Rinse John's TechBlog

Is your mobile phone bad for you?

2009-11-14T18:20:00.002+05:30

Some overseas studies have rekindled fears of a link to brain tumours. Peter Knight asks if we should worry

With its 12.1-megapixel camera and sleek touchscreen, the Sony Ericsson Satio is one of the most desirable mobile phones you could buy this Christmas. You may recognise it from its high-profile advertising campaign: carefree twentysomethings bouncing on colourful spacehoppers. But one thing the advert fails to tell the viewer is that the Satio is one of the highest emitters of low-level radio waves on the mobile phone market.

Different models record different levels of radiation, and some experts want radio wave readings advertised as prominently as are the salt and fat content on food labelling. Professor Denis Henshaw, head of radiation research at the University of Bristol, says: “While we don’t have an advanced state of knowledge about the harmful effects of mobile phones, a number attached to a phone is at least a start in giving the consumer an informed choice.”

The reading is recorded as a specific absorption rate (SAR): the rate at which head tissue absorbs the phone’s radiation. The higher the reading, the more radiation is emitted. Nine years ago Henshaw advised the Stewart Report, the UK’s first committee to tackle the issue in depth. It failed to find concrete evidence of adverse effects, but it did recommend that radiation readings be displayed on the back of mobile phone boxes and as a menu option. (The Mobile Manufacturers Forum claims that it is “impractical” to put these figures on packaging, but they can usually be seen on the manufacturers’ websites.) The European guideline for maximum radiation exposure is 2W/kg in 10g of body tissue. The Satio’s reading is 1.58W/kg. The LG Crystal’s is 1.47W/kg. Samsung phones record consistently low SAR values, while the Apple iPhone 3GS is between the two extremes with 1.1W/kg. All these models fall safely within the guidelines, so should you worry about SAR? Perhaps yes, if the preliminary findings of the Interphone study, the biggest of its kind, are to be believed. It is conducted under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its conclusions will be drawn from research by scientists in 13 countries.

Some of the evidence from the 12 countries that have published their reports seems to suggest that there is “significantly increased risk” of developing some types of brain tumour if you use a phone for a decade or more. But this conflicts with the findings from other countries taking part in the study, including the UK; the WHO is expected to compile a definitive conclusion in the coming weeks. However, a US-Korean study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology last month concluded that there is possible evidence linking mobile phones to the risk of brain tumours.

Nevertheless, many do worry. Alasdair Philips, of Powerwatch, a pressure group that researches the health effects of all electromagnetic waves, says: “SAR values are not the be-all and end-all. If you hold a phone loosely to your ear, the SAR will fall tenfold than if pressed tight to the ear.” Using hands-free headsets is even better, but Philips says: “I wouldn’t choose the highest-SAR phones. Given today’s technology, any reading above 1W/kg is unnecessary,” he says.

Meanwhile, Preece is so confident of phone safety that he has bought his ten-year-old granddaughter her first mobile phone. “I chose it by colour rather than by the SAR value,” he says. “It has thousands of times more value for a girl’s security and safety than it has deleterious effects.”

Highest radio wave levels

Sony Ericsson Satio (2009) 1.58W/kg LG Crystal GD900 (2009) 1.47W/kg Nokia 1661 (type RH-122) (2008) 1.38W/kg BlackBerry Bold 9700 (type RCM71UW) (2009) 1.36W/kg HTC Tattoo (2009) 1.25W/kg

Medium radio wave levels

Apple iPhone 3G S (2009) 1.1W/kg Nokia 6303 Classic (2009) 1.15W/kgLG Cookie KP500 (2008) 1.02W/kg Nokia 5800 XpressMusic (2009) 0.97W/kg Samsung Genio Touch (2009) 0.75W/kg Samsung Tocco Lite (2009) 0.54W/kg Samsung Jet (2009) 0.522W/kg

Lowest radio wave levels

Motorola Aura R1 (2008) 0.32W/kg BlackBerry 8700g (2006) 0.24W/kg Samsung SGH-F210 (2007) 0.2W/kg Samsung SGH-G800 (2007) 0.19W/kg Samsung SGH-X830 (2007) 0.119W/kg

40″ OLED TV Whooops!!!!! That's small!!!

2009-11-14T18:03:00.002+05:30

Currently your best bet for an OLED is the Sony XEL-1 which I also included in my top Christmas gadgets list. It’s not the best price screen per inch but certainly is the best looking on the market. But as with all good technology the price will start to come down and screen sizes will go up. Samsung have already prototyped early this year a 40″ Full HD OLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and is under 1cm thick. Samsung therefore have proved it can all be done so it just a case of making them at a consumer friendly price and I think next year they will we will see these large sized OLEDs appearing. - more info…

Nokia 5800 Review

2009-11-14T18:02:00.003+05:30

Nokia have been the top seller of mobile phones for a long time now and want to revive the market with their Nokia 5800 / N97 touch screen phone - their effective iPhone killers (Nokia N97 N-series touch phone has already been announced and released this year).

