tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41451846057160327702024-02-19T04:26:11.457-08:00Techno UptodateSantosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comBlogger683125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-3982400477108139812009-10-28T01:31:00.000-07:002009-10-28T01:36:21.388-07:007 Negatives for Windows 7<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw71kf4DuvoLIImlJEVbH_u6S7vaadHM4dW3pqMzAOqkJTguulksA0KLyjMWJU6UhqCs-ZuL8wLV87IGOSrNrzb8mvhpKKK7jnH3-hMtZWTinfJDb9kQA5gnp3yAavkLyxhPcvsmLLT3R/s1600-h/photo.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw71kf4DuvoLIImlJEVbH_u6S7vaadHM4dW3pqMzAOqkJTguulksA0KLyjMWJU6UhqCs-ZuL8wLV87IGOSrNrzb8mvhpKKK7jnH3-hMtZWTinfJDb9kQA5gnp3yAavkLyxhPcvsmLLT3R/s400/photo.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397566106459213058" border="0" /></a>Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 7 opened to rave reviews last week. After the dismal performance of its earlier operating system Vista, Microsoft seems to be heaving a sigh of relief at the grand reception that its new OS has received.<br /><br />PC makers are scrambling to offer Windows 7-based systems, including Netbooks, as they hope the operating system to spur PC sales. After skidding for six months, computer shipments have shown some improvements recently. Seems Microsoft is all set to further strengthen its grasp over computer desktops.<br /><br />Not really! As many skeptics beg to differ. According to them, Vista too got high marks before its release as well, with writers praising the new visual design and glossing over quirks that later became common gripes.<br /><br />Here's looking into what may dampen Microsoft's Windows 7 party.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shifting from XP</span><br /><br />One of the biggest complain that most analysts have is the lack of direct upgrade from XP, the operating system which still continues to run on almost 80% of the world's computers. Windows 7 fails to offer a smooth transition from XP as there is no upgrade option. Users will have to go for a fresh install.<br /><br />Writes Tony Bradley of PC World, "After the issues with Windows Vista, and knowing that the vast majority of users-both consumer and enterprise-are still relying on Windows XP, it seems like a direct upgrade path is a necessity. Many users may be frustrated by the lack of upgrade path and having to do a fresh install, reinstall all of the other software and migrate user settings. Microsoft has provided tools to ease the pain, but this is still the biggest opportunity for negative PR or backlash related to Windows 7."<br /><br />According to Microsoft, the upgrade option is not available in Windows 7 Setup when installing Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP. However, users can use Windows Easy Transfer to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hardware upgrade</span><br /><br />The basic requirements of a PC to run on Windows 7 are 1 GHz processor, minimum 1GB of RAM and 16GB hard drive space. This in simple words means any hardware that worked with Vista will work for Windows 7 too.<br /><br />However, one of the most crucial reasons for Vista not succeeding was that the operating system almost forced a hardware upgrade on users. Hope the almost similar requirement does not hamper the prospects of Windows 7. It's is also to be noted here that that the basic PC configuration has seen a jump since Vista days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hardware and Drivers support</span><br /><br />According to Bradley, Windows Vista stumbled due to the lack of hardware and device driver support. He writes, "The vendors just weren't ready when Vista was launched and Vista never really recovered from the damaged reputation even after most of those issues were resolved."<br /><br />It is not a great experience for users working on a new operating system to find out that their existing printer, wireless router, webcam, and other peripheral hardware devices don't work with the new OS. This means either they stop working on that hardware or look for new hardware that is compatible.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UAC is still there!</span><br /><br />The most controversial and much maligned feature of Vista, UAC or User Account Control is a part of Windows 7 too. The UAC was designed to prevent unauthorised execution of code by displaying a pop-up warning every time a change is being made to the system, whether by the operating system or a third-party application.<br /><br />Many Vista users complained of being bombarded with the warnings. It proved a huge annoyance for users installing new applications frequently. Windows 7 now allows you to set the level of information that a user desires.<br /><br />However, writes Bradley, "... still after much debate with the security community during the Beta testing, the default setting is still set to what users experienced with Windows Vista. Frankly, UAC serves a purpose and it is better to leave it alone. But, those who dislike UAC are going to have to go into the control panel and modify the configuration to their liking or be faced with the same pop-ups that annoyed the world with Vista."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vista's ghost</span><br /><br />The failure of Vista continues to cast a deep shadow on the Microsoft's fresh launch, especially among the business users. Most enterprise customers skipped Windows Vista reportedly due to the numerous technical glitches that the OS had. According to reviewers, the operating system suffered from frequent hangs and crashes, and incompatibility with certain software and hardware.<br /><br />A section of analysts believes that `Vista's reputation' may hamper Microsoft's efforts to convince enterprises about the Windows 7 improved features.<br /><br />Ahead of the launch, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said that the company's reputation never recovered from the poor performance of Vista. Ballmer said Microsoft's reputation took a beating after the release of Vista in 2007, an operating system which caused computers to hang indefinitely, among many other technical glitches.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">High pricing</span><br /><br />Price is seen as one of biggest issue that may dampen the Windows 7 release. Microsoft is charging $199.99 for the Home Premium version of Windows 7, or $119.99 for users seeking to upgrade from older versions of the operating system. However, India pricing seems to be comparatively low.<br /><br />In India, the Home Basic package will cost about Rs 5,899, while the Windows 7 Ultimate (high-end version) will be available for Rs 11,799. In the US, the high-end version costs $320 (Rs 15,000).<br /><br />Microsoft Vista Home basic costs around Rs 3,500, Home Premium version is priced at Rs 4,800. Microsoft Vista Business costs around Rs 6,400 while Microsoft Vista Ultimate is priced at Rs 9,500.<br /><br />PC makers HCL Infosystems, Acer and Hewlett Packard have already started shipping Windows pre-loaded PCs and notebook computers. HP India will retail Windows 7-preloaded PCs between Rs 27,990 and Rs 90,000. HP's preloaded Windows 7 notebooks will be priced at Rs 39,990 onwards.<br /><br />Acer PCs with Windows 7 OS will be priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 35,000, while the notebooks will be priced at Rs 21,000-Rs 70,000. HCL Infosystems' Executive Vice President George Paul informed that HCL will price it between Rs 16,000 and Rs 55,000, whereas the notebooks would cost Rs 22,000-Rs 80,000.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Launch timing </span><br /><br />Microsoft’s big release coincides with one of the worst phases in the global economy. The past few months have witnessed a downfall in the spending as cost-cutting became the mantra for businesses around the world.<br /><br />Though most companies see a recovery on the horizon, they still see no big jump in corporate budgets. The companies globally continue to remain cautious and are tightly guarding their purses.<br /><br />Certain analysts believe that the tough economic climate may impact the sales of Windows 7. At the same time, PC makers like Lenovo are betting on the new operating system to revive the falling computer sales.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Piracy</span><br /><br />Another big challenge for Microsoft is to deal with piracy. Even before the official release of Windows 7, authentic looking pirate copies of the OS were available in China for a mere $3.<br /><br />According to Reuters, Windows 7 has been openly available in China's grey market for over a month now. Shopkeepers in Shanghai’s Xinyang market are said to be offering all versions of Windows 7, in both Chinese and English for just 20 yuan ($2.93). This compares with the list price of up to $320.<br /><br />Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-10329874922732747822009-09-21T06:59:00.000-07:002009-09-21T07:00:18.991-07:00IT 2008-09: Salary hikes & attritionThe average IT sector attrition rate, which was 18 per cent last year has dropped to 15 per cent, according to a survey by IDC, a premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and Dataquest.<br /><br />Despite the marginal increase in salaries, a freeze on fresh induction, layoffs, cutting down on talent and keeping offer letters on hold, the industry saw a dip in attrition rate to 15 per cent.<br /><br />The average retention rate, defined as percentage of employees retained out of the total employees as on March 31, 2008, improved to 85 per cent, from 79 per cent in 2008, the survey stated.<br /><br />The survey results indicate a visible improvement in work environment even though the average salary increases during the year were pared to 1.4 per cent.<br /><br />The salary increases for employees with less than two years of experience earned 2 per cent increase. Those between 5.1 and 10 years received an average salary hike of 5 per cent and those with over 10 year experience earned four per cent salary increase.<br /><br />In addition to work-life balance, job security came out as a crucial factor in the survey. The study reveals that there is a drastic fall in the number of people who feel that their job is secure within their company.