feedburner
Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

HP Mini 1000 Netbooks

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , ,


The Mini 1000 MIE has a custom HP interface meant to hide its Linux OS from users.

(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)

Hardware
We'd be the first to gripe about HP's aesthetics in the consumer space, but for some reason the Mini 1000 just works. Perhaps it's the small form factor that leaves little room for the gaudy and yet a whole bunch of room for a great keyboard, screen and halfway-decent touchpad. The lid of the netbook has a fancy shiny pattern worked into it, which is subtle enough to be tasteful, and the chrome speaker grill in the hinge isn't bad at all. There's an edge-to-edge glass-ish surface in front of the screen, which is probably about 0.75 MacBooks on the glare-o-meter.

The overall build is pure quality, and we can't emphasize enough how important it is for a computer, especially a small, super-portable computer, not to feel like a toy in your hands. This puppy weighs 2.4 pounds in the 10.2-inch configuration, and hardly flexes a millimeter, with a solid screen, hinge and body. It's only slightly less than one inch thick, which is bested handily by the Eee PC S101, but the shrunk-to-fit 16:10 form factor means that "clutch" moniker is more than just marketing speak, it's a whole new way to carry your laptop, and we find it to be plenty small.

We're especially inspired by the edge-to-edge keyboard, which is easily the nicest we've used on a netbook, or really any laptop smaller than 12.1-inches (and bests many larger than that). HP did move a few things around a bit to make it all fit, but all the right keys are right where you need them, and our large hands were pounding out mistake-free sentences brimming with wit on our first try.

nfortunately, HP hasn't seen the error of its ways when it comes to the trackpad, so we're stuck with right and left click buttons on the right and left of the trackpad -- the exact wrong place to reach them from. Luckily, it's a good and large trackpad, with good sensitivity, good tap-to-click, and good scrolling -- all of which you'll rely on heavily to avoid those dreaded side buttons.

The LED-backlit screen is disappointingly low resolution, but is quite bright and plenty vibrant -- a lot better than it looks in our pictures, trust us. The standard battery is a three-cell, but HP will be offering a six-cell in January. 3G should be available in December.

For expansion there's a removable HP Mini Mobile Drive in the SSD versions of the Mini 1000, which is a straightforward USB drive, but disappears completely when you slide it into its designated slot, flush with the machine. Also, intriguingly HP plans to offer an optional "HD video decode accelerator mini-card." We're not exactly sure what that entails, but it sounds fun.

Software
Windows XP is naturally Windows XP, but HP's MIE is truly another thing entirely. HP seems to have taken the best of all worlds, borrowing from its TouchSmart interface for good looks and ease of use, an Ubuntu base for power and extensibility, and some of the lightweight convenience of "instant-on" operating systems to make it all netbook-appropriate.

The OS starts up at a respectable pace, and once you've booted you're faced with a home screen that's actually preloaded your primary apps to save you the trouble. Web Browser (Firefox) shows you a few favorites and a search bar, Email (Thunderbird) shows you your recent messages, and Music and Photo apps just sit there looking pretty. There's a nice big app switcher "dock" of sorts across the bottom, and from anywhere in the OS you can tap the "Windows Key" to jump back to the home screen.

There's a fundamental shift here from the file browser and window manager-first approach of most desktop operating systems, but unlike some instant-on operating systems that really do limit you to pre-loaded applications and stripped down functionality, most everything's still here. You can file manage to your heart's content, install programs from Ubuntu's extensive repository, run pre-loaded apps like Open Office, and we're sure someone will manage to make this switchable to Ubuntu's traditional desktop view before long. Unfortunately, HP's not open sourcing any of its MIE interface, which is a little sad seeing how much the company has obviously benefited from existing open source work.

The real weakness here is HP's media applications. Granted, we were seeing a fairly early version of the software, and were warned those apps were particularly rough, but we've been none-too-impressed with HP's existing media apps for TouchSmart, and the Front Row-esque setup for shuffling through the applications here feels a bit to derivative.

That also brings us to our biggest "mistrust" of the interface, if you will. Everything's sort of buried under this layer of HP. In some cases that's a good thing, and makes the netbook more of an internet-connected, rich media appliance -- like a modern day smartphone with the power and convenience of a full computer operating system. Where that could be a bad thing is in the case of shoddy, irreplaceable apps that are inextricably integrated into the system and get in the way of us enjoying the computer how we'd like to. In short, we're expecting quite a few Engadget-types out there to chafe under HP's rule and install their own preferred flavor of Linux, perhaps running Ubuntu's netbook interface on top, but for a good majority of users, MIE is all they'll need, and we'd say it's delivering Linux in one of the most user-friendly packages yet.

