Ten life-changing tech upgrades

Lose ten kg in 10 days; 10 ways to know if your partner is cheating on you; 10 things that prove you're addicted to porn. Wonderful headers for columns - they're eye-catching and warrant immediate attention. 10 best, Top 10, 10 myths... it's called the rule of 10 and is my inspiration for today's column.

Most of these cost nothing, while a few can severely dent your bank balance. To all those who will fry me for conjuring up this virtual shopping cart, this isn't about what you can or cannot afford; this isn't about budgets and their destruction. This is a dream list, a list to aspire to, a checklist to save up for - a list that will literally change your life.

# 4 HD on DTH
If you've been on the fence on this one, you're missing out on one of the greatest pleasures in life. The upgrade is cheap and the result is jaw-dropping. Moving from standard definition broadcast to high definition, to use an old cliché, is like acquiring a brand new set of eyes. Watching cricket in its full HD glory, a movie in 1080i resolution, a wildlife documentary where you can see each hair bristle on a red nosed baboon sends a shiver down your spine. If you've got an HDTV, you owe yourself HD DTH.

# 5 Go 3G
Ignore the naysayers and forgive the pessimists. Yes, coverage can sometimes be spotty and yes it's expensive This is all just a smokescreen - you're just being lazy and depriving yourself of a true game changer. 3G on your mobile is the greatest high-octane boost you can give to almost everything you do. From your apps to opening web pages to sending a large image on email to streaming a song to watching YouTube on the move - 3G changes everything! A video call really does work, TV on demand becomes a reality, using your phone as a 3G hotspot can save you megabucks and save your skin mega-times. I'm surprised to see power users who upgrade their phones every six months proclaim that they don't really 'need' 3G. That's like saying you don't really need a billion bucks! You can never have too much money and you can never have a data connection fast enough. Get your mind and your mobile out from the rutty, broken roads of 2G and hit the super speedy F1 tracks of 3G.

That's five of ten. Next week I'll complete the overhaul of your life. In the meanwhile why don't you contemplate the top 10 reasons why somebody would call their article 'Top 10 Tech Upgrades' and only give five. Reason one: the editor of Brunch only gives me one measly page.

Rajiv Makhni is managing editor, Technology, NDTV and the anchor of Gadget Guru, Cell Guru and Newsnet 3. Follow Rajiv on Twitter at twitter.com/RajivMakhni

From HT Brunch, November 13

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