Tech Fx

Nokia N97 Review

2009-08-17T23:02:00.003+08:00

SOURCE: MOBILE88.COM (STEFAN NAIDU)

THE Nokia N97 has been keenly awaited since its worldwide introduction late last year as it was touted to be the next big thing in the mobile market by many observers.
The phone is laden with features and it is bound to be a Herculean task to condense all the features and functions in one sitting so there is little space to waste.
Sliding tilter?

The first thing you will notice about this model is what Nokia officials call a sliding-tilt?phone. This means that you push one side forward and it tilts up to give you that mini-desktop look and feel, which I personally think is excellent for all kinds of situations.

A Qwerty keyboard has always been a requirement for me as I like to feel buttons beneath my fingertips when I am typing an SMS, e-mail or URL.

This particular keyboard is a tad small for my big fingers but after a few days I was typing quite fluently. Beyond the Qwerty keyboard, the sole traditional button is the silver menu button. Side buttons include a lock button, volume control and camera toggle.

I was a little concerned about the wear and tear with the sliding-tilt hinge. Nokia have said that the hinge is made out of extremely sturdy material and that the phone has passed vigorous performance and drop tests.

I can say that it has passed my own accidental drop tests and the hinge does look and feel pretty strong.

The only real issue I had with the physical characteristics of the N97 was the back cover and battery, both of which are unrealistically hard to remove and replace.

Having tried this on a variety of people with different finger sizes and varying lengths of fingernails, I have concluded that it is near impossible to take out the battery without a prying mechanism. Tragic.

Online sensation

Built for the Internet, the Nokia N97 allocates the majority of its touchable home screen to movable and customisable widgets for quick access to your online needs.
Users are able to put their widgets in specific rows?and there are around five rows in total. It was really useful having a link to online news and social networking sites.

Given the relative speed of fixed line broadband these days, many a time I was able to go online and check for updates faster on my mobile than on my laptop.
It is especially useful when you are on the go and need information quickly. Its always easier to prove a point or win an argument when you have Google embedded on the front screen of your phone.

It would be practical to consider a mobile broadband plan to get the most out of the Nokia N97 without slowly bleeding your wallet dry paying off the data charges.
Rocket science?
The resistive touch technology coupled with Nokia's software makes for a very elegant combination. Navigating is by no means second nature, there are some hurdles in figuring out exactly how the web browser works.

One example is the zoom. There is a vertical tab that allows you to zoom in and out but, at least initially, you are not sure which part of the webpage it will zoom in to.
I still think that a Nokia phone is the one of the more user-friendly phones you can buy. This model has stayed true to that.

However as more and more functions get added to phones like this one, it just takes longer to find what you are looking for.
There were some bugs in the Nokia N97's software post-release and I did experience some hanging and other minor glitches. According to Nokia officials, those imperfections were addressed in the first software update that is now available.
Wait, there is more

I took countless pictures and videos in the short time I had this phone with me. With 32GB of memory on board I never even thought about whether I had enough space for all of it.
The camera is just about as good as it gets on a phone and the video quality is quite impressive.
Given this, it was surprising that the voice recorder was not nearly as high end in terms of sound recording quality as I thought it would be. Some recordings turned out quite muffled.
The biggest disappointments were the speakers. The music output (specifically the bass) left something to be desired and you could barely make out what the other person is saying when you turn on the speakerphone at full volume.
My guess is that Nokia had packed far too much in this phone already and therefore the speakers were more of an afterthought (much like the removal process for the back cover and battery).

Conclusion
There is an inherent charm in the Nokia N97 that is inescapable. From placing it on a table and writing an SMS to surfing on a fantastically long landscape mode, it was all quite memorable as far as phones go.
Also, I thought the price was quite reasonable considering the usual trend with new releases of high-end and feature filled devices. That is not to say I consider it cheap though.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the phone and would recommend it to anyone looking for a powerhouse smartphone.
Pros: Unique sliding tilt; great to surf on; excellent fusion of Qwerty keyboard and touch technology.

Cons: Substandard speakers; cumbersome battery cover.
Nokia N97 Specifications:3G smartphoneCamera: 5-megapixelsDisplay: 3.5in (640 x 360-pixels)Messaging: SMS, MMS, e-mailConnectivity: WLAN, HSDPA, USB, BluetoothMemory: 32GB internal memory, MicroSD slotStandby/talk time: 400 hours/360 minutesDimensions: 55.3 x 15.9 x 117.2mm (w x d x h)
Other features: Widgets, A-GPSPrice: RM2,480 (Check latest price)

How Many CPU Cores Do You Need?

2009-08-17T22:57:00.002+08:00

Source: Tomshardware.com

Now that we've seen the evidence, our overall conclusion remains consistent with the previous one: we still don't think you need to be a power user to enjoy the benefits of a multi-core CPU. Call us spoiled, but we wouldn't seriously consider living with a single-core CPU on a day-to-day basis given the amount of multitasking going on regularly. The benchmark results clearly show that increasing numbers of CPU cores perform better when multiple applications are run at the same time.

We must point out that CPUs with fewer physical cores are often clocked somewhat higher to help make up for the performance deficit, so the situation certainly isn't dire for those of you who chose dual-core CPUs.

In the final analysis, we'd recommend at least a dual-core CPU to most folks out there. As for the power-user, three or four CPU cores will likely be appreciated and can't be considered overkill if concurrent applications are running.

Klipsch Image S4i Review

2009-08-17T19:10:00.003+08:00

Source: John Herrman (Gizmodo)

The Klipsch Image S4i is one of the only non-Apple iPhone headsets on the market that supports both the iPod Shuffle's VoiceOver function and the iPhone 3GS's Voice Control.
The Price: $100

The Verdict: At just $20 more than Apple's In-Ear headset, the Klipsch Image S4i is a no-brainer, assuming Voice Control and VoiceOver are priorities to you. If they don't matter, or if you've got an older iPhone or non-Apple handset, the choice is less clear.

Klipsch's headset is one of the only ones on the market with Apple's VoiceOver-compatible chip—a feature we raised a stink about when it first came out, but which turned out to be alright. As far as 3G Shuffle headphones go, this is about as nice as you're going to get. The sound will suit most tastes, but not all: it's extremely clear, and bass is smooth and deep, but never overpowering. Overall the sound reminds me of the V-Moda Vibe Duos—always a reliable standby for better-than-stock iPhone headsets—except slightly more resolved, and less muddy.

What this headset doesn't have, though, is the kind of razor-sharp presence that you'd find in headphones like the Shure SE115, or headsets like the (markedly more expensive) Etymotics hf2, or the powerful percussiveness of some of Altec Lansing's UE rebrands. (More on those here.) Isolation and cable movement noise are better than I expected from tips made from rubbery material like this, as is fit: both are excellent, though fans of foam or foam-rubber tips will have to go aftermarket.

That's Klipsch's official compatibility chart, and they're not kidding. If your device isn't on this list, don't expect much: older iPhones get basic play/pause functionality out of the inline remote, while the 1G Touch doesn't recognize it at all. Phones from other manufacturers, including HTC and Samsung, didn't recognize remote or mic input. The Image S4i isn't just 3GS and Shuffle compatible, it's exclusive. And one last minor quibble: I haven't been carrying these things around for very long, and the Klipsch logo—as you can see in the top image—is already flaking off of the otherwise well-styled and built earbuds. Far from a dealbreaker, but disconcerting, considering how new these things are. [Klipsch]

(+) Excellent sound quality for the price, in both mic and earphones

(+) Work with VoiceOver and Voice Control

(=) Styling and build quality are nice, but the finish is delicate

(-) Compatibility list is severely cropped by Apple's special inline remote chip

Apple iPhone 3GS Review

2009-08-14T17:49:00.002+08:00

Since the first day I was loaned the iPhone 3GS, I committed the crime of neglecting my personal phone – but on the plus side I could see my phone’s battery life lasting dramatically longer. This is probably the only phone that does not need an introduction, but just so you know, the only way to identify the physical difference between the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is by looking at the text written on the bottom back of the device. While it may be obvious that a 32GB version is the iPhone 3GS, the only way to differentiate the 16GB devices is the color of the text – the older version appears grayish while the newer version have the same color as the logo above. In terms of functionality, the iPhone 3GS is much quicker than it’s predecessor – from opening applications to even loading websites using the Safari browser provided.

The improved 3MP camera is able to whip out some rather pleasant photos with the touch focus capability – you can make it focus wherever you want simply by touching the area. While the onscreen shutter button for the camera may not be the nicest shutter button to operate, it is pretty quick in snapping and saving your images, reducing the chances of blurry pictures caused by shaky hands. However, in low light conditions, the picture gets extremely noisy and there is no flash to smoothen things out. Even though the video function is rather new, it allows autofocus, something most phone camera lacks. The processor is also quick enough to capture movements and sound at the same time – some camera lags and movements that comes before sound can get very annoying. The only down side is it only autofocus once before capturing video and you can’t make it focus while recording.

Another new feature is using voice to control the iPhone 3GS – it’s not exactly a hands-free feature though; you still need to hold the phone to activate voice command. This is the feature that probably turned few heads towards me because people think that I’m talking to myself, but it was fun nonetheless. Unlike most programs that uses words that feels like you’re in a military school, the iPhone 3GS comes with simple normal everyday English commands such as “what song is this?”, “play songs by…”, and more that are very self explanatory

What impresses me the most is how quickly its GPS is able to point out your location – not 100% accurate, but good enough. Almost immediately after every time I launch Google Maps, it shows my whereabouts and together with the new Compass feature in iPhone 3GS, the map is able to automatically rotate itself according to the direction I am facing. Pretty useful, but I would prefer a GPS software that is able to tell me when to turn rather than having to check out the map myself – dangerous while driving and prone to snatch thieves when walking.

With the new OS, the iPhone 3GS is able to send and receive MMS without the help of other apps. The new cut, copy and paste function comes in rather handy especially if you wish to save something from a webpage or just the URL for future reference.

The phone is packaged with an earphone similar to the one used by the latest iPod Shuffle. With the earphone, the phone can be completely hands-free because it comes with a small controller that allows you skip between songs, play and pause, and with a built-in mic, voice control can even be activated on the earphone alone. The earphone may be small, but it does provide a very strong sound quality. The package also includes a guide and instruction leaflet available in both English and Malay. Apple also packed a cute little SIM eject tool – you can use a paperclip if you want, the one Apple gives is just very cute.

A prerequisite for those vain ones out there who wish to use an iPhone is loosing those fingernails – but seriously, who needs pretty nails when all people will be looking at is the iPhone? I used to think that if you don’t need the new features of the iPhone 3GS such as speed and voice control, it’ll be fine to live with the iPhone 3G, but the truth is, how can you know that you don’t need the features when you haven’t even tried it yet?

Top Cellphone Manufacturers

2009-08-13T21:48:00.003+08:00

Source: Matt Buchanan (Gizmodo)

Compiling data from corporate reports and Bernstein estimates, iSmashphone produced this eye-popping chart showing how much profit the iPhone generates compared to the rest of the industry. A previous estimate was a little more conservative (though still crazy).

Zune HD Available for Pre-Order Today

2009-08-13T21:41:00.002+08:00

Source: Dan Nosowitz (Gizmod0)

After months of leaks, rumors, and heavy anticipation, Microsoft is officially unveiling the last pieces of the Zune HD puzzle...which were already leaked. Release date is September 15th, but the 16/32GB Zune HD can be pre-ordered today.

So, just like we knew already, the Zune HD will be released September 15th in 16/32GB flavors, at a cost of $220 and $290, respectively. If you pre-order, you'll be able to nab the 16GB in black and the 32GB in platinum, but upon release, there'll be five different colors with 10 new engravings on Zune Originals. Based on the Zune's past, we'd bet those other colors are red, blue, and green (probably no return of the brown, unfortunately).

Microsoft isn't releasing the price of the accessories, like that HD-outputting dock we're all going to want, but luckily the rest of the current Zune lineup's accessories will also work with the Zune HD. The only other new detail is that select Best Buy outlets will have Zune HDs to play with on August 22nd and 23rd, which is good news if you haven't gotten to play with one yet.

So, not much new here, but it's good to see Microsoft is keeping up with the very cool Zune Originals store. Who else is going to have a hard time waiting a whole month? [Zune]
REDMOND, Wash. – Aug. 13, 2009 – Zune HD, the next generation of Microsoft Corp.'s portable digital media player, is available now for pre-order and is set to hit store shelves on Sept. 15. The player, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities, is the first touch-screen Zune and includes powerful playback technology to give you a different way to experience media on the go. Combined with unparalleled PC software and online services such as Zune Pass, Zune provides a rich and meaningful connection to music, videos, podcasts and more.

Pre-order Zune HD in 16GB Black and 32GB Platinum through http://www.zune.net/zunehd from Amazon.com, Best Buy,Walmart and Microsoft. Beginning September 15, at http://www.ZuneOriginals.net, both 16GB and 32GB capacities of Zune HD will be available in five different colors with the option to customize your player with one of 10 new engravings designed by guest artists.

WHAT: With a sleek and stylish design, Zune HD is the first to combine these features:
• Built-in HD Radio™ receiver. Allows you to listen to higher-quality sound than is available from traditional radio channels, as well as access additional programming through HD2 and HD3 multicast channels from many of your favorite local FM radio stations at no extra cost.
• HD video output capabilities. Supports HD video playback from the device through a premium HDMI A/V docking station (sold separately) directly to an HD TV in 720p, making it easy to enjoy better-than-DVD-quality video on your own big screen at home.

• OLED touch screen. Allows you to easily flip through music, movies and other content. The 3.3-inch glass screen and 16:9 widescreen format display (480x272 resolution) offer a premium viewing experience.

• Built-in Wi-Fi. Allows for browsing, streaming or downloading new music from Zune Marketplace.

• Internet browser. Full-screen Web browsing, optimized for the multi-touch screen with zoom-in and zoom-out gestures.

• Accessories, at home and on the road. Zune HD and AV Dock charges and syncs players while playing supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Play HD Radio, music and podcasts from your Zune HD device through your car stereo using the Zune Premium Car Pack.

WHY: Pre-order now to be one of the first to experience the new Zune HD's advanced design,innovative technology and rich multimedia capabilities powered by the NVIDIA Tegra™ chip ultra low-power HD processor.

