Binatone unveils Home Surf Touch tablet for Indian market @ Rs.9K

Bangalore: Binatone, a UK based company, has launched an Android based tablet called the Home Surf Touch in India. The tablet is affordably priced at Rs. 9000, considering the price of its counterparts like iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The Home Surf Touch runs on the Android Donut 1.6 OS and has a screen size of 8-inch. The tablet is powered by ARM 11 667MHz processor and comes loaded with 2GB of internal memory. The tablet supports Wi-Fi.

Sat Murthi, Executive Vice President, Binatone India said, "Binatone plans to invest Rs. 50 crore in the next 12 months in technology, product development and marketing. Our products are specifically "Indianised" with special features like Audio boost, Power saver and Binatone Zone, which all have been carefully market researched and implemented to address the specific Indian needs." Murthi added that Binatone is bringing low-cost 3G handsets by end of the year to cater to the deployment of newer technologies in India.

With the big wig manufacturers bringing superior specifications tablets, it remains to be seen as to how will the Home Surf Touch fair amidst all of them?

Nokia N8 to be previewed exclusively at MAC 2010

Bangalore: The latest offering from the house of Nokia, the Nokia N8 will be previewed exclusively for the Indian customers at the Mobile Application Conference (MAC) India 2010 on September 25 in Bangalore. The Nokia N8 is the first device in the world to run on Symbian 3 operating system.

The device boasts of a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and Xenon flash. The camera also packs in special features like geo tagging and face and smile detection. The phone is capable of HD video recording. You can also edit your videos and share them all through the phone.

The N8 guarantees entertainment with Web TV and can also be hooked to TV or home theatre system. It also pulls feeds and updates from social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

What is more exciting is that you can personalize the phone by creating your own widgets. It also has voice-guided navigation for over 70 countries in the world. The phone is available in an exciting range of colors like Dark Grey, Silver White, Green, Blue and Orange.

Although the India launch date has not yet been revealed, you can be experience the smartphone here in your own backyard courtesy Nokia and MAC.

An iPhone app that measures pollutants in air

A new smartphone application can now allow users to keep a tab on the air quality and see the level of pollutants around them.

Computer scientists in the University of Southern California hope that as many users as possible download and try it in order to improve the software. Currently, the download works for smartphones running the Android system and soon will be widely available on Android app sources. An iPhone app is in the works.

The basic principle of the Visibility app is simple, according to the paper documenting the work by USC computer science professor Gaurav Sukhatme.

The user takes a picture of the sky while the sun is shining, which can be compared to established models of sky luminance to estimate visibility. Visibility is directly related to the concentration of harmful “haze aerosols,” tiny particles from dust, engine exhaust, mining or other sources in the air. Such aerosols turn the blue of a sunlit clear sky gray.There is one caveat — It has to be the right picture. The visibility/pollution models are based on the viewing geometry of the image and the position of the sun.

The Visibility app works because modern smartphones contain a rich set of sensors that include cameras, GPS systems, compasses and accelerometers, in addition to the powerful communication capabilities that are inspiring a slew of intelligent phone applications ranging from personal health monitoring to gaming and social networking.

Sameera Poduri, a postdoctoral researcher in Sukhatme’s lab, explained that the accelerometer in the phone — the sensor that tells how the user is holding the phone, determining whether it displays information vertically or horizontally — can “guide the user to point the camera in exactly the right direction.” The picture must be all or mostly sky, which makes a contribution from human user judgment critical. “Several computer vision problems that are extremely challenging to automate are trivially solved by a human. In our system, segmenting sky pixels in an arbitrary image is one such problem. When the user captures an image, we ask him [or her] to select a part of the image that is sky,” noted the research paper.

The accelerometers and the compass on the phone capture its position in three dimensions while the GPS data and time are used to compute the exact position of the sun. The application automatically computes the camera and solar orientation, uploading this data along with the image — a small (100KB) black-and-white file — to a central computer. The central computer analyzes the image to estimate pollutant content and returns a message to the user, as well as registering the information (User identities are anonymized). The system potentially can help fill in the many blanks in the existing maps of air pollution. So far the results are promising, but they indicate that several improvements are possible.Sukhatme added: “We’re sure we can improve it if we get people trying it and testing it and sending data.”

Dell plans to get into Internet TV devices

Bangalore: Dell is in plans to develop devices beyond PCs which would stream Internet content to regular television sets but the company is yet to make an official announcement for its product after studying the market opportunity.

