Upcoming Gadgets (Tech Friendly)
Archive for March, 2009
Moserbaer ivo 511i PMP
Mar 31st
From Floppy’s to CDs to DVDs and very very affordable DVD and VCD movies to be watched from DVD players on their LCD TVs, Moserbaer has been around for a really long time at least by a techie’s estimation. The company has decided to also enter the Portable Media segment with a range of PMPs called ivo. What we got for testing is the ivo 511i PMP and here’s what I can tell you about it.
LG KM710 Mobile Phone
Mar 31st
With this, the KM710, LG has proven that a mobile phone has gone quite far from being just a simple communication tool and entertainment device to a flashy, sexy, disco lights flashing, technology driven fiend. You’d be mistaken if you think this is a one of a kind handset though. However, looks aren’t everything unless you’re in the market for a handset that satisfies your fashion palette and nothing more. Like I said before, I was quite impressed with the handset last year when it was showcased at Mobile Asia in Delhi. It took its time getting here officially and here’s what I have to say after getting a more in depth look at it.
SE Launches Cyber-shot – C510
Mar 31st
Sony Ericsson has launched its latest Cyber-shot phone – the C510 – with Smile Shutter technology, introduced for the first time in a mobile phone.
Sharp PG-F320W DLP Projector
Mar 31st
It’s been a while since we’ve reviewed anything by Sharp, let alone a projector. This respectable Japanese brand specializes in LCDs, and has a major unit that rolls huge volumes of panels. But currently we are not talking about LCDs, it’s the other technology that shares the throne in the projector realm: DLP technology. We have the latest model by Sharp, called the PG-F320W.
Design
This piece of work is a huge product with a sizeable foot print, faraway from the portable category. The chassis is metallic silver on the top, with dark gray on the sides and bottom panel. The finish is smooth and mildly lustrous on the silver part, and regular matte plastic finish on the rest. These side panels are grilled and expose the cooling fan. The lens pops out from the front left side of panel, and has concentric aluminum colored dials around it for focus and manual zoom.
There are 2 typical screws for height adjustment, one on the centre of the front edge, and one in the corner. There is also the regular mechanical lever for the front screw, to push it down for height adjustment. Transparent glass plastic lens cover is included, one that can be screwed on the lens. It’s not attached to anything and comes off totally, so losing it is possible. The top panel is not bare like models these days, instead the buttons are huge and centrally arranged. There is a colored power switch, along with four directional arrow push buttons ubiquitously placed. Also, the product comes with a small remote, with regular small round buttons powered by 2 AA batteries.
Features
This model is a DLP projector, with a native resolution of WXGA (1280×800). Thus it can be termed as HD ready, or 720p capable projector, though it actually conforms to general data projection parameters. (The aspect ratio is 16:10.) The max it can go to is 1600×1200. Brightness is rated high at 3000 lumens, while contrast too is healthy at 2000:1 native (Full On/off). The lamp life is 2000 hours in normal mode, and there are included speaker which manage about 2 watts of RMS power. The included connections are one DVI (with HDCP) one VGA (mini D-sub), one S-video (mini Din 4 pin), 2 audio ins (one 3.5 mm and one RCA L+R) and finally old fashioned composite video(RCA). Manually we can zoom till 1.20:1, while throw distance is 1.3m – 8.8m, image Size is maximum 762 cm.
New Low Range Mobiles
Mar 31st
In these harsh times of recession etc. etc. money is obviously a little scarce. For those looking to buy a mobile handset but have to hold onto their wallets a little more aggressively than usual, the list I’ve included feature some of the more basic handsets that are available in the market. Don’t expect too much in terms of features, media or otherwise. These handsets were designed for simpler functionality and with regards to most; their prime media features are an FM radio and music player. They are still well equipped for most purposes save a few. Take a look.
BSNL Launch Digital Entertainment Store
Mar 30th
BSNL and Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. have tied up to launch an entertainment broadband value added service – bsnl.hungama.com .
Boom Blox – N-Gage
Mar 30th
Boom Blox – N-Gage
Veteran (and my favorite) director, Steven Spielberg tried his hand at designing a console game and Boom Blox from EA made it out with the Nintendo Wii. Thanks to EA’s Mobile division, the game has made the transition from the console to the N-Gage Arena for Nokia S60 mobile handsets and although it isn’t as colorful and lively as the console version, the game still has a certain amount of appeal.
Look and Feel
If you’ve never played the game it may come off as just a simple launch and drop game that requires no skill of any kind, till you keep seeing the ‘You Lose’ message pop up. I recommend going through the instructions first. It’s not at all complicated however and at the core if it is a simple game really but it does require a certain amount of lateral thinking and positioning skill. This holds especially true for the later stages. The levels progressively get a little more challenging but they lack a little something. What I mean by that is that it could have been a little bit more challenging with perhaps a time trial on each level.
Samsung NP-NC10 Netbook
Mar 29th
Samsung is a late entrant in the netbook arena, but has introduced something solid. Although hardware in most netbooks is courtesy Intel’s Atom processor, let’s find out what is different about the NC10.
Sennheiser Introduces New Headphones
Mar 29th
Sennheiser has introduced three new series of headphones, the CX II, IE and MM series.
The CX II range includes noise-isolating, in–ear canal headphones, with bass-driven stereo sound. The series in the Street, Sport, Gaming, Travel and Style lines guarantee a unique sound experience and exclusive design and colors.
Voice Search Feature With Google For BlackBerry
Mar 29th
BlackBerry users are in for a real treat with the latest version of the Google Mobile App. This new version of the application features Voice Search and My Location. Voice Search is a self explanatory term of course. It essentially means that BlackBerry users will be able to look for data online without having to type anything into a designated field but by simply speaking into the handset while pressing the green ‘Call’ button.