PRICING: Zune HD 16GB: $219.99 (estimated retail price); Zune HD 32GB: $289.99 (estimated retail price)

WHEN: Pre-order starting Thursday, Aug. 13. Purchase in stores on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
WHERE ONLINE: http://www.zune.net/zunehd
WHERE IN STORE: Place a pre-order in person at Best Buy beginning August 16. If you want to sneak a peek, visit select stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., areas on August 22 and 23.

Sony's New S-Series Walkman Specs, Pricing Leaked By French Retailer

2009-08-10T22:25:00.001+08:00

Source: Danny Allen (Gizmodo)

Built-in speakers were obvious when we first glimpsed Sony's updated S-Series, but thanks to French retailer Materiel.net, it looks like the 2.4-inch (QVGA) screen players will come sized 8- or 16GB, and playback 42 hours of audio/6.4 hours video.
According to the site, they'll have a kickstand (pictured), built-in microphone, FM tuner (with 30 presets), and the speakers will be stereo. Format support includes MP3/WMA/AAC audio and H264/MP4/WMV 30fps video.
As very rough indication of what we might expect when the players make their way State-side, the 8GB NWZ-S544 is listed at €129 (about $185), and the 16GB NWZ-S545 for €149 (about $210). [Material via Sony Insider]

Review: Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset

2009-08-10T22:11:00.005+08:00

Source: Chapree (Lowyat.net)

Audio equipment is just about as important to a hardcore gamer as his mouse and keyboard. Not only does it enable them to hear an enemy's footsteps or a rivals racing car, but it is also useful for timing their movement. For example, in racing games, where gear shifting has to be perfectly timed - especially during corners - or a gamer will losehis speed and time advantage.
So it's not actually far fetched to say that a quality headset does give a gamer an added advantage over his opponent. Let's find out whether that is true for our contender this week, the Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset, after the jump.

DESIGN
As suggested by it's name, the Megalodon is really a monster, a simple one that is. The whole set consists of the headphones and mic plugged into a control pod which interacts with the PC through USB connection. The cables are braided fiber sheath which has a total length of 3.3 meters and is topped of with a gold-plated USB plug.

The headset itself is basically a Razer Carcharias which was released just a little bit earlier than Megalodon. It features a pair of full ear cup that are covered by cushioning pads. We are not sure what is the construction material of these pads but it is so comfortable that we didn't feel any discomfort even after wearing Megalodon continuously for hours during out test. We also found that the comfortable pads were not the only thing that made the headset suitable for long hours of usage.
The headset frame doesn't feel like it is choking your head unlike many headsets out there. It is adjustable, but if you have a smaller sized head, the headset might feel a little bit loose on you. On the left side of the headset is its microphone. It is not retractable but it has a flexible center-structure and a 270 degree rotation.

The second component of Megalodon is its control pod, where all of the headsets functions are controlled. On the top of small box is the Maelstorm button, which we will explain shorty. Underneath it is a set of speaker diagrams which indicate whether the Megalodon is in 2.1 or 7.1 speaker mode. In the midle of the diagram is the sound level indicator, a round scroller and also a push-button with a blueish Razer logo on it.

Razer is also kind enough to provide a heavy-duty hard case into the Megalodon's retail package. This case makes it easier for transporting and protect the headset. The black case might be able to intimidate fellow gamers as well since a Razer logo is stamped boldly on top of it.
FEATURE
Inside each of the Megalodon's oh-so-comfortable ear caps is a 40 mm drivers made of neodymium magnets. Powering the headset is the Razer Maelstorm Audio Engine, which gives the Megalodon its 7.1 surround sound capability. As we mentioned earlier, this capability can be turned on and off through a dedicated button on the control pod.

Apart from Maelstorm control, EQ level of each speaker channel whether in stereo or 7.1 mode can be adjusted independently through in the middle of the control pod. The center button acts as channel selector and the scroller is used to adjust output level.
Underneath these controls are the three microphone specific buttons; Muting, Sensitivity and Mic Level. As per EQ level, the microphone sensitivity and output level button are used hand in hand with the center button and scroller. Last but not least, the scroller is also used for master volume, provided that it is done outside any level adjustment mode.

SOUND TEST
As recommended by Razer in Megalodon's manual book, we alternated our settings between 5.1 and 7.1 channels to find the best sound for each scenario. This is done through Megalodon's speaker configuration in Windows' Control Panel Sound settings. We also let the individual EQ at each speaker for both stereo and surround settings to be as it is, without any tweaking.
In stereo mode, the Megalodon performed very well with any applications that we threw into it, being music, movies and most definitely in games. The level of output is very loud and thumping whilst both the treble and bass outputs remain well balanced. Unfortunately, this does not apply to its surround sound mode.
For the purpose of getting optimum sound, all the DVDs and games that were used in Megalodon's test were 5.1 surround sound enabled. While the quality of the surround output that it produced is still as good as Megalodon's stereo mode, it was no match to a full fledged surround sound speaker. The ambiance sounds pretty flat and the feeling of surround is just not there. We are not sure whether this is due to the virtual surround sound technology limitation or is it the surround system on a headphones just doesn't work.

Last but not least, another part of Megalodon that manages to show its quality is the unidirectional microphone. Using default setup, it managed to capture our voices flawlessly even though the mouth piece is still pretty far from our lips. But it almost didn't matter as Megalodon came with indenpendent controls for its microphone anyway, so the level of output and sensitivity are very tweakable.

CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, Megalodon is basically a turbo-charged version of Carcharias. It is very comfortable to be wear for extended long hours of gaming session and as it is equipped with independent level controls on its easy-to-use control pod, the Megalodon is a very comprehensive set of audio equipment.
However, it's most highlighted feature, the virtual surround sound; leaves much to be desired. It does not able to match a dedicated surround sound speaker but at the very least, Megalodon output is still one of the best in its class. Not to forget, the Megalodon is quite costly for many out there, with a retail price of RM 549. But if you can afford it, why not?Pros:Quality and loud output, microphone input and output is also good, comfortable enough to wear for hour, true plug and play without any driver, all in one control pod, comes with a high quality case.
Cons:Pricey, it's actually a Carcharias on steriod - not very unique, virtual surround sound nowhere near hardware surround speakers.

Breasts: An Ideal Place to Keep Your iPhone

2009-08-08T10:37:00.008+08:00

Source: Debby Herbenick (Gizmodo)

If you are a woman who likes to run or bike or trek, but don't want to use a special iPhone/iPod touch case or pouch, sexual health expert Dr. Debby Herbenick uses a different, more straightforward method, which apparently works:

Yesterday I was reading a post on Gizmodo that talked about how, among other things, the only way to really test certain gadgets is to take them outside and use them in the real world (as in, there's only so much you can know about a waterproof camera without using it wholeheartedly during fun summer outdoor oceanside play).

For me what came to mind is my iPhone. People who know me know that I love the outdoors and I generally have a pretty low-key lifestyle. I don't wear a lot of make-up in my day to day life. I pretty much wash my hair and go, so it's often wet if you see me before 10am. And whether clothes require dry cleaning or ironing play a large role in whether or not I will even purchase them (unless they are beautiful dresses, for which I have a weakness).

I also spend a lot of time outdoors walking, running, biking, swimming, tossing a frisbee or sitting outside reading. Being someone who enjoys their solitude, I do many of these things by myself. And because I like to make sure I can get help if needed, my iPhone almost always joins me on my excursions.

When I run, I leave it at home (I don't run far enough for it to be a big deal). But when I go on long walks or even short bike rides, I bring my phone and yet I need my hands to be free, so I have to put my iPhone somewhere. As practical as so-called fanny packs may be, I refuse to wear them so my iPhone almost always ends up in my breasts/sports bra. In my case, this is a pretty decent place to keep it although - like sex - some positions work better than others.

I've found that having the iPhone totally immersed in said breasts (top photo) is the best for keeping the iPhone safe during my walks and bike rides so that it doesn't accidentally fall out and meet an untimely death or cracked LED or screen. On the down side, my walks sometimes last for an hour or longer and, if I accidentally turn the screen toward my skin rather than my clothes, then the iPhone's screen gets quite smeared (I slather my entire body with lotion each morning to keep it soft, so it may be the lotion - and not just sweat - that's getting on the screen). But you know that look that your iPhone screen gets if you hold it in the palm of your hands for 10 minutes, or up against your face while talking on the phone for longer? It's that times ten, which is kind of gross.

I've tried to keep more of the iPhone peeking out of my clothes (see middle photo) but I've had a few near-drops so have nixed that position.

When I first got my iPhone, I thought it would be held in place better if I tucked it under my sports bra straps (see bottom photo) but not only did that feel awkward, it also nearly slipped out a few times. Hence, the top position won. (Oh, and in case you're wondering about keeping it in my shorts - that's a big no. The waist band on my running shorts is not tight enough and I don't wear lyrca biking shorts, which would probably work fine for holding the iPhone since they can't slip through the bottom as they can with running shorts).

I do worry sometimes that the sweat and/or lotion will - over time (or on a very warm day) - be enough to cause water damage to my iPhone and be detectable as such at the Apple store. And then I wonder if the guys at the Genius bar will consider storing one's iPhone in one's breasts as "normal use" or as "mis-use"? Would the hypothetically damaged phone be able to be switched out? Would this be a very awkward conversation at the Apple store when I swear that while I didn't drop it in a puddle, I did regularly keep it in my breasts while biking? Well, let's just hope it doesn't come to that. It would be awkward (but funny) to have to demo this at the Apple store.

UPDATE: I've been told that my use of the word "slather" was perhaps too sultry. It wasn't intended as such. Let me clarify: I put on a bunch of lotion. On all 65.5 inches of me. And the entire process takes about 5 seconds. Hence, I say "slather" rather than "place" lotion

Review: Sony Vaio P-Series

2009-08-07T14:49:00.004+08:00

Source: Ian William (V3.Co.UK)

The Sony Vaio P-Series proves that dynamite really does come in small packages

Sony has a habit of differentiating itself from the competition by creating unique devices, and the Vaio P-Series is no exception. Unveiled in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the tiny but fully functional device sits somewhere between a netbook and an ultra-portable laptop.

Measuring just 245mm wide, 120mm deep and 20mm high, the P-Series can just about fit into a back pocket, and will happily live inside a handbag, briefcase or small backpack. Even the power adaptor is not much bigger than a couple of matchboxes stacked together. It also weighs next to nothing, coming in at under 700g including the power adaptor and the LAN/VGA block.

Its tiny stature means that some functionality is limited, and it's supported by a connector port for attaching peripherals such as an optical drive. Because of the lack of space along the chassis, a LAN port and VGA port are set into a separate block that connects this way as well when required.

The P-Series includes just two USB ports, one on each side, and the right slot is positioned very close to the connector port which can make plugging and unplugging devices a little tricky. On the left is a power socket and a speaker jack. There is no microphone jack, but there is a built-in microphone and a USB microphone can be added if needed. The front houses the power slider, wireless switch, and SD and Sony Memory Stick Duo slots.

Display
Sony has made sure that its leadership in display technology has been put to good use in the P-Series. Although the 8in screen is smaller than on most netbooks, the picture is crystal clear and packs in a resolution of 1,600 x 768. The downside is that this makes for a rather odd aspect ratio, and the icons are tiny. Even with perfect eyesight, you'll find yourself straining and turning the font size up a few notches when working on documents.

Communication
What the P-Series lacks in slots and sockets it makes up for in wireless connectivity, packing in the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth along with GPS and a 3G modem, so getting online should never be a problem. The SIM card slot lives behind the battery, which can be slightly annoying if you're using the same SIM card for different things and need to swap it out regularly.

Keyboard
As with most of Sony's Vaio laptops, the isolated keyboard is a pleasure to use. The keys are a decent size, nicely spaced and have a good tactile feel so typing at full speed is not a problem. It's a bit tricky, but you can even hold the device in your hands and type with your thumbs if you're stuck on a crowded train and need to get that all important email sent off or check directions to the meeting.

The full-sized keyboard means that there is no space left for a touchpad, so Sony has opted for a small 'joystick' nub nestled in the centre of the keyboard to handle controlling the pointer, with mouse buttons along the base. The little nub works quite nicely but can take some getting used to if you've never encountered one before. When combined with the high screen resolution, navigating can sometimes be tricky, so you'll probably want to invest in a small USB mouse if you do a lot of pointing and clicking.

Under the hood
The P-Series offers a generous 2GB of DDR2 memory, shared with the Intel graphics card, and either a 1.33GHz or 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. Storage ranges from a traditional 60GB hard drive to a 128GB solid state drive, depending on which model you go for.

If you want to make video calls, the P-Series includes a pretty reasonable 0.3-megapixel webcam, although it is rather oddly placed to the right of the screen and not angled slightly inwards, so during calls you have to place yourself slightly off to the right of the device if you want to be in the centre of the picture. Not only does this mean you're constantly looking off to the left to see the person you're talking to, but it can be uncomfortable if you're trying to type or navigate at the same time.

AdvertisementThe built-in microphone is perfectly good for most requirements, and the speakers are clear and should manage basics like video calling.

Operating systems
Unfortunately, the P-Series runs Windows Vista by default which, considering the netbook level specs, makes it annoyingly slow sometimes. Also, as useful as some of Sony's pre-installed applications are, such as the smart network and power manager, these do add extra bloat which slows the machine down even further. Performance should be improved by upgrading to Windows 7, and Sony is already promising free upgrades to the upcoming operating system with new purchases directly from its online store.

For those desperate to avoid Vista, the P-Series can also quick boot into a slimmed down operating system based on Sony's cross media bar (XMB) interface. Anyone who has used a PlayStation Portable or a PlayStation 3 will be familiar with this. The interface is up and running in just under 20 seconds (compared to the 90 seconds or so it takes to boot into Vista) and gives access to photos, music and movies, as well as a Firefox-based web browser, Skype and Pidgin, a multi-platform instant messenger application. The XMB doesn't support the 3G modem so, if you want an internet connection, it will have to be through Wi-Fi or a wired LAN connection.

Battery
To keep the device as light as possible the P-Series ships with a small two-cell battery which lasts for a rather disappointing two or three hours, depending on how hard the machine is working. There is a larger four-cell battery available for some models in the P-Series which lasts twice as long, but it's double the thickness, alters the profile of the unit and adds around 120 grams to the weight.

Prices
Sony is not known for being cheap, generally opting for quality over price, but even with this in mind the price tag may come as something of a shock. The P-Series starts at £750 for the entry level model, and tops out at a whopping £1,370, over four times the price of a similarly specced (but much bigger and heavier) netbook from just about any of the competition.

