Jabra Cruiser

Cruiser control

Bluetooth Speakerphone Review: Jabra Cruiser
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 30, 2010

Does your Bluetooth headset sit uncomfortably on your ear or do you struggle to put one on to answer a call while driving? Try Jabra's Bluetooth speakerphone, Cruiser.

Weighing 85g and measuring slightly bigger than an Apple iPhone 3GS, the Cruiser is light, portable and elegantly designed

Status indicator lights for battery, call, connection and FM radio on the top of the speakerphone illuminate gently. The volume control, FM radio, on/off buttons and charging socket sit on the sides. On its back lies a sturdy clip - don't be deceived by its flimsy appearance - that lets you clamp the phone to the sun visor of you car.

Pairing the Cruiser with your mobile phone is effortless. Turn the Cruiser on and it will be in pairing mode. It immediately found my iPhone and paired it. For other phones, you might need to enter a PIN code before pairing.

While you can pair two devices at the same time, you can only use one for calling. When there are incoming calls, the speakerphone will announce the caller's name if your mobile phone supports phonebook access.

If it doesn't, the Cruiser will announce the phone number instead, as in the case of my iPhone.

The call quality of Cruiser is good, but the volume, even when maxed, is not loud enough for me, especially when there's noisy traffic.

In addition, the other party could hear the background noise when I was using the Cruiser while driving. Thankfully, when I spoke, it was clear, as my voice seemed to override the background noise.

Perhaps, the most interesting point about Cruiser is that it allows you to stream music to your car audio speakers from your smartphone. When a call comes in, the music automatically fades and you can answer the call without a hitch.

All these conveniences come at a price - $198, twice the average amount for a typical Bluetooth headset. Trevor Tan

Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth Car Kit, Speakerphone

Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth Car Kit Speakerphone

Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone Car Kit



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Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro

Pocket cutie

Smartphone Review: Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini pro
by May Chua
05:55 AM Jul 30, 2010

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini Pro (U20i) Unlocked GSM Android Smartphone with 5MP Camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Touch Screen, QWERTY Keyboard--International Version with No US Warranty (Black)

At a time when most smartphone manufacturers are making their screens bigger, it's rare to see one with a display that's a mere 2.55 inches. And this is how Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 mini pro ($588 without contract) goes against the grain - it's smaller than a credit card, at 90x52mm.

While its size makes it fetching to some, its thickness (17mm) reduces its attractiveness somewhat. However, the convenience offered by the slide-out Qwerty keyboard, which has well-spaced keys and a nice feel, makes its less-than-slim profile forgivable.

Sony Ericsson has customised the user interface of the Android operating system, adding features such as four customisable shortcuts on the corners of each home screen, as well as a social app called Timescape.

Timescape compiles the SMSes and missed calls from your contacts in the phone as well as status updates from your Facebook and Twitter friends, and presents them in a stream of thumbnails for you to flick through.

While Timescape offers a neat way of keeping up with your friends' lives on the go, its rather cumbersome method of truncating the longer status updates and directing you to the Facebook or Twitter webpage to read them in full is disappointing.

You also have to reply through these webpages: Timescape only allows you to update your own status.

There is an "infinite" button in the music player that searches YouTube for the name of the artist and lists all the videos it finds - a nice touch. I also like that you can quickly and reliably disable the data connection from the notification bar or a home screen widget.

The performance of the handset's 600MHz Qualcomm processor is faster than expected, but lags a little sometimes, for example, when loading messages and photos.

One grouse I have about the mini pro is that it cannot send or receive files via Bluetooth unless you install an app to do so.

The phone comes with an 8GB microSD card (its slot supports up to 16GB). It runs on Android 1.6, but Sony Ericsson will roll out upgrades for the OS to version 2.1 from the third quarter onwards.

With the music player, push mail, WiFi and Bluetooth on, and Timescape updating itself every hour, the battery lasts for about 12 hours. With less intensive use (Bluetooth off and music playing intermittently), it lasts for about 14 hours.

The Xperia X10 mini pro's small size is a double-edged sword - being tiny distinguishes it from the crowd and makes for convenient one-handed operation, but that also gives it all the disadvantages of a downsized screen. This includes an inferior video-watching and web-surfing experience. May Chua

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini Pro (U20i) Unlocked GSM Android Smartphone with 5MP Camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Touch Screen, Qwerty Keyboard--International Version with No US Warranty (White)

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini E10i Unlocked Smartphone with 5 MP Camera, Android OS, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--International Version with Warranty (Silver)

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Razer Vespula

Razer sharp pad

Gaming Peripheral Review: Razer Vespula
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 30, 2010

With the exceptional optical and laser technologies baked into modern mice today, do you still need a mousepad like the Razer Vespula ($49)?

Vespula is a hard-surface, dual-sided gaming mousepad with a detachable wrist rest. It's a great-looking pad - quintessentially Razer - and comes packaged in a cool box.

The mousepad boasts Control and Speed surfaces. On the coarse, textured Control surface, you can make precise mouse movements. On the spanking-smooth Speed surface, you can make ultra-fast mouse movements.

This means you are essentially getting two mousepads for the price of one. The mouse cursor moves a shorter distance on the Control surface compared to the same movement of the mouse on the Speed surface. I prefer the Control surface as precision triumphs over pace for me.

There are four grips on the corners of Vespula but they are not particularly sticky. Thankfully, you can rest the mousepad on the soft gel-filled wrist rest, which comes with a high grip natural rubber base. Not only does it protect your wrist from fatigue and injury, it makes the mousepad unmovable in spite of your rapid and forceful mouse movements.

At 300x220mm, some gamers might find it small compared to other Razer mousepads. But it's just the right size for me as it doesn't take up much table space. Besides, tracking is really accurate on the Vespula so you don't need a big surface to maneuver your mouse. Trevor Tan















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Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite, 3G Works Globally

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G, 6" Display, White - 2nd Generation

