Out with it!

Nothing is constant, more so in the case of technology. With a myriad applications, games, softwares and cameras being launched everyday, a product's presence in the market is short lived. Listed are a few modern devices that were in vogue not so long ago but could be on their way out now.

Out: BBM In: Whatsapp

It wasn't long ago that India was hit by a Blackberry frenzy and you could hear BBMs tinkling away. However, things haven't gone well for the service since the launch of Whatsapp. First launched exclusively for iPhones in 2010, this instant messenger service is now compatible with Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Phones. With a free trial option for a year and the capability of connecting multiple platforms, Whatsapp is a huge rage today. "It is cheaper and as efficient as BBM. Moreover, it allows me to chat with other phones like Nokia, HTC and Sony," says 23-year-old Sonia Cheema, a BlackBerry user.

Out: Digital camera

In: DSLR

Digi cams have not been around for long, but they have already lost their market to high-end professional DSL₹or camera phones that take equally good pictures.

Rohan Samson, a media student says, "If I had the money, I would buy a DSLR. Even if you are an amateur and don't know much about photography, the pictures are of superb quality."

On the other hand, phones like HTC and iPhone have great features and are user-friendly. "You won't carry a digi cam to a party or to your college canteen. Phone cameras are right there and you can 'click' whenever you want to," adds Rohan.

Out: TV In: YouTube

Surely, the idiot box is here to stay. Not really. People are abandoning their television sets and going online for their dose of daily soaps. The trend is especially popular when it comes to international TV shows.

"It's painful to wait for episodes to be aired on TV, I'd rather catch them on YouTube at my convenience," says Kartik Jayakumar, a merchant navy cadet.

Out: MP3 In: iPod

There were days when an MP3 player was the coolest possession one could have. But with iPods and iPhones taking over, MP3 players are dead weight. "I am a huge Apple fan and truly believe that nothing can match the sound quality of an iPod," says Praneeta Rao, a 26-year-old market analyst. And it is the brand name that lures a major chunk of the buyers. "I am not a tech person, so I rely on brands. I know that Apple is good, making it a safe buy for me," says 23-year-old Shruti Menon.

Get some good advice @

*

www.techtree.com

*

www.tech2.in.com

*

www.techradar.com

*

www.fonearena.com

*

www.techmagnifier.com

And there is more in the offing:

* Apple has announced the launch of iMessage, which will let iPhone users send messages, pictures and videos over wireless or cellular connections.

* Apple TV is a digital media receiver. It can put content from iPods, iPads, YouTube and other digital media on television screens, making it easier to bring content made for the Internet to traditional TV screens.

* Mirror-less cameras are a range of compact cameras equipped with a mount that allows you to interchange lenses. These cameras produce DSLR-like pictures and might bring small cameras back into vogue.