Wrap-up
Overall we're very impressed with HP's new offering. While ASUS is busy charging $699 for its "designed" version of a netbook, HP is delivering a beautiful computer with a "thin enough" chassis at a really aggressive price point -- though you can certainly go Vivienne Tam nutso if you'd like. We, being the nerds we are, will always want more power than Microsoft and Intel are allowing / providing currently, but these netbook things are finally reaching the point of maturity to bring the category out of its pimply gimmick phase and into the "recommend to people we don't dislike" phase. MIE is just gravy, but certainly shows a lot of promise.



Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 0 Comments

Dell launches the Inspiron Mini 12

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , ,

Japan retailers get the jump on the U.S. market today as they get to sell Dell's new laptop, the Inspiron Mini 12, before anyone here in the U.S. even gets to lay eyes upon it. While built-to-order models will be available in the states by mid-November, three retail chains in Japan (Bic Camera, Kujima, and Sofmap) get the first crack at selling preconfigured versions of Dell's 12.1-inch take on the mini-note space.

You read that right: a netbook with a 12.1-inch CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) illuminated screen. That's larger than some ultraportable notebooks currently on the market -- and a pretty significant jump from Dell's first stab at the mini-note space. The Inspiron Mini 9 had small solid state drives, a tiny 8.9-inch screen and honestly, some pokey performance. I mean, you keep expectations in check when it comes to netbook performance, but the mini 9 garnered a sadsack score of 26 in WorldBench (as opposed to the average score of about 35).

The Mini 12, by comparison, adds a larger screen without tacking on too much to the form factor. (It weighs 2.72 pounds and measures 0.92 to 1.09 by 11.77 by 9.02 inches.) Intel's Atom Z520 1.33-GHz processor or the Z530 1.6-GHz 2-watt Menlo Silverthorn processors power the Mini 12. (For a little perspective, the Inspiron Mini 9 was based off last gen's Diamondville CPU.) OK, so these machines will have this new take on the Atom CPU, Intel's GMA 500 integrated graphics chip, and 1GB of RAM under the hood. Hopefully, that'll juice up its performance scores when we get one here in the PC World labs. These units also house a 40, 60, or 80GB 1.8-inch 4200 rpm hard drive -- a far cry from the 8GB flash drive in the Mini 9.

The base system comes with a 3-cell processor, which Dell spokespeople promise yields three hours battery life. (And optional 6-cell exists, but that tacks on another $30 to the price.)

Dell's new mini-notes also pack in a VGA out (only slightly smaller than the thickness of the device), three USB ports, a SD / MMC flash card slot, an RJ-45 ethernet 10/100 jack, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and the ability to transmit Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11 b/g.

Here's the really gutsy move -- and one that I'm not sure I'm buying into just yet. Dell is initially shipping the Mini 12 with Vista Basic as the default OS. REALLY?!? Do you really want to see a machine actually cry? OK, maybe I'm being a little overly cynical. I'll keep my gut feelings in check and wait for when we have units in-house for testing. Unless, of course, you wait for the inevitable Unbuntu and XP versions of the machine that Dell promises will show later this year.

So what does this tech tidbit cost you? Between $500 and $600, depending on a couple configuration options. Yep, the Mini 12 teeters on the top-end of the netbook spectrum and, as a result, poses a very interesting question (well, to me, at least): When does a notebook officially start becoming a notebook? Hopefully, we'll have more of an answer for you before the Inspiron Mini 12 launches late-November.

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Monday, October 27, 2008 | 0 Comments

Logitech forging first force-feedback Wii wheel

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , , ,

To date, the vast majority of Wii peripherals have been little more than foam shells or
 lever-driven plastic cases for the console's motion-sensing remote. The major exceptions to this rule have been the Wii Fit Board, the Wii Classic Controller, and the instruments for Guitar Hero III and Rock Band: Special Edition. The Wii Nunchuck and the forthcoming Wii Motion Plus are also technically add-ons to the remote proper, which comes bundled with still-bestselling "game" Wii Play.

Soon, though the Wii peripheral family will have a new member, courtesy of Logitech. Fresh off its deal to make premium Guitar Hero instruments, the peripheral maker has now inked a deal to make the first force-feedback driving wheel for the Wii. Called the Speed Force Wireless racing wheel, the add-on will retail for $99.99 when it goes on sale this November in North America.

As the name implies, the Speed Force Wireless is indeed cord-free (other than for
 electricity), and uses a 2.4 GHz wireless signal to transmit back to the Wii from up to 30 feet away. As shown in GameSpot's Hardware Insider blog, the wheel bears the Wii remote's standard control scheme on its front, replete with buttons and a directional pad. Unlike the Xbox 360's racing wheel, the Speed Force will use two paddles underneath the wheel for acceleration, braking, and shifting. It can be either placed in a player's lap or used on a table.

