EA Forays into "Dead Space" !

Electronic Arts (EA) is working on an all new sci-fi horror game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. "Dead Space", as the name suggests, is set in deep space, and is currently under development by EA's Redwood Shores Studio.
Being described as a 'third-person survival horror game', the game promises the ultimate in psychological thrills and gruesome action, according to EA. In "Dead Space", players get to don the hat of engineer Isaac Clarke, who's sent on a routine mission to do a repair job on a mining ship in deep space. Except that the mission takes an awful turn when Clarke discovers that the ship's been ravaged by an alien infestation. Clarke is left with no option but to fight his way through the dead silence and darkness of deep space in order to stay alive. Glen Schofield, executive producer of the game, said that with nearly every other person being a huge fan of the horror and sci-fi genres, they were compelled to create the most terrifying game they could to keep the player on the edge of his seat the entire time. With an official Web site reminiscent of the 'Aliens' movie franchise, the game is expected to release sometime in autumn next year for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Bose MusicMonitors Desktop Speakers !

It seems that Bose has realized that the multimedia speaker market maybe a little messy - but providing quality to those demanding audiophiles gives them pleasure. Bose has launched Computer MusicMonitors - a new set of desktop speakers.

The speakers spec stand at 5-inch by 2-inch delivering 25-watts. The set touts Dual Internal Opposing Passover Radiators to improve the performance for the small-sized speakers. The speakers will be available on October 4 at a cost of USD 399 (Rs.15,950).

USB 3.0 to Release Next Year!

Nothing stands still in the fast lane that is technology... Intel has announced that the all new USB 3.0 standard will be likely released in the first half of 2008. This -- the chip maker announced during the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), where the USB 3 Promoter Group was also announced -- comprising early members Microsoft, HP, and NEC.
And before your head spins with the sheer speed of things to be... remember, tech enthusiasts may only see the move as a logical next step for PC's most popular wired connectivity standard. Vis-a-vis the USB cables of today that can at the most send data at 480 megabits per second, USB 3.0 will escalate data transfer speed to an awesome tenfold i.e. nearly 4.8 gigabits of data per second. And unlike its predecessors, USB 3.0 will see fiber-optic cable hand-in-glove with Copper wiring, the reason behind the immense speeds. Besides, the standard promises low power consumption and backward-compatibility as well. So what does this entail for consumers? More HD devices -- HD DVD or Blu-ray players.. the works... While it is being said the standard is slated for a industry release next year, most likely it will be the year after, or even after (2010) by the time consumers get to see what it looks like...

Benchmark Helmet Bluetooth Headsets !

Up until now, we've seen motorcycle helmets with headsets built into them. But in almost all such cases you'll have to part with your helmet for just a headset implanted. The pain would be unbearable, especially if it's a designer one or a stylish helmet. Benchmark Helmet has just the right thing for all us biker boyz and galz: their Camos lineup.

The lineup promises to provide easy listening without the problem of wires - and no need to spare your old helmet. The lineup consists of 2 new headsets, which support Bluetooth 2.0 and A2DP. These headsets are waterproof and have noise canceling technology as well. With talk-time of 10 hours and standby time of around 150 hours, they'd last you long enough. BHS-500 and BHS-600 will be priced around USD 149 (Rs.5,960) USD 199 (Rs.7,960), respectively.

Aiptek 720p Pocket Camcorder !

Aiptek has always been into providing cheap options. This time, it's HD (High Definition) video at a pretty low price tag. A-HD 720p High Definition Camcorder can record 720p video at 30fps (frames per second).

Other specs include 4x digital zoom, red-eye reduction, component output, and a 2.4-inch swivel screen. It's just 6 MB of internal storage - which is really sad - but an SD (Super Density)expansion slot has been provided. It also supports capturing of still images. It has AC and USB (Universal Serial Bus) charging. Here's the finale: it's priced at just USD 170 (Rs.6,800)!

AMD Announces Three Core Chips !

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is reportedly introducing triple-core Phenom processors to its much decorated chips portfolio. The three-core chips will essentially be quad-core Phenom processors -- with one core disabled, according to AMD.
In a way, the company is looking to make concrete use of four-cores that don't quite make the cut instead of relegating them to scrap. While a balanced approach towards multiple cores is common practice, AMD has it that even an odd number of chips can make light work out of a single workload. Part of AMD's roadmap update, the company indicated that it's 'Toliman' triple-core chip would be out in 2008; the 'Heka' triple-core chip in 2009; and a Gen-Next 'Regor' dual-core chip -- also in 2009. Meanwhile, the timing of AMD's announcement is precariously close to the ongoing Intel Developer Forum, yet consumers are likely to see the move more as addition of yet another mid-range chip to somewhat blur the dividing lines between a high end Phenom and a low end single-core Athlon.

Sennheiser CX Earbuds !

Sennheiser has added 4 new earbuds to their CX range: CX 400, CX 500, CX 55 Street, and CX 95 Style. CX 400 is ideal for usage with an arm-banded MP3 player and comes along with a 3-foot extension cable for usage with other devices. CX 500 joins with the old line-up and is offered in various color options. CX 55 Street claims better bass reproduction than before. CX 95 Style is all about style it makes you look good while chilling to your tunes.

CX 400, CX 500, CX 55 Street, and CX 95 Style earbuds are available for USD 99.95 (Rs.3,999), USD 129.95 (Rs.5,198), USD 79.95 (Rs.3,198), and USD 139.95 (Rs.5,598), respectively. These earbuds will be available by the end of this month.

Geomesh: An Abstract Watch !

Geomesh adds to the list of weird watches that we've seen so far. These watches have a niche market; they're a choice among people who like to flaunt their possessions. The watch looks like a flexible metal piece for a display. I won't take time to explain it, because there's no chance that I'm going to try and understand it. Take a look at the image below, and figure it out for yourself.

On the one hand, it looks antique, but on the other, it's flashy Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of different colors, which give it a nice, modern feel. Geomesh can be yours for USD 120 (Rs.4,800).

Sahara Unveils New Laptop Range !