There is no doubt that the Vaio P-Series is an impressive technical achievement and its portability is a major plus, but the display's super high resolution actually works against it because everything on the screen is so tiny that navigating through the operating system can be difficult.

Although it's got enough power for most day-to-day business applications, at this price most people are going to expect a lot more from something like the P-Series, so unless minimal size and weight is an absolute necessity, you'd probably be better off splashing out the extra for a TT-Series, or saving some cash and waiting a bit for the recently announced W-Series instead.

$2,000,000 Ultimate Speaker Set is Bigger Than Its Price Tag

2009-08-07T14:27:00.003+08:00

Source: Rosa Golijan (Gizmodo)

$1,000,000 gets you: a complete original Transformers boxed collection, a speedy car or...one. single. speaker. At a mil per channel, these speakers are almost as big as Transformers, but I'd still rather have Soundwave in my living room.

Made by Transmission Audio, this handmade speaker system has 12 separate, open-baffle dipole panels, each nearly seven feet high. Those panels are arranged to create a 37 foot wide speaker wall, and combined they weigh just a little over four tons. So, all you really need to enjoy the best sound possible is deep pockets, high ceilings, and one very reinforced floor

Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 Packs Sony G Lens, Low-Light Extras

2009-08-06T14:41:00.002+08:00

Source: Danny Allen (Gizmodo)

The $350 WX1 features the same Sony G Lens, low-light optimized Exmor R CMOS sensor, and Sweep Panaroma mode as Sony's $500 DSC-XH1 mega zoom.

The optically stabilized Sony G Lens (in this case, with 5x optical zoom) has only otherwise been seen in digital SLRs and high-end camcorders. But the 10.2-megapixel WX1 has some new tricks, too.

A new Twilight mode automatically combines shots at various exposures to produce more dynamic low-low photos. The WX1's Twilight mode and an Exmor R CMOS sensor can also be found on the sexy new Cyber-shot DSC-TX1.

The WX1 has a 2.7-inch LCD and can record video at 720p HD (MPEG-4 @ 30fps). It'll only come in black when it ships in October.

SONY DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS WITH
BACK-ILLUMINATED "EXMOR R" CMOS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

New Cyber-shot® Cameras Excel in Low-Light Performance

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot® cameras (DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) that provide unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors.

These Cyber-shot cameras are the first to employ Sony's new "Exmor R" back illuminated CMOS sensor technology to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhancing image clarity and drastically reducing grain.

"With these new "Exmor R" CMOS sensor cameras, Sony has vastly improved the customer experience for taking pictures with digital still cameras in low-light scenarios," said Phil Lubell, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics. "We've all taken pictures in dimly lit situations, like blowing out candles on a birthday cake, and the results were grainy and unclear. By redesigning the way these cameras capture light, Sony is leading the industry by creating this easy way to take amazingly clear, vibrant photos in low lighting scenarios."

"Exmor R" Sensor Optimizes Low-Light Performance
Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager's light gathering capability. Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony's "Exmor R" image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors.

To further extend low-light shooting performance, the TX1 and WX1 cameras incorporate the hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes introduced in Sony's breakthrough Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Using "Exmor R" CMOS sensor's high speed, these modes capture six separate images in less than a second and utilize Sony's BIONZ™ processor to combine the shots into a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise.
Combining the "Exmor R" technology with hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur modes delivers a breakthrough in low-light photography. Users can now capture images of stunning detail and low noise in scenes with no more than candlelight-without flash or the need of a tripod.

Innovative Sweep Panorama™ and High-Speed Shooting
In addition to their breakthrough low light performance, these new cameras also include Sony's Sweep Panorama and 10 frames per second burst shooting features, which were introduced with the Sony® DSC-HX1 camera. The TX1 and WX1 cameras offer these features in smaller, more compact bodies that match nearly any unique style.
Capturing wide landscapes is as easy as "press and sweep." Sweep Panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. Using the high-speed "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, the cameras shoot continuously while you sweep across the scene. Using the BIONZ imaging processor, they automatically stitch the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo.

The TX1 and WX1 Cyber-shot models can take up to 185 and 256-degree panorama shots respectively in one easy press-and-sweep motion with an image size of 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).

Advanced Technology and Compact Design
While the HX1 camera is a well-rounded solution for customers who are looking for high-zoom and speed in a smaller size than a DSLR, the TX1 and WX1 cameras are made for an audience that wants advanced technology in an even more compact design.

With its slim profile of just 16.5mm, the 10.2 mega-pixel TX1 offers streamlined, distinguished curves for a sophisticated look appealing to the fashion-oriented who are also looking for great performance. This model features a new operation on the touch panel that lets you scroll through images with an effortless "flick" of your finger and directly access menus on the 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display.

With a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, the TX1 camera lets you focus as little as 0.4 inches from your subject for extraordinary close-up shots. The 4x telescopic zoom is perfect for capturing far-away subjects, and Sony's Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps overcome camera shake.

The 10.2 mega-pixel WX1 camera has a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display and is just over three quarters of an inch thin-an ideal choice for DSLR owners who also want to carry a compact, high performance digital still camera. The WX1 camera features a Sony G lens with an extraordinary wide angle 24-120mm 5x optical zoom. This lens' f/2.4 maximum aperture offers nearly twice the light gathering capability of conventional lenses, and works together with the "Exmor R" imager and low-light shooting modes to provide low-light photography beyond the abilities of other compact cameras.

Tech Savvy Cameras
These cameras include the most recent Sony technology, including, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode which, recognizes scenes, lighting conditions and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone and less blur; Face Detection that detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus, flash, exposure and white balance and intelligent Scene (iSCN) that delivers nine Scene Selection modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions.
Pet mode is a new Sony feature that minimizes blur when shooting moving pets. This new mode also reduces glowing pet red-eye.

Additionally, the cameras have technologies Sony Cyber-shot customers have come to expect. These include Smile Shutter™ technology that automatically captures a smile, dynamic range optimization (DRO) that improves exposure and contrast, intelligent Auto Focus that captures fleeting moments and HD video capability that records HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format.

With HD video capability, these cameras record HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format for stunning large-screen home movie playback. You can record up to 29 minutes (or up to 2GB file size) in 720p format.
Pricing and Availability

The TX1 camera will be available in silver, gray, pink and blue this September for about $380. The WX1 camera will be available in black this October for about $350. Pre-sales will start in August. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

SKYPE

2009-08-04T00:50:00.002+08:00

Source: Huei (LOWYAT.NET)

If you’re running and trying to find your way around the law, you might bump into eBay on your way as they too are trying to find their way around their agreement with Joltid, founder of Skype and licensor of the peer-to-peer technology behind Skype to eBay. According to source, a legal dispute arouse between Skype and Joltid regarding the licensing terms earlier this year, and Joltid counter sued Skype saying that they illegally altered certain source code thus Joltid would like to terminate the agreement. While Skype’s future may be jeopardized as a result, the latest update from Skype says that they are hoping to develop an alternative technology to the one licensed through Joltid. Although the middle of 2010 may seem like a long time more to go, 10 months is certainly not enough to develop a new and reliable software to keep Skype going. It would be a shame to see such technology go to waste.

Review: Altec Lansing Expressionist PLUS FX3021

2009-08-04T00:46:00.002+08:00

Source: Chapree (Lowyat.net)

The world famous Altec Lansing needs no introduction. Being a company with long history, majority of us had probably comes across their products at least once in our lifetime.

After being acquired by Plantronics in 2005, Altec Lansing undertook a huge corporate makeover. As a result, the company adapted a new logo and released a number of newly designed speakers to highlight their new image. One of the said speakers lineup is called the Expressionist.

The Altec Lansing Expressionist PLUS FX3021 is the latest model in the series, which includes the Expressionist BASS FX3022 that we reviewed earlier and a more back to basics, Classic FX2020. Check out how the new model performs, after the jump.

The FX3021 comes with 2 satellite speakers and 1 subwoofer, making it a traditional 2.1 configuration. Both the speakers and subwoofer are triangular shaped, similar to UFOs. The satellite speakers are mounted on a movable frame that acts as their base, together with three movable rubber feet. Five permanent rubber feet are also spotted underneath the subwoofer

Subwoofer control is located on top of the subwoofer and also acts as the power button. The volume controls and power indicator are conveniently placed on top of the right satellite speakers. No actual treble control is available though.

FEATURES

According to Altec Lansing, inside each satellite speakers is a 2" 4 Watts full-range drivers while the subwoofer contains a 5.25" 28 Watts woofer which altogether has total continuous power of 33 Watts RMS. Altec also incorporated down-firing, long-throw design as FX3021's subwoofer projection path.

Apart from the normal stereo input port, the FX3021 has one extra auxiliary input port. Both of these ports are located at the back of the subwoofer, together with satellite speaker and power adaptor port.

SOUND TEST

To test the FX3021, we plugged it to our AMD test rig that we used to review a graphic card previously. The machine is equipped with Realtek ALC889A audio codec that is built into the rig's Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H motherboard. We believe that this setup should be able to represent common application of the speaker as majority of PCs these days’ runs on built-in sound processors.

As for external media player, we use first generation Apple iPod Touch with EQ set to "OFF" and without any external audio amplifier application. We also flatten out our EQ settings on our software players which are Windows Media Player 11 and foobar2000. We also maxed out the volume level on our test rig, iPod and software players.

We run through the speaker with a lot of audio tracks across several genres from classical to electronica. Some of these tracks are in MP3 format while some are played from audio CDs. We also didn't forget to run couple of games and movie DVDs since both of them are also typical usage of a speaker.

Overall, the output from FX3021 is pretty balanced. Even with the subwoofer maxed out, the treble output is generally quite level with the bass output from the woofer. Not only that, the subwoofer is quite powerful and able to shake our table with its thumping bass output when the volume level is loud enough. That being said, we found out that we need to increase the volume a little bit higher when it comes to treble-heavy audio tracks such as classical, jazz and acoustic tracks regardless whether the tracks are being played from PC, MP3 player or CD.

Traditionally, a subwoofer is placed on the floor but we found out that FX3021's subwoofer performance is not as good as when it is placed on desktop. Hence, the "Desktop Subwoofer" label on its retail box. Potential owners of this speaker might want to consider clearing some space on their desktop for the subwoofer then.

CONCLUSION

In terms of looks, the FX3021 have a very huge aesthetic value due to its unique design. Not only it is stylish but it functions very well as a compact and powerful 2.1 sound system. But then, for it to perform optimally, the speakers need to be placed on the desktop itself.

Did we mention that FX3021 is priced just under RM 400?

Pro:
Affordable price, bass/subwoofer control knob, overall sound output is very powerful, adjustable speaker angle, dual input port, sleek and stylish design.

Cons:
No treble control, no headphone output, need to crank higher for classical music, subwoofer less performing when placed on the floor hence need some space on desktop.

Hackers expose weakness in visiting trusted sites

2009-08-03T00:12:00.001+08:00

Source: The Star Online

LAS VEGAS (AP): A powerful new type of Internet attack works like a telephone tap, but it operates between computers and Web sites they trust.
Hackers at the Black Hat and DefCon security conferences have revealed a serious flaw in the way Web browsers weed out untrustworthy sites and block anybody from seeing them. If a criminal infiltrates a network, he can set up a secret eavesdropping post and capture credit card numbers, passwords and other sensitive data flowing between computers on that network and sites their browsers have deemed safe.

In an even more nefarious plot, an attacker could hijack the auto-update feature on a victim's computer, and trick it into automatically installing malware pulled in from a hacker's Web site. The computer would think it's an update coming from the software manufacturer.
The attack was demonstrated by three hackers. Independent security researcher Moxie Marlinspike presented alone, while Dan Kaminsky, with Seattle-based security consultancy IOActive Inc., and security and privacy researcher Len Sassaman presented together.

They reached essentially the same conclusion: There are major problems in the way browsers interact with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, which is a common technology used on banking, e-commerce and other sites handling sensitive data.

Browser makers and the companies that sell SSL certificates are working on a fix.
Microsoft Corp., whose Internet Explorer browser is the world's most popular, said it was investigating the issue. Mozilla Corp., which makes the No. 2 Firefox browser, said most of the problems being addressed were fixed in the latest version of its browser, and that the rest will be fixed in an update coming this week.

VeriSign Inc., one of the biggest SSL certificate companies, maintains that its certificates aren't vulnerable.

Tim Callan, a product marketing executive in VeriSign's SSL business unit, added that the "tap" won't work against so-called Extended Validation SSL certificates, which cost more and involve a deeper inspection of a company's application for a certificate.

The attack falls into a class of hacks known as "man-in-the-middle," in which a criminal plants himself between a victim's computer and a legitimate Web site and steals data as it moves back and forth.

Jeff Moss, founder of the Black Hat and Defcon conferences who this summer was appointed to the Homeland Security Department's advisory council, said the fact a hacker has to actually break into a victim's network for the attack to work can limit its usefulness.

"That's the nice mitigating thing," he said. But he warned that "for targeted attacks it's absolutely deadly. This is the way you can get everything. If you can get in the middle, you can get everything. It's a big, giant wake-up call for the industry."

SSL certificates are a critical technology in assigning trust on the Web.
Sites buy them to encrypt traffic and assure visitors it's OK to enter confidential information. Companies that sell SSL certificates verify that someone trying to buy a certificate actually owns the site that certificate will be attached to.
The presence of an SSL certificate on a site is designated by a padlock in the address bar. But many people don't pay attention to whether a padlock is present or not.

Browsers do care, though, which is why this week's talks were significant.
Browsers are programmed to block sites that don't have a valid SSL certificate, or have a certificate displaying a Web address that doesn't match the address a Web surfer was trying to reach (which can indicate someone has hijacked a person's Internet session).

If the sites aren't blocked, users are warned about potential danger, and have the option to click through.
The problems outlined by researchers center on a quirk in the way browsers read SSL certificates.

Many SSL certificate companies will allow people to attach a programming symbol called a "null character" into the Web address onto the certificates they receive.

Web browsers generally ignore that symbol. They stop reading at that symbol when they're checking the Web address on a certificate.
The trick in the latest type of attack is that all a criminal would need to do is put the name of a legitimate Web site before that character, and the browser will believe that the site it's visiting - which is under the criminal's control - is legitimate.