Though diehard Nintendans will surely use the add-on to take Mario Kart Wii for a spin, Logitech made the Speed Force Wireless with a third-party publisher's title in mind. The Switzerland-eadquartered peripheral maker is partnering with Electronic Arts to optimize the wheel for the forthcoming racing game Need For Spee Undercover, also due in November.


Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Saturday, October 25, 2008 | 0 Comments

Microsoft Explorer Mouse

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , ,

Microsoft Explorer Mouse (Credit: PCPro)

Verdict: A pleasingly comfortable mouse to use, but the BlueTrak technology comes at a premium most won't need to pay

In technological terms, the evolution of the humble mouse has been an incredibly slow one: it's taken over 30 years for the ball mouse to be replaced by now-prevalent laser technology. Microsoft, though, has tried to speed up the evolutionary process with the introduction of its latest Explorer mouse, which features its much-touted 'BlueTrack' technology.

BlueTrack promises to greatly improve precision thanks to some clever fiddling around with the various lasers and LEDs that inhabit normal mice. Instead of the traditional LED, BlueTrack uses an LED that operates at a higher, wider angle to swallow up more desk space, and a CMOS detector that evaluates the surface on a far more detailed level.

The result of this, according to Microsoft, is that the BlueTrack mouse can scan whatever is under your mouse with far more precision than previous mice - which could be of significance to those who demand precision for their work, perhaps, or when gaming.

The new technology also promises to work with a degree of accuracy on plenty of unusual surfaces beyond the standard desk or mouse-mat thanks to the precision of the new laser.

In practice, though, you'd be hard-pressed to notice the difference that BlueTrack makes when sat at a desk. There's an attractive electric-blue glow when you detach the mouse from its charging caddy but, apart from that, performance on standard surfaces is on a par with the best regular mice we've seen.

If you need a mouse that will work on any unusual materials, though, BlueTrack could quickly become a godsend. Carpet provided little challenge - although the Explorer worked a little better when following the grain of the material rather than going against it - and various fabrics, again, didn't halt progress. We've also tested the BlueTrack on rougher materials, such as bark, and can report that, amazingly, it still worked.

Quality understandably suffers when the laser is forced to work harder, but the mouse is still usable - which is more than can be said for the average laser mouse under the same harsh conditions.

Aside from the major new BlueTrack innovation, everything else about the Explorer mouse is present and correct. The usual two buttons are joined by a pair of svelte buttons on the left-hand side that feel far more natural to use than their Razer equivalents, and the mouse wheel is well-featured, too: as well as the standard scrolling and clicking, it can rock from side-to-side to enable side-scrolling and other functions. Our only qualm is that clicking the wheel is surprisingly difficult, with the Explorer offering too much resistance.

The included driver provides plenty of scope for customising the Explorer. Every button can be mapped with a variety of different actions: Instant Viewer works similarly to Exposé in Apple's Mac OS X, and the precision booster is self-explanatory.

Applications can be bound to certain buttons, which will prove useful if there are certain programs used all the time. These programs can also be subjected to application-specific settings - so clicking the scroll wheel, say, could have a different effect in Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Word.

Gamers will be pleased with a couple of potentially useful functions, too. The Gaming Toggle can record common groups of keys or mouse-presses and assign them to a single button, and buttons can be set to rotate your character, quickly, through 180 degrees - so you don't have to do it yourself.

The Explorer also supports customisable macros, and it's easy enough to create them - simply press the button you wish to use, and how you wish to use it. It's also simple to string groups of actions together and assign them to single buttons of the mouse.

There's a wealth of useful features, then, alongside the impressive, if only sporadically vital, BlueTrack technology. There's no doubting that the Explorer is a responsive and comfortable mouse, but it's debatable if it's worth £70 unless you'll make use of every feature. One for roaming outdoor users only, perhaps, but they'll love it.

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Monday, October 20, 2008 | 0 Comments

Hands-on with the new MacBook Pro

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , ,

(Credit: Apple, Cnet)

When Apple announced its new notebooks on October 14,2008, it said the new machines would be in the company's retail stores the next day.

So I went to the Apple store at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara, Calif., after work on Wednesday. I got there a few minutes after 6 p.m. and discovered that an Apple technician was in the process of replacing an old MacBook Pro with the first one of the new models.
I positioned myself authoritatively about a foot from the tech's left elbow, so when he was done, I was the first customer to get my hands on the new machine.

It looked as good in real life as it does in the pictures. The tapered edges make it look thinner than it really is, considerably more svelte than the older MacBook Pros like mine.

A few things struck me about the new design. There's no latch for the lid, but some kind of cam in the hinge keeps it snugly closed unless it's opened on purpose. I don't think this would work as well with the old lid style because there's enough of an edge on there for incidental contact to overcome the hinge tension. But with the new extra-thin edge, the lid seems to resist accidental opening.

Unfortunately, like older MacBooks and PowerBooks, the machine starts to turn on when the lid is opened only slightly. I've never understood why these switches are so sensitive. It seems to me it would be better to wait until the machine is opened more like two or three inches to avoid accidental actuation, especially when there's no latch.