Sahara Computers & Electronics has announced the launch of new range of Sahara laptop and desktop computers. The new range includes Core Duo and Core 2 Duo laptops and desktops computers and Intel's new business Platform Santa Rosa based laptop.
Sahara's new 15.4" wide screen laptop is powered by Intel Core Duo Processor and is available with Windows XP, Vista, and Linux as operating system. The laptop has 1 GB DDR2-SDRAM and 120 GB HDD. Weighing about 2.46 kg, the other features included are built-in high definition audio, inbuilt wireless card, super multi DVD-RW, wireless, LAN, HDD Access, Quick start buttons, and power button. With 8-cell battery that has a life of 4 hours, it's available with 3-year warranty and immediately available with Sahara dealers for Rs 35,999 (taxes excluded). Next on the lot is Sahara Core 2 Duo desktop, which comes with a 17" TFT monitor, multimedia keyboard, and optical mouse. Starting with Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 2.0GHz 800MHz 2MB processor, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB HD, and DVD-RW, this is one of the high end PCs launched by Sahara Computers on the Intel platform. This PC could easily be used for high-end application by the professional like video editors and graphic animators. The desktop is immediately available with Sahara dealers and carries a price tag of Rs 25,999. Targeting toward fashion and lifestyle consumers, the third product is a hi-end laptop based upon Intel's new business Platform Santa Rosa. Powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel GM 965 / GL 960 chipset, it comes with 120GB HDD with 1 GB RAM. With a12.1 inches LCD screen, this laptop weighs about 1.9 kg and has a battery back up of 3.5 hours. Added with multi DVD-RW, high definition 1.3 mega pixel audio Webcam, Bluetooth, and card reader, the laptop is immediately available with Sahara dealers for Rs 45,000.

Get Tsunami Alert on Mobiles !

Bangalore-based Geneva Software Technologies Limited (GSTL) has developed Tsunami Disaster Information Alert System, the first of its kind in the world. It sends alert messages to mobiles in 14 Indian languages to the Tsunami prone area in less than 50 seconds from the time the Met. department receives the alert. This is an extension of the Geneva National Disaster Information System, which is a mode of sending disaster alerts in multilingual SMS that reaches 95% of mobile phones.
Besides, a mode of automated voice alerts reaches to 100% of mobiles and landlines, and in the absence of mobile and landlines standalone public address systems provides direct audio alerts. This product is based on Geneva's patented technology Natural Language Frame-work (NLF), a system and method for product migration in multi-lingual languages. NLF has the capability to migrate a given software application from its source language to the target language extrinsically or intrinsically with reference to the user interface, data services, internationalization features, personalization, and cultural data. This alert system is under active implementation in the major coastal states, which are prone to Tsunami, floods, etc. Once the system is fully implemented, people outside home or office can get alert in their local language about Tsunami in their mobiles. The system is basically for people who operate only in their local language, and by virtue of limited access to information are the most vulnerable to get trapped in a disaster situation. T. Murali Krishna Reddy, managing director of Geneva Software Technologies, said, "This is the fastest mode of communication in the present world. Designed to reach the maximum people in minimum time, it can especially help the rural people and fisherman community to get messages in their local language."

Mobiles Don't Pose Bio-Threat !

Now, mobile phone users across the globe can relax a bit as a new study has revealed that the device has no biological or adverse effects on the health in the short-term. The study conducted by the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) program has clearly stated that there s no association between short-term mobile phone use and brain cancer.
Besides, they ve also found no evidence of the mobile phone signals having affects on the brain function. Meanwhile, the study doesn't seem to be very sure on the longer term exposure of the device, as their studies conducted so far have only included a limited number of participants who ve used their phones for 10 years or more. The committee has recommended further research to be conducted in this area. Reportedly, the study was based on 28 separate studies looking into the health impact of mobile phones on childhood cancer, brain tumors, blood pressure, and general brain function. According to Professor Lawrie Challis, chairman of MTHR, This is a very substantial report from a large research program. The study has been published in respected peer-reviewed scientific or medical journals. In addition, the study also confirmed that the use of a mobile phone while driving, whether hand-held or hands-free, causes impairment to performance compared to that from other in-car distractions. There are, however, indications that the demand on cognitive resources from mobile phones may be greater.

Logitech AudioHub Notebook Speaker !

Logitech has a new audio device - this one for laptops. The device has a USB interface and connects to a laptop, providing 2.1-channel audio. The set consists of a sub-woofer that sits behind the screen of the laptop and 2 adjustable satellite speakers that protrude on either side of the laptop. AudioHub blocks all connectors at the back of the laptop but provides with a couple of USB ports on it.

The speakers have lots of cable issues, which make the back of the laptop pretty messy. The price tag the AudioHub carries is USD 100 (Rs.4,000) and isn't all that bad, but the speakers ought to have been more practical for a laptop. No word on the availability, though.

WD's External Drives Now in 2 TB !

Expanding its lineup of external hard drives, Western Digital (WD) will now offer all models of its My Book dual-drive storage appliances in capacities up to 2 TB (terabyte). WD claims that these new huge capacity models also feature extra data protection. Users can set the system to reserve half of its capacity to mirror users' data in real time using RAID technology - in this case, the RAID 1 setting.
According to Sharad Srivastava, sales director (South Asia and India) of Western Digital, "The explosive growth in devices that create rich multimedia content - from digital cameras to music players to digital video camcorders - continues to drive consumers' insatiable demand for more storage capacity." The new 2 TB capacity is available on 3 models comprising My Book World Edition II, My Book Pro Edition II, and My Book Premium Edition II models. Each model of the My Book family solves the storage needs of a variety of consumers and their respective purposes. The unique remote-access of the World Edition II storage appliance offers a simple and secure way to access and share data, even when the local computer is off. On the other hand, the Pro Edition II and Premium Edition II are the easiest way to add extra storage to a PC or Mac and offer plenty of room to back up and store data, the company said. WD's My Book family of dual-drive storage appliances with up to 2 TB will be available on the company's online store (http://www.westerndigital.com) and through select distributors and resellers for prices ranging from Rs 46, 000 to Rs 49, 000.

Microsoft Unveils a Smart NoteBook Mouse !

Microsoft has unveiled a new rechargeable Notebook (NB) mouse with 1 GB of flash memory built right into the transceiver. Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 is designed to prevent shortage of USB port. This three-in-one tool allows users simultaneously to work wirelessly, save important files with 1 GB of storage, and recharge the mouse without deficiency in performance - all through 1 USB port.
The magnetic charging system allows users to continue working while the mouse recharges. The charging cord magnetically connects at one end to the underside of the mouse, and the other to the tip of the transceiver. The included AAA rechargeable battery offers more than 3 weeks of battery power on a full charge. The wireless technology allows users to choose how they want to connect with 2.4 GHz wireless or Bluetooth. The 2.4 GHz transceiver is capable of connecting to all NBs. Meanwhile, users can also connect directly with the help of a switch on the bottom of the mouse, thus eliminating the need of the transceiver. Besides, the mouse creates a seamless connection between hardware and Windows Vista with access to the Windows Flip 3D feature. With the press of a button, users can flip through open windows in a stack and quickly switch between applications. With the black high-gloss surface and metal finish, the mouse features proprietary HD Laser Technology, a Tilt Wheel, and 2 side buttons (magnifier and back). The Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 will be widely available in October 2007 for an estimated retail price of USD 99.95 (Rs 4,040). However, those wanting to confirm one for them can pre-order at Amazon.com.