The criminal could then forward the traffic onto the legitimate site and spy on everything the victim does on that site.
It's a complicated attack, but it highlights a significant weakness in the very technology widely used to assure people it's safe to navigate sensitive sites.
Jon Miller, an SSL expert and director of Accuvant Labs, said he expects significant attacks against corporations using this technique in the coming months. Criminals who run "phishing" scams, in which people are tricked into visiting phony sites, will also likely latch on.

"What kind of makes this earth-shattering is these aren't the most sophisticated attacks in the world," he said. "This is going to become a huge problem."
There are signs it's already starting. VeriSign's Callan said within hours of the talks, his company got a number of applications for SSL certificates featuring null characters, but they were denied.

Manually-Powered Wind-up Light Is Perfect For Bed Time

2009-08-02T00:03:00.002+08:00

Source: Jason Chen (Gizmodo)

This wind-up light is like a kitchen timer, except it counts down the minutes to when you're not going to be able to see anything. It's great for bedtime reading, either turning itself off after you fell asleep, or before, to indicate that you should go to sleep.

Samsung 8500 Series Local-Dimming LED TVs Have a Sweet Base

2009-07-30T22:20:00.003+08:00

Source: Matt Buchanan, (Gizmodo)

Yeah, the 8500 series is Samsung's first set of LED-backlit LCDs with local dimming this year and has the Yahoo widget engine for streaming video, but all I really care about is that awesome looking blue stick holding it up.
I mean just look at it. It's from the future or something .
The obviously 1080p set is using white LEDs, along with local dimming, unlike say, Sony's which use tri-color LEDs for better color. You can cue up the usual so-great-they're-meaningless measurements you get with LEDs though: 7,000,000: 1 contrast ratio, 2ms, Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation, and an Ultra Clear Panel that "works to improve image clarity and brightness regardless of a room's ambient lighting." But it is only 1.6 inches thick.
There are two models, the 46-inch class (45.9 inches) set for $3600, and the 55-inch class (54.6 inches) for $4500, both out in September.

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES STYLISH NEW LED HDTV THAT DELIVERS EXCELLENT PICTURE QUALITY, CONNECTIVITY AND INTERACTIVE FEATURES
Joining Samsung's Award-winning LED TV Line, 8500 Series Offers Consumers Supreme HD Experience

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – July 30, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled the flagship model of its expanded LED HDTV lineup with the all-new 8500 Series. The new HDTVs combine the award-winning picture quality and thinness of Samsung's previous LED HDTVs, with the latest networking and interactive features, to provide an ideal option to all TV connoisseurs.
"For consumers who are looking for the ultimate HD centerpiece and high-level performance in their home theater, the Samsung 8500 Series delivers break-through quality and design," said John Revie, senior vice president of Visual Display Marketing, Samsung Electronics America.

"The 8500 Series underscores Samsung's dedication to providing a full range of HDTVs that not only achieve the highest levels of picture quality, but also provide unique and immersive entertainment experiences through our Medi@2.0ä suite."
Samsung 8500 LED HDTV Series Pricing and Availability- Price: 46-inch class: $3,599.99 / 55-inch class: $4,499.99- Availability: September 2009

Picture Quality and ControlWith Samsung's innovative use of white LEDs as a backlight source, the 8500 Series is capable of a stunning 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for extreme detail and image depth. Its Wide Color Enhancer Pro ensures that colors are consistently vibrant, while Samsung's Ultra Clear Panel works to improve image clarity and brightness regardless of a room's ambient lighting. The 8500 Series is also compliant with the latest Energy Star® v3.0 ratings, and includes an optimized energy savings mode that adjusts the backlight and picture quality, without sacrificing the overall viewing experience. Additionally, its "Natural" mode optimizes picture settings to model the brightness advantage of LCD displays and the cinema-like richness of plasma displays with any content.

The 8500 Series incorporates an ultra-quick 2ms panel response time, combined with Samsung's latest version of its Auto Motion Plus™ frame interpolation technology that has a true 240Hz refresh rate to significantly improve playback of fast-paced content. Going beyond the three standard Auto Motion Plus™ presets, users can also separately adjust the levels of judder and motion blur reduction for superior picture control.

Connectivity and ContentThe new 8500 Series features Samsung's Medi@2.0ä suite, allowing users to access content from more sources than ever before. The Internet@TV - Content Service, developed in association with Yahoo!, provides onscreen access to popular web-based content from Yahoo! (Flickr, Video, News, Weather, and Finance), USA Today (Sports), Twitter, YouTube, and others. The widgets-based interface and scrollbar are activated with the push of a button, and run along the bottom of the screen for easy browsing of the latest programs and content available.

Even after purchase, consumers will be able to use a growing library of widgets, as the widget development kit is available for other content providers to develop new offerings. Samsung's Medi@2.0ä suite provides wired and wireless DLNA compatibility to enjoy photos, music and videos from a networked PC right on the television. Pre-loaded photos, artwork, games, and recipes are also included for entertaining, and two USB 2.0 connections can be used for playing a plethora of video, photo, and audio files from portable devices, including external hard memory.
Designed to Stand OutMeasuring at just 1.6 inches deep and featuring Samsung's Touch of Color™ (ToC™) bezel, the 8500 Series provides consumers with style and flexibility in an HDTV. Additionally, both the 46-inch and 55-inch models come with a built-in tuner and an array of multimedia connections. Samsung's innovative, ultra-slim wall-mount solution (sold separately) makes installation akin to hanging a picture frame, by reducing the gap between the TV and the wall to a mere 0.6 inches – a major improvement over traditional mounting systems.
Samsung Electronics America's press releases, video content and product images are available at www.samsung.com/newsroom.

2TB Time Capsule Arrives for $500, 1TB Drops to $300

2009-07-30T22:17:00.002+08:00

Source: Mark Wilson (Gizmodo)

Apple has just announced a new, 2TB Time Capsule that's available today for $500 (the former price of the 1TB). So the 1TB drops to $300 (the former price of the 500GB).

First LG Chocolate BL40 Official Shots Don't Surprise, Still Stun

2009-07-30T22:14:00.002+08:00

Short of price, release date and carrier(s), there's not a whole lot that hasn't been leaked about LG's comically long next generation Chocolate, the BL40. But somehow, these first official shots are still enticing. I mean, look at it.

Shock and mystery, I suppose, are at the core of the BL40's appeal, at least until someone actually gets to try one. For everything we do know, and can see reconfirmed here—the featurephone OS, the 5-megapixel camera, the 21:9 screen, the forward-facing videocalling sensor—there's a less tangible thing that we don't: How does it feel in your pocket? Your hand? How well does browsing work? How does this phone deal with video that's not encoded for silly-wide display? And until we find out that LG hasn't discovered clever and/or magical solutions to these potential issues, ogling is the order of the day.

Source: John Herrman (Gizmodo)

Sony X-Series Walkman Review: Why, Sony? Why?

2009-07-30T21:57:00.005+08:00

The Sony Walkman X-series is Sony's premium flash-based portable media player, packing Wi-Fi, noise-cancellation, a redesigned UI and a gorgeous OLED touchscreen. But can it compete with the reigning champ, the iPod Touch? In a word, no.
That's not to say it isn't an impressive player in its own right. It handily beats the Samsung P3 and the Cowon S9, but I'm left wondering who would pick this up instead of a Touch. But if Sony were to stick this UI into one of their Sony Ericsson Walkman musicphones, they might have something powerful indeed.

Physical
The X-series is a very sleek player, similar in size to the Samsung P3 and significantly narrower and shorter than the iPod Touch, though ever so slightly thicker. It's designed with an unusual aesthetic: The sides of the player are this odd sort of rough, glittery metal, similar to unfinished granite, and the back and front bezel are black glass with little shiny sparkles in them, like a granite countertop. It's a nice-looking player, certainly, and it feels very solid in the hand. I just don't totally get the granite thing—it's not spectacularly eye-catching.

On the front of the X-series is the screen, an unbelievably responsive 3-inch OLED capacitive touchscreen, and a large "Home" button underneath the screen, much like the iPod Touch. The screen is crystal clear, the sharpest picture I've ever seen on a PMP—it lives up to the promise of OLED. Viewing angles are limitless, and touch response is great, without any lag at all. Unfortunately, that glass front and back are awful fingerprint magnets, though being glass, it does seem to resist scratching fairly well.

The right side hosts the noise cancellation switch and a surprisingly cheap-feeling volume rocker. The top has the headphone jack and the pleasantly firm play/pause, track forward and back buttons, while the bottom edge is home to the proprietary USB jack. Interestingly, the hold button is a giant semicircle switch on the back of the player—it seems weird, but I actually love how easy it is to reach and how solid it feels. The numerous hardware buttons make it a very nice player to control in the pocket, despite mostly being touch-based player.

The X-series is one of the only PMPs with built-in noise canceling, but it only works with the included earbuds. Fortunately, said earbuds are excellent for freebies, and the noise cancellation worked perfectly on my noisy Chinatown bus ride between Philly and New York City. Noise canceling does slaughter the battery life, though, draining it twice as fast as regular playback. When you're trying to drown out the kind of crazies who take the Chinatown bus, you'll be glad it's there.

Audio quality is a hallmark of Sony's PMP line, and the X-series does, in fact, sound great. It includes a customizable five-band equalizer for audio dorks and some nice sound enhancers like DSEE. On the other hand, you're limited to the lossy codecs Sony supports (MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM, AAC), so it may not be a good choice for serious audiophiles.

User Interface

The home screen has a familiar grid of icons, including Music, Movies, Photos, Podcasts and some more intriguing Wi-Fi-based apps like Slacker, YouTube and Browser. Navigating through lists of artists, songs and albums is very similar to the iPod Touch style with a grab-and-flick interface, though a fast flick leads the list to cycle through a lot faster than the touch, almost like there's less virtual friction, and we'd say it feels just a hair less exact.
At the bottom of the Now Playing screen, there are four icons I've decided to term Back, Navigate, Web, and Options. The icons themselves aren't very literal: The Back icon is a bulleted list, and Navigate is a magnifying glass, so it's slightly confusing at first. But once you touch it, it becomes very clear what each button does, and I had no problems after that.
The "Navigate" button is great: It'll bring up a list containing Artist, Album, Songs, etc that'll let you jump right to that list without having to hit the Back button four times. The iPod Touch doesn't have anything like it, and now I wish it does. The Web button is also really cool: It brings up a screen that'll let you search the track name, artist, or album with Yahoo or YouTube. The Yahoo search brings up hits like Wikipedia and AllMusic, and the YouTube search immediately brings up a ton of music videos, live concert footage and more to watch on the player. Pretty cool stuff. Oddly, the X-series will prompt you to re-connect to a wireless signal every time you try to do one of these searches, and though it remembers your password, it's still annoying.
The X-series also includes an FM radio, and it's worth mentioning because it's one of the stronger FM tuners we've seen in a PMP. It's not like it'll change the way you think about radio, but it does as good a job as you could ask.

Web Apps

The YouTube app is really great, quite similar to that of the iPod touch or iPhone except with a classy sheer black skin to match the X-series' aesthetic. Videos load quickly and are very clear and watchable, provided you've got a solid Wi-Fi connection.
Slacker is another hit for the X-series, giving access to either the free or paid versions of the Pandora-like service with the same skin as the rest of the UI. It's super fast to load and sound quality is excellent.

Unfortunately, Sony's only two for three on the web app front, and the most exciting of its new features is a major fail: Its internet browser—NetFront-based, like PSP and Sony Ericsson—is completely unusable garbage. All text entry is done via an infuriating T9 interface (why not just rotate to a landscape QWERTY? There's plenty of room!) that's inexact and totally unhelpful. It requires you to type in "http://www." before every URL. Even if you've got the patience to sit there for ten minutes to type "http://www.gizmodo.com/", the browser can only manage those dinky mobile sites without totally freaking out. Browsing full sites is an exercise in futility, as the two zoom buttons don't always work, you can't navigate before a site has fully loaded and tapping links is inexact and frustrating. Basically, it's worthless as a web browser, which is a huge disappointment. This image pretty much sums up the X-series web browsing experience

Desktop Software

The X-series has both a MTP (Windows-only) and a UMS (shows up as a drive, compatible with Mac and Linux as well), though UMS must be switched on before each connection. That means it'll work with most any media player, save iTunes. Sony's "Media Manager" software is included, but it's pretty awful, very archaic and difficult to use, and won't convert video unless you pay for the "Pro" upgrade. That last part is a real killer for the X-series' video capabilities.
Speaking of video conversion, you'll be doing a lot of it, since the X-series only supports a few video codecs and none of the common pirate formats (Matroska, XviD) are included, unlike the pirate-friendly Samsung P3. I used Cucusoft and was able to get a few MPEG-4 videos onto the player, but your average user will definitely have trouble figuring it out. None of the WMVs I tried would work, and I never was able to get a great-quality video on to test out what the OLED screen can really do. iSquint for Mac does work, but the quality, while totally watchable, is disappointing: On an OLED screen like this, you want to be blown away by video quality, and I wasn't.

Audio codec support is disappointing too, considering the X-series' stellar audio performance: The only lossless format is WAV, which nobody will use due to its massive file size. Besides the preferred lossless formats, more niche codecs like OGG aren't supported either. The player has incredible capabilities, yet Sony cripples it by limiting its compatibility—they could have courted the audiophile market, but 320kbps mp3 files can only sound so good.

Price and Conclusion

The X-series, according to Sony, is a premium gadget and thus commands premium prices—coincidentally the same prices as the iPod Touch. The 16GB version costs $300, with the 32GB going for $400. The difference is that the iPod Touch comes with a massive App Store for boatloads of new features, not to mention an accelerometer, a web browser that won't make you long for the days of WAP, tons of accessories, and software that actually works. The X-series just can't compete with that.

The X-series is a really solid player: The form factor is nice, the screen is incredible, sound and video quality are as high as these things get, and it comes with built-in noise canceling. If it were $50 cheaper, I'd have no hesitation about recommending it over the Samsung P3 and Cowon S9, but if you're spending at that level, you'd be buying the wrong machine if you chose the Sony.
On the other hand, we do see a successful future if Sony put a phone version of this up against Nokia's XpressMusic. It could never be a smartphone, not in this shape, but it could be a great music-based dumphone.

Sony understands that PMPs can't just be PMPs anymore: basic iPods aren't selling like they used to, and the Touch is part of a mobile computing platform. But to just stuff in some Wi-Fi features without thinking about software expandability or even a usable browser—that's not going to cut it these days. Sadly, despite all the things the X-series does right, it's emblematic of Sony's current slide into muddled mediocrity.

