Cisco (NSDQ: CSCO) on Wednesday introduced a wireless device that streams high-definition video stored in a PC or Mac to a TV.
The FlipShare TV is meant as a companion device to the Flip mini-camcorder Cisco acquired in March. The new set-top box connects to the TV via an HDMI cable that comes with the device, along with an oversized USB dongle that plugs into a USB port on a PC or Mac
The dongle and console are pre-configured to communicate wirelessly, so video stored on the computer can be streamed to the TV. The FlipShare TV includes a remote control for clicking through video via the device's TV interface. The new product is designed to work with FlipShare 5.0, the latest software for the Flip camcorder. The software makes it possible to organize, edit, and share video online, such as on YouTube.
In addition, FlipShare 5.0 makes it possible to upload video to Flip's FlipChannel service, which enables people to share video over the Internet by setting up channels that can be accessed by selected friends and family. In order for FlipShare TV to show online video, the content must first be streamed to the home computer.
FlipShare TV communicates over a peer-to-peer 802.11n Wi-Fi connection. The set-top console is 4.6 x 4.6 x 1.3 inches and weighs 4.6 ounces. The manufacturer suggested retail price is $150.
The device features a USB connector that "flips" out from the camera for easy insertion in PCs and other devices. Flip Video's FlipShare software facilitates use of the camera for posting videos to YouTube and other Web sites.
Dreams come true - Turn on your wrist communication
LG Electronics has developed the Watch Phone capable of the world's first 3G VT Service & GSM Quadband Network with sophisticated philosophy of 'Simple & Easy connectivity' by applying the world's best wireless technology merged with miniaturization and large scale integration technologies. LG Watch Phone is not just simple but also user-friendly, so we would like to you to experience our state of the art wearable gadget.
• World's first 3G supporting / VT call watch phone
Twidroid What is it?: Twitter Client Price: Free; “Pro” version available for around €3.39 (around $5) Description: We’re seeing more and more Twitter clients hit the Android Market as of late, but Twidroid still seems to be the crowd favorite. The free version offers up all the basics (Tweeting, mentions, DM, search, image uploading, etc.), while the Pro version adds video, multi-accounts, and theming support.
2.qik *
Qik/Ustream/Bambuser/etc. What is it? Video Streaming Price: Free Description: The plethora of video streaming applications on Android serves as a fantastic example of the strengths of Android’s open market. While such video streaming clients have been floating around in Apple’s moderation queue for over a year now (and are still only available on jailbroken iPhones), they were made available on Android almost immediately after launch. There are a ton of options available here – I’d recommend starting with Qik or Ustream.
3.flyscreen *
Flyscreen What is it? Lockscreen replacement Price: Free Description: You see that lockscreen each and every time you pull your phone out of your pocket – might as well put it to use, right? Flyscreen replaces the default lockscreen with a user-customizable canvas for widgets, with everything from Twitter to TMZ. It’s a wee bit buggy on the Droid, primarily because of its high resolution – but the Flyscreen guys have already confirmed that an update is on the way.
4.nesoid *
Nesoid What is it? NES emulator Price: $1.99, Lite version available Description: It’s an NES emulator, and it works damn well – do we really need to say anything else? For obvious legal reasons, you’ll need to provide your own ROMs – but once that’s out of the way, it’ll handle just about any popular NES game you can throw at it. We’ve heard mixed reports as to how well this (primarily the Lite version) is working on Android 2.0, but I’m not seeing any issues with the paid version. You can read our full review on CrunchGear here.
5.Meridian *
Meridian What is it? Media player Price: Free Description: As we mentioned in our Smartphone Showdown, media playback (especially video) on the Android platform is rather lacking. We’ve yet to find any third-party applications that really pull it off well, but the Meridian player is about the best we’ve seen so far. It’ll play back MP3, OGG, MP4, and 3GPP files, and offers up basic playlist and gesture support. It’s pretty dang ugly, but it gets the job done.
6.flixster *
Flixster: What is it? Movie times/trailers/DVD info aggregator Price: Free Description: Flixster does one thing, and it does it well: Movies. It keeps you up to date on everything new in the movie world, be it for the box office or the rental store, complete with movie times (by way of GPS), community-driven user reviews, and trailers. Flixster is one of the most well-designed applications I’ve seen on the Android platform, and is one of very few I find myself using regularly.
7.Barcode *
Barcode Reader: What is it? Its.. a barcode reader. Price: Free Description: Barcode reader is pretty much an Android must-have at this point. Lets say you’re perusing a book store and stumble across a book you’re interested in reading – but is it really worth what the nearest big chain book store wants for it? Scan the tag on the back into Barcode Reader, which will pass the details into Google Product Search for a price comparison. At worst, you’ll find out that you’re getting a deal; at best, you’ll save a ton. I’ve saved a few hundred bucks overall by way of Barcode-based comparison shopping.