The trackpad was very nice, easily the best I've ever used. It also doesn't look or feel like glass. I can confirm that Apple thought of the same thing that I did in my previous post--a click with one finger generates a left-click, and a tap with two fingers generates a right-click. Awesome. So now Apple has the world's only two-button mouse that doesn't have any buttons at all, and it isn't even a mouse!
(I also tried three- and four-finger taps, but I couldn't see any difference in the behavior of the Finder. I wonder if that's something applications can detect, though.)

Too glossy
As for the new glass-face display: I'm sure it'll be great for watching movies in a dark room. I'm sure it'll be fine for most purposes, if you're in a dark room. And wearing dark clothing, and nothing shiny. But wow, I really don't like to see windows or lights or my clothing reflected in glossy displays, and the only way this new machine's display could be any more glare-prone is if it were mirrored like a highway cop's sunglasses.

I picked the machine up and turned it around in my hands, somewhat constrained by the attached power and Ethernet cables. It felt good in my hands. The surface finish is good-- not slippery, but not rough either. I gave the machine some light tweaking between my hands--both the lid and the base separately, as well as the whole machine with the lid closed--and in all tests, the new machine seemed to offer more torsional rigidity than my old MacBook Pro. So that says the new manufacturing techniques have paid off, at least in that respect.

The bottom covers for the battery/HD and RAM felt very securely attached, not rattly, and the seams were remarkably tight. I hope they stay that way over time, always a difficult thing to achieve with sheet aluminum, which is not the most stable material. (Cars, for example, could be built with even smaller gaps between doors and frames, but makers don't do that because the inevitable shifts over time would then be more conspicuous--and most cars are made out of steel.)

Apple used its snazzy technology for nearly-invisible indicator lights on the sleep indicator; you basically can't see the light unless it's on. (The same technology is used for the "on the air" light next to the Webcam on older MacBook Pros like mine, and it's really almost like magic.) Oddly, however, there's a short slot next to the indicator on the new machine that compromises the clean look Apple was presumably seeking with this design feature. I don't even know what the slot is for! My only guess is that it might have the infrared receiver for the Front Row remote control behind it.

Out of respect for the store, I didn't pop the battery cover off, though I am curious how that latch works. The latch is at one side, but it has to seal tight across a very long edge. That's usually difficult to arrange.

Sharper feel
The edge of the aluminum around the keyboard and palm rests does, indeed, feel sharper than the plastic on the older MacBook Pros. Not physically sharper, but the low friction of the old plastic makes the edge feel smoother because skin is less likely to hang up on it. Skin doesn't slide over the new aluminum edge nearly as easily.

Since the new machine had accumulated quite a crowd within just a few minutes while I examined these elements, I turned to a couple of guys on one side who had arrived shortly after I did, rubbed my palm across the edge of the new MacBook Pro a few times, did the same on the older model next to it, and asked them to do the same. Then I asked "does the new one feel sharper?" Both said yes. But we all also agreed that visually, they appeared to be about the same, so I think the answer is that Apple ought to round over this edge just a bit more.

And with that, I stepped back and let the rest of the crowd fight over the new machine. I didn't see any new MacBooks on that visit (and I couldn't get my iPhone power adapter replaced under the recall; they were out). But seeing the new Pro was enough to justify the visit. I love the looks, but I can't justify buying a new laptop right now. So I'll wait for the next refresh and hope those machines still look this good.

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Sunday, October 19, 2008 | 0 Comments

MSI Wind U120: Netbook rocks HSDPA

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , , , ,

Remember the Wind U120 netbook that MSI is said to be preparing? Well, it's coming along very nicely - so nicely, in fact, that MSI has pencilled in a global launch for mid November, just over a month away.

The system, dubbed the "Wind 2" and pictured below, is said to be redesigned to provide a "more professional look and feel". Granted, it's not as sophisticated as Toshiba's NB100, but it's a big step forward from the all-white and toy-like appearance of the original Wind U100.

In terms of internal hardware, we're anticipating just minor changes. Intel's 1.6GHz Atom processor will no doubt remain, but storage capacity will increase - MSI tells us to expect a minimum 160GB hard-disk drive at launch. There won't be an SSD option, at least initially, but the Wind U120 will have one significant feature that was missing in its predecessor; 3.5G connectivity.

The 3G upgrade will put MSI's Wind 2 firmly up against the likes of ASUS' new-and-improved Eee and Dell's Mini Inspiron 9. MSI wasn't able to confirm any partnerships with mobile operators at this early stage, but we'd be surprised to see the system ship without the option of a mobile broadband package.

Battery life will come in the form of a three-cell or six-cell battery - no sign of a nine-cell, unfortunately - and MSI states that both will be available as an option to the consumer.