From Q3 2007 to Q3 2008 they lost 15.4% of the market share, dropping to 35%, due mainly to the iPhone. With the release of the Apple iPhone it has caused a ripple in the market and mobile phone manufacturers have realised that they need to raise their game. Blackberry have out their Storm 9500 (bottom of top 10) which will be a hot gadget of 2009 (once it gets the firmware it needs to speed up navigation) and will be available before the end of the year. Sony have their X1 touch phone out which, if it was running Google Android, would probably be my number 1 - as it is gorgeous to look at. But since the X1 has Windows Mobile 6 and is therefore rather slow and clunky, it’s not. HTC have release their G1 which albeit has the best mobile OS in my opinion, Android, doesn’t leverage it and certainly isn’t attractive - no where near the iPhone killer it was marketed as. more information…

Specification - The 5800 has all that you would expect from Nokia including finally support for flash:

Symbian 9.4 Series 60 5th Edition
Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
HSDPA (3.6 Mbits) / GPRS Class 32 / Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g)
Bluetooth (2.0)
3.2 mega-pixel Carl Zeiss Optics camera
microSDHC card slot
640 x 320 pixels - 3.2 inch touch screen display
30fps Video Recording
Supported formats: MP4, 3GP, H.264, Flash, H.263 WMV & Real Player
E-mail (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange)
Battery: Talk Time: 528 mins - Standby Time: 406 hrs

A New iPhone

2009-11-14T18:02:00.001+05:30

Whether it's the iPhone 3G Part II or the rumored iPhone nano, it's not hard to imagine Apple releasing another new iPhone this year, maintaining their trend of releasing an iPhone per year to stay competitive in the everchanging post-RAZR cellphone market. It's no secret that most of Gizmodo loves the iPhone, so we're pretty excited to see what's next. (Juicy rumors of a new Mac mini and iPod Touch XL are going strong, too.)

Surprise Gift Boxes for a Hilarious Christmas Night

2009-11-14T18:00:00.001+05:30

Isn’t it fun to give your loved one some extra surprise? The fake boxes or gotcha boxes can turn this Christmas night very interesting. The specialty of these boxes is that they are dressed up to contain some fake gadgets.

The Gotcha box is the brain child of the Onion group. These fake gift boxes appear to contain some useless gadget invented ever or never, say something like USB toaster. Once your loved one gets the wrapper off the box you can catch the perplexed look on the face – With a weird smile, why on earth only this.

But your actual Christmas gift could be something really valuable and one which is wished for, say an iPhone. The weird smile soon may turn into a big hug. Isn’t this an easy way to double the surprise by spending an extra $7.99?

Watch TV on BagTV? The Best gift for your wife!!!

2009-11-14T17:59:00.001+05:30

This could be absolutely the best gift for your wife – A beautifully crafted high quality leather hang bag which has an attached TV in it. Young girls can easily pass your time while traveling with this companion bag. Of course there may be some starring eyes around.

BagTV is from London and features a 7 inch screen with integrated DVD/MP3 player and digital photo viewer. It is best suited for long journeys as the battery will last for 2.5 hours. It gives you the freedom to transfer your pictures and videos from your pc. If you still have more of them, plug them in with a SD card.

This stylish hand bag with TV comes in 7 vibrant shades and comes with a price tag of £ 295.00. Now you can carry all your entertainment in your bag itself.

Source…

Wanna Share your Food??

2009-11-14T17:58:00.003+05:30

Share your food; Share the same refrigerator space. Electrolux has come up with an outstandingly designed fridge that allots separate place to keep your food. So who needs it?

If you have shared your room with somebody, you would need no explanation. How many times did you smell the fish in your ice cream? This whole new concept lets you share your favorite food in your own territory in the same refrigerator. Isn’t this cool?

Each module will have enough space to keep bottles, frozen food, fruits, vegetables and anything else. Now you can find your food where you kept it and exactly the way you kept it. The greatest advantage of this fridge is that it stands as tall as a normal fridge only. Lots of space utilization, at the same time granting everyone privacy.

So when are you and your friends going to get one?

Source…

Motorola i9 made memorable by ModeShift Morphing

2009-11-14T17:58:00.001+05:30

It’s been a while since we talked about the Motorola Stature i9, the “thinnest iDEN Push-to-Talk flip ever”. Granted, it is a slim 15 mm thick, but you can’t sell a cell on thinness these days.

I had a chance to try it out for myself, and one of the features that I found very amazing is the ModeShift Morphing technology. You know how most clamshell phones have that secondary screen that does nothing more than just show the time and what the camera can see for self-portrait shots? The i9 really fulfills the potential of the Secondary Screen.

In fact, I had more fun accessing the features of the camera when it was closed than when it was open. All I had to do was push the menu button on the side, and I could access the main menu which included the Media player, 3.1 MP Camera, and Camcorder. The secondary screen had this odd frame with light up buttons that included haptic feedback for navigation. In short, the ModeShift Morphing allows the i9 to become a PMP when it is shut.

All in all, I would have to say that the i9 is one of the better basic cell phones that you can buy. It is available now from Sprint for $199 after mail-in rebate or Boost Mobile for about $299.

