sustainability of this platform. If users are not ready to pay for services that provide value, how would you expect it to survive and foster innovation?

#FoodForThought

Re: On the iPhone vs Android

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:18:25 -0000

Suhas;

Comments like this are what make conversations like this awesome coz they can be so easily polarizing otherwise. I completely agree with you that the average consumer could care less about the privacy implications of their choice.

Functionality per Dollar is something that Android does very well. No doubt on that. But in the longer run, when difference in features between is going to be so little, it's then down to the Usability aspects of the phone. The fact that current market data shows Engagement levels on Android aren't that great for what is a 24x7 connected device. Google is definitely making some great strides on that front, and I am sure things will only improve going forward.

But I'd like to counter your first theory that Apple is all about Brand Value. It probably used to be that way in the days of iPod, but not any more IMHO. A lot of people use Apple Products less so for the brand and more so for the Customer Support, and Upgrade Options.

There is this analogy that compares Apple to a premium watch brand, and Androids are the everyday brands. I think the industry today needs both. Apple knows how to delight its users, and Android is doing well to connect the masses. Both are important, and the watch analogy fails to explain that.

Re: On the iPhone vs Android

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:10:24 -0000

Thank you for your wonderful opinions. Next time it'd be great if you could use a real name and identity and add something that's meaningful to the conversation.

This was not a post of me bashing Google I was just pointing out the differences in the two business models, and their approach to how they make money. If you have a problem with Apple overcharging you for a smartphone you are free to buy something else that suits whatever you need.

And nobody said Google is not contributing anything to this industry. I think the world owes it big time to Google, and having said that you cannot discount Apple's contributions either.

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:58:18 -0000

I'm actually not talking about college romances that are all flirty. There are a few serious ones, and they survive that age(18-22) and fail after that.

And also completely disagree that girls *always* prefer a rich guy to marry. It's just like saying a guy always wants the girl to be the hottest women in town. Things aren't always like that.

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:27:55 -0000

Never mind ;) It can stay :D

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:10:22 -0000

@twitter-19848224 has a wonderful write up on "The Elements of Love". You should definitely read this as well :) http://jotsofanihilist.word...

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:08:13 -0000

Narendra couldn't have agreed more! You are right when you say that a Relation (read "couple") doesn't have to be any different from every other relation.

That makes me wonder, if I did put in the 100% into everything/everyone I've been involved with life would surely be a lot more happier :)

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:56:41 -0000

That calls for a post from a women on the fallacies of that gender. I'm sure no one is perfect.

Ah. #MetaRefresh. The boring, bizarre talk that was :P

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:53:23 -0000

Good analogy there! But if both them are working, then 24x7 shouldn't be an issue. I think things that things can get complicated even when one is left to boredom!

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:35:07 -0000

Fact is I've myself been called a Chauvinist in the past. But then never mind :) Btw; Are you someone I know or have met? :)

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:33:08 -0000

Giving Space != Understanding IMHO. Obviously I don't know the specifics, but I fail to see why Marriage should be a paradigm shift. I'm not referring to the casual romanticists, but to the serious couple who go on to tie the knot, Marriage in theory should not change anything.

But I've seen instances where things change post marriage. Why? I don't know!

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:30:26 -0000

I am sorry if I implied that are men to be blamed always :P That obviously isn't true. But the point is that I still see so many men who are chauvinists. And considering that in today's world women are just as well educated, and well off professionally, it isn't right on men's part to relegate women to household chores.

Marriage is definitely a commitment, but I hate hearing things Marriage is a compromise between two different personalities. In today's fast paced world, if the couple treats each other as equals, the faster they understand each other.

My two cents. No arguments with the soon to be wed ;)

Re: Marriage : To Augment or Compliment?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:27:35 -0000

Agreed. But even till we get there, I still feel that it's high times equality in genders is observed. It's been the way it is for far too long!

Re: Redesigning my website using Jekyll | Pradeep Nayak's Website

Karthik Kastury — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:25:18 -0000

Thanks for the mention :) I've always wanted to but never really got around to moving my Blogs to Jekyll. Guess i'll do it now :)

Also you might want to check out Livefyre for Comments, instead of Disqus. It's pretty good IMHO.

Re: Yet Another Quora Related Post [and some Invites too!]

Karthik Kastury — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:07:22 -0000

I'd love to get one too..

hello [at] karthik [dot] kastury [dot] in. Thanks :)

Re: Hello 2011, Bye 2010 [Rewind!]

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:20:01 -0000

Rule #1? I didn't know :P

Re: Hello 2011, Bye 2010 [Rewind!]

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:19:39 -0000

Thank You Sir :)

Re: Revisiting my 22nd Birthday!

Karthik Kastury — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:31:47 -0000

I know.. All I knew was the P3 part and nothing else. I promise :D

Re: Remember the Kakapo – 3 reasons why large companies on the web are losing ground

Karthik Kastury — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:11:17 -0000

Less is more. Most big companies will eventually saturate over time. It's almost impossible to stay relevant over a period of time. Precisely why geeks jump to smaller startups after a period of lull in their lives.

Re: The State of TechFest - Nitte

Karthik Kastury — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:42:52 -0000

I wish you were more than "credible" enough to mention your name to go along with the post. But either ways I'm glad you commented. I hope you do understand that this wasn't a runaway success, and there is still a lot more to learn.

And I'm out of this entire "controversy" as you brilliantly put it. Thanks for taking out the time to visit this page, and drop your comment, because if it weren't for it, I'm sure the post wouldn't have made the impact I was looking to make.

Re: http://karthik.kastury.in/post/1333207461

Karthik Kastury — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:14:15 -0000

Yup its on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: MacBook Air Apparent: I Have Never Used My Computer’s Optical Drive

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:18:51 -0000

Hopefully not. I'd be happier if Apple goes with what it is doing with the iPad. Pop in your own 3G MicroSIM.

Macs carrier locked can be a bit hard to digest.

Re: MacBook Air Apparent: I Have Never Used My Computer’s Optical Drive

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:13:46 -0000

I'd be sold to the new Air if it comes with 3G built in. It'll be the ultimate mobile warrior. I can write code on the move, and use my Macbook pro for the heavier tasks.

Re: Placement Blues @ Nitte

Karthik Kastury — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:29:57 -0000

Thanks :) I hope it helps :)

Re: What have I been Upto?

Karthik Kastury — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 12:11:02 -0000

You should have close ones. You'll need someone to hang onto when you are low. And you'd want to be there for someone else to. That's the essence of human life after all..

And you need to get rid of your habits with Typos in comments. Haha.. :)