It looks a useful little netbook, but it isn't all good news. Despite "global" availability being scheduled for next month, MSI estimates UK availability for January 2009 - missing the all-important Christmas season. Furthermore, when it does arrive, it'll do so with a price-tag of £350 inc. VAT, an amount we feel is pushing the netbook limit.

Nonetheless, with the popularity of its first netbook - the Wind U100 - we'll be keeping a close eye on the Wind U120, it could be a well-refined rebirth of an already-useful system. Head on over to page two for a selection of additional images.

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 0 Comments

HTC Expands Mobile Phone Portfolio With Introduction of S740

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , , ,

HTC S740 Blends Sophisticated Style, Iconic Design and Impressive Functionality With A 12-key and QWERTY Keyboard for optimized dialing and messaging

Singapore – 7 October, 2008 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today announced the introduction of the HTC S740, a slim, compact, and stylish smartphone that provides the perfect combination of a traditional 12-key phone design with HTC’s signature sliding QWERTY keyboard for optimal messaging. 

"Demand for high-performance, smart, mobile devices continues to see strong growth globally and HTC is well positioned to meet the varying needs of our diverse customer base," commented Jack Tong, VP of HTC Asia.  "The HTC S740 combines a powerful, premium phone with a full slide-out keypad in a compact and sleek form factor. Clearly, one size does not fit all and the S740 will play an important role in expanding our growing portfolio of devices."

The S740 is designed to offer the most flexible and efficient messaging experience on the market. From the design of its 12-key keypad (ideal for super fast one hand messaging) and full QWERTY keyboard (perfect for those who prefer a two handed messaging experience) both input capabilities ensure efficient and accurate typing, as well as support for POP3, IMAP and Exchange push email. Instant messaging (IM) and SMS can also be accessed through the familiar 12-key interface on the front of the phone.

The HTC S740 features the fastest mobile broadband capabilities with a maximum download speed of 7.2 Mbps, up to 18 times faster than 3G. This true mobile broadband experience allows users to leverage the mobile Internet in a variety of ways including browsing to a favourite website. What’s more, HTC S740 is built-in GPS function, FM radio and 3.2 megapixel camera for stills and video.

The S740 follows the sleek design of HTC’s hit consumer handset, the HTC Touch Diamond. This slim smartphone features a matt black facetted back, a 2.4 inch QVGA display and slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Pricing & Availability:
The HTC S740 will be available from end October 2008 at all authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of SGD $848. (inclusive of 7% GST)**.
* 7.2Mbps speed is subject to mobile operators’ network.
**All prices are subject to pricing policies of individual operators.

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Monday, October 13, 2008 | 0 Comments

Verizon officially debuts RIM BlackBerry Storm

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , ,


We all knew it was approaching, but brace yourself, the Storm has made landfall. Tuesday night, Research In Motion and Verizon Wireless officially introduced the first touch-screen BlackBerry to the world: the RIM BlackBerry Storm.

Also known by its code name, BlackBerry Thunder, the Storm 
features a touch-sensitive display that's unlike that on any other touch-screen smartphone available today, thanks to RIM's own twist (more on this below). There are plenty of other highlights as well, including dual-mode functionality, support for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A, integrated GPS, BlackBerry OS 4.7, and more.

Now, before you run out to the nearest Verizon store, we've got some bad news. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on the BlackBerry Storm quite yet (groan). A specific release date and pricing were not announced, but Verizon said the Storm would be out by the holiday season with "competitive" pricing. Obviously, we're not fans (and we're guessing you're not either) of such vague answers, especially in light of the RIM BlackBerry Bold delay.

RIM and Verizon did come by our office to give us a full rundown on the features, as well as some brief hands-on time with the device, so without further ado, here are all the details and our impressions of the RIM BlackBerry Storm.

Design
Obviously, the touch screen is the biggest highlight of the BlackBerry Storm, but as we mentioned earlier, it's unlike any other touch-screen 
smartphone we've seen so far, including the Apple iPhone, T-Mobile G1, and Samsung Omnia.

Rather than provide haptic feedback (or none at all), RIM developed something completely new called ClickThrough, which consists of a suspension system that lies beneath the display, so that when you go to select an application or enter text, you actually push the screen down like you would any other tactile button.

Admittedly, it was a little weird when I first tried it. Given that with all other touch-screen devices, it's just a matter of lightly tapping on an icon or some similar action, it wasn't my first inclination to physically push down on the screen. My colleague Kent German also tried it out and had a similar reaction; while cool, the idea behind it took some explaining to fully realize the capabilities. Now, that's not to say we don't like ClickThrough; it just takes a little acclimation. Plus, it was responsive and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and accurate it was to compose messages and notes.