Dell Inspiron Zino HD unveiled

2009-11-14T17:57:00.001+05:30

Don’t you just love technology and how it makes life much more efficient apart from everything else shrinking in time? That’s what Dell has done with their latest Inspiron Zino HD line of computers, which is versatile enough to handle tasks that range from basic computing chores to driving a big-screen, High-Definition video media center. You have a bevy of colors to choose from, making it a snap to turn the Inspiron Zino HD into an easily personalized machine that will definitely add flare to any room it resides in. If you’re looking for a decent yet basic computing experience and do not want to blow your monthly budget out of the water, the Dell Inspiron Zino HD might just fit the bill perfectly, but do read on after the jump to check out on its specifications in further detail.

Prices start from $229 upwards, where the Inspiron Zino HD comes with standard HD-capable integrated graphics, HDMI output and integrated networking which makes it suitable for standard home and student computing activities including word processing, e-mail, organizing photos and music and surfing the Internet. This pocket-friendly and space-saving Inspiron Zino HD can also expand upon the amount of memory it comes with just to make sure it is able to keep up with the times without being obsolete too soon once you unpack it.

Dell has made sure that the Inspiron Zino HD can fit into tight spaces, measuring 7.75″ square and 3.5″ tall. Don’t be off-tracked by its diminutive size, however, as it still manages to pack in the following :-

Ultra-small form factor designed to fit almost anywhere
Easy personalization with 10 color choices for Inspiron Zino HD
Choice of AMD processors or dual core Athlon Neo X2 6850e
Up to 8GB dual channel DDR 2 memory
Up to 1TB internal hard disk storage
Combo DVD/CD RW drive with optional Blu-ray Disc combo
Integrated 10/100/1000 networking with wireless option
Optional wireless keyboard and mouse
Built in 2.1 high-definition audio and 4-in-1 media card reader
Integrated ATI graphics adapter with standard HDMI and VGA video connections, and optional 512MB discrete graphics adapter
Four USB ports (2 front/2 rear); two eSATA ports (rear)
Energy-Star 5.0 compliant

Press Release

Galaxy Dress lights up the night with 24,000 LEDs

2009-11-14T17:56:00.000+05:30

Normally, I don’t care about fashion, but after I saw this GalaxyDress, I’m starting to see a possible career in LED clothing.

The Galaxy Dress is toted as “the biggest LED dress in the world”, and it features 24,000 LED lights and 4,000 Swarovski crystals. I believe that it is powered by iPod batteries, and the energy to power it is equal to about 2 light bulbs. It’s nice that it does eat up that much power. There is an awesome video of it after the jump if you want to see this Lite Brite wear.

The Galaxy Dress was created by CuteCircuit, a design firm based in the United Kingdom. Designers Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz say that the dress has never been worn by an actual person, just mannequins.

Of course, I cannot really see an occasion where such a dress would be worn, unless you are filming some sort of futuristic Cinderella movie or something. The only thing I have to ask is what would happen if the dress got wet? Man, there’s a nightmare for you. Not only would you be getting electrocuted, but people would have to strip you naked to save your life.

The Galaxy Dress is currently (bad pun detected) on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and industry as part of the Fast Forward: Inventing the Future exhibit.

Source

How to receive emails to your cellphone [Free]

2009-10-05T18:24:00.003+05:30

FOLLOW THESE STEPS EASY AND SIMPLE..THIS TRICK WORKS ONLY IN INDIA.

STEP 1:CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT HERE--http://email2sms.netcore.co.in/index.html
All you have to do is send an sms like this MAIL START BANGALORE to 575758.
Replace the above location 'BANGALORE' with 'MUMBAI' or 'DELHI' etc.
[Additional charges applicable as per your Service Provider]
and u will get a ID and password to your cellphone. (ex.91xxxxxxxxxx.m3m.in).
Fill all your details etc as asked in the section of EMAIL2SMS.

STEP 2. Now LOGIN to your GMAIL account.

STEP 3. Navigate your way through. SETTINGS then FORWARDING and POP/IMAP

STEP 4.TICK forward a copy incoming email to.option.
Enter the ID obtained in STEP 1. and click save changes.
Ex:- Forward a copy of incoming mails to 919910xxxxxx@m3m.in

STEP 5. NOW U will receive your emails directly on your cell phone. [Images not applicable]
Enjoy.. Do post your comments here.

N86 Gets New Firmware [ Face Detection ]

2009-10-02T12:08:00.001+05:30

Nokia s flagship cameraphone, the N86, has received a major firmware update that is set to make the phone on par with its competitors in terms of camera specific features. Already a capable smartphone, the N86 was let down by inadequate features on the camera front which made it a sitting duck, for naysayers. Well, not any longer!

Nokia has given the N86 a v20 firmware upgrade almost a week ahead of schedule. If you recall, we had hinted about the N86 getting this face detection update a few days ago. The new version, v20.115 is now available for users with select product codes and the update can be done over the air as well. If that is too tricky, then you always have the traditional Nokia Software Updater way of updating the phone. Allaboutsymbian has posted a change log with the major changes in the new firmware and going by the looks of it, the N86 just got more desirable now.

