From Panasonic to Pixels: My Digital Awakening

I received my first smartphone when I was 18 and had just joined college to pursue my BTech in Mechanical Engineering back in 2015. My first phone was made by Panasonic.

The reason I got the phone wasn’t because my friends had one; it was actually a requirement from our class coordinator. We needed to be active on WhatsApp to stay updated with notifications and group discussions.

This wasn’t an uncommon situation, as many of my friends were also getting their first phones around the same time. 

It’s interesting to think about how smartphones have become such an essential part of our lives, especially during significant transitions like starting college. 

Having that phone helped me stay connected with my classmates and manage my academic responsibilities more effectively. Looking back, I can see how that experience shaped my social interactions and learning journey. 

Do I have any memorable experiences or challenges from that time related to my first smartphone? Absolutely!

I installed WhatsApp for the first time and connected with my friends. 

I also installed Instagram for the first time and followed celebrities, artists, and many fellow college mates. 

I got my first SIM card and a personal number. 

Although I was already on Facebook, I installed the Facebook app on my phone and used it. (That's when Jio first launched in India, but I wasn't sure about their schemes, so I didn't buy a Jio SIM card.) 

I told my parents about WhatsApp since it was the first smartphone in my small family. 

I was proud to own my smartphone. 

Later, I even recommended that my dad buy a smartphone, as he loved using it. It was hard for my parents to understand how to use it at first, but slowly they learned how touch screens work, how to call someone, how to answer a call, how to mute a call, and even how to use WhatsApp. 

Many assume that using WhatsApp is easy, but it's not. One has to be very careful while using it, especially when deleting messages, as there is no way to undo that action. Deleting messages on WhatsApp has been a nightmare for many: "Delete for me" — the UI's worst decision to have that option for the sender as well. 

It was a whole new world, and the revelation it brought was immense, introducing a completely new lifestyle. This technology was a milestone for millennials, as smartphones became more accessible and affordable.

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I do own a smartphone, but these days I just use it for payments and watching movies.

I rarely catchup on WhatsApp.

I use less of Instagram.

I am active on Blogger and LinkedIn, but I access both on my laptop.

So what do I do on my "PHONE"?

In 2022 when I started working in publishing industry I actually wanted to switch to using the old phone set. 

I had Nokia in my mind.

I love this type of clickable phone; they have excellent FM capabilities. There are newer versions of these phones that support dual SIM and 5G connectivity.

The experience of using these phones is so enjoyable that modern smartphones still can't quite match it.

However, this doesn't mean that smartphones provide a bad experience. They offer a different feel and enhance the overall functionality of a phone.

The journey of communication, from dial phones to landlines, then to wireless landlines, followed by mobile phones, and now to smartphones, is quite fascinating.

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. They are so integral that the traditional call functionality has evolved into video calls, allowing for more face-to-face communication.

Smartphones are not just for calls and messages; they can also serve as mini-computers. With internet access, they can perform most of the functions of a computer.

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Core Functionality:

1. Calling 
2. Receiving calls
3. Sending messages
4. Receiving messages

What most do on a phone?

1. Making calls: Reach out to friends or family to invite them to an event, congratulate them on an achievement, celebrate a special occasion, share a moment of sadness, or simply have a chat.
2. Receiving calls: Answer calls from loved ones, customer service representatives, or even unexpected calls from telemarketers.
3. Text notifications: Stay informed with messages about bank transactions, such as debits and credits, pending bill payments, disaster alerts, or promotional offers from nearby malls, theaters, and events. Don’t forget the all-important OTP (One-Time Password) for secure transactions.
4. Sending messages: Use quick replies like "I'll call you later" or "I'm busy" to gracefully divert calls when you can’t talk.
5. Calculator use: Utilize the calculator for quick calculations, whether for budgeting, shopping, or any other numerical needs.
6. Social media and apps: Engage with social media platforms and other applications to stay connected, share experiences, and access a variety of services.
7. Cashless payments
8. Googling questions and ideas
9. Listening to music
10. Capturing photographs and videos
11. Sharing moments in life
12. Authentication and OTPs
13. Fidgeting when bored

Basically, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives; they function like a second brain. With AI advancements like Gemini and ChatGPT, they are more personalized than ever.