Kindle at a Glance

New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen 50% better contrast than any other e-reader. The clearest text and sharpest images. Read in Bright Sunlight Unlike LCD screens, Kindle's screen reads like real paper, with no glare. Read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room. Lighter Than a Paperback At only 8.7 ounces and 1/3 of an inch thin, Kindle is lighter than a paperback and thinner than a magazine. Holds 3,500 Books We doubled Kindle's storage so you can carry up to 3,500 books. Battery Life of Up to One Month A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off. Keep wireless always on and go for up to 10 days without recharging. Free 3G Wireless No annual contracts, no monthly fees. Download books anytime, anywhere. Global 3G Coverage Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories. Built-In Wi-Fi Connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Includes free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. Quieter Page Turn Buttons Quieter page turning means you won't disturb your partner when you want to read all night. Share Meaningful Passages Share meaningful passages with friends and family with built-in Twitter and Facebook integration. Simple to Use Kindle is ready to use right out of the box - no setup, no software to install, no computer required.   Books in 60 Seconds With fast, free wireless delivery, you can start reading books in less than 60 seconds. No computer required. Massive Selection Over 630,000 books, including 109 of 111 New York Times Best Sellers, plus audiobooks, periodicals and blogs. For non-U.S. customers, content availability varies. Free, Out-of-Copyright Books Over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are available such as Pride and Prejudice. Low Book Prices Over 510,000 books are $9.99 or less, including 80 current New York Times Best Sellers. Free Book Samples Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy. Read Everywhere with Whispersync Your Kindle books can be read on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, Android device, and BlackBerry. Our Whispersync technology syncs your place across devices, so you can pick up where you left off. Worry-Free Archive Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are automatically backed up online in your Kindle library on Amazon. Re-download books wirelessly for free, anytime. Read-to-Me With Text-to-Speech, Kindle can read English-language content out loud to you. Improved PDF Reader Now with new dictionary lookup, notes and highlights, and support for password protected PDFs. Easily carry all of your documents on the go.

All-New Design

Lighter & Thinner - Only 8.7 Ounces
When reading for long periods of time, we know that weight matters. That’s why we worked hard to make our newest Kindle lighter than ever – only 8.7 ounces – so you can read comfortably for hours with just one hand. Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback, and thinner than a magazine. Just a third of an inch in profile, Kindle fits perfectly in your hands.

Ergonomic Design
Kindle is easy to hold and read. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages from any position. The new soft-touch, textured back is comfortable to hold and never gets hot in your hands.

Never Gets Hot
Unlike a laptop or tablet, Kindle never gets hot so you can read comfortably as long as you like.

Simple to Use, No Computer Required
Unlike most electronic devices, we wanted to keep Kindle simple. Kindle is wireless and ready to use right out of the box – no setup, no software to install, no computer required.

Long Battery Life - Up to a Month

Battery Life of Up to One Month
A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off. Keep wireless always on and it lasts for up to ten days. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low-coverage areas or in EDGE/GPRS-only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.

Charge Via USB
Kindle ships with a U.S. power adapter and a micro-USB cable for charging your Kindle from a computer USB port. The U.S. power adapter supports voltages 100V-240V.

Wireless Access With Whispernet

Get Books in 60 Seconds
Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus a high-speed data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. Wireless download times can vary based on 3G or EDGE/GPRS coverage, signal strength, and file size.

No Monthly Wireless Bills or Annual Contracts
No monthly wireless bills or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a monthly wireless bill. There is no wireless setup – you are ready to shop, purchase, and read right out of the box.

Your Kindle may use wireless connectivity to make other services available, such as wireless delivery of personal documents, which may require an additional charge.

Global 3G Coverage
Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds. Kindle uses GSM technology—the most popular mobile wireless standard - with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and many others. Stay in touch with news from home by having your newspaper and magazine subscriptions delivered wirelessly while you travel.

For U.S. customers traveling abroad, additional charges apply for wireless delivery of periodical subscriptions.

New, Built-In Wi-Fi
Kindle automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks at school, home, or your favorite café. At a hotel or café that requires a password? Simply enter the password and connect to the network. Once you have added a Wi-Fi network, Kindle will automatically connect to that network the next time you’re near the hotspot. Kindle does not currently connect to enterprise or peer-to-peer networks.

Free Access at AT&T Hotspots
Enjoy free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content — no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.

Carry Your Library in 8.7 Ounces

Holds up to 3,500 Books
The ultimate travel companion, Kindle weighs 8.7 ounces and holds up to 3,500 books. No longer pick and choose which books fit in your carry-on. You can always have your entire Kindle library with you.

Worry-Free Archive
Delete with abandon. We automatically keep an archival copy of your Kindle books—re-download for free, anytime. We even back up your last page read and annotations, so when you re-download to the device you can pick up where you left off with all of your notes still in place.

Collections
Organize your Kindle library into collections, or categories, to easily access any book you are looking for. You can add an item to multiple collections to make organizing and finding titles even easier. For example, you can add the same book to your "History" and "My Favorite Authors" collections.

Reading, Revolutionized

Lose Yourself in Your Reading
The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Our top design objective is to make Kindle disappear — just like a physical book — so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.

Paper-Like Screen with 50% Improved Contrast
Our latest Kindle uses Amazon's all new, high-contrast E-Ink screen with 50% better contrast than any other e-reader, for the clearest text and sharpest images. With our new display, text "pops" from the page, creating a reading experience most similar to reading on printed paper. Sharp and natural with no glare or backlight, reading on Kindle is nothing like reading on a computer screen. Those who see it for the first time always do a double-take.

New Proprietary Screen Technology - Faster Page Turns, New and Improved Fonts
Kindle’s new, high-contrast display is further optimized with Amazon’s proprietary waveform and font technology to make pages turn faster and fonts sharper. Waveform is a series of electronic pulses that move black and white electronic ink particles to achieve a final gray level for an image or text. We have tuned Kindle's waveform and controller mechanism to make page turning 20% faster. This waveform tuning, combined with new hand-built, custom fonts and font-hinting, make words and letters more crisp, clear, and natural-looking. Font hints are instructions, written as code, that control points on a font character's line and improve legibility at small font sizes where few pixels are available. Hinting is a mix of aesthetic judgments and complicated technical strategies. We've designed our proprietary font-hinting to optimize specifically for the special characteristics of electronic ink.

Read in Sunlight with No Glare
Kindle's screen reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.

Adjustable Text Size
Kindle has eight adjustable font sizes to suit your reading preference. You can increase the text size of your favorite book or periodical with the push of a button. If your eyes tire, simply increase the font size and continue reading comfortably. Now every book in your library can be large print.

New Font Choices
Kindle now has three font styles to choose from - our standard Caecilia font, a condensed version of Caecilia, and a sans serif option - so you can change your font style along with the font size.

Screen Rotation
Manually rotate the display from portrait to landscape to view maps, graphs, tables and Web pages.

Newspaper Reading
Using Kindle's 5-way controller, you can quickly flip between articles, making it faster and easier to browse and read the morning paper. Want to remember the newspaper or magazine article you just read? Clip and save entire articles for later reading with a single click. Newspapers are auto-delivered wirelessly to Kindle before they hit newsstands.

Sharp Display of Images and Photos
Kindle's high-resolution screen boasts 16 shades of gray and 50% improved contrast, for the sharpest text and images.

Support for New Characters
Kindle can now display Cyrillic (such as Russian), Japanese, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Korean characters in addition to Latin and Greek scripts.