Here s what you ll notice: (Via Allaboutsymbian)

Camera improvements:

Improved still image quality
Improved video quality
Face detection added
Red-eye removal added (Nokia note: "this is image processing which removes the red-eye. You need to be in red-eye reduction flash mode for it to be operational. Other flash modes it is disabled as there is a small shot to shot impact due to the extra image processing.")
New focus point indication - this shows where in the scene the camera is focussing
Improved Close-up focus. (Nokia note: "As a result you will find in most situations you can focus much closer than before. The new focus point indication will also help in confirming which part of your subject is used for critical focus checking")
Face detection is indicated by a yellow square.

Significant bug fixes to:

Web
Music store client
RealPlayer
Ovi Maps (including faster calibration of the digital compass)
Here and Now
N-Gage client
Nokia Messaging

And this is not the end of it. The phone apparently has more RAM on startup as well which should make it zippier. So, if you happen to own one of the many N86s out there why not try an update and see if it s available for you yet?

Bose reveals SoundDock 10 - India

2009-10-02T12:07:00.000+05:30

Bose has introduced the new SoundDock 10 digital music system in India. The music system claims to deliver audio performance previously unattainable from a one-piece speaker system for iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone models.

This new SoundDock system from Bose joins the SoundDock Classic, SoundDock Series II system and SoundDock Portable system. The SoundDock 10 System is made for iPod and is compatible with any clickwheel iPod, iPod Touch, and the iPhone models (first generation, 3G and 3GS. The system also works with original iPhone model.

Bose debuts its proprietary waveguide technology for the first itme in this SoundDock that measures about 9 inches high, 17 inches wide and 10 inches deep. The new waveguide matches newly designed Bose woofer and was reduced from 75 inches to 52 inches and is folded in the system's enclosure.

SoundDock 10 features a new, proprietary interchangeable docking architecture, designed to "future-proof" the system and protects an owner's investment as new media player technologies emerge. Bluetooth dock is offered separately to stream music wirelessly from a stereo Bluetooth music phone. As new devices become established standards, new docks will be made available.

An auxiliary input allows for the connection of additional equipment -- an iPod shuffle, MP3 player or portable CD player. A video output lets user's play video from an iPhone or iPod on a TV while listening to the soundtrack on the SoundDock 10 System. An infrared remote controls the system and the basic functions of an iPod or iPhone, including playlist navigation. It also allows listeners to switch back and forth between sources.

Two proprietary Bose Twiddler transducers are positioned in the front of the system. A proprietary vibration isolation structure is used to maintain iPod or iPhone performance, regardless of the listening level. For heat management, components are positioned to create a "chimney effect," efficiently cooling the system.

The SoundDock 10 Digital Music System is available for Rs. 40,388. The optional Bluetooth interchangeable dock will be available mid October for Rs. 8,888.

PSP Mini vs Iphone [Game costs]

2009-10-02T12:06:00.004+05:30

Wow, as if we needed more incentive to not invest in the PSPgo, a new trend has arisen during the first day of Mini availability. The same games cost more on the PSP/PSPgo than they do on the iPhone/iPod touch.

Examples:

Unfortunately, the system is setup to charge the consumer at maximum from the get-go. Games from the App Store start at free. PSP Mini games start at $5.

The fact of the matter is, the iPhone gaming experience isn't all that great. Full-fledged PSP titles should cost more than tiny downloadable apps any day. But there's no good reason for gamers to pay a premium on PSP titles that are available for less on other platforms, just because they generally pay more for games.

There are multiple fingers to be pointed here. Sony, for not allowing free games, which would inspire some price competition. Sony again, for skimming who knows how much off the top of the price point. (In comparison, it's known that Apple takes 30% off of the iPhone App Store sales.) And the publishers, who decide to set their games at prices of up to two or three times the cost of the iPhone version.

But the worst part? Not only is the content of overlapping titles generally no better than the iPhone; sometimes it's worse.

You see, PSP Minis can't have any network or online features. Nor can they support camera peripherals (a major focus of DSiWare innovation) or DLC. Kotaku just reviewed iPhone port Hero of Sparta. On the PSP it costs triple what you'll pay at the App Store. Their review? "Simplistic controls, muddled graphics and abysmal sounds turn what was a fantastic iPhone game into a oddly disjointed Playstation Portable experience." Kotaku's review of Tetris was much better. But you know what? Tetris costs twice as much on the PSP as it does the iPhone.

Some will say, well, you get what you pay for. But that's entirely our point. If you glance across the two platforms, you aren't getting what you're paying for. You're either getting less, or you're getting a lousy port or, best case scenario, you're getting basically the same thing for more.

Granted, PSP Minis are very new (they just launched today). The platform is young. And kudos to Sony for making the digital leap.

But Sony's most loyal fanbase—those frequenting PSN and checking out Minis on day one—shouldn't subsidize a company's foray into the new digital era. Especially given the relatively high price of the PSPgo, at least compared to other portable devices with a lot more processing power, I think the option for free game downloads—at least for a few approved titles—would be a reasonable thank-you.