The company will also consider the Google TV platform which merges broadcast TV and Internet into one interface. Apart from this, Dell will also follow Apple and Roku which offers a digital video player that streams content from the internet to the television, reports Agam Shah of IDG News.Samsung and Sony also have similar plans of using the Internet to stream movies and TV shows. "The company is evaluating new devices from set-top box makers and original design manufacturers (ODMs) that could seamlessly bring Internet content to TVs," said Chris Camilletti, Desktop Product Manager at Dell.

Dell is following companies like Apple, which makes the Apple TV, and Roku, which offers a digital video player that streams content from the Internet to TVs. A number of TV companies such as Samsung and Sony also have their eyes set on using the Internet to stream movies and TV shows.

The launch of Inspiron Zino HD desktop by the company, will help in bringing Internet movies to high-definition TVs. "The Zino HD is an entry point to make consumers aware of the capability to play streaming movies on TVs," Camilletti added. The device comes with a wireless keyboard and remote control that can switch between the PC and TV.

ReportsRIM to unveil BlackPad next week

RIM, the Canadian-maker of the popular Blackberry smartphone, is to unveil a tablet computer next week aimed at business users, according to reports on Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal and technology news site ZDNet.

The device, which is expected to be launched at a RIM developer conference, will mark a new challenge to the dominance of Apple’s iPad in the tablet computer market, coming as Samsung, Dell and Motorola all prepare similar devices that run on the increasingly popular Android operating system made by Google.

The BlackPad is likely to leverage Blackberry’s popularity among business users, but will feature a separate operating system from that device. Though Apple has scored huge successes among consumers with its iPhone and iPad, the devices have been somewhat less popular among business users because of the tight control Apple exerts over all aspects of the devices’ functions.

The Journal reported that the BlackPad would be available before the end of the year and feature a 7-inch (15.4-centimetre) screen, one or two cameras, and the ability to connect to the internet by tethering to a nearby BlackBerry handset. It will also come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities and will feature a new operating system made by QNX Software Systems, a company which RIM bought in April for $200 million.

Bangalore: The Q55 is an existing handset from Micromox's growing portfolio of products. The latest edition of the phone known as the Q55 Bling, comes entrenched with Swarovski Elements and IIFA insignia on the back of the phone. The special edition device also comes loaded with IIFA content including video of the previous IIFA editions.As for the features, the Q55 is a rather odd looking handset. It is a dual band phone (not dual SIM!) and boasts of a 262K color QVGA (320x240 pixels) display, 2.4-inches across. It also has a slide out QWERTY keypad and a decent 2.0 MP camera. The phone is social networking friendly and comes with an integrated Facebook app as well as Opera Mini.The phone supports Bluetooth and is fully EDGE/GPRS/WAP/MMS compatible and has 10MB of internal memory and a slot for microSD cards as well. The Li-ion battery is rated at (850mAh) and gives a talk time of up to 1-4 hours and a standby time of up to 180 hours.The phone is also ready to be sold in Sri Lanka where Micromax has tied up with Sri Lankan operator Dialog. Users in Sri Lanka will get a Dialog SIM with the handset.Micromax will launch the IIFA Edition of its Q55 handset at the upcoming IIFA Award function held in Sri Lanka on June 5. In India, the phone will be available starting June 3 and will cost Rs. 5,500 which amazingly is the same price at which the original Q55 retails.

The Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro Includes A Slide Out Keyboard