8.Ted *
TED
What is it? Tons of amazing content, crammed into one app. Price: Free Description: This one serves as our reader’s choice app, so to speak. I reached out to my Twitter posse for some insight on their favorite apps, and the TED application was a resoundingly popular result. The Android TED application brings together a huge number of lectures from the annual Technology, Entertainment, Design conference, with talks from the likes of Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Larry Page, and more. Next time you’ve got 10-15 minutes free, why not spend it gettin’ some smarts?
9.3banana
3Banana
What is it? Notes syncing Price: Free Description: Sign up for a free account, then punch your credentials into both the Android client and your browser. Bam, note syncing! It’s not a substitute for a full-fledged file syncing service like Dropbox, but 3banana is a drop-dead easy way to keep your notes/images synced between your Android handset and your computer.
10.power *
Power Manager
What is it? Battery life assistant Price: $0.99, Lite version available Description: While it’s getting better over time, the Android platform isn’t exactly known for its killer battery efficiency. Android allows users to run apps in the background – and a running application gobbles up battery, whether it’s visible or not. Power manager helps to improve your device’s battery life through profiles. Running on the battery? Dim the screen. Battery down below 30%? Kill the WiFi and the Bluetooth. The free version comes with 4 profiles (Battery powered, low battery, A/C powered, USB powered), while the 99 cent pro version allows you to build you own.
World's Fastest Single Function Letter Format Color Laser Printer1
Discover excellent print quality, exceptional value and outstanding reliability with the blazing-fast DellTM 5130cdn Color Laser Printer.
* High Performance: Up to 47 ppm (letter) (actual print speed will vary with use), excellent print quality * High Productivity: Monthly duty cycle of up to 110,000 pages * Lasting Value: Low cost per page; energy-conscious design
Superb Performance
The Dell 5130cdn Color Laser Printer slashes printing and waiting time while delivering high-quality laser prints.
* Blazing Print Speeds: The world’s fastest A4 single-function color laser printer1, the Dell 5130cdn delivers letter-sized pages at a speed of up to 47 ppm (pages per minute) in both mono and color. (Actual print speeds will vary with use.) Print duplex pages at up to 37.6 ppm (letter) in both mono and color. (Actual print speeds will vary with use.)
* Fast Warm-Up: The Dell 5130cdn delivers a first-print-out time (FPOT) as fast as 8.5 seconds in mono and 10 seconds in color.
* Excellent Print Quality: ColorbyDell technology incorporates an innovative print engine, advanced image-enhancement algorithm and advanced toner technology to deliver brilliant color printouts with crisp, clear text.
* Rich, Glossy Color Images: Advanced EA-Eco Toner emulsion aggregation process saturates paper with superfine toner particles for brilliant color reproduction.
Easy to Set Up, Manage and Use
From setup and printer management through toner replacement and maintenance, the Dell 5130cdn Color Laser Printer is designed to make life easier for IT staff as well as for end users.
Dell 5130cdn Color Laser Printer - Exceptional Long-Term Value
* Setup Navigator: Get easy setup with animated guidance on features ranging from wireless configuration to troubleshooting.
* Remote Printer Management: The Dell Printer Configuration Web Tool lets you manage the 5130cdn printer remotely using a Web browser.
* ColorTrack Pro: This advanced yet easy color-printing access and management tool allows shareable external-server authentication.
* Easy Toner Maintenance & Purchase: The Dell Toner Management SystemTM alerts you when you're low on toner and streamlines the process of ordering replacement toner.
* Intuitive User Controls: Thoughtful design features include an LCD panel, 5-way cursor keypads, three user buttons, and dedicated wrinkle-free envelope-printing mode.
What's the best technology to use to track people who like to wander off? You might be inclined to say GPS, but stagger into a cave or basement (or, sometimes, a city street) and suddenly you're off the grid, man. Not with Ekahau's T301W wristband: it uses Wi-Fi to beam location information. Yes, we know that your average cave doesn't have Wi-Fi, but Ekahau has a range of beacons available that will fix that, and when in the presence of those beacons (or any other configured Wi-Fi network) a wristband can be located to within a few feet. It's the latest of a variety of similar devices from Ekahau, but the first small enough and waterproof enough to be wearable, which has the company envisioning everyone from cruise ship captains to secret service agents slapping these on their visitors. At $60 a pop, though, we're not sure how many organizations will be able to afford that many.