I mean, even Apple, who doesn't provide the most open platforms in the world, has realized the merit of free app/game distribution. One, they're already making money off the hardware. And two, getting someone visiting iTunes will also get that someone to at least get a glimpse of what else iTunes is selling. Lure them in with a free game and they'll be more likely to purchase one later.

Stop pricing these games so high, Sony. Open up your platform, just a crack, make yourselves competitive with the App Store. Because, at the end of the day, we'd all prefer to be playing these iPhone games with full-out controllers. But right now there's quite a lot more iPhones and iPod Touches out there than PSPgos. Don't blow your (only?) shot to win us back.

Swiveling Touchscreen Viliv S7 S

2009-10-02T12:04:00.001+05:30

The Viliv S7, that hot little number we spec'd for you in January, is all but out and about today with one little caveat: Its not so little asking price is pegged between $630 to $800, depending on options.

If that drew a bit of a dubious whistle out of you, you're not alone. Comments over at CrunchGear echo the sentiment, and cast just the slightest bit of uncertainty over this impressive little rig's shiny sheen.

A recap, if you please:

There's a substantial seven hours of video playback on a swiveling 1024x600 7-inch touchscreen, thanks in part to the energy-sipping internals. An impressively sized keyboard sits on top of standard netbook specs, including an Atom processor (up to 1.86 GHz), 1 GB memory, 60 GB HDD/16 GB SSD, and Windows XP.

Not bad, but the price is pushing it, if ever so slightly. Or maybe you disagree. Thoughts before the inevitably soonish release? [Dynamism via CrunchGear]

Source: Gizmodo

Most Ingenious Bedside Clock Ever [Might BE]

2009-10-02T12:03:00.000+05:30

There are two things I don't like when I wake up in the morning— having looking across the room at the alarm clock on my desk, and sitting up to make sense of it. This timepiece acknowledges both issues.

Designed by Greg Wolos, the Emily alarm clock is both wall-mountable and sideways oriented so that it is by your bed and easily readable when you're in a prone position. It mixes retro looks with some modern styling, but will make your pockets $130 lighter. It still might be worth it.

Review for Samsung S5233

2009-10-02T11:50:00.000+05:30

Samsung USA has achieved another milestone in devising the Super Class phone– succeed another bench mark by leveraging “the magic of touch”– a total makeover of fun and fantasy. This time it has, it has unveiled a unique touch technology that gives a magic feel, the power of touch screen which will change your world in to happiness and contentment.

This unique and advanced touch phone Samsung S5233 has already rocked the market. Among other classic features it basically designed to give you magical feel by it touch screen, multimedia system, total entertainment through the music.

Google Wave Preview out!

2009-10-02T11:49:00.000+05:30

Google is about to hit a milestone for a product that the search giant hopes will transform how people communicate and collaborate online, and perhaps hook more users on Google's menu of web based services.

Google Wave, which combines elements of email, instant messaging and social networking to allow groups of people to collaborate on a task in real time, will be previewed starting to more than 100,000 developers and users who have signed up to try Wave and give Google feedback on how well it works.

Developed by a small engineering team led by Lars and Jens Rasmussen, the brothers who engineered Google Maps, the idea behind Wave is to move toward a kind of universal inbox - where email, video, maps, photos, text messages and even voice conversations can all become data objects to be shared and manipulated in real time by a group connected to a wave.

Google Wave combines email, instant messaging and social networking to allow people to collaborate on a task in real time.

Wave is a platform, which is a series of services, on top of which developers can create applications that supplement it.

Google has been working hard to engage outside software developers to write applications that will run on Wave, creating services that will lure users and provide a potential source of revenue.

Executives pumped up expectations when Google first revealed Wave at its annual developer conference earlier this year, using words like "magical'' and "unbelievable'' to describe the impact they said Wave could have on internet communication.

Developers such as Ribbit, a startup bought last year by BT that bills itself as "Silicon Valley's First Phone Company,'' have already written applications for Wave that Google featured on its official blog.

"If you have an email and an instant message and a voice call, that can all be navigated in the same wave,'' Ted Griggs, Ribbit's CEO, said.

"It's no longer email is one container and SMS is one container, and all these things are silos. Wave is breaking those silos down.''

Wave users running Ribbit's applications could, for example, hold a telephone conference that would connect through any kind of voice communication - a mobile phone, a land line or voice-over-internet - and then store a recording of the resulting conversation as an audio file or transcribe the conversation into a text document embedded in the Wave.

Another application Google demonstrated on its blog included a group of friends in scattered locations using the online version of the Lonely Planet guides to plan a trip to Australia through Wave, searching out attractions in Melbourne with Google maps, reading Lonely's Planet's description of those places, messaging their thoughts with the rest of the group, and collectively writing up a day-by-day itinerary, within one wave.

Real-time collaboration on the web ``is a natural evolution'' for how people use the internet, said Rony Zarom, founder and CEO of Watchitoo, a startup that allows people to view video and other web content simultaneously with their friends, and that plans to soon offer video conferencing and real-time document editing to companies and schools.

"It started as email being the major platform for communication, moved on to instant messaging, and you can see social networking taking those broad approaches as the major communication platform,'' Zarom said.