With its release imminent, all eyes are currently on Sony Ericsson for the release of the XPERIA X10 Mini Pro, the latest addition to the impressive XPERIA X10 range. Similar to the X10 Mini, this version offers the addition of a full QWERTY keyboard for efficient text input. The X10 Mini Pro includes a versatile media player which supports a range of file formats for both video and music files, so the handset doubles up as an effective media player. Other entertainment options include a stereo FM radio player as well as a selection of pre-installed games. The operating system of choice is the increasingly popular Android, in this case version 1.6. In order to connect to the internet, the X10 Mini Pro relied on 3G coverage where it utilises a HSDPA connection. A faster internet connection can be achieved, in areas where there is a wireless internet router. Wi-Fi connectivity utilises the signal to provide a much improved web browsing experience. Connection to cellular networks is provided by EDGE and GPRS, both of which are class 10 versions. Alert types include vibration and ringing, with the option to utilise MP3 music files for the purpose of ringtones, so users can hear the song of their choice whenever the phone rings. A speakerphone system and 3.5mm audio jack provide option for hands free communication. 128 MB of internal memory is provided for storing data such as video clips and music files. Also, a micro SD slot is provided for this purpose with a pre-installed 2 GB memory card. This can be increased, however, by up to 16 GB simply by installing an upgraded memory card which is ideal for those who like to store a large number of music tracks on their phone. The X10 Mini Pro is a small handset as the name suggests. It measures just 90x52x17mm and weighs just 120 grams. Thanks to its light weight and compact dimensions, it is a comfortable phone to hold and use on the go. The styling is simplistic yet sophisticated with a black finish and silver buttons and keyboard. As mentioned, the handset features a slide out QWERTY keyboard. As well as this, it also offers touch screen technology. The 2.55 inch TFT capacitive touch screen displays 16 million colours within 240x320 pixels for great quality display of on screen content. It is manufactured from scratch resistant materials and also features an accelerometer sensor for auto rotate. The built in camera is 5 mega pixels (2560x1920 pixels) so the still images are of very good quality. It features autofocus and LED flash which simplifies the task of taking snapshots. Video is recorded in VGA quality at a rate of 30 fps. It features a video light so low lighting conditions are no problem when filming video. The addition of a QWERTY keyboard is sure to appeal to those who may not be fans of touch screen keyboards, whilst its compact size and impressive range of features are sure to impress all manner of users.

The Nokia X6 Provides Excellent Media Functionality

With many of the same features offered by the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10, the XPERIA X10 Mini is a compact version of the recently released handset. The main difference is a 5MP camera instead of the 8 MP camera offered by the XPERIA X10. It features the same version of the Android OS (v1.6) and versatile functionality. Hands free talking is made possible thanks to the inclusion of an audio jack and a speakerphone. The compact handset utilises vibration and MP3 ringtones as its main alert types, and also offers users the chance to customise their phone and can hear a song of their choice whenever the phone rings. The 2.55 inch TFT capacitive touch screen displays up to 16M colours at a pixel layout of 240x320 pixels so the display quality is great. The handset measures 83x50x16mm, so as the name suggests, it is a compact handset. The styling is appealing, with a black colour scheme, and a refined, uncluttered appearance. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini is certainly a versatile handset. It offers application which appeal to a wide range of users. The internal media player supports most video and music file formats. Application offering direct access to popular websites such as YouTube and Google are included along with a document viewer, voice memo recorder and T9 predictive text input. Additional entertainment features include a selection of games and a stereo FM radio player. As mentioned, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini features an impressive 5 mega pixel camera. This operates at a pixel resolution of 2560x1920 pixels. This makes the quality of still images very high. The inclusion of an LED flash and autofocus make it easy to take good quality photographs. It also features the ability to shoot video in VGA quality at 30 frames per second. Internal memory in the X10 Mini is 128MB which allows a small number of media files to be stored. However a micro SD slot is included with a pre-installed 2GB memory card, which can be upgraded to 16 GB, allowing ample storage for media files and other data. Class 10 versions of both EDGE and GPRS provide the initial means of connectivity to cellular networks in areas lacking 3G coverage. In areas covered by 3G, a connection to the internet is provided via HSDPA and HSUPA. Wi-Fi support allows a faster internet connection to be attained by utilising local wireless internet routers.