In terms of text extry, the BlackBerry Storm features a SureType keyboard when the smartphone is in portrait mode and then switches to a full QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode. The Storm has a built-in accelerometer so it will automatically rotate the screen depending on if the phone is held vertically or horizontally (left- and right-hand support included). The letter/number keys also glow blue when you're typing.

The quality of the display is slightly better than the RIM BlackBerry Bold's. The Storm features a 3.25-inch diagonal display with a 480x360 pixel resolution and support for 65,000 colors, where as the Bold has a half-VGA, 480x320 pixel display. The handset itself is about the size of the BlackBerry Curve, but slightly thicker. It measures 4.4 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and weighs 5.6 ounces. It's equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, has four shortcut keys (Talk and End, Back, and BlackBerry menu), and a microSD slot behind the back cover, among other things.

Features
Don't be fooled; the RIM BlackBerry Storm is more than just a pretty face. As far as phone features, the Storm, like the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, offers dual-mode functionality. This means the phone switches automatically between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming--all while keeping the same phone number. (Note that the phone does not support domestic GSM bands, and a SIM card is included in the box.) It also works on Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network as well as Europe's 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band. There's a full HTML Web browser (no Flash), and the Storm will also support Verizon's V Cast Music and Mobile TV services, though not immediately at launch.

Other wireless options include Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo Bluetooth headsets and dial-up networking and GPS but no Wi-Fi. BlackBerry Maps is onboard if you want text-based turn-by-turn directions, but for more advanced navigation features, such as voice prompts, you'll be forced to use Verizon's VZ Navigator service.

The BlackBerry Storm will run the latest BlackBerry OS (version 4.7), so you finally get an updated interface while still getting support for multiple e-mail accounts (BlackBerry Enterprise, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, POP3, IMAP4, and more) with wireless synchronization. In addition to an attachment viewer, you can also do some light editing on Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. There's 128MB of flash memory and 1GB of onboard memory, which is all supplemented by the microSD/SDHC expansion slot (supports up to 16GB cards).

Though the BlackBerry is historically known more as a business device, RIM and Verizon hope to attract more consumers with the BlackBerry Storm and it comes with a number of multimedia capabilities. The media player can handle various music and video formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV, MPEG4, and H.264. The included Media Sync software will also help you synchronize your iTunes files with your BlackBerry. The Storm is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording, auto focus, and flash.

Finally, it will come preloaded with instant-messaging clients (Yahoo, Windows Live, AOL, and ICQ) and a number of social-networking apps, including Facebook, MySpace, and Flickr. You'll also be able to download more programs over the air through the new BlackBerry App Center.

Outlook
OK, obviously, the RIM BlackBerry Storm has a lot to offer. The touch screen alone already has people drooling and clamoring over the device, and then you add the laundry list of features, and you're looking at a recipe for success. But will it actually deliver? Well, it's a hard to say, having only had about half an hour of hands-on time with the smartphone.

Overall, I was impressed--nice design, feature rich. Again, the ClickThrough touch screen takes some getting used to, and I wonder how it will hold up over months of use. Performance wise, the device seemed snappy, but I also caught a couple of bugs. For example, the camera activated while trying to perform some function in e-mail. However, I know it wasn't a final product, so I won't hold that against RIM. Music and video playback were pretty impressive as well.

There's enough appeal there for consumers, mobile professionals, and new and old BlackBerry users, but I think price will play a huge factor. Verizon has to be careful not to cross that fine line between what's reasonable and what puts the device out of range. What do you guys have think? What are the BlackBerry Storm's hits and misses? Do you want one? How much are you willing to pay?

Article by: Cnet.com

Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Sunday, October 12, 2008 | 0 Comments

The Media Port UP300x and UP300

Posted by ITPreview Labels: , , , ,

Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) is pleased to announce the successful development of the Media Port UP ("UP" read as individual letters), a multimedia playback headset device that also supports Internet connection. This innovative product, which incorporates display, headphones, mobile A/V player, Wi-Fi capability, high-capacity memory, and power source in a single compact unit is the first of its type. The UP allows users to easily enjoy high-quality images, videos, and music anywhere. Two UP models will be available—the high-performance UP300x and the basic UP300. The Media Port UP will be available only in Japan through the Nikon Imaging Japan Inc. (Takao Nishioka, President) online UP Store (http://www.upstore.jp/).

Major Functions
  • The single, compact unit allows for simple enjoyment of videos and music anyplace and anytime, while leaving the hands free to do other things.
  • Enjoy image and video viewing with a sensation equivalent to that of viewing of a 50-inch large screen from a distance of three meters.
  • An extremely compact and lightweight display that offers excellent image quality achieved with optics made possible through development and adoption of a new adhesion double-layer diffractive optical element (DOE) lens.
  • The high-performance UP300x is equipped with a built-in motion sensor that allows for hands free operation, including volume adjustment, by moving the head up or down, left or right. 
  • The UP300x is equipped with an 8 GB internal memory while the UP300 offers 4 GB of internal memory.Designed with a high eyepoint and diopter adjustment so that even those who wear glasses will find the display easy to view.
  • In addition to Web browsing via Internet connection using the built-in Wi-Fi function, media contents can also be downloaded.
  • A service for UP users that allows for the distribution of video contents will be initiated. Users will be able to easily select desired contents and download media files to their UP for viewing and listening enjoyment.
  • As Windows Media Player (WMP) files are also supported, compatible media files saved to a computer can also be transferred to a UP for viewing and listening enjoyment.