<br /><br />The reducing bench and mass layoffs by the larger players seems to have left an impact on the minds of people.<br /><br />A majority of IT employees said they changed jobs for better salaries and compensation (53 per cent), overseas postings (38 per cent), better job security (18 per cent), flexible working hours (18 per cent) and training and development (9 per cent).<br /><br />The survey also reveals that companies have become more transparent in their communication with employees giving them a sense of belonging. They have also gone ahead and adopted a higher degree of professionalism in their dealings with employees as well as customers or suppliers.<br /><br />Another key finding is that more employees are satisfied with the interest shown by their companies as well as their immediate seniors in helping them strike a work-life balance compared to last year.<br /><br />More employees believe that training has helped them in their all round growth. On the salary and compensation front, a surprisingly high number of employees feel that they are being paid at par with industry standards compared to last year.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-21527417306323898892009-09-21T06:54:00.001-07:002009-09-21T06:58:35.290-07:00First Cut: Google Chrome 3.0Google Inc has rolled out a new version of its Chrome Web browser as the company aims to double its browser marketshare. The Internet search company is readying a battery of updates, along with efforts to forge new distribution partnerships it hopes will soon make Chrome a much more significant player.<br /><br />Almost exactly one year into Google's high-profile entry into the browser market dominated by Microsoft Corp, the Internet search giant is a distant No. 4, with a marketshare of roughly 2.8 per cent.<br /><br />Version 3.0 of Chrome for PCs brings improvements to the browser's interface, including faster performance and "themes" that allow users to customise how the browser looks.<br /><br />Here's looking inside Google Chrome 3.0.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goes blazing fast</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVyhlzbzg2UQx_BVLTiRMGeiTb3t4Iw5hGWr9wl2hoq7xctmdi1yXd6kSHwgr5KTMAHuTB9DFSWX969v1Ds-ReeP-E6KwxaPZmBUckwpVrbKw6hSU7RGlDo9zyG-3dyYcAqxVS3zjUPaH/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVyhlzbzg2UQx_BVLTiRMGeiTb3t4Iw5hGWr9wl2hoq7xctmdi1yXd6kSHwgr5KTMAHuTB9DFSWX969v1Ds-ReeP-E6KwxaPZmBUckwpVrbKw6hSU7RGlDo9zyG-3dyYcAqxVS3zjUPaH/s400/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383918881062950146" border="0" /></a>Google Chrome 3.0 is significantly faster than its predecessor, claims the company. The updated Chrome boasts over 150% jump in Javascript performance since its very first beta, and a 25% jump from the most recent version.<br /><br />The browser starts up quickly from users' desktop, and is fast to load web pages and web applications, says the company.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Tabs </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6m48p9T8rNH1QH6xgCtzCLXUYwhqWCEXQRBZO9yfGtozb8PUmDf6mw66GAB1NzNGJz6G0LbtaWCacGFGLkOYorUza-J5Yhx38KEquTCbuNBtYbo_YtocUrqViNHO_HN8Iksouw0otVdj/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6m48p9T8rNH1QH6xgCtzCLXUYwhqWCEXQRBZO9yfGtozb8PUmDf6mw66GAB1NzNGJz6G0LbtaWCacGFGLkOYorUza-J5Yhx38KEquTCbuNBtYbo_YtocUrqViNHO_HN8Iksouw0otVdj/s320/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383919088371165922" border="0" /></a>Chrome 3.0's new features include more customisable tab pages. The tab page, which opens by default when a user starts the browser, is redesigned and allows greater customisation.<br /><br />Users can now rearrange thumbnails of their most-visited websites by simply clicking and dragging mouse. Additionally, they can "pin down" icons to keep them permanently in-place (otherwise, they continuously rearrange to show user's most recently visited sites).<br /><br />Chrome 3.0 also allows users to view the tab page icons in a list format, if they prefer, or to hide them from the page altogether. For example, users can hide parts of the page they don't want to see, or even opt for a simple list view of their most visited websites.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Omnibox goes new </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwNJYVXf1brmEc78YEODquu17y09bV78WPdSk659mUd_wpywlZQ_bOpXCTCgjo88fbt99pImjntJPxblGS5d2AlfyDeMuddoXROB-SQ4T1vn6DOPTCYF9VqbL8ZuWZTZfZWYfJVO1x3rD/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwNJYVXf1brmEc78YEODquu17y09bV78WPdSk659mUd_wpywlZQ_bOpXCTCgjo88fbt99pImjntJPxblGS5d2AlfyDeMuddoXROB-SQ4T1vn6DOPTCYF9VqbL8ZuWZTZfZWYfJVO1x3rD/s320/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383919245001417650" border="0" /></a>Chrome 3.0 upgrades Omnibox, the address bar at the top of the screen where a user type URLs or search terms. So far, the Omnibox offered users suggestions as they type in terms. In the new Chrome release, the suggestions are better organised with an optimised dropdown menu. The 3.0 Omnibox uses added icons bookmarks, history, common searches, or Google recommendations.<br /><br />Chrome 3.0 Omnibox has added little icons to show users whether the items come from searches, bookmarks, or sites from their browsing history.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HTML 5 capabilities </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgiIFONhVKA9StShOMB_s1F-Rarb3qt7EJQdVHb0rwn51WGls8AUKQEDyjNPnleTJFwaRZAcr2kTACCu-fyhuS-rrtsBxZFhlG944Kt9AxRe0yFSy9Z5-yaLDSzFI1Mx5Fit_ctCQtqO/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgiIFONhVKA9StShOMB_s1F-Rarb3qt7EJQdVHb0rwn51WGls8AUKQEDyjNPnleTJFwaRZAcr2kTACCu-fyhuS-rrtsBxZFhlG944Kt9AxRe0yFSy9Z5-yaLDSzFI1Mx5Fit_ctCQtqO/s320/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383919457966962866" border="0" /></a>Google Chrome 3.0 adds support for HTML5 capabilities, including the 'video' and `audio' tags for integrated embedding of multimedia elements.<br /><br />The ‘video’ tag in HTML5 makes embedding videos in a page as simple as embedding regular images. The video tag also allows video playback without plug-ins or external utilities.<br /><br />Users can give the ‘video’ tag a whirl in Google Chrome and also check out 50th Chrome Experiment, which uses HTML5 ‘audio’ and ‘canvas’ tags.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Themes </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIcXvrKPoYDd8pir_tP11SJgncqtprixrru94IyKFvtYWgzpzxkzS43vqXmABQzCBQ3AtqYQ1HpLBJkEHsGbchDudmYyGAFGCsu9-vJm_h6h8NHj0Ocx4XsuRpaEHr_uwbRsVNyiMy8nK/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIcXvrKPoYDd8pir_tP11SJgncqtprixrru94IyKFvtYWgzpzxkzS43vqXmABQzCBQ3AtqYQ1HpLBJkEHsGbchDudmYyGAFGCsu9-vJm_h6h8NHj0Ocx4XsuRpaEHr_uwbRsVNyiMy8nK/s320/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383919651954454786" border="0" /></a>Chrome 3.0 offers users customisable themes. Just a couple of clicks, and users can get a new look for their browser and apply it immediately. Themes allow users to deck up their browser with colours, patterns and images.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Nearly 30 options are reportedly available in Chrome's Themes Gallery, and many more are likely to be added soon.<br />Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-73536707636353387092009-09-21T06:43:00.000-07:002009-09-21T06:53:16.330-07:005 Healthy and Unhealthy phonesResearchers have been divided over the effects of cellphone radiation on human beings. While some studies suggest a link between long-term (10 years or more) cellphone use and cancer, many maintain that there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that cell phones cause adverse health effects in humans.<br /><br />US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) is among the organisations who believe that there is compelling evidence to prove the link between cancer and cellphone radiation. The group recently came out with five safest and five worst mobile phones in terms of cellphone radiation. The study is based on SAR or Specific Absorption Rate. SAR according to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association is “a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body.” For a mobile phone to get FCC certification in the United States, the maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. In Europe, the level is capped at 2 watts per kilogram while Canada allows a maximum of 1.6 watts per kilogram.<br /><br />Here’s looking into the EWG’s 5 Best and Worst mobile devices for radiation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best: Samsung Impression </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03DDkE99slMy-IDsN7Y5EJWKCuf1MrdAHWo-Y8Aq7K8SvLVvFIx7dfpwURojvJgsqy3zYDDmp6LhT7OvSACFoP1ACrIF5rdu34Ji8v6IKee9_BJXRRrt2RZLMeS9jWKVpnhbvpHWnPgQ7/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03DDkE99slMy-IDsN7Y5EJWKCuf1MrdAHWo-Y8Aq7K8SvLVvFIx7dfpwURojvJgsqy3zYDDmp6LhT7OvSACFoP1ACrIF5rdu34Ji8v6IKee9_BJXRRrt2RZLMeS9jWKVpnhbvpHWnPgQ7/s320/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383916296048535186" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 0.35 Watts per kilogram (W/kg) (based on reported radiation level when held up to your ear)<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 0.35 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.83 W/kg<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best: Motorola RAZR V8 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpvV2D5e0oxivGD0Jno2t9MmhC4HqlhmsDRM7EWWKAzwzo1opH7bUHfJffM5K7pPvXjtBxqDpT50n-SqeB6i36vzDhm9Kr5ux2aE2YtHIhP3cbpeVyyvCtwDahW42Rb3WUHhtpZgdxyFZ/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpvV2D5e0oxivGD0Jno2t9MmhC4HqlhmsDRM7EWWKAzwzo1opH7bUHfJffM5K7pPvXjtBxqDpT50n-SqeB6i36vzDhm9Kr5ux2aE2YtHIhP3cbpeVyyvCtwDahW42Rb3WUHhtpZgdxyFZ/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383916587779372626" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 0.36 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 0.36 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.86 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best: Samsung SGH-T229 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nw7-7eDAOhSoQr4wnvqgiynv8izG65VB37cDMqghB-3iMZ35bmiHMcwgEsrTHzL4N_tiBnSgMr2j1SVFe0_ZaWbP4uS38VQbWcGYzcG2dey_adp-kf3S_tkp1WPx6QBUD3n29O3Y_DfW/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nw7-7eDAOhSoQr4wnvqgiynv8izG65VB37cDMqghB-3iMZ35bmiHMcwgEsrTHzL4N_tiBnSgMr2j1SVFe0_ZaWbP4uS38VQbWcGYzcG2dey_adp-kf3S_tkp1WPx6QBUD3n29O3Y_DfW/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383916787517757538" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 