HP recently established a new category in videoconferencing by shedding light on their HP SkyRoom, where it is touted to be an affordable, high-definition videoconferencing software which will offer live, real-time collaboration for instant face-to-face meetings. All this without having to fork out a single cent for subscription fees? Sounds like a dream, eh? The HP SkyRoom will be based on breakthrough video and image communication technology that was developed in HP Labs, where elements of this technology has already seen action in NASA’s Mars rovers which transferred high-resolution images back to earth from the Red Planet with huge success. The HP SkyRoom is touted to be the only videoconferencing tool that can offer real-time collaboration for up to four people over a standard business network, costing the company a mere $149 which is much less compared to a round-trip airfare from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
HP SkyRoom will soon be part and parcel on selected HP business desktop and mobile workstations, and even better news for organizations that are looking for means and ways to cut cost – the SkyRoom will be free for a trial period on a fair number of upcoming HP premium business PCs and notebooks as well. If you happen to own workstations or PCs from other manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo or Sun, fret not – HP SkyRoom is compatible on those platforms as long as they meet minimum technology requirements.
The breakthrough innovation behind HP SkyRoom is derived from the merging of high-definition, multiuser videoconferencing and a sophisticated capability that will share display information more securely compared to the actual transfer of data and processing functions. In layman’s terms, the video engine will allow everyone to view the presenter’s display as well as each other without suffering from stuttering frame rates, via a multiway videoconferencing session. The video engine itself is multithreaded in order to take full advantage of today’s multiprocessor and multicore processing technologies. Apart from that, it can also handle 2D and 3D graphics, full-motion video and multidisplay – even if your system has but a 2D graphics card.
This device would be a relief of a hot summertime. It is powered by 4xAA batteries to run for 5 hours, you could also power the handy cooler using a power outlet or through your usb port.
Suffer no more, ye overheated masses! Take cool air with you with our new Handycooler personal air conditioner! Evaporative cooling is the trick here. Simply drizzle a few ounces of water onto a sponge, and place it in a device a little bigger than a cordless phone, and enjoy cool breezes wherever you go. The fan draws air over the damp sponge, cooling it by up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The ducted fan rotates to move the air where you want it, but you’re gonna want to blow that heavenly cool air right past your sweating noggin. Ah, there. That’s the stuff.
Features
* Effective evaporative cooling technology utilizing a water filter * Humidifying effect alleviates allergies and soothes breathing * Small and portable. Hand held and/or desktop usage. * Battery-operated (4 AA, not included), USB power compatible, home socket power compatible * Battery life approximately 5 hours * Patent-pending new invention. The only handheld swamp cooler. * 2.5 x 2 x 7 inches
Widescreen technology is everywhere these days, built into virtually every new notebook, desktop monitor and flat-panel TV,1 and Microsoft Hardware sets a new standard for webcams with LifeCam Cinema, the first consumer webcam on the PC to offer widescreen video with a native 720p sensor.2 The timing couldn’t be better, with more and more people going online to share videos with friends and family; in fact, more than 10 million videos are uploaded each month to Facebook alone.3 LifeCam Cinema webcam’s 720p widescreen sensor will deliver clear, quality videos — without leaving anyone out of the shot.
“When we started working on LifeCam Cinema almost a year ago, we were motivated by the fact that new computer displays were predominantly widescreen and top social networking sites were allowing widescreen video,” said Stuart Milton, systems engineer for Microsoft Hardware. “LifeCam Cinema sets the stage for the next generation of webcam use: uploading widescreen videos with amazing quality to social networking sites and soon chatting live with friends and family in widescreen format.”
LifeCam Cinema was created to deliver an experience like the movies, with great high-definition (HD) video and clear sound. However, life doesn’t happen on a movie set, and most people don’t have a lighting team in their house to make them look camera-ready. In common indoor settings (low-light situations4) Microsoft Corp. is delivering an easy way to show amazing video quality in these scenarios. Maintaining a high frame rate even in the lowest lighting, LifeCam Cinema helps ensure that users look well lit and that video remains smooth.
As the only PC consumer webcam on the market today with a native 720p sensor that delivers widescreen video capture at 16:9,2 LifeCam Cinema provides 720p high-definition video and features Auto Focus to keep video sharp from across the room all the way up to 4 inches from the webcam. Also launching with LifeCam Cinema is Microsoft’s ClearFrame Technology, which offers faster image processing technology to help deliver smooth video at any resolution and improved noise reduction technology to reduce image graininess and keep video sharp. Finally, the LifeCam Cinema webcam’s widescreen technology allows the widest angle of capture ever for a Microsoft webcam, at 74 degrees — no need to worry about leaving anything out of the shot again.
Garmin International Inc. recently introduced its latest GPS device called nuvi 1490T that features 5-inch Touch Sensitive Technology and multiple navigation tools that will provide road mapping details that will help travelers to easily locate their destinations.
