Home » Archives for Maret 2009
Diposting oleh
fatih on Jumat, 27 Maret 2009
PC gaming is just that. It’s not Mac gaming. Mac gaming may never see the true light of day due to the endless upgradable components found in high end PC gaming rigs. The Lycosa Mirror Special Edition Gaming KeyBoard by Razer is a fully programmable macros backlit gaming keyboard for the PC.
Looking like it belongs in the Matrix, the Lycosa is a sleek and sexy keyboard and is quite the looker. Even the packaging was positively sharp and draped in gamer sheen. A little big in size, the Lycosa will need some extra space around your set up. Here’s a brief rundown of the Lycosa’s features:
* High gloss mirror finish keytop
* Backlit illumination with WASD cluster lighting option
* Fully-programmable keys with macro capability
* Gaming cluster with selective anti-ghosting capability
* Slim keycap structure with Hyperesponse technology
* TouchPanel easy access media keys
* Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
* 10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
* 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
* Earphone-out and microphone-in jacks
* Detachable wrist rest
* One integrated USB extension port
The keys reacted well but I thought they felt a little light and cheap. They were sticky smooth and the anti-ghosting feature was apparent during some heated FPS battles. Ghosting is a pitfall of traditional keyboards where signal failure occurs when multiple keys are pressed at the same time. They keys had very low latency but were sloppy. I found my self making more spelling errors than normal and I enjoyed my traditional keyboard better for everyday computing.
The neon blue back light was a real treat to look at but you could hardly see the keys when the light was turned off. The WASD lighting cluster mode is a nice idea but any game you are going to play you are going to need to hit more keys than just those four.
The touch panel is also a novel idea but it would work better if the panel had some indentations as I found myself pressing the wrong ones by accident. It’s kind of like playing a fretless guitar in that you’d have to master it to unlock its full functionality.
Profile switching and customization is a cool feature of the Lycosa, letting you bounce back and forth between programs and game setups on the fly. The software you need to set up all these options does not work at all on a Mac.
The USB port is a low powered one and my iPhone and iPod were not recognized though my trackball worked fine. The integrated USB , microphone, and audio cables performed as expected without any glaring ups or downs.
Probably the biggest flaw is the fact that the Lycosa is a huge smudge packer. It’s constantly making 900 number mating calls to all things dust and fingerprint related. Though Razer includes a buffing rag, it requires undivided attention in order to keep the Lycosa gleaming.
As a gaming keyboard, the Lycosa Mirror Special Edition Gaming Keyboard is a fine choice for dedicated PC gamers looking to play on through the night. A bevy of options and a beautiful yet smudgy finish, the Lycosa is the type of keyboard that you bring out for special gaming events to impress the teenagers. The price point may be a bit high for some but the Lycosa was truly designed with gamers in mind.
Pros:
* Sleek, eye popping visual design
* Neon blue back light is fatty
* Many options and set up modes for many scenarios
Cons:
* Not great for non gaming situations
* Not fully Mac compatible
* Requires time and attention to keep its mirrored finish alive
Buy it here for $79.99!
Diposting oleh
fatih on Selasa, 24 Maret 2009
When the Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus arrived at my doorstep it dawned on me. People are still using FM transmission! Aww man, I’m lucky I never had to deal with any of that as I went from a Mini-Disc car set up (laugh all you want, I loved Mini-Disc) to a deck with an 3.5mm aux input on the faceplate.
The Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus is an FM transmitter that works with virtually any MP3 player the accepts a 3.5mm jack. Operation couldn’t be simpler as you plug the MP3 player into the 3.5mm jack end with the other end plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.
From there you press the smart scan button and the iTrip designates the most optimum FM frequency to broadcast your MP3 player’s music. Then lastly, you match the frequency on your car stereo to the one displayed on the iTrip and you are good to go. Self explanatory at this day and age really.
The iTrip AUP is a nice looking FM transmitter with black glossy and matte finishes. Construction is solid enough and it’s very light weight and has a smooth feel to it. The feature that will make this FM transmitter stand out from the pack is the USB socket embedded in the cigarette lighter adapter. Almost any device can be charged like this provided you have the right USB to whatever connection. Very useful when on the go and away from a wall outlet.
Ok, the sound provided by the iTrip AUP is downright horrible. A ton of hiss and really, really low volume output, which in turn makes you turn up the hiss. I don’t have a lot of experience with the way a FM transmitter should sound but can’t be like this. Right? For the record I live in Portland, Oregon on the North side of town. The radio reception I get is decent and I tried a bunch of channels. I just don’t understand. It seems so archaic. There are gonna be those type of people out that don’t really have that discerning audio palette and all they wanna do is hear their tunes, but I honestly couldn’t bear it.
I think FM transmission should be a last ditch effort at this point as there are better ways. It would be worth it in the long run to have a 3.5mm cord hard wired to the back of your car stereo if you can, or just pay for a cheap deck with a 3.5mm in. Probably to no fault of its own, the Griffin iTrip AUP does what it is supposed to do, but what it is supposed to do is an antiquated technology in my mind. The best part is easily the USB socket cigarette adapter charger but you can buy that as a stand alone product.
Pros:
* Very easy to use
* Attractive design and aesthetic
* Scans for optimal signal frequency or lets you choose your own
Cons:
* Straight miserable sound from my location in Portland, Oregon
* Uhh…If FM transmitters work for you give it a shot!
* Repeat 1st Con
Buy it here for $30.52!
Diposting oleh
fatih on Jumat, 20 Maret 2009
With the everyday clutter arising around your computer from having too many gadgets (is there such a thing?!), the Griffin Simplifi offers you an easy and compact solution to help you organize mounting untidiness.
The Griffin Simplifi is an all-in-one card reader, USB hub, and iPod/iPhone dock that lets you clear up your desktop while disguising itself as a polished Apple product. The card reader is capable of accessing SD/SDHC/XD/Sony (pro) memory sticks and compact flash cards. There are two USB inputs in the back of the Simplifi and it comes with six plastic moldings to fit a variety Apple iPods and iPhones. Also included is a rather short USB cable to attach to your computer and an AC wall plug.
As I mentioned earlier, the Simplifi looks a lot like an Apple product with its anodized aluminum finish and glossy white plastic sides and moldings. A very bright neon blue light gushes from the Simplifi denoting power and will flicker when you put a memory card in. Underneath the Simplifi is a rubber stopper the covers the majority of the base and gives it more balance and weight to keep the device grounded, so it’s not sliding all over the place. USB slots could be more spread out or there is easily room for two more.
The Griffin Simplifi is simple to use and requires no drivers or software. Card reading is fast and a drive image appears on your desktop (Mac) where you can drag and drop files to their appropriate location and then eject the image when you are done.
I had no real problems with the Griffin Simplifi. Some people may find the supplied USB cable to be mighty short but that’s nothing they can’t fix. Card reading was fast and the USB slots reacted fine to multiple hub daisy chaining. One downside for some will be the fact that the Simplifi will NOT charge your iPod/iPhone unless it is plugged into your “running” computer. The AC power is only used for the USB ports. I keep my computer on 24/7 so that’s not an issue for me.