The Nokia N8 Is An Advanced Camera Phone

Nokia has recently announced an impressive new handset, the N8. With a wealth of exceptional features, this touch screen Smartphone looks sure to give certain competitors a run for their money. The N8 measures 113.5x 59.1x 12.9 mm whilst weighing in at just 135 g. Its relatively slimline profile and light weight make this both a comfortable phone to hold and use and is also pocket friendly, ideal for those who spend their days on the move. It is certainly attractive handset, with its minimalistic styling, and the front dominated by the large touchscreen. The Nokia N8 is available in dark grey, silver white, green, blue and orange colour variants. Therefore it offers appeal to style conscious users who may view their phone as a fashion statement. The Nokia N8 is equipped with an impressive digital camera boasting a whopping 12 mega pixels. This operates at a pixel resolution of 4000x 3000 pixels, providing an unparalleled level of detail and clarity within still images, higher than that of many expensive standalone digital cameras. It features Carl Zeiss optics, Autofocus, Xenon flash and face and smile detection, so it is never been easier to take photos of such a high quality. As you may expect the camera can also shoot video in 720p quality at a rate of and 25 frames per second, with a secondary recording in VGA quality. The Nokia N8 provides internal storage of 16 GB as standard, allowing plenty of storage for data such as media files. If needed, the micro SD slot can be utilised by installing a memory card of up to 32 GB which should provide ample storage for the needs of most users. The internal phonebook can store a seemingly endless number of contacts and boasts the ever popular Photocall feature. A number of different connectivity methods are utilised by the Nokia N8 to keep it connected to both cellular networks and the Internet. In areas with little or no 3G coverage, class 32 versions of both GPRS and EDGE provide the primary method of cellular network connectivity. Wi-Fi Technology is utilised whenever the handset senses the presence of a local wireless Internet router, so users can surf the web at broadband speeds. In areas covered by 3G, access to the Internet is provided by a HSDPA connection at speeds of up to 10.2 mega bytes per second (alongside HSUPA at 2 MB per second). A generously proportioned 3.5 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen boasts the ability to display up to 16M colours within a pixel layout of 360x 640 pixels, providing excellent levels of detail and clarity within the on screen images. A wealth of additional features is included as you expect. These range from a versatile media player, GPS with A-GPS support, digital compass and a document viewer. Therefore the Nokia N8 is equipped to cater to the needs of all manner of users. With a number of features adding to the appeal of this handset, the one which stands out most is certainly the 12 mega pixel digital camera. This it is amongst the most advanced cameras available on a mobile phone today, and to Nokia appeared to have made a wise move in cornering this lucrative area of the market.

The Motorola Backflip Features An Impressive Array Of Technologies

Along with the Milestone, Motorola have embraced the Android OS with some success within the Backflip. This uniquely designed handset provides the everyday functionality one would expect from the manufacturer, and incorporates both touch screen navigation along with the efficiency of a full QWERTY keyboard. The TFT capacitive touchscreen measures 3.1 inches and utilises a pixel layout of 320x480 in which it displays 256K colours for unsurpassed depth and clarity of on screen content. An accelerometer sensor is built in for auto rotation of the screen, allowing it to be viewed in both portrait and landscape depending on the orientation of the phone. A backtrack touch panel offers an additional method of navigating the Android user interface. The Backflip utilises several means of connecting to the cellular networks and internet, dependent upon what coverage is available at the time. The initial means of connecting to cellular networks is via class 12 versions of EDGE and GPRS in areas with low 3G coverage. Where 3G is available, HSDPA takes advantage of the increased data stream for an internet connection of 7.2 mega bytes per second. In areas where a signal from a wireless internet router is available, Wi-Fi kicks in to provide a much faster internet connection and therefore an enhanced web browsing experience. In order to carry out tasks such as transferring media files, USB connectivity allows the handset to be directly connected to a computer, whilst Bluetooth allows similar functions to be carried out between other compatible phones. The dimensions of the Backflip are 108x53x15x3mm, and it weighs in at a respectable 133 grams. Its moderate weight will reassure many users about the build quality of the handset, whist its dimensions make it relatively pocket friendly. The Backflip is finished in a glossy black colour scheme with silver trim and detailing, for a sophisticated look. Internal memory in the Backflip is 256MB as standard, allowing a good deal of storage for data such as media files or photos. A micro SD slot is included for this purpose also, with a pre-installed 2GB memory card. This can be upgraded, however to up to 32 GB by installing a larger memory card. The internal phonebook can store a seemingly unlimited number of contacts and has the popular and useful photocall feature built in. The Backflip has plenty of offer to keep users busy. With a versatile media player which supports most everyday formats of both music and video files, a range of games are also pre-installed to keep users entertained. Social networking applications allow a convenient method of directly accessing popular sites such as FaceBook, MySpace and Twitter. Photobucket and Picasa integration allows photos taken on the phone’s camera to be uploaded to these sites in seconds for the world to enjoy. The camera boasts 5 mega pixels, so the photos it takes are of good quality. It can shoot video in CIF at 30 frames per second as an alternative method of image capture. The Motorola Backflip is an ideal choice for those who are looking for something different whilst maintaining a high level of everyday functionality.