(+) Beautiful and responsive OLED touchscreen

(+)Great size

(+)Nice extra features like noise canceling and YouTube

(+)Excellent sound quality

(=)UI is sometimes unclear, but has more options than iPod Touch

(=)Battery life is above average but not thrilling

(-)Web browser is complete garbage

(-)Frustrating T9 text entry system

(-)Limited audio and video codec support, and video conversion is a pain
Too expensive

Source: Dan Nosowitz, (Gizmodo)

Nokia N86 arrives in Malaysia

2009-07-30T16:26:00.003+08:00

Source: Wern Shern (Lowyat.net)

Earlier today, we stopped by the Islamic Arts Museum for the launch of the new Nokia N86 8MP. This launch comes barely a day after Nokia Malaysia released two new models to the local market - the business centric E52 and the 5739 Xpress Music - and should keep all hardcore Malaysian Nokia fans satisfied till the Finnish phone makers release their next batch of mobiles in about two months time.The Nokia N86 was built with a strong emphasis put on photography, so much so that this 8MP camera phone has even been bestowed (according to the press release) with the title of Nokia’s best mobile imaging device. But if that’s not enough recognition for you, then the TIPA Award for Best Mobile Imaging Device in 2009 that’s tucked comfortably in the N86’s belt should do the trick.

Understanding that a high megapixel count alone does not ensure quality photos, Nokia has enlisted the use of a wide-angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens along with some noticeable changes to the camera software. Users can now take ultra-wide panorama shots (click on the image below for full sized view) with just one simple step, as well as take sharp pictures of fast-movie targets thanks to a fast mechanical shutter and Automatic Motion Blur Reduction.

The N86 also comes with some subtle touches to its finish that make it look more upscale, such as the use of a hardened-glass 2.6-inch OLED display, sleek metal trim around the bezel, and a handy (and programmable) kick stand at the back of the phone. N-Gage gaming capabilities, A-GPS with geotagging features, HSDPA connectivity, 802.11b/g connectivity, and a 3.5mm stereo headphone plug round off an impressive roster of functions on the N86.Available in two colors - black and white - the N86 retails for RM1880. The full feature list of the Nokia N86 8MP is available here: http://tinyurl.com/l4jvhp. More pictures from today's event are available after the jump.

Ipoh Touch Killer

2009-07-30T16:24:00.004+08:00

Source: Huei (Lowyat.net)

There are tons of of ‘iPhone killers’ on the market - we’ve seen other vendors making similar interfaces and trying to be better - but Creative is trying to kill the iPod Touch instead with the recently revealed Creative Zii Egg Plaszma. An Android-powered device with a 3.5” display, the Zii Egg comes with an internal memory of 32GB and is expandable to 64GB with a SDHC memory card. With GPS and Wi-Fi, it also supports Flash Lite, and it can play 1080p format videos. Priced at USD$199 without tying customers up to with any particular telco (since it's not a phone), the Zii Egg isn't available in the US yet. I wonder when or if they’ll ever bring it in to Malaysia. The design isn't very appealing though, and they should probably work on that before trying to compete with Apple.

Microsoft and Yahoo challenge Google: Bing it on

2009-07-30T16:17:00.001+08:00

Source: The Star Online

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Microsoft finally persuaded Yahoo to surrender control of the Internet's second most popular search engine and join it in a daunting battle - taking on the overwhelming dominance of Google in the online advertising market.
A 10-year deal announced Wednesday gives Microsoft its best shot yet to show its new search technology, Bing, is as good as or better than Google's. Microsoft also hopes to use Yahoo to divert sales from Google, which generates more than $20 billion a year from ads.
Gaining access to Yahoo's audience would instantly more than triple Bing's U.S. market share to 28 percent.
That's still a far cry from the remarkable 65 percent of U.S. searches handled by Google, according to the research firm comScore Inc.
By joining forces, Microsoft and Yahoo are betting they will be able to focus on their respective strengths.
By turning over responsibility for search technology to Microsoft, Yahoo can concentrate on sales of billboard-style advertising on the Web - and figuring out how to keep luring traffic to its Web sites, which already attract more than 570 million people worldwide every month.
While the agreement shapes up as a potential boon for Microsoft, it was greeted in the stock market as a letdown for Yahoo.
Just 14 months ago, Microsoft dangled $9 billion in front of Yahoo in an attempt to forge a search advertising partnership, only to be rebuffed. Yahoo had also turned down Microsoft's $47.5 billion bid to buy the entire company.
Yahoo has been struggling so badly since then that Microsoft isn't paying any money in advance.
Instead, it will give Yahoo 88 percent of the search ad sales made on its Web site, above the usual commission of 70 to 80 percent.
By spending less on its own search technology, Yahoo expects to boost its annual operating profit by about $500 million - but not until 2012, when the two companies expect to have all the pieces of a complex technological puzzle in place.
"I think a lot of people are kind of looking at the numbers and seeing a lot of question marks where they expected to see exclamation points," said Scott Kessler, a Standard & Poor's equity analyst.
Yahoo Inc. shares plunged $2.08, or 12 percent, to $15.14 as investors expressed disappointment over the absence of an immediate windfall. Microsoft Corp. shares gained 33 cents to $23.80 while Google Inc. shares shed $3.61 to $436.24.
It took Carol Bartz, Yahoo's chief executive, just six months to strike a deal with Microsoft - something that neither of her predecessors, Terry Semel and Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, seemed interested in doing.
"This move makes up for a lot of the stupid mistakes made by the preceding administration," said technology analyst Rob Enderle, who thinks Yahoo will be able to devote more energy to developing services to compete with online hangouts like Facebook.
Shortly after her arrival, Bartz made it clear she was willing to farm out Yahoo's search engine for "boatloads of money" as long as she thought the company would still get adequate information about its users' interests.
Bartz predicted the deal will enrich the company over the long run.
"This agreement comes with boatloads of value for Yahoo, our users, and the industry," Bartz said.
Yahoo will have limited access to the data on users' searches, which yield insights that can be used to pick out ads more likely to pique a person's interest.
The value of that information is why Microsoft wants to process more search requests.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer could barely contain his excitement as he gushed about finally getting Yahoo on his side - something he has been trying to do for at least three years.
"I am very enthusiastic," Ballmer said in an interview.
"This is what I have basically been saying for the past 18 months: The world will be better served for consumers, advertisers and publishers, and there will be more competition for Google, if we can somehow figure out how to get Microsoft and Yahoo together in search."
Antitrust regulators plan to review the agreement to make sure it doesn't lessen competition or compromise the privacy of people who use the search engines.
Google tried to stop Yahoo from falling into Microsoft's camp. Last year it formed its own proposed search advertising deal with Yahoo, only to be forced to retreat after U.S. antitrust officials threatened to sue.
Microsoft helped spearhead the campaign against a Google-Yahoo partnership. Now many people, including Ballmer, expect Google to try to turn the tables on Microsoft by opposing its Yahoo deal.
"There has traditionally been a lot of competition online, and our experience is that competition brings about great things for users," Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich said. "We're interested to learn more about the deal."
Advertisers will probably support Microsoft because a stronger player in the search market should protect them from potential abuses by Google, said Kevin Lee, CEO of online marketing specialist Didit Inc.
"If there's only one choice in search, that's just an uncomfortable position to be in," Lee said.
Like Yahoo, Microsoft has invested billions in search technology during the past decade. Yet it remained a distant third in market share while its online losses piled up.
Microsoft is counting on Bing, unveiled last month, to turn things around.
Bing has been getting mostly positive reviews and picking up slightly more traffic with the help of a $100 million marketing campaign. Analysts believe the successful debut pushed Microsoft to reopen negotiations so it could expose its search engine improvements to a wider audience.
While Microsoft and Yahoo await government approval of their partnership, there is no doubt Google will try to increase its lead by upgrading its own search engine, said Danny Sullivan, editor of the online newsletter SearchEngineLand.
Already, Google is going after Microsoft's bread-and-butter business of software for personal computers. It's working on a free operating system for inexpensive PCs, a move that could threaten Microsoft's Windows.
"Google is very paranoid about Microsoft," Sullivan said. "They are always trying to figure out what kind of 'evil' thing Microsoft is going to do next."

Kodak Zi8 Wallops Flip With 1080p, Image Stabilizer and SD Slot

2009-07-29T12:13:00.002+08:00

Source: Wilson Rothman (Gizmodo)

Kodak's almost-glimpsed product tease was indeed a new pocket cam, potentially their best yet. Launching with an MSRP of $180, it will overpower the Flip Ultra HD with 1080p recording, an electronic image stabilizer, SDHC card slot and other enhancements.
The list of improvements continues: The Zi8 will shoot 5-megapixel stills, track faces of subjects and, according to Kodak, "see more details and accurate colors in low light." Now that's something we're looking forward to, especially since low light seems to be the biggest bane of these Flip-class cameras.
The Flip UltraHD, which sells for the same amount, only shoots 720p, has no removable storage, and only earned qualified praise from us.
By contrast, one big reason to have high hopes for the Zi8 is that we already loved its predecessor, the Zi6, though we weren't terribly impressed with its cheaper weatherproof sibling, the Zx1. [Kodak]

Press Release:

KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera brings sleek style and high-performance to pocket video
Easily shoot and share high-quality 1080p HD video
Rochester, NY, July 29, 2009 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today announced an exciting new addition to its popular line of Digital Video Cameras – the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, featuring a sleek design, high-quality full 1080p High Definition video capture, and built-in electronic image stabilization.

"Images and video have tremendous power to help us stay connected to family and friends," says Phil Scott, Worldwide Director of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices and Vice President, Consumer Digital Group. "The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera makes it easy to spontaneously capture HD video – of heartwarming moments, of ‘can you believe that?' moments, and of just plain laugh-out-loud moments – and then quickly and easily share them."

The slim and stylish KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button — no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. The new camera's range of advanced features includes:

• Full HD 1080p video capture wherever you go;

• Built-in electronic image stabilization for sharper videos and reduced blurring;• Vivid 2.5" color LCD;

• Flexible swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing, and charging;

• 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures;

• Easy upload to Facebook and YouTube;• Compatible with PC and Mac operating systems;• Record up to 10 hours of HD video* with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB;

• Capture family and friends in their best light with smart face tracking technology;• See more details and accurate colors in low light;• External microphone jack;• In-box HDMI cable;• Record from a distance or playback on your TV conveniently with optional KODAK Pocket Video remote control;

• Grab attention and define your style with the ultra compact design, stunning looks, and a range of colors.Uploading to Facebook and YouTubeThe KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera provides one-button upload to Facebook, the premiere social networking and sharing website. Content can also be quickly and easily uploaded to YouTube, the world's most popular online video community. The built-in software on the camera allows seamless upload of your video and pictures from the same desktop interface used for video editing and movie creation.AccessoriesA range of accessories are available for the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, including:

• KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8, and 16GB capacities customized for optimal video capture;

• KODAK Pocket Video Remote control;• KODAK KLIC-7004 Lithium Ion batteries;• KODAK Flexi-tripod;

• KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more;• KODAK cases, camera bags and neck straps.Pricing and AvailabilityThe KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera will be available in aqua, raspberry and black** from September, 2009, and retail for US$179.95 MSRP.*Record approximately 20 minutes per 1GB at HD 30fps.** Color availability may vary.

The Many Problems With Apple's Tablet

2009-07-29T12:10:00.001+08:00

Source: Adam Frucci (Gizmodo)

Everyone has their panties in a twist over rumors of this upcoming Apple Tablet, but has anyone actually stopped to think about how Apple's going to address all the potential issues? Because there are quite a few.

Think about it: the rumors are of essentially a gigantic iPod Touch with a 3G connection. It's a web tablet, right? But we live in a time where $300 netbooks are the norm. Are people going to really be willing to part with $800 for a gussied-up netbook with a touchscreen and Apple design?

Sure, fanboys will drop money on anything that Apple puts out, but what features are people expecting this to have to make it worth the scratch?

eBook Reader—People are saying Apple is taking aim at the Kindle with this. But this won't deliver anything that a laptop doesn't other than making it easier to hold like a book. But it still has an LCD screen, which people don't like reading books on as much as eInk or paper. And it'll definitely cost way more than the Kindle.

Web Surfing — You can do this on a netbook for a fraction of the price.

iTunes Album Art — This is little more than an added bonus, not a selling point for a piece of hardware.

Gaming — Sure, gaming on the iPhone can be annoying because your fingers get in the way. But do you know what's more annoying? Using a touchscreen for gaming in the first place. Gaming on the iPhone is annoying because it's a touchscreen, not because it's a small touchscreen.

And there are serious issues with the entire idea of a tablet platform.

Typing—How do people envision typing on this thing? Are you going to lie it flat on your desk? Flat on your lap? And how is typing going to work on a flat surface? You won't be using your thumbs like on the iPhone. There's a reason laptops are designed the way they are with the screen at an angle to the keyboard.

Apps—Is this going to run a modified version of the iPod Touch OS or a gimped version of OS X? If it's just a big iPod Touch, we're looking at apps designed for a totally different resolution and control scheme that will then be made to work on this. How is that worth it? Is there going to be a new category in the App Store for this device, making you buy your apps over again for this new format? In what way will it straddle the line between MacBook and iPod Touch?

Performance—The iPhone is not the fastest way to surf the web, but we're OK with that because it's a phone. The tablet will be closer to a laptop, and we'll expect laptop speeds out of it. No dice. It's going to have the power of a netbook, but with less space to stuff components due to its lack of a keyboard. There's no way this will perform at a high level without it costing as much as a MacBook Pro.

There's just nothing to justify what will probably be a $700-$800 device here. Sure, it'll be slick. It looks like something from Star Trek and when it's announced, we'll all want one. The idea of lying on the couch and dicking around on the internet on a beautiful, thin slab is appealing.

But like the MacBook Air when it was first announced, after the lust wears off we'll be looking at a middle-of-the-road computer in fancy packaging that costs twice as much as comparable devices.

And the last time I checked, the economy isn't doing so hot. So really, unless Apple has an ace up their sleeve and is going to either give this some functionality we haven't thought of yet or is going to sell it for under $500, I can't imagine the demand being all that high for it.

But hell, maybe I'm underestimating the value of design. Will this thing be sexy enough to justify spending a whole lot of money on something that, functionally speaking, won't do all that much that's special?