If you are in the market for even just an iPod/iPhone dock you can’t go wrong with the Griffin Simplifi. Add in the card reader and the extra 2 USB ports and it becomes quite the utilitarian device. Price may be high for some but given its features I think the price is fair.
Pros:
* Easy to use
* Great use of space and features
* Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
* Won’t charge iPod/iPhone unless connected to a running computer
* USB to computer cable is very short
* May be pricey for some
Buy it here for $49.99!
Diposting oleh
fatih on Selasa, 17 Maret 2009
Some of you may not be aware of such a device as a ‘gameboard’. For those uninitiated, a gameboard is a device sitting to one side of your keyboard designed to allow for better gaming through improved ergonomics and extended functionality. This is the sort of extra functionality that could make the difference between the virtual wins and losses in competitive digital gaming. The difference between the pwner and the pwned. Sequenced actions can be triggered with a single and hopefully easy to locate key press. Move and fire at the same time. Drop out of the sky on your enemies and execute complex maneuvers with ease. Sound worthwhile? If you’re a gamer, I can assure you it is. The G13 is Logitech’s latest entry into the gameboard category, and having now played with it for a spell, I can say with some confidence that it’s the most advanced gameboard that I’ve used.
Unique Features:
* LCD Display – integrated programs allow display of in game data for a variety of games as well as media playback and system performance.
* Color adjustable backlighting of keys + lcd
* 25 programmable buttons
* On the fly macro programming
When I pulled it out of the package, the first thing that came to my immediate attention was how HUGE it was. I guess I should’ve expected it, it’s really just the size of any other pad with the screen extending off the far end. My desk isn’t tiny, but there was some futzing I needed to do to make this thing play nicely alongside my keyboard and mouse. Next thing I noticed was how seriously low the profile was on this beast. Not much thicker than a normal keyboard, your hand will sit comfortably on the rubberized palmrest when in use. I was a little disappointed that the palmrest didn’t have a little more cush to it, but I haven’t experienced any discomfort while using it, and it likely wouldn’t be as durable if it were more padded anyway.
After running the installation CD and plugging it in, I was presented with a pretty cool flash intro that ran me through the basic setup features. Within a few minutes I had adjusted the backlight color and had migrated the basic setup of my personal gameboard into the G13. I was also disappointed that the color picker for the backlight didn’t translate well into the colors I saw on the G13. It works well with the pre-picked colors, and there’s a good enough variety there for most folks to be alright with the outcome, but I was looking for something specific and couldn’t manage to get it even close to the orange I was shooting for.
Loading up a game to take it for a spin, I noted that the buttons are quiet, responsive, and can handle as many simultaneous key presses as you can manage. In fact, I read somewhere that every one of the 25 programmable keys could be used at the same time without an issue. Given that the average user (myself included) has only 5 digits to press these keys, I feel the need to wonder if anyone will ever really need to take this to the limit. I can verify it does work with 5 buttons at the same time; and honestly, anytime something is stout enough to handle 5x what conventional usage would dictate, the lower the likelihood you’ll see a failure.
The 25 programmable buttons allow for some serious flexibility, and as I began molding them to my own usage I started to realize something: in the case of the G13 flexibility doesn’t come without some shortfalls. The main keyboard area has 22 of the 25 buttons over a ~6 inch x 2 inch area, where I couldn’t help but get lost over and over again. Lots of buttons means having more options at your fingertips, but it could also mean I sit my character down to eat some delicious pie when my intention was to cast a spell at an enemy. Not insurmountable, but one should definitely make some time to get used to it if you have a tournament coming up soon, or to avoid looking “slow” in front of your teammates. The other 3 programmable buttons are located near your thumb; including a joystick you operate with the aforementioned thumb, keeping your other four digits from needing to stray from their normal position.
Aside from the overwhelming sea of buttons, the ability to program a new macro on the fly while in the middle of playing a game is super easy to use. This is important if you’re the creative type and an idea strikes you in the middle of an intense session. Normally you’d open up the configuration software and make your changes; with the G13 you can instead punch the macro program button, set up your macro, and get to use it right away. Excellent feature, even if it’s not used regularly.
As far as the LCD display is concerned, this is the reason some people will want to upgrade from whatever they’re using now. In World of Warcraft for example, there’s a custom screen which displays your character or PVP battleground statistics without needing to open those screens inside the game itself. Another program included can display metadata from whatever your mp3 playback jukebox happens to be. The popular ones are supported, but I’d check first if you use something less common. My biggest gripe with the media app was the lack of documentation on the functionality. For some reason I felt like I should be able to skip tracks, or play/pause a track without viewing the player itself; there just wasn’t any data to tell me one way or the other! Through some heartache I was able to find somewhere on the net that the app was never intended to do this, but could instead call up a playlist on command. At least now I can call up ‘Africa’ by Toto at the press of a button. Better than nothing, right?
I’d say the coolness factor of the screen alone is worth the price of admission when compared to competing products, but the additional functionality of this gameboard will give gamers of any type a more immersive experience for sure. Not to mention fending off carpal tunnel for a few more years!
Pros:
* LCD screen with life enhancing applications included
* Nice quiet buttons
* Insanely easy to program
Cons:
* Easy to get lost in the sea of keys…
* No media transport controls! WTF!
* The color picker is pointless, unless you pick one of the presets
* Massive
Want one yourself? Available here for $80
Diposting oleh
fatih on Minggu, 15 Maret 2009
Olympus has established a tradition of offering very well specified cameras in the entry-level, and was one of the first to offer two cameras in this bracket - the little E-410 and its image-stabilized big brother, the E-510 (later upgraded to the 420 and 520 respectively). Now it has introduced the E-620, a model that will 'sell alongside' the E-420 and E-520 (in the sense that we suspect it will eventually replace the E-520) as the company's attempt at a '450D-killer'.
And, even by Olympus's standards of entry-level generosity, it's not short on toys - including an articulated screen to make full use of its live view system, which itself is one of the better implementations of this feature (from the company that got there first). It's also got 'Art' modes and the ability to shoot in four different aspect ratios - adapted from the features of the recently announced E-30. There's also in-body Image Stabilization and a level of configurability that is unparalleled in this class. In fact it's astonishing how much Olympus has crammed into its small dimensions - it's nearer to the size of the E-4X0 than the E-5X0 series (due in part to use of the small BLS-1 battery), and the E-420 was famously the smallest DSLR in the world.
More importantly, perhaps, the E-620 seems to address some of the main shortcomings of the E-520 - the viewfinder is slightly larger and has been reworked so that the information panel appears below the view screen, rather than tucked-away off to the right. It also moves on from the old three-point AF system with the introduction of a seven-point version, which includes five cross-type sensors. In fact, the specification of the E-620 is so high that it makes as much sense for us to compare it to Olympus's recently introduced semi-pro body, the E-30, as to the company's existing entry-level models.