Full Image Zoom
Images and photos display crisply on Kindle and can be zoomed to the full size of the screen.

Precise 5-Way Controller
Kindle has an easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words. No on-screen fingerprints.

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Amazon ups the ante in e-reader war

SAN FRANCISCO

THE chief executive of Amazon. com has cut prices and added features to the Kindle to defend it against a threat from Apple in the fast-growing market for electronic readers.

Mr Jeff Bezos introduced two new versions of the device yesterday, including a US$139 (S$190) model that works with Wi-Fi.

A second version, with 3G mobile technology as well as Wi-Fi to download books, costs US$189.

Mr Bezos said that focusing on features that make it easier to download and read books will help distinguish its e-reader from Apple’s multi-purpose iPad.

The Kindle is the centrepiece of Amazon.com’s strategy to capitalise on growing consumer interest in digital books.

By offering best-selling e-books for US$9.99 that can be read only on the Kindle or its software, Amazon.com is seeking to lock in consumers while it is still the market leader.

“We’re trying to build something that’s great for long-form reading, something you’d use if you want to sit down and read for two hours,” Mr Bezos said in an interview.

He added: “Our mission on the device side of the business is to use the latest technology to make the very best purpose-built reading device. We think that’s a mass product.”

The latest Kindles are thinner and lighter than previous versions and feature faster
page turns and sharper resolution.

They are also designed for easier reading in sunlight and have batteries that will last for a month on a single charge – two weeks longer than those for a previous model. The devices will ship on Aug 27. A notice on the company’s website said that a Kindle model costing US$189 is temporarily out of stock.

Mr Bezos said Kindle sales began accelerating when the price was cut by 27 per cent to US$189 last month. Offering a Kindle for US$50 below that price will spur adoption even more, he said.

BLOOMBERG


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Pinch and pull with this iMac companion

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA

APPLE has unveiled the latest update to its line of desktop computers, promising faster speeds and offering the option of multi-touch controls, similar to those used on the iPhone. Apple said its new line of iMac desktops, with new processors from Intel and new graphics chips, are the company’s fastest, AP reported.

The iMacs, which tuck the inner workings of the computer behind the flat-screen monitor, cost US$1,199 (S$1,635) to US$1,999, depending on speed and screen size.

Windows computer makers, such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard, have turned their similar all-in-one desktop computers into touch-screen media centres, where families can, for example, browse through photos and play music.

Apple, however, has maintained that, while touch screens work well on the iPhone and the iPad, they do not make sense on a Mac.

Its MacBook laptops have track pads that respond to the two-finger pinch-and-pull controls of the iPhone.

Now, Mac buyers can also pay an extra US$69 for what Apple calls the Magic Trackpad, a sleek, glass-topped aluminium touch pad that connects to Apple computers using wireless Bluetooth technology, PCWorld reported.

The standalone device works with all of Apple’s computers and runs on two AA batteries.

The Magic Trackpad is likely to please fans such as PCWorld writer Harry McCracken, who described it as appealing and stylish.

He wrote: “I’m not exactly anti-mouse, but mice take up a lot of space, have a nasty habit of colliding with papers and other items, and are sometimes hostile to southpaws like me.”

Mr McCracken even proposed that Apple actively promote its Magic Trackpad by making it the default pointing device that ships with iMacs and Mac Pros.

Apple on Tuesday also released a new line of Mac Pro desktops, which resemble a traditional boxy PC and require a separate monitor.

Like the new iMacs, Apple said that the latest Pro computers carry faster processors – the brains of a computer – as well as new graphics chips that produce a sharper display, according to AP.

Additionally, the company has released a new standalone 27-inch LED screen for US$999, which can be hooked up to a laptop or desktop.

Apple said that the display is 60 per cent bigger than its 24-inch LED display.

AGENCIES

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Plug to clean toothbrush

PEOPLE who like to brush their teeth after meals but are always on the go now have a gadget to help them clean their toothbrushes. UVmini has launched a USB-powered toothbrush sanitiser – about the size of a dental-floss kit – that kills germs with ultraviolet light.

(PHOTO: INTERNET)

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Sharp challenges rivals in lucrative e-reader market

TOKYO

SHARP said on Tuesday that it would launch an e-reader this year, which can handle text as well as video and audio content, in a bid to challenge Apple and other rivals in the lucrative market.

The Japanese electronics giant said that it had updated its e-book format with the “nextgeneration XMDF” platform, an advanced multimedia version of the XMDF format for text and still images that it launched in 2001.

“The next-generation XMDF enables easy viewing of digital content, including video and audio, and allows automatic adjustment of the layout to match and meet publishers’ needs,” Sharp said in a statement.

Sharp plans to begin the service and sell two types of e-readers, which resemble Apple’s iPhone and iPad, by the end of the year in Japan, and will then also export the gadgets.

“Now, there is a lot of attention on the e-publishing business,” Mr Masami Obatake, a senior Sharp official, told a news of this year will be good timing.”

The company said it had already reached basic accords with major Japanese publishers
and newspaper companies on content, adding that it was open to further collaboration to establish an e-book market.

In late May, Sony announced a similar plan jointly with telecoms operator KDDI, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper company and the Toppan printing company, with each company taking a 25 per cent stake.
AFP

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iPad

iPad it up

With cool accessories like these, what's not to like about Apple's new iPad?
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 23, 2010

If you haven't already heard, the Apple iPad will be officially launched in Singapore today. If you're queuing up to get one now, we recommend these accessories as well - they'll go a long way in protecting and complementing your prized possession.



1. Speck CandyShell Case ($69; www.distexpress.com)

You'll most likely want to protect the iPad's magnificent-looking aluminum back. The Speck CandyShell Case will do the job with its hard shell and soft rubberised interior lining that protect your iPad from scratches. Even the front bezel lining and button covers are rubberised to offer more shock absorption and protection. Plus, a flip-back panel located at the bottom lets you dock the device on Apple's iPad Dock or Keyboard Dock without having to remove the case. Available in black or purple.



2. Power Support Air Jacket Set for iPad - Clear ($99.90; www.mcbay.com.sg)

If you want to protect your iPad but would like the lovely Apple logo to be visible on the back of the device, use the Power Support Air Jacket Set Clear case. It comes with a screen protector and a great microfiber cloth. The case fits snugly and is easy to install. The thin plastic casing looks as though it's not there but gives you the comfort of knowing that your device is well protected. A black version is available as well.



