The LG-KF700 - the first mobile with 3 input methods

LG Electronics anounced the launch of LG-KF700, the first phone with 3 seperate input methods - 3 inch touch screen, alpha numeric keypad and shortcut dial. Selecting tasks by the most efficient methods, for easy and intuitive navigation.

“Our consumers told us that they wanted a phone that had plenty of multimedia features, but doesn’t take a long time fiddling with menus to figure out. We created the LG-KF700 based their insight,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Internal research showed that a phone’s multimedia features often lay dormant if they are hard to access. On many phones these features are hidden deep in menus, requiring too much time and effort to find them. The LG-KF700 eliminates these endless menus with its intuitive interface and multiple input methods.”

The shortcut dial is used for scrolling through six user-selected features. It can also be used to scroll through webpages or e-mails, adjust volumes and other functions optimized for a scrolling wheel.

Support for HSDPA 3G networks* for faster web browsing and video telephony.
Includes an MP3 player, MPEG4 video player, 3.0 megapixel camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

LG Press Release

2007 was a big year for mobiles

More than 1 billion phones sold last year.

Nokia, the global leader in this area looks to expand to North America while Motorola tries to stall its slide.

The main draw shifts now to emerging markets such as China and India, with many people there buying their first mobile.

Nokia dominated worldwide with 435 million units sold, followed by Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG.

Via: ComputerWorld

Portable Blu-ray drive in affordable price

Things go pretty fast now. Soon everyone will carry around their 1 Terabyte USB flash drive.

This drive come from Philips and LiteOn Digital Solutions (or PLDS) and the launch is next April.

The device is read-only, and price is not yet set, but it's supposed to be competitive.

The drive plugs into the USB port. Beside Blu-ray, the drive can read DVD R/W and CD R/W.
With the death of HD-DVD format and the increasing popularity of high-definition movies, there is definitely a market for this kind of product.


Via: TechNews

Entry level digital cameras - comparison between Canon, Kodak and Olympus

I was trying to look at cameras for beginners to intermediate, without getting too in depth about focus range and shutter speed etc.


Canon PowerShot A460
5 Megapixel
4X Optical zoom
2" LCD screen
Storage Media - SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card
Price: $129.99



Canon PowerShot A550
7.1 Megapixel
4X Optical zoom
2" LCD screen
Storage Media - SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card
Price: $149.99


Canon PowerShot A630
8 Megapixel
4X Optical zoom
2.5" LCD screen
Storage Media - SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multimedia Card
Price: $229.99

Olympus FE 230
7.1 Megapixel
3X Optical zoom
2.5" LCD screen
Storage Media - xD Picture card ((Std/Type H/M -16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512MB, 1GB or 2GB)
Price: $179.99


Olympus Stylus 820
8 Megapixel
5X Optical zoom
2.7" LCD screen
Storage Media - xD Picture card (xD-Picture Card™ (1GB, 2GB)
Price: $249.99

Olympus Stylus 1200
12 Megapixel
3X Optical, 5X Digital zoom
2.7" LCD screen
Storage Media - (xD-Picture Card™ (1GB, 2GB)
Price: $349.99

Kodak EasyShare 803
8.0 megapixels
3X optical zoom
Price: $159.95

Kodak EasyShare 1233
12 megapixels
3X optical zoom
2.5" Screen
HD pictures and video
Price: $199.95

Nokia's 'Remade' Cell Phone Made Of Recycled Materials

Nokia's 'Remade' is a Cell made almost entirely from recycled materials, including aluminum cans, plastics from drink bottles, and old car tires for the rubber key mats. The phones would also use environment-friendly technologies, including printed electronics and display graphics that save energy, according to Nokia. The phone is still in concept stage.

The phone was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona. The idea is to reduce usage of natural resources, landfill and increasing energy-efficient production.

Another concept Nokia is working on called Eco Sensor, consists of a wearable mobile phone and a sensing device analyzing a person's health and his surrounding environment.

For those who can't wait for 'Remade' Nokia will offer the '3110 Evolve', a mobile consists of 50% renewable materials, in the first half of 2008. The phone would be packaged with 60% recycled content and comes with an efficient charger that uses 94% less energy.

Specs for the '3110 Evolve'
1.3-megapixel camera, FM tuner, MP3 player, and expandable memory with a microSD card slot. The 3110 Evolve will only be available in the U.K. and Germany.

Via: Information Week

Google Android makes Barcelona appearance with Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments plans to showcase the first prototype handset powered by Google Android platform at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, this week, according to the company.

Google Android is a Open Source handset OS. The phone demonstarates a "one button access" to applications such as Web browsing, e-mail, messaging and video. The OMAP platform's multi-core architecture promise to deliver multimedia and user interfaces on the Android platform.

Source: crn

Best Buy to recommend Blu-ray format

Best Buy, the largest US consumer electronics chain store, said it will recommend that consumers choose Sony Corp's Blu-ray high definition format. Yet another win against Toshiba's HD-DVD format. Earlier Netflix, the online video rental store came with the decision of supporting Blu-ray exclusively, following Warner Brothers decision.

Source: Reuters

Yahoo turned down Microsoft $44B bid

Yahoo turned down Microsoft $44 billion bid as too low. Google offered Yahoo help in case of a Microsoft's takeover.