0.38 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 0.38 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.69 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best: Samsung Rugby (SGH-A837) </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp1nl50uLAL6nQa6b6XJJs3czyawyx5xl_-DfWpO6QX2jXMcSMvUaEcBMfyF35E3_0dyKQCFMxco_rpUZghNyE-BXmLRQuW_TnhI9cdFuaGn5NFuLSWsh0FCWN_1PzrrRd50UxYi-GiYU/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp1nl50uLAL6nQa6b6XJJs3czyawyx5xl_-DfWpO6QX2jXMcSMvUaEcBMfyF35E3_0dyKQCFMxco_rpUZghNyE-BXmLRQuW_TnhI9cdFuaGn5NFuLSWsh0FCWN_1PzrrRd50UxYi-GiYU/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383916978996836162" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 0.46 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 0.46 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.57 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best: Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-I627) </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2IXHZkZ7Lt9M-18kmdK4nhQdBfj8Ccqy4n6mxNXBJ6Kc-zgcQjVe-nudNyOLmd-MVfbIKa4mZ0SjlSVVcZ61LK86xfM8tOfqziahJ53ObCTHcLL02IJZn4xnH6tRVIfgRs_qAvKVPt0v/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2IXHZkZ7Lt9M-18kmdK4nhQdBfj8Ccqy4n6mxNXBJ6Kc-zgcQjVe-nudNyOLmd-MVfbIKa4mZ0SjlSVVcZ61LK86xfM8tOfqziahJ53ObCTHcLL02IJZn4xnH6tRVIfgRs_qAvKVPt0v/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917166840357746" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 0.47 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 0.47 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.68 W/kg<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst: Motorola MOTO VU204 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-6Htw_zigzCHsVJCEDeBHT2McLQruD7VNyfmW0YNNOEmSTU1lI8rf13mv4-7wK1n01y8iBbFaDd-HWaME7UTxdHIlkVBwAfnSrz0mB2-I7o58PRrtUFhGRKh8wfK5oggQdOspWcPG9IB/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-6Htw_zigzCHsVJCEDeBHT2McLQruD7VNyfmW0YNNOEmSTU1lI8rf13mv4-7wK1n01y8iBbFaDd-HWaME7UTxdHIlkVBwAfnSrz0mB2-I7o58PRrtUFhGRKh8wfK5oggQdOspWcPG9IB/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917355254075506" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 0.58 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst: Blackberry Curve 8330 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDzPTnDYyzIXJv7WsytIYir4SVXrivyIGbGBWtZAojCbX2uPUlbVVhCRGoCREqwlhJ9DUFRcE-HHnVSVTloe8sqQjdbj3mJoBnFv1QRjg22Zpd5yIXzlzazDAcHCjnDnosIUPI6GReXA1/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDzPTnDYyzIXJv7WsytIYir4SVXrivyIGbGBWtZAojCbX2uPUlbVVhCRGoCREqwlhJ9DUFRcE-HHnVSVTloe8sqQjdbj3mJoBnFv1QRjg22Zpd5yIXzlzazDAcHCjnDnosIUPI6GReXA1/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917532055749618" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 1.54 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear 1.54 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body 0.99 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst: Motorola W385 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw6LElC50PtTPHWTeft9JDJuqCpWv_6CO-oorJAHDGTIQK4Fwoimn6wsz1CWtjChZplWgznGwvGZFaFbJQGvwslHQps_Nqn2AnbTBmQ9LRzjqT47OQqQQWyrvHggGP3rnelopwaYsqP4o/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMw6LElC50PtTPHWTeft9JDJuqCpWv_6CO-oorJAHDGTIQK4Fwoimn6wsz1CWtjChZplWgznGwvGZFaFbJQGvwslHQps_Nqn2AnbTBmQ9LRzjqT47OQqQQWyrvHggGP3rnelopwaYsqP4o/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917745516296962" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 1.54 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 1.54 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 1.13 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst: Kyocera Jax S1300 </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9M67gqCx1F1780DyCi7Nep0kfQr96vgLl-K43kRg2Jir5h5n_wG7tKNeCLvRp1a1fHMGL-JV8heI-BAqnueBmXqJaI4ifs1GI3SUSC-OFb-HFq2_ox6-Bz8xBEjAALdpgFUcvfrMylC0/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9M67gqCx1F1780DyCi7Nep0kfQr96vgLl-K43kRg2Jir5h5n_wG7tKNeCLvRp1a1fHMGL-JV8heI-BAqnueBmXqJaI4ifs1GI3SUSC-OFb-HFq2_ox6-Bz8xBEjAALdpgFUcvfrMylC0/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383917946868884050" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 1.18 W/kg<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Worst: TMobile myTouch 3G </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6do42K4d4BA-M0RH9o2wMuQr6LBhV0j8j3jwpjBYY1QbgX4o3JnRs3UWB-fB1-ZZfhgcvBTmrrzJtBbmA12U33Uin2YXgUDxTu217Hdzjj3pMQ0ADyAySLEmFmDptJKOJtejL7244YElZ/s1600-h/photo.cms.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6do42K4d4BA-M0RH9o2wMuQr6LBhV0j8j3jwpjBYY1QbgX4o3JnRs3UWB-fB1-ZZfhgcvBTmrrzJtBbmA12U33Uin2YXgUDxTu217Hdzjj3pMQ0ADyAySLEmFmDptJKOJtejL7244YElZ/s200/photo.cms.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383918149488349586" border="0" /></a>Maximum radiation: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)<br /><br />SAR when held at the ear: 1.55 W/kg<br /><br />SAR when worn on the body: 1.43 W/kg<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-44447699182893400492009-08-13T23:53:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:56:27.672-07:00Review: BlackBerry Tour 9630 (Sprint)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIisvPncrgEZ74YDn68L5nPdijcrm5-NXLdH5gjg0cuZoJZ6GQPg2dZOykfsX_DCrMmpOIiCdnkqIwrgWWeBHfuh07g5AUF8SWmNo_lhN9XdCdP1svAseHcDtn4XdaDYewOYccffOJRPB1/s1600-h/BlackBerry+Tour+9630.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIisvPncrgEZ74YDn68L5nPdijcrm5-NXLdH5gjg0cuZoJZ6GQPg2dZOykfsX_DCrMmpOIiCdnkqIwrgWWeBHfuh07g5AUF8SWmNo_lhN9XdCdP1svAseHcDtn4XdaDYewOYccffOJRPB1/s400/BlackBerry+Tour+9630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369709718933975890" border="0" /></a><span class="ball"><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_empty.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /></span><span class="rateText"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Very Good</span><br /><br /></span>Sprint now has two top-notch smartphones. The Palm Pre is the energetic, if still somewhat unformed adolescent. The BlackBerry Tour 9630 is the mature adult. Both have things to learn from each other. The Pre could learn a lot from the Tour's great power management, world-phone capability, and rich third-party app catalog. The Tour, on the other hand, could learn a lot from the Pre about fun and about browsing the Web.<br /><br />That's not saying the BlackBerry Tour isn't fun. It's as much fun as a BlackBerry gets, with excellent music and video players; it just never really lets its hair down in the interface department. That will actually come as a relief to BlackBerry loyalists, who have been clicking on similar icons for almost a decade.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Software Bundle</span><br /><br />The Sprint Tour looks exactly like Verizon Wireless's Tour and shares most of the same features, so read that review for more details. It's a great world-roaming voice phone, a good camera phone, and a satisfying media player. It syncs music with iTunes without annoying Apple. The built-in Web browser is abysmal, but excellent alternatives are available such as Bolt and Opera Mini. The Sprint version, I'm thrilled to say, didn't show any of the bugs that bedeviled my Verizon Tour experience. It didn't crash while I was testing it and handled my 16GB SanDisk and Kingston memory cards just fine.<br /><br />The Sprint model comes with a slew of exclusive Sprint apps, though. Between actual apps on the phone and stubs that lead to downloads, there's Handmark Pocket Express, a NASCAR app, NFL Mobile Live, MLB.com, Sprint TV, the Sprint Music Store, Pandora, Sprint's own software store (powered by Handmark), Sprint Navigation, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, and five IM apps covering every popular protocol. Whew!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">App Testing and Multimedia</span><br /><br />Some of these apps are great. Some are no fun at all. The Sprint music store/player, for instance, had trouble displaying some of the titles for AAC-format songs on my memory card, ran sluggishly, and generally felt superfluous. The BlackBerry has a perfectly good music player, and you can buy songs for less money from several major stores including Amazon.com. The Sprint software store was just a Web link, nowhere near as usable as RIM's own BlackBerry App World.<br /><br />Sprint TV, on the other hand, delivered at least a dozen channels of streaming video content without a problem. Pocket Express is a quick and easy way to get news and other information, and Pandora played several stations smoothly (though not over a Bluetooth headset.) NFL Mobile Live delivered jerky video in a tiny window, but it's also chock-full of stats and news that appeared to be useful, but made no sense to me as a non-football fan.<br /><br />With all of those apps loaded, the Tour had about 99MB free for more applications and data. That seems like a decent amount, but remember, you can't store your apps on a memory card.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Phone and Conclusions</span><br /><br />One other advance Sprint has made is their no-nonsense SIM unlocking policy. Unlike Verizon, which makes you jump through a few hoops, the Sprint Tour can be used with foreign SIM cards for lower international rates with no fuss, although you'll probably lose your BlackBerry data service if you try that tack.<br /><br />The BlackBerry Tour isn't a flashy new touch-screen phone. It's a reliable performer on a proven platform. On many measures, it's neck and neck with the Palm Pre. The Tour has removable memory, video recording, world-phone calling, strong battery life, and a much better keyboard. The Pre has a far better Web browser, better Microsoft Exchange connectivity, and a more sexy style. Much of the Pre's goodness also comes from its touch screen, multi-touch support, and accelerometer, though the Tour doesn't have those by design.<br /><br />Ultimately, though, it's the BlackBerry's thousands of third-party applications that win the day. At the moment, there are BlackBerry apps to do hundreds of things the Pre can only dream of—manage your travel, sling your video, play lots of games, even connect to Google Voice.