I often wonder if I’m using my phone to its full potential, as I don’t rely on it much without specific use cases. I find myself using my laptop more, getting deeply involved in my work, studies, blogging, and reading online articles.

Yet, I observe those around me using their smartphones as if they were extensions of their minds. It seems that everything is influenced by mobile phones, with people copying each other and trying to keep up with trends. I see individuals proudly showcasing their expensive phones, which often serve the same basic functions as any other device.

This leads me to ponder: if I’m not fully utilizing the features of my low-budget smartphone, what’s the point of spending money on a pricier model that offers the same capabilities?

Is it that I genuinely have a NEED for a new phone?

Will a more expensive phone bring me greater HAPPINESS?

Will it help me make more FRIENDS?

Will it lead to a better JOB?

Will my new phone cook better FOOD for me?

I question whether the smartphone I use today is truly a necessity or if it’s something that has been ingrained in my mind as essential. Perhaps it’s just another psychological trick to sell more phones.

Reflections on Life

Today, while reading various blogs, I stumbled upon a beautiful piece by Jamie Crisman on longest.voyage. One quote at the footer of the blog struck me profoundly: 

Life is short, yet it's the longest thing you do.

 This thought led me to ponder whether life is genuinely short or if we often fail to live it to its fullest potential. 

Reflecting on my own journey, I realize I have accomplished few things in my life. I studied diligently to achieve good scores, excelled as a bright student at university, and landed my first job at the age of 21. 

I created art and music, developed a knack for public speaking, and carried myself with a sense of confidence. 

However, everything changed when I turned 22. 

After college, I moved into a flat in Bengaluru, conveniently located near the industry where I worked. It was then that I began to feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Suddenly, I found myself lacking the motivation to study, create art, or compose new music—activities that had once brought me immense joy during my school and college years. Instead, I felt haunted by thoughts that made me feel weak and uncertain.

Now, at 27, I look back on those five years and realize something profound, thanks in large part to my grandfather, who helped me uncover this small yet impactful insight: 

Stop doing things in life merely to show others that you are doing things.

This simple yet powerful realization has transformed my perspective. 

Once we begin to live a more authentic and basic human life, it may not seem so short after all. It’s kind of taking shorter steps toward building something significant later—more like an investment in our future. 

When we live to impress others or to be compared with them, we often find ourselves going nowhere. 

I believe that everyone is born with a unique capacity, or talent. Whether we choose to use it or waste it is entirely up to us. 

It’s always better to understand, analyze, and nurture those innate talents, to upskill, and to cultivate the confidence needed to take pride in who we are.

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As I began to embrace this philosophy, I noticed a shift in my life. 

I started to contribute to activities that I love, even if it was just once a week. 

I started to blog. 

Initially I used to write personal stories and memoirs on my blogs. It was like an e-journal. It helped me to build a discipline and passion for writing.

Once I gained some confidence and discipline in my writing, I decided to build my blog to write and express on the topics that interested me. 

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Engaging in these pursuits not only reignited my passion but also rewired my brain, encouraging the production of positive hormones and improving my overall functioning. 

In simple terms, I realized that the only solution to the feeling that life is short is to gain a degree of control over our minds and bodies. 

Everything else we do or have in life is temporary and for a shorter period. 

The only thing that stays with us for the longest is our own life: our memories, our habits, and our experiences.

This realization has been transformative for me. It serves as a reminder that life is not just about achievements; it’s about finding joy in the everyday moments and nurturing the passions that truly resonate with us. 

By focusing on what genuinely matters, we can enrich our lives and, in turn, discover that life, while fleeting, can also be deeply fulfilling.

In conclusion, as I continue on this journey, I strive to live authentically, embracing my unique talents and passions. 

I encourage others to do the same, for in nurturing our true selves, we can find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the fleeting nature of time. 

Life may be short, but it can also be the longest and most meaningful journey we embark upon.

The secrets of Sudoku

Sudoku: More Than Just Numbers

I have been solving Sudoku for over 10 years now. 