The nuvi 1490T’s main focal point is its sleek design, which is about 25 percent slimmer than its predecessors. The ultra-thin design is perfect for people who want smaller but more efficient GPS device inside their cars. The design is also a good travel companion for people who love strolling around on foot.
Another impressive feature of the GPS device is the 5-inch touch-screen LCD which provides convenient viewing experience for its users. Meanwhile, the 5-inch LCD also gives drivers a clearer view of the directions so they won’t need to take their eyes off the road.
Another amazing feature of the device is its route planning capability, which can save up to 10 different routes all at once. This feature also allows the gadget to display road signs, street directions, and arrows pointing to the proper lane.
The “multiple-point” routing capability of the new nuvi 1490T is the most efficient innovation in the GPS category. The feature will take care of all the calculation to provide users the most cost efficient and fastest route between multiple points.
Users do not have to worry about different time zones as the gadget automatically adjusts the time once travelers crossed the borders. It also has a built-in speed limit indicator giving users real-time display of speed limits in every major highway in the map.
Meanwhile, the best feature of the new nuvi 1490T is the built-in traffic receiver that gives users real-time updates of traffic situation on every road to their destination. (NAVTEQ and Garmin’s ecoRoute will provide the free lifetime traffic alert.) However, this feature is only available in selected coverage points. The ecoRoute, on the other hand, will give users options and suggestion on what points to take for a more fuel efficient travel.
On the webpage intended to give an overview of this new mobile phone, which is included on the official HTC website, we can read the following: “HTC Tattoo is all about you. It’s the first phone that can be customized inside and out. Decide how your phone looks, then decide what you want to look at. Texts? Twitter? Your photos? When you’re done customizing HTC Tattoo, you’ll have a phone that speaks loudly about who you are and what you’re into.”
HTC Tattoo is a latest-generation mobile phone with a lot of great features. With this phone, you will be able to chat, write and send text messages, make tweets of 140 characters or less, and use all the widgets you want in a very accessible way in order to be connected to a wide range of online services. If you want to play games, you can do it too: You only need to go to the Android Market and download all the games you want to play.
Are you a music fan? With HTC Tattoo you can group your music collection by album and artist, or create playlists, so you will be able to listen to your stored music at any time without needing to make an endless search process… yes, every song will be within your reach with a very easy access point. The same thing applies to the photos. Besides, you will also be able to access your or your friends’ photo collections on Flickr or Facebook.
HTC Tattoo was designed to be an extremely user-friendly mobile device. The search button will allow you to find any person in your contact list in a fast and easy way, or find a specific e-mail in your inbox folder, or search on the web, or find a task / appointment in the calendar application.
Specifications
Processor Qualcomm® MSM7225™, 528 MHz Platform Android™ 1.6 Memory ROM: 512 MB RAM: 256 MB Dimensions (LxWxT) 106 x 55.2 x 14 mm ( 4.17 x 2.17 x 0.55 inches) Weight 113 grams ( 3.99 ounces) with battery Display 2.8-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with 240x320 QVGA resolution Network HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz Up to 384 kbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)
Device Control 4-Way navigation control with Enter button GPS Internal GPS antenna Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0) 3.5 mm audio jack Camera 3.2 megapixel color camera Audio supported formats MP3, AAC(AAC, AAC+, AAC-LC), AMR-NB, WAV, MIDI and Windows Media Audio 9 Video supported formats MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media® Video 9 Battery Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery Capacity: 1100 mAh Talk time: Up to 342 minutes for WCDMA Up to 390 minutes for GSM Standby time: Up to 520 hours for WCDMA Up to 340 hours for GSM (The above are subject to network and phone usage.)
Expansion Slot microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) AC Adapter Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz DC output: 5V and 1A Special Features G-sensor Digital Compass FM Radio
* 8GB or 16GB flash drive2 * Holds up to 2,000 or 4,000 songs in 128-Kbps AAC format3 * Holds up to 7,000 or 14,000 iPod-viewable photos4 * Holds up to 8 hours or 16 hours of video5 * Stores data via USB flash drive
Accessibility
* Spoken menus allow listeners to hear many of the names of menus, song titles, and artists without viewing the screen. * An alternative large font can make menus easier to read. * A high-resolution LCD display with adjustable contrast and backlight settings makes it easier to read in low light. * Captions in video are displayed when they are present using a legible, high-contrast white-on-black font.