Apple Tablet Probability Meter: 80% Chance, 4 Months Away

2009-07-29T12:07:00.004+08:00

Source: Jesus Diaz (Gizmodo)

We have been tracking the Apple Tablet for longer than I want to remember. Here's an update on the probability of it happening at all, and when we think it will launch if it does.

As far as I'm concerned, I've wanted a son of Newton since Jobs cancelled it, and I've been gagging for it since the iPhone. The latest solid rumor came from the Financial Times, which claimed that the entertainment industry "is hoping that Apple, which revolutionized the markets for music players and phones, can do it again with the new device." Suggesting it will be more giant iPod touch (good—as the iPod touch could scale up into new form factors) than pure Mac OS X Tablet (bad—as pure Mac OS X will be hard to scale down). A project with the music industry—codenamed Cocktail—will be announced in September, according to this source. The same sources point that "the device could be launched alongside the new content deals." The new content will also include books, which will put the device in direct competition against Amazon's Kindle.

The Financial Times article is vague about this, however, mentioning Apple "racing" to have the tablet available for the holiday shopping season. That may mean an announcement in September, followed by availability after Thanksgiving. That's four months away. Another article—this time from the China Times—points at an October release, which puts the thingamajig only three months away. And yet another Chinese paper claims a September or October release. Apple Insider claims that it will be available in 2010.

I'm personally inclined to trust the Financial Times rumor. Not only because of them being so adamant about their multiple sources, but because the timing makes a lot more sense than the other options. It also makes sense to announce it in this entertainment event, which will most probably include announcements for the updated nano and touch—minor updates for already-established products that only add cameras, confirmed by a myriad of new cases from China.

The big bang, however, could be the newest member of the iPod/iPhone family: The Apple Tablet. Like the iPhone—which was originally announced alongside other products during a MacWorld keynote—the Tablet won't cannibalize any existing product sales, so it makes sense to drum up the hype like they did with the iPhone, building excitement for the shopping season.

Matt, on the other hand, thinks that the device could be announced on an event on its own. His rationale is that it's too important to be released alongside other products. To me it makes more sense to tell the public that, while big—literally and metaphorically speaking—this is "another iPod", and the third model of a new family of iPhone OS-based products—a potential family which, incidentally, has been hinted by Jobs and the rest of the Apple executive team.

Whenever it is actually announced, however, the general consensus is that the tablet exists—even John Gruber is certain about it, and he rarely fails. The question now is when. According to our Apple Tablet Probability Meter, you're 80% likely to be able to buy one in four months.

More Excitements from Nokia

2009-07-29T03:37:00.002+08:00

Source: Huei (Lowyat.net)

Stop complaining about poor battery life already because the Nokia E52 is now commercially available in Malaysia. Packed with a BP-4L 1500 mAh battery, it offers a standby time of up to 672 hours – that’s almost an entire month! This latest addition in Nokia’s Eseries portfolio comes with an upgraded Email facility that works perfectly with Nokia Messaging service. For a price of RM1,295, the E52 offers a 3.2MP camera with autofocus and LED flash, assisted GPS with Nokia Maps, and a MicroSD card which supports up to 16GB.

Nokia also released their first XpressMusic phone with a QWERTY keyboard – the Nokia 5730. With an improved Home Screen, the 5730 provides access to music, people, games, email and calendar while the improved contacts bar can fit up to 20 contacts. It is also an ideal gaming device as it is compatible with Nokia N-Gage games, granting it a direct access to the N-Gage Arena community. It is packed with a 3.2MP camera, Wi-Fi enable as well as supports HSDPA connectivity. The Nokia 5730 is available in any Nokia store in Malaysia at a RRP of RM1,350.

For full technical specifications of the Nokia E52, check out the Nokia website at
http://www.nokia.com/NOKIA_COM_1/Press/Materials/White_Papers/pdf_files/data_sheets_2009/Nokia_E52_Datasheet.pdf

For full technical specifications of Nokia 5730, refer to Nokia website at
http://www.nokia.com/NOKIA_COM_1/Press/Materials/White_Papers/pdf_files/data_sheets_2009/Nokia_5730_XpressMusic_data_sheet.pdf

Samsung LED LCD UN46B7000 HDTV Lightning Review: Avoid!

2009-07-28T13:56:00.003+08:00

Source: Brian Lam (Gizmodo)

Generally, I love LED LCDs. The UN46B7000 is Samsung's set with 120Hz refresh and internet widgets. It's not backlit, like the XBR8, but sidelit, and is as thin as two of your fingers. You should avoid buying this set.

The Price: $3000

The Verdict: The problem is that this set dims the sidelights whenever the program material gets dark, and it does it in the most ungraceful way ever. Check out the menu that I popped on screen, merely to show you what happens to white material on screen when the backlight is dimmed to increase black level.

So, if there's a scene in a movie where there's a moonlit night, the lighting in this set would crank everything down, including the moon itself. Backlit LED tvs can turn off individual lights to increase blacks, yet keep LEDs lit in the area around the on screen moon; this set idiotically turns everything off. (*Some other sets do this for energy savings, but there's always a way to set the backlight to a consistent brightness level.)

I didn't even benchmark the set after this, as there was no need for me to measure other features when the set had such a glaring problem, which Samsung claims is not a bug. Oddly, many technical reviewers glossed over this fact, giving this set editor choice awards while brushing away the issue.

My impressions of the rest of the set are here, however:
• The TV's colors are inflated like a lot of LCDs but the picture and motion handling are pretty damn comparable to any modern late model LCD.

• There are no buttons on the set, so if you lose your remote, you're fucked.

• The TV is about 1.2 inches thick, and all the ports are tucked nicely away on the side. But because the case is so thin, the speakers sound terribly thin. Worse than on an old 22 inch TV I have in the back of the house.

• The case's translucent edges are among the best designed cases of any modern gadget, in my opinion.

• The internet widgets and content take a long minute to boot up and include Flickr, twitter and weather apps. They aren't worth the $150-$200 over the 6000 series which eliminate these extras. There's a media streamer (which I didn't test) recipes, simple video games, exercises, art and animated children's songs, like this really freaky one about having the munchies.

Off axis viewing isn't great, but isn't bad.
• If you have noise reduction on on this set, it will strip the grain from movies, practically, making everything look like it was shot on a cheap digital camcorder. Turn it off.

• It's worth repeating that this set is generally gorgeous.

• Like all LED sets, they're energy efficient. But again, there's no localized dimming with this set, which is side, not backlit.

The good news is that Samsung can fix this dimming issue by firmware. The bad news is that I haven't heard they even believe its an issue yet. I've never been so irritated by such a beautiful TV and recommend you steer clear.

(+)A nice picture

(+)Super thin

(-) Dimming sidelight issues.

(-) Sounds thin

(-)Expensive

Samsung's 1GHz Chip May Come To Next Gen iPhone and Pre

2009-07-28T13:54:00.002+08:00

Source: Rosa Golijan (Gizmodo)& William Hook

Samsung and Intrinsity have announced one of the fastest low-power chip designs to date and are hinting that we may soon see iPhones and Pres running at a brisk 1GHz.

Code-named "Hummingbird," this new chip is designed with smartphones in mind as it balances power consumption and high clock speeds. The best part is that hints are flying about how easily this processor could be adjusted for the Apple of our eyes:

Samsung could drop Hummingbird into the existing S5PC100 design with few or no changes," Halfhill said in response to an e-mail query, referring to the S5PC100 processor now used in the iPhone 3GS. "Bingo! A next-gen iPhone that could run at speeds up to 1.0GHz," he said.

Will we soon be playing with iPhones and Pres running 1 GHz? Or will they be limited by design? I just know that my heart rate matches a hummingbird's at the thought of a 3G S(uper) S(peedy). [CNET]

Withings WiFi Body Scale Transmits Your Shame To The Internet, iPhone

2009-07-28T13:43:00.003+08:00

Source: Sean Fallon (Gizmodo)

The Withings scale backs up its high-tech look with high-tech WiFi functionality—wisking your weight and body fat measurements to a web dashboard that can be accessed via a free iPhone app.
The point, of course, is to track your measurements over time to help motivate you to achieve your fitness goals. It even compares your measurements to "ideal" values as an added incentive. If you are serious about getting fit, keeping a record of your progress is always a good idea—although at $183, only serious food and gadget junkies need apply.

Too Many Friends gives Bill Gates a Headache

2009-07-28T01:32:00.002+08:00

Source: Mashable.Com & Lowyat.net

While most people are randomly adding friends they don’t even know on Facebook, Bill Gates is running away from it. Recently, Bill Gates confessed at a gathering that Facebook was just creating too much trouble for him so he just stopped using it altogether. He even commented that Facebook could be a “waste of time”. It is not surprising that some people just dislike the idea of Facebook, but coming from the founder of Microsoft saying that it’s too hard to keep up with the number of people adding him, is just downright weird!

Affordable Processors from AMD

2009-07-27T23:24:00.002+08:00

Source: Huei (Lowyat.net)

Despite how the notebook PC market is soaring above the demand for desktop PCs, the need of a big machine with high performance and even higher reliability still exists – while your notebook is around traveling with you, it’s always nice to have a desktop at home to do all the other things such as downloads, playing games and even sharing of multimedia contents. Recently, AMD announced the latest AMD Athlon II X2 dual-core 245 and 240 processors, affordable and powerful processors to handle today’s popular mainstream applications.

For less than USD $67 (approximately RM250), the new processors perfectly compliments with AMD chipsets to deliver a vivid visual experience, smooth multitasking, exceptional digital media performance, and it is energy efficient too. Find out more about these processors from AMD bloggers for home and for play at AMD for Home and AMD for Play.

Sony Jumps into Sharp LCD Manufacturing Venture

2009-07-26T20:41:00.001+08:00

Source: Dailytech.Com

Sony will spend $1.1 billion on the venture

Sony and Sharp are two of the larger companies in the LCD and electronics business. The two firms have announced that Sony will likely invest about 100 billion yen, or roughly $1.1 billion into a joint LCD venture with Sharp.

Sony had announced last year, reports Reuters, that it would be taking a 34% stake in a joint venture with Sharp to manage a Sharp LCD manufacturing facility. The facility in question cost Sharp 380 billion yen and is located in the Japanese city of Sakai.

Reuters reports that Sony and Sharp have not yet come to an agreement on the percentage of the stake and the investment split. Shares in both companies rose on the news with Sony up 2.2% and Sharp up 2.7%.

Final plans for the venture are expected to be complete by the end of July. Sony's initial investment is pegged at about 50 to 60 billion yen, but will eventually climb to over 100 billion yen. The deal benefits both firms differently. Sony will get a steady supply of LCD panels and Sharp gets a partner to help with the costs of the plant.

Sharp previously announced that it would be starting operating at the plant in October to provide screens for the LCD market as demand is starting to build. The facility is the first to use 10th generation glass substrates that are larger and reduce production costs.

Altec Lansing FX3021

2009-07-26T20:21:00.002+08:00

Source: AltecLansing.Com

expressionist™ PLUS
Compact speaker system for computers & MP3 players with powerful, deep, rich sound
The Expressionist™ Plus music system is a serious performer in a small package. The stylish, adjustable satellites deliver pure, distinct full-spectrum sound from precision-engineered 2” speakers and the 5.25” space-saving desktop subwoofer fills your space with deep bass. Tuck the compact subwoofer under your desk or on your desktop. Set-up is a snap, so enjoy terrific sound from your computer, CD, DVD, or MP3 player right out of the box.

# Audio Alignment™
Drivers, enclosure and electronics are balanced for optimum sound.

# Crystal-clear Sound
Precision-engineered 2” speaker drivers delivers pure, distinct full-spectrum audio. [Intl: 50 mm].

# Convenient design
Adjustable base lets you direct the sound straight to your ears.

# Desktop Subwoofer
Feel exceptional bass from a down-firing, long-throw 5.25” woofer. [Intl: 135 mm].

# Built-in controls
Power and volume are at your fingertips.

# AUX IN Jack
For connecting portable CD, DVD, and MP3 players.

Microsoft Gives Europeans Choice of Browser Instead of None by Default

2009-07-25T22:47:00.003+08:00

Source: Rosa Golijan (Gizmodo)

Microsoft's newest attempt to appease the EU is to create a system in which end users can choose their browsers. (Imagine that! Choice!) This is a change from Microsoft's previous offer to remove Internet Explorer completely from Windows 7.

It was decided that Microsoft's "Hey! We'll just leave all browsers out completely!" would result in headaches for some consumers who would struggle to download any browser without being able to use Internet Explorer to do so. The new approach is to sell Windows PCs with Internet Explorer as the default browser, but to present users with a "ballot screen" which allows them to select and "easily install competing browsers from the Web." That's not all though:

In addition, (computer makers) would be able to install competing Web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.

There's a catch of sorts in that there aren't any specifics on how competing browsers will be selected for the "ballot", so the jury's still out on just how accommodating Microsoft is really being. [CNET]

Apple iPod Touch with Camera and Microphone

2009-07-25T01:20:00.001+08:00

Source: Huei (Lowyat.net)

According to rumors, Apple will be coming out with a new generation of iPod Touch, this time, equipped with a camera and microphone. If you are one of those who do not wish to pay too much or get tied to a telco for too long, this may be the perfect iPhone alternative. With Wi-Fi on board, the only thing that will set it apart from the iPhone if the rumors are true, will be the inability to make calls – we can live with that, afterall, most of the funs found in iPhone comes from the thousands of applications available. There are no rumors though about which processor Apple is going to use for this new product, lets just hope that it’ll share the same one as the iPhone 3GS.

Canon develops new Hybrid Image Stabilizer technology

2009-07-25T01:18:00.002+08:00

by Wern Shen (Lowyat.net)

Shaky hands are the bane of all (amateur) photographers, but with the help of image stabilization, the effects can be effectively minimized. However, camera producers Canon don't seem content with the current technology level of today's image stabilizers and have developed an enhanced hybrid image stabilizer that not only compensates for angle camera shake, but also helps to reduce the adverse effects of shift camera shake too.

From the press release:

The Hybrid IS is the answer to camera users’ woes with several different preventative methods and corrective procedures. It compensates for errors caused by camera shake, which occurs when a camera moves while its shutter is open and its image sensor is exposed to light.