3. Twelve South BookArc for iPad ($65; www.equestinternational.com)

Twelve South's BookArc for iPad is probably one of the best-looking tabletop iPad stands. Made from a single piece of solid steel and carved into a stylish but sturdy arc with a slot in the middle to house your iPad, the BookArc lets you view your iPad horizontally or vertically while it's still connected to a charging cable. The arc in front of the slot lets you access the iPad's Home button when the iPad is placed vertically. A silicon insert around the slot ensures your iPad remains scratch-free. There's even a second insert to accommodate your iPad if it has a shell-style case. How thoughtful!



4. Gelaskins for iPad (US$29.95; www.gelaskins.com)

Having a case fixed on your iPad might not be everyone's cup of tea as it makes the iPad look bigger than it is. Try the fabulous Gelaskins - removable and customisable covers with a durable anti-scratch and anti-ultraviolet coating that protects your iPad from abrasion. The skins utilise patented 3M adhesive that make Gelaskins easy to apply without air bubbles. If your first application is not perfect, just peel the skin off and reapply it. You can choose from numerous arty designs for the skin and download the accompanying wallpaper to complete the look.



5. Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (US$29, http://store.apple.com/sg/)

One accessory that you have to get is Apple's very own iPad Camera Connection Kit. It includes two connectors with different interfaces - one with a USB port, the other an SD card reader. Both connectors allow you to download photos from your camera or your SD card onto the iPad. And apparently, you can use USB keyboards and other USB-based audio devices on the USB connector, even though they are not officially supported. This hot entity goes for more than $100 on local online forums. Local pricing was not available at press time. Nonetheless, by the time you read this sentence, the kit's probably sold out in local stores, too.



6. Capdase PrivacyGuard Roamer 360 Degree ($99.90; www.mcbay.com.sg)

Holding your iPad in a cafe or in the MRT might score you some attention but it could attract unwelcome peeks from your neighbours as well. Fret not. Use the Capdase Privacyguard Roamer 360 Degree screen protector. Not only does it protect your iPad screen, it also prevents curious onlookers from peeking at your screen as it reduces the viewing angle to 35 degrees. Be careful when you apply the screen protector. The smallest twitch during application will cause air bubbles.



7. MacAlly BTKeyMini (Pricing TBC; www.macally.com)

If you value practicality over looks, pick up the MacAlly BTKeyMini portable Bluetooth keyboard and stand. The 77-key keyboard has a cover that doubles as a stand, allowing you to place your iPad in landscape or portrait mode. Despite its ordinary looks, the keyboard is small and slim enough (222x103x16mm) for you to slot into your bag. And it works with the iPhone, iPod Touch and any computer with Bluetooth capability. However, worldwide availability and pricing is yet to be confirmed.



8. SwitchEasy TRIG for iPad ($59; www.distexpress.com)

There are tons of iPad sleeves in the market now. You can try the SwitchEasy TRIG. It not only houses your iPad but doubles as a stand. Fold the flaps and snap on the buttons to secure the device. You can then place your iPad on the base grip vertically or horizontally. The reinforced panels offer protection and stability. And the inner lining is so soft you can slide your iPad in and out effortlessly. A screen guard, a microfiber cloth and a handy screen squeegee are bundled in the package. TRIG comes in six colours - black, arctic (white), magnesium, mustard, blue and viola (purple).



9. iHome iB969 (Pricing TBC; www.techventis.com)

The iHome iB969 is a charging station that wants to charge not only your iPad but also almost every other gadget you have. With a built-in iPad stand and dual universal docks, you can charge your iPad, iPhone, iPod, Amazon Kindle and even a Blackberry through USB. There is an expandable rest area that fits almost all eBook readers. According to its local distributor, the iHome iB969 will only be available in Singapore in the last quarter of this year.



Visit Tech Talk at http://blogs.todayonline.com/techtalk/ to read our thoughts on the iPad.

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100723-0000050/iPad-it-up

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SpyNet Video Watch

Watch for this, spy wannabes

NEW YORK

FANS of Dick Tracy’s two-way wrist radio and two-way wrist TV screen can look forward to having something similar on their wrists soon.

The SpyNet Video Watch (right) will arrive in stores in the United States next month. It will retail at US$50 (S$68).

The watch, made by Jakks Pacific, is the main component in a line of spy-related toys. But the features are nothing kiddy.

Beneath the clear 1.4-inch TFT colour screen is a lithium-ion polymer battery that recharges from a computer’s USB port.

That provides power to the microphone, still and video cameras, a stopwatch and a
voice-manipulator utility that can make a person sound like a chipmunk.

The onboard 128MB of memory stores 2,000 JPEG photos, four hours of audio wav files, or 30 minutes of video in QVGA, in 320x240 resolution, on a par with those of a low-end mobile phone.

Add-ons include a US$25 Snake Cam that plugs into the mini-USB port and extends the
camera’s view under a door or around a corner. Oh, and the watch tells the time, too.

NYT

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Smartphone review: Motorola Milestone XT with HDMI Output

Decent camera, but laggy performance

Smartphone review: Motorola Milestone XT

by May Chua
05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010

MOTOROLA has launched yet another Android phone, and what sets this apart from the rest of the pack is the inclusion of an HDMI output.

Using an HDMI cable, you can easily connect the Motorola Milestone XT to a high-definition (HD) television to play your multimedia files. It worked like a charm when I tried it, delivering smooth playback.

The phone looks sleek, with a trim 10.9mm profile and shiny metal frame around its front. Weighing 139g, it feels nice and solid. The 3.7-inch display is sharp, making Web surfing enjoyable.

The Android 2.1 device runs on a 550MHz Cortex A8 processor, and is more laggy than the 1GHz-powered handsets I'm used to. The task manager and messages take longer than usual to load when several applications are running in the background.

The pre-installed task manager, however, is a useful feature for a multitasking platform like Android, especially since there's no quit function for many apps.

Moto Phone Portal - a Web browser that lets you access data like contacts, SMSes and media files in the phone from your computer through a USB or WiFi connection - also deserves a thumbs-up.

The 8-megapixel camera in the XT takes decent pictures. I like the fact that it allows you to select an area to focus on using the touchscreen, and that you get seven scenes to choose from. But I tend to get grainy pictures in low-light environments where using the (blindingly bright) xenon flash results in overexposure. The night mode helps, but not always.

The four touch-sensitive buttons below the display sometimes get in the way of photo-taking. I kept activating the Home or Back buttons just as I'd finished framing the picture. Video clips recorded are sharp enough, though the camera has problems focusing when it comes to close-up shots.