Development background

Nikon has a long history of development of a variety of products that allow for the simple enjoyment of high-quality imaging, beginning of course, with digital cameras. In recent years, the digital wave has led to great changes in the ways in which images, videos and music are enjoyed. Nikon recognizes the fact that modern people are now able to increase the value of time with the ability to access and enjoy information available with today's imaging and audio capabilities using a few minutes of spare time. Sitting comfortably on the head, this product allows immediate access to a variety of information as a device that can accompany users in their everyday lives. The UP models developed by Nikon are the world's first products of this type to incorporate all of the features available with various mobile devices, such as image and audio playback, communications, built-in memory, and simple power source, in a single unit. What's more, these features have been incorporated into a product with the same size and weight as conventional sound-isolating headphones.

High-definition image and video playback was achieved with the development and adoption of Nikon's exclusive new optics technology for the UP display. In addition, this product was also designed with high-quality speakers and superior operation and feel. This is a new genre of product that combines the optics, human interface, and digital imaging technologies Nikon has spent decades accumulating with new audio and Internet technologies.

Origin of the UP name

Nikon has named this innovative product "UP". This name was taken from a number of word combinations that may be used to described the broad functionality and uses of this product, including "universal port", "ubiquitous player", "ultimate player", "U (your) partner", "U (your) pleasure", and "U (your) power". As the first product in a brand new genre, we chose the name "UP" for both its simplicity and its presence.

Primary Features

1.     All-in-one, hands free enjoyment

An all-in-one design that offers display, headphones, mobile A/V player, Wi-Fi capability, and Internet connection in a single unit. An ergonomic design arch form that reflects basic Nikon characteristics such as simplicity and ease-of-use, while offering innovation and a high-quality feel.

2.     Clear and easy-to-see high-quality display

The display incorporates a liquid crystal display, backlight, and newly developed optics that enable display zoom. This new technology is the result of the technologies and know how cultivated by Nikon with our development of SLR camera viewfinders and eyeglasses. Though extremely compact and lightweight, the UP allows users to enjoy clear and beautiful images, without distortion.

3.     Adhesion double-layer DOE lens enables compact, lightweight, high-quality display

The optics adopted for UP display incorporate Nikon's exclusive adhesion double-layer DOE lens. While most common lenses use refraction to change the direction in which light moves, diffractive optical elements (DOE) use light diffraction. A diffraction grating, shaped like the teeth of a saw with separation of tens to hundreds of micrometers, suppresses chromatic aberration to reproduce crisp and clear VGA images. What's more, this allows for an optical system with a weight of approximately 1/7 that of conventional lens optics (comparison of Nikon designs).

4.     Internet connection via built-in Wi-Fi capability

Internet connection* via a wireless LAN network is made possible with built-in Wi-Fi capability. Our original online service, UP Link, enables Web browsing and download of media contents for viewing and listening enjoyment.

 

*Registration with a supported Internet service provider required. All functions may not be supported with some network connections.

 

5.     Integrated design allows for superior sound quality

The integration of amplifier and speakers in a single unit enables optimization of sound quality. As no external cable connection is required, noise is minimized for pure sound quality. The built-in driver unit is a highly magnetic 40 mm neodymium unit, which offers superior sound with realistic sensation. In addition, the large earpads are made of soft, viscoelastic urethane for a comfortable and secure fit.

6.     Movie and music player with multi-codec support

WMV9 and MPEG-1, MPEG-2 movies, and MP3, AAC, and WMA9 audio files are supported.

7.     High-capacity memory built in

The UP300x is equipped with an 8 GB internal memory and the UP300 offers 4 GB of internal memory. The UP300x can hold MPEG-2 data of up to 160 minutes in length or WMV9 data of up to 500 minutes in length (MPEG-2 files recorded at 6.5Mb/s, WMV files recorded at 2Mb/s).

8.     Retracting mechanism for adjustment of display position to suit use

Depending upon whether you are viewing images or videos, or simply listening to music, the adjustable display arm can be lowered to eye level or kept in its storage position. Further, the display arm can be lowered below eye level when primarily listening to music with occasional viewing of images or videos.