<br /><br />Palm assured me that the Pre's third-party app catalog will ramp up, but it sounds like that process may take months. Until we see the next WebOS phone, then, I'm crowning the BlackBerry Tour 9630 as the Editor's Choice smartphone on Sprint.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Continuous Talk Time: 5 hours 11 minutes </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-58026511532099987552009-08-13T23:52:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:53:46.362-07:00Review: Sony VAIO VPC-W11XX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8HFya1uC0iGJDHd9siHMbQqxG9k9SMKWyNf_P9WEfwBliypEaAiEIvcKP4udgxK_JLp5F2k0wIbuhudUnaZSbAptinJACWM23wd3ogojmwVvu3jG8ibebAuqsxc-OQjryK0MjrXZNFBr/s1600-h/sony+viao.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8HFya1uC0iGJDHd9siHMbQqxG9k9SMKWyNf_P9WEfwBliypEaAiEIvcKP4udgxK_JLp5F2k0wIbuhudUnaZSbAptinJACWM23wd3ogojmwVvu3jG8ibebAuqsxc-OQjryK0MjrXZNFBr/s400/sony+viao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369709037102272050" border="0" /></a>Despite all the tell-tale signs that point to one—an Atom processor, small screen, and an undersized keyboard—Sony refused to call the LifeStyle PC a netbook. So officially, the company never launched one. But after watching this diminutive category seduce one laptop manufacturer after another, Sony couldn't help but fall weak at the knees, too. This time, it admits that the VAIO VPC-W11XX ($500 direct) is a netbook, and although the beautifully done design and a 1,366-by-768 resolution are admirable netbook qualities, it fails to address all the other things that have made netbooks like the Toshiba mini NB205 and Asus EeePC 1000HE (both Editors' Choices) so successful. A severely undersized keyboard and a bloated price—that merely nets you a 3-cell battery—make this netbook hard to recommend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design</span><br /><br />Though made out of plastic, a white hue and a matted finish provide the perfect concoction for warding off finger prints and smudges. Netbooks with shiny finishes tend to get dirty very quickly, as evidenced by those of the Asus 1000HE and Acer Aspire One (D250-1165). The mini NB205 has a similar finish but adds texture, while the HP Mini 5101's aluminum top is both durable and scratch resistant. With additional color options for pink and brown, the W11XX is a good looking product that will appeal to a wide group of people. At 2.6 pounds, it may not seem as heavy as the 1000HE (3.2 lbs), NB205 (2.9 lbs), and Samsung N120 (12GBK) (2.9 lbs), but all of these systems come with standard 6-cell batteries; The Sony W11XX starts with a 3-cell battery, and a 6-cell option, unfortunately, is not available yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Features</span><br /><br />The W11XX's only exceptional feature is its 1,366-by-768 resolution, as it is something rarely found on a 10-inch widescreen. Every other netbook standardizes on a 10-inch widescreen and a 1,024-by-600 resolution. Some, like the HP 5101 and the Dell Inspiron Mini 10v (stay tuned for my review), have them as options, in which you pay an additional premium; the W11XX charges you a big premium off the bat. The 89% keyboard is a disappointment, since it was Sony that started the whole tiled keyboard phenomenon with the Sony VAIO VGN-X505ZP. It looks similar to the ones found in the 1000HE and the NB205, only it's a lot smaller and a lot harder to type on, especially if you have normal sized hands. The Samsung N120 (12GBK), NB205, and Lenovo IdeaPad S12, on the other hand, have full size keyboards, so you get a better typing experience. The mouse buttons and touchpad, however, are above average but still smaller than those ones found on the 1000HE and the NB205.<br /><br />While two USB ports are sufficient for an average user, most netbooks default to three. The W11XX doesn't add a specialty feature like the HP Pavilion dv2-1030US did with HDMI or the Lenovo S12 did with an Express Card slot, so leaving out the third USB port was somewhat of a conundrum. It comes with VGA, an Ethernet port, and a Webcam, as well as Bluetooth and 802.11G Wi-Fi. Hard drive capacity doesn't stray far from the herd either, as the 160GB spinning drive matches the ones found in the 1000HE and the NB205.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Performance</span><br /><br />Sony VAIO VPC-W11XX The W11XX uses all the latest parts—at least, the latest for a netbook. The 1.67GHz Intel Atom N280 is the same ones found in the 1000HE and the NB205, though it doesn't gain you much of a performance advantage over other netbooks. The 1GB of memory and Intel integrated graphics is par for the course with every other netbook. And if the parts weren't indication enough, our video encoding results were consistent with those of the 1000HE and the NB205, scoring 4 minutes 28 seconds. The smaller battery places the W11XX at a disadvantage, though, as the 24Wh battery managed only 2 hours 24 minutes. Meanwhile, the 6-cell batteries found in the 1000HE and the NB205 netted between 6 to 8 hours of battery life.<br /><br />A great looking design and a sweet resolution are the biggest wins for the Sony VAIO VPC-W11XX. Unfortunately, they are eclipsed by a below average keyboard, and a weak feature set. Worst of all, it's at least $100 more expensive than top-caliber netbooks like the Asus EeePC 1000HE and the Toshiba mini NB250, and that's tough to swallow.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-9793364281801502742009-08-13T23:48:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:52:05.970-07:00Review: HTC Touch Pro2 (T-Mobile)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU92RBYT9ExLzi52bpR9VhQZ4mCfDv5h3BpbhNdWkRPeBvYDfRhni7W74gnWi0bNYNjKhvEM_BOJK9F8cjcjm4MQz76cv5PzlN6uQltbP22wi1PJmk-vE-Pdh05AfGRC1bQ8TAfknI7NJ/s1600-h/htc+touch+pro2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU92RBYT9ExLzi52bpR9VhQZ4mCfDv5h3BpbhNdWkRPeBvYDfRhni7W74gnWi0bNYNjKhvEM_BOJK9F8cjcjm4MQz76cv5PzlN6uQltbP22wi1PJmk-vE-Pdh05AfGRC1bQ8TAfknI7NJ/s400/htc+touch+pro2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369708516496518034" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="ratedBy"></span><span class="ball"><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_filled.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /><img src="http://www.pcmag.com/images/editor_empty.gif" alt="" width="8" height="8" /></span><span class="rateText"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Very Good</span><br /><br /></span>The HTC Touch Pro2 for T-Mobile is the best Windows Mobile 6.1 phone on the market. It could even be the best possible Windows Mobile 6.1 phone. But while its address book is a work of art and it would make a great addition to any Microsoft Exchange-based business, its cobbled-together interface and media playback problems hold us back from giving it an Editors' Choice.<br />Buzz up!on Yahoo!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design and Calling Features</span><br /><br />The Touch Pro2 is a boat. At 4.6 by 2.3 by 0.7 (HWD) inches and 6.3 ounces, it's a big phone. But it's very solidly built and handsome, and you get a lot for the size. The phone's main screen is a vast 3.6-inch, 800-by-480-pixel resistive touch panel, and it slides to the side and tilts up so the Touch Pro2 can sit on your desk like a little laptop. With the screen opened, you can type on a huge five-row QWERTY keyboard, one of the best I've ever used on a handheld—it's roomy, spacious, and clicky.<br /><br />The Touch Pro2 is a very good voice phone. It makes calls on T-Mobile's and foreign 3G or EDGE networks, and calls sound loud and sharp through the earpiece. RF reception isn't fabulous, but it's good enough. Very intense noise cancellation can make transmissions sound computery on the other side of a call, but it does a good job at blocking background noise. The speakerphone is loud enough, and there's a well-placed mute button on the top of the phone, because you're supposed to put the Touch Pro2 face down on a table when you're using the speakerphone.<br /><br />Ringtones are moderately loud, and the vibrating alert is also surprisingly robust. The phone worked fine with a Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset. You can trigger the built-in voice dialing using the Bluetooth headset, but I found the voice dialing to be frustratingly inaccurate.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we couldn't complete our battery tests because our battery-testing computers crashed several times—no fault of the Touch Pro2's. HTC advertises six and a half hours of 3G talk time, which seems in line with the partial results we got.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HTC's TouchFLO 3D</span><br /><br />Windows Mobile 6.1 is old and creaky, so HTC has rewritten as much of the user interface as they could. The Touch Pro2 doesn't just have a cool set of animated home screens that you swipe across to quickly access your contact book, e-mail, music and YouTube. The program menu, address book, camera app, calendar, e-mail setup, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi setup all look nicer and work much more easily than their standard Windows Mobile brethren. If you stick to HTC's home-screen apps—SMS, e-mail, calendar, Web browser, stocks, camera, music, and weather—you'll never have to pull out the little stylus tucked into the corner of the device.<br /><br />It's amazing what HTC has done to dress up every aspect of Windows Mobile, but the Touch Pro2 works best as a business communicator. It's full of useful little advances. When you receive an email, you can tap a button to quickly call the person who sent it. You can create conference calls on the fly, straight from the address book. From contact cards, you can quickly flip to see all the phone calls or messages you sent to a particular person. The Touch Pro2 also integrates Facebook details right into your address book.<br /><br />To enter data on the Touch Pro2, you can use a nice-looking portrait-style on-screen QWERTY keyboard or the roomy physical keyboard; the screen doesn't rotate automatically when you turn the phone, but it rotates when you pop the keyboard out.