Battery life is reasonable, lasting about 17 hours with push mail, WiFi and Bluetooth on. The Motorola Milestone XT ($988, without contract) comes with an 8GB microSD card, and is sold exclusively from StarHub. May Chua

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Techreviews/EDC100716-0000048/Decent-camera,-but-laggy-performance

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Rain, rain, go away

Rain, rain, go away
by May Chua
05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010
If there's one thing precious gizmos hate, it's water. This makes it a little inconvenient for techies in certain tropical (read: rainy) countries sometimes, especially during the recent spate of flash floods. Gear up with these water-resistant gadgets so that the next monsoon season won't catch you unawares. May Chua



1 Olympus µTOUGH-6020 ($498)

Rainy days are no sweat for this 14-megapixel compact camera, which is waterproof to a depth of 5m. In fact, you can even drop it from heights of up to 1.5m, or bring it to a winter wonderland with temperatures as low as -10ºC - and it will still work. Other features include 5x optical zoom and high-definition video recording at 1,280x720 pixels.




2 Panasonic Toughbook CF-C1 ($3,199)

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-C1's spill-resistant keyboard can survive having up to six ounces (about 177ml) of water poured onto it. This convertible tablet PC has also passed other torturous lab tests, such as a 76cm free fall. The specs are not too shabby - you get a 12.1-inch touchscreen and a 2.40GHz Intel Core i5 processor. This tough cookie will be launched in Singapore in September.




3 Sony Walkman NWZ-W252 ($129)

Ever got caught in the rain while on a run? This water-resistant MP3 player will stick by you in such situations. Joggers will like its wire-free design and accessible button controls located under the earphones. With 2GB of storage and an 11-hour battery life, it can probably last you through a couple of wet, gloomy days.




4 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card ($209.99)

Protect your memories with tough storage devices like SanDisk's 32GB microSDHC card. According to SanDisk, this memory card can withstand up to 72 hours in 1m-deep salt or fresh water. Even if your gadget doesn't live to see the end of the downpour, the data stored inside its memory card will.




5 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card ($90)

Cycling enthusiasts can toughen up their iPhone with this accessory that lets you attach the handset onto the handlebars and literally take it on the road - even when it's pouring. The touch-sensitive membrane on this casing is weatherproof, and the silicone lining inside the hard outer shell protects it from shock. Though you won't be able to call without the help of a Bluetooth headset or earpiece, you can take photos and videos with the encased iPhone. There's also a 360-degree pivot, so you can use your smartphone in portrait or landscape mode. The BioLogic Bike Mount is available from dealers listed under distributor Speedmatrix's website: www.speedmatrix.com.sg.

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100716-0000050/Rain,-rain,-go-away

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Xbox 360 250GB

Chalk up more hours of fun
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 16, 2010

Will you believe it? The Microsoft Xbox 360 game console has been around for five years! And it's about time we get an update.

To be launched this Sunday in Singapore, the new console - known simply as the Xbox 360 250GB - is 15 per cent smaller than its predecessor. It sports a slim, glossy black shell with a sleek chrome finishing lining the top and bottom rims. The glossy surface, however, proves to be a magnet for fingerprints and smudges. Have a fibre cloth ready.

The processing power remains the same but you now get built-in 802.11n WiFi, two more USB ports than the original three, touch capacitive power and eject buttons, a custom Kinect port and a removable 250GB hard drive. With built-in WiFi, you can place the console anywhere in your home and connect to Xbox Live without the need for a WiFi adaptor.

The touch capacitive buttons are particularly cool. Lightly press the power button and it powers up immediately. When you touch the eject button, the console will beep before the disc tray opens to ensure you don't get hit by it.

The custom Kinect port allows you to hook up to the Kinect motion sensor (available in November) with only one cable. You will need an additional power supply cable if you connect Kinect to the previous console.

The larger hard drive capacity of 250GB will come in handy when you pack in more games, downloadable content, movies and music. But you will need a 16GB thumbdrive to transfer stuff like saved games and profiles from your old console.

The best thing about the new console is its quiet operation. There is only one large cooling fan on top to suck out the air, and this also improves ventilation and prevents the "red ring of death". In fact, on this console, a blinking red light on the power button means it has insufficient ventilation and the console will shut down automatically.

The standard Xbox 360 250GB package ($499) includes the console, wireless controller, wired headset and AV composite cable. Given the popularity of HDTV these days, I thought an extra HDMI cable should have been bundled. TREVOR TAN

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Gaming/EDC100716-0000054/Chalk-up-more-hours-of-fun

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Cisco Flip MinoHD

Shoot up to 120 minutes of HD video with the Cisco Flip MinoHD

by Trevor Tan
07:50 PM Jul 15, 2010

For those who love to capture video anywhere anytime, the time is now! The sleek pocket camcorder, Cisco Flip MinoHD, was officially launched in Singapore today.

About the size of a mobile phone (3.94x1.97x0.66 inches), the Flip MinoHD is able to shoot high-definition (HD) 1280x720 resolution videos at 30 frames per second. With 8GB of internal memory, it can shoot up to 120 minutes of HD video.

The camcorder sports a minimalist design with a 2-inch transflective display, eight touch-sensitive capacitive buttons and a 35mm fixed focus lens. You can power up and record your favourite moments immediately. At the touch of a switch, the built-in USB arm flips out for easy connection to a computer. You can also connect the Flip to an HD television set via an HDMI cable.

The pre-loaded FlipShare software will be automatically installed the first time you plug in the Flip to your PC or Mac. Flipshare allows you to view, edit and share videos easily with friends via email or publishing them to YouTube.

Get the Cisco Flip MinoHD at Challenger outlets and authorised retailers at $349.

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100715-0000313/Shoot-up-to-120-minutes-of-HD-video-with-the-Cisco-Flip-MinoHD

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Gopan - Rice to bread in 4 hours

SANYO has launched the world’s first cooker that can turn rice grains into bread. The machine, named Gopan, can mill a cup of rice grains into rice flour, then mixes it with water, gluten, yeast and other ingredients to bake a loaf of bread in four hours. Sanyo will start exporting it to other Asian countries next year after its
Japanese launch in October. (PHOTO: AFP)

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Asus U Series Bamboo Collection – U43Jc

Veneer of bamboo a setback for Asus laptop

Asus U Series Bamboo Collection – U43Jc

THE Asus Bamboo series of laptops is so named because of the bamboo veneer that covers the top cover and the horizontal portion below the keyboard. The veneer is supposed to give the laptop a green and organic look and feel.

While the designer may well have good intentions, the smooth veneer provides little traction for the trackpad and the associated click buttons. This makes navigation of the cursor somewhat difficult.

Otherwise, the U43Jc is a well-appointed laptop – Intel Core i5 processor (2.4GHz with turbo boost up to 2.66GHz), 4GB memory, 500GB hard disk, one USB 3.0 port (which has 10 times the transfer speed of USB 2.0) and a 14-inch 1366x768 HD LED.