'quarterlife' to Debut on MySpace !

The first ever Web-based show named 'quarterlife' will debut exclusively on MySapce. The show is a new online series from Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, the creators of TV shows such as - My So-Called Life, thirtysomething, Legends of the Fall, and Blood Diamond.
The new 'quarterlife' series marks the first time a network-quality series will be produced directly for the Internet. The story will revolve around 6 creative people in their twenties. The central character is Dylan, a young woman whose overly truthful video blog spills the closest secrets of her friends - viz., filmmakers Danny and Jed, actress-bartender Lisa, geek-extraordinaire Andy, and still-tied-to-her-parents Debra - who're the other characters in the show. The series will comprise 36 episodes each of about 8 minutes, which will be broadcasted exclusively on MySpaceTV, 2 episodes per week, starting November 11. In addition to the content, MySpace will also create profile page including character profiles, behind-the-scenes video footage, and storyline secrets. The trailer of this Web-based show is already available at www.myspacetv.com. 'quarterlife' will be immediately available across MySpaceTV's 20 international territories and nearly 110 million global active users. Meanwhile, in order to ensure that fans of 'quarterlife' have a common platform to interact, Herskovitz and Zwick have also created a dedicated social network - quarterlife.com. The member of this community will be invited to participate in the ongoing creation of the series through writing and video submissions.

SanDisk 16GB Sansa NEW !

Unveiled at the CES, SanDisk showed-off its new 16GB Sansa. With prices slashed, it seems like it ll dominate the market even more. This Portable Media Player (PMP) is super slim with audio and video capabilities. The Sansa supports microSD for memory expansion and claims 35 hours of playback in music mode.

On the video front, the player supports H.264, WMV, and MPEG4 video. The player has a 2.4-inch screen that you can convert to landscape to enjoy a 320x240 resolution video. It ll be available in October for a God knows what price, but no worries - it ll be much lower than Nano.

SONY's dancing music player >> "ROLLY"

Want to experience a dancing player - well Sony makes it possible. Sony has unveiled the all-new 'Rolly' digital music player that rotates, flaps its ends, and flashes colorful lights in time to music.
The compact white-colored egg-shaped gizmo could easily fit in your palms. Weighing 300 g and measuring 104 mm long and 65 mm in circumference, Rolly has speakers on each end that are hidden by dish-like covers. There's only 1 button on the player - an on/off switch. The other functions are controlled by a pair of rings that circle its body. While 1 ring is used to move from track to track or album to album, the other controls the volume. These rings are connected to motors that enable the Rolly to scoot around a table-top in tune to the music being played. The player can stand 5 hours of audio playback. This drops to 4 hours when the device is in motion and 3 and a half hours when Bluetooth streaming is also enabled. Rolly has 1 GB of internal flash memory and can playback MP3, Atrac, or AAC songs (AAC songs with copy protection from iTunes Music Store aren't supported). It can also receive music streamed via a Bluetooth connection. With a storage capacity of around 600 songs (depending on the songs' audio quality and length) Rolly incorporates sensors that could identify which way is up, enabling volume to be controlled by turning the player clockwise or anti-clockwise and tunes to be switched by pushing or pulling it on the floor. Users have the choice of either using a special program on a PC, which analyzes music to come up with simple choreography that appears to match the rhythm of the songs, or download packaged moves to tunes from a Sony website. Sony's Rolly will be launched across Japan by September 29 this year and will be available for Rs 14,380 (40,000 yen/US$354).

Plantronics Voyager 855 !

The headset market is pretty crowded, and most players don't seem to feel much of a gain there. So also, most don't feel the need to release or develop new products. Plantronics doesn't believe in this and has a new option, which I think can steal the show.

Voyager 855, which was a headset, has now turned into headphones. And it's done very simply. Just by adding a cord that's attachable to the main unit for the other ear, it turns into headphones. Voyager 855 are A2DP complaint headphones. These are priced at USD 200 (Rs.8,000) - with no word on when they'll arrive at Indian shores.

AMD Intros Quad-Core Processor !

AMD has introduced its first Quad-Core Opteron processor, which promises a 50% increase in performance, energy efficiency, virtualization, and investment protection. Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are claimed to be the world s most energy-efficient x86 architecture, which include power-saving technologies such as:
- CoolCore Technology, which reduces energy consumption by turning off unused parts of the processor; - Independent Dynamic Core Technology, an enhancement to AMD PowerNow! Technology, which allows each core to vary its clock frequency depending on the system load and performance requirement; and - Dual Dynamic Power Management (DDPM), which independently supplies power to the cores and the memory controller, allowing them to operate on different voltages, determined by usage. DDPM is available in most Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based platforms being introduced. The new Opteron processors feature Direct Connect Architecture that, in presence of the integrated memory controller, enables reduced memory latency, and Rapid Virtualization Indexing. Rapid Virtualization Indexing takes functionality that was previously performed in software. It greatly accelerates it by performing those functions within the CPU to help enable near-real time application performance. The processors also maintain compatibility with the socket and thermal envelopes of second-generation AMD Opteron processors to enable a seamless upgrade. Meanwhile, AMD claims that Opetron processors outperform the competition on several industry-standard benchmarks (within comparable thermal bands) like SPECfp_rate2006, SPECint_2006, SPECompM2001Base, STREAM, Fluent, and LS-DYNA. Along with the new processors, AMD has also introduced a new metric - Average CPU Power (ACP), which represents processor power usage, including cores, integrated memory controller, and HyperTransport technology links, while running a suite of typical, high-utilization workloads to be more indicative of the power consumption that end-users can expect. These processors are 55- and 75-watt on the ACP metric. The company also promises to state the processors Thermal Design Power (TDP) specifications as well. The systems based on Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and system-builder partners have already started shipping. Besides, some manufacturers, including Appro, Egenera, Gateway, Rackable Systems, Supermicro, and Verari have announced their Quad-Core range at the launch. In addition, AMD Phenom processor solutions, which would leverage many of the same benefits of this innovative, next-generation architecture, should be available for the desktop market in December this year.