<br /><br />Web browsing and GPS on the Touch Pro2 aren't bad. The phone comes with the Opera Mobile 9.7 Web browser, which delivers desktop-formatted pages (albeit without Flash). I found T-Mobile 3G speeds to be good, with Web pages coming down at about 750 kbps. The phone comes with TeleNav's GPS program, which locked into my location quickly and offered spoken driving directions, even in midtown Manhattan.<br /><br />The Touch Pro2 also comes with the usual Office Mobile apps (Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word), a PDF reader, Google Maps, and IM clients for AIM, Google Talk, Microsoft Messenger, MySpace IM, and Yahoo. It's fully set up to handle HTML e-mail with attachments, and any other kind of messaging you want to throw at it. The device has a 528 MHz processor, 225 MB of available memory, and a microSD card slot that takes 16GB cards, so there's plenty of room to add software.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Touch Pro2 Troubles</span><br /><br />On the other hand, the Touch Pro2 is an embarrassing disaster as a media player. To plug in standard headphones, you must attach a stiff, four-inch long dongle that for some reason has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a non-standard 2.5mm jack, and two USB ports on it. I took one look at that thing, gave up, and hooked up my Altec Lansing BackBeat 903/906 Bluetooth stereo headphones instead—I suggest you do the same.<br /><br />The TP2 has two built-in media players: a music player you can trigger directly from the TouchFLO 3D home screen, and the standard, confusing Windows Media Player, which you need to use to play videos. The phone played MP3, AAC, and WMA music files fine, but 640-by-480 videos played jerkily. Smaller-format, 480-by-320 videos played fine in full screen mode. I got hideously low frame rates with SlingPlayer Mobile over Wi-Fi, often down to the single digits. HTC's custom-built YouTube application is gorgeous and easy to use, but a three-minute music video had to buffer twice during playback over Wi-Fi. That's not a smooth experience.<br /><br />The Touch Pro2's 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera took surprisingly pixelated photos with way too many JPEG artifacts, especially in low light. The video mode recorded compressed-looking, washed-out 640-by-480 videos at 20 frames per second. That's a terrific resolution for video recording, but the videos weren't very high quality.<br /><br />Underlying Windows Mobile issues can make using the Touch Pro2 a hassle at times. The touch screen sometimes didn't register my presses or swipes. If you leave the cozy confines of HTC's apps, you're presented with the tiny little stylus-centric interface elements that have given Windows Mobile a bad name. If you open too many apps, you'll run out of memory just as you can on all Windows Mobile phones, though HTC puts a task manager right up on the home screen to let you easily quit apps.<br /><br />And the whole thing feels a bit cobbled together; there are two media players on board, two Web browsers, two calendar apps, and two sets of settings screens. In an era where clear, unified interfaces rule, it's difficult to cheer for a split personality.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusions</span><br /><br />The Touch Pro2 is the pinnacle of Windows Mobile phones, and it makes a marvelous business communicator. But we still recommend the BlackBerry 8900 as our Editors' Choice on T-Mobile, even though it has a lower-resolution screen and no 3G. Why? Consistency is one big reason: although HTC has done great work dressing up Windows Mobile, you still end up looking at an old, stylus-centric interface if you dig too deeply. The Touch Pro2's media troubles didn't help, either. The Touch Pro2 is an excellent way to stay in touch with people, but it's a new OS away from being a world-beating smart phone.<br /><br />The Touch Pro2 will be available on August 12th at T-Mobile, and I expect to see other versions of the phone appear on other major carriers throughout the summer. T-Mobile has not announced a price yet.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-10701773634042758922009-08-13T23:33:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:40:56.557-07:00Shake to Charge Mint Battery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXewwlAUN-wOO_oQtgcHvS2ho8s79n-uo1OinoEumFHR3sDmzY_dcw_FKoq1CFjOCahssD9RqC8vj6yzQouk3T3XnCpbIwze27CXqP0evI16QWcUjjPMhWLPuOgeZZMtBMKFc7pMtsCpLq/s1600-h/Mint-Battery-Internals.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXewwlAUN-wOO_oQtgcHvS2ho8s79n-uo1OinoEumFHR3sDmzY_dcw_FKoq1CFjOCahssD9RqC8vj6yzQouk3T3XnCpbIwze27CXqP0evI16QWcUjjPMhWLPuOgeZZMtBMKFc7pMtsCpLq/s400/Mint-Battery-Internals.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369705745079035970" border="0" /></a>The Mint Battery is a concept gadget that explores the use of kinetic energy to keep an AA battery charged. Rather than using energy from a wall socket or solar panel the Mint Battery looks in to the idea of being able to shake the battery to create charge.<br /><br />To fit everything needed to make it work the Shakenergy Mint Battery is about half the capacity of a regular rechargeable battery (maybe 750mAh – 1000mAh). What the concept shows is the charging unit being placed at the bottom of the cylinder and the half sized battery sitting just above that.<br /><br />As it’s only a concept it is unknown if the Shakenergy will ever be made. Various factors such as charge time also need to be taken in to consideration. Still, a quite cool idea though regardless of it being practical or not.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF_rBe0Mw_1YrFOUT-s-u93Dfi7G_xU4hjdPB6x3ugyHCL-EDVsH8fhyphenhyphencCSEKoq9546OGVg4eTuT5qw5gwEahNt-74O8m65Zvbiwu8QSJD6oc1b5XpQJHXe_71NDILpL_Bn3WyVJP6vjH/s1600-h/Battery-Shakenergy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF_rBe0Mw_1YrFOUT-s-u93Dfi7G_xU4hjdPB6x3ugyHCL-EDVsH8fhyphenhyphencCSEKoq9546OGVg4eTuT5qw5gwEahNt-74O8m65Zvbiwu8QSJD6oc1b5XpQJHXe_71NDILpL_Bn3WyVJP6vjH/s400/Battery-Shakenergy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369705572310456450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-45038472118943830052009-08-13T23:31:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:33:06.287-07:00Musical Kettle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLK7s3zJJXJqV1KBg9uFHxwXDIBnkQPPEQHSpZbSOgE0hoYWhV6oE1xnY-hLIj70aO3Ok0hA6K9SSTY1PEZTDH6vfPB1NifruB6kP-iwjCJDoQK5UDfbUykPPAAr-3Vh6PQTmRrnywlpY/s1600-h/Musical-Kettle-300x225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLK7s3zJJXJqV1KBg9uFHxwXDIBnkQPPEQHSpZbSOgE0hoYWhV6oE1xnY-hLIj70aO3Ok0hA6K9SSTY1PEZTDH6vfPB1NifruB6kP-iwjCJDoQK5UDfbUykPPAAr-3Vh6PQTmRrnywlpY/s400/Musical-Kettle-300x225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369703711233246210" border="0" /></a><br />The Musical Kettle now ranks as one of the most bizzare kitchen gadgets you will find. It works just like a normal kettle whistle in that the air pushed through it causes it to make a noise… but in this case the noise can be varied. <p>The <a href="http://www.yurisuzuki.com/musicalkettle.html">creator</a> says…<br /></p><blockquote>I wanted to contribute to the design of daily domestic noises. alarms, mobile phones, a doorbell; he is of the opinion that not enough thought has been given to the noises they produce. The musical kettle is a part of series ‘re-design soundscape’. As the kettle boils it whistles your favorite tune.</blockquote> <p><span id="more-12328"></span></p><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-69662449708295591402009-08-13T23:30:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:31:42.964-07:00HTC Touch Diamond 2, HTC Mega and HTC Tachi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGUJPIahOHtRaR2-zHAkvEsTCCkeCGpxiK-wAMsZBpnzLiJUL6CWTHmS_tmHS4vA47Z63CZSsigKmczb43vlgKcvfZEsCwaFv7C3r79Q_zJExQhB3LDPfcsaGfgFPxN0ArfZMYLLPYUVl/s1600-h/HTC-Touch-Diamond-2-HTC-Mega-HTC-Tachi-for-Verizon-300x167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGUJPIahOHtRaR2-zHAkvEsTCCkeCGpxiK-wAMsZBpnzLiJUL6CWTHmS_tmHS4vA47Z63CZSsigKmczb43vlgKcvfZEsCwaFv7C3r79Q_zJExQhB3LDPfcsaGfgFPxN0ArfZMYLLPYUVl/s400/HTC-Touch-Diamond-2-HTC-Mega-HTC-Tachi-for-Verizon-300x167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369703375464079426" border="0" /></a><br />If you are a Windows Mobile (Windows Phone I should say) fan, then you’re in for some good news. HTC are bringing two new HTC phones to Verizon. A third handset also gets an updated render of what it could look like.<br /><br />First off is the HTC Touch Diamond 2 that is codenamed Whitestone. This is the phone pictured on the left and has the following features…<br />HTC Touch Diamond2 Features<br /><br />* Windows Mobile 6.1<br />* Qualcomm 7600 processor @ 528MHz<br />* 512MB ROM/256MB RAM<br />* 3.6-inch WVGA touchscreen<br />* 5 megapixel autofocus camera/Anti-handshaking<br />* gpsOne (aGPS and full GPS)<br />* GSM/CDMA World phone<br /><br />The Diamond 2 will be making it’s way to Big Red next month.<br /><br />Next on the list is the HTC Mega (middle phone) which will be running Windows Phone (WinMo 6.5). Specs are as follows…<br />* Windows Mobile 6.5<br />* Qualcomm 7225 processor @ 528 MHz<br />* 256MB ROM/256MB RAM<br />* 2.8-inch QVGA (240×320)<br />* GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA<br />* 3 megapixel fixed-focus camera<br />* gpsOne<br /><br />Although it will run WinMo 6.5 it still lacks a little on the camera side in that it’s just a 3 megapixel camera.<br /><br />Finally on the right is a new rendering of the HTC Tachi which is heading over to China.<br />HTC Tachi Specs<br /><br />* Windows Mobile 6.1<br />* Dual CDMA/GSM radio<br />* 2.8-inch 480×640 pixel display<br />* WiFi<br />* Bluetooth 2.0<br />* 3.1 megapixel camera with auto-focus<br />* Front facing camera<br />* MicroSD slot<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-32001105582127797642009-08-13T22:50:00.001-07:002009-08-13T22:52:12.415-07:00Haptic Reader Converts Text to Braille<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoTlAMafySEksxj_sCfmsd3kxm6bv_i311tLZZs8th9DOdgJFaf9Cuga1bikHzniFfhKpkYNCsPcCbQrLUmJ2hZfPpTI_Dsa2DlvqDZOntD0cAjhyphenhyphenRElaDHPN5lmo8iA7DasidTuqbmcW/s1600-h/haptic-reader-concept-300x244.