The new Hybrid IS technology incorporates an angular velocity sensor that detects the extent of angle-based shaking and is found in all previous optical image stabilizer mechanisms, as well as a new acceleration sensor that determines the amount of shift-based camera shake. Hybrid IS also employs a newly developed algorithm that synthesizes information from the two sensors to make optimal adjustments, thereby dramatically enhancing the effects of image stabilization during shooting, including macro shooting, which had proven difficult for conventional image stabilization technologies.

For more information on Canon's new Hybrid IS, visit read the full press release after the jump.

Canon Developes World’s First Image Stabilizer

Hybrid Image Stabilizer to compensate for two types of camera shake

KUALA LUMPUR, 22nd July 2009— Canon Marketing (Malaysia), a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions, announced today the development of Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world’s first* optical image stabilization technology that compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be featured in interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

The Hybrid IS is the answer to camera users’ woes with several different preventative methods and corrective procedures. It compensates for errors caused by camera shake, which occurs when a camera moves while its shutter is open and its image sensor is exposed to light.

History of Excellence

Canon began researching methods to compensate for camera shake in the 1980s, and in 1995 launched the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world’s first interchangeable SLR camera lens to feature a mechanism that compensates for optical camera shake. Since then, the company has continued to produce a variety of interchangeable lenses with image stabilization capabilities, and boasts a total of 21 such lenses in its current product lineup.

Solution to Camera Shakes

Canon’s newly developed Hybrid IS technology optimally compensates for angle and shift camera shake. Sudden changes in camera angle can significantly alter images taken during standard shooting, whereas shift-based shaking, which occurs when a camera moves parallel to the imaging scene, is more pronounced in macro photography and other close-range shooting.

The new Hybrid IS technology incorporates an angular velocity sensor that detects the extent of angle-based shaking and is found in all previous optical image stabilizer mechanisms, as well as a new acceleration sensor that determines the amount of shift-based camera shake. Hybrid IS also employs a newly developed algorithm that synthesizes information from the two sensors to make optimal adjustments, thereby dramatically enhancing the effects of image stabilization during shooting, including macro shooting, which had proven difficult for conventional image stabilization technologies.

Canon is actively engaged in ongoing research and development of interchangeable SLR camera lenses incorporating Hybrid IS technology, and is aiming for the early commercialization and inclusion of the lenses in a wide range of products.

A Centrifuge Spin Cycle A Day Keeps the Muscle Loss Away...In Space

2009-07-24T15:50:00.004+08:00

Source: Rosa Golijan (Gizmodo)

Experiments are showing that muscle loss caused by prolonged periods spent in zero gravity could be prevented (or at least lessened) by daily spins in a centrifuge. Just thinking about this makes me nauseous, so there goes being an astronaut.

Remember those "pillownauts"? Just like them, folks at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are spending weeks at a time in bed, except they're also spending an hour each day being spun around in a centrifuge designed by NASA. The idea is that creating an effect that feels like standing against "a force two and half times that of gravity" will assist in restoring muscle synthesis (and thereby possibly preventing muscle loss).

While the study takes detailed measurements of protein synthesis and muscle breakdown, UTMB associate professor Douglas Paddon-Jones warns that it's not without flaws:

"[T]he rate of muscle protein synthesis alone does not necessarily predict changes in muscle function. But, he pointed out, it was still a strong indicator that a relatively brief intervention could have a positive effect in preventing zero-gravity muscle loss - one that might also be applied on Earth.

Paddon-Jones continues on to explain that joy rides in centrifuges aren't the end-all solution to the muscle loss issues in space, but at least the study also has potential for clinical applications for the immobile and elderly suffering down here. [Journal of Applied Physiology via Science Daily]

Loop-In Concept Allows Users To Surf on Sidewalks

2009-07-24T15:47:00.002+08:00

By Don Nguyen (Gizmodo)

The Loop-In transportation concept hopes to combine the sensations of surfing and skating in to one device that users can use anywhere.

The outside wheels have the ability to maneuver on a wide variety of surfaces and rotate independently of the board. The designers expect their wheel/board setup will give users the feeling of "pushing on a wave continuously". Hopefully there are plans to manufacture the Loop-In soon, though I doubt it will be able to replicate the thrill of getting barreled.

iPhone 3G S, Now More Affordable

2009-07-21T23:21:00.002+08:00

Source: Lowyat.net (Huei)

The new 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3GS is now available for order to new and existing Maxis customers – thank god we don’t have to wait another couple of months while the rest of the world is already enjoying these new toys. This time, the prices for these new models are much more affordable compared with the previous packages.

The iPhone 3GS comes with many new features that set it apart from its predecessor - aside from providing more storage capacity of up to 32GB of internal memory, it also comes with improved performance and upgraded 3D graphics; making it 2 times faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3GS now also allow users to send multimedia messages, an important feature that was missing previously.

If you’re curious, the 8GB iPhone 3G is still available for purchase at a recommended retail price of RM1990 (previously RM2540); subjected to vary according to the different packages available. For more details on pricing or to book your very own iPhone 3GS, log on to www.maxis.com.my/iphone3gs.

Shure SRH Over-the-Ear Headphones for People Who Don't Like Brain Tickling

2009-07-21T12:48:00.002+08:00

Source: Jesus Diaz (Gizmodo)

I've tried in-ear headphones and I just can't stand them. That's why I walk around like an 80s DJ nowadays, with big over-the-ear muffs and Rick James t-shirt. That's why Shure wasn't on my list of potential headphones until today.

Shure has always been famous for their in-ear headphones, which to me feel like they are tickling my brain. Their new SRH line has three models. The ones above these lines are the top of the line $250 SRH840. According to Shure, they have 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers and are optimized "for studio recording and critical listening" with 102dB/mW sensitivity and 5 Hz - 25 kHz frequency range.

The $125 Shure SRH240 also has 40mm drivers, 105 dB sensitivity (1kHz), and a 10 Hz - 22 kHz frequency range. The bottom model—the $75 SRH240 only has a 20 Hz - 20 kHz range. [Shure via MacWorld]

German University Constructs Giant Planet-Saving Spherical Building

2009-07-21T12:42:00.005+08:00

Source: Gizmodo

The Bibliosphere, an administration and student services buiding at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, is both an ecological and architectural achievement. It's incredibly environmentally-friendly, and did we mention it's a giant sphere?

The Bibliosphere is focused on sustainability, with natural lighting, ventilation, and using only renewable energy sources, and consumes an amazing 50% less than German regulations require—and we imagine German environmental laws are already much more strict than those here in the Land of the Free and the Home of the SUV. [Greeen Architects [sic] via PopSci]

Motorcycle Robot

2009-07-21T12:39:00.002+08:00

Source: Gizmodo

If Sleepy Hollow was recast in 2009, it would star Flossie here. Wearing a robot motorcycle batsuit, he would stop at nothing to find his robot head.

This Isn't a Litter Box, It's a Router

2009-07-21T01:18:00.002+08:00

Source : Gizmodo ( Matt Buchanan)

It's a $2000 router, actually. Oh sorry, an outdoor $2000 router.

That's because Ruckus Wireless's ZoneFlex 7762 uses dynamic beam forming and adaptive meshing with wireless N. Dynamic beam forming, you say? Why yes. Ruckus says that its dynamic beam-forming antennae automagically find the best way to shoot the internet waves, so it has 3-4x the performance of other outdoor routers. It's supposedly able to keep going 150Mbps of bandwidth going at 1,000 feet between meshed node.

Oh, and it has a built-in heater, in case it gets cold (down to -40 degrees) and there are no blankets. Perhaps more pressing though: Would you buy a router from a company called Ruckus Wireless? [Ruckus Wireless via Cnet]]

256 GB Thumb Drive from KINGSTON

2009-07-21T01:15:00.002+08:00

Source: GizmodoHere's your cold, bitter, daily dose of hardware obsolescence: Just a month after passing the already-ridiculous 128GB barrier, Kingston has released the 256GB DataTraveler 300. It isn't available in the US, but if/when it is, it'll run around $900.

Lenovo's new netbook

2009-07-21T01:07:00.005+08:00

Netbooks seem to be all the rage these days, and nothing makes us happier than receiving shiny new ones on our desks week after week. Having said that, we’ve gone through our fair share of hits and misses over the months, and have come to a simple conclusion - just because a machine weighs circa 1kg and is powered by an Atom processor, it doesn’t guarantee that the end result will be a winner.

A good netbook is more than that - apart from being portable, it should have a respectable battery life, it should be able to get you online anytime and anywhere, and it should be comfortable to use due to it’s relatively smaller than usual size.

Thankfully, we had the pleasure of reviewing a netbook from Lenovo that met all those criteria, and then some. It was a brand new device that came fresh from their engineering unit, and from the moment we laid our eyes (and grubby paws) on it, we knew it was going to be a hell of a ride.

Samsung to invest $4.3 Billion in green R&D

2009-07-21T01:04:00.001+08:00

Source: Reuters

To pour 3.1 trln won to develop green products

* Will invest 2.3 trln won in green tech and facility

By Cho Meeyoung and Rhee So-eui

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) said on Monday it would invest 5.4 trillion won ($4.3 billion) in green research and development and facilities to make the world's largest memory chip maker a leading eco-friendly company by 2013.

Of the total, 3.1 trillion won will be spent to develop products which cause less damage to the environment, and the remainder on energy-saving technologies and the environmental improvement of manufacturing facilities, the company said in a statement.

Samsung Electronics did not detail how it would finance the initiatives but had around 5.3 trillion won in cash and cash equivalent at end-March.

"This eco-management initiative will encompass all of our global operations, supply chain, and the complete lifecycle of Samsung products, and by achieving these goals we aim to lead the way in tackling the environmental problems that are facing our planet," Samsung Electronics' vice chairman and CEO Yoon-woo Lee said.

Samsung's plan includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing facilities by 50 percent, cutting total indirect greenhouse gas emissions from all products by 84 million tons through 2013, and ensuring all of its products are more environmentally friendly by increasing energy efficiency through measures such as cutting standby power consumption.

Samsung's chip and LCD businesses, major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, will invest "significant" sums to reduce pollution, it said.

Shares in Samsung rose 3 percent on Monday, in line with a 2.7 percent rise in the KOSPI index

GREEN INVESTMENT

South Korea has made a major push on environmentally friendly investment in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, the South Korean government said it would invest 107 trillion won, or 2 percent of its annual GDP, in environment-related industries over the next five years. It also separately said that it aimed to raise 2 trillion won for so-called "green industries" from the private sector. [ID:nSEO61955] [ID:nSEW000113].

HSBC estimates that of Asian government's stimulus packages against the recent credit crunch, spending on green-related investments will account for 20 percent, or $272 billion. That means more than double the amount earmarked for green projects in the Americas and five times bigger than Europe's.[ID:nHKG363491]

A survey last week showed over 80 percent of 105 South Korean CEOs at major companies plan to invest in environmental technologies and see them as a major business in the long-term. [ID:nSEO123813]

By 2020, Samsung's competitor LG Electronics Inc (066570.KS) is also aiming to lower its greenhouse gas emission from the production process by 150,000 tonnes compared with its 2008 emission levels, and it will cut the gas emission caused by using LG Electronics' products down by 30 million tonnes per year.

Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS), South Korea's top carmaker and the world's No.5 carmaker along with affiliate Kia Motors Corp (000270.KS), in early July launched its first hybrid car in the domestic market to satisfy a growing appetite for fuel-saving vehicles and to improve its technology image. [ID:nSEO339458] ($1=1257.0 Won) (Editing by Lincoln Feast)

How Modern Processors Are Made?

2009-07-20T13:31:00.005+08:00

Source: Gizmodo.com

P1 Wimax

2009-07-17T00:26:00.003+08:00

Sources: Huei (Lowyat.net)

Malaysia’s first and leading WiMAX introduced their new Wiggy 69 plan costing at only RM69. The plan, specially targeted at the majority market segment, offers the best price together with functionality. With a fair-usage-policy of 5GB per month, Wiggy 69 provides at least a whooping 60% more the next best offer in the market which offers only up to 3GB. This new plan is able to deliver an average download speed of 600kbps to 700kbps.

“Our mission is and always will be broadband for all. I’ve always believed in the notion that broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Broadband is no longer a privilege but a right. Key to this is affordability and choice. The WIGGY 69 plan is a major addition to our P1 W1MAX line up. P1 W1MAX now offers a selection of plans and packages to satisfy a wide spectrum of the Malaysian broadband market. Be it for customers looking for performance or customers simply wanting to be always connected, there’s always a P1 W1MAX plan for everyone. ” – Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer, P1

More information and Pricing after the jump.

With this new offer, P1 hopes to contribute to at least 50% of on-the-go WiMAX sales in Malaysia. They also hope that the affordable Wiggy 69 will help the local government achieve their target of 50% broadband penetration by 2010.

WIGGY Portable Modem (1-year warranty): RM299 (Upfront) for 12-months contract subscribers. Free for 24-months contract subscribers
Registration Fee: RM100 (Upfront)
Activation Fee: RM60 (1st Bill)
E-Billing: Free (or monthly RM5 for paper bill option

Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot C905a makes it to AT&T

2009-07-16T00:13:00.000+08:00

Sources: Nicole Lee (News.Cnet) 15th July 2009

Even though the Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot C905 was announced almost a year ago, the North American version (C905a) has finally graced our shores courtesy of AT&T. This 8.1-megapixel camera phone is one of a few high-megapixel camera phones to make it stateside, and since it's subsidized with a U.S. carrier, it's relatively inexpensive as well.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)The C905a has all the styling of a Cyber-shot point-and-shoot camera, with its large 2.4-inch scratch-resistant display, Xenon flash, and camera lens with a sliding lens cover. The camera also has a ton of settings like panorama stitching, several scene modes, macro focus, red-eye reduction, face detection, and even GPS geolocation tagging. There's also a BestPic feature that takes seven successive photos, letting you pick the best ones. Photo quality is really good, and definitely qualifies it as one of the best camera phones we've used.

We were also pleased with the music player, which has categories for audiobooks and podcasts--not something we usually see in non-smartphones. Our one complaint is that the C905a doesn't come with a 3.5-mm headset jack; we had to use Sony Ericsson's own proprietary headset connector. The C905a also uses the Memory Stick Micro (M2) format over the more common microSD. Still, the C905a has stereo Bluetooth, so not all is lost.

Other features of the C905a include GPS with AT&T Navigator, quad-band support, 3G/HSDPA, and access to AT&T broadband services like Cellular Video, AT&T Video Share, and AT&T Mobile Music. The Sony Ericsson C905a is available for $179.99 after a mail-in rebate and a two-year service agreement, and will be available on July 19.