India Vulnerable To Virus Attack !

With Internet becoming part of life for more and more Indians, and emails being an essential source to stay in touch, a recent study conducted by messaging security and management services provider - MessageLabs - revealed that the number of malicious Websites is on rise and 1 in every 28 emails is infected. StormWorm is a new virus on the loose. It uses virtual postcards and YouTube videos for its attack. The study revealed that StormWorm has affected an estimated 1.8 million computers worldwide.
The number of emails, which contained links to malicious code, increased significantly in August to 19.5% - showing a rise of 19% compared to the July figure of 0.5%. According to the study, India remained the most vulnerable region in terms of virus attacks, with 1 in every 27.8 emails being infected and with spam attacks (or unsolicited bulk emails) accounting for 29.5% of the total emails received in the country in August. Also the analysis on Web trends in August revealed that a daily average of 1,772 new malicious sites were identified and blocked - an average increase of 783 per day since July. In August, the global ratio of spam in email traffic from new and unknown sources for which the recipients' addresses were deemed valid was 74%, an increase of 3% on the previous month. During this period, Israel received the highest number of spam attack at the rate of 70.7%, while France had the most significant increase in spam levels at a 9.5%, followed by Spain at 9.2%. However during August, telecom sector was termed as the second most spammed segment across all segments with the highest increase in spam activity where it rose by 22.3% since July. And agriculture ranks as the most spammed with 66.9%, while finance is the least spammed one with 30.5%.

Cradlepoint CTR-350 Mobile Broadband over Wi-Fi !

CTR-350 Mobile Broadband over Wi-Fi is a router from Cradlepoint. It makes possible for you to share your General Packet Radio Service/Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (GPRS/EDGE) Internet connectivity that you subscribe to, with all your buddies. But it makes more sense when the primary connection is a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) connection. That way sharing it won't end in lower speeds to the others sharing your connection.

You can invoke the device's security just by pressing down a button. It also has Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption with a built-in firewall. If your phone supports Universal Serial Bus) USB, you can charge it as well, via this device. CTR-350 IS priced at USD 149 (Rs.5,960). However, as of now, there's no confirmation on the availability.

Micronet Intros Wireless Router !

Micronet has unveiled its new SP916GK wireless broadband router. Micronet SP916GK wireless broadband router is the latest generation of wireless router product for home and Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) users.
This device has been specifically designed to provide Local Area Network (LAN) and wireless users a cost-effective solution with multiple accesses to the Internet. SP916GK enables multiple users to share the Internet through a single Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or cable modem. It s an embedded Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server and simplified Internet Protocol (IP) address management function. In addition, Network Address Translation (NAT)/firewall is also implemented on this compact router box for shielding the entire LAN from external attack. The key features of SP916GK are compliance with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11g wireless LAN for data rate up to 54M and provide wireless LAN of 4 built-in 10/100M LAN ports. It allows easy network connection with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) filter to prevent users from accessing improper websites. Advanced firewall features dedicated to protect your system from intruders and unauthorized access with wireless security of Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wireless Fidelity Protected Access (WPA), WPA2, and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 802.1x. These benefits expand wireless signal coverage with other access points via the router s user-friendly management interface for easy setup. SP916GK is available across the country with the a price tag of Rs.2,700.

HP MediaSmart TVs !

Sometime back there was the release of the HP MediaSmart Servers. Now the TVs that will actually build the whole system are finally here. Announced at CES were two sizes of the TV: a 42-inch and a 47-inch 1080p LCDs.

These LCD HDTVs will make it stores in the US for $2,099 (Rs. 84,000) and $2,499 (Rs. 99,950). If you have a liking to snapfish or the Real Rhapsody service or Live365, these MediaSmart TVs are going to help you access this, and much more.

Apple, HTC in Trademark Tangle !

Apple Computer has an uncanny knack for getting in the way of trademarks... or so it seems... Previously, when the company unveiled it's eagerly anticipated iPhone, Cisco slapped a lawsuit against it over use of the 'iPhone' trademark. Incidentally, Linksys' VoIP phone is also called iPhone, and Cisco, which happens to be Linksys' parent company, owns the 'iPhone' trademark.
Now with the launch of iPod Touch, Apple is once again in danger of having stepped on someone else's toes... This time round, it's Taiwan-based HTC's turn to feel the heat... HTC launched the HTC Touch well before Apple's iPod Touch. The HTC Touch features a TouchFLO sweep launcher sitting atop Windows Mobile. It's a keyboard-free and button-free Windows Mobile phone that sports an unraised bezel and a solid glass face among others. HTC chief executive officer and president, Peter Chou, reportedly said that HTC has registered 'Touch' as a worldwide trademark, and that the company "is proud to share the same vision as Apple over touch screen functions". While Chou said nothing about whether HTC would sue Apple over use of it's trademark, a top HTC official reportedly made a pointed reference to the ability of Apple and Cisco to 'reach a mutually satisfactory agreement' before footnoting the need for 'further observation' around the 'Touch' trademark rights question. Meanwhile, as far as precedents go, Cisco's suit against Apple ended in a mutually convenient agreement -- one wherein both would continue to make use of the 'iPhone' trademark in the market.

Boomtune Mini Tripod Speakers for iPod !

Japanese company Focal Corp. has an innovative design for iPod speakers. They're designed as a tripod and dock the iPod right on top of it.

This new concept adds style and suspense to your iPod. Not everyone will be able to guess the function of the tripod; for all you know, people will think you're flaunting the most common MP3 player in the world. This product being sold in the east for $39 (Rs. 1560), and is available in a wide range of color options.

HP Unleashes Gaming Monster !

HP has reportedly unveiled its first gaming PC named "Blackbird 002", which marries HP innovation with Voodoo PC expertise. A Black Aluminium monster, the "Blackbird 002" can be configured as per user choice. With a 1.1-kilowatt power supply; separate thermal chambers for processors, GPU, and PSU; and a full liquid-cooling system; HP claims the gaming PC will keep its cool even in the most heated gaming scenarios.
The "Blackbird 002" features completely open BIOS, removable side panel, and interior and back-panel LED lighting, among others. It can be configured with high-end hardware, including AMD (X2 6000+) or Intel (Core 2 Duo 6750 Core 2 Extreme QX6850) processors, two graphics cards, up to five HDD (160GB 10,000 RPM 750 GB 7200 RPM), up to 8GB system memory, and HD optical drive (Blu-ray or HD DVD). A limited edition "HP Blackbird 002 Dedication Edition" will be available starting September 15, with a pre-set performance configuration, unique side panels, free games, and more. However, the system will be available for configuration at http://www.hp.com/blackbird starting October 1, and pricing will range approximately between $2,500 (Rs 101,712) and $7,100 (Rs 288,863).

