Upcoming Gadgets (Tech Friendly)
Archive for July, 2009
Yahoo Board Member Icahn Wants Microsoft Deal
Jul 20th
Activist investor Carl Icahn spoke out in favor of a search deal between Yahoo Inc and Microsoft Corp, as talks between the two companies appeared to regain momentum. Icahn declined to comment on the state of any negotiations between Yahoo and Microsoft. He had tried to broker a partnership between the two companies last year, when talks on Microsoft’s $47.5 billion takeover bid for Yahoo fell apart. “I’ve been a strong advocate of getting a search deal done with Microsoft,” Icahn, who owns about 5 percent of Yahoo and is a director on its board, told Reuters on Friday. “It would enhance value if a deal got done, because of the synergies involved,” he said in a phone interview.
Transcend Launches 120 GB Portable Hard Drive
Jul 20th
Transcend has announced the availability of the StoreJet 18M, a 120 GB addition to its line of StoreJet portable hard drives in India.
Austin Huang, Regional Head – Sales, SAARC & APAC, Transcend, said, “With the launch of StoreJet 18M, Transcend has once again raised the bar set by Transcend’s StoreJet line of portable HDDs. We are confident that our customers will appreciate the enhanced portability of the new StoreJet 18M because of its small size and the peace of mind that comes with the thought of having your data securely stored in a reliable Transcend HDD.”
Google Launches Voice-powered Search
Jul 20th
Bullish on the mobile segment, global search engine major Google is strengthening its applications portfolio with the introduction of services like voice-based search and map solutions.
BSNL, Hungama Launch Music Portal
Jul 20th
Government owned telecom company BSNL and digital music distribution company Hungama have formally launched their digital entertainment store exclusively available for BSNL broadband subscribers.
Lenovo Ideapad Y650
Jul 20th
The Lenovo Y650 sports a multimedia-centric high-end feature set. Needless to say that it’s intended for people who are looking for an all-in-one portable entertainment package.
Artis S5555 5.1 Speakers
Jul 16th
In the midst of numerous LCD TV and monitor reviews you will find one write-up on a choice for a speaker system, because, what good is killer video without decent audio? In this segment we believe budget is important, at the same time the speakers should perform and last. Thus today we are looking at the more down to earth brand, Artis, more specifically a 5.1 speaker package by Artis called the S5555.
Design and Features
It consists of 5 small size bookshelf speakers, with rectangular black cabinets making up their exterior. These connect to the subwoofer, again, not too large. The subwoofer is a bit tall though with LEDs in the front arranged vertically in a column (7 in all), below a similar row of flat silver buttons. This is on the right extremity of the front panel. Color is black matte for the whole set. The product is lightweight and easy to lug around, not to mention very simple to connect, with RCA connections lined up at the back panel, both for stereo and analog 5.1 inputs, even the individual speaker outs are yellow RCAs. The satellites come with wires attached so that’s quite convenient. Speaker driver materials are not mentioned, plus the cloth grilles cannot be removed, so we cannot check and assume. Their sizes are: 3-inch drivers for the satellites and a single 5.25-inch driver for the subwoofer. The sub is sideward firing, with single reflex port on the opposite side. This unit supports Dolby Pro logic, so that is interesting.
As for the stated specs, the power output is measured in PMPO, at a total of 3000 Watts. RMS ratings are also given, at 80 Watt total. Frequency response is 25 Hz – 20 KHz, while Signal to Noise Ratio is 70 dB. The unit comes with a small remote, powered by 2 AAA batteries (not included).
Website Publishes Sensitive Twitter Corporate Info
Jul 16th
Technology news website TechCrunch published on Wednesday sensitive internal documents belonging to Twitter, including financial projections, offering a rare glimpse into the wildly popular microblogging site.
Google Voice For Android, Blackberry Phones Launched
Jul 16th
Google has launched the Google Voice mobile app for Blackberry and Android phones.
This new mobile app allows users to make calls and send SMS messages with their Google Voice number directly from their mobile phone, unlike previously where users had to dial their own Google Voice number from their cell phone or use the Quick Call button online. The app is fully integrated with each phone’s contacts, so users can call via Google Voice straight from their address book.
Features available are:
- Access to voicemail: read message transcripts, follow along with “karaoke-style” playback of messages, read SMS messages sent to your Google Voice number (even if your phone doesn’t receive SMS messages) and access your call history
- Place calls that display your Google Voice number from your address book, the app dialer (Blackberry) or the native dialer (Android)
- Send SMS messages that display your Google Voice number
- Place international calls at low rates
The app can be downloaded from the Google Voice mobile site at m.google.com/voice. It’s also available in the Android Market.
Foe those not using a Blackberry or an Android-powered device, a mobile web version of the Google Voice site (accessible by typing www.google.com/voice into your mobile browser) that allows you to access Google Voice features, is available.
Microsoft’s Bing Gains on Yahoo, Google
Jul 16th
Microsoft Corp’s market share of the U.S. Internet search market increased modestly in June, the first month that it fielded its new Bing search engine, according to the latest data from research firm ComScore.
Sony India Launches 2 Slim Cyber-shot Cameras
Jul 3rd
Sony India has introduced two slim Cyber-shot W series cameras – the DSC-W190 and DSC-W180.
Available in metallic red, black and silver, the cameras sport a brushed metal chassis that is only 18.7mm thin and feature enhanced Face Detection, Smile Shutter and Digital SteadyShot technologies, automatically optimising image settings for quality photo finishes. 