Environmental requirements
* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C) * Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C) * Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing * Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Environmental Status Report
iPod nano embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It is designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:
* 2.2-inch (diagonal) TFT display * 240-by-376-pixel resolution at 204 pixels per inch
VoiceOver Kit
* Chinese (Cantonese) * Chinese (Mandarin) * Czech * Danish * Dutch * English * Finnish * French * German * Greek * Italian * Japanese * Korean * Norwegian * Polish * Portuguese * Russian * Spanish * Swedish * Turkish
Audio
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz * Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV * User-configurable maximum volume limit
Headphones
* Earphones * Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz * Impedance: 32 ohms
Languages
* Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Cantonese (Traditional Chinese), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, and UK English * Additional language support for display of song, album, and artist information: Bulgarian, Serbian, Slovenian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese * iPod nano supports 20 VoiceOver languages: Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (U.S.), Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; other languages are available with the purchase of a supported third-party text-to-speech engine * iPod nano supports 20 spoken menu languages: Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (U.S.), Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; other languages are available with the purchase of a supported third-party text-to-speech engine
Video Capture
* H.264 VGA video, 640 by 480 pixels, up to 30 frames per second with AAC audio * 15 real-time special effects: Sepia, Black and White, X-Ray, Film Grain, Thermal, Security Cam, Cyborg, Bulge, Kaleido, Motion Blur, Mirror, Light Tunnel, Dent, Stretch, and Twirl
External buttons and controls
* Hold switch * Click Wheel
Input and output
* Dock connector * 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Battery and power6
* Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery * Playback time o Music playback time: Up to 24 hours when fully charged o Video playback time: Up to 5 hours when fully charged Audio: 24 hours. Video: 5 hours. Recording Video 1.5 hours. * Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter (sold separately) o Fast-charge time: about 1.5 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity) o Full-charge time: about 3 hours
Mac system requirements
* Mac computer with USB 2.0 port * Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later * iTunes 9 or later7 * iPhoto 6.0.6 or later recommended for use with Mac OS X Tiger8 * iPhoto ’09 recommended for use with Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard8
Windows system requirements
* PC with USB 2.0 port * Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later * iTunes 9 or later7
Blu-Link Universal Remote Control for PlayStation 3
Rejoice PS3 owners, because there’s finally a low-cost solution for operating both your PS3 and your other home components from a single universal remote control.
For those of you out there who have put their PlayStation 3 at the center of their home entertainment system because of its stellar Blu-ray player, you know what a pain it is to control both your PS3 and your other A/V devices because of Sony’s choice of Bluetooth instead of IR as their remote communication protocol. But that would be a thing of the past because now, there’s the Blu-Link Universal Remote Control – the first universal remote control with built-in support for both PlayStation 3 Bluetooth and infrared for home audio visual equipment.The SMK Blu-Link universal remote offers what PS3 owners have been waiting for since 2006: a single remote that controls all your gear, without a dongle. Blu-Link comes pre-programmed to support numerous models of TVs, VCRs, DVDs, DVRs, surround sound systems, cable, satellite and set top boxes. In addition to the pre-programmed codes, Blu-Link can learn infrared commands from other remote controls. And, with non-volatile memory storage, the Blu-Link Universal Remote Control for PlayStation 3 retains all button assignments even when its 2 AA batteries are removed.
The Blu-Link though lacks many of the ins and outs of the Harmony line of products, such as online programming and activity-based controls, but the low $50 price may make it a good option if you’re on a tight budget and just want basic control of all your gear in a single remote.
During ancient times, people used to read time with there bare eyes by observing the position of the sun. Later on, through various developments, we are now using time devices to read the time change, but still our eyes are the key witness of the changing times. WITness is a concept timepiece that was built to demonstrate the unavoidable relationship between the eyes and the time. This device can be powered up by pressing the side buttons for 2 seconds and it will go back in standby mode automatically. Standby mode is designed to save energy by using only 35% of the LED power. It comprises a flexible bracelet type watchband and a quick locking system for easy and efficient wearing.
The Napkin PC aims to bring out the creative passion of the user both individually and in group sessions. It encourages spreading out and allows for multiple creative workflows that can interact or just as easily stay independent. It encourages group interaction and collaboration by allowing any number of interfaces that can be passed around or pinned up, but which all communicate with a central network.
Users’ Culture & Lifestyle
The primary users are creative professionals including those in any field of design, but also expanding to include business and marketing professionals who use creative thinking to come up with business plans or marketing campaigns. Their primary need is to have a simple system to help keep their creativity moving and maintain good collaborative communication. They want to drink a cup of coffee, pick up a pen and let their creativity flow, without having to sit down later to actually document and organize the information later. The Napkin PC is a continuously additive system, where each new idea is already documented and organized with references and connections to related ideas. In addition each Napkin interface is an instant portal to the entire network giving quick and easy access and sharing of ideas and reference material.
Market Viability
The design appeals to business professionals. It is ideal for work groups of around 6 people (a typical brainstorming meeting) although the system is easily expandable for larger business. The viable markets are any business that works with creative professionals. Any company that relies on brainstorming and group collaboration would benefit from using a Napkin PC. A secondary market is creative professionals who work alone or in smaller groups, but who want the same ability to spread out and use multiple workflows.