Compared to E-30 - key differences
When the E-30 was launched, we commented that it sailed remarkably close to E-3 territory, but with a smaller viewfinder and less grand claims made about environmental sealing and image stabilization. The E-620 comes close to pulling the same trick on the E-30; again the size of the viewfinder is smaller, but the cameras share the same 12 megapixel sensor, Truepix III+ processing and a great many other features. The differences between the two cameras are easier to list than the similarities:
* E-620 is smaller (by around 1cm in each dimension) and around 180g lighter (body only)
* Slightly smaller viewfinder with reduced frame coverage (0.96x, 95%, vs. 1.02x, 98%)
* 7-point AF (5 cross-type) vs. 11-point (all cross-type)
* Improved LCD (Hypercrystal III, vs. E-30s' version II unit)
* Only one control dial (vs. E-30's two)
* Slower continuous shooting rate (4fps for 5 RAW frames, vs. 5fps for 12)
* Fewer aspect ratio crops (3 vs. 8)
* No built-in digital level gauge
* Only allows two exposures to be overlaid in multi-exposure mode (vs. 4)
* No PC flash sync or DC-in sockets
* Slower x-sync (1/180 sec vs. 1/250 sec) and max shutter speed (1/4000 sec vs. 1/8000 sec)
* Lower capacity BLS-1 battery (7.2V 1150 mAh) vs. BLM-1 (7.2V 1500 mAh)
Key feature comparison (vs E-30 and E-520)
Although Olympus says that the E-620 is supposed to sell alongside the E-520, that would give the company three entry-level offerings, with the E-620 clearly out-gunning both its siblings by a fair margin but without distinguishing itself quite enough to sensibly co-exist. There will be wide-spread hat consumption in the dpreview.com offices if the Olympus lineup retains the E-420, E-520 and E-620 for long.
The E-620 is overall smaller than the E-520 that sits below it in the E-system hierarchy, while offering a slightly larger viewfinder plus a selection of the features we were just getting to grips with in the considerably more expensive E-30. The chart below shows the key spec differences between the three cameras that now span the middle of the Olympus DSLR range.
Diposting oleh
fatih
Gateway TC introduces the new series of laptops, including TC7306u black and burgundy TC7307u. They are basically the same except the colors. Each of them has a 6-cell battery and their prices from $ 649.99.
Gateway TC7306u and TC7307u Specifications:
* Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile T4200 2.00 GHz CPU (up to Core 2 Duo)
* 4GB RAM
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M (up to NVIDIA GeForce 9300M)
* 320GB HDD (up to 500GB)
* Ultrabright 14-inch backlit 1366×768 HD LED display
* 8X Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW w/ DVD-RAM
* 802.11b/g Draft-N wireless
* 1.3 megapixel webcam
* 5-in-1 media card reader (SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro and xD)
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 64-bit
Gateway introduces the new lightweight TC series laptop, extending the popular design and features of its MC Series and MD Series. Two new models are available, the TC7306u in black and the TC7307u in burgundy.These two models are identical except their colors.
TC7306u and TC7307u are both powered by an Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile T4200 2.00 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, integrated GMA 4500M video chipset, and 320GB hard drive. If that’s not enough for you, you can get a Core 2 Duo processor, up to 500GB hard drive, dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 9300M video card and Blu-ray optical drive.
Diposting oleh
fatih
iRiver on May will release a new E50 Metal Edition with 4GB DAP provides up to 52 hours to play continuously all of your musics. The iRiver E50 compatible with MP3, WMA, APE and also can display video with SMV format (30fps bitrates). Also the iRiver features with FM radio. The weight only 40.2grams with dimension 88×38.8×7.7mm with LCD 172×220 resolution. There’s no price available yet.
Diposting oleh
fatih
Before I headed off to CES I was able to get my hands on a Nokia N85. The plan was too connect my Stickam account to the device and stream content live from the showroom floor. Unfortunately, Stickam’s tech didn’t work and the show room floor had spotty 3G coverage. Nonetheless, I’ve been able to spend some more time with the handset and despite lacking a touchscreen I really enjoyed the device.
The screen on the N85 measures 2.6-inch and sports a resolution of 240×320, which is more than enough. This particular handset garnered numerous news posts (this site included) when it went on sale here in the US thanks to the AMOLED screen. Although it doesn’t still stand up to the quality of the iPhone screen it can still hold its own, especially when reviewing photos and recorded movies.
As you’ve probably figured about by now the N85 is a slider phone. But, it’s a little unusual in that it slides one way to expose the keypad and the other way to expose the media keys for accessing the phone’s music menu. When slid into the ‘media mode’ the screen automatically switches to landscape mode and the main nav button serves as the track forward/back and play button. Which brings me to my next point: The N85 include a real 3.5mm headphone jack.
Movies or pics, the N85 captures quality images. Sure, like most cameras phones it’s not great in low light scenarios but thanks to the LED flash it suffices in a pinch. And at 5 megapixels your images and movies (640×480) will look as good as some of today’s stand alone cameras.
I’m an avid Mac user and for some reason I couldn’t get the N85 to show up in my iSync menu. So all I can say is that you’ve been warned. Sure, some trouble shooting might’ve resolved the issue, but the point here is that this thing won’t just sync out of the box.
As for memory, the phone comes with an 8GB microSD card. This was more than suitable for me but you can upgrade if you’re looking to add your expansive music collection. As with most microSD card slots it was a bit fiddly when trying to remove the card, but with a little patience and a thumbnail I succeeded.
Unfortunately, by design my car doesn’t work with FM transmitters, but with that said, the Nokia N85 includes its very own. You can adjust the frequency, turn it on and whamo, you’ve got music streaming from your phone to your car’s stereo system. I know, the sound quality won’t exactly be top notch, but for some quick tunes and one less trip to Best Buy who can complain.
Battery life of the N85 is outstanding. I tested out the standby time, which means absolutely no use, and the handset lasted a few days short of 2 weeks. Plus the OLED screen makes the phone even more efficient when it is being used. When really using the phone I could get 4-5 days in between charges, but keep in mind your battery experiences may vary depending on signal reception and type of use.
Built-in to the handset is an accelerometer, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance. Factor settings set it to off, but that can be quickly over ridden by navigating to Tools>Settings>General>Sensor Settings. For the most part the accelerometer was very speedy to react but on occasion had a tendency to be a little over sensitive, ultimately changing the screen from portrait to landscape mode when not truly warranted. Another interesting feature, which also is turned off by default, is the Nav Wheel. It can be turned to ‘on’, which essentially turns the circumference of the main joystick button into a nav button. I didn’t extensively test out the option since it proved more annoying than useful. I suppose those used to a Blackberry experience might find it useful or just complete off setting.