"The board of directors is continually evaluating all of its strategic
options in the context of the rapidly evolving industry environment and
we remain committed to pursuing initiatives that maximize value for all
stockholders," Yahoo said in a statement.
Microsoft, though, didn't seem inclined to raise the bid Monday,
releasing a statement describing its current bid as "full and fair."
Calling Yahoo's decision "unfortunate," Microsoft didn't back off from
its quest either. "Based on conversations with stakeholders of both
companies, we are confident that moving forward promptly to consummate a
transaction is in the best interests of all parties," the Redmond,
Wash.-based company said.

One of Yahoo's board alternative include forging an ad partnership with Google, which paid nearly $5 billion in marketing commissions to thousands of Web sites last year.

Source: Yahoo! News

Modu - tiny modular mobile phones

modu is an Israeli startup company that attempts to create a market for modular mobiles. I heard about the costume colored sleeves in NOKIA but here they take another step by adding electronic devices specific for their modu phones. The extra devices include: a large screen or keyboard, MP4 player etc.

"The mobile phone industry is ready for a revamp," said Dov Moran, modu’s CEO and founder, who is also the inventor of the USB Flash Drive and other personal storage solutions.

"There are hundreds of handset models on the market: the trouble is that as a consumer you can only have one at a time and you are usually tied to a long and expensive contract. modu is challenging that with a solution that offers freedom, boundless possibilities and the opportunity to change your phone without it costing a fortune," Moran said.

The company are already in partnership with companies such as SanDisk, Texas Instruments, Blaupunkt, Universal Music Group and carriers such as Telecom Italia, Israeli firm Cellcom and the Russian VimpelCom. The phone will be available to the three carriers in October this year and plans to launch in in the US early 2009.

Carriers will be able to sell a modu and two sleeves for less than $300, the price could go considerably lower or free with a two-year contract.

Source: efluxmedia

Best Buy to sell Dell XPS, Inspiron Models

According to Enterprise Networks and Servers magazine, Dell is the XPS and Inspiron notebooks and

desktop computers, including the new XPS through the 900 Best Buy stores in the U.S.

"Seeing the latest fashion colors of our Inspiron and XPS notebooks or previewing the ultimate

gaming experience on a high-performance system can be an important part of how people shop," said

Michael Tatelman, vice president of sales and marketing for Dell's global consumer business. "In the

next few weeks, people looking to upgrade to a Dell notebook or desktop in the U.S. can visit their

local Best Buy to check out and purchase our award-winning line of products."

Dell products are now available in nearly 10,000 stores around the globe.

NEC plans a line of Fuel-Cell powered Mobile Phones

This thing may look like a Zip lighter or super-glue tube.

The launch is scheduled for later this year. No need for a battery indicator, obviously. You know exactly when to refill. The screen is visible on the surface and the keys are touch buttons in “transparent thin film” technology.

Another cool feature would be, during heated arguments, to spray that liquid straight into your colleagues ear, with the push of a button.

Apple doubles Memory To iPhone, iPod Touch

According to InformationWeek, The iPhone is now available in a 16 GB version and the iPod Touch 32 GB of memory. that would be $100 more previous models

The iPhone 16 GB version will cost $499, and the new iPod touch model features 32 GB of memory and also costs $499.

Both devices use Apple's Multi-Touch software and user interface for interacting with music, videos, photos, and the Web on a full touch screen. The new models come with software enhancents including the Google Maps application and a GPS-like location and navigation capability.

Both models offer the abilty to create clips, personalized home screen and rent movies through iTunes.

Dell XPS M1730 - Notebook for gaming

A notebook for gaming? The XPS M1730 is a gamers dream powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo X7900 Extreme 2.8Ghz processor, the nVidia GeForce 8700M GT SLI and a large 400GB Hard Drive, ready for your Bioshock/Crysis/Portal. Show off with color-shifting LED lights and lighting effects under the keyboard and behind the lid - that is, if you are geeky enough.

Specs
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel Core 2 Duo X7900 Extreme 2.8 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 10.4 lb
Screen Size: 17 inches widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8700M GT SLI
Storage Capacity: 400 GB
Networking: 802.11n
Optical Drive: DVD+R DL
Price: $4,024

Dell XPS M1530

The Dell XPS series gets another update with this configuration targeted for hefty graphic design apps and home theater. The design - same as previous XPS line, is metalic and stylish.

Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz
RAM: 2 GB
Weight: 6.2 lb
Screen Size: 15.4 inches widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600M GT
Hard Drive: 160 GB
Network: 802.11n
Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Price: $2,174

Samsung BD-UP5000 Duo HD Blu-ray / HD DVD HD Player

Here is a player that supports both HD formats. After Warner's decision to release titles exclusively in Blu-ray starting June 2008, the market shifts toward Blu-ray as a standard, and only two major studios are exclusively supporting HD-DVD: Universal and Paramount.

The price for this machine is around the $1,000 but can be found for less. Still, there are plenty of machines that supports one of the formats in half the price or less. This player is for people with a large library of BD/HD-DVD titles who doesn't want to buy two players or want to save space for other devices.

Specs:
Plays Blu-ray, HD DVDs, DVDs, and CDs.

The player's 7.1-channel analog audio outputs fixed 100Hz crossover. But there are no level or delay adjustments for the individual channels—a serious limitation.

The Dual player can output 1080p/24 or 1080p/60 over HDMI, and 1080i over component.

The Duo HD player has a (LAN) Ethernet port.

Audio codecs the player supports include standard Dolby Digital and standard DTS. Bitstream converts all source audio to standard DTS. No multichannel Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio

The player delivers superb picture quality, even in lower resolutions - thanks to the HQV REON video processor from Silicon Optix, which up-converts lower formats from 480i and higher.