"I think the next trend is basically collaboration.

"I think more and more companies see that as the next trend on the internet.''

Zarom doesn't see the more complicated Wave replacing the simplicity and clarity of email, however, for Google, there's another hitch.

Wave won't run well on Microsoft's Internet Explorer, by far the most widely used web browser because Wave uses the newest HTML standard, which has not yet been incorporated into Microsoft's browser.

Internet Explorer users will first have to install a ``frame'' - essentially a browser within a browser - from Google's Chrome browser to use Wave.

Google says Wave runs fine on Apple's Safari 4 browser, Mozilla Foundation's new Firefox 3.5 browser, and on its Chrome browser.

The Chrome frame, Google says, will be invisible to Internet Explorer users but will greatly improve the performance of a Microsoft browser.

Microsoft, however, is warning users not to install the Chrome frame because of security concerns.

Other critics also are warning of problems.

"The overall effects of Chrome Frame are undesirable,'' Mitchell Baker, chairman of the Mozilla Foundation, wrote on his blog.

"I predict positive results will not be enduring and - to the extent it is adopted - Chrome Frame will end in growing fragmentation and loss of control for most of us, including web developers.''

Others have speculated that because Wave won't run on Internet Explorer, it is a kind of a Trojan horse in Google's browser war with Microsoft - a backdoor play to switch people to Chrome.

(Microsoft declined to comment on that scenario, and a Google spokesman denied it.)

But Ronald Gruia, an analyst who follows emerging teleco trends said Google's play is probably much broader than getting people to try its browser.

If Wave helps introduce users to other Google software that resides online - Google docs competes with Microsoft Office products like Word and Excel, while Google calendar competes with Microsoft's Outlook - Gruia said it could indirectly bolster the value of Google's advertising, the company's primary source of revenue.

"The better Google can get to know you as a person, the more targeted their advertising can become and the more they can charge for it,'' Gruia said.

"The more Google products you use, the stickier you are for Google, and the more they will also get to know about you.''

WHAT IS GOOGLE WAVE?

Google bills its new communication software as one part document and one part conversation. Friends or colleagues can work simultaneously on a task - planning a trip, charting a business strategy - wrapping in multiple facets of the web, including email, digital maps, video, photos and even voice communication. A demonstration is available at wave.google.com.

How to delete autorun.inf virus from usb

2009-09-29T16:36:00.001+05:30

If your computer infected with autorun virus, you will get an open with wizard when you double click on a drive. you can manually delete the autorun.inf file using following steps
Microsoft released patch to prevent Autorun Virus

First you Restart your computer to safe mode !

Open command prompt ( Go to Start >> RUN and type CMD)

Go to the drive. ("cd e:" - use your drive letter )

Go to the root directory (cd \ )

then change the attributes of the autorun file

attrib -h -r -s autorun.inf

-h = remove Hidden property
-r = remove Read only property
-s = remove System file property

Now you delete the file

del -h -r -s autorun.inf

Only open that drive after the restart.

Thats it ....

Opera Mini 5 [Preview]

2009-09-28T21:59:00.001+05:30

A year after the arrival of Opera Mini 4, it is now time to graduate to the next version of Opera Mini, arguably the worlds most widely used Mobile Browser.

The Beta version of Opera Mini 5 has just been released, and as always, we take close look at the browser. The browser has been released at a time when quite a few contenders have been at Opera heels to gain a foothold in the fiercely competitive mobile browser market. The players apart from Opera include Skyfire, Bolt and even Mozilla's Fennec. With Opera Mini 5, Opera once again seems all set to retain its position in the mobile browser arena.

Opera Mini 5 takes a giant leap in terms of look and feel with almost nothing that makes it resemble its older brother. The icons, the buttons and almost every element of the browser sports a new, fresher, rounded look - compared to the more "business like" approach of its older versions. Even the icons have been given a facelift. And guess what, the changes here are not just cosmetic. Under the hood, Opera Mini now gets some real firepower - tabbed browsing included. Perhaps the most sought after feature for the browser ever since its inception back in 2005. So, what's new? Lots In fact! Let's take a look.

The UI

The first thing you'd notice about the Opera Mini 5, right from the installation procedure, is the changed look and feel of the browser. The white installation window is now black and there is a "new" Opera logo as well. Post installation you get a welcome screen that mimics the look of the Opera Mini's desktop cousin, the Opera 10, complete with speed dials that you can customize according to your browsing habits. Depending on the kind of device you are using, Opera will adjust itself and optimize its looks to suit your device.

Most of the screenshots you see here are on an Omnia HD and for the same reason some things might not look familiar for those using a normal "keypad" enabled phone. The interface is snappy and responds immediately to your commands. For touch devices, there is a slight resemblance to the Apple and Android browsers with buttons being easily clickable. The URL text entry field is STILL separate from the search box - but they are in the same line instead of being atop each other as in the previous version. A major change we found in the UI is that entering URLs is a lot easier now and clicking a text entry field doesn't lead you to a page where you enter your text and hit OK to come back to the page. In fact, Opera Mini uses a QWERTY keypad of its own on full touchscreen devices (which works quite decently)

Conclusion

After using the browser for a considerable amount of time I have no doubts in saying that Opera Mini 5 is definitely a worthy upgrade from version 4.2 and apart from some of the missing features, there isn't really much to complain about the browser. The UI will simply blow you away and the best thing about it is that it doesn't actually slow down your phone considerably.