In the initial years, I used to solve the easy ones. Later, I started tackling tougher puzzles. 

But I still love to solve easy levels. Why? 

Because easy ones keep the hobbyist in me active. 

Easy levels help me stay focused on the game, and the adrenaline rush of hitting a "SUDOKU" moment is fantastic.

I believe that it’s not about whether a Sudoku is easy or hard to solve; rather, it’s about finding that unique solution to a well-designed puzzle. It’s an appreciation for the craft of creating a beautiful challenge and the joy we experience when we solve them.

Recently, I started solving Sudoku while keeping a timer. This has allowed me to note the time taken to complete each puzzle. 

Each time I try a Sudoku; my secondary focus is to finish it before or close to my last time. This has improved my focus and increased my interest in solving more Sudokus.

I once gifted my elder brother a killer Sudoku puzzle, knowing how much he loves the challenge.

However, a few days later, he reached out to me, saying the puzzle wasn’t well designed and had two different solutions. He had solved it completely without any errors, but when he checked the solution at the end of the book, it showed a different combination. 

This experience sparked my curiosity, leading me to research the design of Sudoku puzzles. 

That's when I realized that Sudoku is not just a game of filling in missing numbers in a grid; it's a mathematical marvel that combines logic, strategy, and creativity. 

Each puzzle is a carefully crafted challenge that invites you to engage your mind and think critically.

It’s about recognizing patterns, making deductions, and appreciating the intricate relationships between numbers.

As you navigate through the puzzle, you begin to see it as a beautiful dance of logic, where every number has its unique place and purpose. 

The thrill of uncovering the unique solution is not just about completing the grid; it’s about the journey of discovery and the satisfaction that comes from solving a well-designed puzzle. 

Sudoku transforms into a captivating experience that stimulates the mind and ignites a passion for problem-solving.

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Have you ever wondered what the minimum number of clues required for a standard 9x9 Sudoku puzzle to have a unique solution is? 

It’s actually quite fascinating! The magic number is 17.

You might be thinking, “Why 17?” 

Well, if a Sudoku puzzle has fewer than 17 clues, it can lead to multiple solutions. That’s a big deal because it violates one of the core rules of Sudoku: every row, column, and 3x3 subgrid must contain the numbers 1-9 exactly once.

Now imagine trying to solve a puzzle only to find out that there’s more than one correct answer! It would take away the satisfaction of finding that unique solution, wouldn’t it?

You might wonder why puzzle creators don’t just stick to 17 clues for every puzzle. 

The answer lies in the balance between difficulty and solvability. While fewer clues can make a puzzle more challenging, it can also make it frustrating if it’s not designed well. 

So, creators have to carefully consider how many clues to provide to ensure that the puzzle is both solvable and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.

Isn’t it interesting how much thought goes into crafting a Sudoku puzzle?

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It’s essential for ensuring that players rely on logical deduction rather than guesswork. 

This single-solution rule maintains the integrity of the puzzle and enhances the overall experience. When a puzzle has multiple solutions, it often points to insufficient clues or poorly placed numbers, which can lead to confusion and frustration. 

So, the beauty of Sudoku lies not just in the challenge, but in the certainty that there’s a unique path to the correct answer.

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Trivia

Did you know there are ~6.67 billion valid completed Sudoku grids? 

However, when it comes to distinct puzzles that have a unique solution, that number drops to about 5.5 million. This fascinating statistic underscores the intricate relationship between clue placement and the uniqueness of solutions. 

To put it into perspective, if you were to solve one unique Sudoku puzzle every day, it would take you over 15,000 years to work your way through all the possible distinct puzzles! 

Isn’t that mind-boggling?

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Sudoku is a fascinating world of logic and numbers, full of endless possibilities. 

When you understand the magic of 17 clues and why a unique solution matters, it makes the game even more enjoyable. 

So, why not grab a puzzle, count the clues, and dive into the fun of Sudoku? Happy solving!

Reference: [1201.0749] There is no 16-Clue Sudoku: Solving the Sudoku Minimum Number of Clues Problem