ASUS Silent Knight CPU Cooler !

Asus has announced an upgrade to their monster cooler, the Silent Knight. The new one is called, ASUS Silent Knight II. It packs six copper tubes and 100% copper fins to chill the CPU.

A PWM function controls the fan speed to give optimal cooling. The LED still remains killer blue resembling rocket science. No word on the price and availability yet.

Intel India Introduces Quad Core Processors !

Intel India has unveiled the industry's first quad-core processors specifically designed for multi-processor (MP) servers. Intel claims the 6 new Quad-Core Xeon 7300 series processors can deliver more than twice the performance, and more than three times the performance per watt over their dual-core predecessors.
The company says the new processors will help complete it's transition to energy-efficient Core microarchitecture in less than 15 months. And that the new energy-efficient platform, together with enhanced virtualization capabilities will benefit customers in the ultimate analysis. The energy-efficient 7300 series includes frequencies up to 2.93GHz at 130 watts, several 80-watt processors and a 50-watt version optimized for four socket blades and high-density rack form factors with a frequency of 1.86GHz. The Intel 7300 chipset with Data Traffic Optimizations provides a balanced platform design with several new technologies that enhance data movement between processors, memory and I/O connections. "With the Xeon 7300 series, Intel is delivering new levels of performance and performance per watt, and driving the Intel Core microarchitecture into such innovative systems as four-socket, 16-core blades that use less energy than our older models," said R Ravichandran, director of sales, Intel South Asia. According to Intel, the 7300 series and the 7300 chipset offer up to four times the memory capacity of it's previous MP platforms, thus enabling very large consolidation ratios that can reduce space, power, and operation costs. With the introduction of the Xeon 7300, users will be able to pool all of their Intel Core microarchitecture based server resources, whether they are single-, dual- or multi-processor based, into a dynamic virtual server infrastructure that allows live virtual machine migration. Intel claims Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor 7300 Series-based servers demonstrate outstanding virtualization capability by delivering up to 167 percent performance improvement compared to previous generation Intel processors. Servers based on Xeon 7300 series processors are expected to be announced by more than 50 system manufacturers, including HCL, Wipro, Dell, Egenera, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, HP, IBM, NEC, Sun, Supermicro, and Unisys. Many software vendors such as BEA, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and Vmware are also supporting Xeon 7300 based platforms. Additionally, the Solaris operating system and thousands of applications that operate on it can immediately take advantage of Intel Xeon 7300-based platforms. Pricing of the new quad-core processors depends on the speeds, features, and amounts ordered, and ranges between Rs 34,830 and Rs 93,618 for 1,000-unit quantities.

Apple Concerned for Customers!

In a last-ditch attempt to pacify all those Apple iPhone loyalists who went from calling the gizmo a 'God phone' to a mere 'chump phone' -- crying foul over the unexpected $200 price cut announced by the company -- Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, reportedly said this in a letter posted on the company Web site: "Even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of the iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers, as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price."
And while Jobs might have all the good intentions at heart, Apple has sure succeeded in angering several early buyers of it's iPhone by slashing prices from the original $599 to $399 just 2 months of the gizmo going to market. In a bid to do the 'right thing' for it's valued customers, Apple is now offering every iPhone customer -- who purchased an iPhone either from Apple or AT&T, and who is not getting any rebate or any other consideration -- a $100 store credit towards purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. The details of which, Jobs said, are being worked out, and will be posted on Apple's Web site next week. In his letter, Jobs further said that change and improvement are a part of technology, and that there would always be someone who buys a product before a particular cut-off date, and misses the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever. He said the good news is when people buy products from companies that support them well, Apple being a case-in-point. All said, reams get written daily about how the consumer is king, and so on, and so forth. But can we mention one clear instance of a consumer having been taken seriously enough? Not really! Think India, and you get the picture -- customers being taken for granted royally... Forget price drops and taking blame for those who got left out of it, vendors don't even take credit/blame for faulty products/services... So where does that leave us? Maybe only an Apple Computer can help make it all look like a little more than lip service...

Apple Unveils the iPod Touch !

Putting an end to all the speculation of these past weeks, Apple Computer yesterday launched its all new iPod, the iPod Touch. The reported whoops and hollers might go to justify Apple CEO, Steve Jobs' claim that 'the seventh wonder of the world' had just been unveiled. Also dubbed as 'the God machine', the newbie iPod looks a lot like the iPhone -- except that it is no phone.
A sleek looking touch-controlled iPod, the iPod Touch sports a 3.5-inches color screen, built-in WiFi Internet access, and Apple's Safari Internet browser. The iPod Touch will come in 2 versions: an 8GB version priced at GBP 199; and a 16GB version costing GBP 269. Both versions are expected to be on the British market this month.

Apart from unveiling the iPod Touch, Apple revamped its iPod line that includes a reworked iPod Nano and the iPod Classic. The new Nano features 22 hours audio playback and 5 hours video playback. The flip side is the Nano suddenly looks as if it has put on some weight The 4GB iPod Nano comes in Silver for $149, while the 8GB iPod Nano comes in Silver, Black, Blue, Green, and a special Red edition for $199. Both new Nanos come with 3 fun games, and additional games can be purchased from the iTunes store (www.itunes.com). Both 4GB and 8GB iPod Nano models for Windows or Mac are immediately available worldwide through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Meanwhile, the iPod Classic comes in Silver and Black in 2 versions; 80GB model and 160GB model. The 80GB iPod Classic is priced at $249 and the 160GB iPod Classic costs $349. Both models are immediately available worldwide. Interestingly, while Apple was making announcements, Microsoft announced a slash in the price of its Zune digital media player by $50 to $199. The software major claimed it had been planning a price cut all this while...

Apple also unveiled the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, offering fans the ability to browse, search, preview, purchase, and download songs and albums from iTunes over a Wi-Fi network directly onto their iPod Touch or iPhone, sans any computer as intermediary. When owners of the iPod Touch or iPhone connect their gizmos back to their PCs or Macs, the downloaded music would automatically sync back to their iTunes library. In case they have only partially downloaded a song or album onto their Touch or iPhone, the computer would complete the download automatically. Meanwhile, prices and selection on the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store would remain the same as on the regular iTunes Store. Both the new iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and custom iTunes ringtones for iPhone will be available later this month. Additionally, Apple announced lowering the price of its iPhone (8GB) from $599 to $399 in the US. The iPhone 4GB model will be sold until supplies last, Apple said.