Size
See page titled “Dimensions” Napkin interface: 180mm x 180mm x 2mm Pen stylus: 140mm x 9mm x 10mm Base station: 160mm x 150mm x 150mm Mobile station: 45mm x 36mm x 15 mm
Overview of Design
The Napkin PC is innovative because of its multi-flexibility. It can have multiple users, multiple interfaces, and multiple configurations. It breaks the PC down to only the interface— a pen and a space— and then gives you a multitude of both so you can let your creativity run wild.
User & Context
The users are creative professionals who work in collaborative groups. The PC is designed to be used for brainstorming, ideation, meetings, think tanks, etc. — anywhere where creativity is the driving force.
Scenarios of Use
There are two new usage scenarios delivered by the PC. First is the brainstorming workflow. Creativity that normally starts on paper and whiteboards goes instead directly into the PC without the user changing their behavior. This creativity is richer because of the innumerable software tools and resources available on every Napkin interface. It can also be shared, compiled, and compared instantly for a smooth, speedy workflow. The second scenario is a replacement for printing. Instead of ever putting ink on paper, the interfaces themselves instantly become “prints” when power is removed. They would then be used just like a print, pinned up, handed around, reviewed, etc. When the print is no longer needed the interface is simply returned to the base station as a fresh Napkin.
User Interface The interface consists of any number of Napkins and one of the Pens. When powered by the Pen, the Napkin is a multi-touch input display which responds to human touch as well as the Pen. The intuitive use of a pen and paper is exploited by the design, making it very easy to use. Also the ability to work on multiple interfaces in parallel, instead of shuffling through windows on a single interface, makes multitasking much easier.
Aesthetics
The Base station is designed to interact like a napkin holder. The user can grab an interface from the stack in the middle of the table. The computer itself is somewhat hidden in the Napkin holder, its only reminder being the OLED status display on the front. The user only really interacts with the Napkins and the Pens. This helps them maintain hands-on, creative freedom. The square Napkin form is used because it is modular, but also because it conveys the idea of being one of many. This helps the user stay relaxed and open minded because less importance is put on a single interface.
Technical Aspects
The key technologies are full color e-Paper, multi-touch input, Inductive power circuits, and high speed RF wireless connections. The e-Paper is key because of its low power consumption, thinness and flexibility, and ability to retain an image without power. Multi-touch is simply the future of intuitive input that makes the PC fun, fast, and easy to use. The inductive power circuits are crucial because they allow wireless power transfer and make the interface Napkin simple and inexpensive enough to be used in large numbers. High speed RF continues to keep everything wireless and intuitively seamless.
Ecology
The environmental sustainability of the PC is most innovative with the Napkin interface. It is the most numerous component and the one most likely to need replacing due to wear over a few years. Therefore it is beneficial to make it easy to recycle which is accomplished by powering it with an inductive circuit. This eliminates a hard-to-recycle internal battery. The second, and likely more impactful, innovation is the use of the interface as an instant “print.” This eliminates the need for printers, paper, and ink, which are used in large amounts during the creative process.
You're ready to buy a camera. You've got your money in hand and you're ready to start shopping. Before going off to purchase the most gleaming model you can afford, prepare yourself with the following essential buying tips.
Know yourself and why you need a camera. Consider your capabilities and interest in photography, and how a digital camera fits into your lifestyle. Different models are better suited for different situations. See if you might fit into one of the three photographer-types listed below:
Novice User: Are you new to the world of digital photography? Many low-cost point-and-shoot digital cameras include a range of standard features that are simple to learn and operate, making them an ideal choice for the beginning or casual photographer.
Intermediate Photographer: If you take a wider array of photographs -- from quick snapshots to vacation photos to sporting events -- you'll need a versatile, full-featured camera that can handle a range of zoom scenarios, photo subjects, lighting conditions, and so on.
Serious Amateur: Are you an experienced photographer that is prepared to pay a higher price for the features, flexibility, and control available only with a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera with interchangeable lenses?
• Determine your ideal camera type. Make sure you understand the relative strengths and limitations of point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and which is best suited for the photos you want to take. Although there are areas where the lines between point-and-shoots and DSLRs are blurring, the two classes of camera still have their own distinctive features that make them well-suited for different situations. Which camera is best for you can be as simple as needing the image quality of a DSLR or the convenience of a point-and-shoot, or it can be a more involved decision based on your experience level, the type of photos you take, and your desire to use manual settings. Here are some quick features of each camera type to help you decide.
• Get a feel for the camera. Hold the camera and take a few photos with it. You'll get more enjoyment from a camera and use it more often if it fits comfortably in your hand and the controls are easy to use.