Getting online with the N85 can be achieved via 3G/EDGE or WiFi and setting up the wireless was super simple thanks to the WLAN Wizard. Surprisingly, it include a full HTML browser, which admittedly is a bit of a surprise given the small screen. Fortunately, the OS, Symbian S60, pops up a little screen when you start to move the mouse around allowing you to navigate the page from afar. In the end, I found the browser was only suitable for checking websites at a glance and really isn’t designed as a Web friendly device.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the Nokia N85. I’ll be honest, it’s been many years since I’ve really used one but now I understand why they’re the number one handset maker in the world. The build of the N85 is very solid. At times the buttons on the phone proved a bit cumbersome and for anyone coming from a Blackberry or iPhone, or any handset with a touchscreen and full QWERTY keypad will find adjusting to the new layout challenging. The payoff of course is in the optics, small footprint. solid build and opulent like hora the handset gives off.
Pros:
* Great battery life
* Solid build
* Nice screen with good resolution
* Great camera for stills and video
Cons:
* No QWERTY
* Screen a bit small
* Phone’s menus can be cryptic
Diposting oleh
fatih
If you thought this was a prop from the Resident Evil movies think again. It’s in fact a facial serum, the Derma-Full X3, sold by none other than Avon. The physical similarities to the Resident Evil T-Virus canister is uncanny, but what’s even more creepy is the description, which is not, I repeat, not a joke.
First from Avon: injectable-grade facial filler. A skin care breakthrough! Fullness perfected, not injected!* Dramatic results for dramatically less! Super concentrated serum.** 3x the level of injectable-grade hyaluronic acid for dramatic filling & plumping.*** In just 3 days, begins to reduce the look of deep folds. In 2 weeks, 82% of women saw more youthful fullness in the cheek area.**** In 4 weeks, dramatically reduces the look of deep facial folds and hollowness.
Eternal life and craving for brains can be yours for $54. I never thought being undead could be so cheap.
Diposting oleh
fatih on Rabu, 11 Maret 2009
Convergence is the buzzword and the Cyber-shot Walkman affair-turned-marriage is busy producing offspring. And hey, the young Sony Ericsson W995 sure makes the first-born W902 look like a helpless orphan. Easily the best equipped feature phone of the house, Sony Ericsson W995, still more popular as Hikaru, packs in all there is to find at the top of the company portfolio. The full set of connectivity options, the biggest screen on a Sony Ericsson feature phone to date, GPS, Wi-Fi and the great user interface make a sweet enough package on their own.
But in the case of W995 they're just the perfect background for the unprecedented blend of music and imaging. The Cyber-shot line is graciously lending its 8 megapixel triumph, while the music dowry includes the latest Walkman 4.0 player, with all the bare Walkman necessities such as Shake control and SensMe. And there's more to make it even sweeter. We called it a marriage and Sony Ericsson have taken due care of the wedding presents. We don't know what else to call the kickstand and the on-board 3.5 mm audio jack.
Key Features:
* Brushed metal body parts
* Quad-band GSM, dual-band HSDPA
* 2.6" 256K-color TFT display of QVGA resolution
* 8.1 megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, geo-tagging, face detection
* WQVGA video recording at 30fps
* Built-in GPS with A-GPS functionality
* Wi-Fi with DLNA support
* Bluetooth (with A2DP) and USB v2.0
* Accelerometer sensor
* 118MB of internal memory and M2 memory expansion (8GB card included)
* Stereo speakers
* 3.5 mm audio jack
* Kickstand
* Walkman 4.0 music player with Shake control and SensMe
* FM radio with RDS
* Multi-tasking support
* Smart dialing
* Comfortable keypad, nice sliding mechanism
Main disadvantages:
* Video recording limited to WQVGA
* No lens protection
* No DivX/XviD video support (though it's touted as a video-centric phone)
* Kickstand construction could've been more reliable
* No office document viewer
Since the phone is expected to hit the market by Q2 2009 (which is just around the corner) and Sony Ericsson didn't mention any price, we can only guess how much it will sell for. It's fair to expect a price tag around the same as the similarly equipped Nokia N86 8MP, which will start shipping at the same time at an estimated 375 euro (before taxes and subsidies).
As we said, the Nokia N86 8MP offers almost the same features. Almost. The camera is 8.1-megapixel and sports autofocus, but it also comes with Carl Zeiss optics, dual-LED flash (W995 has a single-LED) and the exciting wide-angle lens and variable aperture.
The N86's screen is also 2.6" but it's based on AMOLED technology (not TFT) and shines with 16M colors (not just 256K). Both devices have kickstands but the one on the N86 seems more reliable based on what we saw at the MWC.
And last but not least, let's not forget that the N86 8MP is a Symbian smartphone with all the possibilities for expansion this entails. It's in the best interests of the W995 that we don't extend this comparison any further!
Another competitor of the SE W995 is the smart Samsung i8510 INNOV8, which packs all the Sony Ericsson W995 does, but adds some extra features on top which are well worth checking out. Follow the link to our in-depth review of the INNOV8.
It seems that the Sony Ericsson W995 has some pretty strong competition so the decision about which to choose ain't gonna be easy.
Meet us on the next page, where we'll go through its looks, handling and ergonomics.
Diposting oleh
fatih
The 14.1” ASUS N81Vp is a multimedia notebook designed to handle anything a user can throw at it; be it the latest games or decoding HD video. ASUS packed this notebook with 4GB of RAM, an Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 processor, and an ATI Mobility 4650 graphics card with 1GB of GDDR3 memory. ASUS doesn’t directly target the gaming market segment with this system, but given its specs we see no reason why it couldn’t be one of the best performing 14.1” notebooks.
ASUS N81Vp Specifications:
* Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 32-bit)
* Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9550 (2.66GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* 14.1 " TFT Widescreen display with LED backlighting (1366x768)
* 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz System Memory
* ATI Radeon Mobility 4650 1GB GDDR3 Memory
* 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Dual Layer CD/DVD Recordable
* 1.3 megapixel integrated camera
* Atheros AR928X B/G Wireless and Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR
* Weight: 5lbs 11.1oz
* Dimensions: 13.5 x 10.1 x 1.6”
* Warranty: 2-year system, 1-year accidental damage
* 6-cell 11.1v 4800mAh battery
* Retail Price as configured: $1,399
Build and Design
The N81Vp has a very low-key design that looks classy from the outside, without any bright colors or graphics that stand out. The exterior has glossy black and dark bronze metallic paint with a vertical broken-line pinstripe pattern. Inside the color changes to an ash-gold finish with the same pinstripe pattern on the palmrest and trim with chrome touchpad buttons and a black keyboard. I think the design looks nice, being very similar to what HP has done with notebooks in the DV series.
Build quality is above average with solid and durable plastics used throughout the chassis. Fit and finish is excellent with no rough edges or panel overhang. The chassis feels very rigid with little flex carrying it by the corner of the palmrest. The screen cover gives the display a good amount of protection, showing no ripples even with strong pressure from my fingertips on the backside of the LCD. The cover also does a good job of spreading out an impact from heavy taps, showing no pressure points on the perimeter of the LCD.