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoTlAMafySEksxj_sCfmsd3kxm6bv_i311tLZZs8th9DOdgJFaf9Cuga1bikHzniFfhKpkYNCsPcCbQrLUmJ2hZfPpTI_Dsa2DlvqDZOntD0cAjhyphenhyphenRElaDHPN5lmo8iA7DasidTuqbmcW/s400/haptic-reader-concept-300x244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369692885624139842" border="0" /></a>The Haptic Reader concept is an overlay designed to help blind people read non Braille books. The device has a glass surface that is designed to rest on the pages of a regular book. Text from the page is then scanned in to the Haptic Reader and the surface has dots that protrude to make up the Braille characters. <p>If the user of the device doesn’t yet understand Braille then the reader makes use of a loud speaker to read out the contents of the book.<span id="more-12345"></span></p> <p>Another feature of the concept Haptic Reader is the edging also has Braille dots allowing the reader to be used as a bookmark and provide details of which book it is sat in on the bookshelf.</p> It’s a great idea although due to the scanning required, I don’t think it will be ready for another few years.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8dKsXqyXriiqswamHCEkytj36YwyR6nEP1hT8UFka0vHKzh2wuiP6SAltZHM3IMxYz0NEfs2zA6L-UT6bjQjYhyphenhyphenOjr_10hE2j7Nf_n7DNLsAaEBlbG06To49otKwJfyOXyeN2lRSa3dO/s1600-h/haptic-reader-concept-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8dKsXqyXriiqswamHCEkytj36YwyR6nEP1hT8UFka0vHKzh2wuiP6SAltZHM3IMxYz0NEfs2zA6L-UT6bjQjYhyphenhyphenOjr_10hE2j7Nf_n7DNLsAaEBlbG06To49otKwJfyOXyeN2lRSa3dO/s400/haptic-reader-concept-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369693063153140674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29PO6PxzXuejJPa24qYkM226ECZrJLBgvfvmUXo2VgrrRg6DyX97lK-QAmNcLUjR-4tZMVw1mVU71wsX1DJpfVyp2BDUN09H-lT0RL4eWongpHkrb3T7QuhN1ppUYR8k-QsT_Ej4qTiI6/s1600-h/haptic-reader4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29PO6PxzXuejJPa24qYkM226ECZrJLBgvfvmUXo2VgrrRg6DyX97lK-QAmNcLUjR-4tZMVw1mVU71wsX1DJpfVyp2BDUN09H-lT0RL4eWongpHkrb3T7QuhN1ppUYR8k-QsT_Ej4qTiI6/s400/haptic-reader4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369693062136657778" border="0" /></a><br />Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-3421287574026188912009-08-13T22:47:00.000-07:002009-08-13T22:49:43.743-07:00LG Crystal GD900 is Waterproof<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S4ur2iIMPlAQNCXx_jAOIIPSBb1bDGazajBruFd3odhPzg0QRhNelOTlNwX1t3vwszyenlzBCHFNgeupLhjJXtMbG_b8Lkb0z2dT4ZQZKUEOms9AtvPrvb8Z-tqpe2SC1NY4vufKpD4w/s1600-h/waterproof-lg-crystal-300x199.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4S4ur2iIMPlAQNCXx_jAOIIPSBb1bDGazajBruFd3odhPzg0QRhNelOTlNwX1t3vwszyenlzBCHFNgeupLhjJXtMbG_b8Lkb0z2dT4ZQZKUEOms9AtvPrvb8Z-tqpe2SC1NY4vufKpD4w/s400/waterproof-lg-crystal-300x199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369692332699360914" border="0" /></a>Before we begin I must mention that you really shouldn’t try this test at home as this particular LG Crystal is slightly different to the normal versions at retail. The LG Crystal shown in the picture here has been modified with a transparent food membrane making it completely waterproof.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Check out the video below.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/otVS_U70QWs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/otVS_U70QWs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-61054532051946024222009-08-13T22:42:00.000-07:002009-08-13T22:45:56.170-07:00Sony's new Better Rechargeable Batteries<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XDlWVZQwSYuIh0dJmuamD3VbGEq-kbDbbjlZi93eZcAMscrT3IfTMEttLZCx7fUG2nk0ev5D5oaGhPf8VZc-PEyzTQJeZzmWSaPG5AJZCmEUiyehXcoIv7VM8w2Xt6T4qcMMrSWTgcv7/s1600-h/sony_batteries-258x300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XDlWVZQwSYuIh0dJmuamD3VbGEq-kbDbbjlZi93eZcAMscrT3IfTMEttLZCx7fUG2nk0ev5D5oaGhPf8VZc-PEyzTQJeZzmWSaPG5AJZCmEUiyehXcoIv7VM8w2Xt6T4qcMMrSWTgcv7/s400/sony_batteries-258x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369691568872269378" border="0" /></a>Although available for nearly 2 months, Sony have only just released details of some new secondary batteries that have a longer battery life and quicker charge cycles. <p>The batteries in the photo are basic in their covering and this is because they are not used as individual batteries and instead, are used in a group in items such as power tools.<span id="more-12423"></span></p> <p>They are lithium-ion batteries that use a better material to achieve a higher power density of 1800W/KG and because of this can have a 20W continuous discharge. 2000 charge/discharge cycles can be done and 99% of charge capacity can be reached in just 30 minutes.<br /></p><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-66859976602270959352009-08-13T22:34:00.000-07:002009-08-13T22:42:17.001-07:00Zune HD Ready for Pre-Order<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Tf6_dQEJEoci37gNAOTUuQj04qT2koQOSmEVAx5re3c5bRlmTEKUOQfvKCKf93Fre4ju27ayPWcG9O1CIPtlDxsOdf6o-gCjnrdNu8cqjfMbhRXyG-N9na_mUHbcR9OZEdHfppZWeMcQ/s1600-h/platinum-zune-hd-300x171.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Tf6_dQEJEoci37gNAOTUuQj04qT2koQOSmEVAx5re3c5bRlmTEKUOQfvKCKf93Fre4ju27ayPWcG9O1CIPtlDxsOdf6o-gCjnrdNu8cqjfMbhRXyG-N9na_mUHbcR9OZEdHfppZWeMcQ/s400/platinum-zune-hd-300x171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369690534653277970" border="0" /></a>The Zune HD wait is nearly over. Microsoft have now announced that their Zune HD will be available on September 15th at various online stores such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and the MS store. <p>The Zune HD is capable of outputting video to screen at a resolution of 720p making it (as the name suggests) HD. Also included in the device is HD radio as well as either 16GB or 32GB of storage capacity.<span id="more-12429"></span></p> <p>The 16GB Zune HD will cost $219.99 when launched while the platinum finished 32GB Zune HD will set you back $289.99.</p>See a video below of it in action…<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="viddler" width="437" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/75ac30bb"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/75ac30bb" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" name="viddler" width="437" height="265"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-45217695199246141762009-08-13T00:52:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:54:10.986-07:00Sony's New E-Book Reader<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAbAWa_D1eR52dxOrGbp-P-I1prS18IxR4HozIcMyPlg8l_SYpS2w7oe3pxnWMkBoPE1vwueNsT6xQwLmkN8UUWw5H1YsiDQKEap7CMEc6bm36Jl_IPFLR_1W8t-VsbUrxG9dRKaZJ-Iq/s1600-h/sony-prs-300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAbAWa_D1eR52dxOrGbp-P-I1prS18IxR4HozIcMyPlg8l_SYpS2w7oe3pxnWMkBoPE1vwueNsT6xQwLmkN8UUWw5H1YsiDQKEap7CMEc6bm36Jl_IPFLR_1W8t-VsbUrxG9dRKaZJ-Iq/s400/sony-prs-300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369353485954754786" border="0" /></a>Sony-prs-300Sony is off the blocks with new e-book readers that come in the form of the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition which we’ll look at in greater detail below. This isn’t the first e-book reader to be released from Sony, and will most probably prove to be quite the competitor towards the Amazon Kindle and its sequel. Both of these e-book readers from Sony will be available at the end of this month onwards from various sources including SonyStyle.com, SonyStyle stores and select retail partners. Apart from that, you can also pick up new releases and New York Times bestseller titles in the eBook Store from Sony for $9.99 apiece, making it cheaper compared to the actual paperback, saving you costs on purchasing a bookshelf as well.<br /><br />First off is the Reader Pocket Edition that comes with a 5″ electronic paper display which is crammed into a stylish chassis. Nice to know that Sony has released it in a bunch of different colors, including navy blue, rose and silver. The Reader Pocket Edition is a snap to navigate through using but a single hand, where the relatively small size also means it can slip into a purse or jacket pocket without causing any noticeable bulge. Also known as the PRS-300, this model can hold up to around 350 standard e-books with its internal memory, and the battery is able to last up to two weeks of non-stop reading before it requires a trip to the nearest power outlet. The Sony PRS-300 Reader Pocket Edition will retail for $199, making it the most affordable dedicated reading device on the market at the moment.<br /><br />As for the Reader Touch Edition, you can tell by its name that the PRS-600 (model number) will come with a responsive, menu-driven 6″ touchscreen display which makes it possible to take advantage of quick, intuitive navigation, page turning, highlighting and note taking with but a swipe of the finger or using the included stylus if you hate leaving fingerprints over all your devices. The stylus will also come in handy when one needs to take down handwritten notes on the go, while those who are more comfortable with a virtual keyboard can opt for that as well. It will come with a pre-loaded Oxford American English Dictionary to expand your word power, boasting memory card slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD formats. $299 will net you the Sony PRS-600 in either red, black or silver colors.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-62840334396779464122009-08-13T00:50:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:50:52.459-07:00iPhone Waterproof Case<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvxj1gLG84gRBSYBWvyMNw5Ow0ElcbEmSiE-OE3nb4zHhpBb5lgMkD3khUqJHAUGzFxXfhzuNDT3Te-fIPUaBIiMybiCjKTw21rCV0ddrIZ414REl6QqRRVTmTOILMI4WlQO6mZE_626B/s1600-h/sanwa-waterproof-iphone-case.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvxj1gLG84gRBSYBWvyMNw5Ow0ElcbEmSiE-OE3nb4zHhpBb5lgMkD3khUqJHAUGzFxXfhzuNDT3Te-fIPUaBIiMybiCjKTw21rCV0ddrIZ414REl6QqRRVTmTOILMI4WlQO6mZE_626B/s400/sanwa-waterproof-iphone-case.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369352669088986498" border="0" /></a>If you can’t manage to part with your iPhone while you’re around a lot of water, you might want to make sure that you protect your iPhone. This case seals all of the water out and still gives you the use of your iPhone while it’s at it. It even still allows for you to listen to your music and use the camera. Which means you get cute pictures of your kids while you’re at the pool without having to worry about them drowning your iPhone.