How much: $1,798

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Samsung Galaxy Beam (Model GT-I8520)

Samsung’s projector cum smartphone

A SMARTPHONE with a projector – that is what the Galaxy Beam is all about.

The built-in Pico projector has a projection screen size of 5 to 50 inches.

But who would want a projector function in a phone, especially when the image projected has limited clarity and brightness?

Possibly a user who wants to share with friends photos and videos (and StarHub’s Mobile TV) on a bigger screen than the Galaxy Beam’s Super Amoled display, or a business user keen to make on-the-spot presentations.

As with mini projectors that have cropped up in recent times, don’t expect the brightness or sharpness of desktop projectors.

However, it is still a neat function to have on call.

How much: From $0 to $398, depending on the StarHub 3G plan subscribed to. Available from Saturday.

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Belkin Wireless Routers with Apps

Feature-packed, easy-to-set-up routers

BY YEONG AH SENG

Belkin Wireless Routers with Apps

THERE are lots of routers out there but I would think the new Belkin routers are the easiest to set up and get going.

Out of the box, there are tags attached to the ethernet cable and power cable indicating where they should be plugged into.

The router is also pre-configured with WPA lock and a card which shows the router name and password.

This spares the first-time user the bother (and pain) of setting up a new router.

Of course, the strength of the new Belkin routers is not that they cater merely to the needs of the techno novice. They also provide apps to enhance the wireless
experience.

The four routers available – Surf, Share, Play and Play Max – enable users to play music, games and videos, plus share photos and print wirelessly from anywhere in their homes.

And there is a Memory Safe function that automatically backs up photos and files to an external hard disk.

How much: From $75 to $199

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Canon IXUS 300 HS - Review

Great images, if you don't mind the price tag

Digital Compact Camera Review: Canon IXUS 300 HS
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 09, 2010

THE Canon IXUS series has always been an embodiment of style and substance. Now, the IXUS 300 HS pushes the boundary further by incorporating a high-sensitivity backlit 10-megapixel CMOS image sensor and a 3.8x (28mm-105mm of 35mm equivalent) optical lens with a big aperture of f/2.0 at its widest focal length.

At 175g and 23.6mm thin, this camera - available in black, red and white - retains the sleek form factor of its IXUS predecessor. The three-inch LCD screen took up most of the rear area, with only three buttons and a wheel dial sitting on the right. Press the wheel dial to change flash or the macro mode. But you may forget which direction to press to get to the various functions, as there are no markings on the dial.

Even changing shooting modes requires extra steps, as you need to access the screen menu, scroll to Record mode, then scroll to the desired shooting mode.

Thankfully, camera operation is fast, taking around 1.5 seconds for startup and shutdown. Normal shot-to-shot timing clocks around 1 second. Auto-focusing is swift, taking around 0.3 seconds to lock onto a focus in good lighting. In poorer light conditions, it can take up to a second. Shutter lag is minimal for a digital compact camera.

The quality of the pictures captured is mind-blowing. Pixels are rendered smoothly, with colours so vivid and details so intricate that you would not believe the pictures came from a digital compact camera. Auto-white balance is spot-on in most occasions. Noise performance is top-notch. You can hardly spot a speck of noise artifact at ISO 400. Only at ISO 800 does chromatic noise surface.

The 720p high-definition video capture capability is competent, with fast auto-focusing when you zoom in or out during recording. But like most compact cameras, it picks up ambient noise.

You'll find the Super Slow Motion Movie function really entertaining - you can see your facial fat wobbling even with a simple head shake. You can go creative with the camera's Fish Eye and Miniature picture shooting modes as well.

A drawback of the camera is its price - $599. Add about $100 and you can get an almost similar camera but with external controls, such as the Canon PowerShot S90. Also, the camera's inability to shoot RAW files might put off professional photographers looking for a competent backup camera.

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Techreviews/EDC100709-0000057/Great-images,-if-you-dont-mind-the-price-tag

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HTC Wildfire

HTC Wildfire blazing your way
05:55 AM Jul 09, 2010

ANDROID fans in Singapore will have yet another smartphone option from tomorrow onwards - the HTC Wildfire ($498), available in black, red or white.

Wildfire was launched alongside the MeRadio app for Android that lets you stream content from all 13 MediaCorp radio stations, with album art and lyrics included. In an exclusivity agreement between MediaCorp and HTC, MeRadio on Android will be available only on HTC's phones (Wildfire, Desire, Legend and Hero) via a download from www.wemp.com.sg/htcmeradio. MeRadio will be available to all Android users from October.

Wildfire is armed with a 3.2-inch touchscreen, an FM radio, a microSD slot and a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, geotagging and flash. According to HTC, it has full Flash support for web browsing, too.

The Android 2.1 phone also touts the Friend Stream app that displays the latest content from Facebook, Twitter and Flickr to a single stream. When you view a contact in the address book, you'll see a thread of recent text messages, emails and status updates. And when your friend calls, the phone will display his/her profile photo from Facebook, status update, as well as a birthday reminder.


http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100709-0000080/HTC-Wildfire-blazing-your-way

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Seagate 3-terabyte (TB) external desktop drive

Packing a bigger punch
05:55 AM Jul 09, 2010

SEAGATE yesterday launched the world's first 3-terabyte (TB) external desktop drive, the 3TB FreeAgent GoFlex Desk ($459).

Consumers can create, store and access content from a Windows or Mac OS X computer on the GoFlex Desk, thanks to an included NTFS driver for Mac.

The external drive delivers automatic, continuous backup with software file encryption to keep data secure. The USB 2.0 interface can be upgraded to USB 3.0 or FireWire 800 by coupling the drive with the appropriate GoFlex desktop adapter to increase file transfer performance by up to 10 times.

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Techinbrief/EDC100709-0000075/Packing-a-bigger-punch

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Is this HTC’s new Vision?

PHONE-MAKER HTC has been said to be planning an Android device with a qwerty keyboard,
and a photo purportedly showing the smartphone has been leaked online.

The HTC Vision has a 3.7-inch screen and a 1GHz processor, EuroDroid reported. (PHOTO: INTERNET)

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Not an iPhone killer, but Droid X is still a looker

BY RICH JAROSLOVSKY

IN NEW YORK

APPLE’S new-product launches tend to suck the oxygen from anyone who dares to unveil a gadget at around the same time.

Such is the fate of the Droid X, the sequel to the phone that launched Motorola’s comeback effort last year.

The Droid X, which Verizon Wireless and Motorola introduced in the same week as the iPhone 4 and goes on sale next Thursday, probably hasn’t received as much attention as it should.

It lacks the iPhone’s polish and buzz – but if you find yourself repelled rather than attracted by Apple’s gravitational-distortion field, the Droid X is definitely worth a look.