The underside of the notebook allows users to upgrade all the user-serviceable components through two access panels. Neither panels were marked with “warranty void if removed” stickers.
Display
The 16:9 ratio 1366x768 screen is pretty good compared to other systems, with excellent color saturation and contrast from the glossy surface. Backlight levels are high and bleed is minimal around all the edges. The screen would be quite usable outdoors as long as you are in some shade to prevent direct glare from the sun. Viewing angles are average with the screen quickly inverting at lower angles and washing out at higher angles. Horizontal viewing angles are good with minimal distortion as you move to the far edges of the screen.
Connecting the N81Vp to my Sony HDTV through the HDMI connection worked without any problems. I tested its performance at 1280x720 and 1920x1080, which works just fine handling normal activities and HD movie decoding.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is full-size without any condensed keys around the border. The key arrangement could be better considering this is a gaming notebook ... ASUS strangely placed the function key on the far left, instead of control. The keyboard is comfortable to type on with little pressure needed to activate the individual keys. The keys have a matte finish which gives them a slight bit of traction compared to glossy keys found on many other notebooks. Keyboard support is very good with minimal flex under strong pressure, a big plus for frequent typists.
The large Synaptics touchpad is easy to use and very responsive. Sensitivity is good after a bit of adjustment putting the sensitivity to the lightest touch setting. The matte surface texture is easy to glide your finger across when sweaty after longer use. The touchpad buttons require more pressure than what is normally required to click which does get annoying after a while. They provide shallow feedback and give a loud positive click when pressed.
Performance
System performance with the Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 and ATI Mobility Radeon 4650 is well above average for a notebook of this size; even holding its own against larger machines. The system handles all modern games at its native resolution, Crysis not included unless you tweak the settings. The 7200RPM Seagate drive and 4GB of system memory keep the system humming along without any hiccups and keep load times to a minimum. Boot and shutdown times are excellent, and the speed of the system helps with everything from zippy software installation to fast level loads in games.
Ports and Features
Port selection is fantastic. ASUS managed to cram an optical drive, 5 USB ports, eSATA, HDMI, VGA, LAN, modem, audio ports, and a FireWire connector onto the N81Vp’s 14.1” chassis. Most 17” notebooks don’t even include five USB ports and ASUS did this without a combo eSATA port. The notebook also includes a SDHC multi-card reader and ExpressCard/54 slot for expansion.
Front: IR reciever, speakers
Rear: TV antenna (if equipped), AC power, 2 USB, VGA, HDMI, eSATA, LAN, modem, Kensington lock slot
Left: SDHC multicard slot, optical drive, 1 USB, FireWire, ExpressCard/54, speakers/mic
Right: 2 USB
ASUS includes a couple freebies with the purchase of the N81Vp, including a USB mouse and basic computer case. The mouse isn’t all that great, but it is free, portable, and works just fine if you are in a pinch. The free case is very basic and provides moderate protection for the notebook. It has a single carrying handle or shoulder strap for transport and two pockets for storage. I think the included case is a great idea since it keeps the notebook safe until you get a better case or it can be used by itself.
Speakers and Audio
The speakers sound average for a 14.1” notebook without anything that really sets these speakers apart from the crowd. Volume levels are acceptable with bass and midrange audio leaving a bit to be desired. With ASUS targeting this notebook to the multimedia segment it fully supported HDMI digital audio out to a TV or home theater receiver.
Battery
Battery life isn’t that good compared to other 14” notebooks, but most don’t have an Intel T9550 processor or ATI 4650 graphics card. With the display brightness set to 70%, wireless active, and Vista on the “Balanced” profile the N81Vp remained on for 2 hours and 20 minutes before going into standby mode with 3% remaining. The idle power consumption fluctuated between 19 and 21 watts.
Heat and Noise
System noise is managed very well under a higher system load, pushing a good amount of air without making a lot of noise. Under normal activity the system fan is either off or spinning very low, and quiet enough that it shouldn’t be noticed in a classroom. Heat is a no concern what-so-ever while gaming even with the small size combined with the powerful processor and GPU. The cooling system keeps enough air flowing through the system that the chassis stays cool under stress. Under normal situations the system doesn’t get that hot, in line with many other standard 14.1” notebooks.
Conclusion
The ASUS N81Vp is hands-down the fastest 14” notebook we have reviewed and easily holds its own against other larger notebooks. Even though it is technically targeted towards multimedia users I think it would be a perfect mobile gaming rig. Build quality is great, with most of the chassis’s strength coming from the fact that so much stuff is crammed into a small space there is no open cavity to flex. Battery life is one aspect that is well below average, but we don’t hold it against ASUS since the Intel T9550 and ATI 4650 are far from energy efficient. The price is great for the features you get, but if you can live with a larger laptop you can get a full-size gaming rig for the same amount.
Diposting oleh
fatih
I’m fairly confident that California is due to for the ‘big one’. Yes, that’s a bit apocalyptic of me, but a bunch of dudes with protractors and white coats seem to think so too. The Gragraph is Seismograph a Home Earthquake Seismograph and should warn you of impending quakes and provide a digital readout of the Richter scale. It looks like it includes a clock and some audible alerts in case you wanna time your table and doorway ducks.
mportant Note: This Product is exclusive to Japan. All instruction manuals are only available in Japanese. If you have any questions or a requests, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Diposting oleh
fatih on Selasa, 10 Maret 2009
Choiix has jumped into the sleeve market with a new line of Ergonomic Metal Notebook Sleeves ranging in sizes that accomodate everything from 7" netbooks to 14" notebooks. Boasting a sexy metal cover this sleeve clashes ergonomics and design.
Specifications:
* Exterior dimensions: 365 x 265 x 50mm
* Interior dimensions: 344 x 251 x 42mm
* Weight: 750g
* Color: Green and brushed aluminum (also available in brown, blue, and pink)
* Materials: Aluminum, poly/nylon, foam, Velcro, and velvet
* MSRP: $39.99
First Impressions
What initially caught my eye was the metal. The metal gives the sleeve a strong feel. Furthermore the handles were a pleasant surprise ... a feature that is strongly desired but missing on many sleeves. Though at first the handles feel weak the handles proved quite durable throughout the course of testing.
Design
The design and construction of this sleeve is rather unique. It includes a strong, partial metal body which doubles as a notebook stand while using it on a soft surface or a lap on the go. Though the cooling efficiency of this table is not ideal it's certainly better than a fried lap any day. The metal is brushed horizontally and has a clean look to it.
Overall the design on the sleeve is rather minimalistic like most sleeves yet boasts a modern feeling like a stainless steel fridge or Chevy Volt. The fabric chosen for the exterior has a viewable stitch with a slight shine.
A nice little detail which I did not notice for a while was that each of the little bolts that secure the metal to the fabric had “C” on the head, standing for Choiix.