Best Ergonomic Computer Set You Should Have In Your Office

Perhaps you’ve heard of product catalogues that showcase a variety of products which you should possess, but they never really tell why you need them in the first place. If you are usually cooped up in a busy office, facing nothing else but your computer screen, you might have heard of ergonomic computer accessories that can help you fight stress and improve your health; but if you were to pick any of these ergonomic accessories, would you know which to pick? Product catalogues can help you make that decision easily and the more details you get, the better. Buying quality ergonomic hardware for your computer is one healthy investment that can definitely benefit you and your work. Furthermore, ergonomic products have been proven to assist the PC user battle stress and other body injuries caused by uncomfortable furniture like chairs and computer tables. In order to find the best ergonomic computer set for yourself, you need to go over different kinds of designs and computer hardware; but instead of doing the browsing yourself, here are top suggestions from ErgonomicsMadeEasy.com, one of the best providers and reviewers of ergonomic products: Ergonomic Keyboards As we settle into our computer chairs, the most active parts of our body would be our hands, typing away on the keyboard, non-stop. Most of the activities which we do on our computers involve a certain level of typing, bringing stress to our hands and arms. To combat the stress and body strain, the best ergonomic keyboard pick of the day is the Wireless Slim Touch Keyboard. Everything you need can be found on the Wireless SlimTouch—from internet keys to Windows Media Center buttons. If you find it difficult to move your mouse around at a certain time, this keyboard comes with a built-in track pad and since the design of the keyboard is sleek, you will find it easier to press the keys. For this all-in-one tool, ErgonomicsMadeEasy.com rates it a 5/5. Ergonomic Mouse The next computer hardware which we use often, next to the keyboard is the mouse; or the trackpad for other people. If you prefer the casual and easy way of navigating through your computer, using the comfortable HeatWave Mouse which comes with a built-in infrared can assure ease and smooth navigation makes sure your fingers stay warm as you surf or work. Perhaps the cheapest ergonomic mouse in the market today, priced at less than $30.00, the HeatWave Mouse is known to work wonders. Ergonomic Desks As computer users, we often find the need to rest our feet on a short stool to remain at ease as we type. Those who use the computer for longer periods of time find it necessary to do this, which is why the new and improved HiLo Ergonomic Workstation comes with an ergonomic footrest attached to its body. Its sleek design and high-quality material makes it a must-have in your office. There are other ergonomic accessories that can provide you with the best computer-usage experience and at the same time, keep your body free from the ever dreaded RSI or Repetitive Stress Injuries. Equip your computer set with the best ergonomic tools today so you’ll never have to worry about unprecedented body aches and pains.

The Samsung Wave Utilises An Impressive Array Of Features

Soon to be released, the Samsung S8500 Wave is a slimline touch screen handset with a great range of features. Key functions include Wi-Fi internet access, 5 megapixel camera, and a versatile media player. Connection to the internet and cellular networks is achieved through a variety of methods. In order to connect to cellular networks, class 10 versions of both EDGE and GPRS are utilised. In areas covered by 3G, HSDPA is available at speeds of up to 7.2 MBPS for browsing the internet at a decent speed. A faster connection can be achieved though, thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity which utilises the signal provided by internet routers. Connection to other devices is achieved thanks to USB and Bluetooth. The 5MP camera (2592x1944 pixel resolution) takes excellent quality still images, and includes features such as autofocus and LED flash to simplify the task. 720p quality video can be shot with the camera, amongst the highest quality currently available on a camera phone. This is at a rate of 30 frames per second. As with still images, this features autofocus and a video light for filming in darker conditions. Bada OS is the operating system of choice for the Samsung Wave, and this works alongside a powerful 1GHz processor to handle demanding applications with ease. A versatile media player accommodates video and music files in a variety of formats, and a stereo FM radio player and choice of games keep users entertained. Thanks to the ability to assign MP3 music files as ringtones, users can customise their handset. Of course vibration works alongside ringing to alert users to incoming calls and messages. A 3.5mm audio jack accommodates hands free headsets, and a speakerphone provides an alternative means of hands free chatting. This features DNSe (Digital Natural Sound Engine) for excellent sound quality. The Samsung Wave handset measures 118x56x10.9mm so is very slim, and also light weight at 118 grams. This makes it comfortable to hold and a pleasure to use. The colour scheme is a tasteful black with silver trim on the buttons. Internal storage in the Samsung Wave is 2GB/8GB for storage of data such as music tracks and video clips. A micro SD slot can be utilised to gain further storage, simply by installing a larger memory card of up to 32 GB. The internal phonebook provides room to store a large number of contacts and includes the popular photocall feature. The screen measures 3.2 inches and features Super AMOLED Capacitive Touch Screen technology. This provides excellent display quality thanks to the ability to display up to 16M colours. The S8500 Wave looks set to become a flagship model for Samsung, given its impressive styling and great range of features.