9.     Mechanisms for individual fit

The display incorporates two flexible joints and an extendable arm that allow for positioning adjustment suited to individual head shape and size, as well as eye level. This provides for comfortable viewing position and a secure fit for all users. What's more, the arm joint can be reversed for viewing images and videos with either the left or right eye.

10.  "Fit Navigator" for usage guidance

This function assists users with correct viewing and listening positioning as well as operation. When the UP is turned on, users need simply to follow the instructions displayed to achieve optimum viewing and listening positioning and learn about button operations.

11.  Automatic image brightness adjustment function

When viewing images or videos with just one eye with the UP, visibility with that eye is affected by external brightness visible with the opposite eye. Therefore, the UP has been equipped with a function that automatically adjusts image or video brightness according to ambient brightness.

12.  Motion sensor for hands-free operation (UP300x only)

Hands free operation makes the UP a truly all-in-one device. The UP300x is equipped with a motion sensor that supports hands free operational control. With simple head movements up, down, left, or right, a variety of operations, including volume adjustment, can be controlled without using the hands.

13.  Operational control concentrated with a multi selector

All operations and basic settings can be applied with one hand using the multi selector, a set of integrated controls on the outside of one speaker. The multi selector is comprised of a center dial surrounded by four buttons. When a button is pressed, function color in the display changes for simple control of the intended operation. The user interface is simple enough for anyone to master.

14.  High eyepoint and diopter adjustment for comfortable viewing even while wearing glasses

The UP is designed with a high eyepoint for comfortable viewing while wearing glasses. It is also equipped with a diopter adjustment function. This allows for adjustment of optical power to suit individual vision.

In addition, when viewing images or videos with just one eye with the UP, the diopter adjustment function can be used to make the focusing distance of the eye viewing images or videos the same as the other eye, allowing for comfortable simultaneous viewing of the UP display and the surrounding environment.

15.  A/V input (UP300x only)

The UP300x can be connected to portable A/V devices with an output terminal, including cellular telephones and audio players. This provides a new way to enjoy existing image, video, and music libraries. (The optional A/V cable is required for connection. Connection may not be possible depending upon the existence of an A/V output terminal, connector shape, and output specifications of the A/V device.)

16.  Communication indicator

When operations are modified or volume is adjusted, built-in signs light on the display arm and on the front of the display. These signs can also be disabled.

17.  Wiper switch warnings

When viewing images or videos with one eye with the UP and rapidly moving objects are visible with the other eye, attention may concentrate on the surrounding environment. The wiper function shows a white line in the display, which moves to help bring attention back to the display.

18.  Hours of listening and viewing enjoyment with two AA batteries

The UP can be powered by two AA alkaline batteries. The UP comes with two Sanyo AA "eneloop" Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and dedicated quick charger. When the supplied batteries are used, uninterrupted video playback of up to 120 minutes or music playback of up to 270 minutes is possible.

Additional features

-          The optional infrared remote control is convenient for times when reaching for the multi selector may be difficult.

-          The size of the image/video displayed can be reduced (50% horizontally and vertically). This prevents missing any details when images or videos are viewed at the periphery of visual field when the display arm is positioned below eye level.

 

Media Port UP specifications

Type

Multimedia playback headset

Model

UP300, UP300x

Display

0.44-in. transmissive LCOS with 640 x 480 x 3 dots and 16,770,000 colors

Lens

Adhesion double-layer DOE lens with a diagonal of approximately 24°

Speaker unit

Sealed dynamic type that supports playback frequencies of 3–25,000 Hz

Input terminal

Multi connector

Power source

Two AA alkaline batteries
Three AA Lithium batteries
Two AA rechargeable nickel hydride batteries

Storage medium

Built-in flash memory: 4 GB (UP300)/8 GB (UP300x)1

File formats

Movie: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV9 (DRM 10 compatible) 
Audio: MP32, WMA9 (DRM 10 compatible), AAC2 
Still image: JPEG 
Other: SWF (Flash Player 7 compatible)

Interface

Hi-Speed USB

Wireless LAN

802.11b/g protocols within a range of 20 m (line of sight)3

Video input(UP300x)

Images: NTSC, 1 Vp-p/75Ω Audio: 500 mVrms/47 KΩ

Web browser

HTML: HTML 4.01, frames supported, JavaScript
Flash: Version 7

Uninterrupted playback

Movie: Approximately 120 minutes4
 Audio: approx. 270 minutes5

Operating environment

Ambient temperature: 0~40°C
Humidity: 85% or less (no condensation)

Weight

385 g (including supplied batteries)

Supplied accessories

UC-UP1 USB cable, 2 Sanyo "eneloop" rechargeable batteries(HR-3UTG), NC-MDR02 battery charger, AL-UP1 angle limiter, Soft Pouch SC-UP1

 


Read more...
Stumble Upon Toolbar Bookmark and Share




Friday, October 10, 2008 | 0 Comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
As Featured on ArticleCity.com Free Articles