I believe that a decent amount of thought has gone into the product. The inclusion of a small pouch in the front or maybe a folder-like small back pocket would have been a great inclusion to the notebook sleeve in order to fit small objects such as memory cards, a USB flash drive, or other accessories.
The true goal of the sleeve appears to be usability and functionality with an extra dose of style. My peers and some complete strangers in Tokyo seem give a thumbs up to the sleeve, so I think the design is successful.
Many people commented on the product and asked where they could get their hands on it. Though the green color appeared a tad feminine at first (this coming from me, a guy who spends an hour on his hair every morning), the sleeve hardly received any female response. It was generally males that were interested in the product.
In Use
The sleeve is generally thinner than most sleeves which is probably thanks to its minimalistic design. The handles made the sleeve an instant hit in my mind. Though the handles are a bit small they had no problem supporting a 6kg+ notebook comfortably. Many students in Japan use notebook sleeves and hold them the way that you would hold a clutch purse ... which usually isn't comfortable after two hours. Handles make life much easier.
While removing the notebook from the sleeve, the straps and Velcro became a nuisance. I figured out undoing just the top was enough to get the notebook out, though putting it back is another story.
With the generally open side design (on three of the four sides) comes a downside. It leaves the contents vulnerable to the elements or damage from a collision. I would recommend this sleeve for people who bring a notebook in the car to work every day and require a quick light solution.
On the inside Choiix used a plastic feeling fabric to protect the notebook from general scratching within the sleeve. In short, it did its job. The metal took a bit of banging; as you can see there are marks, but many came out with an eraser or finger rubbing. Deeper scratches are permanent.
The fabric of the sleeve is what concerns me. It is not the greatest quality yet I would not say it was poor. The fabric would likely tear if caught on a little nail or similar object.
Conclusion
Overall the C-MB03 is a good first sleeve from Choiix. Its focus on design was evident yet it did attempt to include some additional protection into the mix. If you are looking for a sleeve where you could just pop the notebook out this should work well if you ignore the top strap by leaving it undone. The fact this sleeve can also be used as a table is a bonus for users that require frequent access to their notebook. Do not expect this sleeve to work if you need protection on all sides of your notebook. The quality of the metal is good but the fabric and open sides are a slight disappointment.
Diposting oleh
fatih on Sabtu, 07 Maret 2009
The IdeaPad Y650 is a multimedia notebook from Lenovo with a beautiful 16-inch screen, HDMI out, a giant touchpad with multi-touch controls, and enough power and storage to serve as your primary family PC. With a thin (almost MacBook-like) appearance and a starting price of $1,299, how does the Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 stand up against the competition? Keep reading and we'll let you know.
Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 Specifications:
* Windows Vista Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit)
* Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8700 (2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* 16.0 " TFT Widescreen display with LED backlighting (1366x768)
* 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz System Memory
* NVIDIA GeForce G 105M graphics with 256MB discrete memory
* 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Dual Layer CD/DVD Recordable
* 1.3 megapixel integrated camera
* JBL stereo speakers (Dolby Home Theater)
* Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100 and Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR
* Weight: 5.8 lb. including battery
* Dimensions: 390 X 260 X 26.1 mm
* Warranty: 1 year system and 1 year battery
* 6-cell 2000mAh 42Wh battery
* Retail Price as configured: $1,399
Build and Design
The IdeaPad Y650 has an all-new look compared to previous IdeaPad notebooks. As part of the new IdeaPad refresh earlier this year, the Y650 distinguishes itself as being one of the thinnest and lightest laptops in its class. In fact, the Y650 weighs less than the old Y530 15-inch laptop (5.8 pounds vs. 6.65 pounds as tested). Making use of thin metal, solid plastics, and even carbon fiber, Lenovo engineered this 16-inch laptop to be as thin and light as possible. The matte black exterior looks extremely classy. Inside the notebook the black exterior changes to a glossy white surface that surrounds the keyboard and touchpad. The massive palmrests (more on that later) provide excellent support with minimal flex. Overall, the design is very clean and gives the Apple MacBook a run for the money at first glance.
Build quality is excellent with a very rugged feel for a consumer multimedia notebook. When closed the Y650 feels almost as sturdy as the business-class ThinkPad notebooks with very little flex in the screen cover under strong pressure. On closer inspection of the lid, the matte black surface has a honeycomb pattern for subtle styling and easy gripping thanks to the rubberized paint. The body gives the notebook a great deal of support and the combination of metal and plastics used feel rugged enough to withstand regular day-to-day abuse without showing much wear. The only area that could see some mild improvement is the keyboard which shows some flex under heavy typing pressure.
The bottom of the notebook features the battery and an all-in-one bottom plate that must be removed in order to upgrade the RAM, hard drive, or replace any additional components. On one hand, this makes it easy to access the entire motherboard to make upgrades or repairs, but it also means Y650 owners have to remove 20 screws if they want to upgrade their notebook.
Unlike most notebooks that feature an optical drive (DVD/CD drive) located on the side of the notebook, Lenovo decided to move the optical drive to the front of the Y650. On the bright side, this means right-handed mouse users won't have to worry about the drive getting in the way. However, if you often use your notebook as a "laptop" this means the drive pops out into your crotch.
Display
The 16-inch panel on the Lenovo Y650 rates above average with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The LED backlighting in our review unit is slightly uneven in the upper right corner, but that's not entirely uncommon for larger notebook screens. Horizontal viewing angles are extremely good, so you won't have any trouble sharing a movie with a friend or two. Upper vertical viewing angles are above average since the colors don't wash out when viewed from above, but colors do begin to distort and invert as you move the screen back.
If there is any potential negative about this screen it's that the 16:9 ratio means you lose some vertical resolution. Most 15-inch laptop screens with a 16:10 ratio have a resolution of 1280x800 compared to the screen on the Y650 which has a resolution of 1366x768. This means you can fit more on the screen from left to right, but the screen is actually smaller from top to bottom.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the Y650 is quite unusual compared to the keyboards on most large multimedia notebooks. As notebooks get larger they usually end up using progressively larger keyboards, some that even include dedicated number pads like a traditional desktop keyboard. Lenovo decided to take a distinctly different approach and use a smaller keyboard in order to make more room available for a massive multi-touch touchpad.
As a result, the keyboard on the Y650 is roughly the same size as the keyboard you expect to find on a 14-inch or 13-inch laptop. This provides much more room for the touchpad, but it has the unfortunate side effect of turning the palmrests into armrests. The position of the keyboard is so far back that your forearms end up resting where your palms normally would. These "armrests" are so large I almost expected to find a built-in cup holder.
Despite the size of the keyboard relative to the rest of the notebook, the keyboard is quite comfortable to type on with reasonable key size and spacing. There is some flex when heavy typing pressure is applied, but overall this is a fine keyboard.
The touch sensitive media bar located above the keyboard gives quick access to EasyCapture (webcam controls), ReadyComm (wireless connectivity manager), VeriFace (facial recognition software), and OneKey (back up and recovery software).