Nokia 6700

2009-07-15T18:44:00.001+08:00

Sources: Lowyat.net (Huei)

The Nokia 6700, successor to one of Nokia’s most successful products of late, the Nokia 6300, is now available at all Nokia stores in Malaysia for a recommended retail price of RM1,140. Maintaining the simple and slim metal finish, the 6700 is now designed with a rounder appearance and bigger number pad; who says round is not a good shape?

One of the key features to this new addition is the 5MP camera with autofocus and LED flash. Although the internal memory may not be appealing, it is expandable via a Micro SD card up to 8GB in capacity. It also comes preinstalled with Nokia Maps that uses Assisted GPS navigation. For further technical specifications, you can log on to http://www.nokia.com/press/media_resources/photos/devices/showphotos?category=6700c.

AMD Launches Low-Power Six-Core Opterons

2009-07-15T12:49:00.000+08:00

By Antone Gonsalves
InformationWeek

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) on Monday expanded its family of six-core Opteron server processors with three low-power chips for two-, four- and eight-socket systems.
The 55-watt HE processors are available as of Monday in ProLiant systems from Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ). Other computer makers will likely release HE-powered servers throughout the third quarter.

More Hardware InsightsWhite PapersThe AMD Processor Roadmap for HP ProLiant ServersData Backup Security OverviewWebcastsInnovating in Today's Economy: Sustaining Your Edge with HPCReportsExplore the CA Know-How Assessment CenterThe Future-Proof Data CenterVideos
The Core i7 processor is the first member of a new family of Nehalem processor designs with new technologies that boost performance on demand.The latest six-core processors use up to 18% less power at the platform-level than standard Opteron chips and get up to 18% better performance-per-watt than the quad-core HE version of the server processor, according to AMD. The chip maker said it would release Opteron processors later in the year with even greater energy efficiency than the latest products.
"These new lower power Six-Core AMD Opteron processors feature the highest performance-per-watt that we have brought to market, and help drive down power consumption while addressing the shifting cloud and Web landscape of today's data center," Patrick Patia, VP and general manager of AMD's server business, said in a statement.

In addition, AMD unveiled two higher power six-core SE processors for running demanding workloads, such as database and customer relationship management applications. The two new chips consume up to 105 watts and have a clock speed of 2.8 GHz. They are also for two-, four- and eight-socket systems.

For four- and eight-socket systems, AMD is offering the 8439 SE and the 2.1 GHz 8425 HE, which sell for $2,649 and $1,514, respectively, in batches of 1,000 units. For two-socket servers, AMD is selling the 2439 SE, the 2.1 GHz 2425 HE and the 2.0 GHz 2423 HE for $1,019, $523 and $455, respectively, in quantities of 1,000 units.

AMD launched its first six-core Opteron processor June 1, saying more chips would follow in the third quarter. The chips are based on AMD's Istanbul microarchitecture, which is "drop-in" compatible with sockets in systems running quad-core chips of the previous generation.

Replacing one of AMD's older chips with Istanbul will provide up to 34% more performance, according to AMD. In addition, the new architecture offers a new technology called HyperTransport Assist that increases memory and input/output performance. AMD's Opteron line competes with Intel's Xeon family.

AMD's Istanbul chips, built using a 45-nanometer manufacturing processor, were manufactured by GlobalFoundries, a joint company between AMD and Advanced Technology Investment Co., formed by the Abu Dhabi government.

AMD stockholders in February approved the spin-off of AMD's manufacturing operations to the joint venture in order to reduce AMD's costs and, hopefully end the company's string of money-losing quarters.

In 2010, AMD said it plans to release eight- to 12-core 45-nm Opteron processors code-named Magny-Cours, and in 2011, 32-nm 12- to 16-core chips code-named Interlagos. The new processors will run on a new platform, code-named Maranello, and will require a new socket, which means they won't be drop-in compatible with current systems.

Sony Vaio

2009-07-15T12:05:00.000+08:00

Sources: The Star Online

TOKYO: Sony Corp will launch a tiny new laptop starting next month — the company’s belated entry into the growing but cutthroat “netbook” PC market.

The new addition to its Vaio line of computers will cost about 60,000 yen (RM2,268) when it goes on sale in Japan, with launches in the United States and Europe to follow shortly after.

It will be about the size of a hardback book and run on lower grade hardware than other Sony models.

Netbooks — small, cheap laptops with stripped-down components — have been a lone bright spot in the PC market, expanding even as consumers cut back on more expensive purchases.

But the tiny computers have low profit margins and can put well-known brands in direct competition with budget manufacturers.

“The netbook market is expanding, and Sony is following this trend,” said company spokesman Shinichi Tobe.

Sony, with its well-known Vaio line, is one of the last major PC makers to enter the market. Apple Inc is another holdout, with CEO Steve Jobs saying the company doesn’t know how to build such a computer “that’s not a piece of junk.”

Sony already sells a similar product, a petite Vaio laptop it bills as a “Lifestyle PC” but that computer has slightly higher specifications and software, and the company was careful to avoid the netbook label.

The new line of Sony netbooks will be about 10in (25cm) wide, 7in (18cm) long and 1in (2.5cm) thick. Their screens will have a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels, higher than is commonly found in other netbooks.

Sony’s computers will come in white, black or pink, with matching mouse and case. — AP

iPhone 3GS on its way to Malaysian shores

2009-07-15T12:02:00.000+08:00

Sources: 9th July 2009 (Star Online)

KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Communications Bhd will be bringing Apple Inc’s iPhone 3GS to Malaysia later this month.

Maxis customers interested in registering for one can log on to
www.maxis.com.my/iphone3gs for more information.

The 3GS looks the same as the iPhone 3G but sports a faster processor, longer battery life, an internal compass, a video camera and a photo camera with better resolution and auto-focus.

A 16-gigabyte version of the 3GS sells in the United States for US$199 and a 32-gigabyte version at US$299.

Iphone 3Gs

2009-07-15T03:22:00.000+08:00

Sources: Apple Corp

The first day the Apple iPhone 3GS went on sale was the biggest sales day ever for AT&T, according to an internal memo sent to company employees that has since been published in various blogs.

That's right, iPhone Day 2009 beat out the two previous iPhone launch days, as well as surpassed traditionally heavy retail sales days such as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and December 26th, the day after Christmas.

The new iPhone may not have added a whole bunch of new bells and whistles, but it seems to have certainly been a crowd pleaser. It took Apple and AT&T about two and half months to sell one million phones. The iPhone 3GS hit that milestone in just the first weekend.

But it's hard to say for sure how many iPhones have been sold to date. Apple won't divulge sales figures until later this month when it reports its quarterly earnings. And AT&T has only said that it sold "hundreds of thousands" of iPhones during its pre-order process. But the company has indicated that iPhone 3GS sales were off the charts.

Of course, I may have found the one guy who went to an AT&T store to buy something other than an iPhone. Collins Osei, who had bought an iPhone 3G last year, came to the AT&T store on iPhone launch day not to buy the iPhone 3GS, but instead he wanted to downgrade to a less expensive Nokia phone.

Samsung U5 Digital Audio Player

2009-07-15T03:18:00.000+08:00

by Chapree

Launched in May 2009, the U5 is one of the latest additions to Samsung's long line of Yepp digital audio player series. Available in 2GB and 4GB storage, the U5 is equipped with fitness mode and study mode together with other common digital audio player traits such as voice recorder and FM radio in a very compact size.

But does it deliver? Hit the jump to know more about Samsung's latest compact digital audio player.

Design

At a glance, the Samsung U5 looks exactly like any el cheapo MP3 players out there especially with it's generic thumb drive-like design. If it wasn't for the high quality workmanship and the highly visible Samsung label on its sturdy but smooth plastic body, we wouldn’t know the difference as we were initially expecting more from the Korean electronic powerhouse.

A set of general control buttons and a crystal clear 4-line OLED screen are located on top of U5 body. Meanwhile, the rest of the buttons such as the power/hold, user/record and back buttons are located on the side of the player. A small microphone is located on the top of the player next to the earphone jack, while the USB plug together with its cap is located at the other end of the player.

Bundled together with the U5 is a set of earphones that have an acceptable sound quality but a thin cable that might not be durable enough to endure vigarous exercise sessions. Also bundled together is a clip that when attached makes the player wearable. The U5 is also available in 5 different colors that cater to both men and women: Black, Red, White, Pink and Light Blue.

Samsung claim that the U5 battery is able to last up to 20 hours, and the player takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge from a fully discharged state.

Features

Apart from the usual digital audio playback, FM player and voice recorder features, the U5 contains two more features: the Fitness/Sports mode and Study Mode. But before that, we would like to touch on a feature called Popcon.

Not to be mistaken with the Samsung refrigerator of the same name, Popcon is the name given to a set of highly customizable avatars that are built into the U5. Users are able to create their own cutesy characters together with their own welcome message when the player is turned on. But then, we feel that this feature is rather ignorable since no one actually looks at their audio player display continuously.

Moving on to the Fitness/Sports mode, this works as a simple calorie burning guide based on the user's desired preset fitness activity that can range from walking, running, hiking, cycling and yoga.
The Sports functions also contains a timer which can be paired with your preferred listening options; whether to the tune of your audio files or FM radio. To top everything off, the U5 able to save up to 30 exercise records which make progress tracking easier as it is contained directly on the player itself.

Although fitness-friendly functions are not really common on MP3 players, it is not new either. Samsung has actually implemented it way back in 2004 with its YP-60.

The other function called Study Mode basically enables users to mark a certain section of an audio track and listen to it repeatedly with options to play it faster or slower. This function could interest language and music students out there who would sometimes find a need to repeat a certain part of their language track or music scores.

Conclusion

With a lackluster design and boring unique features, the Samsung U5 has a rather steep price tag at RM 249 (2GB) and RM 299 (4GB). But if you're a fitness buff then you might be attracted to the simple calorie counter function.

For the rest of us who just want a simple MP3 player, we afraid that there are just too many choices available out there and Samsung U5 is just one of the more expensive options for your consideration.

Pro:
Available in multiple colors, crystal clear OLED screen, bundled clip makes it instantly wearable, bundled earphones has acceptable sound quality, useful fitness and study mode, long battery life

Cons:
Steep price, generic thumb drive-like design, bundled ear-phones cable is thin - might not survive long, Popcon avatar function is ignorable.

Greedy for Capacity - Western Digital

2009-07-15T03:16:00.001+08:00

Source: Huei

When you get an external storage device, especially one with high capacity, the worst thing that could happen to it is having it break down. Understanding that, Western Digital introduced the newly redesigned My Book World Edition II dual-drive network storage system which comes in capacities of up to 4TB. With a two drive system, the My Book World Edition II gives double protection by automatically and constantly backing up an extra set of user data into the second drive.

“Families have more and more digital media like movies, photos and music to store, share and protect. Having two drives inside the My Book World Edition II network storage system, instantaneously and automatically duplicating data, offers consumers the peace of mind of double safe, real-time protection of their valuable content. Families can relax knowing their valuable media is backed up while enjoying the ability to stream their content to a plethora of different devices from PCs and Macs to PS3s, Xbox 360s and the latest connected TVs.” -- Craig Davis, Director, Sales & Marketing, Branded Product Group, Asia Pacific.

Other features found in the new My Book World Edition II include:

Centralized storage and sharing of digital content;
Compatible with Mac and PC;
Streaming to any connected devices or DLNA certified game console or media player;
Easy remote access
USB 2.0 port to turn any USB drive into an instant network drive or extra capacity for the My Book World Edition II;
Cooler, quieter, eco-friendly design that uses WD GreenPower Technology;
Capacity gauge indicating space available;
High-speed data transfer with Gigabit Ethernet;
3-years limited warranty
The 2TB and 4TB My Book World Edition II are available at RM1,249 and RM2,199 respectively

P1 W1MAX expands coverage

2009-07-15T03:14:00.000+08:00

Sources : Wern Shen

Committed to cover 35% of Malaysia by the end of this year, P1 W1MAX has recently expanded coverage to three new areas in Malaysia namely Ipoh, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

“Expanding P1 W1MAX network coverage is one of our highest priorities and the expansion to these three states illustrates our commitment in ensuring that as many Malaysians as possible can have access to quality broadband with the flexibility, convenience and ease-of-use of wireless broadband at affordable prices.” -- Michael Lai, Chief Executive Officer, P1

The areas covered in Ipoh include Taman Fair Park, Taman Sri Ampang, Guntong, Kampung Kastam, Taman Pari, Taman Silibin, selected areas within Kuantan, and the eastern region of Kuala Terengganu including Kampung Batas Baru, Kampung Batu Buruk, Kampung Kuala Hiliran, Taman Budaya, Kampung Ladang Tok Pelam and Kampung Tok Ku.

In addition to this announcement, P1 has also reaffirmed that the company is commited to bringing W1MAX to East Malaysia by 2010.

Logitech launches G-series of peripherals

2009-07-15T03:10:00.000+08:00

by Wern Shen

Computer peripheral makers, Logitech, have been churning out awesome gaming devices for about as long as we can remember, which is why we aren’t the least bit surprised that they have come up with another new range of devices that are targeted at the hardcore gamers segment.

Called the G-Series (we’re assuming G stands for gaming), this new range of peripherals come equipped with gaming specific enhancements such as an adjustable weight tuning system on the mouse, and built-in LCDs for access to in-game information, fully programmable keys and special mode keys for simplifying complex macros to one press of a button on the keyboards.

Products in the G-Series will retail from RM319 - RM719 depending on the model, and are available now through Logitech authorized dealers such as Kaira Technologies Sdn Bhd and MCL Sdn Bhd.

"Solar Sunflower" Collectors Lend Credibility to "Solar Farm"

2009-07-15T03:08:00.000+08:00

Sources: Dan Nosowitz, 9:40 PM on Mon Jul 13 2009

In the spot where the old Robert Mueller airport used to be, the city of Austin is building, among other things, a solar farm made of these contest-winning, 16-foot-high "sunflower" style solar collectors.

The collectors aren't active yet, but when they're switched on they'll be used to power lights for a nearby hiking and biking trail. They're 16 feet high and 14 feet across (at the "flower," presumably) and are being viewed as both an art installation and a greening initiative. As Austin Council Member Lee Leffingwell shamelessly brags, "Our city has a great understanding of how art can transform public spaces." Yeah? Well, our site has a great understanding of sweet giant metal flowers, too. [MAKE]