Also, this being a beta we can always look forward to having more features and better implementation of things when the final version is out, most probably in the months to come. So, have you checked out the Opera Mini 5 yet? If not, click here.

Source:- TechTree

Windows 7 Update Brings Fixes for Apps

2009-09-28T21:58:00.000+05:30

Microsoft has released a new Windows 7 update along with update for Windows Server 2008 R2 through Windows Update. This tiny package of updates brings fixes to the operating system to achieve better system stability. Basically the fixes apply to a number of applications that cause system instability and performance issues. This update is intended for Windows 7 RTM (Release to Manufacture) users.

Users on Windows 7 32-bit can download the 1.77MB update from here and users on 64-bit version can get 1.90MB update from here.

Here's a list of applications that get fixes with this update;

Alcohol 52%: Update enables Windows 7 compatible Alcohol 52% versions to work

Altiris and Symantec Virtual Software up to version 6.1.499.x: Upgrade Block to avoid errors during Windows upgrade

ZoomText version 9.18: Driver hard Block to prevent an error

Dell Printer Driver (Models-V105, V305 and V505) : Upgrade Block to avoid setup failure

Trend Micro Internet Security 2007: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade

Trend Micro Internet Security 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade

Trend Micro Internet Security 2009: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade

YiDongFeiXin version 2.2.x and version 3.5.x: Enables application to work

PGP Desktop up to version 9.x: Soft Block to warn about possible issue after Windows upgrade

Trend Micro VirusBuster 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid errors

Windows Live Photo Gallery: Update Windows Live Photo Gallery to avoid file association issue with Windows Media Player OCX

For more details about the issues, check Microsoft's corresponding Knowledge Base article on this update here. In the past, Microsoft has released updates for Windows 7 beta and release candidate users as well.

TomTom White Pearl

2009-06-04T14:58:00.000+05:30

Getting lost is no fun, not when you have a bunch of kids sitting in the back row who can’t stop asking the question, “Are we there yet?” Having a GPS navigation system is more or less indispensable these days, especially when driving around has gotten so much more convenient. For folks who tend to drive out of state frequently and head off to unfamiliar places, toting a GPS navigation system is a God-send since you don’t have to worry about folding up any maps once you’ve got your bearings, and there is always the software to blame before your wife lets loose on you a verbal tirade on how you are too stubborn to stop by and ask someone for directions. Hey, you asked the GPS software, didn’t you? TomTom is offering yet another model for the masses - the White Pearl, which is a special edition navigation product with a twist.

Sony unveils PSP go

2009-06-04T14:52:00.002+05:30

Looks like Sony can’t really keep their secrets from leaking out to the public before the official announcement, as image leaks as well as whispers of the PSP go were already making their rounds well ahead of the E3 announcement. Well, for those who recently picked up a Sony PSP-3000 (yes, it is in its third iteration already for that particular generation), there is a new device that looks set to displace the PSP-3000 in due time - assuming it does crazily well, of course. We’re guessing that Sony is taking Nintendo’s similar approach as they did all those years ago, touting the DS Phat to be the “third pillar”, only bringing it to the forefront and discontinuing the Game Boy line when the DS was found to be doing exceptionally well. Only time will tell, but let us take a look at the Sony PSP go in greater detail today.

Dell unleashes power of Alienware M17x

2009-06-04T14:52:00.001+05:30

It is nice to know that ever since Dell bought over extreme gaming brand Alienware, they haven’t really affected the company’s performance in any way. Dell still churns out reliable (for most people, anyways - there are always horror stories to tell of any brand in this world) notebooks and desktops for millions of people around the world each day, and Alienware sticks to what it does best - working on drool-worthy gaming machines that cost a bomb, and yet people won’t mind forking out good money for it due to the overall aesthetics as well as performance that come in a single package. Having said that, Alienware has rolled out yet another masterpiece today - the Alienware M17x gaming notebook that is set to blow your mind away.

Microsoft Previews Project Natal : New World of Life

2009-06-04T12:34:00.003+05:30

Microsoft stunned the video game world on Monday with the announcement of its forthcoming 'Project Natal' technology, full-body motion-sensitive technology that should allow gamers to do what they want without holding on to any hardware.

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

LOS ANGELES--For those of you who have been waiting for some really big news to come out of the video game industry, Microsoft answered your call Monday with its innovative "Project Natal," a hands-free motion-sensitive controller system.

Announced during Microsoft's annual E3 press conference, Project Natal seems almost certainly to be the culmination of several years of work by an Israeli start-up called 3DV Systems, which Microsoft recently acquired.