The Synaptics-based touchpad is very large--much bigger than those found on previous IdeaPads--and very comfortable to use. Sensitivity is good, accurately tracking finger movement with little pressure on the surface. The matte white touchpad surface is easy to move your finger across while still providing a small amount of traction. The multi-touch gestures (such as zoom in and zoom out) are easy to use, but these multi-touch gesture controls have limited use until more software (including Windows) recognizes the gestures. The touchpad buttons have excellent feedback with a deep throw but they do produce a rather loud "click" when pressed.
Ports and Features
The port selection proved to be a little underwhelming with this laptop. Lenovo's engineers had to make some sacrifices in order to make the Y650 as thin and light as possible. This means the Y650 only has two USB ports, a smaller ExpressCard/34 slot rather than a larger ExpressCard/54 expansion slot, and no FireWire. Lenovo was kind enough to put an eSATA port on this notebook, but it would have been more impressive if they used an eSATA/USB combo port so that users could have a third USB port if they needed it.
Front: Wireless On/Off, optical drive
Rear: Screen hinge
Left: AC-Power, HDMI, VGA, and USB
Right: 6-in-1 card reader, USB, Headphone/Mic, eSATA, ExpressCard/34, Ethernet, Kensington lock slot
Speakers and Audio
The IdeaPad Y650 offers a pair of JBL-branded speakers that produce some extremely nice sound. The 2-watt stereo speakers have plenty of range and are free from any distortions until you increase the volume levels to near the maximum limit. The speaker don't have the chest thumping bass you expect from notebooks equipped with a subwoofer, but it's hard to complain about the quality of these speakers considering how light and thin this notebook is compared to most 16-inch and 17-inch notebooks.
Performance
The performance of the Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 processor and NVIDIA GeForce G 105M discrete graphics card was slightly less impressive than multimedia oriented notebooks like the Dell Studio XPS 16 which offered a better graphics card. On the other hand, the Y650 performed much better than the previous generation IdeaPad.
For day-to-day use or enjoying high definition video content the Y650 has more than enough power inside the chassis. For the average user this machine's performance will exceed expectations for web browsing, watching movies, typing documents, and fast startups or shutdowns. Gaming is where the Y650 falls behind the competition, delivering frame rates and producing benchmark scores that are only about half as good as some larger multimedia notebooks. Still, the key thing to keep in mind here is that the alternative notebooks in this class are heavier and thicker than the Y650.
WPrime is a benchmark similar to Super Pi in that it forces the processor to do intense mathematical calculations, but the difference is this application is multi-threaded and represents dual core processors better. Lower numbers indicate better performance.
Diposting oleh
fatih
The Cowon S9 isn't something new per se, but Cowon Japan was kind enough to provide people in Japan a limited edition S9 with 16GB version and wearing a new “Chrome Black” color.
Nothing new or different compared to the regular S9, we still have a 3.3” OLED screen with the 480x272, AVI, WMV, WMA, FLAC, OGG, APE, WAV, JPG support… Bluetooth...
Diposting oleh
fatih
Panasonic release a new TV portable TH-L17F1 with 17-inch OLED backlight. It’s equipped with IPV panel and 1366×768 pixel resolution.
The Panasonic L17F1 using 4 antenna which is like DSLR when it come to High Dynamic Range (HDR). The antennas will capture the same tv channel with 4 different image qualities and mix all of them for the clearest possible pictures.
I think this is the new technology to get best result on tv-channel with antenna diversity. The price is not available yet.
Diposting oleh
fatih
Samsung release a new DSLR camera - the NX Series which also said it’s a hybrid camera. It can combine DSLR image quality and compact point and shoot. Samsung NX Series has some features like conventional DSLRs uses APS-C sized image sensor for a larger surface area to gather light. It doesn’t include a mirror box and have ultra-precise Electronic Viewfinder. The detail specification is not available yet but it will be available on second half of 2009.
Diposting oleh
fatih
The latest headset that has drawn the most attention for buyers is German Ultrasone headphones. A unique super-qualitative and marvelous design represents general gadget’s great features. Exterior surface is covered with a ruthenium metal that makes the headphones looking smooth and shining. Except the attractive mirror base Ultrasone headphones hide not less attractive ear cups which coverage is perfectly dressed with Ethiopian sheepskin making them pleasant on a touch and wearing. The plugs are plated with the gold that doesn’t make this headset cheap – it will cost you 1500 USD.
A new built in S-Logic Plus technology developed by the Ultrasone Company assumes new decisions in a headset workings out. It supposes reproduction of natural sounds without any incoming noises and hindrances. Enhanced sound quality allow to the listener listening the music or other sounds with audio detail accuracy. Frequency possibilities fluctuate from 6 Hz to 42 kHz. This means that you’ll not get any of the sound distortion. Bringing you quality and comfort, Ultrasone headphones would be valuable for you not only in the sense of price. If you attempt to get pleasure separately in your own room, quite music and presence of Ultrasone headset will help you to achieve this high.
If you are still doubt in getting and using this device because of its not economical feature, I will tell you about one more interesting characteristic. S-Logic tech supposes also reducing 40% of unlikable sound pressure that sometimes irritates us. It is a great pass forward in the gadget’s development, considering that fact the other headphones worsen hearing by beating on the ear drums.
Making conclusions, I want to notice about the fact that Ultrasone headphones combine two really annoying things – elegant design and supplementing it high-quality features. Thus the Company risks taking the leading positions in the market and winning popularity between buyers. Definitely it is one of the best gadgets between headset devices.
Diposting oleh
fatih
Abatec - an Austrian enterprise, has recently made an interesting research from our point of view, and came up with a really geeky gadget. Guys from Abatec looked closely at RFID technology, studied it and figured out a way how to put it in practice for outdoor sports. What they did is basically very simple if you know what RFID technology is. Anyway, starting in snowboarding, RFID will bring the ability to track down every move of snowboarder when he is on the track. Reminds me of telemetry used widely in motorsport - idea is the same: to gather as much information from where the action takes place as possible.
RFID is an abbreviation of Radio Frequency Identification. The name speaks for itself. Radio sensors, placed on snowboard in our case, send information to data center where trainer for example can see every nuance of the one under wardship, hence coach can be more factual about his or hers mistakes or progress. On the other hand, training centers can provide beginners with better videos of professional snowboarders on the track.
Sounds cool, doesn't it? But RFID doesn't work that easy. First of all, every slope where this radio technology is going to be used has to be equipped with dozens of receivers alongside every route. They in turn will need some processing power to calculate data delay. The good side is then that there is nothing to be very expensive in this scheme. Also, RFID can be applied to more outdoor sports like skiing or skating. Nontheless, RFID still needs to go thru some adjustments to work well in tandem with a snowboard so we probably will not hear about it again any time soon.
Diposting oleh
fatih
I urinate enough. I don’t need a USB powered bamboo water garden to exacerbate my already too many trips to the bathroom. USB junk is on the rise and it’s looking as if it might never stop. More of a joke gift than anything else, I can’t see anyone buying this for themselves. Only 25 dollars, I can see this being funny at airports and such. Would definitely be cooler if there was whiskey running through it! The day I post on the USB bedpan, life will have truly come full circle.