HP Blackbird 002: Gaming Beauty !

HP has announced its beautiful gaming rig called the Blackbird 002. Its tool-less chassis has an all metal finish. The rig will have options like liquid, cooling, or silent cooling for either CPU or GPU, or both. The system will be fully overclockable through the BIOS. No further specifications are known.

Its price range will start from $2500 (Rs. 1,00,000) and goes all the way to $7100 (Rs. 2,84,000) for the full blow out offer.

Microsoft Mulling a Zune Phone !

Rumor has it that Microsoft may soon start developing a device billed to be a potential Apple iPhone killer. The software major has reportedly stated sans confirmation that a mobile phone based on it's Zune digital media player 'is not an unreasonable move'.
The phone will likely be called the 'Zune Phone' and will be a competitor to Apple's iPhone. The iPhone is currently available only in the US exclusively from AT&T. Talks about a Zune-based mobile phone from Microsoft are not entirely new. Ever since the launch of the Zune, there's been a buzz doing the rounds of industry. Even when the Zune was launched, it was talked about as a potential iPod killer, which really never happened. Going by reports, the Zune failed to gain the kind of popularity that the iPod enjoys. All said, observers think a phone based on the Zune, if it were to happen, would be a good move on the part of Microsoft as the company already has a presence in the smart phone market with it's Windows Mobile platform.

Brando USB RC Car !

There's great news for people who want to get distracted from their mundane stare-at-screen regime. Brando is here with a USB RC car which comes in a Mini Cooper design, and can be controlled via your PC. The kit includes a car and a garage, which is actually the car's charging station.

You can activate a beep for a horn on it, park it, drive it around and enjoy its engine roar. No details about the range of the control, or whether there's anything more to this toy are known. This USB device will cost you just $29.99 (Rs. 1,200) for killing time at office or at home.

Click here to watch its video and amuse yourself.

LG Intros Latest Chocolate !

LG Electronics unveiled the LG Chocolate Multimedia (KU580) mobile phone at the recently concluded IFA 2007. True to its 'Chocolate' antecedents, the phone sports a slim chocolate bar design; with FM radio, Bluetooth stereo, multi-tasking capabilities, and a wide display among others.
The latest Chocolate bar houses 45MB of storage space, with the possibility of adding a 256MB Micro SD card (supplied). Other features include: 9-hours battery, 2 mega pixels camera for photos and videos, VGA camera for video telephony, et al. Apart from it's Chocolate phone, LG launched high definition LT85 (LCD) and PT85 (Plasma) sets with built-in digital video recorders. The new models feature a 160 GB hard drive, integrated hybrid tuner for DVB-T, and analogue cable TV, among others.

Sony SRS-ZX1 Speakers !

Sony has announced a new set of speakers with a special feature called Mobius Duct. This feature enables the speakers to deliver decent low-frequencies from the portable package.
The speaker dimensions are 3.1 x 6.6 x 7.4-inches. It has an in-built amplifier and delivers 20W x 2 channels with 2x analog inputs. It will be available by October 20th in Japan for about $426 (Rs. 17,000).

DVC600 Media Center !

Harmon Kardon showcased the DVC600 media center that runs their Unix-based home theater software that can record up to eight simultaneous HD shows. It also allows for recording and playback of Blu-ray discs.
And while the 3,000-4,000 euro projected price tag will turn many consumers off when it's released, it's a sleek system that can stylishly eliminate at least one component in your setup while not compromising on power.

ICA Moves to Curb Counterfeits !

In the face of exploding batteries triggering safety concerns about usage of mobile handsets, the Indian Cellular Association (ICA) has reportedly moved to tighten the grip on counterfeits sold in the grey market.
According to ICA, nearly nine crore original mobile handsets were sold in the country in 2007-08 along with service packs that included original batteries. However, 70 to 75 percent of the replacement battery market is still dominated by counterfeit batteries.

Counterfeiters illegally use names of well known brands by copying packaging and even misrepresenting technical specifications. The counterfeits are manufactured in extremely poor conditions using manual welding, poor slitting machines, and sub standard material. The fakes lack safety mechanisms such as Protection Circuit Module (PCM), etc.
Pankaj Mohindroo, national president of ICA, believes that there is an immediate need for the government to intervene and crack down on counterfeit mobile accessories and batteries so as to ensure the safety of consumers.
The ICA has sent an appeal to the government to rationalize the duty structure, which according to Mohindroo will go a long way in reigning-in the grey market.
Over the years, the quality and composition of batteries has evolved and new generation Lithium ion batteries are environmentally more friendly than earlier generation Nickel batteries. These batteries have extremely refined ingredients that ensure versatility and safety.
Besides, these batteries, unlike their predecessors, carry a Printed Circuit Board, which prevents overcharge and under charge. The typical life span of a lithium ion battery is 2-3 years under normal use.

A Program that Unlocks the iPhone !

According to reports, an anonymous group of software developers claims to have developed a program that unlocks Apple's iPhone, thus making it operational on any GSM network across the globe.
As of now, the iPhone is available only in the US, and is operational only on the AT&T network, under an exclusive two-year agreement between Apple and AT&T.
The iPhone unlocking program was demonstrated by Los Angeles-based software consultant named Brett Schulte, who replaced AT&T with a T-Mobile SIM card, and within a few seconds, the iPhone became operational.
Schulte said the procedure doesn't require opening or disassembling of the device, and unlocking can be done in just about two minutes.
Apparently, the anonymous group includes six people from three different continents, who claim to have unlocked the device just as a hobby.
The developers plan to put the software on sale, though no price has been finalized yet. They have also created a Web site called iPhoneSIMfree.com, which has some information on the program but does not give a way to purchase it yet.
Meanwhile, an AT&T spokesman said that though they could not hypothesize on the authenticity of hacking the iPhone, they hurried to remind users that by buying the iPhone, they become contractually indebted to AT&T.
A similar incident took place about a week back, where a teenager claimed to have found the way to unlock the iPhone, though by disassembling the device.

Ultra-low-cost 3G radio completes design !

