Upcoming Gadgets (Tech Friendly)
Archive for April, 2009
McAfee to Assist With Cybercrime
Apr 30th
The Cybercrime Response Unit provides diagnosis and remediation advice to victims of identity theft, online financial fraud, cyberbullying and other such crimes. Consumers in the United States have lost close to $8.5 billion over the last two years to cybercrime, according to Consumer Reports. In response, McAfee Inc. has launched the Cybercrime Response Unit (http://www.mcafee.com/us/) the first online center to aid the diagnosis of cybercrime and help an individual recover from the crime.
Motorola Gearing up for Launch of Android Handset
Apr 30th
There seem to be rumors making rounds about Motorola’s entry into the Android market. An image of a kick-ass (potential) device also surfaced and it’s being called the Calgary. While Samsung’s recent I7500 Android powered device is packing a touchscreen with no physical keypad save a few navigation keys, Motorola has gone another way. More in keeping with the G1 and its slide out QWERTY keypad, the images of the Calgary depict a similar form. 
It looks like a rather sexy device with possibly a touchscreen, but what’s really impressive is the keypad. It seems well balanced and evenly placed with the screen in the dead center after it slides up. Something like Sony Vaio tablet PC. The keypad looks like a full QWERTY variation of the Motorola RAZR’s keypad and will add to the appeal for a MOTO fan. The same reports are also talking about the handset’s main directive being social networking.
There’s nothing official about the handset just yet so there’s no information on a release date.
BlackBerry Curve 8900
Apr 30th
The Blackberry 8900 aka the Javelin, is RIM’s first ever smartphone to come equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS and a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera. We’re guessing RIM heard us loud and clear in our previous reviews of the Blackberry. The Bold was their more serious break into the multimedia with business arena that was followed by their attempt at taking on the iPhone with their 9500 Storm. But here’s how the 8900 fared.
World’s first 40nm Graphic Card by XFX
Apr 30th
XFX is excited, and well, they pretty much have a right to be that way, as they’ve just launched the XFX ATI Radeon HD 4770 graphics card powered by the latest 40nm manufacturing processing technology.
The following are some of the graphic card’s features:
Nokia Cuts Jobs, to Take on Apple
Apr 30th
Nokia Oyj will cut up to 360 jobs at Internet services unit as it combines offerings into its new Ovi Store, the world’s top cellphone maker said on Tuesday. Nokia’s new online software and multimedia store will challenge Apple’s hugely successful App Store from May.
Sennheiser Releases iPhone/Nokia Headsets
Apr 30th
Sennheiser communications has introduced two new additions to their range of MM series headsets designed specifically for Nokia and iPhone users. This new collection of headsets will mark the beginning of the new generation of mobile phone headsets.
Tech-com SSD-HPW-210 Headset
Apr 30th
Headsets were a regular feature until 3 months back, but then we had a swarm of newer larger products to be covered. Today it’s time to give back some focus to the humble headphone/headset realm, and to do that we have a ‘next door neighbor’ brand called Tech-com. The model name is SSD-HPW-210, and its touted by the company as a 5 in 1 set, why and how this nomenclature arises we will find out now. 
Design and features
Since it’s a wireless product, we have 2 units, one is a signal transmitter unit and the other is our headphone itself. The color scheme across the board is aluminum and black. The headset has its exterior faces silver, with a black headband. Also there is a black elastic strap joined with the headband. The earcups are padded with usual leatherette material, with each arm emerging out of the cups having a special purpose: the left side carries 2 AAA batteries, while the right side is an FM radio, with a dial and two tiny black buttons; they are really small one might miss them at first glance. A point to note here is the squarish shape of the earcups, a typically ‘ITish’ feature.
The transmitter comes shaped like a mini tower, more so it is shaped exactly like an olden day’s condenser mic. The body is aluminum all over, with a central black rectangular panel in the center. On its left side there is a input for DC, though this unit too can run on 2 AAA batteries. Above the DC input we have EP input for audio. An EP wire is provided, to connect from soundcard to transmitter, besides this we have 4 AAA batteries thrown in. One point to note is the build quality — I feel it’s a bit weak as the materials used are very light, they look like they can bend easily.
So the 5 options to use it are not really 5 separate features, its straightforward actually. In the end we are using the headphone as a listening device with the difference being in the type of audio played through it — like listening to a stereo deck, or chatting on the PC etc. There is a mic slot located under the left ear for chatting purposes.
As for tech specs, we have an operation distance of about 30m, for the RF operation of the wireless headset. It transmits at a frequency of 85.5 MHz. The frequency response of the unit is 30Hz-20kHz, with an signal to noise ratio of more than 40 dB. The THD rating seems pretty high, at 3%.
Kobian launches Mercury Webcam Series
Apr 29th
Kobian, the Singapore based manufacturer of Mercury Motherboards, Chassis and PC Components, unveiled their latest Mercury webcam Series. The current range is christened as Mercury ViewCam. The series offers a range from 1.3MP to 10MP priced between Rs 450 to Rs 5,500.
Based on CMOS technology along with real optics and auto focus features, the Mercury webcam delivers ideal image clarity and a smooth, full motion 30fps digital video stream with High Speed USB throughput. Mercury webcam allows a 360degree rotation and manual lens setting for ideal adjustment for the ease of the user. Powered with Digital Zoom, Built-in Mic, 3D Audio, Night Vision and Pan Tilt Function – Mercury webcams offer a complete experience to the user.
Epson Launches Wireless All-in-One Printer
Apr 29th
Epson launched the Stylus Photo TX700W today. The all-in-one photo printer uses 6 ink cartridges for better quality photo prints, and is also Wi-Fi enabled.
Here are some of its features:
Contemporary design with compact footprint
Prints 4R photo in 10 sec and boasts 40ppm A4 document printing speeds
Integrated Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
Epson Claria Photographic inks that can print images at the resolution of up to 5760 x 1440 dots per inch (dpi)
Ink on prints last for more than 200 years
INKdividual ink cartridges – saves money, only replace the colour used
2.5-inch color LCD screen
Print on a variety of media from plain paper, glossy photo paper and even CD’s and DVD’s
Priced at Rs 13,999, the Epson Stylus Photo TX700W is available now. An optional auto-duplexer is priced at Rs 1,499.
Samsung Omnia Variant – Omnia Pro
Apr 29th
Samsung’s Omnia is aiming to be a presence like no other with variations seemingly creeping out of the woodwork every now and again. After only the recent reveling of the Omnia HD i8910, the next step the company has taken with the device is what’s being called the Omnia Pro. What makes this so special? The slide out QWERTY keypad is the answer. 
Although a picture has been making rounds of what the handset looks like, we’re aching to see it live of course. Judging by the size of the original handset, the keypad should be large enough to make typing quite easy and from the image the design also looks that way. According to reports the handset will be running on a Windows Mobile 6.1 OS and can be upgraded to version 6.5 when that’s out. Other features will include a 5MP AF camera with its image stabilizer and flash.