There are those who like the sound of water flowing so much, that it induces them to be more cheerful and settled. Then there are others who just have to pee, in any case the makers of this new USB Bamboo fountain surely had something in mind when they made it. Perhaps it’s an attempt to calm the mind of a traveler while he is busy typing away on his laptop, while worrying about depleting battery life. Not a great solution, but incase you want such a bamboo fountain keep you check book ready to sign off $25 for eternal bliss. It also comes in a multicolored LED option for the same price.
Diposting oleh
fatih on Rabu, 04 Maret 2009
All of us attending lectures wish to possess such a device that would be able to store and reproduce the information given by professors. Of course it's possible to use a simple voice recorder for this purpose, yet it will not help you much, because both aural and visual memories should be involved in the process of memorizing in order to ensure its high efficiency. But now you can stop worrying about this because Livescribe has just presented its new product. Pulse Smartpen represents a pen with embedded computer that captures handwriting and simultaneously records audio, synchronizing it to the writing.
Users simply tap on the word to replay what was recorded while writing this word. The Pulse Smartpen has an ARM 9 processor and a high speed infrared camera with a Dot Positioning System (DPS) that works with the Dot paper Notebook. The micro dots printed on the paper tell the Pulse Smartpen where a user is writing or taping. The Paper Replay Notebook costs around the same price as a regular notebook, and users can print their own dot paper for free on their personal printers.
The pen comes with a 3D recording headset especially designed for far-field recording. Moreover each earbud has an embedded microphone to record in large room or noisy environment. The goal is to record exactly what’s coming into both ears.
Each registered user has 250 MB of online storage and can share notes and audio as interactive Flash movies or PDF files. Livescribe is also launching the Livescribe Developer Program to invite programmers to develop applications for the Pulse Smartpen. Some applications will be available soon, handwriting and audio conversion into digital text, Spanish translator, games, books, and special education tools for visually-impaired people.
The Pulse Smartpen comes in two versions: the 1GB model with 100 hours of audio storage and 16000 pages of digital notes, priced at /9, the 2GB model doubles the storage and /$ 199 USD. It will be available in March and the Apple version will ship in September.
Thus, this gadget will perfectly fit to students and business people as well. Yet, despite the fact that it's a very useful device, some may be enough happy with the option of writing with a simple pen.
Diposting oleh
fatih
Cars are probably the least computerized modern world's part of life from the user's point of view. Undoubtedly, car manufacturers have gone far away that software and hardware alley if we speak about vehicle control systems or all the engines sensors and suspension adjusters, but for driver and passengers there usually is not much left of that processing power. Even in today's luxury sedans you all you get is a lite shell for GPS, e-mail or media stuff. Things however are slightly better with mobile operating systems. Your Window Mobile for instance can be synchronized with Fiat 500.
In any case though cars don't match with even netbooks mostly I think because of lack of common platform. This is where Microsoft cuts in with their Auto vehicle software platform. Its version Auto 4.0 will be shown tomorrow at Hanover's CeBIT 2009. Microsoft Auto software is aimed exactly at what we have been previously speaking about - combining all the computer systems people deal with in a car into one and sharing this platform with as many car manufacturers as possible.
For users it means that they can take almost files from their PC's, upload them to car's hard drive, playback them and / or download files from car to mobile devices. Other features include easier gadget integration for carmakers, wider compatibility for different types of devices, voice command recognition, internet television and radio streaming, etc. Primarily, Microsoft Auto 4.0 will be developer's tool - it eliminates the need to develop own operating system for every brand out there cutting costs and easing user's experience.
Microsoft Auto 4.0 can run with older ARM and SH-based processors just like previous versions of it, and in addition it also supports Intel Atom Z5xx series - one of the best to use in cars today, as Intel's and Microsoft's developers recon.
Microsoft Auto 4.0 starts its live in Hyundais, then move in Maseratis, Fiats and Alfa Romeos with their next-gen Blue&Me interface. Later Auto 4.0 will appear in Ford Motor Company's brands, probably by the year 2011 or so.
Diposting oleh
fatih
ASUS has a new concept notebook on the books, one that in fact looks like a book. The Dual Panel Concept thought up at WePC.com gives users a customizable interface depending situation. You can set both screens up to display text if you want to read a book, then quickly switch one screen to a keyboard to take notes or a touch surface to edit photos. The possibilities are endless, leaving it up to the programmer or user to find the perfect balance of function for the given application, instead of the original hardware designer. This type of all-inclusive design could mean one device could handle the functions of a netbook, tablet, E-book, media player at the touch of a button.
Currently the Dual Screen Concept is only vaporware or a small step above, but we can always hope for these types of ideas to trickle down in future models. For more concept models and other cool designs people are coming up with, checkout
Diposting oleh
fatih
Don’t be mistaken, the Xcaster 5000 is no ordinary HD camera. In fact, this thing is a balls out work horse. It’s able to stream HD video to and from the device, capture high quality audio and all the while let the user engage in a full on conference call. There are a few different versions available, with the top end including a semi-indestructible, waterproof build and 802.11n connectivity enabling a high bit rate wireless video stream. Every Xcaster includes a rugged touchscreen and the icing on the cake…an open source OS: Linux.
Introduction
The Xcaster is a wireless High Definition camera that is designed to help organizations and companies reduce their travel cost, decrease their carbon footprint and substancially increase their efficiency. This is obtained through communicating using telepresence quality audio and video along with advanced laser based collaboration technology. The compact and rugged designed product features the latest streaming and video conferencing standards available on the market, including SIP, H.323 as well as ISMA streaming.
State of the art technology
The Xcaster is combining state of the art hardware and peripheral technologies with the Linux operating system running Pixavi's latest video conferencing signaling, QoS, collaboration and streaming software and firewall traversal technology. With the addition of state of the art wireless networking technology like 802.11a, 802.11g and the brand new 802.11n, the Xcaster is simply as close as you can come to the ultimate video conferencing device.
The Pixavi approach
The general idea of video conferencing today is based on face to face communications, to enable participants in meetings to see each other from different locations. Pixavi has since 1999 offered a new way of utilizing video conferencing and collaboration technology. Having the benefit of the latest wireless technology, video compression codecs and the fastest processing power in a compact, wearable design, the Pixavi customers are able to take the organizational expertise to wherever it is needed.
Familiar and intuitive user interface
The Xcaster features a blend between two worlds: video conferencing and mobile phones. By using well known symbols and interfaces, users will automatically know how to operate the product, without the need for extensive training.
PC gaming is just that. It’s not Mac gaming. Mac gaming may never see the true light of day due to the endless upgradable components found in high end PC gaming rigs. The Lycosa Mirror Special Edition Gaming KeyBoard by Razer is a fully programmable macros backlit gaming keyboard for the PC.