You can’t miss it: The Droid X is huge, one of the largest smartphones I’ve ever used. Its 4.3-inch screen is 16 per cent larger than that of the original Droid, known outside the United States as the Motorola Milestone, which was itself a hefty chunk of hardware. The screen is also 23 per cent bigger than the 3.5-inch display on the iPhone.

Yet, for all its girth, the Droid X is both thinner and lighter than its predecessor and not at all uncomfortable to hold – if your hand is large enough. Mine is, and I found a natural place for my index finger to grasp it, just where the rear of the case flares out to accommodate the 8-megapixel, dual-flash camera.

ONSCREEN KEYBOARD
Motorola accomplished the reductions in weight and thickness by jettisoning the original Droid’s slide-out physical keyboard in favour of an onscreen one that, especially when in landscape mode, is a pleasure to use, thanks to all that display real estate.

Like all Motorola smartphones, the Droid X runs Google’s Android operating system. Android continues to improve in terms of usability and the number of applications available, now a claimed 70,000.

And the Droid X can do some cool things the iPhone can’t. One is to act as a Wi-Fi signal for nearby laptop computers or other devices.

COMBINED SOCIAL CONTENT

The Droid X also makes use of Motorola’s MotoBlur software, which lets you combine content from Facebook, Twitter and other social-networking sites into a single stream.

It also comes with 24GB of storage – the comparably priced iPhone has 16 – and you can expand the capacity to 40GB, where the more expensive iPhone 4 tops out at 32.

It also has a removable battery. A spare will come in particularly handy if you make much use of the power-sucking Mobile Hotspot.

FLASH-FRIENDLY
Not all the battle lines between the Droid X and iPhone 4 have yet been drawn. Google and Motorola are promising that an over-the-air upgrade this year will allow the Droid X to run videos using Adobe Systems’ Flash software, which Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has famously banished from the iPhone.

So, the Droid X provides more than enough features and performance to vault it to the head of the Droid line.

The original Droid was the first smartphone to really challenge the iPhone. In the end, though, it did little to dent Apple’s hegemony.

That’s likely to be the Droid X’s fate too. In today’s much broader field of Android-based devices, it does a lot of things well – but no one thing well enough.

BLOOMBERG

Source: www.mypaper.com.sg

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Aquos Quattron LE820M series LED TV

Sharp Aquos Quattron TV rich in colours and features

At a time when 3DTVs are all the rage, Sharp's newly launched Aquos Quattron LE820M series LED TV (available in 40, 46 and 52 inches) boldly ditches the third dimension in favour of a four-colour filter system - red, green, blue and yellow - called Quattron technology. That's one more colour than the traditional red-green-blue (RGB) system found in other HDTVs.

With yellow thrown into the mix, a wider range of colour tones can be reproduced, so Quattron-enabled TVs can deliver more photo-realistic colours, like brilliant sunflower yellows, sparkly golds and vibrant emerald-greens of the ocean, whereas other HDTVs have to resort to close approximations of those true colours.

The four-colour system is coupled with Sharp's LED-backlit X-Gen panel that enhances light efficiency and eliminates backlight leakage to achieve a higher contrast ratio. In addition, 100/120-hertz Fire Motion Advanced technology reduces motion blur.

Colours are not the only thing the LE820M series is rich in; features, too. Four HDMI slots, a USB 2.0 port, and network connectivity via Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) protocols ensure that you can input content from many sources. A wide variety of video and audio formats are supported, too, from common formats like .avi and .mov to the rare but nonetheless popular Matrovska files (.mkv) that feature XviD and H.264 compression.

The LE820M series does not support 3D. Sharp representatives at the LE820M launch event today said that 3D-enabled Quattron sets are forthcoming - they were announced in Japan in late May - but they will be rolled out in home territory first before markets like Europe, United States and Asia are considered.

The Sharp Quattron LE820M TVs will be available this month (prices unavailable).

Online Only - Sharp Aquos Quattron TV rich in colours and features
by Sim Cheng Kai
08:40 PM Jul 02, 2010

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100702-0000323/Online-Only---Sharp-Aquos-Quattron-TV-rich-in-colours-and-features

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Sonos ZonePlayer S5

Fluid music streaming

FOR the uninitiated, Sonos ZonePlayers are wireless music devices that stream music from the Internet or from your computer.

Previous ZonePlayers required you to plug in your own speakers or any amplified audio device in order to play music. But with the Sonos ZonePlayer S5 ($694), you no longer need to do that, as it is an all-in-one system with five dedicated digital amplifiers that includes two high-frequency drivers, two mid-range drivers and a subwoofer.

Other than a headphone jack and two Ethernet ports, the S5 also has an audio line-in port if you prefer to connect your media player to the speaker.

Its clean and elegant design is a boon for the minimalist. But at 217x365x123mm, the S5 takes up quite a hefty desktop space. It weighs 4.15kg.

Note that one Sonos device has to be wired to your wireless router in order for the streaming to work. This is because Sonos devices use their own proprietary wireless network. Thus, if you own only one S5, you cannot place it, say, in the living room when your router is in the study room. Luckily, there is a cheaper alternative - the Sonos ZoneBridge 100 ($172) connects one or several ZonePlayers to the wireless network by being wired to the router.

Either way, installation is a breeze. Simply connect the S5 or the ZoneBridge to an Ethernet port on your router, install the Sonos Desktop Controller software (for both Mac and PC) on your computer, add your music library and you are good to go.

You can control music playback on the S5 from your computer via the rather expensive wireless Sonos Controller 200 ($607), which comes with a charging cradle. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can download the free Sonos Controller app instead.

The app has the same intuitive interface as the Sonos Controller 200 but it lacks some features like Repeat or Crossfade. You can exit the app to receive calls or send SMSes without interrupting the music.

Other than streaming music from your computer or network-attached storage, it can also stream music from more than 25,000 Internet radio stations across the world. In addition, it can connect to popular music services like Napster or Rhapsody.

Music streaming is excellent, and feels almost as though music were played from a built-in hard drive in the S5. Except for a slight pause before music starts when you tap the Play button on the Controller, there is no lag during streaming.

The S5's audio quality is remarkable for a single-unit speaker. It is loud enough to fill the living room for your weekend house party when you crank the volume up to 50 per cent.

While the audio separation might pale in comparison to that of a full stereo system, it does well emanating the high frequencies while preserving the mid-range. The bass does go a tad "thumpy" when you crank up the volume, but there isn't much audio distortion.