The technology, as demonstrated (see video below), appears geared toward allowing users to control games, movies, and anything else on their Xbox system with their hands alone, and without touching any hardware.prototype of 3DV Systems' motion-sensitive video camera, the technology that is most likely behind Microsoft's Project Natal, which it announced at E3 on Monday.(Credit: Jared Kohler/CNET)

Now, in what is clearly an attempt by the Xbox maker to significantly broaden the potential reach of the console and its Internet component, Xbox Live, Microsoft is betting that it can finally impress many of the millions of people who would never, ever consider themselves gamers but who somehow ended up with a Nintendo Wii in their homes.

How did Nintendo manage to break that barrier? By building a new-style motion-sensitive controller system that allowed users to direct game action by waving the controller around. To swing an in-game tennis racket, you swing the so-called Wii-mote like a tennis racket. To play a bowling game, you swing the Wii-mote in a bowling motion.

Natal, by comparison, provides much of that same functionality, but without having to hold on to the controller. Want to kick a ball in a game? Then make a kicking motion. Want to buzz in in a game show setting? Smack your fist into your hand. Want to share a drawing with an in-game avatar? Draw it and then hold it up to the Natal camera. As seen on-stage at E3, at least, it's all very simple, and very seamless.

So is Project Natal Microsoft's answer to the Wii-mote?

"And beyond, yeah," said Forrester principal analyst Paul Jackson. "Obviously, we've all got, in the game industry...a huge debt to pay to Nintendo for shaking things up a bit with the Wii, and for moving beyond the 37 button controller. This is taking things to the next extreme. Because even with the Wii, you still have (several) buttons, start and select. It's still a physical controller."

Added Jackson, Project Natal looks likely to "remove that final barrier between you sitting in your room and...what's on your screen."

Even given all that, however, a successful Natal launch is unlikely to knock Nintendo from the top of the next-generation console perch. The Wii's install base is huge, loyal and, in many cases, wary of Microsoft. And at the same time, one would have to expect that Sony, too, will be trying to get on the board with a full-scale motion-sensitive system.

Too early to tell
While there's no doubt that Microsoft caught everyone's attention with the Project Natal announcement, it's by no means certain that it will be a business success. For one, the company gave no indication of when the technology would be in users' hands. Nor did Microsoft say whether it would be sold as an Xbox accessory or be bundled with the console.

Microsoft Xbox Senior Vice President Don Mattrick did state that Project Natal would be compatible with every Xbox 360. But he didn't address how much it would cost, or whether it would be backward compatible with older Xbox 360 games. And afterward, Microsoft could not provide any additional details about the technology.

What this all means, then, is that while it's very clear Microsoft has some seriously cool technology on its hands, there's no way to judge--based on what we know right now, at least--whether Microsoft can successfully integrate Natal into its larger Xbox ecosystem. Still, given the company's deep pockets, and its traditional dedication to making new technology dominant, no matter how long it takes, I'd bet on Bill Gates & Co., having a winner with this one.

For one thing, Microsoft will finally have a response to the question of whether it can truly reach the mainstream. At the same time, however, it must find a way to attract that new audience while not alienating its core audience.

That's why Jackson said that no matter what happens with Natal, Microsoft is unlikely to abandon its traditional controller. It has to keep those core gamers, the ones who simply have to have their regular "Halo 3" gaming sessions, happy.

Jackson predicted that initially, Microsoft will sell Natal--or whatever it's called upon its release--in the $99 range. He pointed out that traditional controller systems come in the $50 range, but that Microsoft is going to have to pack some serious high-tech into Natal--a motion sensor, sophisticated directional microphones and video cameras.

SDKs begin arriving
On-stage at E3, Mattrick said that the Project Natal software development kits had just gone out. This means that while most of the video game world is in Los Angeles this week for the show, few people have had a chance to see it.

One who did get a sneak peek at Natal is Epic Games Design Director Cliff Bleszinski, the visionary behind "Gears of War."

"I had a chance to be hands-on with (Natal) a couple weeks ago," Bleszinski told CNET News, "and it was damned fun." But even Bleszinski said he hadn't gotten his hands on a SDK yet, and wasn't able to say anything about the development process.

Director Steven Spielberg came on-stage during the press briefing to praise Microsoft's approach to the mainstream audience with Project Natal.

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

And while one should always take what is said during a press conference with a grain of salt, one would think that someone like legendary film director Steven Spielberg wouldn't heap praise on anyone or anything unless he really meant it. And when he came on-stage during the briefing Monday, heap praise on Natal is exactly what he did.

"I've been asking the crucial question: how can interactive entertainment become as approachable as other forms of entertainment?" Spielberg said. "The vast majority of people are just too intimidated to pick up a video game controller...Despite the size of (the video game) industry, still 60 percent of households do not own a video game console...The only way to bring interactive entertainment to everybody is to make it invisible."

So now we wait. Jackson said given the time frame of the SDKs and how long it takes developers to bring games to market, it would be unlikely that we would see Natal in gamers' hands before the middle of next year. In fact, given that time frame, E3 2010 may be a perfect place for Microsoft to formally launch the technology.

And whether it chooses to do so, it seems guaranteed that when Microsoft takes the stage for its E3 2010 press briefing, it will have some very big news in its pocket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_txF7iETX0