• Look beyond the megapixels. For high-quality photos, consider the size and type of the camera's image sensor.
• Check out the zoom and focus features. Higher power zoom lets you get closer to the action, and optical zoom is more important than digital zoom because it doesn't reduce image quality. Auto focus features also are important, but a camera with manual focus features can give you greater flexibility.
• Help reduce the risks of blurry photos. Image stabilization is important for helping to reduce shaking and blurriness. Electronic image stabilization is a good start, while optical image stabilization is even better.
• Low-light capabilities matter. How well your camera performs in low light matters as much as how well it takes photos in bright sunlight. Cameras that have high ISO sensitivity (ISO ratings 800 or higher) will be better able to capture properly exposed images with reduced blur in dimly lit situations.
• Consider advanced features. Think about what additional technology features you want in your camera -- such as face detection or in-camera retouching -- to help you achieve better results and enhance your overall photography experience.
• Accessorize in style. Know what accessories you would like to use and what other devices you want to connect to your camera, such as an HDTV to view your photos, in order to make sure it has the right inputs and outputs.
• Be sure to comparison shop. Before deciding on a specific model, look at the models above and below it. Sometimes you can get amazing features for only a small price difference.
This, according to iLounge’s trusted tipster, is pretty much what the fifth-generation iPod nano will look like. No touchscreen interface, but the display does get an aspect change; there’s also said to be a camera on the back and a smaller control wheel.
The screen gets wider (when held horizontally) to 1.5:1 aspect, from the current fourth-gen nano’s 1.33:1, which should reduce black-bars when watching widescreen content. As for the scroll-wheel, that’s shifted down the body to accommodate the bigger display, and the whole thing has a smaller diameter and more compact center-button.
On the back, meanwhile, there’s a camera of unspecified resolution; it’s likely to be covered up when the iPod nano is held in portrait orientation, but flip it to landscape and hold the PMP as you would a standard camera and it’ll be more useful. According to their source, the fifth-gen iPod nano will debut sometime between July and September (likely later rather than sooner) at the same time as a refreshed iPod touch.
As for the iPhone, iLounge have been informed that there’ll be no less than six versions of the third-gen model, three models each with two storage options. As well as a standard 3G (e.g. 3.5G HSDPA) there’ll be an “enhanced 3G” version (likely faster HSPA), plus a mainland China version that looks like the existing phone and comes in scratch-resistant matte plastic. The models will be tailored to different networks in different locations, so consumers won’t have a choice between, say, the two 3G handsets.
Take the most daring Android phone yet, but make it faster, stronger and better (but blander). You have the Sprint take on the HTC Hero, which happens to be the best Android phone you can buy.
HTC has taken the striking, aggressive angles of Hero v1 and flattened them out into a rounded, far more generic looking phone. It's not hideous, but it's lost its power to captivate as a geek fetish object.
Everything else about this version of the phone is better: The software, which is exactly the same content-wise on the HTC front as the first Hero, has been seriously optimized, so it doesn't suffer show-stopping slowdowns anymore, even with a full set of HTC's widgets running. Speed-wise overall, it's about the same as a G1 running the stock Android OS—bearable, but not exactly a blitzkrieg.
Interestingly, while HTC says the hardware is exactly the same—except for the CDMA chips to get it on Sprint's network, obviously—there are some differences we noticed. The screen, while the same size, actually seems to look a little bit better on the Sprint model. Not worlds better, but if you look close, the difference is there. The colors are a bit more saturated, the viewing angle a little wider. Also, it's got a bigger battery: 1500 mAh, compared to 1350 before. The bigger trackball is a plus, since it takes less thumb movement to get around, meaning less carpal tunnel problems in the future.
And, while it's very possibly firmware at play, the 5MP camera shoots, on average, about twice as fast as the first Hero, and the metering in low light seems to be way better, too.
The only real new bits, software-wise, are a handful of pretty standard Sprint apps: Sprint Navigation, NFL Mobile Live, Nascar, SprintTV and Device Self-Service. Everything else, from the keyboard to the multi-touch browser looks the same, just faster (and in the case of Flash in the browser, more reliable too, since we could actually watch videos this time around). Which is dandy, since HTC's Sense UI, with its multiple desktops, social networking integration, widgets for weather, Twitter, settings and other enhancements, made Android great.
The real power of this Hero is that the best Android phone you can buy—it's everything good we said about the first Hero, but with our biggest complaint, speed, fixed—is on Sprint and its solid 3G network—making it the first U.S. Android phone outside of T-Mobile—and it's $180. Plus, the required Sprint Everything now has free calling to any mobile number, not a bad perk.
If you've been waiting for an Android phone not on T-Mobile, or one that's finally just about ready for primetime, this is it.