<br /><br />Somehow, even though you can hook up your headphones to your iPhone it will still keep all of the water out. It also still makes it possible to use the touchscreen on the iPhone. This useful case has a serious geek side though, it comes with a lanyard so that you can wear it around your neck. Which with this around your neck you’re probably not going to win any ‘Best Dressed’ awards. You can purchase the case for $32 from Sanwa, but you’ll have to find a way to get it shipped out of Japan.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-6093894130356300912009-08-13T00:45:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:48:26.198-07:00DuoFertility assures baby or money back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3AaNyKQi-L65zVnyrkRh6Jnpf_APjarHSqMwxDDJtZc0HN26rtXbUwAi7uhWmYscPU9CuaGSyDIjwg5iUARjPa8MlCViYDgVca4ELDBzpG9AhDMuxNfYcFYM4lkukra42tWmuZmcjfz/s1600-h/duo-fertility.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3AaNyKQi-L65zVnyrkRh6Jnpf_APjarHSqMwxDDJtZc0HN26rtXbUwAi7uhWmYscPU9CuaGSyDIjwg5iUARjPa8MlCViYDgVca4ELDBzpG9AhDMuxNfYcFYM4lkukra42tWmuZmcjfz/s400/duo-fertility.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369351682770781218" border="0" /></a><br />Folks who are looking to conceive and have plenty of trouble doing so can always check out the DuoFertility gizmo that comes with a money-back guarantee, which is pretty surprising since not many people/parties are willing to include a guarantee in their products these days. The guarantee is good for a year, where they claim that you can always get your money back if you and your partner do not end up with a bundle of joy within that period of time. The entire package will comprise of ovulation detectors made from rubberized plastic which are then stuck below a woman’s arm near her bra strap. This is made possible thanks to an adhesive patch that covers the entire sensor. The sensor will hold a temperature probe and memory chip which will then keep track of essential data every few seconds. The wireless data reader will break down what it has gathered, translating them to a user-friendly piece of information that includes temperature readings as well as an ovulation diary so that one can always do the horizontal hokey-pokey where chance of conceiving is at its highest.<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.gizmodiva.com/other_stuff/duofertility_a_fertility_gadget_that_guarantees_fertility.php" target="_blank">Gizmodiva</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-90346770024027463702009-08-13T00:42:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:43:26.734-07:00Microsoft to hire 400 Yahoo employeesMicrosoft Corp will hire at least 400 workers from Yahoo Inc if government regulators approve the companies' proposed Internet search partnership, and Yahoo will receive $150 million to cover any unexpected costs during the switch to new technology.<br /><br />The details emerged in a regulatory filing that elaborated on an agreement announced last week. Sunnyvale-based Yahoo said then that an unspecified number of its 13,000 employees would be offered jobs at Microsoft after the Redmond, Washington-based software maker assumes control of the search results and search advertising on Yahoo's Web site.<br /><br />The transition is supposed to begin early next year, assuming the alliance is approved by antitrust regulators in the United States and Europe.<br /><br />Microsoft will pay $50 million annually during the first three years of the 10-year contract to supplement the revenue that Yahoo will receive from the ads appearing alongside its search results. The $150 million in guaranteed payments weren't mentioned last week.<br /><br />The filing said Yahoo can use the $150 million to pay for unforeseen transition costs. Yahoo's stock has fallen by about 15 per cent since it unveiled the Microsoft deal, largely because announced terms didn't include a large upfront payment.<br /><br />The disclosure probably won't ease the disappointment much, given analysts had anticipated Microsoft paying $1 billion to $2 billion for access to Yahoo's search engine.<br /><br />Most of the revenue from the Microsoft deal will flow from ad commissions. Yahoo will receive 88 percent of the search ad revenue during the first five years of the contract. After that, Yahoo's commission will range from 83 percent to 93 percent, depending on whether it still handles some of the ad sales in the partnership.<br /><br />The main reason Yahoo decided to turn over its search engine to Microsoft was to save money. If Yahoo wants to save even more on technology, it has the option of adopting Microsoft's online mapping service replace of its own, according to the filing.<br /><br />Yahoo Chief Executive Carol Bartz has already made it known she isn't impressed with Yahoo's online maps. As it is, transferring 400 workers to Microsoft would prune Yahoo's current payroll by about 3 per cent.<br /><br />Yahoo will lay off some workers if the Microsoft deal goes through, Bartz said last week. Tuesday's filing didn't provide any layoff projections. Although it also has been jettisoning workers because of the recession, Microsoft finished its latest fiscal year end in June with 93,000 employees -- an increase of about 2,000 people from the previous year.<br /><br />Microsoft is counting on the Yahoo partnership to help it reverse years of losses in its online operations and siphon some traffic -- and ad sales -- from Internet search leader Google Inc.<br /><br />Yahoo's search engine is the second largest, making it the quickest way for Microsoft to gain ground on Google. Even so, Microsoft and Yahoo combined have less than 30 percent of the US search market compared to 65 percent for Google, according to comScore Inc.<br /><br />To keep Yahoo happy, Microsoft will have to produce ad revenue per search that is within a certain percentage of Google's industry-leading rate. If Microsoft doesn't hit the target, Yahoo can abandon the partnership before the contract expires.<br /><br />The filing didn't specify how close Microsoft has to come to Google's revenue per search. Microsoft estimates that Google gets 7 cents in ad revenue for every search, while Yahoo gets 4.3 cents and Microsoft gets 3.9 cents, according to a PowerPoint slide Microsoft mistakenly posted online.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-84658493662761398802009-08-13T00:39:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:41:44.914-07:00Google's new search engine: Caffeine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLa8kFarw1_n25JrekihrWT8hOP6kOp_WkOnOj_PN6kxlS7tDn6llSTcliyyYv1EWv4FgV4qt5jGSMkB4Ep194_jbVxdwv23Flwd3Z9JL10AYbtE-d2q-YYr3bRjsFKntpGpefEj9lhui/s1600-h/google+caffiene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLa8kFarw1_n25JrekihrWT8hOP6kOp_WkOnOj_PN6kxlS7tDn6llSTcliyyYv1EWv4FgV4qt5jGSMkB4Ep194_jbVxdwv23Flwd3Z9JL10AYbtE-d2q-YYr3bRjsFKntpGpefEj9lhui/s400/google+caffiene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369350303222785634" border="0" /></a>Google Inc is working on a new test version of its search engine, which the company claims will be faster and more relevant than ever before. The company has dubbed the new search engine "caffeine".<br /><br />Look-wise, the new engine doesn't appear different, but its developers hope that the technology they have used will noticeably index new content faster.<br /><br />Google engineers are said to have invited web developers to test the new search engine, and give their feedback. Matt Cutts, a principal engineer at Google, and Sitaram Iyer, a staff software engineer, have posted an entry on the company's webmaster central blog, appealing to developers to try the newly improved service and send them some feedback.<br /><br />"For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Google's web search. It's the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions," the Telegraph quoted them as having written on the blog.<br /><br />"The new infrastructure sits "under the hood" of Google's search engine, which means that most users won't notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so we're opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback," they said.<br /><br />A Google spokesperson added: ""Google is always working on new technologies to improve the quality of our search services. We hope this new system will improve search in the areas of speed, accuracy, and comprehensiveness."<br /><br />Martin McNulty, director of search marketing specialist, Trafficbroker, who has tried the new version, said: "Google's caffeine is undoubtedly faster, almost twice as fast at times. It's like a Google GTi. Caffeine may be 'under the hood' but with this noticeable injection of speed it won't remain under the radar for long. As for accuracy, it's hard to say at this early stage but Google is clearly upping its game by including real-time results and more breaking news, as well as updates from the likes of Facebook and Twitter."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-33143500643874155882009-08-13T00:38:00.000-07:002009-08-13T00:39:08.969-07:00Microsoft banned from selling WordA US judge has ordered Microsoft to stop selling its popular Word document creation application in the country in 60 days after finding that the software contains technology that violates a patent held by a third party.<br /><br />Microsoft Office, which includes Word, accounted for more than $3 billion in worldwide sales in Microsoft's most recent fiscal year and is used by literally millions of businesses and consumers for everyday tasks like word processing and making spreadsheets and presentations.<br /><br />I4i, a Toronto-based software maker, has been battling Microsoft over an obscure patent related to XML or Extensible Markup Language. XML is a key software component of many websites as well as Word and other programmmes.<br /><br />Upholding a May 20 jury decision Tuesday, Leonard Davis, a federal district court judge in Tyler, Texas, banned the world's largest software from selling Word 2003, Word 2007 and future versions of the software that use i4i's technology without a licence.<br /><br />The judge also ordered Microsoft to pay several hefty fines to i4i, including $200 million in damages and $40 million in "enhanced damages".