Innovative 3G radio design for femtocells offers mobile operators the means to put pressure on UMA and VoWiFi >>>>
Cambridge UK and Cambridge MA, August 28, 2007 --- Cambridge Consultants has designed a cellular basestation radio based on a consumer-grade handset component, to support picoChip's reference design for the 3G femtocell market. The radio extends picoChip's reference design for a 3G home basestation, providing developers with an exceptionally low cost implementation for a global market that is expected to grow to 100 million units per annum within a few years. Femotcell products allow cellular operators to counter the competitive technologies of UMA (Universal Mobile Access) and VoWiFi (voice-over-WiFi), with the added advantage of allowing customers to use their existing standard cellular handsets.
The HSDPA/HSUPA-compatible WCDMA design breaks new ground by adapting an IC created for low-cost/high-volume handset applications to implement the high-specification basestation radio, combined with an architectural split that exploits the very high computational performance available in the picoArray DSP device to perform the baseband and system control functions.
The resulting 3G home basestation design requires just these two major ICs — a bill of materials that meets the aggressive cost targets needed for this mass application. Alternative implementations can require more expensive carrier-class radio components, combined with processing cores based on both DSP and FPGA technologies. The 3G basestation design supports HSDPA and HSUPA (high speed downlink packet access and uplink packet access) data rates of 7 Mbits/second and 2 Mbits/second respectively.
picoChip awarded the design contract to Cambridge Consultants because the product developer offered experience of designing radios for highly cost sensitive markets such as 2G, ZigBee, DECT and Bluetooth.
"There are numerous radio consultancies out there, but few with a track record in creating designs optimized for low-cost/high-volume consumer applications," says Rupert Baines, picoChip's VP of marketing. "Cambridge Consultants gave us this skill, backed by the knowledge that our engineering teams work well together — as demonstrated on a successful previous WiMAX project."
"If this application is to succeed, the bill of materials has to be in the same ballpark as a WiFi access point, a market with a supplier base that has a lead of several years in driving down costs," adds Cambridge Consultants' Tim Fowler. "A novel architectural split gave us the key — allowing us to use an existing consumer IC for the radio. We believe that this design could trim a year or more off the time it would normally take OEMs to get the costs of 3G access points down to the point needed for mass roll out."
The design is based on a commercial handset radio IC, and the PC202 picoArray — picoChip's device targeted at high volume applications. This latter multi-core DSP incorporates an array of processors, combined with an ARM 926EJ-S processor, and other resources needed to implement a baseband processor including a cryptographic engine and turbo coding logic.
Figures from ABI Research predict that there will be 102 million home basestation, or femtocell, users worldwide by 2011. The femtocell handles cellular calls locally and traffic is then carried to the operator’s core network via broadband connections. This not only reduces the need for multiple handsets (or expensive 'dual-mode' cellular and WiFi terminals), it also allows network coverage and capacity to be increased in a cost-effective manner, exactly where they are most needed by the end user.

World's Thinnest LCD TV Unveiled !

Sharp Corp has reportedly unveiled a prototype of what the company calls the world's thinnest LCD TV with a main display section that is only 20mm thick. Speaking ahead of the IFA electronics fair, Mikio Katayama, president of Sharp, said that the TV weighing 25kg is designed with digitalization and Web-based TV in mind as consumers are increasingly looking for high definition models that can be mounted on walls.
Katayama also said that the 50-inch LCD TV would consume 140 kilowatts of power per year, based on a typical household's consumption pattern, as compared to the consumption of 233 kWh by the company's current model, the 37-inch LC-37 P55E. However, he did not say when the super thin TV would be available on the market.

Philips Aurea HDTV !

The Philips Aurea HDTV has been released. The specs state that it's a 1080p at 100 Hz with a 3ms response time. It sizes up to 42-inches, and uses Perfect Pixel HD Engine. It supports 4 Trillion colors and 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs. Its contrast ratio is 550cd/m2 with a true dynamic ratio of 1200:8000.

On the audio front, it has 26 speakers embedded inside in a combination of 24 front mini-drivers, and 2 subwoofers. It features Ambilight frames used in Philips TVs, but this one has 126 LEDs inside the bezel. It is to be launched soon in the European markets; the price is not known as of now.

New Apple iMacs Now in India !

Apple Computer has reportedly unveiled new all-in-one iMacs featuring 20- and 24-inches wide-screen displays encased in aluminum and glass enclosures. The new iMacs feature: the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, an ultra thin aluminum Apple Keyboard, built-in iSight video camera, iLife'08, and iWork'08.
Each iMac has only 3 cables -- one for the power supply, one for the keyboard, and one for the mouse. An optional wireless keyboard with a wireless mouse makes for a cable-free desktop. The 20-inch iMac is priced upwards of Rs 64,600, while the 24-inch iMac starts at Rs 96,100. Apple's iLife'08 features iPhoto'08 and iMovie'08. While iPhoto'08 automatically organizes photo libraries into events, iMovie'08 helps users make movies faster. Meanwhile, iWork'08 sports a new feature called Numbers'08 which allows users work with the help of spreadsheets. Each iMac includes iLife'08 and iWork'08 which costs Rs 4,050 each. Five user copies are available for Rs 5,110. Besides, Apple has announced significant enhancements to its .Mac online service, highlighted by the debut of .Mac Web Gallery, a new feature for sharing photos and movies on the Internet. The .Mac Web Gallery allows members share photos and movies directly from iLife'08 with anyone on a Mac, PC, or iPhone. Also, .Mac Web Gallery visitors can download high quality images for printing, and contribute photos using a standard Web browser or email. Other new .Mac features include: increase in .Mac storage to 10GB, support for personal domains for iWeb Web sites and enhancements to .Mac Mail. The .Mac Subscription to .Mac Web Gallery is optional. The annual individual subscription fee is Rs 4,800, and Rs 8,710 for a family pack that includes one master account and four sub accounts. Users can go to: www.mac.com for a free 60-day .Mac trial version.

Sleek Audio's SA6 Earphones !

Sleek Audio decided to give developing good MP3 players a layoff, because it finally boils down to the earphones that are bundled along. So instead of spending an amount on your player, you can spend it on buying these soon to be released earphones.

These earphones have hardware equalizers; each of them is split into four parts - a Replaceable Tip, Variable Treble Tip, Single Armature Driver, Variable Equalization Bass Port, all of these connected to an Interchangeable Tip.

The variable parts help you to adjust the treble and bass. There are tips provided, which will enable you to rock in three different ways. The SA6 are available at the moment by pre-order, and will be released only by the end of September for $249.99 (Rs. 10,000).

Philips Power2Charge and Power2Go !