You can never be too careful these days, considering just how our world has degenerated in a rather alarming manner with all sorts of crimes and evil deeds being reported on the news round the clock. Gone are the days of innocence, where one can sleep in peace without locking the front door of the house. Not to mention the criminal atrocities associated with children by devilish adults, making parenting a more stressful job than it already is. Amber Alert aims to alleviate some of the parents’ fears by introducing their Amber Alert GPS 2G child tracking device which is capable of keeping tabs on the little ones all the time, giving their parents a sense of control and much needed peace of mind.
The Amber Alert GPS 2G allows parents to limit their children’s boundaries by coming up with a pre-designated safe zone regardless of where they are. In addition, the device will help create a “bread crumbing” trail of the children’s route using a series of alerts. Not only that, it goes the extra mile by alerting the parent that the child has reached their designation safe and sound, while voice monitoring and the ability to monitor the vehicle’s speed surely go a long way in making this a “must buy” device for new parents who are anxious to keep tabs all the time and do not want to let one moment of carelessness result in a disaster. As for the kids themselves, they can also access an emergency button to alert the parent whenever they are in need of help.
As a busy person, you know the importance of staying a step ahead of your clients and your family. You probably know the feeling of being tied to your desk or home so as not to miss that important email or phone call and to maintain convenient access to essential data—proposals, schedules, contact information, business news or the stock market. However, thousands have newfound freedom using PDA-style smartphones designed for business (and fun). Today’s smartphone traces its roots back to the personal digital assistant or PDA. Originally used as businessperson’s right hand to track important client information, project statuses, and task lists, smartphones have evolved into an everyman’s (and woman’s) tool.
Smartphones are much more than just cell phones; they provide instant access to the web. Whether you’re researching news to predict the stock market or looking for the perfect golf course on the weekend, you’ll find it on the net.
Many smartphones allow you to sync with your desktop computer. This means you can store, view, and work on documents directly on your handheld. You can also receive and respond to emails as they arrive in your inbox on your home computer with real-time push email.
Smartphones can also serve as multimedia devices, so your entertainment goes with you. They can store and display pictures and videos of friends and family and even entire feature-length movies. Most smartphones take pictures and capture video, but the most common multimedia function is the ability to play MP3s—sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite tunes while traveling or during breaks.
Another perk of using a smartphone is the fairly recent development of third-party applications (or apps). These apps range from those geared toward hardworking business tasks to entertaining games and everything in between. With thousands of apps available to download in a range of prices, there’s sure to be something that will appeal.
In this site, you'll find articles on cell phones, comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison that will help you make an informed decision on which smartphone is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don’t have to.™
What to Look for in a Smartphone for Business
In the past, business people were easily identifiable—they carried large briefcases, binder planners and perhaps a brick cell phone. The scene has changed and so has the way we conduct life and business. A smartphone stores important data and documents, offers a calendar planner, provides instant access to the internet and email and keeps you in touch with clients, coworkers, friends and family – anytime and anywhere.
Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate business smartphones.
* Productivity/ Lifestyle Tools—Smartphones act as life management devices and include organizing features like calendars and task lists. Most sync with home computers allowing for document viewing and editing. They also include practical tools like calculators, map applications and GPS. Some have the ability to support third-party or browser-based programs that can perform a variety of specific functions. Third-party apps are becoming a key component of a smartphone, allowing the user to customize their phones to support their lifestyles.
* Voice/Text Features—The foundation of business is communication, and a smartphone’s first function is as a cellular phone. Smartphones for business should include all typical cell phone features including speakerphone, three-way calling, voice dialing, call waiting, etc.
* Internet Features—Most smartphones can access the internet and display full webpages. Top ranked phones will connect via Wi-Fi and 3G for faster browsing speeds.
* Multimedia Features—The best business cell phones have at least a 2 megapixel camera with zoom features and the ability to play and record audio and video.
* Technical Specifications—The most practical smartphones are compact, include good input and display options, and enough battery life to last through a full day’s work, and beyond
These speaker bags don’t just look like speakers, but they are speakers for iPods, and I would imagine iPhones. It brings out about 30 watts worth of power, which is enough to disturb the salespeople and other customers as the girls throw high-priced items into the bag itself.
Of course, I don’t know how much the bag can hold with the dock inside, but hey, it’s all about style, isn’t it? I do know that the dimensions are 46 x 12 x 11 centimeters. Now if only they would make this in pink. Rich heiress girls from Beverly Hills would be all over this. “Yeah, we love shopping with the speaker bag”.
As it is, rich heiress girls would probably be the only ones who can afford this, as it costs $335.
By the way, the bags themselves have a wooden finish, and they weigh about 1.5 kilograms. So they might not be comfortable to carry around all day. They do stand up straight, and work well as stereo speakers for your desktop PC.