<br /><br />"We feel vindicated with this result," said Michael Vulpe, who co-founded i4i in 1993.<br /><br />"It is not a question of fear or pride or anything else," said Loudon Owen, chairman of i4i. "We're very respectful of Microsoft, but when you're in the right you have to persevere."<br /><br />Microsoft plans to appeal. "We are disappointed by the court's ruling," spokesman Kevin Kutz said in a written statement. "We believe the evidence clearly demonstrated that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid."<br /><br />The suit involves a patent i4i's founders obtained in 1998 that is the basis for a "customised XML" tool the company supplies to drug and defence companies and other large corporations, said Owen.<br /><br />XML is a specialised alphabet that can capture any kind of computer file as a regular text. It's designed to make computer data human-readable -- and make it easier for one programme to load and process data created by another programme.<br /><br />Judge Davis found that Microsoft was aware of i4i's patent and that there was enough evidence of Microsoft "wilfully infringing" on the patent to issue the injunction, pending continuation of the case.<br /><br />Investors shrugged off the news -- perhaps in anticipation of a higher court overturning the ruling, which arose from the plaintiff-friendly Eastern Texas federal jurisdiction, Information Week reported.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-88810628973900051612009-08-13T00:33:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:35:17.212-07:00Deposit a Check using an iPhone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgolAoTIMEHlIwFcqSZsljQ2aVcJzOW7vCt5LJNRdJxszaAUqaMvnWYNQXs5HdMaRpVPpfSWOo7tdmqBwIW3YV87JknULMxryieD9LEZgfapuwu4_wK4kVy6dABjUAH5LcMBGwouUUxSQM/s1600-h/check_550-thumb-550x367-22094.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgolAoTIMEHlIwFcqSZsljQ2aVcJzOW7vCt5LJNRdJxszaAUqaMvnWYNQXs5HdMaRpVPpfSWOo7tdmqBwIW3YV87JknULMxryieD9LEZgfapuwu4_wK4kVy6dABjUAH5LcMBGwouUUxSQM/s400/check_550-thumb-550x367-22094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369348426570518082" border="0" /></a>As a freelance writer, I receive most of the payments for my services online, but every once in a while, I get a check in the mail and have to go to the bank to deposit it. <p>It would appear that USAA bank is removing any reason for me to go to the bank with an iPhone app that allows me to deposit my checks virtually. All I need to do is take a picture of the front of my check with the iPhone, then turn the check over and snap the back of it. Once I hit e-send, the money is in the bank. </p> <p>Of course, I don’t have an iPhone, and that is the case for many others. Another limitation on this new paperless service is it is currently only available for active-duty military personnel. I guess that just makes sense, doesn’t it? How can someone stationed in Iraq make a run to the bank?</p> <p><span id="more-29071"></span>In case you are wondering, the user of this service is required to destroy the check or, if nothing else, write “VOID” on it. If it were me, I would check just to make certain that my funds made it to the bank before I do something like that. </p><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-85136689803509732762009-08-13T00:32:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:33:06.444-07:00Necklace USB Flash Drive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZe66yLyvCusvmwG0TREHBG577IlEf33Um3kIc5_mLzNklKZKlEAcR4CRVNRRuR6hfT5pd-21HsKwerYGiHjBvrWEsnvqo6MBp9jwprtdT7oFFsK2DsO1X-D2DpldbsRs5KFhNufMRm21/s1600-h/usb-jewel-car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZe66yLyvCusvmwG0TREHBG577IlEf33Um3kIc5_mLzNklKZKlEAcR4CRVNRRuR6hfT5pd-21HsKwerYGiHjBvrWEsnvqo6MBp9jwprtdT7oFFsK2DsO1X-D2DpldbsRs5KFhNufMRm21/s400/usb-jewel-car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369348066920732146" border="0" /></a><br />Is your girlfriend a geek at heart? Why, she might chide you for getting a new hard drive when you already have so many, but deep down inside she’s pleased as punch because she knows she’ll need the additional storage space as well to store torrents of her favorite drama series. Why not surprise her out of the blue with this $25 Jewel Car Necklace USB Flash Drive? It might not contain any Swarovski crystals, and neither does it hold a diamond, but hey - isn’t it the thought that counts? This supposedly “fashionable and elegant” piece of tech can be worn as a necklace, making it extremely portable. Inside, you will find 4GB of storage capacity to tote around important files from one place to another in style.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-32902920913138632252009-08-13T00:30:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:31:18.235-07:00Future Cycle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVoI1JOAIKMZCM7yOYgtRd98MZ6Vy9ygQ7RZWSXX-u9be48t6bjMlIIfM189TOL-ZDsI5wbqLzaj5w1BuPr6Y3z7z7QiD9Yau2UxwJ37GvAAY6CDNpSB6m1YXf1eIc5sYMAcSk1Lm56GT/s1600-h/future+cycle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVoI1JOAIKMZCM7yOYgtRd98MZ6Vy9ygQ7RZWSXX-u9be48t6bjMlIIfM189TOL-ZDsI5wbqLzaj5w1BuPr6Y3z7z7QiD9Yau2UxwJ37GvAAY6CDNpSB6m1YXf1eIc5sYMAcSk1Lm56GT/s400/future+cycle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369347617994371202" border="0" /></a>What you seeing here is not a training bike for the Lightcycles of Tron, but a possible design for bicycles of the future. Designed by Chris Boardman, who is an Olympic cyclist, he has added a lot of tech to what was once a human-powered endeavor.<br /><br />In fact, it appears that this future bike (which does not have a fancy name as yet) has a solar powered motor, so that uphill climb isn’t as hard as it used to be. It can also “play music”, and one can only assume that it has some sort of MP3 Player built-in, or something.<br /><br />Did I mention a calorie counter? The bike has it, as well as a fingerprint recognition so that only the real rider can ride it. I suppose the theory is that a crook won’t steal a bike that he or she cannot ride. By the way, the whole bike is made of carbon fiber, and the tires are puncture-proof.<br /><br />Of course, this bike is merely a concept now, but Boardman believes that it will be ready in 20 years. Personally, I’m thinking that it will probably take that long, because I just can’t see how you could fit all those features in the picture that you see here.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-14378625851848049752009-08-13T00:29:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:30:15.713-07:00Bed with built-in speakers for MP3 players<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxovA0LqoStvspx9RZlt6bQeGSDZprpMtOun0Y7CRfd3z9z21zRXPXI7L1NFEWaA6HkJA3HaqAE64gT4kYbJ8ICYmrtT-IQjZIkXPICMD435D0KALVQD6eC_LtNoP0JEFjiTSFFiAuW37/s1600-h/bed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxovA0LqoStvspx9RZlt6bQeGSDZprpMtOun0Y7CRfd3z9z21zRXPXI7L1NFEWaA6HkJA3HaqAE64gT4kYbJ8ICYmrtT-IQjZIkXPICMD435D0KALVQD6eC_LtNoP0JEFjiTSFFiAuW37/s400/bed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369347347454063042" border="0" /></a>If you’re still planning a camping trip before the summer ends and don’t like the idea of roughing it, you might want this mattress. Yes, not only will it keep you from lying directly on all those sharp pointy rocks, but it also tosses in a set of speakers to sweeten the deal. Basically, it’s an air mattress to take camping for people who hate camping.<br /><br />I’m not sure why there is a trend lately with overly high tech air mattresses, but for some reason they keep showing up. Not too long ago there was the air mattress that actually inflated to raise up so you could sit at an angle on it. The built-in 4D QuickPump will deflate and inflate your mattress hands-free. To keep that part powered you’ll need 4 D batteries. Then it also has a built-in amplifier and a set of speakers that can connect to an MP3 player. You can purchase the mattress in both queen sized and twin. The queen mattress will cost you $50 from Amazon.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145184605716032770.post-87249849692838906192009-08-13T00:28:00.001-07:002009-08-13T00:29:12.659-07:00Camera Cube<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQSJeZGdiuRinwr_wyGgS3mL39-p9O417CBasXQWZuqycoZZVrIKZkL-ADjGpLhRMpPpCoB5zwwfoHXUHGPN4Ki-k792kk0Qax7KWfPO3h2wZfvCkRrtsnLZO4RfXT3md5SN23RGVZNJl/s1600-h/camera+cube.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQSJeZGdiuRinwr_wyGgS3mL39-p9O417CBasXQWZuqycoZZVrIKZkL-ADjGpLhRMpPpCoB5zwwfoHXUHGPN4Ki-k792kk0Qax7KWfPO3h2wZfvCkRrtsnLZO4RfXT3md5SN23RGVZNJl/s400/camera+cube.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369347032699065042" border="0" /></a>Budding photographers tired of their images looking like a bad guy leir in Batman may want to pick up the <a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/level-camera-cube/" target="_blank">Camera Cube</a> to keep their photos balanced and straight. <p><span id="more-29188"></span></p> <p>Based on the same design as a contractor’s construction level, the bubble design enables photographers to precisely align their camera on all three axis’ to create a solidly level image. All your camera needs is a hot shoe flash mount to snap the cube on top of. Then users merely make sure the bubbles are within the leveling lines.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;">Features include:</p> <p> • Attaches to any hot shoe<br /> • Perfectly level photos, every time<br /> • 1″ x 1″ x 1″ cube<br /> • Spend less time editing, more time shooting<br /> • 3-axis level so you can shoot horizontally or vertically</p> <p>And while it will help anyone take a straighter image, when composing an image, chances are you’ll lose the composition while looking up to see if the bubbles are within the leveling lines. So the Camera Cube is probably better suited for when photographers are using tripods for those locked down, stable images. And with a tripod’s three adjustable legs, sometimes it helps to have a measurement to be sure that all three legs are evenly adjusted up or down. And the CamCube comes in handy for that as well.</p> <p>All for only $15.</p><span style="font-style: italic;">Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.</span>Santosh Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458416481498176496noreply@blogger.com