If you want to stream music in your house and are willing to pay the price, the Sonos ZonePlayer S5 is a good choice. Do budget a little more for the useful Sonos ZoneBridge 100 though. TREVOR TAN


Network Speaker Review: Sonos ZonePlayer S5
by Trevor Tan
05:55 AM Jul 02, 2010

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Techreviews/EDC100702-0000045/Fluid-music-streaming

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Smartphone Review: Samsung Galaxy S

Shooting to a promising start

THE Samsung Galaxy S looks like the Apple iPhone. It has a curved back, a silver lining around the screen, and rounded squares framing each icon on the app pages.

But this Android 2.1 device can hold its own against the competition.

For starters, it's fast. The capacitive display is very responsive, and apps launch with minimal delay. Though there's a slight lag when loading photos, it still feels zippier than some other Android phones running on a 1GHz processor. At 9.9mm and 119g, the Galaxy S feels really light, too.

Though its huge four-inch screen means you need big hands to be able to hold it comfortably and deep pockets to tug it away snugly, it does improve the typing and web-surfing experience. The Super AMOLED display is gorgeous - sharper and brighter than other screens I have encountered.

Besides the roomy 16GB internal memory, most of the other specs for the Galaxy are standard smartphone fare - a 5-megapixel autofocus camera that can capture high-definition 720p videos and a microSD card slot (supports up to 32GB).

Samsung has made an effort in customising the Android OS for the Galaxy S. Besides the usual tweaks to the onscreen keyboard and adding icons for various connectivity options to turn them on and off easily, it has included things like the Daily Briefing feature. This compiles weather information from AccuWeather.com, AP Mobile news, stocks from Yahoo! Finance and the phone calendar. You can add a widget to one of the seven home screens to see all these updates at a glance. But the lack of customisation is disappointing - you cannot change or add any other service provider for these information.

Your communication with each person via various channels such as Facebook, email and SMS, as well as their social media updates, are integrated in the phonebook. A useful feature is the built-in Swype text input service, which allows you to glide your fingers across the keyboard instead of typing. It made messaging on the onscreen keyboard more fun and less frustrating.

One gripe about this handset is that the proximity sensor doesn't seem to work very well - there are buttons like "mute" onscreen when a call is in progress, and I have accidentally ended or muted a conversation more than once.

The phone comes preloaded with quite a few apps. Besides the usual Google ones like YouTube and Gmail, there is ThinkFree for editing and viewing Microsoft Office documents, a pretty ebook app called Aldiko and a file manager, among others.

The Galaxy's battery life fared well in tests - it lasted right about 15 hours when I had WiFi and Bluetooth on, music playing on loop, push mail and a Twitter client updating feeds in the background. The phone had enough juice to keep going for an impressive 24 hours with normal use - I left the WiFi on, surfed the web and posted status updates on social networks, on top of the usual calling and messaging.

The Samsung Galaxy S is available exclusively from SingTel at $0 to $768 with contract, depending on the type of plan. MAY CHUA


Smartphone Review: Samsung Galaxy S
by May Chua
05:55 AM Jul 02, 2010

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/Techreviews/EDC100702-0000046/Shooting-to-a-promising-start

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Uber-cute USB drives re-released

SAN FRANCISCO

MIMOCO, the world’s first character-based USB drive-maker, is celebrating the fifth birthday of its uber-cute flash drives.

The Boston-based firm is behind funky designs, such as those based on characters from the Star Wars movies and Japanese animated series Domo.

Mimoco will re-release some of the original Mimobots, as they are called, which include a carnivorous-looking frog, a funky skeleton, a blue fairy and a sweet purple swirl,

ZDNet reported.

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Microsoft smartphone gets the axe

SAN FRANCISCO

JUST 48 days after Microsoft began selling the Kin, a smartphone for the younger set, the company discontinued it because of disappointing sales.

The swift turnabout for the Kin, which Microsoft took two years to develop and whose release was backed with a hefty ad budget, is the latest sign of disarray for Microsoft’s recently reorganised consumer-product unit.

“It’s an absolute failure,” said Mr Charles Golvin, an analyst with Forrester Research, adding that he was surprised to see Microsoft kill a product so quickly, given the company’s history of sticking with new products and improving them over time.

Microsoft’s consumer-product unit has struggled to offer a credible competitor to Apple products.

It has chased the iPod with its Zune for several years with little effect. Apple’s iPhone, as well as an array of smartphones powered by Google’s Android software, is a more recent challenge.

Microsoft also recently cancelled a project to develop a tablet computer that would compete with Apple’s popular iPad.

Microsoft said that it would move employees who had worked on the Kin to the team in charge of Windows Phone 7, a coming revision of Microsoft’s operating system for smartphones,which is due in autumn.

But Mr Golvin said that the recent success of Android phones and Apple’s new iPhone 4 make Microsoft’s challenge to compete effectively ever more daunting.

“They have an even higher mountain to climb now than when they announced Windows Phone 7 in  February,” he said. The Kin, which came in two models, was aimed at young users and emphasised access to social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

While neither Microsoft nor Verizon Wireless, which sold the Kin exclusively, disclosed sales figures, people close to the companies said that sales were disappointing.

Verizon slashed the prices of the phones to US$50 (S$69) from US$200 for the higher-end model, and to US$30 from US$150 for the stripped-down version.

Microsoft said it would cancel the pending release of the Kin in Europe, and would work with Verizon Wireless to sell existing inventories.

NYT

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Cisco sees chance to challenge iPad

UNITED States networking equipment-maker Cisco unveiled a tablet computer for business professionals on Tuesday as technology rivals lined up to compete with Apple’s iPad.

The Cisco Cius – pronounced “see us” – is powered by Google’s open-source Android operating system and boasts eight hours of battery life.

Customer trials of the Cius would begin later this year and the device would be available in the first quarter of next year.

It weighs 0.52kg, less than the iPad’s 0.68kg, and has a 7-inch screen, smaller than the 9.7-inch screen on the Apple device.

Unlike the iPad, which does not have a camera, the Cius features two: A front-mounted high-definition camera which allows for high-definition video streaming and real-time video, and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera.

The Cius also offers e-mail, instant messaging, Web browsing through Wi-Fi and eventually 4G connectivity, and the ability to produce, edit and share content stored locally oron the Internet.

Cisco said the device was designed to provide workers with “the ability to access and share the content they need from any place on the network”.

Said Mr Tony Bates, a Cisco senior vice-president: “This platform can transform how healthcare professionals advance patient care, how retailers deliver service experiences to consumers, or how universities deliver world-class education to their
students.”

Cisco is making more products that transmit video, moving beyond its core business of routers and switches.

The Cius will cost less than US$1,000 (S$1,400), said Mr Bates.

AFP, BLOOMBERG

Soure: www.mypaper.com.sg

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