Although the Philips Power Chargers are supposed to provide for the multiple charge-needs for your various gadgets, they can be a bit confusing to choose from. The Power2Charge line has two options which plug into the car, and three options which support wall points. This line up has charging via USB with six connecting points. It provides 15 hours of extra battery for upto 5V of power units.

The Power2Go range goes all the way to 21V, and provides 60 hours of extra battery. Both these chargers have flashy LEDs, et al; but it's still not certain whether these actually solve the whole charging frenzy we all go through with our gadgets.

Sony Video Walkmans launched in North America!

Sony has reportedly launched two new video walkman series in North America. The NWZ-S610 and the NWZ-A810 series can play both audio and video, and will be available in North America in September, Sony said.
Both series support an open platform so as to be able to play a variety of music formats, including security-enhanced Microsoft Windows Media Audio (WMA) as well as non-secure AAC and MP3; plus JPEG files for photos, AVC (H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile, and MPEG-4 video codecs. The new video walkmans feature a standard user interface (UI), a QVGA (Quarter Video Graphics Array) LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels) that displays video at 30 frames per second. The battery life is rated at up to 8 hours of video playback for the NWZ-A810 series, and more than nine hours for the NWZ-S610 series. For both series, the battery provides up to 33 hours of music playback. While the NWZ-A810 series will be priced between $140 (Rs 5,733 approx) and $230 (Rs 9,418 approx), the NWZ-S610 series will cost between $120 (Rs 4,914 approx) and $210 (Rs 8,600). And, Sony is introducing the NWZ-B100 series of walkmans for those who want to listen to music only. The walkmans in this series feature: USB direct connect, 3-line color LCD display, FM tuner, and up to 12 hours of battery life. The audio players also come with FM recording capability and voice recorder function with built-in microphone. Sony announced it will pull the plug on its Connect Music Service that distributes music in the company's proprietary ATRAC audio format in North America and Europe, sometime before March next year.

Thailand Lifts Ban on YouTube!

After nearly four months, the Thai government has lifted the ban on Google's YouTube as the management of the Web site has finally agreed to block all videos that violate the country's laws or are deemed offensive to the Thai people. The access to YouTube was blocked on April 4, after Google turned down Thailand's request to delete the 'insulting' 44-second 'offensive' video clip.
The video clip in question showed grainy pictures of Thailand's most revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, with a pair of shoes with soles pointed towards the king's face. The clip was considered a case of 'lese majeste' or insulting the monarchy, which in Thailand is a serious crime with offenders liable to punishment of up to 15 years of imprisonment. At the time, Google removed the original offensive content from YouTube. However more and more such 'mocking' videos continued to appear on the site, creating a brouhaha of sorts. Finally now, YouTube has agreed on blocking clips breaking Thai laws, including sweeping legislations prohibiting comments deemed as 'offensive' to the monarchy. Meanwhile, video clips banned in Thailand will continue to be available to Internet users in other parts of the world. Additionally, Thai government officials have created a program for blocking all sensitive video content from being accessed within the country.

Ovi by Nokia - The door to Nokia's internet services.

In a paradigm shift, Nokia today introduced 'Ovi', its new Internet services brand name. 'Ovi' means 'door' in Finnish, and promises to enable consumers easily access their existing social networks, communities, and content.
As part of 'Ovi', Nokia has announced the Nokia Music Store, N-Gage, and Nokia Maps. As such, 'Ovi' at http://www.ovi.com will act as the gateway to all of these Internet services. It will be an open door to Web communities, enabling people access their content, communities, and contacts from a single place, either directly from a compatible Nokia device, or from a PC. The first version of Ovi.com is slated to go live in English during Q4 2007, with additional features and languages expected to go live during the first half of 2008. Part of 'Ovi', the Nokia Music Store at http://music.nokia.com will offer millions of tracks from major artists, and independent labels, as well as local artists, available only through Nokia. The store can be accessed via a desktop computer, or directly from a compatible Nokia device such as the Nokia N81 or Nokia N95 8GB multimedia computer. Consumers will be able to browse for new music, buy what they want, or add a song to their wish-list to download later. They will also be able to transfer purchased songs to their mobile devices. With the built-in music player, they will be able to create playlists on the go and manage their music collection. The store will open across key European markets this fall, with additional stores in Europe and Asia opening over the coming months. In Europe, individual tracks will cost 1 euro and albums will be upwards of 10 euros, with a monthly subscription for PC streaming of 10 euros. Also part of 'Ovi', N-Gage will offer an easy way to find, try, and buy great quality games directly from compatible Nokia devices. By selecting the N-Gage application on compatible Nokia devices, users will be able to preview available games, connect with friends, read reviews, or download free demos. Games can be bought either with a credit card, or by charging to the user's monthly phone bill. Electronic Arts, Gameloft, etc, are making some of their big brands available through N-Gage. The application is expected to be available for download at http://www.n-gage.com in November 2007. Meanwhile, Nokia Maps, as the name suggests, will offer maps, city guides, and more -- directly to compatible mobile devices. Commenting on Nokia's shift from mobile to Internet services, Olli Pekka Kallasvuo, president and chief executive officer of Nokia, said that the industry is converging towards an Internet-driven experience, and that 'Ovi' represents Nokia's vision in combining the Internet with mobility.

DVD that can Store upto 1TB Data !

Even as the world is hard put to decide whether it's HD-DVD or Blu-ray coming next, a Jerusalem-based company called Mempile has reportedly introduced an optical disc about as thick as a standard DVD or slightly thicker, which it claims can store up to 1TB or 1,000GB of data. What's more, the company claims that once the transition to blue lasers is done, the optical disc will be able to store up to 5TB of data.
Mempile's 1TB DVD sports 200 distinct layers, each offering 5GB of storage space. Unlike in regular DVDs, the layers in this DVD are not stuck together or stacked physically. Mempile claims the discs are made from a polymer variant called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a mixture of Perspex, Lucite, and Plexiglass. Incidentally, the discs derive their Yellow color from this compound. Also unlike typical DVDs wherein 2 dimensions are used to store data, Mempile claims it's DVDs use 3 dimensions in the polymer to store data. Mempile's new technology is currently restricted to WORM or write once, read many. However, the company intends to make read/write drives available in future. While Mempile's concept is not entirely new, the company claims it's prototypes are already reaching 600GB to 800GB of storage, with 1TB storage expected soon. However, from an industry perspective, Mempile needs to get it's discs/drives to market soon enough for these not to be overtaken by heavyweight rivals -- HD DVD and Blu-ray...